| Goals for the 26th year |
- Quit Smoking.
- Write to Someone I Admire (Can be anyone from friend to celebrity).
- Send 27 Post Cards (I miss connecting with people outside of the internet).
Leave the State for vacation.
- Pay off my credit cards.
- Give handmade gifts for special occasions. (Due to my schedule, I will give as many as I can)
- Publish writing.
- Sky dive or bungee jump.
- Start a work out routine.
- Debate with someone and try to see their side.
- Walk for a cause.
- Take a dance class.
- Read a book a month (at least).
- Give a gift to a stranger.
- Hang out with my brother more often.
- Seek Grammar/Writing Education Opportunities.
- Volunteer my time outside of school.
- Stop to reflect on the good things. (May decide to blog it, may decide to write it down in a journal).
- Maintain a sick time balance at work.
- Save up for a cushion/emergency fund.
- Slumber Party/Diva Evening. (I miss sleep-overs!)
- Learn to walk in heels!
- Bring lunch to work (at least 3x a week).
- Take a financial workshop.
- Learn to cook/cook more often.
- Go Camping!
- Stop spending all my money on coffee!
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| Upcoming Crafts |
| Saturday, August 7, 2010 |
Hello there!
I've been finishing up a couple of projects. A submission for the Sublime Stiching Contest, a couple of knitting related endeavors for friends and misc. other mini-projects. When I'm not crafting, I'm reading or researching about it. Here are some fun crafts/projects I'm planning to set to work on:
1. Customized Plates: I found glass plates at Goodwill for $2. I nearly busted out in a happy dance when I saw them.
2. Crafty Coasters: I love these! I have a special idea for these but it's going to be a surprise. I'll post the finished product soon.
3. Closet Organizer: I need to get my craft supplies in order. Sewing up one of these, just seems like the answer I have been looking for.
4. We need curtains! So, seeing as how I have a sewing machine. I'm going to be trying my hand at making some. This could either be awesome or a total disaster.
5. Eventually I would really like to paint up an old luggage set. I saw an old suitcase, with Zombie Survival Bag painted on the side. I liked it but for the price, it was silly. Plus, I could make it look better.
Of course all of these projects require funds which I have none of right now. -=giggle=- So, pictures will slowly trickle in as I get $$ for them.
Oh! I have also been playing around with my lunchtime routine. Thursday, I came home from work and started messing around in the kitchen (which terrified Pete). I made little mini wraps to put into my Bento Box. They resemble egg rolls! I'm proud of myself because.. well I burn everything. LoL.
Hope everyone out there is well.Labels: Bento Boxes, Crafting, Knitting, Update |
posted by Valerie @ 10:08 PM  |
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| A Return |
| Thursday, September 17, 2009 |
It's been a very very long while since I posted anything resembling an actual entry in this thing. However, it's time to get back in the saddle.
This week I have been struck down with an acute onset of Diverticulitis so I've been couch ridden since Monday. It's been a rather painful experience which has resulted in a loss of 5 lbs. However, with all that time on my hands it's given me a fabulous opportunity to knit! That's my silver lining.
I've successfully completed 3 projects:
1. Another Boob Holder - This one is for the end of season party this Saturday. I wanted something cute to go over my little black dress since the weather has been a little chilly. I'm just waiting on my bead order to come in before I can call it complete. Here is a picture of it that I took while I was knitting it up:
Yarn: Cascade 220. Used 1.25 skeins of it and it knitted up perfectly for this piece.
2. Reversible Neckwarmer - Ever have a pattern that you like so much that you can't wait to knit it but when you're done you realize you'll never use it? That's the case with the neckwarmer. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan for this piece and I'm pleased with how snuggly it turned out but it doesn't have the bulk that the Patagonia in the picture does. I also reduced the needles used from 11s to 10s which made it smaller. As a result, the neckwarmer has now become a headband (once I get buttons).
3. Fingerless Gloves - With winter fast aproaching I decided I needed to bang out a pair of gloves to match my black hat. I cast these on last night and finished them in about 4 hours. I'm really really pleased. The Knitpicks Shine Worsted was an awesome yarn choice. It's sooo soft! I'm planning on attaching a button to the bottom to give it something extra but for the most part they're ready to go.
That's it for projects in the last couple of days. I've done some other things since that last time I posted, not much really but here they are:
Rollerskate Baby Booties for 2 of our prego derby girls:
Cabled Bag:
Derby Leg Warmers:
That's about it for recent knitting. In other craft news, I started exploring the realms of decoupage and cigar boxes.
This is for my swap partner. I recently signed up for the Tim Burton Swap and decided to use the opportunity to play with some ideas.
It was a ton of fun. A lot of trial and error but altogether fun.
Well, that's it for now. More pictures and another post to come soon.Labels: Baby Knitting, Crafting, Knitting, Update |
| posted by Valerie @ 1:09 PM |
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| Small Update |
| Sunday, March 22, 2009 |
So the boob holder is officially off the needles. I'm not sure if I mentioned that in a previous post. It turned out rather lovely if I do say so myself. Unfortunately, no pictures yet. I'm waiting on it to warm up enough around here so I can take pictures outside. At that time I will also take picture of the Vixen Cami which I believe I'm going to leave as a tube top. The problem now is finding a tube top to go underneath it. I can't seem to find them anywhere, then again they might not be "in season" yet. Pictures will be posted soon though I promise.
In other knitting news, I'm having a blast knitting up a couple of things for my 1950's swap partner. Since she knows who I am I'm not going to be posting any pictures of those either. Sorry guys, I know it's rather dull but I don't want to spoil the surprise.
The cloche has gotten a million compliment when I wear it out in public. I even had a couple of people who believed I was fibbing when I said I made it. -=giggle=- I was rather proud of myself at that moment. I've come a long way from garter stitch scarfs that's for sure.
So, due to the fact I cleared out yarn from my stash the only natural reaction was to buy more yarn. -=giggle=- $80 worth to be exact. I know, I broke the bank on that purchase but oh well. My excuse is that I was buying myself birthday presents. Pictures to be posted of the yarn soon but in the meantime, I got 2 skeins of Cascade yarn in deep reds, blues and blacks, 2 skeins of this lovely Patagonia Cotton Fingering yarn in greens and browns (to match the Cloche) and some wool yarn in black and grey, which Grim picked out for slippers. He's positively fascinated with the felting process. He never believed that this bag looking thing would turn into the Cloche and beamed with pride when it turned into the lovely hat pictured below.
So I've got the lace scarf still on the needles. Yep, I'm that bored with it. Along with above mentioned 1950s projects. Then I think I'm going to start a skull cap for my friend's birthday along with his fingerless gloves.
Hope everyone is well!Labels: Felting, FOs, Knitting, Update, Yarn |
| posted by Valerie @ 9:51 PM |
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| A New Look for a New Year |
| Sunday, February 1, 2009 |
After much frustration, I finally got the blog in order again. You like?
I'm particularly happy with the fact that it no longer shifts to the left side. Also, it looks a bit more organized. You know, professional like. -=giggle=-
On with the knitting news!
So I'm about 45% done with my Vixen Camisole. It's knitting up really nicely. I swamped out the yarn I had original intended to use with Koigu KPPPM. I was not liking the way the Tofuties was knitting up. I'm glad to say that I made the right choice. It's really looking beautiful.
The cable scarf is nearly finished. A couple more hours of knitting on it and I'll probably be done with it. Oh, and for all of you who might have Noro Kureyon stuffed away in your stash. You might want to knit it up quick. They seem to be discontinuing a lot of things these days. Yep, you guessed it, my specific dye lot was canceled. I was fortunate enough to find an online store that still had three on the shelf. Yeah! So with those, I'm going to finish up the scarf and make a ear flap hat to go with it. Well, the hat is what I'm hoping to make anyway. I'm waiting on the wool wash to arrive to see if it softens up the Noro. If it doesn't then I might be S.O.L and this gift is all for naught. Unless she doesn't mind a scratchy scarf.
The lace scarf I have stepped back from. To be honest, I'm simply bored with it. It's not a very exciting knit to be honest. I'll probably be knitting on it from time to time, but expect to see it on the "On the Needles" list for a while.
I've got a couple more knits in mind that will follow when I complete the cable scarf and camisole. The first thing I want to CO is the ear flap hat. That way I'll have one birthday or Christmas present out of the way. I also want to re-CO the oversized shrug. This time, I'm going to pay particular attention to the directions and hope to god I don't mess it up again.
That's all for what's on my needles.
On a side note, I bought a ball winder with my Christmas money. Oh, how I adore it! No more annoying balling it up by hand. Now all I need is a swift. I get tired of Grim complaining. -=giggle=- Actually, he's pretty good about it, but it doesn't flow as well as it should. I also bout a little hand held sewing machine. I need to grow a pair of balls and stitch the backing on that baby blanket. I'm scared it's going to mess up in the process.
That's it for the other news. I hope all is well for everyone who reads this.Labels: Camisole, Knit List, Knitting, Other, Simple Cable Scarf |
| posted by Valerie @ 1:46 AM |
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| Knitting Status and Future Plans |
| Wednesday, January 7, 2009 |
Hello to one and all! I hope this day finds you well.
In recent news, last weekend I went through my tub'o'yarn to see exactly what sort of yarn I had to work with. It's funny how I had forgotten about some of my purchases. I have two complete skeins of green malabrigo hiding under my bed! Who knew? After much yarn fondeling, I organized the bin and started seperating the yarn based on what I wanted to make for Christmas presents this year. Then the search began:
Have I mentioned that I love Raverly. I went in search of patterns for the 4 different types of yarn I want to find projects for. Here's the list and what I found...
1. Noro Kureyon: Clapotis or Anthropologie Caplet
2. Colourworks (Purple/Black Mix): Still Searching (Can't find anything for it since it's considered Novelty Yarn)
3. Berroco Plush (3 Balls Green, 2 Balls Blue): Baby Blanket (Lionbrand Website, Must be logged in)
4. Knit Picks Pallete: Vixen Camisole (Link For Ravelry Users. Pattern in Sensual Knits)
The Baby Blanket and the Clapotis (if I decided to make that) will both be Christmas Presents for 2009. The camisole is for me, since it's my first time making anything like that.
Additionally, I am participating in this months SKC KAL. We're focusing on techniques this go round. I am actually pretty excited that cables were chosen. I've never actually done cables before so it should be interested. Due to the fact I am such a beginner, I will be knitting this. The green malabrigo will be loving knitted into a beautiful scarf for another Christmas Present for a lucky relative.
So those are the patterns I'm planning on knitting. Right now I am actively knitting a scarf for my boyfriend's cousin. It's a lovely pink/purple yarn and it's knitting up really well. I'm not entirely sure I like the pattern but I'm going to keep knitting and see how it comes along. I'll post pictures as well as specifics later. I don't have the magazine right in front of me.
Outside of that.. lastnight I spent 2 hours trying to figure out how to crochet a circle. -=giggle=- A friend of mine lent me this cute little book called "Creepy Critters". They have little mini grim reapers, and zombies, etc. I really want to knit a couple of things from it for B-Days and X-mas but I can't seem to figure it out. I'm suspecting my difficulty is because I was using black yarn for my first time crocheting. I remember everyone telling me not to start out on black yarn. Well, they were right. -=giggle=- So after a little more knitting tonight I'll be back to trying to crochet that damn circle.
May your stitches never twist and your knitting always be lovely!
P.S. I'm finally tired of the layout. I'll be revising things again soon!Labels: Christmas, Knitting, Plans, SKC |
| posted by Valerie @ 12:54 PM |
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| I'm back!!! |
| Saturday, October 25, 2008 |
Hello to all those out there in knitter land. It's been a very long time, longer than I realized.
Due to my extended absence I'll provide an update as to why I have disappeared and what I have been up to since my last post.
Knitting has been really slow going. It's not because I have been overly busy but more that I lost my faith in my own abilities. Every project I picked up seemed to go wrong, so I decided not to invest my time and energy into it. I missed knitting a lot but I simply didn't feel up to being disappointed by the outcome again. My clapotis has been my saving grace. I picked up it and started working on it last week. It reminded me how calming knitting is and, most important, how much I love it. So I'm on the first round of section 4 for the clapotis and I won't be posting photos until it's complete. I don't want to boast about it, then something bad happen. Outside of that project, I am test knitting for an online friend but that is on hold until personal situations in her life iron out. That's it for knitting. I am working out a way to turn the tiny shrug into an oversized bag. I just want to get it off the needles. I need to move on.
As far as everything else goes, here's my sum up:
School: Math is going very well for once. I have a teacher that understands my inability to grasp the concept of numbers and he has taken me under his wing. At midterms I had an A in the class. I still need a little bit of an extra push to get myself through graphing but I'll be okay.
Medieval History, is a little harder than I thought. There is a crap ton of things I have to memorize and I didn't do well on the first test. So I'm at a D in that class, I'll bring it up though. All is well.
Work: As of September 22, 2008 I have been there for two years. Nothing much has changed. I've been given a hell of a lot more responsibility and more hours. Now I'm just waiting to hear about my yearly raise. Keep your fingers crossed!
Derby: Alot has changed with Roller Derby. Since my last post I have left the Albany All Stars and joined with The Hellions of Troy. It's one of the best decisions I could have made. I'm not going to go into the details on my I split. All I will say is that the promise made to me in regards to derby was not found in the All Stars but with The Hellions. Oh and I have officially played in a bout (game). The Hellions of Troy played against the Sufferjets of Ithaca. We ended up losing 95 to 115 but it's not a bad loss for most of our team being beginners.We're a start out team and we still have a lot of work ahead of us but we'll be fine. We're hosting Zombie Prom tonight so pictures will be posted soon.
Outside of that I haven't been up to much. Work, School, Derby and Knitting when I find the time. Our new apartment has come together nicely and over the last couple of months it's started to feel more like home to me. Grim and the babies (kitties) are doing wonderfully.
That's about it guys. I hope all is well for you!Labels: Derby, Knitting, School, Update, Work |
| posted by Valerie @ 1:23 PM |
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| It has been a while hasn't it? |
| Sunday, August 24, 2008 |
I haven't disappeared. I have just sucked at blogging and knitting lately. -=giggle=- My oversized shrug looked too small, so I investigated the pattern a little bit. Turns out I forgot to change the needles at the beginning of the pattern.. Now the size is all off. Needless to say, I was very very upset. I actually haven't picked it up since I discovered it. I don't know what else to do. Aside from knitting it until it fits the length requirements and then adding a section to each side, what else can I do?
I've got the record bag on the needles right now and that's nearly done. I need to make the strap and the front cover and seam it all together. I still need to weave in the ends on the baby blanket, I've been delaying that. My Clapotis is on hold until I find out which yarn I used. The LS has to special order it for me. Le Sigh. I need to start on another baby blanket for Grim's cousin.
The reasoning for my lack of knitting is summed up with this.. Roller Derby. I practice 2 to 4 times a week depending on how tired/sore I am. I'm loving every minute of it, but it has left me with my fair share of bruises. -=giggle=- School starts in about two weeks. This semester it's Math (again.) and Medieval History. Hopefully the math class goes better this go round. Medieval History should be a lot of fun and it helps that I live with a guy who adores the subject.
Outside of that, I have decided to go in another direction with my story. My target audience focus has shifted and the story will be drafted with this specific genre in mind.
That's honestly about all. I hope that everything is well and that you didn't forget about me. =)Labels: Baby Knitting, Knitting |
| posted by Valerie @ 11:21 AM |
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| A Real and Complete Post |
| Saturday, June 7, 2008 |
Hello everyone! I have finally returned to the blogging world! -=wave=- I apologize for the absence but it's been getting a little crazy around here again. I'll start with the life update and make my way down to knitting.
In case you haven't been checking my personal blog (link on bottom right side) here is the information on my dad.
I am not sure where I left off last. So I am going to go over everything. My dad has really bad knees/legs due to a serious car accident. Basically when he was young he was passenger in a vehicle that had a 18-wheeler roll on top of it. The front tires were sitting on my father's knees, his neck was crushed. He had a ton of surgeries to repair the damage to his neck/spinal column and they wired his legs/knees with metal rods and plastic. I'm telling you this so you understand the damage he sustained that led to these problems he recently had. So over the last couple of years his legs have been giving him quite a bit of trouble. He would start to feel pain as he walked or feel winded and tired after a while. So at the end of March he went to his doctor to check the circulation in his legs. His right leg was 95% blocked off of blood flow. His other leg has minor blockage but nothing compared to the right leg. They also discovered that one of the valves to his heart is seriously blocked but the blood rerouted itself so that is no longer a concern.
Long story short... (To Late Eh?) he had a surgery to open up the stint in his leg. He was fine, went home a couple days later. Lisa (step-mom) noticed he wasn't healing correctly, that something was wrong. He was having serious difficulty walking and was in a tremendous amount of pain. She checked the pulse in his foot and couldn't find one. Back to the hospital. Turns out the stint failed... another surgery takes place to rework the stint. It takes and doesn't collapse. Now due to seriously seriously poor nursing the entry becomes infected and the graft is at risk. If the graft is infected the infection will travel up the blood stream and would cause the artery to burst and he would die. There was a lot of argument regarding whether or not we would go through another surgery. In the end, he decided to do it. I left the day after the last surgery. I didn't want to but I am officially out of sick time at work due to this.
Since then he was released to go home where he has done fine for the most part. He forgot to take his medication (life events got in the way of him going to the pharmacy) and the infection came back in full force. However, since then I have heard very little except that they both now have new Harleys to cruise around on. -=giggle=- Sooo I am guessing he's doing much better.
As far as my life goes. April was chaotic, emotional and absolutely crazy for me. I think the worry over my dad, life's general concerns and personal issues really got to be. May was better if not busy. We gave notice that we were no longer interested in living in our current apartment and we quickly found another one that is beautiful and much bigger! That's right, we're moving!!! So I am sorry to report that I may not be posting regularly until we've got everything situated at the new place. That's the general summary of everything dears, if you want to read more it's all posted at the personal blog.
Onto the knitting pictures!!
Dream Swatch - Nervous Knitting Project #1- It's funny I used to be terrified to try this project. It looked to complicated. When dad got sick, I dove right into it and figured it out. -=giggle=-
Leg Warmers-Nervous Plane Knitting- A gift knit for a friend of mine. I just have to weave in the ends and I am all done with them.
Oversized Shrug- This project is on hold until such a time that I can get my rump to the yarn store to pick up more yarn for it.
The Baby Blanket of Doom!!! -=giggle=- Eventually I need to get around to seaming this up and sending it out.
Misti Alpaca Scarf - Another project that is going to have to wait until I can get to the store and buy yarn. It's a gift knit.
I also have the front panel of the record bag completed. I need to pick up more black yarn to finish the back section. That is pretty much all that I have on the needles right now. I am going to frog the Blossom Baby Wrap and re-work it in a different color. I also want to make sure the stitches are tighter. I also have the Green Tree still on the needles and I am seriously debating on frogging the damn thing. I haven't touched it since I had to rip it back and it's just sitting there in a box.
On the note of yarn, I will not be buying anymore unless it's for a project. I have so much yarn that it's ridiculous and it's just sitting there. As it is I am taking 2 full shopping bags of yarn (mostly bargain yarn) to the Goodwill.
Oh! One more thing, does anyone have any recommendations on sewing machines? I want to take up sewing.Labels: Dad, Knitting, Sewing, Update |
| posted by Valerie @ 12:24 AM |
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| Knitting News |
| Friday, March 14, 2008 |
I'm still out here. I have been knitting away at another baby blanket so there isn't anything new to post. As soon as I have a couple of pieces put together I will post pictures. In the mean time.. check out my photography assignment entitled: "Open Forum-A Murder".
More to come soon I promise!Labels: Baby Knitting, Knitting, Photography |
| posted by Valerie @ 7:30 PM |
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| -=wave=- |
| Thursday, February 21, 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! Labels: Baby Knitting, Knitting, Life, Photography, School, Update, Work, Writing |
| posted by Valerie @ 11:52 PM |
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| -=Wave=- |
| Monday, January 28, 2008 |
Hello everyone! I'm back in Albany. I actually got back last night, instead of posting a blog I read through my blog lists. I didn't realize how far behind I had fallen. -=giggle=- Anyways, I posted about the wonderful weekend over at my personal blog if you want to take a look. It was a truly wonderful weekend everyone. Grim outdid himself and spoiled me rotten! Pictures are over there as well! I'm going to try and keep up with the two separate journals. So that people only interested in my knitting/crafting can come here and anyone wanting to see personal info can go over there. I'm going to try it and see how it works out.
On with the crafting show!
First off, a question... is beading the new knitting? I am a little behind the times and I don't have any seriously crafty friends really so I don't know. All I know is that I saw like 15 different beading stores in the area of Manhattan we were staying in. That's in a walking distance of about 10 blocks. -=giggle=- On the beading not though, I realized I have a ton of leftover beads from my making stitch markers so I am going to try putting them to good use. I am going to run up to Barnes and Nobles tomorrow and look into some beading books. I'm also planning on making a pair of chandelier earrings for myself. A friend peaked my interest in trying it when I bought a pair for 12 dollars. He had given me this furrow-browed expression and told me that I could make them easily. Ding! Light Bulb! -=giggle=-
Speaking of Knitting! I popped my head into Yarn Co. when I was in the city. What a cute little shop. It has a nice selection of yarn and the owners were incredibly pleasant. I ended up buying 2 skeins of Idena Mohair Lux.
The colors are a little off but you can see that it's a various colored mohair. I was thinking about the wavy scarf or shawl. Or at least that's what I put down for the 2008 Mission Possible. I don't know if I mentioned that I had joined, thinking on it. There is a list on the right sidebar with all the projects I have to get done before December 31st. If you don't get done with the project you have to donate the yarn. It's a way to stash bust and get some knitting done as well. I figure it will be one hell of a way to get some of my gift knitting done on top of the A Loose Knit Group.
Crafting Items for Feb:
Finish the maze baby blanket. It's coming along really nicely. I showed Shawna at the shower on Sunday and she positively loved it. Mom-Mom (Grim's Grandma pestered me a bit about not getting it done, she also didn't seem that impressed with it but she's a little hard to read.) I suppose as long as Shawna appreciates the effort it's worth it.
ALK-Group chose scarves for this month so I am going to start on Louis's scarf as soon as I get done with the baby blanket.
I am also going to need to complete a couple of projects for Project Spectrum. February is dedicated to Fire, so we'll see what I can come up with.
Busy little me, eh?
Honestly, I think that's about it for now. Happy Crafting!!Labels: Baby Knitting, Beading, Knitting, Loose Knit Along, Mission Possible, Project Spectrum, Weekend |
| posted by Valerie @ 5:57 PM |
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| Happy Blog-Versary!! |
| Sunday, January 20, 2008 |
It's been one year since I started this blog. It simultaneously feels like I started it yesterday and forever ago. My first project I posted here was a Basketweave scarf I was working on for Grim's brother. Since then I have tried to advance my abilities as much as possible. So on this Blog-versary I am proud to unveil the Montego Bay Scarf!!!
It turned out perfect. In my opinion it's the best thing that I have made yet! I was a little iffy on the blocking but it really looks better this way. It was curling so badly before it was blocked that it just didn't look right. What do you think guys?
In other knitting news, I frogged the Accidental Drop Stitch Vest. I finished the front part and I was seriously not liking the finished product. After thinking on it for a while I thought it would be best to just frog it and use the yarn for something else. After that I decided to Cast On a baby blanket. I seem to like knitting under pressure. -=giggle=- I chose a maze pattern. It's fairly easy and it's knitting up pretty quick. Let's hope that I can get it finished before Sunday. If not then it will be a little belated. I also looked deeper into the Thin Mint Scarf, I didn't realize it was knit on two circs. I'm not sure if I am ready for that. Is it as hard as it sounds?
I still need to frog the Tree Jacket back down to the lifeline. I'm not entirely pleased with that but I'll live. Speaking about patterns, I went a little pattern crazy on Ravelry today. -=giggle=- I loaded up my que and if I actually complete a couple of them I'll be surprised. -=giggle=- I am a little impulsive.
Alright about the Blog-versary, right now I am just not financially capable to have a contest. Sorry you guys but next year I'll do something special. In parting, here's an adorable picture of Kiya. She apparently loved my poncho as much as I do.
 Labels: Accidental Drop Stitch Vest, Blogging, Blogversary, Kiya, Knitting, Montego Bay Scarf, Thin Mint Scarf, Tree Jacket |
| posted by Valerie @ 9:03 PM |
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| Problem Solved |
| Sunday, January 13, 2008 |
It turned out not to be anything at all. The cats knocked out the cord. -=giggle=- Grim felt silly telling me about it, and I felt silly for freaking out. At least everything turned out well, I was preparing myself to be told we needed to buy a new motherboard or something. Then again, I am one of those people that Hopes for the Best but expects the Worst. Pessimist in me I guess. -=giggle=-
So I have been knitting exclusively on the Montego Bay Scarf. The Feather Shawl wasn't working with the yarn I wanted to use for it and I didn't have enough of the "Head Vampire" yarn to use it for a shawl, so I figures I scarf would be perfect. I finally found a dress to go to wear to see "Phantom of the Opera". I tried it all on and the scarf will match the earrings and the earrings match my outfit. It's sort of hard to not be able to match things to black though. Progress pictures will be posted tomorrow.
The Tree Jacket, I am angry with. I am going to rip back to the lifeline. I don't want to half-ass this project and I want it to look nice. So ripping back it is. I'll take pictures of it when I get past the progress pictures I posted before.
The Accidental Drop Stitch Vest has been put on the back burner until I finish the scarf. Plus there are a couple of techniques I am going to have to jump right into that I am really no experienced with yet. In short, I am scared to screw it up.
I still haven't found a stupid laptop bag. I am hoping the school carries them in the Bookstore and I can get one covered under financial aid. I mean it is necessary, right? -=wink, nudge=- I'm debating on making a cozy for the thing and then just sewing straps into a regular book bag. I mean seriously, I have found every other size laptop bag but a 17". Blegh.
In other knitting news, I really need to set to work on my gloves for this months ALK gift knitting. Although, at present Grim has 2 sets of gloves and Catie is buying her own. Maybe I'll just make her a pair for next year. We'll see. So Gloves are definitely on the agenda, I need to make a scarf for my friend Louis for his Birthday (Thin Mint Scarf from Dominitrix), and I want to make a Montego Bay Scarf in Death Eaters for my Friend Laramie (Christmas Knitting)
While I was looking around for a picture of the Thin Mint Scarf, I found this scarf and I want it! -=giggle=- I need another scarf like I need notepads and notecards, True, but it's still cute!
I utterly failed to finish any baby stuff before the shower. I figured it would be that way, my heart just wasn't in it. I'll probably make a belated gift. We'll see though.
That's it for knitting news, lovelies. In other news..
- I am getting my septum pierced on the 2nd of February. My mom is getting it for me as a early Birthday gift.
- School starts back up on Tuesday.
- I love my new laptop. Grim is playing Bioshock and I am doing all my blogging and emailing while he plays video games. No fighting, not that there was any fighting to begin with really.
- We are definitely going to Origins this year. My grandma confirmed that we can stay at her place again. Yeah!!!
I think that's about it lovelies. I hope you are all well and good! May your knitting be flawless and quick.
Look for pictures tomorrow.
P.S. Keep your eye on my blog, I am thinking about holding a Blog-Versary drawing on the 20th. I'll come up with the details before the 20th and keep you posted. It may be something easy like, posting comments enters you into a drawing, it may be a little scavenger hunt. Who knows, we'll see.
Talk to you soon!!Labels: Accidental Drop Stitch Vest, Baby Knitting, Knitting, Loose Knit Along, Montego Bay Scarf, Phantom of the Opera, Tree Jacket, Update |
| posted by Valerie @ 4:50 AM |
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| Another Question |
| Saturday, December 29, 2007 |
| Would you trust a laptop in a hand knit bag? I can't find a backpack anywhere without it costing me an arm and a leg so I thought I would make a messenger/laptop bag. Only thing is that I don't want it to end up breaking of ripping and there goes the lap top. What do you think? Labels: Knitting, Laptop |
| posted by Valerie @ 11:19 AM |
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| A Quick Post |
| Friday, December 28, 2007 |
I intend to post alot of stuff tonight, that is of course if I can wrestle the home computer away from Grim. I made the mistake of buying him a new Video Card and a couple of really nice computer games for X-mas, now I can't get online anymore. -=weeps=-
I do want to send a special THANK YOU to Joann, who was actually my Secret Santa. I also want to send out a very public apology to Jennifer. I have positively no idea why you have not received your package. The only thing I can figure is that it is lost and they don't want to fess up to it. That way they can keep it at "In Route" in their computer system until the end of days. So I am making you a new box with a whole new variety of goodies. =)Labels: Grim, Knitting, Secret Pal, Thank You, Update, Video Games |
| posted by Valerie @ 8:20 AM |
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| Merry Christmas Eve! |
| Monday, December 24, 2007 |
I'm back in the nick of time to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! I have been catching up on blogs, Myspace and Raverly messages.. Now it's time to start posting again!
On the knitting needles: The Tree Jacket will never be off the knitting needles, I will be 90 years old and still on the repeats in the beginning. -=giggle=- Honestly, I have maybe done 5 rows in a month. My So Called Scarf is coming along beautifully though. I am pretty much just going to knit it until the yarn runs out. Then it's being shipped off to a lucky recipient that I need to apologize to for getting her package off late. Everything else is pretty much on hold right now. I am really trying to tie up a couple of projects before I dive into another one.
So I was saying in my last blog that I need to find some books on tape to listen to while during knitting. I found a couple, "Blood and Chocolate" - Klause and "Black Creek Crossing"- John Saul. Then I got a beautiful new laptop and put it in the bedroom. Now I can watch movies without messing up Grim's video gaming mojo. -=giggle=- I think that is why I have gotten so much knitting done on that scarf, uninterrupted movie watching. -=giggle=- I have plans to drive my butt up to the yarn store soon and buy more yarn. I really want to make this! It looks too cool! But I think I am going to buckle down and settle in on the Tree Jacket after I get done with the scarf.
So I have been taking out knitting books from the library left and right lately. I positively can not understand the hype about the Knitting Kimono book. I mean the concept is cool but I am looking at the patterns and wondering how you would wear that in everyday life. Some of the patterns would be cool as around the house gifts but I just don't know about some of the designs.
I have a couple other books I want to talk about but I can't think of them off the top of my head right now. So alas, I will bring this to a close for this evening.
May you have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!
I'll post tomorrow before we leave for Grim's family's house. I want to show you guys some pictures of the recent knitting and goodies!Labels: Christmas, Kimono, Knitting, My So Called Scarf, Tree Jacket, Update |
| posted by Valerie @ 3:57 AM |
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| Rolling Along |
| Monday, December 10, 2007 |
I have made a little progress on "My So Called Scarf". I really want to find a book on cd to listen to while I knit though. Grim is bitching about the fact that I watch movies non-stop when I knit. So I have been doing things other than knitting to avoid feeling like I have to watch something. -=shrugs=- I am just not a big silence person I guess.
Anyways, in the midst of my pause from knitting.. I am more than halfway through Fight Club. I decided that I wanted to read the book and see what I was missing from the movie version. It's a really good read. Anyone who is a fan of the movie, should definitely read the book.
That's it for now. I need to get some sleep. I'm probably going to post something Wed since tomorrow is a math test.
Hope all is well in the cosmos for everyone else!Labels: Fight Club, Knitting, Update |
| posted by Valerie @ 9:53 PM |
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| -=wave=- |
| Thursday, December 6, 2007 |
Unfortunately, I haven't been doing alot of knitting this week. By the time I get home from work I am exhausted. I don't know if I am fighting something or what but man have I been tired. I have worked a little bit on more washcloths for my Secret Santa pal. I hope she likes them. I'm planning on sending the package out tomorrow so tonight is the finishing night.
For all you zombie lovers out there. If you haven't read Walking Dead, you have to go get it or take it out of the library. There are three altogether and I just got done with the first one. It's a comic, so it's a reaaaally quick read and worth every moment spent on them.
My blogs are going to become a little more random. Finals are in two weeks and I totally bombed my last math test so I really need to put in the extra effort. Thank god this semester is almost over. I don't know if it's the Biology on Saturday or the Math class in general or both but I have not been as active in my education as I need to be. I definitely skimmed by in Bio so far and I need to take the finals very seriously. So if I dissapear, I'm studying and know I miss you guys and knitting. -=giggle=-
Anyways, that's about all for now..
By the way Bourne Supremacy ROCKS! I can't wait to see the next one! More to come hopefully soon. I need to take pictures of my Secret Santa package. For now though, here is a swap package that I really needed to post but haven't had access to the good ole' computer to do so. Sorry guys!
My Fiberflix Swap Partner Emmdy sent me! The candy was gone within the first couple of days and I have watched Dawn of the Dead about 5 times already. -=giggle=- The other "so bad they're good" movies, I haven't seen yet. Thank you Emmdy!
There are a couple of other packages that I need to post. My Day of the Dead Package from Jaime (Knit Nerd), My Hogwarts Package from Peggy and my Secret Santa Swap package from Jane! Thank you everyone for sending me such wonderful gifts.
And Jane is a meanie! She sent all these cute little gifts and then a big package wrapped with a note saying "Do Not Open Until the 24th" Argh!! I can't open it. I just can't and Grim said if I peeked he would go to every knitter on my bookmarked list and tell them that I am a cheater. Guess I have to wait, eh?Labels: Bourne Supremacy, Finals, Knitting, School, Swap, The Walking Dead |
| posted by Valerie @ 7:57 PM |
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| I'm Back!!! |
| Sunday, December 2, 2007 |
This is a really late blog post. To all my readers, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The trip to Mississippi was wonderful. We had some snags in the beginning. Newark, New Jersey airport sucks! First off, we were delayed about 4 to 5 hours leaving Albany. We get to Newark only to see out plane for Memphis take off without us on it. So we had to get a hotel room and hang out till morning. All turned out well though. We got there and had a wonderful time. I could not have asked for a better meeting between my family and Grim. Everyone loved him and he loved everyone in return. I admit to being extremely homesick. I miss them all so very much. Pictures and a movie to come once I get all of them formatted. I did not take a lot of pictures which urks me but I should be getting some from my family.
I'm trying to think of what else I wanted to write about. I did not get any knitting done while I was there. But I have gotten some knitting done this weekend.
Tree Jacket take 2 - I have this weird problem with this particular pattern. I stop paying attention and screw it up! However, the screw up is on a part that is going to be bunched up and unnoticeable. So I am leaving it.. Unless I make a huge mistake, I am finishing this thing if it kills me.
My So-Called Scarf - I like this pattern a lot. It's definitely a yarn hog though. I don't know if I am going to have enough Malabrigo. However, I think I am going to have to rip back a little ways, somehow I ended up w/ holes.
My First Fair Isle attempt - What do you think? I wanted to try a new technique, so I pulled out the Washcloth yarn and went to town. Any pointers?
That's pretty much it on the knitting front. I have made a rule to myself that I am going to stop watching movies I haven't seen before and knitting. That's asking for disaster aka the Tree Jacket and the So-Called Scarf holes. -=giggle=-
I did get the opportunity to see a couple of movies that I wanted to mention here.
Live Free or Die Hard: Decent movie. Typical of the action flick genre. You know, unnecessary blowing up random things, panic, chaos and a hero. Bruce Willis is terrific in his role. The story line was really interesting for an action flick as well.
Shrek 3: Very Cute. Funny in parts, doofy in others. A Typical Shrek movie.
1408: What an awesome movie!! So good in fact I can't believe that Stephen King wrote the concept for it. I have actually read the short story though. It was good but not as great as the movie. For once changes from the original format improved the film overall. John Cusak was perfect for the part. The movie definitely put me on the edge of my seat. I recommend watching this movie to everyone. Oh, but if you get the Director's Cut version, the ending is totally different from the Original Released Version.
The Holiday: Romantic comedy. It was a very cute story. Not the best romance I have ever seen but worth seeing at least once. I'm not to fond of Cameron Diaz but I love Kate Winslet and Jack Black's performance.
The Birds: What an interesting movie. Although not my favorite Hitchcock film but it was worth the time spent on it. It's amazing how he can make anything creepy and suspenseful. I don't see why people worship this movie though.
Bourne Identity: Wow, Matt Damon kicks arse! -=giggle=- At least he does as this character. I liked this movie a lot. I am a fan of assassin movies though. They are so inventive in their ways of inflicting pain on another individual. How can you not like that ? I am behind the times and in desperate need to get the other two so I know why this is dubbed the best trilogy that has come out lately.
Alrighty... I think that's about it for this one. I have to get some stuff done tonight before bed.
Night night everyone!Labels: Fair Isle, Knitting, Mistakes, Movies, Update, Weekend Finale |
| posted by Valerie @ 7:24 PM |
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| And Here It Is!!! |
| Sunday, November 18, 2007 |
The blog is back up and running! Yeaahhh!! Doesn't it look nice? I'm so happy that I found one that didn't pan all the way to the right or left. This one is simple, non-emo and easy to fiddle with. If you notice anything that is off, please let me know. I'm still playing around with it.
Anyways, on with the show!
In the world of knitting, I have had to completely frog back the tree jacket. Apparently I am not trained enough in the ways of the ninja knitter style to know how to watch TV and knit at the same time. Or at least that night I didn't. I totally messed up the pattern. When I went to rip back it just went downhill from there. No biggy really. It did hurt to frog to the start again but I didn't want a sh*tty looking sweater. I did finish a pair of fingerless gloves. They're nice, not what I expected but nice. I swatched and the size was perfect.. so the only answer can be that I have smaller hands than the average adult.. That I didn't count on. So they are a little.. um.. what's the word... roomy. I adjusted them a little around the wrist by entwining yarn into the stitches and pulling it a little tighter. Here's a picture!
See what I mean, they just look a little bigger than me. So I'll just make sure to knit myself kid gloves from now on. -=giggle=- Also, I wanted to share a cute little action shot.
Not the best picture of me but Kiya was really interested in my glove knitting. -=giggle=- Other than that, I have been slowly working through my assorted projects. I haven't really felt up to knitting much. Somewhere along the line I really hurt my back. So I have been taking it easy and watching a lot of movies instead.
In other news, we head out on Tuesday!! I can't wait, it's going to be wonderful! So I'll probably be out of the loop for another week (sorry about the long leave of absence by the way). I'll be back with pictures from the trip and hopefully progress shots. I plan to get a lot of knitting done on my plane. Which reminds me, I need to cast on the Tree Jacket again or they're not gonna let me on with it. So outside of relaxing, we've been shopping and preparing for that, needless to say, it's been a reeeally busy weekend. Tomorrow I work and then I am off for 7 days. -=dances a happy jig=-
Well dears, I think that's all for now. I'm hoping to get another post in tomorrow but if I don't I will talk to you all soon. Sorry for being a bad blogger. Forgive me?Labels: Back Pain, Finished Project, Knitting, Template, Tree Jacket, Update, Vacation, Weekend Finale |
| posted by Valerie @ 8:55 PM |
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| About Me |
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Name: Valerie
Home: Troy, New York, United States
About Me: I am 26 years old. I work, go to school, participate in roller derby and knit every chance I get. Oh, I also love hanging out with my boyfriend (Grim) and two cats (Kiya and Sigh).
See my complete profile
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