Valentine's Day Resolutions

I hereby promise, promise, promise to update my blog on a regular basis! Like, at least weekly. I'm embarking on a huge effort to spring-clean my house, my life, and my crafty goodness. I've been going in too many new directions and it's been pulling me apart, so I've resolved to focus on the my priorities and pare down the unnecessary.

Work is going pretty well, my bunny is completely fantastic, I've been able to read (and finish!) books of my choosing for the first time in years, and the crafty developments march ever onward. I'll add some pictures of recent works as I update more frequently, but for now, here's a picture of the Three Best Friends That Anybody Could Have!

Oh my gosh, the summer has gone by so quickly! I really have got to get back to updating more regularly.

In the past few months, I've gotten my own apartment, rehabbed some thrift-store furniture, adopted a bunny, visited some friends and made some new ones, and gotten back into reading for pleasure. It's been a pretty good summer!

And as always, the craftyness continues! Right now I'm working on a pair of socks for my friend Doug, made with tofutsies yarn on size 1 needles. They're taking forever, because the gauge is so small, but I'm very pleased with the fabric it's making. He's requested a balaclava with it's own moustache, and I told him not to tempt me.

I've also gotten really excited about Japanese Book Binding. I've made a few of different sizes - three 8.5" x 5", one 8" x 8", and one 3" x 3". I also used a different technique on a 3" x 3" book - 8 folios with 10 pages each, sewn together at the crease and then stitched to a wrap-around cover. I'm not sure how sturdy that one is, but it is awfully cute! I'm really interested in learning lots of different techniques, including leather bound books.

Pictures will follow soon!

Socks!

I've finished my very first hand-knit socks!

They're made with Cascade Fixation Spray-Dyed Effects. The elasticity of the yarn makes for a very snug fabric with a cushy feel. I like ankle socks, so I stopped these pretty soon after I finished the heel turn.

I was surprised at how easy they were to make. I ordered Knitpick's 47" circs and used their free Toe Up, Two at a Time, Magic Loop Socks pattern. I'll be casting on for another pair soon!

Hey Everybody! I've entered the July Craftster Challenge, "Picture This," with my machine embroidery piece based on a photo I took at a picnic in Chilicothe, Ohio. Head on over and cast your vote!

Some of the girls I work with at Le Reve have a pretty great knitting podcast called "Here's to Ewe!" Check out MaddieHatter

and RedQueen, on itunes, Ravelry, and at their blog.

Coming soon to the blog: Tiny Coraline Sweater and original pattern!

Vegas has been good to me so far! I'm hoping to start working for Le Reve at the beginning of July. I can't wait!

Welcome to Las Vegas!

Well, I'm finally here! After a very long journey from Georgia, I've arrived at my friends Erin & David's house, where I'll be staying while I get set up. 

In the meantime, while I'm looking for work, the crafty goodness continues! I've made socks for my Ipod and my GPS - crochet and knitted, respectively, with mercerized cotton embroidery thread. Today I whipped up a wallet out of some vintage seersucker from my mom's basement. My old one had pockets that were getting too worn, and I was afraid of losing my cards.

Now I'm working on a couple of swatches from new and reclaimed yarn. I can't decide exactly what I'm going to make of them, so the swatches will help me decide. 

Easter Basket

I knew a few weeks have gone by since Easter, but it's been such a busy few weeks! I've been so busy finishing up school that I've hardly been able to keep up with my crafting, much less my blog.

So here it is, my custom made Easter basket! The basket itself is made with nylon yellow upholstry fabric and the thickest fuseable pellon I could find. The body of the basket is square, with the corners folded up like little petals. The handle is attached with little blue buttons that match the blue Easter grass.

The basket is full of Starburst, small Snickers, a little bunny bag filled with jellybeans, a chocloate bunny, and an egg with packets of pop rocks. The presents are a Joker toy and Michael J. Fox's book "Always Looking Up - Adventures of an Incurable Optimist." I just finished reading the audio version from iTunes, and let me tell you, it's so much more fun to listen to his voice.

I've mostly been working on projects for school lately, writing my thesis and keeping up with my classes. I have a couple of knitting projects in the works that I'll post pictures of when they're finished. One is the Flame Hat that's finally coming along, and the other is a star-stitch headband that I've designed myself. And of course, Tubey might last forever.

The next major project in the works is my big move to Vegas. I've been scoping out apartments online, finding furniture on Craigslist, and planning my route.  I haven't started packing yet - it'll be interesting to see if my clothing or all my fabric & crafting stashes take up more space in the car. Which leads me to another point - why is it so daggone hard to buy a used car?

And an update on an earlier post: the folks at Ravelry presented Mo Rocca with his handknit non-itchy sweater at the last taping. The episode hasn't been broadcast yet, but you can check out the video at the Wait, Wait website. 

And I'd just like everyone to know that I'm watching Ghost Whisperer as I type this.... and Jennifer Love Hewett is wearing a headband with pheasant feathers on the side - just like my hairclip, but without the turquoise stone accent. Perhaps once I get the rest of my life more organized, some feather hair accessories will be in order.