Alaska's Great... Internet Connection is SLOW!

Christmas has passed, and here I am in cold Alaskee!! It is pretty nice. Teagan is cute (although she won't wear the swing coat cardi... little stinker!) and she remembered me right away. That is all and Auntie can hope for.

Knitting has been good. I have made tremendous progress on the long sleeve one skein wonder. So it will really be a four skein wonder. I am making it out of Lion Thick and Quick, so the knitting goes REALLY fast. I really like this stuff, it is pretty cheap, soft and such a fast knit! I am using a brown with red and green undertones. Very nice. Sorry no pictures until I am back in Cali, Not set up properly here in Alaska. But I am taking pictures (about 50 yesterday... mostly of Teagan)

I already scoped out one of the yarn stores here (went this morning) I didn't buy anything, but wanted to. They had this bulky alpaca...mmmmmmm! And some Cascade P- something or other. It was a lot softer then the 220, but about $2 more and I think less yards. And the Cascade Quatro. This also cost more then the 220 (I think a dollar) but was very pretty. They had a little baby sweater (hoodie with a kangaroo pocket) made out of it. CUTE!

So this was a pretty prolific Christmas knit-wise. I got money towards the knitpicks yarn I want for the cabled sweater... I think it was enough (Kyle's mom and my brother). Kyle got me a ball winder and swift (which I was technically supposed to get after X-Mas - but kind of guessed it was coming (he didn't have it yet) and so he told me about it) and a gift certificate to my local yarn store. And Kyle's grandma (Omi) got me a GC to the local yarn shop as well! Man... I am spoiled!! Thanks everyone.

Kyle called me yesterday and said he would like a pair of hand knit socks for fishing (wool). I had asked him a while ago and he was not interested at the time. I have never actually knit a pair but have thought about it often.

I guess I am going to go. I need to rework the ballet t for a smaller gauge and a bigger size and need to finish up on the long sleeve wonder!!

I've been busy, But...

Here is Handsome Hound. I spent Sunday evening watching the shows (Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy...my fave!) and working on sewing him up. Then I got back in bed yesterday morning after the gym and sewed, sewed, sewed. Then I began to stuff. And finally I came home from work, stuffed a little more and stitched up his bootie hole. Then the picture taking began. I love this guy... he is SO cute. And I want him back if Jessica (or Ian) ever doesn't love him anymore!! I know... pictures already:





























































He spent a lot of time jumping around the apartment last night. Poor Kyle was in bed with a temp of 103, and he had to suffer through my crazy picture taking tirade. I am kind of a photo crazed lady. I will be leaving for Alaska in less then a week, batteries will need to be charged and MANY photos will be taken. I can't get enough of that little niece of mine. If I had my camera all the time, it would be dangerous. Except that I feel odd taking pictures when other people are watching. Or taking pictures that someone wants to turn out really good. Or taking pictures of adults. I HATE taking pictures of adults. Kyle asked me to take pictures of his band a long time ago. But adults are all self conscious... and then so am I about telling them what to do. Oh well... babies and kids for me. Oh and knit/sewn items!

Okay and now some bag pictures, I worked on this one for most of the weekend...













Not entirely done. I need to throw a seam around the top edge to really secure the lining to the bag. I am not the best sewer, but will continue working at it!!

Several glasses of wine and three finals later...

I am DONE!! My final semester at city college done. It has been a long time, I have been there for YEARS!! And I have been home relaxing alone this evening because Kyle is at band practice. I spent the better part of an hour on the phone with Tara playing word games on yahoo. And I have had a few glasses of wine.

The knitting begins tomorrow. What should be my big no school project?? Something I already have everything for. Something I need a bunch more yarn for!! Or just finish off some WIP's. No fun, the WIPs will win (for now) but I will be moving on.

So while talking to Tara, I missed the amazing race finale. Not that I was watching it anyways, I was playing computer games. So I'll go for now, I am sleepy!! Wine or Tired, I don't know, but here I come, bed!!

One final down

Two to go!! Woo-Hoo, math final over.

What should I be doing right now? Preparing/Studying for tomorrows finals.

What am I doing? Wasting time on the internet. I have no shame. I made Kyle make me breakfast and tried to get him to make me a latte so I could study. I barely did. And it is going to show in my grade. I think I only did so-so on the math test. Oh Well... to keep my A in the class I only needed to obtain a 64% or so. Hopefully I pulled at least that much off!!

Knitting: I am working on this seed stitch scarf that I started on my last trip to Alaska, it ended up being too wide and I was not going to have enough yarn for a long enough scarf. So I am reknitting the whole thing at fewer sts cast on. Hopefully I will finish some projects up and get some good stuff going. ONLY ONE MORE DAY OF SCHOOL, then all my focus will be on crafty goodness. And maybe some baking!!

So off I go, just wanted to waste some more time.

The picture over on the right: That would be my notes for my history final and the swatch for the loop d loop cabled cardigan.

I am a terrible procrastinator!!

I am busy procrastinating right now. Finals tomorrow and Tuesday should have been keeping me busy for the past week or so, studying and preparing note cards and such. But here I am, not done a damn thing up to now and left with soooo much to do I am avoiding it. The final I am most concerned with is my history class. This test is 30% of the grade and I have not prepared at all. I didn't read the textbook. I swear to myself EVERY semester at the beginning... this is it, I WILL read the textbooks this year. And a month into class, I think it is not too late I can catch up on my reading. Next thing I know the semester is almost over I read maybe 5% of what I should have done. Maybe that is why I like math better,
I don't really have to read the textbook, I just do the homework all along the way.

So anyways, I am half way through preparing for the essays for my history final, but keep taking breaks to read Harry Potter (I am on the third book) and now get busy on the computer. It's a good thing Kyle went fishing today or I would find more excuses not to study. As it is, I have an ornament gift exchange party to go to tonight, so ideally I will be done by then.

Okay... back to work!!

Why is the yarn store a bad idea??

First of all, I spend money.

Second... I want to buy EVERYTHING!!!

Third, it makes me want to make many more projects then I will EVER be able to complete.

Why is it a good idea... I love it there!!

I went to the yarn store today. I put a couple of the hand dyed skeins and some pink bulky cascade in my bag that I needed to wind into balls. Off I went. I debated walk or ride my bike. Walking won because my ears don't get as cold so it seemed more appealing. So in I go, I wind all three skeins. All the while I am letting my eyes wander around the store. Meg (owner) had some BEAUTIFUL lopi in stock. Something I first used in Alaska and Loved, but was unable to buy here. So I kept eyeballing the goods. Then I wandered around and felt all the goods. Mmmmmm, There was more then a few things I wanted. So because I feel totally guilty when I go to the yarn store to use the winder for yarn I didn't buy there, I had to buy something. So I bought some laverder and grassy green yarn (one of each) with no project in mind. Other then ANOTHER bag. Do I really know another. Does anyone I need really need another. I have so much yarn in the closet designated for bags. And now I have a bunch of material in the closet designated for bags. I am bag crazed!! Oh Well. I need ideas for other small projects, but this stuff is too scratchy for things like a scarf, of which I also don't need!

On another note... Do most people eat the part of something they don't like first or last. As in...Chex Mix. When I eat chex mix, I eat the pretzels first. I don't like the pretzels very much, so I want to get them out of the way. Then I move on. But other people they save the bad stuff for the end. I also like to eat my veggies first, their just to healthy to end on.

Oh - I almost forgot, I replaced my accesories bag at the yarn store today as well. My other one lost it's zipper. Much better.

No new knitting news...

I have however been very busy re-reading Harry Potter (I'm half way through number two) and making a kimono style sweatshirt inspired by Martha Stewart and this blog (link to come later... I am logged in to Kyle's half of the computer and don't have my knitting blog bookmarks, so I don't know where it came from... sorry) I first saw it on. As you will see, it is still in progress, I used a bias tape to edge the side, I was going along GREAT, but must have lost my grove because it gets REALLY funky. I am going to rip it out tomorrow and try again. It is kind of late for me to be attempting new sewing things. As most sewing things are new to me and I am pretty bad at sewing in a straight line. Anyways, this is a pattern of my own design modeled after the MS one. I really liked hers but it was sized for 0-3 months and required photo copying and enlarging and cutting and pasting to complete. So I used a t-shirt I have for Teagan as an X-Mas gift and made my own measurements based on that. I am going for a long jacket/sweatshirt style that may even be cute as a top over pants when she grows up a little bit and it fits a bit more snug. Right now it will probably fit very large.

As for knitting I've done very little. I keep thinking about it and want to, but am crippled by project issues. I don't know what to knit, nothing I NEED to knit is sounding appealing and Everything I WANT to knit, I know I need to wait. I am thinking of using the hand dyed to make either Tubey or The Somewhat Cowl. Tubey is free, but would require some additional yarn. And the somewhat cowl costs money, but is something I have been dreaming of for awhile. So...choices, choices!! I will have to continue pondering.

I did ask for the wool of the andes in chocolate to make the cabled cardi in Loop d Loop. I hope I get enough!!

Is it too bathrobey??? (The kimono)

Warm feet, if only the rest of me would get in line...

So I love my slippers. I wear them ALL the time. It has finally gotten COLD in Fresno. We didn't think it would happen. Mid 70's into December is not entirely usual. But now it has hit, the Fresno cold has arrived. While the days are still not too bad, the evenings in my non heater running house are chilly. So I've taken to wearing my slippers all the time. Even in bed some. Okay, I'm lying, I do run the heater some. More then I have in previous years but I think I'm getting too old for these extreme temps anymore. I did not give these slippers their full love appreciation previously because it was 114 degrees outside. Now it is time for cozy feet.

The gym is kicking my ass. But I keep going. Actually I really like it. All except for the very sore legs two days later. That will be tomorrow, I went yesterday. Jessica and I are planning to go tomorrow morning, it should be good. I've been thinking, if you get sore the second day after working out, can you chase the sore's away by continuing to work out every other day? That is some motivation to keep going!!

Cutie Patootie Ian:

Yarn-iversary

I am declaring Dec. 1st my yarn-iversary. This will be my second yarn-iversary. I am so excited. I asked for a ball winder and swift from Kyle. He said he thinks he could make me a swift, something basic. But I really need a ball winder. Especially after last night. I deconstructed a scarf for the yarn. I received a scarf as a gift at some point that was not really my style, it went into my regifting pile (I know it's terrible, but I don't want to waste things that other people may like) and I pulled it out again yesterday and thought of tearing it out for the really pretty yarn came dancing through my head. Well, I did it. And I have this HUGE ball of yarn that I think may become a pair of mittens. I took pictures but won't post them because I don't want to offend the possible gift giver. But know that I LOVE the yarn and will make something beautiful out of it!!





The ultimate in regifting... Making something else out of said yarn and giving new product to original giver. That would be funny!! I won't do it, I like the yarn.

It is also very hard for the gift giver that asks me what I want, I say yarn, but I want specific yarns. It is too hard!! At least I can direct Kyle directly to what I want. But he has some plans this year. He is already advising me not to snoop. Really, REALLY hard for me to do. I am a HUGE snoop. I can't help it, I've decided I have NO impulse control.

OH NO!!

I have a white spot. Ahhhhhhhhhhh... What do I do? Do I have to redye that spot. I tossed all the yarn. I don't want to redye it. How obvious will it be once knit. Argh!! This is terrible. How do I spot dye it without all the work?? I will ponder this for another day. I really need to do some homework. It is almost the end of the semester and I have a paper, two finals, and whatever math tests coming up very, VERY soon.

Saturday fun...

And So It Begins...

I got my yarn ready. At first I was only going to dye one skein, but after it was done decided to do two more. This leaves me with a fourth... do I dye it the same... or something different??

I have been buying and collecting koolaid and laid it all out to begin my color explorations.







Next I soaked the yarn in clear water to prepare it for the dye.




And then I mixed my colors. I was very methodical and kept track of what flavors I used to make each color. Why did I make yellow, it doesn't fit any of the other colors. Oh well, I didn't even use it except for a taste... TART!!


The squirt squirt here, squirt squirt there, I have very colorful yarn. What a mess, the first skein I did right on top of the table (some directions said to do this, other said to do it in a bag and even others said to do it in the dish. I settled on the dish after the mess of the first one). So here it is ready to go into the microwave.





The yarn has left my hands a very bright red... I think this is the real reason I decided to continue and dye the other two skeins, I don't want to walk around with super colorful hands all the time. It is even a bigger problem for me since I occasionally chew my finger nails, because the color gets weird around those places. I believe I kept the color contained and didn't get it anywhere it should not be. My biggest concern was that I used my dad's camera... he is pretty anal, as I would be too when someone used my camera for such things. But I didn't tell him, so he will find out after I return the camera to him in perfect condition. I would have used mine but it went out of town with Kyle this weekend. I was going to say I don't realize how much I love my camera until it is gone, but that is untrue, I know how much I love it and take pictures nearly EVERY day.





















In the microwave, the yarn gets HOT!!









Here it is in the bathtub, about to go for a bath and cool off. Then I will hang it up and let it dry. I guess it will be a few days before I can wind it into balls. I always feel very guilty taking yarn into my LYS to wind it into balls if I didn't buy it there. I had some E-bay yarn I took to the yarn store. The guilt was too much, I don't know if I can take this in. But it is soooo much to wind by hand. Each skein is 440 yards. Times 3. 1320 yards. WOW!!

Stretchy

Little shoes for Teagan. I found the pattern in a magazine and did the horrible, I copied the pattern but did not buy the mag. For Shame!! So I made this yesterday in between feedings. It turned out pretty cute, I changed it so that it would not be garter st all the way around and made the top stockinette st instead. I am going to weave a ribbon through it in a shoelace fashion and of course plan on making one more. I am worried about size, but it is pretty stretchy.

In other news, I have made a bag pattern that I can not post pictures of because I am going to try to submit it to knitty. Problem is I probably need someone to knit the pattern first, just to make sure it works. I asked Tara, but she said I needed to buy her the yarn... Pa-Shaw!! I can't afford such endeavors!! We'll see what becomes of it. So I will speak of it no longer.

Off I must go, Heading to the gym. FINALLY!! I joined on Tues and this will be my first trip. I am kind of scared and needed Jessica to hold my hand and go with me. So she should be here any minute. Hopefully the piece of pie I recently ate won't affect me. Maybe a bad idea... Too Late.

If I get sick, I may never be tempted back to the gym again.


Shoe for Teagan.


Bootie-Licious!!

Soooo full...Belly exploding...

Although Kyle and I don't feel like we ate too much... We Are Stuffed!!! But it was a good day, lots of family stuff. Good games. Too much food. Way too much food. An ungodly amount of food. But that means lots o' left overs to feed me all weekend while Kyle is away fishing.

Plus... I knit a bootie/ballet slipper thing today. For Teagan. I kind of improvised and hope it fits. Won't know until the day after Christmas. Because I am going to ALASKA... YEAH!! I can't wait. I have big uninterrupted knitting plans. Lots of snuggling up in the wintery weather and cranking out a sweater possibly (I am thinking the cabled cardigan from Loop D Loop... Maybe I can get someone(s) to get me the yarn as an X-mas gift) but definitely getting my knit on!!

So I'll post pictures of the bootie later... I must get in bed and let the food digest... the diet/exercise starts TOMORROW!!

They're Watching You...

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

I LOVE CHEESECAKE. It is so smooth and creamy. I made a cheesecake for our (early) Thanksgiving celebration with my family yesterday. At first I was going to make a pumpkin cheesecake, but I am not such a huge fan of the pumpkin what-not. So I opted to make a plain cheesecake with a pumpkin sauce AND a dulce de leche sauce. For those who felt like they needed options. Or wanted both (Kyle).

And while I try not to brag too much (HA - I brag a lot!!), the cheesecake is THE BEST!! In fact, whenever anyone said how much they liked it yesterday, I told them it was because I am the master. Really I think it is just that I have made a few cheesecakes, and I have a really easy good recipe.

allrecipes is the best website. You can find everything.
I like it when I remember something from my childhood or I had one time at this one place that someone made and it was so good, but what was it and who made it and how do I get that recipe! Because I have had some amazing luck at this website and found the recipe. Plus I read all the reviews and get the best variations and ideas and tips... and wa-la... Perfect food!!

So I just want to say about my cheesecake... it was the perfect creaminess from outside edge to inner center. This is my biggest issue with cheesecakes, the ones that are way overdone at the outside but still all loose at the center.

Last night during cheesecake conversations, my mom said: Rhiannon will make one for you, if you ever want one. To which I replied: Only in the winter, I don't like to use the oven in the summer. Then my grandma (Moner) said: The oven?? Why do you use the oven, I've never baked a cheesecake. I looked at Kyle who had a dumbfounded look on his face and he asked me under his breath what kind of cheesecake wasn't baked. My grandma doesn't know about REAL cheesecake and Kyle doesn't seem to know about what is more like a cream cheese pie. Or the cheesecake recipe you usually find on the inside cover of the box of cheam cheese.

The only way to go is the yummy egg and cream cheese and other what not kind of cheesecake. I'll eat a non-baked cheesecake but will fantasize about something better!!

I have more bags then I will ever need...

But I felt compelled to make ANOTHER ONE!! I have been on a sewing kick lately, and have been scoping bags out and podering the possibilities of reproducing them. I really like bags. Kind of like I really like shoes, you can be fat or miserable and not like any clothes, but shoes and bags fit anyways!! And since I've been feeling fat lately (woo-hoo, joining the gym to combat feeling fat!!) bags have been a high priority for me.

So, I started checking the internet for bag inspiration. And wa-la! I found a bag that inspired me. So I got to pattern drawing, then material cutting. And sew, sew, sew, later I have a bag. It is smaller then I was anticipating. And I really would like it made out something other then felt. But, I had felt. I wanted to make it as a cheap proto-type. And in a finished bag, I would like a lining. No desire to line this one though. So enough blah, blah, blah...

Pictures:

New School and New Mittens

I made myself a list. I put it in order. I ment to stick to it. I was going to finish stuff up (swing coat and handsome hound). But what happened. Big surprise, I did not stick to it. At least I am still on the list. I began working on orange mittens for Kate. Tara just kept talking to me about mittens and I was getting jealous. As I LOVE to knit mittens. They are fast and soooo satisfying.

But I've also been busy with school stuff. Not only the regular stuff, homework, tests, going to class (sometimes a challange for me) BUT getting ready to transfer to a new school. I has orientation last friday and have been clearing up holds so I can register on Monday. It looks like I'll be lucky if I even get enough classes let alone the ones I need/want. It sucks to be at the bottom of the totem pole.

How about some pictures:



Some Halloween pictures. First, Kyle and I as a preggers bride and her pa looking for a hubby. Note the shotgun! Next, this had to be my FAVORITE costume. This is one of Kyle's co-workers. Can you tell who he is?? And finally, who doesn't recognize superman. This guy was very corageous to wear this. He even wore it to work ALL day. (He began the party as Clark Kent and only later unveiled his true costume... He had not told anyone who he was. Very ingenious!)

Next a bag I made: Front
And Back:And Finally...
I was inspired at 7:30 this morning (too early) by the bright light and knitting needles. However my cameras batterys died after only one shot, so I don't know how much I love the picture. This new light is all because our neighbor cut down MANY HUGE bushes that blocked the early morning light and their prying eyes from our house. Now it's like our living room window is a huge viewing glass from their back porch. Anyways, excuse my rant and look at the picture.

Not much to blog about

So, I haven't been much of a blogger lately!! Not too much to blog about. I am still knitting on the same projects.

- Swing coat cardi, needs a little finishing. I barely had enough yarn to finish it. I was so desperate I was looking for the ends I cut off when I wove in my ends. I just BARELY made it. So I need to finish it up and ship it to good ol' Alaskee.

- Handsome hound. I have been working on him. Once I got to the point where all I had left on Swing was some (boring) finishing, I skipped it to create a dog for the CUTEST little boy EVER. Ian is sooooooooooo cute. I am so glad my friend has the cutest baby ever. He is seven months and that has to be one of the cutest under one times. He is all gurgles and coos and screams and raspberries. I LOVE IT! She came and saw me at work yesterday (with a brownie and the baby), it was sweet! So, I finished body side number two of HH and need to knit up the belly and ears. Then seem him up. I am worried, this will be my first big seeming project. But good practice because next to come is...

- Madill Cardi. I got the body of this baby done in no time flat. Then I abandoned it. So sleeves are next on my to knit list. Then some major finishing. Woo-Hoo. I am worried about having enough yarn and am considering my options, like 3/4 sleeves. Hmmmmm!

- Kyle's sweater. I only finished knitting this baby in June. Still the ends are dangling free. There are only like 4 that need to be woven in. So little work, why have I put it off FOREVER. My plan is to do some major finishing this weekend. Kyle will be out of town so I can bust a move on these projects. Actually, he could probably wear it this weekend... I just don't think it can be dried and washed soon enough. He leaves tomorrow.

I have been toying around with the idea of designing a few patterns of my own. Actually, I have a bag pattern in the works. But I am also interested in some sweaters. I have become unnaturally obsessed with knitting and start deconstructing sweaters when I see people wearing them. I have also become mildly obsessed with sewing and have made a few different bags. Sorry no pics. Maybe in the future.

Work sucks, weather is getting sucky, and I am tired ALL the time. I want school to be over. I want to sit and knit ALL the time. What am I to do?? Oh well, off to meet Kyle for lunch at good ol' Red Robin, a fave of ours.

What kind of needle am I?

You are interchangeable.
Fun, free, and into everything, you've got every
eventuality covered and every opportunity just
has to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and
every day is a new beginning. You are good at
so many things, it's amazing, but you can
easily lose your place and forget to show up.
They have row counters for people like you!


What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla


I have to say, I was not feeling this description of me so much. So I took the test again and answered with those answers that I was struggling with the first time around. You know, when there are two answers that you could go with and aren't really sure which to choose. And to my surprise, I got the same results. And I don't think this is one of those quizes that randomly gives you an answer regardless of what you put in. But what do I know? So I am INTERCHANGEABLE!! WOO-HOO, accept it and move on!

Closer to done and fewer problems...

Here it is with the hood thing (what is it??) and the bottom edge completed. I tore out the first attempt that was 3 stitches. Tara did not want any contrasting yarn. She was very upset by the idea. She said go buy more yarn, do not use anything else!! I said I would try to make it work with what I had. Plus, I like it better with two sts instead, it is more delicate and fits the sweater better.

I just have to do the bottom of the sleeves and weave in a few more ends. THEN COMPLETION!! I will mail it off right away for Teagan to begin wearing immediatly! I am very happy with it.

I didn't feel like any attached I-Cord yesterday so I worked a few rows on Handsome Hound. He is SO cute. And I saw Ian (who handsome hound is for) yesterday. HE IS THE CUTEST!! He is crawling all over the place, so sweet. Makes me want one of my own. He stared at me while we were eating lunch... I told Jessica (his mommy) that he LOVES me.


Front of the Swing Coat Cardigan.


Back of cardi


Heart...How cute!!

I did it again. I knit a heart into the armpit. If you didn't see the first one... you will find it here. Teagan needs a little armpit love, and here it is.