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 ...