Attack Of the Monkeys!

Yesterday was the day of the MONKEYS. The day started with a plan. I planned to finish one thing that I had been working on for a couple of days so as to have it ready to give as a christmas present. Instead of doing that I made a pair of slipper socks, because I realized that I had worn a hole in the bottom of one of the last set.

Then I decided to start putting together a different present, a book that I am making for a dear friend. She knows about it so I can safely post without spoiling it. I got the pages cut, folded, marked punched and sewn together and got the outside of the covers finished...Then I put it down because the next step involves picking a button. Hard thing that.
Not long after that the final package from My pal arrived. Val, It was awesome. The adorable kitten was *immediately* absconded with and she slept with it last night.

I was insanely tempted to make things with the Yarn in this box. he hand spun, hand dyed alpaca merino is the most beeeeeeautiful shade of blue. So pretty it almost hurts my eyes to look at. And sooooft. But the *3* skeins of bamboo were nearly in bed with me last night. Outside cashmere I don't think I have held anything so pettable and squooshable.

There is a little kit to knit a little sheep...I maight just have to do this because, though she didn't know it, I was once associated with a local group that contains a few Scotsmen.Many jokes and good memories. (I wonder if I could dye the wool green?)

Then to the heart of the matter. COFFEE and a mug and an awesome cup cozy! The mug, while not entirely in my taste range (though very cool for a holiday theme), will definately be kept for my mother to use. She is over for coffee often and appreciates a good mug. I don't know if I will be sharing the three coffee sample sizes though. I might have to hide them. The mug cozy is happily being used on my all time favorite coffee mug, a jelly jar mug.

After the Joy was had at the opening of a *super* present I went on to work on 4 other things I am working on for various people that i can't put pictures up of yet.In between all this there was a phone call from the school we have been trying to get the Creature into. She will be starting in january and I can't tell her yet because she will get MAJORLY excited and ask fifteen million times a day if school is tomorrow. Then I *knit* this thing that I will choose to call a trivet. I will be felting it today to see if it does what I want it to. The colors kind of remind me of chocolate mint icecream...I think I'll keep it, maybe, if it turns out how I think.

While doing this I was thinking about some of the other crafts that I should be working on and putting up on etsy. Being all kinds of happy because of the 3 orders I have mailed out. Yippee.

Then there was the making of dinner. I decided to make Chicken cordon bleu and scalloped potatos, from scratch. So I did. And The Creature was a *big* help. I let her layer the potato slices in the pan while I was prepping the chicken and she did a wonderful job. After this there was the brushing of the teeth and the stories (she reads me bedtime stories now) and the *many* songs till she passed out.

Cleaning up dinner and trying to find the happy relaxed place before I go to sleep, I finally got some more work done on the thing I started my day wanting to work on. Now I am only a few rows from finished....Think I can finish it today without the monkeys in my head spoiling it?

New pattern coming soon...and stuff.

So, I am working out issues with a skein of cotton and front and back post double crochet. I made a couple of dish scrubbies in junk acrylic and found one that works really nicely. Now I am trying a variation on the theme with cotton cause I had it on hand...I was going to make a bath puff for hunny but that didn't work out so well. I am going to put up a picture or three and the text of the pattern once it is done.
Now the "stuff"
Tonight will be the second meeting of a local group of fiber enthusiasts. I will be bringing my works in progress and enough other stuff to demonstrate with. Those that are coming should bring their projects and questions. Once things have gotten going we can discuss what I will need to post for edification.
Mouse still on the loose but hopefully not for long.
Two packages will be going out today... One to my downstream pal and one to my***upstream*** pal. I found out that my upstream pal has been having difficulty getting any communication from her upstream and feel like sending her a hug. The person ignoring her should have more *&$%#^@& care for the obligations. I have been happily spoiled by someone that has been given next to no reason to play her part. I truly am blessed by that. (and even if I had guessed who she was, I would keep my mouth shut...) Hopefully, she will read this and know how much I appreciate her efforts.
MORE STUFF...
Why do I seem to be running out of yarn? I have yarn....really. I just can't seem to figure out what it wants to be right now. I guess there will be more Watchum Pockets coming than I had thought....Soon I will be down to the *good* stuff and then I will suffer. The nagging feeling that I should be making something "better" with the yarn.
OK, done with my whining for now.

Weekend update. Pictures

My pal sent me an awesome package. In this package were all the fixins for an obsession start up. A BOOK....A crochet book about SOCKS!!! So now I can join in all the reindeer games and wrap my noggin around socks with the rest of the fiber world.

Booooooook. Loves me some books. I collect vintage needlecraft books and have recently gotten some new crochet and knitting books but this is awesome. I might even be able to make a few of these patterns. Now, if I can just manage to make a pair...2 that look alike. A minor miracle.

Yarn stuffs. She sent me a skein of some luscious Opal in a color called petticoat. Yes, there is some of the dreaded pink in it but I think I might be able to live with it. The colors combine to make a mighty morphin power sock! Truely, a lovely color. I think my daughter would love socks form this. Left to my own devices it might have been turned into a bunch of little wallets.

She also sent a nifty set of stitch markers that my creature took off with before the borrowed camera could be used and a lovely bamboo hook in a size F. Now I have a back-up just incase I loose the first one. And I could even carry it with me to the store and such. Never too many hooks, I say.
I have some other new pictures to put up, btu that will have to wait just a bit. I had to acknowledge my pal and her truly thoughtful gift.

Ahem.

That thing came today. The one that I can't take full advantage of due to my inability to post pictures....I can't exactly list all of my projects and stash and needle/hooks without pictures now can I... Thats right all, Ravelry. I be the Mommastormy forever and ever without end. No, not a link but my excitement. And now I have some other lovely news. Went to the Doctor today. Explained the litany of owies. So I probably do not have bursitis in my hip, knee and ankle... I did however have to go get dosed with x-rays. 3 shots of my ankle and 5 of my neck. I may have to begin physical therapy and many other lovely things. I was also offered anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication along with optional mood "stabilizers" to give me some help with the ADD/HD symptoms that I have been medicating with coffee and Mt. Dew for years. Another subject... My poor Puter. It has been replaced and I will have to spend some serious time replacing and transferring information that is vital to my mental health. Music... Pictures... More music. (=
As always, I look forward to reading the trials and tribulations of my friends the craft world. Wishing you the muse and the time to craft.

The newest contest...

List your favorite:
Actor - James Marsters
Actress - My Daughter, Crocodile tears and all. Jodie Foster
Animal - Owl
Band - Styx
Book - Ones with pictures. But seriously, Stranger In A Strange Land
Bubble Bath - With what time? Ok, Epsom Salts and vanilla oil.
Candy - Caramel or birch mints, the pink ones.
Color - Hmm, Neutral right now. Black and dark browns.
Flower - Iris or morning glory
Food - Rice with butter and salt.
Lip Balm - Berry Blistex
Lotion -Coaco Butter
Movie - Hehe, Breakfast club, Labyrinth, Legend, Others that would be a bit too telling if you haven't met me.
Song - Spam,spam, spam and eggs.
TV Show - Farscape right now
Vacation Spot - Anywhere but my house?

Worst EVER.

This is the worst thing I have ever done with yarn. It was a hat. It fit me and all. I did something silly and assumed the yarn was of too high an acrylic content to shrink much. BAD me. Those funky pokey bits are the chenille yarn that didn't shrink at all, of course. Now the hat is too small and it looks like it has a disease. It goes away.

Bwahahahaha.

I got presents... Wheee.

Awesome magazine that my small creature immediately pointed out a dozen things she wants me to make.

Wheeeee. Yarn. I don't think I have felt anything quite like the debbie bliss cotton/angora. The wool/alpaca will likely go to make something for my mother and the solid wool I might just get to keep for me.

Finally, a needle and hook gauge. It is too cool. The card is very cute as well.

Ah, the dishcloths. I don't actually use them but they are gorgeous. I make scrubbies out of acrylic yarn. But...My daughter immediately grabbed the basketweave one and told me it was her new bath cloth. How could I refuse.
All in all I believe I have an AWESOME secret pal.

Stash pictures for SP11 contest

Drawer 1 is my cotton. Mostly for when I go really nuts and decide to crochet lace. (=

Drawer 2 is all the other yarn. Really, all of it. Ok all the balls at least.


Drawer three is all the stuff still in skein.

And yes, cotton aside, there is only one skein of wool among the acrylics. The only other wool is being made into a hat and is in my desk drawer. That being where I work most often.
I really miss that camera.

Amazon wishing.

SP11 Questions

For those that might be curious, and for the SP11 group. And if you have *ANY* other questions, feel free to ask though I reserve the right to not answer or to answer in either a sarcastic or extremely vague way. (=

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am texture conscious. I love smooth cottons and fluffy boucle. The fiber content is not so much an issue just as long as it isn't rough texture or one of those acrylics that feels crunchy or greasy.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use a bag that I made and lined with felt for my hooks and I have a toiletries travel bag that I store most of my needles in. I have my DP N's and my short needles in another bag that I made.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Knitting has been about 4 years and I would classify myself as intermediate. I know how to use a cable needle but I'm not up to intarsia (yet). Crochet on the other hand, I have been doing for approximately 15 years and I can read and understand most any pattern, which doesn't mean I can make them. I am mainly freestyle or patterns in my head. The largest thing I have made is a shawl.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other on line wish list?
Yes and I will put up a link to it and tag it appropriately.
5. What's your favorite scent?
Amber resin
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
More of a savory. Peanut butter cups, Peppermint Patties, Caramel and Coffee flavored candies.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Um. better to ask what I *don't* do but here goes. Just about anything relating to paper though I haven't yet made any of my own yet, if you want specifics please ask. Jewelry making (earrings, necklaces and bracelets made with glass and stone beads) and repair. Polymer clay beads, sculpture and covering things to make them look pretty. Sewing , both new things and repair of old. Cooking.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
80's, dance, "classic" rock, Musicals, Jazz ..... Ok, how about just saying ... Not country or rap please. Just about anything else I would be happy to listen to at least once. Yes my computer is my stereo and video center. This way I can watch something besides Disney rated shows.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Jewel tones. I don't like neons or pink. I adore Variegated yarns and can even enjoy pink in them, just not on it's own.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married with a daughter. No pets at the moment.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Depending on the weather, yes. Since it does actually get cold enough for about two months out of the year here.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Knit... Scarves, hats and pouches. Crochet... Hmmm. Favorite would have to be pouches and potholders, but I'll try anything with a hook.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Nothing on the needles right this minute but crocheting bags like mad.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes, when there is thought behind them.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Straight, Double pointed bamboo. Short bamboo needles. Bamboo hooks. But I like them all. I even have an old (really) set of Boyle aluminum interchangeable point circulars that I adore because they came from a friend. I use them for hats and they work beautifully. Anything interesting and unusual. I would love a bamboo G though. (=
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Not yet.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
After a couple of months I give up and frog them. Currently I have a scarf that I have been working on for two weeks but I am going to keep at it till it is finished.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn (ha ha). Vintage suitcases. Buttons. Frogs, Lizards and Turtles. Craft Books. Patterns for all my fiber related crafts.
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 would like to try a hardwood hook. I would like to try real wool yarn that has a label and I am not just guessing at the contents. Books.... I have a passion for OLD pattern books. the older the better but some of the ones from the 60's and 70's can be a riot. I always pick up new ideas. I have a wish list for newer books. I do not have any magazine subscriptions.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
As many as I can. I can use any information that will help me try new things or get better at things I already know.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Not at this time. I am working on crocheting socks and slippers. Size 8 1/2 wide .... Shoe size, I'll measure later
23. When is your birthday?
April 8th
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
nope.... not sure about it yet.