Jun
4
Last night while we were watching the end of the democratic primaries, one of the candidates – I can’t remember who – said “… but first we are Americans.”
Alexis sits up and looks at the TV incredulously, and spouts, “Um, duuuh. First we are babies.”
Jun
4
My cow-orker* and friend always says “Twice nothing is still nothing.” And that’s what I’ve got for you still. No new FOs.
So in lieu of pretty finished projects, I give you the tulips my mother gave me as a “hostess” gift on memorial day. Aren’t they pretty? Tulips are my favorite flower. I’ve loved them since college, when there used to be great big beds packed with tulips in the spring. They’re just fresh and simple and perfect.
The baby quilt is ALMOST done. 4.5 more 4 inch squares and I’m done with the quilting! I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I really regret the quilting pattern I picked as it was EXTREMELY boring to implement. I do actually LIKE doing quilt binding. (I may be the only one in the world who does.) There is just something about stitching the binding to the front and watching the quilt edges becoming encapsulated by fabric; seeing it come to completion one stitch at a time. It’s a bit like watching a flower unfold.
Or maybe it’s just the light at the end of the tunnel.
In other news, I actually started writing about a particular episode of my life. I’ve only got the middle of the story so far, with no idea how I’m going to write the ending, and only an inkling of how to start the whole mess. All in all, I like what I have so far, even though I know it’ll have to have a few tweaks on names, etc. I’m also debating whether it should be written in first person, or third. Of course, I haven’t touched it in a week. I have got to get past this block. I don’t understand how I can have so many ideas, but procrastinate and procrastinate and procrastinate.
I’m also putting off working on the Diamond Fantasy Shawl. I’ve only got one pattern repeat left, but I keep coming up short on stitches, and it’s irritating me. It doesn’t matter that when the whole thing is stretched out, that there is no visible mistake, coming up short is just frustrating. So every time I pick the dumb thing up, I only get two rows done, because at the end of the next right side row, I want to throw it across the room and scream. Frogging is not an option. I tried doing that way back at the begining, and I couldn’t find the stitches and ended up ripping it all back and starting over.
I’ve got at least 3 more knitting projects on my plate. I ordered the yarn and pattern for the Rowan butterfly dress from KnitPicks and because I’m boring (and because it’s my favorite color lately) I got the same turquoise yarn their sample is made from. Then there is the silver merino/lace shawl/stole thing that I haven’t picked a pattern for yet. And finally, that stuffed toy that Susan said I should do. I found the perfect pattern, but that’s a see-crud (did anyone else read Trixie Belden? Her brother always said “see-crud”).
So, yeah, all that stuff, and nothing to share. Whatever!
*Yes, I meant to put the hyphen there…
May
30
Wow, I’ve been on a downer kick lately. But yesterday was good. Full of lots of surprises. First thing in the morning, step on the scale and see a weight I haven’t seen since I was nursing Alexis. Of course, then there was a reason for losing so much, and now I don’t know whether to worry or be grateful. I guess I just need stuff to worry about.
Work was pretty good in that I am about this | | close to being done with stuff about a week early.
Get home, fire up Quicken (which sucks for Mac BTW) and start paying bills. Yeah I know, what’s good about paying bills? Well, nothing usually. Usually it’s unbelievably depressing. You know, when you’ve paid all the bills and you have like $32 leftover? Ugh. But yesterday was a big milestone. Another credit card PAID OFF. Then, I went to check our utility bill. Remember when I said we had not turned on the A/C yet? Well we finally gave in and turned it on at the beginning of this month. I was expecting a huge electric bill. With the A/C on, and the pool running more, I was just sure it was going to be astronomical. But NO! It was LESS than last month. WTF? Doing all of this stuff really helps.
But then, there was one more surprise. In the mailbox. And this one is good.
See? I told you it was good. It’s a lace hand dye from Heritage Needlework on Etsy. 50% merino, 50% silk. I don’t know why I needed it, but I did. So now I’m searching for the perfect pattern for 1200ish yards of yummy, shimmery yarn. You know, because I have so much spare time.
And only one more happy note. Friends and I are ducking out of work to go to Alamo Drafthouse at lunch so we can see Sex and the City and drink at the same time.
May
22
I’ve got nothin’.
Zilch.
Zero.
Zip.
Nothing new to share. I tried to take pictures of the shawl I’m knitting, and of the now 3/4 quilted baby quilt, but the pictures are terrible. I’ve also been ignoring my Etsy shop. I haven’t made anything or listed anything in days weeks. I have a couple of Elefelts in pieces in the sewing room, but I think they might just stay there for a while.
I suppose a lot of it has to do with how draining work has been lately. I’m not even sure why, it’s just trying to meet deadlines, and I’m not really behind, but blah. I’m not upset about it or anything, just completely apathetic about everything lately.
On the other hand, I’ve had a horrible headache for several days. I’ve tried everything. Even exercise — see? you know I’m desperate. I swam 50 laps (about 5oo m) in our pool yesterday for the first time this season, and all I got were sore arms. I mean really painfully sore arms. Usually when I get sore it’s about 2 days before it sets in. Last night, laying on the floor watching TV, I thought my arms might just fall off. And my head hurt more. Go figure. I suppose I’ll have to swim again tonight, just to loosen up the arms.
I also downloaded some software that is supposed to help make writing stories/novels easier. I actually picked something to write about, too. But damn if I haven’t been stalling on writing it. I even organized the desktop on my computer this morning to avoid writing it. Sigh.
Maybe this weekend I’ll find some motivation to write or finish a project or something. But for now, has anyone seen my blankie? I wanna go back to bed.
May
1
Wow! Remember this yarn? Well here it is, all knit up into the CUTEST baby sweater. This is by far the quickest knit I’ve ever done. And I love, love, love it!
And I know I’m repeating myself, but the pattern is Baby Bolero in the book One Skein by Leigh Radford. You know, just in case you didn’t hear me the first time.
The night I cast on, I finished the bottom and both sides. I think the entire thing took me about 8 hours (4ish nights) to finish. It’s been done since Sunday, and I tried to post it on Tuesday, but iPhoto ate my pictures!
I did try to match the stripes, but for the most part, things worked themselves out nicely. And the little eyelet detail on the back is adorable. I wasn’t sure how that would work out as some of the ones I saw online kinda looked like a big hole in the back… But maybe that’s what happens when you put a baby inside it.
So now, I’ll just leave you with the eye candy/knitters porn.
