My Little Piece of The Net: February 2008

Hello to one and all! I finally made it to the land of creative blogging! It's a little past my bedtime but I wanted to post before I called it an evening.

First off, sorry about the huge amount of delays involved. Work and school have been incredibly busy. I tend to post a lot more of my day to day activity at my personal blog. However, most of the blogs are set to friends only. So if you have an account feel free to send me a request!

Then I decided to add the "How to Write your Book and Sell It" class to my Wednesday nights. Both a wonderful and terrible idea at the same time. I really think it's going to help me creatively and assist me on the path to recognizing one of my life-long dreams. I don't care if I become famous, I just want my writings out there. So, starting this weekend, I am diving into the research process. Character development, Plot Outlines, the whole nine yards. I want to get a decent skeleton together so that I can officially move onto the writing process. I'm excited about this!!

Photography wise, most of my photographs can be viewed here. I was a little bummed out on Tuesday. I was really proud of the pictures that I shot (Assignment 3). I thought they would be something the teacher would catch onto. Especially the time one. However, he seemed to only like the picture of Buddha and then overlooked the rest. It was kind of a kick in the teeth on the hardwork I dedicated to this assignment. However, I'm alright with it now. He looks at so many photographs that -=shrugs=- he's seen it all. I guess all that matters is the overwhelming responses I have gotten from my classmates on it.

Now for the knitting!!

The 2 Hour Hand Bag! Both have been completed and are ready to be sent to the welcoming little hands of my birthday girl family members. They were felted by hand and oh.. my..goodness... HOW IN THE WORLD DO PEOPLE DO THAT ALL THE TIME? -=giggle=- I continued doing it to the best of my ability until I didn't care if you saw the stitches or not. So alas, my bags turned out a little fuzzy and shrank a tad. Mostly because I know little girls, and I didn't want to put an exceptional amount of time into felting them when I have no doubt that I am going to be asked to make another one in a couple of months. When they get something hand-made it goes EVERYWHERE with them. Which usually means high rip factor.

Here's a picture of Valerie Brooke's Bag after felting:

See what I mean, a little fuzzy but definitely not felted by a pro. -=giggle=- Next time, I am machine washing these things to a pulp. See how they like it! Brianna's is hanging up, after I stitch on a couple of cute pre-felted hearts (Thanks A.C. Moore) I'll post pictures of that one too.

Has everyone made it over to knitpicks to see their lovely sale? I sure as hell did. -=giggle=- 9 Balls of Ebony Shine Worsted Weight Yarn and 5 of Tidepool Heather Pallet.

The plans:

Ebony Shine Worsted - Snow White or Scoop Neck Vest

Tidepool Heather Pallet - Razor Cami

The colors are pretty basic so I don't think I'll be posting it as Yarn Porn or anything. However, I think I am getting my tax money tomorrow and I definitely am going to buy a couple of skeins of Malabrigo. I have been craving it! I'm addicted. -=giggle=- Other than that, this weekend will probably bring the creation of another Monk Hat (One I'll Keep This Time!), I want to continue on Luis's Scarf (Basic Rib Scarf, Nothing to Really See), and I want to work on Blossom ( I haven't touched it in months). The Tree Jacket is still being punished in the bottom of my knitting bag. I am setting myself a deadline. If I don't work on it in the next couple of week, I'm going to frog it and use the yarn for something else. I don't want to but maybe that will motivate me to get a move on.

On the note of yarn, I mentioned in an earlier Drive-By post that Mary Catherine rocks my socks and got me yarn. Here's a picture of that yarn! Isn't it pretty!!!

Before I put myself and this blog to bed for the evening, I wanted to ask a question. I'm starting to get the Birthday Question. You know, "What do you want for your Birthday?" They're not taking "Knitting Stuff" lightly. So I was curious, what books are out there that you think every knitter should have? Anything specific that, from reading my blog, you think I would be into? I have very few chances to ever get to a book store that it's hard to know what's new and worth the price. Also, can anyone direct me to an inexpensive Swift and Ball Winder? I desperately need one, considering I have been putting off 2 projects because it means I have to wind the yarn by hand.

Longest time it has taken me to wind yarn: 3+ hours
Shortest time: 1-2 hours

I'm not the fastest winder in the bunch. -=giggle=-

One last thing, I swear, I'm going to a Knit in at Barnes'n'Nobles on Sunday! Pictures will be taken and much fun will be had!