So Tired Yet So Happy
Oh! My legs! My butt! My back! I feel like I've walked a million miles today. Sooooo sore. Soooo tired. Yet . . . I am also feeling so satisfied and (sigh of contentment)happy. This weekend has been so nice and it's only Saturday.
How could have been better than a package in the mail from my One Skein Secret Pal to kick start the weekend??!! I wish I were better at blogging so that I would have more readers . . . that way more people would read and see how kick ass my SP was too me. Not only did she send me so beaUtiful yarn but the most awesome SCRABBLE stitch markers that spell out "Purl". Scrabble! It's my favorite board game!
Take a lookie:
I LOVE those colors - and the skein? SO. FREAKIN. SOFT. I've never used soy silk before so it's going to be really fun to knit with. Thanks again, SP. It was so much fun getting your package in the mail. I felt special!!
Today - Saturday - The Boyfriend and I took his parents to the 2nd Annual Lavendar Festival in Cherry Valley, CA. It was really gorgeous out there - who knew that such a beautiful place existed out there? Cherry Calley is on the way to Palm Springs so of course it was rediculously hot. Thankfully there was a lot of shade. The Lavendar Festival is held on a 20 acre Certified Organic Farm with 32 different varieties of lavender. Who knew there were so many different kinds? We took a golf cart tour of the grounds where the highlight - other than the vibrant fields of lavendar - was a 1000 year old oak tree on the corner of their lot. It was beautiful to behold. It's amazing that it's still standing. It felt spiritual standing in it's shadow. It's seen so much in its lifetime . . . amazing.
Photos:
This is the entrance to the festival. It was a v. low key mellow event. I think it was because of the scent of lavendar in the air - it was truly pervasive and overwhelming. I think it made everyone a little sleepy along with the hot hot weather. Seriously!
Hmmm, well, I have more photos but blogger doesn't seem to want to let me post them. Hmmpf. Trust me, it was a lovely lovely place.
Then we went out to lunch in downtown Redlands at a restaurant called The Farm which was a perfect place since it also only serves certified organic foods grown locally. From one organic farm to another! Lunch was delicious and it felt good to get in the a/c controlled environment.
When The Boyfriend and I got home he took a cat nap while I went out shopping with my girlfriend Anna. We hit Cost Plus World Market, Michael's Craft Store (I restrained myself and didn't buy any yarn), Marshall's, a shoe store where I bought an ADORABLE pair of closed-toe heels (the only kind allowed at my work - no open toed strappy sandals for me this summer - bummer!), Target, and . . . that's it I guess. It took us four hours total and we walked A LOT it seemed. After walking so much at the farm by the time we were done I felt like my legs were going to give out. My feet hate me right now. I was wearing just some flat sandals. No real support for my arch. Bad choice. I bought a robe at Target - a very soft cottony/flannel material - but v. airy feeling. I just took a shower to cool off and now I'm just waiting for T to get home. He's workin' late tonight poor guy.
Oh! I have a FO to share but . . . darn. Can't load pictures right now. Oh well, I still have to weave in the ends. This will give you all (who am I kidding - like anyone seriously reads this! Ha!) something to look forward to. Me - modeling my new FO. :-) For now, take care and thanks again S.P.!
SP8 Questionnaire
1. What is are your favorite yarn s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I really like mohair/silk blends . . . anything super soft! Also, I really love Noro.
2. What do you use to store your needles hooks in?
I really don't have a system for my needles right now. I throw them all in a plastic storage bin that I got at Target. It's pretty disorganzied.
3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned how to knit when I was around 8. My mom taught me but I didn't learn anything other than the garter stitch. I picked up needles again about a year ago and since then have been a crazy woman about knitting. I'd consider myself a beginner/intermediate knitter.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lavender, citrus, sage
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes! I LOVE dark chocolate. The richer the better! Also, I have an affinity for sweet and sour candy.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Right now knitting is it. I want to learn how to sew . . .
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love all kinds of music - lately I've been into bluegrass. I have an mp3 player as well as a cd player. Some of my favorite bands include Dave Matthews, The Postal Service, Iron and Wine . . .
9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family season palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is lilac/violet. My favorite color to wear is black. I tend to buy yarn in the earth tones - lots of browns, greens, etc.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my boyfriend and I have two adorable cats - Disco and Jazz!
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I live in Southern California so the opportunity to wear my knit items comes rarely. However, I still LOVE scarves and Hats.
12. What is are your favorite items to knit?
Right now I'm into knitting shrugs - I'm making the One Skein Wonder right now (getting me geared up for this exchange!)
13. What are you knitting right now?
see above!
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I
prefer handmade gifts!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer circular bamboo or aluminum needles.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and or swift?
No (sigh).
17. How did you learn to knit?
My mom taught me the basics and then I used "Stitch N Bitch" to teach myself the rest.
18. How old is your oldest UFO?
15 years?
19. What is your favorite holiday?
All of the summer holidays - Labor Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July - because it means hanging out at the beach and bbqing with friends!
20. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really . . . books? Lol, I have a lot of books!
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have any magazine subscriptions but I want to get one to Interweave Knits. I'd really like to pick up the book "Mason Dixen Knitting"
22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Sock knitting and intarsia.
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
No, I'm not but I am planning on taking a class at my LYS this summer. My shoe size is 10.
24. When is your birthday?
01-07
THANK YOU in advance secret pal!!!
Finally!
I have a FO to share! It seems like I've been doing an awful lot of rip rip ripping and not much knitting. However, the lovely Lelah is done:
Details:
Yarn: 100% wool (can't remember the brand, I'll have to find the tag later). In hindsight, using wool was not the brightest idea for a strapless top! However, I think it be great for those brisk spring/autumn evenings. I probably won't wear it much during the summer.
Pattern: It can be found at
craftster - there is also a great KAL that helped me out a great deal!
Needles: 9.5 and 10 circulars
Recap: A great, easy pattern for those who would like to try lace - my first time! I didn't even know how to properly YO before I started Lelah. Sewing in the elastic was not has hard as I thought it would be . . . overall, I am rather pleased and would like to make another one out of a cotton/acrylic blend of some sort.
It's funny how my dedication to projects ebbs and flows. I had put down Lelah for about 3 weeks and hadn't touched it while I was working on my Hourglass sweater. Then, when I realized the HG sweater was going to be too small I got frustrated and decided to go back to L. Within two days of that I had her off the needles.
Anyway . . .
I joined the Secret Pal 8 KAL! I'm so excited! My first secret pal swap. I haven't gotten the book yet but I plan to order it on Monday. I got the email from the folks that are organizing it and have alredy snooped around MY secret pal's website. She seems cute and fun! I can't wait to do something for her. :-)
I have been pretty crappy with this blogging thing. I started a new job and am in my 4th week. It's going well - some days I like it but other days I feel frustrated and wonder if I made the right decision. . .
A few things have happened on the knitting front since I last posted:
I ripped out ALL of my Hourglass sweater because I realized I was making it about two sizes two small. I tried it on and it was wearable but VERY snug. Maybe if I lived in a colder climate I would have stuck it out with the tighter version . . . but since I live in Southern CA there really would be no way I could ever wear the sweater - it would be stiffling hot! Skin tight 100% wool? I don't think so!
I was inspired by MagKnits to start Calla.
And it was all yellow . . .
In honor of project spectrum . . . photos of Orange and Yellow!
On the trail at Sycamore Canyon.
Another photo taken while mountain biking.
My university has an orange grove on campus!
A beautiful yellow tree in the campus botanic gardens.
"I live for my dreams and a pocket full of gold"
It's been a few weeks since I last posted. I guess I've been pretty busy. The Boyfriend got his first post-college "professional" job last week. Today is his first day! I'm so excited for him. This position is absolutely perfect for him.
As for me? Well the job that I have now (and LOVE) is ending. I started there as an intern and after my internship ended last summer my boss wanted to keep me on staff for an additional 6 months. Now that six months is up and I'm job searching like crazy. It's a bit frustrating. Yesterday I went to an interview and knew the moment I entered the building that the job wasn't for me. Sometimes you just
know
. I got an interview for a position that I'm really excited about and that's next Thursday. This Monday I have an interview for a job I feel just okay about. Last week I found out that I didn't get a job working for a local councilwomen as her district field rep. Her chief of staff told me that she loved me and that I was their second choice. If I only had a little more experience they would have gone with me. Ugh! That's the frustrating part of finding a job fresh out of college. I have less than a year of professional experience (although several years of administrative assistant/receptionist experience but I don't want to do that kind of work . . . it would be a waste of my education and I want something
challenging
). I know that something will work out. I just don't want to settle for something that I'm not going to be happy with.
Today is April 1 which means it's "Flash Your Stash" day! I'm a relatively new (and poor) knitter so I haven't amassed a whole hell of a lot yet. However, I do have more than The Boyfriend can comprehend having! Lol!
Witness:
This is my sewing table. On the left in the plastic purple storage bin is where I keep my cheap yarn . . . the stuff I bought when I first learned how to knit. On the right in the plastic drawer unit is where I keep my needles and other knitting notions. You can see on top of the desk is my "new to me" sewing machine that I inherited from my step-grandma. I have no idea how to use it but I plan to teach myself!
Inside the purple bin. As I noted, this is mostly cheap stuff from Michael's and Joann's.
The green chair is The Boyfriend's. He LOVES that green chair and even though it's pretty hideous, it IS comfortable! It is one of two places I typically knit at when I'm at home. I tried to dress it up with some colorful pillows from Pier One. Anyway, I have more yarn stashed in the wicker basket to the right of the chair on the floor. The basket contains Noro and some other scrumptious yarns.
I have several works in progress to share. Right now I'm working on the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knit Gifts. I've been wanting to knit this ever since I bought the book but was a little intimidated by it. If I finish it, this will be my first full length sweater.
My progress so far:
I'm slightly concerned about how the hem is flipping up. I'm hoping that once I block it it will stay flat. Also, I'm worried about the sizing. I'm making the smallest size because I'd like it to be slightly fitted. I hope it's not going to be tight, though. At any rate, this has been rather easy going. The bottom hem was a lot easier than I anticipated (I already sewed the live stitches up to cut down on finishing later) and it's a very relaxing knit. I usually work on this while watching t.v. with The Boyfriend has it requires little attention.
And then there is Lelah - my first lace project:
The fish tail lace pattern is super easy once I got the hang of YOs (I didn't realize I was doing them wrong at first). My only concern with this is that the definition of the lace pattern isn't very good. I am also praying that once it is blocked it'll look better. I'm on my last repeat of the lace which means I'm about 50% done! I'm really looking forward to wearing this - it's going to be cute (I hope!)
Request for blogging help: I am really really knew to this blogging thing and I would love to post an image for Project Spectrum and other blog rings I'd like to join on my sidebar. Would someone be kind enough to help a sistah out and explain how to do that? I know I probably should be able to figure it out but I just spent the last 45 minutes trying to play with my template and so far nothing is working. Grrr!
Mini Sweater - Finished!
I finished the mini sweater! My first garment and, not only that, I actually would WEAR this out. In fact, I already have . . . Although it was just to run a few errands Saturday afternoon (Fish store & grocery store) even though it was rainy and I should have worn something warmer!
Ah, I feel so satisfied.
Pattern: Minisweater by
Stefanie Japel Start Date: 2/20/06
Finish Date: 3/11/06 (but I lost a week because I forgot it at my dad's and he was kind enough to mail it to me).
Yarn:
Karabella yarns Superyak (50% yak/50% merino wool)in charcoal Yardage: I used 2 1/2 skeins so approx. 325 yards
Yarn Source: My mom :-)
Needles: Size 9 bamboo circulars and double pointed (for the sleeves)
Modifications: Didn't add the triangular border and used dpns for the sleeves so I wouldn't have to sew them up.
This pattern is so easy and quick, I highly recommend it. I had two false starts but once I got going it really came together nicely. The yarn (which retails for about $20 a skein) is pure luxury. I would not have spent this much money on yarn but my mom gave it to me! I think it would be nice to have a long sleeve version of this too.
I don't know if it's the cold weather or the stress over my job situation or something entirely unrelated but I've been in total hibernation mode. I haven't wanted to see my friends (and have been down right terrible about returning phone calls) or go out. For the last two weeks I've been down right anti-social to the point of avoiding people and not answering the phone. I just . . .meh . . . I don't know what's up with me right now. I'm not depressed. I do feel a little scared and sad about my work. I want to stay and I STILL haven't heard what's happening with that. However, on the bright side the position has been opened for recruitment (right now I'm filling the position as a temp. contractor) which means that I can apply for it next Thursday when it opens to the public. A lot of people that I work with have told me that this is good news as it means I may be hired on permanently. Still, it's not in the bag and anything could happen. I did go on a job interview last week and was called back in for a second interview. This position is to be an elected's legislative aid. The money is okay but not what I'm making now - but the benefits are great and the job would be really exciting. To work for this person would be really awesome - she is an advocate for the environment as well as a champion of the disadvantaged. Her district is in one of the poorest parts of Southern California so there is a ton of opportunity to do good and help people/the earth. On the downside, it would require another move because there is no way I would make the commute from where we live now. I don't know if I can handle another move so freaking soon. Sigh. I'm sure things will work out. I'm trying to stay positive and practice pronoia ("The world is conspiring to shower me with blessings!"). So, anyway, hopefully I'll pull out of this feeling of blahness soon. For now all I want to do is cuddle under the blankets and watch the rain come down.
I did watch a REALLY good movie over the weekend called
The Magdalene Sisters. This movie was totally engrossing. It chronicles several years in the lives of 4 Irish girls forced into indefinite slave labor in a Magdalene Asylum, a work camp run by catholic convents to help purge young girls of their sins. In most cases the sinners are unwed mothers, but some are punished simply for being too pretty, or for being the victims of rape. It was just incredible - a well done film - the best I've seen this year. In honor of March being National Women's History Month and March 8 having been International Women's Day, I highly recommend everyone rent this.
Mini Sweater, Irish Hiking Scarf, and Airy Scarf
Last weekend was the last weekend I went home to see my family. My step-sister, Jenny, and her husband and two kids (adorable kids - might I add)are moving to Germany. Actually, they should be there right now. They left yesterday morning. Anyway, so we had a family dinner/birthday party (for Hailey my niece who is turning 12 in two weeks) and I said good-bye. It was really nice. I'm going to miss them. Over the years Jenny and I haven't been very close - she's eight years older than me - but now that we're both adults I feel a connection with her that is a lot stronger. But it's hard to develop that relationship because she always lives so far away (Germany, Alaska, N. Carolina, N. California, and now Germany again) and we only see eachother once a year - if that. I am trying to talk my dad into a family vacation in Germany next Oktoberfest however!!
Anyway, while I was down there I took my mini-sweater so that I could work on it. This was my progress as of last Saturday:
Looking good! It seems to fit pretty well. I think the yarn is going to be rather warm - this won't be something that I can wear during the summer . . . but for a crisp autumn or early spring afternoon I think it's going to be great! Since that photo was taken I have finished the sleeves (not sure if I am satisfied . . . may end up lengthing it to 3/4 length sleeves if I have enough yarn at the end). Now, I'm trying to figure out how best to lengthen the body of the sweater so it is full length. I'm thinking of doing it with 2 x 2 ribbing all the way around as ribbing creates a more form-fitting fabric and I won't have to worry about decreasing the amount of stitches to shape it around my waist. Actually, I ended up forgetting my work in progress at my dad's house. D'oh! He's mailing it to me so I hope to get it by early this week. Hope! Hope! At any rate - I'm super stoked on it. It looks cute!
One more photo of the front:
I've been passing my time until I get the mini-sweater with knitting two scarves. One is for Project Spectrum. This month's challenge is to create something in pink or red. I searched my stash and came up with some left-over Kid Silk Haze from my
Flora neck-warmer (which I have finished seaming together yet!! Shhh!). I'm using this pink goodness to make the Airy Scarf from "
Last Minute Hand Knit Gifts" (One of my favorite knitting books - the photos alone make you want to knit everything in it).
This is my first foray into lace knitting and it's a bit frustrating to be honest with you. The damn yarn keeps slipping off the needle and quite a few times I've dropped a stitch but didn't realize it for a few rows so I had to backtrack. Still, the results so far show that the frustration is all worth it. It's so pretty! I love how there is like a halo of fuzziness around it!
I also started the
Irish Hiking Scarf from Hello Yarn.
I'm using
Mauch Chunky by Kraemer Yarns (60% New Zealand Wool/ 40% Domestic Wool) in Water Chestnut. It's soft and squishy and totally snuggable. I think this will be for Jenny - she'll probably need it in Germany's cold winter (compared to me in Southern California braving the second major rainstorm of the season).
So, on the work front I've got a job interview this Monday. I already have a job right now but it's a contracting position and my contract expires this April. Right now it's unclear if the contract will be extended or if I'll be hired on. My boss told me that they
want
to keep me but right now there is a hiring freeze as well as budget issues so who the heck knows. So, I've been doing the whole resume thing for the last week or so in anticipation of being out of a job. One of my co-workers gave me the tip that a city councilwoman in a major nearby city needs a field rep/public affairs type person and since that's what I basically do now I jumped on it and emailed her chief of staff right away. The same day (Thursday) the COS emailed me back and asked to schedule an interview for this Monday! Nice! I don't know what time yet but since I have Monday's off it doesn't much matter. The only down-side of this position is that the city that it is located in is about an hour away . . . and that's without any traffic. We all know that So. Ca has some crazy traffic so I would a) either have to move closer (but I JUST moooooved!!!), or b) figure out if I could get there via metro/subway/bus (on the bright-side I could knit the whole way!). The Boyfriend said that we should wait and see what sort of salary they are offering
if
they offer me the job so I'm taking this one step at a time. I also sent my resume out to a couple of environmental justice non-profits who were seeking p.a. people and I feel optimistic about those as well. In a perfect world, I'd be kept on by my current job (I really love it!) but I can't just sit around waiting for them to tell me one way or the other.
sigh.
Job searching is kind of stressful and sucky.
On The Boyfriend front . . . Fox has decided to pursue his MBA. He just sort of had this realization that yes he did want to do it and it's either now or never (he didn't want to be one of those things you always say to yourself you are going to do but because life gets crazy you never do). I agreed with his reasoning and he's moving forward with scheduling a test date to take the GMAT. He's hoping to get in by spring quarter but the priority deadline to apply was actually March 1. He can still be accepted for Spring quarter up to the first day of classes but at that point it wouldn't be clear if he could get into the classes he needs. At any rate, I'm just happy he has settled with his decision. He hasn't had luck finding a job (he just graduated with his B.A. in Business Administration this past December) and I know it's been frustrating for him - especially because he didn't want to settle for any old crappy job that came along (and believe me a few have! Real crap!). Now, he can go back to school and get an internship and within a year he'll be done.
I'll end this entry with a photo of one of my babies, Jazzy:
"WTF,You woke me up for this!"
