Bird's Nest Knits

Digging myself out of a hole

My poor blog has suffered of late.  Cast aside in the face of endless hours of work, much shaking of fist at Microsoft over the whole Daylight Savings Time change and the havoc that it wreaks, wrecks?  I've been completely drowned in work, and only today has there been even a hint of an end.   I haven't even had a chance to barely do any knitting, and my mood has suffered for it.  I even missed out on meeting up with the usual suspects at Rebecca's last weekend,  But finally, finally, sweet Jesus Mary and Juan Valdez.. FINALLY - it's time to relax and unwind at last. 

Last night I managed to pick up Mariah - the only big project that I'm working on, and will work on until I'm done with her (socks do not count, and lace might not count either - I haven't decided yet).  I'd forgotten how much I love the cabling, and discovered that armed with my Knitpicks Pattern Holder (love this thing - you must get one) I can actually knit pretty challenging cable while watching TV. 

I am about 2/3 of the way done with the sleeves, all sorts of modifications to the body brewing in my head.  Lengthening, adding short rows at the boobal area, no hood, maybe a button front instead of a zipper, or even a pullover instead of cardigan, maybe a collar - oh the possibilities.    It's going to go to my sister I think, unless I decide that I want to keep it for myself.  Considering I'm significantly more.. um.. ample than she is - I'd better decide soon.

Not content with just knitting - I've taken a stab at sewing as well.  Here is an even more neglected dress - which will probably remain neglected till closer to summer.  It just needs to be seamed up the sides - which is what - 10 minutes?  If even that.  But no - I revel in my slackmaster like abilities.

I think it's going to be darn cute, and the boobages will be flirtily on display.  And you can't underestimate the value of flirty boobs.

As if I didn't have enough junk laying around related to various hobbies, I've also tried my hand at wire jewelry.  This is pretty darn fun.  Note for the day:  The higher the number "gauge"  the thinner the wire.  These earrings were super easy to whip up but the wire I used was a little too delicate so if you yank on them they will definitely bend out of shape.  Purty though - gifts for a few teenage girls I know.

On a more personal note, I found out that my parents were sick when they went to Vietnam.  No it wasnt birdflu.  They both got chest x-rays and the doctor there found a mass in my dad's left lung.  The big C word was whispered about, and my sister and I freaked out quietly.  When he got home he went to his regular doctor, got scanned again.  No cancer - it was pneumonia.

My dad's a crusty old sort - and it's much too soon for him to go anywhere.

I missed you blogland - glad to be back.

... a hole in the head

So, I told myself after spinning that I needed another hobby like I needed a hole in the head.  Then I took up sewing, and now to add to the many holes in my head, I present to you...

Medusa

Selene

After a little jaunt to the Whistlestop with Wendy -

We wandered over to The Grove - the site of regular frivolous spending, I once again ignore the more practical - yet not nearly as fun voice in my head - and came home with a wire jewelry book, a supply kit, and several neat little pre-packaged projects direclty from the book.  Two sets of earrings, and a ring project.    It took me a little bit to get used to using a pair of round nose pilers, and my first set of earrings you can see that the curves are not completely perfect.  I think that it adds to the charm of them though.    I don't have a ring mandrel so the knot ring project will have to wait. 

Lots of fun, almost instant gratification,... winner!

Last night I went to the Padres game with Wendy and Mr Spazz and her parents.  We didn't end up sitting with the rest of the knitters but the game still was lots of fun just the same.  We saw Tanya from afar.  The Padres kicked some Reds ass, and I got quite a bit of the back of Sizzle completed.

The view from nosebleed (not bad at all - but going up and down those stairs freaks me out)

Sizzle at the game - knitting with SWTC Phoenix (soy silk) on Knitpicks Options needles.  The perfect KIP project with lots of stockinette.  I'm finished decreasing for the arm holes and about to knit up to the increases for it.

Wendy was working on Rogue with her lovely hand spun (so frickin' perfect this yarn)