HaNdKrAfT

I am a self admitted yarn sniffer...

Although it is not exactly something that I hide either.  When I am shopping for yarn, I will openly take a ball of yarn and sniff it.  I do this every time.  The lyses here know this.  Because I like to keep good relations with the shops, I am careful not to stick my whole face in the yarn and breathe it in... no, normally I just take a quick sniff. 

There are several reasons that I do this- and in saying this, I may reveal a bit of my obsessive/compulsive side, but what the heck.  First, if it is supposed to be a hand dye-you can tell it is a legitimately hand-painted or hand dyed yarn, because there is often a vinegary smell to the yarn.   Sometimes, I sniff the yarn, and sneeze- this tells me it is not a yarn that I want to work with.  And when I sniff silk yarn, I check it for that distinctive smell that comes with all silk - sometimes more strongly than others.  I check it to see if there is actually silk content in it... that and I just like the smell.

And so when I got my July skein from my One Skein secret pal, I nearly swooned - both because she sent me a yarn that I have been coveting, but also because the yarn is MINE, and I can drape it all over my face adjust breath it in.  (Although you have to control your breathing, as if you are not careful you will actually inhale the yarn -not good!) I did this with my yarn.  Several times.  Did I tell everyone that my One Skein secret pal is fabulous?  (and my SP8 pal is too!) But today is my One Skein pal's. 

Because she sent me this yarn.  What is it you ask?  It is only a yarn that I have been coveting for months... 

this is Handmaiden  SeaSilk.

And it is glorious.  I have been thoroughly spoiled.  She also sent me some neat blocking pins, and darning needles.   Thank you so very much!  I love it! And now that I know you love in Portland, OR, I want to pick your brain about the town.  Portland is on my short list for places to move after I am finished with this job in a year and a half.  I told a friend that I wanted to live in the Pearl district because there were all kinds of fiber arts shops - including a yarn shop , Powell's City of Books and a Whole Foods within walking distance of this neighborhood.  This friend cautioned me about moving to an area because of stores that can support my craft hobbies. ??? Why the heck not??

Oxymoronic

Is there anything MORE oxymoronic than to have a security guard that needs a cane?  Well, apparently someone did not thinks so, because there he is, Mr. 70 if he is a day, cane using, uniformed with a shiny badge, security guard.  His post, if you can call it that, is the public park across the street from the Federal Courthouse, and CITY HALL. One of my beloved bloggers (Hi Wendy!) used to blog about the guy a her gym who ran laps while eating Chinese food.  I am not sure if this beats that, but it comes pretty damn close.

In other news, I survived the weekend with my mom, niece and brother all in my one room apartment.  We went to the ZOO, Dave & Busters, the Science Museum, the pool at my building, the mall and half a dozen other places.  I am still tired.  Will post more later!

people (and movie) watching

Now I have not discussed this too much here before, but I am not a movie renter or goer.  I made an exception yesterday to see Pirates of the Caribbean.  I wanted to get to the 11:15 showing, but by the time I got to the movie theater at 11:10, it was sold out.  The next showing was at 11:40, so I happily purchased a ticket, and got in line to get a snack and drink.  (I am still flabbergasted that a medium diet coke is 64 ounces, and cost $4 - a mere $1.50 less than the ticket itself) 

At any rate, I went and found myself a seat in the theater to await the movie, and when I got there at 11:20,  about one third of the seats were taken.  I sat in the second seat in from the isle about half way up the stadium seating, and, as a good knitter should, pulled out my latest project to work on while I waited.  About five minutes into my knitting, I noticed that the theater was filling up.  Several times, a party of two would walk up to my row to see how many seats were available.  There were two available - one on either side of me.  I wondered if anyone would ask me to move over.  No one did.

As for the movie itself, all I can say is that Pirates 3 can't get here fast enough.

In other news, I made the stash builder club at Fuzzy Mabel this weekend!  I realy enjoy the drive up from Jacksonville to St. Simon's Island to go up and visit.  I took a detour through historic Brunswick, and explored more of St. Simon's Island.  This particular saturday was a beautiful day - not too hot, clear and bright.

Of course when I got home, I had to re-arrange my stash spaces to get everything to fit.  No new yarn for me until at least my birthday...

Sometimes a Girl just lucks out...

Sometimes, a girl does something good inadvertently.  I bought this skirt at Anthropologie for date No 1. with Guy No.1.  The top I got to go with it was not flattering, but I love the skirt. (The top went back.)  So I didn't wear the skirt, and have been looking for something to wear with it.  Yesterday, I was going through my stash and came across 12 balls of Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere in color that goes oh so well with the skirt.

Now the real dilemma is what to make with the yarn.  I am getting better at making my own patterns, so maybe I will do that,  or perhaps I will copy an Anthro sweater that is already out there.  Any suggestions?  I have 1140 yards of DK cotton/cashmere.  I know for sure I want short sleeve, but beyond that, ?

I had a productive knitterly week though:  I finished my cropped cardigan on Thursday, and will post pictures of it shortly.  I also finished my Noro small shawl.  I have mad next to no progress on my gift for my One Skein Secret Pal, and have yet to get her the July Skein. I need to get a move on, as the project is big, and if I don't work on it, it will never get done.

  I was at the grocery store Monday, and found these fabulous roses.  They smell wonderful, and are very pretty.  My most recent ex used to buy me flowers all the time, but they never meant much to me.  He gave them to me weekly, and he told me that "men are supposed to buy flowers each week."  I know that there are tons of women out there that would kill to have a guy do that for her, but he never meant it, he just did it.  Don't get me wrong, J28 is a sweet, and great guy, but he just is not the guy for me. 

Which brings up an interesting thought: As I was driving home from the grocery store, I Melt With You by Modern English was on the radio.  I have associated this song with S for almost 20 years. And that got me to thinking.  I have at least one song associated with every important person in my life, except for my best female friend, and J28.  I have several songs that I associate with BJ, some we listened to together, and some not so much (like Your Body is a Wonderland by John Mayer).  There are at least half a dozen songs that I can rattle off that I associate with BJ, the same with S, and even one or two that I associate with J19, my college boyfriend that married my clone.(And Many, Many songs I associate with my family) But there is not a single song that I associate with J28, even after dating him almost 10 months.  Think that was another clue?