I'm an Oboe

I cannot believe that this strip is written by a man. He has the young girl angst thing down pat.

Boo-Boo kitty

I had to rush one of my eleven year old kitties to the vet on Saturday. She had broken off the bottom part of her upper canine tooth.

Bubu has what are referred to as 'neck lesion' or 'resorptive lesion'. The lesion created a narrowing on her fang tooth, and caused enough damage to weaken the tooth until it broke.

But don't worry, Bubu is now home, on painkillers, and doing fine.

Mom, however, has a whopper of a vet bill.

From me, To me

Every year. for my birthday, I always treat myself to something special. On Sunday, my friend Judith treated me to a mani-pedi, we had excellent Thai food (and Thai iced tea for me and Thai iced coffee for her)and browsed the stacks at Barnes and Noble. I bought myself:

Vogue Knitting magazine
Sew Stylish magazine
Vogue Patterns magazine

I've decided to make a decision to live my life now, and not wait for some day to be this perfect, happy person. I am going to find a way to incorporate more knitting and sewing in my life. I have the time, space, and resources to really pursue creating some of my clothing NOW. I don't need to wait for some day dream life in the future that will never happen.

2-at-a-time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oaks

My friend Mary pretty much said you can't knit two socks at once. (She won't even discuss DPNs, which I find hysterical. This woman knit a fair isle sweater that is as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. She has knit stuffed toys. She has knit a Vera Wang style sweater for cats for Crazy Aunt Purl.) I'm motivated to try this technique. Will this (eventually) be a commuter friendly project?

Oh yeah, which made the purchase of this a necessity:

And to round out the order, I purchased the newest Gedifra Highlights. You know, just to justify the shipping.

THe Lobotomist by Jack El-hai.

I've been waiting to read this for some time. I've long since forgotten where I saw it recommended, but I remember it as another side to the main who pioneered the lobotomy as treament for mental illness. I have been doing alot of reading on the internet lately on this subject.

Quick and Easy Tarot (I'm honestly alittle embarassed by this. Not by the Tarot cards, I already have a set. And two books on the subject. I'm embarassed by the fact that I still need "cheat notes." But hey, if it works, it works.)

Each card has the meaning printed right on the card.

Nipolar Disorder Demystafied by Lana R. Castle

Exoect to hear more on this issue. It isn't so much a mystery to me, this book is somewhat basic for me. But I needed a place to start my personal journey, and this one is written by a patient.

PS The first time, I totally typed "lobata-MOIST." OMG.

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Gift Giving

My Knitting Goals for 2008

I'm a big believer that gifts should be fun, not useful. You need to be careful around me, because if you mention once that you like something, I make a note in my Palm. And then, when your birthday comes around, I look at that list and find something special to buy. I buy toys, games, luxuries. Things that you want but would never buy for yourself.

Today I did a silly thing. I went to Amazon.com and bought every item on one of my wish lists: Sexy Knitting. I had the list down to five books out of all the recent offerings in the realm of "sexy knitting." Domaknitrix, for example, I had browsed in person and found to be wanting. And without a second thought I purchased them all, new.

It all started with Knitting Fashions of the 40's. My mother kept requesting "fun" and frivolous things to buy for me for Christmas. I asked her to buy this book since I knew I never would - I don't think I'll knit a single pattern in this book, ever 0 but I look to look at the pictures for inspiration. It's a very feminine, Dita Von Teese thing that I love.

Then, I became obsessed. I allowed myself some "grief-shopping" and spent $90 without a though and adopted:

Naughty Needles

Romantic Hand Knits

Knitting Lingerie Style

Sexy Little Knits

Sensual Knits

Now, I find spending money promisculously very arousing, but the really sexy thing is this: I'm going to knit these things. These sexy little things. Because I am a beautiful, sexy, attractive, desirable, adorable being. And I deserve pretty little things. And whoa! How neat! If I make them myself.

So the real fun gift from me to me is not the books but that warm and fuzzy self love.

Hello, 2008!

My, My, my eye

First, a funny story. When people ask why I sew or knit, I say it's because I have control issues. When I'm shopping, I'll always look at a garment and think how I'd change the color, or fabric, or something. Just recently, I was looking at this pattern with a friend, and said the following: "It's perfect. I would just add thiss, change this, and change this."

Lima, by Jane Ellison in Sulka by Mirasol Yarns. I said it's perfect! I would just shape it more below the bust, add a few buttons, and puff the sleeves for a more current silhouette. And low and behold, I found this:

The puff sleeve cardigan from Victoria's Secret. Sadly, no longer available in this color, but in pale pink and black for $59.

A Confession (Is this admissable in court?)

I have this mad crush on Vickie Howell... I know she's married-with-kids and all, and even if not, probably not interested in me, but still... I find confidence sexy.

True story: (Now ex-)boyfriend walks into the room to see me watching Knitty Gritty. I know why you watch this show... he says knowingly. [blush]

[Cough, cough.] ANYWAY, Vickie has her own podcast starting Nov. 1. I thought I'd mention it here, because it's not available yet and I know I'll forget.

On a completely unrelated note, my cat Bubu (Batterup) just yawned and dayum, smelled like Rockaway at low tide. Guess which animal health professional is too scared to get her cat's teeth cleaned??
Guess this post is all about... Nah, I won't say it. If I ever meet Vickie, I don't want her to slap me.

Comments? I have comments??

I am so embarrassed.

I have comments? I guess for some reason I have the comment notification turned "off". Probably because I didn't know anyone read this blog.

To Crazy Aunt Purl and Bronx Girl Knits, I am soo sorry! I so totally appreciate your comments. I literally had to pause a moment after I realized that I had comments (breathe!) and then I felt so bad since they had been there for a month... Maybe because I'm so busy stalking y'all!

Things I want from Boston Proper

Red wrap dressBlack wrap sweater
Black wrap dress
Black ponte jacket
Not terribly, exciting, I know. But they are all good wardrobe staples!

Oh yeah, knitting!

After having my boyfriend of four years break up with me and asking me to leave our home... After discovering that he had already moved on and was pursuing another woman... After hearing over and over how he didn't cheat on me just because his "intention" was to be friends with her... After moving myself and the cats back to my parents - again... Well, it's been a rough few weeks. I have decided that I NEED to knit.

The good news is that the heartbreak only lasted... a few weeks. Hmm... Much easier to get over than I thought it would be. Bye bye! Back to knitting!

I have been itching to get a project on the needles for weeks. I am determined to start and finish my first "true love" project: the Gedifra entrelac scarf. It WILL be ready by the time it is seasonally appropriate to wear. I have purchased a moderately expensive chaise lounge for my new apartment with comfortable knitting in mind. When I get to decorate (as opposed to "filling the empty spaces with furniture") I am planning to purchase some kind of handy storage for my current project so that it will be neatly and decoratively at hand. I need to make a plan to acquire the appropriate needles, and then skills, to tackle this moderately challenging project. The yarn is beautiful, and costly, and I want it to turn out well. I don't think this wool wrap will be an appropriate commuting project, however.

Having said that, I will also need to start an appropriate commuting project. Would entrelac socks be 'too much'?? I am in desperate need of some fingerless gloves for my painfully cold office. And I have some beautiful verigated merino yarn in a sock/lace-type weight in a beautiful forest-y color way that I wanted to use for a clapotis, perhaps.

But all of my yarn and needles and other happiness is currently trapped in my old, ex-apartment. Sigh. In desperation, my other-mother gave me a skein of acyclic Caron Super Soft in soft blue and a pair of aluminum size 10 straight needles. What am I going to make?

I am going to loop yarn and make a fabric. This fabric will gain its strength from the interconnectedness of each loop. And I will calmly, quietly, and all by myself follow the rules to make a knit stitch over and over. And if I follow the rules, and if all the loops stay together, well then my fabric will have strength.

And so will I.

My Love Predicition

I have been saved by the overwhelming, indisputable power of the horoscope. Anyone who knows me will tell you - this is totally me.

From today's Daily News:

Love Insight: Taureans lie to take love slow. It's more important for them to secure themselves financially before making commitments to anyone else. They also need a love mate to be their best friend. They're romantic creatures, and will spoil Mr. or Ms. Right like the prince or princess that they'll need to be.

Love Secrets: Irresistable: They're nurturing, with you feeling loved and secure. They are charming, romantic, and dependable.

Irritating: It's true, they can be totally inflexible, impossible to budge, and brood for what seems like an eternity.

Romance: Candles, flowers, lights: It's a well-organized and thought out affair.

Passion: Be patient - it's smoldering and builds one step at a time before going to the next level of love. When it's a perfect match, it's spine-tingling.

Flirt Factor: Subtle, deliberate, forceful and unassuming. Taureans are seductive flirts and they'll have eyes for you only.

Faithfulness: They'll stay forever, unless you're really bad. Trust and friendship keeps her home.

Marriage Material: Absolutely - they are not in for a quick fling. They love stability, so get ready for a long engagement.

I just wish I would learn to take things slow... I always rush in, head over heels. Sigh.

More of me...

Or, after the last photo, I guess less of me.

Yes, I guess I'm 16 and totally in to myspace. Geez.

My New Place

bar height. stools fit neatly underneath when not in use.

the bedroom set a chaise for the bedroom

M.E.

Stolen thoughts on Loss

This is from Crazy Aunt Purl's massive collection of comments:

It is amazing, as I reflect this morning, how someone can stamp such an impression on our hearts...
yet be so undeserving of that precious space.

Thanks, Dale.

And from CAP herself:

Jo Ann, I have been there. I have, I have. If I could hug you
inappropriately this very moment, I would! Twice!

Buy her book, dammit. Her cats have needs.

More Losses

So, if anyone is keeping track my boyfriend four years has broken up with me and asked me to vacate our apartment. This would all be somewhat easier if he hadn't decided to start dating his new girlfriend in the few days since he's decided to tell me.

And, another panda was lost.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A giant panda at the Memphis Zoo has miscarried, an ultrasound test discovered Wednesday.

Ya Ya, a 6-year-old panda on loan from China, was artificially inseminated in January.

Three other U.S. zoos — San Diego, Washington and Atlanta — have giant pandas. The most recent panda cub born in the U.S. is Mei Lan, who was born in September at the Atlanta zoo.

My Knitting Autobiography

I consider myself fortunate to be part of a family of talented, creative people. I myself have dabbled in a few crafts, mostly fiber crafts, since I was a toddler. I failed miserably at crochet as a youngster, and proceeded to convince myself that I could never knit. After all, knitting used TWO needles.

A few years ago, I became intrigued by the notion of crocheting or knitting socks after looking at a Mary Maxim catalog of my mother's. I immediately fell in love with the colorful, self striping sock yarns. It's magic! And I love funky patterns, wild colors, and knee highs. I put "learn to knit / crochet socks" on my someday / maybe list and promptly forgot about it.

Fast forward to 2005. I was working at a mind numbing job and in a wonderful, stable relationship for the first time in my life. And I was bored silly. I would come home from work, cook dinner, clean up and be completely "done" by 6 o'clock. The hours until bedtime seemed to drag. I became so obsessed with housework (Monday is recycling! Tuesday I clean the bathrooms!) that I drove my boyfriend crazy. "Get a hobby!" my boyfriend demanded lovingly. Among other things, I decided to teach myself to knit.

Being the anti-social type, I purchased two books: Stitch and Bitch and Teach Yourself Visually Knitting and Crocheting. I also purchased a random size of bamboo needles (I still don't know what size they are - 3? Smaller than 5, anyway...) and a large skein of practice acrylic Red Heart Super-Saver yarn in Delft Blue. And then with the text from S&B and the beautiful photos from Visually, I taught myself to cast on, knit, and purl. I made a conscious decision to learn continental style, since based on Debbie Stoller's description it seemed more efficient. I made various bright blue, acrylic swatches. My boyfriend asked if I was ever going to knit something. For me, I was just enjoying the act of knitting.

Then, I became bold and decided to order a project. I picked what seemed to be a simple poncho from Mary Maxim. Sadly, before I even received my kit in the mail, Martha Stewart decided to leave prison in what became the infamous "Freedom Poncho". And I realized that I could never, ever wear my poncho in public. Or, at least not for a very long time. So I had 6 skeins of Bernat Solo in Rustic and a pair of Susan Bates size 15 aluminum needles to start my stash.

It was at this time that I became obsessed with all things knitting: mainly knitting blogs, patterns and yarn. Amazing, beautiful yarn in all of its infinite creation. In all of my fiber arts, my favorite part has always been the textiles themselves - the fabric, ribbon, or yarn - and the multitude of creative possibilities that each item possesses.

I started reading a few blogs, good friends, that I still read today (and every day.) Laurie from Crazy Aunt Purl, Stephanie from Yarn Harlot, Kate from Fiber Fever... And I purchased my second project pattern and yarn. A Gedifra entrelac scarf that I still cannot knit.
Pattern: 618 from Gedifra Highlights 042
Yarn: Gedifra Fashion Trend Stripe 4679

Around this time, I decided to go back to college to obtain my Bachelors Degree. I started a program at Berkeley College for Fashion Marketing and Merchandising. Knitting was forced to compete with sleep, cleaning, and seeing my family in little was left of my time. When I picked up knitting again, I found that I could no longer knit continental and started to knit American. But I was determined to pick a project and actually knit something.