Progress, but no pics

I have completed Echo's first sock and have cast on for the second one. I forgot to take pictures while there was daylight though. I will try to remember tomorrow when I get off work. I think it turned out well.

My strawberry is turning red and I am so excited. Most of my plants are doing well. I gave a few away to a girl I work with who is moving to New York City. Sometimes I think the most meaningful thing you can give someone is something you made or had a part in its existance. The plants I gave her were all ones I grew from seeds this summer, except one of my strawberry starters. I hope she enjoys them.

Will hopefully be back tomorrow with pictures!

New Interweave Crochet!

Almost completely forgot to mention I also got my new Summer 2008 Interweave Crochet magazine in the mail the other day. This is such a nice thing, since I am not my craft diet this summer. I am not "allowed" to buy any crafting items this summer . . . it extends until school starts back up in the end of August. This has been annoying at times and somewhat difficult, but having subscriptions to Interweave Crochet and Interweave Knitting and the emails from Knitting Daily do make it easier. Because then I at least have some sort of new craft satisfaction. I am mostly doing this because my boyfriend and my mother think it is absolutely impossible for me to stick with it. Hah! I will show them.

Any how, the new Interweave Crochet,
I like:

Santa Fe Shawl: I like this one, but then I am very partial to granny square type items. I don't think I am girlie enough to wear this, but I could see some other people I know potentially pulling it off.

Midsummer's Dream Camisole: I really like this one. I like how it makes the crochet look so delicate. This is girlie, but it is still appealing to me, except the buttons up the back - - not so sure about that. This is a maybe.

Diamond Sage Wrap: This is lovely and delicate, but I am not really a wrap/shawl person.

Flirty '30s Tank Top: I must say I really like this top. In fact, I like it way too much. This will definitely be something I try once I can shop again for yarn.

Boucle Bath Mat: I like the theory of this, but do not know if I would have enough patience to do that boucle stitch for all of that rug.

Article on Crocheting as a Spiritual Medium - I liked this article. I also liked the Yarmulke next to the title and would love to learn how to make something that beautiful. Carol Ventura - Tapestry Crochet

Strung Shells Top: I like this, but it is a little similar to the Flirty '30s Tank Top.

Gladiolus Vest: I think this vest looks nice , but I do not care for the closure options. I would probably make this larger and add a few buttons instead.

Baby Trio: The baby stuff is nice, but I don't have a reason for any of it. The bunny is rather cute though, maybe I will make that for my niece.

La Mer Scarf: It is pretty and a little too girlie for me. Plus, I don't really see it holding up to a Buffalo winter and I wear enough scarves in the winter time, I don't want any if I don't need them.


I dislike/ feel indifferent about/ or would modify:

Match point skirt : I think it is a good idea but think the top of the pleats are very ugly! I think if it was knit a little longer and without the top part of the pleats it would actually look very nice.

Teardrop Necklace : I think this is a little too tacky looking. Maybe if it was done in finer yarn with a much smaller hook, however, this is a large maybe.

Queen Anne's Lace Blouse: I like the stitch pattern used in the shirt and would actually wear the shirt if it wasn't for the collar that is on there. That is quite unappealing looking. This is a maybe, but the collar will definitely be changed.

Shifting Panels Tunic: I kind of like the shifting panels but this looks like a little mu mu, not the most flattering.

Ocean Pearls Cardigan: Not much for this cardigan. It's simple and nice, but does nothing that jumps out at me. Also not much for the ribbon closure.

And lastly, the article in the back about Crochet on the Runway. I have to say, I think most of it looks somewhat hideous. Two out of the three models look uncomfortable. Although, I will give in and admit, that I think most runway fashion is unappealing to say the least.

Well, that's all of my opinions for today. I kind of like writing down my opinions about the new patterns, that way I can reference back to them when I am looking for something to make. Plus, it makes me think about what I really feel about each design.

New Knitty

Well, the new Knitty is out and I have to say this one is quite enjoyable. Most of the time there are a few items I find appealing, but not most of them. This time most of them seem appealing.

*In warning, with most patterns my mind wants to deviate at least a little from original, so read these opinions with that in mind*

Shetland Shorty - - I think this is very simple and nice. I can see this being something to wear over tank tops. At first I thought it looked way too simple, not appealing, but in the end I think that is what is so appealing about it.

Inverness - - I think this is an attractive top from every angle except head on. As a larger person, this seems to only emphasis what stomach the model has and I don't think I would want that for myself. However, I think it is just because the front pattern part comes to a point like that. If it was all done in the pattern or alternating panels of that pattern and the reverse stockinette, I think it would work much better and would probably be something I would wear.

Gigi - - I think the design for this is nice. I am not much for the over large sleeves and if I was to knit this it would most likely be shifted into a vest with no sleeves or a top with closer fitting short sleeves. I think the use of slightly variegated yarn looks really nice with this piece.

Thira - - This has a lovely design to it, but I would probably make the top into straps over the shoulder due to the fact that I dislike things on my neck like that. Otherwise, I really like the pattern.

Eloping - - Not really a need for me right now.

Chevette - - Not a choker, necklace person.

Seascape - - This one is very lovely, the pattern is nice. I am not yet much of a shawl/wrap knitter, but I could see making this for myself.

Helena - - I think this is adorable and would consider knitting it if I knew any babies.

Muscari socks - - I think the pattern looks okay, but I am not a fan of variegated yarn with most patterns. Unlike the designer, I don't think the pattern stands out very well in the yarn.

Spring forward socks - - I love these socks! I think the yarn goes very well with the pattern. I really like the winding pattern of the socks and will most definitely be making this pattern in the near future.

Ziggy socks - - I liked these socks the first time I saw them, but the more I look at them I don't like them. I think this is mostly due to the colors used for the sock though and I think these would be worth making in another color.

Couvercle - - I am not much of a hat person, especially not a hat with brim person. This hat would only make my head look bigger.

Autogyro - - I don't think this is a type of hat that should be knitted, doesn't quite look right to me.

BYOB - - I love this bag. Probably mostly because of my love of moss stitch/seed stitch type patterns. Definitely considering making this bag!

Well that's all of my input today, here is a little quiz thing I did. I think it fits me well enough.

you are mediumturquoise #48D1CC

Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Holy Heat!

Well it has gotten quite warm here in Buffalo and threw everyone for a bit a loop. My plants are happy and yet a little in shock and my body is freaking a little as I am having trouble sleeping, but it's suppose to cool down a little here. I gave up and pulled the radishes and carrots when I just had to admit to myself that there wasn't enough sunshine for the root parts to really grow adequately. Go figure, then we have a heat wave. Oh well.

I have been working on my crafts. Crappy in house lighting taken because when I was ready to take pictures a thunder shower was occurring, that's what you get with this kind of heat and humidity. See how Justice's doll is coming:








I have been making some little birdies:






I think it is weird on this on how part of the flower looks like an eye and beak.


I am making these as kitty/ferret toys. The pattern comes from this site .


I have also been working on my mother's journal:






I know the journal isn't very far, but it's taking me a while because I want it to look just right. The amount you see here was all that was accomplished during 101 Dalmatians cartoon. Oh well, better get working.


I have been working on some other things too, but not enough that it warrants any pictures. Well, that's all for today.

Polymer Clay Jar

I have always wanted to use polymer clay on glass. So last night I decided I might as well try. I did something a little abstract looking, but love it! I made some different canes using a light pink, a light purple, and a dark purple. Then I took the canes and squished them in different ways to create different looks. I like it because when you look at it you can see different shapes in the patterns.


















I left a few spaces open so one can see in the jar. I think I might put coins in there, but not sure.

I am definitely going to do this again, but do more of a structured pattern.

Cover for the Swiffer

Well, this all started because back when we moved into this apartment, almost a year ago, we bought a Swiffer because our apartment has hardwood floors and it would work better. The one we purchased you can also put wet Swiffer rags on to mop the floor, nifty, not for the hardwood, but for the tiled kitchen. My bf usually mops as he is a little more clean orientated than I am, he prefers a mop. I went to mop a couple of days ago and I don't care for the mop, so I was going to use the wet swiffer rag that came with the swiffer. You cannot used it on non-sealed tiles . . . which our apartment building is cheap-o and our tiles are unsealed. So, I created a cover that I could get wet and then mop the tile and hard wood using the swiffer. Yeah! Technically I guess you could also use it to sweep when it's dry.



















It was quite easy. My swiffer is 10" x 4 3/4"
I used Sugar & Cream in the color Cornflower.
Hook size: D/3mm
My gauge was 5sc=1" / 5.25rows=1"


Cover for Swiffer Pattern
(always work through both loops unless indicated)
Chain 24+1, turn
sc across, ch1, turn ( do this 10 times total)
sc in front loop only across, ch1, turn (this makes the fold easier)
sc across, ch1, turn (do this 50 times total)
sc in front loop only across, ch1, turn
sc across, ch1, turn (do this 10 times total)

fold ends over and sc around outside, including around folded edge, only sc through the loop that sticks out from not being used. ( I will include some pictures of this when I make the next one.)

It fits well and works well. I had seen some other patterns for such thing on the internet, but I wanted a more dense fabric.

Big Progress, Little Progress

First off, I have finished the first Spring Leaf Sock. As I mentioned in the previous post, I have changed my mind about the feeling of the Sockotta yarn. I think it didn't help that when I started these socks I was also working on a scarf with merino and silk and lets face it, nothing feels as good as that. I made a lot of progress on the second sock last night and am half way through it, so it is very close to done.












After a few different attempts with the toe I decided to to a round toe from the description given here: Joan's Toe. Which I think worked out wonderful. My mother and myself do not have the dramatically sloped toes like most of the rest of the public, with the toes being more of similar height. So I think this should work well for her and I am definitely trying it next time I make myself some socks.

* * * * *

Also, I finally got a shot of the small amount of the shawl I have done, which lets face it, is not much, but it is 400 stitches across. It's roughly intended size is 3 feet by 6 feet. My mother is tall and this should be a good size for her. All that I need to do is clean up my chart for the frog pattern and knit like the wind (to quote Brenda Dayne of Cast On.











Both of these pictures, especially the first one really get across the depth of the color in this yarn. It is a gray that is made up of other colors and close up you can see it and it just looks so nice.

* * * * *

I also took some pictures of my little balcony garden today. I have the start of my very first strawberry! I have to admit, I love "gardening" just as much as I love any other craft I do, it all fits into the principal of the ability to help create something which is just such a magnificent feeling. Any who, onto the pics:



Herbs on the back ledge, a tomato hanging planter, tomato plant underneath, three pots of varying peppers, and radishes to the far right. (In the window, inside, are my rescue plants - I had this weird desire to save discount/dying plants when I worked at Lowe's.)


Far right are tomato plants grown from seeds, then cucumber plants from seeds, garlic plant in the butter bucket started from a sprouting piece from my fridge, chives in the milk container from seeds, behind are the strawberry plants, very bottom right are green bean plants from seeds. In the little containers are lavender, chamomile, cilantro, sweet peppers, and cactus - all from seeds. Three bottom containers are my radish experiment.* In the front bucket are carrots(from seeds) and to the far left is my rose bush.


* = My Radish Experiment. I read online that if you plant a radish again it will sprout a plant and flower and produce seeds. So, a few times I purchased radishes in bags, there were sprouting radishes and I figured what the heck, I can try this. So far they are growing like crazy and blooming beautiful little flowers. We will see if I actually get any seeds though.








My first strawberry, the beginning of my harvest! :)





Well, that is all for today folks. Hope you enjoyed my little garden.