Feeling better, thank goodness... I had a great lesson with the new teacher yesterday--lots of new ideas. It's a little overwhelming, but I'm excited about the new things. And now three different people, who don't even know each other, have said I need to prepare to sing for management next year. Where those priorities now, girl? Heh. (Although we did discuss my auditioning for the Florida program--apparently the parts I was interested in covering require being skinny and tall. As I will never be either, I really don't need to sing for them. It's like shopping at Petite Sophisticate when you're neither petite nor sophisticated. Zing, Cathy!) So anyway, I have a lot to think about. I'm going to take a group of lessons with her while she's available this summer.
Hooray, Virtual Vacation Swap matches are out! I have my person's name, and I'm excited. I'm already thinking of stuff to get my person. And I guess I'll be hearing from my gifter soon...
No knitting to speak of here, but I should get some done this evening. I have to address the cardigan. Which means pulling out the border on the bottom and the sides, frogging a few inches, adding shaping... It's a good thing I bought two extra balls of the Prima. Oy.
Thursday, June 28
Tuesday, June 26
Stress sucks, man. Ugh. I just wish my body wouldn't immediately react by making my right shoulder seize up. I am seriously tired of feeling like crap, all the time.
There's lots going on (see above), but I can't say much about the really big thing coming up--other than it involves traveling, and should be a good thing if I can get beyond the whole stressing thing. I also have a lesson with a new teacher tomorrow--another good thing, but my shoulder problem will certainly throw a wrench into that. Oh, and my car is acting up--some starter thing that my father will fix over the weekend (which meant canceling plans), but in the meantime I don't want to drive the car, to save the starts it has left in it. So Mark and I have been sharing the car so far this week--but my lesson tomorrow is two hours away, so I'm going to have to chance it with my car.
The main stressor, though, is my effing day job. I work PART-TIME for a reason--so I can concentrate on what's really important. But 175 manuscripts dropped on my desk two weeks ago (figuratively--they're actually on the computer, thankfully), and I have yet to approach the bottom of the pile. And immediately I got bitchy with Mark, and my shoulder and neck cramped up, and I've been having really awful dreams... The more I think about it, the more I realize that I've been taking my office job way too seriously. To the point where I was vacillating about auditioning to go back to Florida next winter (which would be a great step for me, with the fach change and all) because I would have to QUIT MY DAY JOB. Umm...WTF?! And honestly, I can make a hell of a lot more money (and work fewer hours) teaching voice than I do at my office job. Another thing: the daughter of one of my co-workers is about to start college, and my coworker mentioned how her daughter was interested in painting, but is primarily thinking of majoring in some medical-type field. I mentioned how difficult it is financially to be an artist, and that only doing it on the side is nothing to be ashamed of, and that it doesn't reflect poorly on one's talents--to which my coworker said, "Oh, like you." NO, not at ALL like me!! Would I work part-time in a field that had nothing to do with my MASTER'S DEGREE, which I will be paying for into the foreseeable future, if I were only singing "on the side"?! Hmm...maybe they just don't understand. That's about right, I guess.
I feel a little better now. Thanks, Blog! =')
Knitting news: not much to report. I made that hat, but it's too big even after making it 20 percent smaller--more work to do there. The cardi is too boxy, so I'll have to add some shaping or something, maybe. The second sock is underway, and at least I know that will fit...
There's lots going on (see above), but I can't say much about the really big thing coming up--other than it involves traveling, and should be a good thing if I can get beyond the whole stressing thing. I also have a lesson with a new teacher tomorrow--another good thing, but my shoulder problem will certainly throw a wrench into that. Oh, and my car is acting up--some starter thing that my father will fix over the weekend (which meant canceling plans), but in the meantime I don't want to drive the car, to save the starts it has left in it. So Mark and I have been sharing the car so far this week--but my lesson tomorrow is two hours away, so I'm going to have to chance it with my car.
The main stressor, though, is my effing day job. I work PART-TIME for a reason--so I can concentrate on what's really important. But 175 manuscripts dropped on my desk two weeks ago (figuratively--they're actually on the computer, thankfully), and I have yet to approach the bottom of the pile. And immediately I got bitchy with Mark, and my shoulder and neck cramped up, and I've been having really awful dreams... The more I think about it, the more I realize that I've been taking my office job way too seriously. To the point where I was vacillating about auditioning to go back to Florida next winter (which would be a great step for me, with the fach change and all) because I would have to QUIT MY DAY JOB. Umm...WTF?! And honestly, I can make a hell of a lot more money (and work fewer hours) teaching voice than I do at my office job. Another thing: the daughter of one of my co-workers is about to start college, and my coworker mentioned how her daughter was interested in painting, but is primarily thinking of majoring in some medical-type field. I mentioned how difficult it is financially to be an artist, and that only doing it on the side is nothing to be ashamed of, and that it doesn't reflect poorly on one's talents--to which my coworker said, "Oh, like you." NO, not at ALL like me!! Would I work part-time in a field that had nothing to do with my MASTER'S DEGREE, which I will be paying for into the foreseeable future, if I were only singing "on the side"?! Hmm...maybe they just don't understand. That's about right, I guess.
I feel a little better now. Thanks, Blog! =')
Knitting news: not much to report. I made that hat, but it's too big even after making it 20 percent smaller--more work to do there. The cardi is too boxy, so I'll have to add some shaping or something, maybe. The second sock is underway, and at least I know that will fit...
Thursday, June 21
Five Things about 10 topics... (from Amanda)
Remove the blog from the top, move all the blogs up one, add yourself to the bottom.
Twas Brillig
Ennui in the Grocery
Novembrance
NH Knitting Mama
Space Between the Notes
What were you doing ten years ago?
Summer of 1997...getting ready to start my junior year of college, working at The Children's Place, doing lots of arrangements for my a cappella group, and crushing hard on Cowboy. Ah, sweet Cowboy... [snerk]
What were you doing one year ago?
Um, sitting exactly where I am right now, at my desk at work. At that point the ill-fated (for me) Madame Butterfly production was scheduled for October, so I was probably working hard on that. Also, I was on medication for anxiety (unnecessary!) that made me totally sick. Yuck.
Five Snacks You Enjoy:
In no particular order--
1) Ice cream
2) Fresh peaches
3) Dark chocolate
4) Mojitos (a liquid snack!)
5) Cheddar cheese
Five songs you know all the lyrics to:
Um...this is what I do for a living. Well, I'll just pick long and/or interesting ones, I guess.
1) Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
2) Thunder Road (Springsteen)
3) Stairway! (Zep)
4) Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In) (Kenny Rogers & the First Edition)
5) We Didn't Start the Fire (Billy Joel)
(Sidebar: I'd like to say I knew all the words to "It's the End of the World As We Know It", but I don't. Michael Stipe doesn't even have that thing memorized!)
Things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1) Finance my husband's writing career. Whatever he wants to do.
2) Provide for my parents and grandparents.
3) Hang out in Hawaii for a while.
4) Start a foundation and give a whole lot to charity (picking from the enormous field of worthy organizations would be the most difficult part--Literacy? HIV? Human Rights?).
5) Buy a loft in Manhattan, and have all the lessons and coachings I want. Oh, and go to the Met and NYCO a lot.
Five Bad Habits:
1) Letting the clean laundry pile up on the upstairs couch
2) Not returning emails promptly
3) Taking out my angst on my poor boo
4) Not exercising enough
5) Two words: cookie dough
Five things you like to do:
1) Dance
2) Go to the beach
3) Listen to and make music (duh)
4) Knit (duh)
5) Talk and talk and talk...
Five things you will never wear again:
1) The wedding dress, which is packed in one of those special boxes
2) Platforms--I've sprained that left ankle too many times now...
3) Midriff-baring baby tees--the respectable kind from the late '90s, before ultra-low-rise jeans and the muffin top.
4) Two more words: ankle treatments. (No Excuses jeans!)
5) Anything with a tapered leg. Go on, make my butt look bigger!
Five Favorite Toys:
1) Circular needles. Seriously, the person who invented these should be nominated for sainthood.
2) My precious, precious laptop and the world it contains.
3) Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer in Empire Red.
4) DVD player
5) Cell phone
Where will I be in ten years?
I'll still be singing, hopefully in some decent houses. I'll probably be a mommy, and will definitely be forty years old.
Five people to tag:
I doubt there are enough people reading with blogs to actually tag. But help yourself, if you want!
Remove the blog from the top, move all the blogs up one, add yourself to the bottom.
Twas Brillig
Ennui in the Grocery
Novembrance
NH Knitting Mama
Space Between the Notes
What were you doing ten years ago?
Summer of 1997...getting ready to start my junior year of college, working at The Children's Place, doing lots of arrangements for my a cappella group, and crushing hard on Cowboy. Ah, sweet Cowboy... [snerk]
What were you doing one year ago?
Um, sitting exactly where I am right now, at my desk at work. At that point the ill-fated (for me) Madame Butterfly production was scheduled for October, so I was probably working hard on that. Also, I was on medication for anxiety (unnecessary!) that made me totally sick. Yuck.
Five Snacks You Enjoy:
In no particular order--
1) Ice cream
2) Fresh peaches
3) Dark chocolate
4) Mojitos (a liquid snack!)
5) Cheddar cheese
Five songs you know all the lyrics to:
Um...this is what I do for a living. Well, I'll just pick long and/or interesting ones, I guess.
1) Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
2) Thunder Road (Springsteen)
3) Stairway! (Zep)
4) Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In) (Kenny Rogers & the First Edition)
5) We Didn't Start the Fire (Billy Joel)
(Sidebar: I'd like to say I knew all the words to "It's the End of the World As We Know It", but I don't. Michael Stipe doesn't even have that thing memorized!)
Things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1) Finance my husband's writing career. Whatever he wants to do.
2) Provide for my parents and grandparents.
3) Hang out in Hawaii for a while.
4) Start a foundation and give a whole lot to charity (picking from the enormous field of worthy organizations would be the most difficult part--Literacy? HIV? Human Rights?).
5) Buy a loft in Manhattan, and have all the lessons and coachings I want. Oh, and go to the Met and NYCO a lot.
Five Bad Habits:
1) Letting the clean laundry pile up on the upstairs couch
2) Not returning emails promptly
3) Taking out my angst on my poor boo
4) Not exercising enough
5) Two words: cookie dough
Five things you like to do:
1) Dance
2) Go to the beach
3) Listen to and make music (duh)
4) Knit (duh)
5) Talk and talk and talk...
Five things you will never wear again:
1) The wedding dress, which is packed in one of those special boxes
2) Platforms--I've sprained that left ankle too many times now...
3) Midriff-baring baby tees--the respectable kind from the late '90s, before ultra-low-rise jeans and the muffin top.
4) Two more words: ankle treatments. (No Excuses jeans!)
5) Anything with a tapered leg. Go on, make my butt look bigger!
Five Favorite Toys:
1) Circular needles. Seriously, the person who invented these should be nominated for sainthood.
2) My precious, precious laptop and the world it contains.
3) Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer in Empire Red.
4) DVD player
5) Cell phone
Where will I be in ten years?
I'll still be singing, hopefully in some decent houses. I'll probably be a mommy, and will definitely be forty years old.
Five people to tag:
I doubt there are enough people reading with blogs to actually tag. But help yourself, if you want!
Monday, June 18
Now that wasn't so bad, was it?
Retro Rib from Favorite Socks, in Lion Brand Magic Stripes yarn in Sea Colors (being discontinued! must buy more for second sock!), modeled by the lovely recipient. I never thought I would make a sock--um, they do sell them really cheap--but they make a pretty simple and portable value-added project. Mark insists he will wear them--outside the house, even! He picked out the yarn--a little louder than I would've picked to go with his navy suit, but hey, they're his socks. I am taking a break from teensy needles and mini gauge for a few days--last night I started a newsboy cap from Creative Knitting with a cute bulky cotton blend, but I'm not sure how it will turn out. (I have a small head, and have had to modify yet again. Damn my small head! lol) The other project currently gracing our ottoman (it is not technically "on the needles", since I had to remove the size 10.5 circs from it to make the hat) is that cardigan:
Yes, it is novelty yarn, but more in a fuzzy, allergic-to-angora kind of way than a Fun Fur Free-For-All!! kind of way. Oh, and did I mention that despite all appearances and the 75% off sale, this yarn is indeed not being discontinued. No, it's right back to $10.99 a skein. For 82 yards. Just my luck to pick the most expensive yarn in the store, and still be about a skein short. Luckily I was able to score some really cheap on eBay. I think I need to stay away from eBay, incidentally.
Speaking of online purchases, while perusing Cathy's bridal registry I couldn't help but notice one of you jokers registered for a 99-cent bag of pretzels. Bravo, I say. We registered for a can strainer insert for $2.99 that nobody bought us, and I am still a bit miffed. (No more messy tuna hands!)
Anywhoo, when I'm not doing my Madame DeFarge** impression, and Mark isn't frittering his life away on AddictingGames.com, we have been busy with some minor social engagements, culling our collective belongings for things to donate to charity (we bought a new stereo, which meant parting with my beloved Panasonic from 1988--dual tape deck and all! I'm still in mourning), and avoiding the massive pile of clean laundry that begs to be put away. (Nothing to see here.) He has some job stuff on the horizon, but we've been at it long enough that I refuse to get my hopes up until something concrete comes his way.
**Any theories on how Madame DeFarge knitted those names into her neverending afghan/tapestry? My vote is for illusion knitting--intarsia would've been too obvious, I would think. Unless she used some sort of numerological code: L-U-C-I-E could've been k12-p21-k3-p9-k5. Or maybe the number of rows of a certain color corresponded with certain letters? Wow. You'd think I had nothing else to think about. Maybe I could make all my holiday scarves using this idea. Ooh, fun! Obviously the large iced coffee I had this afternoon has actually fueled my creative side.
Oh, and in case you thought I wasn't dreaming anymore, here's two recent ones that perhaps offer huge insight into my psyche:
1. Futuristic-yet-Edwardian setting, co-starring a widower (played by Cary Elwes--yes, almost all of my dreams progress like movies, to the point where I am even aware of it within the dream) who works with my (film) husband and for my (film) father-in-law. Having started a new job as a schoolteacher in some city, I am forced by unspeakable traffic to spend the night at his house with his children. Sexual tension becomes apparent. Widower professes undying love for schoolteacher, but is tortured because he can't act on his feelings. Schoolteacher says she is in a loveless marriage. Dream ends before anything interesting happens.
2. Attending a high-school sponsored all-night graduation party, I am strapped into a very heavy, aluminum-frame backpack because of my political beliefs. I sit down on bleachers in the gym next to Dr. Gregory House (the character!), he scowls, etc. A female cafeteria worker cuts off the tip of her finger, and her coworker calls out for a doctor. I berate Dr. House for not immediately running to reattach the woman's finger. He grudingly goes to reattach the finger, and I follow. At some point the cloakroom we've used as a triage room morphs into a NYC Subway car, and Dr. House proceeds to seduce me in some not-so-subtle ways. At one point I become Dr. Cameron, but before then it's unclear who I'm supposed to be.
Analysis: Jennifer watches too much television, and needs to lose her Jane Eyre obsession.
Retro Rib from Favorite Socks, in Lion Brand Magic Stripes yarn in Sea Colors (being discontinued! must buy more for second sock!), modeled by the lovely recipient. I never thought I would make a sock--um, they do sell them really cheap--but they make a pretty simple and portable value-added project. Mark insists he will wear them--outside the house, even! He picked out the yarn--a little louder than I would've picked to go with his navy suit, but hey, they're his socks. I am taking a break from teensy needles and mini gauge for a few days--last night I started a newsboy cap from Creative Knitting with a cute bulky cotton blend, but I'm not sure how it will turn out. (I have a small head, and have had to modify yet again. Damn my small head! lol) The other project currently gracing our ottoman (it is not technically "on the needles", since I had to remove the size 10.5 circs from it to make the hat) is that cardigan:
Yes, it is novelty yarn, but more in a fuzzy, allergic-to-angora kind of way than a Fun Fur Free-For-All!! kind of way. Oh, and did I mention that despite all appearances and the 75% off sale, this yarn is indeed not being discontinued. No, it's right back to $10.99 a skein. For 82 yards. Just my luck to pick the most expensive yarn in the store, and still be about a skein short. Luckily I was able to score some really cheap on eBay. I think I need to stay away from eBay, incidentally.
Speaking of online purchases, while perusing Cathy's bridal registry I couldn't help but notice one of you jokers registered for a 99-cent bag of pretzels. Bravo, I say. We registered for a can strainer insert for $2.99 that nobody bought us, and I am still a bit miffed. (No more messy tuna hands!)
Anywhoo, when I'm not doing my Madame DeFarge** impression, and Mark isn't frittering his life away on AddictingGames.com, we have been busy with some minor social engagements, culling our collective belongings for things to donate to charity (we bought a new stereo, which meant parting with my beloved Panasonic from 1988--dual tape deck and all! I'm still in mourning), and avoiding the massive pile of clean laundry that begs to be put away. (Nothing to see here.) He has some job stuff on the horizon, but we've been at it long enough that I refuse to get my hopes up until something concrete comes his way.
**Any theories on how Madame DeFarge knitted those names into her neverending afghan/tapestry? My vote is for illusion knitting--intarsia would've been too obvious, I would think. Unless she used some sort of numerological code: L-U-C-I-E could've been k12-p21-k3-p9-k5. Or maybe the number of rows of a certain color corresponded with certain letters? Wow. You'd think I had nothing else to think about. Maybe I could make all my holiday scarves using this idea. Ooh, fun! Obviously the large iced coffee I had this afternoon has actually fueled my creative side.
Oh, and in case you thought I wasn't dreaming anymore, here's two recent ones that perhaps offer huge insight into my psyche:
1. Futuristic-yet-Edwardian setting, co-starring a widower (played by Cary Elwes--yes, almost all of my dreams progress like movies, to the point where I am even aware of it within the dream) who works with my (film) husband and for my (film) father-in-law. Having started a new job as a schoolteacher in some city, I am forced by unspeakable traffic to spend the night at his house with his children. Sexual tension becomes apparent. Widower professes undying love for schoolteacher, but is tortured because he can't act on his feelings. Schoolteacher says she is in a loveless marriage. Dream ends before anything interesting happens.
2. Attending a high-school sponsored all-night graduation party, I am strapped into a very heavy, aluminum-frame backpack because of my political beliefs. I sit down on bleachers in the gym next to Dr. Gregory House (the character!), he scowls, etc. A female cafeteria worker cuts off the tip of her finger, and her coworker calls out for a doctor. I berate Dr. House for not immediately running to reattach the woman's finger. He grudingly goes to reattach the finger, and I follow. At some point the cloakroom we've used as a triage room morphs into a NYC Subway car, and Dr. House proceeds to seduce me in some not-so-subtle ways. At one point I become Dr. Cameron, but before then it's unclear who I'm supposed to be.
Analysis: Jennifer watches too much television, and needs to lose her Jane Eyre obsession.
Thursday, June 14
Monday, June 11
Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap Questionnaire!
(This is my first knitting swap, so bear with me.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?
Either Hawaii or Alaska--to walk on a volcano or a glacier, respectively.
2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
In the realm of possibility, probably Germany--so I can practice my German, go to the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, tour the Mosel wine country, visit long-lost relatives in Munich and Heidelberg, look at castles and cathedrals... In the realm of improbability, Tahiti sure would be nice.
3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Several times a year, blech. I've made the trip from North Carolina to New York quite a few times in the past eight years. I've also been from New York to Bar Harbor, Maine; North Carolina to southern Florida; and last summer, North Carolina to Ohio to New York to North Carolina. I have a lot of miles on my car.
4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?
We honeymooned in Cancun--does an all-inclusive count as "exotic"? We climbed Chichen-Itza, if it helps. I also spent a month in Portugal when I was eight, but we were visiting relatives so I don't consider it "exotic".
5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
Any time I travel with my boo, it's my favorite vacation. (Awwwwww...)
6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
There's a lot to do in North Carolina--we actually take a lot of weekend trips. We just spent our "second honeymoon" in a cabin eight miles from the Tennessee border--fabulous.
7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?
The perfect vacation would combine all three--but if I had to choose, museum visitor.
8. What's your favorite type of yarn?
Probably superwash wool. All wool if I'm felting, of course. Lightning strike me down, but I sometimes kind of like eyelash yarn--in moderation.
9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
Scratchy acrylic, or things I'm allergic to (see below).
10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?
I knit scarves, hats and felted bags for gifts, occasional sweaters for myself :)...I'm working on my first sock and all is well. I mainly just crochet afghans right now.
11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
Usually the project I'm working on, plus another in case I finish.
12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?
I kind of love Sculpey. (I made a Nativity set last December--though it was a small one.) I've also had passing affairs with beads and papermaking.
13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
I'm pretty seriously allergic to angora. I may or may not be allergic to mohair and alpaca, but I'd rather not take the chance. Food-wise, I have a yucky soy allergy.
14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?
My favorite colors are red, green and purple. I can't handle fluorescent colors.
15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
Sweet, baby! Bring on the chocolate! (But not those cream-flavored truffles.)
16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
I like cute and/or quirky things. I'm not much into flowery, embroidery stuff. My style is relatively modern and/or retro--I like clean lines and bright colors.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
New post tomorrow--with sock pictures! (Sorry for not posting much last week--I had some work obligations.)
(This is my first knitting swap, so bear with me.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?
Either Hawaii or Alaska--to walk on a volcano or a glacier, respectively.
2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
In the realm of possibility, probably Germany--so I can practice my German, go to the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, tour the Mosel wine country, visit long-lost relatives in Munich and Heidelberg, look at castles and cathedrals... In the realm of improbability, Tahiti sure would be nice.
3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Several times a year, blech. I've made the trip from North Carolina to New York quite a few times in the past eight years. I've also been from New York to Bar Harbor, Maine; North Carolina to southern Florida; and last summer, North Carolina to Ohio to New York to North Carolina. I have a lot of miles on my car.
4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?
We honeymooned in Cancun--does an all-inclusive count as "exotic"? We climbed Chichen-Itza, if it helps. I also spent a month in Portugal when I was eight, but we were visiting relatives so I don't consider it "exotic".
5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
Any time I travel with my boo, it's my favorite vacation. (Awwwwww...)
6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
There's a lot to do in North Carolina--we actually take a lot of weekend trips. We just spent our "second honeymoon" in a cabin eight miles from the Tennessee border--fabulous.
7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?
The perfect vacation would combine all three--but if I had to choose, museum visitor.
8. What's your favorite type of yarn?
Probably superwash wool. All wool if I'm felting, of course. Lightning strike me down, but I sometimes kind of like eyelash yarn--in moderation.
9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
Scratchy acrylic, or things I'm allergic to (see below).
10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?
I knit scarves, hats and felted bags for gifts, occasional sweaters for myself :)...I'm working on my first sock and all is well. I mainly just crochet afghans right now.
11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
Usually the project I'm working on, plus another in case I finish.
12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?
I kind of love Sculpey. (I made a Nativity set last December--though it was a small one.) I've also had passing affairs with beads and papermaking.
13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
I'm pretty seriously allergic to angora. I may or may not be allergic to mohair and alpaca, but I'd rather not take the chance. Food-wise, I have a yucky soy allergy.
14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?
My favorite colors are red, green and purple. I can't handle fluorescent colors.
15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
Sweet, baby! Bring on the chocolate! (But not those cream-flavored truffles.)
16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
I like cute and/or quirky things. I'm not much into flowery, embroidery stuff. My style is relatively modern and/or retro--I like clean lines and bright colors.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
New post tomorrow--with sock pictures! (Sorry for not posting much last week--I had some work obligations.)
Tuesday, June 5
Was it worth all the drama? Hell yes. I haven't even blocked it yet, but it's still great. (And no, I will never wear it with hot pink pants.)
Next on the agenda: the Sunkist Cardigan with Moda Dea Prima in white. I guess mine will be a Snowball Cardigan, then...this stuff is incredibly fluffy. (And no, I am not a novelty yarn devotee, but I wanted white yarn, and this one called to me from the bins--plus I got it mad cheap because it is presumably being discontinued or re-marketed.) I'm still in math mode, making modifications to the pattern as per my measurements and the swatch; but this will be a quickie, I think. And if I like the way it comes out, I may disassemble my Hug shrug and make one out of the recycled black boucle. (Overlong belled sleeves are just not practical for me, however much I envy them on other people. And truth be told, the Hug is not very flattering on me--there's always lots of shirt bunching in the chestal region. Enough about me and my boobage, though.) And after that--wait for it--possibly my first pair of socks. Except I only wear socks with sneakers, so I'd have to make them for someone. And I want to use that now-ubiquitous blue sport weight from the above-pictured sweater (still eight ounces left!). So does anybody want a pair of baby-blue acrylic socks??
(Sidebar: I just realized that I've made three patterns from the Warm '04 issue of Magknits, and in quantity. I've made three Hug shrugs, two Sophie bags (and more to come--great pattern!) and multiple Sprout hats for multiple little ones. Feelin' the Magknits love over here!)
In non-fiber news, we finally have a stove. It happened over two weeks ago, but I think I neglected to mention that one of the electric burners on our stove literally blew up while we were using it, sending a tiny spray of molten metal shooting out in all directions and punching a hole clear through our very nice stock pot. And this was not the first time, either. We had an ancient GE stove with push buttons for the burners--quite vogue in like, the '60s, I'm sure, but kind of scary now, particularly because they only worked on one setting of the five--medium high. (Simmering is kind of impossible here.) So obviously there has been a problem with a heat sensor or something for some time. We should've pushed for a new oven when the first burner went, but instead the landlord just had that coil replaced. Anyway, Mark called the management company the next day, and received word later on that we were definitely going to get a new stove. A week passes. Mark calls the management company again, and they ask him, "How do you like your new stove?" "Umm...we haven't received it yet." Turns out their contractor had a family emergency and took a whole week off, then our oven was on backorder when he finally did get to it. Would've been nice if he'd actually let the management know, right?? So anyway, after fifteen days of no stove--I refused to use the damn thing again--we finally got it yesterday. But then as I was cooking dinner (yay!) the power went off. For two hours. Well, at least dinner tonight will be really quick...
Sunday, June 3
Apparently Hot Pocket theft from communal refrigerators is an epidemic. Who knew?? (That website is hilarious, by the way.)
And this here should not be a surprise to anybody, though contrary to the admonishments I've never lived less than half an hour from the city:
Tank top is going slowly. I had to frog the whole second sleeve-let the other day because somewhere I had skipped a YO or something. And Oh. My. God. PLEASE just tell me to get a damn size 5 circular needle already! So many dropped stitches! And you can get one for maybe $5 at JoAnn's. Anyway, I'm almost done--I only have about eight rows left, if nothing else calamitous happens...
And this here should not be a surprise to anybody, though contrary to the admonishments I've never lived less than half an hour from the city:
What American accent do you have?
Created by Xavier on Memegen.net
Created by Xavier on Memegen.net
New York City. You are most definitely from New York City. Not New Jersey, not Connecticut. If you are from Jersey then you can probably get into New York City in 10 minutes or less.
Take this quiz now - it's easy!
Tank top is going slowly. I had to frog the whole second sleeve-let the other day because somewhere I had skipped a YO or something. And Oh. My. God. PLEASE just tell me to get a damn size 5 circular needle already! So many dropped stitches! And you can get one for maybe $5 at JoAnn's. Anyway, I'm almost done--I only have about eight rows left, if nothing else calamitous happens...
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