Testing New Camera Skillz

Well here we go. I DID THIS! With Brion's help of course coaching me through the process. Going to have to work on the setting and lighting but for a first time not so bad eh?

This is the Football Dishcloth from the Monthly Dishcloth KAL January '08. Now I need to get if over on the other blog and take a zillion more pictures and get them up and running here and on Flicker.

Ta Ta For Now!

300 Contest Post and some Knitting Tips

I have to come to terms with the fact that I'm addicted to Contests, Sweeps and Freebies. I haven't brought much of those obessions here, yet, well, I do post knitting related contests and here is yet another one.

Brought to us by Nancy @ the Jersey Shore on her Days go By blog. Enter at this link with a posted comment and be sure to holler that Marti sent ya!

As suggested for another entry into the contest here are a few of my favorite knitting tips.

1. Don't knit complicated lacey/pattern projects at your chatty knit groups, especially when martini's are involved. Keep to the simple ones, unless you're getting some help of course.

2. When doing picture/lace dishcloths COUNT YOUR STITCHES on the pattern row before you do your knit/purl only row. DOH!

3. Deathgrip at cast on? Try casting on with a larger needle then knit with the pattern size needles. Don't forget to cast off using the same size larger needle.

4. When doing a picture dishcloth try knitting with smaller size needles - if they call for a 7 try a 5 or 6, yes, the cloth might come out a little smaller - add a few stitches to your border sides and an extra 2 rows for your border top/bottom. The smaller needles will make for a tighter knit and help your picture POP out more.

5. Found a great FREE pattern that you're going to save to your favorites to knit "later". Print it out!! The site might change and the link lost to limbo.

Quiet Saturday

At least it stopped raining. It rained all day yesterday and most of the night. Today it was just chilly and overcast. B had to go into the office again and continue to work on the setup stuff while Rob's here to help him out. However, even if it was a bright sunshiny day here in San Francisco I'd only be able to enjoy it from the front stoop. With all the ups and downs of our neighborhood I wouldn't get very far on my crutches.

WOOO HOOOO I've got my three lucky PIF folks! Now to start working on their mystery packages.

Cuddle #1 is almost complete, just a few more rows. I'm doing just a basic alternating knit one purl one stitch it should measure out to about 24ish x 24ish when I'm done. Using double stranded acrylic Aryn and winterblue (almost looks green) on size 10 1/2 needles. This will be a good size for a medium/small dog. This is a great project to keep on the side when you're just looking for something simple to keep your fingers occupied while your watching TV or talking it up with friends at your knitting group. I learned my lesson the hard way about bringing complicated projects to talkative knitting groups. Too easy to loose your place on the chart. I would just bring it to show off my fiber and progress then put it back into its own special bag and go back to my simpler project. This project is also great for scraps. The Cuddle needs to be cushy, but no holes for nails to get tangled within. Many shelters send them on with the pet's who get adopted so they have something of their own so to speak in their new place, so they are always in need one them. If you're interested, check out the Snuggles website for more information on patterns and sizes. You can also join the yahoo group Loves Many Cloths to donate to someone already collecting for their local shelter. If you want to donate to your own shelter you should contact them directly to ensure they accept cuddles or hugs or pet blankets. Many do not, but you could always donate in other ways with money and or time.

Hopefully more pictures soon! B is very protective of his camera.

Back to my Cuddles!

Just a wee bit of cotton..

That's right.. just a wee bit. That's 4 letter/legal file boxes over flowing with cones and skeins of assorted colors and ombres. Its mostly Peaches & Creme with a few sugar's and Java combos thrown in from some random shopping online. Thus I will be doing a few dishcloths, baby bibs and matching burps and maybe some cotton booties for a while eh? I was thinking of trying out the baby Kimono from the Mason-Dixon knitting book. Have you the reader tried it yet?

I also tried to gather all my acrylic and acrylic blends (worsted weight) to make some cuddles (animal blankets) for one of the ladies on the Loves Many Cloths group. I might try to venture into designing my own cushy pattern for this project. Gotta get some use out of my stitch a day for 365 days. Its a perpetual calendar that I got last year to learn some new stitches.

Brion's office is in the middle of being set up so now he has to be there for the wiring placement and some of the office setup organization and stuff. I was going to be helping out as well but with the lame foot its not possible. Hopefully I'll be able to record their phone greetings and such. He's currently passed out on the couch exhausted from running around for this that and the other with the rest of his tech guys.

Its been raining all day and probably will for the rest of the weekend. I keep reminding myself that at least its not snow. I'm looking forward to brighter weather soon! Especially when the future inlaws come to visit in March.

Still have a few slots left on my Pay It Forward offer. Don't be shy! But please remember, you have to do the same within a specific time period that you set as well.

Back to my knitting!

Knitting Blog Contests

Here are some contests I found while Blog Surfing today. Most of the blogs are knitting related and the contests are usually quick and easy to enter. Tell them you got the link from Marti and I'll get an extra entry, then you can blog all about it on yours and maybe get extra entries as well! Good Luck!

If you're into socks you'll really enjoy Adrienne's blog. You've got until 1/28/08 to guess her super big secret! Check out Let's Play and you could win some mystery yarn! Tell her Marti blogged all about it and I'll get an extra entry into the contest. You can too when you blog about it on yours.

Must Keep Knitting is celebrating the opening of her Etsy store. Answer her questions, they are quick and fun and if she picks your name you'll win some stitch markers. The contest ends Sunday 1/27 at 8pm (don't know time zone assume EST).

Coconut Cupcakes wants to know a few of your favorite things. You could win An EmbellishKnit I-cord maker and some yarn to go with it!

Jada and Nobel - Our Cats

Surly kitties
Originally uploaded by brionv

So while I'm trying to get a web ring thingy for Knitted Kitty working I was exploring some of Brion's Flicker pics and found this. I know I've mentioned them a few times, and kept teasing with pics to post so here they are. Jada is on the left and Nobel is on the right. This is just a few weeks after moving to the new place on our new sofa. We were probably moving boxes around and making noise disturbing their nap. This is also about as close as they get.

Jada is a sweet old lady who just likes to sit next to you and get a good rub down, but don't pick her up to put in your lap or hold her. Unless of course we're at the Dr's office then she's a clingy one. She likes to bat at my yarn now and then too.

Nobel is only a few years old and still likes to get her playing and rough housing on, Jada is totally not into that and Nobel enjoys teasing her about it to no end. Nobel is a lap kitty in that she will come and sit on your lap on her terms. She doesn't like to be picked up or held either.

Neither cat has tried to run off with a skein of yarn or chewed on the needles. Thank Goodness!! I do have to be careful about leaving a project out where Nobel can lay on it though. She has this thing for laying on clothes or my knitting if its on a large enough flat surface.

Knitting Contest - #444

During my insomnia driven blog road trip I found a knitting contest that just requires you to leave a particular comment. #444 Contest

Apparently this knitting blog mistress does a new contest with each blogging milestone (111, 222, etc.). When you leave your comment tell her that Marti from Crafty Muse Inspired sent ya!

Blog contests sound like a lot of fun and certainly more within my budget then a lot of swaps right now due to the foot and lack of job situation.

Good luck!

Knitting Challenge

The Great Knit Cloth-along of 2008

How many different cloths can you knit in 2008? Have you truly challenged yourself to try new patterns and stitches, to expand your skills or just try something new for fun? Not sure what to do with all those cloths? Check out my link to Loves Many Cloths in my charity list. They collect for Domestic Violence Shelters, the Homeless and much much more. So check out the link, join the blog, and get a list of 50+ free patterns and growing. You can even suggest your own.

Here is the next cloth I'm thinking of working on: Lacey Butterfly

From my chair...

From my chair I'm knitting, watching TV, making lists and doing a little reading. I've got a nice white cone of PNC so I'm knitting away for washcloths for my LovesGroup that are going to go to Africa. I had also gotten some surplus/mystery bags from PNC so I'm knitting up the end of the line runs into some other washcloths that will be going to various entities in our group. I'm taking this opportunity to knit up all different kinds of stitch patterns.

Jada is bit annoyed that I'm not on the couch where she can sit next to me and Nobel is keeping busy guarding the bed so our guest kitty Francie doesn't hop up and get comfortable. Francie is a wonderful guest. She's very quiet and cuddly and tolerant of the blustery hissing she gets from the other two now and then when they pass each other in the hall. Last night she on the cushion behind my shoulder just purring away. We'll cat sit for her anytime.

I'm slowly getting used to the lap top. I miss my PC with all the games and links. However, we're going to have to figure something out because Brion will need to be going to the office in another week. Hopefully by then I can at least sit at my PC without having to keep my foot elevated. Haven't been on crutches in ages so it took a few getting used to them. My arms ache and my right calf muscle is sore, I know whine whine whine. At least I don't require surgery.

Just Call Me Ginger

Holy Moly... I can't believe it. One month here and getting used to getting around on the Bart and MUNI and the different neighborhoods and whammo. Quite the monkey wrench thrown into the works to really mes things up for a bit.

Here's the scoop.

First lesson learned, double check your addresses when putting them into the trip planner, be specific. Wrong address in the system and I got off at the wrong stop. No problem, a quick call to headquarters and Brion repulls the exact address and lo and behold, another route all together. So, while hoofing it back to the Bart, while in the Mission district I avoided one bubbled up crack in the sidewalk only to bobble on another right next to it with my next step. Then as graceful as a ballerina in sand filled combat boots I teetered this way then that way and then bam, face first on the side walk. My first worry was my bad knee, (another story for another time). But that was fine, popped back up on my feet, brushed off, took a step, felt a slight twinge in my left foot but wasn't too bad. I could walk that off, I'm tough and the job fair was just a few stops away. Erg..

By the time I got off the Bart and climbed up 3 flights of stairs (the healthy thing you know - actually, couldn't find the nearest escalator) I knew something was wrong. I stopped at Burger King, they were selling whoppers there by the way, got a diet coke and called Brion. A little on the nervous side being in a new city and I didn't want him to freak out with the call from the emergency room, I waited for him and we went together. The cabbie was very nice, took us to just the right place and made sure we got in all right.

The wait wasn't that bad, just had to remind them that my name was still in the pile. They have this pre-check in thing to get your basics and get the requests for labs and xrays started as necessary. They gave me a bed, but I opted to stay in the chair since I would have to be wheeled around anyway, it was just easier for me. While we waited I perused through the biggest Vanity Fair issue ever, lamenting that I left the house without my latest book or my knitting. They had a very cool film noir tribute with some of my favorite actors. Oops... meandered a bit. So.. anyway... the xrays were quick and painless and the Doctor saw me very soon after they were completed. Yep.. broke a bone in the bottom of the left side of my left foot. That was most of the bad news. The good news, and trust me from experience this is good, no surgery required. Just time off the foot, special split and non flex shoe, ice it and keep it elevated. It should naturally pull back together in a few weeks.

So here I am, ensconced in the big comfy chair surrounded by my knitting, the cats and Brion's wonderful patient attention. I've already finished a few dishcloths and now I'm venturing out to try to some pattern stitches I've been saving. I've got a whole cone of white cotton I can make up for one of the ladies sending her stuff to Africa via a friend. No more talking about knitting a few cuddles/hugs for animals. I could also work on my PIF projects but no one's signed up yet (hint hint read a few previous posts). Now I can seriously start working on my stash. Oh.. and some pain killers that are dulling the pain, which I only have after hauling myself to the bathroom or bed.

I'm really disappointed that I couldn't visit the future in-laws this weekend. I was really looking forward to seeing everyone and getting out to see some sites. Now I have all the more incentive to get the apartment ready for their upcoming visits. I'm sure Brion will have some glamorous pictures of me and my cast and my knitting. LOL

No more Rapunzel

That's right folks, I've taken the big plunge and cut the hair. Unfortunately it still wasn't long enough for Locks of Love - must cut a clean 10 inches of hair, the coloring thing was ok but to get 10 inches I'd be doing the near shaved head thing. Not a good look for me I'm thinking. As it is the new length is great, just a bit too much on the razor/thinning the thickness part and it looks a bit rough. I'm sure that's actually quite a nice style for some, but I like a smoother look. Oh well, just hair it will grow back. The young lady doing my hair was very nice and I'd still go back there again. I also got my nails done, back to acrylic tips. New hair and nails, just what we need for the job fair tomorrow. My outfit is all picked out, just need to print out a few resumes and the directions.

Finished another basic grandmother's favorite cloth tonight while I was catching up with Terminator: Sarah Conner Chronicles and project runway. I'll be taking some stuff to knit along the way and while we're at B's parent's place.

Still working on the pictures thing.

Monday Musings

Today I spent some time organizing my Favorites list. It was getting rather unwieldy and annoyingly long. As I was moving links to folders I rechecked to make sure they were still valid. Unfortunately some were not and I lost a few knitting patterns I was "saving for later". Oh well. I still have a lot of catching up to do on some of my more active Yahoo Groups.

Speaking of catching up, I finally finished the Getting To Know You Dishcloth Knitters group's first picture KAL. I still need to do the pattern cloth. I've settled on a pattern for my swap partner finally! Just have to go out and get her favorite colors. I'm really looking forward to getting her swap in return. Pictures of both as I can get Brion to help me out with the picture taking, he's so much better at it film school major an' all. (Love ya Darlin')

I also found a cable headband that I'm going to try to knit with some cotton for walking and keeping my hair back in general until I decide what to do with it. That's right, I feel like Sandra Bullock in the first Speed movie only I'm repeating keep the bangs or cut them off! Brion got me a gift certificate to a nice salon just down the block and around the corner and I've been thinking of using it before the Job Fair on the 17th.

Have you visited Knittersville lately?

Pay It Forward

So, getting up at 8 am on a Saturday to go for 3 hour walking tour of San Francisco (thru meetup.com) was well worth it. I got in some good serious exercise, learned more about my new city, made some new friends and a possible job network thingy and I found an opportunity to be the receipient of a PIF (Pay It Forward) participant.

Now, I'm announcing my readiness to Pay it Forward. Here's the deal :

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” (which I highly recommend seeing if you have not already seen it with Haley Joel Osmond, Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey) where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. You all know I’m already a PIF type of person. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. If you're not a knitter, no worries, just put together a nice special package for your recipients. In your comment spell out your email address so no spammers get it. I'll send you an email confirming your comment and get your mailing address. If you don't have a blog but you maybe belong to some email groups put out your request there (so long as OT is accepted in your group).

Feel free to grab the PIF button too!

Merry Knitting!

Where does the time go...

Isn't it amazing that at the beginning of your day you start out with a plan. A to do list. A clear list in your head or even on paper of things that absolutely positively must get done today. And of course you start off with good intentions, maybe even stick to the list in the beginning and actually knock an item or two off.

Then it happens. Your to do list says to look something up for an address, or a recipe or to sign up for a contest you read about or saw on TV. Its only 10 am, you have time before you need to do the laundry, check the mail, get something for lunch going, call back so and so, email back such and such, update your blog, take the cats to the vet, get your nails done, make extra copies of your resume for the upcoming job fair. Do the rest of the laundry figure out how to fit 25 boxes of books on 4 tall shelving units, organize your knitting, take pictures of your knitting, shop for your swap partner, paint the samples on the bedroom and kitchen to make sure they are just right, empty the cat box, make a grocery list, call your sisters, write long overdue thank you notes, see a movie, watch your Netflix movies because your queue is at the 500 limit and there is more that you both want to add and remember those books there are a lot of them that you haven't read and now that you've thought about your knitting you remember about half a dozen projects that are in various stages of completion that you swore you were going to finish before you moved, then after you moved and now they are somewhere in a box and the cat just coughed up a hairball somewhere in the apartment and you..

Well.. what do you do? You log into the computer to "check your mail" and then 6 hours later with your stomach growling and 3 voicemail messages on your phone you come out of the internet haze that bound you like a spell in your computer chair. Sure, you've accomplished quite a lot. You've signed up for 3 more yahoo groups, read countless blogs that took you to other places and you saved two dozen patterns that you are just dying to get done. Meanwhile you're butt is numb and your foot fell asleep as you limp to the kitchen and feel the cold floor so you go back to get socks only there aren't any clean ones because you've been avoiding the laundry. So you slip on your shoes with no socks and grab the laundry basket only to remember that there are no quarters and the bank is closed on Sunday and Walgreens won't give out rolls of quarters so you can avoid that task for now. By the way, its almost dinner time and despite the various "oh that was delicious" left overs do you really want them? Yes! Because you can eat out of the left over dish and not have to dirty any more dishes because there really isn't any room in the sink.

A short time later you are sustained with a bite or two to eat, settling in your special knitting comfy chair to watch Bleak House and knit one of the KALs you joined but waited until all the days were out to knit it and there you are, knitting away, watching Bleak House. Getting into the Zen of the mystery pattern and suddenly its 10 pm and your yawning and its time to go to bed. In the bedroom you see the basket of laundry waiting to be done and you realize that you've not quite accomplished much on your list.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day and at least I got some knitting done!