Vacation

I'm going to be away from my blog for a little while, going on vacation with a friend to an exotic mystery destination. Ok, maybe not totally exotic, but it is a mystery. I should be back in a week or so, and will have lots of pictures to show everyone.

Of course I'm taking along knitting. We're driving, and since I'm just the navigator (wait, where are we going again) I get to knit all day. *Insert Big Chocolate Eating Grin Here* I hope I'll be taking enough with me. I've got my secret knitting project with me, which is for a friend. I will be taking along the lovely ball of Ultra Alpaca I got from my SP13 swap partner (if I can find the ball, it ran away). it won't become socks though, but this Fern Lace Pattern. I know I was hinted to make it into socks, but the second I saw the pattern, I knew it had to be this. I love ferns, but I can't keep them alive.

Not sure what else to take. I'm kinda sure that if I run out of yarn I can stop and get more, but still, you can never take too much yarn.

I have to weave in the ends on my one Row Handspun scarf I made for my friend. I"ll make sure to get pictures of it with it's new owner as well.

Off to pack. :)

A post

First off, some thanks go out to my Secret Pal for this round. On Christmas Eve I received a box from the person I used to call Santa (The UPS man) and was able to gloat as I opened it early. I have pictures of everything, but I'm not sure where the camera cable went.

First was a pair of hand knit cotton mitts in sky blue, very warm and comfy. Next was a hat to match. This hat is so nice, it covers my ears, forehead, and comes to the nape of my neck, all in one fell swoop. I love that in a hat. I also got this cute little snowman mug complete with top hat cover and a ceramic candy cane to stir with. The cane is on the tree. The cutest thing though was the gingerbread man full of hot cocoa mix. He's made of brown paper and is sewn around the edges. I don't think I can bring myself to use him though, he's too cute.

We went to a candlelight service that night, and came back to packages left on the chair by the door. They were to Kitty from "Santa" (in this case the next door neighbors/landlords).

Christmas day was fun, went to Gamma's and had ham.

Bad words and depressing stuff to follow. You can leave if you don't want to read it, I'll understand. Honest.




Silly de-motivational picture to protect innocent eyes.

Today however really reminds my just how much 2008 has sucked in all it's fucking glory. I'm getting audited. All because the company my now ex worked for can't be bothered to do their tax reporting properly. Does the IRS seriously think that a person is stupid enough to try and hide 13 thousand fucking dollars? Oh wait, this is the government I'm talking about. My step-dick should work for them, since he seems to think that they'll give one ounce of caring to the fact that I have no goram memory of the last 3 years. Oh yeah, J and I have to figure out how to manage a fucking audit when we're 2000 miles away. What fun. I actually have to sit there and do all this crap because his company fucked up, but I can guarantee I'll have to pay my own way out there. I still can't get him to commit to a percentage of what travel costs he'll cover for the approved holidays I get with Scott. I still have to laugh (so i don't cry) at what they say is reasonable parenting time. 3 months a year. Once Scott is in school I've been told he's going to change it so I only get him during school brakes. Wonderful. We wonder why I feel like a total failure at this parenting gig. I've gotten to talk to him 2 times since that nice long phone call, and both went the way I've become accustomed to. He doesn't want to talk to me for more than 3 words it seems.

Can I tell the IRS to shove it up GW's ass and make J do all of this himself? After all, he's the one who quit this farce of a relationship. But no, I have to find the tax returns, I have to find out what HR Blockhead does when you get audited. And if you can manage to get a word in edgewise when telling him things about all this you get made to feel you have no right to be upset. Only he can be upset about it. I would think that when you move across the country you'd keep your tax info AT HAND!!! Oh, would that make sense? Cause than you could find the very last pay stub from 2007 and take it to wherever you needed to go, and make them sort this fucking mess out, instead of being a dick to the person trying to fucking help you.


Sorry, needed to rant. It's not like I have anyone I can talk to anyway.

My Darlin Lad

Everyone who's read this blog for more than 3 posts (or looks just a little to the right) knows I have a son. Read back a few months and you know that he lives in CA now with his dad, and I haven't seen him since early October (if not at all if you want to go by my memory, stupid concussion).

Today Scott and I talked on the phone for 3/4 an hour. We played a game of Hide and Go Seek (yeah, on a phone, so we're weird). He licked me a few times so I licked him back. He gave me kisses and said "I kiss you Mommy" each time. I told him about my day yesterday at Gamma's house. I talked about what I was doing next week (more in a few days). I sang to him. We laid on his bed and "watched" a Little Einstein movie. When I was telling him about the weather here and saying how I was cold he covered me with his blanket. We cuddled. I sang some more to him. Than he said he was tired and was gonna take a nap and hung up the phone on me.

This is really special to me because usually I get to talk to him about 5 min before he hangs up on me. This is the closest I've felt to being a mommy in the whole time since I was told I had a son. I wouldn't have traded the phone call for anything in the world, and my darling lad gave me the best Yule present I could have asked for. I got to spend time with him, with 2000 miles between us. Got to spend time just being a mommy.

Thank you baby boy. Mommy loves you so much.

SP13 questions

Part A:

Are you doing any holiday knitting?

I was, and now am done with everything that was planned. Even some that weren't planned.


Part B:

Have you finished?

All but the last item, a scarf. I would have been done, but ripped it back, since the handspun wasn't being nice to me. Now it's 2 rows with one ball, and 2 with another.

I was tagged

I got tagged by GirlMeetsNeedle and decided to actually do it. Just for shites and giggles. (I'm medicated, shoot me)

Here's how it works:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six random things about Betty:

1. I can only fall asleep on my tummy, with a hand on my hipbone
2. I can't poke my belly button, or let anyone else do it. It makes me sick
3. I love lightning storms, but hate thunder. It seriously freaks me out.
4. If I don't have something in my hands I fidget and pick at my fingers
5. I have *never* been bitten by a mosquito, I don't taste right or something
6. My body chemistry changes every once in a while, and it throws things outa wack. I become sensitive to things I've used for months/years, and can suddenly use things i haven't in a long time. Right now I'm washing my hair every other day, instead of maybe 2 times a week.


I'm cheating. If you read my blog, and see this, you're tagged! Enjoy

So totally random

I couldn't sleep, and had already taken a muscle relaxant. This is the result. More random little things about me than could ever be useful. Enjoy. =)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• If you were a hot dog , would you eat yourself?
  Hell no, I can't eat those things
  
• Kennedy Assassination – conspiracy or did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone? I say there was someone else too, but who knows?
  
• Did you like Jurassic Park III? – if yes, you must explain why. Never seen it, so no idea
  
• Do you like GUC & Cleolinda? Do I like WHO? Not a clue
  
• How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? 253
  
• Did you witness Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch? Nope
  
• Do you consider bowling a sport? Nope
  
• Do you know what “FPS” stands for? (note: contrary to popular belief, it is not “Free Patrick Stewart”) FIrst Person SHooter?
  
• Speaking of Patrick Stewart, what is your favorite Star Trek series? Next Generation
  
• Which Buffy character do you identify with? Willow
  
• Did you want Joey to end up with Pacey or Dawson? Never watched the Creek
  
• What color is your hair? Brown, for the moment
  
• Do you find Howard Stern offensive? Sometimes
  
• How many chucks would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? 42
  
• Do you have a favorite “indie-dyer”? If so, who? ME, of course
  
• Do you use hand-knit dishcloths? hells yes
  
• What new technique would you like to try? (dye yarn, felting, lace, socks, etc.) um, stranded or fair isle knitting
  
• Do you know what Sparkle Motion is? nope
  
• Do you like Starbucks? Seattle's Best, thanks
  
• Do you eat fast food? If yes, what is your favorite? In-n-Out (which isn't near me, waaaaa)
  
• Coke or Pepsi? Cherry coke, which is weird, casue growing up I was pure Pepsi
  
• tea or coffee ? or hot chocolate ? Tea (green) please
  
• Do you wear hand-knit items? If yes, what is your favorite? whatever I have on at the time
  
• Do you have any favorite Etsy shops? A bunch
  
• What is one pattern you love, but would never make for yourself? most sock patterns
  
• What are your feelings on stalking RPattz? Who?
  
• Do you like Harry Potter? Yes, and need to re-read teh last book, since I forgot
  
• What is your favorite book? Way too many to pick
  
• What is your favorite song? Drift Away is pretty high on the charts
  
• What is your favorite band? not picking one
  
• Are there any celebrities you would like to meet? Who/Why? Nope, not really
  
• Do you like Green Eggs & Ham? They can be tasty
  
• Are you a monogamous knitter? Or a WIP-Hoor? I'm a WIP slut baby
  
• Have you listened to RPattz musicality over at YouTube? nope
  
• What is your favorite TV show? NCIS and Good Eats
  
• Have you seen Meet the Feebles? (and will you admit it, if you did??) Meet the WHO?
• VanHalen - Sammy Hagar or David Lee Roth? Sammy Hagar
  
• Are there any non-knit/crochet crafts you enjoy? Spinning, tatting, weaving, beading
  
• Why is the rum always gone? Cause I like Vodka better
  
• What is the secret of life? *holds up a finger* this one thing
  
• Explain the complex theoretical problems of the Babble Fish. 42
  
• What was your favorite childhood outfit? Jeans, mom's red checked tank, and boots
  
• If you’re riding in the car late at night with the windows down, what cd is playing on the stereo? GOdsmack or Nickleback
  
• If you were on a deserted island and had only one skein of yarn, which would it be? something cotton
  
• If your life were a television program, would it be a half-hour sitcom or a one hour drama? drama lately
• What would be the title of said show? nope
  
• Do you know how to pronounce Clapotis correctly? Yes
  
• What one superhero power would you want and why? Human Teleportation over great distances
  
• Do you sleep with a stuffed animal? If so, what is it? A stuffed Panda Scott gave me. Wiggles A. Panda. And there's also Tommy (groundhog) and Maize (alpaca fluff teddy bear) on the bed
  
• Describe your style in one word. comfy
  
• You randomly walk into a bookstore on a whim & buy a book. It’s most likely a ___Science Fiction____(fill in genre here)
• Do you collect anything? Rubber Ducks, Yoda things, stuffed critters, yarn, books, fiber, dust
  
• What’s your favorite smell? Least favorite? citrus smells and LIGHT floral. I can't stand the smell of bacon cooking. Or any food burning. The step-dad always burns his oatmeal and it stinks up the house. I have a very sensitive nose now
  
• What’s your living situation? Live with parents? In a dorm? Apartment? House? With mum/sis/niece/step-dad. In a house
  
• What do you do in your leisure time? Craft, read, cook, talk to Scott, computer
  
• What do you like to do on weekends? see above
  
• What is the strangest thing you’d wear on your head? A stuffed christmas tree with Disney ornaments that lights up
  
• If you were to fill the sun with rats, how many rats would you need? 57,597,576,954,645,354,687,389,587.34568742 (I guessed, can you tell?)
  

I'm still here, Promise

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. I've been busting me butt to make sure I got Scott's Stocking done in time to mail. And I seemed to have managed it. I can't embroider worth a damn, but it's done, and would make a killer knee sock for me. Scott's only requirements were "It be green right?" and "It be LONG!" Yes, he's that cute. So, his long green stocking, with mommy's crummy dot matrix printing on it.
Since I couldn't just let him have a stocking from Mommy (due to our ex roommate I'm cash strapped until his mangy butt moves out of the apartment and gets the deposit back for me) I also made him his own little Loch Ness Monster. Isn't Nessie the cutest? Best yet (in my yarn needs) she matches his stocking, so I know the wee laddie will like it. J has assured me that Scott will like Nessie, but I have worries. I know they are grounds less worries. You may notice my Nessie doesn't have the horn things that the pattern suggests, but I feel that she didn't need them.

Growing up we had this little lucite block with a LNM in it, and she didn't have horns. We still have that one in the curio cabinet, and I still love to look at her.


So, now that I'm not cranking out the presents for Scott what am I doing? Well, I'm making presents for other family members, but since they don't have to be mailed to the West Coast I can take a little more time on them. I've also started a little "selfish" knitting. I'm working on the Elfin Bride sweater pattern from DomiKNITrix. This is a mega uber involved pattern, and she only shows pictures in her book, cause it's 19 pages of regular paper to print it off. And to think I call this my "relaxation" knitting. I wrote about 2 years ago that I was gonna knit this, and now I finally have gotten around to it. Wheeeeeee!

When I'm out and about, knitting in public I can usually be found at a little coffee shop in Portage called Water Street. My knitting group meets up there, the Zombie Prom Date Knitters. A more awesome bunch of crazies you'd be hard to find. We're cool, you should come visit if you're in town.

Layers - I'm either an Onion or a Parfait

LAYER 1: Tell us your…

* Name: Betty
* Birthday (month, day): October 6
* Birthplace: Barstow CA
* Current location: K'zoo MI
* Eye color: Blue
* Hair color: Brown
* Height: 5′3″
* Righty or lefty: righty
* Zodiac sign: Libra

LAYER 2: What’s…

* Your heritage: Mutt
* The shoes you wore today: None, 2 pair of socks though
* Your weakness: chocolate
* Your fears: losing my family, spiders, crowds, and now being a bad mommy/Scott not liking me
* Your perfect pizza: garlic sauce, chicken, bacon, green onions, lots of cheese, tomatos
* Goals you’d like to achieve: get memories back
* Your first waking thoughts: Shit, I'm up. Can I go back to sleep?
* Your best physical feature: My eyes or hair
* Your most missed memory: Mid October 05- October 26th 08. Everything in there

LAYER 3: Do you…

* Smoke: Never have, never will
* Cuss: I ain't got no chicken duck turkey goose mouth (that would be a fowl mouth, but yes, I do)
* Sing: sometimes
* Do you think you’ve been in love: I know I have
* Did you go to college: I did, and want to go again
* Liked high school: sometimes
* Want to get/stay married: no
* Believe in yourself:sometimes
* Think you’re attractive: not often
* Think you’re a health freak: hell no
* Get along with your parent(s): with me mum
* Like thunderstorms: no, I like lightning, not thunder
* Play an instrument: I can play the spoons and want to learn the violin

LAYER 4: In the past month have you…

* Drank alcohol: nope
* Smoked: Nope
* Done a drug: None that were not prescription
* Made out: no *sniff*
* Gone on a date: No, again *sniff*
* Gone to the mall: Yeah, nothing else to do here
* Eaten an entire box of Oreos: No, but next time I hit the store I'm getting some damn it
* Eaten sushi: again with teh *sniff*
* Been on stage: nopers
* Been dumped: no
* Gone skating: I don't glide, i fall, so no
* Gone skinny dipping: WTF?! There is snow on the ground and I'm bundled up. Hells no!
* Stolen Anything: not yet, but some time for myself would be nice

LAYER 5: Have you ever…

* Played a game that required removal of clothing: no
* Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: No run for me, it's the only thing to ever get me almost puking drunk
* Been caught “doing something”: not for a while
* Been called a tease: Yesh
* Gotten beaten up: No
* Shoplifted: Yes

LAYER 6:

* Age you did get/hope to be married: 23
* Numbers and names of children (either you have or want): Scott, 2.5
* Describe your dream mate:
* How do you want to die: in my sleep
* What did you want to be when you grow up: Chef
* What country would you most like to visit: The Uk

Layer 7

* Name a drug you’ve taken illegally: None really, unless you count Mom's pills that I have an Rx for, but can't afford my own ones
* Name a person you could trust with my life: Scott
* Name a favorite CD that you own: my Ipod
* Number of piercings: none
* Number of tattoos: none, yet
* Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: A couple, I think 5
* Name a past experience that you regret: Aaahh…some skeletons are in their closets for a reason, but I do regret not going back to school BEFORE I had LW.

Why I should leave the house more often

Well, I get great mail, that's for sure. On Wednesday I was off to Gamma's house (that's the Great Gran on mom's side) so that I could make the turkey the next morning. Gamma doesn't really cook anymore, and her daughter isn't a cook at all. We weren't sure if the other kids would be coming up for the holiday, and didn't want to risk someone not having it made. As we were pulling out of the driveway the mail woman was just getting to our box, and I wanted to stop, since I was expecting a package. But alas, the BOC wouldn't stop for 3 seconds. *sigh* Typical to my life, the package was there. 8 ounces of beautiful 80/20 Merino Tencel roving hand-dyed by the wonderful Jessica of Zarzuela's Fibers. Check out her Etsy Shop. I won this in a contest she held in her blog at the beginning of the month. It's her Seascape colorway, and is so amazingly soft. I'm hoping to get a heavy 2-ply laceweight yarn out of it, and make something uber wonderful.

Here we have 1/2 of the fiber, in all it's beautiful colors. I decided I was going to halve it, than stip it lengthwise 4 times in one half, and draft it. For the other half I plan on drafting it as is. So one ply will have shorter color sections, and the second ply will have nice long ones.

Here we have a small section of the pre-drafted strips of the first half. I love the pure white silky strands of the Tencel that are all shiney. I think it'll look amazing once it's spun.

And here's proof it'll look amazing as it's spun, a fine single of the pre-drafted fiber. So yummy.



Than today I decided I was going to take advantage of the Black Friday Sales and hit Jo-Ann's for cotton dyes. They had the tie-dye kits on sale for $5 (that's 50% off) and I had a coupon for 20% off the entire purchase, if I got there before noon. So I actually got out of bed when I woke up, instead of trying to fall back asleep. I managed to get 5 kits, for a total of 15 more bottles of dyes, in the basic colors. I have enough empty bottles now that I can mix new colors up as needed. I also was able to pick up a new cable for my digital camera, since the one I had been using went to CA with J and Scott. I've been using a basic camera for now, and missed the loverly pictures this one takes. When I don't smudge the lens.


When I got home I had this bouncy 6 yo niece telling me I had a package. Now, I hadn't ordered anything, and had no idea what it could be. More so when I saw the city it was mailed from. Mailed from right here in MI. It's from my secret pal.
This loverly yarn here is Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine, is a beautiful teal color. It's not as dim as the picture would suggest. For those willing to go hunt the site to see the true color, it's #1294. I think my SP is trying to pass on a hint, to get making socks again. Now I can, because I was also gifted some size1 bamboo DPN's. I swear to make sure these don't meet the same fate. And behind everything else, there's that pattern. Which pattern is it, you might be asking yourself. Well, it's the Leaf Lace Sock by Fiber Trends of course.
On the Scotty front, tonight when talking to him, I asked if he'd like socks. "Nooooo" A Scarf? "Noo" A highland cow (been making one for him) "Yesh". A Christmas stocking? "Yesh". He wanted a gree one, so I'll be makign an olive green with grey details, and maybe some red. He doesn't seem big on the reds lately, so I'll most likely leave that out. If I have enough yarn I'l supposed to make one for J too. Soctty said.

He's doing well, and on Thanksgiving helped a friend's son decorate the Chirstmas tree they have. 2 kids under 5 decorated the tree, and I have video proof. He's going to have his half birthday in December. Growing up so fast.

Mondo massive Blog post

I'm sure you're all waiting with baited breath to learn who answered all the questions properly. There were 2 who got them all right, and something fun happened with that. But first, the questions.

1) In August of '08 I fell and sprained what? My Knee
2) My son's name, and birthday? Scott and June 9th, 2006
3) What life changing events have happened to me this year (there's 2 answers) I lost 3 years of memory due to concussions, and got divorced.
4) My favorite color Blues, deep reds, greens, and grays (yes, more than one, so that was a toss up)
5) I made something for my MIL, what was it? A shawl. A lot of you said scarf, which never got made. At least no one said doily!
6) What to name my wheel (no wrong answer) Arduwynne (which has already been shortened to Win when I'm in a hurry)

Ok, so the whole reason I really picked 2 winners was the name one submitted scarded me. I am *terrified* of spiders, and while Arachnae is a beautiful name, it could never be. So I went with 2 winners. Oh yeah, should maybe tell you's all who they is. The first is the beautiful, talented and mother of 2 beautiful little lads, AMY, also known as ArtemisOrange on plurk. And the second is another beautiful woman, soon to be in the LSG (Lazy Stupid and Godless) calender as an unknown month. The talented Cadence , known in plurk fame as GirlMeetsNeedle. BTW, if you readers aren't on plurk, get yourselves up there. It's fun.

Prize packages are being decided as a surprise for my 2 winners. I'm sure they will involve some baked item, some handspun yarns, and other treats.

On the spinning front, I just finished spinning up 349 yards of a heavy lace/light fingering weight yarn, in beautiful purples and blues. Mom has named it Lake Michigan Twilight (since she's who picked what to spin)

As Arduwynne's "christening" project, I'm going to spin for a real project!!! Ok, pick yourselves up off the floor, weirder things have been known to happen. I know that I usually just spin and horde, or have no real plan with what I should do with the yarns. But I want to knit a Hemlock Ring Blanket and so I am going to spin some of the massive bag o' fleace that I got a year and a bit ago. It's t his beautiful black-ish brown and sure to spin up all pretty. I'll also be spinning things up for sale some more, so I can get items posted. I'm also doing some testing of ideas/items to see what everyone thinks of them.

It's a lot easier to see what I have for sale since I got the fibers and yarns all sorted. Ok, the fibers are, but I need to rig up a "closeline" type thing so I can hang the yarns from that, and see at a glance. Than there's the idea of getting a lot of priority mail boxed from USPS and using them as storage. That caused some laughs, but I'm good for now.

Scott is thriving in CA it seems. He just got a pet, his first. It's a beta fish named Ulric (I know, weird right?). Today he's at the Disney parks with his Great Uncle Jeff (he works for Disney and gets them in free) and I'm going to assume his uncle Caleb, who just graduated from Marine Boot Camp and will spend the next 6 months of his life in Butt-f'ing-nowhere. Also known as 29 Palms. I hope he enjoys having to travel at least 20 miles for anything. Sally was born out there on base, and they prob still haven't forgotten the story of that. I had the decent sense to be born in Barstow, in town. That's where mom and Robert were stationed at that time. Congrats to Caleb for finishing.

I'm off to Plurk, attempt eating (got the stoopid tummy bug going around) and knit some. I swore that I wouldn't start to knit another item until everything but the beaded lace shawl was off the needles. I finished the Jaxy Cowl last night (pictures soon) and will be frogging the lace shawl, cause I've screwed up several times. So that takes care of everything. I think I'll knit a few scarves. One in my Malabrigio Lace, and one in a silk yarn I recovered from a tank top. I know I blogged about that one. Maybe something with leaves, since it's green.

Toods for now my darlins!

Plurk Contest, and other stuff

So I promised the folks over there on Plurk that I would do something special for my 1,000th plurk. What better than a contest? I mean, my wheel needs a name, and so here goes nothing. It's simple and easy. Ok, you have to find the answers to a few questions for me.

1) In August of '08 I fell and sprained what?
2) My son's name, and birthday
3) What life changing events have happened to me this year (there's 2 answers)
4) My favorite color
5) I made something for my MIL, what was it?
6) What to name my wheel (no wrong answer)

Ok, that be it. There will be a prize package put together for the winner who gets the questions right. Oh, and gives a name for my wheel. Prizes will range from home made fudge, yarn, fiber, and other items. Depends on the winner for some. Oh, and Secret Pal, you can enter if you want, and I can save the package for later for you.

Please send answers to vxb222 (at) gmail (dot) com to avoid others seeing them and swiping. All entries should be in by Wed the 19th at midnight.


Now for other stuff, I'm knitting a shawl out of the sweater silk, and it's beaded. I know huh? Freaking cool. I'll post pictures when I get better ones. It's been snowing all damn day here.

Great Acheivment and Great Loss

The last few days have been good to me. I've spun up 230 yards of 3 ply sport/worsted weight yarn. A beautiful heathered gray color, made of a blend of white and gray merino, gray alpaca, and black Border Collie fluff. Yes, that's a dog. I'd say a 75/15/10 blend of the 3 fibers.

Than I did a first for me. I made a sock. For Scott, so it's not big. It's worked in sport weight on size 2's so it'll wear very well as a sipper too. The mate will soon follow, once I recover from losing a few friends of mine.

Yes, today a few friends of mine were resting on the couch, and suddenly a big foot came and stepped on them. Ok, I admit, it was my foot. 4 size 2 vintage rosewood DPN's have passed on to the great woodpile in the sky. The lone survivor was off on the table, cause he's not the shrpest needle in the bunch. Thankfully I have circs in size 2, and can make the other sock.
The lone survior over there, laughing at them. Little does he know that now he's a shawl pin.

On plurk and other things

Ya know, sometimes I forget that just because I'm on Plurk doesn't mean the rest of y'all are. See, I talk about my days and what I'm working on over there, and forget about this here.

I've been spinning a lot lately. I can do this because as a b-day present Mommy got me an electric motor attachment for my Wheel (Wheel needs a name, I'm sensing a contest soon). Yesterday I spun and plyed 4 oz of Merino/silk top into a 3 ply heavy worsted yarn. This is to go with the 2 oz of this top already spun up. It's destined to become something for Scott. Not sure what yet, maybe a scarf.

Today I'm spinning a Merino/alpaca/Border Collie blend. I know it's somewhere around here in my archives. Look for early August, I saw it there. The Merino/alpaca blend is a lovely slate gray, and there is also white merino blended in with the black Border Collie. It's making for this beautiful heathered gray that I'm loving. I'm spinning it fine and hope to make it a 3-ply heavy lace. I'd love for enough to knit a cowl or scarf for me.

I've been bitten by the cowl bug. Right now I'm working on one inspired by a hat a friend in knit group was knitting. It's a mobius cowl worked with an applied cable edging. The cable it's self is reversible (turned on both sides, and worked in a 1-1 ribbing) so it flows with the who mobius idea. Yes, the mobius is worked from the center out, using Cat's method.

I'm also going to knit Scott a sweater, and promised Sally one too. Both are in the planning process. I"m also going to finally attempt socks. Someday. Maybe start with Scott sized ones. Makes me wonder what size he wears anyway.

I'm trying to prep yarns for work, and on the topic of work, the name has been changed. It seems there was a Tangled Web Fibers out there on the interwebs so the name was changed. Besides, not it's Punny. Sheeps of Egyptian Cotton. When I was growing up my half sister Kathy (ask some day, maybe I"ll tell you fun stories about her) told me the clouds being relfected on the ocean were sheep. And me, being the smart wee child, asked how they didn't felt. So she said they were sheeps of Cotton, and that's where Cotton came from. A few years later I got proof she was being silly, but than it wasn't too late to tell her. So, in homage of Kathy and my sillyness, Sheeps of Egyptian Cotton has been born. Shop blog and Etsy Storefront are at those links. Store is empty, but only for now.

I've been tagged

I was tagged by Girl Meets Needle over on her blog with this, and for a change thought I'd actually do it. Here's goes. The deal is only one word answers can be used.

Where is your mobile phone?
Bed

Where is your significant other?
wanted

Your hair colour?
brown

Your mother?
downstairs

Your father?
asshole

Your favorite thing?
Knitting

Your dream last night?
peaceful

Your dream goal?
memories

The room you’re in?
bedroom

Your hobby?
Knitting

Your fear?
spiders

Where do you want to be in 6 years?
there

Where were you last night?
chair

What you’re not?
sporty

One of your wish-list items?
yarn

Where you grew up?
CA!!!

The last thing you did?
ate

What are you wearing?
PJ's

Your TV?
his

Your pets?
none

Your computer?
crap

Your mood?
whimper

Missing someone?
Scott

Your car?
feet

Something you’re not wearing?
bra

Favourite shop?
Yarn

Your summer?
forgotten

Love someone?
Absolutely

Your favorite color?
blue

When is the last time you laughed?
today

When was the last time you cried?
yesterday

And that's all folks!

I can't really tag anyone, but those followers I have, consider yourself tagged if you see this. Oh, and whomever gets to be my SP13 partner

Secret Pal 13 Questions

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love cotton and other plant based fibers. I can use some wools, but they must be super soft. Malabrigo is about the only one I can wear that's commercially produced.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Um.........the cases they come in? All my hooks are in a susan bates case, and there are too many to easily fit, but I can find it. My Options are in their binder, and the few other ones I have are just lying around

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for 10 years and consider myself an advanced intermediate. I was taught by a sub teacher in my German class sophomore year of high school

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope, that's too easy. But I have wonderful ideas, and can post them if y'all want

5. What's your favorite scent?
Clean natural scents. No artificial perfumes. I like citrus scents and spices. Oh, and honeysuckle.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Dark chocolate, around 75%. Gummys. Dark chocolate Peanut M&M's

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I spin, needle tat, crochet, learning to weave.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I listed to a lot of stuff. Not a big classical fan, nor rap or gospel. Yes the computer plays MP3's and I have an Ipoop.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Blues, greens, deep reds, and grays. I really am not a pink/yellow/orange fan though I will take a dusky rose color

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a son who lives with me for short periods of time (reap past entries to see why) and no pets. I'm not allergic to them though. I live with my mum, sister, and niece right now.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, Yes, Yes, no

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Lace. I love to knit lace shawls. I'm learning socks (ok, at this point I've yet to knit a sock). Baby things.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Right now I'm working on a Mobius Cowl and a sweater for my sister. I'm also knitting a blanket for a friend who's expecting. Sweaters for Scott too.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
YES!!! I love getting homemade things.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular by fat. Metal too. I don't like bamboo, they feel odd to me. I have a set of rosewod DPN's I'm learning to knit socks on, and those are the only wood ones I have so far

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I use my mom for ball winding and I have a niddy noddy. No swift though

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Not sure, can't remember right now. I'll go with 2 years and 5 months (Scott)

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
I like Halloween the best. I observe Christmas, though I'm not really a Christian. It's more about spending time with family and friends, and sharing a little handmade item with them.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Rubber Rucks, Yoda things (green dude from Star Wars), Yarn and lace patterns.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have no subscriptions and no books or patterns spring to mind. I plan of spending some time in the bookstore soon, and will change this as that can be updated. :)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Socks.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Not yet, but I want to learn. 8.5" around the ball, 9.25" fron index toe to heel, 9.25" around ankle. Not sure if that helps. I like socks to midcalf (my winter boots are combat boots). I have no idea if these measurments help. Oh, I wear a size 7.5 in US womens.

23. When is your birthday?
October 6th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
vxb222

I don't know how to tell people this, but due to a hail strike on the head, I've lost 3 years. I know most of you are saying "What, again??!!?" Yeah, it sucks. I have a lot to adjust to. I'm still here though, plugging along.

Knitting away even. And enjoying myself while doing it. Pictures of projects will be posted, soon.

I can't give a Scott update, like I seem to. All I know is he's happily back in California again. I'm waiting to get to know him.

Moore reading

Maybe I should pace myself, but here I go. Onto my THIRD book of the day. Bloodsucking Fiends, again by Christopher Moore. And no, before you all ask, I'll not be doing any more Moore today. They're at the ex's place in MN, so I might be reading some tomorrow when it ends.

I think next it'll be Promised Land by Connie Willis. On the bus I'll prob. read fairy tales to Scott.

I played the rice thing and donated 5,ooo grains to the cause.

Off to read more.

Read-a-thon Start

Yes, I know I said I would be doing updates on Plurk, but you can't update what's not been officially started can you?

First on the lap is Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore. It's his first novel and one I've read before. I like his work, it's funny and quick to read.

And speaking fo reading, I'm off. Plurk you later!

11:15am

Did I forget to mention I'm a fast reader? Onto Fluke, by Christopher Moore. :D

Read-a-thon

A 24-hour Read-a-thon. Uber wonderful. I blame the thought of a long bus ride ahead of me to agree to this. Plus, it's reading. Besides eating and sleeping, it's my favorite thing.

I'll be Plurk-ing my updates to this, cause it's so much easier than blogging while on a moving bus. I promise to join all plurks together as a blog post by Monday night.

Here's the deal. Starts at 8am Eastern and you just read for 24 hours. You don't have to read non-stop. You can read whatever. You can take breaks. Just read. More info here!

Read with me, and cheer us all on. Check my plurks to see what I'm reading, and what page I'm at. I'll post random sentences that I love.

It's over

It's over, it's done, it's final. I'm speaking of course of the Divorce. Final on the 3rd of October.

Somebody

Ok, I was asked what it was I was looking for in a relationship now, and while writing it all down found this song. It's perfect.

I want somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone who'll stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
She'll get my support
She will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
She'll hear me out
And wont easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact she'll often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me

I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought and
With every breath
Someone who'll help me see things
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like
I don't want to be tied
To anyone's strings
I'm carefully trying to steer clear of
Those things
But when I'm asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this
Make me sick
In a case like this
I'll get away with it

Depeche Mode - Somebody

I was bored

If you're one of the 3 people who haven't seen this one, it works like so:


Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
Using only the first page, pick an image.
Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into the bighugelabs.com mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you wanted to be when you grew up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you.
12. Add one of your own flickr images.

There it is... and if you haven't done one of these, you should, you can get some strange results for some things...

Dragon eggs

Kitty's Egg

My egg

Scott's Egg

My Egg


Come visit and click my eggs, an some day they'll hatch into pretty dragons.

Lace wish list

Because I'm always losing things lately, I'm posting my lace wish list here. All the books I want to get, so far. I love knitting lace, if you can't tell.

Creating Original Handknitted Lace
—Nancy Nehring

Knitting Lace

-Barbara Abbey

Victorian Lace
—Jane Sowerlaby

Arctic Lace
—Donna Druchunas

Shetland Lace Knitting from Charts
—Hazel Carter

Knitting from 19th Century Sources
—Jules and Kaethe Kliot, eds.

Patterns for the Art of Lace Knitting: the Complete Works of Rachel Schnelling
—compiled by Gloria Penning

Knitted Heirloom Lace II

Knitted Heirloom Lace III

Miniature Lace

Danish Lace Treasures

Old World Treasures
—all compiled by Gloria Penning

Bundanaurriklaedid

- Marilyn Van Keppel

Three-cornered and Long Shawls
—Sigridur Halldórsdóttir

Heirloom Knitting
—Sharon Miller

Knitted Lace Patterns of Christine Duchrow,
Vol. 1, 2, and 3

Knitted Lace: Kunst-Stricken
—Marie Neidner

Knitted Lace 2: Kunst-Stricken
—Marie Neidner

Gossamer Webs Design Collection
—Galina Khmeleve

Stahman's Shawls and Scarves
—Myrna Stahman

Back in MI

So I'm finally back in MI, for a total of 3 weeks before I get to see the wee one again. Seems so stoopid to have to come back here again, for that short amount of time.

I'm working on a spinning commission right now, and it's going good so far. A very nice and easy going one at that. I'll post pictures of the yarns as they are done.

No other news right now, except my "little girl" Kitty (niece) turned 6 today. Happy birthday Kitty Kat. Auntie loves you!

Scott

Must blame one of the blogs I read for this site. It's fun. Try it, you'll like it

Mall Saga

Ok, I really don't like the mall people. Went down Tuesday to try and get insurance info and accident report, no go. "The Hospitals and Dr's offices will have to call us for that themselves" in the case of insurance. So I let the hospital and Orthopedist's office know that. Come Thursday morning, right before my appt I get a call from the Ortho office and "They won't give us their insurance info, they say it has to go through your insurance". Now for those fellow readers who know me, y'all know I have no insurance right now. So I had to schedule an appt with my Primary Dr out here and borrow the $50 they want as a "down payment" for this.

Still need to get a damn lawyer to call me back, the only one I'd gotten a hold of said She'd contact her partner in the Twin Cities (why a lawyer out of the area called me is beyond me) and find out if he had space in his books for me, or something like that. No call back, from her or otherwise. *grr*

Seriously NO knitting done this week, because it's too hard to concentrate on what I'm doing. For future reference, Sprains really hurt, and when the Dr you see in the ER gives you just enough pain meds to get through the 3 days before the holiday is up and not much else you've got yo actually figure out how many you can take, so you'll still have some for the rest of the time. I was taking 1 most days, and on a few a whopping 1.5 pills. He only gave me 12 in the first place. I'm hoping I can get something from my PC, because this freaking hurts. And hobbling around on crutches just screw up my other calf, major knots in it. Gotta ask him about that as well.
Figure if I'm there might as well ask all the things I've been needing to.

A day at the Mall

Usually when you go to the mall you have a good time, not wind up with a sprained knee. Not so for me today.

I was walking along with Scott on my shoulders in our local mall and slipped on a puddle of water, which even security there said they couldn't see right above it. So now I have an immobilizer on, and have to go back there on Monday to get their insurance info, and get them to cover all the damn bills. Scott is fine, I'm just the hurt one, so I don't mine uber much.

Finished knitting the Veil of Isis Shawl, will block and photograph it this week. I didn't knit the edging, cause I decided I didn't like it enough to do. :-P It's pretty but this will be a baby blanket, and it's easier to block a square than a square with pointed edging.

Off to the Ren Faire tomorrow, and will have fun with that. Walking around with a cane, and can't wear the skirt I made yesterday for it. :(

Government bans Knitting!

Federal Government Bans Knitting in Public Buildings

WASHINGTON, DC (AP) -- Citing the rapid rise in the number of new knitters over the past 12 months, the United States Congress and Senate have both taken unprecedented measures in passing a bill banning knitting inside any public building, according to documents released Thursday.

Under the terms of the new law, knitters are required to take their knitting at least 10 yards from any public building. Although they are allowed to carry knitting inside, anybody caught engaging in the act of knitting may be subject to a $10,000 fine or 10 years imprisonment.

According to recent studies, the mere sight of a knitter actively knitting increases a person's odds of becoming a knitter by 200 percent. The dangers of second-hand knitting have long been a concern for Federal worker Irene Schlamp, who is happy to see the bill pass. "It's been a big problem in my department, where people often take four, five, or even six knitting breaks a day. Those of us who want to do our work can't because we're so distracted by the clacking of those damned needles."

But not everybody is happy about the news. "This is so unfair!" says Betty Schnoodle, a worker at a U.S. Postal Service processing plant in Louisiana. "Why should we be forced to huddle outside in the cold when we want to take a knitting break? We're not hurting anybody."

Human rights group AmKnitty International has already filed a suit claiming the new law is unconstitutional and violates the civil rights of knitters everywhere.

Yes, it's a joke folks. Could you see this really happening?

I'm plugging away on my Veil of Isis shawl, just started knitting the edging charts today. Already on row 7 of 31! Considering row 7 will have 504 stitches in it, that's a feat in itself. I just started knitting them today.

I'm still in MN visiting with Scott. Because of the Army screwing over the roommate who was to loan me the money for my trip back to MI I'm still here. I'd complain, but I get to spend time with Scott. Yeah, ouch, twist my arm why don't ya?

No spinning, cause the wheel is in MI.

I'll be sending out a big box to my SP12 partner once I actually have money. I may add the VOI to it, since I want to knit other ones. :) Just need a reason.

SP 12 Questions

What Olympic event would best describe you knitting/knitting style?
Um, the All Around Gymnastics? I do just about everything, and can usually do it well. Except Socks, don't know why.


Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair? Would you ever consider it?

I have thought about it, and really want to. Maybe Next year.

50 tricial facts you could have lived w/o knowing

Fifty things you didn't know about me. At least I don't think you do.

1. Do you like blue cheese? Deff yes on this one

2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? nope, can say I never have

3. Do you own a gun? No

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Moot point, cause there ain't one around here

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? depends on the Dr and what it's for

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Not a big fan, I still can't stop thinking that the ends are spiders. Thanks bunches Kathy.

7. Favorite Christmas Song? Grandma got run over by a reindeer, or any parody. Love Bob Rivers

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Soda or water

9. Can you do push ups? um..........we'll go with not anymore

10. Favorite movie? Ever After, Braveheart, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Love Actually

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Don't wear it actually, can't wear necklaces anymore, and no longer can wear my rings. So I keep them all nearby, so I can play with them

12. Favorite hobby? knitting, crochet, spinning, cooking, reading, sleeping (when you get as little as I do, it's a hobby)

13. Do you work with people who idolize you? Nope

14. Do you have ADD? Don't think so

15. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? Temper issues

16. Middle name? Jane (After grandma)

17. Three thoughts at this moment: I hope Scott will still want me when I get there, Please let there be no freaks with knives on my buses tonight, god, i need sleep.

18. Three things you bought yesterday. um, 2 dill pickles and a corn dog, and some Hawaiian shaved ice

19. Name 3 drinks you drink regularly. water, cherry coke, iced tea

20. Current worry right now? Scott

21. Current hate right now? frustrated over this stupid divorce

22. Favorite place to be? with Scott

23. How did you bring in the New Year? I have no idea actually, sad to say. Stupid concussion

24. Where would you like to go? To Scott, and to CA

25. Name three people who will complete this. not a clue, no idea who actually reads this blog. If you read, wanna say hi?

26. Who's answer do you want to read the most? Again, not a clue

27. What color shirt are you wearing?black tank with Alice and the Cheshire Cat

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? never have, wanna give me some to test?

29. Can you whistle? sometimes

30. Favorite color? blue

31. Would you be a pirate? I could be a wench

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower

33. Favorite girl's name? Grace

34. Favorite boy's name? Scott (sensing a theme here?)

35.What's in your pocket right now? not a thing, not even lint

36. Last thing that made you laugh? Craig Fergison

37. Best bed sheets as a child? Give hugs sheets, they had these mom/dad people, with kids. I miss them

38. Worst injury you've ever had? broken arm in 5 spots (all greenstick fractures, so NO cast) age 4) Broken arm in 7 spots, age 7, broken kneecap age 18. Take your pick

39. Do you love where you live? Yeah, so don't love this place.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? Actually none, I don't have a home. I have a bed in the computer room of my mom's place, and that's it

41. Who is your loudest friend? Um, Justin Brito or Ross, whichever he's going by now. Love ya man, but it's true

42. How many dogs do you have? not a one

43. Does someone have a crush on you? doubtful. only person who could have doesn't want me

44. If you could marry a movie actor/actress who would it be? Not sure

45. What is your favorite book? Too many to pick, seriously

46. What is your favorite candy? 75% dark chocoalte

47. Who is your favorite sports team? um.......none?

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and maybe amazing grace, but that's not a biggie

49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Knitting and watching clips on Youtube

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? I haven't woken up yet this morning, I have yet to go to bed. Ask me later.

County Fair

Today I went to the Kalamazoo County Fair, with free tickets from Portage Public Library's summer reading program. It was fun, and I would up eating too much Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Strawberry Colada flavor, so can you blame me?

I came away with something odder than the usual fair things. A mega double handful of Border Collie hair. Now you may be scratching your head and wondering what I'd want that for. Spinning, that's what. This hair has almost no guard hairs in it, the dog was freshly washed, and the ladies thought I was a little strange, but let me have it anyway. They admitted that while they spun they had never thought of spinning puppy fluff. Almost pure black BCH is being blended with whit BFL (hehe, letters are fun things). I'm wishing I had some actual hand carders now though, cause dog slicker brushes will take me a while to blend this up.

Dog hair is often called Chiengora, and is a beautiful fiber. It's warmer than wools, up to 8 times warmer. Yes, that's as warm as it's bunny "cousin" angora. It's best when blended with wool, to minimize shedding. It halos once washed, and no, it doesn't get that wet dog smell every time it's washed. Once it's been washed and cleaned the first time it will no longer smell like a wet dog. It's slightly heavier than wools, and has almost no elasticity. Another great reason to blend it with wool.

I'll post pictures prob this weekend, of the blended fiber. Tomorrow I get to get on a bus and see my baby boy! It's been almost 2 months, and it actually has been 7 weeks and 4 days. No, I'm not counting. :) This divorce is so stupid, and I don't feel bad in the least that now there's a bill to be paid to the lawyer. Ok, a little bad, because that's money that should be used for Scott, but I suggested he go to We The People and have it done there. Not my choice to go to a lawyer, so I refuse to feel uber guilty about it.

I get to see my boy! Happy day. 2 weeks isn't enough, but I'll take what I can get.

My love of crafting

I was thinking about it today, how I got started in crafts. Mainly because I was poking through all my mom's beads, thinking about other beads for MS4 and my Veil of Isis shawl (cause I'll make another one, I'm digging it). Hopefully everyone will get this, how I put my love of all things crafts.

I got started doing simple bead work around age 6 as a way to have another thing I could do with mom. Mom raised my sister and I on her own until I was 7, and between school and working full time, it was sometimes hard for her to want to play with us, our games. I had my sister for that, so it didn't matter much. But I wanted a connection with mom, and she used to do beading. We got me some big ol' pony beads, and away I went, stringing them, as though it was the most perfect thing in the world, cause I was spending time with my mommy. Skip ahead about 3 years, and I was doing bead weaving without a loom, which can boggle the minds of normal adults, so it's an accomplishment for a 9 year old.

Summer of '93 (I was 9), I learned how to crochet. Our roommates mom taught me one night on a trip to Wyoming. She never told me about turning chains, and that I didn't have to skip the first stitch of every row with single crochets, so I made a LOT of triangles. In fact all of my Barbies had aprons, and I was sewing them together in some cracked out quilt. But I had fun. I've since become a proficient crocheter, and will work with size 30 thread, and smaller. Again, it was something I could do with mom, though she wasn't doing it much than.

Skip to 7th grade (age 12) I learned how to spin on a spindle from my World History teacher, Mrs H Smith. She had brought in her spinning wheel to show the 8th graders, and had a spindle to let us use. I begged for a spindle and wool for Christmas, that was all I wanted. The entire family thought I was off my rocker, but mom went and talked to Mrs Smith and found out where she could get it for me. Christmas morning came, and I spun all day on this very nice Turkish spindle, and by the end of vacation I had over 100 yards of REALLY fat and lumpy yarn, but I was so happy. I crocheted Mrs Smith a little cup and felted it, for her pencils, as a thank you.

I stayed content with crochet and beading and spinning for a few years after that. I was in awe of my great grandma's knitting skills, but since she was in MI, and I was in CA, I couldn't have her teach me, and my mom couldn't remember the little she'd known. In my sophomore year of high school ('91) a friend learned to knit, and offered to show me. That didn't work well, cause she couldn't cast on, and if it hadn't been for Sister M (a sub teacher) I would have never learned than. But in 5 minutes the good sister had shown me to cast on, and how to make a knit stitch. By the end of class that day I had about 2 feet of garter stitch. I went home, and because I was out of yarn, I had to go online and find out how to cast off. Than I learned how to purl, and before the night was done, I had another swatch, this time with a weird mix of stockinette and just textures knitting. By the time the week was over I was playing with lace and cables.

I've knit blankets for friends, a sweater for a boyfriend (stupid curse), and so many baby things now it's scary. I've designed my own patterns, changed them, and through it all I still get that special rush I used to get when I was stringing beads with my mom, all those years ago. The feeling that I'm sharing something with those I love, and sharing a pastime with others around the world. You can do crafts alone, or in a large group, and you'll always be a part of something larger. When you give away a hand crafted item, it's not just about the cost of what it took to make it. You're giving away your time, and love to another person, which I feel is the greatest gift of all.

Ok, I hope that makes sense to all you readers. If nothing else, you get to learn a bit more about me. :) So it can't be that bad, right?

I'm a Plurker

I'll admit it. I've given in and joined Plurk. And I've gone a little odd with it. But what else is I to do?

Ravelry is the devil. Or is run by devils. Or maybe is just my personal heaven. I'm gonna knit the Veil of Isis Shawl by BadCatDesigns. Seriously, go and lust, than go to the aforementioned devil place, and see that she's letting us fiberholics have it for free. *happy dance*

Another happy dance, Mystery Stole 4 signup's are open. Yes, I have. The bigger question is why haven't you yet? They're always pretty, and this time PLT's mum is doing it. That's Pink LemonTwist for you heathens.

Go forth my fibery children, and lust after the lacy goodness.

Your enabler,

The Crazy Crafter

Grrrrr

No, no more spinning on the sweater silk has been done. Sad to say I had to quit one of my meds for a few weeks, because i couldn't get it (it's pricey) but that'll be changed manana. So right now there's lots of pain.

On a knitting note, I just finished a commission to knit an Owl backpack. This link was the inspiration for the lady. Here's a link to pictures of the finished item. Ok, bad pictures, but still.

I'm to go and see Scott next week, for 2 WHOLE WEEKS!!!!!! Yeah, had to say it like that. I still think I"m getting the shaft time wise but it's better than before, I got it upped to 2 weeks every 2 months, instead of 1. 1 week every 2 months was called reasonable parenting time. Excuse me, 12% of the year? 6 weeks a year was reasonable???? What planet does the law live in? 12 weeks isn't much better, but it's almost a quarter of the year, and I have it in writing from J that once we're both in CA (planning by New Years) that it'll be changed. I know, it's something small to pin my hopes on, but I'll take what I can get.

Off to find more patterns for things. And look at my wheel wishing I had an electric attachment for it, or the cash to get one. Soon.

Weeks 7 and 8

Question of the Week #8

What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening?


For added flavor (Get it?..."flavor"...I crack myself up!), post a photo or recipe link.

A light spinach salad, with a bacon vinaigrette on it. Maybe tossed with bacon pieces, hard boiled eggs, and craisens (or currents). I'm a dressing snob though, ONLY the stuff in the diamond shaped bottled is good enough for this. I can't tell you the name right now, cause I can't find it this summer. :'( But it's tasty

Question of the Week #7

What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit?
Usually the computer chair, bed, or in the car. I don't watch a lot of TV (sad, I know) but I'll watch DVD's on the 'puter at night.

What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?
Some good music, or a decent movie for background noise. No one coming in and pestering me while I'm counting. You'd think they'd learn that me muttering 54,55,56,um.......damn would be a sign to run the other way, but nope. Nice light is useful too.

Silk Sweater spinning

Ok, so this may sound odd, but than it's me. I got bored and liberated a very much Unloved sweater set from my mum's closet. No, not to wear, but to unravel and to spin into much loved yarn.

The T-shirt portion is unraveled, and currently sits in baggies waiting to be spun. I won't undo the Cardi until it's all spun up. But the other night I couldn't sleep, and sat spinning for 10 hours. Yes, there's not an extra 0 there, really is 10. Below are pictures to prove that I'm going to have my work cut out for me.1.5 hours into the spinning
3 hours into the spinning, there's still bobbin to be seen
It's all plyed! 10 hours into it

Look, it's a skien of yarn. Lace weight, 3-ply yarn. Silk. *drool* 157 yards, ready and waiting to be loved for ever and ever and ever.

Windows Vista Error Messages

Windows Error Messages
• Smash forehead on keyboard to continue.

• Press any key to continue or any other key to quit.

• BREAKFAST.SYS halted... Cereal port not responding.

• Close your eyes and press escape three times.

• File not found. Should I fake it? (Y/N)

• Runtime Error 6D at 417A:32CF: Incompetent User.

• Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue.

• Bad command or file name! Go stand in the corner.

• Windows message: "Error saving file! Format drive now? (Y/Y)"

• Windows VirusScan 1.0 - "Windows found: Remove it? (Y/N)"

Yarns for Sale, help needed

Hi everyone, I've posted a slew of yarns on my Etsy site, as well as some lovely smelling good for the skin soaps. Drop on by, and take a look.

There are hand dyed cotton yarns, some wools, hand spun Alpaca, Lavender Oatmeal soap, Milk and Honey soap, all just to name a few.

Plus, I have hand crocheted washcloths, better than any you'll find on CL, and I can say that honestly, because they're made with hand spun cotton yarn, spun by myself, in a textured stitch soft enough for a baby, but tough enough to get all the grime off your hands. Price of those is $1.25 each, or 3 for $3. Shipping is a flat $1, no matter how many you buy.

Right now prices are lower than usual, as I'm testing out the market and seeing what people like. Also I'm trying to save up money so I can go out and see 2 year old son, whom I haven't seen in almost month already because of this stupid divorce. I have until mid August, so please buy yarns. :)

http://tangeldwebfiberarts.etsy.com

SP12

Question 6

What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?

Shawls, scarves, and baby items. Anything lace really

Rip-it, rip-it good!

I decided to completely unravel a knit silk tank I bought a few months ago at a thrift store. In it's self not a strange idea. It was starting to catch and unravel on it's own, I just helped it along. I I have 2 large navel orange sized balls of 10 strands of silk. I can't call it yarn, it's not earned that yet, it's not plied. When it's done it'll be fingering weight. That will happen soon, cause I have plans to have a knit silk scarf. I have linen, and wool/silk, so why not pure silk? And it's green already, so it shows that I'm being thrifty and recycling something. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Now for the crazy part. I'm going further, I'm doing the same to a knit silk sweater set of me mum's (with permission, did you think I wanted to die?) that she can't wear because of the color. A very light mocha, or maybe a taupe. Not good with her complexion. It's 4 strands of silk together, so will make a lovely lace weight once it's plied and cabled. I figure I should get well over 1,000 yards for some hard work. Worth it. I've got the cap-sleeved sweater separated, and just finished undoing the first sleeve. It's gonna take a while, but I like the yarn, and will dye it a pretty color, maybe make a dark color. But if I do that it will be AFTER it's knit. Knitting lace in dark yarns is a job for someone who's already blind.

I know, I know

I haven't been blogging much this week, I've been working my rear end off trying to get stock ready for the garage sale. Anyone want to label over 60 skeins of yarn for me? Or maybe wrap the soaps I have. Write up the various meanings of the friendship bracelets I've made? My family runs when I say I need help now, except my sister, who's helping make bracelets.

And I have to make cookies, brownies, and lemonade (none of that powder stuff for us) for my 5 year old nieces Lemonade stand. She'll be helping me make the things, and her mommy will be helping sell them.

Anyone in the Kalamazoo/Portage area wanna stop by? Yarns are on sale.

The divorce papers have been drawn up, and are supposedly in transit to me in MI. Joygasam. I finally got the application for federal disability filed, and have an appointment on the 22nd. I laughed because I got the call to schedule about 12 hours after I filed. I love smaller towns, there's not the backlog of applicants as there was in CA. It took my mom a few weeks just to get an appointment scheduled, and than that was for over a month away. Maybe all this will be wrapped up by Christmas. *crosses fingers and thinks happy thoughts*

Secret Pal Questions week 4

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?

Hm, this is a tough one. Right now I'd say Southern CA, or the Twin Cities, MN because those are the 2 places I really want to be right now. But than I could also say Benton CA, a tiny little town with the most beautiful scenery I'd seen, nestled between 2 mountain ranges in central CA. Or How about the UK? It's a place I've got family, and would love to go. Especially Scotland and Ireland.

So I don't know really where I'd like to go. Too many choices for this one

2) Where is one place you'd like to go?
Ok, this one is easier. Ireland and Scotland win. Dream vacation right there. Though how would I get all the yarns and fibers back?

Week 4 SP12 questions

1) What yarn (that you don't have/haven't used) would make your stash "complete"?

Um, I dunno. I've done linen, silk, LOTS of cotton. Maybe a cashmere blend of something. But that's one of those I'd pet and stare at and maybe never use.

2) What yarn do you never want to be without?

Cotton, but I'm more scared of running out of yarn, than a certain type. *Gasp* like that could ever happen. I'm finding all my yarns here at me mum's place, and that should keep me going for months still, with nothing else.

SP12 question week 3

This week's question posted by our SP 12 Hostesses was "What would you consider the PERFECT amount of stash?"

Um, there's no perfect amount of stash, except MORE. You can never have enough fiber or yarn. Never in a million years. When you start running out of room, start stuffing beds and couches with it. :)

6 buses in 10 days

I swear, I've got enough miles racked right now to fly to moon it seems. Here's my life in the last week. He finally agreed to let me come out and talk face to face, and at least bring some things for him. I got there, we talked. I was in the process of finding a place to stay that wasn't with him, so I could be near Scott. We were this close *holds up 2 fingers an smidgen apart* to working things out. Than Friday morning I get a call from his mother, at 6:28 AM mind you, so I think it's something wrong with the kid or him and pick up instead of giving the call all the due it deserved at that ungodely hour of the morning. She tells me, and this is a direct quote "If you're not on the next bus out of town you're going to be a sorry little girl." And the AM hung up. AM stands for Aunt Mary who was my dad's aunt and a manipulative old hag who would play mind games and fuck you over if you didn't do what she wanted. She tried suing mom for custody when we were kids, and almost had my great gram arrested. I figure it's better calling her that than a b-word. So I"m back in MI now, not because she told me to leave, but because she had Scott at her house and J and I were afraid she'd try and keep him from J. She's already lost any right to see him until his hair grows back, they all have (except the brother before he ships out for the corps) because everyone and their brother has been forbidden to cut his hair. We liked it long, and it was our decision. They were even told what would happen when they did. We're not so much mad about the hair cut as the fact that even a simple thing like that couldn't be respected. I wonder what crap they'll try to pull when they find out once J's out of the lease he's moving back to CA. That may be as soon as the roommate gets out of Basic and comes back. Otherwise beginning of November.

I miss my little boy, he's so cute on the phone.

I've been spinning on my supported spindle a lot while on the computer, it's something I can have in front of me. I was giving demos in the Chicago bus station Saturday morning during my 7 hour layover and have what I would say is 200 yards on there of uber fine cotton, and still more to spin. I'm also crocheting up a storm of washcloths and making soaps to sell with them at a garage sale we're having out here weekend after the 4th. There's already Milk and Honey soap with oatmeal, and I'll be making a Rose and Glycerin soap, and a Lavender Oatmeal as well. I'm collecting rose petals to put in the rose soap, for added bits of color.