The real relaxation comes once the tea is ready to consume and I find myself on the couch with a kitty next to me and my knitting in hand!
When felines and fiber invade your home.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Self Portrait Challenge: Food, Week 1
Often I choose my food based on how it makes me feel psychologically rather than physically. Today was one of those days. I came home from work frustrated and exhausted and just needed to destress myself. I find a pot of flowering tea often does the trick. There is something magical about the way the tea ball opens into a beautiful blossom while the tea steeps and just watching it unfold, gives me a feeling of relaxation.
The real relaxation comes once the tea is ready to consume and I find myself on the couch with a kitty next to me and my knitting in hand!
The real relaxation comes once the tea is ready to consume and I find myself on the couch with a kitty next to me and my knitting in hand!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
RRRRRRRRIP!
So goes Juliet! Yup! I frogged her! I got almost to the end of the yoke--where the body is joined and discovered that my gauge was significantly off. My swatch had determined that size 9 needles would give me gauge (3.5 stitches/ 5 rows per inch). The yarn label also says size 8 - 9 needles gives this gauge. Wrong! After knitting 20 rows--I found that my gauge was 4.5 stitches per inch and the yoke only measured 3 inches long whereas it should've measured 4 inches. I suspect this is why the fabric felt so dense. I ripped it all out and started again using size 10.5 needles. It seems to be the right gauge so far. I can handle if it is too loose as I am making the size S. Both S and XS have the same number of stitches. Small just has you joining the body after 32 rows instead of 26 rows like the XS. I figure I'll just try it on at 26 rows!
I received a delightful surprise the the land down under today. My Ravelry Caffeine Swap packaged arrived today from Australia! It was a lovely treat! There was a box of Earl Gray Teabags, some special cookies, a lovely mug, a little tea bag rest with koala bears on it, some handmade stitch markers and a gorgeous skein of handdyed merino fingering weight yarn.
Here's a closer look at the yarn and stitch markers!
This yarn is just beautiful! It has shades of dark green, blue and purple and feels like butter! There are 490 yards so I may have to finally knit a pair of socks--unless I decide to do a lace scarf of some sort! I don't know! I'll know what to do when I see the right pattern!
I decided to stop by Borders today since it is Educator's Week and teachers get 25% off all books, CD, and DVD's. I only bought one book. As an educator, I thought I needed to be more educated in this:
Secifically in this:
I fell in love with that top! It's designed by Annie Modesitt which explains it all. I love her designs. There are some fabulous kids sweaters in there among other things--quite a few that I would gladly make. I was hoping to also find "Bag Style." I viewed some of the designs for that one online and found it to be the most interesting book of bags that I've seen yet. All of the Style series books are fabulous. I have Scarf Style and Lace Style as well and love them both.
Another design that I've fallen in love with is Cherie Amour from the fall issue of Knitty. This looks like a really quick knit. It is knit in the round with the sleeves flat knit then sewn in. I studied the pattern and came to realize that the sleeves could be picked up and knit in the round from the shoulder down. I'm seriously thinking of making this. The handpainted yarn recommended in the pattern is lovely but the color I like is out of stock so I will have to wait to see if they restock it.
I took Mikey to the vet for a fructosamine test today. Nomally he just gets a glucose test that involves pricking his ear then using a regular glucose meter like human diabetics use. The fructosamine test involves taking a large vial of blood for a more complex test at the lab. This test can tell what his average daily glucose level was for the last 2 weeks. They use a really large syringe and poke around in his neck until they hit a vein. Sometimes they have to shave him so they can see the vein. He's a good little patient. He doesn't struggle at all. I always feel so bad for him. It's funny how he is so loveable to me after all this. He cuddles and nuzzles me when I sit down. I can't help but think that he knows I'm doing this to make him feel good.
DH and I are going to Pittsburgh tomorrow so I need to get some laundry done.
Bushism of the day:
"I want it to be said that the Bush administration was a results-oriented administration, because I believe the results of focusing our attention and energy on teaching children to read and having an education system that's responsive to the child and to the parents, as opposed to mired in a system that refuses to change, will make America what we want it to be — a more literate country and a hopefuller country." —George W. Bush, Jan. 11, 2001
Kitty Cam:
Mikey takes a nap after his hard afternoon at the vet.
I received a delightful surprise the the land down under today. My Ravelry Caffeine Swap packaged arrived today from Australia! It was a lovely treat! There was a box of Earl Gray Teabags, some special cookies, a lovely mug, a little tea bag rest with koala bears on it, some handmade stitch markers and a gorgeous skein of handdyed merino fingering weight yarn.
Here's a closer look at the yarn and stitch markers!
This yarn is just beautiful! It has shades of dark green, blue and purple and feels like butter! There are 490 yards so I may have to finally knit a pair of socks--unless I decide to do a lace scarf of some sort! I don't know! I'll know what to do when I see the right pattern!
I decided to stop by Borders today since it is Educator's Week and teachers get 25% off all books, CD, and DVD's. I only bought one book. As an educator, I thought I needed to be more educated in this:
Secifically in this:
I fell in love with that top! It's designed by Annie Modesitt which explains it all. I love her designs. There are some fabulous kids sweaters in there among other things--quite a few that I would gladly make. I was hoping to also find "Bag Style." I viewed some of the designs for that one online and found it to be the most interesting book of bags that I've seen yet. All of the Style series books are fabulous. I have Scarf Style and Lace Style as well and love them both.
Another design that I've fallen in love with is Cherie Amour from the fall issue of Knitty. This looks like a really quick knit. It is knit in the round with the sleeves flat knit then sewn in. I studied the pattern and came to realize that the sleeves could be picked up and knit in the round from the shoulder down. I'm seriously thinking of making this. The handpainted yarn recommended in the pattern is lovely but the color I like is out of stock so I will have to wait to see if they restock it.
I took Mikey to the vet for a fructosamine test today. Nomally he just gets a glucose test that involves pricking his ear then using a regular glucose meter like human diabetics use. The fructosamine test involves taking a large vial of blood for a more complex test at the lab. This test can tell what his average daily glucose level was for the last 2 weeks. They use a really large syringe and poke around in his neck until they hit a vein. Sometimes they have to shave him so they can see the vein. He's a good little patient. He doesn't struggle at all. I always feel so bad for him. It's funny how he is so loveable to me after all this. He cuddles and nuzzles me when I sit down. I can't help but think that he knows I'm doing this to make him feel good.
DH and I are going to Pittsburgh tomorrow so I need to get some laundry done.
Bushism of the day:
"I want it to be said that the Bush administration was a results-oriented administration, because I believe the results of focusing our attention and energy on teaching children to read and having an education system that's responsive to the child and to the parents, as opposed to mired in a system that refuses to change, will make America what we want it to be — a more literate country and a hopefuller country." —George W. Bush, Jan. 11, 2001
Kitty Cam:
Mikey takes a nap after his hard afternoon at the vet.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Blah, blah, blah
Ahhh! Almost the weekend! What a relief! Anyway, here is my obligatory photo of me wearing Fifi.
It's not the greatest, but it was the best I could do with the time constraints! Anyway, I'm rather ambivalent about this piece. I just don't love it. I think if I had made it with 3/4 length or long sleeves, I probably would love it. I considered doing one or two more pattern repeats on the sleeves, but when I tried it on, they seemed about right so I didn't. I will probably wear it layered over a peasant top of some sort.
I started Juliet. The garter stitch fabric is rather dense. I like the yarn though. It has a nice feel. I'm toying with the idea of making 3/4 length sleeves. When I get to the point where I join the body, I think I will put the sleeve stitches on waste yarn instead of binding them off. If I make them longer, I will most likely continue knitting them in garter stitch then increase so that I have enough stitches for the lace pattern repeats. Hopefully the lace at the bottom of the sleeve would give it a belled sleeve effect. This is just an idea. I don't know if I will do this or not!
Here's a little eye candy:
I always have at least 2 flower arrangements in the house. I just put that one out yesterday!
Anyway--this is a brief post. Sorry for the lack of cleverness this evening!
Bushism of the day:
"Redefining the role of the United States from enablers to keep the peace to enablers to keep the peace from peacekeepers is going to be an assignment." —George W. Bush, Jan. 14, 2001
Kitty Cam:
The tiny tuxedo twins take a nap!
It's not the greatest, but it was the best I could do with the time constraints! Anyway, I'm rather ambivalent about this piece. I just don't love it. I think if I had made it with 3/4 length or long sleeves, I probably would love it. I considered doing one or two more pattern repeats on the sleeves, but when I tried it on, they seemed about right so I didn't. I will probably wear it layered over a peasant top of some sort.
I started Juliet. The garter stitch fabric is rather dense. I like the yarn though. It has a nice feel. I'm toying with the idea of making 3/4 length sleeves. When I get to the point where I join the body, I think I will put the sleeve stitches on waste yarn instead of binding them off. If I make them longer, I will most likely continue knitting them in garter stitch then increase so that I have enough stitches for the lace pattern repeats. Hopefully the lace at the bottom of the sleeve would give it a belled sleeve effect. This is just an idea. I don't know if I will do this or not!
Here's a little eye candy:
I always have at least 2 flower arrangements in the house. I just put that one out yesterday!
Anyway--this is a brief post. Sorry for the lack of cleverness this evening!
Bushism of the day:
"Redefining the role of the United States from enablers to keep the peace to enablers to keep the peace from peacekeepers is going to be an assignment." —George W. Bush, Jan. 14, 2001
Kitty Cam:
The tiny tuxedo twins take a nap!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Finally Fifi!
Here she is!
Fortunately Sophia doesn't mind wearing an unblocked garment! I will model her when she's blocked!
Here are the details--
Yarn: Rowan Calmer in Refresh--3.5 balls
Needles: Knitpicks Options size 7
Size: XS
Modifications: I added 4 extra rows to the sleeves and cast on 7 stitches under the arm when joining the body. I did 12 repeats of the center panel pattern and I did a simple crochet slip stitch around the neck to control the rolling.
Over all--I like this sweater but I got really tired of working on it. Honestly--I would rather do stockinette! I get really annoyed with so much ribbing. I really had to slog through the body section! I don't know what it was! I just became disenchanted with it!
I am starting Juliet in a few minutes! I can't wait! DH and I will be going to Pittsburgh this coming weekend so I can get a little knitting done there. We're going on Sunday for Bird's Symphonic Band concert. He's a senior and we haven't been to any of his band concerts as they are always on Sunday evenings. We decided that we would go to as many of them, if not all of them this year. I guess I'll be out of work some extra Mondays! The drive to Pittsburgh is particularly lovely this time of year because there is so much colorful fall foliage. I'm sorry we can't stay longer. We will probably help Bird get his computer fixed and a few other things. We haven't seen the "new" house. He and one of his roomates from last year moved to a new house at the beginning of the slopes a few blocks away from the old one. He says it's a beauty--fully restored! We'll see!
Other happenings--I've been going through the private health insurance nightmare. Ems comes off my insurance the end of this month and she's still in school. So we have to find affordable health insurance. We have done so, but I suspect when we get the final approval that there will be preexisting condition clauses that won't cover treatment for anything she's been treated for in the last year. I'm really amazed that in the country, we cannot find a way to provide our citizens with affordable health care. The Canadians do it. How hard can it really be? I know that it is really a complex issue but it could be done if the powers that be didn't buckle to special interest groups.
Ok. That's enough! I won't rant anymore! I will go cast on for Juliet!
Bushism of the day:
"I couldn't imagine somebody like Osama bin Laden understanding the joy of Hanukkah." —George W. Bush, at a White House Menorah lighting ceremony, Washington, D.C., Dec. 10, 2001
WoW!
Kitty Cam:
Greg watches TV on the easy chair while I knit!
Fortunately Sophia doesn't mind wearing an unblocked garment! I will model her when she's blocked!
Here are the details--
Yarn: Rowan Calmer in Refresh--3.5 balls
Needles: Knitpicks Options size 7
Size: XS
Modifications: I added 4 extra rows to the sleeves and cast on 7 stitches under the arm when joining the body. I did 12 repeats of the center panel pattern and I did a simple crochet slip stitch around the neck to control the rolling.
Over all--I like this sweater but I got really tired of working on it. Honestly--I would rather do stockinette! I get really annoyed with so much ribbing. I really had to slog through the body section! I don't know what it was! I just became disenchanted with it!
I am starting Juliet in a few minutes! I can't wait! DH and I will be going to Pittsburgh this coming weekend so I can get a little knitting done there. We're going on Sunday for Bird's Symphonic Band concert. He's a senior and we haven't been to any of his band concerts as they are always on Sunday evenings. We decided that we would go to as many of them, if not all of them this year. I guess I'll be out of work some extra Mondays! The drive to Pittsburgh is particularly lovely this time of year because there is so much colorful fall foliage. I'm sorry we can't stay longer. We will probably help Bird get his computer fixed and a few other things. We haven't seen the "new" house. He and one of his roomates from last year moved to a new house at the beginning of the slopes a few blocks away from the old one. He says it's a beauty--fully restored! We'll see!
Other happenings--I've been going through the private health insurance nightmare. Ems comes off my insurance the end of this month and she's still in school. So we have to find affordable health insurance. We have done so, but I suspect when we get the final approval that there will be preexisting condition clauses that won't cover treatment for anything she's been treated for in the last year. I'm really amazed that in the country, we cannot find a way to provide our citizens with affordable health care. The Canadians do it. How hard can it really be? I know that it is really a complex issue but it could be done if the powers that be didn't buckle to special interest groups.
Ok. That's enough! I won't rant anymore! I will go cast on for Juliet!
Bushism of the day:
"I couldn't imagine somebody like Osama bin Laden understanding the joy of Hanukkah." —George W. Bush, at a White House Menorah lighting ceremony, Washington, D.C., Dec. 10, 2001
WoW!
Kitty Cam:
Greg watches TV on the easy chair while I knit!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Self Portrait Challenge: Bathroom II: Week 4
Part of my responsibility as an elementary school teacher involves controlling undesirable behavior. Often this behavior occurs in the bathroom!
It's beginning to look a lot like . . .
Christmas! NOT! This post is somewhat of a rant, so forgive me if I digress from my usual discussion of creative things or shoes. Actually it is two mini rants--the inspiration for which came from the same shopping trip!
First--I had to run into BJ's get a couple of food items. I came across a display which made me want to knock some sense into some marketing executive somewhere. What was this display? Lighted Christmas trees! Yup--that's right! In September on the very first day of autumn. And here I thought that heat index being about 90 degrees was the only fluke that was ocurring. Is this not totally insane? In my mind, anything Christmas should not be happening until the first day after Thanksgiving. Alright, alright, I know that some people like to get in the Christmas spirit earlier than that, but at least get by Halloween first! There should not be Christmas and Halloween displays up at the same time. Period.
Second rant--I think all these "think pink" items for breast cancer awareness are very nice, but wouldn't it really be better just to contribute money to the cause? If I'm buying something I need and part of the proceeds go to the cure, then sure, that's great! But otherwise, doesn't it just make more sense to give money directly? I was stunned at the number of pink things there are out there for breast cancer awareness! Please understand that I'm not criticizing this. I just wonder if money wouldn't be better. Why spend $25 on a pink t-shirt with a small percentage going to the cure when you could just contribute $25 with all of it going to the cure?
That's it. My rants are over. So is my procrastinating. I have 8 stinkin' rows left to do on my Fifi then I have to finish the sleeves which will be very short! I'll be so relieved. I just hate ribbing. I don't know what I was thinking! It will be cute though, so that's certainly a relief! I will post the photos when finished! DH went to a friend's house to jam, so I will find a good flick on HBO and knit!
Bushism of the day:
"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.'' —George W. Bush, Feb. 21, 2001
Yes George. Isn't that all that matters?
Kitty Cam:
Samantha tries to inch her way to my lap by starting on the end table!
After which she ended up here!
First--I had to run into BJ's get a couple of food items. I came across a display which made me want to knock some sense into some marketing executive somewhere. What was this display? Lighted Christmas trees! Yup--that's right! In September on the very first day of autumn. And here I thought that heat index being about 90 degrees was the only fluke that was ocurring. Is this not totally insane? In my mind, anything Christmas should not be happening until the first day after Thanksgiving. Alright, alright, I know that some people like to get in the Christmas spirit earlier than that, but at least get by Halloween first! There should not be Christmas and Halloween displays up at the same time. Period.
Second rant--I think all these "think pink" items for breast cancer awareness are very nice, but wouldn't it really be better just to contribute money to the cause? If I'm buying something I need and part of the proceeds go to the cure, then sure, that's great! But otherwise, doesn't it just make more sense to give money directly? I was stunned at the number of pink things there are out there for breast cancer awareness! Please understand that I'm not criticizing this. I just wonder if money wouldn't be better. Why spend $25 on a pink t-shirt with a small percentage going to the cure when you could just contribute $25 with all of it going to the cure?
That's it. My rants are over. So is my procrastinating. I have 8 stinkin' rows left to do on my Fifi then I have to finish the sleeves which will be very short! I'll be so relieved. I just hate ribbing. I don't know what I was thinking! It will be cute though, so that's certainly a relief! I will post the photos when finished! DH went to a friend's house to jam, so I will find a good flick on HBO and knit!
Bushism of the day:
"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.'' —George W. Bush, Feb. 21, 2001
Yes George. Isn't that all that matters?
Kitty Cam:
Samantha tries to inch her way to my lap by starting on the end table!
After which she ended up here!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Self Portrait Challenge: Bathroom II: Week 3
This is my first self portrait challenge.
Transformation I
Transformation II
The bathroom as a setting has had different meanings in the different phases of my adult life. When my children were toddlers, the bathroom was stressful. I could not take a shower without having them either with me in the tub or in the playpen in the bathroom. We were always able to turn the shower or bath into fun, usually with water everywhere. As my kids got older, the bathroom became a place of sanctuary. The rule was that Mom was not to be disturbed with in the bathroom. I could kick back and read or just sit and collect my thoughts. Now, as an older adult, the bathroom has taken on a different meaning. It has become a place of transformation. Whether it be transforming me from the aches and pains of a long day of work with a hot shower, or transforming me into a finished product with makeup and hair products, it is a place where change occurs. I like to think of the bathroom as the place where I get to add color to my external self: washing away the cares of the previous day, coloring the gray, camoflaging the wrinkles or painting the lips! I always feel brighter after my morning transformation with my flaws hidden under a fresh coat of paint!
Visit SPC for more bathroom pix!
The bathroom as a setting has had different meanings in the different phases of my adult life. When my children were toddlers, the bathroom was stressful. I could not take a shower without having them either with me in the tub or in the playpen in the bathroom. We were always able to turn the shower or bath into fun, usually with water everywhere. As my kids got older, the bathroom became a place of sanctuary. The rule was that Mom was not to be disturbed with in the bathroom. I could kick back and read or just sit and collect my thoughts. Now, as an older adult, the bathroom has taken on a different meaning. It has become a place of transformation. Whether it be transforming me from the aches and pains of a long day of work with a hot shower, or transforming me into a finished product with makeup and hair products, it is a place where change occurs. I like to think of the bathroom as the place where I get to add color to my external self: washing away the cares of the previous day, coloring the gray, camoflaging the wrinkles or painting the lips! I always feel brighter after my morning transformation with my flaws hidden under a fresh coat of paint!
Visit SPC for more bathroom pix!
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