Holy Photos! (as in an exclamation- not as in a religious sense)

So yeah. I'm a bad blogger. Started my twelve week practicum on Wednesday (so actually, one 11.5 weeks) which is good- really good. My class, team teacher, and both my sponsor teachers are awesome. My team teacher and I (he's another student in the program- my school does blended grades and team teaching so there's actually four of us altogether for 52 students) spend a lot of time making jokes and laughing so I'm really happy he's my team teacher. I'll keep you updated as much as I can. Next week I start teaching math (probability) and science (starting with scientific language introduction lesson but will be getting into magnetism and eventually extreme environments (I can't wait to teach that)).

So there has been knitting. I had some angst last night and decided to buy yarn again but as of this morning have decided to try to stay on the diet. My problem is that I'm really getting into sweaters and I don't have enough of one yarn to knit any but it's okay. I'm going to start some baby sweaters soon and I'm knitting a tee right now. Part of the reason I went on the diet is so I could use up some of my single skeins. I'm also going to go mitten happy for Christmas so I should start on those.

I kinda went yarn shopping last week. I went home for Easter and raided my stash at my parent's house (I had to put some in storage when I moved). So I got the rest of my Ella Rae from the Skully sweater....


The leftover skeins of 'DK' yarn from Lewiscraft (closing out sale) that are NOT double knitting weight which I didn't know at the time. Liars. And my assorted wooly goodness from up north.
I finished a lot of projects the past month. My Grandma's cardigan, the Clapotis scarf, the crocheted baby blanket, the happy baby blanket, and the chocolate cherry scarf (see below for the scarf). More pictures of some of the other ones when I remember to put more batteries in the camera. So now I've started some more projects. This is a swatch for a tank top or something that I am going to knit. It was going to be two pictures to show the difference made by washing swatches but it became the difference between taking a picture at night with lamps and such:
And taking a picture in the morning with daylight (and post wash):


I only have five skeins of the bamboo so I hope it last for the whole tank. The dark blue is my soy which I do love so.

My other project is a second Phiaro scarf requested by my Mom. Isn't it yummy? I just started today and it took me about 30 minutes to wind that skein. I really need to look into purchasing a swift. The first Phiaro scarf I knit is below. It's some awesome yarn from Claudia's Handpainted yarns that I got in Kelowna.

I've received a lot of compliments on it so I'm pretty happy with it. Oh, and I'm also knitting soakers for ze Beeb out of the Ella Rae I brought home. Though they look like fleur-de-lis they are actually hearts all over the bum. Now that I know the row count I'm going to do some fun designs for the bum area- it's actually a really good idea, the designer was smart when she put those in there- it's for extra padding. She did stripes on her pattern. I'm thinking of making some with skulls, maybe sushi images, possibly his name if I get one done soon enough to be used, words like 'My Aunts Rock!', and the such. Any suggestions? Okay, now I'm going to go clean a little and then possibly go for a walk. And oh yeah, my new favorite picture! Mom took it while she was visiting.

Quirky you say?

Since I tagged Tammy with a meme, she went and tagged me with one too. It's the 6 quirky non-important meme. You'd think in her meme she would include the giant thong she knit. I sometimes have a hard time with these memes. Hm.

1. I have hordes of items from all around the world but I haven't left Canada since I was 11.

2. I find piercings more painful than tattoos.

3. If I had to choose- the one dish I would eat for the rest of my days would be Swimming Rama, a thai dish with chicken, lightly sauteed spinach, and peanut sauce.

4. I have not watched season seven of Buffy and may never do so- even though I am reading season eight.

5. I don't particularly care for inspirational quotes but the one I have taped to my bookshelf (during a horrid week in November) says 'Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort' (Franklin Roosevelt). I may change that soon but yeah.

6. I HATE swatching. When I want to start projects I just want to sit down and cast on; however, I do still swatch, I just don't enjoy it one bit.

I tag Drunken Monkey and Julia. Voila!

Longest knitting meme ever (maybe- in my experience)

Seriously, if you don't knit. Just ignore this. As for the other knitters, I tag Tammy and Brooke! And Jess! (but she just rolled her eyes at me) As with all my memes, you don't actually have to complete it. Just saying hi.

Have you knit....

Afghan - No

I-cord - Yes, painfully with small bamboo yarn and tiny needles for ages and ages and ages!

Garter stitch - uh yeah! How can you not have knit this? Did this make any sense?

Knitting with metal wire - no but I really really want to

Shawl - Yes

Stockinette stitch - yes- more than I'd ever like to admit too.

Socks: top-down - yes- my preferred way though I don't know why

Socks: toe-up - kinda- not done them yet (but past the toe!)

Knitting with camel yarn - unfortunately not. If you see any....

Mittens: Cuff-up - yes

Mittens: Tip-down - never heard of such a thing

Hat - yes

Knitting with silk a fine strand with wool for socks - this one doesn't make much sense... but I think no is my answer here

Moebius band knitting - no

Participating in a KAL - no, though I am considering the mystic light shawl

Sweater - Yes

Drop stitch patterns - Yes

Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn - Yes

Slip stitch patterns - I think so... maybe just a swatch cause I can't think of a specific pattern- oh yeah, it was a swatch for a mosiac sweater.

Knitting with banana fiber yarn - Why have I never heard of this yarn?

Twisted stitch patterns - Yes- wait till you see my current project!

Knitting with bamboo yarn - Yes- see I-cord for more detail

Charity knitting - Yes

Knitting with soy yarn - Yes (way too expensive though)

Cardigan - Yes! Finished the Strawberry Lace cardigan! Need to post pictures.

Toy/doll clothing - No (wait- is it toy clothing or just toy? Cause wait...) Yes.

Baby items - Yes!!!!!!

Knitting with your own handspun yarn - Yes (gar)

Slippers - Yes- for my father, which like everything for my Dad, did not fit.

Designing knitted garments - I have a heavily modified skull yoke sweater that was based on a pre-existing pattern so I don't think that counts.

Cable stitch patterns - Yes (is it just me or are a lot of cables very... vaginaish?)

Lace patterns - Yes

Publishing a knitting book - Loads. Oh, did I forget to tell you about all that? Silly me.

Scarf - Yes

Teaching a child to knit - Yes (and getting ready to teach a toddler- my nephew shall be a knitter unlike no other. Ah Balthazar, the plans I have for you.)

Knitting to make money - No

Buttonholes - Yes

Knitting with alpaca - Yes, though I have a slight allergy to alpaca so my hands get red after awhile

Fair Isle knitting - Yes and I want to do it again!

Dying with plant colors - No

Knitting items for a wedding - Yes, but it got frogged

Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…) - Yes

Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) - Yes

Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn - .... um.... no. Huh. That's lame.

Holiday related knitting - what does this mean? Do Xmas presents count?

Teaching a male how to knit - Yup! And now he's knitting an afghan! I couldn't be more proud!

Bobbles - Yes

Knitting for a living - HA!

Knitting with cotton - Yes

Knitting smocking - No idea what this is.

Dying yarn - Soooo much fun. Microwave it, slow cook it- it's all good.

Knitting art - I think my skeleton art cover counts here

Fulling/felting - Yes- with natural fibres even! (we'll see if Julia is reading this or not)

Knitting with wool - Yes

Textured knitting - I don't get this one either.

Kitchener stitch - Yes and it pleases me to no end.

Purses/bags - Yes, though I've got nothing on my Mom- the felted bag goddess!

Knitting with beads - Yes though it sucked cause the beads were too big and pulled down the scarf. Sigh. *follow* instructions Leone.

Swatching - Yes, even though I cheat and suffer consequences

Long Tail CO - Yes- one of my favorites

Knitting and purling backwards - What?

Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn - It's like porn for knitters if you ask me

Stuffed toys - Yes

Knitting with cashmere (mmm, cashmere!) - Yes, Harry Potter mittens for Jim!

Darning - No.

Jewelry - No. Would wrist bands count? Doesn't matter- haven't knit any of those.

Knitting with synthetic yarn - Yes. Yarn snobs make me go pphhhpptt!

Writing a pattern - Kinda.

Gloves mittens are warmer! - Again, no sense. Have knit both.

Intarsia - Yes (skull after skull after skull)

Knitting with linen - no, which is also lame. Need to get me some linen!

Knitting for preemies - No

Short rows - Yes

Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers - yes

Pillows - Yes, but it remains empty. Still haven't mailed it to Regina.

Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine - All the frickin' time

Rug - Ha! No.

Knitting on a loom - No.... wait... isn't knitting on a loom weaving? I have a loom. So yes.

Knitting a gift - yes

Knitting for a pet? - yes... heh.

Shrug/bolero/poncho - No (though I want to knit the poncho that Willow wears in season... three or four, can't remember)

Knitting with dog/cat hair accidentally or on purpose? - Accidently. I have a disclaimer that anything I knit is 5% Spike.

Hair accessories - What? No.

Knitting in public - All the time! You know it!

Knitting with buffalo yarn - Yes- very warm. And bulky. As buffalo yarn should be.

Knitting with pygora - Eh?

Dyeing with food dye/drink mixes - Yes- the Kool-Aid pirate scarf! Gar!

Dyeing with chemical dyes (acid, etc) - Yes- then I slow cooked the yarn.

Done!

well

since I'm not going to get any work done tonight (which is fine, I did a lot of work this morning) figured I should blog about my revelation on Friday. I went for this uber long walk after class cause I just needed some time to think and I realized something. When I applied for the education program, I could tell you all these reasons about why I wanted to be a teacher right? And well, I had to put them down in essay after essay, and this isn't to say I didn't believe these reasons, I did, it was just I didn't have the knowledge at that point to really elaborate on them. I realized during my 2 and a half hour walk that I can now say these reasons with passion and authentic emotion, and that I truly embrace them. I even have more reasons now about why I want to be a teacher. Here are two.

I believe in the public school program. It is so important. I mean, not even touching upon what it means for Canadian identity, open mindedness, and cross cultural ties- it is the prevention to turning us into a have/ and have/not society. It is the idea that you support all children receiving a quality education. I love teaching. Is there anything better than seeing these amazing creative projects students can come up with? Seriously give them a inch and they run for miles! We have a lot of visitors in my school and getting to hear students explain their work is so neat. I did interviews at the end and asking students to tell me their thoughts and opinions just takes their work to a new level. I learn so much from my kids.

Okay- rah rah me rant over now. I am going to go have some tea and work on my knitting before I head to bed. Ugh... I am waking up at 5am tomorrow! Daylight savings is rude.

Jenn do you want any of these?

kthnxbi

And the weiner is....

Norberta!
Norberta won with a grand total of 22 points! Squiddy is a close second (sorry Jess) with 19, then we jump down to Sally (13 points), Kitty (12 points), and Pasha (11 points). My scoring system is very faulty so this isn't definite. Pasha had higher mentions but Kitty had more mentions so that's how he jumped ahead. Overall, I will be casting on for Norberta this weekend! She's pretty easy to knit but I've noticed she requires a lot of seaming. I'm starting to get the hang of seaming (read-Grandma's cardigan) so hopefully it won't be too bad.

Well, I was going to write about some fun I've had on public transportation, Spike's new picky eating, or how I am turning into a whipstitch master (it's a sewing thing- weirdo) but blogger is effed up again and doing that one letter at a time ever so slowly thing again. I'll just end on a general question: is even contemplating moving to the Yukon crazy?

Cheese begets Cheese

My post is mostly ramblings today, so I figured a short story from last night will help explain the title of the post. Last night I wanted cheese and Jim bought me a pizza while him and Jenn were here and I really wanted to eat it last night but I was like 'no!- you are going to save it for a night when you have no time to cook!' so I decided to eat little bit of feta to make up for it (no- I'm not lactose intolerant, why do you ask?). Anyhoo- as you can guess by the title that the moment I finished eating the feta I went and popped that pizza into the oven. It was sooo good. And then I got the leftover for breakfast. Mmmm.

Thanks for all the notes on the knitted goods for Balthazar. I'll tally them soon and present to you the order. I have to finish some projects before I can cast on for anything new- I'm drowning in UFOs right now (unfinished objects). One that I am working on like a mad woman is the Strawberry Lace Cardigan from Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery. I bought this book even before it was put on the shelves (my friend was the one who reached into the box and grabbed it though) and cast on for the cardigan the same day. The yarn (cascade 220) was my last yarn purchase since January 11th (oh yeah). My friend Tammy and I have a competition to see who can go for the longest without buying yarn and it runs until September or until one of us caves. This will prove to be interesting. Anyhoo- a very poorly lit photo of the cardigan. The edges roll so I can't take a good photo of it without using pins and I'm rather lazy. The two front parts and the back are done and I'm working on the first sleeve. I fell four days behind schedule on this so am trying to race through the sleeve to get back on schedule.

Baby baby baby. Jim and Jenn came and visited me for three days. It was awesome. We ate some awesome food. It's not lost on me how ironic it is that two days after they left I found out about the greatest sushi place in Vancouver, but we'll save that for the next trip! I felt Balthazar kick (and kick and kick and kick) and tried to finish the crochet star blanket but to no avail. I'm hoping to finish it soon but it is crochet so it may come out... you know.... stupid. And that's not because it's crochet, it's because it's me AND crochet. I frogged a project today and am going to cast on for a Balthazar cardigan soon. This is Ecoknit cotton and is soooo soft. Next to it is the tin that Julia got for me at Hong Kong disneyland. Too cute and it had candy in it! As I type I am chewing on a sugar coated mickey mouse head gummy.And some spinning. That I started -oh- over a month ago? Sheesh. It is beautiful though.
Seriously, I need to finish some projects cause look at all this yarn just sitting around my apartment (in this case- ontop of my fake fireplace mantle- those come in handy you know).
And then there is this guy who is so zonked out right now. And oh yeah, thar be glow in the dark dinosaurs climbing up my walls.

I'z be getting a nephew- gar!

and he shall be a pirate! Gar! Yes-the Jenn and Jim team are having a boy and so the question becomes...

which shall I knit first?!?! (the point being that I want to knit ALL of these, but I know that may not happen before the beeb is born, or even before he is, you know, 24, but whatever. If he is anything like his parents, he'll enjoy these at 80 so)

Knitted Goodness Number One: Kitty! by Judy Head.
This adorable kitty is not to be found in your local walmart. He's unique and tres fun! Can be used with a variety of funny and serious voices and is easily litter trained.


Knitted Goodness Number Two: Sally The Eco Fairy by Jennie Eveleigh Lamond Yeaaaahhh! She's an ecological fairy! Yeaaaahhhh!!!!

Knitted Goodness Number Three: Norberta by Kate Kuckro
this is the second appearance of Norberta on my blog. I should just go ahead and knit this fluffy wonder eh?

Knitted Goodness Number four: Pasha by Alexandra Virgiel
Is there anybody here who doesn't want to squish that belly? Squish it!

Knitted Goodness Number Five: A Squid by Kristi Schueler
I've seen some knitted squids with little people caught in the tentacles. How cool would that be?

So... the order you would like to see them knit, please post below. Suggestions of additional knitted goodness are acceptable, but remember this is only the big knitted looklook category. There are more to come. Thanks!

Heh

Silent Poetry Reading

So this is from Oak's annual silent poetry reading and last year I did Adrienne Rich and this year um... don't know yet- going to go look through my poetry books.

Okay, I'm still not sure. This is hard. Okay, I know now.

-4-

TO TAKE APART THE TREE BARK BY BARK AND BURN IT UP
top to keep the skin spread open to the air that
moves through the world-tree message seems
unnoticeable capable to the area over which
limbs cover all those upright configurations for
the connection between branches and roots
likewise any surface to depth genetics provides
unmentionable because invisible soundings
taken quickly re the mouthings of the trembling
body another language like French might place
elsewhere simple as tongue there is after all the
reaching for the water, reaching for the sun

-Fred Wah Music at the Heart of Thinking

You Make My Day!!!!

So darling drunk monkey Brooke (who knits) gave me a 'you make my day' award!!! She's a sweetie that one. I should probably mail her Christmas present to her soon. Now I get to pass it on to my fave ten blogs! Whee!

1. Preludes and Nocturnes: Bias you say because she's my sister and is carrying my first niece/nephew? Let me point out this post, and this one, and this one (I could go on). Basically, Jenn is freaking ass funny and too cool (she's also smart which is hard for a little sister to admit).

2. Made in Bangladesh: Another bias you say? First of all... who are you? Why are you reading my blog and being so snooty? Sheesh. Second of all- Julia works for MSF!!! She's been fighting to make a difference in the world since she was three!!! She's AMAZING!!!! And she makes my day.

3. It's a Bear's Life: The Bears are seriously the coolest Bears you'll ever know. They have been really busy helping Jim and Jenn and Chuck move, and then with a new kitten to take care, and getting ready for a flesh-n-bloo baby?!?! They are busy busy Bears! Their blog always makes me happy.

4. The Yarn Harlot: so like... Stephanie is probably getting about, oh, a kabillion of these, but it doesn't mean my reading of her blog is any less enjoyable. I adore her.

5. January One: Cara is so cool and her knitting powress is kick ass (is powress a word? I think it is). And like my sister she's growing a human inside of her as well! Her blog is very insightful and she's a wonderful photographer to boot!

6. So Now What?: Tammy spontaneously knits sweaters. If that doesn't make my day I don't know what does.

7. Gracious, child! How you gobble!: Jess is uber cool. And when you get to hear the stories behind all the photographs? Awesome.

8. Wendy Knits: Another famous online knitter who I don't know but like to pretend we would be the best of friends if we lived in the same city. The most productive knitter ever!!! She knits more socks in a month than I can knit in a year. And her lovely kitty, Lucy, is so darling.

9. Suburban Bliss: Birth Control Via the Written Word: Melissa is so funny I often laugh out loud which is hard to make me do through a computer. Seriously.

10. Podgy's Ponderings: Her kitties and my kitties go way back. This blog is very supportive, funny, and kind!

I've had to rush through the last five because my computer is starting to freak out on me but yeah, all these blogs rock! Okay, leaving you with a shot of my latest project (oh and Mom? FO means finished object....)



ETA: Turns out you can nominate the person who nominated you- I thought that was against the rules. I TOTALLY add Drunken Monkey onto my You Make My Day award list. Just for giving me the award alone she gets yes, and for everything else- the funniness, the kindness, the crazy unique Sheldon knitting, she should get an exclusive Holy Moly You Make my Day Award.
Oh- that's the one.

New Years Resolutions (still January)

1. Spend less time on the computer (mmmm.... this one is hard).

2. Graduate and start climbing out of debt by actually making money (foreign concept).

3. Work out twice a week (so far so good! And I'm getting in lots of walks too. Go team!).

4. Knit FOUR sweaters (Jenn's doesn't count).

5. Write more personal letters.

6. Travel (hi Julia).

7. Start painting again.

8. Finish the hem on my curtains (I may be scrambling Dec 31st 08 to finish this one).

9. Knit seven pairs of socks (current socks in progress count).

10. Start up the violin again.

AND!!!! A bonus goal. As of January 11th, 2008, I decided to see how long I could go without buying yarn (on the 11th I bought the yarn needed for my Grandma's sweater). This is prompted by the whole money issue I've got going on right now with tuition (and by sorting my stash.... it's kinda large (not compared to some, true- but still)). I'm at day 17 people!!! That's over two weeks! My goal is 90 days. I know. I know. Impossible you say (Adrienne- I'm looking at you) but eh, aim for the stars (cue music). So....

11. Go for 90 days without buying yarn.

2008? Really? When?

I'm still planning on writing down some resolutions. I'll do that soon. Blogger is still being weird but I downloaded some photos anyways. I'm glad some fun words came out of the last post. :P Quickly, since I'm fading fast (I mean, it's 8:30 IN THE EVENING!!!) and I want to go have some frozen fruit on a stick.

My two week practicum? Rocked the freakin' cazbah baby yeah! The kids were great and so creative. I've been talking about it all weekend and all day so I'm story-ed out but I'm sure I'll talk more during my 13 week practicum.

First day back at UBC? Fine, it was fine. My first class was great, a lot of work , but a really nice prof. My second class was canceled and this is our least popular class so there is always drama and such. Meh. I got groceries and still got home earlier than I would have had I gone to class so.

So back to knitting! I'm having knitting angst right now. I have about six projects (maybe eight) (or eleven- whatever) on the go but I still feel like there is something I should be knitting that I'm not. So weird. Anyhoo, here are my first two FOs of the year! The first one I'm showing is actually the second FO of the year but since blogger is freaking out I'm not going to try to move the photos around. This is my NY toque made from the yarn Jim and Jenn got me from New York and it is soooooo soft. It's simple 1x1 ribbing and random stripes of colour.


Okay this one is my first FO of the year. It's Noro Iro (75% wool and 25% silk) , two skeins, and is uber long. It's my extravagant pirate scarf.
And a shot of what I am knitting with my reward yarn. It's Clapotis from knitty which is I think the most popular scarf on Raverly but oh well. It looks cool.

Good night!

wtf?!?

I don't know what is up with blogger but it took me all sorts of weirdness to log in. It kept telling that email was invalid and the help option with blogger? Useless. Anyhoo, I finally tried clicking on the 'forgot password' option and you type in the name of your blog and it send information about getting a new password to your email address and you know what? It sent it to the same email address i t kept sasying was invalid!!! so I went through the whole process and 'cchanged my password and by the time I was done it had logged in for me but seriosly. And now the letters are appearing on the screen so slowing that I think about I'm about three sentences ahead of myself. I'll give it some time to catch up. Oh... lots of spelling errors. Needless to say I'm not goiong to try to upoad some knitting photostonight. Technology sucks today! My digital camera is acting up on my too. Grrr. Okay- I'll write more when it's not insane. Maybe I''ll trygo clean some more. Or make pancakes.



Panckaes. (once I finish fixing all these errors. Sheesh. (It's only atGrrr))(never mind- I'm leaving the tyops in. This is hairlarious. If only you could see it come up on the screeen one letter at a time. I type too fast for my typoing ability. (now it's at Sheesh.)


Sheesh.

I feel special!!!

My "Ode to Labyrinth" Treasury

(if it is past January, Monday the 14th, 7:45pm- the treasury will not be there anymore)

But in case it is past the Monday....

AAUGGHHH!!!!

The landlord's wife just came in to use my bathroom because she's vacuuming the hallways. Um... there is freaking bra in my front hallway (I don't know why) and I had TWO days worth of clothing in the bathroom because I keep on getting changed in there when I brush my teeth. CLASSY!!!!


*sigh*

Awesome.

Fibre Christmas snow

Ah.... my 70th post of the year. Not bad, not bad- not stellar or anything. But not bad. I drastically slept in today so this blog will be short. I want to walk to Broadway which will take me an hour or so so I need to get my day started. I'll let you know how that goes.

Xmas prezzie #1: Eyelet socks for my Grandma- these were finished in September, are part bamboo, and have a string of eyelets going up one side of each sock.

Xmas Prezzie #2: Soy Scarf Danica for Mom- if you want to see more of this scarf just go onto Raverly and look up Danica. There's a kabillion of them. Why? Cause it's the best scarf ever. I changed the width of the squares and used larger needles and it turned out well. I realized one third in that I was doing my SSKs wrong so I just continued doing them wrong to make it a pattern. And this was knit out of SWS by patons: 2 skeins.

Xmas Prezzie #3: Skull Dishcloth for Jason: I knit this freehand while watching Angel (season one). The teeth are duplicate stitch so that they would look different from the rest of the skull. The yarn is your typical dishcloth cotton and the rest of the skull was done in intarsia. I also knit Jason a felted skull but I don't have a good picture of that one yet (Julia-could you send me one?)
Xmas prezzie #4: Preggers sweater for Jenn. Not finished. Ran out of yarn about once inch from the last sleeve, but that point is moot since we actually want it looser so I'm going to knit inserts for the sides and then also put in buttons for when the Beeb takes over. It's Noro Kureyon colourway 153.
Xmas prezzie #5: The Too Big Hat That Could Stop Bullets Hat for Dad: seriously, this thing is so thick blocking it took forever because it refused to take in water. It's too big but Dad says he likes it (well, that is his role as a father I guess). The white is the softest merino ever and the edging is Noro Iro (silk and wool). Earmuffs included incase anyone shoots at his neck. Knit from the top down to prevent gauge problems buts I overestimated the size of my Dad's head. It was a fun knit, and I was impressed with the power of blocking when it came to getting the edges to lie flat. I blocked it over top of a lampshade.
Xmas prezzie #6: Aaahhh.... the Christmas sweater! Knit with Maggie's tweed flecked wool and using the stitch pattern from this sweater (I realize now they look pretty similar which is rather funny) but than getting my own gauge and using my Sweater pattern book to make the sweater. I used 8 1/2 skeins and it took me about three months but I think if I was just knitting this sweater it would only take a month because of the large gauge. I had to give it to my Grandpa still damp because this sucker takes forever to dry! I'm really happy with it and I hope it fits when he can finally try it on. Grandpa really seemed to like it so I'm happy.
Xmas prezzie # 6: Harry Potter mitts for Jim: Knit out of a lovely cashmere/wool blend and a made up pattern. I knit the thumb but knitting five stitches with a waste yarn and then knitting over those stitches again with the real yarn and undoing them for the thumb. I will do that for all my thumbs from now on (check out this pattern for a coherent explanation of what I just said). And they fit Jim, which made me happy because as we've seen before- me knitting accessories from afar doesn't always have the best results. I had a few friends who wanted to steal these mittens but I said no.
Xmas prezzie #7: Purple star felted bag for Julia: made with Quebecois yarn made by Birkland Bros (their link is down right now but it's a Vancouver yarn store). The bag was felted and the stars were cut out of a felted square and sewn on. Next time I will do an icord instead of a crochet edge to avoid the wavy edges and also knit slightly tighter to get a more sturdy bag. I guess the thing about not using patterns is that you have to figure these things out on your own but oh well. I really like the bag (and post pictures it got a double thick cinnamon stick spiral dark purple handle). Wheeeee.


Okay- this short post turned into a longer post that also got a phone call halfway through so now I'm really behind in my day (but I looked online and the yarn store I wanted to go to is closed till the 5th (bah!) so I'm going to have to modify my plans) (I'm on a quest to get the rest of the yarn for Jenn's sweater so she can get it before she gets the baby).

Have a good last day of 2007 everyone!

It's fine to be home

So after my flight was nearly an hour late leaving the runway, and after gathering my luggage, I made small talk with my taxicab-driver-man. It was generic small talk and I eventually got into the "it's good to be..." area. But I couldn't finish the sentence. I think I said it three times in a row each time refusing to lie and say "it's good to be back". Cause I was sad and I didn't feel like starting my time back by lying to a very nice taxicab-driver-man. I eventually said "it's good to be off the plane". I contemplated saying "it's good to be back so I can see my cat" but you never know if someone is a cat person or not and whether they'd understand. You see, Vancouver has a lot- I know- but as of the first week of January it doesn't have my family. And you know- I don't always function all that well without them. Now yes, yes- I'm the first to admit it's also material things like incredibly tasty homecooked meals, really nice furniture, spiffy laptops and cable- but it does just come down to family. And I really didn't want to leave today. A little part of me just wanted to go collect Spike and move home. And so I pouted and could not lie to my taxicab-driver-man.

But you know, I've been home for two hours now, and I'm okay now. I think I forgot some of the good things about my Vancouver home. One I never forgot was the demanding presence of this guy. Who has just, after two hours, finally sat down on the couch without me. He was either tripping me as I walked or climbing over anything to get on my lap if I was doing anything (unpacking, getting changed, photographing things). He is very excited by the new items and went a little psycho when I opened my suitcase. He immediately climbed inside and sat on stuff so I decided to unpack my duffle bag- but then he had to climb in there too. Then he got really excited and had to bite me. I understood.

So all this stuff I brought home? Can't show it all now. But I started taking photos and can take a whole lot more with my new massive memory card for my computer (I'd take a photo of it but it's inside my camera and hence impossible). Oh lala. Spike has already started showcasing another present. Here is a fuzzy photo of my new curtains!!!
I bought the material with money from my Grandparents and my Mom helped me sew them. Right now they are too long but that is because I didn't actually take measurements so we left them long. I'm going to get some stitch witchery to finish the hems. Aren't they gorgerous? The material was 50% off! Woo!

Then I went and got material for my bedroom as well. I'll take another photo when this one when it's fixed and during the day. And some more presents! Oh the spoiled life I lead. These are just a few of the wonderful stitch markers I got from Jim and Jenn made by the fabulous Nonny Mouse ( I don't know her but my sister assures me she is such and I think these stitch markers prove the case). There are more that are part of my Buffy themed birthday present (too cool for school) but those are still packed somewhere.

Can't forget my Bollywood presents from Bangladesh Santa (these are the coasters- they came with placemats, a coin purse, and a kleenex box (which I have already put kleenex inside and am using)).

And I was going to show you my blanket from Jason and Julia but there seemed to be a furry monster on it. He approves of it greatly.

Much more to say but I'm tired and I should go to sleep soon. I'll post more presents and my knitted presents soon (before the first).

Good night!

Still snowing here

I'm at home now. Had my first home cooked meal (I cook meals- but those don't fall under the category of 'home-cooked') (more like.... 'meh' category) and am drinking lots of lattes and watching TV (aahhhhh....). I also have all these people around me that I sure do like a whole darn lot. It's a good time.

What's fun is getting to talk to my sister's belly and pat the belly and kiss the belly and tell the belly secrets. There be a pirate beeb in that thar belly. Aaarrrggh.

I'm knitting- not as much as I could be- but nearly done all the presents. One will be wrapped with the needles and frankly, that person has already seen their present and consulted on it sooooo yeah. There will be an Xmas present blog no doubt.

Oh- we're doing a puzzle! And by 'we' I mean that I work on the puzzle and sometimes my family members come join me for a bit. I figure that life can't be that stressful if I can work on a puzzle with frogs (and the whole denial about schoolwork helps too).

School is fine. I finally got my video up (after it had been deleted twice- once my fault once UBC's fault). In January I do my two week practicum, which will be fun. I'm doing social studies, gym, and one art class blitz. I've got most of the 50 names down but I'm sure once I'm immersed I'll get them all down pat.

Oh! And I started spinning again with my lovely drop spindle. The fleece is some lovely stuff from New Zealand. Mmmmm..... purple.

And sorry if I'm pretty vacant this holiday bit- I go from spending hordes of time every day on the computer to barely any but I look forward to catching up afterwards and seeing how everyone's holidays were. I'm so paranoid about my apostrophes now. I may need to take Jenn's course.

Mmmm.... nutella.

Dearest dearest Tobey

ah my dear dying plant. I promise this week I will go buy more pots and soil and transplant you so you stop dying. And don't worry- I will talk to somebody who actually knows something about plants and not try to save you by my age old technique of forgetting to water you and taking you on cross-province trips.

The lament to Tobey comes on the heels of a kinda nasty burn I now have on the backs of three of my fingers on my right hand. In fact typing this is slightly painful (and it's rather ironic I misspelled typing three times and had to go back constantly) so this won't be a long post. No worries though darling readers! With soothing aloe vera from Tobey and some lovely drugs, I can still knit, albeit slowly because I can't wrap the yarn around my fingers, but I can still knit. Which is good because I have a goal to finish my Mom and my Dad's xmas presents by Friday at midnight. It can be achieved.

Tomorrow my class is going on two field trips! It will be uber fun! (I'm not being sarcastic right now).

Bonne nuit!!! (this is how Spike fell asleep the other day- mid stretch)

giggity

Yeah, I know. This is it- my reward yarn for completing the semester. It's 100% wool, Fleece Artist, dreadlocks. Let's just take a moment shall we?
Mmmm...




Anyhoo, I'm off to bed. Just figured I should upload these while the internet and blogger both seem to be working and I'm also waiting for my nails to dry. I painted them three weeks ago but realized I have no nail polish remover so either I go to school with cracked nail polish or I just constantly repaint them (the same colour over and over again) until the day that I actually remember to buy nail polish remover. It's a fun colour- very harlot red (not the actual name) but it's time for a new colour. And you are starting to notice that some sections are now receiving their third coat of paint while others aren't. Sigh.

I got a brother in law from Westjet today! He was rather late due to the snow and Vancouver's inability to realize that every year it snows in Vancouver at least once so maybe they should do a better job and not SUCK when it does (that sentence is fun in all sorts of ackwardness). I introduced him to the good times of Cake Mania while I made hordes and hordes of paper chain garland. I hope to have enough to span the living room walls. Okay, good night all!

/love

Ack and Oh-no!

Well November was not the best month for keeping up on blogging. I think I was distracted by all the NaBloPoMo people out there. Good job you all! Well, besides the crushing demands of school and housework and socializing (that sounded rather pretensious didn't it? sorry), one of the reason I haven't been blogging as much is because I can't talk about my knitting!!!! It's all Xmas presents now and that would kinda defeat the 'present' part of Xmas if I just talked about them all. However I have updated my side bar to include them in all their vagueness. (except for that preggers part... guess who that goes to?) I have a graph on my wall now where my school calendar use to be and am filling it is as I knit. I have two parents, two grandparents, two sisters, and two brother-in-laws that are getting knitted things, and one friend and one uncle who may be getting knitted things. 24 days to go right? I can do it. And I may do a sneek peek of photos with massive detail one day. Oh, and I do have to show you my yarn that was my reward for finishing my papers. Mmmm... blogger seems to be having difficulties. Another blog entry then.

Okay- I'm off to knit with my new *cashmere* yarn. Oh that's right. I said cashmere.