I NEED frequent breaks to reward myself...

It's true. What I don't understand is why I need these breaks when I'm doing something that I enjoy/love. Make a little progress...take a break, make a little more progress...take a break. It's not like I'm doing anything productive during my breaks. It's like I have ADD and just can't keep focused for periods of time longer than 15 minutes. I don't get it.

I started Hey, Teach! from Knitty's Summer '08 issue. I loved it when it was released as one of the surprise projects. Usually I wait with bated breath for the surprises to be released and then get sort of disappointed when they arrive. It's not because I don't like the surprise projects per se, it's more like they just aren't spectacular, surprise-worthy projects. If they were release within the regular issue I might even really, really like them...know what I mean?

Anyways, I digress...I really liked Hey, Teach! the moment I laid eyes on it. Then Ravelry, of course, has pushed me over the edge. I checked out the 11 or so pages of FOs and decided that this project was to be CO as soon as I finished up my current projects.

Everyone raved on how this was such a fast knit so I was totally sold at this point. After I CO and knitting the first 8" of St st in no time flat, I agreed that this was a fast knit. Then I got to the lace portion.

Charts have always boggled my mind. I don't understand the concept of the "repeat the section in the red box" part of the instructions. Finally I get it know. It took me several tries, tinking back several times here and there, before I had any success with the lace pattern. This lead to numerous breaks! Though I understand why I needed these breaks.

I feel like if I had really put my mind to it I could have accomplished so much more on this project but, alas, I did not. Not to mention that having a horrible cold doesn't help productivity. Sneezing a million times, having to blow my nose even more and the constant need for nasal spray all really cut into the time allotted to knit!

Hopefully, I'll make a good dent in this project this week.

Isn't she cute?

She's been sent to NY for my mom to gift away!

Oh, Baby!

Before I started another garment for myself I thought that I'd knit a baby sweater for one of my mom's coworkers. I promised awhile ago but life got so busy that it just didn't happen. The baby has actually already been born (3 weeks ago!) so I really wanted to knit this one up quickly so I can get it to NY for my mom to give.

I decided to knit the Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater. I cast on Friday night and started actually knitting on Saturday. I'm almost done! One more sleeve! I'm knitting this sweater in Red Heart Ltd. Designer Sport in Blush Rose. It's turning out to be really cute.

Disclaimer: I'm really not into babies. As a matter of fact, I don't really like them-- they freak me out. But their clothing...freaking adorable, not to mention total instant gratification projects.

Blocking, pulling, stretching, and more blocking!

That's what I did to my Hexacomb Cardi and it seems to have worked! I got the sleeves blocked and then last night I sewed them into the armholes. There was a little finagling but it worked out for the most part.

As predicted, I don't love this sweater. It's ok, but at least it's finished and I can move on to something bigger and better. Of littler...

Last night I began swatching for a baby sweater for one of my mother's coworkers. Hopeully I van finish that fast and move onto something for me! I know, what a selfish bitch I am!!!

Guess what? I don't care.

Do You See What I See?

What's wrong with this picture? Mmmmmmm....do the set in sleeves look like they'll fit in the armhole? Don't think so! The sleeve caps are much too small. WTF!?

I've been working on this f'ing cardi all summer and when it's finally time to put the pieces together they don't even fit not to mention that it's at least a size too big. I'm blocking the sleeves right now in hopes that I can get a couple of inches out of those bitches so I don't feel like I've wasted the entire summer's knitting on a frogged project! Cross your fingers for me please.

So irritating....

Oh well. I'd like to start Hey, Teach! from this Summer's Knitty.com. I'm thinking of using my supply of Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Grass for this one. Gotta swatch-- we'll see.

It's Been Awhile...

and I didn't even realize it!!! I feel like I just posted. The summer has really flown by. I feel like though I was really, really busy I didn't get to do anything for me. I've been busy for 7 out of the the 8 weekends doing family, obligatory stuff. Not that I even mind but I'm exhausted and I haven't accomplished nearly enough for myself. Selfish, huh!?

I'm still working on my Hexacomb Cardi. Before I seamed the shoulders, I tried it on and it was too big so I ripped back a bit and then did a three-needle bind off. Hopefully that helps a bit. Now I'm working on the first sleeve.
I bet it's going to be too big on me...but it's not like anything I knit for myself turns out the way I envisioned it anyway. What a waste of knitting time....I don't get it. My gauge swatch was even a bit on the small side yet the sweater itself is loose. This always happens to me! Well, I'm going to finish it and if it doesn't fit me I will find someone that it does!

There's so much that I want to knit and I hate wasting time on pieces that don't fit or look nice on me.

Tattoo Review

So the summer's got me thinkin'...I see all these scantily-clad boys and girls bopping around my neighborhood showing off their body art...and I want more ink. I've got the itch and now I want to scratch it. Only problem is that my artist is booking out until November. So much for instant gratification!

So to make myself feel better, I'm going to celebrate the art that I DO have! Here it goes:

The top center piece was my first (Oct 1998-9?). I found the image in a Mehndi henna design book. I held onto it for long enough that I figured I was ready to put it on my body permanently. It was done by Tattoo George of The Portsmouth Tattoo shop in Portsmouth NH.

Then a few years later (Sept 2001 & Jan 2002?), I felt like I was ready to add to it! I had a roommate that had recently graduated from RISD and was a fabulous artist. He and I came up with the concept and the rough sketch of the larger piece to go below my first.I met with Fat Ram of Fat Ram's Pumpkin Tattoo in Jamaica Plain, MA to finalize the sketch and we completed the tattoo in two sessions.

Then the shoulder idea came along. I came upon some plum flowers and peonies in a Chinese brush painting book that I had forever and all of a sudden the idea was born. Through some research I found that I like Japanese cherry blossoms better and went to see Darlene Dibona at Fat Ram's Pumpkin Tattoo (April 2006). I get tons of compliments on this piece.

My maternal grandfather passed away March 2007. It was a horrible time for me. The thought of that night still brings tears to my eyes. I've never been much for memorial tattoos but I for some reason I really needed to do it. My Pop was an amazing man who lived 30 years with heart disease. He was a strong yet sensitive person who played an important role in my life. I wanted to have something that would always remind me of the good times. I chose a (healthy!) anatomical heart image to be tattooed on the inside of my right wrist by Justin, also at Fat Ram's (see my loyalty to local business!) in August 2007. He did an amazing job with the detail of this tiny piece. When people see it they think that it's weird but I love it for many reasons and always will.

Here's a bit of a funny Christmas present from my best friend! We've been trying to do things together for the last few year fro Christmas rather that exchange presents. It's so much more practical and less to travel home with!We chose a protection symbol-- the seven-pointed star and we both got the same image tattooed. I got mine on the inside of my left wrist and she got hers on her left hip. We had them done at Stingray Body Art and Tattoos by Ray (Dec 2007). Not only did he do a lousy job and totally overcharge us, he was the most unfriendly, impersonal artist that I've ever met. I've had thoughts of going back and having it touched up but he did a shit job the first time so I'm not sure if he'd do much better with a second go around. I guess you win some, you lose some...unfortunately it's a visible piece.

The Vitruvian Man, one of my favorite Leonardo DaVinci sketches ever! The original resides in Venice, Italy but is only shown on special occasions. Being that I've worked, in one way or another, in the health care field for the last ~15 years, this image has always been prevalent in my life. So I decided that it was something that I want on my body. Again, it's the work of Justin at Fat Ram's (Jan 2008). It's not straight up black-- he muddied up the black with brown to achieve the actual tones of the original. I love it. Hurt like a bastard but I love it!

Then my latest (May 2008) is my lovely Day of the Dead Skull done by Dee at Great Southern Tattoo in Alexandria Va. She whipped up her own rendition of a dia de los muertos skull with my input. It's over the Achilles' tendon on my left ankle. I've gotten mixed reactions to this one. Some think it's lovely and actually know what it is, and some think it's hideous. Oh well. I love it!

So that's all for now...I'm sure that there will be more to come. It's addicting.

Rest

I had a very restful weekend, finally. I've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off so I really needed the rest. But resting doesn't give me a lot of content to blog about!

I did knit a little. I'm still working on my Hexacomb Cardi. I just finished the first 8" or so. I'm up to the point of separating the front and back. To tell ya the truth, I want to be wearing this sweater and not knitting it at this point. But I will keep on keepin' and finish this cardi.

I don't know what is next up in my project queue. I kind of like this but will I be done with it in time to actually wear it before the Fall rolls around? I have a great charcoal color for it but I'm not sure. We'll see.

Bridal shower, pole dancing and margaritas-- in that order!

Rebecca's bridal shower went very well on Saturday. Unbeknown to Rebecca, I volunteered to meet a friend of Rebecca's at the airport whom I'd never met. I totally made a bright pink sign with her name on it so she could find me easily, not to mention that I thought I was being funny. Since I was picking up the surprise out-of-town guest from Logan and her flight was delayed, we ended up getting to up to Salem, NH after Rebecca already arrived. That was a bummer but she was really surprised to see her friend Edith from Chicago walk in with me!

I pretty much missed all the delicious food I'd help select due to my tardiness but what I did get to shove in my mouth was pretty tasty. I thought that the cake was ugly as sin but reports show that it tasted better than it looked, thankfully. Looks like the bride to be liked it-- that's really all that matters!

If you notice in the picture above, there's a lovely flower arrangement behind the hideous cake. This pic doesn't do the arrangement justice. Jamie found these gorgeous watering cans to use as centerpieces and Rebecca's mom, Ellen, actually arranged the flowers. She did a beautiful job. I'm telling you, it looked as if a professional did the arrangements-- gorgeous.

Now it's safe to show the shower favors and the finished garter! The favors were filled with one of Bec's favorites-- conversation hearts. The garter turned out nicely and I just loved the Swarvoski crystal in the center of the bow. Of course when she opened my present, she had to point out to everyone that I made the garter and the stole...embarrassing (blush).

So her "something blue" in now covered with the garter, along with a funny pair of blue boy-short undies that say "Newlyweds" given by Jamie. Her "something borrowed" will be Jamie's veil, her "something new" will be her dress, and her "something old" will be my great grandmother's wedding band.
If there was a "something handmade" she'd be all set-- tenfold! I'm really happy that I could do this stuff for her. She's so excited about the wedding and I'm glad that I can help make it really special.

After the shower and some bridal party/family time, we headed back to town to take a pole dancing class. It was hysterical. Don't tell anyone but I'd definitely take the class again (shhh). Unfortunately, all pics taken were with my friend's camera so I don't have anything to post....maybe that's a good thing!

After our hour-long class were were famished and grabbed a bite at the Cactus Club. Margaritas and empanadas....yummy way to end a long, hot day!

NYC, take 2

I'm exhausted. I'm clearly getting too old to party into the wee hours of the morning. I was all over the city (NYC), for the second weekend in a row, for my best friend's bachelorette party. We had a great time. It was a blast to get all dolled up, have Martini's and Manicures at The Beauty Bar, dinner at Agave, and hit up some bars with my ladies. My body is not used to being out or even up at 4am these days not to mention the amount of alcohol consumed! Guess I'm not getting any younger.

Not much creativity going on this weekend with all the debauchery I engaged in. Though creative thoughts were plentiful. I made Rebecca pick out the materials for the garter ("something blue") that I'm making her at M & J Trimming. I could have spent hours in that place but it wasn't my party! I pinned out the lace, elastic and ribbon last night. Just need to sew it together and tack on a bow. Doesn't look like much so far. Pics to come after it's assembly!

I've made a bit of progress on my Hexicomb Cardigan. I like the knitting the hexigons-- it's easy but interesting enough at the same time. Can't wait to be able to wear it!


I also worked on Rebecca's shower favors for next weekend but I'm not going to show them until after the event...I don't know if she reads regularly, but I'm not taking any chances!

Done
Trip to NYC, done.

Wisp, done.

Hexacomb Cardi cast on, done.

Me wearing my tailored Ravelry tee, priceless.

Revenge...well, sorta, kinda

Ravelry betrayed me and sold out of the tee I wanted so desperately before I even knew that it was being sold. I swear that I dreamt about it the week before seeing it in the Ravelry Mini-Mart. Oh well. I was bitter for awhile and then decided to use all my negativity for the good of myself (not selfish at all, right!?)!!! I ordered the version of the tee I would have died for in a plus-size (1X). I knew that it would be too big but I was ready with my Singer to rectify the situation! I took in the sleeves and the sides to match my own measurement and, viola!, I now have a Ravelry tee that fits yet still exhibits how bitter I am! So take that Ravelry!!!!

So Wisp is almost done. No progress pics but she should be done shortly and I'll post pre and post blocking pictures for all to see. Most ikely I'll finish it over the long weekend and block it sometime next week.

I'm in the process of casting on for IK's Spring issue's Hexacomb Cardigan. I have half the stitches cast on at this point and just can't wait to get into the actual knitting. I loves this sweater from the moment that I saw it in the Spring issue. Actually there were quite a few pattern that I loved in the particular issue of IK, more so than most. I'm going to make this little cardi monochromatic rather than with a contrasting edging. I'm using Lion Brand Cottonease in Taupe. I figure it'll match a lot of my summer sundresses and cover my shoulder tattoo at work-- multi-functional!

Well, I'm off tonight to NYC for the long weekend. Can't wait to see the fireworks tomorrow from the FDR! Happy 4th to all.

Finally a little progress!

I pinned down what I've got so far to motivate me to get through this project. It's so simple yet will look so elegant in the end. I can't wait to finish and block her out and, of course, give it to Rebecca! Another motivation for finishing is that I'll let myself start a light summer cardi for myself...I'm soooo self-centered sometimes.

So, I have to say, KnitPicks has fabulous customer service! I've already received the Harmony needle replacements!

Not so much knitting...
I don't know what it is. I think about knitting, read about knitting, listen to knitting podcasts but I'm just unable to get myself to sit down and actually do some knitting. I've made some progress on Rebecca's wedding stole, Wisp, but I'm not near done. Though I don't imagine that it's take very long to finish-- I'm about 1/3 of the way through the pattern. It's hard for me to get a lot done in a sitting because me KnitPicks Harmony needle has a split in the wood that keeps snaggin my yarn. It's driving me crazy, but the nice people at KnitPicks are sending me a replacement free of charge-- can't wait for it to arrive.

I've got several projects on the needles (see progress bars) but I'm just not motivated. I want more and different. I'm obsessed with the idea of a cotton summer cardi. No particular pattern in mind just a simple cardi. That's all I keep dreaming about casting on. I just can't get it out of my head. Maybe when I finish Wisp, I'll let myself seriously consider it.

Remember that I bitched a few weeks ago about not getting the tee I wanted from the Ravelry store? They were sold out and I was bitter? I knew that would jog your memory! Well, I decided to but a tee anyway in a 2XL and tailor it to fit me. I've reconstructed tee shirts in the past so I'm confident that I can do it. Me and my sewing machine need to get better aquainted these days anyway so this should be a fun and easy project. If you have any tried and true reconstruction ideas send them my way-- it's been awhile. I'll post pics whenever I finish-- as of now I haven't even received the tee in the mail yet so it might be some time before the FO appears here.

I've also been trying my hands at urban gardening again this year. Not only am I growing herbs (parsley, oregano, basil, & dill) but I'm also growing tomatoes. I'm growing heirlooms and sugarsun cherry tomatoes (the orange ones). Both plants are flourishing. I can't wait to make Caprese salad from my own tomatoes and basil!

Change of Heart
So, Icarus--RIP. Not only have you completely bored me into stockinette hell, but the more I think about it the more I feel that you just aren't the right choice for Bec's wedding shawl. You're too solid throughout most of the body (being in stockinette) and maybe just a little too much for her gown. So, I've decided to go with Wisp, who is simpler and can be worn more like a wrap rather than a shawl in the August heat. I promise not to frog you, for maybe I will come back to you at some later date. I still think that you're beautiful. Please forgive me.

Wisp, you are working up rather quickly but I do hope that you grow with blocking-- I'd hate to have to abandon yet another project. I've never blocked lace but I've heard that it is very gratifying. Don't let me down.

Hot, Hot Summer in the City

We had two days (today will be three) of temperatures over 90 here in Boston! Hot an humid do not make for a happy girl. Leaving the house was dreadful. We don't have AC, but the house was actually cooler than it was outside as long as our windows stayed closed and the fan was going. Sat evening, when I couldn't wait for Jorge anymore, I installed the one AC unit that I have in the bedroom by myself. It's was ridiculously heavy but it was my saving grace-- that I got to sleep in a cool room.

On Saturday morning, I finished my 2nd Everlasting Bagstopper. I made I-cord handles instead of ribbon handles. I used a combination of Lion Brand Lion Cotton and Sugar and Cream Cotton. I even used it on Saturday when I went grocery shopping.

I also received my prize from Marly of the Yarnthing Podcast. The new Yarn Harlot book, Things I Learned from Knitting...whether I meant to or not.

Thank you to Marly for the book-- can't wait to read it!

Ravelry took the joy out of Knitting!

Ok, ok, that's not exactly true. It just enhances my ability to procrastinate by sitting for hours upon hours on the computer looking at knitting rather than actually knitting. I heart Ravelry...even if I was out of town and away from the internets when the Ravelry store went up. This means that by the time I logged in everything that I could possibly want had already been sold out. Meanwhile I'm reading posts from other Ravelers boasting about how many T's they snagged before the store sold out in 5 minutes flat. Greedy much!? I'm just bitter.

Here's the progress on my market bag:
I love the color and how easy and quickly it's knitting up. Maybe this project will help me out of my no knitting funk. Plus, I do like to bring my own shopping bags to the grocery store and Haymarket these days.

While I was away missing out on all of the swag in the Ravelry store which is now sold out (still bitter), I got this beaut:
It's a Day of the Dead Skull, also known as a sugar skull. I've always been totally fascinated with them-- I think that they're beautiful! So this is Miss Dee of Great Southern Tattoo Co.'s rendition of El Dia de los Muertos' sugar skull. I think that she did a great job. P.S. It's just above my Achilles tendon on the back of my ankle. Wait until my mothers sees this one....

Maybe I'll be wearing pants while I'm visiting in a couple of weeks.

Startitis with a touch of the blahs

So I can cast on but that seems to be almost as far as I can force myself to get. I just don't know what's keeping me back, but nothing seems to keep my interest lately. I'm totally having doubts about being able to get through the Icarus shawl. I'm irritated by the strap construction of Fad Classic. The Puff Sleeve Cardi-- ha, what puff sleeve cardi!?

I even cast on for Orangina which has been in my Ravelry queue since last Spring with the yarn I purchased for it around the same time. Now all I can seem to think about is knitting more market bags (I'm suddenly super into reusable shopping bags which I think is a good obsession). What's a girl to do?

Apparently, buy more cotton yarn!
On to the Market bags....I guess.

To be continued...

Thought that I lost my crafting mojo...

Turns out I'm just anemic. I've been so tired lately. I finally saw my PA last week. She did a ton of bloodwork, scared me into thinking that maybe I was preggo, and told me to wait a couple of days for the results. Luckily, I manage the medical practice where I get my care...I looked up my own results the minute they were available. So I need more iron in my diet and possibly supplements (which I'm avoiding because they hurt my tummy-- which you you rather be tired or in pain? It's a toss up).

The fatigue has drastically affected my knitting production. I've barely touched Rebecca's Icarus Shawl in the last couple of weeks. I've started Fad Classic but am not in the mood. And the desire to work on the Puff Sleeve Feminine Cardi has come and gone. I need some energy and some motivation. Here's my pathetic attempt at progress:

Since I haven't felt like knitting, I've read a few books. One of great notice is The Kite Runner. It was beautifully written and an amazing story of life. I loved the author's, Khaled Hosseini, style so much that I just started his second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. So far, I'm interested but I literally just started it--so it's more like a "TBD".

Well, you guessed it, I'm tired. I'm going to go rest and maybe read a little if I can get through the guilt of not wanting to knit.