Inside with the flash....looks a little different. But still nice. 
And another beautiful sunshine picture. You can see more on my stash page in Ravelry.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Tidepool
The yarn is dry and skeined up. Wonderful sunlight today!!
Inside with the flash....looks a little different. But still nice.
And another beautiful sunshine picture. You can see more on my stash page in Ravelry.
Inside with the flash....looks a little different. But still nice. And another beautiful sunshine picture. You can see more on my stash page in Ravelry.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
More Gratuitous Dye Pictures
Because Blogger limits you to 5 per post......
Yarn in the oven, baking in the dye goodness. (180 degrees for about 30 minutes or so, not an exact science.)
Yarn outside after bath.
Yarn again, looking very pretty I might add.
Yarn in the oven, baking in the dye goodness. (180 degrees for about 30 minutes or so, not an exact science.)
Yarn outside after bath. 
Yarn again, looking very pretty I might add. 
A Time to Dye
Today, my fingers ended up looking like this. Why? Well, lemme tell you.
It started with these characters. Green, Blue, Red, and Orange.
The Red (Blastin' Berry Cherry) and the Orange (Mandarina Tangarina) mix to make a "true red". I then mixed a little of that with blue to get a purple....it was more navy/grey than purple, but whatever.
I mixed a little green with some blue to get a turquoise-y color. And I mixed a few drops of the red with the blue to get a "true blue" color.
My original color idea was a purple/blue/turquoise skein.
I ended up with something a little different but still pretty. Here is is taking a nice bath after it came out of the oven.
Here is the finished product (minus drying and reskeining). I ended up using not only the blue, "purple" (I use that term loosely here), and turquoise/blue-green I made, but also the straight-up-from-the-packet blue (Berry-Blue) and the straight-from-the-packet green (Lemon-Lime).
I am calling it Tidepool. I really like it. Can't wait for it to dry so I can reskein it. And then cake it!! And then knit with it!!!!! (Probably some longies or shorties).
It started with these characters. Green, Blue, Red, and Orange. The Red (Blastin' Berry Cherry) and the Orange (Mandarina Tangarina) mix to make a "true red". I then mixed a little of that with blue to get a purple....it was more navy/grey than purple, but whatever.
I mixed a little green with some blue to get a turquoise-y color. And I mixed a few drops of the red with the blue to get a "true blue" color.
My original color idea was a purple/blue/turquoise skein. I ended up with something a little different but still pretty. Here is is taking a nice bath after it came out of the oven.
Here is the finished product (minus drying and reskeining). I ended up using not only the blue, "purple" (I use that term loosely here), and turquoise/blue-green I made, but also the straight-up-from-the-packet blue (Berry-Blue) and the straight-from-the-packet green (Lemon-Lime).
I am calling it Tidepool. I really like it. Can't wait for it to dry so I can reskein it. And then cake it!! And then knit with it!!!!! (Probably some longies or shorties). What fun did you have today?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Normal Guy vs. Edward Cullen
In which I continue my conversation about my love/hate relationship with Twilight. I have more "love" to give, but I thought today we'd touch on the "hate" or more aptly, "these characters aren't real".
"A Normal Guy would wait for you to make him breakfast. Edward Cullen would make you breakfast everyday. " - I found that on another blog. Can't remember where or when, but it got me thinking.
Edward Cullen is a character we can all love. He has some very redeeming qualities. First, he's a gentleman. He was born in 1901 and had that "old school" sense of manners and politeness, especially when it comes to how you treat a woman. He is charming. He opens doors. He's always polite. He offers his coat when you're cold. He has patience.
Most of all, we love Edward Cullen because he loves her. Not in the way most "Normal Guys" love their girlfriend's/wives/fiancees. He LOVES her, with everything that he has, with no chance of failing, no smidge of regret or worry, no sense of what he could find better or easier to love. He unfailingly devotes every second of his being to her happiness and her salvation, even going as far in one of the books to leave her for what he has rationalized is her best interest in staying alive and having a "normal" life. He is ultimately concerned with her soul, and repeatedly refuses to "change her" because he doesn't want her to lose that and be damned (as he believes he is).
You are probably thinking, "Sheesh. You said you'd touch on the "hate", sounds like you love this character too." You are right. I do love this character. What's not to love?
And herein lies the problem.
Edward Cullen is inhumanly perfect. He has no human limitations to him that a normal guy has. He doesn't sleep. He doesn't eat. He doesn't get tired. He has an endless supply of money, and doesn't have to work (his sister can see the future and his family plays the stock market, rather well, not to mention his "dad" is a doctor and makes reasonably good money too). He has endless patience, never ending energy. He is inhumanly strong and fast. He is the ultimate protector, provider, and loving husband.
The fact that there are no human limitations to what he can do sets up the "Normal Guy" for failure. A normal guy has to work overtime to make Christmas gifts happen. Edward Cullen is infinitely rich. A normal guy has to sleep and will get tired no matter how much fun he is having. Edward Cullen can keep doing whatever you want - forever. A normal guy has his own needs and wants. Edward Cullen wants whatever will make YOU happy (or in the book's case, Bella....but the books are written in first person from Bella's perspective, so it is easy to think of Bella as yourself). A normal guy may actually have to back down from a fight (not MY normal guy, hee hee). Edward Cullen is impossibly strong and fast. Normal guys fart. Not Edward.
Do you see what I am getting at? This dude is not real. I mean, I *know* he's not real, duh, it's a book. But he leaves the mind up to wander about the "perfect man" that simply does not exist in this world created for us by God. Humans have human limitations.
My husband is going to be too tired to "mow the lawn" (if you know what I mean *wink*) some nights no matter how much I want to or feel that I need him. My husband is occasionally going to want to do some of his own stuff, stuff I may not be interested in like playing video games, yard work, or cutting wood. (Although, I could watch him cut wood ALL DAY LONG.) He might want to go fishing, even when it's hot and muggy out.
He isn't going to think that everything I do is totally awesome. For example, he thinks the knitting is fine, but really, he could care less. He is glad I have something that makes me happy and excited, but he is not going to sit and listen to me talk about stitch counts, fiber make-up, or the benefits of wool vs. fake stuff.
As wonderful as he thinks midwifery is, he doesn't want to hear about the placenta I delivered at the last birth.
He is going to want food. And if I don't feed him, he is going to get cranky.
He has to work. If he doesn't work, we don't have the things we need, like food, clothing, and shelter. This means he is going to have to leave me at some point during the day to earn a paycheck. I am going to have to be alone, without his presence. I am going to have to handle our children by myself and figure out how to manage. He is going to interact with other humans that are not me. And he is probably going to like it *gasp*. (Because who wouldn't like a little break from babytown to have some adult conversations every now and then?)
Bottom line: As much as I like the series, I have to remember it is fiction - created by a human. Not real. Not created by God. Fascinating, yes. Real, no.
As an adult, I think I have an OK time realizing this and keeping the fiction as entertainment. I think entertainment is good and healthy. I like plenty of other fiction stories too, like Harry Potter and Santa Claus, or Barbie Rapunzel (yes, I like that one!), or my kids' books.
What I think bothers me is that I know there are people out there who are going to have a hard time finding a "Normal Guy" to live up to their expectations after reading about Edward Cullen. I especially would worry about preteens and teenagers (and even some adults). These books are very fun to read (and I would recommend them highly!). But if you can't separate fiction from reality, you are in for a sad time.
Real men don't and won't treat you like Edward Cullen. They won't cater to your every whim, every desire. Real men will love you like humans love. They have faults (just like YOU) and their own needs and desires to be met also. You will have to find a balance and wake up everyday and choose to love them. They will be able to make you happy, but not the kind of unconditional, unending happiness that is for fiction novels. The only unconditional, unending happiness you will find in this world will not come from a human man - it will come from the love of God.
Real men are not gods, and they will not treat you like such. (And really, you don't want to be treated like such, trust me.) The "honeymoon" phase will end with every human relationship at some point and you are going to have to make due with what is left. It is enough, and will work. But not like in the fiction stories. It will take work, and sacrifice, and the rewards will be great. But you are going to have to put some effort in too. Edward Cullen would never make you do that.
"A Normal Guy would wait for you to make him breakfast. Edward Cullen would make you breakfast everyday. " - I found that on another blog. Can't remember where or when, but it got me thinking.
Edward Cullen is a character we can all love. He has some very redeeming qualities. First, he's a gentleman. He was born in 1901 and had that "old school" sense of manners and politeness, especially when it comes to how you treat a woman. He is charming. He opens doors. He's always polite. He offers his coat when you're cold. He has patience.
Most of all, we love Edward Cullen because he loves her. Not in the way most "Normal Guys" love their girlfriend's/wives/fiancees. He LOVES her, with everything that he has, with no chance of failing, no smidge of regret or worry, no sense of what he could find better or easier to love. He unfailingly devotes every second of his being to her happiness and her salvation, even going as far in one of the books to leave her for what he has rationalized is her best interest in staying alive and having a "normal" life. He is ultimately concerned with her soul, and repeatedly refuses to "change her" because he doesn't want her to lose that and be damned (as he believes he is).
You are probably thinking, "Sheesh. You said you'd touch on the "hate", sounds like you love this character too." You are right. I do love this character. What's not to love?
And herein lies the problem.
Edward Cullen is inhumanly perfect. He has no human limitations to him that a normal guy has. He doesn't sleep. He doesn't eat. He doesn't get tired. He has an endless supply of money, and doesn't have to work (his sister can see the future and his family plays the stock market, rather well, not to mention his "dad" is a doctor and makes reasonably good money too). He has endless patience, never ending energy. He is inhumanly strong and fast. He is the ultimate protector, provider, and loving husband.
The fact that there are no human limitations to what he can do sets up the "Normal Guy" for failure. A normal guy has to work overtime to make Christmas gifts happen. Edward Cullen is infinitely rich. A normal guy has to sleep and will get tired no matter how much fun he is having. Edward Cullen can keep doing whatever you want - forever. A normal guy has his own needs and wants. Edward Cullen wants whatever will make YOU happy (or in the book's case, Bella....but the books are written in first person from Bella's perspective, so it is easy to think of Bella as yourself). A normal guy may actually have to back down from a fight (not MY normal guy, hee hee). Edward Cullen is impossibly strong and fast. Normal guys fart. Not Edward.
Do you see what I am getting at? This dude is not real. I mean, I *know* he's not real, duh, it's a book. But he leaves the mind up to wander about the "perfect man" that simply does not exist in this world created for us by God. Humans have human limitations.
My husband is going to be too tired to "mow the lawn" (if you know what I mean *wink*) some nights no matter how much I want to or feel that I need him. My husband is occasionally going to want to do some of his own stuff, stuff I may not be interested in like playing video games, yard work, or cutting wood. (Although, I could watch him cut wood ALL DAY LONG.) He might want to go fishing, even when it's hot and muggy out.
He isn't going to think that everything I do is totally awesome. For example, he thinks the knitting is fine, but really, he could care less. He is glad I have something that makes me happy and excited, but he is not going to sit and listen to me talk about stitch counts, fiber make-up, or the benefits of wool vs. fake stuff.
As wonderful as he thinks midwifery is, he doesn't want to hear about the placenta I delivered at the last birth.
He is going to want food. And if I don't feed him, he is going to get cranky.
He has to work. If he doesn't work, we don't have the things we need, like food, clothing, and shelter. This means he is going to have to leave me at some point during the day to earn a paycheck. I am going to have to be alone, without his presence. I am going to have to handle our children by myself and figure out how to manage. He is going to interact with other humans that are not me. And he is probably going to like it *gasp*. (Because who wouldn't like a little break from babytown to have some adult conversations every now and then?)
Bottom line: As much as I like the series, I have to remember it is fiction - created by a human. Not real. Not created by God. Fascinating, yes. Real, no.
As an adult, I think I have an OK time realizing this and keeping the fiction as entertainment. I think entertainment is good and healthy. I like plenty of other fiction stories too, like Harry Potter and Santa Claus, or Barbie Rapunzel (yes, I like that one!), or my kids' books.
What I think bothers me is that I know there are people out there who are going to have a hard time finding a "Normal Guy" to live up to their expectations after reading about Edward Cullen. I especially would worry about preteens and teenagers (and even some adults). These books are very fun to read (and I would recommend them highly!). But if you can't separate fiction from reality, you are in for a sad time.
Real men don't and won't treat you like Edward Cullen. They won't cater to your every whim, every desire. Real men will love you like humans love. They have faults (just like YOU) and their own needs and desires to be met also. You will have to find a balance and wake up everyday and choose to love them. They will be able to make you happy, but not the kind of unconditional, unending happiness that is for fiction novels. The only unconditional, unending happiness you will find in this world will not come from a human man - it will come from the love of God.
Real men are not gods, and they will not treat you like such. (And really, you don't want to be treated like such, trust me.) The "honeymoon" phase will end with every human relationship at some point and you are going to have to make due with what is left. It is enough, and will work. But not like in the fiction stories. It will take work, and sacrifice, and the rewards will be great. But you are going to have to put some effort in too. Edward Cullen would never make you do that.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Enjoying Fiction
In which I begin my conversation about my ongoing love/hate relationship with The Twilight Saga. I am not sure how many posts it will take, at least 2, maybe more. This is just the beginning. I hope to give a balanced perspective.
I started reading The Twilight Saga not exactly on purpose. Ok, well I obviously chose to read them, so I guess it was on purpose. But the thought was not planted in me when the books first came out. I only got around to reading them this year. In fact, I couldn't figure out what all the hoopla was about "vampires" and weirdo "vampire books" for the last 5 years.
My daughter had seen the first movie when it came out (at her mom's house) and wanted to see it again. I checked it out from the library and begrudgingly sat to watch the movie with her and my son.
The same week, my BFF bought the movie for her eldest boy, who had read all the books. She watched it too.
And we talked. I thought it was good. Not the best movie I'd ever seen, but well done and interesting and totally NOT what I was expecting from a "vampire" movie. She was very intrigued. She wanted to know what the two main characters were talking about in the wide shots of them conversing in large cedars high in the air.
She bought the books.
She devoured them (all 4) in a week.
She said I had to read them.
You must listen to your BFF.
I read them.
I was seriously impressed.
It only took me a week too.
Wow.
Mesmerizing. Exciting. Clean. Thrilling. Mindful of why you got married in the first place.
Then we started having conversations about why we liked these books soooooo much.
One of the first things I realized I liked was the "non-romance novel" way in which the characters interact. Their encounters are "clean". They do not, even though they are teenagers living in this day and time, engage in any "marital activity" (if you know what I mean) until they are actually married. I LOVE that.
And even when they do, it's not like you are an eye witness in their bedroom scrutinizing every move. They are on their honeymoon. They kiss, they suggest a little bit of emotions, chapter ends. Next chapter begins the following morning. You know what happened, but you don't have to live every second of it.
The style this writer used to convey emotions and feelings between the two of them is exciting to read, but not in a sexual way.
I love that the main family of vampires in this story strives to not be "monsters". They did not choose this life and cannot help what they are. But they overcome their natural desires for human blood and live as "vegetarians" - surviving only on the blood of animals. When asked why they fight so hard against what they are, the simple answer is "I didn't choose this life. I don't want to be a monster."
For me, I see a parallel to Christianity. We are sinners. It is our nature, how we were created. We have free will and the temptations around us are endless. However, we can choose, sometimes painfully and against our inner "instincts" to overcome sin. It is not always easy (often the "sinful" choice is MUCH EASIER than the moral or right choice), but we can strive to do it.
It is hard to NOT like the characters in this book. They have shortcomings, they have faults, they are very much like people you know. It is easy, at least for me, to identify with the main character (always good for a writer when society can identify with your main character). She feels unworthy, unwanted, very humble in not understanding what she has done to deserve unconditional love. For someone like me, who has been abandoned many times in my life, that is an easy characteristic to sympathize with.
And, in spite of these shortcomings, you find yourself rooting for them, hoping for the best - just as you do for yourself and your friends.
I have to stop mid-thought now, because it is just not as peaceful in this room as it was when I started typing and I keep losing my train of thought (so to me, the previous paragraphs look like rambling and not quite what I envisioned to say about these books). I will be back soon with more.
Remember, I have a love/hate relationship with the books. I will get to explaining both sides of this, promise.
I started reading The Twilight Saga not exactly on purpose. Ok, well I obviously chose to read them, so I guess it was on purpose. But the thought was not planted in me when the books first came out. I only got around to reading them this year. In fact, I couldn't figure out what all the hoopla was about "vampires" and weirdo "vampire books" for the last 5 years.
My daughter had seen the first movie when it came out (at her mom's house) and wanted to see it again. I checked it out from the library and begrudgingly sat to watch the movie with her and my son.
The same week, my BFF bought the movie for her eldest boy, who had read all the books. She watched it too.
And we talked. I thought it was good. Not the best movie I'd ever seen, but well done and interesting and totally NOT what I was expecting from a "vampire" movie. She was very intrigued. She wanted to know what the two main characters were talking about in the wide shots of them conversing in large cedars high in the air.
She bought the books.
She devoured them (all 4) in a week.
She said I had to read them.
You must listen to your BFF.
I read them.
I was seriously impressed.
It only took me a week too.
Wow.
Mesmerizing. Exciting. Clean. Thrilling. Mindful of why you got married in the first place.
Then we started having conversations about why we liked these books soooooo much.
One of the first things I realized I liked was the "non-romance novel" way in which the characters interact. Their encounters are "clean". They do not, even though they are teenagers living in this day and time, engage in any "marital activity" (if you know what I mean) until they are actually married. I LOVE that.
And even when they do, it's not like you are an eye witness in their bedroom scrutinizing every move. They are on their honeymoon. They kiss, they suggest a little bit of emotions, chapter ends. Next chapter begins the following morning. You know what happened, but you don't have to live every second of it.
The style this writer used to convey emotions and feelings between the two of them is exciting to read, but not in a sexual way.
I love that the main family of vampires in this story strives to not be "monsters". They did not choose this life and cannot help what they are. But they overcome their natural desires for human blood and live as "vegetarians" - surviving only on the blood of animals. When asked why they fight so hard against what they are, the simple answer is "I didn't choose this life. I don't want to be a monster."
For me, I see a parallel to Christianity. We are sinners. It is our nature, how we were created. We have free will and the temptations around us are endless. However, we can choose, sometimes painfully and against our inner "instincts" to overcome sin. It is not always easy (often the "sinful" choice is MUCH EASIER than the moral or right choice), but we can strive to do it.
It is hard to NOT like the characters in this book. They have shortcomings, they have faults, they are very much like people you know. It is easy, at least for me, to identify with the main character (always good for a writer when society can identify with your main character). She feels unworthy, unwanted, very humble in not understanding what she has done to deserve unconditional love. For someone like me, who has been abandoned many times in my life, that is an easy characteristic to sympathize with.
And, in spite of these shortcomings, you find yourself rooting for them, hoping for the best - just as you do for yourself and your friends.
I have to stop mid-thought now, because it is just not as peaceful in this room as it was when I started typing and I keep losing my train of thought (so to me, the previous paragraphs look like rambling and not quite what I envisioned to say about these books). I will be back soon with more.
Remember, I have a love/hate relationship with the books. I will get to explaining both sides of this, promise.
Eating My Own Words
I remember saying recently that I think plain vanilla socks are "boring". Um, yeah.
I am now knitting a pair of plain vanilla socks. Why?
Well. I was out with my mom and the kids the other day. She wanted to stop at JoAnn's to get some fold up, summery chair for the kids she saw on sale there earlier in the week. So we stopped.
I don't generally go for the yarn at big-box craft stores. The only yarn they usually sell that I will bother with is Paton's Wool. But, I always look when I am there. Because I am usually there with my mom. And she will gladly buy me cheap yarn. To her it's a "bargain".
Did you know they have "sock" yarn at JoAnn's? I didn't. I use the quotes because I am not sure if it really qualifies as sock yarn. It's super itchy and really thin. The band on the skein says "Size 1-3 US needles". Um, noooooo. That would make some super loose, saggy fabric.
Well, anywho. The "sock" yarn was on clearance for $2.97/skein. I picked a few up, my curiosity getting the best of me. (And the fact that I didn't have to pay for the curiosity to be satisfied.) The colors were neat looking, even if I am a yarn snob.
Even though I haven't finished the Possessed Socks yet (#2 is still on the needles), I couldn't wait to cast these socks on just to see how the yarn looks knit up.
I feel like a little kid. I am completely mesmerized by the color changes in this yarn. I'm knitting along and I'm like, "Oooo! Pink!" Then, "Look! Turquoise!" And, "Wow, orange, oh, purple, oh, some kind of fake fair isle striping!"
Yeah. The first sock is at the heel already.
What am I doing with this cheap yarn?? For now, I am liking it.
I am now knitting a pair of plain vanilla socks. Why?
Well. I was out with my mom and the kids the other day. She wanted to stop at JoAnn's to get some fold up, summery chair for the kids she saw on sale there earlier in the week. So we stopped.
I don't generally go for the yarn at big-box craft stores. The only yarn they usually sell that I will bother with is Paton's Wool. But, I always look when I am there. Because I am usually there with my mom. And she will gladly buy me cheap yarn. To her it's a "bargain".
Did you know they have "sock" yarn at JoAnn's? I didn't. I use the quotes because I am not sure if it really qualifies as sock yarn. It's super itchy and really thin. The band on the skein says "Size 1-3 US needles". Um, noooooo. That would make some super loose, saggy fabric.
Well, anywho. The "sock" yarn was on clearance for $2.97/skein. I picked a few up, my curiosity getting the best of me. (And the fact that I didn't have to pay for the curiosity to be satisfied.) The colors were neat looking, even if I am a yarn snob.
Even though I haven't finished the Possessed Socks yet (#2 is still on the needles), I couldn't wait to cast these socks on just to see how the yarn looks knit up.
I feel like a little kid. I am completely mesmerized by the color changes in this yarn. I'm knitting along and I'm like, "Oooo! Pink!" Then, "Look! Turquoise!" And, "Wow, orange, oh, purple, oh, some kind of fake fair isle striping!"
Yeah. The first sock is at the heel already.
What am I doing with this cheap yarn?? For now, I am liking it.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
What to Knit?
This seems a simple question. I want to knit a baby sweater. Now that I know I want to knit a baby sweater trying to figure out which sweater is making me rack my brain.
I have already knit a Baby Surprise Jacket. While that is a very interesting pattern, I have no desire to knit it again, like ever.
I was thinking about doing a February Baby Sweater. I really want something small though, because I already knit the BSJ and my Nutmeg Sweater (which is a baby kimono) and those both seems to be about 6-9 or 6-12 months sized. And I'd have to modify it to have a stockinette stitch top. Maybe.
I also like the look of garter yoked sweaters, or shall I say yokes with stripes of garter stitch.
And I have an owl chart I really like that I would love to put on the yoke of a baby sweater. The thing with this is, I'd like to knit the baby sweater from the top-down (like I did with the kimono) and the chart is meant to be read from the bottom up. I don't want upside-down owls on the yoke.
Does anyone know how to "invert" a chart with little twisty cables on it?? The cables that make the owl are only two stitches wide, so I am trying really hard to figure out how to flip this chart over and still make it work. For some reason, it is not making sense to me. I have been searching the Ravelry forums (because someone, somewhere must have asked this question before) but coming up with nothing.
A cardigan or a pullover? Buttons, snaps, loops?
So, what do I knit?? I really want to make a sweater. A teeny-tiny little sweater. I may end up doing that FBS. We'll see. The owls are calling me too.
I have already knit a Baby Surprise Jacket. While that is a very interesting pattern, I have no desire to knit it again, like ever.
I was thinking about doing a February Baby Sweater. I really want something small though, because I already knit the BSJ and my Nutmeg Sweater (which is a baby kimono) and those both seems to be about 6-9 or 6-12 months sized. And I'd have to modify it to have a stockinette stitch top. Maybe.
I also like the look of garter yoked sweaters, or shall I say yokes with stripes of garter stitch.
And I have an owl chart I really like that I would love to put on the yoke of a baby sweater. The thing with this is, I'd like to knit the baby sweater from the top-down (like I did with the kimono) and the chart is meant to be read from the bottom up. I don't want upside-down owls on the yoke.
Does anyone know how to "invert" a chart with little twisty cables on it?? The cables that make the owl are only two stitches wide, so I am trying really hard to figure out how to flip this chart over and still make it work. For some reason, it is not making sense to me. I have been searching the Ravelry forums (because someone, somewhere must have asked this question before) but coming up with nothing.
A cardigan or a pullover? Buttons, snaps, loops?
So, what do I knit?? I really want to make a sweater. A teeny-tiny little sweater. I may end up doing that FBS. We'll see. The owls are calling me too.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Are There Any Other Animals That Wish to Make an Appearance??
In the rainy afternoon this week, my boy caught a toad.
Which of course had to be brought to the door for pictures.
Kind of cute, in a gross, amphibian kind of way.
Then it was time to wash hands. Ewwww.
Which of course had to be brought to the door for pictures.
Kind of cute, in a gross, amphibian kind of way. 
Then it was time to wash hands. Ewwww. Random Question
As I sat in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, eating "Double Stuf" Oreos, I couldn't help but thinking:
Why do they even make the regular Oreos?? Does anyone buy them when there are double stuffed ones available? I mean, what's the point?
Why do they even make the regular Oreos?? Does anyone buy them when there are double stuffed ones available? I mean, what's the point?
More Knitting
'Cause really? Is there ever enough?
I finally embellished the Cutie Girly Longies. They didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned them, all swirly and curly with vines and leaves and round-type flowers. Instead, they are very linear with tulips. Still pretty, still cute. My embroidery skills are not what they could be to achieve what I envisioned, so the duplicate stitch tulips will have to do. What do you think?
You'll have to excuse the "not-so-great-light-pictures". I took the longies and the following sock outside to photograph them in the good light. And.....it was sooooo dang humid that the camera lens kept fogging up. I couldn't even get a picture of this sock outside. This is inside-light-picture-taken-by-the-boy.
These are my Possessed Socks; they are the Kai-Mei (that's a ravelry link) pattern by Cookie A from her book "Sock Innovation". Love the book. I think I have checked it out from the library like 3 times. I also want to knit "Rick" from this book.
The six inches of 3x3 ribbing kind of suck. But once you do the heel and pick up the gussets the foot of the sock flies off the needles. The little lace pattern dancing across the foot and eating up the instep stitches is totally awesome. I know it must be "cool", because the 14-year old daughter asked for a pair too.
I only have 1 sock done, but I did cast on #2 right away. I really can't wait to have my own pair of knit socks!! The first pair I knit went to the boy. I will post pictures soon of what he did to those socks. They never did anything to him, but he sure beat the heck out of them!
More knitting to do......
I finally embellished the Cutie Girly Longies. They didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned them, all swirly and curly with vines and leaves and round-type flowers. Instead, they are very linear with tulips. Still pretty, still cute. My embroidery skills are not what they could be to achieve what I envisioned, so the duplicate stitch tulips will have to do. What do you think?
You'll have to excuse the "not-so-great-light-pictures". I took the longies and the following sock outside to photograph them in the good light. And.....it was sooooo dang humid that the camera lens kept fogging up. I couldn't even get a picture of this sock outside. This is inside-light-picture-taken-by-the-boy.
These are my Possessed Socks; they are the Kai-Mei (that's a ravelry link) pattern by Cookie A from her book "Sock Innovation". Love the book. I think I have checked it out from the library like 3 times. I also want to knit "Rick" from this book.
The six inches of 3x3 ribbing kind of suck. But once you do the heel and pick up the gussets the foot of the sock flies off the needles. The little lace pattern dancing across the foot and eating up the instep stitches is totally awesome. I know it must be "cool", because the 14-year old daughter asked for a pair too.
I only have 1 sock done, but I did cast on #2 right away. I really can't wait to have my own pair of knit socks!! The first pair I knit went to the boy. I will post pictures soon of what he did to those socks. They never did anything to him, but he sure beat the heck out of them!
More knitting to do......
Monday, July 5, 2010
Quick FO
And I mean quick. I finished the longies in just over 24 hours!! But, it's almost 3 in the morning, and I should go to bed. I uploaded all my pics on ravelry and I am leaving you with just a link (here). Sorry. I will talk more about these soon, maybe even tomorrow.
I also have been working hard on the Possessed Socks. Turned a heel and finished the gusset on the first sock. They are way fun and pretty cute. I still need to take some new in progress pictures.
I really wish I could figure out how to sleep when I am pregnant without having to stay up all night until I am so exhausted it hurts. *sigh*
See ya soon!
I also have been working hard on the Possessed Socks. Turned a heel and finished the gusset on the first sock. They are way fun and pretty cute. I still need to take some new in progress pictures.
I really wish I could figure out how to sleep when I am pregnant without having to stay up all night until I am so exhausted it hurts. *sigh*
See ya soon!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Today is *The* Day
Quick check in today. Why?
I am going to see a movie *gasp* in the theatre *gasp* without my kids *gasp*.
My two best friends and I are off to see "Eclipse" followed by food at my favorite Mexican restauant. I am totally pumped.
(I have FO to show tomorrow or Monday.)
Have a great weekend! Happy Anniversary Michelle! BWYA - Thank you for raising such great young men to serve and protect our country and it's Independance!!
I am going to see a movie *gasp* in the theatre *gasp* without my kids *gasp*.
My two best friends and I are off to see "Eclipse" followed by food at my favorite Mexican restauant. I am totally pumped.
(I have FO to show tomorrow or Monday.)
Have a great weekend! Happy Anniversary Michelle! BWYA - Thank you for raising such great young men to serve and protect our country and it's Independance!!
Friday, July 2, 2010
"Quack, Quack!"
Everytime we see a turkey, my almost-4-year-old daughter yells, "Quack, Quack!" It's hilarious. I would correct her, but it's seriously too funny.
Around here, there are a LOT of turkeys. We live in the boonies and regularly have to slow down (or speed up as the case may be) to not hit them in the roads. The spring is the most fun when all the turkeys are out and the little baby turkeys are out too. Turkeys are very ugly. But the little ones are sooooo little and ugly, they're cute!
Yesterday, we had a turkey in our yard. Of course, Wobbers had to collect proof that he really was seeing a turkey.
Around here, there are a LOT of turkeys. We live in the boonies and regularly have to slow down (or speed up as the case may be) to not hit them in the roads. The spring is the most fun when all the turkeys are out and the little baby turkeys are out too. Turkeys are very ugly. But the little ones are sooooo little and ugly, they're cute!
Yesterday, we had a turkey in our yard. Of course, Wobbers had to collect proof that he really was seeing a turkey.
See, ugly. But neat, and a little cute. It took him/her about 2 seconds to hear the camera go off and run into the field. Still pretty cool for the 10 year old.
On not exactly the same topic, but related and very funny, he also found a bird's nest under our deck. He ran up on the porch to grab the camera from me and then quickly ran back down to snap some photos. He said there were 8 cute little fluffy baby birds down there.
A few seconds later, we (my husband was home by then) heard the camera turn on. Then Wobber's yelled, "Hey! They can fly!!" I started laughing so hard I almost peed my pants. Like, yeah dude, they're birds. It was too funny. He didn't get any pictures. But he did get to see a bird fly into our basement window. He said that was great.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Couldn't Make Up My Mind
I did decide what to knit next: the Rainbow Longies.
What I couldn't figure out was what to pair the "Taste the Rainbow" yarn with? I only have enough left to trim a pair of longies. The main color could be either light purple (Wisteria) or teal (Too Teal). Aren't they pretty??
I decided they looked really pretty together, especially after I caked them up. So I thought, hey, why not stripe them into a pair of longies.
I started knitting right away. After an hour or so, I moved to the porch and knit outside in the breeze while the kids played in their bare feet in the yard.
A little while later, I had this:
Then I started thinking it looked too busy. The rainbow yarn AND the stripes. Should I frog? I pulled it off the needles to get a better look.
And about 5 minutes later......I had this:
Too busy. I frogged and decided just to go with the teal. I do love purple, and she is going to be a girl. But I really like the teal with the rainbow. I think it's because there isn't much blue in this particular skein (my fault, I dyed it) and the teal makes it seem balanced to me.
What I couldn't figure out was what to pair the "Taste the Rainbow" yarn with? I only have enough left to trim a pair of longies. The main color could be either light purple (Wisteria) or teal (Too Teal). Aren't they pretty??
I decided they looked really pretty together, especially after I caked them up. So I thought, hey, why not stripe them into a pair of longies. I started knitting right away. After an hour or so, I moved to the porch and knit outside in the breeze while the kids played in their bare feet in the yard.
A little while later, I had this:
Then I started thinking it looked too busy. The rainbow yarn AND the stripes. Should I frog? I pulled it off the needles to get a better look.
And about 5 minutes later......I had this:
Too busy. I frogged and decided just to go with the teal. I do love purple, and she is going to be a girl. But I really like the teal with the rainbow. I think it's because there isn't much blue in this particular skein (my fault, I dyed it) and the teal makes it seem balanced to me. So now, I have this:
Thanks to my boy there for holding it up for the picture. I actually have quite a bit more than that, b/c it's 10pm now and that was at like 7. I am just about to split for the legs.
Thanks to my boy there for holding it up for the picture. I actually have quite a bit more than that, b/c it's 10pm now and that was at like 7. I am just about to split for the legs. Then I'll have lots more knitting before the next decision: What kind of cuffs??
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