tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193493632024-03-18T21:49:55.323-07:00The Knitting WoundedDon't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-73880589922496241412010-12-30T12:46:00.001-08:002010-12-30T12:47:58.568-08:00Here Today...Well, I'm back, but goodness knows for how long. There will be knitting content and yarny goodness ensuing, but probably in short bursts instead of long posts.<br /><br />If anyone's out there, how do you like the new layout?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-26660656234384178022010-06-29T19:14:00.000-07:002010-06-29T19:15:57.739-07:00I had<br /><h2><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/byvendor/wollmeise/?page=1">Wollmeise</a></span></h2>in my cart and didn't buy it. My will is iron dammit.<br /><br />That is all, carry on.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-70075148504804739232010-06-28T23:18:00.000-07:002010-06-28T23:53:20.198-07:00Desert Island KnittingI should be sleeping right now, and if the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Husboy</span> asks I was in bed hours ago. The reason I am not in bed yet is because I had an itch to start something for myself, which turned out to be <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTheyteach.html">Hey </a><a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTheyteach.html">Teach</a> in <a href="http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-crochet-yarns-valley-yarns/webs-knitting-yarns-valley-yarns-colrain/">Valley Yarns <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Colrain</span></a> that I picked up two <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events.php">Stitches</a> ago. The reason that I am blogging instead of casting on is because I was looking for the recommended size 8 needle amongst my circulars, grousing and fretting because I have strictly forbidden myself from buying any needles, and found a 16" (not quite enough for the back) and this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgP8qV8-gwsNSpjnKze9ANPs3IXRtS-JoJXLbhyIih2sJA7EF54vEfEEP3wyne8VAlOAk4SzBppPFr9HrJ878ZsnCynfkMKro7VDU6xv-JiormSCMeaR6hsYEfOS2thUvf2kP/s1600/nubbin.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgP8qV8-gwsNSpjnKze9ANPs3IXRtS-JoJXLbhyIih2sJA7EF54vEfEEP3wyne8VAlOAk4SzBppPFr9HrJ878ZsnCynfkMKro7VDU6xv-JiormSCMeaR6hsYEfOS2thUvf2kP/s320/nubbin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488084015195750482" border="0" /></a><br />A relic of my early knitting days when all I wanted to do was knit hats and either couldn't afford or couldn't fathom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dpns</span> (most likely a combination of both). What I would do is cut out the middle of the cord and melt the two ends together. I can't even think of how I did the crown at this point.<br /><br />What a different time it was. I had no contact with the fantastic online knitting community, access to an incredible assortment of terrible knitting books from the 1970's at my public library, and no idea that there was better yarn than the crap I was picking up from the clearance section at <a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/home/home.jsp"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">JoAnn's</span></a>. I couldn't even purl at this point, darn it. That little charred nubbin in the middle of that cord symbolizes the frightful place I was in at that point in my life, struggling through and making my own solutions to a lack of resources that did not stop at my knitting. Next to that, my little island looks pretty sweet.<br /><br />Now here I am, with fabulous yarns languishing in various cubbyholes around the house, a world of patterns at my fingertips, and still no decent size 8 circulars to speak of. I'm going to suck it up, grab my very nice size 7 needle, and enjoy my desert island knitting.<br /><br />Or sleep. Whatever.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-72083384988605862442010-06-26T10:56:00.000-07:002010-06-26T11:36:05.202-07:00Dishcloth ManiaHopefully everyone knows that I have a lovely little <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> shop: <a href="http://knittingwoundedyarns.etsy.com/">Knitting Wounded Yarns</a>, that sells re/upcycled yarns rescued from sweaters that have seen better days. Everyone also probably knows that no one wants to buy a bunch of recycled cotton when you can get a ball of new for a buck. Next time, could someone tell me please?<br /><br />So, long story short, I have a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/17228340">huge Ikea bag</a> full of cotton that I can't sell and can't bear to throw away after investing so much time in taking it apart. What to do?<br /><br />First: Magic Yarn Balls!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49995407/magic-surprise-yarn-ball-for-music"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgkY6tnDG2pJ5zLHTrf3-RWLU9HCUFzBa_2teRvyeBZso1YTLbTlAId7-itgy7xxDmG71Mkl0jp1lgamsLnBnqmo3DwfHzg0hMy-XnH3czWizU55JCtIVXrpIJrjcCR13-vId/s320/magic_12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487147554316339874" border="0" /></a>These are not just any poorly hand-wound balls of yarn. Layered inside are little treasures that follow a theme, like <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49994902/magic-surprise-yarn-ball-for-kitty">Kitty Lover</a> or <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49992816/magic-surprise-yarn-ball-for-foodies">Foodie</a>. They were a lot of fun to put together, but then what?<br /><br />How about dishcloths?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfDXD05iLD-GntCElffpjT1kmplcraJeZcnBLs7AQ238Ptwg0xU8h-kcSij-4YrOuh3D5H1xgNeOQhHW2OpbTcwLNzHzCeRVg4D_7llQvfSS5kMFknw9SARta2ttGNACFnCBn/s1600/dishcloth002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfDXD05iLD-GntCElffpjT1kmplcraJeZcnBLs7AQ238Ptwg0xU8h-kcSij-4YrOuh3D5H1xgNeOQhHW2OpbTcwLNzHzCeRVg4D_7llQvfSS5kMFknw9SARta2ttGNACFnCBn/s320/dishcloth002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487143943483346498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW82fg6RZxiRXt2Cic8aeMvYScYnkxT_yOJV1askcOLJaNMGTFdr9EolrpueIGKMrDJCZ_L9NI1ecbDjkaSiOBSsYhgDhv24CUBSey0OH6OhXFN7ROwWYe6WMCfiKwuloSzxk/s1600/JoyKanji1.JPG"> </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj9w3weVaRe5QrwJdCaVUCY-dJH1ogII2Qx89lCzunfnBzEiGqy4rAgAHh_B4Me8HhBYNvpu376wJLvPE2VURK5genrtajVdP-9yyb_aigyEOKXW1NxrwvqMtOqRSzHVaZkjE/s1600/dishcloth001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj9w3weVaRe5QrwJdCaVUCY-dJH1ogII2Qx89lCzunfnBzEiGqy4rAgAHh_B4Me8HhBYNvpu376wJLvPE2VURK5genrtajVdP-9yyb_aigyEOKXW1NxrwvqMtOqRSzHVaZkjE/s320/dishcloth001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487143934722921074" border="0" /></a>I traded some sock yarn for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mason-Dixon-Knitting-Knitters-Patterns-Questions/dp/0307586456/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277576547&sr=8-3">first Mason Dixon book</a>, and was inspired to knit up a few of these stupid-easy cloths.<br /><br />Okay, now what? How about I design a few of my own dishcloths? Say "hello" to <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/knitting-wounded-designs">Knitting Wounded Designs on Ravelr</a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/knitting-wounded-designs">y</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/joy-kanji-dischcloth"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW82fg6RZxiRXt2Cic8aeMvYScYnkxT_yOJV1askcOLJaNMGTFdr9EolrpueIGKMrDJCZ_L9NI1ecbDjkaSiOBSsYhgDhv24CUBSey0OH6OhXFN7ROwWYe6WMCfiKwuloSzxk/s320/JoyKanji1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487143961167301794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/joy-kanji-dischcloth">Joy Kanji Pattern: $1.00</a><br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW82fg6RZxiRXt2Cic8aeMvYScYnkxT_yOJV1askcOLJaNMGTFdr9EolrpueIGKMrDJCZ_L9NI1ecbDjkaSiOBSsYhgDhv24CUBSey0OH6OhXFN7ROwWYe6WMCfiKwuloSzxk/s1600/JoyKanji1.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chibi-kitty-dishcloth-2"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8gYIDbvKxkoV8_y5g5F0NVv_Pp4sh_sr86ZQ1VkbtVXfpZA2G9NHewUNZRUY787glmEs6wRWoLikqPKsaac9S-ZMBN0l45VpMpEoUAvQxIOz1OJp8BTzX2DMPZlF1Bj2ErkK/s320/dishcloth003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487143951325649282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chibi-kitty-dishcloth-2">Chibi Kitty: $1.00</a><br /></span></div><br />I cannot tell you how much I am loving <a href="http://www.intwinedstudio.com/">Intwined Studio</a> right now. It makes it so easy to translate your ideas into a workable pattern, and if I sell 40 more patterns (at $1 a pop) it will have paid for itself, a very reasonable investment.<br /><br />Of course, I have some free patterns in the shop as well. I want to rewrite the <a href="http://knittingwounded.blogspot.com/2008/12/spaced-chocolate-beanie-pattern.html">Spaced Chocolate Beanie</a> and <a href="http://knittingwounded.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-pattern-dizzabelle-scarf.html">Dizzabelle Scarf</a> in <a href="http://www.intwinedstudio.com/">Intwined</a>, but the first versions are in there. I cannot seem to bring myself to ask for money when basing a pattern on someone else's concept, so here's the newest freebie, special for my fellow Firefly/Serenity fans:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leaf-on-the-wind-wash-cloth"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3una7qJEhkrLSA72LL4dlkAWqKXsG_LFtVUgNpInD0ejG_rEPqNO6bkUvkKr9KCmee8YjCYlQLIdFAUWwc2DT2h8B22MT3dFm1EcZim6tSc4TXOD5RQk9fHV4J4aDrEhEBUoQ/s320/Wash+Cloth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487143927864318018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leaf-on-the-wind-wash-cloth">Leaf on the Wind Wash Cloth: Free</a><br /></span></div><br />Next on the design roster, bullet hole socks.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-68268898747657588562010-06-17T09:45:00.000-07:002010-06-17T10:02:38.841-07:00How To Ruin A Diet: Now With Links!This fiber/book/needle/everything diet is actually going pretty well. I traded some sock yarn I was probably never going to get to for some new books on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>, sold some books on <a href="www.amazon.com/shops/becka_boo">Amazon</a> and gave away a few on <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/">Freecycle</a>, so we're going in the right direction.<br /><br />So, here is a short list of folks trying to sabotage my good intentions:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/hurt-book-sale.html?a=kp100617">Interweave's Hurt Book Sale</a>: 50-75% off of books with slight cosmetic defects (and who doesn't have slight cosmetic defects?). Ends June 22nd. I could really use the <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Hurt-and-Overstock-Books/Knitting/Interweaves-Compendium-of-Finishing-Techniques.html">Compendium of Finishing Techniques</a>, sigh.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Yarns/Knitting_Yarn_Sale__L300109.html?intmedid=Main1:Yarn+Sale">Knitpicks' Inventory Clearance</a>: Save up to 25% on overstock and discontinued colors. Discontinued colors people! <br /><br /><a href="http://dizzysheep.com/">The Dizzy Sheep</a>: This neat shop sells one yarn/fiber a day at a pretty nice discount. During Memorial Day weekend they did a spin-off, where as soon as one thing sells out another takes its place. I thought I was going to faint from the strain.<br /><br />Three is probably enough for the day. Now, go forth and buy this stuff so I can't. Thank you.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-59561178506554442010-06-14T23:59:00.000-07:002010-06-15T00:02:23.062-07:00Circle Of OooooohHey there folks. Been too busy and too tired to be coherent in any facet of my life, so here's some homework from last semester for you:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QVxWN4OfQCUrJp6wXl_yQ8uSWXfpAc_A2MLxmeBL92QKTCmBfRwdncb4aaMc4ftOZ307FCOb15ElNzfFgF7nElL53OJCKp0e2a5s8QHu2B7vSFVWy4b-iVoRikxxKg5OMjIR/s1600/ColorWheel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QVxWN4OfQCUrJp6wXl_yQ8uSWXfpAc_A2MLxmeBL92QKTCmBfRwdncb4aaMc4ftOZ307FCOb15ElNzfFgF7nElL53OJCKp0e2a5s8QHu2B7vSFVWy4b-iVoRikxxKg5OMjIR/s320/ColorWheel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482892036824450130" border="0" /></a><br />Color wheel of Cascade 220, images sniped from <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/">The Loopy Ewe</a>. Enjoy.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-60262583750017603682010-06-11T01:00:00.000-07:002010-06-11T01:27:45.991-07:00Blame It On The YentaOkay, so I'm sitting on the couch, whining about how much my boobs hurt and pretty much minding my own business when the <a href="http://www.yarnyenta.com/">Yarn Yenta</a> busts up my craft diet. Now, before we all start calling her filthy names and throwing shoes in her general direction, let me explain. The Yarn Yenta, also known as the fabulously talented Heatherly, is one of my favorite people in the world. Not only is she wicked talented and smart and funny, she is also one of the very few absolutely genuine people it has been my pleasure to meet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn0tG6W3SsiySyEYhF94G6SnkgD1nsLAkKniStcc2tEIVSWCIISSXxZKKM758zIii85w8T_CKxesdHCRYsigQEvDdJgJ_rraSHscFTBsBYLeYWeY7oUuq1sbBTJ-hs6RpzGRj/s1600/Stitches2010_005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn0tG6W3SsiySyEYhF94G6SnkgD1nsLAkKniStcc2tEIVSWCIISSXxZKKM758zIii85w8T_CKxesdHCRYsigQEvDdJgJ_rraSHscFTBsBYLeYWeY7oUuq1sbBTJ-hs6RpzGRj/s320/Stitches2010_005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481429189680501042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">She's even photogenic! Heatherly at Stitches West 2010.</span><br /></div><br />Anyone who has been around me for very long usually figures out that I'm not really religious, meaning that I've tried a few out and have decided that the Universe is entirely too smart for me to figure out, so I'm going to wing it. This puts me in the awkward position of having to explain myself to anyone who <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> religious, then having to explain to them that I like myself that way and yes, I know I'm going to burn in the Lake of Fire for all eternity, but thanks anyway.<br /><br />Heatherly is what I consider a true believer. She is deeply committed to her beliefs, so much so that she actually lives by their teachings instead of pushing those beliefs in your face to prove something. This not only makes it enjoyable to be around her, it makes her a completely and utterly delightful person. In other words, she is so perfect that she can pull it off without making you hate her for being perfect. Heatherly is who I would want to be if I wasn't completely happy with being myself.<br /><br />Okay, back to my falling down. I swear, I wasn't even on Ravelry. I was on Facebook for cripes sake, letting it suck some time when Heatherly does an update congratulating someone else for winning the Sock Madness 4 competition and includes a picture of her own submission.<br /><br />It is called Cool Beans people. I say, "Cool Beans", all the time. Really, ALL THE TIME. I have people who work with me all over the country saying it now. And it is really gorgeous colorwork and I had popped onto <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cool-beans">Ravelry</a> and bought it before I could even think about it. I can't kick myself too hard for it; I have the perfect yarn already wound up and ready to go.<br /><br />Do me a favor, go onto the <a href="http://www.yarnyenta.com/">Yarn Yenta website</a> or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cool-beans">her Ravelry page</a> and buy it too so I don't feel so silly?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-37871699517591890062010-06-04T10:34:00.000-07:002010-06-04T11:06:30.734-07:00Dieting PainsEver get to the point in stash culmination when it starts to hurt a little? Not like a physical pain (unless you try to pick it all up at once or something), more like the emotional burden of far too much unrealized potential weighing you down. <br /><br />Oh yeah, I'm totally there. Not only are my two yarn storage receptacles overflowing, but there are also two large knitting bags floating around full to the brim. I did a quick inventory one night and discovered that I have over <span style="font-weight: bold;">40,000</span> yards of yarn in my stash. This is not counting partial skeins or scraps or the boxes and boxes of yarn and sweaters I use for the <a href="http://knittingwoundedyarns.etsy.com/">shop</a>.<br /><br />The worst part? <span style="font-style: italic;">I keep finding more!</span> I'm afraid that if I bring one more skein into the house the foundation will buckle and we'll end up falling into the creepy hobo basement apartment that hasn't seen the light of day in years and years. If there's an earthquake there is a real danger of us smothering to death. I can almost hear the wingbeats of millions of <a href="http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/lepidoptera_families/saturniidae.html">Hercules Emperor Moths (Coscinocera hercules)</a> making a special trip from northern Australia to come devour this Vegas-style buffet.<br /><br />A severe diet is apparently in order, and I have decided to go big or go home on this one. For the rest of the year I will be knitting exclusively from my stash. Doesn't sound too big, huh. Okay, how about, for the rest of the year I will be knitting with yarn, needles, and books exclusively from my stash. That's right folks. No new yarn, books, or needles are coming into this house. If I really need something I need to either dye it or trade for it. The Husboy has stated that new magazines are fine, but their number has also been steadily multiplying and is making me uneasy. The only exception is my <a href="http://knittingwoundedyarns.com/">Etsy shop</a>; I will of course be maintaining and growing my inventory and may buy from myself if needed (technically no new yarn coming into the house, right?).<br /><br />The prize at the end of the trail? Less guilt, more room, and, oh yeah. I will be coming home from Stitches next year with either a spinning wheel or a proper loom, my choice. I like it because it will be earned, the Husboy likes it because I'll finally shut up about it for a bit.<br /><br />Anyone want to trade some needles for an unused copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kaffe-Knits-Again-Original-Knitters/dp/0307395383/ref=sr_1_1_oe_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272518471&sr=1-1">Kaffe Knits Again</a>?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-67817574907118312222010-06-03T10:16:00.000-07:002010-06-03T10:31:14.682-07:00I'm A Big Underground Success in the UKA while back I picked up an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/alchemy/">alchemy reques</a>t from <a href="http://www.aprilwinchell.com/">April Winchell</a> at <a href="http://www.regretsy.com/">Regretsy.com</a>, a delightfully snarky website that has been turned into a book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345523180?ie=UTF8&tag=radiosavantcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0345523180">Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF</a> (BTW, buying from this link will donate her royalties to the <a href="http://www.cancer.org/">American Cancer Society</a>. Woot!).<br /><br />The mission was to knit a whole bunch of knitted knockers for the <a href="http://theknittingexperience.com/knitted_knockers_program/">Knitted Knockers Program</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsW6czCo6sVWjHRAWO1E3OXxM3VdU4Hr8VZMeTxPt5Tv6QJ9mUCG5qoGXPQ6gja5Otc_4tHX7n9IXuJsWfYiDq_Opo-aNzspARVC4dgY1W9kaNR8Jl9ACk0iNGKEagenjcIlwA/s1600/KKnockersYFTease.PNG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsW6czCo6sVWjHRAWO1E3OXxM3VdU4Hr8VZMeTxPt5Tv6QJ9mUCG5qoGXPQ6gja5Otc_4tHX7n9IXuJsWfYiDq_Opo-aNzspARVC4dgY1W9kaNR8Jl9ACk0iNGKEagenjcIlwA/s320/KKnockersYFTease.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478600877630440994" border="0" /></a><br />April was contacted by Yarn Forward magazine and forwarded (ha) them onto me for information on the project. I sent her a bunch of pictures and almost all the information in the article and, wouldn't you know it, I was the only party involved that didn't get a website listed. Anyhoo, the article is in Yarn Forward Issue 26, check it out!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-65023342382316418022010-06-02T22:46:00.000-07:002010-06-02T23:08:46.307-07:00UnderstandingBoy, it has been a long time. Months and months to be precise but not exact. I'm going to level with the two people who have not yet unsubscribed from my increasingly neglected blog.<br /><br />I was seduced.<br /><br />Blogging, even in my limited capacity, without regular features or even regular publishing, can be a lot of work. On the other hand, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> boards and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a> don't even require full sentences, let alone cognitive thought. So I got lazy and, with a few sweet words and a little tickle under the chin, I was reduced to quick-and-dirty one-liners. Before I knew it I was having to be careful about what I said because I was being broadcast directly to coworkers: superiors and subordinates, far-flung family members, and random acquaintances I linked up with during my brief flirtation with Farmville.<br /><br />And for keeping up with family and friends and figuring out who's bbq I'll be <del>mooching from</del> attending, Facebook is awesome. But the blog is not necessarily for the general public. It is for me and it is for a more select audience. An audience that will flinch with me when I share the 200g of meticulously rescued laceweight cashmere that I ended up selling for a paltry $7, and understand my struggle as I submit myself to the most stringent knit-diet I have ever devised in order to finally land a spinning-wheel guilt-free. I missed you, my fellow fiber nuts.<br /><br />So I'm back, hopefully for good but we're far too smart to bank on that, right? I'll go into the diet and share about my latest and last (fingers crossed) surgery another time. Thanks for hanging in there or just showing up out of the blue. Cheers!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-62769465424420392242009-12-20T22:52:00.000-08:002009-12-20T23:02:27.630-08:00The Inappropriate Sweater StoryLast Wednesday night the Husboy and I were reminiscing about our past Christmases together and what we had gotten for each other each year. At some point the conversation went like so:<br /><br />Me: "What about your sweater I knit you?"<br />Him: "Oh yeah! I love that sweater!"<br />Me: "You've never worn it."<br />Him: "But the weather is perfect for it now."<br />Me: "Ha, you don't even know where it is."<br />Him: "What?"<br />Me: "You don't know where it is."<br />Him: "Yes I do, I think it's in the closet somewhere."<br />Me: "I'll tell you what. It's 7:02. If you can find it by 7:05 I will give you $50 dollars and (insert special marital activity here).<br /><br />Poor thing didn't find it until 7:15, but he wore it out afterward and received many compliments. Little consolation for him, lots of giggling for me.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-20860017608703248222009-12-16T07:09:00.000-08:002009-12-16T07:43:37.195-08:00CrafTea & Coffee Too<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjQtuptGGz2E7AlbR19yifHBc-0BZ-tfDtEA81xTOxR-CesAnsE4JY3wlMJBFAfqotFJ1nUQt4yMgeyrawQVI2MOtyOEFmfczjZWcRfeNTLNQsCNEr5go1KhJZrifmAGHQhBh/s1600-h/OPEN+HOUSE+FRIDAY,+NOVEMBER+20.jpg">This semester I took marketing communications and small business entrepreneurship at </a><a href="http://www.lbcc.edu/">LBCC</a>. One of the best things about taking these classes at once is that I needed to build a dummy company for the small business class and I needed to build a dummy advertising campaign for the marketing class, so a lot of my research was utilized twice. Holy efficient use of time and energy, Batman!<br /><br />The company I set up (academically, not IRL) was called CrafTea & Coffee Too, a crafting studio with an indie cafe attached to it. Think of a place where you can get a great cup of coffee, a cranberry-oatmeal cookie, AND try out spinning wheels or take a scrapbooking class. Yeah, I got a little warm and fuzzy too.<br /><br />I wanted to share the ads that I made up for the campaign. I <del>stole</del> fairly used for academic purposes without permission all of the images in the ads (remember, the store doesn't really exist) and will give credit where I am able:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa1WaT7CWV3gnbrxKDH7s0C1NRkKUN9Wex5baOtK3ASafqyDyLMSX_OWm9KxxCoJz8fZeIy18sJrvf6sxlMY1nBQCCj7kwVumLyv8xA_GT_WKecmFRW7MhU-7hwXdxrBVqhM9/s1600-h/PerfectDay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa1WaT7CWV3gnbrxKDH7s0C1NRkKUN9Wex5baOtK3ASafqyDyLMSX_OWm9KxxCoJz8fZeIy18sJrvf6sxlMY1nBQCCj7kwVumLyv8xA_GT_WKecmFRW7MhU-7hwXdxrBVqhM9/s320/PerfectDay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415854489881442818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Picture Copyright 2008 Stephanie Pearl-McPhee: <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2008_01.html">http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2008_01.html</a></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjQtuptGGz2E7AlbR19yifHBc-0BZ-tfDtEA81xTOxR-CesAnsE4JY3wlMJBFAfqotFJ1nUQt4yMgeyrawQVI2MOtyOEFmfczjZWcRfeNTLNQsCNEr5go1KhJZrifmAGHQhBh/s1600-h/OPEN+HOUSE+FRIDAY,+NOVEMBER+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjQtuptGGz2E7AlbR19yifHBc-0BZ-tfDtEA81xTOxR-CesAnsE4JY3wlMJBFAfqotFJ1nUQt4yMgeyrawQVI2MOtyOEFmfczjZWcRfeNTLNQsCNEr5go1KhJZrifmAGHQhBh/s320/OPEN+HOUSE+FRIDAY,+NOVEMBER+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415854491127601602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Here's where it gets tricky; I snagged a lot of these images from Google image search and did not think enough to keep track of the original sources. I know at least the star candles are from Better Homes and Gardens: <a href="http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/crafts/quick-and-easy-holiday-crafts/?page=1">http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/crafts/quick-and-easy-holiday-crafts/?page=1</a><br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5s03J3aEoHSc_NH8X_wuUkZEvToHt3ruQ6Gu3ugRZfVDDUhe4_v4YmXDJiJVAd0YOGbnUzqS3_raFPCh97rI3wwhXJCJ_JbMJh3ZwMtZ-WHxMdACBJcyJhvzhK4ZM6onRQWn/s1600-h/STOP+WONDERING.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5s03J3aEoHSc_NH8X_wuUkZEvToHt3ruQ6Gu3ugRZfVDDUhe4_v4YmXDJiJVAd0YOGbnUzqS3_raFPCh97rI3wwhXJCJ_JbMJh3ZwMtZ-WHxMdACBJcyJhvzhK4ZM6onRQWn/s320/STOP+WONDERING.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415854483423089778" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Same thing here. I am ashamed of my academic malfeasance, so if you can identify any of these images please let me know so I can correctly identify the source.<br /></span></div><br />Next time, the best color wheel ever.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-59722101093218013652009-12-11T23:50:00.001-08:002009-12-12T00:43:04.321-08:00Knitting on MedicationI am home recovering from last weekend's reconstructive surgery, which went splendidly! Between the stress and the pain medications and the simple fact that, when giving something small and knitted, colorwork is always impressive, I am happy to report that I had the foresight to start a few felted bags before the big day. Why felted bags?<br /><br /><ol><li>Felted bags are usually pretty small projects that use mondo needles.</li><li>Felting projects are an easy, fast way to burn through some of those half-skeins of wool lazing around the stash.</li><li>Felting is very forgiving in times when your gauge may be, well, less than perfect.</li></ol>I have not uploaded any pictures lately, but I've been loving the <a href="http://worksforyarn.blogspot.com/2006/09/ballband-bag-recipe.html">Ballband Bag Recipe</a> from Monica Knits and the <a href="http://www.helloyarn.com/miniskulltote.htm">Mini Skull Tote</a> from Hello Yarn. Of course, my tried-and-true staple pattern is the <a href="http://www.blacksheepbags.com/booga_bag.html">Booga Bag</a> from Black Sheep Bags.<br /><br />I've been trying not to buy any more yarn until I can fit the yarn I have back in to the storage I have, but I was thwarted three times recently; once by the <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/">Loopy Ewe</a> (free <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/fun-accessories/romney-ridge/romney-ridge-2010-calendar/">Romney Ridge 2010 Calendar</a> for Loopy Groupies snagged me, but not in time to get a <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/patterns/spillyjane-knits/swedish-fish-mittens/">Swedish Fish mitten pattern</a> before they sold out).<br /><br />Another shop that pinched me was up by my cardiologist's office (don't even get me started on the cardiologist) was Ursula's Yarn Boutique in Santa Ana. The shop is a crowded mess and Ursula, the proprietress, was not too happy to see me coming in twenty minutes before closing, but she warmed up to me once we found out we were both breast cancer survivors. I can't leave a local yarn shop without buying something, so I picked up a few skeins from the ample 40% off section.<br /><br />Before that I ran into <a href="http://www.dailyfiberyarn.com/">Daily Fiber Yarn</a> in Murrieta on my way up to see my father before I spent the weekend in the hospital. The store layout was impressive and easy to navigate, the owner Debbie was an absolute joy to talk with, and she also had a very impressive clearance section where I picked up Wendy Keele's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Poems-Color-Wendy-Keele/dp/1883010128/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260607201&sr=8-1">Poems of Color</a> for 50% off, score!<br /><br />I'm hoping to post more now that school is over and I am laid up. Next time I'll talk about my phony craft cafe and show off some ads.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-26375987314933430732009-10-10T23:58:00.000-07:002009-10-10T23:59:40.766-07:00Free Pattern - Dizzabelle Scarf<a title="View Dizzabelle Scarf Pattern on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/20900047/Dizzabelle-Scarf-Pattern" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Dizzabelle Scarf Pattern</a> <object codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="doc_519646128212026" name="doc_519646128212026" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" align="middle" height="500" width="100%" rel="media:document" resource="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=20900047&access_key=key-3zvv4apf67tav42hk8s&page=1&version=1&viewMode=" media="http://search.yahoo.com/searchmonkey/media/" dc="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=20900047&access_key=key-3zvv4apf67tav42hk8s&page=1&version=1&viewMode="> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="play" value="true"> <param name="loop" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="devicefont" value="false"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="menu" value="true"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="salign" value=""> <embed src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=20900047&access_key=key-3zvv4apf67tav42hk8s&page=1&version=1&viewMode=" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" play="true" loop="true" scale="showall" wmode="opaque" devicefont="false" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="doc_519646128212026_object" menu="true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" salign="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" height="500" width="100%"></embed> </object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-51035537764702339852009-09-21T23:12:00.000-07:002009-09-21T23:18:28.656-07:00Let's Move On, Shall We?My once momentous infatuation with Facebook has quieted down to a passing interest, but I can feel autumn coming and feel like talking, so here I am! Not that Facebook isn't fabulous; it is how I organize the new party craze that I'm developing: the Make and Munch. Make & Munch... (munches? munchies?) are just a poorly disguised way for me to make all my friends and neighbors come over so I can feed them and teach them the ways of the fiber. <br /><br />Sure, it seems like a lot of work, but imagine being able to give someone the ball of yarn instead of the finished project every year! Incredible time savings are to be had here, people!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-70440171258985503172009-04-28T23:14:00.000-07:002009-04-28T23:32:40.689-07:00The Joys of Self-InvolvementSorry, sorry. I'm still at the point that I'm either working or sleeping trying to recover from it. Not much time to knit or blog or anything... the Husboy's grandfather passed last week, so we have had a hard time of it lately. I made homemade challah for the various services, and my baby-challah drama finally paid off in some pretty decent bread:<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329995074139164306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zGpNtYTK5Z1RNsAWaQTZDf_25Txt2Hzur3cNuZZv7MOu06K4KTGRNBvoAh-d6Q-ZTzEAYTSiGbbN_uaOr_HibJoxfRa6Yqere0e3uQEQ4V21vDunlxUMm9z2uetaEqBI9B_e/s320/challa2.JPG" /></p><p align="center">The color is more realistic in the top one, but I had to show you the braiding job I did on the round one below, lousy color or no...</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329995065993586802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aj3bzBaWuqNQ7wvY5ynZJypJeR9P8RBbRTHnjJsaR8F3ZpMMbb3AaYOwvxNweO1ZXqKi3Bwts6Ax7qCuqXNQOnifL1b8wtDhsTLeVQf02tU3YK4s3OQ9gC2Ix-ZiBavcrwc2/s320/challa1.JPG" /><br />I had the honor of being with the family and holding my grandfather-in-law's hand as he passed into the next world. I can only hope to have so many loving hearts around me when I go.</p><p>In other news, I also took on a temporary training job at work, earning the nickname "Plan B" from my newest boss. This has entailed a little extra work, eating up my little extra energy. When I have any time I've been a skeining demon. I have a good two loads of recycled yarn to wash and put up in the <a href="http://knittingwoundedyarns.etsy.com/">etsy shop</a>, I just need good weather and some free time. And I bought a freakin' electric mandolin. Good news is that the strings are the same as on a violin, and I played violin in elementary school. I still suck, but it's a suckiness that doesn't sound as much like cats screwing as it did when I was eight.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329995072470533234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKislsSxGwPHvpo_FC0rYfqSCnXJxrBZ1p0LRvBBF1mGiRCc3OCHtCJRfwNewe0jKBKF5IkXIsdszrcqyehce1dNB0U2yZ1pHZzwfKB3WyiXsTP7AaVnK2768DtMnvQPQaJKFr/s320/rockbandstinker.JPG" /></p><p>Oh, and we bought Rockband when I got back from Texas. That's not helping either.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-51461492042886868772009-04-08T11:56:00.000-07:002009-04-08T12:15:07.594-07:00Deep in the HeartWow, it has been just about forever since I've blogged, right? I swear I've sat at the computer almost every day intending to blog and... nothing. So, for being so patient, I have a story:<br /><br />Once upon a midnight dreary a knitter was sitting around after a long drive home from work waiting for her husband to come home from the graveyard shift. As she sat and read and thought about napping, the house phone began to ring. Mildly irritated by the phone that only telemarketers and other weirdos call ringing so late at night, the knitter decided to ignore it.<br /><br />But the phone kept ringing.<br /><br />And ringing.<br /><br />And ringing.<br /><br />Until the knitter, fully prepared to give the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">persistent</span> telemarketer/weirdo the riot act, picked up the phone and heard: "Is The Knitter there?"<br /><br />The voice on the other end of the line ended up being one of the knitter's long-lost sisters (though opinions do differ on which one of us was long-lost). It turns out that the sister had been trying to find the knitter (who knew she'd be in the phone book?) for months and months and had been calling the listed number when no one was home and had decided to try one more time just when the knitter was home reading and contemplating a nap.<br /><br />So, when the Knitter got sick, not one but two sisters came to visit her, just in case (though no one mentioned the "just in case" part). Once the knitter got better, she went out to Texas to visit not two but three sisters. It was the first time all of them had ever been in the same room and all were pleased to discover that they were a lot alike and even liked each other, especially the part about the knitter usurping the position of the youngest sister.<br /><br />So the knitter discovered that she wasn't quite so alone in the world as she thought she was, and the sisters probably discovered that they are much more like their mother than previously suspected, since her four daughters are so alike.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-21365588239709825832009-03-13T12:05:00.000-07:002009-03-13T12:07:12.088-07:00We Appreciate Your PatienceThank you for visiting the Knitting Wounded blog. All of our bloggers are currently busy either sleeping or working or doing something IRL that the blogger thinks "man, this is so blogworthy" but never makes it onto the blog.<br /><br />We appreciate your patience. Blogging will resume shortly. Thank you!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-41906065107529094952009-02-03T13:29:00.000-08:002009-02-03T13:54:37.070-08:00It's A Good LifeIt has been brought to my attention (repeatedly) that it has been a while since I've blogged. I can only say that the wonder-fullness of my life lately has been to blame, but when I start getting "reminded" by people "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">irl</span>", it's time to get to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bloggin</span>'.<br /><br />I started work about three weeks ago, and I am actually having a wonderful time. The people I work with have been very nice overall, the hours are good, and the dude who does the scheduling has only had me working 3-4 days in a row, so I get to recuperate. Now, are there days I'd rather be sitting in bed watching trash television and knitting? Hells yeah. Then I remember that I have hair now, and with great hair comes great responsibility, so I put on my stockings and a nice shirt and go out into the world.<br /><br />I was in a bit of a sock-knitting funk for a while, but now that I am once again working a job that creates no tangible product I am once again knitting socks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eAV9lUcPtA2VmyIdcW2wzKc4HoS6NnBrEuQ185WeWUh6qJmHI8oYTj7sozZWrw-yVSUxBh9USrn5CGiYnMETU02YwvEnHZlrL59SOkRy2nXPcU0q-EEcNasoeYcVtUHT2Xla/s1600-h/100_2055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eAV9lUcPtA2VmyIdcW2wzKc4HoS6NnBrEuQ185WeWUh6qJmHI8oYTj7sozZWrw-yVSUxBh9USrn5CGiYnMETU02YwvEnHZlrL59SOkRy2nXPcU0q-EEcNasoeYcVtUHT2Xla/s320/100_2055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298688803348701186" border="0" /></a><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Husboy</span> wanted cables, so my baby gets cables. I haven't done top-down socks for a while, but this is turning out to be loads of fun. I may put out the pattern if there's any interest.<br /><br />I also started a sweater for myself, the <a href="http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/?p=823">B-Side Cardigan</a> out of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Telemark_YD5420152.html">Curry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Telemark</span></a> I picked up a while back while it was on clearance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGx8X864vM5L5_9EFWKcwSwf8olgnhCtsa_zBsw8Led4WrjM3aLO9QLx-J7RZkKVCx-4YX1ExiQqgG-X4JT3aXv_v7l2NhkI6cQcltqJMJ21dUK3wOgaV-zkKrYHVPPMODUzJ/s1600-h/100_2054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGx8X864vM5L5_9EFWKcwSwf8olgnhCtsa_zBsw8Led4WrjM3aLO9QLx-J7RZkKVCx-4YX1ExiQqgG-X4JT3aXv_v7l2NhkI6cQcltqJMJ21dUK3wOgaV-zkKrYHVPPMODUzJ/s320/100_2054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298688808376646002" border="0" /></a><br />I knit and washed a gauge swatch (gasp) and could not get the 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sts</span>/inch gauge the pattern calls for without going to US1 needles. Yuck, no. So I'm knitting with US3's at 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sts</span>/inch, did some math, and viola!, I am following the directions for a smaller sweater and will get one that fits me. Bonus: fewer stitches=less work. I will need a longer Addi Turbo to whip this bad boy out, but I can probably pick that up in Pasadena when we go check out a culinary school for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">HusBoy</span>.<br /><br />And although I feel terrible about it (and have been called filthy names besides), I will be missing the annual Knitting Wounded and <a href="http://www.bobslamelife.com/">Bob's Lame Life</a> dual-birthday shindig this year. I normally wouldn't miss this event for the world, but apparently <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events.php">Stitches West</a> is even better than the world. So, if any of you will also be in Santa Clara that weekend, don't forget to say hey. I'll be the one with short, curly hair and a Happy Birthday pin from Disneyland. I wonder if they'll write "Knitting Wounded" on there for me?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-13760923433547301592009-01-05T10:37:00.000-08:002009-01-05T10:58:02.194-08:00Things I Have Learned So FarI know that 2009 is young yet, but it's never too early to learn something:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) There are Knitters everywhere.</span> I went to a New Year's party at the girls' house (finally "legally" married, yahoo!) and met someone wearing socks in a pattern and yarn I had used, though not in conjunction. Of course, I wore store-bought socks and was not nearly as impressive (lesson: always wear your best socks to parties). The best part? The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Husboy</span> recognized <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTreptilianlace.html">Reptilian Lace socks</a> without the beads. Despite his gigantic feet, he's a keeper.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) Semantics matter.</span> According to the insurance company, I was as good as cured as soon as the ball dropped New Year's Eve. Although nothing really changed at that moment, I have been feeling much better. I've even been busting my rear on the skates I received for Hanukkah. Sorry, no pictures. I am so glad I asked for a week of vacation to enjoy my newly declared wellness.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44PE3f6B8RtbZgZhk7lpTNB4GB39S6-tY9l6GjY2sjx121bcbBkHrZo4EC0pRZ__UdJgsKx9HATLAfn-p7gFZrx3oeqH1NAPu6XsAmrw8pnJfSs5fUqgKduKKZGwJyWpYJvER/s1600-h/Cozy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44PE3f6B8RtbZgZhk7lpTNB4GB39S6-tY9l6GjY2sjx121bcbBkHrZo4EC0pRZ__UdJgsKx9HATLAfn-p7gFZrx3oeqH1NAPu6XsAmrw8pnJfSs5fUqgKduKKZGwJyWpYJvER/s320/Cozy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287885692815879154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) Stinker spelled backwards is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Reknits</span>.</span> Sometimes having a nerdy husband works out.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-84220900120354237232009-01-03T18:33:00.000-08:002009-01-03T18:43:37.270-08:00Knitting Wounded Yarns LiveI am super-duper happy to report that <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6103194">Knitting Wounded Yarns</a> is up and running! I still have a ton of stuff to put up and do, but the first wave of yarn is up for your perusing pleasure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19290666"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhxoTt_0wvAo0LhJaLfrccGXSYx04Xe7znLzZHsT6TH-g32DnxEYeccxG1FVqLwHSGLTkPi40fBXtKTHX2GTaMKCqIPekxVXO-Xpl9w-e9EpbrV5iuEZ6e93Wb0ljcJfm7Iu4/s320/lbrm002_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287262843559635938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19283310"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1T9AZMKpozTnhkpp3Q511YISYkTU0CZCb_9PJxhaV4spbekeQ099T5wpAgawgg8bOtp7VJft7fn8IopCq20QVtraVHFZJXaZVWFO_i2y8HBu6bWXSC-GfCO9YCqeSsrB4S_aY/s320/oclb003_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287262835163563890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19281322"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOdZgSE9q7JZX-CRjs0Lu9lkTm7QezhU1FRhGe-Utrkrct0PX02naN6sokXQtFIUqD-jl-BL2bNlhQTKwW4Bj3Mu34jHynfFyInMDFwODL8FfghStGsQS4LiznCV4AiKRJ1Oz/s320/allb005_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287262827247175730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And, because we loves our blog readers, put "Husboy" in the comments for free shipping in January.<br /><br />Regular blogging will return soon. Happy New Year and Happy Knitting!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-55362984638202824782009-01-01T22:35:00.000-08:002009-01-05T10:59:23.721-08:00Finished Projects 2008<ul><li>Fawn Evangelines</li><li>Brown Evangelines</li><li>Garbo Garden Hat</li><li>Olive Spaced Chocolate Beanie</li><li>Blue Spaced Chocolate Beanie</li><li><a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuefall04/knittyF04surp.pdf" target="_new">Shedir</a></li><li>TKGA Level 1 Project - Hat</li><li>Claret Yorick</li><li>Black Cherry Yorick</li><li>TKGA Level 1 Swatches</li><li>Big Airy Scarf</li><li>Not Secret Airy Scarf</li><li>Alpaca Hand Warmers</li><li>Misti Hand Warmers</li><li>Ribbed Blue Socks</li><li>Death by Discount Rowan Hat</li><li>Bespoke Pillow</li><li>Secret Airy Scarf</li><li>Moose Hat<br /></li><li>Circular Stockinette Scarf</li><li>Glossy Baby Socks</li><li>Green Baby Booga</li><li>Baby Vogs</li><li>Pretty Pink Vogs</li><li>Beaded Diamond Fantasy Shawl</li><li>Blue Booga Bag</li><li>Chocolate Almond Short Sox</li><li>Becka 'Vog On Socks</li><li>Calmer Tit-Bit (C)</li><li>Kyoto Tit-Bit (D)</li><li>Kyoto Tit-Bit (C)</li><li>One noRow Scarf</li><li>Raspberry F&F Socks</li><li>Kyoto Clapotis</li><li>Snail</li><li>Lion Raglan</li><li>Scrappy WoTA Bag</li><li>Red Chapeau Marnier for Knit for the Cure</li><li>Baby Booga Bag</li><li>Chapeau Marnier</li><li>Yet Another Swell</li><li>Red-Hot Jaywalkers</li><li>Binary Hat for Hat Attack</li><li>Reptilian Lace Socks</li><li>HusBoy's Swell</li><li>Hand Dyed Baby Socks</li></ul><div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-69826086286098002122008-12-29T00:48:00.000-08:002008-12-29T01:11:32.016-08:00HolidazeOne of these days I will have a post that's not just a photo montage. Today is not one of those days.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdyttr_LuLohX21A92VM0cs7JOUYEr5nktCAVbpr3tfzgon-1_xjK3O1pAFEA5LXbbUYdeDozLU1sZRdyWWeqRBinI3euGOgfjM4QQKMnx7YbzAsPGUSrSOW8NE8aPjgiL5ua/s1600-h/spagnmeat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdyttr_LuLohX21A92VM0cs7JOUYEr5nktCAVbpr3tfzgon-1_xjK3O1pAFEA5LXbbUYdeDozLU1sZRdyWWeqRBinI3euGOgfjM4QQKMnx7YbzAsPGUSrSOW8NE8aPjgiL5ua/s320/spagnmeat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285132575111607266" border="0" /></a>Spaghetti was returned to his home in time for Christmas, and though we expect he will make a full recovery, he does not have enough feathers to go outside yet. The less scruffy-looking bird is Meatball, Spaghetti's bird-raised nest mate, brother, and protector. I was a little afraid that they would not get along, but they seem to remember each other. Whenever I went to see how they were doing, Meatball would try to get between Spaghetti and I while Spaghetti tried to get near me in hopes of getting fed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa2PPrLAtaqokwSsVnNqN6tLogRS8EQY94cexSVOoWJXiwS3DhHbuXgHN0eemB8iMoLEhmaCIa7uY3AStqL3Rl9ycmQ4Zz-qsa_Yu7TMkxc1wcEZxbFPUXRoq9pNXvKXINgG-/s1600-h/idyllwildsmall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa2PPrLAtaqokwSsVnNqN6tLogRS8EQY94cexSVOoWJXiwS3DhHbuXgHN0eemB8iMoLEhmaCIa7uY3AStqL3Rl9ycmQ4Zz-qsa_Yu7TMkxc1wcEZxbFPUXRoq9pNXvKXINgG-/s320/idyllwildsmall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285132578153469458" border="0" /></a>The Husboy and I had an adventure day up in Idyllwild to enjoy the snow and try out our woolys. Yes, he has his Swell on backwards; we didn't notice until we were back in the car, trying to get some traction on the ice so we could head home and defrost.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUCYAgNt5drrKmzBjtIF3Z3y8TPKjY3kps2Tly4X7X5bgEFQ1Gg3N7BTQSKFYQp6jeWN9zQbZa2uxJ75DLUI7zufZRGCreQI2uEj5T9ZbRsibbPS_-KrUpZbnl_6_bCZk6MbF/s1600-h/dontstand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUCYAgNt5drrKmzBjtIF3Z3y8TPKjY3kps2Tly4X7X5bgEFQ1Gg3N7BTQSKFYQp6jeWN9zQbZa2uxJ75DLUI7zufZRGCreQI2uEj5T9ZbRsibbPS_-KrUpZbnl_6_bCZk6MbF/s320/dontstand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285132570641646018" border="0" /></a>And one of the reasons I love my father. For those without ladders (I am one, don't laugh), the sticker between my dad's feet says: "Do Not Stand at or above this level. YOU CAN LOSE YOUR BALANCE.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2oabzM8QHwMWeVXCQSqWw0D4ovli_4Fml6cf9QhzDm4iZ4OTK6SQ7CLgoAIUHC6iPKePwc8E8AF2MWshWDsk1STAu9QMq7DfPYvZthRIXBgWXsT8j8fgJp1UCMvcvvLaXunC/s1600-h/fawnev1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2oabzM8QHwMWeVXCQSqWw0D4ovli_4Fml6cf9QhzDm4iZ4OTK6SQ7CLgoAIUHC6iPKePwc8E8AF2MWshWDsk1STAu9QMq7DfPYvZthRIXBgWXsT8j8fgJp1UCMvcvvLaXunC/s320/fawnev1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285136798974041970" border="0" /></a><br />I am also happy to report only one holiday knitting disaster: I gave my step-mum an elbow length Evangeline with an IOU for the second. On our last night visiting I am knitting away and run out of yarn. One row, a bind-off, and a thumb away from completion. So much for stash-busting.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-91033251936080554692008-12-24T11:25:00.000-08:002008-12-24T11:26:53.796-08:00Wyoming 62 UCLA 113If anyone was watching the <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=200812230606">UCLA basketball game last night</a> and saw a woman with short dirty blonde hair knitting up a storm in the audience, it was me. <br /><br />Happy Holidays, and may your IOU's be few.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19349363.post-13986685753777510362008-12-22T22:31:00.001-08:002008-12-22T23:09:09.265-08:00Why I Haven't BloggedIf there is anything at all you can expect from this blog, it is excuses. This post is no exception; in fact, it is all excuses for why I haven't been a good blogger:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5MpGp3ZcFtkXVdVTWpJDwhHWABbSj4w0sNDJgOODjQFtlCAHMOpUyPAjxGlwqCoOfDZWiJaDfaF1cGd511xz2BnYEJOPyB6O_sBLNI40rpV8Afdox7zbijj3hGPgmkxlIozr/s1600-h/garbofinished.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5MpGp3ZcFtkXVdVTWpJDwhHWABbSj4w0sNDJgOODjQFtlCAHMOpUyPAjxGlwqCoOfDZWiJaDfaF1cGd511xz2BnYEJOPyB6O_sBLNI40rpV8Afdox7zbijj3hGPgmkxlIozr/s320/garbofinished.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282871808280240098" border="0" /></a>According to <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ravelry</span></a>, I am the only person on Earth to actually finish knitting the Greta Garbo Garden hat from <a href="http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/Lace_Style/toc.asp">Lace Style</a>. Unfortunately, it won't be getting to my sister by Christmas, as the box I needed to pack it in ended up too big to be sent priority without investing a considerable sum.<br /><br />Speaking of the holidays...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgl6YI8kOQ9gzQn5EtP_QfSBHRYHPmRbMzLAedUWONjeAhjSAqVp_GB7WsObskm8y7aep1T7TZKPf4TwyAjfkKcIPrmRwWb1uZSKSLxZoCG-CDBI_CnGEq_M9x4-x7IByT-cvx/s1600-h/chrismukkah2008_001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgl6YI8kOQ9gzQn5EtP_QfSBHRYHPmRbMzLAedUWONjeAhjSAqVp_GB7WsObskm8y7aep1T7TZKPf4TwyAjfkKcIPrmRwWb1uZSKSLxZoCG-CDBI_CnGEq_M9x4-x7IByT-cvx/s320/chrismukkah2008_001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282871648926400034" border="0" /></a>The various holidays we celebrate during this fabulous winter season have kept me on my toes, as has the economic downturn that unexpectedly turned the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Husboy</span> into a Houseboy. Don't worry, we're sure he will get something new soon (if I don't kill him before I go back to work myself). In the meantime he has picked up all the cooking and did all the holiday cookie baking this year.<br /><br />I have done an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">unprecedented</span> amount of holiday knitting (see the Evangeline mitts, knitted last-second for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HusBoy's</span> grandmother's Hanukkah present below). I have pictures of the hemp <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dishcloths</span> I knitted for my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">grandmum</span> on my cell, but darned if I remember how to get them off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSVocGnMERdj19koj7CYce62D8wHGgygLlb4CyqHBoTOysOexsDRt4ktOX4eZQ2qT5NvvLgDjnnFpPecyoNX3C-niqVCHLQYLR6CsdMnbBM2gBZ1ZJ798bYH1xhOIEbZa2MnU/s1600-h/brownevangeline.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSVocGnMERdj19koj7CYce62D8wHGgygLlb4CyqHBoTOysOexsDRt4ktOX4eZQ2qT5NvvLgDjnnFpPecyoNX3C-niqVCHLQYLR6CsdMnbBM2gBZ1ZJ798bYH1xhOIEbZa2MnU/s320/brownevangeline.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282871649212454258" border="0" /></a>Another thing to note in this picture is the "new" storage bench in the background. I picked a Lane cedar storage bench from the local rescue mission thrift store for about sixteen dollars. I then took it to my dad's, where we proceeded to rip off the broken bottom support, strip, stain, carve and attach new feet, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">reupholster</span> the seat. It still looks a bit beat up, but along with the various materials this fabulous and functional beauty cost me less than $50. It pays to know your way around the power tools.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPCi6XjZvifZxXpudnaxIGTyZLhAst2ful4ZRlXwecexM5LRTPS9Rt7fFmvkoVF0kEJiSImB7pKpVxJoeIEyHEj-lk_Y87M-hxbu4ony0qMKrzx_mjk9DD0okeCV-8mtzXZkh/s1600-h/Spaghetti001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPCi6XjZvifZxXpudnaxIGTyZLhAst2ful4ZRlXwecexM5LRTPS9Rt7fFmvkoVF0kEJiSImB7pKpVxJoeIEyHEj-lk_Y87M-hxbu4ony0qMKrzx_mjk9DD0okeCV-8mtzXZkh/s320/Spaghetti001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282871653355777682" border="0" /></a>This is Spaghetti. The yellow stuff around Spaghetti is splattered baby food. Spaghetti is a baby dove (pigeon, whatever) who got his little head nearly pecked in by another pigeon in the enclosure. His mum, probably seeing him as a lost cause and wanting to ensure the survival of his sister, decided to stop feeding him. When Dad and I found the little guy we thought he was dead. If he hadn't moved his little beak when he did we would have buried him (I'm not kidding; Dad had his shovel out). I took on the job of Mommy and am proud to say that the little dude is much better. We have introduced him to solid foods and have flying lessons every day. He will be going home Christmas Eve, and we have every faith in his successful re-entry into dove society.<br /><br />And finally, I have been bitten by the <a href="http://s2.molehillempire.com/garden/index.php?mode=view&user=4804002">Molehill Empire</a> and <a href="http://www.atlasquest.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">letterboxing</span></a> bug. <a href="http://www.limenviolet.com/">Lime 'n' Violet</a> screws me again.<br /><br />Happy Holidays!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't Pick At It, You'll Just Make It Worse...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07506776739873097926noreply@blogger.com1