Make Me

Should I?

I can do a small craft show tomorrow.  Probably for mostly students here on campus.  Last night I decided not to do it, but this morning I was kind of thinking I should.  I haven't inventoried everything yet, but I could definitely put something together.  And I requested the time off work.  What do you think?

I've also put some stuff up on eBay this week. Mostly stamp mags and a couple of books. Peep over here.  Thinking about opening an ebay store. Has anyone out there done that?  What is the maintenance like?  I've got a bunch of money to put back in my savings and it's driving me crazy.  I guess I could try it and if it doesn't work I could trash it.

Sigh. I need help.

Boy Gift

I just finished the Men's Cashmere Scarf from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts and have to say it's lovely, even if it is a somewhat boring knit. I did it in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted.  It came out so very softy!  Do I have to give it away? 

I have to say I've fallen even more in love with Lorna's Laces yarn.  The subtle shade differences in the hand-dyed black give the scarf more depth and texture.  I'm sure any man you give this to will comment just the same (yeah, right - only if he's a knitter!)

 

Anyhoo, more knitting to be done.  I've just signed myself up for a craft show in (gasp!) two days! Why do I do such things?

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

A couple of years ago I used to make Christmas presents for everyone in my office.  What started as a way to get rid of crap I had lying around the house turned in to a slightly more benevolent thing as I saw how everyone appreciated my efforts.

And really, even though there were some 30 or so people in my office, it wasn't that much trouble.   I just made whatever and stuck it, unwrapped, under my little ghetto Christmas tree and sent out an email to 'come and get it!'  Everyday I brought in more stuff.  Post-it note holders, little stamped calendars, decorated pens and what have you. It was fun.

One year I did a lot of edible gifts - Gifts in a Jar (actually, Gifts in a Christmas patterned Ziploc) like brownie and Snickerdoodle mix.  I also did some English Toffee that was incredible and spiced nuts.  Those were addictive!  Here are some of my favorite recipes that I used. 

Dilly Almonds

Candied Pecans

Garlic Almonds

I got the nuts from Costco in bulk and one bag was enough for a lot of gifts, including plenty for the chef!  If you're slightly more flush than I, you can present these in nice glass jars from Cost Plus or Pier 1.  Otherwise, get out those fancy Ziplocs!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a happy turkey day!  If you are stuffed full of pie and cranberries, then you know it was a good holiday. 

I just wanted to make sure I posted the pictures from jewelry class.

You can't see the pretty crystals but they are there.  It was easy to make and I'm really surprised that the wire wraps don't catch on my clothes.  I'm notorious for janky wire wraps. You wire wrap the individual clusters and hook them on the chain and then thread the .... tiger tail (for lack of the real word) through the chain.  It was a lot of work, but it wasn't difficult.  Actually, I didn't have any problems until the end when I kept putting forgetting to leave the opening for the clasp.

Dawn made the same necklace in brown.

Isn't it cute?  Isn't Dawnie cute?

Kathie made hers in brown and it came out cool as well, even if she did cheat and shorten her chain!

It was a great birthday present Kath, even if I did have to haul home the presents of Christmas and birthday past!  And I'm sorry I hid your beads and made you cry! It was funny, you have to admit.

Beady-Eyed

My lovely friend Kathie has gifted me with a beading class for my birthday! Yay! It starts at 6:30. Hopefully I'll be home early enough to watch Heroes and post some photos. We're supposed to make a Y necklace?  Tune in later to see the finished project....Now I gotta go find my pliers.....

Actual Knitting Content?!?

Yes, it's true.  Actual knitting content kids.  Don't be scared now.  I'm sure in the middle of my post something in or on my computer will decide to spontaneously combust and I will have to make a midnight run to Wal-Mart to buy and e-machine or something.  But I've had 2 or 3 glasses of wine tonight and I feel like tempting fate.

Here is the much mentioned, seldom shown Eyelet Chemise from IK

Done up quite nicely in Knit Picks something or other.  I still have yet to find the right buttons.  But, you'll notice, I did find a dress form - Yay!  Got it at the big Leisure World garage sale in AZ last weekend.  I'll peep ya in on the haul sometime when I'm not tipsy.

And here is the hat I promised to Allena a million years ago.  It's been done for some time now - I just was not pleased with the places where I switched to a different yarn.  I was just told blocking helps that.  So instead of me trying to stretch it with my fingers, I'll block it this weekend and see how that holds up.

It's done in wools.  I love the basketweave instead of ribbing on the edge. Hope she likes it.

Yeah.

Mary Kay moves this week.  That makes me sad.  Don't move Mary Kay!  Can't your husband just commute?  I'm sure he could get used to it.  'Sides - isn't it more fun to knit stuff you could never possibly wear here in southern CA?  C'mon!

Um.

I gotta pee.  Bye.

This is Getting Crazy

I had a nice knit-worthy post all ready with pictures. Fun.  Even after my newly charged batteries refused to work I persevered, charged the second set and took a single photo.  Now it seems my disk is corrupted or something and all my photos are gone. This sucks.

Nostalgic

It's late. I'm tired.  But I feel I ought to note something here. Like the fact that I'm still alive.  Sort of.  Very tired.  Missed the Blogging for Books deadline. 

Spent the evening with college students. Eighteen year old college students.  On campus.  Remembering that amazing sense of freedom, that first taste of adulthood.  Eighteen.  On your own. Broke. Meeting a new best friend every day.  And at the same time insulated from a lot of the world's woes.  Creating a new life on your own little "city". Reinventing yourself from the high school you that others insisted you be.

Wish we had digi cams when I was in college - I would have a lot more photographic memories.

I feel old.

A Little About Me

Every couple of years or so, something strange happens to me. Or, rather, around me.  All electronic equipment in my general presence goes wiggy. Usually things are permanently damaged.  There are a few electronic things that escape unscathed: My clock radio, the television and any beauty devices like curling or flat irons, blow dryers and the like. And my 20 year old VCR.

I should have guessed when a couple of weeks ago I lost internet access.  Now I’ve lost computer access.  I may have blown a hard drive. We’ll check tomorrow and see.  My satellite dish was kinda janky last week and made my television reception fuzzy and wiggly.  My cell phone wasn’t completing calls this morning.  Oh, and my scanner stopped working.

One time I lost my CD player, my fridge, my telephone, my blender, my car remote and my alternator.  Weird, huh?  Do you think I store up all these electrical impulses until there is too much energy and it has to go somewhere?

Two weeks ago I couldn't touch anything without getting an electric shock and now my computer quits.  What's next? This is getting expensive, you know. 

Maybe it’s my superpowers coming to the forefront.  I could be Static Girl! Electro Girl?  Shock Treatment?  Lotta Power?  I could run around protecting folks by dispelling bad guys with my strong electrical current.  ZAP! You’re toast, bad guy!  ZOT! See if you get a charge out of this, Scumbag!

What kind of outfit do you suppose I get with this new job?  Surely, I’ll get a nifty pair of tights.  But no cape!  And I should have some wicked hair – stands straight out.  Maybe it can be blue?

O maybe I’ve just been watching too much Heroes.