HaNdKrAfT

non-knitterly thoughts

I am in my eighth floor office watching a half dozen construction workers demolish what appear to be old chimney flues on the roof of a neighboring (government) building.  I can only assume that they are working to repair the roof, but the jackhammer that they are using is very distracting, and not helping me concentrate on work. (Which is a daily struggle anyway.)

Watching them while partaking in my ritualistic morning diet coke, makes me wonder if they are happy and like the way that their life is going.  I have been grappling recently with the same questions, and still have no answers.  I had a long conversation recently with a very good friend, and she asked me what I wanted, and more importantly how (and where) did I want to be living when I was 35.  (only just over 6 years away!)  This is the bigger puzzle that I am working on.

For now, I am trying to adjust the smaller pieces, mostly some friends.   I am trying to figure out where BJ fits into my picture, if at all.  We were lovers, now are friends, and for me, there is still a question that needs to be answered.  As for S, he and I have been involved off an on for almost 12 years, mostly as friends.  I know that we will never be anything more than friends at this point, and I am ok with that.  I do have a tendency to remain friends with my exes, and I think that is a good thing.  I talk to several of them regularly, including S, BJ, and some of the J's. 

But the more complicated BJ and S issues aside, I am revisiting (for the umpteenth time) what to do about another old friend.  I am tired, SO tired of hearing from GIG when things are going wrong, and being used as an escape.  I barely hear from GIG when things are going right, or when GIG is coupled.  Then, we NEVER see each other, and when we do talk, it is always about the other 1/2 or their "friends."  I am tired of being the back up.  At some point, I deserve to come first. 

Deep thoughts on a Thursday morning.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, BJ, GIG, S, Bulldozer are initials of names & nicknames, or just straight nicknames I have for the individuals, because I would not want MY name out there in cyberspace. (and most of them read this blog from time to time).

not another bag lady!

I have mentioned before that I do have a sewing/embroidery machine and the software that goes with it .  A couple of weeks ago, I bought this fabulous embroidered silk fabric from the local (huge) fabric store, and made myself a knitting bag.  I did not use a pattern, only ideas from various sources on the web.  I drew out a pattern, and put it all together.  I even used the embroidery function to do the K.  When I took the bag to my fave LYS, the ladies there gave it rave reviews and suggested that I should sell similar bags.  I had so much fun making it, and the little pouch I sent my SP8 spoilee Christine, that I am going to make some more bags and put them in my etsy shop.  The vintage bag trend seems to be really big right now, and as I have said in the last few posts, I am feeling craft stash guilt.  The plan, my friends is to use the cash I make from the sale of my things to pay for my yarn and craft supplies. - I want to make it self sustaining- 

To that end, take a look at the following fabulous fabrics.  I am working on sketches for them today, ad plan on cutting the fabric tonight.  Hopefully, I will have them finished this weekend, and up in the shop.  I also have several clutches planned, including a vintage looking black and gray clutch with a fabric flower.  I am working on the sketches for two jacquard/ upholstery type bags as well. I am hoping that the next time I am in the fabric stores I see some other colors of fabric that I like: it seems like I am tending to mostly blues and greens. For whatever reason, Pink is calling my name.  And the best part of all of this is is that I get to use up my fabric stash and REDUCE the level of craft material in my house!

But this is an imperfect plan my friends: invariably, I will become distracted with some other "new" project and not get around to finishing what I have started.  That may be, but in an effort to avoid buying more craft supplies, I am going to work very diligently on creating things and reducing. (oh, and not accumulating new stuff!)

Otherwise, I am nearly finished with my blue silk cropped cardigan - I may have a picture posted tonight.  After frogging the original sweater, and knitting something completely different, I am finally happy with what I have made.  -My thing is that why should I spend the time on it (let alone the money) if I won't wear it?  (which ties in nicely to my recent post about socks!)

I don't knit socks. (Period)

About two months ago, I completed the second pair of socks that I have knitted in the 10+ years I have been knitting.  I did them because a relative, who is being treated for Hodgkins' Lymphoma asked me for them. (This falls under the category of things you can't say no to.  And my relative is doing fine & her prognosis is good)

But in doing the socks, I came to realize with just how much intensity the knitting world views socks.  There are those knitters that love them.  There are those knitters that love them so much that they design them.  There are a small hand-full of knitters who only knit socks.  There are those knitters who do them "because they are so portable." (I think these knitters just don't want to admit they love socks.  Have you seen the size of handbags that most women lug around- I could fit an entire sweater project into some of them.) There are those knitters who belong to sock of the month clubs. 

Then there are the knitters who hate socks.  These knitters hate them because of the DPN's, the short rows, the magic loop, or fighting with circular needles.  There are the knitters who hate socks because of Kitchener stitch. (I don't get that - what is the big deal, the last 6-8 sts?) 

I fall into neither of these camps.  I don't hate knitting socks.  I don't love them either.  many knitters assume that because I don't knit socks, that I can't knit socks.  I have had several ladies offer to teach me how.  But here is the thing:  I can but I don't. 

I don't knit socks, because I don't WEAR socks.  (With the exception of when I run - and I call those blister protection devices, not socks!) The biggest fashion no-no for me is wearing socks with sandals. (like birks)  I live in FLORIDA.  It does not even get cold enough in the winter to worry about socks here.  And the biggest thing for me is time.  My knitting time is limited anyway, so why waste it with silly socks? 

Now gloves? gloves are another story entirely.

Fractus, fractus.

Recently after a frantic search through my closet for a missing file, I came to the realization of JUST HOW MUCH craft stuff I have. - And I am NOT talking stash here-   There is an entire wall in my closet/utilities/washroom. DEVOTED to craft stuff.  Rubber stamps, paper, material, thread, cross stitch.  I have enough craft stuff OUTSIDE of knitting  and spinning to keep me busy every day for the next umpteen years.  And i have not even mentioned the Jewelry stuff yet. 

The stash guilt that I am feeling has now transferred to craft guilt.  Especially since I don't particularly feel like making cards, or playing with rubber stamps, or scrap-booking, or... I use my sewing/embroidery machine frequently, so I have no guilt there, but all of that other stuff is just sitting there begging to be used.  And someday I will get to it.

I really believe that the craft stash accumulation began when I broke up with BJ.  At that point, I had one small box of yarn - I am talking 12" x 12" here people, Two of the same size boxes of Jewelry stuff and another the same size of rubber stamps/paper.   All of my craft stuff could fit in a four cubic foot area.  NOT ANYMORE.  I feel like Carrie on Sex in the City when she realized just how many Manolos and Choos she has.  Well, no more for me.  All craft stuff accumulation is being ceased (unless I am out of a particular item and need it to complete a project.) I have not made a card since Christmas.  I have not made jewelry in I don't know how long. 

This spinderella finally got her spinning wheel working the other day, and I had the great pleasure of spinning 8 oz of a dove grey merino into a fabulous, light and fluffy yarn.  And it is now draining on my PVC niddy-noddy over the bathtub.  I have no idea what to do with it, except add it to the stash (for now).

In other news, my old friend Bulldozer from law school is turning 31 in the next few weeks, and is trying to get some fabulous weekend together. -I don't know where yet.  I have not seen him since I graduated law school five years ago.  I have gained a pound or two ten twenty since then and grown my hair considerably longer.  I wonder if he will recognize me. Oh, BTW, the nickname came because he is 6'5" and "bulldozed" his way past me during an indoor soccer match.  Of course, since I am 5' frickin' 2,"  he knocked me over and I fell and nearly cracked open my head.  I am a hard headed, stubborn bit of a Pollock, so naturally after he groveled, we became great friends.

Stash Guilt

The Party went well on Saturday; everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the food turned out really well.  I am more than pleased, but the whole idea of the party was for people to try different wines, and no one did. (Other than me!) I Had three nearly full bottles of wine left, all red.  The one thing that kind of ticked me off was that two people drank an entire bottle of Louis Jadot '01 Chardonnay, and did not let anyone else get to it.  That was a bottle of wine I had been saving for two years for a party just like this.  Next time, I won't share the good wine.

Sunday was an odd day - I had a long conversation with an old friend, and we really reconnected in a way that i did not think was possible for us any longer.  It felt really good.  The only thing that I accomplished on Sunday was to get started on the dished from Saturday Night.  - It took two dishwasher loads to get through, and I am still not done.  The big challenge now is to figure out where to put all of the stuff.

I did get a bunch done on my Ella Rae Shibu sweater, but made no progress on any of the other projects that I have going on.  -I am starting to feel a time crunch for the project I am making for my One Skein Secret pal. (It is due by the end of Aug)   Much to my dismay, I think I am becoming a one project at a time kind of gal.  Moreover, I am now starting to feel stash guilt.  You know, when you have all of that lovely yarn that wants to be made into things, but you are neglecting it in favor of some other yarn? 

I have two drawers and two storage bins full of yarn. Not to mention the alpaca yarn and fiber stash in my closet.  I currently have five projects on the needles, and I keep wanting to do more...  And I keep wanting to go buy more yarn... and the temptation is extreme now, as I have less than $150 to spend at www.fuzzymabel.com to qualify for the stash builder discount of 15%! lord save me from spending MORE on yarn - at least until the end of JUNE!

T minus 32 hours and counting.

I rarely have people over to my apartment.  It is my space.  In fact, it has been nearly a year since I hosted a small party in my place - and that did not go so well.  A very great part of the reason I DON'T entertain is that I have to clean.  - Quite frankly there is more to do in life than make sure the dog hair is off of the floor.   So imagine my surprise when I invited some friends over for wine and tapas on Saturday.  As the words were leaving my mouth, my internal monologe was screaming: NOOOooo... DON'Tttt... YOU'LLlll...HAVEeee...TOoo...CLEANnnn!!!!

So last evening I started the process of craming everything I own into my closet cleaning, and spent two hours putting everything away- AND THEN re-arranging the furniture.  I moved my couches around, and I must say it makes my apartment seem SO much bigger.  -And that means more space for Jack to run around, which in turn means more dog hair on the floor and more sweeping/vaccuming/mopping for me.   I have to say though, it is realy quite nice to have the house looking like a house, and not some craft shop that was hit by a tornado.

At any rate, I am having six people over, five bottles of wine and one bottle of Martinelli's (Sparkilng Apple Cider - yum!) and six dishes. plus desert!  I will let y'all know what we are having ...

There are those books--- the dating ones.

Christine has a point.  If she can find my blog, so can they - even though they don't know the K. Truslow King email- or even if I have a blog.  Quite frankly though, I don't care at all if Guy No. 1 sees this.  I found that experince to be interseting, and I hope that he does understand where I am coming from. 

As for Guy No. 2, we will just have to wait and see. Until I can figure out how to keep my posts private - or so that the blog is visible to only those I allow, I am not going to speak about it in all but the most generic of terms.

Date goodness AND a Secret Pal Package to boot!

I came home yesterday afternoon to get ready for my date with Guy No. 2 (which went well) And I saw this box in my mail room.   It was from my secret pal!  After taking Jack for a walk, we came back inside to open the package.  My secret pal sent some really fun things: A bouquet of Tulip Lollipops -great, since I am still not eating chocolate, a ball of Opal self striping yarn, and two patterns to use it for - a doggie coat or a baby jacket.  She also sent some knitting note-cards, hand milled soap, a crochet-bead bracelet, and some really cool stickers.  And most importantly, she sent doggie treats for Jack from her local Barkery.

Of Course, Jack was insanely curious about the whole thing, so as I opened each thing in the package, he was right there, looking into the box, and sniffing everything.   Of course, when we got to the treats for HIM - well, all bets were off.  He really liked the little peanut butter bites.  And last night, he picked up the ball of Opal and carried it around with him for a while, and finally put it in his kennel. -Seriously, this is the first time He has ever taken a ball of yarn without tearing it apart.  He must know that it is for him.  Thanks So Much Secret Pal!

Of course my Spoilee has sleuthed me out - I told her that I would not send her goodies until she found my blog, and instead of working on her thesis, she spent the last week trying to find my blog. The interesting thing is that she knows  my blog, but not my real name.  K. Truslow-King is part of my business name.  I still have things to reveal to her !  But I will not be posting about anything I get for her because it would ruin the surprise!  You'll just have to wait and see Christine!

As for the date, it went very well.  We were supposed to go play putt-putt, but he was hungry, and we went out to eat instead.  I had a great time!  I am also very attracted to him... we will see.

Chapter 362 of what not to wear

Or, how to unravel a month's worth of knitting in the half-hour before I had to leave for work.  To fully explain how my Wednesday started, I will have to go back to last night.

Guy No 2. and I are going out on date No. 2, and thus started the second round of what do I wear.  And since I finished the Ella Rae sweater yesterday, I thought it might be good to wear.  But I tried it on, and tried it on again. And it was not flattering AT ALL.  After re-doing the sleeves twice and re-setting them, and then trying to move in the sweater, I started to question my own work,           -completely separate and unrelated to the guy. 

And so this morning, after walking Jack, I came back into the house, and started to undo the sweater.  I now have five pieces at home waiting to be unraveled.  I finally figured out what I want to wear, but of course it is dirty, so I had to do laundry this morning.  Of course that meant that I left this morning with the dryer running, and so now every time I hear the sirens go off, I am in a little bit of a panic, because Jack is at home by himself.  (Rationally, I know he is fine.)

I am still not sure what to wear, but am getting closer to figuring it out.  But the bottom line is that I like this guy, and want things to go well.

Aside from all of that, I have to figure out what to do with 1300 yards of blue raw silk yarn - in order to make a sweater that is flattering!

I am officialy on a yarn diet until the end of the summer

Well, really until the end of June.  Why? because the lys had a sale this weekend.  And I bought stuff.  Enough stuff between that sale and everything else that I have yarn enough to keep me in projects until the end of the summer.  Here is what I have that is sitting in bags: Debbie Bliss, 10 Pure Silk in Black, 12 Cotton Cashmere in Sky, 12 Cashmerino Chunky in Ballet Pink, 10 Balls Reynolds Rapture in Army Green, 12 Balls of Berroco Denim Silk in Stone, 6 Balls of Ella Rae Shibu in Periwinkle (although this is leftover from a project- a little yarn overestimation there!) 6 Balls of Elzabeth Lavold Hempathy, 8 Artyarns Royal Silk in green and 3 in a color I call tourmaline, 2 Skeins Fiesta Gellatto, 5 Balls Patagonia, and NOW 4 balls of silk Garden and 2 Cash Iroha.  And this is what I have purchased since May 1.  I have more yarn than time.

Which leads me to my next thing: I currently have four projects on the needles: Architect, a gift for my One Skein Secret pal which is going to take ALL summer, finishing my Vogue Knitting Sweater, which WILL happen today tomorrow this week.  The Claptois is coming along fine.  I am finally at the end of the increases, and will be able to just knit the thing for a while without looking at the pattern.  I am going to leave this project at work, and not take it back and forth.  I am also in the process of trying to design a tank similar to Wenlan Chia's in Interweave, which I plan on using the Patagonia for.  I love that yarn!  The Vogue Knitting Sweater is beginning to be a bit of a chore, and I am stalled on it, even though I only have to sew in on sleeve and do the edging. 

And this weekend, I made two bags- on a silk knitting bag, and the other a small accessories pouch for my Secret Pal from Secret Pal 8.  I am not going to post pictures because I am making her earn her goodies.  I hope that she likes what I have made for her - it has her monogram on it.  I intend to make her a matching set of bags and pouches for her knitting.   The silk bag I made for myself is gorgeous, but has a few water spots on it. I Don't care!  The bag is done.  It took me all weekend to do.  I have enough fabric to make 10 knitting bags, but of course I also had to buy two knitting bags at my lys' sale.  The basket and the large bag will fill my knitting needs admirably.  I now have FOUR dedicated knitting bags, and I still seem to jam my projects into my backpack. 

As for my men, nothing doin' with Jack - he is fine.  I am on a quest, however to find a supplier of his chews - the have gone up from $2.69 to $3.69 in about a week.  But that is another story.  S is safe, for now, on his deployment. - he is spending his leisure time laying out next to a lake - go figure.