More of the Vibrant Tomten

Vibrant Tomten

Pic of my EZ Tomten...

Updates to Come

Monica of Stix-n-Stitches encouraged me to join their Ravelry group. I did so, and it kinda made me sort of interested in updating this site.

Ever since school started I've been spending most of my time away from the net. I took my first Library Science class (yes, I want to be a knitting librarian - but please banish all stereotypes from your mind). The class was stressful and confusing, but it seems that may have been more the professor and less the subject, so I've registered for two more this spring. The more I look into it the more I realize that's really what I want to do with my life.

I have been knitting, but haven't taken any pics. I will, though. I finished the sweater with the patagonia. I also began a black sweater for myself out of Cotton Ease, tore it out, and am going to make a baby sweater with the yarn. I started a shawl for my mother with some Wool in the Woods (it's listed as a Cherry Tree Hill yarn at BarganYARNS.com but I heard CTH bought Wool in the Woods anyway). I'm waiting for the rest of my yarn and then I'll finish that up.

I used some lace weight Online mohair yarn I found in the discount pile at Stix-n-Stitches to start a really easy, lovely shawl from elann.comfor my mother in law, but am going to rip that up and make something for myself. She's been behaving like a lunatic and has ripped my heart out and pounced on it about ten times since the start of the school year. She's not at all elderly (only 67) but her lifestyle has aged her beyond her years. She calls constantly, mostly after 9 at night, when all good little teachers are in bed, and has been very manipulative and hurtful. The whole thing has been very stressful for my husband and myself.

Right now I'm also working on an EZ Tomten. My husband and I are planning to have a little one soon, so I figure I need to get rolling.

Pics to come.

My mother, sister, Pepper, and I were driving home from lunch out with friends when Pepper spotted a yarn store on the way home. A yarn store in northeastern NJ that we don't know about??? It can't be!! But it was. I'd be supplying you with the link, but there is none.

After a quick pit stop, mom and I went to Expressions Yarn Studio in Englewood, New Jersey. The small store front was decorated with plants, lined with shelves of yarn, and everything stood surrounding a homey knitting table complete with two customers hard at work.

All the yarn is hand dyed and appeared to be hand spun, although we're not sure. The dye jobs alone were entrancing. I was spellbound and suggested she make a web site for herself. The salt and pepper haired store owner and yarn artist was a bit shy about it, said she wouldn't know how, and I volunteered my services (not that I'm that good at it either, but I can get the job done.)

One of the two other customers said she thought a web site was unnessesary and would cheepen the shop owners work and yarn. Ehhh. I didn't get into it, but an artists web site doesn't just have to be about selling stuff. She can keep her minions informed (I say minions and not patrons purposely), attract new business to the store itself, and keep track of everything she's made, etc.

It seems she's very possesive of her yarn. Rather than allowing customers to come and go and pick and choose, she likes to have a heavy hand in any project that involves her yarn, and wants you to march along behind her.

Mom and I warmed up to a few skeins and asked her about them. She said she handles all business in one of two ways. You have an idea, she picks the yarn, or you like some yarn, she dreams up an idea. SHe said the way she likes to do it is to plan for you and lead you through your knitting. The rebel in me was immediately turned off by the thought of someone else telling me what to knit and how. I'd been looking at her pre made stuff - her designes, and while very beautiful, they were simple rectangular designs, kinda like the stuff I can do all by my lonesome. They're pieces to showcase the fabulous yarn.

When she gave us an estimate for the three skeins of gorgious turquoise cotton boucle we'd drooled over I nearly pissed myself. It was the most expensive yarn my newbie hands had ever caressed. I love Michaels', but I've been to Majestic Yarns in Ridgewood owned by the queen of Karabella, author of Runway Knits, Berta Karapetyan. (I have my autographed copy, do you??:)




Her yarn is stunning, but pricy - this Expressions stuff was on another planet. And then she insists that she wants to basically control what I'm going to knit with it a jillion dollars later, I think not.

If you love yarn, and are stomping through the northern region of the Garden State, stop by Expressions Yarn. Just know you'll either leave empty handed, or empty walleted.

Crazy Daze of School

Hopefully by the start of next week I will have both the pink sweater and the cable sweater (which is actually more like a jacket) done. This week has been insane.

I got my new homeroom. The kids coming into the 5th grade were a bad combo last year. There are four 5th grade homerooms total, and so far only one of them seems a bit difficult. My homeroom is cute. I always have an awesome homeroom, but I'm looking back at the last three, and I'm starting to think that they're awesome b/c I make the best of what I have. People say I treat the kids like real people. That's what they are to me, like co-workers...or rather employees.

There are a few that are worrysome to me right now - or rather I'm worried about them. We have one french boy that is new to the country and doesn't speak much english. In a predominantly hispanic neighborhood with lacings of arabic, indian, african, and asian, coming across another french kid to translate is hard.

I asked if he spoke any spanish, and he was able to tell me no. My husband suspects he may speak german and that's how he's understanding us to a point.

there's another boy that seems like one of those "i'm a troublemaker b/c i can't pay attention and have no idea what's going on but I'm also a thuggie kid so I must have an attitude" students. He cracked a smile today when I said gabagillion comes after million in the place value chart, so hopefully he'll chill out and try to be patient with himself. kid's like that have a tendancy to get irritable and pissed at themselves and then take it out on you. He looks so much like another boy i had with similar problems. I don't want him to become a deal like I couldn't help the other kid so i gotta help him to make up for it. If a kid wants to be helped it works. The best analogy I've thought of for this kind of situation...b/c some people think that I'm suposed to fix everything and if not it's all my fault b/c I'm the teacher...

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. The best you can do is go to the water yourself, scoop some up, and hold it near him hoping he'll take even just one taste. And then you have to be happy with whatever comes of it.

Pilfered from Cynical - C Blog

The Simpsons and Star Wars in one glorious parody... impossible? No!

Bored and knitless

This is a video of Smudge the Rabbit. He lives with my husband and myself, and is just a really nice guy.

I'm trying to let my hands rest so I stole a survey from Pepper's myspace to keep me busy. I hate myspace now b/c of extenuating circumstances, but I check it every so often for the same reason.

anyway...on with the boredom - I eliminated the more boring questions :)

1. How old will you be in 3 years?

30...eh

2. Do you think you'll be married by then?

already married

3. What do you look forward to most in the next 2 months?

going back to school and work

4. Who was the last person you talked to?

Mr. Grimm Witch

5. What do you think about the person that took this survey before you?

I love Pepper, she's the rockin-est sister of all time

7. Who was the last person you hugged?

Smudge

8. What were you doing at midnight last night?

Writing

9. Parents separated/divorced/married?

Married

10. Last time you saw your dad?

Yesterday

11. What happened at 11:00 a.m. today?

Driving from Michael's to car dealership to teacher's store - some combination of those

12. What states have you visited?

ny, penn, conn, mass, fla, maryland, NJ!!!!!!:)

13. What are you listening to?

Crickets outside

14. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?

bare feet

15. Are you a social person?

Eh, depends on the people

16. What was the last thing you drank?

chocolate milk:)

17. Favorite ice cream?

chocolate

18. What is your favorite dessert?

brownie:)

19. Whats your favorite song right now?

Avenged Sevenfold's cover of Pantera's WALK

25. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?

right

26. Any plans for this week?

finish fixing classroom, finish cable sweater and pink sweater which is now mostly purple

27. Do you eat out or at home more often?

home

28. Have you ever been in an ambulance?

yes

29. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?

both:)

30. Do you know how to drive a stick shift?

no

31. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?

yarn

32. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?

wedding ring & engagement ring

33. Do you speak any other language?

spanish poorly

34. Can you roll your tongue?

yes:)

35. Who is the funniest person you know?

Pepper

36. What is the default ring tone on your phone?

The Birthday Massacre's Happy Birthday

37. Do you still have clothes from when you were little?

yes

38. What is the color of your bedroom wall?

whiet :(

39. Do you shut off the water when you brush your teeth?

hopefully

40. Are you crushing on someone right now?

I like Mr. Grimm Witch

41. Do you have any tattoos, or piercings?

ears, but nothing else :( I have wanted a tattoo since the age of 7 (that's the earliest i remember saying anything to anyone about it), but won't get one for a while b/c of a promise I made to a particular person, you know who you are

42. Are you still in love with someone?

Strangely, yes :) I'm kidding

Yarn shopping...finally

I finally got to go yarn shopping, so I'm working on the pink sweater, which will now have lots of purple and blue in it as well, and the cable sweater at the same time. I'm just very eager to finish something! It's been almost a month since I completed my last project. My ankle is getting better, but I have to go to physical therapy. Eh!

Exhausted

I've been busy trying crappily to let my ankle heal and to get ready for school. My classroom is starting to look good. It's no where near done yet. I have this whole thing planned with this hand made poster of Yoda using the force to levitate polyhedrons. I also want to do something with Gir and fractions.











On the fiber front things haven't been as rockin. As I mentioned previously, I've run out of the brown Lions brand that I need for the cable sweater, and can't find any more. I'll try a few more places before I place an order with the company. In addition I've been doing lace for the first time on EZ's baby surprise, but suck at it so far. Mom, on the other hand, has had some difficulty, but is doing an awesome job in this stunning King Tut.




She also recently completed another baby surprise in cotton. The picture doesn't do it justice. Mom is endlessly talented.



Lastly, I started raglan in Patagonia...it feels very nice.

If you gotta label people...

I was reading one of my favorite blogs Knit and Tonic and read this post about some knitters labeling others a "Muggles" (from Harry Potter, you know)and then she goes into this whole thing about how she doesn't really like it because she was once in that position and would have been named that, as was anyone else who's ever learned to knit. I guess that's what I would be. Anyway, read it, 'cause it's a good post. She also talks about feeling uncomfortable when she walked into her LYS (local yarn store) and people were sitting at the table knitting and kinda looked sideways at her. If you've ever been in that position (and who hasn't - 'cause there's always that one person in there who gives you a disgusted look) it feels good to see that even someone who comes up with amazing designs has had to deal with that. The Yarn Harlot uses the term, but kinda makes it sound like an almost endearing teasing sort of thing.

Since I've been only knitting for a year and a month, but crochetting for 16 years I usually see that many knitters look down on crochet. I don't understand the logic of that either. 2 is better than 1? Kinda knowing both now (because I do think I'm a better knitter than crocheter) I can say for sure that they're similar in many ways, and each is vital this or that task. I doubt anyone who does that "I'm better than you are" gaze would ever read this, but if you do...cut it out. You just look obnoxious.

Got together with people from work...Septembers coming.

Summer Fades

I spent Friday and Monday in Pepper's classroom. The building is only a few years old, but it was kinda dirty. Monday was the 3rd day we'd been in there. Before Pepper and I were teaching, when it was only Mom's classroom that had to be set up, we used to knock it off in one long day.
Mom did her classroom on Monday as well, while Pepper and I were in the art room...

Let me summarize the situation so it's more clear. Mom and Pepper teach in the same building, I teach in another; we're all in the same town.

So mine still has to be done. I spend most of my day walking through the room, on the floor with the kids, or standing at an overhead (the best way to lecture...in color!) so I need to set up the classroom in a way conducive to that. I have a wall full of bulletin board and another full of blackboard. I wish I could switch them...and think I have an idea. I ordered this...

A roll of chalkboard made by the company that makes clear contact paper. Cross your fingers.

On the knitting front, I've gotten further with that cable thing...

This is the first time I suppose I'm doing intarsia. I'm working the sleeves flat and working the cable in the middle in dark brown all the way. I've run out of yarn, so I'm off to get some more.

I'm going to start a February sweater from EZ's Knitters Almanac with some of the yarn Mom brought back from Connecticut. I'm also trying to plan out a kimono sleeve tunic with this Blue Heron yarn

Mom's back!!!!

I don't often get really close with others, I'm a rather guarded person in certain aspects, but when the one's I am close with are away I'm dying for them to come back. Mom came back from Connecticut. She gave me the idea to go there a few weeks back.

She brought with her some more Ellyn Cooper yarn. I think the yarn is called Twisted. They're really beautiful.

Pepper has gotten to just around the underarm of her adult surprise jacket. She's kinda taken off on the EZ pattern and done her own thing. She's also working on a really cool fuzzy-ish eyeglass case that I did not get a pic of.

I've been working away on the cable sweater I started after I put the Schaefer aside. I'm using all different Lions Brand superwash wools. I want to put in some pockets and have a cable running up the front and around the neck...we'll see. It's the first time I'm trying anything like this.

Pepper's pup Maggie is feeling much better after having had surgery last week. She is the sweetest thing...a good dog. Here she is in her new collar from Connecticut.

Mom's in Connecticut...

and I really miss her : ( I cast the Schaefer aside...I love working with it, but I tore it out for the 90th time, and I don't want to ruin it. I started the same pattern I'm working on, but double stranding Wool Ease. We'll see. I still have to get my school tests, study guides, and papers ready for 9/6. Pepper's 1st year...my sixth year, but tenure year in my district...hopefully my mom's last year teaching...may be interesting.

EPILOGUE...

I had spent this migrane-y day at home with Smudge burning every Knitty Gritty I have on TiVo onto a DVD. Then the lights went out.

The super of this sell-your-first-born-to-afford-the-rent garden apartment complex I live in is never home...he's always "at work." I've known supers...being a super IS THEIR JOB!.
Hubbie is unreachable, and when he finally calls me he has no time to help me...I get the moonlighting super on the phone and he's rushing me off the line like he doesn't have the time to speak to me. He sends his "brother" over - who knows - and asks me if I have keys to the basement where the fuses are. Darlin' if I had keys to the frickin basement I wouldn't have called anyone to being with!

This was just the latest in a series of irritating events that have been bothering me regarding the apartment that's way too expensive for it's condition. I wish I could transplant the apartment to some other place, because I love my actual apartment, but ...bleh!! Whatever, man...talking, rather, typing about it I feel a bit better now...oh, but all those Knitty Grittys!!:( I need me a chocolate milk.

Post to Mom

Mom (and anyone else who happens to read this...),
This woman posted her EZ February Sweater on Zimmermania...here's a link to her
blog. It's really awesome. The three of us should make some...and maybe try to use more than one color. I love the color of the trim.

I'm working cables on the sleeves only of this Schaefer sweater, and writing out the pattern as I go...perhaps for once I've learned my lesson...only time will tell

Off to the BBQ to here any update about work anyone has to offer.

I can sense it coming in the fresh pencil shavings and crisp crinkle of binder paper, the sweet artificial aroma of new plastic lunch boxes. It's in the din of havoc as an entire family dig through mounds of dirty clothes, comics, cds, and video game cartriges to find school uniforms that have not seen the light of day since June 26th. The once smart oxford, ripe for the washing machine, is raised from the rubble still stinking of early summer classroom dust, still stained with pink and purple chewing gum. The leaves outside are beginning to tan to Oompa Loompa orange...it's coming!

May the force be with you...

Baby Surprise Jacket

I finally finished...well, sort of. I still need to finish seaming the shoulders. Now the three of us need to go button shopping.

Click for larger view


Mom's Jacket Atacama Alpaca yarn by Araucania




Pepper's JacketAll Seasons Cotton (I believe) yarn by Rowan




My Jacket Amore yarn by TLC




Pepper's working on an adult sized Surprise Jacket, my Mom is still working on the crochet jacket and has started a new surprise baby sweater. I'm working on a cabled cardigan with the Schaefer.
Maggie, Pepper's dog (see section at right for cute pics) went in to the vet today for some stuff, and that was kinda stressful for everyone, but Maggie is a trooper. In addition we live in the part of Jersey where the water got screwed up, so ick. A small blip of a problem when I think about the bridge collapse. I can't even begin to imagine ... I don't know ... just, un-frickin-believable.

A sweater's end...

I am on the last few rows of the Baby Surprise Sweater. I'm not quite ready to do another one for a while. It was a nice experience, but I'm movin' on. Mom has started her second and Pepper is doing an adult sized version. Last night I tore out the sweater I'd started with the Shaefer yarn and started it again to knit along with Pepper...but now she's doing the adult sized Surprise Jacket, so I'll continue on alone.
Last night I finished Wideacre by Philippa Gregory. I really love the way Gregory writes...and wrote more about the book under "What I'm Reading."

I just started Nectar from a Stone by Jane Guill. It looks promising.

As far as my own writing is concerned...eh. About two weeks ago my father advised I go back into an unclompleted piece and try to work on that. I've done this before, but this time I didn't go back to the piece I was happiest with, or even the longest piece...I went back to the oldest and was able to work on it for 5 or 6 hours. I just can't seem to write when the Husband is around. Spending time with him is more appealing to me right now than continuing work on all this stuff that I'm just not that happy with. Hopefully I'll soon write something that will feel worthy enough of my attention.

School Daze

Today Mom, Pepper, and myself went to Teaneck to The Skein Attraction on Cedar Lane. Mom was all excited to get some circular Turbos. Working on these Surprise Baby Sweaters, we've all been using circulars and she hates the constant coiling up even after they've been steamed. I really like circulars any old way.
We went in, stumbled around a bit, admired the lovely Schaefer I have no money to buy, and Mom bought some size 7 circulars. We hobbled back to the car (my ankle is still swollen) and drove away only to realize some blocks later that they were 24in circulars when Mom had wanted something longer. Pepper offered to drive back but Mom was not having it. We decided to go to Pat's Yarn Boutique in Fort Lee - we've driven by a thousand times but only been there once. We found the place closed.
Mom was bummed, and I had to pee. We then resolved to go on an adventure to find a yarn store we'd heard about in Hoboken - not our usual stomping grounds.

On the way we passed through the town where we all teach, and the fact that summer in draining away really hit me. I'm not ready to go back yet. I was looking around to see if I could see any of "my kids" on the street. Any of "my kids" is an ever increasing group that consists of any child that has been in the 5th grade while I was teaching at my school. I do miss them. They're people who I spend most of most every day with - how could I not miss them when we're not in school.

I guess most teachers will understand missing the kids, your co-workers, but not being ready to give up the stay-at-home-ness. Soon enough I'll be getting up at 5 am and getting home at 4:30 only to have 1 to 3 hours of planning, paperwork, or grading to do once I get home.

The mad dash to make dinner, release Smudge, take a shower, kinda put some laundry away a little bit maybe (forget about dusting!) and hope that I can fit in some knitting/crochetting/writing/reading before I go to bed at around 9 so I can start over the next day. Only two hours a day with the husband. How would I do this with a baby? People do it, so I guess it gets done, but thinking about it just then was a little overwhelminig, like anticipating the plunge in the Pirates of the Carribean ride at Disney when you were like, five. You know it's coming. You don't wanna do it, but that's the only way to go. I would never give up teaching, and I would never give up my plans to be a mom...somethings gonna have to give.

Anyway, we finally got to Hoboken - the ride was easy. The place was Patricia's Yarns. Cute place, very small, and Mom found her Turbos, 8s and 40 in. to boot!

I have to finish up the EZ Surprise Baby Sweater, and Pepper's going to start a reglan for herself (I'm very excited!!)...That is all:)

As usual...

I was the ultimate klutz and sprained my ankle. I've been hanging around at home, unable to get help on the Surprise Baby Sweater, so I put it aside until I can get to Pepper and Mom and see the ones they are making (now almost complete).

In the mean time I started a sweater based on the Boobholder by Stephanie Japel of Fitted Knits fame.

I'm not making puffy sleeves and plan to make mine longer and looser...we'll see. The yarn is Schaefer - my favorite!

Here's a bonus pic of Smudge being cute near the Noro Silk Garden sweater I finished a while back.

Back from Vacation

Hubbie and I went away for a few days. We went to Connecticut and hit some really nice sights. On the way to our hotel in Mystic we visited an old prison, Old New-Gate Prison. The prisoners had once mined copper in the caverns beneath the prison and visitors can still go there. Hubbie and I love Eastern State in Phili so much, we couldn't miss this. It was really cool in the caves in temperature as well as experience.

The 2nd day of our vacation we went to the Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium. I'd been to both places before, but it was nice to go back with Hubbie, and the whole trip lends itself to relaxation, which is what we were after.

On the 3rd day we visited Gillette Castle & Park. The drive there was wonderful, but long. On the way a deer crossed the street in front of us and checked us our as she went. The houses were beautiful rural, farm looking, just lovely! As we drove the forest was like a pair of flowing green ribbons on either side of us. Once we reached the castle we were pleased to see the long ride had been worth it.
Gillette was the 1st actor to portray the character of Sherlock Holmes on stage. He designed and partly built the home. It was awesome. The doors, the windows, had been hand made and were opened and closed with wooden cranks and knobs and doodads...brilliant! After we'd looked through the castle we made our way outside to a multitude of hiking trails on the grounds. The woods were breathtaking. We happened upon a pond complete with lilly pads and frogs (if it you don't already suspect, I love animals!!)

On the way back to Jersey we visited The Beardsley Zoo, and The Maritime Aquarium. The zoo was small, but lovely. Some of the enclosures were a bit small, but the zoo is certified so I supposed it's okay. The aquarium was more for small kids, but we had fun. We saw some seals, and a sea turtle, and some sharks..very cool.

I do have some pics of the trip and some of the little guys we met along the way.

I got very little of the surprise jacket done, and none of any of the other projects I'm dreaming up. I want to make a small sweater for myself out of some Schaefer Yarn. I love their yarn. And now i want to make an iPod case - got the idea from one of the ladies on Punk Rock Knitters.

I did get some yarn on my trip.
The Araucania Patagonia, (on top) is from The Knitting Niche in Greenwich, and the other skeins are from Mystic River Yarns and are by Ellyn Cooper.

The Ellyn Cooper yarns were so delicious no one could keep their hands (or noses) off them.


Smudge is just as nuts for yarn as I am...the perfect pair!

Green Woman Sweater...

I told my Mom I'd post it so she could see. Not how I wanted it to be. If it were a bit larger or I were a smidgen smaller it would look better. Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Pea Soup.

For Better or Worse

Today is my 2nd wedding anniversary. Sometimes I still can't believe I'm married. I'm a bit shocked I did just because it wasn't in my sights at all. I think if I could travel back in time and show my 21 year old self, or my 17 year old self the life I have now I'd give myself heart failure from the shock of it.
We didn't go to sleep until after 4 b/c we received a late night call from my mother in law. Sadly not unusual. So we're both really tired this morning, but he still managed to make the morning a delight. Aside from being adorable (which he often is) he got me a gift.

I think this makes 57 of them...too many dolls.

Aside from that I've been working on the Zimmermann Surprise Baby Sweater. It's a lot of counting, but really a wonderful pattern just in the knitting of it alone, like solving a good sudoku:)

Pepper and her hubbie are back from Otakon. They brought back some great pics, and a Gir shirt for me!!

Pepper @ Otakon, Zimmermann Madness, Rainbow Sweater, & Crochet Baby Blanket

I am very sad...once again Pepper has left the Garden State. This time she went to Otakon in Maryland. It's an anime con. I don't know very much about anime...I really loved Full Metal Alchemist, and I've enjoyed some other animes. People get dressed up and go all out, so just looking at the costumes is interesting.

Pepper tells me that she's see some people dressed as the characters from Labyrinth, which has me incredibly intrigued. No one can look as skinny-guy-hot in that outfit as David Bowie. So we'll see when she comes back with pics. I assume anyone who'd read this has seen the movie, but if not, you are missing out. The soundtrack rocks also. Nothing beats As the World Falls Down; Bowie's voice in awesome and I must say quite hot:)

I finished the "Puzzle Sweater", but the puzzle piece theme didn't really work so I'm calling it my "Rainbow Sweater" now. I still need the crochet edging and buttons...massive, huge buttons.





I had this really nice but very difficult to work with yarn: Sirdar Confetti. I'm going to just do a simple crochet blanket of rows of half doubles. The yarn is so funny to work with...I was originally going to do chevrons but chickened out.





Last, but not least, Mom and I have gone EZ crazy. It was very strange the way it all came about. We're pretty much new to knitting and didn't know about her, but all of a sudden it seemed her name was everywhere we turned, and now I'm just in awe of what an incredible person and artist she was...so we've gotten these two books and a DVD of her PBS specials so far. We're both going to do the Surprise Baby Jacket, like everyone else in the free world.

Crochet Crazy and Puzzling Sweater

My mom has been working on multiple projects (a rarity for her) and here are two of them...
1st: the back of a crochet cartigan with Lionsbrand Microspun.

She lengthened it. I was thinking I might try it more fitted with kimono sleaves.

The next pic is of a simple shell blanket she's doing with some sort of cotton yarn (no label).

I'm trying to come up with a semi creative sweater with this Katia Nepal and decided on a puzzle theme...we'll see how puzzly it is.

Productive Day...

After finishing that rainbow sweater with the Noro yarn last night I started on a baby sweater with Katia Nepal yarn. My mother and I e-mailed back and forth like lunes about our next projects and agreed to do something by Elizabeth Zimmermann. We're fascinated. Little sis Pepper finished her chocolate and mint Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino infant hoodie.

Mom was determined to try to find a nice sized, long strapped pocket book, but left Macy's empty handed. They really are nowhere to be found, and the few we saw she didn't love. We saw Licence to Wed , and it was really cute. We chose that one because "the husbands" (aka my dad, Pepper's husband, and my husband) would never have agreed to see it. I'm not a romantic comedy person per say, but Robin Williams was hysterical (as usual) and that guy from The Office (a fantastic show, by the way) is a cutie pie. I also wandered into Spencers and found Jacob and couldn't resist even though I shouldn't be spending money on crap I don't need...

He's my 55th if you count the twins as 1. I think I have far too many, but I think they're really adorable. I love to look over at them while I'm working on my writing. When I stare at them too long my thoughts inevitably stray from my storyline to wondering what I'm going to do with them when I do have a baby. Who knows . . .

Friday the 13th

My rational self insists that there's no reason to succumb to superstition, but with most things I manage to stomp that sanity right out. I flip pennies to the heads side before I pick them up, I toss spilt salt over my shoulder (just in case). But there are some things that just don't seem to bother me. Black cats, for instance, don't seem particularly ominous. The number 13, and Friday the 13th specifically, doesn't bother me at all.

Two of my husband's friends got married yesterday. Apparently co workers gave my husband a funny look when he said he'd have to leave early to go to a wedding - like, 'who would get married on Friday the 13th.' I get the superstitious state of mind in general, but just don't see the unluckiness of 13.

Anyway, the wedding was very nice. It was in their yard, and they set the whole thing up really well. The table settings were each a different Victorian looking terrarium surrounded by pillar candle holders wrapped in gauze and adorned with tiny safety pins. Very pretty. I got to see my good friend who just returned from Habitat for Humanities-type trip to Kenya. She & the organization she's involved with helped improve a school there and worked with the students as well. She brought her camera and showed me some of the most incredible shots of the animals and the people she met. I think it's great that she did that, and I like to think that I'm a semi good person, but I can never see myself doing something like that. I don't even know all the reasons why.

Current Projects 7/12/07

I should have been working on this stuff today, but I spent the day goofing off:)



This is a toddler sweater. The white, periwinkle, and green yarns are all Caron Simply Soft, just like the Bunny Sweater . Some people get weird when it comes to yarn and insist that more expensive yarns are better, or that items made from inexpensive yarn aren't as nice. Basically, I don't care what anyone else thinks and I use the yarn that feels or looks best for me.

The varigated yarn that looks greenish-blue is Araucania Pehuen. Proof that I do mix it up as far as pricing is concerned. I really loved this yarn and had very little of it in this color. Mom suggested I use it for something special so I chose to take a risk here. I don't know how all of this will wash together, but either way, the process was nice. The Caron is so nice to work with, as is the Pehuen, but in different ways.

The next piece is something I started during the last few days of school. I had no work to do in the evenings and didn't want to go back to this Fitted Knits piece I have sitting around quite yet (I've ripped it up three times). It's a from the top down raglan and I just decided to wing it. I had some Noro Silk Garden I got on sale and it seems to be coming out o-tay.