I just can't be bothered

Yeah, so I haven't been blogging lately. Why? I'm not sure that I have a definitive answer. Maybe it's because I'm feverishly working on a baby sweater for my new niece (who I'll meet this Wed. night). Maybe it's because I'm stressed out about that wedding next weekend. Maybe it's because my faux husband is already down in LA with my digital camera. Maybe I'm just lazy. Maybe I'm just uninspired.

That said, I had an excellent Sunday spent shopping and getting fabulous deals at the Napa outlets. I mean, what was I supposed to do? 100% Cashmere sweaters for $35? Can I just say that I've never had a 100% cashmere sweater before, and now I know what I've been missing. I had a really crappy day at work, but at least I was embraced all day by my wonderfully soft pink cashmere sweater.

It's funny how a simple thing like wearing the right sweater can make or break a day.

I used to have a hideous pink sweater years ago that was magical. That's right,magical. No matter how low I felt, I could just slap on my "feel better sweater" and suddenly I was on top of the world. Of course, it wasn't cashmere...

A series of unfortunately frustrating events...

I need a vacation to recover from my weekend...and my Monday...I'm not sure if it's a combination of PMS and lack of sleep compounded with bizarre dreams, but I feel like getting in bed for the rest fo the week. I'm seriously considering it.

Saturday, SO wants to boke to Sausalito. Okay. The one problem? I don't really bike much. My peripheral vision isn't great, so I'm constantly turning my head all over the place to make sure I'm not going to get hit by cars, pedestrians, and the like...it's stressful. Most of all, it hurts my butt.

Our first stop was at our local bike store, where we purchased a huge padded seat which I love. We then set out on our way. It wasn't easy...as soon as we got near Fisherman's Wharf we encountered gaggles of foreign tourists riding beach cruisers four abreast. As soon as you got close to them they would totally veer right into your way...ugh.

We got to Chrissy Field and then my bike started going wonky. Half of the tire/tube got sucked into the rim. Yeah, you've never heard of such a thing. Me either. Nor had the good folks at Sports Basement who spent 2+ hours poking around trying to fix it...It felt like riding on a flat tire, only much more bumpy. Thank goodness for the padded seat.

Anyway, they couldn't fix it, but they made it a little better. We ended up riding to the Golden Gate and then heading home. It took all day. Hence no knitting time on Saturday.

Then, on Sunday I was planning to meet a friend who's opening a yarn store to check out the competition. I got the bright idea to have him pick me up at the El Cerrito Tar-zhay so that I could squeeze in a much-needed Target run. Good planning, right?

Wrong.

I ended up hopping off of the train (pretty darn early in the morning I might add) at the wrong El Cerrito stop. The trains only run every 20 minutes or so. So, I ended up walking several miles to the Albany Target. I was the only person out walking through the chilly fog...

That'll learn me. Clearly I need to stop trying to be so damn efficient. Lesson learned.

Of course everything was compounded by a super lame day at work today. Ugh. Time for hot cocoa and bed.

The joys of getting paid in yarn

Yeah, that's right. I've finally figured out something I like working for...yarn. My good friend Warren is opening a yarn store shortly, and I'm working with him to design and develop a brand, signage, website etc. Love it. It's compeltely relaxing work.

But what do I love even more? Getting my first "payment" in yarn! Omg! It was like liquid crack (disclaimer for work people--you know who you are: I am merely using this as a metaphor and have no direct or indirect knowledge how it feels to be on crack aside from seeing that episode of Six Feet Under last season where David was kidnapped and forced to smoke crack, among other things) yesterday hanging out in his living room diving through boxes and boxes (and even more boxes) of amazing yarn...

But, it was certainly easy to make a first choice. I thought I'd never be able to pick anything out...then I touched this one...



It is as soft and gorgeous as it looks...and the adorable bolero pattern from the spring Rebecca magazine is just the ticket.



So, I'm officially adding this project to my mile long things to do list...but it should be a quick one...I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If I'm lucky I'll get to wear it this season...

Of course, if I could happen upon that fabulous blue polka dot tank top it'd be even better...it would match my bolero perfectly...so if you see one out there let me know!

Seaming Demystified

Well, I've successfully sewn up one seam of the Debbie Bliss bolero, so hopefully this weekend there will be a photo of my seaming success.

Thank you Janis for all of your help and patience. I learned that pinning is key, just like regular sewing (which I never learned to do either). Anyway, it was definitely something better to see in person--I just couldn't figure it out from various books...

I'm finally getting that baby sweater right, too. Good thing, 'cause I've got approximately 2.5 weeks to get it done before I actually get to see my new neice.

Anyway, we like to have "theme days" at work based solely on alliteration, so today was Flourescent-Free Friday. We climbed up on our desks and unscrewed all of the hideous flourescent bulbs...signs are now posted on the light fixtures which read "We're saving electricity AND headaches"

We're just hilarious.



See how the flourescent lights above me are no more?

Seaming Sucks...

Or at least, if you don't really know how to do it well it does...

I've almost finished the Debbie Bliss bolero, but I just can't get those darn seams to work out for me...I gave 'em a go three times tonight, and cannot get a truly invisible seam down...I had to frog and frog some more.

Ugh.

Oh well, I guess I'll have to hit a Stitch 'n Bitch this week for an impromptu seaming lesson...that is, if I ever want to wear that bolero...

Secretly I've been building a wardrobe around it...so I'd like to finish it soon.

Time to get going on a baby sweater...

Yarnventory 2005

Yes, that's right. I'm working on a comprehensive stash inventory. Why? Because I'm completely insane, and suddenly (now that getting into my closet is a huge hassle) want to be a little more organzied...

I've got photos, and a spreadsheet...now I just need to get 'em all online. Of course, I'm wasting valuable actual knitting time...what to do...

Of course, then I need to organize my patterns and needles...and then finish a big 'ol bunch of half-finished projects...

The cats really want this inventory madness finished already...they're officially ignoring me until they have room to lounge again.

Most Favoritest Auntie

That's me. Just taking a few minutes to say today I'm officially thrice an auntie! Welcome Sadie Grace. Love you. Can't wait to be your most favoritest auntie in the whole wide world.

Now, I'd better stop with the blue sweater and go for a pink one...d'oh! I don't think you'd easily forget being dressed in a *gasp* icky boy sweater. It's got cooties for sure...

And congrats to my sister who today officially became engaged...rock on...literally!

The Office Plague

There is a plague going around my office...and it has finally overtaken me...yesterday I ended up taking a 1/2 day and slept the rest of the day away...most of my other coworkers have fallen victim as well...

Today, I figured I'd go in for a half day, then take off and rest, maybe have a nap and a nice cup of soup. Instead I found myself magically fueled by ire...I made it through the whole day...

That said, I'm almost done with the bolero--and if I finish soon, it looks like it will actually be in style (at least, according to the latest email from Urban Outfitters showing all kinds of boleros). That would be a first for me...

I'd like to take a big detour here, and give a quick shout out to my mom. Mom, thanks so much for the crafty genes (I totally believe they are inherited). My mom was recently suckered in to one of those craft book clubs. She ended up getting a random book about the Breast Cancer quilt and opened it up to find a picture of her block right in the front. She didn't even know it was there....go mom! Love you.

Finally, something finished

Finally, I finished a project. It's been a long, long while. I've got so many projects in progress and so many on the 'to do" list that I'm a little overwhelmed...

But, here it is. The Teva Durham turtleneck shrug--unblocked as of yet...



And, a detail shot.



Whew. It's a little itchy, so hopefully it will soften a bit after blocking. It's made form a KnitPicks yarn, so I'll definitely consult Knitter's Review to look for any suggestions.

KB suggested possibly putting a smidge of conditioner into the mix while I'm soaking it...any ideas on that folks? Has anyone done that?

Anyway, if I'm lucky I'll get to wear this to a Giants game soon. :-)

Time to finish that bolero...