What, what? A post?

Well, after not posting for a looooong time, here I am. With a project to share. Not a knitting project, but rather a few stenciled onesies I made this weekend.

Apologies for the craptastic photo, my digital camera is on the fritz so I had to use my phone.

Yeah, one of the things that's happened since I last posted in December is that we're having a baby. In November. A girl baby. Upon discovering the sex of the baby I experienced a massive surge of anxiety over the fact that 95% of girl baby clothes are so darn cutesy-wootsy that they make my skin crawl. (Scratch that, 95% of reasonably priced girls clothes make my skin crawl ... turns out there's lots of stuff I love if you're willing to spend $25 a piece on organic/soy/hand printed onesies but really, the kid is just going to throw up on it!) So I decided to take matters into my own hands and whip up some baby attire that I find adorable.

I picked up a few fabric paints at JoAnn Crafts yesterday, and found some great images online, mostly from vinyl wall decal websites and tribal tattoo designs. I copied the images to Photoshop, printed them out and used them to cut freezer paper stencils, which I used to apply fabric paint to a bunch of plain, white onesies I picked up at garage sales for about 25-50 cents each.

I love how they turned out and can't wait to make more!

Artisan Showcase Follow-up

Greetings! If you're visiting the blog for the first time because of the IRT Artisan Sale, welcome! Stick around, check out some free original patterns, and have a laugh at my expense as I ramble on about yarn, gardening, and life.

Artisan Showcase!

I've been a very busy knitter lately, trying to get items ready for the upcoming Artisan Showcase sale at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. If you're in the Indianapolis area drop by the Grand Lobby on Saturday, December 5th from 2pm - 8:30pm and Friday, December 11th from 6pm - 8:30pm to check out handcrafted items from IRT staff. Offerings will include hand-knit items (by moi), jewelry, holiday ornaments, and more!

The Return

Now that the wedding madness is long over it is high time I got back to this poor little blog. After several months of hiatus I've been ramping up my knitting again, mostly to churn out baby sweater after baby sweater for the endless string of friends and co-workers having babies these days. Never fear, I only have 5 more to make before November. Too bad at least one of these babies has already been born and I still don't have his gift done. Sigh.

In honor of my upcoming 30th birthday I have decided to take part in 101 in 1001. Several of my goals are knitting/craft related so I'll share those here.

59. Knit a winter sweater for myself
60. Finish spinning white wool
61. Post 5 items for sale in etsy shop
62. Make myself a skirt
63. Sell knitting at Blue Heron
64. Catalog yarn stash
65. Write a knitting pattern and post on blog
66. Finish Eat-Your-Veggies tee
67. knit 5 new projects from stash<
68. finish mohair neckwarmer
69. blog 1x/month on knitting blog for 1 year
70. Attend a knitting group 6x

Now, I'm technically not starting for a few more days, making my end date Thursday, May 17, 2012. If you're thinking of starting your own list you can use this calculator to determine your end date.

We'll see how it goes!

Encouraging Signs

One week in and my seeds have started to sprout! Even though I have a basic understanding of the science that causes plants to grow, every time something I planted from seed begins to appear I can't help but feel like it's a little bit of magic.

The ones in this picture are, I think, snapdragons. I am reminded why I should have labeled the containers: all sprouts look exactly the same at this point. But, I think that the snaps, lettuce, and possibly broccoli have pushed their little green heads up. The last two are even more surprising because earlier this week I accidentally knocked the tray these were in to the floor of the laundry room, completely spilling and jumbling up the contents. So I have no idea what is lettuce and what is broccoli at the moment. Ah well, I'll just let them grow and expect it will become evident which is which in the relatively near future.

GardenGate 2009

Spring-like temperatures have arrived here in central Indiana and my gardening projects are off to a great start! On Thursday, FH and I hit the local Lowe's to pick up some supplies.

On the agenda for this year are my old standbys: lettuce and peppers, both with seeds saved from last season. Since we're in a warmer climate now I decided to experiment a bit and sowed some of the lettuce indoors, some of it outside directly into a container of potting soil. The peppers will start indoors, of course, and I've started some extras in hopes that I can trade with co-workers and neighbors for a tomato or some compost.

We stopped by the Indianapolis Winter Farmers Market on Saturday morning to see what the Slow Foods heirloom seed sale had to offer. We were a little late so choices were somewhat limited but we picked up a packet of broccoli and a packet of pickling cucumber seeds to try.

In addition to veggies, this year I'm going to try for some flowers. I posted more about this on my other blog, but I am attempting to grow flowers for my June wedding (I am insane enough to be doing my own bouquets, boutonnieres, and a couple of assorted arrangments ... though we are not doing floral centerpieces.) I've got some calla lilies, ranunculus, anemones, sweet peas, and snap dragons in the works. Frankly I will be satisfied if they grow at all, so no worries if they don't bloom mid-June, but it would be so awesomely satisfying if I could use them for the wedding. I'm doing everything I can to weigh the odds in my favor (choosing a selection of flowers with bloom times from mid-May to early July so that an exceptionally cool or warm season won't screw me, staggering start times so that I have waves of developing plants), we will see.

Waiting for them all to grow is the worst!!! :P I am so impatient.

Clara's sweater

Hot off the needles is the Inca-Dincadoo Cotton Baby Cardigan from Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders. I made this one from Manos del Uruguay cotton (somewhere between one and two skeins, though I lost track because it broke a couple times while I was winding it.) This is a simple piece to work up and does not even require purling. It is knit in garter stitch, all in one piece from the back hem up and over to the front hem. Once it's knit you just fold it in half and sew up the sides/arms. My camera batteries died before I could get a close-up of the buttons but they have adorable little drawings of boys and girls on them.

This piece will go in the mail next week for little Clara Grace, the latest in a long line of babies born to friends. I think this sweater is going to be perfect for momma's little girl!

Edited because, while Knitting Little Luxuries is a great book it is not the book this pattern came from. Oops!

Christmas reveal!

Well, Christmas is long past but I am finally posting pics of the lone Christmas knitting project: the Dummy Clap shawl, featured on the knitting blog Knitting Up A Storm. This was a gift for my future mother in law. I made mine from 4 skeins of Berger du Nord Charmant, a 50/50 wool/silk blend.

Christmas Knitting Sneak Preview

Just a little preview of what's to come ... the lone hand-knit Christmas gift this year! I'm not telling who it's for yet ...

Happenings

Well, a lot has come to pass since last I blogged. I have actually started up a few new knitting projects but, alas, they are intended as gifts so I can't really so them to you. I must admit most of my DIY energy these days is devoted to wedding projects ... if you're so inclined feel free to meet me over at my other blog: Owen-Harmon Wedding

In any case, hopefully I'll have something new to show here once the holidays are over (in a few short weeks ... eek!!) Till then ...

My First Political Rally

Today I went to see Barack Obama! Fabulous Fiance and I set out for the American Legion Mall in downtown Indy at around 10 this morning. After waiting in the security line for about 45 minutes (I can now check off "frisked by a Secret Service Agent" from my life to-do list) we found our place in the audience, about 60 yards away from the podium where Obama would speak. I can't say that he revealed any new or incredible insights about the upcoming election but it was an inspiring experience to be a part of the audience. It is sort of exciting to be living in such a significant state this election ... there's a chance Indiana could go "Blue" for the first time in many years. (It's also sort of annoying, seeing as there are about 20 political commercials every hour on tv right now.)

Whatever your beliefs or party affiliation remember to vote!

Running on Empty

I haven't been posting here much, and I haven't been knitting much. I've been spending most of my personal project time working on wedding stuff and I'm even starting to feel DIYed out on that!! I'm at this point where I just want some instant gratification and starting a new knitting project just feels sort of overwhelming.

I realized the other day that I need to take a little break and find some inspiration. I keep picking up my yarn and needles/beads and wire/ and putting them down in frustration a few minutes later. I just don't have a good vision of what I want to accomplish. It's time to just relax, re-awaken my senses, collect some research of things I like, and let it all swim around inside my brain a little before I come back to the nuts and bolts of making things.

And that is A-okay.

Knitting x 2

I have been invited to a baby shower on Tuesday for one of my new co-workers, which, of course, means it was time to break out the knitting needles! Well, I wasn't specifically invited, everyone at work was invited, but I thought it seemed like a nice opportunity to spend time with new people in a social environment. Plus I just love knitting for babies ... I sort of look at the time spent making that special something as time to meditate and send good energies to this little, unborn child. The kicker with this one is that my co-working is having twins! Hence, knitting x2.

I took this opportunity to bust into my stash and use some of the Blue Sky organic cotton I got at the New York knits close out sale almost a year ago. Luckily I had a skein of bone and a skein of nut so mommy will be able to tell her little angels apart! My favorite old standby for babies, the One Skein Baby Bolero actually calls for Blue Sky organic cotton, making it probably the first time I knit a project in the yarn listed in the pattern! :P

I hope she will like them. I am a little nervous since I don't know her (or anyone here) very well yet ... I mean, it's one thing to make something for close friends and family, but another to knit a gift for a near stranger.

I'll hold off on the photo until after the shower, just in case there are any lurking co-worker readers out there ...

Slacking Off

Sorry for the prolonged absence, lots going on these days. Moving, starting a new job, and planning a wedding at the same time is quite an adventure.

I did find a little time to relax this weekend, thanks to a visit from a good friend. The famous Lilly from my February 2008 Florida post was in town this weekend with her family for the Drum Corps International Championships. Lilly and I, along with her mother and grandmother, hit the Indiana State Museum to see their Racial Lace and Subversive Knitting exhibit. It plays through August 24th and was fascinating. From the tiniest of tiny knitting to a video of an American Flag being knit with telephone poles by two heavy machinery operators this exhibit covers the spectrum. One of my faves was a dress knit out of shredded dollar bills. You can also stop and get your knit on: local volunteer knitters are manning a project table where they invite visitors to add a few rows of garter stitch to afghans for Afghans.

Lilly and I also made my inaugural visit to Mass Ave Knit Shop (which I mentioned earlier is right around the corner). Nice, big shop with lots of good basics as well as a wonderful variety of colorful specialty yarns. Wide selection of Jo Sharp yarn, a manufacturer I've not seen a lot of ... looking forward to getting to know it though! Lots of yummy colors, textures, and luxury fibers.

The main event of the day was the DCI Championships down in Bloomington, Indiana. Talk about flash-back to high school for me (I am a former hard-core marching band nerd... saxophone.) I had a blast watching all the corps perform, and knitting in between groups!! I've got a baby hat in progress for one of the many new little ones that seem to keep appearing in our circle. It was nice to spend a day away from it all: no searching the internet for hours for the perfect dress/cake/photographer, no worrying about unpacking the house (yeah, we are still not done with that), no thinking about how the job I am very much trained and qualified to do is about 10x harder than usual becuase I don't know where things are or who everyone is yet, just a fun day hanging out with good folks.

Okay, off to get ready for another session of trying on wedding dresses. Hee hee hee! I am having fun with that part ...

Yea, internet at home!

Sorry for the prolonged absence. Fabulous Fiance and I arrived safely in our new home of Indianapolis. We're taking it easy with the unpacking 'cause d@*^ we needed a break. I started work today, everything went smoothly. The kitties are adjusting marvelously.

More knitting news when I have time to knit again. Still haven't managed to make it to the yarn store during business hours. Hopefully soon I'll stop in and investigate their knitting group options.

Back from the Great Blue Heron Festival

Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by my blanket at Great Blue Heron this weekend! I had a good turn out, sold a few things, and had a wonderful time talking with so many different people. Take some time to look through my blog if you like, and if you want to make your own drink carrier you can find the post under "Free Patterns".

Also, I'm hoping to launch an etsy shop soon so, if you saw something you liked this weekend but didn't have a chance to pick it up, please bookmark my page and check back in the coming weeks.

For those readers who have NO idea what I'm talking about, Great Blue Heron is a music festival in Sherman, NY. Fabulous Boyfriend and I volunteer at the ticket booth and spend the weekend camping, hanging out, and listening to lots a great music. This year I participated in the Saturday afternoon blanket vending and sold some of my hand-knit items. Offerings included can coolers (koozies), drink carriers, a few small scarves, a couple hemp hippie hats, and the like.

And, speaking of Fabulous Boyfriend, he has been upgraded to Fabulous Fiance! He proposed Friday night, I (clearly) accepted, and we are both very excited. I see many future posts involving me using the wedding as an excuse to buy lots of amazing yarn ... hmm ...

Okay, off to shower for the first time in 3 days. (I like camping but man, running water is nice!)

Alpacalooza

Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Splitrock Farms up in Ridgeway, Ontario. For the last several years the owners, Glenn and Lynda, have run a bed and breakfast and built up their herd of alpacas. Now that they've got around 48 alpacas (with 11 more on the way!) they're planning to cease running the b and b and focus solely on the animals. Many of their animals have won high honors across Canada and they are starting to see some real results of a careful breeding program.

My friend Katherine is a longtime friend of Lynda and Glenn and when she realized I'd heard of alpacas she set up a private tour with Lynda (thank you again!!!) We headed up a little after noon and about 20 minutes later arrived at the farm. The b and b is gorgeous, I'm sure it's hosted many satisfied guests over the years. And the alpacas ... omg, they are so cute! They were sheared just last month so you can really see what lean animals they are. It was so much fun to watch them play and interact. It was also fascinating how Lynda described their individual personalities and the specific "roles" different animals play in the herd.

The capstone to the day, of course, was looking through the yarn that's been spun from these beautiful alpacas. I just love the idea of knitting with the yarn of an animal you've actually met. I had about $20 Canadian burning a hole in my pocket (living 5 minutes from the border I've kept a Canadian change jar for the last couple years ... it won't do me much good in Indiana) so I picked up some gorgeous silvery-grey yarn in a lace/sport weight.

So, how can a less well-connected individual share in the Splitrock Farms experience? Lucky for you they host an Open House in the fall, September 27-28 between the hours of 10am-4pm. For more info you can visit their website. I think the yarn I saw yesterday will be available for sale at the open house ... believe me, you want to go check it out!!!

Banished!

Today was yard sale day here in Buffalo, in preparation for the move. I finally came to accept that I will never use the 100% acrylic yarn in my stash so it has been BANISHED! It wasn't all junky, some of it was Lion Brand Micro-spun and such, so hopefully it will still be made into something by some kind soul. I just have so much other yarn and every time I think, "maybe I'll make something from that acrylic yarn" I sort of cringe and pick up some bamboo or alpaca instead ... it's amazing how easy it is to become a yarn snob.

Have I mentioned that my new place in Indy is a 7 minute walk from the yarn store? 7 minutes? Oh dear. :)

Wish us luck with packing!

Run like the wind!

Today was the big Race for the Cure 5k ... I finished in 30 minutes 16 seconds. Yea! My goal was under 32 minutes (which would be a 10 minute mile pace) so I did better than I hoped! I am very proud of both my running partner and I for all our hard work over the last 7 weeks. I have to put in a big endorsement for the Couch to 5K training program, which is what we followed. It's a great way to gradually work up to a 3 mile run.

Thank you to everyone who has written or called to ask about my dad and step-mom in Cedar Rapids. They've apparently been taking on some water in the their basement and are trying to keep it out of the carpet with a shop-vac every few hours but, while there is a very real risk of developing mold in the walls and carpet, they are indeed safe and at least 20 blocks from the flood zone. The biggest concern right now is the lack of drinking water and the inability for the city to receive supplies since most of the major highways are closed until the water recedes.

More updates to come about the Indy move (and maybe I'll get around to talking about some knitting eventually ...) Until then, have a great weekend!!

Cruel Nature Provides Much Amusment!

Yesterday I noticed our cat, Cydney, looking out the window of her little perch acting agitated. Upon investigation I discovered a squirrel was running around on the fire escape, strutting by the glass, clearly taunting her. It was very funny to watch.

This morning it happened again and, lo and behold, there are now two squirrels out there, wrestling with each other and annoying the crap out of our cat. At this rate the whole fire escape will be over-run with squirrels by next week!

Maybe soon I'll get an equally amusing photo of what our other cat, Scout, does when he sees a bird out the front window. They don't come as close though so it's not nearly as dramatic ...