Friday, May 9, 2008

Have a heart (or Reduce -> Reuse -> Recycle ->)


Have a heart
Originally uploaded by contrivant
A long update, hooray!

To begin, I'm unemployed. This is completely by choice, and I must say I'm glad to not have to work for a bit. It's nice to be home and catch up on all the things I've been neglecting (read: avoiding) and I'm actually getting a lot done. I've stuck to my small cleaning goals (i.e. make the bed every morning) and gotten some bigger things done like cleaning the oven (sheesh!). I'm trying not to overdo it or I'll get lazy again. To thine own self be true, and all that jazz ;)

Along with the microscopic amount of cleaning I've been doing, I've been crafting away :) I still have those blasted monkeys on the needles as well as the Chevron scarf. I'd say the scarf is about 1/3 or more of the way done, while the socks are just at 20%.

Today, I did no knitting. I did a lot of shopping. I've been into smell good things for a few weeks now. I bought some soaps from AlkaliSoaps from Etsy, Flutter is the one I'm trying and I'll let you know how that goes. I bought four bottles of OPI nail polish with an Amazon.com credit I had, and all but one looks very nice on me :) and I went a little nuts at BPAL and Possets. Just a little! I got some imps (samples) of some scents. I likey smelling good :) From BPAL I got #20 LOVE OIL, Gluttony, O, Eat Me, Belle Epoque, and Persephone. From Possets I got Giddy,Gingerbread Crackhouse, Gingerbread Whorehouse, Madame X, Silver Roses, and The Girls Love Vanilla. I can tell you now every scent is sweet or floral. That's just how we roll around these parts. I'll let you guys know something when that comes in as well. I also have some yarn coming, but it was a swap. I wasn't naughty this week. I spent only $5 on yarn, and that's some Classic Elite Bamboo I want to make a face cloth out of...very important stuff!

What do you think of my lovely little picture? I'm so proud of it because the husband fellow made me a lovely supercheap lightbox. It was super simple to make (I may put instructions up in a few days), and it's so useful! I retook pictures of my entire stash, and they just came out lovely. I really think it makes a difference in how professional a picture looks. This picture is of my latest little fun project. I made some floating candles. I had an old Yankee Candle that the scent had worn out on. I melt candles on those little hot plates instead of burning them because I hate the smell of a blown out candle. So I bought some scent from Hobby Lobby, added it to the old candle and poured it in heart shaped molds. Pretty, huh?! Wait until you see them floating, they're gorgeous! I was too lazy to photograph anything else tonight :)

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Knitting and a movie...


Socks that Rock!!
Originally uploaded by contrivant
I get a lot of knitting done when Steve and I are sitting around watching movies. Tonight, of course, he went to bed early and I stupidly decided to stay up late and watch a scary movie. I watched Hellraiser for the first time (yeah, I'm behind, I know) which isn't really scary so much as freaky. So here I am, sitting in the living room, too freaked out to go to bed really. I'm such an idiot, I should've saved the movie for tomorrow when I could have watched it with him....but noooo I had to see it tonight.

So I'm about to put on some Family Guy and try to laugh myself out of being freaked. Loverly, n'est-ce pas? I may do a little Movie of the Week review starting next week. I feel so boring, sometimes themes help....

I know it seems lately all I do is buy yarn. I love it, I admit that much. But I do actually have projects I'm working on! And I do actually intend to finish them. See?! I finished my Socks that Rock in Chapman Springs. I <3 <3 <3 that yarn. It's my favorite thus far. The twist on it is so tight, it gives them a nice springy feeling. I've yet to wear them (alone anyways...for the picture I have socks on underneath them), mostly because I have a weird case of what I believe to be Athlete's Foot. Yes, just one foot. I also have a rash on one elbow, and on both hands. All of which "seem to be" getting better. Let's hope for the best.

So what's on the needles? I'm working on my Monkey socks still. I've done the first 3 repeats on the leg, and I'm going to start back on them probably tomorrow. I've also got a Chevron Scarf on the needles that I'm doing in Tempted's Gothique. It's turning out really pretty, and I'm actually a quarter of the way through it. How exciting :) Finally, my sweater is still hibernating. I'll get back to work on it at some point, right now I hate it too much to give it the time of day, though.

P.S. My Wollmeise came in and it's so pretty!! Must. Have. More.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Shopaholic!


DSCF0444
Originally uploaded by contrivant
As you can see, I was naughty this week. From left to right, top to bottom, in a clockwise direction, we have Yarn Pirate's Pretty Pirate. This is such a gorgeous colorway to me, and it's begging to be made into a pair of Zombie socks. Nothing is cooler than Pretty Zombie Pirates, am I right? Next is my Namaste Malibu bag. I admittedly feel moderately guilty about this purchase. I like that I usually make my own bags, but part of me knows I wanted something a little more snazzy than the typical fabric bag that I make. I wanted something a little bigger than I have the patience to make, and perfectly suited to my purposes (i.e. a knitting, purse, laptop bag...at the same time)

It's completely the most obnoxious shade of pink, therefore I love it more than life itself. :) On the other hand, I did realize I needed a more "grown up" bag for when I start interviewing (because it'll be absolutely necessary to take my knitting while I wait) so I ordered a Jetsetter in black. Yes, I'm aware I have a spending problem.

Below my bought bag, is my tote...yes, I am officially a Loopy Groupie. I have placed and received 6 orders since the end of February. I like yarn :)

The next skein is the Noro Kureyon sock yarn I got. I just got it to try out and see if I like it. I may trade it, may knit it, I haven't decided yet. The jury is still out.

The last skein is Cherry Tree Hill Holly. I got it as part of my Groupie status. It's mostly green and red with a tiny bit of purple.

It's honestly not for me, it's a bit Christmas-y for my taste. It may be a pair of socks for a Secret Santa or something of the sort. Who knows?

I am done with the shopping for a bit. (At least until TLE restocks Wollmeise. I'm stalking me some Regenbogen, and I am thoroughly determined to get some)

As for what I'm actually doing with all this yarn I've bought, I do have a few (or more) projects on the needles. My gorgeous Glam Grrl yarn I bought not too long ago is transforming into a gorgeous Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, I've got a vanilla sock going in Socks that Rock Chapman Springs, and I've got a Monkey on my back in Yarn Love Joan of Arc in Charm.

See, I'm not collecting, just preparing :)

Monday, April 21, 2008

What happened?!

Nothing, really :) I took the post from yesterday down because sometimes I have to rant and rave, then delete things like they never happened. Makes me feel better, you know?

Today...I want to talk about something knitting related, but on a more serious note than usual. I did something that in retrospect I'm feeling questionable about...

So I've been drooling over Wollmeise (who hasn't, I know) and when I was on eBay, I saw some, saw that the bidding was almost over, and bid on it. I paid a little more than it retails for, but I had some extra money in my Paypal, and it was only like $8 more than the usual price. No biggie, right? The description said something had come up and they needed the cash...cool, I got to help someone and have a look at some pretty yarn...yay!

Well, the day my yarn shipped, she let me know she had put some more yarns up. The more popular colors (Poison No. 5, for example) were priced at like $46 under Buy It Now. Now, when I paid $36, it's because I bid that, but the bidding started at $20. I reckon if people will pay that, then do what you do, supply and demand does rule...but it made me rethink whether or not I'd want to do business with someone who is taking huge advantage of my love for yarn.

Maybe I'm wrong, that's why I'm not revealing any names...goodness knows sometimes I say/think some dumb things.

Of course, when I receive my yarn, in good condition, she'll still get her positive feedback. I just think maybe that was my last purchase from that particular seller.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Ohhhh...shiny!


April's Booty Club
Originally uploaded by contrivant
I got some more shiny yarn today! My first shipment from the Yarn Pirate...YARRRR!!! Sorry, had to be done. We had such a good time today, we went to Steve's company picnic, where I walked around knitting. I'm quite sure people were like wondering what the heck I was doing pulling string from my purse. I also had a Sit n' Stitch with some local ladies I know from the Central/South Mississippi group on Ravelry. I'm always so amazed by these ladies I meet. They're all really impressive to me in their own ways. Atlee can do some fancy socks, quick like and in a hurry, all this with twins....and one on the way! Chanda makes everyone feel like home. No way you're going to feel unwelcome with her around. Ran taught me how to do an I-cord (which I secretly never got but was afraid to ask about!) I got to see Carla's gorgeous Lady E...which I was not trying to stuff in my tiny purse, I swear! (Note to self: make bigger purses) And Adriane had me all impressed with her willpower not to buy (thanks in part to her sister, of course). I managed not to buy either...mostly because I'm saving my next purchase from Judy for either the two skeins of Jitterbug I'm dying for, or some Noro to make a Danica out of (I frankly don't think I could do the Lady E...that's a huge commitment).

Sometimes I feel very meager next to so many amazing ladies, but hey...sometimes you just gotta enjoy the ride :)

After I got home, I concocted a rose water and glycerin toner for my face. I don't like putting a lot of chemicals on my skin, if I can avoid it. (Plus rw&g makes my face smell and feel wonderful!) Then I also opened my first shipment from the Yarn Pirate Booty Club! Isn't it shiny? It's a merino/bamboo/nylon blend. I'm very excited, I've always wanted to work with bamboo, but never had the chance. Not really my colors, but I'm sure some family member will ohhh and ahhh over them and get them for Christmas. I also sold my needles to a friend on Ravelry who is probably going to use them to do 2 socks on 2 circs. I like wood needles better than aluminum...just a personal preference :) And I'm glad they went to someone I know.

Two spots had opened for the Loopy Spring Fling...if I were a cartoon, you'd see hearts in my eyes! I wish I could go! In theory, I could...I have that money saved for taking 3 months off before the school year starts. Yes, it'd be worth it, but I'll try for next year...and I'll have all this time to save lots of money for it :D

I wish I could go so bad though *sigh*

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Somebody had a bath...


DSCF0424
Originally uploaded by contrivant
Look at this monster, seemingly innocent eater of yarn (not in a while so don't grab the pitchforks....I think I'm reforming him). He just had a little bath and smells 1,000,000,000,000 (times infinity) times better. He's the biggest weirdo, he hates car rides, but he loves to go places. He loves baths, but hates being dried. He likes to go outside, but only when I'm with him. As a matter of fact, he likes anything (except car rides, wtf?) as long as he's right up under my butt.

If I carried a camera for 24 hours, and stopped and snapped a picture at any point, this is what I'd get *every time*,

What can I say, I love the booger anyways,

I'm still keeping up on my cleaning chores...I even tried a new breakfast this morning, I made low-cal french toast, and it wasn't bad at all :) I used light bread, egg beaters, and fat free milk. Then I threw in some Splenda and cinnamon, and VOILA! I'm impressed with all this cooking I've done lately, plus even low calorie food tastes better when it doesn't come from a box.

P.S. I've been smoke free 1 month today ;)

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Must. Stop. Buying. Yarn.


Glam Grrl Yarn
Originally uploaded by contrivant
I've been on such a yarn binge lately, haven't I? I got this little bit of gorgeousness today. It's Tempted Glam Grrl in Gothique. This yarn can only be described as totally sexy. I mean it, this yarn is hot. On top of that, I ordered from The Loopy Ewe sneakup yesterday (I got Sharon's Island Time from the Loopy's Legends collection!)...only 2 more orders until I become an official groupie! I also have my Yarn Pirate Booty Club shipping tomorrow, geez!

Can someone say obsessed??

I don't know. Yarn makes me happy, socks make me happy, having something to take my mind off the dumb stuff makes me happy.

I was productive today though. I cleaned some more, and I went to the library for 2 books. I got Living Organized and Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui. I'll let you know how that goes ;)