7.17.2004

Until Next Time...

Well, there is a 60% chance that this may be my last update for awhile. I'm leaving tomorrow for NJ for prewedding stuff. Then, Saturday July 24 is the wedding! From July 25th until August 1st, Matt and I will be at Sandals for the honeymoon! I may be able to update during the next week (my parents internet is kinda funky... so we'll see). I promise to take lots of pictures, stop by the LYS (Knit a Bit in Westfield) and have FUN!

Anyway, onto the update!

The cats are now regularly sleeping on the table. Im allowing it for 2 reasons. 1) I'm going away for 2 weeks and they are going to do what they damn well please anyway. 2) We'll be moving when we get back so I'll start enforcing the "GET DOWN!" rule when we get there. Anyway, here's Roxie... too comfy, too cute!



As for the knitting:
I did work on some baby options to take the place of the blanket... but I couldn't stand starring at the yummy mohair anymore and so I cast on a bit and started my mohair sweater. I CANT WAIT until it is done. Taking into consideration the honeymoon (not bringing my knitting, sorry!) and the move, it may be September by the time it gets finished... but the yarn is soooo soft... I love it! So, enjoy!

I'll update right when I get back -- Matt and I are planning on making a wedding/honeymoon blog and a moving blog, so stay tuned!


mmm


soon to be sweater!

So anyhow, have a great few weeks, happy knitting, happy blogging... will update as soon as i can!

Alas...

The blanket is done, but I can't stand it! I just can't give it
to her. SO what is a girl to do? Luckily I have 900g of
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky (3x100g of pink, 3x100g of blue and
3x100g of white). I made a very quick soft garter stitch scarf
last night out of the white (I was itchin' to do some high speed
knitting - boy, do I love living on the edge) - but I'm willing to frog
it and use the yarn. So, what should I make? I'm thinking
maybe a blue and white stripped blanket. It would be a fast knit
(especially if I use my #15 addi turbos!) but im thinking of using my
straight #13 because my stitches are more consistent with them.
So, to stockinette or not to stockinette... that is the question!



Anyway, I should be packing. Instead I've made a list, taken a bath and
brainstormed about the blanket... oh! My water is boiling!!!!



I'll post pictures tonight about the new project. If anyone has
any suggestions for a present, I'd really appreciate it! Its for
a baby boy... will be 3 months soon


7.16.2004

FIN!

YEEES! I finished the blanket! But POOOOOO its got a line across
it... a very very obvious line! But, as you can see here...
Winnie really likes it, so maybe I'll block it and see if that will fix
this dumb flaw (any suggestions anyone? Quick fixes? Need to have
it done by next Friday!)


done!

So, now it is on to my cute little mohair sweater. I am very
excited about starting a new project, since Ive been working on these
blankets off and on for the past 4 months. I love things when
they are fresh and new!

Tonight a few amazing things happened. First, Roxie jumped up
onto the top of the fridge where Chloe's throne is located. Chloe didnt
even care! Then Roxie began to push her luck, and Chloe let her
have it. About an hour later, the kitties cuddled up with me on
the couch as I knit. Chloe and Roxie were next to eachother!
Alpha Cat Chloe has a soft spot? or was she just too sleepy to care?


PROOF!

Afterwards,
they ate out of the same food dish - AT THE SAME TIME! Its a
miracle. And so that Winnie doesnt feel left out, here are two
pictures of her in a sleepie state.


streeeetch


Im cute when I'm sweepy



Have a good one, will take some more pictures in a bit - of my cute sweater in progress!


7.15.2004

BUSY BUSY!

For those of you who don't know, I'm getting married next Saturday (the 24th). Things have been so hectic around here. As stated earlier, Matt and I found a place to live in MD so we've been trying to get some packing done (so far we've mainly done books and winter clothes). At the same time, I've been trying to get two baby blankets finished, print out all the guests names alphabetically with table assignments next to them and I still have to print out the table numbers. I think the worst of it has been people calling in the past few days to see if they can bring a date. I guess everyone has been hit with amnesia because they seem to be forgetting that we asked them over a month ago if they wanted to bring someone.

Ok... its vent time...

People seriously have SOME NERVE. As if we don't have enough crap to deal with to get this together, people have the nerve to whine about not being able to bring someone. We explained to them that if they wanted to bring someone, they needed to tell us earlier. A week before the wedding is unacceptable. Some people have actually said that they are not coming now because they cant bring someone. Great... so glad this day is about me and matt and celebrating the moment.

I mean COME ON. Not only the principle, unfortunately it is about the money too. At $100+ a person - if we said yes to the 8 people who have asked us this week that would be close to $1000 more to the caterer. And, now since they dont want to come anymore... its that much we could have saved :*(

I dunno, it kinda makes me feel bad about myself too - we want to have them there but they only want to be there if they can bring someone - fine, for people who dont know anyone... that is understandable... but if your entire group of friends is going to be there? I guess I've been a little more stressed than I thought.

Anyway, last week was my moms birthday. Nothing like wrapping presents to relieve some tension. Curling ribbon is so satisfying. I LOVE PRESENTS even if they are for other people!



Also, here are two shots of Roxie. Since she is black, she is very diffecult to photograph, especially in my dark apartment. The shots are similar but I liked them both so you get to see them both! Roxie LOVES Matthew (that is his hand in the picture). The two of them will walk around my apartment together exploring and adventuring. He has gotten her to love water, sticking her paws and face in the faucet and in the tub. Every day, after my shower, she is at the door crying to get in. She then jumps into the tub right under the dripping water! She is such a little devil :)

*slurp*




So anyway, only 10 rows left on the blue blanket. I didnt get much knitting done today but Matt and I are planning on watching some movies tonight so hopefully I will get it done.

Happy Knitting, have a great night, and thanks for listening to me complain!

7.14.2004

Today

Matt and I went to see Arthur tonight, or King Arthur... or whatever its called. It was pretty good, but I recommend bringing your knitting, as I did. I got about 6 or 7 more rows done on the blanket, leaving me with 23 or so left to finish. I think if I pace myself I can get it done by Saturday morning, and then block it from Saturday until Sunday.

In regards to the wedding, I got a ton done today. The caterer forwarded me a copy of the table diagram, so I was able to number them and put the table I had already organized where I wanted them based on the diagram. What a relief! Tomorrow I will print out the table numbers to put on each table, and the tented cards I'm making that lists everyones name in alphabetical order with their table number next to their name.

I wonder if people will realize how much I actually made for this wedding... between punching the holes in the ceremony programs and tying the tiny little bows to bind them, I will always remember the effort it took to make this work! I guess it was a little more than "just showing up". Oh well. I better stop thinking about it or else I'll just get upset.

Matt and I are going to watch Monk. i was hoping to get more knitting done tonight, but I'm dozing already - not a good sign. Looks like it will have to wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow I plan on posting some more pictures - my apartment is in the middle of being packed, the cats all of a sudden think its OK to sleep on the table, and my stash has been packed away! I have yet to pack up my knitting books and magazines, however...

Anyways, good night and happy knitting

7.13.2004

It's a tough life...

Today Matt and I watched the second half of the second season of 24. Man, you watch one episode of that show, and you are HOOKED IN. Just a warning. Anyway, I'd tell you about it, but I cant give anything away. If you want it to be spoiled, check out Matt's blog.

So, here are two shots of the blanket that I am *almost* finished with. It's not going as planned, but I'm sure that the family I am giving it to will not tell the difference. It will just bug me to the grave but I just dont have the time to fix it. The border of the blanket is garter stitch and the rest of the blanket is stockinette... well when I went to put the needle in to stop the stitch so I wouldnt unwind too much, i think I was a row lower or higher in the garter stitch than with the stockinette. so now, instead of knitting to get the garter stitch, im purling. also, i knit a little toooo tight so you can see a line in the blanket. Im *hoping* blocking it and shaping it a little will fix it enough. Ok enough talking here are some pictures!




And, for your viewing pleasure, here is Chloe, demonstrating how tough a cat's life really is - I had the nerve to wake her up!

*yawn*

7.12.2004

PAINT!

Matt and I went to Lowe's yesterday and picked up color swatches. I"M SO EXCITED! We are definitely settled on the living room, dining room and kitchen colors as well as OUR bedroom (its so exciting to be able to call it ours!) and bathroom colors. For the living room, we decided on Pale Moss Green, with Guacamole in the dining room and Butterfly Bush in the kitchen. For the Bedroom we're going with Apple Cider on at least one wall, with Belgian Waffle on the others (and on details) with Peach Suprise in the bathroom and any furniture we decide to paint. Man, our bedroom sounds delicious! As for the second room, we haven't finalized the colors yet, but we're deciding between Harbor Light and Sterling Silver (both blues) or Old Mission Pink, Cool Melon and Sterling Silver. We'll see where that one goes. As for today, its raining and hot out. GROSS. So I'm going to do some more throwing away of items, get some chorse done that I've been putting off, and knit!

First, however, I am going to eat.

I wish I could post pictures of the paint swatches, but I know that they won't come out, and I havent been able to find any images of them online. SO, if you want to see the colors, go to Lowes.

7.11.2004

Quick shots of the kitties

I just want to get these out there for ya'll... The first two are some of my all time favorites, the third is one just taken. Enjoy!


Beautiful shot of chloe

hi :)

I'll sit where i want 'cause i CAN

Quick note...

Here is a picture (sorry it is so dark) of the finished blanket for Payton (who is now 3 mo old... oh well).

blanket #1 is done!

And this is the Classic Elite yarn I am going to use to make the "to dye for" sweater in S&B (pg 198)

La Gran Mohair

Cant wait to finish the blue blanket so I can get started on the sweater! I want to wear it my first day of school!

Our Mini Road Trip!

Matt and I had a blast yesterday (even though it was very overwhelming and tiring). We got out of State College and made it to Frederick in 2.5 hours. Matt did a great driving job!


Concentrating so hard on driving!

And I worked hard at fixing the blanket that I'm working on...



We went to the first place (the one that I mentioned in my blog yesterday), and quickly realized that we fell for the old bait and switch. Of course the AMAZING apartment that they told us about on the phone happened to be rented out first thing that morning (we saw it later on - it is just as well, it was crappy). Goodness me, it was the worst rental experiance I've ever had. They talked our heads off for about 40 minutes before we were even able to see any rooms! And THEN, they wouldnt even show us the apartment we were interested in. Matt was clearly unhappy after we saw a few places, so we got out of there, and tried another place that I had information on. Things went much better. The first things we saw was a sand volleyball court, tennis courts and a pool!



Things were off to a much better start. We filled out a guest pass and immediatly they brought us around to apartments. First, we saw a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom with a den, but there is no way it would fit all the stuff we have...


HI, too small!

The second apartment we saw was a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom. It was perfect because the bedrooms were both considered "master suites" meaning they were both big - no crappy smaller guest room. The apartment is only 965 sq feet, but it will hold our stuff well because of that second big room (it will be able to double as our guest bedroom and computer room). Sorry, we didnt take any pictures of the second place - I'll take some shots when we move in.

Anyway, we signed the lease, got an extra month for free and $250 off of our second month's rent. We didnt have to put down any rent, which was nice, just a $99 deposit. We are ampted! IT HAS A FIREPLACE!! Here it is...

Our future pad! (top apartment)

After everything was secured, we stopped at the gas station to fill 'er up, and figured out what to do next...

Hunk at the gas station
We decided to explore! We found a little shopping center right down the road. It has italian, mexican and medditeranean food, shops and...

MOVIES!
Another photo from the same center...

Fountain and shops

Over all, we are so excited! Today I am going to use the yellow pages to find things that are close by -- yarn shops, book stores, comic book stores, music stores, etc. Later today I will post pictures of the finished baby blanket, the yarn I am goign to use to make a mohair sweater and the baby blanket that I'm working on fixing. Have a nice day!

7.10.2004

Today

Well, Matt and I found a potential apartment in Frederick, MD. We'll be heading out very shortly to check it out. I guess a deal fell through, and we'll be able to get 1060sq feet with cathedral ceilings (and other cool features) for only $930/mo -- originally $1050/mo. Also, the combined pet weight is 35lbs so all three kitties would be allowed. We would not be required to pay any deposits (except the pet security) and the ammenities fee will be waved because of this special (a flat fee of $200 to use the common house, pool, sauna, hot tub, tennis courts, raquetball courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, pool tables, etc), so we are very excited about that. Also, for $15/mo more some ammenities are included. Also, there is high speed internet and cable available through Adelphia, which is really nice because that means that I probably can just transfer my account. Frederick, MD is where the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is annually. I am pretty excited about the prospect of living there. I also think there are some good yarn shops around and lots of KR folks in the area so I'm hoping that I can meet some people to knit with. I love the shop in Bethesda, which isn't toooooo far away - and my cousin & Gram live there so there would always be a reason to visit. Ok, I need to pack an overnight bag, feed the kitties, grab my knitting and head to MD! Wish us luck! It is so exciting to be looking for where we are going to live together as hubby and wife!!!

7.09.2004

I AM!

Grammar God!
You are a GRAMMAR GOD!


If your mission in life is not already to
preserve the English tongue, it should be.
Congratulations and thank you!


How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

So cool

It is so cool out right now! Incredibly refreshing!

Last night I was up until 1am reading blogs and I didnt even realize it. I woke up this morning at 10am! This is SO not me. Today, the day that the chance of rain/clouds/anything other than sun was ZERO %, it is overcast and windy. Bleh - I wanted to go lay out by the pool and dream of all the different things I want to make.

So, an update on the wedding stuff. Ferroro's (my all time fav. restaurant) can't hold 34 people for the rehearsal dinner. I just wanted pizza. Tough. So I tried to convince my mom to have us all in the backyard and just order pizzas, but she is unhappy with the idea of people seeing the yard before the wedding (the reception is where I grew up in our backyard). So, they frantically went searching for a place to have it (and, ehhem, i must say it would not have been frantic had they met the time frames that I had outlined for them in the to do lists I created), and I guess we're having chinese! Which is fine with me. Matt and I are both vegetarians and we sacrafice a lot when it comes to eating out with other people (Yea, we actually do have a problem ordering salads with no chicken because its the only damn thing on the menu that can be altered to fit our needs). We were unhappy with the notion have having to do this for our rehearsal dinner. It is our wedding dammit if we can have just one (ok two) nights of food we are happy eating! I dont think it is too much to ask! Anyway, the point of all this is that chinese food is a great option because they are beancurd/tofu gurus! I would have been more happy if we had decided on the Mongolian Grill (they make sweet and sour pork out of wheat glutein! Its awesome!) but I'll be happy with bean curd and broccoli in garlic sauce with a side of sweet and sour soup :)

I've added a new links thing to my sidebar of projects that I want to do!

Matt and I are going to head onto campus soon. This week is Artsfest at Penn State. It is about 10x bigger than we ever knew it was so we are planning on heading there again today to check out the booths and stuff we missed. I was really hoping that there would be some fiber stuff... maybe people selling yarn they've made... but unfortunatly it doesnt look like there will be :( It is still a lot of fun being able to say that I can make the stuff that half of the booths are selling! It really makes me want to have my own studio space in the home that Matt and I end up in!

Ok Happy Knitting and Happy Birfday to my Mum!

HOW DO THESE THING KNOW ME SO WELL!?!?

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Trendy

I know "everybody is doing it" and that is so not my thing... but this Charlotte's Web pattern is really beautiful. $50 for a handknit shawl isn't half bad either. I'm not a fan of the fringe, but IndiGirl made a beautiful crocheted edge that I would try to learn how to do (you can see the shawl about 3/4 of the way down the page). I've read a lot of places that it is a really great way to learn lace. I would really like to learn some knew techniques (knit, purl, increase, decrease only have so much flavor) and this may be a great way to do it. I'm thinking, however, that I may first do a really beginner lace scarf pattern that i already have with some stash yarn and then tackle the shawl. Most people say the shawl was super fun though, and i LOVE doing the color combo thing so this may be a dream project in disquise

7.08.2004

what is wrong?

Well, I finished the cream colored baby blanket today for my cousin, Lavinia. This is a big relief. My fingers were starting to cramp and my wrists are sore. I needed to finish this badly... most importantly for that sense of accomplishment I get when I bind off that last stitch. When I finished, the top of the blanket was much tighter than the bottom. the bottom seemed to flop around and stuff... ugh it is driving me nuts. I know it is the type of thing that only someone who has up-close and personal expierances with knitting would notice, and even though I'll probably never see the blanket again - I dont want to spend the rest of my life thinking about how I should have sucked it up and spend 5 hours to fix the darn thing. Well, first I decided I may as well just try blocking it. I'm a pretty knew knitter and I havent been very successful at blocking before but I did some more reading about it and thought that I had a better idea of what to do (man was it easy. what was wrong with me before??). So, with the help of some woolite and some luke warm water this puppy was ready to be shaped. As you can see in the photos below, it looks pretty good. The bottom is still a tiny bit floppy but it is MUCH better than it was before. By 2:00 tomorrow afternoon I'll kinda hug it and stuff to make the decision to wrap it or rip it. Here are some pictures (sorry for the dark brownish tint to the photos, the lighting in my apartment is lame and the flash really washes it out)...


cream blanket


"T"

SO, after sewing in the ends and taking care of a horrific knot that was about 45 rows up, I'm actually like 90% pleased with my success. So, I have moved on to the blue blanket for my cousin Rodney & his wife, Maricella. The same thing happened with the blue blanket that happened with the cream... the bottom is WAY bigger than the top, but definitly can't be fixed by blocking. So, I decided to undo about 40 - 50 rows and reknit them. No biggie I thought, once I get a needle into the stitches so I dont go too far, frogging it will be a piece of cake... well shit, I can't even frog right. I'll have to try it again or ask my good friends at KR what I am doing wrong. Here are some pictures of what keeps happening. You know how the stitch looks different when you cast on? Well it looks and acts like a very loose version of that. Something must be off... feel free to leave a comment if you know what I'm doing wrong! Thanks!








I just like this picture of the blue blanket

Well thats the knitting stuff for tonight. I also just want to post a few random photos (matt's eye, winnie half asleep and chloe in her new favorite box), hope you enjoy them!









7.06.2004

SO CLOSE

I've really been thinking about how close the wedding it. Of course this means two things... 1) I'm getting married!!! 2) I need to have 2 baby blankets finished by the rehearsal dinner to give to my cousins from California.

They are coming along pretty well. I am about 40 rows away from finishing the cream one... I will only have to reknit about 7 rows at the bottom. For the blue blanket, I will have to frog about 1/3 of it - which means reknitting about 95 rows. Oh sure... 95 rows thats like nothing, right? Friggen wrong. Size 7 needles! Yah I'm a big baby and usually knit on size 13 so this is taking me a little longer :) I have faith that I will get them done though! And, they will be perfect!

So back to the wedding. I am getting really excited. Here is a list of vendors that I will be having at the wedding:

Dan Loh Photography
Main Street Catering
Topaz Orchestra (this link may not work - for some reason their site is down alot)

They are all really great, especially if you are in the tristate area. I am very please with all of them (though the band has a tendancy to take a few weeks to return any phone calls -- good thing I have taken this wedding planning thing very seriously and have planned WAY in advance to avoid problems). Anyway, I love Dan Loh, he is AMAZING -- as you'll see from his website, he has won a pulizter (sp?) prize and has some amazing photos that he has done for the associated press. I am working with Joy at Main Street Catering, and she is wonderful as well. She is on top of everything - we havent had ANY problems!

The only thing that we are having trouble with is 1) where are we going to have a rehearsal dinner that will accomadate 34 people? and 2) its 2.5 weeks until the big day, and some people STILL havent responded! Can you believe it?! I'm shocked.

So anyway. I cant wait for the honey moon too. We're going to Sandals in the Bahamas.

Ok, I need to go and get some knitting done, I want to finish the cream blanket by tomorrow. wish me luck! :) Enjoy the links!

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