Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Round-Up

I have a bit of a round-up for you on this fine Tuesday...

First up, I'd like to thank those of you who left me comments/info regarding Chicago area yarn stores. Very helpful.

Second, to those of you who sent me emails regarding your interest in helping me with my design enterprise, I need to let you know that I am slowing this endeavor down for the time being. I have literally stopped submitting designs to magazines that I normally design for and I have, for the moment, decided to forego the pursuit of publishers who would be interested in publishing a book of my designs. Doesn't mean I am shutting down my little empire completely, I am just slowing things down until I finish what is becoming a long, drawn out court battle for custody of my 14 year old daughter. Needless to say, I have read all of your email submissions. I would love to involve several of you (or all of you for that matter) in what I am planning. I just cannot focus on this right now. My brain and nerves are pretty much shot. My humblest apologies for keeping you waiting.

Third, OPP's. Yes, that would be Other Peoples' Patterns...Knitting from books and mags has saved my cerebrum from exploding as of late for I excel at following directions! No documentation to worry about. No design dimensions to delineate. No obsessive foraging for the perfect yarn suited to proposed conception. Well, I still obsess a little bit...

Anyway, I finished this cover model about a month ago...



...in this lovely pink hue...



The yarn happens to be Debbie Bliss SoHo, of which I bought copious amounts from Webs on closeout.



Fast knit as it is worked from sleeve to sleeve in garter stitch. Big knit because of the way it's constructed. Hot knit as the whole pile o' sweater sits in your lap while working. Yeah, just about smothered me when the temps were reaching their typical SoCal September heights.

Fourth, let's talk L-Aid.



Just so you know, I am currently spending $40 - $60 per week on Kool-Aid and God only knows how much on Knit Picks yarn. Needless to say, I've received some pretty interesting looks from various checkers in area markets near my humble abode when on a L-Aid run. Whatever. I'm having fun. I steep a pot of yarn on the stove nightly, I'm concocting color recipes with abandon and I now know that I need to take this to the next level. Oh yeah, Jacquard dyes are definitely in my future. It's a slippery slope peeps...

Fifth, I discovered a vintage treasure trove last Sunday with good friend and crafty maven, Bri. Now, the flea market fly that I am hangs head in shame at my level of ignorance of Sunday's vintage venue. How did I not know that the Pasadena City College Flea Market rocked so hard??? I mean, two outside parking lots combined with a multi-level parking structure FILLED with vendors??? Hel-looooo??? I will definitely be doing the Westside to Eastside run monthly to make this event.

Lookie what I went home with...





Yep, a new home for my knitting, crocheting and needle felting supplies. Yay!!

Sixth, the remainder of my week will be spent getting ready for the Windy City. Looking forward to it!

20 comments:

E said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
E said...

I thought I got weird looks from the little cashier boy with my humble 5 bucks worth of Kool Aid!! I should go get $40 worth and see if I can make his eyes pop out of his head! *huge grin*

But that whole dyeing thing is a Slippery Slope for sure, Lady L...I've already got my Jacquard starter kit from Knit Picks, and my buddy has signed the gang all up for a handpainting class...Woo hoo!

(I am sending very good thoughts your way re. your custody issue...Make sure you take care of yourself; we'll all be here when you can get back to the good stuff...)

naomi said...

The pink sweater is bee-u-tee-ous!

And your dying adventures are stunning, who needs jacquards.......not you.

Good luck with your custody issue. I'm sending good vibes your way.

Amanda said...

Looks like a whole lotta fun with your Kool Aid. Better hope the Kool Aid man dooesn't knock your wall down.

Good luck with all your court stuff. I know it's hard but in the end you will be on top. Too bad I live so far away(SD) I would give you a victory massage(yes I am a licensed massage therapist not a weirdo that wants to touch your body)!

X said...

I hope the legal battle ends soon so you and your daughter can enjoy some peace.

Ellen Bloom said...

Yummmmmm....your orange-licious KoolAid yarn is divine! Let me know if you're interested in selling any of it!!!

WineGrrl said...

I will think good thoughts for you and your daughter.

By the way, I am with Ellen...I'd buy some of your hand-dyed crack, er fiber if you ever decide to make some for sale!

Yeah So said...

I know what you mean about the kool aid - I once threw a tantrum in the aisle because they were out of the blue stuff. Very strange looks is an understatement.

Good luck on the custody stuff. Sending good vibes your way and hoping that you get through it with minimal stress on you and your whole family. And when you're done I'll be here to help knit some fiber chickens...or cockroaches, or...wait - I think I draw the line on cockroaches.

noricum said...

*hugs* and best of luck to you and your daughter!

Anonymous said...

Gel food coloring (the sort used for cake decorating) gives me more bang for my buck and doesn't smell fruity - but then you wouldn't be able to weird out the cashier!

Miz K said...

Ugh - good luck with the court stuff! Let me know if you need victory-chocolate!

LinknKnits said...

Best of luck on everything concerning the custody battle. Don't kids that old have some say in which parent they want to stay with? (You would think?)

Also, the chest completely rocks!

Anonymous said...

That is an awesome thrift/flea find. So jealous. Many moons ago I was gifted with two different "old Lady" baskets filled with their detritus. Collar stays, dead elastic, odd buttons. I was in seventh heaven.

Amy O'Neill Houck said...

I love the chest you found!! Can't beat flea markets!

Anonymous said...

I am sorry this court battle is still dogging your existence. Hang in there!

Susan Schwake said...

sweet haul LL. and sending hugs and nerve releasing vibes your way for lena dear. i am right there with you.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Even the best need a break from designing.

Your sweater is gorgeous in pink! i like it better than the one on the cover!

Sending good vibes for your court battles. Here in Florida and Connecticut a child 12 and older can decide who to live with, but...it still needs to be in the best interest of the child. (In your case...it is!!).

I am sooo jealous of your flea market find! I love the old wooden sewing boxes. Enjoy it!!

Madge said...

Happy travels to Chi town, good luck with the continuing custody battle (do you know a good Santeria priest?), and have fun with the hand dying. (I can hardly wait to see your Lady Linoleum line on etsy.)

PCC rocks, doesn't it? Great crafty score.

Jerry & Maxy said...

Super good luck with the custody battle. I'm sending you speedy victory vibes!

Micky said...

Wow that little caddy is awesome.

Good thoughts sent out to you.
:)