My Little Piece of The Net

  
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!
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.

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posted by Valerie @ 10:08 PM   0 comments
Small Update
Monday, June 28, 2010
It's been a while since I posted anything on here.. yet again.

I'm currently expanding my crafting horizons. I will have pictures when I get back to my own computer. Here are some of the things I have been working on.
  1. Jewelry Creation - Mostly pendant and button rings. I'm currently looking for blanks that won't turn the finger green though. I always hated that.
  2. Embroidered Dollies/Pillows - A couple of weeks ago I started a embroidery project and thought it would look nice turned into a little pillow. I broke out the sewing machine and it turned out sooo cute! I'm going to be sewing a couple of couch pillows soon.
  3. Knitting - I have a couple of knitted coffee cozies I am going to be felting when I get home tomorrow. I'm also thinking about embelishing them with embroidery.

Whilst wandering around the Origins Merch Booth, I came upon a crafting table and got an idea for something to try. A woman was airbrushing/painting designs on luggage. I was relatively unimpressed with the quality of the work, but that was just me. However, it did give me the idea to try it myself. I contacted someone via craigslist about vintage luggage for dirt cheap. Keep an eye out for what I come up with.

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posted by Valerie @ 12:04 AM   2 comments
Knit..Knit..Knit
Saturday, October 3, 2009
I have fallen madly in love with knitting these fingerless gloves! It's a fast, instant gratification sort of project and the color combos are endless. With that thought in mind, I wrote to the designer last week about making a couple of pairs and selling them. She was thrilled to know that I loved her pattern that much and she gave her consent! For right now, I'm only planning on making a couple of pairs to throw on the Hellions merch booth. I've also got a couple of derby girls dying to get a pair that are in team colors. So I cast a pair on.. Here's what they look like prior to seaming:



My seaming needs ALOT of work so I'm taking them to Trumpet Hill tomorrow for a lesson. I'll post pictures when they are finally complete.

Also, fresh off the needles.. The Jeckyl and Hyde hat:



This was knitted up for my Tim Burton Swap partner. I hope she likes it! The pattern was easy to knit up but, should I make it again, I think I'm going to shorten it abit. It just seemed a little too long to be able to roll up nicely.

On the note of the Tim Burton swap, look at all the goodies I got yesterday!



Great package, eh?! I'm particularly happy with the blood choker! It's too cute!

Next on the knitting needles:

1. Another pair of fingerless gloves - Bright pink bottom and neon green body.
2. And this little hat. It's too cute.



Alrighty, I'm all out of things to write about. Happy Knitting!

P.S. My English Lit. teacher lets me knit in her class. It's awesome!!

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posted by Valerie @ 2:08 PM   1 comments
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.

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posted by Valerie @ 1:09 PM   1 comments
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!

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posted by Valerie @ 9:51 PM   0 comments
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!

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posted by Valerie @ 1:23 PM   2 comments
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Hi Everyone!!

Now that everything has settled down, I can finally sit back and get back to the blogging world. WoooHoo! Unfortunately with the chaotic nature of moving I have been unable to do any serious knitting lately. I just can’t seem to get into the knitting groove when there are boxes of stuff waiting to be unpacked. Not to mention I have a new activity that has been taking up my after work time.

You see, a couple of months ago I had the pleasure of seeing a Roller Derby competition. Ever since then I have been hooked to the idea of participating. When I found out they had an open recruitment night I quickly jumped to attend. Since that night I have officially become one of the “new meats” on the team. I still have some things to take care of before I am a legitimate member but I am quickly on my way. I have already attended three of the most physically exhausting practices I have ever participated in and I am loving every moment of it. Tonight I’m ordering my skate pack and sometime next week I will be allowed to practice with the girls for the first time. I can not wait!! The downside is that I won’t be able to attend any competitions due to school in September. Derby rules are that if you can’t make 60% of the practices you can’t compete in the games (bouts). It’s not a big deal though, I’ll still be able to help out and participate in scrimmages. I’m jumping for joy excited. Oh and my soon to be derby name: Detrimental Diva!

On the note of Derby, at practice last night I found out one of the skaters is also a knitter. I’m hoping to steal her away one night for coffee and knitting. We’ll see how it goes!

That’s pretty much the only major new development in my life lately, aside from the new apartment. We’re slowly bringing it all together and making it home. It’s a little weird being in a new place but we’re adjusting. We absolutely love the area we live in now though. It’s got all these really cute little shops and there seems to always be something to do. I love it! On the school front, I have all my information together to start a new semester. I have to retake Algebra and I have a Medieval History course. Hopefully I do better with math this go round. I really can't fail it again. We'll see. Work has been tough lately. I'm up for my review in September and I have a feeling that I am up for a lot of new responsibilities. Let's just hope that new responsibilities will bring better pay.

I'll be posting a knitting related post soon. I promise!!!

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posted by Valerie @ 1:30 AM   2 comments
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.

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posted by Valerie @ 12:24 AM   6 comments
I'm Alive
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
That's right, I have risen from the ashes of chaos! Woohoo! -=giggle=- Unfortunately I am at work so I can't post the long explanation all that has gone on. However, tonight or tomorrow I will be diving back into my blog with pictures, updates and information. Talk to all of you soon.

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posted by Valerie @ 4:33 PM   3 comments
-=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!

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posted by Valerie @ 11:52 PM   2 comments
Totally Overwhelmed
Monday, February 11, 2008
I wanted to drop in, quick like, and tell you that I am alive. I posted a picture of the Maze Baby Blanket (on the right under FOs) and I finished both Two Hour Bags. I'll post pictures of them pre-felting as soon as I get two minutes to myself. Hopefully that will be soon!!!

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posted by Valerie @ 5:57 PM   4 comments
I hate illnesses
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Why? Because I seem to be busy fighting one. I haven't felt well since Sunday night. Blegh, today I came home at around 11 because my stomach was in a total uproar and would not let me be. I feel a little better now.

Wanted to let you all know a post will come tomorrow (hopefully).

A huge and special thanks to Mary Catherine for sending me beautiful yarn!!! Picture will be posted tomorrow!

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posted by Valerie @ 11:25 PM   4 comments
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!!

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posted by Valerie @ 4:50 AM   6 comments
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. =)

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posted by Valerie @ 8:20 AM   0 comments
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!

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posted by Valerie @ 3:57 AM   5 comments
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!

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posted by Valerie @ 9:53 PM   3 comments
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!

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posted by Valerie @ 7:24 PM   5 comments
Quick Update
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
I'll write more tomorrow in more detail but I wanted everyone to know that everything went wonderfully! Everyone loves Grim! We had a terrific time but it went by to quickly. We go back to NY tomorrow. Talk to everyone soon!

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posted by Valerie @ 12:50 AM   2 comments
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?

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posted by Valerie @ 8:55 PM   1 comments
The Blog
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Alrighty, I have posted a meme and my HSKS trivia/picture hunt. Now it's time for the blog. -=giggle=- It's been a while since I have posted. So here goes:

Knitting: I started over on my HSKS 3 bag. I am really going to work on it more tomorrow. I really haven't had the opportunity since I have a Bio paper due on Saturday. The Baby Blanket has been frogged back again. I am not a fan of the yarn I bought, it frays way to easily so I am going to buy some better quality yarn before trying it again. Right now, priority one is the bag since I need to send the package out before the 31st. The Day of the Dead package for Christine is done. I really hope she likes the goodies I found for her. My Movie Swap package is nearly done. I just need to wait on the movie to arrive and I want to throw in a couple more goodies before I ship it out.

Movies: 25th hour with Edward Norton was an awesome movie and I recommend it to anyone. It's a little depressing as most Spike Lee films are. However, it's the first Spike Lee movie I haven't hated, so that's saying something. Bride to Terabithia, I was unimpressed with. Although, I thought it was going to be about something totally different. It's a great family movie but -=shrugs=- typical.

Rock'n'Shock: What an awesome outing that was! We left around last Saturday and got there around 3. We immediatly went to the celebrity area to check out the lines. Here are the pictures I got with some of them.

1. Picture with Tony Todd (Candyman)
2. Picture with Angela Bettis (May, Girl Interrupted)
3. Picture with P.J. Soles (Halloween, Carrie)
4. Picture with Electra and Elise Avellan (Babysitter Twins from Grindhouse)
5. Picture with James Duval (Donnie Darko, May, Independance Day)
6. Picture of Daeg Faerch (Halloween 2007) He wouldn't take a picture with me unless I bought something from his booth. To hell with that I say.
7. Me in adoration of the Freddy Glove
8.The Rock'N'Shock Crew (missing Paul)

I'm planning on doing a meme all about Grim. So I will post his pictures when I do that. He turned into a cute little boy when he met Angela Bettis, apparently he likes her. -=giggle=- So the convention was cool. A little less than what I expected but fun anyway. I ended up buying The best of the Nighmare on Elmstreet T'V Show, Death Proof, Planet Terror and Daywatch. Grim got a Cluthlu Shirt and I also got Freddy vs. Jason Earrings. I think that's it. Well I went to include they're having a Nightmare on Elmstreet reunion that I am going to go to.. I looked it up and weelll.. it's in Texas. The plane tickets would be about 350 a piece. No can do... Le Sigh.
Anyways, on with the blog.. After the convention we went to the concert. Lordi, Dark Funeral (Sucked so bad I won't put up a link, in fact here's a picture of me when they were playing.), Mushroomhead and Type O Negative. Lordi was entertaining and epic. Dark Funeral was a REALLY BAD death metal band, Mushroomhead rocked my socks off and Type O Negative left me unimpressed. I love Type O and something has changed. Maybe Peter Steele, lead singer and bassist is getting to old to hit the low notes he once could hit, maybe he's sick.. all I know is I was unimpressed. Not to mention we were unable to leave the concert hall to smoke, so that sucked too. We finally got out of there at around 3 and anyone who smoked was chain smoking to catch up for missed time. I am exaggerating of course. We got home at 5 and spent all Sunday morning catching up on sleep.

Life: Work is going well enough. I went to the school today and got my registration number for my classes. I am going to be taking another Basic Math course and Literature into Film. It should be fun, well one class should be fun anyway. Guess which one ? -=giggle=- Turns out I have to take Math course from now until Fall of next year, then I get to go back to my Psych courses. Wippie! I still have no idea where I want to go, so I am keeping the idea local until I figure out if I really want to move anyway. Which we might.. On a totally unrelated topic, I went to the smoke shop to pick up cloves. I don't smoke cigs and cloves can only be found at specialty stores. Anyways, they sell cards at this particular smoke shop. When I walked in I found out that every card in the store was free. I grabbed a big bag and loaded up. I have enough cards to cover the next 5 years in birthdays. -=giggle=- Which is good, I am a card nut. I like to keep in touch with friends.

Alrighty, it's 11:36 pm now and I need to get ready for bed. Besides I honestly think I wrote about everything.

Night night all

Lots of Hugs!!

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posted by Valerie @ 10:31 PM   3 comments
About Me

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).
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