The girl with kaleidoscope eyes

9.30.2004

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I do my best to keep up with this blog, and you know, update it frequently.... But I don't really see the point anymore.

I'm also going to stop browsing the knitblogs. It really does eat up so much time. There are a few blogs I love to read, that I still will, but reading blogs just makes me find more and more reasons to buy yarn I probably wouldn't otherwise buy. Ignorance is definitely *bliss in some situations

I'm still alive and still tired. I'm playing the Sims 2 when I get a minute, making grand plans for my new website (you know, where things will be sold!..or at least they'll be for sale), taking care of my daughter, drawing, cleaning my house, hanging out with my husband, petting my puppy, writing letters to my brother, knitting, reading, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of several packages from Japan.

I'm not sure what my plans are for this. I've been blogging on here for 4 years, so it's kind of weird to even think about letting it go.

*I discovered a new Debbie Bliss cardigan pattern that I just have to buy and make, while reading Froggy Knits.

posted @ 3:11 AM

9.28.2004

First post from my Mac! Yay!

Turns out we had to get os 10.3 so I could run the various art/design programs I need to use. So pretty soon I'll be buying a new domain (not telling, don't ask..) and getting things going w/ the new site (where things may be sold!.. if I'm not being overly ambitious right now saying that.)

I had to move a lot of knitting things out of the way to fit this 21" monitor on my desk, but I think I'll get used to the way things are set up relatively soon.

In knitting news, I started the heel flap for Jon's birthday sock #2, but only got about 8 rows in before I decided to move the Mac to a better location (its previous location being the middle of the floor in the family room). I guess I'll pick up the sock tomorrow and attempt to finish it. It would be an amazing feat with my lack of energy, but I'm going to keep my hopes up.

posted @ 1:31 AM

9.27.2004

Hey! Look who's up late again?! I've taken a Unisom Gel thing and maybe I will fall asleep shortly... drool will probably be involved.

Do you watch Home Movies on Adult Swim? I love this show. The Franz Kafka rock opera was mind blowing. I am so happy for tivo because I can watch it over and over again. *yay*

I was fiddling around with my Mac tonight and well.. I didn't get very far. I have no idea how to use a Mac but I am getting more familiar with it.

Tonight I did not knit. I drank a big coffee, and I made a gourmet meal (Boxed mac n' cheese!)

Don't let me forget to send in my voter registration, otherwise I can't vote the heel (the mule, the sneaker, the loafer... take your pick of footwear, since, after all Kerry is the 'flip-flop') out of office.

I can't think of anything else to say. I MIGHT be getting tired!

posted @ 3:25 AM

9.26.2004
odd but good!

I woke up this morning at 7:30, wide awake! I feel really good and cheerful. I mean, I'm starting to get a little drowsy as I type this but I finally understand why.

After going through the disappointment of wondering and hoping and getting a little excited about this extreme fatigue possibly being a symptom of pregnancy, I've figured out that it is a side effect of the medication I'm on. I am glad that there's a reason for it, but it's rendering me almost as useless as I was before I started the medication. Along with dozing off every time I sit still for more than 5 minutes, I've also got no appetite, nausea, insomnia (yes it sound contradictory - but what do you think happens when you fall asleep all day long?), anxiety, I get hot flashes, frequent bad dreams, and this nagging headache - all of which can be explained by my medication, except that the headaches started before the medication was prescribed.

I have to really sit and think about whether the cons of this drug outweigh the pros... I also have to think about withdrawal symptoms. This is no fun really, I thought this was the answer to my problems and that my life would be different with this medicine. But at least I know WHY I have been feeling so terrible lately. That is a great feeling.

I've also been allowing myself to feel such guilt lately about not completing projects, not getting out and doing things. I have felt like such a failure, not swimming laps every day like I'd planned. The world is not going to end if I don't knit for a week. The world won't end if I don't draw. The world won't end if I spend the day curled up on the sofa in the family room watching Disney movies with Devan. The dishes can wait. Devan won't be this little forever. That won't wait.

Speaking of knitting, I haven't done any. I knit 2 rounds of Jon's birthday sock #2 on Friday night while watching The Passion of The Christ, but I couldn't concentrate, so I put it down. I haven't picked anything up since. And I don't care! My berocco mohair for the Perfect Pie Shawl came yesterday. I don't have a 32" #10 needle, so I have to wait until I can get to a store to cast on for that. Other than that, I'm a little uninspired to start or finish anything I've got going right now. I'm just too tired to knit. Too tired to read. It's so weird.

I got a Mac Friday night! It's not brand new but it's still pretty sweet and now I can get busy with some art work (if I ever have any energy again). I'm pretty excited about it.

I'm also really excited about the japanese knitting magazines and craft books that I bought last week. I can't WAIT for them to arrive!

posted @ 10:26 AM

9.23.2004

Why can't I sleep at night?!

I have a hunch that I'd be 100x more productive if I could actually get a good night's sleep. Today I worked on a picture, and I sewed up all the seams on Dev's seed stitch jacket. I knitted some of jon's birthday sock #2 during CSI New York.

I should have gone swimming tonight.

posted @ 1:28 AM

9.22.2004

I'm going to sleep by 1:30, come hell or high water.

I thought I'd take a minute to update my blog (even though it seems, the only person who reads it is incarcerated for the next 2 months)

I spent the majority of the day hanging out with Devan. Pretty lazy. I had a really hard time sleeping last night. By 4am I decided I'd just get up and do some sketching. I'm not going to post what I drew, even though I'm happy with it - It's got other purposes.

I spent the evening working on Devan's seed stitch jacket. I've decided (at least for now) to NOT line the jacket with cotton or corderoy. It seems like too much work for a jacket I only 'kind of like'. I picked up the neck stitches and knit the collar, and I sewed on the sleeves. Tomorrow I'll finish the pockets and sew the remaining seams. Someday this week (hopefully) I'll get out to a fabric store or something and get the buttons and ribbons and zippers I need to finish the 2 projects that are so close to being done.

I've been trying to do some drawing lately - but not how I normally draw. I guess you could say that I am pretty uptight with my artwork. I tend to be as realistic and detailed as possible, when it comes to drawing. So inspired by a few illustrators (claire @ loobylu.com and Penelope @ penelopeillustration.com, and Heidi @ mypapercrane.com) I've decided to let loose and be one with the whimsy.

It's going well too, but I can't show you now. I'm fiddling with my drawings in photoshop, although I'd rather use watercolors, because I'm hands-on like that.

Tonight I was talking to my friend Katie about my recent obsession with Japanese handicrafts (is that what you'd call it?) and I looked through my history to find some visual aids - you know, so she could SEE the cuteness. Well, I opened a huge can of worms and found 2 of THE best books I've ever seen. Unfortunately they're already sold on ebay and I'm not telling you what they're called because they will be mine, oh yes... and I don't need the competition because people, this is life or death. Cutest books ever (one even had a little piggy and you know how much I love piggies) So I'm going to be keeping my eye on this ebay seller, and hopefully I will get another chance to get the books. Except I think I could find them for 10 dollars cheaper on amazon.jp.

In other news, I might be able to get Girly Knit! and 2 other japanese knitting mags from Kat I'm trying not to get too excited but I've been trying to get these for months.

in other news, I think Devan put something in the toilet. It's clean water but lots of toilet paper - but the whole downstairs bathroom floor is flooded. I tried to fix it and it's no use. Jon will have to take a look when he wakes up. *he told me not to touch it, but I did anyways - that's why it's all over the floor now*

Well, I am going to try really hard to stay away from the internet. I have found that having a laptop makes browsing for hours REALLY simple. I have fun looking at blogs and ebay and stuff, but I have all of these ideas for things I would like to try. I've also got to teach myself to crochet (before my books get here), and of course I've got knitting to work on.. But I've also got a couple fun activities waiting in the wings. Jon got me The Sims 2 the other day and I've only played for a couple minutes. I also got Harvest Moon for GameCube for my birthday a few months ago, and I STILL haven't gotten a chance to play that. Less reading about doing stuff and more DOING STUFF. I feel such pride and fulfillment when I accomplish things... it's so much better than reading about other people doing stuff. I'll still blog, cuz that only takes a minute... but email me if something interesting happens! Ok! It's 1:30! Laterz!

posted @ 1:30 AM

9.20.2004
Do I spy a FO?

No. Not quite. But seriously, the hard work is done. All that's left is a ribbon threaded through the eyelets in the collar, and a button & loop on the back of the collar.

Though I'm not terribly pleased with some aspects of the pattern, such as the decreases in the front and back, and the fact that you have to sew miles of lace around the bottom hem, and the fact that Debbie Bliss patterns don't have schematics, or detailed photographs, or detailed finishing instructions, I am happy with the dress over all. I think once the ribbon and button are attached, it will be beautiful. I actually am pretty attached to this project, and I'm questioning whether I want to give it away or not. Maybe I'll keep it for myself...you know, just in case there are any other baby girls in my future (*fingers crossed*)

I got my Rowan subscription and yarn today. I love the colors of the linen drape - lavender and a plum color. 2 colors that look good on me. It's not enough yarn to really make myself anything though, so who knows what I'll do with it.

I'll leave you this afternoon with a photo of the cutest puppies ever !!

<3<3 French Bulldogs <3<3

posted @ 1:51 PM

9.18.2004

Hmmm...I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything I planned on doing today, er.. yesterday.

I had this huge list of things to do, like grocery shopping, returning videos, signing Dev up for story hour at the library, looking for Debbie Bliss Toy Knits (I want the pig pattern, you see) at all of the area library branches, getting myself a Turkey sub on wheat from Subway (yum), doing laps at the spa, giving Devan a much needed bath, writing out some ideas for projects (I really need to get cracking on this), playing sims 2, reading, sewing the DB lace edging dress (Heirloom dress) and making some sketches of some ideas I've had.

The day got off to a promising start! I swear it did! I got up at 9 with Devan and began sewing the dress. I wanted it to be perfect so it went slow. Of course, I had to keep putting it down to answer the phone, and fulfill certain parental obligations that came up throughout the morning.

I did some cleaning upstairs, and when Devan took her nap, I came downstairs to get cracking on some of my ideas. I didn't get very far. I asked Vivien for some help finding some japanese knitting books and that was the end of progress - sort of. I'm so excited about what we found that I can barely stand it!! Thanksssss (and by the way, check out her site because it is seriously awesome and has great handmade products on it!) I spent almost $100 on the amazon.jp website on various japanese craft books. I still haven't found out how to PURCHASE Girly Knit. I've found it on the site, but it says I can't buy it.

My poor, tired husband is still at work (it's 4:10 am) and I tried to wait up for him, busying myself by ATTEMPTING to learn how to crochet (in preparation for those Japanese crochet books!) but, well... I've got the whole chain stitch thing down, but everything else is too hard this late at night. I'll try again tomorrow.

I bid on some Berroco Classic Mohair to make the Perfect Pie shawl from Weekend Knitting. I'm not really into shawls but I figure every knitter makes one eventually and I definitely like the looks of this one. It should be a fun fall project, don't you think?

I know, I know, no pictures means no comments. I'm sorry about that, but I really have't got any pictures to show! In the meantime, go back and look at Dev's hair helmet because it's just so damned cute on her.

posted @ 3:59 AM

9.16.2004

I talked to my brother today. He called me from jail. He sounds pretty upbeat which rules. I'm glad he called because I was riddled with guilt from not going to his sentancing. I don't think he's mad at me anymore, we didn't really get into it.

I have a phobia of picking up stitches, sewing seams, and generally anything that 'finishes' a knitted item. This is why you see so few finished objects posted on my blog. It's a fear of failure, I suppose. I am tackling my fears one by one, and today's mission was to pick up the neck stitches on the heirloom dress, and make the eyelets for the lace to go through. Here is a pic of the front and back:

I'm thinking I might waste yet another afternoon knitting another hallowig - this one in red - for me! I think it would be funny to take pictures of me and dev together in our wigs. It's a good way to use up some of the acrylic that's been taking up space from when I first learned to knit.

I have no motivation to do ANYTHING but sit today. I have another killer headache. I think I'll at least work up the energy to go swim some laps. Exercise does a body good.

posted @ 7:01 PM

Helmet Hair!

posted @ 11:21 AM

Commenting is FIXED ...for good this time!

I know everyone out there (hello?) has been dying to comment on all of my journal entries lately (one at a time ladies, one - at- a - time) but I noticed that you're either anonymous or you have a blogger account with the old comment settings, so I went back to haloscan. So comment, damnit! I don't keep up with this thing for nothing.

I haven't been around the last few days because my mommy's been in town with my little brother and sister. We had a good time. My mom made me some soup, and she also hung out with me down at the spa. I went down to the spa and sat in one of the hot tubs for awhile after I swam some laps. It's just not as luxurious when you're by yourself. It's kind of sad... especially when old hairy guys come in and start talking to you... with all of the hard bodied young, tattooed men I saw there tonight, why is it the old speedo guys are the only ones who look at me? Oh well. No sense dwelling on that. Now that my account has been reinstated, I am going to be doing laps and taking spin classes until I'm a real hotsie totsie. I'll have to beat the guys off me with a stick.

So anyways, I knit that hallowig from the previous entry (Fall 04 Knitty) and I screwed up some of the back decreases, but all in all I don't really give a shit, because I can't believe I wasted a day knitting that thing. It's funny and all, but after about, oh, 2 seconds the novelty wears off and it's just another piece of knitted fabric taking up valuable yarn and knitting book space in my workstation. But just for shits and giggles, I'll take a photo of Devan wearing it tomorrow, since the color is all wrong on me (I finally see the error of my ways mom ! - 4 years ago my hair was really this color and my mother wanted to beat me senseless, and would have if I weren't pregnant with Devan.)

I watched Mona Lisa Smile tonight. I like Maggie Ggyylleennhhaall or whatever it is. She's different looking. The movie was good I guess. I don't really ever 'hate' movies. I either LOVE them or I like them allright. Whatever, it's all just background so I have a reason to sit up and knit after my husband goes to bed.

I frogged the pooling scarf and started over. I had a couple mistakes early on that were bothering me (even though I'm positive I'm the only person who could see them). I'm leaving the color as it was, the way it kind of washes into each other, instead of being more precise. I like it this way. This weekend I finally saw this yarn in NATURAL SUNLIGHT. And can I just say, it's totally different than I thought. Much more vibrant. The one red strip is actually kind of purple.... and there's no blue at all. I don't love it or hate it, I was just surprised at how awful the lighting is in my house.

I better get to bed! I have things to do tomorrow!

posted @ 3:09 AM

9.10.2004

Hello! The new Knitty is out! Yay! Seriously though, I hate ponchos so I'm only psyched about one thing:

I want to make this for Devan so bad. Isn't it hilarious? I have a ball of that cruddy Red Heart in Neon pink somewhere in my work area.

In an effort to deny the reality of the situation with my brother, I've been spending the majority of my time knitting the heirloom dress. I'm making quite a bit of progress. Last night, while watching Angels In America pt 1, I finished the front and the second sleeve. Now it's all blocking:

This morning, during the hour long block of Dora The Explorer, I started the lace edging that goes around the bottom of the dress.

When I'm finally done with that part, I can pick up all the stitches around the neck and knit the collar. Then a ribbon is woven through and a button is sewn on the back. I think I'll have yarn left over to make some little booties to go along with this dress.

Well I better run, I have to return library books, dvds to blockbuster, and pick up some stuff at the store!

posted @ 2:14 PM

9.08.2004

I'm watching Love Actually. I must say that I am in love with Hugh Grant. He's pretty.

I'm also making up a pattern for a flower to felt for Devan's jacket ..or something. Here's what I've got so far, it's from the same ball of Kureyon that I used on my sophie

Ok so here's the flower

posted @ 11:20 PM

no one crossed their fingers then, eh?

Seriously, I meant to do that for real.

The sentance has been handed down and it's bad. So I'm pretty bummed, and feeling mighty guilty that I wasn't there to support him.

I need to lay down (my head hurts, of course).

posted @ 2:07 PM

I have been laying in bed forever, trying to fall asleep. My head is killing me still. I'll probably consult a physician tomorrow! I finally gave up on the idea of sleep - at least temporarily - and am now searching the internet.

What am I searching the internet for?

Well for one thing, I've become obsessed with Japanese knitting magazines. I keep seeing them in peoples blogs and I want to know how to get my hands on them. I found a couple great japanese toy crochet books on ebay that I don't know if I can live without (even though I don't know how to crochet or read japanese charts) because they are so cute. But on the other hand, they're 30 dollars apiece so I might have to see if I can survive without them.

I'm also scouring the net for information on how to correctly go about sewing lining to knitted fabric, and I'm looking for the perfect fabric and buttons to finish the seed stitch jacket.

I'm almost done with the heirloom dress. Can you believe it? I've been avoiding this thing since January I think. It hurts my wrist a little, to knit it with such dedication, but I'm really psyched to be actually finishing up old projects before I start anything new.

I got the new patternworks catalog today. I'm mildly interested in some of the stuff in there.

I need help with this japanese knitting magazine search - any info you have will be appreciated.

On a personal note (which is something I try really hard to stay away from) my brother is back in ohio, in jail. why he is there is a long story, but he went there today to post bond, and instead they locked him up. My mom went later that day to pay the bond for him and was informed that the judge had slapped a higher bond on top of what he thought he had to pay. Basically, they couldn't afford to get him out and tomorrow he has to go in front of another judge for a different case, to be sentanced (we've been waiting and dreading this for months now) in a jail uniform. It is so frustrating that a person can make 1 mistake and have their entire identity, their entire life just destroyed. I believe in justice, and in upholding the law and all of that wonderful stuff, but this has gotten so ridiculous. And I wish I could tell this judge that no amount of punishment will ever punish my brother more than he's punishing himself for what happened. I haven't said much about this on my blog before because as I mentioned, it's a long story and it's also very personal. Not to mention that it sucks so bad and I hate, i mean absolutely hate thinking about it at all. I'm also pretty upset at how mad my brother is at me right now. Yes, I have my own reasons for not being there for him tomorrow, and it's not right to constantly appease everyone else and not ever assert yourself - but I wish I could be there to provide just a sliver of support. We had no idea it was going to happen like this. I'm not sure if that changes anything, but if I had known the proverbial shit was going to hit the proverbial fan, I'd have been there no questions asked.

If it didn't feel like a butcher knife was going through my brain right now, I'd pack an overnight bag and drive to ohio right now. Things as they are, it's not safe for me to travel. I hope everything goes well tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for my brother.

posted @ 3:11 AM

9.07.2004

last 2 posts deleted.

have you ever seen the show nip/tuck? We rented the first 3 episodes and watched them last night. I guess it's the same with any show, once you actually start watching it, you get into it. I don't think I'd rush home from any event to catch this show, but it was ok. I was more interested in seeing Love Actually, which was our other rental.

I've had this terrible headache. It won't go away even when I take excedrine, which usually helps me a lot. I didn't pick up any knitting until 8pm, and I managed to finish the sleeve of the heirloom dress. I have changed my mind about Debbie Bliss wool/cotton. I'm starting to really enjoy working with smaller needles. This project is worked mostly on US 3's and occasionally US 2's. I like how neat and clean it looks.

Last week I went to AC Moore and they now stock a whole bunch of new colors of Patons wool. They also have Auracania Nature Wool and this really soft cashmere/wool blend. I bought 4 balls of the cashmere blend because I am an addict, but I couldn't even muster up a reason to buy anything else so I stopped there. I wanted to try to write a pattern for some slippers with this yarn, kind of like the little knitted slippers they had at urban outfitters last winter. They have a little strap and a button. I'll figure it out at some point. But not while my head hurts like this.

I might go to my school later this week and talk to someone about late registration. It really eats away at me that I didn't sign up for any courses this semester. Part of me is excited to take the time off, the other part really wants to keep up the momentum. Oh well. It will work out. Hakuna Matata! (Devan has been watching the Lion King about once a day lately...)

posted @ 9:00 AM

9.03.2004

Knitting....

How frustrating. I started the mitred square rug from Interweave Knits. I picked up stitches for the 2nd square backwards and, well, it made the first square face the wrong direction. I suppose it doesn't really matter. CHeck out all the ends that need to be woven in after only 2 1/2 squares. It's going to be a lot of fun.

We ate at Olive Garden tonight and Devan yelled that she had to go to the restroom! And actually went! It was awesome! So was my Carmel Hazelnut Macchiato. Tonight was also Day 7 of the 1st week of potty training for Devan. Waiting until she showed interest really saved us a lot of headaches. She has 7 starts for 7 successful days. After she stuck the star on the chart tonight, we gave her a playdoh farm as a reward. She thought it was pretty cool. She is so excited about potty training with this chart and the sparkly star stickers every night. Every night when she puts the star on, we clap and yell 'hooray!' It's all very exciting.

I'm putting down the mitred rug for now, and I'll think about it when my thumb is less raw - 2 strands of cotton at a time sort of hurts after awhile. I'm not sure what I'm going to work on right now. I'm a little blah about everything. I think I'll check out some of my favorite knitting blogs to get re-inspired.

posted @ 1:34 AM

9.02.2004

Ugh. those pictures look terrible. The jacket (in its many unblocked pieces) looks much better than this in person. It's seed stitch throughout, with pockets in both fronts, another waiting to be placed on the left arm.

well that's all for tonight. Me and Devan are saying goodnight!

posted @ 3:16 AM

guess who ran out of yarn

I've been in seed stitch hell and now I don't even get the satisfaction of FINISHING IT anytime sooN!

we've got a back

we've got 2 fronts

and we've got 1 and 1/2 sleeves and one pocket

I ran out of yarn 8 inches up the 2nd sleeve and there's no more at the Knitting Basket.I have some cashmerino aran in the same color so I'll probably do the rest in that but I am SO Sick of seed stitch that i am putting it down until I figure out what to line the jacket with. In the meantime, I suppose I'll work on the pooling scarf, which I may restart, and Devan's red sweater. here's a pic of that:

I'm watching In America (again) with rick. It's still good, even if he doesn't like it.

posted @ 1:50 AM