Competing with myself

So, I am sitting here wondering how I will ever live up to yesterday's post. I mean, wow. It was really long and had tons of pictures. In a days time, I haven't really done much more crafting....but I did make something....a complete something....an adorable something (as I tend to enjoy cuteness)...a soft something. I made it and love it and I left it sitting on my sewing desk when I went to work this morning. When I came home, I saw that my adorable something had gotten his attention. I found this:


Yes, my adorable something....a dopey bear I'm calling Willie...maybe a little bit creepy, especially when he is lying precariously next to sharp objects (in this case pins and needles). It was not my intention to have such a creepy display....I promise. Here are some better pictures of Willie....he has a little sumpin' sumpin' on the back for ya.....


I have tons of felt in lots of colors, so I think there may be more little Willie's on the way! I may even sell a few...if anyone is interested in buying them... (hint, hint, wink, wink...)

In knitting news: I am chuggin' along on my pretty blue chunkified cabley scarf. I have started thinking about what I will back it with. I may just use fleece, because it is thick and i wouldn't have to worry about seaming the edges, just cut and attach. I think fleece is the best option, although satin would be lovely. If anyone who reads this (and if anyone does, remind me...why aren't you leaving comments again?) knows how to sew fabric onto knitted objects, I am open for suggestions and tips!

Anyway, here is my progress on the scarf...modeled by the Russian (no, it isn't for him, but I thought I'd make his gorgeous butt useful...you're welcome for the compliment, honey). My hands really hurt from all the knitting...yet, I felt like I wanted to do more yarning of some sort. I still do.




I'm really going to try to get some progress on the Short and Sweet Bolero for my friend. I tried to work on it today, but I could not for the life of me find my H. I don't know what the hell I did with it. Oh, by the way, here are a few pictures of me modeling the one that I made for myself ages ago:



I actually wear it in public quite often, even though the sleeves bug me as they do not quite "hang" the right way. Oh, by the way...am I vain or what?

I have done a bit of sewing, but not enough to really blog about. I want to give my machine a bit of a rest until I can get my hands on some oil for it. It is old and I really should not be using it at all without oiling it everyday...those old gears are probably rubbing quite a bit. So, that's my excuse for not getting a lot done on Quiltie McQuilt-face.

So...my thoughts and feelings (craft-related) for the day: I really want to knit some type of garment, but I want it to be easy while still being cute. I want to make something for MYSELF, but I feel like that's all I ever do and is selfish. So, I want to make a sweater for the Russian, but the sweater I like (Jolly Roger in the Happy Hooker) is half-double crochet, which seems like kind of a girly stitch to me...regardless of color and the presence of a skull and crossbones. I'd just like to make a simple, fast, but stylish man's sweater...no frills with a nice fitted look...If anyone has any suggestions for patterns or knows of a good one somewhere, please let me know... Oh and wait, there's that boyfriend sweater curse thing we knitters have to worry about...I'd be careful though... So, since the sweater thing didn't seem like it would work out, I thought maybe I'd work on the hat I was going to make for him, but I'd have to buy yarn and get really good at color knitting first...which will take me a while...so that one is out for the time being. Oh yeah, and there's that rule that I made that I would finish already happening projects before starting the next big thing...

It's just so boring though...I really love the feeling of starting new projects. I'm a junkie for it. I don't know what it is...Maybe it is a feeling similar to hope...when I start something new, I am not jaded by it. I haven't made any mistakes yet. The chances of it turning out great seem high. However, once a project gets going, I grow tired of it quickly. That high wears off and I loose interest and have to start something else. It's a problem I am dealing with. My name is Jessica, and I'm a project unfinisher...

I think that's all for now...have fun.

Let's see if photos work...and they do...one at a time

So, I have decided to try the photos again...and if they don't work today, I will probably start to scream my guts out at...someone...whoever's around...you know how it is. If it does end up working, everyone who reads this (one person) can clap and cheer for me.

Anyway, in knitting news: I have continued working on my pretty cabley blue scarf...YAY, A PICTURE LOADED! SO STOKED! Anyway...since photos are working now...here's a picture of my progress on the scarf:



Isn't it sort of chunky in a nice way? It's going to be as long as the amount of yarn I have for it. That's what I've decided. And did you see the cool compact in the picture for a size-comparison? I am the proud owner of a Physician's Formula talc-free mineral powder compact. I have always been eye-balling the Physician's Formula section at Walgreens...just wondering what it would be like to actually own some. I was so PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. I had no idea how cool these compacts really were. First of all, it has a cool marblyness that is nice...and it comes with a brush...NOT one of those cheap puff things...AND it is stored in its own compartment underneath with a mirror, WHICH...because it is in a separate compartment, does not get all dusty with powder....PURE GENIUS! I got it because when I am at work, my face gets pretty oily. I thought this might help tone some of it down.


In other knitting news: I have decided to give lace a rest for a while because it was really stressing me out and that's shouldn't be what knitting is about for me. I'm already high-strung. I don't need lace putting all sorts of stress on me. TOO MUCH PRESSURE, MAN! Lace, get off my BACK...for a while...then I'll try again. I need to actually finish something first. I have decided not to start anything new until I finish things I have already started.

The Breakdown: 1. The Chunkified Cabley Blue Scarf (my own pattern) 2. White Short and Sweet Bolero (from The Happy Hooker, for a friend--she's already forgotten about it, I'm sure) 3. A sock to match the first one that I made (whatever, man...maybe I'll just make a better pair...eff' this shit). 4. My quilt...(this isn't knitting, but It still needs to get done).

Anyway...here are some pictures of the stuff I got at the marketplace for the knitting convention:

This is some of that "six hanks for 5 bucks each" yarn. It's a nice soft yellow boucle type yarn that I don't know what to do with now that I realize it sucks for lace. (boucle and lace don't mix...nor does mercenized cotton and lace...or do I just suck? Maybe). Anyway, here's the picture:


And here's a picture of the other yarn that I got in order to make a lacy shrug:


Yes, it's a boob picture...and that was unintentional...but it actually sort of looks like I HAVE boobs in this picture...so, I like it and it stays right where it is...on my knitting blog.

And here are the books that I bought. The lace book is awesome, but like I mentioned earlier...lace is buggin' me...so I'll get to it later. The shrug I mentioned is in the Nashua pattern book. I can't wait to make it...but again...I'm waiting on lace for a while. What's up me lining up projects I'm not sure I can tackle?

So...what else do I need to show you? Oh yeah! My KICK ASS 1955 Singer Featherweight sewing machine! Just look at it! LOOK AT IT! It still friggin' works, man!


And look at what I'm making with it!


Does that not RIZZ-ock?! (don't ask why I threw that in). Ok, now for the dish about the quilt. One: I love the fabric(s) that I've chosen. Two: sewing is very fun (and much faster and satisfying with a sewing machine...and more than knitting, in some ways). Three: I've made two large squares consisting of 36 smaller squares, which will be connected with a simple spine in a contrasting purple floral fabric...I'm in love with my idea. Four: I have a problem that I hope I can squirm my way out of. My two large squares don't seem to be the same size...oops. I need to pay more careful attention to my seam allowances, I think. Hopefully the next one will be the same size as one of the two I have already made...If not, I have a serious problem and will officially suck at sewing FOREVER! Five: no five.

Anyway, that's all for now I guess. I would just like to say that the Johnny Cash album "A Hundred Highways" is almost the most depressing thing I've ever heard and I really really REALLY love it. I also really love the latest Tom Petty album. Both of these should be for sale at your local Starbucks! Go buy them! (shameless plug for the company that employs me) Oh, and Pumpkin Spice is BACK! Yummy!

Ok...anyone who is reading this...thank you for your time and please leave comments...I like comments. And if you leave one for me, I will visit YOUR blog and probably leave one for you too as a return favor...do I sound needy enough? LOL :0 I try.

Happy Crafting!

Progress?

Ok...so for the past couple days I have been trying to update, but the effin' pictures won't load! The stupid connection keeps getting reset! I'm so pissed off that I decided I would delete everything I had written and saved as a draft in order to post this angry post.

I really wanted to post some damn pictures! I really wanted to show what I bought at that stupid knitting convention. I really wanted to show some of the little quilt square that I have started (it is now extremely large...since I have a sewing machine now). AND I REALLY WANTED TO SHOW A PICTURE OF MY 1955 Singer sewing machine!!!! BUT I CAN'T!!!! arg. (go ahead max, say it. I know you want to). I am so very frustrated and mad at technology.

And I work at 5:00 am tomorrow. I love my life (definite sarcastic tone).

Hallelujah!

What is every yarn freak's idea of HEAVEN ON EARTH!? A friggin' knitting convention, THAT'S WHAT! So, I was looking through interweave's latest magazine and happened upon an add for this huge convention in Rosemont...so, at the last minute...I WENT. I only went into the marketplace, however...because classes and such were very expensive. For the whole shabang it was somewhere around 300 dollars. And holy mackeral...were there PEOPLE there! I had no idea...and the yarn...everywhere...everywhere. I really didn't know what the hell I was supposed to do with myself and I kept thinking to myself..."I really don't have the money for this...no really, Jez, you don't..." But I could not resist. One booth way over on the right side had hanks of yarn for $6 each just so long as you bought five of them...So...I bought five of them. I also bought a Nashua (sp?) pattern book because I saw a lovely sample of a lace shrug from that book at one of the booths (oh, and I will be using the yarn that I bought for 6 bucks to make it with!!! I actually bought a pattern AND the yarn for it this time! I'm growing up...lol). And I bought the second book of modern lace knitting for like 9 bucks...I've started a scarf from the book (again, using yarn I bought...so, I don't have to buy any!). There is some really gorgeous stuff in this book that look really difficult...lots of circular tea cloths and table cloths. I was thinking...can't a table cloth become a circular shawl quite easily? My gears are turning...as always.

I don't have any pictures of my wares as of now. I haven't had a chance to wrap those hanks of yarn around my neck like a necklace and cuddle my pattern books in front of the camera lens. But I will...soon enough. So, just be on the lookout for my next post.

I like pickles...and knitting

Ohhhh-kay. Enough of my rantish posts. This one is really about somewhat current events in knitting and crocheting...and a little Ren. Faire too. As I mentioned, I have started working on a cool cabley scarf (my own pattern, thank you) in a really nice blue color. I will definitely need to get a few more skeins of this yarn though...hopefully they will still have quite a bit left, they had tons of a few days ago, but it IS on sale...so I SHOULD really hurry. Here is what it looks like:


I really like the way it looks. But I think maybe I should have used a larger needle because it feels sort of tight and stiff. I used the larger of the two suggested needle sizes, but whatever. I have already planned the remedy. First step will be to make it a bit longer than I normally would (what am I talking about? I'm notorious for extra-long scarves...so I'll make it normal lenght for me) so that it drapes more. The second step will be to line the backside with some really nice fabric...this will hide the yucky backside of the cables as well as provide a barrier from itchiness...not that it really seems to be itchy, but it is wool...merino or not. So...that's my plan. Sound good?

Oh, wait a second...I am also working on something else and, let me tell you, I must be effin' insane. Here is a sneak peak:


I am using size 10 crochet thread on a size D hook. Seriously, I get through one row and I have to take a break because my hand hurts. I am not yet half-way done...but I will be after a few inches! Which should take me a lifetime at the rate I'm going. By the way, it's going to be a cropped tank top thing that buttons in the back (intended to be worn with a tank or tee under it...I'm not a skank ho). I realize now that I chose the ultimate in girly colors to use...baby pink.

Ok...So, Ren. Faire was a blast. I went all around the little shops and watched a joust...twice...our sir thomas won, thank you very much. I bought a nice lavender soap, my favorite smell...and a very nice Bodice (also really girly in pink...sorry, no picture of it...maybe in a later post). It was sort of expensive, but hopefully worth it. Let's see, what else? OH...I also got this cool hair coil...that's right...HAIR COIL. I know it is incredibly new age earth child of me, but I chose the one with the crescent moon charm. Here's a picture:


Alright, laugh all you want, but I like it! Although, I haven't worn it outside of the Faire yet. I have, however, worn (and am wearing right now) the completed purple headband that I showed in an earlier post. I think it is not quite tight enough, but it's not like I'm really active or anything...so, it should be fine. :)

Here's me and Maxim at the joust...aren't we cute? (puke puke)


And here is a manly one of Maxim...WORK THAT ARROW, BABY! He'll blush when he reads this...sorry to everyone else for being gross! That's one of "ours" behind Max too...what a buffet of manliness (God, I love that snickers commercial!!)


That is all for now...do leave comments if you have any...or words of encouragement for me having to wake up tomorrow to be at work at 5AM...coffee man...I understand its benefits now.