Holy cow- I won something!

Yeah, so I am the winner of Craft's little birthday contest. How cool is that? I get a t-shirt and an issue of the magazine. Neat!

The play is finally, finally done. Put to bed. The postmortem was last night, and I filled up on pizza and candy and Lenny's lemon punch. We didn't stay late or go out because the girls were spayed yesterday and we wanted to keep an eye on them (read: we wanted to watch them wobble around high as kites). They each have little tattoos now. It's official- I'm less hip than my dogs.

I'm really glad that I threw my record shots in an album, because the photographer never showed with the "official" photos. After a lot of post-processing, these are a few of the pics:

Socks are forth-coming, as is Ravelry and new yarn.

Here we go again!

Hello, Secret Pal! Here's the questionnaire. You might want to flip through the old one, too, if you want to see what I wrote last round (I swear I haven't changed that much). If I may just whisper in your ear a single word to describe my current knitting obsession: socks. That is all.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Right now, superwash wool sock yarn. I am in love! For regular-style knitting, I also like Noro, for the color, and Mission Falls wool, for the hand. Paton's wool for felting. I am open to trying a lot of things, but I shy away from mohair (allergy).

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a couple of needle rolls, and a vase for my straight needles. My circulars are on a hook, and they fall down. A lot.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

It's been a while, a few years? I'm a middle-of-the-road knitter. I fear colorwork, but I can do lace no problem.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Amazon and etsy are in the sidebar.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Right now I'm on an essential oil kick. I desperately want soap/lotion that's all natural with EO scents. I really like the combination of grapefruit and mint, as well as ginger.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

CHOCOLATE. I love it. All kinds. I especially like Vosges chocolate with hot pepper in it.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I like crochet, photography, candle making. I would like to learn to spin, but I have no equipment and have no idea what I'm doing. :)

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

At the moment: Gogol Bordello, Magnetic Fields, Scissor Sisters, ohmygod. I love mp3s, and I love discovering new music. Bring it on!

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Green, orange, brown. I don't like pink and blue together, and thus avoid all sock yarn and Noro like that (unless it's RED, blue (aqua), and pink, and then it's my kitchen!).

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have a husband.



And some monsters.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

No ponchos. It's like drawing a knitted arrow to my (ample) ass.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

SOCKS. I never thought I'd say it, but there you go. I also love top down raglans- no seaming. Yay!

13. What are you knitting right now?

um, SOCKS. :)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes please.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer cheap ol' aluminum and plastic. Seriously. A big box of grandma's hand-me-downs gives me shivers. I knit mostly with circulars and dpns. I think I could learn to love bamboo, though.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Sadly, no.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Ugh. Too old. And it predates my knitting career.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween- costumes + candy = bliss. Also, Christmas for the family whirlwind. I don't generally like my birthday because I don't like being the center of attention, and I don't like Thanksgiving because I'm vegetarian.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

White milkglass vases. Someday I'll photograph what I have. It's nothing special- mostly from the Sally Ann, but I like it.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Fitted knits. Knitting Nature. Vintage Socks. Socks That Rock. Hell, any sock yarn, especially handpainted stuff. I have no subscriptions.

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

Colorwork.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I'm a size 9-9.5. My foot is 9" around at the ball and 9" long. Surprisingly, my feet got smaller when I lost weight. Weird.

23. When is your birthday?

June 10

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

I wish. Soon, my pretties. I've already begun the stash organization.

Finished: First Socks

Well, well, well. I told myself that tech week would see the end of these socks, and the recent dearth of reports to edit has left me with enough free time to actually finish them up. Of course, the compulsion to wear them immediately after the ends were woven in didn't last long- it's 95 freaking degrees outside.

No drinking and no smoking makes Veronica knit socks, I guess.

There's even enough left over for a matching pair of wee tiny socks... should we have a use for them around here.

Fleece Artist Nova sock, using the pattern on the ball band
8 stitches=1 inch on Boye size 0 needles (I love love love aluminum needles)

It does not stop because I'm tired.

Oh, August. It's the busiest time of year for me. And here I am, in the middle of tech week for Bye Bye Birdie. It's been going deceptively well- I didn't cry myself to sleep last night, which is a first for a Tuesday of tech. Actually, I have been sleeping in quite a bit lately, and Dan has been kind enough not to disturb me, even if I fall asleep in the middle of conversations or stay asleep till noon and he has to deal with the morning dog mayhem alone. (Un)fortunately, the training for Fusia is only in the evenings this week, so Mike and I are missing it. Oh, well. It's not like we've never waited tables before. It takes a little pressure off, though, knowing I don't have to deal with that this week, and if I were a betting girl, I'd say the official opening is going to get pushed back again, probably for the menu. But I don't know.

I weighed myself this morning: I hit the original goal weight I set for myself. That's 25 pounds in exactly 4 months. I am quite proud of myself, and as soon as the play is over, I am going to get started on weight training and cardio. The treadmill is calling (blecch!). Walking the dogs will also provide some of the exercise I desperately need- I'm a little... doughy.

The socks are almost finished. I have about an inch of foot and then the toe to do. I'll have something to show by the end of the week. It's official- I am a Sock Knitter.

I have SOCK.

Just one. But it's great, and the second one is moving right along.

Also, I have COLD. Blecch.

Note to Self: Performance Art

Some guerrilla theater ideas we came up with (this is mostly for me, so I won't forget):

• Maury Povich: "Oh Jesus, show me that there is a causal relationship between my actions and their consequences!"
• guerrilla theater for parties: blood packs, collapsible knives, and calling cards
  

Busy Busy

This whole work-two-jobs-while-you-start-a-third thing is a little stressful. Each of my days are divided into AM and PM, and each of those shifts is filled with one of the jobs. And it's just going to get more crazy from here on out! Tech week is in two weeks, and if I feel stressed now...

But from the craziness (and despite the humidity) I bring you THIS:

I've cast on three times, but I think the size 0 needles are doing the job. I'm using the pattern on the ball band, despite the vague small-medium-large sizes. I haven't touched it in a few days, but the stress release when I do is awesome. Sadly, it's so good that I usually fall asleep after a couple of rounds.

Yay first sock!

Gypsy law

I'm back from vacation, and feeling quite refreshed. We blew off quite a bit of steam, and I feel like I can get back into real life for a little while. Some images I like:

Happy birthday to you! (don't worry, we bought him a new tent- it is, after all, gypsy law)

Their first swim wasn't a disaster, but it is going to take a little more work. I'm still getting the hang of the new camera, but I've still gotten a few good shots.

I'm almost done with the red spiral top, but there is some finishing stuff I'll do when I feel like (which probably means never- that's my curse). In the meantime, I'm starting a sock!

PS If you wanted to know where the box bag tutorial came from, it's here.

Almost free

Dan and I leave for our little camping trip on Friday (and we're actually going for three days without the dogs!). Even though the quarter is over for my editing job, things have been frantic around here! Since the last post, I have:

• decided on a school
• registered for classes
• left a job
• started a new job
• learned how to use a sewing machine
• and much, much more!

I'll be gone till the fifth, and when I come back I hope to have vacation knitting projects to show. The forecast insinuates that it'll be cool enough to knit with wool, but we'll see about that.

Dear Secret Pal,

Thanks for the lovely birthday gift.

Did you make the cases yourself? They're fabulous (and I'm not just saying that because I have a fear of sewing machines)!

I am totally ready for portable summer knitting now.

I haven't decided how to use the yarn you gave me during the swap, but when I do, expect lots of pictures (I have recently upgraded cameras to the Canon 10d, which will be coming in the mail any day now).

Thanks a lot!
Veronica

Life is good.

The weather has been glorious lately. On my birthday I got to spend some time in the yard with my girls:

And I've even got some knitting to show (and some marigolds, too- the hanging baskets are only five bucks at Meijer right now!):

Have a good day!

Congratulations are in order

belatedly, to my friends Joe and Michele, on their marriage:

and to me, for attaining the ripe old age of 26.

Have a good day.

All of these photos were manipulated to make them look a little more like lomography (frankly, I'd rather take spontaneous photos with a decent camera and let the serendipity happen in post-processing, but that's a debate I'd rather not have...)

I'm just too loose.

I have tried three different times to knit a sock this week, and I have come to the conclusion that I am the World's Loosest Knitter. I think that I'm going to have to go down to US00 to get gauge for the yarn I've got (Fleece Artist and Lana Grossa both!). I was hoping I could stay in the positive integer range for needles, but probably not. Now what do I do with this size 1 Addi Turbo?

I finished the shawl, blocked it, wore it, stretched it out, and haven't reblocked it, so I have no photographs yet. I'm also working on a freeform kind of project with some recycled red cotton tape yarn. We'll see if it fits.

They've got these cartoonishly big balls of Sugar 'n' Cream cotton at Michael's in my kitchen colors- robin's egg blue and a pink/red variegated. I should pick some up as a birthday gift to myself.

But then again, everything I buy this month I consider a gift to myself. Case in point: the Bath and Body Works semi-annual sale. :)

Could it be?

Could I have been TAGGED?

It's true. For the first time in this blog's history, I have been included in a wacky internet meme. Thanks, knitting blogring neighbor!

The rules of the game are that I must reveal 7 random facts about myself. I then need to tag 7 others & list their names on my blog. I also have to leave those I tagged a note in their blog comments letting them know they have been tagged & to direct them to read my blog for the rules of the game.

1. I have been a vegetarian since high school. I am not a preachy vegetarian- I don't care what you eat as long as you don't care what I eat. If, however, you try to convince/coerce me to eat meat or deride me for my decision, then I will preach at you at every opportunity. But I do not mind a meaty joke now and then. :)
2. I have played all of the Pokemon games for the Gameboy. As an adult. And I did collect them all, thank you very much. It should be noted, though, that all of this predates my relationship with my husband (which puts it in early adulthood, but still).
3. I voted for Nader in the 2000 election. I was so naive. :) I don't regret it- Gore still carried my state with a wider margin than the votes cast for Nader.
4. I am returning to school in August for graduate work in linguistics, but it is my secret dream to be a wedding photographer.
5. I graduated at the top of my high school class. And I graduated from University of Michigan with highest distinction. And I got perfect scores on the SAT, ACT, and GRE verbal tests. School is the one thing I have always been really good at.
6. I have never, ever been able to do even a single pull up. Phys ed is something I have always sucked at. (#5 + #6 + love of Star Trek = dork)
   
7. I bought a letterpress last month, but damned if I have a clue how it works.

I elect to tag the following peeps:

Mike
Holly
Tracy
Erin- my knitting blogring neighbor on the other side (hi!)

And that's all you get.

Color + Light

The rides have been pulled down and the carnies have fled. But this is what St. Sebastian's parking lot looked like on Saturday night:

More are available here. Tracy and I walked around and took pictures. We splurged on an elephant ear that has effectively fucked up my digestion in a way I haven't experienced in a while. But at least the pictures turned out- my little point and shoot is doing the trick for now, but dreams of a real camera have been shelved for the moment. Vandal had a digestion problem that effectively fucked up the money I had potentially saved toward my new toy. But at least I know that $120 means that blood coming out of a puppy is not always the end of the world (but man, did it feel like it at the time!).

To cheer myself up, I poked around at yarn on the Internets. And I found this:

This is the most gorgeous yarn I have ever seen. It makes STR and Lorna's look a little, well, bland to me. This is what I think of when I think of vibrant. This is the beginning of an addiction.

This is what I want for my birthday.

Good boy, Carson

Carson passed away yesterday, on my aunt's birthday. She had to put him down because his health had deteriorated and he was suffering.

He was a good boy. Early in his life, he would bark incessantly at men (I remember a weekend my parents were dogsitting, and my dad just decided not to be around the house after listening for a couple of hours), but as he aged, whatever abuse of fear from his past faded, and he became affectionate and docile. My grandmother called him Barrymore because of his dignified profile which he showed to everyone (especially if you were petting him).

He was a loyal companion and a gentle pet. When it comes to dogs, that's all that really matters.

I get up early, and I go to bed late.

Such is the life of a woman with not one but TWO puppies.

The neighbors are playing Nelly. We HATE Nelly.

But I have had a little progress on the shawl. I don't know if it's going to get done, but there are almost two repeats done, and I'm starting to get the hang of it. I think it's going to get the bejeezus blocked out of it in order to get whatever I get done before the wedding into a shape I can wear.

There has been quite a bit of mail lately, and some of it was Secret Pal related. Thanks, pal!

This stuff smells so good, and I love the tin! I can't wait to have dry skin.


The journal is awesome and totally beats the wadded up yarn list I have tucked in my purse.


Love the yarn, love the color. I never thought pink would be my color this year!

Just a couple of pictures before I go to bed

I am going to sleep with my knitting tonight. Maybe I'll get some done. :)

In the meantime:

Introducing

Viking and Vandal!

After an 8-hour car ride, Dan and I finally have not one, but two little bundles of fur to call our own. It's already been exhausting, but we're adjusting quickly to the lifestyle of twin toddlers. We love them heart and soul already, and we're so excited for our life with them to really get started. They're settling in and checking things out- which means peeing on the carpet and eating every little particle the vacuum left behind!

Here's some more cuteness:

Complete cute overload available here.

Eventful days

Today:

Tomorrow: