Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Pounce, Pounce, Pounce

I just like the word.
The product on the other hand is different than I thought it would be. I expected a little linen bag with a talc-y powder. I got a box. The cover has a stopper in the center for the powder to be poured into. The underside of the cover has a terrycloth material. The bottom of the box just works as storage for this powder that, once released into the atomosphere, is everywhere. Did it work on my personally cut stencil? No. Well, sorta. But I will adjust the stencil to make it work better. Laser cut stencils would be perfect for this product. I think I may go through my stencil collection to see if any of them would be a good quilting border. I need to step up the pace on this quilt project. It got downright nippy last night.
The Blue Aran continues to lengthen and I have a next-project broiling in my brain. Since I had such fun with the zipper cardi I'm toying with a zipper vest. I work in one of those quaint old buildings that takes forever to warm up and with the energy issue I'm sure it's not going to be any better this winter. I'll be ready for battle. Fingerless mitts are on the docket too. I should be a sight sitting at my desk come December!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Multi Talent

I knew when Andrew was a kitten that he had a love of all things crafty. He also knows quality from, well, non-quality. Sock yarn isn't safe and he will rewind a hank if he feels it's not just right. I'm sure he feels I need the challenge. Well duh!, put it where he can't get it. Easy for you to say, he's eaten through bags, opened storage bins (I had to block them with full containers of litter, empty buckets were a waste of time)untied canvas bag handles tied into knots. He is a master. Don't even insult him with a skein of acrylic yarn. Won't even give it sniff. Just look at that face. All business that one.

Here he is marking my quilt top. I guess my markings were not up to his expertise-so noted.

He has offered several times to hold the quilt and the ruler down. I was unaware that chewing on the hanging button was part of the correct process. I can't say it helped draw a straight line but who says it has to be straight? He also feels the amount of cat hair now on the quilt will only make it warmer.

With all this help and guidance I shouldn't have any concerns about keeping warm this winter-regardless of the price of fuel. The sweater not only has 100% merino but 100% cat hair knitted right in. Mmmmmm. Toasty.
The daisies were positively glowing last evening. Their days are numbered. I may have created another inner monster with this bead introduction. I'm not a jewelry wearer but I don't think that should stop me from creating, should it? No! [I became a nail technician and didn't (and still don't) give a hoot about nails. It was a lucrative 2nd job, I was good at it but it burned me out.] I think the world needs another jewelry designer....

Monday, August 18, 2008

Shhh! Don't Tell!

I threw all caution and fear to the wind and ditched the quilting hoop. I wasn't getting the quality stitches I desired. No matter how loose I had it in the hoop I did a better job without it using my left hand/fingers in assistance. I know there are no knitting police so I'm hoping there are no quilting police. For those who swear by quilting hoops and frames-if it works for you-have at it. I cut my stencil this weekend. It wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be and I don't like the plastic fumes (which I'm sure are as toxic as radiation) and the ending result would not be acceptible if I were using the stencil for wall painting. I will be looking for 'pounce' to apply to my quilt as the pattern is too busy to use a pencil and trace around. Laziness kicking in there I guess.
I visited WEBs Bead Store and made myself a pair of earrings. That's a fun place and I'll be visiting again. WEBs Yarn Store was having a lovely sale to celebrate NO SALES TAX day but I didn't go too crazy. The place was packed and for some reason, every child in the store was lying on the floor. The last time I was there a woman of physically mature status did the same thing because she wasn't being waited on fast enough for her satisfaction. You know, the kind of person that needs alot of attention. Mentally she was behaving worse than a 2 year old.
Lunch at Paul & Elizabeth's rounded out the day. AND NO RAIN/THUNDERSTORMS. Shocking!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Every Bit of Progress is Somethin'

A tiny bit of the other sleeve emerged yesterday and a tiny bit of quilting was done. Summer is winding down in Western Massachusetts, you can feel it. Some of the maples are beginning to turn though we won't have stupendous color until the 2nd week in October. These maples are just over achievers. I have very young squirrels playing outside my office window that should probably start thinking about storage. Maybe they know I'll bring them something when snow hits the ground like I did for their folks. I consider it payment for a spring and summer of entertainment.
A whole evening to myself! Waahoo! Oops, now I said it and the forces that throw crap at me will kick into gear. I'll probably have to go to the composting dump to get rid of grass clippings or something as revolting.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A Change In The Weather

A bit cooler in Western Massachusetts this morning. Gives some hope to the woolies I've been creating that their time to be worn is approaching. Tuesday(yesterday) is a 12 hour work-day so I have no progress report-to report. The first sleeve on Aran Blue (isn't that original!) is complete and the second sleeve stitches have been picked up. End of report. See, told you there was nothing. Tonight, however, I'm itchin' to do some knittin'and quiltin'. What's that quote? "Busy hands...." Hmmm, I'll have to Google it.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Weekend Warrior

I work with my hands all the time. Apparently working the muscles in the same direction. Except for NOW. Hand quilting uses hand a finger muscles that have not been used for knitting and daily life. Pinching the needle to pull it through the fabric gave me a sore nail bed. Seriously. It's fine now and didn't stop me from quilting one bit. I just kept saying, "wow, this is making my thumb nail sore." Dope. So far, so good. Working on my stitch consistency and getting alot of help from the boys. Andrew thinks the quilt in the hoop is something for him to lay on, until it falls off the frame and dumps him. Beau likes the tent it makes for him to lay underneath. Happiness for everyone.

On the knitting front the aran is buzzing right along. With all the rain and thunderstorms and Olympic viewing fiber manipulation is the only thing getting done.
I'm not a big watcher of the Summer Olympics. It's the heat factor so if I am going to watch it usually has something to do with swimming. The whole behind the scenes stuff with gymnastics has turned me off of that. What really happens to these children when they don't perform as expected? I shudder at the thought. But don't mind me, I'll just sit here, knitting and quilting. GO TEAM USA!

Monday, August 04, 2008

Miscellany

Have you ever worked with a yarn that you just can't get enough of? I've worked with alot of Cascade 220 but this has to be my favorite. I think it's called skyblue heather. I tried to check on Webs site but it was taking too long and we all know I have the patience of an amoeba's flea. Continuing on, I love the color, the weight and the halo and I haven't even blocked it yet. This particular pattern is killer on the hands but I just couldn't put it down this weekend. Front and back are done to the underarm. I forsee purveying more of this wool for another project.

I went to Michaels and bought a stencil cutter for my quilt project. I'll be doing some maple leaf collecting for the quilting design.
I also purchased a quilting thimble. It resembles a guitar pick 'cept worn upside down for quilting.
My tennis injury has healed--good thing, I have another lesson tonight, if it stops showering. At the moment the sun is shining and we have rain coming in sideways. Never dull weatherwise in New England.
And Manny-best of luck to you in LA. All I'm gonna say.