November 2004 Archives

Yup. I'm singing that tune out of town...but not just yet. I leave Friday afternoon for a trip to Pittsburgh then next week I'm on vacation! Yippeeee!!! Actually I'm taking a week off between my current job and my new job. I can't wait to leave my job. Can not wait.

So, on the road again. Now this is more for me then you but I'm sure you'll enjoy it too:

Nov. 19-21: in Pittsburgh
Nov. 22-25: at home
Nov. 26-28: in New York City
Nov. 29: begin new job!
Dec. 4: handspinning class
Dec. 5: in Philly for Pixies show!
Dec. 6: back in DC to work until Wednesday, Dec. 8th...the Pixies again! but in DC

Phewww...lots going on which means not much time to finish presents. This week I have to put in more time.

Xmas gift to do list

Finish scarf for bro
Finish scarf for MIL
Add beaded fringe to SIL's scarf
Hat for Stepdad
Scarf/Hat for Stepmom
Jewelry for family women
Bunny for MJ
Scarf for Dad
Hat for bro
Scarf for future SIL

Oooohh boy! Gotta get cracking!

NYC Trip

An official trip has been planned for NYC! While the DH goes for a ride I'll be shopping for beads, paper, fabric and yarn! Where you ask? Well, my project manager tendencies come out full force for these kinds of trips where time is crucial!

For Friday
York Beads
Kate’s Paperie

For Saturday
Bruce Frank Beads
Metalliferous
Phoenix Beads
Habu Textiles
Fabric/Ribbon/Button Stores in the Garment district

Lil' bunny is done!

Pattern: Knitted Toys, small bunny
Yarn: Knitaly, US 8, 1 skein

My Softies

The kids are starting to feel neglected. Can you see how jealous they are? Poor bunny.

Toy Patterns and SP3

Most of my SP3 gifts have left their box and moved on to their permanent homes. Here's just a snap shot of what I received. The patterns are from a purchase off eBay. I can't wait to make them!

1. Childhood:: memories
   
2. Ransom:: kidnap
   
3. Melissa:: who?
   
4. Trust me:: believe you
   
5. Report:: book
   
6. Give up:: no
   
7. Nightgown:: dress down
   
8. Smokes:: pipe
   
9. Cookies & cream:: ben and jerry's
   
10. Gameshow:: host
    

Last night I arrived home to find loads of gifties! Well, some were purchased but regardless they're gifties to me.

SP3
Thank you Secret Pal. I love my package!!! A picture later, I promise. I got some gardener hand cream, jewelry findings, picture magnets, a little toy and a wonderful card. Thank you soooo much.

RAOK
I received a chocolate bar, handmade stitch markers, and candle from the wonderful Mindy. Thank you!

eBay - my purchase of Yoshitomo Nara postcards and Origami paper arrived!

Yoshitomo Nara's work:

Loobylu - her Holiday cards arrived! Thank you, thank you! Gorgeous work!!

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Small Talk:: too much
   
2. Evidence:: not necessary
   
3. Drifting:: logs
   
4. Hostage:: kids
   
5. Beauty:: Beast
   
6. Automatic:: response
   
7. Asking for it:: punishment
   
8. Visene:: seek
   
9. No strings attached:: always
   
10. Frizz:: curls
    

Bunny ears, bunny ears, bunny ears! I'm 3/4 from being done with the bunny knitting toy. Then I'll need to stuff her and embroider the face. And today I picked up the cutest patchwork apron...and yes, the cute bunny will have a dress.

Today's lunchtime excursion was to the Prevention of Blindness Society's thrift store. This is located on King Street in Old Town Alexandria. This place is packed and you really have to look very carefully for things. I think the local ladies haunt this place on a daily basis. I hear the brooches and pins get sold as fast as they come in. Darn! But that's ok, I picked up the cool apron, silk ribbons and ties, fabric, and a cute coin purse. I'll have to visit this place again before I start work in DC.

Beads & Jewelry

Heads up for you bead lovers! This weekend is the Bead Society of Greater Washington's Annual Bazaar. It's held November 13th and 14th, 2004 at the Exhibition Center at the Ramada Inn in New Carrolton, MD, from 10 AM - 5 PM on Saturday, and 11 AM - 5 PM on Sunday. I'll be there on Saturday bright and early!

If you love unique jewelry pendants, handmade, African trade, crystal, vintage, and contemporary beads then this is the place you should be!

Cashmere

I got the most lovely letter from Stoneycrest Cashmeres yesterday. They were wondering what I had made from my purchase at the VFFF. I was embarrased to say nothing! They also wanted to see if I was interested in more. But of course! I'm thinking clouds of grey and beige. Yummy!

Thank you everybody for your kind words! It really does feel great to be starting a new job. This weekend was filled with "Let's Celebrate Carolina" events:

- Thursday: DH and I went out for dinner.
- Friday: Knit and Nosh at KH...I resisted and didn't buy any Noro Transitions...
- Saturday: visited Ch'Naca Farm and Fiberworks in Prince Frederick, MD. They carry Opal sock yarn! I picked up one skein of Opal, alpaca roving, and a drop spindle!!!!
- Saturday afternoon: signed up for a handspinning class at Springwater
- Sunday:
---1st stop - Went to my first ever estate sale! Fun, fun, fun. I picked up fabric, Japanese art, quilting patterns, cool scissors, Ogee mirror, cool luggage, sewing ruler, and Hummel postcard.
---2nd stop - Elks lodge flea market. Boring! Nothing but crapola. If I were the vendors I would protest against the junk resellers. What's wrong with people? I was hoping to see more unique items than boxes and boxes of $1 sponges. I was able to find a cool set of xacto knives. It's missing blades but for $5 you can't go wrong.
---Final stop - Yesterday's rose. Large! Good stuff and lots of variety. I found a retro briefcase, quilting magazines and some fabric. The briefcase is for my new job. Joy!
- Sunday afternoon: I did this:

She's crafty

Here's a pic of the project I'm working on. It's a pattern from the Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects book by Salley Mavor. It's super easy and lots of fun! I have almost everything done except the head and cloak.

Isn't it beautiful?

Some wondered how working longer hours equaled more knitting time. Well, I forgot to mention I'll be using public transportation to and from work. Hopefully, I'll get a seat - you know if this was NYC it would never be a problem but noooo DC has to have retarded Metro cars.

X-mas Gifts

See I didn't forget about you. Here's the pictures. I have more...but later.

For me

This is my first flapper ear hat I've ever knitted. I used the yummy yarn from Three Waters farm purchased at the Montpelier Fiber Festival. The pattern was made for them. I used one skein of 87yds on US 13. Super easy!

I mentioned to the KH irregulars the other night that yesterday was my job interview. Well, guess what? Yup! I landed the job. I'm sooooo excited to be starting a new endeavor. I'm in desperate need for a change. After Julien's death the DH and I decided that a new job would be good. I could focus on something fresh and leave behind the somewhat daily reminder. Don't get me wrong this place (my current job) has been quite supportive during this tragedy but now I need to move on.

So, what does all of this mean? Well, working longer hours, better pay, possibly more knitting and reading time and MORE YARN! I'm doing the happy dance but I'm still sticking to my must have pattern before buying yarn promise. AND I need to save $$$ for the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Between now and then I want to learn how to spin and at the show pick up a beautiful drop spindle. I can't wait!!

Weekend Plans?

I'm thinking about hitting some estate sales and visiting with the Mother. We'll see b/c my in-laws will also be in town.

Nope! I'm not doing it. Now more than ever getting involved is important. So do it. Pick a cause, volunteer, donate, protest.

Pictures?

Yes, I have some but not right now. I'm more than half way thru my next XMas gift. I'm flying! I have two more scarves, one hat, and a bunny. After that the DH wants his sweater and I'll want things for moi. Oh yeah - Pikachu and Lobo want a kitty bed.

Yarn Diet

I've been torn about this lately thinking maybe it's time. Just maybe. I really enjoy all of the luscious fibers but what will I do with them especially since there's not enough time in a day. From now on, no more yarn unless I have a pattern picked out for it. I'll save money for the Maryland May festival and get my fill then. That's a plan!

A week goes by and I've lost touch with my daily reads and email. It's hard sometimes to keep up with all of the great blogs out there! So, where have I been? Details below...

Trip to Maine

DH and I drove last Tuesday up north. On our way up we stopped in NYC and had dinner. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to stick around and do some shopping. Nor did we have time on our return home. :( Have no fear though the DH says I can make that a separate trip just for me. Yiipppeee!!

The drive up was wonderful! Not only was the weather just perfect but I got to knit and knit and knit. I finished two Xmas gifts and got to knit more of my poncho ---- the never ending poncho. In Maine, we visited Saco, Portland, Kittery, Bath and Augusta. We stayed in Saco and drove around. The area there is really beautiful and the houses are to die for. Just beautiful!

Of course, you can't have a trip without stopping by some LYS. My first trip was to Halcyon Yarn. A definite stop for anyone into Fair Isle knitting. They have a limited selection of yarn brands BUT every color within the brands they carry. They also have their own line of yarns, which I didn't care for, and some novelty stuff. This place is also a nice resource for spinning, weaving, rug hooking, felting and books. I bought 3 things of yarn. Can you believe it? I know it's hard to but their selection was disappointing. I was hoping for more locally made yarns - you know the kind that feels like butter in your hands.

Next I went to Grace Robinson & Company in Freeport. The place was nice with a large selection of all kinds of yarn. However, again very limited selection on locally made yarns. Prices were expensive but the selection was good. Definitely a place for Rowan lovers. My next trip up I will skip both of these and search for the smaller scale producers and handspun makers.

I also got a chance to check out some well-known beading shops in the area. Here's my review:

Caravan Beads & Fibers - Portland
Basic selection of crystal, wood, bone, glass and pendants. Nothing too exciting and prices were average to expensive. They do sell strands but mostly of semi precious. The cool thing about this place is their selection of yarns and fibers. It's always nice to combine the two.

The Beadin' Path - Freeport
Awesome place! Pricey but worth the visit. An enormous selection of vintage Swarovski and lucite. A good selection of pendants, findings, beads, sequins, buttons, etc. I was also impressed with their various items for jewelry making such as ribbons, leather, wire, rings, necklaces, and such. Like I mentioned it's pricey but a good place to visit for ideas.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST - Vote!!!!!

Go Kerry!