HaNdKrAfT

So As you see from my lists

I am on a Job Search.  I have about 11 months to find another job, and I am hoping to find one sooner than that.  I will keep everyone posted.

Today's rant is about a person that I do not consider to be a friend anymore - no identifiers here.  This Person  (TP) only calls when TP needs or wants something.  The last time was to stay at my house for a month (I said no) and now it is to stay at my house for the weekend, while TP has something going on in town.  TP does not live here anymore, but when TP did, I saw TP maybe 3 or 4 times in a year.  TP was always spending time with TP's old significant other, doing what the other wanted.  TP only called or wanted to hang out when the significant other was gone and TP was alone.  TP has a new significant other, and it is all about that person now.  When I told TP of my job search, TP suggested that I move in with the two of them so "I could save some money" - of course, since I would have one bedroom, I should pay HALF the rent.  I said no. 

I don't think TP is a bad person.  I do think that TP and I have grown so significantly apart in too many ways to maintain a friendship.  TP and I had it out last year, and I told TP that I was tired of being called only when TP wanted something.  I am tired of feeling used.  I know that the only person who can stop that is me, and I have had enough of it.

In news of knitterly things, I am nearly done with my second winter cardigan - the next thing is to block the sleeves and make it up.  I am still working on making up the slouchy cardigan, and trying to figure out what to knit next. 

I have started another round of SP9 (see the previous post!) I have not seen my spoilee's questionnaire yet, but hopefully I will get a sense of what she likes so I can start shopping for her!  I am also dying to know what her colors are.  I do know that she has cats and also likes to dye.  I think I may send her a packet of kool-aid with some undyed yarn.  I may find something for her at SAFF.  I have already heard from my spoiler (Hi SP!) and our "group mom" Shelby. 

I am also in the process of "downsizing" my life.   Clothing that I have not worn in years is going, books, and THINGS.  I live in a studio apartment, albeit a large one, and don't have enough room to put everything away.  I just have too much stuff.  I am de-stashing by using things up, sewing, and making things.  I am debating whether or not to get rid of my stamps and paper stuff.  I have not used them since I moved to this apartment last year.  I have more paper, fabric, yarn and beads than I know what to do with.  As I have said before, I have more craft stuff than time.

You win some and you loose some

This week, I lost my trial.  This happens form time to time, but is still disappointing.  I could not have presented my case any differently, so i am just going to have to square with that.  I took yesterday morning off to get my head back in the game, so to speak. 

The good news this week is that Secret Pal 9 is about to start!  I am relay looking forward to it!  I had some glitches with the last one, but I am hopefull they will be ironed out.  For one, I have a new digital camera, so I will be able to post pictures of the packages that I get.  (The pictures from my last package by my fabulous SP8 Spoiler were lost on the camera!)  I was also disappointed that my spoilee did not put up any pictures of the last package that I sent her. I made her several pairs of earrings and some knitting bags.  Oh well.  This SP round is promising since we have the holidays in it!

Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire:

Also check out my last questionnaire for Secret Pal 8

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I don't like mohair or angora (I get visited by Itchy, Scratchy, Sneezy and Runny allergy dwarfs). No acrylic or Fun Fur. Ick.  I love alpaca, silk, merino and this fantastic yarn called Sea Silk from Handmaiden

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Just a Box.  I don't have a needle roll or anything like that.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting over 10 years, and am mostly self taught.  I am an intermediate/advanced knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other on line wish list? Yes, I will email it to you if you want it.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Ginger and Vanilla. Candles are great, but no bath products this time around please! I still have not used up the soaps from my SP8.  I live in a studio apartment, so space is always at a premium, and I try not to keep more stuff than I need. (Not including yarn stash!)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes, and my favorite candy are Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. (I love chocolate too. - I am no longer on the chocolate fast)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do spin.  I have a Majacraft Little Gem Wheel which has an almost completed bobbin of grey merino on it.  I also bead and make jewelry, felt (needle felt & wet felt) and Sew.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to jazz and the Blues.  I do have an MP3 player.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?  I love blue, blue-green, green, earth tones.  I don't like magenta, fuscia, yellow or orange. I prefer slightly muted tones and don't normally care for brights.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am single, live in a large studio and have one child: my fur baby Jack (Papillon Puppy) I don't have any children of the two legged variety.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes to the first two, gloves instead of mittens, and NO, No, no to the Poncho.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Lace Shawls and Garments.

13. What are you knitting right now? Icarus from Interweave Summer 06 in Sea Silk's Renaissance color way, and a Lace Insert Cardigan out of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky (which I purchased before the controversy)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes I adore them, but because of my space limitations, they need to have a function.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circular, bamboo or occasionally Rosewood Straights.  NO metal - it hurts my hands.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes to both.  A necessity for any spinner.  I also own a niddy-noddy.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Over one year.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween, hands down.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn, yarn, more fibers, and beads (when I will get around to using them ?)

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I want to see the new Victorian Lace book.  I want older (a year or more) Rowan's.  I have a subscription to Interweave Knits Only - I let my Vogue Subscription lapse. 

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? not right now.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Emphatically NO. Please see the following post: I don't knit socks, Period.  I live in FLORIDA.  I don't WEAR socks.  I don't OWN any socks.  I don't NEED any socks, especially wool.  Do not try to convert me.  Seriously.  I know how to knit them.  I have done it before.  This is not a case of "once you try it you will love it."  No.  Just No.   Lets just not go there. Really.

23. When is your birthday? September 5th.