MORE Sensational Knitted Socks

All right, it has been longer than I wanted since I have posted, but I had a busy weekend... I was at a craft show for a total of 21 hours over this past weekend. It was pretty rough. It went fairly well sales-wise, and I managed to have a pretty good number of nice conversations with people, telling them about my new studio at Western Ave. Studios, and getting them to sign my email list! Hopefully, sending out emails will help to get people to come by and see what I'm up to.

Speaking of which, Western Ave. Studios has "Open Studios" every first Saturday of the month, including THIS Saturday! I'll be there from noon to five p.m., hanging out, welcoming visitors, making jewelry, and what have you. If you're in the area, do come by... and say hello! You'll get to wander around and check out over a bunch of art studios, and I'll give you some recommendations of other spots to check out... like the Quilt Museum, which has a big event going on this weekend!

Okay, now on to the knitting. Several months ago, I got some yarn from the Socks That Rock Sock of the Month club, and while I liked the yarn itself, I really didn't like the pattern that came with it. The first sock that I knit up was bulky and not really my style. So, I ripped it out, and whipped these up:
The above pic also shows the eye of partridge heel, which looks nice with the variegated sock yarn.

Below is the top view:


And here is a closeup of the scroll pattern. This yarn tends to shrink a little when washed, so the pattern will be a bit more stretched out after washing:



Project Specs:
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock medium weight sock yarn, in colorway "Monsoon"
Needles: Double point needles, size 1
Pattern: "Scrolls" stitch, from the book More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch, with 'eye of partridge' heel. Cast on 64 stitches.
Notes: The Amazon.com reviewers are right: this book deserves 5 stars for the cool patterns, well written instructions, and ease of changing different aspects of the sock. This pattern looks like it was more complicated than it really is: I was able to memorize the pattern super fast! I will be buying this book for myself... I borrowed it from Cece this go-around, but it deserves to be in my library for sure.

I have started to realize something about my blogging: I tend to prefer to just post pictures of the finished product, rather than sharing pics of the new yarn, the first few cast on stitches, and the work in progress... and I certainly did not take a picture of the sock I didn't like that I ripped out! I think that if I DID share these pictures, that they would indeed be interesting to people... but for whatever reason, I don't do it. Hmm.

So, in an effort to turn over a new leaf, here is a picture of my latest 'quickie project':


While in London visiting my sister, I bought some Mango Moon Dawn yarn, which is made of 100% recycled sarong cotton in Indonesia. The sales of the yarn help to support families in Nepal and India, and it is really cool and interesting to work with. I had actually knit up the yarn I got in London, and then decided I really needed more yarn. I ordered another skein online, and then when it came, I realized that the two colors looked different enough that it would look strange to just keep knitting. So, I have been alternating between the two skeins. I added the drop stitch because I wanted to really SEE the yarn. I am going to add some awesome fringe before all is done.

Today, I'll be heading over to my studio and doing some whatnot... I will hopefully remember to bring along my camera so I can document the developments over there!

Today was a Better Day

Okay, so if you read my post yesterday and if you are a sensitive person who picks up on very subtle clues, you might have noticed that I was not in the best of moods. What a difference a day makes! It was a rollercoaster so far, but whatever. I can live with that.

I didn't sleep so well... I woke up at 5:30 and knew I was really awake. So, I did laundry. Someone had left their clothes overnight in two of the driers, so I used the other two, forgetting that one of them just does not dry at all. This delayed my leaving the house by an hour. This is an important detail.

Starting when I woke up, I obsessively checked the tracking info on my new laptop. By the time my laundry was finally done, the tracking info still did not state that my laptop was on the delivery truck, so I figured it was safe to run out to order a new window crank for my car. As I was checking out, the front door called to my cell phone (technology is so cool)... yeah, it was my laptop. I may or may not have used a mild curse word. I begged the UPS guy to come back in a few minutes. Then, we got disconnected. I paid the $21.75 for the window crank (what a bargain, eh?) and raced home, muttering, "I will find him... I WILL FIND HIM!" The UPS guy drives around downtown delivering stuff, so I figured I could find him.

I didn't find him. Moreover, he hadn't left one of those sticky notes to let me know when he was coming back! What to do? Do I stay in the house until he comes, possibly 36 hours from now? Do I go out, risking missing the delivery again? I called UPS and whined a little. They promised to contact the driver and request that he call me. (!!!!!!!!!!!) About 45 minutes later, the front door rings up to me again.... LAPTOP!!!!

I raced downstairs and thanked him profusely, and told him that he was my new best friend. He must hear stuff like that all the time, because not only is he nice, but he is seriously gorgeous. We're not talkin' like kinda cute, we're talkin' would have been a model if he wasn't so short. He qualifies as pocket hottie. I managed not to tell him that I loved him, but it was most likely on the tip of my tongue.

Tonight, I'm bringing my new computer over to my friend Cece's house, and her husband is going to do masterful computeristic things to it so that it is even more awesome than it was out of the box. I am thrilled.

Oh, except that after the terrible night's sleep, having to leave the house for the window crank, missing the computer, throwing a hissy fit, and then getting the computer, I got sleepy and fell asleep instead of moving my car and then I got a $15 parking ticket.

So it goes.

WHY MEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!


Dangit! Dangit, dangit, dangit! Okay, it COULD be worse, but it still STINKS.

My window crank in my car broke right off this evening. I rolled the window up, and kapow! the handle came right off in my hand. Snapped. Part of the plastic is still attached, but not much. Yes, I still have manual windows and door locks. Get over it. If YOU would like to buy me a fancier car, feel free. But until that happens, SHUT UP. I am in no mood.

Anyway, I could totally live without this crank if I didn't park my car in a garage that requires me to swipe a passcard... THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW. Now, I shall be forced to open the door and physically undo my seatbelt, set the parking brake, get out of the car, and swipe the car.... each and every time I come and go from the parking garage.

Clearly, I cannot live like that for another 5-10 years, which is how long I believe my car will last. So, I will be flushing some stupid money down the stupid drain for a stupid handle.

Oh, and my computer KNOWS I ordered a new one, and it is clearly angry with me. It will not turn on any more (well, it turned on after about 20-30 tries last week), so I can't turn it off any more. And yesterday, it started spontaneously rebooting itself every few hours for no apparent reason. Yes, I have backed up my files on an external hard drive. Yes, the new computer is in the mail.

Stuff breaking STINKS.

New Studio Space

Okay, I am finally going to be showing off some pictures of my new studio space! For those who have not gotten the memo, I have moved into an art studio space, which will be dedicated to making jewelry. It is located at Western Avenue Studios.

Several months ago, I contacted the management company to see if there were any spaces available. I was sick of my jewelry stuff being set up in the middle of my apartment and having to put it away every time I wanted my home to look tidy, and I had hopes that I would get more exposure and publicity over there.

As luck would have it, I called just as plans were being put together to renovate a new section of the mill, and I even took pictures of that section, shown here. I reserved a spot, signed papers, and sent in a deposit. However, the completion date kept getting pushed further and further into the future, obliterating my dream to move on over there and work in there over the summer. I then asked to see if any of the older studios would be vacated as the leases ended July 1, and as luck would have it, there was a similarly priced studio available! I moved in July 1. Of course, 3 days later, I left the country for a week, but I made great use of those three days, quickly setting up my studio and creating oodles of new jewelry.

Now that I'm back, I've been working on setting up my studio, and began painting this past Sunday. Here are a few pictures of what the studio looked like after the first few days of 'occupancy'... it's SOOOO nice to have all of my supplies within reach and nicely organized in cabinets!

Here's a shot of my little workspace, taken from the door of the studio:
Here are my two windows, showing off my glorious view of... wait for it.... an alleyway! Just like my condo! Wahoooo!

A shot of the groovy leather couch I purchased from the former tenant:

Another shot of my work space:

Already, things have changed... I have painted the walls another color, and am making some more tables. I will post more pictures soon!

Hedera

Here is the next of my finished projects.



Project Notes
Pattern: Hedera from knitty, in the smaller size, of course! Pattern by Cookie A.
Yarn: Hand dyed yarn from Wicked Wool
Needles: Double Points, size 0
Pattern Notes: Anyone who has knit a lacy sock pattern by Cookie A before knows what I'm about to say: The pattern was well written, interesting to knit, and looked just great. I was able to memorize the pattern quickly, which made this a great traveling project. Yes, these socks have been abroad!

Before I go, here is a shot of my latest project. Yes, very mysterious shot... lacy, blobby, and thoroughly fabulous!
I will most certainly include more telling shots in the future. For serious.

Sensational Knitted Socks

So, although I had read the book from cover to cover and absorbed all sorts of sock knitting information, I had not yet actually KNIT anything from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. However, when the most recent Petals Collection yarn came to my door, I LOVED the color of the yarn, but didn't really like the pattern that came along with it. So, I selected this one:
HAHAHAHAHA! I love how the unblocked lace makes this sock look skinny enough to fit Stick Stickley! Here are some better shots...




Oh, how I loved knitting these. The yarn is fantabulous. The pattern was well written and pretty and fun to knit.

Project Details:

Pattern: Oblique Openwork 8 stitch pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch, done over 48 stitches
Yarn: Mostly Solid in Blue Hyacinth by Sundara Yarns
Needles: size 0 double point
Notes: LIke I said, this was a nice knit. I did attempt the eye of partridge heel, but it really did not show up in this yarn. Hm.
I recommend trying out this book if you haven't already. I loved it!

Secret Socks Revealed!

So, I didn't quite get these done by my friend's birthday, but here they are now:




I used Brown Sheep's sock yarn, and followed the Sundara Yarns sock of the month club pattern shown here.

And yay, they fit the recipient!

I liked the yarn, and LOVED the pattern just as much as the first time I made them. The 1x1 ribbing gives the socks a nice snug fit, and the lace pattern is just divine.

I have a couple more pairs of finished socks to show off, but will space them out so as not to overwhelm my reader(s).

SPT 5/19/07

SPT 5/19/07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

A couple of nights ago, my good friend James came up to visit me. He knows I've been feeling bummed about being single, so he brought me flowers. What a guy.

Returned from London


Well, I got back late Wednesday night, spent Thursday in a sleepy, zombielike state, and am back to normal today. Click here to view my set of London pictures. I didn't take a whole lot, and it's a bit "Tour de France" heavy, but I guess it's better than looking at 40,000 pictures of places you don't care to look at!

The highlights were the free museums and getting to see a stage of the Tour. It is wonderful that you are able to see so much fine art by famous artists for FREE!

SPT 7-12-07

SPT 7-12-07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

I missed last Thursday because I was traveling. Today, I'm so tired I'm just hibernating at home. As soon as I muster up the energy, I'll be back in the real world again, and will upload some pics of my trip to London!

London Bound!

Well, I will be getting up at a ridiculously, horribly, ungodly hour tomorrow morning. Why, you might ask? I will be heading to London to visit my sister, see the sights, and check out the first two stages of the Tour de France! It even turns out that one of my old high school classmates lives in the city, and I will be meeting up with her at some point.

I'm doing this trip in a pretty casual manner... after all, I'm spending a whole week in one single city, so I figure I'll have plenty of time to hit the high points, as well as doing a bunch of poking around and meandering.

In other news, I moved in to the temporary studio space this past weekend! Now, I'm torn... do I just stay in the one I'm in, or do I move in to the one that is being built now? I have until the 15th of July to decide, but... I'll be away until the 11th! I made good use of the last 3 days, setting up the studio and even getting a bunch of jewelry making done. I absolutely LOVE having an organized space with all of my beads within reach, and plenty of table space to spread out. I LOVE the extra space in my condo, and I LOVE that I don't have to put everything away in order to declutter my home after finishing a project.

I have taken some pictures of the new space, but seriously, folks, I'm not kidding when I say that I have left a lot of the planning and organizing until the 11th hour for this trip! I am pretty much squared away, but sowwy... I'll be making you wait for more!

SPT 6-28-07

SPT 6-28-07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

Yes, Thursday comes around every so often... and today, I am hiding in the air conditioning and noodling around, knitting, working on some online stuff, and reading the new Bead & Button.

The Solstice Slip

Note: It is super hard to get an accurate picture at night in my apartment... so this was the best I could do!

One thing about not working numerous hours a day... you sure do have a lot of free time to knit and bead and whatnot! I started my day today with Bikram Yoga, which was no small feat, considering that it got into the mid 90's today, and let's face it... being in a room that is EVEN HOTTER than that can be tough to do on a day like today! I started feeling cold chills by the end of class, and walked out shaking and feeling like a wet noodle. Interestingly, I felt okay during class... but I remained in noodle stage for a couple of hours after class, but then was able to get back to photographing jewelry and knitting!

Anyway, now to talk about the finished socks. This pattern was from the Rockin' Sock Club, and as usual, I just loved the yarn. It is so tightly twisted and sproingy and soft... it is a treat to work with!

Pattern: The solstice Slip by JC Briar from the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Club, knit in size small
Yarn: Socks that Rock lightweight sock yarn in colorway "Firebird"
Needles: size 0 double points
Notes: For once, I found not a single pattern error or complaint in a Blue Moon Fiber Arts pattern. I have usually found some error that made me miffed, but not this time. I enjoyed the garter stitch short row heel and toe, loved working with the yarn, and liked the slip stitch pattern quite a bit! I did make the leg of the sock longer than they called for (really, guys, 5 inches?), because their socks tend to shrink up a bit on me, and socks shorter than 5 inches... that just sounds lame. I am kinda guessing they called for such a short sock because otherwise, people would have run out of yarn. Even I with my ultra skinny feet felt like I didn't have as much yarn left as I usually do after knitting a pair of socks.

So, what is next? I haven't decided. I'll either work on the shawl I already started, or I'll start another pair of socks. It's too hot to have a big project on my lap, so those are really the only two options for me at the moment.

New Earrings!

Today, I spent the bulk of my afternoon photographing and listing earrings on my etsy store. I really love MAKING things, but I hate photographing them and listing them online. It is such a chore! Anyway, check out the link to my etsy store to the right ----------->
and see my new items! All of the earrings feature contemporary and vintage glass beads that I picked up this spring at one of my favorite bead shops, and many of them feature the new, funky oversized kidney ear wires that seem to be showing up everywhere. I even made the headpins myself, and oxidized some of the silver to give the earrings a cool, vintage look.
One of the good things about listing new items? Actually selling things! Someone bought one of the pairs of earrings! They're super cute, too, with adorable little purple beads. Delicious!

In knitting news, I decided to begin two projects, and am about 3/4 finished with one of them. I'm assuming that by tomorrow or Thursday, I'll have a new FO shot for you all!

Go With the Flow Socks

Pattern: Go With The Flow Socks by Evelyn Clark, from Interweave Knits, Summer 2005
Yarn: Skinny Socks superwash sock yarn by Spunky Eclectic, in the Aztec colorway
Needles: size 0 double points
Notes: I liked the yarn a lot - there was no risk of pooling, and it was just nice, mottled, and pretty. The pattern was very simple - easier than it looks, and I had it memorized in moments flat. This made the project a mellow one! I found no "picky Amanda" pattern errors, so was very happy all the way through the pattern.

So, what is up next? It's a tossup, really... I just got the new Socks That Rock sock club yarn in the mail a couple of days ago, and it is lovely... but I also have a real itch to start a lacy shawl with the second ball of tencel yarn I got at the fiber show a few weeks ago! Decisions, decisions... aww, heck... maybe I'll start both! :)

SPT 6-21-07

SPT 6-21-07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

It's Thursday again, and today's self portrait is of me knitting a sock with yarn from Spunky Eclectic! I am on the second sock, and since school is out for the summer, I'm sure I'll have a photo of the finished socks in no time.

Bramble Leaf Shawl with French Trellis Border

Bramble Leaf Shawl with French Trellis Border
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

Here it is! Today's gloomy weather is not lighting things up very well...

Bramble Leaf Scarf with French Trellis Border
Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby
Needles: size 5 Addi Turbos
Yarn: a skein of Aziza from the people at www.justouryarn.com - it's tencel and drapes like a dream

Pattern notes: This pattern passed the Amanda Test of being very well written, very clear, and was mistake free. I loved the way it was knit - you knit the border side to side, bind off, pick up stitches on one side of the border, then knit the second border while knitting the body stitches along with the border.

I would recommend this pattern. I loved it!

SPT 6/14/07

SPT 6/14/07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

It's Thursday once again... and you can see a teensy glimpse of my new shawl, right there on my shoulder... but it is so gloomy (and COLD) out that I just can't get a good shot of it! I will keep trying...

OHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOO!

Well, I recently posted a pic of the lacy scarf that I'm knitting, and I'm getting near the end... about 14 rows left, to be precise. However, I am getting extraordinarily nervous about the amount of yarn I have left. I don't even have the heart to post a picture of how much yarn I have left. Plus, I'm so nervous that I keep making mistakes and having to tink back to correct the errors.

OHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOO! I'll just have to suffer through fixing the errors... but regarding the severe paucity of yarnage, I do have a plan... to, um, sort of bunch a couple of rows together or something... I'm sure no one will notice...

You see, the scarf is knit in three parts: First, you knit up the first border widthwise, which is about a foot square. You bind off, then pick up along one side, knit the length of the scarf (minus the second border), then cast on for the bottom of the second border. As you knit the second border, you knit one length stitch with every other border stitch. I know I'm describing this badly. Anyway, I'm considering knitting two length stitches with every other border stitch as needed, and doing a crochet cast off rather than a regular one... if I must.

If I end up having to do this, y'all had BETTER say it looks great. The other option is for me to unravel the ENTIRE second border, and I just don't think I have it in me.

More within a couple of days. I will either be jubilant, or a crushed shell of a woman. Let's hope for the former.


***********a little while later***********************

okay, reader(s), the news is good. I finished the pattern as written, and have yarn left over. This much yarn, to be precise:

Yep, it was THAT CLOSE. Now you see why I was so nervous! Eep!

Getting Closer...

to finishing a knitting project! After going to visit the sheepies a couple of weeks ago, I immediately wanted to cast on a new project, and decided I was perfectly deserving of doing so, despite the various projects I already have on needles.

So, I wound up my new Just Our Yarn Aziza nice and tight, and cast on for the Bramble Leaf scarf with French trellis border from Victorian Lace Today. I'm actually almost done... ony about 120 rows of 50-ish stitches each. Here's a shot of some of the bramble leaf detail:



and here's what I did to make sure that the extra slithery, easily tangly tencel yarn stayed untangled:



I made sure that the core was always nice and tight inside the yarn, by keeping it taped and retaping it every so often. I do believe I have comfortably averted disaster this way, and recommend it as a tip to one and all.

Oh, and check this out... last Saturday, I was having a nice espresso martini with a few locals, one of whom is Lizbeth Upitis, who is the technical editor for Victorian Lace Today! I had never even noticed that her name was mentioned in the book- it was very funny, because i was GUSHING about the book and all of the fantastic lace knitting information in the book, and how I was working on this new project, and so on... and she said, 'Well, I was actually the technical editor on that book!" I nearly died. She was basically responsible for the amazing appendix in the back which give so much info on lace knitting... it was a happy coincidence!

I'll be sure to post a (better) pic of the scarf once it's all blocked and stuff. No idea how tencel blocks, but man... it sure does drape nicely!

SPT 6/7/07

SPT 6/7/07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

Well, here is a picture in a picture shot for today's Self Portrait Thursday. My mother made the comment that all of the pictures that I post of myself look like I'm in a funhouse mirror, with my nose all big and with me all weird looking. I hope she thinks I look less deformed today...

Post Makeover, hanging out with Elmo!

Post Makeover, hanging out with Elmo!
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

Yesterday, I went to the mall and had a makeover at Sephora, which was fun. Afterwards, I was walking around, and saw Elmo. I had my camera in my bag, so I figured what the heck... I politely asked Elmo if he would mind if we had our picture taken together, and Elmo nodded and gave me the thumbs up. Mall Elmos evidently don't talk, which is a bit weird, but I can live with that.

SPT 5/31/07

SPT 5/31/07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

Here's my latest entry to Self Portrait Thursday. I took the shot this past Monday morning while strolling to Dunkin' Donuts for a 'day off from work iced coffee'. It was cloudy when I took the shot, but a flash just wouldn't do... I'm looking into a 'cool old stuff' shop that is down the street from where I live.

Grandpa's 96th birthday
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

As today is memorial day, I will take a serious moment to remember my grandfather, Ed. This picture was taken just over two years ago, about a month before his death, and was a rare moment when he was his old self, laughing and joking around. To perk him up, I suggested that he pretend that his birthday pie (prune pie) tasted terrible. He got a gleam in his eye, and then shouted to my grandmother, 'ughhhhh, what is this! This is terrible!"
My grandmother got all upset, saying, "It's your favorite! Prune pie! Don't you remember, you had it last year!"
My grandpa said, "What? This is last year's pie?"
They went back and forth, with her getting all upset that he didn't remember that he liked prune pie and that it didn't taste good. He played the part quite well, and she didn't even notice that the entire time, he was continuing to gobble down the pie, which was delicious (if you like prune pie). Finally, I nudged him:
"Grandpa, I think we'd better stop. She seems upset."
"Really? Okay."
So, we then let her in on the joke, and we all had a good laugh. I think my grandma ended up forgiving the two of us, because he has always been a prankster, and, well, it's always nice to see a twinkle in his eye.
This picture is a good memory of that day and of the way he used to be. I know my grandmother misses him terribly; they met when she was 15, they married 5 years later, and were married just over 70 years when he passed away.
Here's to you, gramps.

That's Right, I Can Spin Yarn!

A few years ago, I took a lesson on how to spin wool roving into single ply yarn, but the bug didn't really sink its teeth in and take hold. Well, while I was at the Sheep and Woolcraft Fair, I decided I'd give it another try. I bought a simple top whorl spindle from Spunky Eclectic, who also gave me a bit of roving to spin with, and I also bought some roving from another vendor... that roving ended up being a little rough and less fabulous to spin with, but I managed to turn both of them into a bit of yarn! Once I do more practicing, if I get through the 10 ounces of the crummy stuff, I'll probably order something from Spunky, because the stuff she gave me for free was so good, the roving she actually sells must be even better!
The darker roving was from Spunky Eclectic - you can even see in the picture that it is smoother. The small skein of yarn is from that roving. The bigger skeins are from the rougher, ickier roving. I even managed to ply them, which was cool!
I guess everyone learns things in different ways... after the fair, Cece and I went over to Mamacate's house for some knitting and spinning. Cece whipped her spindle out and got to work - me, I was feeling a bit sleepy, and didn't really feel like having people watching me while I tried to spin... I am normally not a shy person, but just wasn't in the mood. Instead, I carefully watched what all of the other spinners were doing, and when I got home the next day, I took out the fiber and did what I had seen everyone else doing. Sure, there was some trial and (very knotted) error here and there, but the end result was yarn that I could actually knit with!

I can remember a couple of other things I finally learned how to do while I was all by myself, including tying my shoes. My parents had most certainly shown me how to do it a bunch of times, but the first time I did it without help was while I was sitting all by myself. I can remember running into the kitchen to show my mom what I had accomplished!

I'm still not certain that I'm completely hooked on spinning, but I did like it, and suspect I'd like it even better with nicer fiber rather than the lumpy, scratchy stuff!

MBAAAAAAHHHHHHH! (a sheep impression)

This past Saturday, I went to the Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair in Cummington, Massachusetts. I drove out with my buddy Cece, and we met her mother there. We had a very good time - it was a hot, sunny day, but parking was plentiful and it wasn't humongous and overwhelming and crowded, and it wasn't TOO hot. We saw lots of nice sheep and various other woolly animals, and both of us managed to buy some yarn, some fiber, and spindles with which to spin wool! And without further ado, here are some pictures of our day!

First, a couple of fuzzy pals in some cheery togs, which I assume keep them toasty after shearing:

Next, a cuteypie closeup:
A drowsy fluffykins:

A llama, I think...
Snuggly pals:
And the best one yet, the only friendly sheep we found all day - all of the others turned away or were fairly aloof:


Of course, I also bought some yarn, both from Spunky Eclectic, which I wound into a ball pretty much immediately:


Then, I also got some tencel yarn from Just Our Yarn, which I'll make into scarves/shawls of some sort. They had some samples all knit up, and the drape was fantastic. The price was very reasonable, as well - I'll definitely visit their website in the future!

And for my next post, I'm saving a leeeeetle bit of a surprise!

SPT 5/24/07

SPT 5/24/07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio

Yes, it's Thursday again!
Today, I got a haircut, and am even wearing a little lipstick and mascara! I'm all girled out!

*Tiny Whimper*

Well, I had a mostly lousy ay today. I had to get up at 6 AM to get to the South End Open Market, and it seemed like a cloudy but okay day at that time... until I set up my borrowed tent (courtesy of Lush Beads owner, Liz), at which time it decided to rain... sometimes lightly, sometimes torrentially, but always wetly. There was water in my shoes. Up my pant legs. On my jewelry. Dripping through the tent. (um, tent makers? try working on a nonleaky tent, mmmmkay?) And, as you can guess, sales were wretched. Did I mention it was also chilly? Made worse by being wet, of course... I was wearing two shirts, a sweater, a jacket, and a scarf (and yes, pants, shoes, etc). I was still cold. My sales totalled $12, and consisted of a single pair of earrings that I sold to my tent mate, Skullknocker. Thank goodness for that sale, and for her mellow, humorous company.

The only light at the end of the day was that I got to go over to my friend Tarsha's house for dinner with my knitting friends afterwards. I feel very guilty that I just ate and ran - I think I owe Tarsha something special. Gotta think about that one.

The tiny whimper comes here: recently, we have had a run of some rainy and/or cold weekends with warm/hot weekdays, which is really wearing on me. I just looked at the 10 day forecast, hoping for a nice Memorial Day Weekend, and... tiny whimper... the forecast calls for three flippin' days of rain. All weekend.

Rats.

Self Portrait Thursday 5/17/07

Self Portrait Thursday 5/17/07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio.

Here is today's entry for Self Portrait Thursday. I suddenly remembered about 1 1/2 hours ago that it was SPT day, so I took a quickie pic that showed off one of my new pairs of earrings that I made!

Petals collection Dahlia Socks

Petals collection Dahlia Socks
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio.

Started and finished in a week, I do believe, these sockies are wonderful and pink and great and I loved knitting them, and I will love wearing them.... next winter! It was about 85 and humid today, so no need for wool socks for quite a while, I assume.

These socks were the latest from Sundara Yarn's petals collection. I have now finished April's socks of the month, but still have one of my January pairs on hold... I even sized up for the leg portion, but it was too tight. Next, I suppose I'll have to rip it out and reknit the leg on bigger needles. So it goes.

SPT 5/10/07 NYAH NYAH!

SPT 5/10/07 NYAH NYAH!
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio.

Here's my weekly self portrait thursday shot. I was feeling silly.

More Socks!

Well, more sock anyway...
I bring you sock #1 of the most recent Sundara Yarns petals collection sock of the month club, right next to my extremely veiny (evidently) nude foot.

I hope to denude the right foot very soon!

I love the viney pattern of this sock. In case anyone cares, I actually think I prefer the patterns that have been coming from the Petals Collection more than I like the patterns that have been accompanying the yarn from the Rockin' Sock Club.

Now, I must confess something: I went ahead and bought that camera that I wanted so much. Here is a super duper closeup of some earrings that I made:


This is a completely unedited picture. Look how close up it is! Look how clear the details are! I still need to fuss a bit with the brightness/ exposure settings, but I am tickled pink. Pink, I tell you! PINK! I oxidized the ear wires and the headpins to give them an antiqued look. And below, another unretouched photo of some more new and cute earrings I made:
In case you're interested, the headpins I used for both pairs were handmade by ME with fine silver wire and a mini blowtorch. Yes, I used eye protection!

That's it for now... off to update my Etsy store with these beauties!

Beads from Glass Bead Extravaganza, 5/5/07

Beads from Glass Bead Extravaganza, 5/5/07
Originally uploaded by BrickMillStudio.

I went to the Glass Bead Extravaganza today, and came home with a small assortment of handmade lampwork beads. It was a wonderful show, with some incredible artists there, but I managed to stay away from buying super expensive focal beads!
After the bead show, I went around to a few places for Somerville Open Studios and had a nice time. I ALSO stopped by the camera store, and checked out digital cameras. I looked at a super fancy one with an optional macro lens, and all I can say is WOW. I wish I had the money for that- it was AMAZING. The quality of pics you can take of items... say... of jewelry.... unbelievable. I guess I'd better start saving my pennies, or winning the lottery or something...

New Socks, New Yarn!

First off, new socks. These were whipped up out of the latest Blue Moon Fiber Arts Rockin' Sock Club yarn. It's the Silkie Socks that Rock yarn, andit is very nice and soft, what with that little bit of silk in the yarn! The pattern was called "Knee High to a Grasshopper", and you could either choose to knit them a regular height, or up to the knee. I was half tempted at first to do the knee highs, but then figured that they'd be too hot, and that no one would ever see them to appreciate them. The stitch was the most basic of lace stitches, the faggoting stitch, but in reverse: instead of k2tog, yo, it was p2tog, yo. However, I didn't notice that it was purling instead of knitting, so mine are backwards! Luckily, I like the way they look just fine!
In just the nick of time, I received the yarn from my second sock of the month club, and it is sooooo pretty! It's from Sundara Yarns, and the colorway is called "Dahlia". It is a lovely pink, and here it is, perched on my windowsill:


Yes, I've already started knitting.

In non-knitting news, I received the lease to sign and return for my new artist studio, which is very exciting! Also, I've been trying to learn some new things in jewelry making, as well. I oxidized some sterling silver headpins and earwires, and also made my own headpins with a small blowtorch! It was all very fun.

I also almost caused a fire. Wheeee! This past weekend, I had made some coffee, and I usually put the coffee pot away after I use it... yeah, I almost never put ANYTHING away after I use it, but for some strange reason, the coffee pot gets put away. Anyway, I didn't put it away. At lunch time, I turned on the stove to make something to eat, and as I was loading the dishwasher, I smelled something TERRIBLE. Upon closer inspection, it was the electrical cord to the coffee pot, which was still plugged in! YIKES! I quickly unplugged it and checked out the damage, and decided that the poor coffee pot had to be put out of its misery. This excited me to no end, because I hate that damn thing. It is old, small, and makes crappy coffee. So, whooooo baby, that means I got to go coffee pot shopping! Except that when I got to the store (with my 20% off coupon, yessirree), I said to myself that what would be even BETTER than a coffee maker ...... would be an espresso machine! That's right, I now own an espresso machine. I have made cappuccino and a latte, and have even experimented with soy milk and almond milk. The steamer thingy on the side is SO COOL, but dangerous. Hot. One of these days, I will probably have some sort of 'incident', which I promise to tell you all about.
That's it for now...