Oh my

Why.Must.The.Time.Change.Be.So.Painful? Seriously, it hurt to get out of bed this morning, and if work weren't so busy, there's a good chance I would have called in sick.

In some ways, I wish I had - I started off the day by leaving my blackberry in my car, necessitating a run back to it after my morning meeting, and ended the day leaving my wallet at work, necessitating a run back to the office. It was a perfect, if nerve-wracking, bookend to the day.

In knitting news, NxtDrGuy lost the Noro ribbed hat I made him 2 years ago :-( Luckily, I found the same colorway, and ordered two skeins (an extra, just in case!), and he feels sufficiently bad about losing it. So, at least he's knit-worthy...

And finally, in shopping news, I scored the Dr Martens flats I'd been ogling for a few months on crazy sale (we're talking cheap!), in my size and the color I wanted. Here they are in all their gorgeous red technicolor (nom nom nom):

Happy New Year

I slept hard after last night's eat-a-thon, and waking up was painful, until I realized it was New Year's Day and all I had to do to today was putter about the kitchen and maybe finish some knitting. I really love days off!

Nxtdrguy and I celebrated New Year's Eve in the usual way - dinner at Black Angus. It felt different this year, though. The place was pretty quiet and it was way too easy to get a parking spot. If this is not a sign the economy is in the dumps, I don't know what is. What I do know is that this is the first time I haven't felt a twinge of sadness at the passing of a year. 2008 was really a shitter of a year, and I hope 2009 will be a vast improvement on it.

Speaking of vast improvements, I've been using the time off work to get things done around the place, and am finally getting my crafting mess a bit more organized. Me + organization results in more mess, but it's coming together, albeit slowly!

The big project was building an Expedit bookcase from IKEA to hold my mags, dolls and the fabric I want to sew now (much more stored elsewhere!). Yarn is stored in the closet (sorry no photos, though maybe I will flash the stash this year).

Here's a photo of the first round of organizing the Expedit (it's likely to change at some point, but will do for now):



All my magazines fit across the bottom row - I'm ever so proud of that! They look so much neater there, and have freed up a bunch of space elsewhere. The Blythes and other dolls fit in the top two shelves, and that cleared two smaller bookcases, which I think will go in the dining area to hold cook books and other displayable items, like Pyrex, etc. See? Already making plans on how to whip my place into shape...

Ah, and speaking of plans... It is New Year's Day after all, and tradition dictates one should make resolutions. I think I'll make mine a list of things I'd like to accomplish this year, so I can refer back to it periodically and make sure I'm on track.

1) exercise more: I have started hiking on weekends with a friend of a friend, so will continue that. In addition, I am to exercising two times a week after work with a co-worker.

2) knit more: I already have dedicated time for knitting on Saturdays, and do a little during the work week, too. I'd like to knit through at least ten miles of stash yarn, and I think the best way to do it is to make a list of what I should work on per month. I intend to follow that up by posting picks of FOs here (yeah, right - haha!)

3) stay in touch more: I tend to get so into work that I feel like I never come up for air, and it promises to be even more challening in the next few months, so I will set aside time to hang with friends. If nothing else, I'll update the blog so everyone will know why they never hear from me!

4) write more: yup, it's time. Will do that by blogging more, and finally getting my laptop out so I can work on my stalled novel. Really.

5) keep my place neat: I can't say organized, because my sense of organization is quite different than anyone else's! But, stuff put away and not on every surface might be a good start. I would also like to purge some things this year, which I think will help.

6) do fun things: I'd really like to finally learn to play guitar and chess! I know, so weird that my idea of fun is learning new things. I blame the IHP. XD

That should cover most of it. I'd add travel more, but I've not been in love with travel for while - it seems like more of a chore for some reason. But, if I do, it would be to visit friends in Italy.

How's About a Nice Cup of STFU?

Car shopping is the pits. Friday, I spent about two hours getting dicked around by the dealers at Honda Airport Marina. They totally marked the Honda Fit up $4000 over sticker because they weren't smart enough to get enough in. Two hours later and we'd barely gotten them to halve the difference. That was when we got the most perfectly timed instant message from our boss that said, "If they are still charging over the sticker, get the fuck out." So, we walked. They totally followed us to our car still trying to work a deal and I had just had it. Why can't there just be a shut the fuck up sign - kinda like the Staples easy button? Seriously, I would use it all the time in restaurants when parents don't control their kids, or you get the guy/gal who needs to fill the room with their voice.

So, I am still with Neon and I swear it's like something new goes wrong every time I drive her. The driver window is now completely off the guide, which just makes getting in and out of work a royal pain. Not to mention the lack of AC, meaning it's a necessity to put the window down every time I get in anyway. Maybe I can just sweat off the 10 lbs I want to lose before I get the new car. Ugh.

The Long Goodbye

I took the Neon to the mechanic yesterday, and before I'd even arrived at work, they called to give me the bad news. The transmission is shot and the mechanic did not recommend putting another dollar into her. Needless to say, I was distraught.

The Neon was the first new car I ever bought and I've become quite attached to her and her idiosyncrasies. We've been through a lot together - road trips, blow outs, accidents, friends, dating, dieting, short hair, long hair, dyed hair, job after job after job... As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, it was my first permanent job in entertainment that allowed me to buy her, and she's come along for the ride as my career has been built. She put up with me shifting her into lower gears to gain extra power to pass more powerful cars, carried me faithfully to and fro work and held her head high even as her age showed. I spent most of yesterday mourning her, crying during my daily meeting and tearing up at the thought of not driving her anymore.

I spent some of today researching my next car, which I think will be the Honda Fit. I still need to sit in it and test drive (trust me, we tried to do this today, but the local Honda dealer sold their last Fit last night - harumph!), but aside from that, I like what I've seen. And, let's face it, the Sport version comes in purple, and as far as I'm concerned, that is the most important thing of all.

The picture on the Honda site makes it look more navy blue, but IRL, it's more of a blackish purple with glitter:



As a goodbye gesture to the Neon, I took a picture of the mileage on the way to work this morning. It seemed fitting that after more than 12 years together, the mileage should be 121212:



I know we will be going our separate ways within the next month (the mechanic said I could drive her for about that without too many problems), but the times we had were good and that is what I will try to remember.

And speaking of... Here are two pics of the Neon the day I got her:



My first time behind the wheel:



Ah, memories..... *sniffle*!

Long Time, No Blog

That whole New Year's Resolution to better balance work and life has been a bit of a bust. What can I say? It's been a busy year! The good thing is, I think I may have a bit of a breather before it gets really crazy, and let me say, I'm going to need it.

My poor car - I've needed to fix the AC for months and there has just not been any time to do it. I'm taking her in for a few other things tomorrow (transmission/oil change/tire rotation) and depending on what they say, I may be car shopping *sniffle*. I really don't want to deal with buying a new car right now! And truth be told, I like my car. Silly, I know, but in a sea of sameness, she stands out.

So, I've been trying to decide which direction to take my blog in - obviously, since it's public, I keep most personal information out of it (stalkers need not apply), but I'm not sure whether to skew it towards my crafting or my dolls. Both of those hobbies bleed into one another since I do make a lot of things for Blythe, but I think it might be better if I focus on crafting in general, with the girls making an occasional appearance. I also wouldn't mind working on improving my photography. Usually, I'm happy when everything is in focus, but honestly, I think the best way to showcase my crafting is through better photography.

Speaking of crafting, a co-worker and I are already planning what to make for the Holiday Bazaar at work in November. We'll see if anything comes to fruition as I am always full of plans (better than full of $hit, I suppose), and have trouble with the follow-through (hello, lonely blog o'mine). It can't hurt to try advance planning, and roping someone else into it means I am responsible to that person and less likely to flake. See? Already an improvement! ha!

And just so this isn't the most boring post ever with no visual stimulus in sight, I leave you with professional pictures (not taken by me, natch) of the two pairs of shoes I bought this week - both by Born (spelled with a / through the o, only I don't remember the code to get that to show up, but you get which brand I mean...). They're supah cute and supah comfy. In fact, I think my feet will be having a deep and meaningful relationship with these shoes for the next few months!

Pair #1 - the heels:


Pair #2 - the flats:

Happy New Year!

Last night's celebrations were not too much in excess. Maybe it's getting to a certain age that makes you realize overeating isn't all that anymore. Nxtdrguy and I went to Black Angus, heretofore known as "The Anus" (yes, we really are that immature) to celebrate and split a pound of prime rib - ugh, my stomach is in knots thinking about it! We've now gone there the last 3 years straight, mainly because we know they're one of the few restaurants that are open late and we like to reward them for that with our loyalty. After eating, we went to his place and watched "Serenity", which played so differently, now that I've seen the entire Firefly series. A lot darker and a lot more action. I still wish they'd do a sequel, but that's because most of what's put out by Hollywood is just so much dreck, aimed at the lowest common denominator.

When the film ended, we played a little Animal Crossing to watch the clock change and celebrate with our virtual friends. Somehow it seemed better than watching Dick Clark kissing his wife and listening to Ryan Seacrest pretending he's cool and down with that. Yuck.

Anyway, that was last night. Today, of course, is the first day of the new year, and well, that means one thing: RESOLUTIONS. I usually make fun ones like "getting in touch with my inner bitch" and "must learn how to play guitar", in the hope I can actually follow through on (Let's say I was successful with one of those...)

So, without further ado, here are my resolutions for 2008 (in no particular order):
1 - incorporate more exercise into my routine and watch what I eat
2 - file the papers that have piled up
3 - sell what I don't use on ebay
4 - keep in better contact with my friends (I've been a little out of the loop)
5 - find a better balance between work and home life
6 - knit through more of my yarn stash and sew through my fabric stash
7 - save money
8 - teach nxtdrguy how to play backgammon

I think I can manage most of those (even if I detest filing). I guess we'll know how successful I was by the end of the year! XD

My So Called Crafty Life

I am drowning in yarn and fabric, and yet I wouldn't have it any other way. The one thing I wish is that sewing were more portable, then I would be able to get more done on that end of the spectrum. Instead, I've taught myself to walk and knit (so long as there isn't any lace involved) and can usually get a row or two of knitting in while I walk from the parking garage to the office. So, at least it feels like I've accomplished something before I get to work. Otherwise, it feels like all I do is make lists of all the things I'd like to be working on :-/

To better organize myself and how I spend my time, I've made a general weekly schedule, which assigns projects to me during the week - everything from work, to exercise to sewing and writing (yup, I've decided it's time to get back to work on the novel). At least this way, I have my little checklist to tick off one line item at time so I know I've done more than play Animal Crossing and Picross (most evil game ever!) all week.

Sunday nights are devoted to cutting out sewing projects, and so far, I've cut out a pair of pajama bottoms from a pattern I've made quite a few times. They'll sew up super fast and then I'll have yet another thing to cross off my to-do list :-D

I took a crappy flash picture so I could share the fabric - it's bagels and New York style coffee cups on a red background. I have a ceramic version of the coffee cup, which I use every morning for my coffee at work. It's one of my favorites (favorite one being the Snoopy "I think I'm allergic to morning" one I've had since I was 4). Cute, huh?




I figure every little bit counts when it comes to getting back in to my crafting life.

Dr. Who?

While organizing my closet last night, I had the tv on in the background, and was lucky enough to catch some Dr. Who on PBS. Gah, the new Dr. Who is so frickin' sexah! Maybe it's the accent, I don't know, but I do remember the original 1970s Dr. Who always reminded me of my Algebra and Philosophy teachers combined, and the new one, well, he doesn't!

Anyway, watching it got me to thinking about Dr. Who's scarf, a fairly well-known accessory, and cause for obsession amongst fans. So at 1am, I pulled out some yarn and created my own version using this website as a guide.

Here are the results (before weaving ends in - there are a lot of them!):



I'm fairly pleased with the results, and have written the instructions, if you'd like to make your own Blythe-sized Dr. Who scarf (and who wouldn't want one?)

You will need:
sz 2 needles (2.75mm)
fingering yarn (aka 4ply) in 7 colors: Purple, red, tan, brown, gray, yellow and green

Using the color guide below, CO 10 stitches in the first color, and then follow the guide for the number of rows in each color (the rows are even numbers so the front side will have a seamless change of color). When you're done, bind off and weave in ends and take lots of pictures :-D

Rows - Color
2 - purple
12 - tan
4 - brown
2 - yellow
6 - red
2 - purple
12 - grey
6 - green
2 - yeloow
8 - tan
4 - red
2 - brown
2 - purple
12 - green
2 - yellow
4 - gray
2 - red
12 - tan
2 - purple
6 - green
4 - gray
2 - yellow
6 - red
2 - purple
10 - brown
2 - tan
2 - gray
12 - red
4 - yellow
6 - green
2 - purple
10 - tan
4 - brown
6 - gray
2 - red
4 - purple
2 - tan
4 - yellow
12 - green
4 - red
4 - gray
2 - yellow
6 - brown
2 - purple
2 - tan
8 - grey
2 - red
2 - yellow
4 - tan
2 - purple
8 - brown
2 - red
10 - purple

As with all my patterns, you're welcome to make items to sell from them, but please credit me for the pattern.

It's a Knit Knit Knit World

Ah, Summertime! When brains turn to mush and fingers ache for something to do... I compiled a list for myself of the projects I would like to work on/finish this summer (keep in mind - this list is made for a perfect world where days last forever and things actually get done). Anyway, without further ado, here's my list:

1. Rowan Scottish Tweed ballet wrap sweater - body is done, sleeves are half done
2. Sheela Scarf - on needles
3. Tagliato Shawl - on needles
4. Rowan Linen Sweater - back is half done
5. Fitted Knits sleeveless turtleneck
6. Fitted Knits puff sleeve cardigan - on needles - I'm using some vintage angora yarn from the thrift store - so soft!
7. Fitted Knits Alexandra ballet top - on needles - in naturgarn in goldenrod
8. Nxtdrguy's Noro hat - not like he can wear it now, but it'll be ready for the winter at this rate!
9. Noro Kureyon Cardigan - back is done, fronts are on needles
10. Noro Kureyon throw - on needles
11. Debbie Bliss Soho turtleneck
12. Debbie Bliss Soho arm warmers
13. Knitty Fetching fingerless gloves
14. Noro Kujaku tea kozy
15. Twinkle knit vest in Cascade Magnum
16. Vogue Patons cape - on needles

I'll be happy if I can get 1/4 of the list done (that would be 4 projects for the fractionally challenged). Any more than that and I'll be ecstatic! And of course, pictures and links are forthcoming on all of these. No fun reading the list when pictures can show you!

Wardrobe Refashion

While trolling through some comments on my flickr, I came across a picture of a shirt made from Simplicity 4589, which led me even further down the rabbit-hole to this website. O.M.G. I must do this! It feeds into all my neuroses... er, I mean, hobbies! 1) I love to sew and knit, 2) I have a ton of fabric and yarn to be gotten through and 3) I really need to save some money after splurging on a certain Blythe doll...



I've already bought the fabric I want to use for my high school reunion dress, so I think I'm covered.... Oh, wait - there is one more pair of shoes I want to buy... Hmmmm... Well, I haven't signed up yet, so I could in theory buy them and then sign up - that wouldn't really be considered cheating, would it? ;-)

Sheesh

So many things... I'm supposed to be finishing up my 2nd craftster swap (apologies to my swap partners - your stuff will be rad), but frick, it's hot and I've been rearranging all my crap today and I've realized I HAVE A LOT OF CRAP! Not that I didn't know that before... But, somehow moving it around to try to organize it just makes the problem so much more obvious. I'm annoyed with myself for letting it get this bad, and annoyed that work has been so busy that I haven't had time to fix it. Ugh.

On the plus side, I finished a project and wanted to share - it's knitty's fetching:

Aren't they cute?



I think I should concentrate on the shorter projects as, well, they go much faster! :-P Though, I do get supreme satisfaction out of finishing the more involved projects on my list, they just take forever to do...

New test hat

I've been playing around with strand knitting (aka fairisle) and have completed a test hat for the Blythes. Tiff had some ideas I couldn't resist, so I tried them out on the hat. :-)



I like the braids, but think I made them a little too long. The weight of the braids isn't allowing the flaps to curl up, which I find to be one of the cutest details of the hat. I'll either make them shorter or leave them unbraided next time. The fairisle pattern was my own addition and I think needs some tweaking - I was shocked to find that the row after I finished the pattern, I needed to decrease already! So, I've adjusted it, taking two lines out of the pattern, which should work better for placement overall.

Here are some more pictures:

Ear flaps up a` la Sherlock Holmes:


And tied under the chin (definitely needs a pom pom on top!):


Oh, and if I don't post again today - hope everyone has a safe and happy new year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Being that it's now Thanksgiving, my mind is already thinking ahead to the holidays and how to avoid as much of the festivities as possible. It seems to come faster and faster each year and the false frivolity irks me. It's not the happiest time of the year, who are we kidding?

I don't know about you, but I certainly have enough *stuff*. Not that I don't have my eye on a few things, but I'm at the point that I can pretty much buy the little things for myself. It's the big things I'm having trouble with - you know, like a house. The prices are ridiculous where I am and I keep waiting for something to happen to change that.

Anyway, enough of my diatribe - no one really wants to listen to a curmudgeon during the holidays - we all get labelled as "scrooge" - when all we really are is realistic.

I've been knitting up a storm in hopes of selling some stuff at squeakymonkey. Tiff and I have made some stuff in exchange, which is really cool - I think her clothes are amazing! I'm for the most part done with what I'm sending her, but am hoping to finish a couple of Jayne Cobb hats to send along.



Almost done with my pumpkin pies for the Thanksgiving dinner I'm going to - then I need to go get whipped cream (forgot to pick it up last night). I'm just glad I stopped and picked up fixings last night as I got the very last can of pumpkin pie mix in the store. How lucky is that?

Two Weeks in and...

Nothing. I haven't written a word. I'm lame, I know. I have a great idea for my novel, but the last two weeks have been really hectic at work (more so than usual). I'm so stressed, I really fear I could end up with reflux or even worse, an ulcer.

On the plus side, my knitting has really taken off! I modified a skipper pattern for a knitted hoodie for my Blythes, and it's gotten a really great response. Here's the semi-finished hoodie:



I need to add the tie chain and beads for closure.

I also tried out Woollyrockers' pattern. It turned out amazing! I highly recommend buying Liz's sweaters - her knitting is impeccable.

Here's my version:



And here's the one I bought from her:



I've also been commissioned to create a Blythe sweater dress using this as a guide:



So, I'm going to work out a pattern for it - I hope it turns out as cute as I think it will!

NaNoWriMo

I wish it were a long vacation that kept me away from my blog for so long, but really it's just been work, work and more work for the last few months. And just when I thought I had some relief, the person I've been training goes and gets herself on bedrest for the next two months. Ugh. Mmmm - bedrest - gawd that sounds frickin' amazing to me right about now!.

So, anyway, it's almost Halloween, and I'll be doing my usual "turn off the lights hide in the bedroom" routine for it. I just don't want to 1) have to open the door to strangers and 2) have candy around when I'm being good.

Come Wednesday though, my whole world will be turned on its ear for none other than NaNoWriMo aka National Novel Writing Month. I think I lasted a week last year, so we'll see if I get farther than that this time! I do have a much better plan this time, and that is to write loads of short stories based around a theme (which I can't tell you as that would spoil the surprise, but I think it's pretty clever and hope you do, too). Anyway, it's a challenge to do it, and you know me, always up for a challenge! Besides, if I don't try, how will I ever know if I can write a novel?

Ugly is the new Pretty

Sunday was spent checking out a store in Echo Park that carried Blythe with Snoopygirl and another local girl from the forum. It was cool to see them in a store, but 1) I already had the few they had in stock, and 2) they were vastly over-priced (about double what they cost on ebay).

There were a couple boutiques nearby that had some very expensive, obviously geared to young Hollywood clothing. I'm fine with expensive clothes if they're well-made, but ugh, these took the cake. Edges were all unravelling, and it looked like they were the craft project in a jr high school sewing class. We all joked that all we had to do was come up with the ugliest thing possible and then sell it for loads of money. There was one item in particular, a skirt made from a cheetos t-shirt - it was cute, but for $60? I don't think so... Especially when you consider the t-shirt probably cost them $1 at the local thrift store, + $2 for the elastic waistband. Anyway, it got me thinking: The more expensive something is, regardless of perceived beauty, the more exclusive and valuable it is. Name it - cars, houses, clothing - the more it costs, the more likely there will be some idiot prepared to pay more for the right to say they belong to that rarified club that can afford to buy it (whatever IT is). As for the clothing, the ugly factor just adds to the *hip* factor - "I don't care how I look or how much I pay to look this way - that's how hip I am!" Let's all say it together now: "Dumbasses" or as I like to say it "Dumas" (doo-moss).

Ugh.

Hmmmm

This is what happens when I'm bored.

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Sounds about right. The only difference is: Rosebud will not be a sled, it will be a Blythe!

Serenity

No, I'm not all mellow - I'm actually miserable 'cos it's so freakin' hot, but to pass the time, I've been knitting in the line of AC. I've finished the hat part of my full-size Jayne Cobb hat (a character from Serenity and Firefly - hence the name of this entry) and finished the entire version for Blythe. I really like the way it's turned out and think I might make some more to sell. We'll see what people think before I get my knitting freak on...

Here's the pic of Leia, my Cherry Berry modelling the hat. I think it's one of the nicest things I've ever designed.



In case you're not familiar with the whole Browncoat cult of Firefly fans, it's supposed to look like that (ie - ugly and handmade).

Well, off to finish the full-size version - just have the ear flaps and pom pom to go...

Random

Last week, I went to my bro's to hang out with him and visit with my nephew (gaaaa - he's so cute!). We were channel surfing, and I see the name of the game show I was on 4 years ago on Game Show Network. I tell A to turn it on because "wouldn't it be funny if it were the one I was on?" Well, he flips to it and and we both screamed - there was my head filling the screen! So random! I've switched on GSN occasionally to see if it was me and for all the times I did that, I never saw me. And then we turned it on and there I was. What are the odds?!?

I'm supposed to be neatening up the apartment, but fcuk it, it's hot and the computer is right in line with the AC, so if I sit here, I feel slightly cooler than elsewhere in here. At least I can post and then I'll feel like I got something done :-P In fact it's so hot, the water coming out of the cool tap is so hot the cats wouldn't even drink from it. I ended up having to put their bowl in the fridge before being able to give it them.

I went knitting with mom and my aunt this morning at our LYS. It was so crowded and loud in there - not really relaxing, but I did finish a knit hat (which I think I'll give to M) and made one for Blythe from the leftover yarn. I should have enough hats to start selling in another week or so. I love doing them because they knit up in half an hour and then I can tell people I got X number of projects done this week (as opposed to my sweaters which are all languishing in various states of *undoneness*, causing me to say I got nothing done this week). I brought my mini ipod and noise cancelling headphones to the LYS, but didn't use them until one of the owner's mothers sat next to me and was talking so loudly it made me tense up. I forgot I had the Katamari Damacy soundtrack on there, so that was a nice surprise and at least had me smiling rather than scowling like I'd been doing.

I think I'll go empty and reload the dishwasher now and then sit on the couch and veg with a couple dvds and my knitting. I may even do a load of laundry. I really am that boring sometimes! But, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, y'know?

Creepy

I heard this on the morning news...

Sometimes, we need to be a little proactive - so, new rule: when you hand over your car keys to the valet, make sure you take your other keys off the keychain! If you're like most people, your registration's in the glove box, so if you hand over all your keys, you might as well put the welcome mat out at home for them too. Don't make it easy for anyone to make you a victim - if they have to go the extra step, it's not worth it to them.