Saturday September 29, 2007

Well, the Happy Holidays Halloween packages are all shipped and should be arriving shortly. I can't wait to hear what you all think about them. They were a lot of fun to put together, and I hope that they are as much fun to unwrap. I am going to try and have all of the Happy Holidays packages to you by the beginning of the month, so that you have time to knit and wear your socks for that holiday. The last Blue Plate specials won't be going out until the middle of October. I have to wedge it in between the Halloween and Thanksgiving package so that I don't give my mailman a heart attack. He had great timing yesterday- he stopped to deliver a package just as I was finishing up packaging the boxes, and I filled up his truck for him. Boy, was he surprised. I'm so glad that we have a nice mailman, and the same guy most of the time. He's so good, that he catches mail when it's for the previous tenants in our house- even though they had the same last name as we do. Now THAT's a good mailman!

And what was in that package that the mailman was bringing? Why, YARN, of course! When I was browsing at HandpaintedYarn.com, I found some bulky green wool in the Odds N Ends section that wanted to be a hat for The Rusty Knight (he's been asking for a felted hat with earflaps, and I think it would be a good stocking filler). But, since I didn't want to pay $8 in shipping for just two skeins of yarn, I picked out two other skeins in a colorway that just spoke to me (Artemesia). (Actually, I tried to get them to dye the yarn for my Cherie Amour in this colorway, even though it's a colorway for a different yarn. They couldn't do it, but I picked out something else that's pretty). I don't know what I am going to do with this yet, maybe a hat or a scarf. Whatever it is will be gorgeous. I love the HandpaintedYarn.com- I love that it gives women in a third world country a decent job, that it's more eco-friendly, great price, global commerce, etc, but why do they have to wrap their skeins up so ugly? And now they hermetically seal them in plastic, which seems like it would be both time consuming and expensive. Maybe it keeps moths outs? Who knows? Anyway, I re-wrapped one to see how it would look. I think it looks much prettier- you can actually see the colors. Maybe they should hire me as a consultant ;)

I finished my Juliet the other day. It's just in need of another blocking to keep the fronts from rolling, and the buttons. It's really adorable, and I am so excited about it. Soon it will be cool enough to wear it. I made mine out of an alpaca/wool blend so it will be nice and toasty. I am going to wear it over long sleeved shirts for the winter. I think that I am going to finish up my Tilted Duster this weekend so that I can start on Cherie Amour when my yarn comes, without a guilty conscience.

Tuesday September 25, 2007

I'm busy, Busy, BUSY getting the first installment of the Happy Holidays Sock Club ready for mailing. I'm really excited about this shipment, and I hope that you all like it. There's actually something made by me in this shipment- see if you can guess what it is (other than the yarn!) I'm planning to mail them out Friday, so that you all have time to knit your Halloween socks in time to wear them. Don't get excited if I start printing shipping labels early, I'll send out email when I actually ship.

I've done quite a bit of knitting lately. I still haven't picked up the collar for my Tilted Duster and sewn in the sleeves (all I have left, except blocking), but I am plugging away on Juliet. I have figured out that I can get a full pattern repeat done in about an hour. So, for every class the kids have, knitting night, parkday, etc- I can get a full repeat done and stop at the beginning so that I don't loose my place. It's really a simple lace pattern, and quite addicting. I still have a couple more repeats to go (I'm making it a little longer than the pattern), but it won't take long at this rate. I'm using Elsebeth Lavold Chunky AL from Webs, and I just love this stuff. It's so soft, and has a nice fuzz to it. I was worried that it might cause a pouf at the start of the lace section, but I don't think that it is. I have tried it on (still on the needles), and it doesn't look puffy. Webs has a really great price for it, too.

In decorating news, I no longer have empty tables. That fills me with endless joy- no pun intended. I found a battery operated clock at Target- now I can actually see what time it is. These adorable little cachepots came from Bombay Company. One is for The Rusty Knight to empty his pockets into when coming home (no m0re calling his cell to find it), and the other has some potpourri- sorely needed in that spot which is downwind from the cat box. Another thing which arrived recently was my new full spectrum lamp. You know the lamps which make it look so much clearer for reading and craft work, that are all the rage? The ones that are usually hideously ugly? Yes, those. But this one doesn't look like it's one of those lamps. Not only that, it's a 3 way lamp, and the shade tilts up and you can lock it into place. It is highly nifty, and I'm glad that I found it. Actually, I am getting two full spectrum floor lamps from the same website- First Street Online. Don't be shocked when you go there- this is a website designed for older folks, but there is still plenty of neat stuff.

Speaking of Neat Stuff- did you all see the Fall Knitty? There are quite a few patterns in there that I really like, but I fell in love with Cherie Amour immediately. The fact that it is knit with just a few hanks of Handpainted Yarn.com's Bulky Merino only made it that much more appealing for me. But, like most other people, by the time that I went to their website to order- they were out of the colors that I liked in the quantity that I needed. I shot an email off to the company to see if it was possible to do a special order, and they were glad to oblige. They will send the yarn directly from Uruguay, and the shipping is $9 for up to 10 skeins. They even sent me a list of all the colors that I could choose from. So, if you've been hankering after Cherie Amour, but hesitated because of lack of yarn- drop them a line and they will be glad to help.

Thanks Mariana- I can't wait to get my yarn!

Wednesday September 19, 2007

Where has the time gone?

I've been busy dying, of course, and decorating, and knitting. Just what I want to be doing! I have a couple of new things available in my etsy shop, and I am trying to list a few each morning. I used to just list them as I dyed them, but things have gotten much more complicated lately. It's good complications, though. I just have to keep track of what is going to who, and how much before I figure out what is left for me.

Anyway, I am ready to pick up the collar for my Tilted Duster. I haven't managed to get any pictures of it, but trust me that it's lovely. I also got yarn for Juliet the other day. I ordered some Elsebeth Lavold Chunky AL in a really pretty rust color (006) from Webs. It's really nice stuff- light, soft, and has a nice halo. I'm hoping that Juliet works in it. I know that most of the ones that I've seen have been in heavy cotton blends. If it doesn't though, I will use it for something else, because it's gorgeous.

Actually, that yarn is the same color as the drapes that I just got for my dining room. No picture of that, either, but it's looking rather nice. I found an adorable woven pedestal bowl at Ikea the other day, and I filled it with apples and put it on the dining room table- so cute! When I finally get those new chairs, it will be stunning. I like the drapes so much that I am going to get them for the rest of the windows in the living room. I love the thermal backing- gotta have those for the crazy weather here.

Speaking of weather- we are having decidedly fall-like weather now. It's really kind of odd, because it usually doesn't hit us this soon. It's still warm in the daytime, but it takes forever to get there, and then it cools right down at night. It's brisk when I get up in the morning now, and we are mostly not running the cooler. Usually we don't get this turn of seasons until November, so I am wondering if it will be a really long, cold, winter for us. I hope not- but I'm glad I'm a knitter!

Thursday September 13, 2007

Good News, Bad News, and an Announcement

First, the Good News:

I got my Ravelry invite yesterday (I'm chewyspaghetti there) I haven't had much time to play there, but I joined one group and posted my Tilted Duster in my Notebook. This place is *so* cool!

Now the Bad News:

I finished everything but the skirt of my Tilted Duster (that's not the bad part), and when I pinned the top pieces together to try it on it was *way* too big. (But the sleeves fit perfectly) So, I am going to have to rip back all three pieces and knit them two sizes smaller. It's kind of bizarre, and I can't figure it out, but I'm not waiting for some light to come on in my head before fixing it.

and the Announcement:

I will be away from today until Sunday. We're going out of town, so any orders or emails will have to wait until Monday. Have a good weekend everyone!

Wednesday September 12, 2007

I don't think that I ever posted a picture of my lovely new loveseat. Yes, that is genuine faux leather, from the swanky store Big Lots. I love this piece, it's so comfortable, and the price was a steal. That's my new demilune table from Bombay Company next to it. (When I got ordered it, it was even less!) It's looking a little bare at the mo', but I am going to hang my needlepoint wedding sampler that my mom made us over it and smarten it up with a lamp, a phone extension (so that I am not always running into the kitchen to answer it), and a cachepot for The Rusty Knight to empty his pockets into. (oh, and those hideous curtains will eventually be replaced with floor length brown ones) Perfecto!

I finally picked up the sleeve of my Tilted Duster last night and ripped back the cap. I finished up the cap, and started on the second sleeve. I already have the cuff done. I'll probably finish the sleeve today, and be able to start on the skirt tomorrow. The top pieces are blocking, and when they are dry I can seam them. As hot as it still has been, that shouldn't be long.

The Rusty Knight should be home this afternoon. We may have a few minutes to spend with him before he has to leave for class. The kids really miss him when he's gone. Last night Princess Stomping Foot ended up in my bed, and so did all of the animals. I woke up with cramps from sleeping curled up to avoid fuzzy people. I hate that!

Monday September 10, 2007

It's Monday, again, and I have lots to do. The Rusty Knight is away, but he'll be back Wednesday. He did a great job of cleaning up my work area before he left, so I have plenty of room to get some work done. Our living room looks so spacious without all of the boxes piled up in it! We're going to the San Diego Zoo on Friday, so this is a short week/long weekend for us (instead of Labor Day, when The Rusty Knight had to work). I'm still plugging away at my Tilted Duster, but I need to rip back the sleeve cap a bit. At this rate, I will be able to work on the skirt on our trip.


This picture is from one of my Blue Plate Special Sock Club members. She finished her Frivolous socks, and they look great. She says this isn't her new favorite pattern, but they turned out nicely. Thanks so much for sharing!

Saturday September 8, 2007

September Blue Plate Specials are on their way to the Post Office as I write this (thanks Rusty Knight- he is becoming shiny again after all of his help today)! You should get them next week- I hope you all like them. In other exciting news, there are only 556 people ahead of me in line at Ravelry! I think I'll be in sometime this month, or maybe next. How exciting- I can't wait! Oh- and more exciting news: I have the first three pieces of my Tilted Duster finished. I need to block them before seaming, so I am working on the sleeves. That is a quick knit so far. I guess the aran weight yarn really makes a difference.

Thursday September 6, 2007

There is the first chill of Autumn in the air this morning. This is very exciting news hereabouts. I haven't felt a chill since March. Our overnight lows lately have been up near 80, so waking up to temps in the 60's seems glorious. It's still supposed to be in the 90's all week, but I will take that ten degree drop with a grin on my face, thankyouverymuch.

I am working on the sock club packages, but I'm not sure that they will be ready to go out this week, after all. I'm going to try. Today is park day and dance, so I won't have much time to squeeze in the work. But, I just sent a big box off to The Loopy Ewe, and also a box to my brand new affiliate Sonny and Shear. (Good luck to Kris and her family on their cross country move!) One Planet Yarn and Fiber will be getting a box soon, too- so if you're jonesing for a fix, check out those shops.

In other news- I am a LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!

Yes, I cast on my Tilted Duster without finishing The Rusty Knight's sweater. I'm finished with the arm hole shaping on the back piece, and it is some quick knitting. I find this type of easy knitting very comforting when I am not feeling well, and so I tend to cast on these types of projects right around my moontime. They are my comfort knitting. I'm hoping that my mojo will carry me through the first two pieces quickly.

Ikea Table

Wannabe asked about the table size. It's exactly 40' in diameter. I sat 6 chairs up to in, and put 6 plates on the table to see if they'd fit. I think you could fit six if you had to occasionally, but just barely. Your glasses would all have to be in the middle of the table, I think. We will probably use it when my parents come over for dinner, but you wouldn't want to invite the new boss and his wife to this table I don't think (if ya know what I mean). If you're looking for a similar style, but a bit larger, Bombay Company has one that is 54 inches diameter. It's also quite a bit pricier, but if you wait a bit I bet it will go on sale again. (Oooh, I just looked at the Bombay Outlet online, and they have a 48 inch pedestal table for $230, which isn't bad.) There's also one at Cost Plus online that looks very similar to the Ikea one (and is also made of rubberwood), but is 45 inches diameter, and has an extension of up to 62. Anyway, I just wanted to answer that question right away since Amanda isn't feeling so hot. Feel better soon!

Tuesday September 4, 2007

Oh, Ikea, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.......

I love your $44.99 solid rubberwood Hajdeby pedestal table (September 3-6 only, and won't it look cute with these Hallsta chairs?),

your Kroby table lamp (which takes type G bulb, for your information people),

and your Synops dancer figures (singles, and couples- these are adorable staggered between photos on a shelf in Princess Stomping Foot's bedroom).

I actually loved a lot more at Ikea, but it was so dang crowded that I only picked up those things. Who would have thought that the worst traffic we'd encounter would be at the Ikea parking lot? We'll be going back again soon enough, I imagine. We are still trying to clean up the Princess's bedroom (may god have mercy on us), and whether or not it gets done today, she will have to sleep in her own bed tonight. Not only does she spend the night chasing me around to snuggle, but the animals are all used to sleeping with her, and so where she sleeps- they sleep too. It's been getting very crowded in there.

Still no knitting to report, but I did finally get a picture of my yarn for the Tilted Duster. It's a really yummy brown. I am trying to get a couple boxes ready for shipping, and when I finish that I am going to crank out the rest of this stupid sweater for The Rusty Knight so that I can give it to him on his birthday (and then start my Tilted Duster).

Michele's kitty used her litterbox- congrats on that, I hope she keeps using it!

Hattie had never heard of going "Down the Hill" (which just means that she doesn't live in a place where you have to go through a big mountain pass to reach civilization LOL), but she "goes to town". I think that many places have little terms and phrases that come about locally, and they just give the community some flair.

LaMamaPanchita is leaving on her trip- have a wonderful time, and DON'T WORRY!

Monday September 3, 2007

Where has the time gone???
I'm spending lots of time dying these days, and not a lot of time knitting. I'm still working on the first dreaded sleeve of The Rusty Knight's sweater, and those two fiddly socks for the kids. I got the yarn for my Tilted Duster, but I haven't even swatched it yet. The Rusty Knight is gone (again), so hopefully that will encourage me to finish the darn sleeve and start the other one. We have been doing lots of home projects lately, too. This weekend, we got Princess Stomping Foot's bed put up, hung her toy net, and installed a closet organizer (man, did she need that!). Today, we are taking a trip Down the Hill (and if you don't live in the high dessert, that won't mean a thing to you, but locals know what I mean) to do some shopping and have some fun. Ikea has one of their limited time specials this week, and that is enough of a draw to get me driving on Labor Day. Have a good Holiday, everyone!