A place for me to blabbler on and on about spinning, wheels, fibers, yarns, crocheting, and such, and to offer various crochet/fiber/spinning related items for sale.

Monday, January 30, 2006

One more thing

This should crack you up,

I am currently wearing a butterfly closure on my finger and not just for fun. Why????

Because yesterday at the party I accidentally got a little overzealous with the kids scissors I was using the cut curling ribbon on the balloons!!!!! KIDS SCISSORS!!!!!


It isn't bleeding, but it's insanely deep, and gross. Just one deep straight down cut. Ugh!!!

I've got a lovely coconut, sorry but it isn't a bunch

Today I got a package in the mail from my Fiber Godmother. The note enclosed told me it was fiber, and multiple kinds, but that she didn't expect it to look like a hairy coconut! So I pulled off the tissue paper covering and saw it! Now usually I am not a big cocnut fan, but this one, I think I'll keep it. In fact I frickin love it!!!








Notice the cocnut like appearance?







Here's another picture to show the color better.


And just listen to the fiber content on this baby!
baby CAMEL
Cashmere
RACCOON
Silk
Bunny
Lambs wool
&
Mohair




Oh an everything is going perfect to order my triloom by the 10th!

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Just 3 Things

1) I am nervous as H%^^ about this Birthday Party Today. I have to get dressed be there around 1. BUT The money (among other money I've been working hard and extra time for) goes towards my tri-loom which I should be able to order Before Feb 17th!!!

2) The branching out scarf is coming along, BUT I think I might frog it. Even when I stretch it (like it will be after blocking) the design doesn't show they well. You can see there is something, but you can't really see details, and it isn't nearly as lacey as it should be. Anyone who made this scarf have an encouraging info?

3) My house suddenly smells like dog poo so bad I can hardly stand it, but I have looked EVERYWHERE and cannot find it. I have incense and 3 candles burning, and it still just reeks! Th dog doesn't seem to have any on her, she's sitting like two feet away and hasn't burped or farted that I've noticed, and I can't find a pile or so much as a quarter sized dollop. UGHHHHH!!!!!! It's driving me crazy. And exactly what am I supposed to do if I can't even find it???


Suddenly I realized I can't remember if I actually posted about the formentioned b-day party on my blog yet. So if I haven't I'll do it later.

Friday, January 27, 2006

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I had the worst day yesterday. A migraine from 11 am to ohhhhh 4 am today. Annoying customers coming out the wahzoo. And when I looked at the mail they are trying to screw us with our electric/gas bill. Supposedly the average tempature was 40, according the weather service which they said is where they get their info it was 46, and that is why we used more gas for the heater. She tried to explain, and what a dumb woman she was, that with the tempature lower this monththen last month, last month's average was 36 the lower of the two, that when our heat was on it took more gas to heat it to the right tempature. Which makes sense, I know that factually that is what happens. But how exactly does she explain that with a higher average tempature last month, two weeks of weather so warm the heat wasn't even turned on, and the heat rarely coming on for the other two, with a higher average tempature that we used more gas. Every explaination she had was butt backwards, using her lack of math ability to say this month's average was lower, or saying well maybe we got a new tv or something that used mroe energy, the problem was with the gas and last I checked tvs don't run on gas! And we didn't get anything new last month, anything that uses electricity or gas anyway. So anyway they are "investigating" our bill. I refuse to pay it. I will not pay $285 and some change for a month when we barely watched tv and the heat was off for 2 weeks!!

In work/money related news: I think everyone who reads this knows I work at AC Moore, a craft store similair (but better is so many ways) to Michaels. We have classes. Well a week or so ago I decided I want a little extra money coming in, and maybe would cave and teach classes like the classroom coordinator has asked me to. So I grab the calendars. What do I know that isn't being taught? I pondered, I read day by day the schedule for two months. And I noticed.... In Febuary there were no beading classes. So I went to the classroom and asked why. Turns out the teacher was a flake at actually scheduling classes, and the fact that she's only been beading for a year (something i know for a fact because she told me, and something the classroom corrdinator was suspectious of) we decided I might be better for the job. So I took in a big bucket of samples. And I spent the whole morning nervous. Everyone that heard I had samples in the classroom ran to look, and all morning I was hearing "Your stuff is so awesome/great/amazing/... My favorite is..." But I never have confidence in myself and my stuff, so I felt like it sucked, surely I could have done better, I know she won't want me to teach.... So she calls me in, I walk as slowly as possible, and prepare myself. Last time I attempted to teach a class in an actual store (I used to teach online classes all the time) I was so depressed afterwards, because well the lady was an idiot. So I went to the classroom and she loved it all. We talked for a minute about classes. I thought she wanted me to teach not THE beading/Jewelry class, but more like a come this day and make this project kind of thing. So I picked a few pieces I'd like to teach. Then I was talking to her the other day about what I need to teach, and I said "I know you don't want me to teach basic beading becuase you have the other lady..." and she says "Oh she doesn't teach anymore, you're the new teacher." Let me just say :0 WHAT!!??!?!? When was she planning on telling me?!?!? So ot I have to make some samples, create a slyabus, and pick two days to do them, in teh month of March by Feb 1. I'm going to do two a month 1 Basic Beading and Jewelry Making where I'll teach the basic stuff and 2 intermediate beading, where we'll complete a harder project.

I'll also be making a little extra money this weekend. We have a free "Yarn Event" Tomorrow at work, which I get overtime from 11-3 by demoing the knifty knitter. If you live near an AC Moore, you should call them and see if they are having one (they should be) and try to check it out. There will be demos of all sorts of things (they vary by store) and knitting/crochet lessons and Q&A, giveaways, 25% of all yarn and yarn doodads etc etc. Sunday I am working about 2.5 hours to do a birthday party. And easy $40!

Now in yarn/fiber news:
I started the Branching Out lace scarf. I know I already have one (thanks Tracey!) but it is the only lace project that I found that says it's easy for a beginner and I actually like the pattern. So far it's going okay. I'm only on the second pattern repeat (it says I should be able to get 27) and I've had to frog a row here and there and do it over, but it's coming along rather nicely. Knitting lace is definently more fun (and addicting) then a regular old scraf. I can't wait to sit down and work on my knit scarf. Since looking for mroe lace patterns I have discovered that I like the one with a more patterned (for example branches/leaves/etc) then the ones that are just lacey with holes or diamonds in them. Know what I mean?

Also between Feb 10th, and The end of April (whatever that exact date is) I'm not going to buy any yarn for myself. I buy yarn for my fiber goddaughter and my sp7, but not for myself. Yarn doodads are allowed, but no yarn! So I'll use up my stash more. But I can say that I will DEFINENTLY be placing a knitpicks order before 2/10! I've been wanting to work with alpaca, and also make a wool felted something, don't know what yet, so I'm buying some from there. But My SP7 or Fiber Godmother, if you're reading this it isn't against the rules for you to send me yarn! *wink wink* (laughing) See I want to try more yarn snob like yarns, but can't see to justify spending the money when I have so much yarn already. And it's just so easy for me to go to work adn buy some Lion Brand or something, and go home with yarn that day, then to order it and have to wait. I'm hoping this slight break will show me that it isn't about Quantity (okay so it is a little bit, or a lot) but that it's about Quality (which I don't just have any cheap crap yarn anyway)

I do think that that is all the updating I can do. I've been trying to post for a few days but blogger wasn't working right for me.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Hats

In the last two days I have made two hats! I started yesterday to make an earflap style hat, because I REALLY want one. So I started, picked some vintage yarn in great blue colors, and crocheted the night away. Then I looked, it was WAY to small. I guess my guage was off, I never check, and it was kid sized! I finished it anyway. Here's a pic:


It is for sale/trade/barter on the Odd Little Duck page, the link is to the right.












So after that fluke I tried again tonight. I pulled out the wooden hook my fiber godmother sent me, a size L instead of the size J called for, and crocheted all evening. This one fits, is perfect, and I just LOVEEEEEEE it! I think I might make some more. Here's my hat:


They look a lot alike. But really they aren't. Though they have the same yarns, mine uses different width rows of color, has less total stripes, a different trim color, and is well ... bigger.


I still have other projects to upload pictures of. My 4 baby hats, and my amazing shrug. I need help getting a shrug picture. We'll try for that tomorrow night. Now I must depart, to stamp some mail, go to bed, and sleep.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Well I just resubed to Spin Off. I was downstairs cleanign and found the card that said my subscription was finished. So I raced upstairs to get it back! I would have just posted then it was done and see if my SP7 spoiler would suprise me, but I thought that would not only be a little wrong, but also I might miss an issue! While I was at it I subscribed to a year of Handwoven too.

I'm having fun with the spoiling of my SP7 and Fiber Goddaughter. I don't know if I am going to do SP8. It seems like whoever I get doesn't seem to update their clog as much as I would like, or I just don't feel a nice bond with them. Know what I mean? My SP6 was ok, she updated a few times a month or so, but never felt like I really got to know her. Then I sorta feel like the same thing is happening with this one. My goddaugther on the other hand... well I feel like i just know her so well. It doesn't hurt that we are very much alike! My spoiler for SP6 was just amazing, and SP7 looks like it might be the same. So It seems that I get spoiled, but my spoilee is a little questionable.

I had something else to talk about, but I now can't remember what it was. Anyway I posted. Maybe I'll post more later.


Oh way here's a few funny quotes for this week (said by me of course)

"Oh Square candles are my favorite!!!"
"I might be a geek, and a dork, but I'm no fricken nerd!!"

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Wait!!!! Stop the pressses!!!!

I di hear from ym SP7!!!! Oh I'm sooooo sorry SP. I thought I had heard from you, then couldn't find an email or anything. Turns out the E-card IS in my inbox, I was just looking for it wrong! I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo soorrrrrryyyyyyyy!!!


Everyone my SP7 is NOT a flake, I just can't keep anything organized to save my life!!

So Muchhhhhhhh to sayyyyyyyy

So much needs to be said. But to make it quick here's a list of 10 in no pattern or order what so ever:

1) I made the coolest shrug using the Knifty Knitter loom set I finally got. I wore it to work, and felt so crowded all night from all the people "awwing" and it that I seriously considered just taking it off so they would leave me alone. I was even drug by the arm for my boss to show the classroom coordinator (aka the one that makes all the samples, displays, etc for the whole store)

2) We have a yarn event coming up at work and since I "am the only hope" of the coordinator she asked if I can try to use the Ultimate Sweater Machine at the event. If I can't work it, or for whatever reason it doesn't work out, then I'm demoing my shrug on the Knifty Knitter.

3) I recently got the required card from my Fiber Godmother, Soooooooooooooooo sorry I didn't acknowledge it sooner. It was a FAB card with a handdyed origami paper on the cover, which is just gorgeous. And the HOOK was a fab wooden (bamboo maybe?) Crochet hook enclosed to "hook me in" I dunno who my "Godmother" is, but apparently she's Punny!!! lol

4) I've had "Hope Your Better" Emails. So for those that aren't totally updated I am 100% better from my ER trip. The DR said there may be a few "weird" things as my body completes this cycle, but so far it's only been like a slight discomfort here and there. But, and this is amazing news, this month at that "time" I didn't get sick. AT ALL! For those that don't know, and most of you reading I'm sure don't, since the age of 16 I have gotten VERY sick every month. I mean pass out (among several other times, at Luray Caverns on Vacation even!!,) throw up, wish I was dead, sick. You'd have to see me to believe how bad it is. Or WAS!!??? Maybe???

5) The kit for the mini class I am taking came. The finished project will be the size of my hand. Literally the book is the size of my hand! Don't know what I'm talking about? I signed up for a class at Miniature-U for the next three months to make a TINY 1/4" scale Harry Potter based book. You can see it here: http://www.miniature-u.com/classschedule.htm It's the "A Wizard's Story Trilogy"

6) I still haven't heard from my SP7? Maybe an e-card got lost somewhere? Pal if you're reading this could you drop me a line to let me know I have a pal, that you aren't a flake, and ... I'm sure a note just got lost somewhere.

7) I'm going to sonn undertake a projec for Nick. Every year that we've been together I make some sort of project to say how much I love him. A collage, an altered book, a mini handmade book with decorated pages, anyway it's always something. Tomorrow at work I'm picking up the items for this years project. Who know how long it will take. Wanna know what it is? I can't say. What if he were to read this and see???? You'll just have to wait!

8) Hopefully I'll be getting my Tri-Loom next month. Everything should be in order for me to get it.

9) I have made 4 baby hats already! It would be more, but lately I just don't feel like doing much of anything. Pictures of them and my awesome shrug soon to come.

10) I'm about to head downstairs to spin until bed. I'll haev to read my blog tomorrow, see what has and hasn't been said, and try to updatesome more if need be.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

This, That, & SP7 questions

Recently I decided to share the fiber wealth and make stuff for charity. Me being the sucker for kids I am I decided to make baby hats/booties/blankets for preemies, and children who are sick or just poor. So I've been making a few hats.

A few weeks ago I decided I HAD to have the Knifty Knitter Loom set. And I was going to buy it at work the next day, and then we were sold out. So I waited, and waited, and waited. Over 2 weeks I waited. Then finally yesterday it came in!!! Just in time I might add to make more baby hats! I just have to have EVERYTHING that has to do with yarn and fiber!

Have I talked about my soon to be weaving loom yet? Well my Aunt, who has a loom I've been wanting to buy (we're talking a full size, 8 shaft, floor loom here) has decided that instead of selling it to me, she will loan it to me for an extended period. That way if she ever has the time to use it, she can get it back instead of having to buy another. I think it's a GREAT idea. BEcause a) she's always super busy and it'll probably be ages before she wants it back (if ever) b)I might decide to upgrade and get a new one before that day may come c) I may have picked a new hobby by then, or decided I don't like weaving. So I should be getting that. I'm also saving to buy a tri-loom next month. The one I'm going to get is 7' adjustable down to 3.5' So I can make lots of sizes. It's be super!!!!

And for some reason unknown (or not understood anyway) even to me I am serious thinking about buying a knitting machine! The "Ultimate Sweater Machine" I dunno why. But like I said I simpyl must have everything that involves yarn and fiber!

Saturday an interesting message was on the machine when I woke up. Interesting you ask? Yes! A friend I haven't seen or spoken to for about 2 years called! Wanted to get in touch, be buds again, etc etc. So I called back and so far it's going fab!

Now without futher addo the SP7 questions, so I can finish this post and go make dinner.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? I LOVE Lion Brand, but I rarely ever use Red Heart. I love novelty yarns. I would love to try different yarns, I'm just kinda cheap, so I always buy the cheaper stuff instead of fancy stuff. I'd love to try some of the higher end stuff on the market. Don't get me wrong I don't just use $2 skein stuff, but I just haven't tried the higher end stuff like Goddess, Cashmere of any kind, Silk, etc etc.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I Do spin(on spindles and my wheel,) I also crochet. While I do knit, knitting to me is very very secondary. I crochet first, knit last. Knitting to me isn't a big thing.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Umm well they are everywhere so.... I keep my hooks in both a fancy holder, well not super fancy it's a plastic thing that came with my nice set) and also in a tall MnMs tube, and some extra in a ziploc. My needles are in jars because I do have a super nice holder (provided by my lovely SP6) but I just haven't gotten around to putting stuff in it yet.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Okay. So I crochet, have known how for almost 10 years, but only actively doing it for almost a year. I'd say I'm about an advanced intermediate in crochet. In Spinning, I've been doing it about 6 months or so, I'm still a beginner, but my yarn does look good. Knitting, I've known how as far back as I can remember, but since I'm not a big fan and I hardly ever do it I'm only a beginner.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do have an amazon wishlist. I dunno the link, but I think it comes up if my name is searched.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Clean Linen, anything berry, frankincense, patchouli, mrryh, and more just nothing spicy.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Oh yeah. favorite? All of it!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Everything. I sew, make candles, make soaps, weave on a kiddie loom, collage a little, scrapbook, rubberstamp, and so much mroe. i really do everything.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like 60s & 70s music, like janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Terry Jacks, and disco. I also love cool girl music like Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Sarah Mcgluchlin (yeah I know i can't spell) Avril Lavigne, etc etc. And I like weird stuff, like polka. And yeah I think it plays MP3s.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I LOVE blue all shades, it's my ultimate fav. I also love green though, all shades of that too. I like browns, black, reds/oranges. I do HATE purple, and can hardly stand pink.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married no kids yet. Two cats and a dog.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves, oh yeah. I own several dozen. I tend to dress like a gyspy so scarves are my friend. Hats yeah. Mittens, no but gloves yes. And Ponchos- YES! I wore them even beofre they were "cool" again!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Umm I like alot. I love Lion brand Homespun, The cotton stuff, I used some Katia once, that was pretty nice, So far everythign I've tried from Knitpicks is great. I am in love with Alpaca cloud. I haven't tried as many styles as I would like.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm not a big fan of fun fur, but I still own it. I don't like the Red Heart Classic, cause it's scratchy.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Knitting Obession? Don't have one. In fact it really bugs me that all this questions are so knitting centered when this swap is for all! Crochet obsession? probably scarves. I've also been makign baby hats.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? To crochet you mean? Everything! But I only make wearble type stuff, no home decor or anything.

17. What are you knitting right now? Crocheting!!!!!!!!! This knitting thing is really buggin me! I am crocheting so many different projects it really isn't funny!

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? YEs!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Straight.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? All of thee above.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I own a ball winder, but not a swift. I tend to use a variety of chairs lol.

22. How did you learn to knit? Don't remember. To CROCHET my Mom taught me.

23. How old is your oldest UFO? A few months.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? I love the Simpsons, Family Guy, Sanrio Stuff, and others. I love cats, dogs, dolphins, sheep, and more.


25. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween.

26. Is there anything that you collect? Oh yeah. Mr Potato Head (and mrs, and Kids, and anything else Potato) Goddesses a little, fairies a little, old cool trinket boxes and jewelry boxes, weird stuff, novelties (anything that isn't the size it's supposed to be) 60's/70's stuff and more.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? CROCHET!!!!!!!!!! CROCHET magazines!!!!!!!!! None.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?There are so many yarns I want to try, there are also a ton of patterns.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not really.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Sock knitter no! But I've corhceted a few. Foot size? Big! I'll post actual measurements later.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 7/30

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Yarn.... What else?

Tonight I carded some of the wool I dyed before. Don't remember it? Well here's a peek again:
















So I carded it. I don't think I am as good at carding as I could be, but what I currently seem to make spins into a great nubby bumpy type of yarn. I did spin a tiny handful of plain wool yesterday, and I love it, but I forgot to take a picture. But I promise it's coming.


So anyway here's the two rolags/batts I made:


Which reminds me I want to come up with another name to call my rolags/batts. I dunno what, something fun, funky, funny?, and artsy sounding.






Wondering what I plan to do with them? Well I plan to spin them into thick singles, then knit them into a basic ribbed cuff style wristband. For whom? The person I drew as a secret santa at work. We are having our holiday party this Sunday( I dunno if I'm going or not) because we had Inventory in Dec, plus work in retail, so we decided to wait until everyone would be less stressed to have the party. So anyway I gotta go spin that wool, and then knit it, and hopefully finish before noon tomorrow. (So I can take it to work and leave it for my person incase I don't go Sunday they have it to open at the party) I just hope these two rolags make enough yarn. I'm always horrible at guesstimating the amount of wool/roving/yarn I need for a project.

Avatar Wars

Yahoo! Avatars



Pretty Ugly??? Yeah it could probably be uglier but it's the worst I could do! Wanna know why I would create this ugly avatar? Check it out here:

http://knottygirls.com/jenlablog/index.php?p=473

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

The Worst Lunch EVER!

Okay, so I haven't posted much since Sunday. Wanna guess why? Apparently while in the Er I picked up a horribbbbbllllleeeeee cold from somebody! I knot it must have been from there because I started feeling sick exactly three days later! (For those that don't know it takes 3 days for most viruses to incubate, and actually show syptoms) and if I had just gotten it from work I would have been sick sooner. So Since Sunday I've been doing nothing but working and sleeping. Isn't that starting to sound like that is just my life and not a irregular thing? I'm feeling slightly better now. I still have a fever, and a sore throat, and the worst congestion and runny nose, and I'm a little naseus, and, ahhh whom I kidding I don't feel any better! So anyway I have a funny story that just has to be told.

Last night despite feeling like crap I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go to our favorite chinese place. We have a chinese place across the street, one down the street not even 1/2 a mile, plus countless others in shopping centers less then 10 minutes from our house. BUT we can't go to any of those. We drive atleast 20 minutes to a nearby mall, to eat at the one in the mall, because, well, it's the best! So yesterday we went there. We ordered our usual (Nick= Honey Sesame Chicken, Me= Orange Chicken which amazing despite my orange allergy doesn't make me sick, and they use real oranges!) and I couldn't even eat half of mine, so I took it for lunch today. That is where our story begins....

So I reheat the food, and begin to eat. Wow! It's even good the second day! Most places serve food that i can't stand to eat the next day, I'm realllllly picky about the texture of my food (especially meat) and usually throw leftover Chinese away. So I eat and I eat. As I reach the middle of my wonderful chicken stash I do my best to sort out the peppers and orange pieces. There are 4 of the super red hot chili peppers, and a misc number of tiny tiny orange pieces (sure it doesn't seem to bother me, BUt there isn't any point in over doing it!) and I continue to eat. Alll the sudden I feel it. My nose is running, my eyes are watering uncontrolably! Before the world became to blurry I looked down, only 3 peppers! My mouth suddenly begins to burn. I am blowing my nose with napkin after napkin, and holding another to wipe my eyes. I can't see straight, the world is spinning, I'm almost bawling, and suddenly I hear it. The door. The door opens and someone I can't even disguise through my tears enters. "That good huh?" Pat, the wonderful, funny lady from the framing counter.

"Nooooooo," I said through tears, blowing my nose, and feeling as though the heat is going to split my chest open "I accidentally ate a hot pepper!!!!"

"Ohhhhh! Well get some water! Get some soda! Eat from Bread!! No no Milk!"
"I don't have any bread or milk." I said gulping water like I spent 5 years in a desert.
I suddenly have a brain wave! Change! I start pulling every cent out of my pocket and pushing it as fast as possible into the vending machine. My vision is so blurred I can't tell a penny from a quarter I just keep shoving it in, and hit it E1. ( Know E1 by heart!) The giant cinnamon roll, the only possible relief.

I continue to blow my nose, pat my eyes dry, and somehow sprouted two extra arms, one to chow down cinnamon bun and one to gulp a drink. Slowly, so slowly, the pain subsides slightly. Not enough to stop my eyes from watering, but enought o get back to my orange chicken.

I spent the rest of my lunch break patting my eyes drys, and feeling the super hot pepper move through my digestive system.

I leave the break room, and feel it, feel the hot pepper creating the first ever in my life case of heart burn.

I walk to the custom framing counter, "I thought you'd like to know I made it. I'm okay now."

She laughs and explains to a nearby customer "She bit into a hot pepper."

"Actually I didn't bite into it, I accidentally ate the whole thing!!"

"Oh My!" You could hear the gasp from her and several customers.

"Oh my God, a whole one!?!?!"





And on a completely different note, I carded some of my fleece today. I still need to try to spin itup, I don't know if I carded it enough. But dah dah dah!!! The debut of my very first rolag:

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Cheese & Crackers

So it's a New Year. I learned something in the last few hours of last year. For as far back as I can remember my family has had cheese and crackers on New Years. I don't remember a time when we didn't or a year that we skipped. I thought it was our thing. So last night I'm doing the annual New Years Eve cutting of the cheese, and call my parents to see what cheese they have this year, are they staying up, etc. And find out they haven't done cheese for years! To be exact this is the 3 year they weren't doing cheese. Count back with me0 This year I live up here in the house, last year I lived up here in the apartment, and the year before that we were in the hotel for New Years while Nick did some job stuff and we looked for an apartment! Turns out it isn't my families thing at all, it's mine!!! This shocking bit of info made my head spin, I felt dizzy, nauseus, the world was definently spinning faster then usual. "No cheese and crackers? I thought you guys loved it?" Sensing my upsetness my Mom sends my aunt that is visiting into cut cheese in the kitchen (yes I see the humor in that comment) so that they can all have one cheese cracker before bed! I can't believe that all these years, I was the cheese and cracker one! I made it our annual thing!!! I am the reason why my Dad would go out on New Years Eve and buy an assortment of cheese, crackers, and mustards (gotta have the mustards!) Don't get me wrong my Dad loves cheese and crackers, but the New Years thing has nothing to do with it! He did have a few cheesy crackers yesterday morning, but not for New Years, just cause he likes it! I had no idea that I was the one. This startling revelation was something I pondered until well after the ball dropped.

And about the ball dropping, I missed it!! every year (for as far back as I can remember) I would eat cheese and crackers, and watch the ball drop, never missing it. I would always be in the room, watching the TV the see the actual countdown. This year I missed it. I was pondering the cheese and crackers when I started playing a video game with Nick, a fighting one I tend to always win those, and had like 20 minutes left. Suddenly I turn around to go back to my chair after I finished playing, and see the confetti, and people kissing on TV! I Missed it!!

I did start a freeform scarf during my wait for the ball to drop. I've made about 6 motifs, I'm thinking it'll take about 50, maybe more. this is my first freeform project. My lovely SP6 Tracey sent me a Free form book during my spoildom. Thanks Tracey!! adn I'm finally starting a project. My recent 15' long Ice Queen scarf left me with some random yarn remnants I want to use. The Ice Queen was supposed to be 10'. I DIdn't formaly measure it to get started. I am 5'8 so i did a chainf rom my toe to my neck, and back down. Sounds good in theory right? Well when it was finished I measured and it's 15' long!!! It has stripes going long ways so one stripe goes the entire length of the scarf, and I worked it to make the width I wanted. It's a great scarf. So I'm using the remnant to make a free form. We'll see how it goes.

I'm going to start a fiber arts magazine. To debut in hopefully April. It's be a fun, funky, cool magazine with all sorts of stuff to see,read, feel (sample yarns attached!) and more. It isn't focused on just one fiber art, and it is just as likely to include a poem as an article or a pttern. Want more info? email me! I'll also be posting more about it sometime soon.

Happy New Year everyone!