So I haven't been a complete slug

While on vacation. Mostly I have been getting stuff. A lot of stuff now that I think about it. I ordered a batch of surprise baby batts from Loop. I love them. I think they are going to be a great way to practice my art yarn spinning. I can't wait. And the best part is they are all different and I have no idea what is in them.

I got some lotion from Yarns and Musings on Etsy. I love this stuff. I only use a tiny tiny dab and is moisturizes so well. And the scent is barely noticeable so I won't give anyone an allergic reaction by wearing it. She uses essential oils to scent the lotion. I got it in peppermint so it has a lovely IcyHot sensation, i.e. it warms when I rub it on. Very very nice stuff.

Some friends went to a yarn shop in Kentucky and I used them as the delivery system to buy some yarn. Some baby alpaca laceweight and some sock yarn. Yummy! I am also watching said friend's cat for a bit and she bought me some merino/tencel fiber from Yarn Chef. The colorway is Chocolate Covered Cherries. I think it is asking to become some laceweight lovelyness.









I also had a fun dyeing party with Aimee. I got about 1.5 lbs of my fiber dyed up. I am going to play with the coopworth and my wilson's cake dyes later. I like how these turned out. The Blue Faced Leiscter I went with purples and grey. The South African top is a lovely mix of green and plum/browns. I split the Finn top into two 4oz braids. One I like to call Autumn in Gryffindor tower and the other is Film Noir. The South African got very very felted without any special treatment. It was dyed and rinsed the same way the other two were. So if you plan on dyeing, you might want to be extra gentle with that sort of fiber.

New Year's Resolution Review

I figure just before New Year's would be a good time to review my previous year's resolutions. Let's see how we did.

1. Have no more than 3 WIP's (works in progress) going at once. Blankets don't count on account of the time commitment. Mass produced items such as fleece blankets for GTA count as one. -Epic, Epic fail
   
2. Learn a new knitting technique or two
1. knitting socks- Woooo done, now if I could just finish the second socks
   
2. knitting socks with the magic loop technique- Also done.
   
3. learn to cable without cable needles- Done, but I'm not a fan.
   
3. Publish something on LKC- I have submitted a pattern for the Spring Issue. I even took this a step further and submitted a pattern to the Crotchet Pattern a Day calendar
4. Type up all of my patterns from 2007 (8 of them, well 9 there are two scarves on one page, and I'm not counting all the different HP ornaments as seperate) -I see more than 9 patterns in my sidebar.
   
5. Spend less money on yarn and stuff I don't need. Maybe buy a gift card at the beginning of the month and make that my craft spending budget for the month. In general save more money. I.E. enough to go see Becca.- I did go see Becca, so this totally worked
   
6. Organize all my crafts supplies and get rid of items I don't need (all my left over wedding stuff, some scrapbook stuff)- I organized my fiber stuff. I really do need to go through my scrapbook stuff
   
7. Lose weight (what kind of resolution list would it be without this one)- fail
   
8. Organize all our movies and CDs and made a list of them all. Replace all VHS with DVD's- Fail
   

It looks like I got about 4.5 of them (one half a point for 6). I'll have to think about new resolutions for this year

Merry Christmas!

Wow! a lot has happened over this Holiday season. Let us play catch up

My Mom went and got herself married on Christmas eve. Doesn't she make a beautiful bride? I wasn't able to be there, but I will be there when they have their "reception" in the spring/summer. Yay!




Heidi got to see Santa. As I said, the Little Victories no-kill shelter does pictures with Santa each year. Heidi's pictures are here. She is in the "Santa 12/13" gallery on page 4. Although when I added this link, she was on the front page. Yes, those are antlers. Yes, she has made me pay for that. :)

And now the real reason behind Christmas. Just kidding, really. But I want to share. First I would like to introduce the newest member of this blog. It's name is ... well I don't know yet, but it is blue and I love it. The tripod thingy is awesome. The legs are bendable so it can "grab" onto things like railings to take pictures. And there is even a case so I don't have to carry it around in the bottom of my bag and possibly fill it with Jello. I have also figured out the delay, so I might be able to take less blurry pictures now. We got Guitar Hero-World Tour from my dad. Awesomeness! From Zach I got a swift so I no longer have to play the dangerous game of draping a skein of yarn around my knees to wind it. I am very excited about this one. I also got several books, My Sims-Kingdom game, and the Avenue Q soundtrack.

To the sound of roaring applause,

She takes a bow. That is right, ladies and gentlemen. Take a look at this:

1. Done

2. Done and delivered

3. Done

4. Done

5. Done

6. Done and delivered

7. Done and delivered (Becca liked it)

8. Done and mailed

9. Done and delivered

10. Done

11. Done and delivered

12. Done and delivered

13. Done and delivered

14. Done and delivered

15. Done and delivered

16. Done

17. Done and delivered

18. Done

19. Done

I suppose some time after they have all been delivered, I will post a key with names and pictures for all to see. That will be one heck of a long post. You'll notice number 8 says "mailed". Well, apparently the object being done does not mean it will box itself up and go to the post office itself. So I discovered it Monday when I added Zach's last present under the tree. So, Tracey, I'm sorry but your present will be a bit late.

We had Christmas with my dad's side of the family this past weekend. We got Guitar Hero-World Tour. I am the drummer and I sort of rock. They make the drum parts so hard compared to the guitar. And it requires so much more body movement. But it is a blast. And I got to stop by Market Street Yarn and Crafts while I was in Parkersburg. Got myself about 2 pounds of wool. 4 different breeds. I also got more Wilson cake dyes and I did some experiments with the colors and over dyeing. It was very informational. I'll take some pictures on Friday. There is a present under the tree that I think will be very helpful in that regard.

Also, I want to make these so bad. Crystal made Oreo ones (non-vegan) for our fiber guild's anniversary retreat and if these are anywhere near half as good they will be amazing.

distracted by the wheel

I got half of Dana's fiber done. I'll work on the other half while I am on Christmas vacation. I am so proud of how much like real sock yarn this looks like. I shouldn't say real, I'll go with commercial. There are some inconsistencies in the width, but it is pretty good. I Navajo plied to keep the colors together and to make it as stripey as possible. I was excited to get this half done so Dana would be able to work on it over break. And I got her leftover sweater yarn out of the deal. Some Knitpicks Swish DK in Clematis. I'm thinking gloves or convertible mitts.

And I decided to try my hand at some proper art yarn. Not the stuff that you suck at spinning so you call it art yarn. But the stuff where you make it all thick and thin on purpose and then coil it around a core thread. I used my Loop Earth Goddess batt that Deb gave me. I think I did ok. I think I am going to make it into the urchin hate from knitty. Or maybe the madge hat. I'm not sure yet.



In other news, Numbers 2, 4, and 7 are done. Two left to go and only one of those needs done before Christmas. I have decided I am going on a selfish knitting binge. I made myself a swirls cap in charcoal (the link takes you to a pic of the sample, the pattern is on Ravelry) and am going to be working on a couple more samples of a loom pattern that I submitted. To make them a bit more appropriate for a spring issue. :) And I have scarves that need knitted and a Versatility that is looking very lonely in the WIP basket.

I have joined the 21st century

I finally broke down and got a text messaging plan added to my phone. Now don't go super crazy. I got the smallest plan at 300 messages. But now you all can message me without guilt. Of course, now I want a new phone because it takes me about 3 weeks to type out a text message on this phone even with the T9 function. I always said that when it came to the point that I sent enough text messages in a month so that I spent as much as a plan I would get one. Well last month I spent $3 and the small plan is $5. That is close enough for me.

Oh and I got number 7 done and I made the dough for number 2. Woot woot!

And I even submitted a pattern idea to Loom Knitter's Circle.

And I sent two samples of yarn to the Spin-off magazine's Your Yarn section. The Spring 2009 magazine will be featuring spindle spun yarns. I am pretty sure I would have a pretty major freakout if it actually made it in the magazine. I got confirmation today that they received it.

I feel somewhat accomplished today.

I can see the finish line

My roll has slowed down a bit. I got distracted by a bit of comission spinning. Dana offered me her leftover sweater yarn to spin her Optim fiber. Which I gladly did. I wanted to get about half of it done so she could start her socks over break. Plus with Christmas gifts coming in, who knows when I will get to it again.

I also did some spinning on the Dorset/Cheviot blend I dyed. It has been a while since I've tried to go bulky. I navajo plyed (i.e. 3 ply) and it is still only probably a heavy worsted/bulky. They are so right, once you spin thin, you can't go back. I actually took my wheel to Friday Night Magic at Hometown Hobbies and I got some interesting looks. Although one guy got it right. He looked at the wheel and then said "Well, it is a hobby." Maybe he will get that hat he asked me for like 3 months ago.

I got my HP Christmas Cracker swap package. Yay! I got a minature Owl Post kit complete with miniature needle felted owl to carry my messages. I am still waiting to hear if my partner got her package, but it says it was delivered.

And although I have gotten distracted, I have been quite faithful to the Christmas list. Certain things have gotten moved around because I will be seeing them after Christmas so I can take a little longer. But I finished number 8 and got a lot done on numbers 5 and 7. In fact I got a bit cocky about the whole thing and added 18 and 19 but promptly finished number 18.

1. Done

2. Not knitted but handmade, but must be fresh

3. Done

4. 66%

5. 70% 7 squares to go

6. Done

7. 75%

8. Done

9. Done

10. Done

11. Done

12. Done

13. Done

14. Done

15. Done

16. Done

17. Done

18. Done

19. 20%

And on the purchased present front, only two left to buy. And I will be picking those up this evening when I go get the only thing I forgot for my annual bake-a-thon. I swear, I got extra of sugar, flour and powdered sugar on accident, but I don't pick up the one thing I don't already have in the pantry, brown sugar. And I was all raring to start getting the doughs ready yesterday and I only got to make the chocolate chip cookies because I only had enough brown sugar for those. **sigh** When I bake, I make all the dough first and then do a massive baking day. I don't get as tired that way.

Wordless Wednesday-Waiting for Santa

I can just hear Eye of the Tiger playing in the background

Because I am striving towards my goal. Present #10 is finished. I now plan to take today off to do stuff for me. I totally cast on the Branching Out scarf last night. And I see spinning in my future as well.

Christmas Update

I figure I will stick with the number game. It helps me keep track. And yes I've added numbers, but they were for things that I needed to do anyway and just forgot to add to the initial list. Honest.
1. Done
2. Not knitted but handmade, but must be fresh
3. Done
4. 66%
5. 50%
6. Done
7. I've bought the pattern
8. 35%
9. Done
10. 85%
11. Done
12. Done
13. Done
14. Done
15. Done
16. Done
17. 90%

That is a lot of dones on that list. With only two not started. And only 4 people to buy for, I beleive this Christmas may be well in hand. Hell, I've even started wrapping some of the ones that are done. But anyway. How about some pictures of the stuff that is done that I can show you?
Some dishcloths for my grandma. I even made up a new sponge pattern, kind of on accident. I will get it written up at some point. Here is a close up of one in a different color.








That sponge actually goes with the swap gift for my fiber guild. Does anyone know if we are supposed to wrap these up? I guess if you are part of the guild, you shouldn't be looking so I will put the rest of the pictures behind links here and here.






This last picture is actually not a present for anyone. It is a present for me from my MIL it is a Christmas card holder. I can't wait to start using it. Of course if I want to receive any Christmas cards, I should probably start sending them out myself.

Busy times

Sorry it has been a while since I posted. But I have been busy. It has been a little over a week and I have spun up three skeins of yarn.

The first one I finished was the stuff that Mitzi gave me to work on while I was at spinning guild. I'm not sure what the fiber is or where she got it. I don't even remember how many yards I got out of it. But it is my first 3 ply yarn and my first time Navajo plying. I really like it. I think it is wool so I might make a little felted bag out of it. Yay.

The second I finished was a batt from Loop. I am so excited about this. The first half of the batt was spun up on a drop spindle and I finished the rest of it on the wheel then plied the two singles together. It is her Kimono colorway and is a blend of red and hot pink bamboo, eggplant cooridale and purple mohair with lots of glitz in it. I got about 200 yards of a nice fingering/sport weight. I think I have already decided on the Branching Out scarf pattern. This yarn is just screaming to be a drapy neck decoration.

Last, but not least, was some practice roving that Grace threw in with the wheel. She has some single already spun so I put that on the bobbin and spun up the rest. I then Navajo plyed it to keep the colors sort of together. When you ply it to keep the colors together, it is much harder than just pulling up loops willy nilly. But I like the look it gave this yarn. I think I ended up with about 70 yards of a nice worsted weight yarn. How much do I love that you can search for patterns on Ravelry by yardage? It is heaven for handspinners.

But not only that! Over the Thanksgiving weekend, we went to a farmers market. There was a stall there with lamb for sale, but she was also selling yarn. So I started talking to her. She didn't have any of her handspun, just mill spun. But she mentioned she also had roving for sale. $12 for 1 lb. Crazy cheap. So I snatched that right up. It is a Dorset/Cheviot blend. Not merino soft but decently soft and smooshy. So I decided to try dying with the Wilson's cake icing dye. I split the roving into approximate quarters. and set to dyeing.

2 of the quarters I dyed with burgandy and moss green. As you can see, burgandy does not really turn burgandy. More of a hot pink really. It is pretty, just not really the effect I was going for. I laid out the roving and dyed in segments so the roving transitions from pink to green and back. Not sure how I am going to spin this one up yet.

This quarter was dyed with violet and moss green. I laid out the roving willy nilly and then using my eye dropper, I scattered the dye willy nilly. Then smooshed the dye all through the yarn and threw in a bit extra vinegar. In one of the tutorials I read, they said that the dyes with Red #3 will break in a high acid solution. Which in this case is what I wanted. So I ended up with a blend of pinks, purples, blue and green. Love it.

This one turned out nothing like I planned. Burgandy, moss green and orange food coloring. Whoo is this sucker bright. I am currently spinning it up and hope to make it a fluffy two or three ply heavy worsted/bulky weight. This stuff is heaven to spin. I might have to hit up Bill and Lauren to grab me more of this the next time they go to the market.

Heidi says Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm sure Heidi is thankful that I only make her dress up like this 2 maybe 3 times per year. But she got treats out of the deal so she shouldn't be complaining.

I, on the other hand, am thankful for:

• My wonderful family
• Friends that understand my obsessions and oddities
• My enabling and extremely generous fiber guild
• Yarn
• Fiber
• Pumpkin pie and the whipped cream in a can
• A husband that can cook and does the dishes
• Still functioning wrists (getting much better about stopping when it hurts)
• A husband that also puts up with my obsession and wet skeins of yarn and chunks of roving hanging all over the kitchen to dye and the stash that is threatening to take over the living room

As a side note, since I mentioned Heidi and dressing her up. Instead of making her wear a Christmas outfit, I now take her to PetMart over near AC Moore and Target in Barboursville. On December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21 from 11-3 your pet can have their picture taken with Santa for a $10 dollar donation and all the money goes to Little Victories. Last year, they gave me a polaroid in a little card and sent me electronic copies too. And this year they are giving out boxes of treats with the picture too.

You might want to cover your ears for this one...

I have a freakin' spinning wheel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!












Grace had decided that her Babe wasn't getting enough love at home now that she has her new Baynes wheel. So I offered to give it a warm and loving home. OMG! I am so excited. I've already filled a bobbin.







I just can't believe I actually have a spinning wheel. The ladies of the River Cities Fiber Guild have been so wonderful to me. They taught me how to spin, they have given so freely of their stash and their time and now this. I just can't thank them all enough. I am blessed to have met them. And yes, I ended up crying at the meeting. I am a sap. But I have a freakin' spinning wheel.

Next stop...fiber animals. mwah ha ha ha.

p.s. Grace sells awesome t-shirt on her Etsy store. You should all totally check them out. Not just for spinners. Any fiber person would need a "Got Wool" t-shirt.

Woooo!

Have a few updates on the Christmas list. I am adding a number 16 to the list for a gift swap. Should be pretty simple though.

Number 9 was already listed as done. But here is a picture. Tracey, don't let Steve see.

Number 3 is now finished. Woooo. Mom don't let Brian see. But now you can match them.

Number 10 has gone from 0% to about 70% in a matter of moments. I found something hanging out in my UFO tote that will work perfectly. Only have about 1.5 more repeats to go. Sexy.

And since I never actually posted the picture when it was finished. Here is a picture of my finished dumpling bag. This was a great pattern. And the yarn was very nice. My only issue was that it turned very, very fuzzy when felted. I had to shave it. Literally. With a razor. I got a cheap disposable one. Once it was shaved, you could actually see the color changes.

And I am about halfway through my Versatility. I don't think I will be able to do the full 8 repeats it calls for. I'm thinking more like 6. Cause I've done three and it really is at the halfway point. Even though I said I wouldn't be working on any projects besides Christmas projects. Apparently I lied.

I am also taking part in a swap on one of my groups. Since my person doesn't know who is sending to them, I can post some pics here. Yay. I actually only have a couple more items to go.

Sorry

I apologize for being awful about blogging. I was sick for most of last week (stupid annual respiratory infection). But to be honest, I don't have much to blog about. I have switched into the "all I'm allowed to work on are Christmas presents until they are all done" mode. I'm making my way through the list, but since I am trying to be dedicated and present recipients often read this blog, I don't have much to take pictures of. Maybe I need to come up with something gimicky while I am in project secrecy mode. Maybe talk about some of my favorite blogs. I would give shoutouts about my fave Etsy stores, but I haven't bought a lot on there so my reviews would mostly consist of "Holy Crap! Isn't everything they have listed beautiful?!?" Which could be kind of boring.

I did finally felt my Dumpling Bag, which means I finished my FIL's present as well. So I could take a picture of the bag. But I also don't have batteries. Actually, I could take pictures of the swap I am participating in. It is a secret, so the person I am sending to doesn't know who I am, so they wouldn't know where to look for the pictures. Oooo and I could keep a countdown with how much of each project I have done.

So here we go. I need to make gifts for 15 people(totally meant 15, I did not forget anyone, honest). (there are others I need to buy)

I will use numbers here so I don't give stuff away.

1. 25%

2. not started

3. 50%

4. 66%

5. 50%

6. Done

7. I've bought the pattern

8. 35%

9. Done

10. I'm not sure yet

11. Done

12. Done

13. Done

14. Done

15. 50%

Wow, that is 6 done, nearly halfway there. And most are started. Actually this list was very helpful. Kinda puts everything in perspective

Shameless, Shameless plug

I am doing a shameless plug for something I want for Christmas (besides a spinning wheel)

Loop's Secret Santa Spinning Batt Club

I actually adore all of the fiber batts she does, but this could be fun.

as for the questionnaire that she has to go with it. Main color blue, I am an equal opportunity fiber spinner (so anything), yes on the glitz.

Now I feel kind of bad for mentioning this, I will turn it into a plug for Loop and for Etsy. First off, I love her batts. They are gorgeous. I have drooled over her Earth Goddess colorway since I learned how to spin. She doesn't really make that one anymore and a lovely lady in my spinning guild was tired of me drooling over the batts of it that she had so she gave me one. I started crying. These things are amazing. If you spin, I recommend getting something from her. It will inspire you to spin better so you will be worth of her stuff.

And Etsy is so much fun. It is like Ebay (but no bidding) and it is all handmade/handcrafted stuff. Anything. You can even commission people if you can't find what you want. I use it mostly to find awesome, small indie providers of yarn and fiber. But it would be a great place to find completely unique and beautiful gifts for people this Christmas. And you wouldn't be buying generic, big box gifts. These are handcrafted, one of a kind items. And, like Ebay, they have a rating system so you can make sure people are reputable sellers.

Now I don't feel so bad about plugging for myself for this Christmas

A Trip to Athens (Ohio)

So for Halloween every year, Zach and I go to visit his brother and SIL in Athens, Ohio and take part in their annual Halloween block party. It is always a lot of fun. We mostly just go to hang out, see the costumes and listen to the bands (if they are any good). Mostly we just enjoy visiting. I failed miserably at getting good pictures this year. I didn't think to get any before we went out, well except for this one of Cain.















Doesn't he look thrilled to be wearing part of my costume. That wig is freakin huge. It was actually really warm this year. I thought this would lead to a lot more near-nakedness but it didn't really. The past couple years, I just remember being all huddled in my HP costume (with robe and gloves and scarf) and wondering how these people are walking around in clothing that covers less than a bathing suit and not freezing to death. But here is a fun crowd shot. I am unfortunately way to short to try to take these kinds of pictures. But this is one small street corner of the whole thing.


While were were in Athens, Lauren took me to The Tatting Corner. It is a little craft store that has quite a variety of stuff. Lots of quilting and sewing patterns. But as you can tell from the name, the owner is a tatter. So she had a nice variety of tatting threads. No needles, but she did have lots of bobbins. I have to say that now I've done needle tatting, I am very very very tempted to try it with a bobbin. My only hesitation is that I don't have someone to show me how and you can't take out your mistakes. Two things that could lead quickly to some mighty strong frustration.

I've been doing a lot of tatting. I love the look of the snowflakes and Haley let me borrow a book of celtic tatting designs so I am quite enamored. I have to thank Haley immensly for her help. You can learn stuff online, but there are things that they leave out or different people do different ways. Like, I wasn't pulling my tail all the way through my loops and chains so it was making my stitches to big and uneven and she pointed that out. She also helped me fix my "Reverse Works". Nothing I read mentioned that you needed to tie a knot after finishing each chain or loop or whatnot. Yeah that has helped immensly. So snaps for Haley! (I was watching Legally Blonde 2 last night)

Time has come to work mostly on Christmas presents. But as long as I keep tatting I'll have pictures to post. I might have a few things, but for the most part, I will have to keep them all secret. Maybe I can do teaser pics and only show like a couple inches or a real close up pic of it.

Voting/Election

Yay, I voted and apparently so did a lot of the rest of the country. But I have a random observation from reading other blogs and emails.

Who else took their knitting/crocheting with them and knitted/crocheted in line?

Who else was working on a scarf?

Cause I know I was totally working on my So-Called Scarf while standing in line for an hour. I got quite a bit done.

What I did last week

So a little update on what I have been crafting. For the most part, I have been working on Halloween costumes. I made Smurfette's dress and hat. Sewing and crochet respectively
















Then of course I have been working on my costume. Though if it doesn't warm up by this weekend, I might have to fall back on the old Gryffindor costume. But I am pretty sure this one turned out great. I got a lot of compliments on it. Most of the outfit was aquired from Goodwill, but I sewed the apron and crocheted myself a cat. Mostly cause I couldn't find a stuffed cat that fit in my budget. I have included a picture of the Crazy Cat Lady for reference.















I decided to learn how to needle tat. I have been interested for a while (ever since I saw Haley do it), but I couldn't find the needles. I finally did and I spent quite a bit of time on the internet looking stuff up. I think I've been doing stuff wrong. I am going to practice a bit more and see if I can figure out how to fix it. But if not, Haley said she would teach me on Thursday. I should probably wait until then, cause I have other things I should be working on. But here is an example of my first attempt.











I had Fiber guild last night. Look at all those spinners. I actually got a lot done. I finished up half of my Loop batts, so I took that off the spindle and started the other half. Hopefully I'll have that done soon so I can ply it up. That stuff is gorgeous. And I borrowed Judy's hand cards so I got some more of my Llama combed out. I didn't think about it until I got there, but I should have sent a message to the group asking someone to bring their drum carder and I could have gotten it all done while I was there. Oh well. I will probably be working more on my Loop spinning anyway.











And on a side note, the salted caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks is fan-freakin-tastic.

I'm a little behind

We had a Ravelry Meetup on Saturday (10-18). I didn't think to take any pictures. I need to get better about that.

Blair gave me silk hankies for spinning. Yay for new stuff. Boy you know when you need to moisturize with those suckers. They stick to every bit of dry skin. Ashes tried to lick them. Cats' tongues are very rough. I had to pry the hankies off of her tongue. I think she learned her lesson. Of course I had to start spinning it up right away. I am liking it a lot. The colors are very bright in the hankies, but tone down a bit with spinning and even more with plying. Not too much, but just enough that this will definitely make something wearable.












So I don't know why this has never occured to me before. October is my month to live vicariously through my friends as far as fibery purchases go. Everybody is having a birthday it seems. Well, Rachel bought some Alpaca Sox and ended up with one skein too much. I told her I would love to take it off her hands, but the no yarn purchase thing was a hinderance. She suggested a trade and told me to go through my stash and see if I had anything to get rid of. I don't know why it never occured to me. So I traded some sock yarn of my own for her Alpaca Sox. Hooray!