the quacking fiber addict

• Me to never become a sheep shearer
• Australia and New Zealand to deny me entrance into their territories
• Shear Genius to take away my scissors
• and Charlie to run away whimpering whenever he sees me...

Luckily, within 15 minutes of finishing the most atrocious dog-haircut in the history of domesticated animals, Charlie completely forgot that it had been me to wield the Scissors of Doom:


It helped that I threw his squeaky toy around the backyard for him for awhile:


The Most Atrocious Haircut took some time to finish (give or take an hour and a half - the dog was hairy). Afters, Emm and I went our separate ways. Him to WoW and suchlike. Me to sewing, silk, socks and stoles:



Oooh, alliteration. I promised Mum I would finish the mock-up robes for her to wear to the Harry Potter release party at Powell's. But, since we've had so much difficulty with the sewing machine, I decided to test the waters before diving in.

So, I tried out this tutorial. Only, I had to change it because I didn't have interfacing and a 12" zipper (details, details). I used snap-tape instead and upholstery fabric to negate the need for interfacing. It all went well until I accidentally cut the fabric down the middle - forcing me to change the dimensions. At this point the bag will hold a ball of yarn and not much else. Ahwell.

At least we know the sewing machine works, right?

And the pink silk bag is my Lantern Moon project bag. I couldn't take how open the top was (balls of yarn falling on the floor isn't fun), so I used an awl to poke holes in the outer layer of the top hem. Elastic cord and a adjustable doohicky (no, I can't remember what it's called) make it easier to keep projects inside the bag.

And, now, the knitting. The Slighty Twisted sock, it turns out, doesn't fit me. I made the heel flap just a weeee bit too long. It fits Mum. I'm too far to care to frog, so Mum gets the pair.

*sigh*

I take comfort in the fact that the Mystery Stole is still mine. And pretty as ever. I'm not through clue 2 yet (the sock distracts me with it's flashy-flashy variegation), but I'm making progress without a single guess as to it's theme. Well, maybe one.

I'm a Classicist, so I should know this, but was there a Greco-Roman g-d of confusion?

Labels: Charlie, MS3, travelling sock(s), WIP

It was so hot and humid today, I almost felt like I was back on the East Coast. We're expecting another thunderstorm tonight, which is shocking to me - 2 in one summer in Oregon? Strange.

This afternoon, I received four teasers - the 4 extra bobbins for my en route Journey Wheel:



After fixing the sewing machine (again) for Mum, cleaning, doing several loads of laundry, and slaying a small chimaera, I took the sock to Laurelhurst Park:


The sock didn't like the weather, either. But we fared better than either of the 'rents or the dog. It was quite pathetic, really, how droppy Charlie was - he wouldn't even play with the other dogs at the park. That was another first.

Because we were on the right side of town, I dragged Mum, Dad and Charlie to Twisted. Oh, yes, Charlie came in, too, to ooh's and ahh's. I liked the store. They've made an effort to stock unusual yarns, like recycled rayon and Tibetan hemp. The store's still new and their shelves are a little bare (good publicity has helped them with that), but I also really appreciated the fact that they had a wall of sock yarn. Sock yarn other stores in the area don't carry, like Cherry Tree Hill (drool), Woolarina, aaand Dreaming in Colour's 'Smooshy':


I'm sorry. I couldn't resist it's siren song. It kept whispering sweet nothings to me when the young ladies were chatting with Mum. 'Knit me! Knit me! I want to be a pair of Embossed Leaves socks! I know you want me... Knit me!"

Oh, right. Speaking of Embossed Leaves socks... (deep breath)... Mona Schmidt, the designer, has agreed to be the SKA's Mystery Sock designer for November! (little squee)

And that is all the news I have right now. So sleepy and we're getting up early to drive along the Columbia River Gorge to the Dalles. Expect lots of traveling sock photos tomorrow...

Labels: LYS review, socks, travelling sock(s), WIP, yarn p0rn

And you just might hear the 'thud!' of my mother falling off of the wagon.

She tried to get a prescription for a narcotic today. Luckily the doctor was either incredibly clever or unbelievably incompetent, because he wrote the prescription out incorrectly. None of us tried to stop her from doing this since we didn't know about it until it was too late.

The next week or two should be interesting. In a gum-gnashing, nail-biting, snippy sort of way.

I really wish someone would hire me already.

Until then, though, I shall knit like I'm being paid for it. Below are the Mystery Stole and my new traveling sock:


This sock is much better behaved than my last traveling socks and will thus be rewarded somehow. If you have any ideas on how to reward a sock, let me know.

Moving on. The landlord came by today, approved everything we'd done, and then left - all within 5 minutes. He's definitely my kind of landlord.

The Peace Corps was not so obliging. Upon inquiring as to my medical clearance status, I received this reply from my medical screening aide:

Greetings,
At this time, your medical file will need further review by our staff specialist. After the specialists have completed their review a letter, confirming the status of your medical review will be sent.
Regards,

X-X-X

I then called my medical screening aide, only to find that he wasn't in his office and still hasn't returned my call. Nice. I'm really going to have to start hounding these people more.

Good news? SKA has 350+ members on ravelry and we're starting a year-long sock challenge in August. I've even received a positive reply from the designer I contacted in regards to contracting a Mystery Sock pattern for this fall/ winter.

Bad news? Er, I'm officially terrified of my Bloglines subscription page. I'm so far behind on my feeds that I'm into the triple digits. I have a feeling that I've missed some important stuff, too. I've also not managed to send out Crimson's prize or Bulldogknit's goodies for her son. I also haven't forgotten the VACANT 1506 challenge, I'm just really really far behind on my plans. Expect it to emerge sometime in 2010 at this rate.

Someone please kick me.

Labels: cast on, Peace Corps, SKA, travelling sock(s), WIP

No post yesterday due to the oh-so-fun ER visit Mum made early Sat morning. I stayed up with her and Dad, until it proved futile and that she really needed medical treatment (around 3 am). She was diagnosed with a severe migraine (vomiting, auras, etc) and got to have tons of fun tests. I didn't go along, but I got to hear all about the MRI, CAT scan, and Spinal Tap today. Eeek.

Sooo, needless to say, we were all quite useless yesterday and are still a bit off-colour. Even so, I've been working fiendishly on my current WIPs and several teensy-tiny items for various babies I'm distantly acquainted with. One set of goodies is finished, another started. It's so odd to be working on booties that can sit together in the palm of my hand. How were we ever all that small?

I mentioned a contest on Friday, didn't I? Maura gave me a fun idea - the VACANT 1506 Contest. I'm still working out the details, but I should have it all together in a day or two. I also, ha, have TheBon and Crimson's prizes from the Wacky Ducky Contest sorted out (you two couldn't thwart me forever with your vague answers, no siree). The prizes'll probably go out at the same time as the baby gifts. Now all I need are their (the babies) Mum's addresses.

Stephieface, I gave you warning, now I need your address to send along some things for Beans. I know you read my blog ;D As for Bulldogknits, I'm bad and lost her address and'll have to email her in a non-creepy way to ask for it again...

This'll be interesting. And, just to prove I've been knitting, I'll end with a progress photo of the progress of Titania's Revenge and the back of my cotlin cami:

Labels: family, WIP