House of Steph

New Site

2007-03-08T13:02:00.000-05:00

FINALLY, I've moved to the new blogger. Had to get mom to sign in from her computer and do the switch for me... Maybe blogger got stuck on my computer. Who knows? But hey now it works.

Okay, for those devoted fans who have been checking ever so faithfully--you know who you are... the ones who have been thinking, "gosh, why isn't Steph blogging anymore??", I have a new site. You didn't think I would really go this long without a post, did you?? haha

Here it is: http://houseofsteph.typepad.com

Feel free to use this as an archive or something. :) Thanks for looking.

Finally

2007-02-03T09:47:00.000-05:00

Gosh! Blogger would not let me post!!!

Just because it's been quiet around here doesn't mean there's no crafting going on...
More posts to come. Gotta go to work first.

Maybe I'll try moving to the new Blogger later today.

edredón de mocha es terminado!!

2007-01-24T01:00:00.000-05:00

Mocha quilt is finished! :) Hooray! For days and days I pondered the possibilities of the binding fabric... Why not just bind with the backing fabric once and a while? Nothing else seemed right.

Finito:

The finished size is only 34 x 42". I intended for it to be a lap quilt. Me gustalo muchisimo! :)

I have also been dying yarn with Kool-Aid. The color is nowhere NEAR as dark as I wanted it to be, so I'm breakin' out the Rit Dye... We'll show that yarn a thing or two! Here's the Kool-Aid stained yarn:

I used cherry with a dash of grape to get this color. It's possible I should have used two packs of the cherry Kool Aid per skein, but who knew? It's my first try. I got four skeins of this mystery yarn during my thrifting adventure this week. IT WAS $1!!! FOUR SKEINS!! There's a lot of yardage, and I'm pretty sure it's pure lamb's wool that someone spun... The original color looks just like sheep. :)

Anyway, I'm still sticking to the Finishing Act of January 2007 for now. (but I did manage to sneak in a pair of one-hour booties for my bestest-ever friend...) heehee

Lurky Lurkers

2007-01-23T22:33:00.000-05:00

Lurk, lurk, lurkety, lurk.
Come out n say hi, won't ya?

Photo Collage

2007-01-20T22:30:00.000-05:00

I ordered some prints from Snapfish.com and this is what I decided to do with them. :)

Not much sewing the last few days. Busy THINKING about sewing, but not actually doing it. I'm also THINKING about dying some yarn from the thrift shop. Might go ahead and do that now.

Old School

2007-01-18T22:53:00.000-05:00

A little more or less demented. A lot more in the dark. Me, SIX years ago. My god, where does time go?

Thinking lately about cutting/coloring the hair. And by the way, I just ordered these frames again. Dammit, I miss them!

Maybe I'll go dark like this:

I definitely want to cut it short. Like, old-school short.

Who am I these days? I'm gonna bring it back.

Thrifting = good

2007-01-18T00:55:00.000-05:00

There are no good local yarn shops in this place but the thrift stores are something to behold. I've found that there are more than ten within a ten-mile radius, and for now the gettin's good. Today, I spent about $10 on two full skeins of non-wal-mart yarn, some hand-spun yarn (un-identified fibers, but very dye-able and possible candidate for a full-size clapotis) a few notions, some patterns and more than five full yards of fabric. Oh yeah: and some ties--lots of men's ties. If you add the awesome coffee and tea cups I found, that total comes to a whopping $10.50. Can you beat it? Some of the fabric even has TEXT!

I've decided to become a collector of this type of coffee cup. I posted some a LOOONG time ago that I got for 35c at the flea market in Charlotte (they're pictured with the oven mit, of course). I love the shape and uniqueness about them.

In the last few days I've come to discover that the only thing better than one stay-at-home day is another day off to follow.

Finished!

2007-01-17T00:54:00.000-05:00

Check this one off the list! DS Quilt esta terminado! :) Hooray!

Purchased the fabric in May 2006. Started it sometime in June. Got all the way to the binding and cut it too short to join. Gave up on it for a while and kept it in mind... Scared of binding.... Didn't like the idea of hand-sewing the binding. Decided I didn't like the way it was quilted (stitched in the ditch originally) and frogged the quilted part and binding. Re-quilted it today. Found an awesome tutorial online (thanks, MOM!!) for binding hand-made napkins and applied it to my quilt (thanks, Molly at PurlBee!). Added a little bit of fabric to make the binding long enough to join then sewed it up! And so, there ya go. A finished FIRST quilt for me! Many more to come.

Soon as I figure out what to bind the mocha quilt with, it will be done too.

The stay-at-home day did me some good today.

The equivalent of frogging

2007-01-16T14:47:00.000-05:00

...as applied to a quilt.

I took the quilt back off the big pink DS quilt. The more I looked at it, the more I hated the way I quilted it. I plan to do something else... something a bit more parallel and symmetrical. I might even NOT put a binding on it, afterall. Depends on how I work it out. We shall see.

All I know is, I'M OFF TODAY! And this is what I'll be working on. :) Yay for stay-at-home day!

Holding Fast to Resolutions

2007-01-12T11:41:00.000-05:00

Well, I finished quilting the Mocha Quilt. FINALLY. Gosh it seemed to drag on and on... After the first square, I was thinking to self, why didn't I just outline the squares?? Or just tie it?? Or something else?? Oh well, I think it turned out nicely. Now, the dreaded binding.

The other thing I worry about is, oops?? Did I remember to pre-wash the fabric? I'm not sure, really. I don't remember!

Here's a close up of the back:

In other news, we have duck eggs!! The ducks who live in the pond in our neighborhood have a nest. I saw them in the pond late at night one time doing it and thought it might be a little early. Who knows. All I know is that nature is cool. The man who runs the contracter's office said the papa duck was chasing Mexicans who were landscaping the other day! How funny is that???

New Year, New Needle Roll

2007-01-06T23:14:00.000-05:00

2007 needs to be all about follow-through. I think I will start by making this month "Finish the UFOs Month". I do say they are piling up. Let's count them, shall we?

1. Big pink DS Quilt (needs binding)
2. Mocha Quilt (quilting needs finishing, needs binding)
3. Feedsack Bag (needs assembly and handles)
4. Somewhat Cowl--started LAST MARCH! (needs neck and sleeves)
5. MDK Baby Kimono (needs seaming and ties)
6. Echino Book Bag (needs assembly and lining fabric--can't decide!)
7. New addition: Scarf-sized mini-clapotis (already fading quickly into dark, UFO land...)
8. DPN Roll--CHECK!

Done. I started this and got sidetracked and forgot about it for a month. Do I have ADD? (Definitely not ADHD... Not that one, for sure!) It feels good to finish something so quickly, I might add. All the work is basically done with these pieces--they just need a finishing touch.

Here's the DPN Roll.

And here's what we did today:

On the Road Again...

2007-01-04T12:40:00.000-05:00

Made it back to where I ripped:

Also made another scarf a couple of days ago. Check the awesome model. It's actually a very long scarf, but I just doubled it up and choked him with it. Maybe another pic later, but this is what I be gots for now. Silly. P.S. it wasn't even cold out that night!

"Um, Steph? You're not gonna put this on your blog, are you?" hahhahaha

Clapotis-itis

2007-01-04T01:38:00.000-05:00

I'm sick. Got the clapotis, ya know?
Knitted all of section one, most of section two, then started the repeat of section two and realized I forgot to do an increase... or did I leave out a row altogether?? Anyway, I ripped the whole thing out then went and watched a movie.

Will it ever get done? *Sigh*

Funniest thing---EVER!

2006-12-30T21:19:00.000-05:00

I wanna have this much fun at some time in my life!

Makes me laugh so f-ing hard I can't stand it!

Edit: Jennifer--The entire thing: the sketch, the man, the actor playing the man, the dance--everything. Funny, I hated The Gong Show when I was a kid--almost as much as I hated Hee-Haw. Now that I look back at it, HAH! Yeah! Sure beats the sh*t they call TV now...

Will it be enough?

2006-12-29T11:37:00.000-05:00

I guess this question can be asked of many things in my life right now...

I bought two skeins of ArtYarns Regal Silk a couple of months ago with intentions to make a scarf-sized (mini) clapotis. I did the swatch, and now I'm doubting whether I will have enough yarn to make ANYTHING with it at all....

I started out with US 8 needles, but I didn't like the gauge I was getting, so I switched mid-way to US 6. This will probably be what I use, but I still doubt whether my yardage will be enough. O well. Live and learn, right? I doubt I can find any more of this with the same dye lot.

Anyone wanna offer suggestions as to what I should do? A different project, maybe?

Merry Christmas

2006-12-25T21:10:00.000-05:00

I have decidedly not been hiding. I've just been BUSY. Here are a few little things I've made recently:

Mom's Christmas present. Scarf made with Berroco Trilogy, two skeins, on size US 9 needles. This is the first time I've ever used dropped stitches, and I *think* I've taught myself how it works. Yes, friends. I AM practicing for the mini clapotis I'm about to start.

Roosevelt looks very handsome in it, as well! :)

I made this oven mit a couple of weeks ago. I love the fabric choice!! I have been holding back this green since October for fear I might screw it up... This little mit comes from the Amy Butler book, In Stitches. It's a practice run for attaching binding. And yes, I may bind *THE* quilt(s) pretty soon...

I made a bag tonight. Amy Butler's Forest is truely one of my FAVORITE fabric lines! Just finished it. Took about two hours or so... Maybe one and a half... There's a small pocket in the lining.

Hope Christmas Day was a success for everyone. I'm thankful for my stay-at-home day and for the board game, Stratego. Made the man very happy. :) Goodnight.

Duck rhymes with luck

2006-12-17T03:54:00.000-05:00

...and he's really cute, too!!
Found him at the thrift shop, too.
I like him a lot, do you??

Hee-hee. Rhymes... Me thinks he was hand-painted or hand-crafted by someone because he's signed on the bottom! The price tag said $4, but I don't think I paid that for him, because I got three other $2 items and my grand total was $5. Hmmm....

P.S. The pics of the fabric didn't really do it much justice now that I look at the post. It'll be better once it's a finished object.

P.P.S. Anyone else out there not really feeling like it's Christmas?? The 70-degree weather could have something to do with it, I guess. Bah.

...That didn't stop me from making more trees the other night, though! :D YAY.

Luck

2006-12-15T11:16:00.000-05:00

A couple of things about luck:
When it comes to weather, the lottery, any sort of contest, or little special things I like to keep close to me, I have NO luck--EVER. B continually tells me I have the worst luck of ANYONE he knows. (That's bad.) Occasionally, I'll have OK luck finding what I'm looking for in stores, etc., but most often the bad luck finds me by making sure the store (office, service center, whatever) is CLOSED when I arrive. I have SOME luck SOMETIMES, but not often. It's like a sick game God likes to play with me. Apparently, patience is a virtue.

Hence, this post.

Good news first. (Let's be optimistic today, shall we?)
I made a (second) trip to the little thrift shop that benefits animal rescue in this area, just to see if they had anything good. At first I was not pleased. I found some cloth napkins that looked brand new that I might be able to use in a quilting project or something... Then I turned and found they had a huge bin of vintage fabric! And old feed sacks!! (On a side note, this place really is like living in another era...) No repros here! This is the real deal. Now, granted: Not ALL of it is vintage. There were some pieces from the 70s and 80s in there. Not a problem. I'll just donate those that I didn't like back to the shop. Here's a couple of shots of the goods and a preview of what I'm doing with the feedsacks--yes, there are SIX of them! So many ideas, so little time.

Just my luck: Blogger won't let me post any additional pictures... Oh well.
The CONE of yarn just so happens to be Elmore-Pisgah's 100% cotton (Mason-Dixon Knitting, Hello?) and it was only $1!

So: the rest of the story goes like this. My ipod? Yes. It died. I've had it for three? months... Now I have all this fabric and other goodies but the element that brings it all together is gone. Back to CD's for me, I guess. For a while at least... I never get a break....

Holidays-ie

2006-12-14T00:56:00.000-05:00

Can't get enough of the little trees I've seen everywhere!! Since I spotted them in purl yesterday, I Of COURSE had to make a couple!

Awww... *cough-cough!* I mean, Bah! Humbug!

I got myself a couple of presents, too!

Bugs, Part II

2006-12-07T20:58:00.000-05:00

I got you muthafukkka! HAH!

*robot voice*: "SCORE! A DIRECT HIT!"

Don't mess with The Steph.

(P.S. This was not anywhere NEAR the house--at all. THANK GOD! Just in case anyone was wondering...)

Uh, oh--She's been cooking again...

2006-12-04T23:10:00.000-05:00

Um, yeah. I'm not really a good cook. In fact, I usually screw up any attempt at cooking, unless it's a sandwich or eggs (or an egg sandwich!). HOWEVER! There might be a breakthrough afterall. Yes, I made a damn-good meal tonight and I feel the need to brag, and I even documented it!

Tonight's special includes a delicious lentil soup, along with a cheese quesadilla with a side of chips and salsa. The wine of the day (...week, year...) is Dyed in the Wool Pinot Noir. After dinner, feel free to clean your own dishes (or not) and retire to the studio to make your friend an APRON!!

Inspiration:

I have been coveting this awesome little apron for as long as I've owned the book. My best friend got married about six months ago and bought a new house and is now expecting a baby, so I thought I would make her some stuff for the homestead. She asked me about an apron a while ago and has been holding off buying one until I got around to making her one. Good thing I'm feeling crafty these days... Hope she likes. If not, I'll wear it! :) Yay for kitchy-kitchen stuff.

Skills I didn't know I had...

2006-11-27T23:05:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah! I be gots the skillz. Where did this come from? Hell, even I don't know. Someone just asked me to do it, so I did. :) Good to know I can hack it, I guess...

I'm turnin' into a regular Martha Stewart, ova' hea!

Mocha Quilt

2006-11-25T13:27:00.000-05:00

I got it in my head a couple of days ago that I needed to make a quilt of just squares. Something easy, but visually pleasing. After some careful consideration and ideas from several patterns I found, this is the result.

This is the layout before it was pieced:

I do think I will be making several more of these. Quick & easy. Yeah!

P.S. Have you ever seen such a silly dog? Roosevelt, you steal all the limelight!

Okay, Peek Some More

2006-11-18T00:13:00.000-05:00

Here's the new yarn I got at Charlotte Yarn. Love that shop! :) Almost as much as Shiela's! Debbie Bliss silk! It's gonna make a nice present for someone I know...

Also, some sock yarn I couldn't live without:

Alllll these goodies get to live with the other goodies in my stash, which is outgrowing it's house... Behold the stash:

Peek, Continued

2006-11-17T11:05:00.000-05:00

Go to next post first for a chronological peek of the stash.

Not sure why, but Blogger will not let me post all my stuff today... Well, here's more...

I got some great stuff at Charlotte Yarn yesterday. I love that shop!

Well, shit! Blogger is simply not letting me post more pictures. More tomorrow.

Peek

2006-11-17T10:48:00.000-05:00

I've gotten some new fabric and yarn I don't think I've shown off yet... Here's a look at what catches my eye these days.

First: A present from my mister. He brought it back from NY just for me. It was a long walk for him to get to Purl Patchwork, but he loves me that much! I love it! I love it!

Next: Stuff I got in New York back in October. Left to right: Farm wool dyed with vegetable skins, Magdallanes for a long squishy scarf, green Koigu for some sockies, gold Regal Silk for a scarf-sized Clapotis, and fabric from Purl Patchwork! You recognize the canvas birdies? One of my associates wants to buy two of the bags I made with this stuff for his mother and his wife! This was a good trip for yarn and fabric, for sure!

Next: A meeting in Charleston lands me a quick trip to Knit to pick up this awesome new stuff! I met the nicest lady in the world there, and her name is Toni. She bought me yarn!! I was on a budget considering I had just bought all that stuff in New York. She said I simply must have it! Every time I think about that day I smile. Thank you, Toni!! You are awesome.

More recently, I was in Savannah at The Red Needle. Oddly, they have lots of yarns, but nothing I can really not live without... So I found some buttons for a cardigan I have planned to make. Who goes to the yarn shop and gets only buttons?

Le Bubblie es Finis

2006-11-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

Finished the Bubbly Curtain from Mason-Dixon Knitting! It's blocking for now, and I hope to hang it on Thursday or Friday. Just got to find a stick for the curtain rod.

Started: Late Summer 2006
Finished: November 12, 2006
Yarn: EuroFlax
Tools: US 6 straight needles, 46 CO sts

First time blocking ANY of my projects. Can you believe it? This one got starched, too! It rolled up a LOT while I was knitting it. Nice to see it laid out straight. It will look great next to my front door.

Bottom Rows

Bottom Close-up

Whole Curtain

Top "Ringholes"

Roosevelt Has a Myspace!

2006-11-08T23:17:00.000-05:00

He's so cool! Check him out: he's already got nine friends!
www.myspace.com/mr_roosevelt

Quickie about Bugs

2006-11-01T04:01:00.000-05:00

This posting is rated R for language content (mom). Sensitive? Don't read this one...

Bugs. This place is full of fucking bugs and other creepy-ass shit. Here's a run-down of the last month for me, as insidious as it is:

Early October: Huge spider on the wall in bedroom
Mid October: HUGE-ass ROACH got on ME, sent me into a mental tailspin
Late October: Weird salamander-thing on the front porch (strange but kinda nice actually...)

Today: Tick on my sweet baby's head!!

I must pat myself on the back: I personally pulled a tick off a very scary growling Mr. Roosevelt without batting an eye. Just got the tweezers, and after a few very tense moments, I got that fucker off! (We threw a party afterwards--just him and me.) Progress=this all went down with no biting and no tears.

Go momma, go momma, go!

Hate

2006-10-31T13:35:00.000-05:00

The word is widely used and is regarded as too harsh and over-the-top. Really, though, it's not. Hate is a true feeling. "Despise" is more or less the same but a bit more elegant. It's not good to hate things, situations, people, but it sure does make you feel better when you know you hate something. It's even better when you hate but it is undetected. I've learned one thing recently. It's something a certain someone has been telling me for years. Always--not just sometime, but always--say less than necessary. Hating in silence makes an even bigger difference.

Knitting to be displayed later today or tomorrow.
Happy halloween.

Not been writing much...

2006-10-24T02:23:00.000-04:00

I have become my own disapproval: I have been lurking more than writing!

Additionally, I've been watching TV more than knitting AND working more than not working.
Hmmm.... Decidedly, I need to take control of this situation.

No more lazy. It's cold out--gotta move to keep alive.

New Photos

2006-10-17T22:00:00.000-04:00

Got some new photos to show @ flickr.com. Check them out here: http://flickr.com/photos/mookiesteph/sets/975712/

Also check out the new handmade stuff. I didn't document all of it yet...

Proof that I was really on vacation... :)

Big Noro Scarf

2006-10-14T22:27:00.000-04:00

I know, I know... It's been a few days. I've been on vacation...
Pictures of my New York trip are soon to come. For now, feast all eyes on the new scarf. It's been a while since I made a scarf.

The light in the pic doesn't do the colors very much justice. First time for fringe...

Yarn: Noro Iro (3 skeins) 75% Wool, 25% Silk, 3x3 rib
Started: October 10 (late p.m.), 2006
Finished: October 14, 2006
Length: About 68"

Took a break from the almost-finished Somewhat Cowl to complete a quickie project. I still can't wait to finish the Somewhat Cowl! Ahem--October 6 came and went, didn't it? Well....

Gasp.

2006-10-06T00:39:00.000-04:00

I've somehow gotten out of the habit/neurosis/freak/pattern of checking the room/bed/pillow/sheets for spiders before I sleep. NO MORE.... Those days are over.

I wish I had a video of myself for this event!!

Oops, the only thing I had in the room to kill it was... Knitting Rules by Yarn Harlot. Sorry. I cleaned it up, though.

Now I have to go back in there....

What did you do today?

2006-10-02T19:08:00.000-04:00

Here's my day:

Very LATE edit:
Another thing I did today...

.More.More.More.

2006-10-02T01:29:00.000-04:00

Add one more thing to the list of FO's:

I made this one for Ewa from Poland. I hope she likes it. Definitely her colors. She's leaving tomorrow. I can't get enough of this bird fabric. Love it. Gonna buy more during my trip to NY this week.

Ewa, Kamil, (me), Peter, and Konrad. HH sucks but we still had a good time! Be safe.

Roosevelt

2006-09-28T22:19:00.000-04:00

Resting... Basking in the cuteness.

Waiting... Who's that?

Pondering... What's out there?

Smiling...Happy kid.

Gimme that duck!

Please do not feed or agitate the alligators?

2006-09-27T02:00:00.000-04:00

I went to lunch at Quiznos on my break from work expressly for purposes of taking a photo of this sign that makes me laugh every time I see it.

When I first started going to Quiznos a few months ago, I asked the girl who worked there if this sign was a joke. She replied, "no, there's two of them that live out there," as if this was a ridiculous question. Of course, the time I would go to take a picture of the sign there would just HAVE to be spanish moss on it but you get the idea. I have yet to see such alligators until I took this photo today.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a bump in the water behind the sign... You can see it WAY in the back of this photo.

So I walked over to see if I could get a closer look (and/or photo) and there he was! A real-life alligator! Where am I??? What is this place???

I guess his friend was jealous about all the photos so he came over to get some of the action... His friend??? There are two??? .Oh.my.god.

And so the point of this story: I live in the jungle.

So far this summer I have seen owls, various fish, seagulls that will eat pringles right out of your hand, DOLPHINS at close range, snakes in my yard, ducks, SCARY spiders that look like the cast of Arachnaphopia, bright green tree frogs, turtles, pelicans, GIANT cockroaches (excuse me, palmetto-bugs), racoons, jellyfish, B allegedly got stung by a sting ray and now alligators--real alligators--live where I get my lunch. Great.

Lots more pictures to come. Dad got his favorite daughter a brand new Olympus Stylus 710, 7.1 megapixel digital camera! :) Hooray! I've taken over 80 photos today! No more uploading from the cell phone at 40 cents each... Thanks, Dad (and mom!)! THIS CAMERA IS AWESOME!

UFOs are Everywhere

2006-09-25T19:06:00.000-04:00

With so many UFOs around, who can get anything finished?
So far we have...
1. the Somewhat Cowl, which I can't put down and I can't wait to wear,
2. the quilt, which I've been procrastinating finishing because of the binding (I don't know why),
3. two more wallets for the Polish girls,
4. an Amy Butler purse I cut out of the nice bird fabric from NY,
5. let's not forget the bubbly curtain--I don't want to talk about the tangled yarn situation...and
6. countless others...
They're everywhere! Including inside my head.

Why can't I finish? Why do I feel compelled to start (heh, and finish) a project in the midst of all these UFOs? Maybe it was the three balls of KnitPicks Main Line Cotton that made me do it (I wanted to see what the fuss is all about?). I have been knitting non-stop since last night at midnight and I have finished a cute little baby capelet for Alexys, Sharyn's soon-to-be one-year-old. She's the one who got the cute one-hour booties a year ago! Additonally, I have worked a bit on the Somewhat Cowl. Will post pics when I finally try it on.

Anyway, here's the new baby sweater. It's the pattern I got from craftster called the "Anthropologie-Inspired Capelet". I made two of them back in Feb-March.

Happy Birthday, Alexys! At least now I have one recent FO to speak of!

Blurry and Weird Pics

2006-09-24T00:11:00.000-04:00

Maria loves this little bag I made a while back. (Remember it?)

She requested I make her one. :)
Here's the new and improved version:

And a VERY blurry one:

For you, Maria! It will be taking a ride to Poland with her next week. She will be one stylin' chick.

Back to Finishing Old Projects

2006-09-21T20:52:00.000-04:00

I'm a bit behind on finishing my Somewhat Cowl... You know... The one I started back in MARCH! So I have been telling myself I need to finish SOMETHING before it gets cold (as cold as a beach can get, ahem). I have also been telling myself to please find the strength to start the Sweet Mary Jane pattern I was oh so excited about back in...hmmm... February???

Anyway, I got bored with the Somewhat Cowl because I became such a S.L.O.W. knitter during the process of completing the raglan increases. Procrastinate no more, Steph-you're on to joining in the round! :) Oh boy. I'll join in the round tonight, and hopefully be finished by October 6 so I can wear it in New York. Think it will happen? Maybe, but let's ask the binding for my quilt that has yet to be cut and see what it thinks....

Silly

2006-09-19T10:08:00.000-04:00

He's such a silly boy!

Freak-out Time

2006-09-14T01:30:00.000-04:00

This beach has no shells. I mean none. Shards, bits and pieces--that's all you get.

So, I was walking on the beach with Roosevelt yesterday, and these people were digging in this hole in the sand. Odd thing was...there were all these huge, beautiful conch shells and other souvenir store-type shells being dug up from this one hole in the sand! WTF? So I walked over and asked what's up. Apparently, this guy found a big shell or two, then started digging and found like, a gold mine of shells! It was quite uncanny. I just kept walking along the beach, but I was strangely drawn to this hole, the thought of why the hell there would be so many shells in one place, and plus...I wanted a couple of nice shells.

On the way back I stopped again to talk to the people, who had hundreds (probably) of REALLY NICE shells they had dug out of this hole. So I started digging around, not wildly, just moving sand a little bit. Digging and digging pursued. No good reason. I kept feeling puzzled about why there would be so many crazy shells here....

About 15 minutes pass, and then I did it. Sliced my middle finger on GOD KNOWS WHAT! Blood. Lots of blood. I'm freaking out. I walk down to the water to wash the blood off my hands. As I turn back, I look to the left and right of me. NO SHELLS. Straight ahead, in the middle of nowhere--a hole FULL of shells. WTF? Why o why did I have to cut my finger? Why. Why? Surely it was a shell... Right? What if it wasn't? Oh god. Needle, toxic waste, rusty scalpal...it could've been anything. Surely it was a shell... Right?

Off I go to find a doctor to get a Tetanus shot. Next time I write I will probably have lock jaw. How long does it take for that to set in?

Getting Around the Camera Problem

2006-09-12T02:10:00.000-04:00

Here's some recent stuff, even though there's no camera. Phones with cameras rock!

Saw the fabric online. Got the fabric at Purl. Fabric's even better in person--canvas! Got exactly the bag I wanted. :) Cut to finish: 2.5 hours.

Fuzzy pic of some fuzzy felted bowls I knitted while visiting at mom and dad's in May. Finally got around to felting them day before yesterday. They're already dry! Apologize for the quality. Again, no camera--just phone pics.

Hopefully my secret pal has received this by now... Otherwise the surprise is ruined. Felted clutch from the One Skein book. I LOVE how it turned out. So much I wanted to keep it... Mister said I shouldn't have given it to someone I don't know. HOWEVER, I love giving stuff I've made to people, even if I don't know them.

More progress on the bubbly curtain to come... Also, more projects to show soon I hope. Maybe I'll even bind the quilt! I'm off for two days! Whoooppeee!

Eh, Camera?

2006-09-08T13:41:00.000-04:00

Making all kinds of cute stuff today... But where's the camera? I think it's in New York. Oops.

Well, here's a couple I took with the cell phone while in New York.

Lost Another Good One

2006-09-06T19:56:00.000-04:00

Steve Irwin. Rest in peace. We loved you. Passion, diligence. A free spirit.

"May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young."
-Dylan

Croc Hunter, we will miss you.

Elvis Costello

2006-09-02T12:13:00.000-04:00

I saw him in Chelea yesterday at Balduccis. He was picking up some sushi.

Bubbly Curtain

2006-08-27T12:31:00.000-04:00

In my spare time including standing in line at the bank, watching TV I don't really want to watch, waiting for late people, waiting for appointments to be over, and eating lunch at work--yeah, spare time--I have managed to get a little progress on the bubbly curtain from the Mason Dixon Knitting book. Since this picture was taken, I think I've knitted about seven more inches. It's destined to hang right next to my front door so random freaks and/or bad guys can't look inside to see what I'm up to...

The more I knit it, the more I like it.
I have something else to show, but it's a secret-pal gift and I can't reveal it yet.

Happy Birthday B

2006-08-14T11:59:00.000-04:00

B's birthday was yesterday. I love him more and more every year. Next birthday we spend together will be in New York. There's more to this story. I'm very lucky to be loved by him.

Finished another zipper bag, too.

But I can't read Japanese!

2006-08-11T13:00:00.000-04:00

New book, new ideas. The only problem is that it is written in Japanese?Korean?Chinese? (can't be sure...) Anyway, there are some AWESOME ideas in this book: Machine Made Patchworks. I.love.this.book.

Here's the first item in a long list of items I would like to make. I especially liked this pattern because it's most like some of the things I've already made. I'm giving this to one of the Polish interns at my job. (not the $20 bill, let's not get crazy...)

Quilt Top

2006-08-10T12:34:00.000-04:00

Here's evidence that I really DO still sew. :) The quilt top is done!
Other evidence of my life, too. The other 90% of my time is spent working and trying deparately to keep myself sane.

Quilt Progress

2006-07-29T10:22:00.000-04:00

Finally: news of the quilt. I have cut all the pieces and assembled them into squares. Now there's pressing to be done and squaring-up of squares. Half of the quilt top is sewn and pressed. Just gotta find time to get the rest of the squares sewn together so the top will be complete.

What is it about fabric on carpet that makes a sweet baby kid wanna lay all over it? Funny, he only lays on the finished pieces. More to come.

Awww.

2006-07-26T23:24:00.000-04:00

Hi Bab, Nice Shirt. :) Woo Handsome.

Adventures in Interfacing

2006-07-11T23:15:00.000-04:00

The first little clutch did not have sufficient interfacing and became quite floppy once it had purse goodies in it. Quite disappointing, considering how COOL that fabric is/was/is? Anyway, same pattern, HEAVY interfacing and added boning to the opening makes for a very functional and sexy little clutch. Yum.

Zippers

2006-07-09T12:56:00.000-04:00

I love zippers, and I love zipper bags. In the LYS, I call these notions cases. In the purse, I call these change purses. Versitile? Yes. Fun to make? Yes. Something good to make while procrastinating on a quilt? Yes!

Maybe I should've tried using the flash on these... Or at least opened the blinds. Hmmm...
Progress on the quilt: Have washed and ironed the fabric. No snips, yet. There's always tomorrow. Supposed to rain. No beach for me. Maybe some more zipper bags? Yes.

Don't STARE!

2006-07-09T12:54:00.000-04:00

Haven't people ever seen a knitter knitting on the beach before??? Sheesh.

Start

2006-06-26T11:37:00.000-04:00

I will be starting THE quilt today. I have been putting it off for over a month now, and I don't really know why.

All that lovely fabric.... Who wants to bother it? Well, today's the day. Snip, snip, baby....snip, snip.

I WANT that quilt.

Back to Normal?

2006-06-14T03:53:00.000-04:00

Normal=not sulking
Normal=thinking of too many projects to do!
Normal=getting off my ass to make SOMEthing
Normal=finished project to show!
Normal=hopefully posting more often.....

Finished=mocha clutch
Finished=modified Amy Butler pattern
Finished=MINE

A little of this, a little of that

2006-06-05T11:46:00.000-04:00

I've let the blog lie dormant the last few weeks. I'm not sure if it's that I don't have much to say, or if it's that what I want to say would be so utterly depressing (and/or uninteresting to you, they, whomever...). Moving sucks the life out of things, and that's just what I've done: Moved to the land that time forgot. The grass is definitely not greener in SC, and a lot of things "could be finer".

However, I do have some new EXCELLENT fabric to show along with a couple of little things I whipped up. (I'll keep the mindless complaining to myself for now).

More Booties

2006-05-10T02:21:00.000-04:00

Isn't it gross how I continually knit booties, booties, and more booties? There are no kids here, and nor will there be anytime soon. You see, it's all about the knitting... These are such an easy and quick project (not to mention CUTE!) that it's almost a pattern you can't pass up. Whenever I get in a knitting funk, I knit some one-hour baby booties from SNB. Someone's bound to have a baby someday, and when they do, I'll be ready.

These just so happen to be for a collegue. She's buying them for her nephew-to-be. Sweetness.

huh?

2006-05-08T23:37:00.000-04:00

See what Care Bear you are.

Your #1 Match: ISTP

The Mechanic
You are calm and collected, even in the most difficult of situations.A person of action and self-direction, you love being independent.To outsiders yous eem impulsive, surprising, and unpredictable.You are good at understanding how all things work, except for people.
You would make an excellent pilot, forensic pathologist, or athlete.

What's" Your Personality Type?

The time has come for all good (wo)men to...

2006-05-05T19:43:00.000-04:00

...find the time to sew something good! GosH? Why do I continually make excuses for why I cannot find time to do the things that I want? The time is N>O>W>, and I will have good pictures of good stuff to show the world in a matter of hours. Get in there and fight!

Edit: Yes! I made two within a few hours of this post... Batteries were dead in camera, though...

...ps...
Still have not joined any damn somewhat cowls in the round, and still haven't knitted baby booties for the gal at work who wants to BUY them! What's wrong with me? I gotta get in the fight. Okay, really: pictures later. Something is gonna be done about this TO-night.

...

2006-04-25T08:13:00.000-04:00

Started a new ball on the somewhat cowl finally. I'm still only about 9 inches into the raglan increases... Someday it will be done. Patience is a virtue. No pics to display today.

One good thing: I found the pattern I got for the Mary Jane Cardigan... It was lost for about, ooohhh, six weeks? YES! I might start that one pretty soon.

Hold the Carbs...

2006-04-20T12:20:00.000-04:00

So I conquered two things yesterday:
1. Did some spring cleaning before the Mister comes home for the summer.
2. Got back into the kitchen (Oh god....) and managed to cook a wholesome, yet tasty, low-carb dinner!

One week into phase 1 and I'm down six lbs. :) Yesss!

Also knitted four more rows on the SC, but not much difference. Feels like forEVER to get to the joining in the round part. Oh well... One day.

Here's the colorful menu from yesterday:
Grilled chicken burger with garlic and feta; side of roasted veggies and a salad wedge.
I even splurged on a Michelob Ultra at only 2.5 carbs each!

Where does the time go??

2006-04-16T23:36:00.000-04:00

Where have I been? Has it really been nine days? ...NINE?... Well, just in case anyone was wondering, I have been back to working and sleeping and working and sleeping and working again... No time to do ANYTHING. I did, however, find a way around the "no knitting due to new job" scenario, though... Sad but true, I have been knitting in my car on my lunch break. I'm such a dork. It has afforded me a little bit of progress on my SC, though, so stop laughing (or crying). I can't wait until it's long enough to join in the round. At least then I'll really feel like I've gotten somewhere.

This dark yarn doesn't really photograph very well, but it's there in all its glory. Ah, yes. I made that with my own little hands. Don't you just love the laundry room shot?

In other news, I have started the South Beach Diet. I would like to drop about 15 lbs. On day FIVE, I have lost 6 lbs. (How the hell? I dunno.) I did cheat just a bit today, though. I was .S.T.A.R.V.I.N.G. and I downed a protein bar that had 22 carbs. That's the most I've had in five days. I feel pretty good except for the utter emptiness of not eating good food, but hey, at least I'll look better when the weight's gone. Hah! No more chips and salsa for a while, I'm afraid. Boo. I loves me some chips and salsa! Self portrait Sunday will resume when the weight is gone. Lovely. TTFN.

New Job = NO KNITTING

2006-04-07T09:10:00.000-04:00

Work gets in the way of knitting.

Somewhat Progress

2006-04-02T16:29:00.000-04:00

Gosh the Somewhat Cowl is going slowly! I do have excuses, ahem, reasons, though... Work, work, more work, no time to knit, and when I do knit, I get two LONG rows done, then fall asleep. I'm going to make the conscious effort to get more done and FAST. Okay, so here it is:

And since it's Sunday, here's a beauti-fly self-portrait! :)

Vintage Thrift Store Patterns!

2006-03-21T15:36:00.000-05:00

Okay, this never happens to me. I got an urge to go thrift-shopping. There's a new one not far from where I live, so I ventured out. Can't believe what I found! Vintage Simplicity and Butterick patterns! The best part is, they cost me

....FIVE....CENTS....EACH....!!!

Holy Shit, right? Needless to say, I've been to the fabric store, too... And yes, I DID go to Sewing Arts Studio, promptly at 10:30 a.m. this morning, but *ONLY* because I was driving past there anyway to get to the thrift store.... And yes, I did get me some-o-dat yummy Amy Butler fabric to which I referred in my last post. Sigh... *SUCH* a push-over....

Closed

2006-03-20T19:46:00.000-05:00

Why, o why do fabric shop owners think it is a good idea to close at 5 p.m. during the week and stay closed all day on SUNDAY? Sunday is a day for crafting, am I right? Even HOBBY frickin LOBBY is closed on Sunday. What decade is this? Get real, craft stores. This is simply wrong. Anyone who has a life and actually EARNS their keep, (you know, most of America) cannot make it to the craft store before 5. The Sewing Arts Studio--only place in town that harbors the ever-so-coveted Amy Butler fabrics--is ALWAYS closed. I mean, how the hell does she make any money? Get real, lady! The real crafters in town cannot afford your $10,000 machines that take all the fun out of sewing, and they CERTAINLY cannot make it to your shop during your CRAZY limited hours... Now, I said I want that Amy Butler Fabric, so LET ME IN!

...10 to 5... Huh. Keep your fabric. I'll get it online!

Self Portrait Sunday

2006-03-19T14:04:00.000-05:00

Mad, sad, tired. Sans glasses. Chapped lips. Going Shopping.

I've made a few things this week. Here's the evidence:

Booties for my boss's daughter's new baby in NY. Yeah, I know...

Wallet for the wallet swap I'm doing on craftster. Oops. It was supposed to go out on Friday. I had it all ready to go, but missed the post office! Sending today via UPS. Sent other goodies, too, just for fun.

This wallet came in as a close second, but I couldn't pull the trigger as far as sending it... The applique is not perfectly circular, which looks like a mistake. It has a pretty pearlized gray snap, too. I don't mind it so much, because the wallet and its flawed applique is pretty, but if you're sending something as a swap, you want it to be damn-near perfect, right?

Not quite ready to show progress of the Somewhat Cowl, since there's not much of it there. What's taking so long?

Am I a sexy knitter?

2006-03-17T18:57:00.000-05:00

...I think SO! Uh-huh. Officially a joiner of the SexyKnittersClub.

I knew yarn was addictive...(like sex?) Ahem. It definitely classifies as sexy, and SO DO I. Definitely. :) I'm starting the ever so sexy Somewhat Cowl tonight. I've been thinking about it all day long. Can't wait to see it, feel it, live in it. Thanks, MA!

Hooray for Birthday Yarn

2006-03-16T23:26:00.000-05:00

Mom is awesome for getting me a GC to Charlotte Yarn! :) With this birthday gift, I have purchased SEVEN lovely skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca/Silk to make this:

I can't wait to cast it on, and I definitely can't wait to see if I can actually finish it! :) EricaB did it in 16 days for the Knitting Olympics, but she knits FAST. I dunno about 16 days, but.....

As for the mary jane sweater from February... Let's just say I'm not ready for lace. I will save it and *SIGH* wait for a better day.

HB to Me! *belated*

20 Long Years

2006-03-08T21:20:00.000-05:00

Okay, when I was eight, my brother was two. He was the good one. Check the cuteness.
Him, not me... :)
I was just a brat.

Mom must be going through some tough shit since my baby brother finally wants to jump ship. Scanning old photos and pictures of dresses I wore back in H.S.

Mom, I love ya. I'm sure you'll love it once he's on his own.

Happy Birthday to Jen! 28 Rocks, right?

Ten Days, Lots of Sleep, a New Job, and Some Wine

2006-03-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

Okay, in light of the water problem and Odessa, I went back to knitting the Anthro capelet. I really never got away from it, but I did take a three-day break from knitting for no good reason... Just busy I guess. I finished the capelet, now a mini sweater today after a night of knitting and sleeping and knitting and sleeping. I didn't even have that much left to do. Just finish the sleeves and weave in the ends. I just couldn't stay awake. Given that it was Mexican food night at mi casa, tequila and Corona might have something to do with it... Just a thought.

I changed the pattern a bit by lengthening the sleeves and the body just a bit. And instead of ribbing on the bottom I decided to go with a two-row seed stitch. Truth be told, I ran out of yarn, but I used the secret crochet-hook bind-off to conserve. Anyway, I will probably wear this one a bit more than the lamb's pride one, simply because it is a LOT softer. Love this yarn.

And an afterthought, after reading Emmie's blog:

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts.
You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary.
But you sure can beat a good drum.
"Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Dammit!

2006-03-03T17:31:00.000-05:00

Working on a new and improved Odessa. Well, it was on the nightstand, waiting to be knitted... And, uh, well: I spilled an entire glass of water on the ball of yarn! ...and my cell phone, and B's cell phone... Life is miserable. Why do these things happen? Wet yarn sux.

Anyway, B's home, so I'm happy.

Votes are In

2006-02-26T12:57:00.000-05:00

Thanks for voting for the glasses, everyone! Wow, I got phone calls, emails AND comments! Ask and I shall receive, I guess... :) So it looks like I did a good thing by ordering the first pair. Out of 10 votes, the first pair got seven! The second pair came in, well, second.... I can't wait until they come in!

In the meantime, I have started another capelet. My boss got me a gift certificate to Charlotte Yarn!! What an awesome gift! [Thanks, Don!] I was so excited about it I went directly from work to the store and got Blue Sky cotton yarn for a new (Spring?) capelet. I have always loved this yarn. It knits up so nicely and it is SO SOFT! Guess what I'll be doing all day? ...besides battling a sore throat... *sniff, coff* Boo.
At least it's not raining! HA.

Rock the Vote

2006-02-23T14:14:00.000-05:00

Broke my fav glasses! Boo to broken glasses. Hooray for finding more BeBe frames! Choose which ones you like best:

Or, I could re-order my fav glasses again?

Keep in mind, I need narrow-width frames for my peanut head. :)
I would like to know what my friends think!
P.S. The frames I choose will be black in color. I have the first ones on-order at a local shop, but I might change my mind? Not sure yet.

Frog It...

2006-02-21T16:31:00.000-05:00

Yeah, so I decided to frog the Odessa hat... I think the cashmerino is too bulky for this one... That's what you get for not doing a swatch. Oh well. I've decided to re-do it in Jo Sharp's DK weight heather wool since I now know the *correct* way to do a yarn-over. The Jo Sharp's a yummy yarn, and since casting on, it seems to be knitting up nicely. I got it in NYC back in October and the two balls keep staring at me from the stash, asking "What the hell are you going to make with us, already??" We'll see if I make the Knitting Olympics deadline though... I've really been wanting to sew lately.

Here's another pic of the new all-time favorite finished knitted piece! Aka, the Anthropologie-Inspired Capelet. I put some beads on a safety pin for the closeure for now... I think it looks kinda pretty that way, anyway [can't tell it's a safety pin]. :)

TTFN, Roosevelt's bored. I told him a few hours ago that I would take him on a big walk today, and I haven't yet lived up to my promise.

Check this one off the list!

2006-02-20T01:27:00.000-05:00

"Check!" I have officially completed the craftster "Anthropologie-Inspired Winter Capelet"!! Knitted in Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, this sweet little capelet/minisweater/shrug ACTUALLY fits meand only took FIVE, yes cinco, days to complete! I'm so excited I could just eat it! Now I must go to bed so I can function tomorrow at work. My wrist hurts. What a fine ending to a day that started so crappily. [is that a word??] I broke my favorite glasses today... Boo for broken glasses; Yay for finished sweaters!

Meet Mr. Wagg

2006-02-18T02:10:00.000-05:00

He's cute and he follows your mouse around. :) He might live here a while until I can find him another home.

adopt your own virtual pet!

I wanna be in the same post code as you

2006-02-16T23:00:00.000-05:00

Gimme Lemonheads or gimme death.

Yay! My swappie friend and I have completed our swap on Craftster! Let me just say, we have cranked out some monumental knitting and sewing crafts for each other!
Here's a link to our thread: Stash Swap Round 3. The rules were that we couldn't go out and buy supplies for this swap, and there were certain things we were required to make. Then we added a small stash of supplies just for kicks. I love swapping! I think I have found *another* new pasttime. :) Pictures:

This is what I sent her! A quilted purse, a wallet to match, a knitted hat (not pictured), a knitting magazine, two balls of yarn, a hand/machine-made card, and a notions bag full of supplies!
Close up of the purse and wallet:

Here's what she sent me:

There's an AWESOME felted purse, a knitting book I've been wanting, some buttons!, a ball of yarn, some knitted I-cord flip flops, a jewelry box complete with a westie on it!, and some ribbon! Wow!
Here's an action shot with the purse:

Kimber, aka "fun4bambi", where ever you are, You are a superstar crafter, and I hope we can keep in touch!

Classic Me

2006-02-14T12:01:00.000-05:00

So, yeah. I did the cast-on thing for Knitting Olympics... I started the Odessa Hat. The Odessa is very time-consuming; I have to count the entire time I'm doing it, or the pattern gets all wack. Can't even talk on the phone while knitting it. Yes, for a multi-tasker like me, this is a problem. So when I was procrastinating picking up those needles again, I came across a really cute pattern for what the call, "one of the quickest knitted garments" they've ever knitted.... Sounds like it's for me! So I cast it on, too. Keep in mind, I still have the flip-top mittens on needles and I just ordered yarn for the mary jane sweater from KnitPicks. Well, this is a really cute capelet, and I should be able to finish it in a couple of days. I also *found* the correct gauge of yarn for the Odessa hat, so I might start it over. What's wrong with me? I have lost my mind.

...but:

Would I be me if I DIDN'T start 10,000 projects at the same time???

Knitting Olympics

2006-02-12T23:32:00.000-05:00

Steph's day one, Olympics day 2...or 3??? Not sure... I just know I'm late to start my project. I have begun the journey into the Odessa Hat on MagKnits.com... Let me just say it is the most complicated thing I have done yet. It's not the pattern that's complicated, it's just that I struggle with keeping my mind on counting stitches while a: talking on the phone, b: watching a movie, c: playing with Roosevelt, d: almost anything else!!! It is a totally mind-engrossing pattern, and if you screw up--which yes, I definitely have...a few times--it's hard to get back on-track with all the yarn overs, etc. Well, we will just have to see what happens when it's finished... Mine will not be the most perfect Odessa hat ever made, that is for sure! Here's progress:

Today was a good day. Sunny, but snowy at times, still *very* cold, but a nice day to kick back and knit with a good baby dog. :)

Yummy, Yummy Yarn.

2006-02-10T01:17:00.000-05:00

Yay! My yarn came from KnitPicks! :)

Hooray for new yarn!

This is for my next project, as I mentioned about two entries ago... Can't wait to get started, but I'm *SURE* going to need to do the practice project for this one, because I can see that this pattern is going to be TOUGH. Oh how I wish I had some size US6 dpns... Off to the LYS to get some, I guess...

Special Item Request

2006-02-06T11:44:00.000-05:00

By special request, I made this little pink/white zipper pouch. A lady at work is going to buy two for her friends! I added a little inside pocket just for kicks. I'll post the other when it's done. She wants one pink w/ white dots and one black with white dots... I don't do much with dots, but I did have this remnant from a fat quarter I got A LONG TIME AGO. Okay, off to search for black/white dots...

P.S. I got a swap partner on craftster today!! Yay! Here's the link to us: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=75551.0

SuperBowl, Schmooper Bowl

2006-02-05T13:27:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, I never understood why my dad, grandpa, and uncles would all get up and scream over the stupid football games. Who cares about how far the ball can be thrown by a stinky, probably mentally-incompetent, over-muscular guy? Why do they like it when the super-sweaty guys run into each other, probably causing brain damage? Why does the act of watching such on the box make them go out and buy chips, peanuts and beer? Why do grocery sales go up at least $50K during the week of the super bowl? Isn't there something more intellectually stimulating to be doing? I'm sure we could find at least one or two... I will probably never get it.

Anyway, my yarn should be here any day now. I got the "your order has been shipped" email Friday! Woo Hoo! At least there is one thing I can look forward to! :) No football for me, thanks. I've got knitting to do.

Never Fails....

2006-02-03T13:51:00.000-05:00

No matter what day I have off, it turns out to be a crappy, dank, dismal day. It never fails. Rain, overcast. It doesn't matter. It's like, one chance in a million that I get a nice day, and usually it falls during a time when I have some kind of extended vacation or something. Whatever. So NOW it's a beautiful day--most beautiful we've had in a WHILE--and I'm about to get ready for work. Enough said. I've come to the point where I don't even bitch about it now. It's just a reality. It even rained on my new car yesterday. Hmmmph!

Anyway, I busted out this hat last night. Sewed it up this morning. I think it turned out quite nice. Mom got me the Noro for Christmas, and I also used the new Denyse needles she got me, too! Thanks, Ma!

B, if you're reading, two things are waiting for ya:

Next Project

2006-02-02T01:46:00.000-05:00

I've never knitted lace. I've never even done a yarn-over. However, something really grabs me about this little cardigan and it called to me. I will complete it by the end of March. Goal #55 in 2006. Lovely. I'm really planning to check this one off the list, though.....

Link: http://knitpicks.com/books/books_display.aspx?itemid=50419

Wanna go for a walk? Woo!

2006-02-01T22:06:00.000-05:00

Hey Roosevelt,
Let's go for a walk!

Oh, you are handsome...

And Tough [spelled TUFF]!

The sun only shines for my boy.

New Ride

2006-01-31T13:16:00.000-05:00

I found this car abandoned on the side of the road. Scared, and alone, she begged me to take her to a good home... Being the softie that I really am, I went ahead and said ok, but only after careful deliberation. I promised to take good care of her if she did the same for me. Sounds like we have an agreement, then.

So shiny I can see myself! *Hello*

[Remember--NO LURKY] --sp--

Fishin'

2006-01-27T01:39:00.000-05:00

Fish for comments and you shall receive. Will it ever be enough? Not until I reach double-digits! Only then will I be satisfied. Keep em coming!

Short post tonight--gotta get up in four [yes, four] hours. Fun for me!

Here's the stuff I took to the CLT LYS yesterday:

Don't be a Lurker

2006-01-24T12:14:00.000-05:00

If you look but don't talk, you are a lurker. If you come to someone's house, you should speak, right?! Show yourselves, you lurky-lurkers! I know you're there. Wa-ha-haaaa

Anyone who knows me will tell you one thing: She doesn't cook. Sometimes, I'm either forced to or I become curious and venture into the world of cooking. This time, I did it! I really made something good! It should last me a while, because there is a LOT left. Funny how that works out... Four cans of broth, plus four potatoes, one onion, one zuccini, one yellow squash, three small carrots, one can of okra, one can of stewed tomatoes, one tsp of thyme, two tsp of basil, some pepper, and one can of chick peas equals one damn-fine dinner! [and lunch!] [and more lunch!] Anyway, here's the evidence that Steph CAN actually cook [but probably just doesn't want to]:

Work it.

2006-01-23T14:10:00.000-05:00

I sold ALL of the stuff I had at Charlotte Yarn. YES! So I made a new one to take over there. Actually, I made it on Thursday night but I didn't have a chance to take it there yet. Sorry for the blurry pics lately. Something's wrong with me camera.
Here it is:

And all rolled up:

Edit: Another one for today:

Yoga!

2006-01-17T23:50:00.000-05:00

Hey Roosevelt: Do some YOGA!

Anatomy of a Mock Necktie Purse

2006-01-11T04:13:00.000-05:00

Have new pics to show. This one I might keep. The model moved a little...

Since the beginning of my sewing endeavors, I have wanted to make a purse out of a bunch of neckties. I have about six that I got from a thrift store, but it was not enough to make this purse. I decided to improvise and make my own.

Where did December go?

2006-01-07T00:39:00.000-05:00

Work, home from school, work, doggie love, sewing, knitting, presents, home, work, cracked windshield, work, new machine, work, sewing, new fabric shops, wine, CLT, LGA and TN. That's where it went.... [I think?]

New Stuff:

Brother Mit for other Oven Mit

2005-12-13T01:31:00.000-05:00

Hey, I made another mit. He's a sweet one. :) ...Didn't want the first one to get lonely...

.i.give.up. .too.

2005-12-11T01:29:00.000-05:00

Bad Day at work. No one wants to work anymore. Everyone wants to stay at home and play with yarn and fabric. :( Maybe I'll make something.... Although it is a bit late....

Steph presents new stuff

2005-12-08T17:04:00.000-05:00

I've not posted in a while because I've not had much to say. Feeling kinda quiet these days. Tired. Overworked. Really just tired. Somewhat anxious. I love the new sewing machine, though. I just wish I could work on it a bit more.

Here are some of the latest new creations.

New Goodies!

2005-12-02T03:50:00.000-05:00

Got a new sewing machine! I'm SEW excited about it, but I've not found the time to work with it much, as I have been working and working and working and working some more! Poop on work. I want to sew!

I love my new machine.