Bron's Blog II

Can You Say, "Frustrating?"

I knew you could. :)

And it all started out so well, too.

I had my 5 hour substituting seminar yesterday & all went great. I left the auditorium not only jazzed about teaching but I had my very own APS parking permit to stick in my window.

Baby - I'd arrived!

Got home, called to make an appt. to observe in a middle school classroom this morning, had lunch, puttered, took #1 son with me to Payless after school (#2 son had gone home with a friend), found the most comfortable clogs ever, bought 2 pair, came out to hop in the car & drive home and...

the car wouldn't start. Dead as the proverbial doornail. Time: 3:45 PM

(Here's where that ever present thing called "irony" comes in. I had a feeling for a couple of months that the starter was going out in the Caddy. Not surprising with as many miles as there are on the car. Sooo...3 days ago we had a new one installed by a mechanic buddy of ours....for about $200 less than a garage would charge. Yes - just 3 lousy days ago....)

Called hubby - he came over from work, fiddled with the battery, couldn't get the car to start, fiddled some more with a little jump-start thingy we had in the trunk, still couldn't get it to start, so we loaded everything into his truck, dropped him back at work, arrived 15 minutes late to pick up #2 son, and finally made it home. Time: 5:00 PM

Caddy is still parked front & center at Payless.

Both Hubby & mechanic friend say, "It's the battery." I think it's the starter 'cause the battery going out so soon is just a little *too* coincidental, but am shouted down by all the testosterone floating around. Or perhaps it was just wishful thinking...

Hubby calls & intructs me to run down to Wal-Mart & buy a new battery but also NOT TO FORGET TO BRING THE JUMPER CABLES.

Can you guess why I highlighted that bit about jumper cables?

At 6:15 I leave for Wally-World giving the children firm instructions to finish their homework NOW. I buy the correct battery, picking up Diet Pepsi while I was there, and as I'm walking out to the truck guess what I remembered that I forgot?

All together now - the jumper cables!

I try calling home to tell the kids to find the cables so I don't have to waste time looking when I get there.

The phone is busy. Repeatedly. All the way home.

Oh yeah - it's started to rain now. Really, really hard. So hard that the emergency broadcast system has come over the radio & issued a flash flood warning for Bernalillo Co. My county. Time: 6:50.

My cell phone rings when I'm a block from home: "Mom, is it raining where you are?" Gee - yes it is. #1 son gets grounded from the phone for talking to a friend before homework is finished. It's been a long day...the kids suddenly realize that Mom means business.

I find the cables, make a bathroom stop and am back on the road at 7:00. Hubby calls, "What's your ETA?" I tell him it's raining so hard I can't see the car in front of me so his guess is as good as mine. After narrowly avoiding death & destruction several times I arrive at hubby's work, get soaked walking inside, then must wait another 1/2 hour while he waits on his last customers...who are taking their own sweet time. Sigh. Time we leave: 7:30

We arrive at Payless where - in the pouring rain - the parking lot is almost full. More to the point, there are cars parked on either side of mine making jump starting the battery problematic. Ahem. Bron to the rescue - I go inside & start asking people if they are parked in front & if so, could they please move their car? I look very wet, very pitiful, and vaguely desperate so a poor woman with 3 kids under the age of 6 comes out to move her van for me.

Never underestimate the kindness of strangers.

The battery won't jump start, hubby starts to take the old battery out. It takes 1/2 an hour. Trust me - no one will EVER steal a battery from a Cadillac! They'd bring the police running from the cursing alone.

Can you see where this is going? It's now 8:15 PM and the NEW BATTERY DOESN'T WORK EITHER. Guess what the consensus is? The new starter is bad.

At this point I could say "I told you so" but in the interest of self-preservation, I keep my mouth shut.

By 8:30 Hubby has agreed to call a tow truck. Guess what? We'd cancelled one roadside assistance insurance and gosh, golly - we hadn't signed up with another. There is much wailing & gnashing of teeth. (That would be hubby.) I go home for 1/2 an hour to check on the kids, he calls at 9:15 to say they've loaded up the car & to meet him at Pep Boys. $30 poorer, by 9:40 we are home.

Today we'll spend approx. $350 to get yet ANOTHER new starter installed in the car.

You know what? Even if I DID have a car that ran, I think I'd stay home today.

And knit.

Pieces & Parts

Another part of Sensational Shirttail is finished:

So far, so good with the pattern. I only found one minor mistake and that might be due to my preference rather than an actual goof. Here's a pic that won't make any sense to you at all:

That little bit I'm holding up is the continuation of the back neck after you've bound off the shoulder stitches. The band meets in the back & voila! Instant continuity. The instructions say to "continue in pattern on the remaining 4 stitches...blah...blah...until desired length to mid-back." Well - the pattern is K1, sl1, K1, sl1 then K1, P1, K1, P1. The first problem comes on the 2nd row when you have to knit the slipped stitch. Of course you can do it, but the stitch twists because your yarn isn't in the right place and if you move it you're wrapping the stitch & it ruins the line of the band. The next problem comes in when you think ahead to sewing the band in place. The 4 stitch pattern doesn't leave a selvage for sewing soooo...you'd be sewing *into* the pattern to secure it in back. Not cool.

Easy fix - I'm doing the pattern over 5 stitches. That extra knit stitch makes all the difference. The slipped/purled stitches continue to pop & I have that bumpy edge you see in the photo (on the left) to sew it in place.

Although I still don't swatch, I do agree with reading ahead in the pattern. Especially with funky patterns that have pieces going together in new ways. Spending a little time envisioning has really saved my knitting butt time & again.

I haven't forgotten my crochet buds out there. Here's a little something I'll be blogging about next:

Yeah - it's Paton's Allure...in bright red. Yeah, it's a novelty yarn & yeah, it's going to be a scarf. Are you out there Marie?

I'm even making up my own pattern.

Sigh....those best laid plans of mice & men sure are crumbling fast!

Guinevere's Bower

After much contemplation of my new (and only) colorway, I've changed the name from Merlin's Grotto. I associate forest green/brown/gray with Merlin while this yarn came out a wee bit on the rosy side. I associate roses with Guinevere, so there you have it, Guinevere's Bower.

And if you think I spend entirely too much time on miniscule minutae such as this...you'd be entirely right. :::wink:::

I've got Morgaine on the brain too...deep purple/midnight blue/black....hmmm...might have to get Wilton dyes for that colorway. hehehe But what I really need is a source for undyed (but spun!) wool to dye. I think I'm getting the bug....uh oh!

Just in case you were wondering:

Easter egg dyes wash off pretty quickly - I was only green for half a day.

Another postcard arrived from my SP2 - this time from Cedar Rapids, IA! All I can say is, "You GO, girl!" You've made this a ton of fun - even if I was trying to figure out who the heck you are I still wouldn't have a clue. :)

Actual knitting progress next time - promise!

Ho, Ho, Ho, Green Giant!

I know you're asking yourself, "How the heck did you manage that, Bron?" You ARE asking yourself that... somewhere amidst all the guffaws of glee when you see I've dyed my hands a lovely shade of camouflage green.

Well...I considered a story about alien abduction & Fox Mulder (Hmmmm...Mulder....)....or...kissing a toad in the garden & look what happens...or....getting a *little* too frisky with Kermit.....but.....I'm gonna come clean. (So to speak)

It all started when I finished my Singapore Sling Bag aka Sunburst Sling Bag (be sure to notice my pristine hands):

The stats: Sunburst Sling Bag from Just One More Row - Jill Vosburg. I used size 11 needles and a no-name thick/thin hand-dyed wool for the front - approx. 150 yds. For the back I used Lamb's Pride Bulky in black - about 1 1/2 skeins - approx. 200 yds. 1/2 yd. of lining fabric & one button.

I lined it with black cotton & made a simple chain loop closing for my horn button. It's really huge and I really like it! The pattern is great fun & the bag is unusual & very pretty when complete. Soooo....I was thinking......

A smaller bag in the same pattern would make a nice gift. But...I really didn't have any hand-dyed yarn on hand that I wanted to use. Then I remembered my trusty Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool. I had dyed one skein in Easter egg colors & still had one skein left....with plenty of egg dyes too. But this time I didn't want baby colors, I wanted something muted & shaded. I mixed several color tablets together and then ......I......MUSHED!

Without gloves.

I guess that was obvious, eh?

It's been 2 hours and the boys haven't stopped laughing.

But after a bit of microwave cooking I got this, so it was worth the mirth:

I call the colorway, "Merlin's Grotto." Yeah - I know I'm pretty ballsy to even call that a colorway. But I know from experience that the colors will deepen a bit with time so it won't look so Eastery - trust me. It's already starting to darken in the sunlight.

However, I must admit - I'm probably better at dreaming up names than actually *making* a colorway. Hehehe.

Warning: I WILL be using this yarn to knit up a bag as a gift...so one of you out there better stop giggling right now!

An Embarrassment of Riches

I was so busy yesterday I didn't even reply to my comments, let alone blog. Now THAT doesn't happen very often!

But it was worth it. I'm a 9 to 5'er once again.

Well, ok, more like 9 to 4'er most of the time (or an 8 to 3'er), but I *did* get the job. :::grin:::

It'll still be awhile before I start working. There needs to be a background check, some mandatory classroom observation and a 5 hour seminar completed. After all that, getting entered into the system takes a looooong time too. But I should be "on the books" by Nov.

Hey - at least I was hired, right? hehehe

Between that & a massive Parent Night at the middle school (almost 3 hours of following your child's abbreviated schedule - ick!) I got no knitting done at all yesterday.

I have something to show you anyway - it comes under the "embarrassment of riches" category. Nat, my knitting bud from Queensland and the proud owner of a new blog found here , sent me this for my B-day:

An Australian knitting magazine, lots of papers & stickers for scrapbooking as well as envelopes & such for stationary. Woohoo! Lots of fun stuff to play with - both for my Mom's scrapbook and my own enjoyment. I've just flipped through the knitting mag but there were several articles that caught my eye. I'll have time this weekend to read it cover to cover. It was a very thoughtful gift & I wanted to give Nathalie a shout-out & a very public "Thanks!"

More busyness abounds today but by this afternoon I think I'll be able to sit down & knit for awhile. Have a great weekend, everyone! I'll be back before Monday if I have some progress to show.

Days Don't Get Any Better Than This

I managed to do almost all my favorite things today: I bought books, had lunch out, bought cool imported foods, spent B-day cash on stash enhancement & then had good news late in the afternoon.

It doesn't get much better than that....and here are the details....

My first stop was the used book store - I traded in 3 bags of paperbacks & came out with 6 new ones to read - one in Simon Green's space opera series, but the others were mysteries - Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. Hmmmm...just the thing for cool weather reading with a cup of tea by my side.

Then it was off for my very first visit ever to my LYS - Village Wools. People, let me tell you - I was overwhelmed! I didn't know where to look (and fondle) first! Gorgeous stuff, overflowing shelves, I was in heaven. My B-day cash didn't last long 'cause I found this:

Elsebeth Lavold's "Sophisticated Lady" and her new Silky Tweed. What can I say...it's silky & tweedy & I loved it. This stuff is seriously soft. I bought enough to make "Audrey:"

I also found my beloved Araucania Nature Cotton:

I bought enough for a sleeveless top of some kind, some day. :)

Village Wools is THE place for buttons...I found this one for my Singapore Sling Bag:

Now I know how wise I was NOT to go to Village Wools before this. I know I'd find something I had to have every time I went in. I need to reserve my trips for special occasions only!

I had lunch with a friend at the Tan Lin market - exotic foods from all over the world & a decent plate of Chinese food for lunch. Yum!

But the best part of the day came when I finally received a call from the schools asking me to come in for an interview tomorrow. It's a group thing ("low stress" as she put it) so hopefully I'll be gainfully employed by the Albuquerque Public School system as a substitute teacher shortly. Seems like I've been waiting forever!

Last, but not least, here is a pic of my nostalgic project:

33 years ago, these slippers were the first "big" project I ever did as a new knitter. I remember it took me a month to make a pair (I was bored easily!) and they were the very same blue as this. 33 years ago I topped them with a pom-pom, this time I went a different route:

I even used straights to knit - just as I did back then.

Ironically I didn't find a copy of the pattern in my Mom's knitting things - but I did find it on-line under "Aunt Bev's Slippers."

The internet is a wonderful thing. :)

My Secret Pal 2 Strikes Again!

And I'm not complaining one bit....I found this in my mailbox today:

She had no idea, but I had been secretly yearning for a sheep tape measure. I admit it - I was jealous of all the other bloggers who had them. I felt like I didn't quite "fit."

Now I do. :::Grin::: Thanks SP!

I know it's hard to see in the pic, but she also sent me a lovely pattern from Y2Knit called "Summer Night." It's a lacey/cabley shell and I really like it a lot. It's something I would've picked out for myself, so that means my SP has been paying attention! Lastly, there was a darling little book on cats - black cats in particular. See the tail sticking out of the book? The boys really liked that - I had to stop them from curling/straightening/curling/straightening that tail! ha!

Thanks again, SP2! You really made my week. :)

I used the last of my gift cert. at B&N today for this:

Larry showed a project he had started from Scarf Style on his blog (geez - he's probably finished it by now & I missed it!) but ever since then I've had it on my mind. Sooooo....when I saw it on the shelf I figured it was meant to be. There are some gorgeous scarves in here - many I'd be proud to knit and a couple I just want to do for fun. Of course, I have some other projects to finish first, but.......I think I'll be making something from this one shortly. :::grin:::

Tonight is the season finale of "The Amazing Race" - my second fav reality show with "Survivor" being #1 in my book. I tend to be a bit fanatical about both so I limit myself to watching only those two. Anyway, my point is that I'll have lots of knitting time tonight so I hope to have my nostalgic project to a point where I can show it off, and I'd like to get a bit more mindless knitting done on Doug's sweater.

Happy Equinox...Fall is officially here!

"Too Cool For Words"

...applies to several things in today's entry. For example:

My oldest got his first pair of glasses today - not only does he look incredibly cool, he can now see! We discovered he is near-sighted and he was so used to things in the distance being fuzzy that when he put on his glasses he almost fell over in shock. "Mom - the mountains are clear! I can see individual flowers on that hill! The houses are in focus!" I know it makes us sound like neglectful parents, but he only began complaining about blurred vision a few weeks ago - honest. I'm just glad he's all fixed up. :)

Now, for "Sunburst Sling Bag" coolness:

(Pattern from Just One More Row - Jill Vosburg)

Of course, I automatically think "Singapore Sling" instead of "Sunburst Sling" so that's the name that's sticking. I used the hank of hand-painted yarn I bought at the estate sale & I LOVE it! The colors are more muted than the photo shows and the progression from light to dark & back again really surprised me. I wish I knew where the lady purchased this - I'd love to have more. It's fairly soft too - I think I'm a convert! I used up the entire skein on the front so I'll use the Lamb's Pride Bulky in black for the back & the handle of the bag. Great pattern - very easy to follow & really shows off hand-painted/dyed yarn.

For blogging coolness, check out my knitting buddy Nat's new blog: KnittingNatty. She's a sock-knitter but I'm not holding that against her. ::wink:: Stop by & say "hi!" to another Aussie taking the blogging plunge.

My nostalgic project can wait another day - I need to get one completed to show you. (oooohhh...mysterious!)

I received a postcard from my SP2 from.....Canada! Now - I'm assuming it's my SP2 'cause I figure she's being evil again & trying to confuse me as to her whereabouts. Little does she know that I've long since given up even *guessing* where/who she might be....it hurt my brain just thinking about it! Are you listening SP2? I give up! Hehehehe

Have a great Tuesday!

A Catchy Title Escapes Me Today

But here's the shawl anyway:

I went with a single crochet edging. Now, I'd like to say that I considered half a dozen options, tried out several different techniques, and finally decided that single crochet was the best. I'd really like to say that ....

......but I'd be lying through my teeth.

I was sick & tired of this shawl. Sick of garter on big-ass needles and tired of endless rows that only got bigger as time passed. By the time I was 30 rows from the end I was dreaming of size 5 needles and lace. Size 6 needles & cables! Anything but size 13 needles & bulky yarn!

Don't get me wrong - now that it's finished, I really, really like it. It's 9' wide (yes - you heard correctly, 9 feet) and almost 4' long. Just right to drape over my arms & stay there without too much worry & fuss. It's big, warm & definitely autumnal.

Yep - I really, really like it and it's the last shawl I'll be doing for a loooooong time. At least the last one of plain garter & big-ass needles.

Stats: I used skein after skein of Jiffy, size 13 needles & a pattern from Fiber Trends that I purchased at an estate sale. Not only is it big, it was cheap! Hehehehe

Here's one last good-bye shot of the shawl:

Emma's also glad it's finished.

I'm working on a couple of small projects that I'll be blogging about next time. One is a study in nostalgia for me & the other is one I've been contemplating for a long time and my bag-lady instincts finally goaded me on. Hehehehe

I worked quite a bit on "Sensational Shirttail" also and have decided to finish it before I cast on for the Melissa Leapman cabled sweater with the Uxbridge Tweed. I've also scrapped the Lavold Cotton Patine "Garnet" sweater in favor of "Agatha." I just couldn't face all that basketweave...it was boring beyond belief. "Agatha" is sleeveless & lacy & looks like it will be fun to knit. I haven't cast on yet - I'd like to finish something else first. :) But at least it's on the backburner.

Last, but not least, I wanted to tell you I went here, to the St. James Tearoom, on Saturday to have High Tea (definitely worth capitalizing) with my bio Mom, Susan, for my B-day. It was absolutely fabulous. Authentic down to the last detail, it was heaven for an Anglophile like myself. Go to the site & click on "Take virtual tour" then scroll down the page...we were in the "St. Bees" sitting area. Talk about Victorian opulence! It was just this side of Bordello chic. hehehe I came home with 4 oz. of yummy tea (we got to try 3 different kinds during the afternoon) called "Morning in Giverny." Now I need to find a good recipe for watercress sandwiches & I'll be all set. :::wink:::

Unreasonable Desire....

For my birthday, DH gave me a gift cert. to Barnes & Noble....where I went yesterday to once again peruse "Hip to Crochet." I remembered seeing a certain sweater..a cardi to be exact..and I wondered if I would still like it when I saw it again.

I did.

I want it. I don't know what it is about it - the collar? Yes. The 3 button-on-the-side closure? Yes. The cool way the cuffs actually...well...cuff the wrist? Yeah - that too. I'm thinking the motifs in Chinese red and the body in black to take advantage of the cardi's vaguely Oriental feel.

In my experience, once I have been consumed by unreasonable desire, there's no help but to hop into bed with the guy buy the item.

So - "Hip to Crochet" came home with me and I found several other patterns to interest me. B-day $$ well spent. :)

Now here's a question for you: Scrapbooking = Moneypit? Or legitimate investment? I'm tellin' you folks - you can sink some serious money into this without even scratching the surface of the new and latest gadgets & gismos that will supposedly make your scrapbook sit up & sing for its supper. I went minimal and am already feeling the pinch. Here are my raw materials:

And here are 6 pages done:

I figure I have about 15 more pages to go & have already used up a lot of my cool paper & stickers. It's easy to get carried away...yet, I can't help but feel less will be more for my Mom. So we'll see what I can get accomplished this weekend with an influx of a few new stickers & do-dads. I'm still waiting for a few pics to arrive in the mail so I have time to play around a bit.

I'm finished with the knitting of the shawl (gosh - that sounds pretty important: "Now, Ladies & Gentlemen, you'll be treated to the traditional 'Knitting of the Shawl.' May we have complete silence, please?" Hehehehe. I'll have a pic on Monday with the crocheted edging in place.

Remember when I mentioned that I might have an insanely cute pic of Emma after her wash & fluff? I think I offended her when I said it was every girl's dream to have a fluffy butt....She was NOT amused.

Have a great weekend!