Forgive me, I'm not feeling well

I've been doing a lot of knitting and crocheting over the last week, but I started feeling icky the last couple days so I haven't posted anything about it. It was just too nice a day not to take advantage of the sunlight, so I thought I should take pics while I can (we practically live in a dungeon).

The weekend before last we stopped by Commuknity, a new yarn store that opened up in San Jose. I'd heard about it from the Bay Area Knitters ring, and was excited to check it out. It's much bigger in space than I expected, and they could certainly hold way more yarn in there if they wanted to. I liked the structure of the place a lot - it had a cool warehousey feel to it, kinda like the Pearl district in Portland or Yaletown in Vancouver.

Anyhow, I ended up buying the yarn, pattern, and a new hook for a crochet bag called the Pouch Bag. I saw the sample in the store and loved it. I really was hoping it wasn't done in Euroflax linen (because I got callouses when I used it to knit another bag for my sister), but of course it was Euroflax. I thought perhaps because it was crochet maybe it wouldn't be so bad, so I bought the materials. Besides, I LOVED the yarn I got - Barcelona in this cool mutli colored mix.


Bottom of the Pouch Bag in Euroflax Barcelona (sorry for the lack of focus)
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I paused this project because the mesh started to bore me. I recently won a bunch of yarn on eBay and wanted to knit something with it. I was itching to do some pattern work, so I chose a baby sweater because it's small enough that I can finish it before I get bored of that as well! It is based on a pattern from the latest Knitty, but instead of cables I used a combination of knit/purl patterns - checkerboard, double diamonds, and a tree pattern. I kept the modified seed stitch pattern down the center because it looked really cool.


Back of baby sweater in Baruffa Maratona
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What we did over Memorial Day weekend

Tapin' it up
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Gibs is helping
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The new look
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Wow, that's really yellow
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Nothing to see here, folks

It's been forever since I've posted because nothing terribly interesting has been going on. Eh, it's not like anyone reads this thing anyway... hahaha!

I haven't knitted in over a week. Major slump. I stopped working on the Tigger cardi because I know I don't have enough yarn to finish it, and I just spent a load on some eBay purchases, so I can't afford to buy the yarn to complete the project.

Also, I HATE knitting sleeves. It's always an uphill battle, with all those increases, every row takes longer than the last. Mentally, I can't handle it. I'm just that way - impatient. Add to that, the fact that I can't finish it anyway... and you have yet another UFO.

So what have I been up to? STILL planning our fall trip! I had our Canada thing all worked out, with all the hotels, air, and even the ferry schedules. Then one day last week, I stumbled across a link on American Airlines that mentioned something about added flights to Ireland. I seriously have no idea why I clicked on it, since I've never had any interest whatsoever in Ireland.

I quickly realized that there are some really nice, affordable places to stay there. Key word being "affordable". Compared to the rest of Europe, the standards in Ireland seem fairly high for what you pay for. Sure, some places are WAY spendy and according to TripAdvisor (my travel bible), not worth the money, but for the most part there are some great looking places in our price range.

More clicking drew me in, as I saw how beautiful the countryside is there. Now, I realize in October it will probably rain every day and a good deal of the scenery will be shrouded in fog, but that's okay. I'm much more tolerant of rain than I used to be. It's the gloominess that I'm worried about - I like sunshine! But apparently the people are friendly, so perhaps their cheeriness and humor will make the trip worthwhile.

We plan to fly in and out of Shannon airport. We want to hit The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle peninsula, Ring of Kerry, the southern coast to Kinsale/Cork/Cobh, then on to Caher/Cashel, and back through Limerick to Shannon airport. All this in 8 days/7 nights. It's definitely a driving trip, so a comfy car is a must (especially with my sore back). It'll be quite the adventure driving on the left - not me personally, but as a passenger. I hope we don't die.

We're so close to booking the trip. Once I'm done with all this intense research, maybe I'll finally get back to knitting. This trip planning has seriously been a full-time job for me. I really get into it, reading about everything and participating in forums, asking questions. It's been fun, but I'm ready to finalize things!

I'm happy to say that we did book our Scottsdale trip. We both really wanted to soak up some desert sun. 100+ degree weather... I can't wait!

Why don't I ever listen?

All the little tips I've heard over the years from fellow knitters, I somehow think of as "motherly advice". Which means, I'm likely not to listen to it (rebel that I am).

You know when your mother tells you to do something, and you know she's right, but you don't listen and later regret it? That's how I feel about that extra ball of yarn I didn't buy.

One side of the front for Tigger nearly gobbled up 1 ball, so I'm worried I'll run out of yarn! It does, however, look and feel grrrreat!


Tigger cardi
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I'm a few inches done with the back, and about to run out of ball #2. I don't see how the other 3 balls will complete the back, front, and 2 sleeves! Yeesh. I'll have to place another order, hope it's the same dyelot, and give myself a spanking.

Knit, rip, repeat

I worked on the Tigger sweater last night and as I'm going along, I started thinking Gee, I know this is for a toddler and all, but this looks really small.

I decided to cross-check the measurements with other sweater patterns to see if it was written at a normal size. Based on other knitty patterns, Tigger seems to be on the small side, with chest measurements at 23-25" for sizes 2-3 respectively. All the other sweaters for size 2-3 came up with chest at around 28-30" on average, which was the measurement I was most concerned with.

So, I'm gonna go ahead and rip out what I've done so far (one front side), and start over using the pattern for size 4, which is written for chest at 27" and length at 15". It still seems kinda small, but I can't really go any bigger since I didn't purchase the extra ball you're supposed to buy. Tsk, tsk. And to think, it would have only been another $2.97!

Oh, and I'm using the same colors as in the pattern, which are gorgeous! The Zen Colors is especially beautiful, though I don't like its rough texture and I'm not a fan of ribbon/tape yarn (the twisting drives me insane).

Slackin'

I haven't posted that much lately because...well... I'm a total slacker! Besides, not much has been going on. I'm almost done with my blankie. It's starting to get heavy, so I know it's time to bind off. Just a few more rows while I watch the finale of The Amazing Race. Ugh, I just know Rob and Amber will win. Annoying.

I've also started a new "real" project. After meeting our friend's 2 year old daughter at a wedding recently, I just knew I had to knit her something. I decided to make Tigger from the knitty archive. When Skacel Luxor was on sale at Herrschner's last week for $2.97, I jumped right on it.

I just cast on yesterday, and had to go up a needle size to US 9 in order to get gauge. Even at that, the fabric produced is rather tightly knit so that it feels pretty hearty. I think that was on purpose, as it is for a toddler. So far, I'm loving this yarn! It's really soft, the colors are beautiful and change slightly for visual interest, and it's a quick knit (always a plus for someone with a short attention span like me!). I'll post pics once there's more progress to show.

Another thing I'm working on is planning out two upcoming trips. We want to take a short trip in the middle of summer, and another longer trip to British Columbia in September. We're still undecided about the exact location of the short trip, but we're thinking somewhere in the desert - either Phoenix area or Vegas. We're part of the small population that enjoys 100+ degree weather (dry heat). Good for us, that means low season rates at the Four Seasons!

We know we're going to Whistler to check out the new Four Seasons, and the idea was to tack on a few days for Vancouver Island to see Victoria and maybe Salt Spring Island. Problem is, I can't seem to find a hotel that suits us. I know we're some of the pickiest people around when it comes to lodging, but when you value sleep as much as we do, it kinda makes sense.

I'm starting to think we'd be happier if we just hung out in Vancouver and stayed at the Opus. At least we know what we'd be getting, and we absolutely love the city. I just feel like I need to explore new territory, and we've never been to any of the BC islands. I know, poor me...

I heart Bubs!
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Sharing the love

I gotta give a shout out to the peeps at Sconehenge in Berkeley. For the last year, I've been buying a bundle of their scones as many weeks as I can. I've never been to the actual bakery, but these packaged goods are da biz-omb.


These rule
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I heat them up in the toaster oven, for about 4 minutes at 300 degrees (the exact time it takes my coffee to brew in my french press!). They come out lightly crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. They are so unlike any other scone I've had. If you think scones are those dry, lumpy blobs reminiscent of a leather shoe, these scones will blow your mind. Try them if you're in the area. And no, I don't work for them. I just like to support small local businesses.


Mouth-watering closeup
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Yarns of the month: Amazon by Manetto Hill, Unique by Wendy, Cashcotton by RY Classic, and Ingenua by Katia
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Bonsai!!!!

So like, back in March when it was our 3 year anniversary, I got one of those mini-kits you see as an impulse buy at the register of Barnes and Noble. It was the mini bonsai kit, claiming to have everything you need to start your own bonsai.

Since we bought this fancy new digital camera, we said we wouldn't exchange gifts. Fine, except that I can't possibly not get something for him. Enter: bonsai kit. I figured we could grow our own pine tree on our anniversary and watch it grow and change over time, just like our marriage. Mike's a sucker for that sentimental symbolism crap. It was perfect.

Now, a little over a month since it left the safety of its plastic pouch, here are two perky pine seedlings. Hey, two seedlings - just like the two of us! Awwww.... (barf).


Two pines in a pod
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And while we're on the topic of seedlings, check out how our cherry tomatoes are doing! They've got flowers and everything. But, their leaves have started to curl up. Apparently this is common for cherry tomatoes, particularly ones that grow in containers. Who knew.


Ch-ch-ch-cherry
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Oh, and one more thing before I go... I heart Trader Joe's. I've been saying how I need like a basket or something to help me contain all these random balls of yarn I got goin' on for the blankie. As we're walking into TJ's, I see this pile of baskets that were perfect.


TJ completes me
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Let me point out the details. The handle (which is solid, not woven) is hinged, so it folds down and out of the way when you're knitting. The basket is lined, so your yarns won't get snagged by the weave. And, the liner has two pockets built-in so you can stick a pair of scissors and a tape measure in there without them getting lost. The bottom is actually a solid cut of wood. Not that it makes much of a difference, but I thought it was a nice touch. And the best part? It was only $13.99! A deal like that just makes me giddy.

Indecision bliss

Well, I pretty much finished a cardigan I had been working on. I got to the very end, where it calls for scallop-edge crochet detail. I didn't get very far before my wrist started acting up. For some reason, when I crochet, my wrist cracks and I end up getting carpal tunnel. So there's a UFO on my side table. Waahhh!!

As I sat there wondering what to do next, I saw a yummy looking throw in The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits. Basically, it consists of knitting a single row of various yarns. At the beginning and end of each row, I've been knotting together the ends to secure and create fringe. This project sounded perfect, since I couldn't decide what yarn I wanted to work with.

I made a trip to my stash closet, and laid out all candidates. It appeared I had a lot of yarns in the green/brown category. I grouped together the "finalists" and started knitting! I've been picking a different yarn for each row, and deciding them as I go along. Here's what I have so far:


WIP - Design your own throw!
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If anyone's interested, here's the list of yarns used (so far):
*Classic Elite Waterspun in Olive
*Lambs Pride Worsted in Old Sage
*Bernat Cameo in Aqua Heather
*GGH Soft Kid in 67 Dark Brown
*Crystal Palace Merino Frappe in 20B New Sage
*GGH Relax in Olive
*Elsebeth Lavold Angora in 15 Bronzed Green
*Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed in 113 Russett
*Great Adirondack Softy in 113 Pheasant
*South West Trading Company Fur Real in Bear Cub
*K1C2 2nd Time Cotton in 772 Scottish Moor
*Gedifra Fashion Trend Stripe in 4668
*King Yarns Kiss in 504
*a few mystery yarns that I purchased back in Texas, one of which looks like Muench's Touch Me

More yarns will likely be added as I find other scraps in my stash!

Holy frijoles!

Boy, my (now not so Secret) pal, Lisa, really likes to go out with a bang! I'm still in shock over all the stuff she sent for my final package:


Last, but certainly not least!
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There was also a tin of tea, but it didn't make the picture because I put it away after showing it off to Mike ('here, take a whiff of this - doesn't it smell good?!'). It was spiced apple cider tea. Mmmmm....

Okay, so here's the funny thing about this package:
1). I've been itching to do one last felting project before it really warms up, and I've been wanting this exact pattern for the Oregon tote, but never got around to it. Problem solved!
2). I've been curious about Lion Brand's Landscapes yarn, especially how it will felt, after seeing the Felted Pullover pattern in the Winter 2004 issue of Interweave Knits. Problem solved!
3). I've been hearing a lot of chatter about the kettle-dyed, handpainted yarns from Uruguay. I was about to place an order, but I think I got distracted because it never happened. Problem solved!
4). I've somehow lost about half of my stitch markers. The pretty ones at my LYS sell for $18/pair. Problem solved!
5). What girl doesn't love an endless supply of tea, soaps, candles, and lippy stuff?
Yeah, that last one isn't really a "problem". I just had to make it known that all this stuff is really yummy, and really appreciated! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lisa. You're awesome!

Our newest member of the flock

We survived 3 days at Disneyland, and a very "festive" wedding. Yeah, I gotta hand it to the Filipinos - they really know how to party! I think the last 5 days were the longest I have gone without knitting since I learned. I couldn't believe it, but there is life outside of knitting (barely)!

On the way back down to the OC from LA, we stopped in Long Beach to browse around Belmont Shore. We started heading to the beach when this crazy-ass chicken caught my eye in the window of a store. I had to ask about it, and discovered that it was made out of plastic soda pop labels from South Africa. I'm a sucker for the unusual, so I had to have it of course. There were worries that it might confuse the security folks at the airport, but it passed without incident.

I've named our new friend Nelson, after Nelson Mandela. I think he's a fine fowl and I'm happy to welcome him to our flock!


Recycled soda pop labels turned into a chicken!
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Coke light? Yeah, it's from South Africa, alright.
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New Knitty

I just had the feeling it was time for a new issue of Knitty and there it was! I enjoy seeing what fellow knitters are creating, and I really enjoy free patterns. It is such a gift, and I almost feel guilty that I have nothing to contribute. But then I reflect on the awful concoctions I've come up with, and I realise that I'm doing the knitting world a favor by not sharing!

Karen, here's to you!

Gotta give a shout out to my SP, who sent me this card. It is so me, and it's so my mother-in-law too!


So true, so true...
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How do you spell relief?

For me, it's MIDTERMS ARE OVER. As an added bonus, I'm finished with my accounting class as well. It was a 7-week course, so it was pretty intense but the payoff is that it's over sooner!

Every time I felt stress-overload, I stopped what I was doing and picked up my knitting. It really sucks because I'm working on some cool stuff but I can't post it for a couple of reasons.

I'm just so excited to have free time again, and next week we're going to Disneyland! I am so stoked to see how much it has changed in recent years. I just hope it isn't too crowded, though we're going before the whole 50th birthday celebration.

When we get back, I might start taking golf lessons at the city course. I have never played real golf before, and I suspect I won't do well at all, but I'm willing to give it a try. I really want to learn because it would give us a reason to visit places. I know that sounds strange, but we tend to like staying at snooty places and usually the only thing to do there is golf and I don't play.

That's about it for this week. On Saturday, we're heading up to Berkeley for our friend's 30th birthday. We're supposed to bring our giant Weber grill, but I'm not even sure if it will fit into our tiny little car. Should be interesting, especially if it doesn't fit, since it's a BBQ party...

Yarn of the Month offerings: Victor by Bollicine/Cascade (wool/acrylic); Angora by Elsebeth Lavold (angora/wool/polyamide); Deco Ribbon by Crystal Palace (acrylic/nylon); Pulcino by Lana Grossa (merino/acrylic/mohair)
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Buh-cock!

We have a growing collection of funky chicken tchotchkes, and this is the latest addition. My sister and brother-in-law got this plate set for us for our anniversary. And yes, my husband likes chickens as much as I do, so the present really was for the both of us.


Our latest chicken plates
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Trumped again!

My older sister has a tendency to always out-do me when it comes to gift-giving. Somehow, she always finds the most perfect thing for someone and/or she'll do it better.

Take this cake for instance. This work of art is what she brought over to my parent's house for my Mom's birthday. Boy, was I glad I didn't show up with my sad-looking (comparatively) loaf of lemon pound cake.


Ma's super fancy shmancy birthday cake
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Glazed lemon pound cake, from the latest Martha Stewart Living magazine
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I've finally gotten over my fear of the sewing machine. I hemmed a pair of corduroy pants and it gave me confidence to try out other things. I bought this purse kit at the fabric store and was sort of disappointed with how little sewing there was to do. But, the finished product is pretty cute. I will probably add some beads or something to give it pizzazz.


Satin evening bag kit from Jo-Ann fabrics
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In addition to the awesome lemond pound cake recipe in the latest MS Living magazine, there is an article on sewing accents on things such as linens and even stationery. I thought stitched stationery was a cool idea and didn't require much commitment - you could mess up and not feel too bad about throwing the paper in the recycling bin.

Here is a little envelope/pouch I stitched up for a yarn label. I like to include the labels with my handknit gifts so the recipient knows what their item is made of, and how to take care of it.


Stitched yarn label pouch
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Lastly, here's a sachet I whipped up for my Mom's birthday - but I forgot to give it to her!


Lavender filled sachet, knit in KnitPicks Merino Style yarn in color Honey, pattern from Knitter's Bible
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Ahhh, a bit of zen

Yesterday it seems I was juggling a million things at the same time, when I heard a 'thunk' at my doorstep - the familiar sound of the mailman unloading a package. It was what I was hoping for, the second gift from my Secret Pal!

And it couldn't have been more appropriate. Even before opening up the box, I could smell a wonderful aroma that instantly calmed my nerves. I soon discovered it was a bar of rosemary mint soap. Inside were all these other treasures:


Super stuff from my Secret Pal
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My anxiety quickly faded as I realized there was everything I needed for a "zen moment" - the candle, tea, yarn, sweets, and a cozy new frilly scarf (presumably knit by my SP). The soap, of course, would come into play later. Ahhh... THANK YOU, SP for saving the day!

Happy Easter!

Forgot to mention that in my previous post of two seconds ago... Thanks SP for the e-card. :)

We were too exhausted yesterday after our trip to Harley Farms, so we didn't color our eggs. But the Easter bunny left me a super-rad basket from Sanrio filled with Cinnamoroll goodies - stationery, candy, pencils, erasers, and of course... Cinnamoroll himself! We think he looks more like a girl dog, so we're changing his gender. S/he's a little camera shy so no pic, but I'm sure I'll sneak one when s/he takes a nap.