On having a cold

The older I've gotten the more of a wimp I've become when I get sick. After my wonderful vacation with my sister last week, I now have a cold. I have made progress on that Hourglass sweater (I frogged the twisted parts, started/finished the first sleeve, and recast the main body) but my brain won't function enough to take a proper picture, so I'll just leave you with this recent shot out my front window.


I'll be back in a few days with a proper post.

Queen of Sheeba

This post was meant for Valentine's day (or week), but late as it is, I still thought it worthwhile to post.

Astute observers of this blog will notice that my blogger profile lists one of my favorite films as The Long Hot Summer. Besides being an opportunity to watch Paul Newman, it's a little movie with lots of fodder for great quotes. Other astute observers of this blog will remember that I absolutely enjoy spouting off movie quotes in normal conversations even though I never have enough opportunities.

So, that leads to this quote. In the movie Paul Newman/Ben Quick has been pursuing Joanne Woodward/Clare Varner. This is her response.

"Mr. Quick, I am a human being. Do you know what that means? It means I set a price on myself, a high high price. You may be surprised to know it, but I've got quite a lot to give. I've got things I have been saving up my whole life, things like love and understanding and, and jokes and good times and good cooking. I'm prepared to be the queen of Sheba for some lucky man, or at the very least the best wife that any man could hope for. Now that's my human history, and it's not gonna be bought and sold, and it's certainly not gonna be given away to any passing stranger."

I don't know if ya'll think I'm being sappy or naive, but I've like to think that I can identify with that quote (especially the first half).

Anyhoo, gotta get away from sappy topics and back to textile-related convos.

All I have to show today is my latest little WIP. I need a small wallet to organize gift cards, library cards, credit cards, etc. and being the DIY-er, I thought I'd make one.

Introducing the book

In keeping with the book part of the Bookworm Adventures, I offer this video. Oh my, how hard it is to learn how to use new technologies. So, enjoy and remember that times weren't so easy back in the "good ol' days."

*Edited to fix the link to the movie. The original version was taken off Youtube. Hopefully this fix lasts for a while.

Meanwhile, back at the sewing machine

I've neglected my dear sewing machine for too long while I indulged in my newest affair. But, I've dusted off the sewing machine and put it through it's paces today. For the longest time, I've been craving a cute smock/apron like I've seen here and at other blogs that I can't remember right now. So, since my knitting is sitting in the corner until it decides to behave, I've returned to my roots.




The color's a bit off but I used some leftover purple linen that's been in my closet for ages. I just love using this fabric since it feels sooo regal. I imagine King Solomon and all the kings of biblical times wearing this lovely fabric. As for the pattern, I just figured it out as I went using ideas from all the other aprons and smocks I've seen before.

I leave you all with these views of Southern California from where some friends and I went rock climbing today. Who knew that So Cal could be so pretty? Even with the overabundance of browns and greys in So Cal, I have to admit that this area can be rather pretty at times (like at sunset from atop a mountain).

Out, dog! Out, cur! Thou drivest me past the bounds of maiden's patience

The Hourglass sweater is beatin' me down. After my previous misstep, I dutifully - and very good naturedly, I might add - frogged, recast, checked and rechecked (and checked again) that the join was not twisted, and then knit for 2 DAYS to find it twisted AGAIN! But, because either I have Great Faith or that I am now living within un-, sub- or supernatural forces, I will keep the curs'd sweater on the needles and hide it until my dear sister comes to visit in a couple of weeks. I can only hope that she can salvage it in some way that does not include frogging. Otherwise, it's back to making scarfs and other rectangular items. And, no, I don't have a picture of the sweater. I just couldn't force myself to do that again.

By the way, aren't Shakespeare's plays just perfect fodder for curse words? I've never allowed myself to use *real* curse words, but sometimes my feelings are too vulgar for the words I am allowed to utter. In those cases (see above for prime example) I actually find myself proclaiming like a mad woman some Shakespearean insult. Admit it now; don't you just want to yell this to someone sometimes: "[Thou hath] not so much brain as ear wax" (from Troilus and Cressida). Or perhaps this? "Thou idol of idiot-worshippers" (also from Troilus and Cressida). And, when I'm totally exasperated, I just give up and utter, "I am amazed, and know not what to say." (Be assured, I don't actually do this verbally when I'm with other people. I'm not *that* loony). If you're looking for Shakespeare verbal assaults of your own, may I recommend you start with A Midsummer Night's Dream? Or, if your nerves can stand it, try browsing the Shakespearean Insulter.

Finally! Shakespeare for everyday language!

I'm all twisted

I don't know how this happened.

I checked and double-checked to make sure my sweater wasn't twisted. Quelle deception. But, it's my first sweater and what is that besides an opportunity to learn with each mistake. So, it'll be frogged and started again.

Isn't is beautiful yarn though? It's a cotton/wool/silk blend called Sea Shell (by Cestari). For my first sweater, I'm attempting the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I love the simple pattern, shaping, and that it's knitted in the round. So, expect to see plenty of this beauty in the coming months.

I've reached my techie limit

It's sad to have to admit this, but I actually don't know everything when it comes to technology.* I confess to you all that I don't know the bloggy ettitiquette for responding to comments. Should I sent you each a personal email? Respond in the same comment section? Or, respond in the comment section of your blogs? What I really want to do when I receive any of the lovely comments I've gotten is to call you up immediately and start chatting. But, that would be wierd, eh? To receive a call from some strange blog-woman? So, any ideas? What would make Emily Post more happy? For me to respond to your comments on your blog or on my own blog?

Meanwhile, this new obsession of mine is getting worse. I finished my fetching mittens and started the matching scarf (2x2 ribbed). Those mittens were my first KIP (knitting in public) project. During my doctoral program's week-long residency, I had plenty of time to waste just waiting for classes to start, for breaks to end, for people to stop lecturing. These mittens were the product of putting those wasted minutes to great use. My idle hands are not the devils tools anymore, no siree! Oh, if you look closely, you can see a peek of my First Ever Scarf. Can you tell what kind of stitch I used?




* In other techie news, last night I got to play around with iChat video chatting for the first time! It's like all those science fiction stories have come to life. Am I the biggest dork that I'm still excited that I had an online video chat with people in Michigan over 24 hours ago? This must be so old hat to everyone else, but I just want to hug my computer.

This last shot is a special treat for my dear sis. Don't I look swell on two wheels?