Archive for the 'just chit chat' Category
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I never promised you a (knit-and-felted) rose garden
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
So, ok. I’m realizing that it’s probably better if I just go ahead and blog than “not blog because I’ll just blog about the baby.”
If I don’t write about what’s happening here day to day, I’ll not end up blogging at all. And that’s just Boring!
Here’s what’s going on:
Knitting:
I’m writing up the patterns for two garments for SWTC. This is my main project at the moment, and I snatch time for it when my mom can come over and hold Mazie. She’s not sleeping all day any more, so she needs to be entertained, and Grandma is happy to do that! My vision is to have these done by Monday.
I’ve also picked up my Sanpoku again.
I have a few minutes every night at like 10 to work on it. It’s great for zoning out and getting ready for the night time wake-ups. I’m not sure when I’ll finish this. My LYS isn’t carrying my colorway (Olive 9781), and I ran out of yarn! (Not because of the yardage listed in the pattern.) I’m subbing Comfort, and it’s hanked up differently. The pattern calls for 11 or 12 hanks, and the called-for yarn (Touche) is in small hanks, while the Comfort is in big balls (I’ll get some interesting spam for using that phrase)…and I lazily guessed at how many yards I’d need total.
Should have taken the .5 seconds to do the math and bought what I needed at the time. I ordered more yarn, so whenever that gets here I can finish it. I’ve finished two sleeves, and may have enough for the back, which is on the needles now.
I also finished this sweater:
It’s a size 2T and is a trade, going to a woman on the diaper-sewing board that I read. She’s making me a few diapers in exchange. Knit from Malabrigo worsted in “Midnight Blue.”
Do you like it? We made the buttons, too.
Here’s the back:
**See the lighter stripe at the bottom? Be a better knitter than me and alternate your hanks!**
In other news, we just had a stay-at-home day. I was going to campus, but we just weren’t able to get everyone ready (me, mom, Mazie) so we didn’t make it. Tomorrow.
My Mom and Mazie:
Posted in just chit chat, Patterns, baby, gift knitting | 2 Comments »
Mazie in the sun
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
Mazie in her new shades:
We went for a walk to the coffee shop yesterday, with Mazie in her front-facing carrier. She really enjoyed getting out.
Yesterday was my sister’s last day here, and it’s sad and lonely without her. I’m so glad that she got to meet Mazie, and that they like each other so much!
I hope we see you again soon, Tonya!
Posted in just chit chat, baby | 2 Comments »
WoooOOOOooOOo HOOoooOOoooOooo!!
Sunday, February 24th, 2008
I sent off the last garments, last patterns, and the whole MANUSCRIPT for Glam Knits last week!!
I sent the last pages on Friday. Both that camel tweed sweater from the author photo of Fitted Knits and the blue scarf I posted about here are in the new book, so if you’ve been wondering what happened to those…there they are.
Now there are two patterns on the TO DO list to write up for SWTC, and I’m done will all of my current projects.
I’ve got the garments on the mannequins, so they’re staring me in the face…FINISH US! (I AM!!!)
Me after not much sleep…no makeup in pajamas:
Today, Mazie and I have been hanging out while Nate took a little nap. We’ve had a few sleepless nights in the last 6 weeks, believe it or not, and we’re both trying to make up the deficit this weekend. Mazie’s sleeping in her Peanut Shell (her baby carrier pouch thing) while I work on the computer…we’ve had a really nice day together.
My sister’s here from Boulder to see her new niece. We celebrated Tonya’s visit and the finishing of the book by all going out to eat on Friday night. We took little Mazie with us, and she did great. As long as we change her diaper, tank her up on milk, and drive a few blocks to get where we’re going, she sleeps right through dinner. Not that we don’t love her company when she’s awake, but she’s just starting to outgrow the phase where if she’s awake she’s hungry (and either crying to let you know or eating because she *already* cried.) So it’s good when she can get through a whole meal! Last night, Grandma baby sat so we could go see a film.
Posted in just chit chat, Book Talk | 7 Comments »
mittens
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Here’s Mazie in one of her cloth diapers and a pair of mittens that her grandma Linda (my mom) knit for her.
She’s doing so well with her cloth diapers! It’s really easy to keep up with wawshing them, and my husband even finds them easy to maneuver. So we’ll keep it up! 
Life with Mazie is just great. She’s nocturnal, she’s a good eater, good sleeper…just like her Mom and Dad.
We’re finishing up a BIG project over here chez Glam, and then after this weekend blog posting SHOULD go back to normal. (Cross your fingers) including un-censored, flagrant, and frequent actual knitting content.
I’ve got a bunch of that Organic Cotton from Elann that I’m dreaming of making something out of…
I’ve just received my copy of Sensual Knits from Yahaira, and can’t wait to dig into that, too!!
Posted in just chit chat, baby | 5 Comments »
It’s cloudy AGAIN!
Thursday, November 29th, 2007
Today’s my day off, and I’m getting ready to get up and do some stuff. We have so many people coming to town for the shower (exciting!) and I need to get our house cleaned up! My kitchen shelves are a mess. I have an organizational system that works for us. Basically, put everything on the shelves in any old way and we’ll find it. But I don’t want OTHER people to see it!
So, today Mom and I will go through and try to organize some in there. I also really want to clean the tops of the cupboards and even the insides of the cupboards.
(This is having visitors PLUS pregnancy nesting gone into overdrive.)
Still to do:
Vacuum and or sweep everywhere
mop tile floors
organize the bedroom closet
wash all the diapers to prep for babywearing
clean bathroom
decorate tree
dust
put away laundry
yard (that encompasses a lot, but it’s Nate’s job!)
That’s about it. I think by the end of this weekend I’ll be feeling pretty comfortable with how the place looks. I’m sure there’ll be some stuff to do next week.
We had a midwife appointment on Tuesday, and the baby’s at 4.5 lbs. If she gains a half pound a week…that’s another 3 pounds. SO feeling good about her size and growth and all that. We got a glimpse of her little face on the ultrasound. It’s all black and white, and we had to use our imaginations. But when I spoke, we could see her move as she responded to my voice. It was really cool. She already has chubby cheeks!
I’ve gained about 30 pounds so far. I’ve crossed a weight threshold that I never in my life dreamed that I would even NEAR. I know it’s all fine, it’s baby weight, etc…still sort of strange to think, “I weigh HOW much?” I won’t bother you with the specifics…(lol.)
I was hired to teach again next semester, which is nice. I start March 1, so we have another professor teaching that first month and a half, then I take over. I’m really happy to have this experience, and so glad that they’ve asked me back!
Trying to think if there’s anything else going on of major significance, but I think that’s about it. There’s always little stuff in the background. Ongoing projects, things in the works.
We’re “on pause” for now with the cat stuff. She isn’t showing any symptoms, is really active and happy, so I think we’ll just see how it goes. That one vet was the first time we’d heard anything about a heart problem, after annual checkups all these years. When it’s time for her next annual, we’ll go to a different doctor. Unless something comes up, then we’ll go if we need to.
Posted in just chit chat | 2 Comments »
We’re back.
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007
I haven’t yet braved the gmail inbox, thought I’d check in here and write a little update first. We had a very nice Thanksgiving-Christmas at the Japels’. All of Nate’s brothers were there, and so were the sisters in law and the nephews and niece. Good family fun! I FINALLY won a game of 31. My first win in 14 years!! (It’s a card game that an infinite number of people can play, games last for HOURS…so the one who wins is the winner of the NIGHT!) WOo!
Here’s the sweater I knit for Olin (our newest nephew):
It’s just a simple Top Down Raglan with cables on it. Woolease Chunky. Wash and wear for the baby boy!
I didn’t get photos of the hat and scarf I made, but they were both well received, I think. Alex (our oldest nephew) was still wearing the cap that I made for him about 5 years ago…so he was glad to have a replacement!
I also made Olin a couple of little toys:
These are just polar fleece, free-hand cut outs stitched and stuffed with fiber-fill (also machine wash / dry).
AND…here’s me at about 34 weeks:
B.I.G. but happy!
I’ve kind of fallen off in my blogging lately, and I was just trying to figure out why. Partly it’s just because time is going so FAST. I blink my eyes and two weeks have gone by. The other part of it is something like the preciousness of being pregnant has me feeling sort of private about it. It’s bizarre, because I usually just lay it all out there (here.) I don’t know. Maybe that’s not even “it.” I find myself just holing up with my thoughts. Doing little crafts, sewing and knitting and daydreaming.
I’ve been feeling really well, the morning sickness is down to 1 -2 mornings a week. I’m not achey, not swollen, definitely TIRED, spacey, daydreamy.
I’m looking forward tot eh baby shower (Dec. 8.) Family and friends coming together from LONG ways off (Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Sioux City, Albuquerque) to celebrate with us. I’m frantically trying to get the house ready and make sure things are tidy and trying to stash all my projects. I kinda let myself spread out when it’s just the two of us…the whole house is the craft room.
Anyway…HELLO!
Posted in just chit chat, Trips | 3 Comments »
Thanksgiving Break!
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
We leave at 4 to go to Sioux City for Thanksgiving-Mas! (We’re having our Xmas with them this week).
I ended up making a hat and scarf set, a baby sweater, and some toys for my end of the gift exchanges…I’ll post pics after we trade!
Thanks so much for your really kind comments and suggestions about the vet situation. Someone even gave me the phone number of a different vet to try! THANK YOU!
I’m not planning to take my lap top with me on this trip…just too heavy and too much junk by my feet on the plane while I’m this big! I’ll get back on the internets on Sunday!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
ETA: I just checked the weather! It’s in the 30s and cloudy in Sioux City all week! It’s 77 here…sunny. Wow.
Posted in just chit chat | 1 Comment »
what’s new…
Thursday, November 15th, 2007
Well, it’s Thursday, which has become my “catch up” day.
I’ve started several posts over the last few days, there’s a lot going on.
My cat Medea is apparently having some problems…though she has no symptoms. We just went in to have her teeth cleaned, and suddenly the vet we see wants all sorts of tests (like an EKG every two weeks forever, and human heart medication twice a day forever)
When the vet was telling me all this stuff we’d need to do, I sort of balked at having to go in for the EKGs twice a month…and she said, “Well, if you’re THAT BROKE you can probably come in once a month” I was just imagining carrying an infant seat, my purse, the diaper bag, AND a cat carrier into her office…
Medea’s 15, she’s been SUCH a good friend and I love her. I would do anything for her. The whole “if you’re broke” thing makes me feel like there’s something other than the cat’s best interest at heart with this vet. So…trying to find another good vet who can do some tests and see what’s really going on.
Another thing that’s sort of a pain in the ass is that we were just given a new washer and dryer by my parents…and the house we’re renting apparently isn’t wired for 220 to run the dryer. The listing said it had both washer and dryer hookups…but the line’s been cut. SO we’re trying to get the landlord to come through on that. They don’t like to spend money.
I’ve also been having some bronchial issues. I think it’s because winter is roadwork season here and there’s so much smoke and dust and tar and diesel exhaust in the air…it’s just burning. I had to stay home from school a couple days last week, and that SUCKED. I *hate* falling behind!
I have all next week off, and Tuesday we go to Sioux City. I think I’m about done with my Christmas gifts, at least for this Thanksgiving / early Christmas next week.
I’m feeling more and more like the house is ready for the new baby. After this week, we only have about 7 more weeks!!
Posted in just chit chat | 8 Comments »
Mens’ hat pattern?
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
OK, I’ve got a Christmas present to knit, and knit FAST, since we’ve got Thanksgivingmas in about a month.
I want to make a hat / scarf set for an 18-yr-old college guy. Who is into sports. Who would not like “funky”.
Last time I made him the Marsan Watchcap…and he’s been wearing it for at least 3 years.
Are there any new coolguy hat patterns I should be aware of? How about “guy scarves?” Something textural, but not color-heavy.
Thanks!
Posted in just chit chat | 17 Comments »
Yarn pics
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
Ok, so here are the fruits of my yarn-dyeing efforts.
This BFL is so fluffy and nice! After dyeing and washing, it plumped up to be totally squishy and awesome. It was a little bit more compressed when I first got it off the cone.
Here’s the “warm” batch. With my gigantic swatch.
I think I figured out how to dye so that the yarn doesn’t pool. I don’t *hate* pooling, but I’m pretty much over the psychadelic look that hand dyed yarns can take on. It can be really funky and nice, but on *me,* especially when I look like I have a basketball up my shirt, subtle is better.
Here’s what started out as the “cool” batch.
Like said, the black turned to purple in the crock pot, so at first it was just a green and purple mess. Then I added the rust over the top of all that, and I like it a lot better. I haven’t swatched this stuff yet, it was just dry this morning.
I’m excited to see how it comes out, though.
Yesterday we went to the NMSU homecoming parade. Nathan was in marching band in high school (base drum) and I play drums, too…so we like to go to parades. And I’m somewhat affiliated with NMSU…I’m a professor there. I have one student in the band and one who’s a cheerleader. I’ll be honest, I didn’t recognize either of them in their outfits.
Here I am, beached on a big rock watching. Jeez. I’m enormous.
Poor Nate has the flu! Last night when we went to bed, he had a fever of 102. It’s coming down, so that’s good…but he’s definitely not doing well today. Poor baby. I think it’s the same thing I had, but these things always hit him harder than they do me. I had to cancel class one day…but he is just OUT of it. Poor guy.
OH! The bath bombs worked GREAT!! Despite having too much liquid, as one reader pointed out in the comments, they fizz, they smell GREAT, and have just the right amount of cocoa butter. The one thing I’d work on is how they look. Maybe color them or do different molds so the shape is better. Other than that, though, making my own is the way to go from now on. It’s fun, it’s cheap, and it feels great to do it myself.