The 9th Anniversary of My 21st Birthday!

Well it happened today...I turned 30. My entire family came up from NY and surprised me at Douzo yesterday afternoon. My Dad and Ilise came to visit and Jorge coordinated a family surprise party for me. My Mom and Ed, Jonny and Sam, Kristin and Gram. I've never been surprised before but I was totally shocked (and confused at first!) when I saw them all at the table.

Not only did everyone travel up to Boston from Long Island but they brought me fabulous gifts.





I can't believe that I'm no longer in my 20's. I feel like I was just celebrating my 21st birthday and here I am checking the 30-35 box. How time flies.

In knitting news, I'm almost finished with Ishbel. Just have charts C, D, and E left. Then to the blocking board.

I'm scrapbooking everything we do!

A little something for my crafty ladies to bust a move to!

Back in the game

I actually want to knit. I cast on for Ishbel the other night. I'm using 1 hank of Handmaiden Sea Silk in Marine.

I'm on the first lace section right now. I decided to make a size medium-- the stockinette section in the small size and the lace section in the large size-- since I only have 437 yards to work with here.

I'm using un-waxed dental floss for my life line. I figured that I would place a life line after each lace section. Just in case...

On another note, I was contemplating reviewing make-up and other beauty products here. Would anyone be interested in this? I love to buy and play with makeup and thought that it might be fun to share. I know you're saying, "but isn't this a crafting blog?" I do feel like make-up is an artistic medium and that techniques used to apply it can be very creative. We'll see. I have been test driving several different eye makeup looks as of late. I'd like to start photographing my work. I know that it's tough to take pics of yourself but think I'm gonna give it a shot.

I abandoned my blog...

I have been so busy with work that I just don't have the energy to do anything but mindless shit when I'm home for the last several months.I abandoned my blog, my knitting, my crafting mojo. Sad.

I have been creative though, a little bit.Mostly putting fun fashion-y things together. I've been on the hunt for cool/vintage pieces. And I've even made a bit of jewelry for a change. Where to start, where to start...

I guess that I will start with the my vintage finds. I spent the 4th of July weekend at my sister's in Queens for the second year, while she was away (annual Vegas trip).While in NYC, I really wanted to got to the Lion Brand Studio. This was my second attempt to visit them. I tried to go back in February and they were closed on Saturdays (WTF?). This time I made sure to go on a Friday...they were closed for the holiday (WTF!?-- they're retail!). I guess that I'll never be able to visit them! I digress.

My mom & step-dad came in for dinner and we went into Brooklyn to Williamsburg. After dinner, we wandered a bit and came upon a neat little artsy shop. They all sorts of cool handmade things. I found a necklace that I had to have. It was made with all reclaimed materials. Very unique.

Next few vintage find were made at the Garment District in Cambridge, MA. I wasn't looking for anything in particular but came away with three pairs of shoes and a plaid men's shirt. I got a pair of rockin' light brown mid-calf cowboy boots, a pair of Capezio character shoes and a pair of black ankle booties.

So far, I've only worn the cowboy boots (with a trapeze dress and a shrunken cardi that I knit last year). Unfortunately, those well broken in bastards gave me lovely blisters on the backs of both heels. I think that I just wore the wrong socks. I can really picture those boots with a simple short flowy dress and the plaid shirt unbuttoned and tied in the front, with a slouchy leather bag.

Let's move onto my jewelry obsession. I have been both making and purchasing pieces that I don't know how I've lived without. I'm really into long chain necklaces lately. Like, really long, like 42" long. I made a couple different strands that I wear separately or together depending on my mood.

I think that the obsession started in June when I purchased this awesome rosary bead key necklace. I fell in love with the Tiffany Key necklaces but just couldn't see spending that kind on money on silver. So I was on the lookout for a skeleton key necklace and found a great version at a little jewelry shop called Chemistry on Newbury Street in Boston.

I love the length and the uniqueness of this necklace. Not to mention the 3 skeleton keys. Take that Tiffany's...but I still am obsessed with their Crown key, I'm not gonna lie.

I made these earrings from some components that I found at Bead Works in Cambridge while looking for supplies for some prototypes that needed to put together for an Etsy venture that I've been really thinking about. Like 'em?

Found this beauty at Newbury Comic's...cutie, cute, cute.

The right-hand ring: my answer to all of my friends with rocks on their LEFT hands. Why shouldn't I have sparkly bling on my hand too? Do you have to commit suicide(i.e. get engaged) just to sparkle? I think NOT.

Isn't it a gorgeous replica of an art-deco piece? It's merely sterling silver and cubic zirconia. Eat your heart out: bling with no marital repercussions.

This piece was found on my new favorite jewelry website Eve's Addiction. I also got a Tiffany's knock-off necklace there. I love Elsa Peretti's Diamond's by the Yard for Tiffany's but I do NOT love the price tag. Then there it was on Eve's Addiction, all sparkly and at a fraction of the cost. Plus 15% off...

And that's all she wrote (bought!), for now.

I'm Ba-ack!

I've never taken a month and a half break from my blog since I started in 2006 (not that I can remember anyway). Well, there has been a LOT going on.

The largest of which is that my company that I was with for 8 years basically was going under so it had to be taken over by a larger organization in order to "survive". Sadly, a lot has changed our organizational structure and staffing needs. We lost tons of staff and a few doctors in the transition.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to apply for the practice manager position. The job is much more demanding and I have a lot more responsibility than before. It's been really hard but I'm keeping my head above the water, so far.

So, along with everything going on, I've had a few weekend visits: one with my mom, one with my dad, and one with Jorge's family down in Virginia for his sister's Quincenera. This didn't leave me with tons of time to knit or craft but I have made a few things since last I posted.

When my dad visited he decided that I needed an electric sander. So we went to Home Depot and got this lovely:

I primarily needed it because I was refinishing a piece of furniture and sanding it by hand which sucked. The piece was an old phonograph cabinet from the '30s. We stripped off the brown finish, then stained it black and added a coat of polyurethane for a bit of sheen. It turned out beautiful and now serves as the home for our stereo and turn table.

For Jorge's sister's Quincenera, I made her an aquamarine (her birthstone) necklace.

Not sure if she actually liked it because I didn't see her open it but she's pretty ungrateful in general so I guess it doesn't matter. I liked it.

My bff, Rebecca, is having a baby. She just had her 21 week ultrasound and found out that she's having a boy. Even though I'm pretty anti-baby in general, I still want to be supportive of her. This is something that she's always wanted so I've been making stuff for her to show how much I care.

So far, I've only made a few things. I made a couple of rock'n'roll onesies and a light blue hat for Jr.


This oughta tide her over for a bit. I also want to make a sweater and some booties, but I have time. She's not due until the end of October. But since she'll be in town this week, I'd like to give her what I have for Jr. so far.

And that's it folks! I've also been altering clothes but no pics yet. Hopefully I do not disappear again for any length of time. I really want to continue being crafty as often as possible. Just have to keep my motivation up and hope that I have the time to create.

April Lady Sweater?

I started my FLS back in March, planning on bringing it to Puerto Rico and actually finishing it. Turns out that I didn't knit one stitch while I was in San Juan, only on the plane on the way down. Once I was home, I sort of lost interest for a bit and decided to just set it aside until the mood struck once again. During that hiatus, I was able to start and finish Owls and I was just dreaming of casting on Liesl. I told myself "project monogamy is the only way I will get these pieces done!" So I limited myself to casting on (and finishing) Owls and then back to the FLS!

Once I completed Owls, as I mentioned in my previous post, I bought the perfect buttons for my FLS to motivate me to finish the bugger. It must have worked because it was done within the week! I <3 how my FLS turned out!


It's not the best pic but it's gray and raining out so I had to use the flash. I'll attempt a better pic on a nice day. Here's a close up of the buttons.


The other night I cast on for Liesl. I decided to do the short version with the lower neckline, which isn't very low at all. I'm using Dreamweave, which is a wool/silk blend in an avocado green. I'm on on the 11th row of the yoke but it's already 2-2 1/2 inches long, so I think that once I get into it I will be able to breeze through. I only have 3 skeins in my stash (318 yds) but the sweater only calls for 260, so I'm cutting it close and really wish that I had an extra skein due to my track record. Well, I'm just going to jump in with my fingers crossed. Wish me luck!

I <3 Three Day Weekends

Today is Patriot's Day (in the Boston area) so that means no work for moi! I got to relax this morning, clean my house (and my oven!) and go to the gym all before 3pm. Ahhh, 3 day weekends rock.

This weekend also brought a visit from my mom. She got in at 2pm on Fri so we got to hang around for a couple of days, do a little shopping and eat JP Licks (mmmm, Rice Dice Cream!). She got me some treats (pictured below) at Anthropologie that I would never have bought for myself. I love these vintage looking bowls and cloth napkins!

***

On Thurs, I went to Windsor Button after work. I was in search if button eyes for my Owls sweater and some buttons for my February Lady Sweater. I found some pearly yellow-green buttons eyes and sewed them onto one owl in the front and one owl in the back on Saturday morning.

I had my sights set on something clear or transparent for the FLS because I didn't want it to look too overdone. It's busy enough as it is with the lace and the variegated blue yarn. So I settled for a clear and transparent blue button. They looked perfect when I layed them over the button band so they had to come home with me.


I'm almost there with the FLS. I have the body and 1/2 of one of the sleeves already done. I can't wait to finish it and to wash, block and sew on the buttons. I'm just dying to wear it!

It All Worked Out in the End!

Yesterday I received my Web's order containing the skein of Berroco Comfort in Copen Blue needed to finish just the neck ribbing of my Owls sweater (I was able to use scrap pieces to knit the short rows!). I seamed up the underarms and all my ends are woven in!

I tried it on and it fit pretty well. There's slight looseness in the upper back which seems to be a common problem with this pattern. I just need to sew on the buttons, that I found in my odds & ends button box, to one of the owls. Now, if only it wasn't going to be in the 50s & 60s this week!

In other knitting progress, I've picked up my FLS again after a few week-hiatus. I'm loving the colorway-- it's brighter than this pic.

Next up on the docket is Liesl. I'm thinking about using Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Maize. I'm not sure about the length but I've been thinking about the middle length.

Holy Shit-- I ran out of Yarn!!!

I swear that this has never happened to me before. I don't know what's going on. It's not you-- it's me.
I canNOT believe it-- I ran out of yarn with mere rows to complete before my Owls sweater could be completed! I don't even think that it was a miscalculation on my part. I thought that I ordered 1 extra skein, as a matter or fact. Do you see what I have left around the neck of my dress form? WTF!?

I'm so bummed b/c I was supposed to finish my sweater last night while watching Heroes. That was the plan. I noticed that the ball I was knitting from was shirking exponentially but figured that I'd have just enough-- no suck luck. I'm still in shock that this could happen to me.

On a whim, I pulled up the WEB's page before bed last night and guiltily order another skein but who knows if the new dye lot will match. I'm soooo disappointed. I was just a few short rows and some ribbing away from a comfy Owls sweater. Wah.

Owls

I cast on for Owls on Saturday. The thing that I love about bulky weight projects is that they knit up so fast! I'm almost done with the body. And I've already decided that I'm not going to put buttons eyes on every owl-- only one. Button eyes on every owl is just too much for me.

The only thing that makes me nervous is that the end product may not look good on me. I don't usually knit projects that call for bulky weight yarns because I just don't need the added bulk to my already bulky frame. But this one may be different. As I look through the Ravelry project gallery, I've noticed that lots of the comments says that though this is a bulky weight project, it has enough shaping to still be flattering. I hope that I feel that way too when I'm done.

Not a Whole Lotta Knittin' Happenin'

We got back from Puerto Rico last Thursday (sorry for the crappy pic-- the only one I have of me actually wearing my Tuscany). That's an entire week ago and I 'm finally back to normal. There was zero knitting on this trip other than on the flight there. I knit most of the garter yoke of my FLS but that's where it ended. I just haven't felt like knitting much but I did manage to do a few rows on the FLS today before a doctor's appointment.

Just because I haven't been knitting doesn't mean that I haven't been thing about it....obsessively. I went to the Holy Craft Fair & Flea Market last weekend and spotted a chick in the Owls pullover that I've been seeing popping up on Craftster and in Ravelry. This adorable sweater definitely found it's way into my heart even though it's knit in a bulky weight yarn. So weakly, I went over to the Web's website in search of a bulky weight non-wool yarn to make my very own Owls sweater from.

I decided on Berroco Comfort Chunky which is a nylon/acrylic blend. I chose a blue that I thought was sort of teal looking at my monitor but it arrived today and it's not exactly what I was expecting. I think that I might just be able to live with it as long as the owl cables are visible. Guess I'll need to swatch it up.

The pic on the left is from the Web's website and
the pic on the right the yarn I took when I received my order yesterday. I'm trying to envision what a sweater made out of this yarn would look like. We shall see.

Reclamation Scarf!

I made my little sister a neat triangle scarf. I used that beautiful Malabrigo Silky Wool I bought last month. I love the color-- gorgeous. I do have another skein so maybe I'll be making another for me.

Tuscany, Puerto Rico!?

Gee, that doesn't sound right at all! Okay, that's because it's not. What I meant to say is that I'll be bringing my newly finished Tuscany shawl to Puerto Rico next week! I really didn't think that I'd have it finished but here she is...

I used a lovely cotton blend yarn the I bought for another project, for which my desire fizzled, a couple of years ago from Elann, which has since been discontinued. It's called Elann Endless Summer Luna and it is a fiery red colorway! It's has a shimmer and a great drape, but is a bit too splitty to work with in my opinion. I only did 9.5 repeats of the lace pattern because I used a larger needle size than called for and a heavy weight yarn.

All in all, it was a pretty easy and quick project. I think it turned out beautiful for my first lace project of this caliber. I hope that I get to wear it!

Happy Birthday Fish-- Finished!

Well say hello to my little friend...Jorge loves him. He loves him so much he tried to eat him.
The irony is that I'm taking him for Sushi for his birthday dinner! Ha!

Birthday Fish & Vacation Shawls

I've been slow yet steady with the shawl knitting. I'm more than half way at this point! It's turning out lovely and I can really envision what it will look like with my cute black dress. I also cannot wait to block it. Blocking lace = knitter's high! The color is off in this picture-- truly it's a more fiery red!

I also started a knitted Angler Fish as part of Jorge's birthday present. I ordered this pattern from Etsy ages ago but never got around to knitting it for him. This pattern isn't a difficult one just lots of row-by-row instructions. It has tons of short-rows which, luckily, I taught myself to do recently. This is a quick and fun knit and I can't wait to give it to him!

New Yarn, New Project and, yet again, another Bad Haircut

So the weekend before last, I had a Saturday appointment to get a haircut, my first since I was traumatized back in November 2008. By some ridiculous circumstances, I ended up missing the appointment and was totally bummed (this should have been a sign!).

I rescheduled for the next Wednesday (last week) and took a few hours off from work. When I arrived my stylist was giddy over getting her new shears and texturizer-- the scissor guys was still there. I told her that I essentially wanted the same cut but was open to suggestions for a bit of change. She went totally scissor happy and chopped soooo much hair off my head, of already short hair, making me look like a demented little boy. I just don't get it. We discussed how different did NOT equal shorter. I'm gonna chalk it up to a one-time bout of crazy due to her new equipment, but if it happens again I'm outta there.

Good thing is: hair grows. And mine seems to grow fast. I'm really sick of walking out of the salon with tears streaming down my face though. This should not happen when you articulately describe what it is that you're looking for. Maybe I'll post a pick but no promises so you can all see my misery.

I was feeling so bad after my haircut appointment that I decided to got over to Windsor Button for a pick-me-up. I was in search of Malabrigo Silky Merino in teal. I couldn't find it out on the floor so I asked the sales lady. I do NOT usually do that there because they're pretty weird and not usually too customer service-oriented, but I was in a desperate place.

To my surprise the lady was kind and outgoing. She found more stock, and specifically the color that I was in search of. I purchased two beautiful hanks of this heavenly soft yarn. I plan on making a Reclamation Scarf , Stephanie Japel's newest invention, out of each-- one for me and one for my bff.
Though I have been working on the second sleeve of my CPH, I'm at a standstill with this project. I'm just really bored of knitting it. I wondered why so many people took an average of a year to complete this project and now I know why. Though it's got more interest than a straight up stockinette project, it's still very rhythmic and boring to knit. I need more instant gratification. I decided that I'd start a new project while I was in NYC this past weekend to awaken my mojo.

I cast on for Tuscany from No Sheep for You. I'm using my stash of Elann Endless Summer Luna in red which I bought ages ago for another project that I never got around to (and lost interest in). I've always thought that this was a pretty shawl but had no desire to knit a lace project of that magnitude or knit a shawl, for that matter. But then I had this vision of me in Old San Juan, wearing a black dress with a red lace wrap around my shoulders so I figured that maybe it was worth a try. We leave for PR March 12th...less than a month away. I'm not sure if this is going to be possible to finish in time but I'm going to give it a shot.

I work on it on the bus home yesterday afternoon until it got too dark and I got a massive headache. It seems to be working up fast. I guess we'll see.

Color of the Month-- Nuclear Red

So by the end of January my fun Burgundy Wine streaks were on their way out. So I decided to help them out a bit by washing my hair in hot water and a really detergenty shampoo to strip most of the color out. Then I chose a red!

I went for Nuclear Red Special Effects. My streaks are super bright red now and the rest of my head has a nice reddish glow to it. I quite like it. Reminds me of something that I did to my hair ages ago. How do you like it? Better than the Burgundy Wine?

Winter Blues/Frustrations

It's no secret that the winter gets me down. I'm sick of the bitter temperatures, the snow & ice, and grumpy, rude people. It's hard to be motivated when you're always pissed off.

Our sidewalks have been really icy the last few weeks, even in high-traffic areas. So this sometimes means that when people are coming from both directions one has to step aside so that the other can pass by the narrow cleared (ie. ice free) path. I'm always the one who steps aside, mostly b/c I don't want to slip on ice, and let people pass. Rarely do I get a "thank you" or have anyone slow down to step aside so that I can pass. They just keep yapping on their cells and barrel through like they're more important and do not have to time to step aside and allow me to pass. Nice, huh!? Can people please have some manners? If you're not going to slow down, forcing me to get out of your way, you can at least acknowledge that I was polite enough to step aside for you. Boston id full of rude people.

Speaking of rude people, I had two shitty experiences this week all because I was being generous and charitable to a complete stranger. Freecycle is a web-based group where people can offer and request items they they no longer need and want to recycle by giving to someone who could use them. I've used this website once before, maybe a year and a 1/2 ago, when I was in need of a new washer/dryer.

I was able to find an older set being given away and made arrangements to pick them up put in Framingham. The woman giving them away was nice enough but sort of rude when we arrived to claim our booty. She had a way of letting us know that this was a charity case, not necessarily something nice to do for another person or the environment. Plus she didn't need to pay someone to come and take them to her closest landfill. When all way said and done, we were thankful towards the woman and took off with our free stuff. Could have been worse.

For Christmas I received a Cuisinart Food Processor. Now that I have a shiny new food processor I no longer need my little mini chopper food processor. I would never throw something in perfect working condition away without trying to find someone who may like to have it or donating to my local thrift shop. So I went on Freecyle to find out if anyone was specifically looking for a food processor. I found someone in need and reached out. This person made plans to pick it up on Saturday and then never showed, then again on Monday and never showed, the the last time on Tuesday and never showed. Always with a lame excuse and never an apology. WTF?

Someone that you do not even know is being generous enough to give you something that you need and you stand her up multiple times and don't even feel badly about it? I don't think so. So I emailed this person explaining that she has wasted plenty of my time and I am no longer offering the food processor to her. Ridiculous. People are totally inconsiderate at times.

So I listed my item on Freecycle and got a ton of responses. I went with the first person to respond-- it's only fair. He was polite and willing to come by that evening. Needless to say he never showed and never called, as I requested if his plans changed. Now he wants to come by and get it tonight. I don't think so. I'm all set trying to be generous....now I'm taking down to the thrift shop and making a donation.

So if I'm a bit grumpy you know why. The optimist in me wants to think that all people are good at heart, but I know the truth...most people have no incentive to be nice to a stranger. Anonymity = no need to be nice. It disgusts me. I make it my mission to be nice to people....especially strangers.

Slow Goings...

It's already half way through January 2009 and I don't have very much to show for it. I cast on for the Central Park Hoodie on the 2nd and it's just taking a lot to motivate myself to sit and knit. I started with the front right side which seemed to knit up rather quickly and am now several cable repeats into the back. It's cold out--seriously I want this one done! I need to be wearing it already.
Being that my knitting mojo has been waxing and waning, I've been spending an excessive amount of time cruising the pages of Ravelry when I should be making attempts at progress on this sweater. Damn you, Ravelry! You're such a time sucker. You're a vacuum for all of my possible knitting time. Ahhhh...

Not that I wish Ravelry away, just that I wish I had more self control and discipline. For heaven's sake, I <3 this site more than any other! But when inspiration turns into procrastination, I may need an intervention!

Pink Hair

I had my hair did last week. Jorge gave me a hefty gift certificate to Liquid Hair Studios.
I had foils done. First we lightened and then we toned with Special Effects color in Burgundy Wine. These pics don't show the "texture"-- it much more streaky/chunky bits of bright color. Guess there wasn't enough light. It's crazy in the sunlight!

When looking at the Special Effects color card, Burgundy Wine looked way more purple but when the color was washed out I was sorta shocked at the result-- PINK! I like it, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting a little more subtle effect-- more purpley. I was a little worried about what people would say at the office. No one's really said anything negative though they may have thought it ;-) I did get a lot of compliments which was reassuring.

Maybe when this fades I'll try another purple shade and see if I can achieve the effect I was going for. Do you like???