Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts

Monday, February 18, 2008

uh

Well, I am in VA. The cord to my camera is at home.

And I don't have anything really anyway other than cute alpaca pics.

And tomorrow there will not be any masters swatches because I am sitting in the hotel and I am exhausted. I am thinking that I will eat dinner and pass out. I left home at 7, drove up, worked through lunch, left at 5:30, came to the hotel, checked in, changed, went to the hotel gym and worked out, came back and did some stuff online, ordered dinner and showered. now...well, I think there will be no knitting at all tonight. sad, but true.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Charlotte-Metro Fiber Day

Today should have been called the Charlotte-Metro Fiber Day. I swear there was more going on today in the area then there has been going on in the last year COMBINED. And you know I attend everything I can. Cristi and I were only able to make 2 of the 4 events here in the area. What I didn't make was what sounded like a KICK ASS time at the Barnful of Quilts exhibit in Waxhaw. Or the etsy steet team event. But you don't want to hear about what I couldn't make, since well, I have nothing to say about it, I am just sad that I couldn't do it all.

What we did make it to was the Charlotte Folk Society 25th anniversay event at the Levine Museum of the New South where Tvini joined us for a few hours.

There was sqaure dancing.


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and spinning.


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Tvini spinning. Cristi ummmm...cussing I think.

and knitting.

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We LOVE to knit and show our knitwear!


and a lot more that we didn't take pics of like live music and vendors and all sorts of neat stuff. Shut up, we didn't take pics cause we were in a hurry to get to the next event.

Then we hit Taco Bell for an exciting lunch of a crunchy taco (and some nachos) for me and a soft taco (and crunchwrap supreme) for Cristi. I had been craving crunchy for a couple days (no, I am in no way possibly preggers, so don't go getting all in a twitter over me craving crunchy - turns out I am just fat and crave food. get over it) and what better way to get crunchy then with Taco Bell? (And I swear there were people out to keep my from my crunchy taco!!! "honey, did she just yell 'crunchy taco' at us?" - "I think she did. I wonder what that means!")

After lunch, we rushed over to The Hut in Pineville where The Yarn Shop at Rainy Day Creations was having a Charity Convergence Event.

There were charities.


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Project Linus and the Levine Childrens Hospital were there among many others.

There were prizes.

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I didn't win the REALLY GORGEOUS Latern Moon bag. *grumps*
I bought a Kumihimo Disk. And then got attacked by a spider. I should have taken a pic of that damn spider, but I was afeared of it. I think it was the size of my ass (which is about the size of Texas - I have seen pics - why did you people let me get so fat???) and it was living in the yarn. And it ran at me. And I screamed like a little girl. Sue me, it was HUGE! Others came over and didn't see it at first as it had retreated into the yarn. Then they saw. Cristi said it was huge too. Though she didn't compare it to the size of my ass. Cristi bought another Lantern Moon Bag - and she was glad it wasn't in pink or I would have had to have it. The inside colors just aren't me. But I love it. Too bad it only comes in that shade combo...

So now I am at home. Procrastinting about 3 million things. Like a podcast. And laundry. And packing for my trip next week.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Knitting, Tea, Tapas and Ice Cream!

I was pleasantly surprised this morning when my phone rang and the fabulous Kaitlin was on the other end. Unfortunately, I was taking a nice bath at the time, but when I got out and dressed, I gave her a quick call. She and I haven't had much of a chance to hang out other than at Knit Night, so it was awesome when she asked if I wanted to meet for some knitting, tea and a spot of lunch.

We went to a little spot called Urbana City Spa and TeaBar located in the Carmel Village. The place has been open about a year and a half I heard them say. The place has a very clean and modern feel. Black couches which are perfect for curling up and knitting on, a large ottoman/table in the center and some very comfy chairs. The music is very relaxing and trance-y. Not uber new age or anything. It was nice.

If you are in the Charlotte area, I HIGHLY recommend this spot. We had a lovely Peppermint Ginger Tea. Their tea selection is AMAZING! For lunch we shared the Sharp White Cheddar with Tupelo Honeycomb and Grapes and the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and Pita Chips with Grapes. (Ummm...I love grapes, so that was all awesome!!!). The food was excellent. By splitting two apps we had more than enough for lunch and a variety. The tea was hot and wonderful - we shared a small pot which was served with honey (they asked if we would like some, but the tea was perfect without it, so I didn't actually add any). They also have wine, so there is more than just tea for us drinkers. Total, we spent less than $20 on our 2 dishes and pot of tea, which one may think is a lot, HOWEVER, the apps were $6 each and the tea was $5 I think - I usually spend $8-9 at knit night at our usual place, so it is comparable, the food was fantastic and the atmosphere was amazing. I was really expecting it to be more expensive, so I was shocked when I saw the menu.

We sat there for several hours - knitting and chatting. The staff was friendly, observant, sweet and knowledgeable. They didn't hover, but noticed when K got chilly and brought her a blanket. The fluffy carpet makes you want to take your shoes off and dig your toes in...and I did (come on, you all know I only wear shoes so that I can wear HOT socks!). There is also a massage spa. They don't offer facials or other spa services, but the massage offerings are varied and I saw a lot of couples coming in for couples massages - massage is something I enjoy. A lot. I am thinking there is going to be a hot rocks massage in my near future.

They offer the Dani body products. Let me tell you the Lemongrass Lavender Soy and Shea Body Butter is just heavenly - we wanted a travel size to put in our purses for daily hand use! There was also a lotion bar which I should have noted the name of (bad blogger!!! no pics and no name!!!!). I like lotion bars for my purse as they are great for toting when you knit and you don't have to worry about it leaking or getting weird in the temp changes (because here in the South it can me 95 outside and 60 inside...20 if you are in my office).

One of the men who works there used to work in the yarn industry, so we talked yarn and about the socks I was working on. He loved the Baby Boom I was working with and talked to me about fiber content. He knew it was wool and that there was something else (yes, it is treated to be superwash. nice catch. He gets an A+). The other clients were quiet and respectful. Several commented on the knitting. A crocheter commented on my socks and I invited her to come out - and that we would teach her to knit since she expressed an interest.

Over all, I would totally recommend this place. I loved it and totally plan to go back.

Next, we were bad and hit Marble Slab for ice cream...opps. And more knitting. I don't think I need to talk about the greatness that is Marble Slab. I had Double Dark Chocolate with Raspberries.

Came home and was so relaxed, I took a nap. It was a beautiful afternoon full of good food, good tea, good friend and good atmosphere!

Friday, June 29, 2007

Cancer Fundraising

Most of you know that cancer has struck very very near to me. With that in mind when I heard that knitting goddess Annie Modesitt's husband Gerry was suffering from multiple myleoma, I was sad. When I found out there was a way to help, well, I was glad to do so.

Annie created a BEAUTIFUL corset dress in knit and you can have that pattern. The pattern cost is $4.50 to cover the shipping. You can make a donation on top of that if you wish. I did - and then received the sweetest email from Annie. (I really hope she has an automated emailer, but her blog says otherwise!) I would like to encourage you to at least look at the dress. Even if you aren't a knitter. If you know a knitter, it would make a beautiful gift. If you don't know a knitter, but would like to help out, well, you can donate the pattern to the raffle I am doing for Lupus later this year and donate twice. Yep, we are that kind of special around here.

Take a moment to tell the people you care about how much you love them.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

The Good, The Bad and The Seriously Ugly

My Knitpicks Options Needles arrived today. I immediately cast on the swatch for the Mystery Stole 3 project on them as they go down to a 4. I am pleased with the fabric and the way they knit.

Now, if only I was farther along on this sock project and the Mystery Stole was already on the needles.

Where is the swatch you ask? Well, i need to block it, but chances are you won't see it? Why? *sigh* well, I have to admit that I committed a cardinal sin in the middle of it. Yes, I stopped. The first time was at a natural stopping point. Although I was experimenting with beading so there was a bit of an issue, up to that point it was decent. Then, I picked it up for the last 8 rows of lace. Midway through my mother called. I answered. Oops. I never recovered. So yeah. that last section I was going to do was abandoned for the garter stitch border. Really a lace swatch is just to figure out the drape and density of the fabric. Other than that, this may be the worst swatch EVER.

Thinking about teaching a lace class soon. Local Interest???

Sunday, June 03, 2007

I WIN!!!

I had an AMAZING weekend with the boy and am now ready to move RIGHT NOW just so I can be with him more. I forget just how perfect he is for me when we are apart. For instance, at like 11:30 Friday night he said - get out your spinning wheel and show me how it works. Wha'??? OK!!! So I spun up some stuff. He asked questions like - does it not matter how thick the yarn is - I replied that eventually it will, but I am learning and it is getting better...and sure enough it was. Then in the middle of spinning he said, "so when are you taking a dyeing class?" Ummm...are you encouraging my madness??? Why yes, yes you are! I also worked on the pinwheel while watching the worst movie I have seen in a long time (shame, Eragon was a decent book) and he said it looked cool and that I am a good friend since it is a gift.

I showed him yarn and roving. He was appropriately impressed. He said things were cool, nice, soft, etc. He is learning. And he is perfect for me. He has also agreed to do all yarny photography for me as he is into photography and has a really super nice SONY SLR digital camera. When I asked him to do it, he said "Sure, that would be really cool." *squee*

So really, I win. I hear a lot of knitters say their SOs just don't get it/care. Mine thinks knitting is cool and loves when I knit for him. SCORE!

Monday, April 30, 2007

my iPod hurts today

In the category of "research" I listen to podcasts. This is really because I can. I like to listen to people talk about knitting and I listen to a LOT of knitting podcasts. The thing is, that many of these have been going on for awhile and I am trying to start at the beginning (well, I listen to the most recent epi and then start at the beginning because a lot of GOOD information comes out of podcasts. Now, I think I broke my itunes, I currently have 110 unlistened to podcasts on my ipod. I think it is screaming at me to get some off. And I am doing the best I can, but for everyone I listen to, I seem to find another 5 episodes somewhere else. I was down to about 60 after my trip to LA, but that was a month ago and I have just been downloading like a crazy woman.

I am current on all the blogs I read. Bloglines is a savior!!