Bron's Blog II

I'm So Baised...

I made this pattern yesterday:

From this incredibly cool material:

That I purchased for $3.00 in the remnant bin at Hobby Lobby. 2 2/3 yd. for $3 is a great deal in anyone's book. :::Grin:::

I'm "biased" because I like this pattern much better than the plain tank I showed you yesterday. This has a bias binding for the armscye that really fits well and gives the armhole...well....give! I'm almost finished with it, I just need to do a couple more seams. I wanted it to fit with ease so I made a size larger than I am and I need to tweak it just a bit. I need to rip the side seams and add a little shaping so it doesn't look so boxy. Then I'll do the hem and add a couple of side slits since I love me some hip room. :::wink:::

I'll show it off tomorrow. :)

I made this yesterday -

And I would have a tea cozy to match, except that I've been sidetracked by this:

I'm hooked on the series. It's smart, fast-paced, sexy and well-written. I'm liking this book so much it's hard for me to put down and that tells you something. :) It's the "Rachel Morgan" series and the first book is Dead Witch Walking. For A Few Demons More is the 5th in the series.

Long may she write. ::Grin:::

I wanted to show you this, another remnant I picked up. Wouldn't it be perfect with that striped button?

I really, really wanted to make that crossover blouse with this and use the button as a decoration on the side but alas, there's only 2 yd., just about 1/4 yd. short. But now that I have it in my head, I'll have to find something to make with it!

Tomorrow: Aquarium pics, blouse pics & tea cozy pics. The excitement just keeps building around here. ::wink:::

Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel

Dylan's off the hook - he DID download AIM, but he had no idea it was a malicious program, especially since many of his friends are using it and having no problems at all. Plus, he figured AOL could be trusted. (Yeah - I had a good laugh at that one too.) So - he's a little wiser and my computer seems to have righted itself - I'm able to edit photos again and IE is working. I even have version 7.0 that allows tabbed browsing. :) I DID download an AIMfix utility that found a couple of AIM off shoots that the program delete couldn't find.

So - on to the show:

If you like your knits to fit and look good - buy this book. If you enjoy simple, yet sexy styles - buy this book. If you like your knits with a subtle twist - buy this book. If you love top-down raglans of any kind - ...well, you get the picture.

This is a very well-written, very well photographed book of top-down raglan designs. Stefanie includes easy to understand instructions for modifying any pattern to fit your particular measurements - a godsend to knitters who need a little help envisioning just what needs to be changed in order for something to fit.

Above all, the designs are wearable. That's really huge in my book!

Here are some of my favs:

There are several sweaters that are based on her Simple Knitted Bodice design (with the ridges around the middle.) I'd decided that particular style added too much emphasis on my still-too-poochy stomach, but the above style, with the emphasis on an area that's supposed to be poochy, might be just the ticket. ::grin:::

I love the bust darts, the neckline and the ribbing, although I would jettison the ridges. Seriously - I really, really like those darts!

What can I say? It's a great little vest.

She even finds a way to make bulky yarn look good. (Love those huge, retro buttons!)

I like the little touches she provides in an otherwise simple T-shirt pattern:

And I have enough purple Kool Wool on my shelves to make this very simple jacket....check out that line of decreases/increases up the back:

You know - sometimes it's the smallest things that trip my trigger.

I'm very, very pleased with my purchase. This is book is certainly something that beginners could use and it's different enough for seasoned veterans to enjoy. :)

Oh - have I told you yet to go buy the book???? :::Grin:::

Go - now.

Why are you still here?????

It's Been A Long Week

I'm really glad it's Friday. Too much going on, too much stress, I've been on overload for awhile and thing keep on piling up. DH doesn't handle stress well whereas I try to take just one thing at a time & concentrate on it until the situation eases. Of course, it isn't easy, but I try. Otherwise I'd sit in a corner, stare at the wall & rock!

I had a full day at school yesterday so no crocheting got done on Fishy. But I was able to read while kids did their work and I finished the last half of this book:

Jim Butcher is the author of "The Dresden Files" book series which I adore. (I'm not, however, as thrilled with Sci-Fi's "Dresden Files" television series.) This is the 3rd book in his other series, "The Codex Alera." I'll admit that I just couldn't get into the first book and I skipped the 2nd altogether. However, this third book rocked my world for the two days it took for me to read it. :) I'm in love with Tavi, the protagonist (Robbyn - he's a lot like Fitz!), and Butcher's world suddenly makes total sense to me...in a fantasy sort of way. ::wink::

Here's another book I finished recently as at-school reading:

It's no secret that I think Stephen King jumped the shark sometime back around "The Dark Tower" series, but I digress....

Cell is one I really enjoyed. Bloody, gory, but with great characterization, it kept me turning the pages until the end. The premise is one big cry against the mechanized, "plugged-in" reality that we all live in. Plenty of twists & surprises. :)

Speaking of surprises, how many of you would be shocked to find out I'm considering more new patterns to add to my to-do list? Yeah...not many of you...you know me too well. ::wink:::

Wendy over at Knit & Tonic has a lovely new pattern out called "Flair." I'm oh, so tempted.

This one I already bought & down-loaded. Because yes, I can be a lemming too. ::wink:: Not sure what yarn I'll be using, but I can guarantee it'll be cotton.

I'll leave you with another school note;

Yesterday, in 6th grade science with only 15 minutes left in class, I was hit by a hornet. Right smack dab on the nose. A hornet is a small piece of paper folded up and shot with a rubber band. I was sitting at the desk and happened to look up just in time for my nose to get in the way. (The kid either had fantastic aim and meant to hit me, or he's the unluckiest kid I know...) Now - I saw the two kids who were making the hornets although I'm only 75% sure I know which one actually did it. I proceeded to demand to know who was responsible.

The sound of crickets chirping.

I then launched into the "All teachers want is for you to own up to your mistake, take responsibility for your actions and apologize" speech. Might as well have fallen on deaf ears.

I tried the "if you admit it now, it will go much easier on you" speech.

Nada.

By this time the entire class has ratted that boys out. They had an empty Nerds candy box from which the hornet that hit me was made AND a big ass rubber band! Talk about a smoking gun.

STILL no admittance of guilt.

Idiots.

After all this I had no time to write them up so I just left a brief synopsis for the teacher & left the punishment up to her.

Again, let me say: idiots.

And that's my final word on THAT subject!

On the non-idiot front, I'm proud to say that Dylan has been recommended for honors algebra in 9th grade. He's currently in enriched math, not having made it into the official 8th grade algebra class, although what they learn is pretty much the same in each. Honors algebra is the most advanced math class available for freshman and his teacher things he'll do just fine. :) (Take that, 7th grade math teacher who didn't recommend him for 8th grade algebra! hehehe)

Oh yeah - Dylan also made honor roll last semester. :)

Colin stumbled a bit 1st semester, but he's really pulled himself up this 3rd nine weeks. I think he's managed to raise 4 of his grades to A's & B's. He's very proud of himself too. :)

There - done with the Mom brag for awhile. Have a great weekend!

MySpacebarIsn'tWorking

Doyouknowhowharditistotypewithoutone?Howe    ve    r,the   space    barwillautomatically
e    nte    rinaspace    afte    re    vhe    ry
e    .Evide    ntly
onlylowe    rcase    e's.Sigh.I'llbe    bac+kwhe    nIhave    ane    wke    y
board.....One    my
sonhasn'tspille    dGatoraide    on!

The    bumme    risthatIhadare    ally
gre    atpostline    duptoo!