Make Me

Photography

I've officially accepted the fact that I am not a natural photographer and am now seeking help in that arena.  I can never remember what all the little buttons are for, what ISO stands for and I swear I have a genius talent for finding the shade.  I've checked books from the library, read magazines and blogs, joined Flickr groups and the only thing that's really gotten better is I can now set up a better photo.

So, I've found an adult education class that is four weeks long and starts in November. Here's hoping someone can manage to bang into my brain how to take a decent photo. 

Digital cameras saved my bacon. Now I can just take a bazillion photos and know that at least one will be decent.  You would be astounded to see how many photos I can take of one item to get one useable photo.  I once went to the zoo and took a picture of my friend and an elephant. Totally missed the elephant. Yeah, it's a special kind of talent....

I've been studying photos and I noticed that I see the colors and I see the shapes, but I don't really notice the composition and the light.  I don't separate the light from the color, so that makes it difficult for me to analyze a picture.

Here is the fruit bowl from my desk.  I like the randomness of the arrangement and didn't try to alter it too much other than removing a white tag from one of the pears.  

While I notice that it is blurry (sorry! Couldnt' get stabilized!) I can't see the shadowing until I really, really look. Maybe it is just a matter of training yourself, but it makes me wonder if I have some sort of two-dimensional cartoon sight or something.

What hits me about this photo is the common color of green. There is a bit of green in each fruit/veg and that is what makes the photo interesting to me.  I can't tell how to improve it. I can't tell you what's wrong with the lighting. I am not seeing the subtleties. My solution would be to take a couple dozen more photos and pick the one I like best of all from the bunch.

So here's hoping photography class sharpens my eye and boosts my creativity, eh?

Countdown

Six days until the new season of Project Runway!! Wahoo!  Until then I'm enjoying the latest blog by the boys of Project Rungay.

I found out today that a coworker of mine wrote a book about his experience during Hurricane Katrina. I haven't gotten my copy yet, but thought I'd post it here and see if I can drum up some interest.  Paul's a
cool guy and deserves much good stuff in life.

I looked at a friend's copy today and was immediately drawn in.

Thinking About 2008

Time to think about the upcoming year and goals I want to accomplish.  And to make them reasonable goals.  These are NOT resolutions (those will be in the next post!), but things I want to learn or do. 

Learn about designing knits.
Start taking French lessons.
Take a dance class.
Start writing again.

All doable, right?  We'll see.

KNITTING
I want to get serious about my knitting. There are so many things I've not done just because I failed once (raglan sleeves, toe-up socks, gloves, top-down sweater) and didn't want to take the time to ask questions and learn properly. 

I want to design things to fit me that aren't shapeless or ordinary.  I want to learn about how different yarns are made and how they will drape.  I want to learn how to adapt patterns to fit me, rather than keep my current method of going up or down a needle size. 

FRENCH
I've wanted to learn French since I was about 10 and have yet to do it.  I've tried language software and podcasts, but I haven't gotten really serious to keep up with it.  I thought about signing up for a class at community college, but have never done it, afraid that it would go too fast and I wouldn't be able to keep up. 

DANCE CLASS
I've taken a lot of dance classes in the past, from ballet to jazz to tap and I really enjoy them.  I want to take African dance this year, but I've been having trouble finding a good class.  Also wouldn't mind learning a little ballroom - just enough so I can stop trying to lead.  And modern - I've never taken it and want to learn what it is and how its disciplined.  My friend Traves' dance company has a free workshop coming up, but I don't know if I want to be surrounded by "real" dancers my first time up.  Maybe I'll go watch.

WRITING
I haven't written anything in almost a year.  I just stopped. Gotta get back on that horse and ride. I honestly don't know why I've stopped - maybe I needed a break.  Regardless, I have to re-discipline myself.  It'll be a slow process - writing copious amounts of pure crap before I get into my groove. At least that'll be fun. Painful, but fun.

So there are my goals for the new year.  Wish me luck!  What are your goals? 

Goals

I'm thinking of goals, living and just my life in general.  I just got the news that yet another friend is leaving southern California.  I wonder if that is what the future holds for me.  I don't want to leave.  I love San Diego! 

But the more I evaluate my life, the more I'm struck by the fact that if I want to own a home then I need to leave.  Or I need to win the lottery (as soon as I save up my dollar, I'm buying a ticket, y'all!)

While I'm down-sizing (really, I am!) and clearing I find that I'm really not holding on to too much.  Just too much for my living space.  I mean, I want an art studio.  A place that can stay crazy messy and where the color of the walls can change on a whim.  I need that space.  These hobbies that I profess are my lifeblood.  If I couldn't create anything I think I would go mad. 

You know how you can take out a sock or something in front of a group of people who don't knit and they just think you're a genius?  And they say things like, "I wish I could knit" or "I wish I were creative" (which, really - how creative is it to follow a pattern word for word?).  But the key of it is, they don't want to.  If they wanted to, they would learn.

I used to work with a woman who made the best chile relleno in the world.  If she made some for dinner she would make sure to bring in some just for me.  But she always said that next time she made them I would have to come over and she'd teach me.  Then I'd have to explain that I didn't want to learn how to make chile relleno, I just wanted to eat it.  So it is with those people who say they wish they were creative - they really don't want to be, they just want to make the statement.

So this creating business has grown in my life to the point where I want to take it to the next level. What next level that is, I don't truly know yet.  Maybe write books, maybe start a business, maybe have a new job in the craft industry.  I do know that whatever I decide it will soon outgrow my 626 square feet of luxurious living.

Don't get me wrong - I don't want a McMansion or a sprawling ranch house somewhere (I'd just fill it up with junk) but I do want a dedicated room for my stuff.  Is that something I can get in California?  Or do I have to move away?  Do I have to leave the friends that I love with my whole entire soul?  I think my heart would actually break....

In a place where the average home costs upward of $400K, I'm not sure what I would have to do to make my dream come true.  Has anyone out there done it?  Boost my spirits, will ya?! I'm feeling down....

More Than I Can Chew?

I have a ton of patterns.  Whenever I see one on the internet I print it or save it because I have this fear that it won't be there when I need it.  I store these patterns on my hard drive and in plastic sheet protectors in binders.  I have four big binder full.

I also have magazines.  Each one has little post-it flags of projects I find interesting.  I have enough flags to start my own United Nations of knitting.

I have noticed that I'm still picking out clothing for my old boobs - plain fronts, no cables or patterns across the chest.  But I don't have to avoid the femm-y, clingier things like I used to.  So I'm going to try a few things I would never have worn in years past and see how they look.

So I decided to be proactive and go through all the patterns and pull out the top ten and document them here so I can't back out on the deal.  The only problem is that there will be a jillion new patterns out between the time I get even the first one of these done.  How's a girl to deal?

1. Cascade Lace Socks - so pretty! 

   

   Who knew I could make socks?! Certainly not me - when Kathie gave me this mag (Cast On, Summer '04) I loved looking at the projects but thought that certainly life on this planet would end before I had the knit skillz necessary to even cast on for one of them.  In fact, I only kept the mag because I love  this top and enjoyed looking at it even if I could never possibly make it.

2. This just jumped out at me last week even though I've seen it a million times before (Spr/Sum '05 Vogue Knitting).  I think a greeny-teal would be splendiforous.  Or maybe a bright aqua?  Ooo la la!

3. Allena over at Star Knits gave me the next idea.  Since I love knitting hats so much (and only have the one head) she suggested donating knit caps to hospitals. This got me wondering about making chemo caps for warmer climates. I think Lacecap would be a nice one.  I'll have to work it up and see how it goes first.  Thanks Allena!
4. I don't know how I missed this lacy cardigan when in the Holiday '05 Vogue Knitting.  I've bid on the perfect yarn on eBay and if I win, I look forward to sporting a navy version of this

   

5. To give you an idea of how much I love this sweater, I kept the magazine even though I had no idea how to knit!  I'm not sure where I got the Dec '90 issue of McCall's Needlework & Crafts, but I've dreamt of one day wearing this sweater.  16 years later, I think it still works. At least for me it does!

   

6. Alas poor Yorick did not get knit in time for last year's Hallows Eve. Perhaps this year?
7. I've got the yarn for the Union Square Market Pullover (IK - Fall '05) and am looking forward to making it.  Imagine moss green (MC) and celadon (CC). I've never done this much stockinette stitch so let's all cross our fingers, say a prayer and hope for the best, eh?

   

8. The Flower Power Shrug is going to be a Christmas present for a friend.  She wanted a shrug last year, but I didn't think I could handle it.  Everyone got a scarf or a hat instead.
9. Liesel is another gift. The pattern is from the Yummy Yarn blog.  It reminds me a lot of Branching Out but with a stronger, larger leaf pattern. We'll see.
10. This Cable Cardi says it's Very Easy and Very Vogue.  That remains to be seen.  Still I love the look of this and may even stay with the same color.

    

11. Here's a bonus knit.  I can't decide if I like the cardi above or BPT from Knitty.  I'll have to wait for inspiration to see which one is the winner.  Heck, I may even make both!

Honorable Mentions:

Vogue Knitting ~ Spring/Summer 2005

Vogue Knitting ~ Winter '99/'00

Vogue Knitting ~ Spring/Summer 2006

Sweet Somethings from IK Summer 2006. Pattern is on line.

Vogue Knitting ~ Holiday 2005

In the world of paper I am planning a series of larger format collage pieces.  I've purchased some simple frames at IKEA and have been going through the paper stock.  Should be fun!

Add to this the regular slew of holiday knitting, crafting and card making and I'll be one busy gal.  And don't worry Heidi, I won't forget your oh-so-special maternity muu muu from Lion's Homespun!  I hope to have it done in time for you to wear in August...refreshing!

2006

Happy New Year!  Hope 2006 brings health & happiness!

A Little Irony for the Holidays

So,  yesterday morning before I left for work I posted another no-mall Christmas shopping idea.  Get thee to Expression magazine, I said.  Went to work happy as a little clam (are clams really happy, and how does one know?) having done both my good deed of the day AND promoted my lovely magazine.  Imagine my surprise when a mere 3 or 4 hours laters when Editor Lisa called to deliver the ever-so-ironic holiday greeting: Expression magazine is no more.  It's over. Kaput. Finito. Kicked the bucket. Adios amigo.  TTFN.  Smell ya later.  Walked the plank.  Cocked up it's toes and croaked. I hope you're getting the message here, cuz I'm seriously running out of cliches. The next issue is the last one ever. 

I'm so sad!  I truly think it was the best magazine of it's kind and I'm not just saying that because they gave me a byline (ever appreciative that I am for that).  And gosh darn it, I was hoping I would get to go to CHA this year in Vegas. Poop!

I guess it looks like the 2 year subscription deal isn't such the bargain if there is no more magazine.  So get Expression while you can - back issues are still available.  Or maybe the mermaid jewelry kit is more to your liking.  Or check out Arts & Activities magazine which is geared toward educators.

I expect I'll be quite mopish about this shortly, but I do have a massage to look forward to this afternoon, so I guess I can mourn later.  If you've already subscribed, there will be another kind of deal, I guess.  I'm not sure of the details but I'm sure it will be fair.

It's strange to think that this wonderful magazine is no more..... I hope you got the chance to enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing for it.

Countdown

Just found out my annual craft show is November 30.  So, from here on in, I'm am in production!  What's my goal this year?  iPod, baby!  Wish me luck!

How's This for a Wake-up Call?

Here's a bit of fun I found. You can make your own countdown tickers at The Ticker Factory.

Have fun!

When I Do, You'll be Surprised

I'm not going to announce when I plan to do the Month of Softies anymore.  I'm just going to do it.  It will be a surprise for you and me!  I guess I'm a little intimidated by the amazing stuff I see there.  My one try and I ended up sewing the arms inside out.  I mean, if I can't grasp that, what hope is there? 

Of course that's not the point is it - to make the best one?  It's to challenge ourselves.  Sigh.  I'm just in the mood to be challenged right now.  I want to lay back and absorb the status quo.

All this said, the Recycled Monster theme sounds really fun.

Found some really great material for the purse sew-along at the thrift on Saturday.  Now I just need to get the stuff for the handles and we're off!