Sunday, June 28, 2009

Name Change

I had to change the name of this blog because I am currently going through a non-knitting phase, but I want to continue blogging about what I am working on, whatever it may be. 

It's funny, for many, MANY months, I did not go a day without knitting. And if I did - it was major - I noticed. There are several reasons why I am now on hiatus. I started my green socks at the same time on one circ and it just isn't all it's cracked up to be. I thought I would LOVE the two-at-once method, but I don't. I'm even considering...going back to my double-points or at least just working one sock at a time on the circ. Before I stopped last week I had knit a new iPod cozy (same old pattern) out of some yarn remainders I've had for a long time. I don't have the label anymore, so I have no idea what kind of yarn it actually is, but it's blue, wool-like, and goes thick and thin throughout. Even before I was done with it, I knew I had knit on too-small needles, but for some reason I just kept on going. I think it was bad karma. I started a second one with some cashmerino I've been saving for something special, but I thought - what's the point in saving it - life is too short - plus, if I like it, I'll go buy some more. But I barely started it before I put it down and haven't picked it up in over a week.

As per my last post I am also not embroidering. I visited Hancock Fabrics last week to pick up a few more supplies, namely backing for when I stitch on t-shirts which are soft and flimsy. I looked there and at Michael's with no luck. I guess I will just order it from Sublime Stitching directly. From reading Jenny's new book, I learned that in the olden days, women sometimes used tissue paper as a backer. I thought, I have tissue paper, I'm going to give this a shot. Well, easier said then done. The tissue paper tore immediately and fell to pieces. In the end I ended up taking a scrap of fabric and holding it on the back as I stitched and it seemed to work. I will need to try washing it to see what happens next.  So I did stitch a cupcake on a little onesie - it looks cute - not the best - but cute. I would like to go back and add the words baby cakes to it; we'll see.

I'm actually doing a lot of cooking. This morning I made Ina Garton's sticky buns that I watched her make on tv yesterday. She made it look really easy (of course) and it wasn't difficult for me, but it was time consuming and there was way to much butter involved. My mother makes a similar dish every Christmas and her's is easier and yummier. So I'll stick with Mom's recipe. 

Ever since I had some cucumber mint agua fresca the other day at the museum cafe, I have been obsessed.  I made some of my own but with basil instead of mint the other night with dinner and it was delicious! I just made another batch of the same. I plan on trying a cucumber, watermelon, mint combination later this week.

Friday, June 19, 2009

A New Obsession, I Mean Craft

Well, not really new. I'm going to take up some embroidery again. The last time I embroidered was between 2000 and 2001; it's been too long. 

Last night I went to a communicrafting event at AMOA. There was embroidery, knitting, jewelry-making and other fun stuff. I went thinking I would craft while there, but it turned out to be really crowded and there were a lot of kids; not really the ideal crafting space (the crowdedness, not the kids). 

Luckily I found the Sublime Stitching booth right away which was my main interest anyway. They had adorable little packets of different-themed transfers for $5 each. And they were 5 for $20, so I had to get 5. Embarassingly, I was a dollar short, but the kind gentleman at the booth let me have my patterns for $19. I've decided that I will be sending them a dollar in the mail, I mean after all, they're a small business based out of Jenny Hart's garage. I might even make them some iPod cozies to thank them for their generosity (there are only 4 people that work for Sublime Stitching) and for being the reason that I will start embroidering again. 

The patterns I got (which are so exquisite, I can't stop staring at them) include:

vintagelamps_PAKEX.jpg

theblackapplePAKEX_0.gif

vitalorgans_header.gif

tattooalphabetHEADER.gif

tattooyourtowelsEX.gif


I CANNOT wait to get started!!!

 

I was also lucky enough to pick up the last copy available (at the museum) of Jenny's new book! Which she also autographed for me!


sublimestitch_book.gif

So far the thing I like best about Jenny's new book (besides the oodles of transfers) is that she starts with a little sampler to get you in the embroidery mood and practice (or refresh in my case) your skills.


I'm going this morning to pick out some new floss colors and pick up some tools I may need like carbon paper and tracing paper. I love Jenny's designs, but I see myself doing some of my own in the future.


Ahhhh! A renewed obsession! I love it!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Knitting for Me!

I knit gifts so often that I rarely take time to knit for myself. On a whim (well actually - after reading Knit and Tonic and seeing her yarn)  I ordered some Claudia's Hand Painted Yarn. 

3633002439_f091fe243c.jpg

It is a beautiful blend of greens called "country kitchen". I'm knitting socks for myself that I'm already excited to wear on "green" holidays like Christmas, St. Patrick's Day and Earth Day. Of course I can wear them other days as well : )

I'm knitting these socks toe up, two at a time, on one circular needle. It's a lot of newness and the process is on the slow side. I love the idea of finishing two socks at the same time, but I'm missing my double-pointed needles - I never thought I'd say that! I'm having a bit of a pattern crisis because I'm attempting to blend two patterns together. I don't know why I'm trying to make this so hard...

Followers