BEST CAT EVAR

I have some end of the summer deep thoughts mulling around in my head, but I think that at this particular moment, this picture will be MUCH more enjoyable for you.



I would totally put up with horribly itchy eyes, incredibly runny nose and sneezing every 20 seconds for that cat. For serious.

Japanese Feather Lace Socks

I have completed another pair of socks, yessiree. The latest and greatest are right here, starting with the toe shot:

Next, we have the ever artistic side view:
And of course, a closeup of the lace pattern:

Pattern Notes

Pattern: Japanese Feather Lace Socks by Suzi Anvin
Yarn: Sockotta by Plymouth Yarn, bold stripe effect color # 5612. 45% cotton, 40% superwash wool, 15% nylon.
Needles: sizes 0 and 00 double point.
Gauge: Well, it called for 9 stitches per inch. Let's leave it at that.

Comments: This pattern suggests, rather boldly, that it is a good introduction to lace knitting, because the pattern is easy to knit. I would, also rather boldly, disagree. Now, the lace pattern itself was reasonably straightforward... however, everything else about the pattern was not beginner at all. For one thing, as the lace pattern snakes back and forth across your instep (which is gorgeous), the rest of the foot increases and decreases along with it. This looks beautiful, but is in no way 'beginner'.
Also, there are typos. One of which left me scratching my head for quite some time, and I am not a beginner.
Next, the heel includes stitches I have never seen before. This does not shout out 'beginner' to me. What in the world is a K-YOd? Yep. I now know.
I think what caused me a lot of consternation is that there weren't enough checkpoints in the pattern - moments that said 'yes, you should have this many stitches on each needle'. Cuz yeah, the number changes pretty frequently.
Next, the heel shaping leaves you with a bit of a 'pointy' look to it... I think if I did this heel again, I would not work the short rows for so long. I mean, I do believe I have pointy heels, but not THAT pointy... and yes, I did shift the sock around for the pic so that the pointiness did not show!
I did much better on the second sock (not getting confused-wise), but suffice it to say that I really don't think a beginner would have a good time at all with this pattern.

All of this being said, I think that the lace pattern is quite pretty, and now that I know what I'm getting into, I would consider knitting the socks again. But seriously... I think a 4 row lace pattern over, say, 8 stitches, is a LOT more 'beginner friendly' than... a 28 row lace pattern over 11 stitches. Just for the record.

Self Portrait Thursday

I think I might be feeling shy this Thursday!

But I don't FEEEEEL like it!

So, here they are, six lovely bead crochet bracelets, all ready to be sewn shut, but.... that is the part that I don't like to do! So, for now, they sit, quietly waiting to be finished. It's talkin' big to say that it'll happen soon, when I know in my heart that it is much more likely that I'll go ahead and start a new one to add to the pile.

Purdy, ain't they! Since they're not finished, they're not actually for sale anywhere yet... so if there is one that you see that you reeeeeally want, let me know... ;-)

Weird Day

Have you ever had one of those days where you just flounder around, not really sure what to do with yourself? I mean, sure, I could come up with a zillion things I'd like to do, but none of them really sounded like the right thing.

I wasted hours that way today. Now, mind you, I am NOT complaining. After all, I have the summer off from work. However, psychologically, that sometimes puts a bit of pressure on me, as though I need to make every single second count or I'm wasting time, taking it for granted, and so on.

Anyway, today started out that way big time. I woke up later than I planned, and just plain did not know what I felt like doing. Did I feel like going over to my studio? Naah. Perhaps I should clean my apartment? Ick. How about go for a walk? No, my foot hurts. And so it went.

Finally, I decided that an iced mocha latte (decaf) would most certainly give me the inspiration to figure out what to do. I brought my car keys with me just in case I was inspired to go somewhere while out. (I wasn't inspired) Once I got back to my apartment, I noticed that someone had left a few mystery novels on the counter in the mail room, so I grabbed one and decided that perhaps what I was going to do today was read.

After chapter 1, a weird thing happened: I decided that after every chapter, I would tidy up my apartment for a few minutes. After chapter 3, that 'few minutes' of tidying had turned into a tidying hour! It was as though once I had started, it was more and more satisfying to keep going.

However, it is hot out, so the whole 'sweating like a pig' thing has slowed me down for the time being. Last week was SO HOT, that even though it is pretty toasty out, it just feels nice to have the windows open and to be breathing fresh, nonconditioned air.

Anyway... I only have 13 days left until the school year starts again... and I really don't want to spend another one of those days like today, feeling like I'm wasting the end of my summer. Any suggestions for how to make the most of this time are most certainly welcome.

Silver and Turquoise

It is a dark and gloomy day today, but the light in my studio is still pretty good. The couch DOES, however, look pretty good for a nap...

I have a couple of things to share today. First off, my first 'serious' foray into handmade ear wires. I have made ear wires before, but this time around, I have a tumbler so that they get all hardened and polished and awesome. Cool, huh?


The next project I worked on was making a bracelet/ necklace set for my neighbor, who wanted to get something for his daughter who is turning 40-ish. He really wasn't sure what he wanted to give her, but he gave me a price range, said she liked turquoise, and away I went. For the earrings, I figured I'd stay simple and not TOO matchypoo, because this way, she'll really be able to wear them with a lot more things.



So, although these two things are not for sale, I do indeed have enough materials left to make something similar.

Just putting that out there... ;-)

Bead Crochet

So, today I decided to take some pictures of what goes into making a bead crochet bracelet. At craft shows, I try to explain to people the work involved, but sometimes, as they say, a picture is worth a bunch of words.

First, if I want to follow a pattern or try something new, I browse through my bead crochet pattern books, particularly this one and this one. There is also a great booklet chock full of patterns that I got from Beads East, but I seriously can never find it. It gets lost a lot. Stupid booklet.

Here is the pattern I chose for today:

Next, I picked out some beads and some thread:

Whenever I bead crochet, I complete one pattern repeat and slide it waaaaaay down the thread. I then lay it neatly on my beading mat. This is very important, because it is critical that you not make mistakes when threading the beads.Every single time I complete a pattern repeat, I compare it to my first 'sample'. Yes, every single time.
Here it is, the 4 foot long snake of beads, ready to be crocheted. One of the nice things about bead crochet is that once the beads are strung, the project is pretty portable. No beads flying all over the place!


Yes, there IS a crochet hook at the end of that metal thingy. It's just very small!


Crocheting! Each stitch has one bead in it. That means (going to do some math) that each bracelet has over 800 beads and stitches! Each bracelet takes several hours to complete.


I'm not done yet, but here is what I've gotten finished so far:


Cool, huh? When I'm finished, I carefully sew the ends together in such a way that the seam does not show... unless you look really, really closely and know what you're looking for.


Not too shabby! now, while the bracelet is not exactly stretchy, the crocheted tube of thread inside allows for juuuuust enough give that the bracelet will roll right over an average sized woman's hand. Yes, I have/ do/ will make them bigger or smaller for those individuals whose hands are not average-ish.

Presto! My project is done. Now, I will just sit back and wait for the avalanche of compliments. No pushing, please... there is enough room for everyone's comment!

Quickie Knitting Update

I have turned the corner on sock #1 of the Japanese Feather Lace Sock. I really like the lace pattern, but as frequently happens to me, I have some 'issues' with the pattern. I will save them for when the project is done, and will just leave you with a nice picture:




That's it for the moment...

Western Avenue Studios First Saturday

Today was the first time I got to participate in the WAS First Saturday event. It is a scorcher today, so we didn't get a whole ton of people, but I did manage to make a few sales, make some jewelry, and enjoy myself overall.

I took a few pictures (of course), and now that I have a laptop, I can load the pics onto my computer right here in the studio! Very convenient.

Yes, some of these are shots that you have already seen- new shots, but the same camera angle of the same darned things... but that's probably going to happen a few more times until the novelty and excitement of being in this space wears off!

If you click on the pics and go to my Flickr account, there are notes on the pictures. If you're interested.

Here is my sign and bio. NOT crooked in real life.

I took some pics of my jewelry and hung them in the hallway. Again, not crooked in real life. Pwomise!
Dad, this shot is for you... look how great that screen fits the window!
This shot is taken from the doorway - people get a great view of my display as they walk by. Well, hopefully the walk IN, not BY.
Display from inside. Check out the groovy old mirror - it rocks!
Workspace, with laptop hiding back there.

More workspace. The little tumbler on the table is tumbling ear wires. Can't wait to see how they turn out!
All right, that's it for now. No knitting update pic for now; you'll just have to wait on that one.

Some More Shots around WAS

WAS = Western Avenue Studios, by the way.

On August 2, which was a ridiculously hot day ( mid to upper 90's), I decided to get a few shots outside.
WAS sprung for a humongous sign, to help people find us in this random, end of a dead end road location:

Train tracks run along side the other side of the street. It is especially nice when the trains park and idle for hours... very odoriferous!
I don't care if Queen Ann's Lace is a weed. It's still pretty.
Evidently, the train tracks are a great place for a wee plastic nip 'o' liquor.
Pelby? was here???
Ivy clings to more than brick.

Ivy and a steel beam.
I am no graffiti expert, but this is kinda pretty. It probably says: "we kill tall, blonde chicks who take pictures of our graffiti."
My windows are three rows down, the two on the right.
Once my Honda dies, I am totally picking me up one of these babies.

Three.... two.... one.... um, blastoff?

Yes, the Classic Elite factory store is in the same building as my studio. Rock!


I hope you have enjoyed these lovely pictures. I sacrificed my sanity walking around in the heat to snap these pics. Whew.

Mango Moon Scarf

Well, here it is, the finished Mango Moon scarf. I took a stealth picture at my parents' house the other day, with the scarf hanging in front of my mom's tomato plants. Yes, Mommy, this was the secret surprise I was telling you about. :)

Here's a close-up of the fringe, which is actually the best part, in my opinion:
Project Notes:

Yarn: Mango Moon Dawn, 100% recycled viscose, two skeins
Needles: Denise Interchangables, size 9
Pattern: I made it up. changed skeins every other row, did a 3-yarn-over drop stitch every 8 rows.
I really loved working with this yarn. For one, I bought one of the skeins in London... it was the ONLY thing I bought to bring home the whole time I was there. Next, the color was beautiful, and I loved the raw, unfinished nature of the yarn.

And here is a shot of my newest cast-on. It's the Japanese Feather Lace sock pattern from Suzi Anvin, and I am enjoying it already. There is a 28 row lace pattern, but that just keeps things interesting! I'm using Plymouth Sockotta sock yarn, which is a cotton/ wool/ nylon superwash blend. It's nice!

Some More Studio Shots

I've managed to take a few more pictures of the new studio space over at Western Avenue Studios. I had a little motivation to get a move on to get things looking nice - this Saturday is "First Saturday", when bunches of artists open up their studios to the public. Plus, today through Sunday is the Lowell Quilt Festival, and there are going to be shuttles running over to WAS, bringing happy quilters over to see us. Quilters are women. Lots of women like to wear jewelry. I hope I at least sell a few pairs of earrings, eh?

Anyway, come on by to WAS this Saturday any time from 12:00 - 5 and stop by studio 3.27. It will rule.

In the meantime, here are some pictures. First, the 'one week ago shots', which were taken while I was painting and building work tables. First, a shot of my work area and the nice blue wall... I think it's a bit more teal greenish in real life.

A shot of the 'sitting area', from the 'work area'.
My main work table. Notice the jewelry that I have already made here!
Here are the tables I am making. I applied iron-on wood edging, to give them a more finished look, AND to prevent clothing snags and splinters.
A view out the window. There are railroad tracks out there... I'll try to get a train pic one of these days.


Okay, now a set of more recent pictures.... starting with another 'out the window' shot.

Here's the work area, featuring the 'polymer clay area' in the background, and the 'beading area' in the foreground. Please note the shiny new tables!
Wave hello to Liz! She has a studio across the way, and has an Etsy shop, too!
Another shot of the workspace.
This is such a great space to work in. Now, I have GOT to stop blogging and get over there!

Well, good grief!

Yesterday and today have been the days of many wounds. It is getting ridiculous. It started yesterday when I was in Michael's buying picture frames. I spotted some I liked on the top shelf, which was within easy reach for ME, but was still quite high up. Although I did NOT touch the picture frames next to the ones I was interested in, one of them slid off the shelf and the corner landed right on my ankle bone. I was wearing shoes and socks, so I guess it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it hurt. A LOT. I was putting my weight on the shopping cart and it was ouchypants.

When I got home, I somehow scraped the skin off my knee getting out of the car. That evening, I clonked my elbows and knees a bunch of times no matter what I was doing.

Today was the most ridiculous of all. While leaving my studio, I took the elevator down, because I had the two wheeler (dolly) with me, lugging stuff down to my car. As I opened the door leading to the outside, the hinge-y arm thing that causes the door to swing back shut after you open it detached itself from the wall above the door, swung down and hit me in the back of the head. It was quite a surprise. I'm just glad it didn't happen on my way in, because then it would have hit me in the FACE.

It was ridiculous. Who does that even happen to?

Me. It evidently happens to ME.