Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Happy Day Before Thanksgiving!

Or, as it's known outside the United States, happy Wednesday in late November!

Things have been a bit busy, what with potlucks and the like.  Which is why I only realized a couple of days ago that I was going to need to start thinking about my winter seasonal decor.  After a mild bout of panic, I pulled out a bunch of my winter embroidery patterns and got this one in the hoop.
It's the Winter Ambigram  from Urban Threads.  (Please excuse the poor lighting in all the photos as we are due for our first decent snow of the season, all light is currently gray.)  I'm hoping to get it done in a couple more days.

After having to rip out the Erica that was too big, I needed a palette cleanser.  I ripped out a hat that I had made too small and re-purposed the yarn into some Olivia mitts.
The yarn is Maverick Fiber Company DK in the Sedona colorway, (bought directly from the dyer too).  The yarn is gorgeous and warm.  The pattern worked up quick and beautiful.  I love these mitts!

I did re-cast the Erica sweater...I just haven't had the drive to get very far on it...again.  Even if it is knitting up faster at a smaller size.


I may have also let myself get slightly distracted by a couple of Hunter Hammersen patterns...can you blame me?
First is the Petiole  hat in Malabrigo Rios in Hojas (leaves):

The mitts will follow.  I may also have a cowl in this colorway already.  My excuse for casting on the hat and mitts was that I needed a full set.
And then she came out with Conflagration.  I immediately went looking for yarn.  Lava Flow from Lorna's Laces seemed just perfect!
Leaves and fire?  How could I not want to knit these?!?!

The last project that has my attention is a knit along called Project Peace.  This is a need to do for me personally.  It's difficult not to be pleased that so many others agree!  I went stash diving for this one, which is why I can't tell you what yarn this is, (the ball band went missing ages ago).  It is beautiful blues and teals and turquoise as well as sparkly.
Hopefully, I will make progress on my sweater as well as potentially finish the hat, mitts, and embroidery piece over the long weekend...I have other things to get on the needles!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

I did finish a sweater...

This is Peregrine.  It looks well on, though it's a slightly deeper v-neck than I normally wear.

This was the body of an Erica sweater....that I made too big.  By about four inches around.

So it's been re-cast, as I love the sweater and want one rather badly.

I also had plans to make a dress for a family shindig in December....but I got a notice yesterday that the fabric won't get here till January.  I may have pouted at the bag of cut out pattern pieces for said dress and then run to look at different fabric.  I found nothing.
I decided to look at  it as a chance to buy a new dress. (The dresses already in my closet are too informal, cocktail, or decidedly costumes.  None of which work for a church event).  Found a perfect dress...but they were out of my size.  Kept looking.  Found yet another dress, not quite as ideal, still lovely of course, only to find out it's back ordered till January.
I may be getting a wee bit frustrated.

We were also told that the office holiday party was going to be Great Gatsby themed.  I can do that! Velvet and pearls and spangly bits!
Most of the ensemble readily pulled from my closet.  Not shown are the elegant opera length black velvet gloves I was going to wear with...till Husband announced yesterday that the only time he could get his foot surgery scheduled was the day before said office shindig.  Guess what we aren't going to now?  (I'm not upset about the surgery.  I am irked at not being able to play dress up.)

All of this has occurred in less than twenty four hours.   Does it hurt anybody? No.  Is it somehow a major event?  Only in my brain.
Mostly, it's me getting angry and being frustrated that weeks of effort and planning on at least three different projects got obliterated, mainly before lunch yesterday.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

So, the election happened...

I stayed up late, watching the returns come in.  I sat shocked, stunned, and rather terrified when I realized the results.  It was difficult not to be saddened by the evidence of so many people voting in fear and hate.
 As a country, we are fundamentally granted the right to believe as we like.  Though, if those beliefs hurt and demean other people, they may require some re-thinking.

People are NOT things.
Different does NOT equal bad or wrong.

More folks are going to need help, do what you can.  Little things do matter.

And now, a picture of my cat with a toy mouse on her head, as well as stuffies made for a friend's wedding a few years back, because adorable helps!
They are Forget Me Knots by Phoeny.

Knitting and making stuff pictures to grace the page soon!

Started a new blog

  Oooh Shiny! is now on WordPress.  There isn't much there yet, but I will work on that.