Blog Action Day

So I'm becoming involved in this as a way to raise awareness about the environment. I think we need to watch how much we consume and the way in which we consume. I think that as knitters we are all doing our part to fight mass production, but we need to be aware of the kinds of yarn we are choosing and making sure that we aren't using fibers that may have an adverse effect on the environment in the way they are produced. I think that's all I want to get on my soap box about. I promise as soon as I'm done watching this stupid business I'll post some pictures of knitting and such.

Picture Happy and a Sweater

Ok, so I got a new camera right before I left for Canada, and now I'm a bit picture happy.  So I'm gonna post some pics of my last to trips to Disneyland.  The most recent was with my god brother, Scott, and his girlfriend from Spain, Norma.  She is a doll and I really like her, they went back to North Carolina this week so she could meet Scott's parents.  I'm sure they are going to love her, both their boys have ended up with such sweet women.

Scott and Norma in front of the Rivers of America and Pirate Island.

Scott and Norma in front the Castle, they made me jump a fence to get this one, but it was worth it because they look adorable.

There's a pic of Scotty on the Monorail.

Here are the new etched glass Monorail muraly things.  I hadn't seen them before since I don't normally ride the monorail, but I think these are really cool and really well made.  They are also nice because they allow for visibility while still providing privacy for the ride attendants up there.

That's one of my favorite views at Disneyland.  The Matterhorn from the Monorail platform.  Something about a fake mountain in the middle of Anaheim, I just can't get over it.

Not sure why I took this pic, but those are my favorite shoes.  They are Draven's and they are vegan, not that it matters to me, but still kind of cool.  You can also see my orange Halloween socks that I have been wearing a lot lately because I am so ready for Halloween.

So onto the previous trip to Disneyland.  I went with my roomie Josh and Mr Artichoke himself, even though we are no longer dating, still good friends.  So we went and I got to go on Haunted Mansion one last time before they closed it to do the Christmas overlay.  It re-opens as the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion on September 21 and I'll post pics of it then too.  But that was when I was working on my Something Red that is now done (no I'm lame and don't have pics yet).  I made it out of Malabrigo Little Lovely.  It is such a nice sweater and finally cold enough in the evenings to wear it.  It's so soft and if you haven't knit anything with Malabrigo yet, you need to, it's like wearing a blanket on a cold winter night, actually it's nothing like that but it's the same comfort level.  So onto the pics:

My new favorite picture of Mr. Artichoke, he's making the best face ever.

View from the Tomorrowland Terrace, with a long exposure on my new awesome camera.

I know this one is super bright, but I love the way it turned out.  I love playing with this camera.

That's my Something Red in my bag with my Noro camera cozy on top.  I've been in a really pink mood lately, not sure why, maybe fall?  But that makes no sense either.

That's basically what my purse looks like all the time, it's a big grandma bag with skulls on it, what more could you want?  But there is usually some knitting project that is much to big for the bag, but I take other things, like my wallet and such, out so it'll fit.  I have this need to have my knitting with me at all times.

That's it for the Disneyland pics, onto some yarn content.

The first yarn I ever dyed, it's a skein of Cascade 220 that I dyed purple, I love it, still trying to find the right project for it.

My Something Red on the floor at work when it was almost done.

Close-up and more accurate pic of the color of the yarn.

That's the button that's on the front, it matches the dark parts of the yarn perfectly.

Ok and then the obligatory pic of my odometer now that I've hit 10,000 miles.  I know, 10,000 miles in 5 months is a little excessive, but you start working in the property management business and you'll drive a bunch too.  But look at how much better my camera did taking the pic of my odometer this time (by the way the little airbag light just means I need to take it in for service):

That's it for now, talk to you later in the week I hope!

More SP11 Questions

Well, I'm gonna answer some more, in hope that it'll help my partner understand me more:

1.  What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?

My needle sizer thing or my tape measure(s) I have abot 5 of each.

2.  If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you?  If
so, how much and what type of project?

I take knitting with me if I'm heading to the store, let alone vacation.  It depends on the vacation, usually some sort of sweater/baby blanket and some socks.

3.  Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?

Either PEI, Copenhagan, Denmark, or oddly enough Missouri

4.  What is your favorite knitting book at the moment?  Do you own it?

Domiknitrix, and yes, I do own it, it's so much fun, great projects

5.  Do you listen to podcasts?  Which is your favorite(s)?

My favorites are Lime and Violet and Cast-on, both have their own quirks, but both totally my speed.

Oh Canada

Ok, so I know I've been back for almost 2 weeks, but I've been studying for this stupid Real Estate Exam.  I took that this morning, so we'll find out soon.  The thought of that is a little scary for me, but hey, it's life right?

So, on to the trip.  It was super fun, I didn't realize how much I missed all my friends from Chicago.  The flights there were kind of special, we left 20 min late from LAX because the piolet was filling out paperwork (seriously, he couldn't do that when we got there?), which made us 20 min late to JFK, because of that it took like 30 min to find a spot for us.  I finally got off the plane and had to run, I mean full bore running with no shoes on carrying all my carry-on stuff.  I get to the other gate and they weren't going to let me on the plane, after a lot of pleading and crying, I finally made it on the flight and was applauded!  When I got to PEI it was wedding central, craziness as is always the case with weddings, but it was fun to get to be part of the whole process.  The batchelorette party was that Saturday night and we had so much fun.  We ate dinner at Esther's cousin Maria's house, then went to Cheryl's (the maid of honor) house for the personal shower, then belly dancing and then drinking and dancing at a local club in Charlottetown.  Here's some pics from that insanity:

Some of the Girls at Cheryl's

Esther doing a shot of whiskey after losing at one of the games.

Belly Dancing!

Esther dancing with the owner of the restaurant.

That's all of us after belly dancing!

So then Monday we went deep sea fishing, which of course means I went deep sea puking, but that's only because I really suck at not getting sick in the ocean.  But it was ok, I had a blast despite the fact that I lost my breakfast.  Here's some pics of my friends from Chicago on the boat:

Ryan and Jeremy.

Jeremy after catching his first fish.

Me and Bonnie, we were the two sickies.

Rachael when she caught her first fish.

Then Tuesday was the wedding, it was beautiful, Esther looked amazing.  I sang a duet with Chris and we also sang some Praise and Worship songs, with Esther's bro Nick, and Josiah's brothers Jeremy and Jesse playing in the band, and Josiah's sister Danielle singing with us.  It was awesome.  I only have a few pics from that because I'm lame and forget that I own a camera half the time.

Eshter with her brother Nick and brother-in-law Greg.

Awesomely odd pic of Esther, but you can see how gorgeous she looked.

Could you think of a more amazing place to have a reception.

Aubrey, Rachael, Me and Esther before the reception.

Aubs and I with the boys in the background.

There was a cake at each table so you could take as much or as little as you wanted.  This was a really neat touch, I think everyone liked it.

I swear one of these days I'm going to post some knitting content, maybe I'll remember to take pictures Wednesday night at Pub Knitting.  We'll see.  I'm working on the shawl collar of the Something Red sweater and should have it done this week.  I'll update with pics I promise!  Oh the other outcome of this trip to PEI is I've decided to move back to Chicago, it's not going to happen until after the first of the year, but it's really gonna happen this time.  Ok that's it, guess I have to get some real work done today.

Pay it Forward

I got this from Twisted Knitster and I think it's an awesome idea.  I mean I love the idea of paying it forward anyway in everything, so here it is.

Here's how it goes:

I promise I will send a handmade gift to 3 random people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange.  The deal is, you have to post this in your blog too, just something to make peoples days a little better.

Secret Pal 11 Questionere

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love alpaca and wool, some cottons, and silk.  Basically anything natural.  I'm not a big fan of acryllic, but if it's blended with something I love it, but I can't stand mohair, it makes me break out.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I use a vase, but I'd like something a bit more organized,  I could make it myself, but honestly, I'm lazy.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for about 8 years.  My Dad taught me to knit because I was in a play where I needed to knit on stage.  I'd say I'm an intermediate knitter, working on becoming advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I don't but maybe I should work on that...

5. What's your favorite scent?

Lavender and rose, sometimes I'm a girly girl, but I also really like deep musky smells like Amor Amor by Cacheral.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not so much a sweet tooth, but I'd say my favorite candy is Resees Cups.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I'm a big sewer, I'm learning to spin, now that I'm back from Canada I'm going to fix up my wheel.  But I also do lots of do it yourself stuff, I can't even think of them all.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like punk, jazz, blues, swing, ska, rockabilly, psychobilly, and some hard rock and metal.  And yes I'm all over the MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favorites are black, red, purple, and green, I wouldn't say there are any colors I just can't stand.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have 1 dog, and maybe getting 2 more if my parents move, but we'll see.  I live with 4 roommates for now, until I move to Chicago, at which point I have no idea what my situation will me.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear hats and scarves, I want to wear more mittens but I think that will have to wait until I move to Chicago.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I love to knit sweaters, and wierd small things.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Right now I'm working on a blanket and a sweater and who knows what else.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I love handmade gifts.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I like circular and I prefer aluminum.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I own both and love them both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

No clue, about a year I think.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween, I mean what's better than people dressing up and celebrating the dark.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Gnomes, Livind Dead Dolls, Bleeding Edge Goth Dolls, and Yarn.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I don't have any subscribtions, but I need to, I read Vouge Knitting, Interweave Knits, K1, and a few others.  I would really love the Lace Today book or any of the Elizabeth Zimmerman books.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Fair Isle and steeks.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I am a sock knitter, and my feet are a woman's size 9, with a really high arch.

23. When is your birthday?

December 15.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

I'm BeeSting on Ravelry, come find me!

Awesome Ending to an Insane Weekend

Ok, so I know I need to add some knitting content real soon, but my camera is broken.  The LCD screen thing (yep, I'm totally technical) is cracked, kind of sucks, but I get paid Friday, so I will get a new one then.  But I have been working non stop on an afghan for some friends that are getting married in August.  It's the Sampler Afghan from Cables Untangled. It's really cute, and a great summer project, because you only work on small pieces at a time and then seam them all together.  It's coming out really well.  But that's about all I've been working on.

I didn't get to work on the blanket much this weekend because I baby sat my neice and 2 nephews.  Zoie is 12, Zack is 10, and Zane is 6.  I had a blast, but man do kids wear you out, especially when you're the only one taking care of them, I really don't know how single parents do it.  But we had fun, the kids had a movie marathon on Saturday while I was at a wedding, we went to Ruby's for dinner on Friday, and I took them shopping a couple times.  They had fun, so did I, plus for payment I get a couple free adjustments (my cousin's fiancee is a chiropractor) and awesome handpainted cotton yarn (pictures to follow as soon as I get a working camera).  It's beautiful, and how can you argue with getting paid in 1000 yards of nice quality yarn?

So, as if getting awesome yarn isn't enough, I came home last night to my invite to Ravelry.  That's right I am now a raveler (I don't know if that's what you'd actually call it).  It's such a cool site, I'm starting to add my stash to the site, but without pics it's not really as fun, but soon enough I will get it all added. 

All in all it's been a good last couple of weeks, work is insane this time of year, but what do you expect?  This is the time of year when everyone moves.  So that's been a little stressful, but that's why I knit right?  It has been helping a lot!  I guess that's it for now, I'll update a little later too, hopefully with pics or something.