Champagne Anyone?

I think I will toast to a few things since my last post:

1. My new tattoo

2. Turning the heel on my first pair of socks

3. Lemon Lime blanket = a hit with recipient

4. Completing the posh wedding shrug- almost

5. 12 days until my 1 year anniversary

I started my new tattoo in May. I was scared to go for a peice that would be on my chest. Its a place that is 'in your face' so to speak. Most of my ink is hidden and tucked away, then BAM, art nouveau/deco is staring you down.

I get color on the 11th and 16th of June. I want to stick with traditional colors of the style, but I think I am going to go a bit brighter because in time the ink with settle into the skin and get that 'muddy' look that art nouveau has alot of.

I am almost finished my first sock EVER. I started with DPNs, but then I learned magic loop from a friend in the knitting group I am involved with. Magic Loop = awesome. I am not going to just let my DPNs collect dust though. I feel that they are just as wonderful. I finished the 'body' of the sock and got to the point where I was going to turn the heel. I added a lifeline here, since I have never done socks before. I turned the heel and started the gusset. (This is where I needed champagne) Joshua had no clue why I was so excited and felt so accomplished. I think I am in love with socks. Even though I have to still complete the toe and cast on the second one. Lets hope I do not lose the ambition that has brought me this far!

I still need to block the wedding shrug and make some minor adjustments. I think I will post a picture of it when that is completed.

As for our one year anniversary, I still do not know what to buy him or what to do. We have chatted a little about it. I think we may just make a day all to ourselves, go somewhere we have never been and enjoy the day. There are just so many options.

Horses and Mounts

I finally finished the toy horse my friend asked me to make for his daughter. SHE LOVES HORSES! Problem is, her favorite one (to the right) is hard plastic and she sleeps with it and takes it everywhere. He asked if I could make a soft version of  her favorite. The pattern called for knitting up the body in a natural fiber and felting it. I The knitting part didn't take long at all. It was very tedious sewing up the seams, felting, stitching together small holes in the seam and felting some more. One leg did end up a big shorter than the others. It is only really noticable if you try to pose it in a standing position.

After stuffing the body, adding some floral wire to the legs it was pretty recognizable! The pattern, Dusty and Satchel by Katie Startzman, was super easy to follow. I used crochet thread for the tail and mane. Added the face and beaded eyes. I love how it turned out. Even if it isn't 100% perfect. I figure, for my first time making a stuffed toy, I did a fairly decent job.

 After practically driving myself nuts with the noise my jeep was making and thinking it was the spare tire rattling on the back. I get down and dirty and climb under to find out I have broken yet another shock mount. Driving in downtown Baltimore is brutal. The streets are riddled with pot-holes and repair work that was done half-assed. I am sure having it lifted does not help. It causes more stress on the suspension. Plus I really need to put my sway bars back on. Woops. Off to the shop this morning. I am waiting for a call about parts and prices before they start the work. I really hope this doesnt bleed my wallet dry!

Lemon and Lime

Working at a law firm, you meet an interesting array of people. One of the lawyers here always likes to show me pictures of his family and what not. He told me about his daughter and that she blogs. I found it interesting and one day she blogged that she was having a baby! I think every child should have a homemade blanket. Now, someone in his family may knit or crochet and she will receive one, but how am I to know this kind of information?

Greens and yellows, they are not gender biased colors. So, when I found this yarn I thought it was perfect! It is Jo-Ann Sensations. I used 2.5 skeins. I still have yet to weave in the ends. Plus, I am still wondering if I should put an edge on it or not. If I do, it will probably be a small scalloped edge. The pattern came from a scarf I had made for my mother. Diagonal Stitch Scarf. I just made it much wider (baby blanket sized).

The yarn was pretty easy to work with. No breakage problems or splitting.

She is due in May, so I finished just in time.

10 stitch

I loved this pattern and thought I would attempt to do it in a smaller fashion. A dishcloth. After ripping out the first double-corner 3 times, I finally got it! Amazingly simple and would be super cute to make a full size afghan or baby blanket. The ladies at knit night also had a great idea. Double strand of cotton yarn using slighter larger needles to make it more 'fluffy' and wham...a perfect bath mat.

Mirror Knitter

I have come to the conclusion from the lovely posts and help from the ladies of Ravelry that I am a mirrored knitter. My stitches move from the right needle to the left. From what I have read, it does not pose too many problems. Just a few minor changes in patterns.

Yesterday I ordered some yarn and needles from knitpicks.com. One of the skiens of yarn I did have a pattern in mind, Lace Ribbon Scarf - http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTlaceribbon.html.

It is so beautiful. I did a test of the lace pattern last night. Just to make sure all my decreases and increases were going in the right direction. It looks correct, but I am going to take it Tuesday to knit night to get the ladies opinions!  I hate that I have 5-14 business days to wait until I receive my shipment. It's okay though, I have some other WIPs that I should finish before I start this scarf. (FYI this is not my test, this was from the pattern page on Knitty)


On a lighter note. The temperature in Batlimore is on the rise and this makes me smile. My birthday is soon and I asked my friends if we could plan a day trip to Luray Caverns in VA. I have not been there since I was in elementary school. I do not think any of my friends have ever been there. It is a treat for me to see their faces when I introduce them to something new that I love.

1 Year ago

1 year ago on this day, April 28th. I received the worst phone call of my life. My grandfather was rushed to the hospital. Our family will never be the same. My last living grandparent. I miss him everyday. I wish he could be around to see his first grandchild get married. I will never forget you pop!

no clear skies ahead

I feel like my emotions have been strewn all over the place by a wild tornado in the mid-west. It lingers and holds on. It gets stronger and dies down. Just as I think it is going to end and I will see clear skys. Another front comes and strengthens the core to yet again confuse all my senses all over again. Clicking the heels of my converse will not make this end.

I am lost. I am confused. I cry one minute. The next I am screaming curse words at the top of my lungs hoping to release some of my anger.

Knitting and crocheting have always helped sooth my mind and ease my thoughts. But even at this time, it is not helping. I try new patterns. I cannot even concentrate and call myself a loser because I can't figure out some stupid knitting stitch.

Please tornado leave so I can start picking up the pieces of my life and gather my emotions in one controlable fashion.

Knitted DHARMA

I know this project will be an on-going one. LOST is almost over. I wonder, when I finally finish it, if people will remember the show.

Pool Fence

I am creating this just so my raveler friends can give me an opinion.

old fence:

newer fence:

Meat Lovers Pizza = Nightmares

I will work backwards in time for this post.

Last night I decided I wanted to have the any pizza and crust choice from Pizza Hut. My boyfriend loves the Meat Lovers pizza (of which I am not a huge fan, but decided to try it again - in case my taste buds have changed). I gotta say my most favorite pizza is cheese and banana peppers. Fell asleep at 10:30, woke up at 11:30. Craving WATER! A glass and a half later, back to bed. Up 3 more times through out the night, drinking more water and having to tinkle. Nightmares invaded my head throughout the night. I have never had so many and I think it was all the meat and salt. Ugh. Never again will I eat meat lovers pizza.

I had been working feverishly on objects. A hat for myself. Same pattern as in the last post. Also, a baby blanket for my friend Lisa. Now onto some baby clothes. I made a cute little pinafore from this pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/angel-wings-pinafore/patterns/library/angel-wings-pinafore. I am already working on a second one with yellow and white. They crochet up very quickly. I am altering the pattern a bit on the 2nd. Instead of (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) I am doing (2dc, 1ch, 2dc) Hoping it will make the holes a bit smaller.

Ravelry is my new best friend for patterns. I have found a pattern I really can't wait to start for myself. But I have a granny square afghan I really need to finish. Until then, I will just dream of this blanket: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cathedral-rose-window-afghan

A few new items

Diagonal Scarf - Crochet (Moms birthday present)

Foliage Hat - Knit (Jen - who gave it to her mom)