Craftylilly

The Celebration Death March Begins

With the turn of the calendar, the Craftylilly family begins to put on our celebration caps for a very long two months.  This year it started a bit early with PQL's preschool auction.  I put a lot of work into working on the raffle piece of the auction and am very pleased that the event went well, and a good amount of money was made for the school.  Today is my parents' anniversary.  Happy Anniversary, you two!  Then we've got Mother's Day, RR's 6th birthday, my dad's birthday, RM's birthday, my birthday, Father's Day, and RM and my 10th anniversary.  You'll find me at the end of June, passed out on the couch, with a noisemaker clasped between clenched teeth, a lampshade on my head, and only the vaguest idea of what hit me. 

Due to all the celebraton prep, I haven't had much time to take pictures and share some odds and ends I'm working on.  I have been working on some things though.  I've got a wrap started for a friend of mine.  Her birthday is coming up, and I decided to knit a Lauryn wrap from the pattern and yarn that Rowan international sent me for renewing my subscription.  It's a nice knit; the dropped stitches provide some interest, but the knitting is easy.  I'm quite a bit further along than this picture shows.  I modified the pattern a bit after reading about other knitter's experiences knitting it.  I'm making it not as wide so it will be longer. 

I'm also still dabbling with chainmaille.  I just completed this little bracelet.  I took an orphan art bead, and then paired it with a "Lacey Chain" chainmaille pattern that I got from a wonderful book called Chains by Becky.  The pictures and instructions on how to work the chains are excellent.  I'm thinking of trying my hand at some other chains as outlined by this book.  Now to just find a spare moment.  *cue ironic cackle here.*

Listening to the sounds on memory lane

I've been reliving an audio slice of my teenage years for the past week.  Last weekend I was listening to some recent NPR Story of the Day podcasts, and heard an interview with Martin Scorsese talking about the documentary he made about the Rolling Stones latest tour.  During the podcast, Scorsese talked about the use of the songs Jumping Jack Flash and Gimme Shelter in his movies.  Listening to snippets of these two songs reminded me of a habit I had in high school.  Before falling to sleep, I used to put my Walkman on and play music.  One of my favorite tapes at the time was this one.  I used to lay in my bed with the lights out, eyes closed, humming "Time is on my Side" or "Paint it Black."  These memories sent me to Itunes where I downloaded it, burned it to disc, and have been listening to it ever since.  I can say that I love the music just as much in my 30's as I did at 16. 

In happy crafting news, I'm almost done with the Red Ranger's Celestine.  I've stuffed it, and am working on the final point, although the kids and I were tempted to keep it unstuffed and use it as a hat.  The kids looked much cuter in it, than I do, but you get the idea.  We all had crazy alien head thing going on wearing it. 

I've also continued experimenting with chain maille.  Here's my latest effort.  It's a simple bracelet using European 4-1 weave.  Cool, no?   

Knitting udders

Last night I finished the fourth point on the Red Ranger's Celestine, put it down, took a look at it, and thought, "I've just knit a set of cow udders."  Well, it's either cow udders, or a bikini top for a woman with four breasts.  I've pledged to myself to at least complete the fifth and perhaps the sixth point today so I can get to the sea anenome stage.

The main reason why I haven't gotten further on RR's Celestine is I cast on for another project.  I started a Shalom Cardigan (Rav link).  I'm using some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky I got on closeout through Sonny and Shear.  My camera doesn't show the true color.  It's sort of a medium coral color and very pretty.  The Cashmerino is very soft and nice to work with and I'm thinking that the finished cardigan will be perfect for spring and summer nights. 

I've also been experimenting with chain mail jewelry.  I got this book, and started with a simple design using a Japanese Chain Mail form.  I really like the result.  I've been wearing the bracelet and it's very comfortable and looks great with my daily casual wear.  The chain mail is relatively easy to do when you have the right pliers.  I can see myself experimenting much more with the technique, and even have my eye on another book. I do enjoy adding to my crafting base of knowledge!

Yesterday was a very busy day (cousin's baby shower, RR's first T-ball game, family BBQ), so today I plan to drink a lot of tea, do some household chores, and fit in some crafting time.  I hope you all have a restful Sunday as well!

I had the thought that I better do a blog post today as I don't know if I'm going to have it enough together to do one later in the week.  I've been rather stressed and anxious for the past week.  The anxiety is increasing steadily as this week moves along.  Why, you may ask?  Well, on Friday morning, PQL is going to have some outpatient eye surgery.  I don't deal well when my children have to be under general anesthesia for surgery.  RR had surgery when he was 18 months old.  I was in my first trimester with PQL, suffering from morning sickness, and a mess of anxiety and nerves.  I'm not surprised to find that I'm equally as nutty when it's a 3 1/2 year old PQL.  Luckily, I don't have the extra added fun of pregnancy hormones.  All the crazy is just my average, ordinary crazy.  Anyway, PQL is blissfully unaware of what she's in for.  It's RM and I who are losing sleep.  On the positive side, it's an outpatient surgery, so we can bring her right home after, and the surgery is supposed to last only an hour.  But still.  I expect to be one large exposed nerve until Friday around lunchtime.  Any safe surgery vibes for PQL, and calming thoughts pointed in our direction would be much appreciated. 

Aside from my rising hysteria (ok, I'm overstating a little), I thought I'd share a few successful crafting endeavors.  In spinning news, I got a chance to ply up some BFL dyed by Spunky Eclectic in the Tulips colorway.  It's a worsted weight and is so soft!  One of my 2008 goals was to spin up 4 oz of roving every month.  I was able to spin up 8 oz of fiber in January!  Woohoo!  I'm working on some lovely shetland roving right now.  I've never spun Shetland before and am finding it just lovely to spin.  I can get it pretty fine too! 

I've also been beading quite a lot, although I think I'm going to take a week off, as my pointer finger is starting to hurt from the wirework I've been doing.  Everything I've made is up in the shop.  Along with the stitch marker bookmark design, I've developed a row counter clip design for those who like the look of the row counter bracelet but don't want to wear jewelry.  This bead row counter has a lobster claw that can clop on to a knitting bag, binder, or even act as a zipper pull.  Because they are smaller, I was able to use pretty 4mm swarovski bicone crystals, and Swarovski glass pearls.  I think they look very dainty and petite. 

I'm still knitting away at various projects, but have nothing to show.  Once things calm down here (read this weekend) I'll update on the knitting front.  I'm off now, to drink some calming tea.   

Bead explosion

I've been breaking out the bead box lately, and have been enjoying myself immensely.  I've made some pretty jewelry, and worked out a new stitch marker jewelry design that I think will appeal to those knitters who don't wear jewelry.  In the past three days I've made 9 pieces.  One of the things I love about beading is that a stringing project doesn't take that long.  Most of the time is spent planning the project.  The actual execution is rather quick.   Even the off loom beadweaving doesn't take as long as knitting a sweater.  Working with beads also provides a different, but no less fun tactile experience.  I love looking at and holding beads.  I like experiementing putting differnent shapes, textures, and colors together.  I enjoy putting things together that express various moods.  Beading is a good time.

Almost all of my recent beading endeavors are up for sale in my etsy store, including two of my new designs, Stitch Marker bead bookmarks.  They are the perfect way to mark one's sweater pattern while holding onto stitch markers.  I'm planning on making more of these and listing them soon.

In knitting and spinning news, I'm still working on Ms. Purplejeans, and PQL's teacher's scarf.  It's nice to work with wool since it's been so cold here!  Nothing like a pile of wool on one's lap, and knitting away when it's cold and rainy outside.  I hope to have pictures of some of those projects soon.

Happy New Year! I'll have the BLT

MMmmmm, BLT's.  RM and I had the exact same craving for them today.  Luckily, I ran some errands with RR and picked up the makings.  I love a good BLT.  I'm thinking of making it a New Year's Day lunch tradition.  BLT's are a good thing, really and truly.

Here's another couple skeins of good things.  I got a PM over at Ravelry from Marianne, the owner of my favorite LYS, that the shipment of Kauni had come in.  Yep, that's right... Kauni.  So of course, I had to make a special trip over to the Yarn Boutique to peruse the Kauni lovliness and purchase some.  I bought 150 grams of Kauni in the EQ or rainbow colorway.  I also bought a cone of 330 grams of it in the EJ colorway, which is a mix of mauve, taupe, and ecru.  It's gorgeous!  I'm thinking shawls for both, but for right now, I'm just admiring it.

Now that I got my "things that make me happy today" stuff out of the way, I can share my New Year's Goals.  I'm trying to keep these as doable as possible, as I really want to try to make these goals.  So, here there are, conveniently divided into sections.

Knitting

1)  I would like to knit one sweater every 3 months.  The sweater doesn't have to be seasonal, but I'd like to increase my sweaterly choices, as I've been wearing my handknits much more lately.

2)  I would like to knit one and maybe two shawls this year.

3)  I would like to knit from my stash.

4)  I'd like to knit 2 or 3 projects from my own handspun.

Spinning

1)  I'd like to spin 4 oz of roving/batts/sliver each month, all from the fiber stash. 

2)  I'd like to spin for a larger project, maybe a vest?

Dave is planning on concentrating more on spinning in 2008 and has a cool button for anyone else who is also planning on spinning more in '08.  If you are also looking to commit more to the wheel, go get a button!

Beading

1)  I'd like to complete one larger project.  I've been thinking of a bead embroidery cuff using some art glass cabochons that I have.  Maybe that...  Either way, beading for me is a spring/summer activity, so I've got time to mull it over.

2)  Etsy.... My poor etsy shop has been sorely neglected for months.  I still have several stitch marker pendants and bracelets for sale, and of course stitch markers and row counter bracelets.  I'm not sure what direction I'm going to take with the shop.  I think I'll be noodling around with it this year.

Reading

1)  I'd like to read a book every two months.  I really miss reading and want to do more of it.

Journaling

1)  Other than blogging, which I still love to do, I'd like to write at least 5 sentences a day in a journal:  no guidelines or rules, just 5 sentences.

So, are all of these goals doable?  Yes, I think so.  We'll see how I do!  I've been reading other people's resolutions/goals for the New Year as well, and it seems that many of us have similar thoughts.  Overall, I'd just like to take the time to experience and work on my creative life a little more, and be more reflective in general. 

So Happy New Year to all of you!  I look forward to sharing a new year of crafty goodness, with some family busyness with all of you.   

The Hornet

First, I updated the shop with more stitch marker necklaces, bracelets, and added a couple of row counter bracelets.  Also, I'm always open to custom orders.  Speaking of row counter bracelets, I have an order of beads coming in with interesting focal beads to act as anchors in row counter bracelets, so if you like the look of the ladybug one, expect more themed ones soon.

Since I haven't had much knitting to speak of lately, I thought I'd share the day trip we took a couple weeks ago to the USS Hornet, which is docked at the retired Alameda Naval Station.  The Hornet is a WWII era aircraft carrier that is now a museum.  We won tickets to the museum at our kids' preschool auction, and it was a great little trip.  The picture that I posted for PQL's birthday was actually taken at the Hornet.  Just below the flight deck, there are several fighter planes and heliocopters to look at and read about.  The kids were very impressed.  So was I actually.  However, I was most interested in the space capsules that they had.   This one is from the former USSR.  It's a prototype of their space module that were working on a little after the Sputnik days.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's tiny.  The US space module wasn't any bigger.  I got kind of itchy and claustrophobic just looking at it.

I was surprised that we got to go pretty much everywhere in the Hornet.  We got to walk on the flight deck.  I'm impressed that planes could actually land and take off from it.  It's not that big.  We also got to go below decks to where the men ate, slept, and worked.  It felt a little like a maze down there with no real way to figure out just where we were in relation to the front and the back of the ship.  I found the medical area to be very interesting.  There is an operating room, a couple of exam rooms, a pharmacy, and a hospital ward for sick patients.  But can you imagine having to operate or be operated on in the middle of the ocean?  I just couldn't fathom it. 

The kids really enjoyed the trip, as did RM and I.  The trip to the Hornet and our trip to Dixon for Lambtown last month are our first forays into the whole day trip.  So far so good!  We're looking forward to many more fun adventures. 

As for the knitting, I'm working hard on the second sleeve of Stargazer.  I also have the belt bands to do.  I hope to have something of note to show you soon!  Also, If you haven't seen Bonne Marie's newest design Miss Dashwood yet, go check it out.  As someone who is still smarting over my last lace disaster, I'm thinking that this might be the perfect project to get back on the lace horse.

"Guess what guys, it's time to embrace the horror! Look, we've got front row tickets to the end of the earth!"

Sing along with me...

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,

a tale of a fateful week,

That started from this laundry room,

inside this little house.

The wife was a mighty craftin' soul, the husband smart and strong. Two kids and three cats set to play that day for a three hour tour. A three hour tour.

The washer started leaking badly, the tiny room was flooded. If not for the courage of the fearless family, the floor would be lost. The floor would be lost. The washer was just the beginning of the week from hell,

with big fans,

and ripped out carpet,

an ant infestation,

and no telephone,

The internet went down

And so did

the car battery,

Here in the Week from HELL!!!!

Yep, it's been a week.  I'm hoping all the drama is over now, so that we can enjoy PQL's 3rd birthday party this Saturday.  The new washer and dryer were delivered today, and our internet and phone were up yesterday.  I'm getting the carpet reinstalled next week, and I got the car battery replaced today.  Sheesh.

On a positive note, I've been fulfilling some custom orders on knitting and stitch marker jewelry.  I had a request from Paula to create a row counter bracelet.  I like how it turned out.  I still have both stitch marker bracelets and three stitch marker necklaces up in the shop along with some of my other wares.  I hope to have another update in a week or two, but am always open to custom orders.  Also, are row counter bracelets something I should stock in the shop?  I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on that. 

Knitting has been sparse.  Reference the song above.  Life could be worse though!  So I can't complain too much. 

When Chores Attack

ETA:  I just fixed the link to my shop.  I lost internet access for several days, so got to it only today.  Much of the stitch marker jewelry is still available!

First the good news, I updated my shop with four new stitch marker necklaces, and two stitch marker bracelets.  Yep, I developed a bracelet design.  The bracelets carry stitch markers for socks and lace and fit up to a size 4 needle.  Go take a peek!

Now for the bad news.  My washer died a spectacular death this morning.  While washing a load of clothes, something inside broke, and water spilled out covering the laundry room floor, soaking the carpeting in the hallway just outside the laundry room, went into the bathroom across the hall, and started to go into the kitchen.  What a mess.  We were able to use a Wet/Dry vac to get up a lot of the water, and I bailed out the washer with a measuring cup and buckets.  RM pulled up the carpet and padding, and we've got a huge fan working on the area.  We had to go out today and order a new washer/dryer, and I'm sure it's going to cost something to get someone to come out and reinstall the carpeting.  The positive thing is at least RM was home to help with the clean-up, and it's a nice day so we can dry out some of the carpeting and pad outside.  What a way to start a Sunday though. 

 

Lots of news in the whirling dervish of life

Things haven't gotten any more coherent around here, but I do have several bits of news to share with you!

First, I've been making stitch marker necklaces this week.  I've gotten some very positive response about them, and even sold a couple of the original offerings.  This week I've had a couple of custom orders, and I've been working on some more for my shop.  I hope to update the shop on Sunday with 4 to 5 more stitch markers necklaces.  I've been playing around a bit with natural stone beads, and I really like the results.  There's one stitch maker necklace in particular that features jade and carnelian that I may have to make for myself as well.  Let me know if you are interested in one!  I'm always happy to do custom work.  And look for the update on Sunday!

I also got a lovely package from Zoe the other day.  Zoe hosted the Yarn in a Tea Cup swap, and I had a lot of fun.  I really enjoyed planning and sending a package to Gigi, and just look at all the loveliness that Zoe sent me!  I got a beautiful red and white mug, tea that I've already begun drinking, some cookies and chocolate, a Simply Knitting magazine with a cute sheep shaped row counter.  The best though is the yarn!  Zoe hunted high and low for a yarn that I couldn't get here in the US, and she did wonderfully.  She sent me two skeins of gorgeous deep teal 100% Romney wool made by Aragon Yarns.  This yarn is just stunning.  She told me that there's enough for a pair of Fetching Mitts which sounds like it will be the perfect Fall project.  Thank you Zoe for the generous package and the fantastic moderating of the swap.

I've been really busy on the family front as well.  Along with a very busy kitten, the kids and I have been running around a lot.  They finished up summer school last week, so this week has been full of errands and parks.  They are also both learning how to ride bikes.  It's been very fun.  PQL's preschool is keeping me very busy as well.  For the past two years that RR has been at the school, I've served as Secretary on the Board and helped with trying to get the school nationally accredited.  Well, we found out this week that we did get accredited!  I'm so happy and relieved.  All the work paid off, and the children will benefit. 

I also was given the Shmooze Award by Melanie! According to the Award's guidelines:  As it goes, schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.” Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship."

I'd like to pass along this award to some blog friends who have become very important to me.  It amazes me that I would never have known these people if it wasn't for the wonder of the internet.  I am thankful for their friendship and inspiration.

Birdsong, Christie, Trek, Carrie K, Olga.  Check their blogs out!