Gypsy Junk Knits

Been Awhile Longer

2010-08-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

How the time has passed, and will most likely pass again. But I've been inspired by another to blog, well at least today.

There are things that I want to say, questions about morality, and what is the right thing to do, and there are things that I want to share with my absent audience, but I am not sure where to go from here.

Perhaps I shall make this all business, and fun.

So here I sit and time has passed, well long long ago I wrote and threatened about starting up a business. Just something small and well shall we say mini! You've got it myself and two of my lovely lady friends have begun a shop called Little Mad Trappings. This is an outlet for me and all my mini millinery endeavors. Something fun and to fill the time in between the gaps.

I've created a few new shapes to the regular mini top hats I've always done. I now have a Bowler (pictured here on the left) , a ladies Riding Hat, and a proper sized Tall Hat (which is like a riding hat but a little more period to the Elizabethan Era.) Oh and I nearly forgot, there is also a miniature Mad Hatter!

You can just make out the mad hatter in this shot of my desktop, the fabric on this one in particular is rather fun, it's thistle with spiders in back and a little honey bee on the brim. And in case you want to see the craziest, blurriest picture ever, here's a peak at the Mini Mad Hatter... or not, blogger evidently is still a booger.

Oh well cheers for now, we'll see where this little torrid afair runs off to shall we? Anon.

Been Awhile

2009-08-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

it's been ages, and yet...

I don't miss this little blog.

Sorry but it's true.

Life is considerably busy with the little guy

Ian (6mo) with Great Grandpapa Macdonald 7/09

I lurvs the drool.

So as I was saying this blog has been replaced by the ever invasive Facebook. But who knows I may indeed find time again to contribute to the ol' blog. Sorry to keep anyone hanging, as I know I have. Very sorry indeedy.

But on a good note I have begun my first quilt, for the little guy of course.

Stay golden pony boy stay golden.

Still Preggers

2009-01-27T19:27:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is my son's due date. I'm rather excited and eager to meet this little guy that's been growing in me for the past 10 months. I have a sinking feeling though that he's going to be a little late, maybe not that much but a few days, we'll see.
So that's where my mind is at, as well as the husbeasts~ he's been rather cute demanding that the little baby come out. But you know what happens then, we'd actually have to name the little guy. Frightening.
On the knitting front I've been knitting mice still for a little baby mobile it's pretty cute and the mice are nearly done. But the rest of the mobile still needs attention.
I've contemplated millinery styles and what I could make next, since I missed the Edwardian Ball this past weekend, poo! Of course that would require a trip to the city for some delightful fabric shopping, so maybe after the little guy is here... or such. No promises.
So that' s where everything sits at, still waiting.
Sorry to have put a few people on hold, but my focus is a bit awry at this point in the game. Soon though soon. Thanks for the patience.
Cheers and happy wintering.

ok ok ok!

2009-01-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

Since I made a comment on my friends page and I'm already logged on, HI All!
Me and the little guy growing me are into the final leg of our journey together, and eek I'm uber excited to meet him, but at the same time still loving having him here with me. I suppose I'm a bit selfish, the husbeast keeps begging him to come out so he can meet him, well that and he keeps asking him to bounce on my bladder. Gotta love a good man with a sense of humor, just wait til he has to change poopy diapers, vengeance will be mine, muhuahhhauuh.

So in these past 3 months, I've mostly been incubating, spending gobs of money on baby crap, a new car with more than 2 seats! I *puffy heart* my new 09 Subaru Forester. I've spent lots of time with good family and friends, learned some basics to Belly Dancing. And lost my 82 year old grandmum (she had dementia for about 7 or so years and was ready to move on). Then a few weeks later my beloved Haze (11 y.o. pitbull) passed away after some major surgery but thankfully he didn't have to suffer through the terrible cancer that was discovered that was about to start ravaging his body. Honestly I suspected the cancer, but not the untimely passing.

I've done little crafting, I knit the cutest turtle w/ a removable shell, part of a sweater that I'm not sure I like, part of a glove, and am currently starting on a mouse mobile for the babies crib. I made blueberry jam, white peach jam, and lemon curd for the seasonal pressies to friends and family. The sugar cookies were all right, but the Russian teacakes were a flop w/ too much butter and I just didn't have the energy to correct my mistake, and dumped the batter a week after making it.

Here I am biding my time until a few weeks from now I am a mother with a squeaky little boy in my arms. Not sure what else there is to tell, as I'm a little rough around the edges from not writing for such a long time.

Next time it is then.

I knew it!

2008-10-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love October. The smell of Autumn cascading down on us, the slightly muggy air, the stir of all Hallow's Eve in the blood. It's just lovely.
This weekend I made my first wreath for the front door. I love it, all orange, green, and purple w/ peacock feathers, and dried flowers. It's wonderous. I should capture an image of it, even if on my cell phone. Yeah fall.
I also broke down, and since I had some extra time before work on Friday I went to discount fabric in Berkeley. Well they didn't have the bubble gauze I was previously told was gone (go figure), but they did have the most wonderous brown striped fabric. Of course it's the same design as all my other hats have been but this brown is like hot chocolate in color w/ a dark brown trim and highlights. I paired it with a chocolatey pink, yes it does exist, and took my time sewing up a new mini top hat. Just in time for Halloween, it still needs a comb to hold it in place and some accoutrement, maybe a pink veil, and some skeletons, or such. It certainly did take longer than it has before, but I still have all the steps down, and I'm stoked. Wait til you see how precious and chocolate cherry it is. Not really cherry, but it just reminds me of the Sees chocolate cherries . Mmmm, chocolate cherries.
Annnnnnnd last but not least,
the husbeast and I went to a 3D ultrasound place Saturday and got to see some wonderful images of the leggy little one. It was so cute, he was sitting w/ his legs bent up and an arm around his leg, while holding onto the umbilical cord. And yes I did say he. ;) It's a boy. That's all the husbeast has uttered since then. So sweet. Now onto picking a name that isn't Hamish... ugh, please no. I was starting to think a little boy, he's just so big in there, and really low lying, which I suppose is a god send at this point since I don't get heart burn so terrible yet. But yeah it's a boy!
This Saturday brings on the last weekend for the Ren Faire here in NorCal. I'll be heading out that way with the hippies (our other friends), and enjoying the sights and sounds til Dicken's Faire rolls around in December.
In case any one was wondering, the California Zephyr train is so rad! Total vintage throwback to the 50's with it's streamline silver cars, solariums (upper decks are glass covered). The husbeast enjoyed the Baggage car best where the 2 wide doors were open and a railing protects one from falling out. It was old and bumpy and loud, he was like a kid in a candy store, all excited and standing watching the farms and mountains roll past. I highly suggest train trips, well if you can ride on a train that's not specifically Amtrak.

hmmm now to only devise a way to make an edible haunted graveyard for the husbeasts dessert contest at work... rice crispies molded into the shape of a tree w/ corn flake gooey bark. oh the possibilities. I love his work, they're so rad.

All Right.

2008-09-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Where does one start up again, well 2 weeks or 3 have gone by again. Another round of Thank You's to some lovely ladies for their well wishes. Thanks!
I've been working, well I had been working on my February Lady Sweater 'til I hit a segment of idiocy one evening and all of a sudden I was working Row 1 where I should have been working Row 2. And mind you it was something that I started doing after like 8 stitches. Eeps how'd that happen? But I brought it today and I should be tinking back while waiting for the husbeast to get off of work. I really like this sweater so far, it's easy to follow and thanks to a bit of Raveling the mystery of the eyelet spacing was uncovered via one fabulous link for balanced and unbalanced stitch decreases. But please don't ask me, Ravely is verboten at my work. Stupid men beings!
Aside from sometimes working on the sweater I've still been incubating, and well Whetherby is getting big. At our 20 ultra sound the little one seemed to have fallen asleep with it's back turned to the screen and little ankles crossed. So if it's a girl at least the husbeast can be happy that she won't be a little tramp ;) I still haven't decided whether or not to get a 3-D done, I'm enjoying this torment of not knowing until Whetherby is with us in the world. I mean it wasn't until what the late 80's or so when U/S became regular use that women started knowing ahead of time what their little one's would be. Why should we be so privileged, but on the flip side it makes preparations just that much easier.
So no hats for me for awhile, I'm a little bored with my fabric selections and really need to go into the city to expand on what I have. And still get rid of all those other ones I've been hording. Seriously what the hell am I supposed to do with that many mini toppers?
I did have a chance to look at one of our local hatters wears while at Renn Faire this Sunday, and she was only caring one or two. Of course they aren't really period for Ren Faire, so I'm curious what Dickens will be like or if they're losing fashion. Oh and yes Ren Faire was grand, and wonderous and lovely. So many friends makes for such interesting romps around the grounds. And I shouldn't have been worried about being tired and a puss, turns out I think my BFF was more tired then I (all the beer and rum she had, hhehehe). When I got home it was to an adorable husbeast who missed me, he woke up from his nap on the couch, and instantly assaulted my boobies for 5 minutes. The act of which I still have diverging emotions of adoration at his cuteness, and contempt for his one track mind. All of which may have just been a little too TMI, but eh, what a ya gonna do about it.
Note to self Tums are not food, and thusly should not be eaten as much...
I did neglect to tell of my latest forays into the strange, I'm taking Belly Dancing. There it's out. I began last week with a couple of girl friends, and well aside from being rather difficult coordination wise, it is rather enjoyable being out of the house doing something active for a change. The instructor is rather fast paced, and my mind is a completely jumbled mess since Whetherby, but I think it will start to sink in with repetition. I must give some mad props to some of those ladies out there who have been doing this for such a while now *cough Amanda cough* it's kinda ball-sey getting up there and doing it, and then taking to the stage otherwise (dancing or no) still rad.
So there it is. All is still well, we are happy and healthy and looking forward to the future.
Cheers.

Is anybody home...

2008-09-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

Well all this time I've just had so many posts to tell so much, but have let it all slide by the wayside just because. To this I suppose I must apologize, but at this point it may just be to myself. That's ok, because it's just a blog, right.
So last time we left off I was about to run down to LA and pick up a puppy for my mum, well that has happened, and Delilah is the cutest and sweetest thing around. Again another pup from Australia, a cousin to another of my mum's dogs and the girls are so cute together, they literally have the same spots in the same spots.
Aside from picking up the puppy we headed down to Stone Brewing and watched Monty Python's meaning of Life in the beer garden, which the husbeast thoroughly enjoyed...just walking up to the outside bar and grabbing beer and then going back to his chair. Every time we're down in the San Diego area we each remark on how much we love the area and would love to move down there. But alas we are still here in the Bay. Not that I could ever complain, aside from the price of everything. And get this, they had cheap gas. Buying cheap gas that was under $4 was like a luxury, something to be giggled over.
But in all honesty even though so much time has passed it seems that nothing new has really been done. Whetherby still grows strong and tomorrow will be 19 weeks. On the 12th we get to have our big ultra sound to see the organs and make sure the little one is whole, and a girl or boy.
The log cabin blanket was finished at the end of July and one day I promise to take it over to my FIL, I was hoping I could do it with a little note stating that it's to be snuggled with his grand son/daughter. Hopefully by the 12th our danged Indian Summer will have taken a little hiatus.
I also finished a hat which is kind of cute, but honestly it's just enormous and i believe I may just take it all out and reknit it smaller.
The best thing about it being September is that Ren Faire starts next week, wait this weekend and goes until Oct. 12th. I can't wait. So far my loyal faire friends and I are planning on going the 21st, and well I may just have to squeeze in something in October and maybe one other. This year will certainly be different, as it is I'm already starting to show, but come another 3 weeks and well I believe I may just about be huge. I truly hope it won't be terribly hot weather.

I just got a phone call, from one of my bestest oldest timey friends, Damo ~and get this he's back from China ~for good!!!!! And he brought his lovely wife and son. Tonight we go over to his parents house for a BBQ. I can't wait to tell his his son's going to have a playmate. EEeeeeeeeE! Uncle Damo.... ahhh.

Well looks like September is a rather fantastic month already and it's just the second.
Here's too the rest of month! And I will try my darnedest to be a bit more diligent on the blogging.
Anon til then.

Fin!

2008-08-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

The Log Cabin blanket is off the needles and has been for a few days. There are still a few ends that need tucking in and a good hand washing is in order, but I can't believe it, the dang thing is done. The husbeast adores it, and wants one for us now. I wish I had even a crappy camera phone pict to show, perhaps tonight I'll try.
Oh by the by, thanks for all the well wishes on Whetherby. It means a lot. Speaking of babies, my bff and I went by another friends house last night and her little 10 day old is just sooo cute. He's so tiny, and I'm going to have one of those soon! Wow finally after all these years, I just can't wait to be a mom. But oh my is there ever so much I just don't know about. Thank goodness I have my friends and my mom and mom-in law all so close.
I've started a pinwheel blanket for Whetherby, it's blue so either I have to do a cute purple edging, or a green one. We'll see come mid-September when I have my next ultra sound.
Other wise that this weekend I'm doggy sitting my mum's dogs, while the husband goes down to Cambria, think CA coastline gorgeous Cambria, with all the other Triumph riders from the local club. This is the 5th or 6th annual run down there. They should have fabulous weather. Maybe he'll even call me and check in, now that would be sweet.
I really need to be making more jam, I just scored some peaches from the local corner, "hey Free Peaches, grab them!" Yeah it went something like that. Then there's the blueberries and the strawberries not to mention the plums fermenting in my fridge as we speak. Ahhh so much to do.

Hey Y'all!!!

2008-08-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hope every one's been well while I've been away, can't believe I'm actually back can you.

I must apologize at this point because I had promised picts of neat things, like the adorable swap-a-doodle I did with Amanda, as well as my latest has that I never showed. I'm such a pooper but really I must insist upon blaming the husbeast and subsequently my computer at home. He thinks something is broken this time as it kept rebooting itself the other night. So strange. At this point we're looking into purchasing a his and hers Mac Mini's. That way he won't ever be able to put any of his bad juju on my computer. We'll see what happens. And I have some lovely shots of my poppies in my garden to show off, ah well, they all must wait.
This week my mum is popping off to Hawaii to judge a dog show, my co-worker's brother is having surgery to remove the 4 inch cancer in his colon (that's a big scary thing right now), my sister-in-law is recovering from a major motorcycle wreck this weekend (lacerated a kidney, ruptured her spleen, and broke a bone in her right hand). Wow, it looks like she's going to be all right, even though her muscles are all starting to clench up on her, she's still in the hospital on major pain relieving drugs. My brother is so sweet, he feels guilty because he was the ride leader, no one really knows what happened either. She was almost out of a turn, something went awry, she over corrected, lost control and hit a tree. Which sent her careening down a gully some distance. Thankfully there we 2 cops riding in the group and my brother, all with EMT training and what not. Poor thing though. She has no one to help out during the days while she recuperates. I wish I could get away and help her out, but alas I likewise have to work.
Next week is looking a bit brighter though, the husbeast and I are heading down to Escondido (north of San Diego) to pick up a new Russell Terrier (think sweet and loving Jack w/ curly hair and a bit shorter). Then we're heading over to Stone brewing to pick up requested goodies for co-workers of the husbeast, and to see Monty Python's Meaning of Life in the lovely beer garden. Possibly meet up with our actress friend, and lord knows what else we'll be doing.

Oh and also this week out little Whetherby will be 15 weeks. Yes Whetherby is who's been keeping the majority of my time and energy these last 4 months. Yes that means I am pregnant, and not sure if Whetherby is a girl or boy at this point, but we get to find out mid September when I'm 20 weeks!!! The husbeast is praying for a boy, and I keep dreaming of a girl, oh and all I'm really craving is fruit and cheese and milk. I'm trying to get over my aversion to meat and veggies, hopefully now that I'm not as queasy as I've been I'll be able to eat more veggies. Everything has been going well, I only puked once and that was because I didn't really eat the night before. Well I've learned oodles from that. Last night I couldn't believe all the energy I had. I did laundry, dishes, made lovely blueberry/nectarine/apple hand pies, a crumble w/ the left over fruits, and still had energy to make dinner, and fold laundry. If you'd seen me for the last oh 10 weeks the main thing I've had enough stamina to do is change the channel on the TV. Oh so ridiculous. Did I mention Whetherby is due January 28, 2009. I can't wait to meet our little one. Eeehehehehee! I'm just so happy to be through the not sure if it'll stick time to be able to tell you guys. Sorry for all the secrecy and not even being around, but honestly I was just plum pooped. Thanks for hanging in there. I think I'll try and add a little baby count down to the sidebar.

Now that things are going a little smoother, I must tell you, tonight I finish the long awaited Log Cabin Blanket for my FIL. I will be casting off the last row when I get home. After putting a chicken in the oven. And I'm nearly finished with a lovely tam by Ysolda. Then I'm onto a pinwheel baby blanket and a few things from Itty Bitty Knits for Whetherby.

mmmm handpies, they are so so soooo good. If not a bit finicky. All that damn dough rolling.

One of these days I will put a few of my extra hats on an etsy, but of course that requires a home computer that works. Soon, very soon. Thanks for being patient with me.

So Long, Hello Again

2008-07-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

It's been real lovely not blogging, I must say a break from time to time certainly is a good thing, like a mini vacation, but without actually going anywhere.
Thanks to the neighbors generous white peach tree branch, I've currently picked and blanched enough peaches for 4 batches of jam. The first two I made as a double batch and got 6.5 jars of White Peach Jam w/ Lavender, and honey instead of sugar. The first .5 jar is empty and wow, it was a soft textured jam, sweet and creamy, with just the loveliest hint of lavender on the taste buds. I would normally have used my own lavender, but I had recently picked up some real nice cuttings from our local Trader Joe's and the aroma really carried through. The husbeast, without trying it, has already declared yuck on the prospect of lavender in jam, so all the more for me and my lady friends. There are still a few more peaches to make but they shall be either hand pies, or the husbeasts grammies peach pie. Yum.
The knitting is on hiatus while the summer months wear on, but soon things shall be made.
On the hat class scene, Lynn McMasters, gave a rather informational hat class on making wire frame hats at Lacis this Saturday. I enjoyed myself and the company of the other ladies while working away on my little Victorian Bonnet. It has yet to be finished as I've been hand stitching 1/4" straw braid to the little frame. Her examples were really wonderful and inspiring, but the teaching a little unprepared, which was actually quite all right by me. But now I must admit I want the other pattern from the class on how to construct wire frame Edwardian hats, think really big brimmed.
Speaking of holidays, the husbeast and I are debating where we should take our first vacation in pretty much 2 years. The possibilities are endless, there's the AZ/NM desert, Zion/Bryce Canyon, Virginia (family), WA/Canada. The choices are just so wonderful, and who knows we'll probably only have 2 weeks. Oh where to go, what to do. We'll see.
Ta for now, and eventually I'll have picts of the adorable swap that made it to my door, you'll see just how cute the little Jenny Julep doll is. Then one day I must post about the little hats still sitting in my house, currently in the closet!

What's New Pussy Cat,

2008-07-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

Whoa Whoa Whoaaaaa.
Our pussycat, the enormous Franky aka the Puma has a friend, this friend's name is Buddy Boy. Buddy Boy likes to wake me up at 5, 6, or 7 in the morning and mewh to Franky to either have permission to come in, or for Franky to join him outside. And then he usually saunters through our house from the Puma's window and I've even caught the little bugger eating Frank's foodies. So rude! and so strange. We honestly thought Buddy Boy was a girl for the longest time, 'til I got hold of his collar and figured his name out. Sheesh, I suppose every one needs friends, but come on 5 in the morning, that's just not cool. Thank goodness for squirt bottles, they're my friend...

This last weekend a couple of our friends married, it was a quaint wedding at another friend's home in the hills above where we used to live. A couple days before I pulled my millinery self back together and made a little fascinator for myself to wear. I went with green silks, and earth toned feathers, brown-white-and green/black. Then I topped it off with 3 little blue cornflowers from my garden and a few blue bonnets. And threw on some lovely antique lavender veiling. Aside from the fact that if I bent over the fascinator would fall off, I couldn't even tell I was wearing it. I must say also it was nice to be one of the only women wearing a hat. I felt like I had a complete outfit on, and I actually felt more like a lady because of it. What a *fascinating* concept in space and time travel...wait that's the book I'm reading, silly Douglas Adams.

The blanket slowly grows I knit more rows on that third border a couple of nights ago, still not quite ready to cast off. I believe I will take someone else's advice and single chain around the outside of the blanket to keep it where it should be.

This weekend dawns the fourth of July and believe it or not, we once again have nothing to do. We toyed w/ the idea of making a jaunt out of town, but instead I believe we'll be BBQ'ing w/ friends if they'll come over. And then this weekend I'm jamming. I love jamming and I haven't jammed successfully in quite a few years. Up on the board is raspberry jam w/ my mummy, then Saturday I'm making white peach avec lavendula for the first time in years. See I recently discovered that a branch coming over our fence from a neighbors is actually from a happy and very healthy peach tree. White peach that is. I think I may hand them a jar since they are so wonderful for growing so many lovely fruit trees. Maybe they'll offer me some of their plums, yum. They also have a choyote squash that seems to invade every summer too. Those squash get real big if you let them go, and are real good otherwise.

On the pict behalf there are plenty to be coming especially of the cute little fascinator, I just have to nudge my way onto the computer. The husbeast has been updating and making his website, so I'm like a little intruder to his island when I try to get on it, I swear I'm not just being lazy, honest.
cheers til then.

H'm

2008-06-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

*pokes blog w/ intercomputal knitting needle*

Nope not dead yet!

Having beat the better part of the hot hot heat last weekend, I am currently freezing my tits off. Crazy east bay weather. I must admit though this morning's sunrise was a bit sublime from all the local fires. The days are now Hazey and smell like a camp fire.

Sorry for being so quietly lately, it's just been that I still haven't been doing much of anything for quite some while. Last night I did pick up the needles and worked a few rows on the giant log cabin border. This is the third of four, so it's so close but just such slow going. I really love this thing, and don't want to see it out of our house, but it must go. It would be totally rude of me to keep it for our house. Besides I still have more Noro dying to be knit up. It really just isn't knitting season, it's summer! I should be sewing skirts and schtuff. But honestly I'm afraid I don't know how to sew that well, and I'll just futz everything all up. And there's also the fact that I don't have a sewing table, and my cutting table lives behind the couch and is just an old heavy table top with missing legs. So silly. But here I go again making excuses, so I shall stop.

Coming up in July are 2 hat making classes at the Berkeley Museum of Lace and Textiles, Lacis. I believe I may just take both of the classes, each offering different hats to make. They're all day courses, 10-5. Again, I'm rather eager to learn some new techniques, I've been dying to make little straw braid hats in the Victorian and Edwardian Fashion. How cute would that be, and useful if I'm ever to have a hat booth at one of the local Renaissance/Dickens Faires.

Perhaps I should finish updating the load of hats I have lying about. There are still a few I have yet to show. And then perhaps an Etsy. We'll see.

On an odd note all my Love in a Mist seems to be missing. I know I planted tons of seeds, but I have yet to see head nor hide of a one of them, out of some 500 seeds you would think something would have popped up now.

Anon til another days meeting.

When There's Nothing to Say

2008-06-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

What does one say when there really isn't much going on...
I suppose a recap on Valhalla would do, but it was rather disappointing. The gal I was hoping to meet up with was absent, as were her lovely corsets. The rest of the vendors left quite a bit to be desired, and there were no Gyros. All in all I'd give this faire about a 6 on the 10 star system. I did pick up a new mug since the husbeast, the cooler, and my old one had a run in with the ground, with an unfortunate ending. Thank goodness the mugs are cheap and handmade.
The best part of Faire may have been the compliments on my wee hats throughout the day. It literally seemed like every 5 minutes someone was remarking on their lovely nature. Which admittedly does a great good to a girl's ego. But now I have 5 mini mini toppers, and well they need to move out of my house and into other person's houses. So I'll see what I can do to rectify that particular dilemma.
On the knitting front, there has been a stunning minimal bit. I think this is where I pipe in with Summer knitting blues. Not that grey skies seem all that blue, but last week it was warm...
Well ta' for now, til I can find something interesting to share.

Ohhh...Butterflies

2008-06-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

The anticipation is just welling in me for this weekend. I couldn't sleep this morning, so I woke about an hour early, and finished the latest mini mini topper. Again another purple one, this is the fourth, but possibly the best of it's color. The first two were just hideous. The third, scary Nazi like, and this one is just right.
The lists are endless, I still have to do a little shopping for the things we didn't get, and pack, and wash clothes, and find all the camping gear, and ......
Yeah Faire!

It's June

2008-06-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

Valhalla Ren Faire is into it's second weekend coming up here, oh I just can't wait. I love all the planning and the talking about it, and the packing. Tonight the old roomy heads over to do my brakes, and spark plugs, and change the oil in my truck ~ a little thanks for watching his dog for 2 weeks. And he's bringing his girlfriend by so I can help her on her garb. It's her first time ever to Faire, and I'm real eager to see what she has, evidently there may be some traditional Brazilian dress there, yes, she's Brazilian and a real sweet heart. Also coming out to Faire is my LA actress friend, Charity, arriving in style with a new beau, and another friend has invited our other 2 friends who are newbies also. It's going to be a wild time.
On my way up, I'm actually detouring rather far south to hit up the 50% sale at Knitting Arts in Saratoga. A bit out of the way, but WTF, 50% going out of business. Choice, I need some heavy worsted weight yarn for a cute tam by Ysolda. I have no idea how long this is going to take me since I have to go through San Jose or some god forsaken section of the Silicon Valley in the morning commute hours without a second passenger. The husbeast (yes the beard is already on a comeback!) has declared that now he wants to ride his motorcycle up, again. I can't blame him, riding in Tahoe is one of the best scenic rides, and a little tricky (on the roads he takes).
I'm still rather stoked the husbeast said he'd come this year, and even go into Faire, he hates Faire. How does any man hate so many free range boobies, I don't get it. Whateva.
We spent this weekend literally hopping from one BBQ to another, 3, yes one every night. It's not even like the weather was that great! But good food, and great company was had by all in every circumstance.
The Log Cabin blanket progresses as quickly as that many stitches on a border can. I'm about to cast off on the second of the 2 smaller bordered sides, and then I'll be picking up stitches for the first of the 2 larger borders. I thought it would help designate a top bottom orientation to have 2 opposing sides bigger. The husbeast loves it and says "mine" like a little boy, totally cute, but he'll have to wait for our own family blankey. Next to see if it can even pass some sort of easy washing stage, I highly doubt it since it's Noro and Cascade, like the 2 most feltables out there. I'll make a test swatch of them and give then a whirl soon. I think I'll bring the blanket with me to Valhalla to work on it. I really want to get it done by next week.
Aren't goals lovely.
Speaking of goals, I secretly made a goal with myself to have 5 mini mini top hats done for Valhalla, and I believe I will. I'm working on another purple topper. I also have two other mini topper's to bring for good measure. Even then I couldn't even fashion all the ladies in the Faire party with toppers if I wanted to, there's going to be 8 of us. I believe there should be 13 or 14 of us in total. Wow I still can't believe so many people are going. What dorks we all are. Lord I still don't even know how to bring all the hats into faire, at least they each have a hat box so they'll be safe. Ah we'll see. I think a mini mini top hat will be a great accoutrement for my Rom (Romany/gypsy) character. Mini Toppers aren't exactly period, but fine chapeau's were period of upper class women, and me wearing one is well enough explained by my character's gypsy *tendencies*. Oh and the sun hat for later in the day is a gas, made out of hemp and all swooshy dooshy to boot, with a wide, airy brim.
Ahhhh the dreams of Faire, how sweet the air becomes, how rausous and at home it shall be.
Cheers anon.

Peering out of the Mayhem into the light of June

2008-05-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

Seems that things are starting to clear, and normalcy may set in, but life is certainly much quieter and less stressful. Thank you for holding on, I seem to generally find the month of Mayhem just to be such a doozie, and never for any real raisin (reference Phillip J. Frye and attack of the Brains here please).
So without any further interruptions I give you the log cabin squares:

In their current state they are all sewn together but most likely not in this order. I'm reusing the Cascade ecowool that just wasn't a Hemlock as a border between all the squares (to make it bigger) and around the outside. Keep in mind that the majority of this Noro silk garden was left over bits and balls from all the mitletts I made for the past 2 years. Plus a full skein or two. I really have no idea how much Noro is in this, but I can attest to it's warmth and softness. And I should have enough balls (not scraps) saved to make my own blanket, as this one is still destined for the FIL. It's more of a family blanket but it is being made with him in mind. Don't you just love Noro and it's self striping yummy~ness.

This weekend is my greek gypsy friend (Kyriokos') 30th birthday. We're driving up to Davis to make it to his BBQ and I believe I'll be delivering a bottle of the St. George Absinthe to the young man. He insists that Absinthe does nothing to him, aside from the last time when on a tiny Island called Quajaline (SP?) he and a bunch of fools finished a Chech bottle and thought it would be a great idea to catch the baby sharks out in the reef. Thankfully nothing foul came of it for anyone, but it certainly sounds like something he himself would even suggest. Remind me to tell you of the time we borrowed the little row boat and went out to a barge in the bay, late at night, drunkenly.

After that comes the first Faire of the season, Valhalla. I can't wait. It's my favorite Faire, and who knows maybe they're still be snow on the ground, as I have it on good word that it was snowing up that way this last weekend.
Well the morning alarm is going off, I suppose I should go and put the kettle on for tea, and make us some breakfast.
Til then, cheers.
Oh and what do you call a husbeast that has shorn all of it's facial fur off??? No really. I suppose Love Bug will do until there's something respectable on his face again. And yes I did take picts they're still in the camera though.
Anon and thanks for waiting.

Nearing the end of Mayhem

2008-05-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

How about a few little pictures in the meantime! Finally.
Well, let's just hold off on those log cabin shots, the pict uploader is being a booger. Yeah... ok.
So instead, here we have a few of the latest mini toppers, this is the burnt crimson mini mini topper, with a pink and black silk band, ace of spade button on top of an iridescent button. An alternate view can be seen in the side bar.
Recently I met up with the young man who started all this back last Halloween downtown, the one with the mohawk, well I'm still waiting to exchange him hat for painting, and seems like we're still on for that. This next pict is the backside of the hat I initially made for him. Unfortunately it's a bit top (hhah) heavy, so I'm going to be constructing a mini mini topper, but maybe a little different for him here in the next week or so. This one came out a little 1940's German like, but it's fun set off with silk and bead ribbon as a band, and a little dead phicous (sp?) from my house tree. Heh, I say get it where you can. Lastly but not least of all is one of my fav's from the latest batch of mini mini toppers. This fabric was an impulse purchase for $1 from a local thrift store when I was working on a knitted wall for the Devil on All Sides. I feel as it just screams Rom, or hobo, or carpet bagger, what ever you may call someone on the outskirts of society dabbling in a little of the what not. It's super fun to wear and gives just the most striking of profiles. I've been wearing it without the peacock feather but with the little bit of twig that protrudes 8 inches through the air hidden behind the feather in this pict. The mushrooms hail from Small Stump etsy, I refuse to link to their yummy goodness lest all my lovely cotton mushrooms are stolen from out from under me... lied, they're all gone, now my little mushies are all that more precious. I must go weep now. Never mind, I lurv google. Well then, off I must be, it's getting late.
Welcome back to a glorious Monday, presumably since it's still Sunday as I write.

Still Mayhem

2008-05-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

Yeah Mayhem really is a sleeper month, but lo who cares, onto other things...
here we go. (like how I just avoided all the crap I don't care to discuss, woohoo)
As always it's lovely having company, and even lovelier when they leave. We tootled around with my old gypsy friend Kyriokos before he left yet once again for some part of Louisiana. He was fresh off the boat from Trinidad before then. What a job. Fixing submarines and doing all this weird building stuff. The guy is literally a God among mechanics. Nothing too daunting for him. But I shouldn't praise him too much, or he'll get a fat head. We did show him around the little Island we work on, and then went out for a lovely German dinner. Mmm meatloaf and yummy calamari. And if it weren't for his impeccable driving skills the old Honda would still be stuck in that parking lot in a space too small, and a vehicle too close behind it. But I figured if anyone he could get the Honda out of there, so it didn't really matter if it was a crappy space or not. I also intrigued the young man (turning 30 at the end of the month!) about the budding concept of Steampunk. See he's been a bit out of it sense he hasn't been to the Burn in a few years, and well I just keep going to all these strange events, so it's not that alien to me. We discussed all the possible vehicles of transportation that could be powered by steam, and how dangerous that would ultimately be. Then he and the husbeast stayed up until 6 am debating theology (rather loudly might I add) and drinking bottles of beer, while I awoke every now and again and gave them dirty looks through our Norin curtain that hangs in our hallway.
In between hostessing I also knit on the log cabin blanket, I must say it's just lovely. All the colors going this way and that. The squares are all attached now, and there is a 8 row garter stitch holding them in piece. Last night I cast on for the first of the outer border, which shall be twice as wide as the inner borders. I'm really thrilled to see it coming together over all these months. I must prod the husbeast to give me access to the problematic iphoto. I need to show picts of this thing.
Not much else for now, but it is Monday, so go and enjoy all that it entails.
cheers.

What a lovely paperclip you have there.

2008-05-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

It's purple and a circular spiral. And from someone else. I think I'll get some of these for the office, they're just fantastically lovely.
But really you didn't come here to hear about my fascination with a purple spiraled paperclip. Nor the wonderful song on the radio, "I want to be just like you...hoo..." there's horns and a bit of flamenco guitar, and just a lively beat. Ah yes that was refreshing.
So something really odd just happened, it's 11 am and my cell phone rang, I answered it and it was Jaboli. Someone I was acquainted with while separated with the husbeast before he was my husbeast, so this was like 3 years ago? I met him at NorCal Renn Faire in Hollister. He was working the pirates ale booth. Nice guy that turned out was married and had a kid and was still willing to make new "friends". An aspect in his personality, let's just say I was not pleased with. Well any how I believe he has me mixed up with someone else because he wanted to hang out and play music. Those of you who know me may remember that of course I'll pick up an instrument without shame, but honestly I really shouldn't. See, I'm tone deaf! Yes the truth is out. I can't keep beat and I make things up just to amuse myself. Which is rather scary because I have my wonderful concertina, and some bongos. And once at camp (heheh~not real camp) we were really drunk and it was New Years and my friend and I had to pee real bad, and I had a toy accordion, and I took it into the echoey bathroom, and well it was really amusing, to me. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was married and thought his behavior terrible, shocking, and just weird. Needless to say he still wanted to hang out even though I don't think he remembers me, and just found my number in his cell phone. Some people are just strange, and I am strange but he's just stranger than me.
Enough of that dribble.
In case any one was wondering, the ravages of Mayhem are quieting, perhaps mulling, but they are behaving much better, thank you for your patience once again.
After talking to my gypsy friend, Kyri (the oil rigger/fighter pilot mechanic/blimp mechanic~pilot/small airplane mechanic/windmill engineer/submarine mechanic/submarine administrator who travels all over the world), I convinced him tonight would be a better evening for him to come out, so tonight he'll be heading downtown w/ the husbeast and I to my knitting night at the local pub. Yeah for beer. And then tomorrow I entertain, and Saturday hmmm I don't know. I'm sure we'll figure something out, we can't be that old, boring, and married, can we...?
Oh well.
Last night I dragged the husbeast over to Oakland for some necessities from Article Pract. I love that LYS. It's so rad and the ladies are very nice, and they always have crap that I don't need, but must have. Like my new little Lantern Moon tape measure in the shape of a leaf w/ some little lady bugs on it. Also on the prosh side, were a bunch of red buttons w/ little brown checks on them. I think there's 12. That's enough for a lovely button up, or tons of mini top hats, or or or or. The reason I really had to go down there was for some really long size 8 addi turbo needles, I picked up a 47" lace weight needle that should do well for making the larger portions of the blanket. And finally after so many years of wanting one, I grabbed a clover felting tool.
My new handy dandy little clover needle felting tool has aided me in my endeavor to make my little mini bowler hat, but I'm not sure about the construction yet. It's still a bit off, but I didn't finish it either, so in my best means I shall suspend judgement until then.
As for this weekend, we have no real plans, but soon my lovelies, there will be Valhalla and camping, and much Renaissance Fairing.
Anon til then.

Shaking Fists and Inter computal hugses for Mayhem

2008-05-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

This last week and the weekend have been busy, not exactly in a good way. The month of Mayhem is certainly upon us, and I for one am feeling a bit of the brunt of it's forceful ways. My heart goes out to my bff, lots of tears and saying good byes today for her wonderful father.

It's just been one of those sad, depressing weeks. I believe I have even tormented the husbeast with my unwifely behavior of moping and doing nothingness. Even the littlest things like missing the Maker Faire this weekend put me in a rather foul mood. Don't get me wrong, we drove by but there were just so many vehicles that we were daunted and didn't go in. Sad sad socially angst person's that we are.
Then there's the old roomy's dog we've watched for the week, well she had surgery to get rid of her female parts. He comes back from the desert Sat, and Sun calls to see if she should be oozing from her sutchers. She hadn't popped a stitch but she is certainly fighting a mighty horrid infection now. And she is back in my care as I can much easier watch her in the office, then he can by leaving her at his house.
But here's looking forward to the future, and at least Wednesday my old gypsy friend Kyriokos (aka Kyri~ the only person I know with his own theme song) will be visiting our household. No idea which room would be best to put him in as of yet, but at least there's a blow up mattress with his name on it now.
Perhaps his visit will perk my nature up.
You know what though honestly I want to work the Maker Faire, and yes I am still peeved that we didn't go in. But that was my decision. You should have seen the lines, and it was 12. So sad, or should I say lame. The harlot was there, I was wearing a little mini mini plaid top hat. And both the husbeast and I were touchy. But that's just how it is sometimes, nothing will ever be perfect, and really that is okay by me.

Speaking of perfection I am currently working on and frogging and reworking the means by which all the squares of the log cabin are being pieced together. It's slow and methodical when not being a thorn. I also must go and grab some new needles that are long enough for the rest of the blanket tomorrow.
On the hat front well I studied how to do different types of felting and believe I shall needle felt the poor little form of the bowler hat. Now onto the tools which shall be picked up tomorrow likewise w/ the needles.
Quickly before I infect anyone w/ my unbecoming nature, certainly to be blamed on the natural aspects of Mayhem, I bid you ado and soon, iphoto will be my fiend, um friend.
cheers.

Half way through the soup

2008-04-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well here we are and it's already Wed., trash night. For us at least.
Our old roommate has run off with all the hippy kids into the desert to the Havasupai Indian Res. and let's just say his little dog (from my mum's puppies litter) is now fixed. Of course it was with his permission, but it had to be done. She's 2, not really able to be bred (too hyper active) and hopefully this will just calm her down a bit. She really is a little sweet love muffin though.
I'm currently trying to figure out the appropriate way to attach all my log cabin squares, and yes iphoto is still not working properly. Let's just say there's been stress, but not bad stress, just things that are getting done and a pile of things that still need getting done. But that's all a sidetrack. The squares are lovely and at least 2 of them are already attached. The trick is making them all match in their attached-ness.
On the hat front, well there is now a mini mini yellow polka dot gateau sitting on my coffee table waiting for it's accoutrement. There was also a second blue and brown mini mini made that is just adorable, and made as an optional hat if the husbeasts co-worker may prefer that piece. It's a little taller than the other mini mini top hats (3"), but just as adorable. She's a tall gal also so this she could also pull off. The bowler still waits for me to hand felt some pieces on for the actual hat part. But every time I think about doing it either there's no internet connection, or I talk myself into it being too much work so I sit down with something that is easier hand sewn together. Which is unfortunate because the form is just adorable. (SLACKER!)~that's me.
So there you have it, not much going on. This last Saturday though we were invited out to the husbeast bosses 3rd vacation home, out in the middle of nowhere, near Angels Camp (frog jumping capital of the world). The home itself was amazing. There are 2 dorms that sleep 32 people, a main house where the kitchen is, and then a pool, and hot tub, a pond, a creek and 250 acres of nothing but hills. The houses are formed of rammed earth that was quarried on site, self sustained with a well, and solar panels. Simple yet refined. Breath taking just looking out over the hills to the setting sun and the valley beyond. Most people stayed the night, but we had puppies that we were watching that we had to get back to. I could certainly go there for a knitting retreat any day.
Still sorry there are no picts. So sad with all the things I've been up to also. Well soon. Isn't that normally my story. Yes the BFA photo student is late with her picts again!
Cheers til then.

Still waiting.

2008-04-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

This time it's not Leopard that's updating, it's the latest version of iPhoto. It's been updating since Monday. What's that old saying about the cobblers kids not having shoes...?
I've certainly been keeping myself delightfully busy lately. There's polka dots, and diamonds, and stripes, and another plaid, and a bowler all sitting waiting patiently as I get to hand sewing then into their particular forms. Nothing too exciting just a slew of mini mini toppers which hadn't been made since last August. They're fun and a little quicker, but they stay put much easier and being so small any accoutrement just perks them up real cute.
I finished Son of a Witch last night, a bit disappointed, but not too dreadfully since it was still a decent read. I like sequels. There I've said it. The cat's out of the bag.
Not much else too say, just some good juju being sent to the bff w/ a few extra woes today. Love ya!.

Cheers. Til then.

Why yes

2008-04-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

I've been horribly absent lately, haven't I? For shame on me.
I have a ton of excuses though, which ones would you like?
Let's just settle on the second book, Son of a Witch, has been a jolly read and is nearly done with. Damn I just got it Friday too. Oh well, still plenty of fun in this cold cold weather. What like 50's?
Last night I did finally photograph all that I've been working on, but the beast of a husband has updated my computer w/ Leopard and well all my picts are currently being backed up in it's fabulous Time Machine backup system. It's real cool to look at all black-hole like with icons in tabs and just really nouveau. He's crossing his fingers that this will totally rock our Mac. Did I just say our, oh how terrible of me. It's mine but his fingers are so deep in it he might as well be ________ it. I'll leave that one up to the reader. So many great options.
So sadly to say you must wait for the lovely Noro Log Cabin picts, and the loverly mini mini top hats I just finished up. The one in plaid is just to die for and of course it is sporting some lovely red cap mushrooms.
I've been real busy making things, and will soon enough let in on the rest of the tidbits.
Til then I should keep my mouth buttoned shut though.
Cheers.

Like Monday, but not.

2008-04-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

It's Tax day, and the husbeast and I have had ours done for quite some time, woo hoo! Not to boast or anything, they're only taxes. But this is one of the first times that both he and I have had them done before midnight. So yeah for planning ahead.
I was thinking of telling of a silly tale of way back when or of this other time at this club, but I don't think either of them are really that appropriate, so I shall leave you without either amusing anecdote for today, but perhaps some other time. Gee how many commas can one put in one little sentence anywho?
Again no little picts to my little post. But I do have it on good word that the last log cabin square, ze is nearly done. Hence no picts of that one. I believe I'm getting a little sad, nearing the end of the blankie. But alas there is still all that boring border. Maybe I'll spice it all up and make a seed stitch border. How I love the seed stitch. We shall see how it looks with the garter stitch of the log cabin.
The latest hat still vexes me. It's impossible to make square fabric shape small and round without altering it somehow. So felting it seems shall be my friend, but I have yet to. The roving I got from Spunky is devine, and I believe the BFL will work as a good little felcher, um felter, and the color is ok with the fabric. I just have to make the time to do it. Blagh.
Yes, as you can so justly tell I am full of blaghdom. Not that life isn't full of interesting things. I'm just not into it today. I believe it's because all I do is promise picts, yet never procure them. Maybe I'll use the husbeasts point and shoot.
On other news, hey My hair is getting real long, and subsiquently real big.
And I finished 2 books in 1 week, a rarity for me. The first was the second book to Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, > the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. A rather delightful book. When I went searching throughout the house for the third book in the trilogy (of which there are 4 books) I couldn't find it. So Wah. I stole Wicked from my bff, by Gregory Mcguire... one of those lovely books that turns the story on the childhood fables. It was a little steamy, and a little political, but a great read. I really enjoyed his last book, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, and am eager to find some of his other books at my local used book shop.
So yeah, it's Tuesday, almost time to go home, and well I'm stoked.
Have a great evening or such as you can.

And Still with More Boring

2008-04-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right step up, step up, get your Boring right here ladies and ladettes. Let me fill you and spin your ears with the mostest of the dullest speaches on the little-being that is nothing. Muhuhuhuh aahah
Or I could just tell you that I'm on the 9999999th log cabin square. That's right the last square should be done this week. How's that for neat-o. Then I shall show picts, granted if the computer is finally available. (the ITbeast is running some sort of long scan or something~ I swear he just does this so he has nothing better to do at night than work on his Vanagon ~I'm onto him!)
Last I spoke of a delightful miniature mini topper hat, well I set to work with what I had on hand, and low and behold it's a whimsical delight. There are buttons, and feathers (of course), and a cute little dried seed pods form some silly tree over here where I work. I still really dig this hat, and it's ability to stay put. Not like any of the others that are bigger and heavier. Speaking of which I still haven't finished the Butcher to show and tell about either. Pauvre moi! I am so silly.
Speaking of silly 2 bobbins have been spun, I'm still not the fastest but not too shabby. Next to learn to ply! Woohoo.
The mystery purple starred flower was found out by my bff, and well I forgot what it is! Hah how's that for silly. Well anywho I shall show those little surprises as well. Especially now that all my freesia are dying and the Iris's are getting closer to blooming. My Love in a Mist marbles are growing as are the purple Thistle, and the sunflowers, bachelor buttons, Japanese Lanterns, Texas Blue Bonnets. Now if only I could finally finish up the back yard and get all those seeds planted. At least the majority of the rocks are moved. Which allowed me to notice that one of the canalillies is infested with little black aphid like bugs, and white spider bugses. I think a few lady bugs may be helpful in the yard.
Well it's freezing cold on the island today, like 50 or something! (Yeah we don't get much snow in these parts.)

Shhh, don't tell.

2008-04-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

I just purchased 4oz of grey top alpaca, 4oz of black, 4oz of brown/grey, 4oz BFL in a Dark brown, and some vibrantly blue painted corriedale roving from Spunky! I have yet to ever purchase her roving, but her sock yarns have always been rather prosh. And really who can pass up $1.35 for an oz of BFL? It's like crack I tell ya. These are my brothers pressie to me for my birthday. Thanks big brother! I love being told I can only spend birthday money on yarn and yarny things. Now onto ordering a new axel for the wheel. I do admit that the alpaca was purchased with the husbeast in mind. He loves that stuff. And he keeps asking me if I'll make him a hat. Where in I entirely blame his mum for all of her years of economizing the household with hand knit homespun. I really don't know how I could have ever lucked out so much.
The BBQ was fun, with lots of campfire time. I love sitting with my friends around a campfire, telling stories and updating what's going on in everyoneslives. The husbeasts horseradish crusted beef roast came out delightful, and I loved that I could make another red velvet cake (of course only allowed to be eaten outside.) I did get picts of the "design" but I'm waiting for the ok from the husbeast to down load them into the computer. (IT stuff)
So last time I mentioned that I was on the 6th square of the log cabin, that was a lie, I was really on the 7th. And currently I am half way through with the 8th. Which means one more, then I can show them to ya. And then piece them together. I'm real anxious, I think the FIL will really like it. It's bold and bright, and warm and hopefully it'll be nice and big. YEAH!
The latest mini mini topper is pretty much done, but I'm still waiting to get over to Britex to choose the right trim. The one on there now is a lovely pink and grey silk but it's a bit flimsy.
Honestly though, inspiration is a bit dry right now. Although I have been struggling with making a bowler frame, it just requires a little more attention. Soon though soon.
I think that's it for now. Hopefully next time there will be picts.

Stop needeling me!

2008-03-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

Or not.
Some where over this last weekend, I lost my favorite needle. I shudder to think where it may be, for I have no idea. Thankfully the local craft shop has plenty of replacements. I am now in possession of 36 lovely millinery needles. What a novelty. Only problem is that the eye on them is a bit small, but they are certainly strong enough and long enough for my needs. What a goober I must sound like though. HAH. It really is amazing how I just find one thing and think it suits until I lose it or it breaks, then I'm forced to find something new, and discover what I've been missing all this time. Which reminds me of my bff's eternal search for the perfect hair clip that got away...
Well enough of that.
This Saturday I get to turn 31! Woohoo. We're having a quite little BBQ with the friends, and going out with the parents earlier in the day. It really isn't that easy fitting both our parents into our lifestyles. Don't get me wrong, they're all easy going enough, but it's just strange to have to do things with and around a new family combined with the original family. Which is why we're just doing a simple lunch somewhere, or else forcing them to come over early before the BBQ. I don't know what to do honestly. I suppose this is where we get to start making our new family traditions isn't it. What a novelty.
So for the BBQ I believe I'm going to sport the newest uber petite top hat. It's so cute and so light weight that it doesn't even need a cord holding it on the head, and it can be set upon the head cockeyed. Too cute. On the same note, I'm determined to get to Britex fabric's over in the city. Four floors! Four! What the hell. I just can't wait and I'm dragging my mum. She'll love it. And Union square is such a cool place to go in the city, especially since our train system takes you right there.
On the knitting front, the log cabin blanket slowly grows, I believe I'm back on the 6th square. Tonight is the Beer Bitch meetup downtown, so at least I'll get something done. The spinning hasn't been touched since I last talked about it, and well I kind of like doing it on the weekends while watching Torchwood. It's my Saturday thing.
On the garden front, the stones are still waiting to be moved, and I only took horrid low light photos that were all blurry of the mystery lily. But spring is still slowly unfurling. All my seeds out front are getting a little bigger, and I can't wait to see what they look like in a few months here.
The honestly great thing about spring is that Rennaisane Faire is just around the corner. Let's start with the most wonderous Faire around these parts, Valhalla. When Valhalla finally rolls around it's like it's been an entire year since I last dressed in my faire garb. I get all anxious thinking about what I can make for this year, or what I should save my pennies up to buy. And usually my bff and I have a running list that we chant off, 'I need to get some... or a new...' The best thing about Valhalla is that I get to camp there right outside of faire, and even sneak back in afterwards if I wanted to (not that I ever have). The people at Valhalla are more into the scene, the actual faire is smaller, and in general the vendors are better, and different than the ones from regular NorCal Faire. I believe we'll be going the second week which June 7-8th. So if you're there, look for me. I'll probably be sporting a mini hat, if the weather permits, and tons of gypsy garb. I'll probably have 5 different animal tails on and may be wearing my found deerspine. I believe my colors this year are all in cool greens, periwinkles, and hues of blues. There will most hopefully be a husbeast not dressed as he should be trailing behind gawking at all the boobies (if I know him, as I do believe I do.)
Yeahhhhheheh! Even all my hippy friends we go fairing with get all excited and cute and eager for Valhalla. Looks like there'll be about 12-15 of us this year, give or take a few here and there. It's getting to be a pretty big affair with us with good reason. I believe the husbeast and I will be organizing the cooking, can we say dutch oven cooking. Fun.
Cheers and have a lovely weekend

Lots to Say, Little to Show.

2008-03-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

It certainly was a lovely and relaxing Easter weekend. I started rotating rocks from one bed to another. What a tiring job, that is still only half done. I've also noted that the abundance of salamanders certainly comes from this new house of ours, as opposed to the thought that the little buggers followed us down from the house on the hill. They're so cute and slimy, like little snakes with feet.
Over the weekend a mystery plant has flowered, and I really need to post picts because I think it's some sort of Agapanthus, but I can't even find any varieties of it on the web. So pretty, with bright blue star shaped flowers, and yellow inside.
I also need to post some wonderful picts from Saturday and subsequently Sunday when I discovered that I really enjoy spinning. Yes that's right. I've been bitten by the spinning bug. The whole thing is like second nature. If only my wheel could keep up! Well kind of. And much thanks to my lovely friend over at Seamstrix Art for housing me and my ginormous wheel and showing me the ins and outs of this beast. Much fun was had Saturday. I went home with a little less than 2oz of BFL, and had that all spun onto a bobbin. Sunday I attacked some merino like roving from the husbeasts mum's stash. Even though it's about 20 y.o. it gave me little hassle and I worked that more evenly than the BFL. I suppose I'm going to have to mix these little bits on the bobbins with something else, or one another. Oh I just can't wait to get to the roving's I picked up at Stitches.
On the hat front, I looked at them, and decided to spin instead of picking up the fabric and needle. Heheehhe, don't worry a truly mini mini top hat is in the works.
Tonight, back to moving more rocks, with less in the bin than before to facilitate moving them! And perhaps a mini mini hatter.... we shall see.

Tales of the Frankenpudd

2008-03-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

This is Franky, he's a big pudd-in-cat. Probably nearing 20 lbs. since we left the hill we were living on. He was terribly sad and depressed when we left, he would hide behind our bed and refuse to come out, or even to go outside. A couple of weeks later we discovered that he had a girlfriend that would sit outside our old pad and wait for him. How sad and lovelorn they both were, we just had no idea.
Last night we come back from eating out, and there's a big black fur ball laying in the cat mint right by the front door. Franky's lurking off by the side gate. So we scare the puffball off, it jumps over Franky and Franky gives an utterly displeased vocalling. Our darned cat walks up to us, I look down at him, and there's all this goo in a straight line down the center of his back. We freaked out thinking that it was blood for a second, then a finger test cleared it, to being oil! A nice huge glob of oil. And we're thinking that the puffball was giving him the huge assed 20 lb. cat a hard time, and claiming the cat mint for itself. Well looks like I have a little gardening to do this weekend. The cat mint is being moved to the back yard, and I have some seeds to go with it. Of course some more kitty mint, but then a whole bunch more wild flowers.
I plan on moving a bunch of rocks from up against our house, over to the side fence where the husbeast tramples all the time while working on his old VW. I'll till some of the dirt, add a little new dirt and spread, rather haphazardly, the scores of seeds I have. There's already calalilies growing there, so I hope it'll be lovely. the first set of seeds spread a couple of weeks ago are starting to push through the ground in the front yard. I'm eager to see if their layout makes any sense, or just looks like rubbish.

Tonight is my beer bitch meetup, so I'll actually be doing some knitting on the log cabin blanket. I think I have Spring fever though. It seems like always around this time of year I slow down on the knitting. That and I have a few kettles on the stove as things to which I shall allude to in the future.

On the miniature top hat front, the Butcher, he is constructed, and awaiting accoutrement. Now if only I could find a small novelty butcher knife. Real knives preferred, but just a truly bad idea. But certainly preferred. I believe I may use the cutlery trim on this hat, even though I just used it. It seems to fit with the idea of the Butcher. That or something old and smelly and tattered. I'll investigate, and get back to you on that one.
Cheers till then.

It's St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Oh my I nearly forgot to say it, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. That's the proper Irish Holiday right, oh all right commercials just don't translate to written word so well. But anywho, Happy St. Patrick's Day. Now go and eat some corned beef and cabbage. I know I already did last night for dinner, and we still have left over's for tonight. Woohoo.

This last week seems to have been a rough one for just about everyone around me. Co-workers, mother, friends, me, the stress levels are just off the tops. The worst thing is that just about all of it is something that is totally out of our hands. There's physically nothing any of us can do except allow the right amount of time to pass so that these things can right themselves. Hmmrph!
The silence on my part was because I really don't like to whine in public, it's just rude and no one really wants to see or hear my anger. But I will tell you the crap I've been dealing with, as I'm past the whining stage and now I just want things put back right.
So waaaay back on the 5th I took my truck to the dealer for it's 100,000 mile service. Just a little routine check up, drain fluids, replace fluids that kind of thing. Well I got my truck back 2 days later and it died on me as I got off the freeway. And mind you it died in a not so nice area of Oakland! I finally realized to start it back up I should put it in park, and vroom off I went. Until it died later that night on the way home from work.
Fast forward to the next morning when I take my truck in to see if there's an error code, none. A week later I had my truck back with a brand new shiny distributor, since the crank censor that needed replacing was in the distributor and they're a package deal for this veh. Guess what IT DIED AGAIN. Sorry to shout, but this is more of an emphatic shouting here. I couldn't believe it. I just paid $472 to fix a problem that wasn't a problem that needed fixing. Agh.
Now it's Monday, and I'm still waiting to hear back from the shop manager to, well not to tell him off, because I'm kinda past that. I believe I'm entitled to my money back, a rental vehicle, 1/4 tank of gas from when they "originally" fixed the problem (that wasn't there when I brought it in!), and my truck back to where it was before all this began.
Fun, huh!

Well anyway the husbeast and I had a great weekend anyways. We rearranged the living room on a whim. It's just easier to really clean when you have a fresh palette to work with. Then I cleaned the kitchen, and proceeded onto the bathroom. Some major spring cleaning was in order, and now I have a little nook in the living room where I can functionally hide all my hat making crap, and knitting projects. I love it.
You may think that with all that work I got nothing done, but that's not true. I've been working on a new hat, I reference it to the Butcher. It's a triptych of hats, I think I mentioned before, in homage to a particular local band. The design quasi works for me. It's not as skinny as I was thinking it should be, but the shape isn't too shabby either. The husbeast thinks I should turn the crown around and reference a German soldier's hat, but that just doesn't work for me. I tried it backwards and it screamed 'turn me right side again'. No literally it was screaming at me, I swear... it was just a very tiny voice.
On the knitting front, again I only knit a stitch back on Thursday at the Beer Bitch Meetup. And the night before then I had ripped out two squares of the log cabin, so I am indeed back to 5 squares! But I believe I am better off having done as much.

Almost forgot the title...

2008-03-11T19:11:00.001-07:00

Let's begin this by saying it's Girl Scout cookie time, now go support your local troop. That's right freeze a box of thin mints and savor them throughout the year, to your hearts desire. I confess, I was a girl scout for 13 years. Little know fact, but true. That's where I first met my husbeast back when we were 17. Teaching Winter Awareness with his troop of Eagle Scouts at my old high school. how sweet... but onto the good stuff!
I've been busy and I've been sitting on my hands. It most certainly seems that I need an event or someone to focus my craft upon in order to do my craft. I find the same to be true on so many fronts in my life. It suppose it's my own way of having a little flame when I really need it.
This is a detail of the vintage Victorian button found at the stitches convention in the most lovely of lovely booths. The trim, ribbon, and button ladies! I miss them already, yet feel like I didn't get enough. I want more of these little darling buttons.
This miniature mad hatter has been delivered to it's new owner with much glee on both our parts. And just in time for the HoeDown this weekend. I was also rather lucky to finally find an appropriate hat box just perfectly suited for this to dwell in while not in use.
Speaking of the HoeDown, it was wonderful, and I was unbelievably under dressed! Me under dressed. All the ladies (ok a large handful) were dressed to the nines in bustles, long skirts, corsets and the whole works and the shoes! Hello Fluevog can I marry you. Just the kind of shoes I've been thinking of when it comes to that funny little gumdrop weird heel that looks like a melted Hershey's kiss. (I hear they have layaway) Even though a little odd at first, everyone is so sweet and weird that it really didn't matter. It's a party after all, right.

My next hat, which I adoringly refer to as Lemon Parfait was rather well gazed upon while perched on my merry made coif. (What else you gonna call all these red curls pinned higher than a Texas hookers ankles?)
Et la, c'est la Lemon Parfait I enjoy the silver with the lemon of the fabric, paired with the warm brown and pinks in the feathers, and the periwinkle of the thistle. I've never been a huge fan of yellow, but I just love this color scheme, especially for this time of year.
Not too sure where or why this happened, but I look upon the mushrooms and tea strainer as a happy accident. And look at that wonderful cutlery. Isn't it just to die for? The veiling on this hat is vintage, soft brown toole with little pink dots of adorablilty. Did you know that adorability could be packaged in such a small quantity? Well it can. The mushrooms are vintage cotton mushrooms from Small Stump, and I'm stoked I could finally use them in something. You may also note that aside from just a comb, an elastic band has been sewn on for added stability. I believe I could have actually danced in this hat, even as heavy as it is.

And the coup de gras, just for true morbidity my found horse skull wearing the little hatter. I really need to find better models. Seriously!
So there you have it, a little mini mad hatter update, Where in I am truly beginning to realize how redundant all this same fabric but in other colors must be, but I'm still in love with the richness and texture and the absolute lines that it creates that I'm not quite ready to move on yet. But soon, I'll go find something else.
Cheers till then. Happy whatever'ing.

Copenhagen Really!

2008-03-07T15:01:00.000-08:00

Out of some off the wall thing, my mum's friend in Florida needs someone to drop off a puppy, and pick up a puppy in Copenhagen Denmark next month. My mum being the wonderous being that she is at this point in time is attempting to facilitate me into being the transporter of said pooper. I know I shouldn't be writing about this since it could totally jinx the final out come, but it would be the most raddest honeymoon (that we yet have to take) and anniversary get away ever imagined. Especially since we haven't been able to agree upon where to go. Copenhagen for a week wow, how neat.
So I'm crossing my fingers and imaging all that lovely... whatever they have over there in Denmark!

In the lime light this weekend, the company Hoe Down, and yes this is 19th century gun slinger hoedown. I'm imagining something a little SteamPunk in style and attitude. Maybe I can finally get the husbeast to wear his wool pants, and make us some cute spats to go with our costumes. I'm currently starting a miniature bowler hat. I call it the lover. It's one of a triptych the other is the Butcher, and then there's Penelope. All taken after a song by the band Rube Waddell, local weirdo's here in SF Area.
Have a great and wonderous weekend all my little loverlies!

Adventure in Cayenne II

2008-03-05T12:17:00.000-08:00

The Warning!

So the husbeast and I are making dinner last night, I had picked up a pork tenderloin, but had no idea what to do with it. I quickly turned to my favorite google request, and searched for what Aldon Brown would say. Low and behold he knew exactly what to do, Brown it!

I took the recommended seasonings, and added our delightful and ever interesting 90,000 btu African Cayenne from the Eureka Co-op (the last co-op in California I believe), and coated the tenderloin well. Brushed on a little olive oil and threw all that into my cast iron pan. My piping hot cast iron pan. Well the husbeast and I learned something very interesting last night. It becomes... mace! Our poor lungs, our poor house. There was cayenne smoke everywhere, and coughing and lung cheese, and opened doors and windows, and bandannas tied around faces.

Needless to say the browning was finished, and the meat laid to the side to rest. Here is where I snuck some dark brown sugar onto the poor little tenderloin. (I'm only thinking of my poor little lips here.)

Well about 45 min. later we had ourselves a sumptuous piece of meat. It was hot, but yummy from the brown sugar. And perfect with the mushroom ravioli.

On other fronts, the next log cabin comes along slowly.

But I have pretty much finished the yellow little mad hatter, and have started on a lovely brick red one. Oh and yes the trim for the yellow hatter, it is cutlery, precious cutlery on trim... wait till you see how prosh.

Cheers till then, tomorrow off to the new tax dude, then knitting in public.

A Letter

2008-03-03T13:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Starpukes,

I believe you should know that your Ginger Chew cookies,

are well rather par under.

They're hard, and actually taste stale.

At times they even taste a bit like your chai tea,

which just to let you know is rather similar to the taste of soap.

There I've said it, and well if you could just make your ginger chews,

well more akin to their namesake I would certainly be content.

Thanks,

Bonnie Boheme

Enough said on that front. Oh and Peet's coffee, thanks for having squishy~soft, and filled w/ yummy ginger chews!

On the knitting front, I knit not a knot since Thursday, but instead I've very nearly finished the fabulous new little mad hatter in teal, it's been adorned but still needs some permanent staying ability.

Once I did that, I started a new yellow and silver hat for this weekend's hoedown! It's pretty cute, and not quite as Lemon Chiffon as I was hoping for, but it should work. That one's just about done. I was thinking of turning it into a bowler hat, but just couldn't find a good enough wooden knob to act as a hat block for me.

Speaking of hat blocks, guess what I found at Urban Ore in Berkeley on Sat, come on guess! Yep a nice rounded hat block in the exact hat size as my fat head, 23. Did I mention it's the shape I've wanted? It is!!!! I've very stoked as now I can make felt hats to my content. I even have some roving to start with, but first it needs a dye job. So cool though.

And I know I really shouldn't mention this so I'll write it very small:

the husbeast bought me a website in the cutest name for my birthday, which is at the end of the month. And he's the one that came up with the name and I reaallllly really adore it. Only problem is that he expects me to make it myself! The audacity. Me make a website. Oh, oh well.!!!!!

See I'm just really rather stoked. And yes I will keep all informed when it is out of construction.

Oh and this weekend I also weeded my ward, in preparation for seed planting, and my freesia are well into bloom, so yummy and pretty and Spring like.

Did I mention I love March? It's probably my favorite month, and not just because it's my birthday month.

Proof really is in the pudding

2008-02-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

Redwood Highway, nearing Crescent City, Ca

We recently celebrated the husbeasts birthday (a little belated) with his family. They're uber cool people, real down to earth, and his mum is one of the most delightful cooks I know. So makes a fantastic Persimmon Pudding with a traditional English hard sauce. Just to die for. No really. Sometime I must share her recipe, but I have to make sure I can still find it! By the by the pudding is steamed for almost 2 hours, and it comes out thick and dark in color, not like Bill Cosby's crappy pudding.

So I know I talked all this talk about my fabulous and lovely millinery class that I had been going to, and have yet to procure any picts. Well there's a reason, see the hat I had created while the class was going on, as well as the 2 for the class, were in MHO just rubbish. Simply dooky on a stick. So I've been busy combining both the style I used to do with the wire frame and a bunch of yanking and pulling things tight, and the buckram framing that I was taught to incorporate under the fabric.
Wanna see just the buckram frame style alone, ok, brace yourself for it is hideous:
I told you, it's flat, and shapeless and looks like a form cut from a dye cast or something mass crap made. It's stiff and has no real motion. The construction isn't half bad, but honestly it should be either burned on the spot or better yet destroyed and reused. And please remember, "a passion for destruction is also a creative passion" ~old dude in the first movie Slacker (indie from the '90's)
So in between knitting the still unseen by all y'all log cabin squares, which I am currently on the seventh out of 9! I've been fusing my construction styles into something that is cohesive and readable, and much more me! And I believe I've had fabulous luck in my endeavors. And here we have it ladies and gents, the proof from the pudding:

Just click on the images to make them bigger by the by.
Here is the construction of the back:
It's so flat and has a straighter than normal seam that doesn't bulge or create an awkward shape! I'm flabbergasted that I've finally figured it out (well for now at least).
And here's a comparison shot: Do you see that difference, not only in height, but the depth and motion that the less used buckram framing has created. And the refined bias tape edging, which I will have you know that I made myself.
So I'm stoked, the new hat isn't quite finished since the cluttered picts, but I should have it done and off to it's new owner by next week. Just in time for the husbeasts company party, yes another! They're kooky people over there. This one is a hoedown in honor of their shed (a very large shed) being torn down. The company is currently constructing a new building and some more parking, and is just tickled pink to be growing. After all just a few years ago they were a small start up on a little island in the bay.
This morning I've been dreaming about turning this fabric into a cute little pair of bloomers, but I'm afraid to. I'm afraid to cut it, I'm afraid they won't be big enough, or that it would be better as a can-can skirt. Oh I just don't know. Just like I just don't know what the hell this fabric is! I was told by a friend years ago, but since have forgotten. Here's a hint, when it is washed and dried all those lines scrunch up into one bitch of a crinkle that takes a really long time to iron out. And I got it the oh so missed, Poppy Fabric in Oakland bask when I was still in Art School over there.
So there's most of all the proof, of the wonderfully fun things I've been up to.
If I finish the squares for the blanket soon, I shall show them all. As a hint I've been knitting them out of Noro Silk Garden in hoards of colors, but I believe I've already spilled that bean...
Cheers till then.

Adventures in Cayenne

2008-02-26T20:05:00.000-08:00

Wow, I'm writing this dinner recipe down before I forget all that I put into it.
Let's call it:
The Cayenne Co-Op Special

So since there are just so many ingredients, I'll just go into it w/out a proper list.

Start some meatballs in the oven, while those roast, in a frying pan melt 1T butter, and a little olive oil. Add 6-8 buttons of mushrooms, chopped in fat quarters, 5-6 cloves of garlic chopped fine. Stir down a until mushrooms turn color, add 1 zucchini, cut long. Stir down until turns color. Add fine ground pepper, course ground pepper, a little salt, some garlic salt, and about 1/8t. 90,000 BTU Cayenne (this is the hot! stuff from any natural grocer DO NOT SUBSTITUTE), add some thyme. Add frozen roasted corn (yeah Trader Ho's) and asparagus cut small. By this point you'll need some more liquid, so throw in enough white wine (I prefer $2 Charles Shaw ~edited from Schwab thanks guys.! - Sauvignon Blanc). Let all this cook at a high simmer. While that's simmering, start the pasta, what ever is preferred . Cut up 2 patty's of mozzarella, some white sharp cheddar cheese, and a mix of 3 Italian cheeses (you know the parmigiana, Romano...), melt all that down. To this add the zest from a sweet meyer lemon, and then all the juice. (this is the important step that added with the wine will cut the main part of the cayenne, and just be really yummy.)
Once the pasta is done, throw that into a big bowl, top off with the simmered veggies, and daub off the oil from the meatballs, and throw on top of all the yummyness.
Toss and enjoy with some of the left over white wine.

Oops!

2008-02-25T11:40:00.000-08:00

Looks like I forgot to mention that some of the roving I got may have actually come from Tactile Fiber Arts, a booth that was sharing space with A Verb for Keeping Warm. Still a little confused on who's was who's but they were all really lovely women. And helpful to boot.
Cheers,

Ya got me in Stitches!

2008-02-25T10:41:00.000-08:00

No really, rolling... okay maybe not really, but Stitches West was a wonderful convention, that my lady friends and I really indulged ourselves in. The vast number of booths was overwhelming to say the least. And I fell in love with one booth in particular, the Ribbon, button, and Trim shop from Rhode Island. To describe the booth, imagine with me if you will, shelves sectioned by color filled with little jars of buttons, old wooden spools of trim and ribbon, lace encased in glass charms, and bins everywhere categorized by color. It was heaven, a very expensive heaven. I got some delightful trims and a few cute little buttons, 2 called frogs eyes, and 2 Victorian embossed flowers on a black background.
I also picked up some lovely mohair/wool in my favorite color of blue. Now what to make with 400 yds? I believe it's sport weight. Don't ask me where it come from all I know is that the women had strong southern accents and the company started with a B. Helpful aren't I.
But the biggest and best thing that I did, I purchased some roving. I know, actually roving to be spun up into something delightful. It was from "A verb for Keeping Warm" a newer shop, but the gal is local, and she uses natural elements to dye her yarns, a major bonus in my book. I picked up 4 oz. of Alpaca, 4 oz. of Bluefaced Leister, 2 oz. BFL, and 2 oz. of Polworth (nice long staples in that one!). And to boot the husbeast fixed the broken leather piece in my wheel last night, and commenced to pointing out that indeed the wheel was warped from some particular event in his parents garage, it involved water. Also pointing out that the center wooden piece, some part of the axle, was broken and a new one should be ordered, but perfectly fixable. And the bobbin just needs a decent spacer to keep it from falling off of it's holder. So a few issues but nothing really major, and everything he can fix (except the wonky wheel). It'll work, and I'll try my best at spinning, and if that doesn't work for me, I'll utilize those lovely fibers and make myself some felt that can be shaped into some cloche like hats.
All in all a fabulous weekend. Especially when I discovered that my Narcissus had bloomed while I wasn't looking. And especially since I hadn't even realized my mum had given me narcissus in all those bulbs she gave me. I'm just stoked I actually planted them in time for their blooms to shower my garden this spring.
Happy knitting, I'm currently on the 6th log cabin block.
And yes I realize I said I would show picts of the lovely courty side when we went up North, but they just look like vacation picts, and well I was bored when trying to put them on the blog, go figure, I'll put something lovely up soon. Maybe a sneak peak at the lovely roving's I stashed in a drawer in my living room. And to the husbeast, sorry I lied when I said, 'a craft room, now I won't have to do projects in the living room.' Yes, shameful they're everywhere. But at least I'm keeping my hands busy

Betcha thought I forgot about ya, huh.

2008-02-20T11:35:00.000-08:00

Nah, I've just been a slacker enjoying life, and the ensueing Spring.
Last week my first feecia bloomed, a cute little red one. And the rest of the Iris and Freecia I planted in the ground in October have popped through the ground, little blooms hang waiting for just that right amount of warmth and sun so they can perfume my little garden. My bff just emailed me stating that she's planting clover and chamomile seeds in her yard. Maybe I should do the same, but in the garden area where there is already a bunch of crab grass threatening to take over the bed again. Hmmm, that's not a bad idea.
And I want poppies and cosmo's and lots of wild flowers all out front. In the back I want some vegetables and herbs. Tomatoes, sage, dill, beets, beans, zucchini, squash, carrots!, and garlic to boot. Ahhh the lovely lovely spring planting. It's coming. Today it's sunny, but raining also, so strange.
Hope you're also getting in the mood for the lovely wild flowers and green grasses to start populating your homestead.
The drive up north along the coast was wonderful. As Californians, we really are lucky to have such a diverse and gorgeous range of coastline. I don't mean to make anyone jealous, but it really is breath taking, especially with the top down on the husbeasts little convertible. Even in the fog of Humboldt county it was really rad. Actually I prefer to see all the trees hidden in the fog. I got some really lovely shots I plan on showing just as soon as the husbeast will let me onto my computer again (he's been updating his webpage with all his vanagon photos, it's cute he's documenting how he's getting it running again ~new engine and all) But just let it be known, the yellow flowers seem to be the first wildflower to set to blossom in the hills on the coast. They were everywhere, just whole fields of yellow happiness spreading wide.
Our sorjourn took us from our home here in the East Bay, up to Point Reyes Station in Marin county, where the CowGirl Creamery is located. We grabbed some cheese and organic coffee, and fled farther north. The hills rolled by us, Hwy 1 twisted and turned. And the seats were thankfully heated! A couple of hours later after driving the little twisty 2 lane road looking down at the waves crashing on the coastline we arrived in Fort Bragg. The skunk train wasn't running, but we had us some beers at the North Coast Brewery there, and walked back to our B&B. Very cute little place, very midwestern also.
The next day we toodled over to Mendocino and checkout the shops there. The knitting shop in Mendo is wonderful. So many luxurious yarns, and good prices, but I bought a button (stitches is this weekend!). I also fought off the urge to buy a linoleum print from a local artist, it was a bit affordable, but I suppose a bit pricey also. After a bit we hopped in the car again and headed even further north.
This time we landed in Eureka, drove through to Arcata and subsequently didn't want to afford their intown hotel. So we headed back over to Eureka and settled into a Hotel that was rather reasonably priced. The next day we explored Arcata's downtown fell in love with tons of lovely furniture, and ended up purchasing a few Noran (Japanese room dividing curtains). I did buy some cheap sari silk yarn in a hippy shop, in white, periwinkle and a soft purple.
We headed out of town even farther north and ended up in Crescent City, a border town to Oregon. Having mistaken it for a cute town, we grabbed a quick bite and headed back down the coast. On our way up there though, the fog was at it's finest, whisping in and out of the trees playing hide and seek with the sun, and well impressing my camera lens to no length. Hwy 101 there also rides along the coast but also passes through some lovely Redwood groves. We saw elk, and lots and lots of Hawk, and a giant headless Babe the Big Blue Ox. Poor little blue ox, he looked like a middle eastern bride with a big blue tarp over where his face would be. You'll see.
Driving back from Crescent City, we stopped back in Eureka at the last Co-op in California, grabbed some 90,000 btu Cayanne pepper (it's realllllly hot cayanne from Africa) and finally found the cute area that is downtown Eureka. And off we were back home in 4 hours.
So that was my weekend. I got a little knitting done, but with the top down it was so lovely I just couldn't knit. I did get half a side done on the husbeasts God Save the Queen mohawk hat, but I could have strangled the designer. No seriously. First there was a mistake in the first part of the instructions, yeah yeah not her problem. Then I just couldn't believe the sheer # of balls of yarn that were hanging off of the work. And the cast on was way fiddely. But what ever. I switched to reading the charted pattern and swore a lot, and everything was gravy.
On happier knitting fronts though I casted on for another log cabing square for the FIL's blanket. So that makes the 4th. Ah slow but a really nice and simple knit.
That's it for now. Since the husbeast is off to the Sony Party in the cityt w/ his little brother tonight, ps ladies he's single and really cute, and makes quite a bit of money, and looking to settle down, ahhhem. So what I was getting at is I'll have lots of free computing time, and I'll post a butt load of picts for ya'll to see.
Cheers till then. Wow, not a spelling error to speak of! Shock.

Happy Blogi...oops missed it.!

2008-02-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

Hello all you boys and girls, welcome to my inside world...
My my my it's been a year and a day since I began this silly little blog. Yeah I kinda missed that one yesterday, much better now though. I just jeesh I have no idea what happened there Sunday, for Monday was horrific. Oh well let's just not dawdle on that now shall we.

So since it's my blogiversary (wow that's long to type out) what shall we do today? Oh talk about knitting you suggest, yes well perhaps we shouldn't. I've been a very bad knitter, in that I knit not a knot nigh on a week. I know how terrible, c'est tres pauvre. Well I have a solution for that yes I do. The husbeast and I are escaping on a 4 day weekend Thursday, and I will be able to knit my hearts content. I believe we're heading for Fort Bragg on the Coast out here, and then heading up to Arcada and Eureka and that area. Hello Redwoods! The weather looks like it's going to hold out, and I'm hoping to get some lovely picts along the way.
Now all I have to do is clean the house so that when my bff stops by to give our cat a belly rub that she won't see the horror that is our house. In the aspect of cleanliness let's just say that I have a bit of ADDHD and well there's crafting crap all over the house. I'm terrible. It's going to take me until we leave just to get the big things tidied up. Or maybe she'll read this and clean my house for me then I won't have to be embarrassed when she comes over this weekend. There now that's a plausible idea (not!)

So with great sadness I must say that I have no more Millinery classes left and that this Sunday was my last. Do you see my meloncoly sadness. It is true. I didn't even want to leave on Sunday even when it was 4 o'clock quiting time. But that's ok, I will move on and find new ways of entertaining my hands, and make more hats. I wish I had picts, but alas I do not at this time. My hats are um, cute. Yes and well honestly different. I made a nouveau tricorn hat form straw and adhered a pirate ship, and a skeleton key and a little skeleton broach I had constructed wrapped in copper wire and some beads. It's cute but not really wearable day to day. The other hat is still not quite finished. It's a hat where I made the frame, it looks like a sailor hat, in that it has a flat crown, and a bigish brim. I'm not crazy about the hat, but it gave me such great opportunities to improve my other hats. I even made a new little topper, but it's not perfect in the shape, and well you'll just have to see. I will trudge on. But I love that I had such a fantastic opportunity to learn so much about millinery.

Cheers for now, and off I go.

I am trying

2008-02-11T11:26:00.000-08:00

But I'll spare you the details of last nights one too many glasses of wine, only with the promise that I'll be back tomorrow!
Cheers til then.

Oh how silly...

2008-02-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

So here I was just reading January One's blog entry, about her new Monkey socks, and it all came rolling back to me. I'm not sure if it was this last night, or a few nights ago, but are you ready for this? I had a knitting dream.
So there I am meeting my mummy and her friend 'for coffee?' and the friend is one of her dog club chums, someone I'm familiar with. And then turning with her cup in hand, it was Cookie A. I turn to my mum, and indicate in whispered excited tones, it's Cookie, you know the Cookie. You know that crazy sock maker.
I'm not terribly sure what happened from here on out, but it was seriously silly. I've met her a few times since she is a local...but I've never dreamt about another knitter. That's almost stalkeresque. Oh, I should so write her and tell her I dreamt of her, how creepy would that be.

Life's a little boring around here lately. Again the husbeast is sick, and again he's gotten me sick ~ as of today!
My second Millinery class was woooonderful. So much great information, and everything that is just what I needed.
The log cabin blanket is progressing slowly. Very slowly.
Ta for now, I wish everyone the best.
Cheers.

ps wow, an entire post sans spelling errors.!

Boom, Boom, Boom

2008-01-30T12:42:00.000-08:00

This week is going by as fast as my posts are!
Sadly though I realize with as fast as the week is flying by it only means that my dear old friend Damo will be flying back to his lovely family in China this Sunday... sigh. But he has made the promise that he shall be back to live here again come the summer, so I wait. See this man is my muse, and the one true artist that gets me to thinking about my art, and what I do with it. As long as he's been gone, I feel as though my inspiration has been seriously dimmed. Until he gets back though the husbeast has been given the job of helping to track down old friends of his in the industry to aid in the job arena. Hellooooo Pixar, got a live one here for ya, anyone there, Pixxxxxar?
(There is currently an old, black, London Taxi sitting outside my work window. It's so cute, I wish I had one.)

Now finally as promised, on with the wonderful details from the millinery class this last Sunday. And yes it is a 3 week class on held on Sundays, from 10-4 across the bay in the hills, about 45 minutes from us.
The teacher is Wayne Winchern, and has been in the hat making business I believe since the 80's. He has a few kooky one that's for certain. Everything taught so far has just been vastly informative. We started off by making the brim and and crown to a sailor hat, out of buckram. Now the hat itself is not what I would have chosen to make myself, but I'm trying to make it work. Maybe I'll make it red and ship it down to my actress friend in LA. This process though has been exactly what I needed information wise. Buckram is a very sturdy sized cotton with holes wide enough to stick a needle through. As a frame it works wonders, it can also be steamed a stretched into any shape desired, or wetted and blocked into a shape using pinning.
The buckram is then sewn together, a wire edge is added to the brim, and eventually piece by piece fabric is sewn onto the buckram. Turns out that my process for making hats is relatively the same, but not as refined nor finished. But now, now it will be. I really am stoked for this chance to grow beyond what I've been doing otherwise. That sailor hat is still in the works, ie fabric needs to be added, and it needs to all be sewn together, but that's this Sunday's class.
The second hat that we worked on was a straw hat. I know ewh straw, but it's not just a hokey straw hat. We had the option of using the floppy brim form or the bell form hat. I went with the floppy in a cool grey/blue shade (the only one there!). Those hats were then wetted and blocked on a hat block. This process requires a lot of pulling and some roping off of the hat to make sure it stays put. Mine evolved into a bit of an art form. Not too sure if it'll look good on the head, but on the form it's a free flowing tricorn of sorts that has lots of movement. I think of it as being a contemporary tricorn, which shall be embellished accordingly. I have a little wooden pirate ship that I've been waiting to use with just the right hat. That and a skeleton key with lots of trim, and some feathers, sounds fun, non! I believe this weekend we'll be sizing those formed hats and adorning them.
So that so far has been my millinery class experience, a fun one with a bunch of really cool women all enjoying the art together. I keep thinking that I should take my hat frame and steam the living hell out of it and pull it into a nontraditional form if it's still possible. I feel so wicked for not being able to stick with the teacher's original intentions, but come on! It's horrendous.
Cheers for now,
I'm currently on the third block for the log cabin blanket for my FIL. Still not sure how big I'll be making it. Somewhere between 6-12 blocks.
PS I forgot to mention that if you click on the picts below you can see larger images of us goof balls.
PPS I just realized that my one year blogaversary is coming up here in Feb. on the 11th! Ahh it's been a year already how cute is that.

Picts!

2008-01-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

Well as promised here are a few of the picts shot at and before the Edwardian Ball. The handsome young man accompanying me is my friend Damo, sorry though ladies, he is married.
They are rather random, and a little disjuncted, but kind of fun none the less. We are waiting! waiting in the pouring rain, waiting for the ball to begin....Terribly strange acts enlivened the stage, and terrible persons wondered the floor (7 feet tall and all)
And this, this is me wearing my lovely little Calorimetry (sp? WTF pick a decent name for your patterns knit designers!) tonight in the garage while polishing the aluminium on Betty Rocker. Betty is the husbeasts beloved '69 Triumph Bonneville Tiger. She's purple and silver and loverly, but not running yet. One of these days. Mark my words. My small hands will probably be pulling many of those parts off if the husbeast has his way!
ps please don't ask why the first few phrases are underlined. Copy and paste is a buggy blogger action obviously.
Cheers,
and later we shall discuss the Millinery Class!

Ah Zut!

2008-01-29T10:56:00.000-08:00

Once again Blogger the Booger has struck, and an entire long winded post was erased.
So here I am again, making up the difference.
Again (even though you're not aware of it,) I shall apologize for not having my picts ready. I have no idea how to get them from flickr, nor do I care, you'll just have to wait to see the silliness that was The Edwardian World's Faire.
But I can tell you all about it.
It stormed Friday night, I narrowly missed plowing into a car parked sideways on the freeway in the city, and had lovely fun hydroplaning in my truck.
We arrived safe and sound.
My partner in crime dressed in a dapper second hand find of a tux and a bowler (borrowed from the husbeast). Donned eye makeup to suite, and glasses for $1.50. Myself in my long gored skirt, and longer underskirt, cute little jacket that is such a timely cut, and the commissioned mini top hat for the painter boy with the mohawk (yeah still waiting to trade).
We stood in line for some time, made great acquaintance with the ladies behind us, and all the while My skirts were hiked up around my knees. We managed to stay relatively dry, and when the que reached the box office I came to the realization that I had taken my ID out and left it on my coffee table. Yeah that was real bad, but thankfully the manager let us in, I was just not allowed to drink. I had planned on not drinking anyway, so I really didn't mind that I couldn't besides, the bartender on the top floor at the Great American Music Hall made the best Shirley Temples.
The people in line were fascinating, the costumes meticulous and so creative. Inside it was certainly a World's Faire. There were a few vendors, Dark garden Corsets, a milliner, a women's designer, some period piece sellers (antiques and knockoffs), and the mask maker from Dicken's. Not to mention the wonderful workings of Kinetic Steam Works.
Certainly the best of the Edwardian World's Faire was the lineup of bands and acts. Kitsch songstresses with silly songs began the event off right. Then came another band or so, then some more acts, Edward Gorey did a few stop motion (actors) pieces with poems of the gorest endeavoring. There was the City Circus with a bunch of children that just baffled the crowd with their agility and accomplishments. A real cruddy Goth band, the Unextrodinary Gentlemen. But the evening finished off with a wonderful local band, Rube Waddell. They were worth the wait, and exactly what I was hoping for in a band. See I have out of the ordinary taste in music. My favorite instrument is the accordian, and well the more raucous and the more wild the musicians the better. Imagine Tom Waits on crack (wait he already is...) with a toxic waltz vibe, all the while paying tribute to American folk using saw blades, and any number of brass instruments. They were great.
If you will just imagine with me real quick, ok, clear your minds...
better?

Ok so imagine a quartet on stage, a large gathering of wonderfully clad persons gaggeling and giggeling. The music begins, with a good quick real, feet start thumping the old wooden floors of the Music Hall move your being into the beat of the music. Your partner, a well clad man in a tux looks at you, grabs your hand and does the best impersonation of a toxic waltz in a square two foot area. Spinning around and around, laughing giddy, not even feeling the least bit embarrassed as this is just how it should be, two old chums cutting a rug and letting their cares fly in the face of the wind. The dancing was great, and our dancing begot other dancing by other carefree spirits. Reeling and jigging, pounding and thumping with the beat of a misbegotten ill behaved raucous group. That is the purpose of the Edwardian Ball, of "the genre that doesn't exist"

Sepiachord is the "genre that doesn't exist".
It is to music what "steampunk" is to literature and cinema: something that looks back to the past to comment on the present while looking sideways at the future. A cubist aural experience.
As goth & glam are the bastards of David Bowie, Sepiachord is the made from the genetic material sown by Tom Waits.
Sepiachord is assembled like a clockwork orchestra, from such elements of musicSinister Circus, Cabaret Macabre, Chamber Pop, Organic Goth, Celtic/Gypsy Punk, Mutant Americana, Ghost Town Country
It is the music our grandparents or great-grandparents would have listened to, if they were as off-set as we are.

Taken from the Sepiachord.com site. It explains the sentiment a bit well for my liking.

Tomorrow I'll give you all the lovely low down tidbits from the millinery class.

Oh so much to do.

2008-01-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

A very merry birthday

To him

A very merry birthday

to whom

to Him!

Today is the husbeast's 32nd Birthday. And in the off chance that he ever reads this blog, he should know that he means the world to me. This is in fact where I get all mushy and bleary eyed as I recount the times he's pleased me, and tickled me pink by all the unsuspecting little things he does for me. Where I relive the days that were unsteady and rocky and look back to those as days of growing up and growing together. Then I focus on the fact that we get to live the rest of our lives together, holding hands, ~embracing my one another. Thinking to the future of all the neat times we get to share, children, squabbles, vacations to strange destinations, and of course a fulfilled and fantastic life with cherished memories.

Happy Birthday Graeme, the love of my life, and my best friend.

Tonight instead of going out, the husbeast has requested a simple dinner of roasted chicken, stuffing (my first homemade), and baked cauliflower (his mum's recipe), topped off with chocolate on chocolate HaagenDaas bars.

On the knitting front, I ripped out most of the Hemlock blanket even though I was at the bind off it just didn't look right. So I've decided to make it and some bits of Noro Silk Garden laying all over the house into a log cabin. Here's a bit of knowledge for you evidently a gay republican in the government is called a log cabin. I have no idea why, or what the hell that's supposed to mean, but yeah. I was told that last night as I made my statement on the news of his dad's christmas pressie. Which I am sorry to delay further, but I believe it will be worth it. Now onto the logging. Or is it cabinning? I'm going to stick with logging.

The lemon Chiffon Mini Tophat is still in the works there are still a few things that need perfecting, then embellishing.

Oh and this weekend looks pretty full.

Friday my friend Damo and I are going to trek out to the city for the Edwardian Ball. The husbeast is focused on his woodworking projects, so I must say that Damo is back just in the nick of time to go with me. He's currently living in China and is only back for one more week. But he is still saying that he and his wife and son will be back in June or July. But back to the Edwardian Ball, it looks to be quite the event. Lots of bands and some rather strange entertainers. I must remember to have a few shots of coffee before we go, otherwise I may just be dead asleep on the dance floor. I'm pretty excited as this means that I get to dress up in my fun clothes, and I've been debating as to whether I should go into Berkeley and see if I can find something new at one of the many second hand but cool shops. I may just have to pop in. I'm thinking some knee length skirts with my bloomers and also toole would be great paired with my bodice and a handsome shirt. Of course I'll don a mini topper, but it just may be the lemon chiffon! Squee.

Saturday we venture to the In laws for their birthday boy celebrations, yum! His mum is the best cook.

Then Sunday... my first Millinery class. I can't wait to learn some new tricks.

Cheers til then.

Calorimetry Gone Wrong!

2008-01-20T20:02:00.001-08:00

I believe I have found my muse, and the model du jour, oh Tyra! I have your next Top Model! Tyra! Why isn't she listening to me. Here you have the hubeast holding our beast, Haze my precious leetle pitbull. And yes he is all meat head.
This is the second calorimetry I knit since Thursday. The first one is destined for the head of my bff, but thus little ditty is for me. And it's so pretty, and it fits rather well.
Please note that the first one I made in Manos de Uruguay with 110 sts, not the 120 called for and less the # of short rows (still using 8's ~and getting gauge). That was too big for my fat head, so I made a second one in a lovely wool terra of the earth? I'm not sure but the spin of this is just delightful as it has this illusive purple in the color. I'll try to find the brand later maybe. Also note that for the second one I made I started with 96 stitches. WTF! It fits though, and I lurv it just in time for the latest cold temps and piercing winds. Too sad no snow :^(
Oh and the next hat is on it's way. Get this it's lemon chiffon. Oh so lemony... mmm lemon curd, lemon meringue.

Ah yes, now that's better

2008-01-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

Isn't it though.
We awoke this morning to pea soup fog, and it was delightful. I love the way fog turns everything translucent in some weird hazy way. It's still here and it's midday. Loving it, loving it I tell ya.
After visiting with the in laws last night, and yes MIL the wonderful fed us a great dinner of lamb curry (got to love leftovers!). And then bade us take home some metal shelves for the garage to appease the organizational skills of the husbeast. Then she also bade us to take her grandmothers chairs off her hands. Of course we have to go back for those, but with the husbeasts 32 birthday coming next week we'll be over soon enough. They're the cutest little white chairs with tiny little seats, but so adorable. Some paint stripping is in order, but that's been decreed my job as there are numerous woodworking projects lined up for the man.
After getting the shelves into the garage with the husbeast gleefully filling them I left him to his work, and ... finally... sat down .. to my sewing machine. Yes I did, I sewed a brim and a top to a mini topper in the wonderful yellow. I did hit one snag where the bobbin and the needle fought, so there' s a bit of a boogery part to the top piece ~but not that noticeable.
I was unable to figure out the proper way to iron on the interfacing. I know how silly of me, so I just sewed it in place with the fabric. The ironing would actually help the fabric be a little more taught, but I actually burnt the first piece I did! I'll have to call the experts on this one. Mommmy?
Too bad she's driving down to LA to pick up the cutest little puppies being flown in from Australia. She has a thing for Jack Russell, Parson Russell, and now the sweet little Russell Terriers. A little boy is coming to stay with her and then the little girl is going off to her breeder friend in Florida. But the last one she got is just the cutest littlest wobbeliest schmooshiest wuv muffin around. And no I am not exaggerating, there are mellow terriers out there. And yes they are a newer breed mostly in Australia and Sweden right now, but the US is starting to see them appear. So keep your eyes peeled for the short little Russel Terriers out there.

No new title here

2008-01-14T14:23:00.000-08:00

It's Monday, Hazy outside, and Cold in. Well as cold as it can be when you live in one of those near warm all the time climants. It is true we have 2 seasons, Spring and Summer, and it does seem that Spring is coming in recently. My bulbs are poking through the soaked ground, and I cut the grass yesterday for the first time in a long long time. Sunday's weather was almost tank top weather, except when the sun started going down and we were once again reminded that it truly is Winter still.
I knit not a knot. I sewed not a seam. I did make dinner twice though.
Eeee so exciting. Well not really but the Curried Beef Stroganoff by Alton Brown was/is highly yummy. Every time I want to make something I have no idea how to, I just google the recipe in mind w/ Alton's name and whammo I get just what I was wanting. In case you're not sure who he is he's the guy on the food network who does Good Eats, and also the Motorcycle Eating trip something or other titled suchly... I don't know.
I did go shopping this weekend in Berkeley and I gathered new ~okay same fabric as the purple hat but in new colors~ that are just so gorgeous. Of course I have way more fabric than need be, but it was only possible to get a 1/2 yard of the colors and so I did. There's a yellow golden color now, a teal w/ brown and my new fav rust w/ dk brown. The colors are so rich. The rust one would make a lovely corset once my sewing skills are a little better. Of course that does mean that I would need much more fabric than originally required.
I also stopped in over at Lacis in Berkeley, it's the Lace and Textile Museum w/ a shop and they teach some courses. One of the gals working was wearing the cutest mini top hat that actually had no top to the hat. It was of a rather ingenious design. Her name was Kelly, and the manager happened to mention that she's trying to get Kelly to come up with a min top hat class. Which in my book would just be fabulous, as I could be introduced to even more techniques. I believe she may also be using a form of some sort that may be offered there. Not sure yet but will keep you updated.
Speaking of classes, my intro to millinery class is coming up here in a few weeks. Can't wait. Finally something to give me a little kick in the pants. Something Please!
Cheers until then.

Paying the price

2008-01-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

I'll be the first to admit that I over indulged last night. When I wrote that I'd had about 10 glasses, please keep in mind that those were very small taster glasses. So really I had about 5. BUT, there's always a but isn't there, I do have an excuse. Last night on our way home from work, we were leaving the island on the back road to avoid the nightmarish freeway. Well traffic slowed, lights were flashing and as we drove carefully by, the driver to a vehicle was covered in a yellow tarp, and the passenger side to the vehicle was crushed. Mind you the car was sideways facing the husbeast and I.
I know that's not a reason to drink 5 glasses of cheap red wine, but I just couldn't stop myself.
On another note today I was waiting for the light at a crosswalk, looked up and saw a bicyclist get hit by an old man in his car.
So that's 2, I really don't want to know what the third will be.
A little follow up to last night's post. Wrecking Balm I suppose it works, if you have like very little pigment left any how. And to settle anyone's mind at ease, I'm not getting rid of any of mine, nor am I really in the mood to get a new one. I just have no idea what I would get next, but the notion has been on my mind for about 2 years now.
And finally, there has been knitting. Yes that's right I made a knuck. I used a lovely skein of Blue Sky Melange 100% baby alpaca in the blue sky colorway. The cuff I paired with a grey and am still not too stoked on the bind off. It just seems flimsy and vacant. So that may need some working on still. I had to tweak the pattern because of the slightly less bulky yarn, but it turned out rather adorable IMHO.

Recking Balm, really?

2008-01-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

So the other night I discovered a few of the Ravelry Tattoo groups, ah finally. What a wonderful slew of interesting and tatooed knitterly women. Just like me, like kind. I've been drinking red wine (yeah we fell off the beer and gluten bandwagon for the husbeasts benefit), and I've been lamenting and watching LA Ink. I'm on the verge of figuring out what I would like as a new tattoo. There's the one on my back, which I love and then there's the 2 on my leg, ~the imp and the brugmansia vine in blue and orange~ and then there's the metamorphic butterfly on my ribs (my first ever!).
As I looked through some of the rather inspiring tattoos on the site, I could only wonder to what degree I could take a sleeve based on the basis of a floral motif paired with craft. Craft, yes the phrase from my Alma Mater (hello how many glasses of $2 chuck have I just had...11?). Scissors, hats, needles, yarn, balls! Buttons, and bobbles paired with elements of the oddest kind. I am still thinking of what could next adorn my body, I just am so not certain yet.
Through my rambling do you see a pattern? A question has been formed and a request has been expressed from the husbeast. He insists that I dispose of a previous tattoo before I get a new one. The means through recking balm (sp?) .
I don't know what to say to this except that I still love the first tattoo I ever got. And I really don't want to see it disappear (like it works that great!) in order to create something new, even though I realize he's put up with a few 'interesting choices' from me when it comes to my tat's.
All I have to say to all of this is honey, would you please pick more flowers. ;) Love ya!

Back in the Boat

2008-01-07T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well it's certainly been awhile (notice the emphasis on the H for all you Family Guy types out there), I hadn't meant to be so quite but it really was for the best. I had Friday off and finally got a decent sleep because of it. So here I sit a bit snotty ~ nothing some nasal spray can't remedy~ but much more well put together.
The husbeast was a real peach and treated me to first some really yummy Indian on Friday then after doing nothing all day on Saturday, we got of the house on Sunday and went to see Sweeny Todd (ah swoon). I loved the movie, apart for all the gore, the costumes and dialogue and whole storyboard were amazing and well worth the price gouge at the box office. I do have a little bit to say though, there were 2 women that walked into the movie after it began w/ a little 5 or 6 year old girl. They sat in front of us, and well I didn't want to be rude and tell them they shouldn't have her in the theatre, I just couldn't but I know I should have. They eventually walked out after the first multiple blood letting, but really with a title of the Demon Barber of Fleet St. what really were these women thinking, gahds. Some people aren't all that brilliant. Oh and even though there was singing, the husbeast rather tolerated it, though he did mention that there could be more boobies to compensate.
On the knitting front I've done nothing. I need to fix the FIL's Hemlock Ring Blanket that somewhere went really awry. Christmas Eve Day I was binding off before we went over there and had plans to work on it whilst enjoying Christmas with them. And well firstly I ran out of yarn. Secondly it was one giant ruffle. Yes somewhere it turned into a ruffle as I bound off. I believe my stitches are too many. Must be some erroneous miscalculation in one of the rows I ripped back or such because it really is not justifiable. So that has been looming over my head at this time.
On the other front, the mini topper that was commissioned by the husbeasts HR lady, I've been putting that off also. For two reasons really. First I've really felt like poo and have wanted to do nothing but watch the boob tube. Secondly because I've been wondering if it's possible to sew the entire thing on my new sewing machine. And well there is another thing, I want to sew a proper edging onto the brim to finish it off. You know I'm going to go ask these things to my mentor, just one moment. Ah got the info I needed, but looks like I need to practice on some old hats before I attempt doing such on a commission where the fabric was given to me to use.
Before I leave you all today I just wanted to add that Beverages and More has some nice quality Absinthe in their shops now. The husbeast splurged and brought home a bottle of Lucid for New Years which we dragged over to my BFF's house and drank merrily. I might add that the concoction known as a Hemingway really isn't that great tasting. That's champagne with Absinthe. I much preferred the traditional way of serving the beverage. Where in you pour a shot into the glass, wine glasses work well, then take a slotted spoon (or in our case a fork) and place a sugar cube on top, using distilled water pour this over the sugar cube until dissolves or the glass is full. Stir, and enjoy. I find I like the licorice taste with the sweetness of the sugar. I believe I had about 3 almost 4 shots of Absinthe one and a half was paired with champagne and woke up almost all right in the head. I believe it was the champagne that really did me in. Oh and for any of you out there thinking it's bad and a hallucinogenic, well it isn't. The deal is that back at the turn of the century the wine industry in France was wiggin' out because the appearance of Absinthe had taken much of their business away, so a political campaign was established to make this elixir into the devil's fodder. There is a bit of truth to the stories, but the poisoning was happenstance from certain lesser companies that employed disreputable practices in creating the liquor, ie copper and lead based pots. Well the ban was recently lifted and the liquor is now watched by the FDA to make sure that the thujone is at an appropriate amount, and that the liquor is properly distilled. The distillation practice of making Absinthe is one of the most complex in the world for such a spirit, but the herbs all work to make such a harmonious blend of delicacies that it should be enjoyed on just that right special occasion.
Cheers and til then.

Welcome to a new year

2008-01-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is well rested and rather well inducted into the new year by now. I'm tired, I have been tired, and snotty. Turns out the husbeasts 'allergies' were really the Rhino virus, so here I sit sickly, but without a fever! That's pretty much been my last week around here. I must admit that at times my eyes have felt like melting out of their sockets which would be a better fate than sitting in their little eyeholes as I prefer them to. Sorry for the hideous detail, but what do I have to hide around here.
I have yet to use my new little spinning wheel, but soon I may get around to it. I suppose I'll see if I'm really up to the challenge of the ordeal. I have broken in my little sewing machine, and am rather stoked to report that I am the proud new owner of a grocery bag holder. That's right, I even made one for my mum, not half bad if I do say so myself.
Here you go a little pink marshmallow for your viewing enjoy,
aren't they so cute with their little chocolate drizzles and peppermint sprinkles, ahhh poo.
Don't ask me what's up with the placement of the letters w/ the picts... I ah I got nothing.
I'm sorry guys, but I'm still just rather pooed, soon I do hope to be back to normal. Until then enjoy your days and embrace your evenings, but remember that a passion for destruction is also a creative passion.
Cheers until my eyes stop melting and my nosicle stops drizzling.

And welcome back there.

2007-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry for such a long delay in saying anything, but it's been a rather Happy Christmas. I indeed finished all my baking, and even have picts to show of the gorgeous marshmallows I made. I can't vouch for their flavor, what with having been dunked in unsweetened dark chocolate, I did find out that they are great in hot cocoa though. Oh it also turns out that I still hate marshmallows! Yes I know why make them then... I just had to verify that they are indeed something I do not cherish in eating, unless scorched by a camp fire's flame.
Christmas at our house was lovely, and is now stashed away for next year. Since our tree was so tiny it really wasn't such a hard feat. It also turns out that the husbeast has been direly allergic these last few weeks to our little cypress living tree. Ehh ghads the mucus, but you really don't need to hear about that now do you.
I hate to talk about pressies, but just let it be known that I must now learn to spin, thanks to my wonderful mother in law. She handed on her old Ashford wheel from the 60's to me! It needs a little maintenance, and some oil, but it's beautiful. Then from my own mum I got a wonderful sewing machine. It's a Husquavarna (sp?), and so much fun to play with. Really what a difference from my old machine from the 60's with the terrible tension problems.
So here it is, I am nestled, and domestic goddess acquainted.

Absinthe Mes Amies, Absinthe!

2007-12-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

Oui, c'est vrai. Il et beaucoup d'absinthe pour tous la monde de nous a St. George Spirits en Alameda, Ca.
Translation, scroll down the page on the link and you'll see what I mean. Some how, some way they did it. It's actual distilled Absinthe in the United States, using the classic ingredients, ie WORMWOOD! I know what the? Well I don't know but I do suppose persistence pays off, and at $75 a bottle that's not bad considering how much it is to import those things to the US these days. We may go down for the opening, but I believe the husbeast and I may just give a few tokens to his co-worker lady and have her pick us up a bottle when she's out there early Fri. morning! I really can't believe it though. After all this time of having homemade versions (not really suggestible) and imported hooch versions, this is a treat. Absinthe pour moi! Just in time for the new year. Too bad we're not camping this year, that would be uber fun in the Redwoods with all the hippy friends of ours. Oh well.

So yes I'm stoked, and elated and very happy to be able to tell all you all about this wonderful news, now go and act on your instincts. And yes I am rather close to where their distillery is... suggestions kindly taken in comments ;)

I've ignored a few things lately. Mainly the fabulous eats I've been creating. Let's start with last weeks Beef Bourgignon, or Burgundy as the husbeast continued to correct me saying. This recipe was granted from the wonderful David over at Sweater Project (praise be to the Harlot for pointing out a knitter man in a kilt!) You certainly can count on a man to come up with a wonderful dish that another man would love to eat. Sorry if that sounded a little gay, or even lewd, but meh. (the sound of a cat mocking the creative commons in a world of computer savyocity)
Then there was the Risotto by Rachel Ray, the butternut squash one with sage and wine. That dish turned out to be a fabulous pairing with the Sockeye Salmon at Trader Hoe's (only caught once a year in the Copper River in Alaska and a great deal in the freezer section). I won't point to Rachel's recipe you can easily google that one.
Then to top it all off, last night I made marshmallows. I hope hope hope they turn out, as of this morning they were still rather wet. Well that's 12 hours after they were made. I dusted them in sugar and rice flour and went off to work. So we'll see how they are after work. I plan on dunking them in some unsweetened chocolate and topping off with crushed peppermint candy canes. Go check out Brownie Points link to some really cool homemade marshmallow recipes.
This weekend, on Sat. is our hippy friends annual Christmas party, and then Sun. we're celebrating with my mum and brother and his wife. Then to the husbeasts parents on the Eve or the day of X-Mas.
I feel like this very well may a rather low key Christmas, but it's our first, and that just makes me smile.
Cheers and here's to a little holiday cheer. Here here for the penis tree (husbeast's term not mine).

All in a Days Fun

2007-12-17T10:46:00.000-08:00

Finally I have a bit of the bug, no not that sickly one again (thankfully that wasn't long lasted), but the other kind, the Christmas bug. Our little tree, it is decorated, and uber cute. There are pressies piling up for family and loved one's. Annnnnd, I've been baking up a storm; raspberry jam is made~ 14 jars and a triple batch, a double batch of Russian Teacakes were made up yesterday~one with candied ginger my fav!, the double batch of sugar cookies have halfly been rolled out- cut and baked, AND I changed the oil on my truck.
Yep I am the proud changer of my trucks oil. I've done it once before, but yesterday the husbeast had meant to until he threw out his back. When I went out to check on him he was struggling to get under the truck, soooo I told him to move it. With a little walking through I got it done in a timely fashion, and am tickled pink over such an endeavor of baking and changing oil all in a day's time.
Tonight I have more cookies to roll out, and then decorate. Also I've decided that I'm going to make some homemade marshmallows. A new endeavor, but since I'm not in the mood to make fudge this year I thought some peppermint chocolate dipped marshmallows would pair up nicely with hot cocoa (and maybe a little Bailey's Irish Cream ;) .
On the knitting front, I am perturbed by this silly Hemlock Ring Blanket that mocks me. I'm just finished tinking back, and must now focus on getting the proper # of stitches back into every section, rather annoying. But I persevere as I hope to make this a pressie for the parents-in- law.
Ta for now, gotta run. Happy making.

A little more in depth

2007-12-11T19:38:00.000-08:00

Here's that Venetian Mini Top Hat I've been talking about. You'll notice that it's the one with horizontal stripes as opposed to vertical. After being blocked out, it was just as boxy as I was hoping. The original version of the Venetian Topper was supposed to be in a square peg round hole format, but the lines wouldn't allow that to happen as they did in this version.
I've added the typical silver broach piece that I use to hold the feathers and flowers, and also a pair of silver leaf embellishments that I found out at Kiowa Rose in Fremont. (Very neat little Victorian bead shop~that oddly smelled of weed last time I went out there ;) Instead of the huge door impeding pheasant plume~I opted to stick that one in the husbeasts Top Hat (that was left at home due to interference w/ the mask)~and went instead for some premade feather bouquets. I think it was a little more feminine, but when I give this hat over to the boy I do believe I shall put that pheasant plume back in. Of course those weird little dried puff flowers are staying with me. They're just too cute. The band is a few yards of Tilli Thomas silk ribbon in two older colors. To help keep this hat in place I used an elastic headband that is hidden under the hair, and again a hair comb that by my dumb luck swings forward and backwards. Hopefully a benefit to the young man with the cute little mohawk.
Soooo that's the latest topper.
I knoooow I should so be showing you the picts of the cute ass capelet, but I only have that one. It's so not easy to take picts of myself even though I have a remote control and a tripod, but I just don't wanna!
Cheers, happy Christmas crafting.

2 dishes and a burnt mouth later

2007-12-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling a bit clumsy lately. This morning I broke a bowl in the dishwasher and then proceeded to break a mug in the cupboard, yesterday morning I dropped the coffe grinder on the floor with the mornings beans (yet ground thankfully) and now I just burnt my mouth on my lunch. All this and I'm sickly. But I am not whining, I'm merely pointing out all these things.

Terribly sorry for not checking in sooner, as to regards to the Husbeasts company Venetian ball, it was a blast, and really lovely. If you happened to see me on the BART train, with my little capelet, and mini top hat, well that was me and the husbeast. He looked so cute in his tux with tails. Everyone kept complimenting him on his great hair, and prodded him that they would steal his ball cap off his head next time they saw him at work. Really no, they are some of the nicest weirdos ever. I blame it all on the island that the company has their office on. The same one where I work also with some of the oddest clients. The HR lady (yet another crazy lady) and I realized in the loo that her corset (she had made) and my hat were indeed the same fabric only in other colors. The only reason I didn't grab the same fabric is because I originally grabbed the fabric for the commissioned hat for the boy painter. So I mentioned that I could make her a matching miniature topper to her corset, and I may actually accept money for this one, but she'd supplying the fabric.

But enough of this babble, I know you really just stopped in for the picts, so without further delay:

I really prefer this one, very soft and subtle, and sweet.

The husbeast and I adorned for the Venetian Ball, ala my mum's camera:

These are the masks from Mitchell Walker, aka Peekaboo masks, I love them. I should grab a detailed pict of the mask the husbeast has on, it really is a marvel of craftsmanship.

And me in all the little things I made for the ball, my capelett, the elbow length mittletts, and the mini top hat. The broach is from Stitches West, ala Mississippi Mud? or is that a beer...I suppose it's just Mud, or such. Great glass things, and a wonderful price. I must get more this next year.

And at last a closeup of the Venetian topper in vertical lines with the accouterments. I do have some better picts, but I didn't put them on my USB mem stick, soooo I'll get around to those later.

That's it for now, all apologies as the computer screen is making my eyeballs go all wonky.

Cheers til later.

What's that I couldn't hear you...

2007-12-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

Now I have no idea what this is nor what it may contain, but I for one certainly am curious, aren't you? The husbeast emailed this with no explanation to me the other day. I wonder if he's trying to tell me something... not such a bad read though check it out here. My favorite quote from what I read is:

"Scandal, like other Virtues, is in part its own Reward, as it gives us the Satisfaction of making ourselves appear better than others, or others no better than ourselves."-Ben Franklin

This is from the first letter in the book, and I just find it soooo relevant to todays celebrities and our utter fascination with their lives, of course when I generalize 'we' it is just that, a generalization. But I must admit it goes beyond celebrities to those in our daily lives, the co-workers, clients, or general public. And truly things do get a bit dull without those Scandals, and we (yes again another we) do need a contrast to our morals. But oh but, where am I going with this, I only wish I knew. I will leave off this one sided conversation for more of nothing!

See here for more of your daily nothingness:

As the Venetian Ball nears, and I am nearly all ready, I struggle not to use the new topper with the wonderful vertical stripes as my designated hat this weekend. I may just break down and use it, or um, give it a test run, yeh that's the ticket.

In the list making qualities of my bff, things I still need to do by Sat. evening.

1. Fetch some more feather holders from Niles in Fremont (that's a bit of a drive)

2. Fix the boning in my dress in place

3. Figure out just how many and which enormous flower piece I should wear in my hair

4. See if it will be raining as we will be taking our public rail system to the city. looks fair

5. Pinch the husbeasts bum a couple of times in his tux (can't wait!)

6. Grab some toidy paper (oops forgot and on the last roll)

7. Make Beef Bourgignon ala Sweater Project Yeah for men in kilts (I almost said tights~LOL~badddd movie)

8. Dress my littlest Living X-Mas tree in it's 35 blue X-Mas lights.

9. Sit downtown allllll by myself at the Beer Bitch meetup, ca c'est tres pauvre :^(

10. Tell the next person to F@!& Off also, when they call on our phone line at 6:31 am, hello it's not even hooked up people!

Sorry for all the line spacing issues, of course blogger is being a bit of a booger. Oh well.

Cheers and here's to rain!

Nothing like a good pair of low heals

2007-12-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

Ahhh ~that's the sound of one less stress being lifted off my shoulders. Yeh like shopping for a pair of shoes for a Costumed Ball is supposed to be stressful, or that material items should make us so stressful, but it does become an entity of stress at times. I suppose it's a bit materialistic what with other harsh things going on in this world, but hey why should I have to defend myself when we all go through this thing called life.
Back to me not being weird; I found the perfect pair of low heels last night down at the local shoe shop. See I do have tinyish feet, 6.5-7 depending, but they are little padders, so most modern shoes really don't fit that well. I had chosen a moderately priced pair of somethings in a relatively nice brownish hue, and was exiting when I spied a pair. Now this pair I spied was on the sale table, I looked at them and recognized them from the mall, Ecco's. They're the right shade of warm brown with just the cutest little embellishment of flowery scribbles and the best part, they were marked down to $30! All the way from $109. Shock, horror, is it true, all for me and in MY size, and at a price that affords me the luxury of shopping for pressies for my friends and family, GASP. So I grabbed them and fled happily and returned the $75 pair. http://www.eccousa.com/shoes/womens/casual/casual-clog-braided-maryjane/1098/detail.aspx
That's their link, but in Bison I believe, really they are a warm brown verging on cinnamon. Yeah and now they are breaking in, and I get the added bonus of wearing a small heal that makes me feel like I lost 10 pounds and makes my husbeasts' eyes gaze a bit longer when I'm nearer his height.

So yeah I'm stoked over the perfectest shoes, silly but oh well it's a better feeling than that of last week.

In other news, I still knit not a knot.

But I have successfully stitched together the young man's commission, or trade~doola. Next onto the stiffie, and some blocking of sorts and then finishing with the embellishments. I'm almost thinking I just may have to use the new chapeau topper for the ball this weekend. See the lines all match up in verticals, and they flow over the entirety of the hat in just a way that creates more for the eye to follow. I must admit that the topper with horizontal lines is fabulous in it's own right how the top of the hat has a lovely curve in it's lines that I'm rather drawn to as well. We'll see what happens shan't we.

hmmm, well I'm not able to post picts right now, sooo cheers and til the next time we meet. Ta!

I'm a nut I'm a nut I'm a nut nut nut nut!

2007-12-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

I must say that one of the better parts of the impending Winter is baking, and the smells that tend to intoxicate the kitchen when doing as much. This weekend I made fruitcake. I know the dreaded Christmas cake... but honestly the husbeast and I really love fruitcake. His granmum used to make one that was reported to barely make it out of the wrapper. Well since I didn't have her recipe on hand I went to the next best alternative and used one in a book from the Cheeseboard Collective, it's a quirky little shop over in Berkeley, and their recipes always turn out scrumptious. All the little nibbles I had of the batter, and the little bits out of the pan from when I was wrapping the cakes proved to be a successful endeavor. They currently sit in a dark little cabinet keeping one another company while they age and get even better.
Unfortunately I did not get around to making my favorite raspberry jam, I will I will, but I did get around to starting the young man's mini topper last night. And I must tell you that it's just coming along rather quickly. I already have the top and the brim and I devised a proper way to get the hat to have vertical stripes unlike mine with it's horizontals. Boy was I ever a ninny before for not figuring that one out. It's just the easiest of peasy things, you know, measure twice~watch a little Johnny Depp as Edward Sciccorhands~cut, sew. I really don't know why I didn't measure out the appropriate lengths before and just pin out a seam. It really is more simple than I was doing. You know all these little different techniques that I am coming up with really are making the process easier, and more intuitive. I look back to my poor little first ones with their layers of glue and varnish and just cringe. They really aren't as lovely as the present ones are turning out. Which makes me wonder just how the next five after these ones will be and so forth and so on. But I am babbling and rambling.
Tonight I should fix the boning on my looooovely dress. It's so cute I really do adore it. And the entire outfit works. If only I could find shoes that are just as wonderful... even though I know I should wear some small heals I believe I'm just going to go and get a new pair of the Keen Mary Jane's but in a rusted red color ~ they're a rather warm brown actually.
Annnnd well that's it.

I wonder if I've given Cinderelly enough clues to know that the East Bania my profile offers as my home is not in the south of CA, but really just prime in the middle... are we in the middle? Or is that Santa Barabara, no I believe we are. Ok, I give up! I'm in the SF Bay Area. Yeah I know it's a great place, gorgeous weather, nice enough people, and realllly expensive life styles that no one can really afford, including me. There you have it, I'm Oaklandish. Yes that's an East Banian term, and yes we did start hella, and yes I hella love Oakland. And no, I'm not in Oakland, just close enough. I did grow up on an island in the middle of the bay though. Yeah for being a military brat and growing up on Treasure Island.

Oh I nearly forgot to tell of the dumbest of dumb things that the husbeast and I really didn't conspire, but we did almost let slip by. Last week when Dickens Christmas Faire opened up, we went, had a great time, and we picked up a couple of hand made leather masks. These are by Mitch Walker of Peekaboo masks, and so not easy to choose just which one, well finally after about an hour and a half the husbeast and I both finally decide on the ones that work best for us, we pay and we go home. Well this last week the husbeast tells me that his new card is being declined, ie it's not set up yet, and then I relate to him that's the card used for the masks. Llllong story short, ends up that the husbest used an old defunct card and the poor mask maker (someone I see every year at these events) never got his oodles of money. And yes it was a good deal of money. Thankfully the husbeast found his web site last night and emailed him pronto, and this morning while we were carpooling (yes we are that cute) a rather grateful Mr. Walker called my cell phone and we were able to give him a proper payment over the phone. But eeeh ghads we nearly got off scott free from paying for those lovelies, and we didn't even have his phone #, or he ours until we emailed him of our mistake.
So that's my good duty, honesty is the best policy ctory for the week,
now go out there and do something good for yourself and others, Cheers.

Sooo luxurious,

2007-12-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

You may notice that it's Sunday, and there's a new post... it's true we have cable! and internet! and tv (woohoo). But it's great I've finally been able to update all the mini top hat's I've been doing, and can now properly post picts again. Wonders of wonders cease to amaze me. It truly is marvelous, this freedom, this this this thing that it is.
So finally true picts of the latest hatses me preciouses, there are a few in the sidebar, but a few extra are to follow. I'll keep them small, just so as not to stall anyone out too heinously.

From left to right you see is Amanda's hat that has made a new home over at the Button Box,
My All Hallow's Eve Topper as I portrayed a Marauding Crony to the High Minister of Silly Walks,
My Venetian Ball mini topper that shall be put to good use this weekend on the 8th,
and a loverly shot of the Hallow's topper w/ the Venetian Topper. Sooo cute.
A few details of each of the toppers ah you need not ask, for here they are:

And again here is the back to my first topper, the Green Fairy,
And the alternate fate for Amanda's hat, due to extraneous weight from the wire, beads, and skully,
And lastly a cute as a button silken flower.
Ta for now, the lamb is done and the taters are just about all done boiling.
Cheers
Ah well I'm back, dinner was fabulous, especially the purple mashed potatoes!
I know I've promised picts of the purseletts, that matches the Venetian Topper, but the sun has faded out of the sky, and I'm afraid they wouldn't come out so well. Next time though. Hmmm promises and more promises. How about a sky shot from back when there were a couple of fires converging on the Bay, one to the south of us, and one to the North of us. These weren't the LA fires, that's too far, but the other ones...

I'm a student!

2007-11-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

Well if 3 Sundays in a row at a community college county as being a student, well then I am. I just enrolled my self in a beginning millinery class over in Redwood City (bit of a drive) for the end of Jan. to Feb 10th! Yeah I get to learn how to use hat blocks. Not that I could ever afford them, but hey I'm pretty hand with wood tools. Like that'll ever happen....
But aside from the hellacious week, it's the weekend. My big plans are to make a fruitcake and hopefully some of my fabulous raspberry jam. I've been sitting on frozen raspberries since the end of the season in August, and man is my freezer ever full. It's not only berries in there though. There's a butt load of plums from last year that I never jammed, and I should try try try and get to those this weekend also. I can't wait the kitchen is going to smell so yummy.
In other endeavors, the purselette to match the hat, well she is finished. Aside from the chain handle that is. Next time, perhaps pictures. The husbeast took the wonderful USB of Gimp~togo away from me, but has promised to give it back eventually (you know when he's done with it) . Perhaps the weekend will give good promise of light. Lord knows the evenings are rather lacking lately.
Ahhh I am still listless, I think that may be the term that applies to my mood. I'm trying though. Soon I shall be back to normal. I believe a bit of this is to be blamed on my ho hum attitude to the change is holidays. It's just soooo sudden, really the day after All Hallow's Eve they were putting up the Christmas favors, and I'm just not ready. Really though that's like 2 months of Christmas, not 12 days.!
Cheers and go have a good snog this weekend, I insist!

I got nothin'

2007-11-28T15:22:00.000-08:00

So ironies of ironies, my bff emails me, yeh you know who you are, and she's all 'Everything alright' ~Since I've been so quiet lately. Just in case I was being too quiet, all is well. I'm still a little mopey but a lot of it has to do with the Allergy meds. It's either an allergy or the onset of a cold that just has me pooed! The ironic part of this is that she hasn't even written a word in like ever... but that's just my little jab from where I sit. Now if only I could remember where I left my little inter-spacial-dpn's to poke her with at her desk. Wouldn't that just be great. You could poke someone in the hand with a little knitting needle through your computer screen... oh just so you know I'm claiming the copyright on that little invention.

I've been busy. The kind of busy where I had house guests, moved the last motorcycle from the old roomies ! Woohoo. Oh and if you ever think it's a great idea to marry a man with 4 motorcycles, and none of them work; well um, yeah, at least mine still works. And then there's the finished capelett, which has been blocked and is beautiful. I also made a pair of elbow length mittletts, which I call the uber mitts, in the same yarn. As the hat is made just as yet not photographed, well I'm a slacker. Reason being is that I'm working on a matching purse (to the hat) and want to get it done and right before I shoot them all.
In other words I slack big time.
I must say that one of the highlights this weekend was Dickens Faire, over at the Cow Palace in the city. I always get lost going around and around and through the rooms. From the moment I got out of the car up until the last moment we were leaving, it seems as though I got nothing but compliments on the latest hat. Oh and have I mentioned that the pheasant plume on it was sooooo tall that it tends to bend in door frames! Seriously tall. I felt as though I couldn't move my poor head much under it though. I am rather glad it had a test run before the ball, as I found out that all the accoutrement made the topper a bit off. It needs a comb to better stay in the hair. And I experimented with loops of elastic instead of a head band, and well it needs a comb. I hate having to adjust the poor little bugger all day long. Aside from all the great booths and neat people I really like Dickens. Finding a proper dress for Dickens may prove to be difficult. What can I say, I'm just a Renn Faire reject! Oh and we accomplished our goal of finding and purchasing the most wonderous and most perfectous leather masks for the Ball. Mine is white and a bit feathery in design. The husbeast though, gah, gorgeous workmanship. I've been eyeing this proprietor's work for the better part of 10 years, and am proud to have a handmade mask from Peekaboo masks. Unfortunately the man doesn't have a web address, but he is always to be found at a Nor Cal Faire.
I promise to be back with picts. I'm just so tired and lazy, and making excuses. Soon though, soon.
I need to get going on a few more hats also, as I'm sure the young gentleman is looking for his, and well who knows who else out there requires a mini topper of my creation.
Cheers anon til then.

Welcome Back

2007-11-26T09:41:00.000-08:00

Hope all had a lovely Thanksgiving. It certainly was nice having 4 days to do things, and nothing. Sooo, back to traditional work. I'm going to go mope... but have a great day otherwise.

And now for something new.

2007-11-20T15:17:00.000-08:00

When I say new, and something; well they refer to me finally grasping the concept of short rows. Yes the elusive short row is now a comprehension of mine. And get this, I finally get short rows. Hey did I mention that short rows are something I can mark off my list of something to comprehend. Yeh, great.

Evidence of short rows.... it's one of two under ruffles on the capelet. And yes the second underuffle would mean that the capelet would be nearly an FO. Only nearly because there are still a slew of ends that need tucking in. I had a shot of the collar w/ me in it, but unfortunately I deleted said pict, and yes it was cute. But there will be more.

Besides knitting on the capelett like mad, I also made my mum a pair of matching mittletts and Sweet Mary Janes. Sooo cute, and both such easy knits.

Done just in time for her birthday and her trip up to my brothers for Thanksgiving. They should be there in just about an hour's time. Gosh I bet it's real cold up there now. It was freezing when the husbeast and I were there for Hallow's Eve. But what's one to do but recognize the sheer beauty of winter in all it's great coldness. Just that many more sweaters one can bundle themselves up in.

We're off to the husbeasts parents house, always good food and great company. I still remember the first time I went over there to meet them, his dad pulled out a huge binder of scavenged and rummaged images of communes throughout the 60's that he's still compiling. They are strange hippy Christians ... but very nice folk.

Hope everyone else enjoys their Thanksgiving. (that is if I don't come back before then).

Cheers for now.

Is it my turn yet?

2007-11-15T14:41:00.000-08:00

Ah the struggles for sanity. You know, the personal kind. The kind where you contemplate the benefits of a career and/or a family. Timing is a key element to this whole thing that revolves in my mind. The questions of timing are what keep me on my toes. When, how the hell do I ..., and to what. If I want a career in a particular field of art, just where the hell does one begin. Of course the right answer is with a portfolio. Well I'm working on that one slowly but surely. I need to have more deadlines, harsher critiques on myself, and eventually perhaps some classroom time to hone the particular techniques I lack.

I envision tables of dyed and felted fabrics, wool with silk, or even forms to shape the fabrics to... So much to be done but again it's time that seems to elude me and mock my efforts. It's times like these that I feel like *just a crafter*. Times like these that I prefer to be a creator, a maker, an artist in a world that needs designing. I want to be that eccentric, you know the older woman with the wild hair and curious outfits. I want to be the one that identifies something different in the world and marks it as something familiar and like-kind.

My husbeast is precious. He is strong for me, and he is rather giving for reasons I can't quite put into words. I feel as though he will be able to afford me the time and space needed to get these ideas out of my head and into the real world. He is patient with my Filbert-gibberty manners. He is precious and pushy when need be. If only he knew just how adored...

But here I am to bring you the latest news in my current millinery endeavors. This is la petite chapeau styled for the Venetian Ball coming up in December for the husbeasts outlandish software company. It is still as yet unblocked, and unstyled. But alas ze is sewn. I do swear that the hardest bit is the back seaming. I finally figured that if I angled the fabrics that I would get a straight seam. Still it took a bit of fidgeting and well it is just about spot on when it comes to the lines meeting up. But that's nothing a little stylization, and some ribbon would come in to benefit. I believe I trim this one in browns, so as best to match the dress. And I am still as yet undecided about what else to adorn it with. Perhaps some pheasant plumes and certainly some vintaged brass would be lovely. I like the way the the framed hat is horridly mad hatter like. Right now there's just some cardboard for rigidity. So we'll see how the final piece comes out in the end.

I still have all those little cotton mushrooms I need to put onto something. Or things I should say, as there are 50 to a package. Yoinks so many!

Tonight I may finally get my truck back from the body shop. Again this is where I shake an angry first at the stupid flock of turkeys!

And also I finally get to knit downtown. You should have seen me jonesin' last week, all just to knit in public.

Cheers and here's to a good nights sleep tonight *crosses fingers*

The proof is in the Pudding...

2007-11-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

Mmmmm, pudding. Have I ever mentioned that I love Tapioca pudding. It's my absolute favorite. All those little bubbles of squishyness, yum.
But this really isn't about pudding is it now.
So what you see here is evidence of my knitting related injury. Yes it's true I have shoulder-itis. Ah so painful. But I have used 5 balls and am onto the 6th which is depleting faster and faster as this monster grows. It really is a quick knit.
But sadly last night I hurt so much from knitting on this the previous evening, that I had to pick up a needle and thread and begin on the hat for the ball. As evidenced by my horrible phone pict, yes these two items are relatively the same color. The hat, ahhhh how I love the fabric I found for it. It's just so wonderful and such a color that I find peaking out all over my house. At first this was to be vertical stripes that would find themselves coinciding on the brim, top, and the vertical part. But alas big, thick, chunky stripes don't like to converge in nice, pretty lines when they need to be sized down considerable from the top of the hat to the base. So sadly I cut another piece of precious fabric and placed the stripes horizontally, which really does work for me still. As you may see from the pict, I am at my stopping ground, as I had reached the back seam to la petite chapeau. They are always the most difficult to manipulate. But fantastically the sewing has gone rather quickly, as it's nearly finished from one nights work. I would estimate that a hat may truly take 3 nights to construct. Damn this day job!
And soon my loverlies I may have real picts to show again. The husbeast had a wonderful epiphany the other evening when I was whining to him how he's rather ruined my computer (he did warn me not to move it into the home with him...) and he realized that he had a computer program that I could take to work with me and use it also on my home computer. It's called Gimpshop ToGo. And it's a free plug in that doesn't require any software to be installed onto one's work computer. When I'm done with the pict I'm working on, I just save it to the little card-thingy, and go home, viola, c'est fin! So this GIMP program is just like Photoshop, but not as easy to navigate, but it's free so if you can't afford the $$$$ for photoshop, or don't have a hacker friend (hey wait I married one!...) then you can use this great program. There are help books out there to give aid when using the program also. I believe the link provided may give anyone interested enough info...but if not don't ask me, I just do what the husbeast demands. (Well, he doesn't really give me a choice now does he when it comes to actually buying software, now does he.)

a hat for all seasons.

2007-11-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

It was another eventful weekend around East Bania here. For one I finally got to go shopping for some essentials. Essentials like material for my Venetian Ball hat. Did I mention that the husbeasts company is throwing a Ball in the big city on the 8th of December... at a rather fabulous hotel, very riche and posh. Thankfully he gave me the invite immediately and now I am finally preparing. Being in the style of a Venetian Ball, that means we get to dress in fancy costumery! Something I absolutely adore. He's leaning towards being a penguin, the Linux goofball that he is, and well I'm aiming for some sort of winter inspired woodland creation.

So far my colors are a periwinkle/slate palette. And the dress is being shipped as we speak. Joy. I decided Saturday that I CAN and I will make the Casual Glamour Capelet I've been eyeing for so long. So I went shopping at Article Pract in Berkeley, and grabbed 13 skeins of the most softest and most glorious yarn I have yet to knit with. It's 100% Baby Llama, in a worsted weight. It's also a newer yarn,

See that, that's Mirasol Miski yarn from Peru, in shade 101, which is very winter in color, and very pale, and very pretty. The great thing about this company is that proceeds from the purchase (well some of them) go to educating the kids of the village it hails from and making a new school for them.

I've gone through 2.5 of the 13 skeins necessary to make this, but since I started it on Sat. and it's now Mon. I believe that's a great start. *crosses fingers* The pattern for the capelet is super easy, just knits and purls and some YO, and eventually some short row shaping. Aside from grabbing the yarn Sat. I went and spent a pretty penny for a yard of fabric that I believe may be perfect for the matching hat. Picts to follow.

And then,.....

Dicken's begins on the 23rd of Nov. You know, Dickens just like Renn Faire, but in Edwardian garb! And the mask maker will be there, and I'm dragging the husbeast along so we can grab a few leather masks for the Ball.

Yes and now I realize that I have nothing better in my life than to plan for future events. Oh well, at least I have fun preparing for them in the mean time. Well nothing else, besides replanting my garden from the old house into the front yard of the new house. I think it looks great, and everything will grow in rather pleasingly.

Cheers for now. Happy knitting.

Cookies, woohoo.

2007-11-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

'Tis that time of the season, where the persimmons are ripening on the trees just so, but doncha know it's persimmon cookie time. Oh yeh, sure.
My version of Persimmon Cookies was from a typical recipe, but since we've just moved and I left all the regular flour in the old freezer, well I improvised.
Persimmon Cookies
INGREDIENTS
2 ripe persimmons, pureed
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Dissolve baking soda in persimmon pulp and set aside.
Sift flour, spices and salt together, set aside.
Cream together butter or margarine and sugar until fluffy, beat in egg and persimmon. Stir in dry ingredients. Stir in nuts and raisins.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

So it seemed that all the recipes I googled were relatively the same, so this is the first one that came up...
I used Irish butter from Trader Ho's and doubled the batch since I had 5 persimmons.
The puree was the worst part of the entire experience as my little Cuisinart attempted to burst my eardrums with it's shrill motor. Seriously the sound was deafening and kind of throbbing while it worked. Yeh it's a rather new acquisition.
I also peeled my little Fuyu persimmons before I pureed them. Nice and crunchy they were though.
The flour I used 3.5c of wheat and .5 of self rising. They were really squishy and somewhat like bread. I'm not sure it that was from the self rising or if they're normally like that.
I also adjusted the cooking time to 20 minutes.
With all said and done, I'd have to say they were rather yummy. I believe there would have been more of a persimmon flavor had I used the standard Asian one, Hachiya, but I have yet to steal any of those from an old neighbor's tree!

Onto the knitting tails...
Last night I trudged through and struggled with the puddle formerly known as the Hemlock Ring blanket. And I may have won. There was a ton of swearing, much drinking, and perhaps even a little shaking (in a corner perhaps more rocking than shaking..), and now there are 2 rows that I give up on and am planning on just tinking back those two to get it back to where it should have been were I paying attention to my knitting. I swear I've never worked so hard to get so many extra stitches where there were none before. But it'll work, or I'll be damned.
Secondly a huge thanks goes out to Alyson of the Yoyo Knits. I am the proud owner of new Noro, via a sale she pointed over at Woolgirl. Yeah, 5 new colorway of the Noro Silk Garden. I swear by that yarn. So loverly and wonderful and colorful. I'll be making a few pairs of slippers with some this time around I believe.
Oh and did I mention I'm back on Ravelry, yes my work has finally unrestricted my access. My belief is that some big wig higher up, or such is a knitter and complained that she/he couldn't get on. I was hoping someone eventually would. Take that Big Brother!

Knee Deep in Hemlock

2007-11-07T14:35:00.000-08:00

and when I say knee deep, I mean knee deep in some major surgery. See I was getting into a groove last night while watching that horrid Superman Returns movie (yeh still no cable~still cool by me though) when I looked at the last set of stitches before a new row and realized that 15 stitches is no where near the 36 that all the other set had. So a plan was devised and instead of putting it off for tonight, I ripped, and I ripped and now there's 24 rows that need some attention.

Those are them on the holder, I practically had to rip back to the beginning of Jared's pattern for the feather and fan section. Turns out that I was off by 1 stitch somewhere after the first repeat. Yes that 1 stitch turned into 24 rows of reknitting. I must admit though that I'm kind of stoked that after these 7 years of knitting that I am confident enough to be able to fix such an erroneous mistake without ripping the entire thing to the frog pond, not like I had to last Thursday. That's right I've really been working on this since Friday morning while our leaky pipe was being fixed.

Now onto figuring out how to get to work on Friday. The only day of the week the husbeast and I don't carpool since I work at 1 in the afternoon, and he doesn't. Turns out my truck won't be done until Friday morning, I decided to get the dent on my hood fixed since there are no turkey's in our new neighborhood. Yep that's right Turkey's damaged my hood with a pecked dent about 1/4" deep, and numerous scratches otherwise! Not quite as bad as the husbeasts though.

So in other news, while waiting for the husbeast last night, I made my way to Beverly's crafts and picked up some consolation fabric, it's kinda cool but still not what I need for the next hat, this is just for something in the mean time.

Talk about crafting spazz's

2007-11-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

I know what a horribly unoriginal post, and title as it's already been done by KnitSonya yesterday. But really she got me to thinking, and then last night as I was organizing the house yet some more, I was just rehashing all my crafting junk. And all my non crafting things that I still have no idea what to do with. You know those things that accumulate and stick around for the just in case some day scenario where I may be able to figure out what's what. Well those bottle caps are the majority of them, but there are more in the kitchen, it's like they're breeding. I can't even envision what they could become. I have used some in art projects before, but that wasn't much, and that wasn't that cool. Perhaps someday I'll show you. I liken that project to an artists tambourine. Yeah......right.

Then one Halloween I was at this huge, rad, weird party up on the hill. I sat on a couch and opened the abandoned plastic bags, and oh my do you spy what I found looking up at me. A multitude of eyes... no really.

It was thousands upon thousands of eyes! In all manners, and shapes and colors, ok 4 different kinds. And well there were tons and I gave away handfuls at a time. This is what I carried home with me, after I put a few back into their place on the couch. I do believe there was some sort of free sign with them, so fret not over my thieving nature.

All these little things, what to do. And mind you there are stashes of these things all over the house. I am trying to keep them to a minimum. But I just can't throw out my junk. I may need it some day... I .. just .....know it. Oh well they can be humble-ized by sitting on top of my fridge in a huge jar in the meanwhile.

In knitting news, here's the latest on the newest Hemlock Ring blanket. This is done in the loverly cascade ecowool, on size 9's with oodles of stitch markers. I love knitting this, I love what it's to become. I can't wait to make more.

That's it I must go now, cheers.

Slimey, Stinky, Snake!

2007-11-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

Well hello and welcome back from the foray we call the weekend. So was yours eventful? I know mine was.
Let's start with Saturday, shall we. It was a rather good day I must admit. We made two full loads in my truck and transported 6 heavy barrels and an assortment of up rooted plants. There are still 2 barrels (one is a pond) and a few other things. But man are those dang barrels heavy. And trust me those hops really don't need all that dirt ~ they didn't even grow that well this season. To the ground with them I say, to the ground with them!
Then later that night was the old roomy's birthday BBQ. That was rad, but weird for reason's I don't think I should go into, but let's just say some hopeful female I know has very little tact! I mean whining to me that she may have made the wrong choice at someones Birfday cele, ahhfg. What the fuck. I believe the phrase is a ~modicum of decency, please. (In other words, act with some honor and tact, and like a woman should)...
Then, then there was Sunday. The Sunday where we finally broke down and went washer and dryer hunting. Not my fav. thing in this world. We went to 3 different places, and settled on the one where I locked my keys in the truck in front of. This is not the first time I've done this. So it was a very long day, and we didn't go with the GE's I was eyeballing, and we didn't go with the whirlpools the hubeast was wanting, but we settled on the Frigidaire set that was an improvement on the Whirlpool, but a better price than the GE's. And we paid no tax due to some sales promotion we lucked in on.
I really want to talk about the first sales man that was trying to steer us the way he wanted us to go in the buying process, but his cologne stunk just as awful as his tongue slithered. And yes he was a liar and a snake. Oh my was he ever. I really don't even want to relive the experience so I shall save you the details. I was really happy when he had his fourth (yes, we really were there all day) set of clients on and about the floor when we walked up to this nice, and quiet older gentleman and asked him if he was free. Well wasn't he accommodating and forthright with us. Such a relief! I couldn't get over the pict of him and his wife with afro's on his desk -how cute they were together and just starting out back in the 70's.
That was my weekend, well despite the update on the new Hemlock Ring blanket, I'm into the feather and fan repeats and how fast it goes. I love this blanket, and I love the softness of the cascade ecowool. It's so cost effective and lovely to the touch. I can't do anything but suggest this wonderful wool. 500 yards people, that's a lot.
On the hat front, since I had my dog, and my mum's this weekend I didn't get to Stone Mountain and Daughter for the fabric I need, nor did we get to Ikea (probably a good thing) and I didn't get to sneak off to Urban Ore for the Cast Iron thing I've been wanting, or to see if it's still even there. But it was productive nonetheless.
Soon we may have DSL. But I haven't whined to the husbeast loud enough over it yet. I don't really feel like I care to at this point.
Oh and evidently Meh is just the sound of the cat mocking the entire creative world. I'm just saying.
And I reallllly miss Hero's...
cheers.

edited to note, a huge thanks to my BFF, for pointing out that Monarchism and modicum are two very different things. And if you happened to see the dictionary on my office desk earlier, you would know that I really had tried to find that elusive word, but failed miserable, because well just cause I said so! That's why.

2 beers and a Commission later

2007-11-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Last night was cute enough, we ended up going downtown briefly. But it was great because I got to see one of our long lost friends who has been hiding out in the Portland area for almost a year now. Welcome back Jordan. If only I were 7 years younger, and if only I weren't married. But he's just the sweetest little punk rock kid you've ever met. Big heart, deep scary voice!
How's bout's some gossip! Yeay, well turns out that the roomy finally found a lady friend at the huge All Hallow's Eve bash we missed while at my brothers, and she's a long time friend, and the best bud to his youngest brothers girlfriend. I've only been trying to hook them up since last Tahoe Renn Faire, what was that, May? Jeesh, at least they made the effort themselves! Woohoo congrats old roomy! (there goes 5 years of celebacy out the door.!)
And last but not least, because I was wearing my latest hat last night, that I have yet to show in completed detail, well I got another commission. And this time it's from a BOY of all people! How rad is that. He was sporting one of those mini-mohawks and big brassy sunglasses, and a horridable English accent ~we got on famously! So the commission is to be grey and purple stripes, and I'm thinking it should sport a long pheasant plume. It'll be so cute. I can't wait. Oh and get this, I had him try on my hat to make sure it would stay with the clips and elastic, and it was no problem. I love it! Now I get to barter for a very rad painting by a wonderfully talented young man! Woo hoo.
Yeah kindda excited to do another hat.
Not that I don't have another one already lined up for the husbeasts company Winter Venetian Ball in December. I'm thinking of doing mushrooms. You'll see, uber cute.

Tonight is the Beer Bitch Meetup, but before that we go to look for a washer and dryer. Eh ghads I can't wait...all my stockings are getting rather ripe.
Cheers for now. On the needles a bit of frogging on the Hemlock Ring blanket.

This is Halloween, This is Halloween!!!!

2007-10-31T14:13:00.000-07:00

Halloween!
Halloween!

And tonight, muhhhauha we dine out. And we avoid the candy grubby children who's parents only clue these poor creatures in on the insignificant aspects to the season, dressing in plastic costumery! Magh, plastic makes me melt, do you see me here, I'm melting! from all the plastics, and ill costumery.
I've come to speak of the lastest hat, yes the one I could not, and frankly would not speak of lest it's new owner catch on to what I was up to. Sadly I have no decent picts as they are still in the body of the nice camera, and we still have no working cable at the home. Sooo instead I shall point you over to Amanda Button, where you can oogle and ogle this cute as a Button Mad Madame d' Le Strange!
Go ahead, take a minute. I'll wait while you go and check out her new digs.

Back so soon, are you, well wasn't it fabulous. And rather adorable how well she took to the little creepy and insanely delightful mini topper. A better home I cound not ask for than the wonderful Amanda. And she was so patient even though it was late for the very improtant date. (I swear they are the perfect All Hallow's Eve accoutrement. )

The story of the hat actually dates back to last year's 30th Birthday bash that was held for our old roomy. Living up on top of the deserted hill, having all but one set of neighbors (weirdo's!), and a plethora of beer loving free-loading friends (up to 150 people stopped in!). We decked the halls in blackened gauze, and made an archway to the foodie table where the likes of jellied hands, and brain foods toppled the table. The coup de gras being the bleeding heart in actual molded shape filled with a blood red oozy bag that subsequently found its way onto Jesse the Ventura aka a bodybuilder, and then onto the floors, the walls, outside, and many an unsuspecting guest! Oh the horror. Since then I have been banned from making anything that involves red food coloring :( But fear not I am ok with that for now.

So the moral of this story is that because I wanted to be the Green Fairy (ala Absinthe) I needed an appropriate mini top hat. And During the same time, good ol' Lady Linoleum had just made one!, and gasp to my horror out of crochet. Ah poo. I despise crocheting, I just have better things to do with my time, no offense to my loverly crotcheting fiends! But it's true. So since I would be constructing a 3 foot tongue that sat inside of the fireplace on it's rack, out of paper mache, paint and a bunch of shicken waer (yes punny!) I decided that I should apply some of my textile construction knowledge to making said tiny green mini topper.
If you will imagine with me know, out came the scissors, some fabulous green gauze (bye old curtain) some small gauge wire, and the only thing I could entertain to keep it stiff enough to make it wearable, some glue and varnish. Go painting skills, go!
And off I was like a mad woman assembling this little tiny hat, learning the ins and outs of tiny hat construction. And enjoying every minute of the process, and remembering fondly my days in Art School.
When I had finished I had the cutest and wonkiest little thing I'd ever seen, but pyling my hair up and under it was rather satisfying. And born was a new hobby. And new craft, and something that is rather difficult to find in the real world.
Granted I've found these things at the Renn Faire, and also Dickens Faire, but of course that's by the same lady, and also her's are not hand made, they're made by a form and shipped to her from an outside source.
So all in all, I'm rather pleased that I've stumbled upon something that I can create, concoct and conceive (notice the new 3 c's of being a woman!) something of my own hand and craft.
Don't get me wrong fellow bloglandians, I still knit, and rather viciously lately as the winter comes to set upon us, I just don't have the picture capabilities to prove as much (unless you realllly like my phone picts). I've also come to appreciate the fact that I prefer to speak about an art that I can sculpt on my own, unlike telling the tales and woes of a knitted piece that I haven't even put the effort into the design of. It's like I'm being a copy cat, or a bad imitation to a good thing, where here and now I can tell the tales of MY latest creations. So please don't hate me for straying every here and there into a craft that you may not fancy, or grasp the concept of. Please be patient while I test these new waters of craft-dom, and know that I still knit, and I am still the rightful heir to the Gypsy Junk knits name. (shhshh I haven't been thinking drafting a new header that reads Gypsy Junk Handmaids shhshhh)
Ta and Happy Sam Haining or All Hallow's Eving, or Trick or Treating!

Where in I remember to breathe

2007-10-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

Life as usual is a whirlwind of things to do, and places I've been.
Let's start off with my brother's lovely home up in the sticks outside of Portland, in Washington. What a cute little place. I had wanted to go and torment the long horn cattle in the pasture next to their place but it was decided not the best idea since the farmer is a bit of a prude. So instead I focused on helping with the decorations, and make a pretty cool spiders web on the ceiling.
It was indeedy a great party, much imbibing was had by all, and let's just say I was rather glad when the flight was over the next day and I was back at home.
The husbeast was adorable he picked up some horrible fake British (fo' sho') teeth and think nerd glasses that were all too perfect with his bowler hat and and suit. The business cards I made up certainly were helpful. I'd show you some details, but blogger picts are being a total booger!
My costume was simple, and just as I stated, a little mini topper, a shirt, a jacket (can we say winter in Washington?) and my 2 fav skirts paired together. Sadly i did not win most creative (dunno why) since I was the:

Marauding Crony to the High Minister of Silly Walks

Division of Foot Travels and the Mechanical Parts There Implied to Best Efficient This Said Process, Et.Al.

I swear the cutest part of the entire evening was when the husbeast accepted a consolation dare, and was bade to "give" his best rendition of an orgasm. Well, I had not heard what was going on, but all of a sudden the beast was wrapped around me grunting and moaning and carrying me about like I a prize. I've never laughed so hard, especially after I found out what was going on. I swear I nearly peed myself. No joke.

Tomorrow when Blogger and Typepad aren't being such boogers, I will let you all in on the little something that I had been slaving for over the last few weeks.

Cheers and ta til then.

I don't know what to say,

2007-10-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

So I suppose I'll just give a little update.
Tomorrow we're flying up to my brothers (thanks for the free ticket- you airline employee you!) for his annual All Hollow's Eve bash, with a full moon about, how rad. My costume is subdued and not all too exciting. I believe it will consist of a mini topper, some false eyelashes, 2 long skirts, and certainly a shirt of some sort. The husbeast is still going as the Minister of Silly Walks.
ta for now. Need to make things happen.

I spy with my little eye,

2007-10-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

with my little eye,

a piece of candy

faintly rolling on the ground

as if in a whim

it's smells of old men,

and cherry pipe tobacco.

It has the fondness of a far off land

and I am certain it's now in my hand.

what a treasure,

what a delight,

what a sight.

It's Kauni.

So being a couple of weeks or so ago, my mum had the audacity to order the coveted Kauni yarn from a company in Denmark, and she was sweet enough to think of me.n the mail it came today, it's so colorful, want to take a peak. It's okay too.

isn't it just perdy.... and tiny, and like fingering weight! Oh my how am I supposed to knit with such tiny yarn? I might as well be making socks (something I don't really do.) Oh well it's soo loverly though.

On another note, know how I mentioned the swap-a-doodle I'm doing w/ a mystery blogger, well I suppose I should email her and ask her for her address, for her pressie, she is finito! And I so need to ship her off, hopefully in time for this weekend's festivities. And once it's in her hands, well then I will post details. And I'm so stoked because as I was placing the coup De grace last night, I finally figured out how to attach the little thing. Albeit I had to apply more stiffie, but who cares, it looks fabulous! I can't wait to show you guys.

Where in I propose my love for Stiffie!

2007-10-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Like the smell of rusted salt

curdling on the vine

I give you the answer to the earths divine

quest

ion

A man once sat with me at a cafe table

in a town outside of Rome

Heaped with the words of an unearthly gnome

find the Tate ,

and Picasso too,

squash the Weeping Woman

You will find true love

coming from,

and just in time.

All this moving and replacing journals on shelves has reminded me that I once could write, and write well, and write odd, and off kilter. Some sad, some true but always I would just write. So please pardon my dust as I clean off a few free cells and try to recreate the world I once inhabited in my own space, and my own time.

So there you have your answer. To the question of which artist my man so blighted with his natural perfume! It was Picasso, so many close answers (wherein I snort since only 4 people joined in, but the odds were fabulous!) and the pencil drawing was Weeping Woman #29. And yes how she must still weep, as the husbeast performed his act in malice, and on purpose! Well I never.

So as odd and odd may be, there were two correct answers, and two simultaneously stuck together pieces of paper, so as chance may be, there are two wieners, I mean winners! Yeah, and I do swear they did not cheat, but yes they are two of may closest buds. Strange I had no idea they knew art (cough *google*) so well. So cheers and here's to Erin of Seamstrix Art, and Mary of Contrary Colleen. Also both are new bloggers, welcome to the outlandish world we have created for ourselves ladies, do stay a time and perhaps enjoy some tea and bickies. I will have you both know that I just farted for you in honor of your winnings. No seriously I did. Hmm, I suppose this calls for pressies. I know Contrary Colleen is tired of accumulating a stash, so tell me is there anything you so desire? A new set of mittletts, or a pair of Mary Jane Slippers, or a hat? Something simple and yet worthy? And Erin, likewise something I could do for you, or are you in it for the yarn? I have a plethora of yarn, and some mohair bits from the husbeasts godmother's Angora Goat Farm I could be persuaded to part with, as it's been ever so many years and I have yet to do anything with any of it... do tell ladies, do tell.

Now onto the juicy news...

Let's just start the day off with some lovely Eco-Wool by Cascade, shall we. Do you people realize that for $15 you can purchase nearly 500 yards of lovely wool! Now that's not much money for the amount of wool...I just saw a rainbowed art car drive by with a pair of legs glued upside down to the roof ~dang this is a strange little island... sorry about that I wish I had my camera ready. (I want one of those) Yeah so um, ecowool, good, art cars cooler. Let's just say this is going to become another Hemlock Ring Blanket, we'll see if it lands on my couch, or my mums.

In news of the sneakiest sorts, I can't really show picts, but the latest and swappiest hat, she is nearly finished. This is where in I profess my love for Stiffie brand fabric stiffener. What, oh get your minds out of the gutter, buggers. Do you see that sneak pict over there, yes it's black and it's in the shape of ~strike that last intrusion there are 2 sets of legs glued upside down to that art car! Dang missed it again, perhaps she'll drive by a third time just for me.!~ So yeah, hats are still really really cool, especially when they hold their form, and don't look like udder crap. There are still a few areas that need a little re-stiffie-ing, but I'm still really impressed. Thanks to the blessed Erin, for having a birthday party where you allowed me to walk away with your fabulous stiffie. It's a life saver, truly.

And last but not least, this hat you;ve previously seen, is destined to be the Ministress of Silly Walks, just in time for my brothers All Hallow's Eve Party, up in Washington (really Portland area). The husbeast has his bowler, and suit, and umbrella. Myself well I am to have my mini topper, suit like dress, and parasol. But really we'll see if I stick with being the ministress. I'm not entirely sold, as I prefer something a bit more garish, and involved, and well, less Monty Python comical.

If yo look hard enough in the background you can see my mummy, isn't she cute. And well yes even in the lovely new house, my crafty mess does claim all areas. Well I believe that shall soon be rectified (I once used this word when talking to a table when I was cock tailing, letting them know I would rectify dudes meal! ~horrible I know, but really when else can you have fun and poke people in the ribs so especially when they're surrounded by all their big burly guy friends), as last night I spilled a solution of stiffie and water on the floor of our new house! I'm sooooo bad.
Oh well I believe I'm off to go look at lovely sweaters at the Old Navy, yes I know I despise them, but eeh gahd they're soooo cute. The sweaters that is.

Haha Victorious and a Contest!

2007-10-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well after many trials and tribulations I am here with a contest! Yes you heard it right. A contest! So:

There is a a story behind this very famous artists piece of work. It's a small piece hanging in a British Museum that we so happened to visit back in 2005. We went for the New Year, and stayed three weeks, with his family and family friends, and tons of youth hostels (certainly the way to go). Well when we were in this rather wonderful museum the husbeasty's mum and I popped into the Lu to spend a quick penny (go pee) and when we came out the husbeast quickly ushered us to the shop and away from the gallery. Well as the story was so told it turns out that the husbeast went back into said gallery, and with the attendant sitting near by ushered the loudest, and crackiest FART that one should never issue in any public place. And as it so did happen to be he uttered it directly next to this poor poor piece of art, do note how she weeps. I for one certainly could never blame her for her toils, and troubles for I certainly know why they are what they are! I quickly grabbed a pad of DIY post cards and scribbled a stick figure drawing for his brother and father back in the states with the whole grotesque story outling the events of that day...forever to be in our memories, ahh sweet sweet memories.

The Contest here is to identify the very famous artist who created the husbeasts claim to fame..bonus points if you can identify the name of the piece.

The winner very well may receive some yarn, and perhaps a little something else.

Off I go to dig through my stash!

The winner will be announced on my 100th blog entry! I think that may be this Tuesday.

Much thanks to the never-more blogless best friend of mine Contrary Colleen for her efforts for me on the pict.

If I were a list maker I would be stoked.

2007-10-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

But lo, unfortunately I am no such kind of person, though I am still stoked.
1.Ok, you ready for it, we've moved all of our essentials into our new house, YeAh. That was 14 loads, 2 using a 17 foot Uhaul. (not completely full)
2.The Red Scarves, they are delivered and out of my hands! And I only bought my fav Stitch Diva Capelett pattern. How good am I, I go to a yarn shop with rather decent threads and I get only a pattern. Well to be honest I tried to get the yarn in 2 separate colors of Cascade 220, and both times it was not meant to be. So I shall try over at the lovely Article Pract.
3.The Kitchen, she is unpacked!
4. Is there a 4, there's got to be a 4, well, oh I know. Let's call it 5, because I am not a list maker ;)
5. I've made 2 very funny, washer ladies happy from the Rennaisance Faire. Yes I had the roommate relay the message that I would be willing to make the ladies a set of mittletts for $10. Well needless to say, as the roomy puts it, they mouths were agape. They couldn't believe I would be willing to part with them for such little money. Well if only they knew that they only take 3 hours, and about 1/4 of a skein, I don't know if they would be so thrilled still. So all I do now is wait for their choices of colors...
6. That does give me an idea, well I'll see if it works out. Hmmmm, yes I think it will... I must have some time to get these things out of my head, I need to make, I need to get things mailed off.
7. Here's to deadlines. Self imposed and others that may not be.

Because they say I have to act on the part of Blog Action Day:
This is my means of participating. Yes yes, I know feathers, lots and lots of ruffled feathers. But keep in mind all, there's always two sides to any story, and rabblerousers should always be taken with a grain of salt. Even if they win a Nobel Prize for doing absolutely nothing...
Environmental Cleanup: One of my solutions, get rid of the lies and dribble, please. Our world, and our lives are of more value than just fairy tales for our children.
PS. I will normally keep my big mouth shut when it comes to these kind of things, but they begged me to participate. I mean, ghad they practically shoved it down throat by posting it everywhere.

Nine, hoo hoo hahaha

2007-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

We have nine loads run to the new house, and tomorrow we rent a Uhaul!
And today it rains. Ehgahds.
Um, yeeeahhh, so ahhh, well that's it for right now. I knit close to nil last night at the meetup, soon the dust will settle and the yarn will be restashed....
Cheers til then.

8 hahahhh We have 8 mhhahahh

2007-10-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

We're up to the eighth load, have one ready for tonight once I cut out of the Beer Bitch meet up early, then it'll be nine loads! And the house is emptying slowly but surely. Well except for all the plants and the basement. But that's not you've come here for today, wanna know why??
Because I've just jumped on a bandwagon. Yes a very big bandwagon that my mother is actually to blame for. See we just visited this online yarn shop, Astrid's. Do you recognize that familiar oh so familiar rainbow yarn on there? What's that you say, why yes it is destined to be this loverly sweater ,

Ya know I'm trying to work here, and the firkin' Island cops keep pulling people over using their external microphones on their motorcycle. Now it's not normal for the cops to keep riding by going *ber ber~ ber ber ~ber ber~ ber ber* What the hell?! I give up with these island weirdo's. Cops are firkin goofy here! I realize my last statement begs the question of how I can be working and blogging, but I am, I really am. It's called multitasking. I mean I was the best cocktailer at my old work for a reason, man.

Ok, back to the sweater, isn't it lovely. I showed that to my mum and one of our knitting clients last night and both their jaws dropped (they're not in the blogging world much) and this morning I came in to find my mum hard at work at locating said gorgeous wool in rainbow color, as I had already procured the pattern. Oh but how fun that will be, and how lovely. And how tiny are size 4's? Just a skosh larger than the needles I used on the still not seamed Rowan pattern I finished in July.
So that's really it for now. I can only hope to start unpacking boxes. I really don't think that my old (doesn't really fit anymore) purple vinyl ball gown should be crumpling in a box...

7 Down, how many more?

2007-10-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

Can you see my raised eyebrow?
It's amazing just how much crap we have moved, but we want to have everything out by this weekend so we're trying to bust our arses. So we're up to 7 loads, and it's probably going to rain.
I know no one really cares about our self induced moving woes, but I've rarely found time to knit or make the precious little hat...But I still have hope, as it's close to completion. But things are in both houses, so please please bear with me, and keep your fingers crossed for a deadline!
Up tonight, possibly moving some of the plants. I can hear my back groaning already.
But little do you realize that my lips are in a big huge Cheshire like grin. I'm so stoked.
Ta for now.

YAY!

2007-10-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

It's official, we're moving into a house with no roomy. And best of all my dog will have a home within our house now, even if the puma (our cat) objects. Best of the best is location. It's on another court, in the flat lands (not soo cool), but our commute time is cut in half, AND it's a block away from the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory. Which I believe now I've given too much detail away, but oh well. The smell of chocolate is in the air 24-7 there. It's so intoxicating!
Tonight we sign the papers and meet our new landlord.
Then we slave away at packing. And when I say slave, I really do mean it. See the husbeast is a bit of a techno geek IT Hacker-fixer dude with a penchant for computer monitors and brains. So there's about 10 monitors of varying weights, and about 15-25 brains as I call them. I know, just don't ask how many of them actually work...
Then there's my junk collection, all the plants in barrels in the backyard, and to top it all off, my collection of hideous furniture. (Actually all my furniture is unique and rather cute as most of it has come from the Berkeley Urban Ore- a huge second hand place of unique oddities!)
Oh and did I neglect to mention the 5 motorcycles, only 1 of which (mine) still runs. The others are all in a multitude of disarray. Oh, and the VW Vanagon that hasn't been started in 3 years.
The poor poor roomy he'll have a empty 4 bedroom house. Hopefully he can find a new roomy if that's what he truly wants to do. I think he should. It gets horribly quiet up there.
Best of news, we'll be relatively 3 blocks from my best bud's new home! Whoooho!
Off to knit mittletts I go.
And if you're ever in the East Bania, go check out Lacis, a store to be drooled over. I got a new book there, From the Neck Up an Illustrated Guide to Hatmaking by Denise Dreher, and some hat wire.
Cheers and Ta for now.

I'm back

2007-10-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

yeah, that wasn't long. Seems we may just have a new house to rent. That took like 2 days if this goes through, and I believe it just may... so still need to pack, and all that good crap. But not right now, but soon.
Last night I had the strangest of strange dreams, I don't know the details, but I was wrestling with a snake, one that kept biting me, and I kept swearing at him and holding his mouth closed tighter. All the while I kept asking myself why am I still holding this thing? Like I was either keeping others away from it's bite (non-poisonous) or I was just showing off. Either which it was weird needless to say. This may stem from seeing the snakes at Renn Faire this weekend, or some other oddity, or perhaps the cat was attacking me in my sleep, and I was none the wiser. Since my hands are fine today, and I am a rather light sleeper, well you find your best answer.

Last night I had no desire to knit, which is probably because I have little yarn. I mean I do have yarn, but it's all one skein of this or two of that, but nothing that will equal this...a capelette! Strange thing though, my size is between two sizes, exactly in the middle. What to do, I mean I don't think I could hardly resize it properly. Nor find that much Noro Iroha at a decent price. But it would be the bestest thing ever for Dickens Faire, and all those cold evenings down at the stitch and bitch. I'll just have to wait.
So instead of knitting what did I do you ask, well of course I started a new mini top hat! It's cute, black with some itty bits of sparkle. But not too over the top. This one I have a phenomenal idea for, construction wise, we'll see if I can pull it off with finesse. I'm sorry though this is a tight lipped subject until it's shipped off in a couple of weeks.
And the best of all news, I was finally contacted by a local hat maker in the city, she gives workshops from time to time, and she gave me some tips and places to find supplies. Soooooo stoked, as that's exactly what I needed. Great timing!
So cheers until later.

while I'm away, please enjoy this music

2007-10-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

oh did I forget to turn that on, well then perhaps a shorty while we're looking for a new place to rent. Yes, we're planning on moving by the end of this month, or perhaps next month. Yikes! I just moved in and now I'm moving out, but also there is soooo much crap. Oh well it'll be nice to have a place to ourselves.
So this weekend I did receive a request from two of the faire participants for a pair of mittletts, as I was spotted walking about faire working on them, and also finishing them both. I really do love 3 hour projects, they make me feel accomplished. I suppose then that I must endure one last faire-well but I'll probably just go the last weekend, or send someone with them for me. To trade or charge $10...I may just go for the cash. That's pretty cheap too though.
Sorry, but horribly busy...and off I go, oh ps I have 5 new gray hairs!
And you know what I never mentioned? I never mentioned the fact that I got the cutest print from Emily over at Inside a Black Apple, it was Miss Littlehat, with her red hair and a mini top hat on! I couldn't believe how apropos, and how adorable she really is. I can't believe what a fabulous artist this young woman is. Go check her out here, and her etsy shop here.
cheers til then.

Ahh the sweet sweet sounds

2007-09-28T15:14:00.001-07:00

I love my little concertina. She is beautiful, and shiny, and full of pep. Sorry no picts, but she has a red varnish, and green bellows with a floral print in between them. The handles are a little big, but I have a leather punch that can adjust that easily enough.
Last night was neat, it was a little mini adventure for me. Going into the city, gahd it's been soooooooooo long since I've been there. And Union Square, what a place, all those shops. Now if only I had money to play with! The young was cordial enough, and a rather strange boy obviously, but harmless and rather gracious.
I scampered away with my little concertina in my hand bag (yes it's a magic stretchy hand bag) and BART'd home. BART is our local train system like a subway but less all emcompassing.
Well I raced downtown to the Beer Bitch meetup and lo and behold there were still knitters about.
I did get some knitting in. I've made another tam hat, and finished it this morning. But I dare say it's anything worth photographing. Perhaps I can trade it for something this weekend at fairs...we'll see about that.
I got a little playing in last night on the concertina, much to the horror of the roomy's dog, and then some whist waiting for the plumber this morning. But that's it a little here and a little there. I am certainly not a virtuoso, but I still smile when I play and that's why I got it.
Next time, I promise pictures and mayhaps even a proper name, Moana just doesn't suit.
Cheers and happy whatevering this weekend.
Off to Faire I go, yet once again!

Bad Big Brother

2007-09-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

or is it Bad Little Blogging Sister... well either way, Ravelry is no longer something I can do at work, due to an Access Restriction. That's where the bad little me comes into play. So I suppose I should start using my Mac at home again here soon, shouldn't I. It's just no fun sitting at home on a stupid computer when that's allllll I've done all day long already. Oh well. I'm not even that much of a neat freak to be that blown away be Ravelry anywho... *walks away pouting!*

So on a good note, I'm off to the city tonight to meet this mysterious seller of concertina's to pick mine up. (Don't worry we're meeting in public, and out in the open, and I've given my best bud all of his info.) I'm thinking of naming her Moana. Rather apropos for the things I'll be doing to her this weekend. God help my camping neighbors. And hopefully I can successfully sneak back into faire, and bug all the goober workers over there with Moana. It's already devising into a rather strange weekend. But the details would give me a bad reputation, and well who wants that out in the open. Nothing bad of course, just dirty laundry that ya'll aren't privy to.

Good news, I'm a swapping fool, but that's all I will say, so as not to jinx my own creative bloom. But eehgahds the ideas swirling in my head tend to make me dizzy and longfull for the things I can't get to as of yet. Damn working hours and stores' open hours, and crap and stuff and poo!

I'll be late to knitting with the Beer Bitches tonight, perhaps I should tell someone, hmm I'll try.

Just a short and sweet one today ta for now.

I'm rolling........rolling I tell you

2007-09-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

Shall we talk of desires today. They're a strong thing and well I'm not able to contain mine sometimes. And I've been dreaming of such a thing for soo very long now, at least two years. I've yearned since I stepped foot into the Cotati Accordian Festival and was just blown away by the fantastical tunes of the little guys. Well I broke today and searched on craigslist, and well there was one, it's an Hohner Anglo Concertina with 20 buttons. Red with green floral bellows. I've emailed the guy selling it, and he's accepted my offer of $80 and a bottle of wine. How fantastic is that! I'm just about to burst out of my skin on this here.

So in celebration of my little concertina, I give you horrible cell phone picts of the hat I made this weekend...and please pardon the hoooorible picts, but heh what's a girl gonna do.

Lord, who knew I was such a goth princess. Normally I am not, but it's for All Hallows Eve, who can resist such temptations. And yes, the bells does a little tinkle. The skeleton dude needs better attachment for sure.

Ohhh I nearly forgot. Last night after a little trip downtown after work, we came back home and it turns out the husbeast had a little too much imbibe. Thankfully I was driving, but he comes into the living room where the roommate and I are chatting away, and the beasty announces "I just fell backwards off the railing onto the grass, and landed on my feet!" I know I know, I couldn't believe it. But he's perfectly fine today, and not even a scratch. But oh my that could have been horrible, and we wouldn't have even known where he was for the longest of times. I still can't believe it he fell over the railing! and landed perfect. Of course I did have enough forethought to ask him if he threw his hands up as would a gymnast, cause you never know if there will be a slew of judges looking on waiting to give a perfect 10 score out. No, seriously that was my exact reasoning.

I don't know what's happening to me, maybe it's the impending full moon, or just the comfort of being married, but I feel as though I am getting stranger and stranger in my old age. I am not complaining, but perfectly happy with just as much. I do pity our poor children to be, they're going to be weird little ones, and horribly awkward and geeky. Poor fellas.

Anon and cheers biotches.

Happy Monday!

2007-09-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, what a lovely and somewhat relaxing weekend. It rained, I saw one lightening strike, and now it's blue skies and much warmer. Just so strange the difference of 2 days makes here in East Bania.
I have 0 knitting content to speak of. The Hemlock blanket sits on hold, the Chevron Scarf sits around, and the Tam hat is waiting for me to create some sort of lace pattern in the color change. All horribly boring, needless to say.
So what I'm so happy over is the change in the season. The beauty of the season as the colors change, or the smells take on a new and effervescent tone. Autumn may very well be my most pleasant time of the season. Well that and Spring, both birth and renewal.
I'm also stoked over next weekend...it's another Faire trip, and this time we're camping. Thanks to the roommates quickness. There's nothing quite like camping at Faire, sneaking into the after parties even though we're outsiders. But really since I already know a few of the faire staff, and I've worked yeeearrs ago, and I constantly get confused for a participant does that make me an outsider? I don't think so.
And thirdly the most ecstatic reason for the season, well I was good/bored while waiting for the husbeasty to wake up Sat. (it was a very long wait) I began what is starting to look like my ideal Swampwood Sweatheart mini top hat. This one is a bit more mad hatter-esque.
You may remember my previous hats were all made with a glue, varnish base which was rather unreliable when trying to get everything taught. In lieu of the glue I headed for the needle and thread this time, and am rather stoked on the outcome. The process was far more clean, but a bit more lengthy. Which really isn't such an offset, as the piece looks much better than the others.
The fabric is black sheer, with embroidered flowers. This hat stands far taller with a wider top than any of the others. The construction was the same as all the others, but with a ton of pinning, and well, less fabric. I left the edges turned out and raw, but close to the seams. And for blocking I grabbed a can of starch. Boy what a difference. I did starch the middle band before sewing it to the top and brim, then restarched and blocked it last night. I blocked it a bit square! Well the two sides are square as the front and back remain a bit rounded.
I used a deep maroon silk ribbon as a band, layered with some black trim with little bits of pale pink. It's still a bit of a work in progress but I'm ahead of the game, for once. The coup de gras is what makes this hat sheer brilliance. I took one of the skeleton beads from faire, it's about an inch and a half tall and used a bunch of copper wire and beads and made a cradle for him. The cradle is a cross between a tree and a swing. This all is attached to a small piece of driftwood, and sewn to the hat. A couple of other skeleton cards sit on the other side of the brim. And well I'm still trying to create a few more things for it.
But oh my golly! I'm rather stoked over the whole affair, but am out of wire, so kinda bummed as I can't start another one yet. I have some red silk in line, just in case one looks better over the other in effect for the costuming. The idea for the red silk is flames and the devil.
So we were in a hurry out of the house this morning (yeah for carpooling) and the light was just perfect. I should have taken a pict, but well I'll try tonight.
You'll see.
I may just have to add millinery to my blog name ;^)
cheers and happy falling (get it autumn)! Gahd I kill me!
I know there's a PS to this blog entry, but I keep forgetting what it is......Zut!
I got it, it's a movie. I viewed this diddy on Friday whilst waiting for the septic guy to come and suck all our old poo away. It was the most fascinating and unforgettable, and brilliant and entertaining, and dream inspiring feat I've viewed in years, bar none. The MirrorMask, by Neil Gaiman, and Dave McKean (who's art I fell in love with back in art school). Also Jim Henson Company has helped in producing this. If you have a chance, do rent this. Oh also there are accordians! I love accordians. It's my favorite muscial instrument. I've even been toying with the idea of getting a concertina, and taking lessons.

Yarrr, soo it be that day again!

2007-09-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

Ev'ry yarr 'bout this time te comes rrright rroun' again. Hide yer women, tether yer chil'ren tis' an invasion of the pirrates!

So this pirate walks into a bar, an' he 'as a steerin' wheel hangin' on his pants, thee beertender turns to 'em "Hey you have a steering wheel hanging from you junk there"
The Pirate turns to the beertender, "Yar know, it's drriving me nuts, yar!"

What's a pirate's favorite pair of socks?
~~~arrrrgyle's of course

How much does corn cost a pirate?
~~~~A buck an ear (buccaneer)

The Hemlock blanket, she be loungin' around waitin' for more yarrrrrn. But I'm onto the second chart as of now, aan' she be flyin' on the needles. Dunno why all the problems on the hemlock ring, almost seems like a bunch of ninnies runnin' rampent ove' thar. Makin' extra work out of nothin' an such.
In the mean time I have cast another tam on the needles. One that may actually fit on me 'ead properly! We'll see if I have enough yarrrrn! May needle to beg, borrow, and steal from other thingses.
I've gone bored over the Chevron scarf. It's al'ight, but borin' and the back in just kinda...borin'
so it sits on the coffee table it's three little balls staring up at me, as I ignore them for somethin' a little more spicy.
It seems the husbeasty and I shall be spending All Hallow's Eve up at my brothers, he's near Portland. Now onto the costume making. I'm leaning towards the most creative costume. Let's see if I can get at that one tharrr.
cheers ya lily livered land lovers, til thar be morrre, anon!

obligatory boobage!

2007-09-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

I'm the "small" set in the middle in blue. If you look real hard you can see my hands still knitting!

Sorry, but it was actually more tame than the other pict of me and my other friend and one of the glass thingies that was in the um back room that she had in ahhh her bodice, that I was in no way insinuating doing anything nasty towards with my mouth agape, or anything of that manner and stuff, like she said!........ . . . . and without much further ado, the one day Tam hat, please pardon my shiny worker-bee nosicle.