Place Me On Your Shelf

Recently i visited my mom for mothers day by amtrak. Having taken greyhound, megabus, and car, I can safely say that I prefer amtrak. I takes me straight into my mom’s neighboring town and makes it easy on both of us.

I helped a little bit with a beagle rescue fundraiser, but i didnt do as well as everyone hoped. It started out alright, but I couldnt complete the full task. I did help some, so overall I still feel good.

How was your Mother’s Day?
Have you ever had a time where you fell short of expectations? How did you handle it?

At the end of this week, I get the wonderful opportunity to travel to meet some long-time friends of mine. They’re married by law now, but there will be a few-day long celebration/vacation happening. I’m really excited to see them again.

I plan to visit a few places in the times between celebration. I have a little travel booklet as well. Maybe journal some. I’ll have to scan pages in later, but this is something i’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

I plan to knit like a fiend while on buses and such. Let’s see what comes of it!

A few people who follow me on facebook will already know that I’m heading to New York City soon. I got excessively excited, and purchased a travel prompt journal. It’s a great little book, don’t get me wrong, but the cover just really wasn’t my thing. It’s cute, sure! But not very… hmm… PMOYS, if you catch my drift.

So I broke out the PH balanced glue, my cutting mat, paperknife, and a few odds and ends. I love the inside of the book so much, why can’t I love the outside? Ta-da!

Nice and smooth. I’m pretty amused about it, being my first book recovering and all. The back of it was a little difficult due to the elastic closure, but I managed to make it work.

I also picked up (21 days to healthy living), another prompt journal. Can you tell I’m on a kick? I want to be eating healthier, even though I’ll be splurging a bit in NYC.  Speaking of, isn’t it odd that Pittsburgh is just… so uncity-like in comparison to NYC?

On a different topic, the challenge posted by ThePaganKnitter is coming along well, for me personally and for most participants. I’m really excited. I’ve completed 1/3 of my spinning. The knitting, however… seems to be taking a backseat to all that life has in store. I want to complete it. However, I also need to finish up another project. Maybe it will be a better summer project, so I’ll have it for next fall. Who knows. What do you think of my yarn?

It’s good to know that someone appreciates my knitting. Or at least that he is a camera-hog. In the last podcast I mentioned these socks. Well, they’re done!

I’m really thrilled. They’re my first pair of COMPLETED knitted socks, and although they are simple, they are pretty darn warm in these chilly Pittsburgh winters.

That’s really all I have for today, so hopefully next time will be a bit more substantial.

I started up a podcast and am hosting it on Podbean.

I really dislike fiber follies the more I think about it. Follies just rolls off my tongue wrong. Hmph.

Music: Kitten Knitting Blues – Jacob Haller

Projects:
Knitting – Truffle Cardigan Recipe : Dulle Griet; Yarn : Cascade Eco in colorway 8020
Knitting – Detailed Toe Up Socks : Wendyknits.net; Yarn : Done Roving Yarns “Frolicking Feet” in Mandarin Lime colorway
Spinning  - Mountain Colors Roving in Lupine.

My most recent adventures have been a little bit tame. I visited my family over the holidays. I received a lot of mail, and made a few *not-so-secret* bids on ebay items. I will be the new mommy of a Louet Victoria Spinning wheel soon. I am SO excited. New spinnings to follow soon!

In other news, I am trying to think of a way to keep this blog going. I very much love it, and it’s been here a while… But I feel like I need a gimmick now. I don’t want to just whine at you. That’s not fair for either of us, is it? Let’s see if I can’t get the creative juices flowing and find a way to keep the wheel spinning.

Ah, I always seem to do this, don’t I? Well, I disappeared this time for a GOOD reason. I got a new position as a receptionist in a Veterinary Hospital. I also am managing their wordpress blog.

I suppose in other news, I’m trying to use up all my crafting supplies in my spare time. I’m trying VERY hard not to have to buy any more supplies, but… Sometimes you need to go out for that zipper, and the clearance fabric is staring you down… So far so good though. Christmas is coming up. Yule just happened with the local group. Hannukah is Tuesday. Everywhere you go, there is wonderful decoration and lights, and people hurrying along, weighted down with bags upon bags of belongings. It really does bring out the best and worst in people. I’ve seen some beautiful deeds lately, along with some horrible misdeeds.

Current reading is House of Leaves. Current knitting is still the epic Dr. Who scarf.

Two intense days of cross-stitching later (and a newly purchased pressure glove), I’ve “finished” the IT crowd commission. After this, I intend not to take any more commissions. I say finished in quotes because I need to know if they want the blue flourishes on it.

Next in my queue of things to finish is that blasted Dr. Who scarf. Did you know there are support groups for it on ravelry? It’s that daunting of a project. I lose motivation after so much garter stitch, you know?

After that is the Kyuubey Scarf, and then skirts, needle-holders, mittens, and then I can start on Christmas… maybe…

This morning was my official restart of the Truffle Cardigan project. I loved it when I saw the pattern on Ravelry. When I discovered it was only a recipe, I was a little bit sad. I resolved right there to learn how to do it. It’s that gorgeous to me. However, it’s taken me NEARLY A YEAR to figure out how to do short rows and cables together. If  nobody believes that knitting is math, then they should try cabling a yoke sideways. Yikes. I’m currently using Cascase Eco Wool + in Charcoal Grey. (I even special ordered it for this cardigan!) I’m still not sure if I’m doing a lace edging on it or not.

I have other things I need to be working on though. Since I finally nailed that formula, I want to plug away at stitches on the cardigan, but I have two scarves and cross-stitch to complete. So I’m going to write notes on the yoke, and get those other things done first.

On the subject of responsibility, you know what gears me up lately? An anime. Yep. 花咲くいろは (hana-saku iroha) is adorable! It’s about dreams, finding yourself, and responsibility. It really tugs on my heartstrings. Those are all things I need to learn for myself. I know that something magical like Ohana’s situation will never happen to me by accident. So… I need to make it happen, right? She… grows up. So much character development. I’m jealous, I have to say…

What you should check out from Hana-saku iroha, if you don’t just straight-out watch it, is the soundtrack. Mellow, inspiring, innocent, nostalgic even.

I hope next time I post I’ll have some interesting updates for  you all. Maybe a finished item or five, yes? Yell at me if I don’t post a cross-stitch, at least one scarf, and the yoke to this cardigan, okay? Oh! And a witch hat. Those things need to happen. See you again soon!

So, I’ve updated the layout of the site.

I also made a fanart for a friend’s comic. Please go see them! I’ll be visiting the creator of the comic in October for a collaboration, and to see SHINee!

I’ve got some extra time on my hands lately, and I want to get a lot pushed through my sewing room. I currently am working on the never-ending scarf, a QB scarf, a Harkness Coat, and a set of lingerie for myself. (And myriad other projects for friends! As always! When will I learn to say ‘no’?)

I’m also working on my witchy-poo outfit. Remember her? From back in ’09? She’s grown into a full-fledged alter-ego. Don’t ask me how that happened.

I’ll be sure to post pics of everything as soon as I can. I’m so excited to finally be back in the swing of things!

Uhm, as far as Otakon went, I actually managed to win the manga contest. 3 times! I’m not sure what kind of achievement that is, but it makes me feel great.  I’m considering getting an artist’s alley booth next year, but I’ll test my luck at Tekkoshocon, perhaps.

I’m going to be getting a new Deviantart soon, so I can focus more on my art and selling it. I won’t stop sewing or knitting, but I don’t think those will be primary focuses for me at the moment. I really seem to go in cycles with my hobbies. It’s unfortunate I can’t do them all at once.

If you feel like you’re familiar enough with Witchy-poo to make suggestions about her wardrobe, I’d love to hear what you have to say! She is looking for a decorative hat to go to a concert in. Glowing? Perhaps. LED lights? Perhaps. Give me your best “party” witch hat, please!