Friday, September 30, 2005

Busy here people


After freezing for six hours in the middle of a soccer field yesterday, I can't tell you how truly wonderful it is to get back to where I belong. Yes, washing floors, clothing and dishes is so much more rewarding than watching your daughter play soccer in 11 degree temperatures with 50 km wind gusts. The life of a princess, I'll tell ya. And tomorrow? I may clean the fridge. Thank God for knitting.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Tuesdays (already?) are for blogging

Knitche

Let's start with this one. She likes buttonhole bags, felted flowers and has a picture of Amy Singer on her site. What's not to like? AND she seems like a Foodie, too! Now if she would only mail me up one of those Target knitting bags...


Nikkishell

Why? Because I love every piece of fabric on her site. Jealous of her talent? Me, no, never.


Yarn

Just in case ya didn't know this was around. You can never know about too many knitting resources can you?


Well, there you have it. I'm starting to think Australia might be an okay place for a knitter. I mean I would if it wasn't for this. Bugs pretty enough to be accessories kinda creep me out. How do you do it Jussi?

Sunday, September 25, 2005

I never thought I would say this but...



I think I may be a feminist. Perhaps a quiet feminist but a feminist none the less. Now I don't think I am second wave (that seems to be a 60's and 70's revolution thing) and the third wave seems to consist of those in their 20's and early 30's (and we all know I am on the sunny side of 40, yes?). So I am not sure exactly what I am and that's okay. I am not one to be pigeon holed. The point is I am finding it more and more difficult to teach my girls the importance of self. Self worth. Self love. Self assurance. Now without sounding too cliche, I am experiencing some difficulty finding good (great?) role models for my daughters. For those keeping track, I have three. Two of which are 13 and 16. Highly impressionable and easily influenced at this age. It's the total crap that they are watching, listening to and reading about. Reading about the drunken frivolity of this one, the "should never had been released" sex tape of this one (yes, that's her smoking a joint) and of course the list just goes on and on. I have never wanted to place my kids in a bubble but boy that big plastic dome is looking kinda good about now.

That's why I have this book on order. Of course I am going to read it. And maybe, if it helps get some of my points across, I'll be leaving it in places where they might pick it up. Maybe read it. And maybe understand. Maybe?

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Tuesdays are for Blogging

Because I have wayyyy too much time on my hands and I will do almost anything to avoid the pile of laundry, the seaming of sweaters too small for the recipients and the endless dust on the dining room table I am giving you "Tuesdays are for Blogging". Let me take you on a Magical Mystery Tour of some blogs I have discovered and you can let me know what you think if you are so inclined. Ready? (I have translated the pages for you already, but it is still kinda funny reading)

Stricksucht

The fish thing has me mesmerized. Anyone else seen this before?


Mon Tricot

Great purses with excellent colour choices. My type of gal.


Tricotando with Anatricot

I'm not even sure if this is a blog or what. But I love everything on it. The scarf is gorgeous, those hair wrap things are adorable and the shawl is stunning. And yes, I know it is crochet. Definite motivation for me to get my ass in gear and learn how to crochet. The only thing is it took me twenty-five years to learn to knit, I don't know if I'll be around for the Senior year of Crochet 101.


Yarnstorm

Foodie, knitter, great photography. Need I say more?


Juju Loves Polka Dots

A creative canuck living in London. And the bead necklaces are to die for.


Well, that completes the tour for today. Are you inspired yet?

***Added Later:

I have changed the sites to their original link as the translation thing was not working for some people. Feel free to go to a translation page to get any patterns that interest you.

Friday, September 16, 2005

Crafts, Cooking and Canning





Buttonhole Bagging, Pizza Making and Slippery Jacking

Monday, September 12, 2005

Just Need Half Moon Spectacles and a Cape

I saw this at the KW Knitter's Fair and it was stunning. It was at the Village Yarns booth and apparently it took the knitter about 3 weeks to complete. She had done it all in Lamb's Pride. I believe they are offering a class for it as well. The kit for it was $199.00, if my memory serves me correctly. Something to think about I guess. But boy, did it take my breath away. I don't know what the kid's would say if I carried it though. They would probably start calling me "Supernanny" or something to that effect.

Oh, and the beautiful variegated yarn I showed you the other day is called "Guys" by Adriafil. Just in case you were wondering.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

The Bus is now departing - Next stop - Kitchener Waterloo

Well, I'm back. Safe and sound and lighter in the pocket. What a beautiful day. We arrived at the Knitter's Fair at about 10:00 and got in before the crush. As you can see I purchased more Briggs and Little. Who can resist $2.99 a skein? I ask you, who? Sorry Elizabeth, damn wish you came. Oh, by the way, I finally purchased a Chibi. And that multi coloured stuff? I don't even know what I'll do with it, just loved the colours.

And the funniest? My SIL came today. She is the least knittiest of us all, just kinda picks up the needles at our SNB and doesn't really knit much in her spare time. Guess who wins the door prize at the fair? You guessed it. A kit for a fair isle hat. I had to explain to her what fair isle was. She's going to attempt a hat with it though, maybe a simple stripe to start her off. And I got her hooked on making a buttonhole bag.

After the yarn orgy we headed to Guelph for lunch. What a hoppin' little town. We ate at Salon de Tea which wasn't bad but we were looking for more of a traditional tea room and this was a bit more on the funkier side. Good food though. On our way out, we passed by this stunning and architectually spectacular marvel. That is Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. What a beauty on top the hill and probably one of Canada's most magnificent churches.

That's it for now (had to line up for the damn computer) will post more tomorrow.

Friday, September 09, 2005

This stuff cracks me up, what does this tell you about my personality?

Two women, who had been friends for years, decide to go for a Girls
Night Out, and were decidedly over-enthusiastic on the cocktails.

Incredibly drunk and walking home, they needed to use the bathroom.
They were very near a graveyard and one of them suggested they do their
business behind a head stone or something.

The first woman had nothing to dry herself with she thought she'd take
off her panties, use them, and then threw them away.

Her friend, however, was wearing a rather expensive underwear set and
didn't want to ruin hers, but was lucky to salvage a large ribbon from a
wreath that was on one of the graves. So she dried herself with the
ribbon.

The next day the first woman's husband phoned the other husband and
said, "This girl's night out thing has got to stop right now. My wife
came home last night without her panties."

That's nothing," said the other husband, "Mine came home with a card
stuck to her fanny that said,

"FROM ALL OF US AT THE FIRE STATION, WE'LL NEVER FORGET YOU."

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Channeling My Anger


Into face cloths for the Katrina victims. I thought this sounded like a charity that was useful as well as fulfilling for knitters. Thanks to Sue for sending me in the right direction. If you are so inclined, you will find them at Cloths For Katrina (a yahoo group).

Well I'll Be Damned! You Do Learn Something New Everyday


Why isn't U2 showing up in my favorite music?

In Blogger profiles, you can list various favorite books, movies, music, etc. However, each item you list is required to have a minimum length of 3 characters and shorter items will not be displayed. For the most part, this isn't a problem, but unfortunately U2 fans find it frustrating.

The workaround for this is easy. Instead of listing "U2" in your music, list it as "U2." (Note the period at the end.) Now it's 3 characters long and will show up in your profile. Even better, a lot of other members have already worked out the same trick, so your profile will now connect you to all the other U2 fans out there on Blogger.

Note: This workaround applies to any profile item that is under 3 characters, of course, and not only U2.

~From "Blogger Help"

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

I know you are waiting with bated breath...


To see how far I have gotten on hubby's sweater (that I started, yes wayyyyy back in April? May?). Well there ya go. Now I am knitting this in the round as you can see. It is loosely based on the pattern in the SNB book but the one in there is NOT knitted in the round. And I am soon coming to the part where you need to make holes for the sleeves. Now silly me has never knit a sweater in the round and I am kinda wondering what the heck ya do to do this when working with circs. Otherwise, hubby is wearing a tube top this winter instead of a sweater. Guess I better check my technique websites and get my ducks in a line.

Kids are back in school. God bless them. This will be a very busy year for us. DN2 will be having her confirmation AND DN3 will be having her 1st communion. Then graduation for DN2 from grade eight. Then there is DN1 trying to get her drivers permit. I really should have had them all ten years apart.

***Added Later

A list of these hilarious jokes were in my email box this morning. Here is one I just had to post:

A WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST:
She's sitting at the table with her gourmet
coffee.
Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.
Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.
Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.
And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

Thanks Clara (sadly, Clara is blogless so I cannot link to her. But as you can see, she's a funny gal).


Saturday, September 03, 2005

Now Back to your Regular Scheduled Programming

This is a knitting blog, yes? Some new readers may be wondering that as I persist on jumping up on my soapbox and writing about everything other than knitting. Well, for now, let us talk about yarn. Our over abundance of it, (me) our shopping of it (me) and our constant need to see, feel and smell more (again, me). Today I purchased some yummy Sirdar Denim from a little known place here in the city called June's Garage. Never heard of it? Well that's because it is not a store per se. It is actually a garage. And it is June's garage so need I say more? It is located in Richmond Hill and it is a cornucopia of amazing yarn and deals. I don't believe she has a website but if you email me I will give you directions on how to get there. It is rather complicated so come on, email me and get a great deal on yarn. Now about the " need more" thing. Next Saturday I am going here. Just cause it is a lovely excuse to leave the city, have lunch in the country and smell yarn. Again, I am going with a Suburban full of blue haired ladies that always promises to be a treat.

Oh, and I think I have been watching too much CNN. The yarn lady thought I was from Texas, she said I had a southern accent. Perhaps I need to take it easy with the Hurricane coverage.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Will They Rebuild?

I sincerely hope not. Since I am now an expert on engineering, geography and geology, thanks to CNN, I can categorically state this is not a good idea. Partially because of the abject poverty and deplorable living conditions many of these people lived in before the hurricane but mostly because of this study.

Thanks, Marmalade, for the link.

And if you are looking for a bird's eye view of what is going on in Louisiana, check out this link. All the bloggers are Louisiana residents and seem to have better knowledge of what is going on than the US government.