Dana (dot) com

I'm just not that into you

2008-05-30T13:07:00.009-06:00

I'm really not digging this whole blogging thing. Maybe it's because I'm just sitting here talking to myself. But maybe not. I really don't know.

This little piece o' the internet does have its purpose. I do like that I can keep track of what I'm making beyond just my knitting, which is also chronicled at Ravelry, but I think flikr could be just as useful when it comes to documenting my projects.

I like writing well enough, but I'm not a journal person. Never have been. I won't press delete just quite yet, but I feel no need to keep talking to myself online. Maybe I'll be back, maybe I won't.

Crafting the long weekend

2008-05-26T11:19:00.005-06:00

So this Memorial Day weekend has not been the most productive for me. Saturday consisted of sock knitting. But I did finish these:

And started a pair of socks for my Grandma as part of the Christmas knitting extravaganza. I'm starting early this year. I've already gotten Brent's dad's gift 95% finished. I'm just waiting on an order to arrive so I can finish them off. The "them" are these:

Which has since been felted, but not yet photographed. My plans are to needle felt a Hawkeye or a big "I" on the clogs to finish them off. Fiber and felting needles are on their way from Webs. Also in that order is yarn to make a pair of felted clogs for my mom for her Christmas gift. I'm making three pairs of clogs in all, along with two quilts, a pair of socks and a set of beaded wire knit candle holders. Now all I have to do is figure out what to make for Brent...

In other news, the lace leaf shawl is long since finished, but I want to get a better photo before I do an official post. I think I'll take it with us on our next day hike. I won't model it in my hiking clothes, but I'm sure I could find some scenery that would make a worthy backdrop.

Another Knit off the List

2008-05-20T13:44:00.005-06:00

Yesterday marked the official debut of Chickami. It's been finished for awhile now, but I actually got a chance to wear it. Quick, simple, nice shaping, and machine washable and dryer friendly. What's not to love? I can see myself going back to this pattern again and again.

What girl doesn't need versatile basics in her wardrobe? Especially since shopping is a pain. Over the weekend I went to Kohls to pick up some basics (mainly t-shirts, which makes up half of my t-shirts and jeans wardrobe) and I actually decided fight the crowds for a dressing room and try on simple, basic t-shirts. And I am so glad I did. If not, I'd be returning every single one. With my body type, I can't wear the longer t-shirts that are in style right now. They are just not flattering. And as Brent says, I'm "picky" about fit (I think he's probably putting it nicely, since he knows how frustrated I can get). At least with knitting I can tweak a pattern to make it fit how I want it to. Now all I have to do is develop my sewing skills...

Roxbrough State Park

2008-05-19T14:29:00.003-06:00

This Saturday was the perfect day to get out and explore so we took on Carpenter Peak at Roxborough State Park. It turns out the park is ridiculously close and could very well be the perfect place to trail run. Nice, wide trials without too many rocks or roots or other objects for me to showcase my clumsiness by catching a toe and then going flying. Seriously. When I trail run, my mantra is "pick up your feet" so I don't kill myself.

Anyway, since it's so close and has ample scenery I decided to start a four seasons project with Roxborough State Park as my subject. The plan is to go back on a scouting trip, find some places to shoot, mark them with the GPS and then go back each season for a photo. Hey, I have all this expensive camera equipment, and I might as well use it. Besides, Brent has offered to be my sherpa, so it's not like I have to carry all of the heavy gear all by myself.

Crochet, first attempt

2008-05-15T14:01:00.003-06:00

I've been wanting to teach myself how to crochet ever since seeing this. Yes, the Babette Blanket, the one that everyone and their mother, sister, and postman is crocheting. Slow down the bandwagon and make room for one more!

I think I need to advance a bit farther along than this, though.

Fun With Dishcloth Cotton

2008-05-13T14:33:00.002-06:00

Cheap, quick and easy. Gotta love it.

Finished Josephine

2008-05-08T13:33:00.003-06:00

Awhile ago, actually. Apparently I'm not very good at this blog stuff. But here it is:

All in all I like how it turned out, but in hindsight I wish I would have knit per pattern in pieces instead of in the round, mainly because my joins suck and knitting flat would mean sucky joins would be hidden in the seam. I didn't think of that since I'm so use to working with wool or other spit-splicing friendly fiber. Oh well. Live and learn. And it's really not that bad. A non-knitter might not even notice.

Now all I need is for chance to wear it. It's a little on the chilly side today and my big plans are hitting the grocery store. Don't tell Stacy and Clinton, but I'm not planning on changing out of my ratty hooded sweatshirt to go to the grocery store.

All Lace, All the time

2008-05-03T16:30:00.000-06:00

Seriously, I've been on a lace knitting bender. All I've done this week is work on my lace leaf shawl while listening to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on CD. I don't know which one I'll finish first. Probably Harry Potter, since the rows are getting progressively longer and longer. But I'm loving how it's turning out. I've never worn actually worn shawl before, but I find myself envisioning elegant outfits to wear with my shawl wrapped around me. Too bad reality is me at home in jeans and t-shirts. I'll admit it's time to expand and update the wardrobe, but I'd still need a place to wear the outfit I have in my head to. And at least I could wear my hand knits to knit night. Dressy, casual or even completely out of season, my fellow knitters would understand.

In other news, I think I've figured out most of my Christmas gift plan for this year, so I plan on getting started now so I can hopefully avoid any last-minute panicking. Up first will be some felted clogs, just a soon as I find the right shade of yellow.

41-60/100 Things

2008-04-29T12:48:00.000-06:00

41. My maiden name is very Dutch, and even though most people cannot pronounce it, I decided to hyphenate rather than just take my husband's very pronounceable last name
42. Sometimes when signing papers, I regret that decision
43. When I joke to my husband about buying a ranch and raising alpacas I'm only half joking
44. I really want to get a dog
45. A dog I can run with, not a little lap dog. And yippy dogs need not apply
46. I don't have anything against cats, but I'm still more of a dog person
47. I wear size 10 or 11 shoes, depending on the shoe
48. I can't walk in heels and have no desire to learn
49. Skydiving was my 18th birthday present
50. I really don't care for heights, or planes (a motion sickness thing)
51. But I went anyway, and I feel no need to go again
52. I took French in high school and German in college and don't even remember how to count to ten in either language. If I try, I start in one, and then somehow mix in the other
53. I wish I would have taken Spanish. That would a really useful skill
54. But I can count to ten in Spanish, thanks to Sesame Street
55. My favorite muppets are Statler and Waldorf, the two old guys in the balcony
56. I really hope Pokemon dies out before Brent and I have kids
57. We only have one tv, which I think is pretty rare
58. There are currently only three shows that I watch, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, and The Closer
59. I think I could give up our dish without a problem, I'd just wait until the shows I like come out on DVD
60. I haven't seen Titanic and probably never will. At this point, it's a matter of principle

Letters and Laceweight

2008-04-26T17:02:00.000-06:00

Saturday I finally got a letter saying that I'm officially and once again a student. I have been wanting to go to library school four about three years now, and the stars finally aligned. So after a few excited phone calls to family, Brent and I went out to dinner at Outback. Apparently it was prom night, so it made for some good people watching with dressed up teens trying to look/act cool.

But before all of this, I treated myself to a little bit of yarn shopping. Colorful Yarns was having their anniversary sale, and I just couldn't resist the siren song of laceweight at 20% off. And I now have a lovely ball of Lorna's Laces Helen Lace in Gold Hill.

I'm making Evelyn Clark's lace leaf shawl and dubbing it my "I got into grad school shawl". But now I'm debating if I should go find something else to treat myself to to celebrate because I technically bought this yarn before the mail was delivered and I had a reason to celebrate...

Problem Solved.

2008-04-24T15:05:00.000-06:00

I officially know what my next project will be. Well, my next mindless TV and DVD friendly project, anyway. I'm starting to get a craving for lace that will have to be satisfied with something else.

Yesterday Brent forgot his wallet, so I met him for lunch and brought it to him. I was more than happy to make the trip since thanks to the local knitting group I learned Brent's project is right next to a yarn shop, Colorful Yarns. Since I was right there, I had to stop in and scope it out, right? And I would feel bad if I didn't buy anything, so three balls of Cotton Ease came home with me. Anyway, this yarn is going to be a Chickami from Chic Knits. A nice basic for summer in a yarn that I feel I won't ruin if when I sweat.

Oh, by the way, this was my first real-life encounter with Sea Silk. Yum-my. I now totally get what all the fuss is about. Perhaps this is why I have lace on the brain.

In other news, my mom got the package with Angie's apron and the matching potholders in time for official giving at the bridal shower this weekend. I attempted to take a photo of it when it was finished, but it so didn't work and I couldn't wait until my photographer got home since it needed to get in the mail. I suppose I could have busted out the tripod, but I didn't think it was worth it.

Nothing to knit

2008-04-23T10:25:00.000-06:00

I am this close (picture me holding my fingers about two inches apart) to having my Josephine top finished, and I am lacking a next project. Well, a next knitting project, anyway. I have many a sewing and quilting project on the horizon, but that's a whole different issue. And a girls gotta knit, you know? And socks don't count unless they are beyond the basic.

Unfortunately my Ravelry queue is not spring friendly at the moment. Stranded sweaters? Mittens? Wool hats? Vests? Not at the moment. If you need me, I'll be wading through all the tanks and lace shawls in search of the next project.

weekend hike

2008-04-22T16:25:00.000-06:00

This weekend was gorgeous, so we went out exploring. I found a nearby trail courtesy of trails.com (so worth the subscription) so we headed out to Bergen Peak. Since we gained 2,000 feet in elevation, we were slogging and sliding through snow for a large portion of the trail. There were a couple of times where my trekking poles saved me from rolling down the hill with limbs sticking out of a giant snowball. Actually I would have hit a tree within a couple of feet, but that doesn't make for quite an entertaining image.

Apparently there's a geocache near the summit that we'll have to go back and find sometime. We thought about looking for it this time around, but there was so much snow we didn't even try. We'll be back.

Birthday Bracelet

2008-04-21T16:26:00.000-06:00

My sister's birthday is coming up this Saturday so in the tradition of giving handmade gifts (which I'm sure I will someday grow to regret and give up for the ever-thoughtful giftcard) I decided to whip up a knitted bracelet. Me, I'm not much for jewelry, but Amber has the ability to accessorize, so this should be the perfect gift. It was a quick knit once I got into the grove of things and figured out which gauge of wire to use. I wouldn't think there would be that much difference between 26 and 24 gauge wire, but there is enough that I struggled and almost gave up with the heavier (26) gauge wire. Once I figured out the wire I thought I had it made. But the first one was too long and when attempting to rip back a row, I broke the wire. Then I tried again, only to have issues attaching the clasps. What you see above is the third and final attempt. The clasps are still not 100% perfect, but I'll classify them as "acceptable" and get this in the mail tomorrow.

Slow progress is still progress

2008-04-17T16:46:00.000-06:00

So the reddish blob on the top of the contents of my knitting basket (it's position denoting it's status of "current work in progress", rather than the status of "not at all current or even seasonly appropriate but still in the knitting basket because I am too lazy to take it out and store it elsewhere" i.e. mittens) is my Josephine top from the summer 2007 Interweave Knits. I finished both fronts at knit night on Monday but haven't touched it since. I just have the back, sleeves and finishing to do. There's not that much left to do, but I'm currently distracted by this:

Even though the forecast looks like this:

Which after today is more cute spring top than bright wool socks. Gotta get motivated.

21-40/100 Things

2008-04-16T09:10:00.000-06:00

Continued...

21. I want to go back to school and get my master's in library science (and am currently waiting to hear if I got into the online program at University of Illinois)
22. My very first job was working for my hometown public library
23. I love to read, but my time spent reading has diminished since I've been sucked into crafting
24. I was born, raised and went to college in Iowa. Most of my family is still there and it will always be home to me
25. I've been to 28/50 states
26. But I've only been to Cuba (study abroad) and Canada (sick in northern Montana and in need of a doctor on a Sunday)
27. I learned to salsa dance on a rooftop in Havana, Cuba
28. It was long enough ago that I don't really remember how, but I'd like to (re)learn
29. I'm going to have a hard time talking my husband into that one
30. I have two younger sisters. My dad was so outnumbered
31. I was never a girly-girl
32. I've just now learned to embrace skirts and am working my way up to dresses
33. I'm still intimidated by make-up. I just don't seem to get it, not that I've tried that hard
34. I have a serious sweet tooth
35. I love to bake, which is directly related to above
36. On your average day, Brent cooks dinner, and I do the dishes
37. I am kind of a picky eater, but I've gotten much better
38. I didn't put ketchup or mustard on my hamburgers until I was 25
39. I'm allergic to morel mushrooms. I love them, but not enough to make myself sick by eating them
40. I'm also allergic to ~~pennicillin~~ penicillin but can never remember how to spell it when I'm filling out paperwork at the doctors office

Thinking Ahead

2008-04-15T11:54:00.000-06:00

So Mother's Day is just under a month away and since handmade gifts has become my trademark, I thought I should get started early. So I ordered the Small Books pattern from Craft Apple to make the Mini Patchfolio for both my mom and Brent's mom. My plan was to start early so I'd have plenty of time for a re-do if I managed to screw it up. Not a problem there. The pattern is straight forward and went together quickly. And I'm done with ample time to spare!

Now if I'd only learn from this and get started on Christmas presents now...

1-20/100 Things

2008-04-14T08:46:00.000-06:00

So I thought I should introduce myself, just in case anyone else ends up here but me.

I always read the "100 Things About Me" on other people's blogs, so I thought I'd start one. My plan is to do a few now, and add to it as I go.

1. My name is Dana
2. The person I call "Brent" would be my husband
3. We were married in 2004
4. In the first four years of our marriage, we lived in 3 different states. North Carolina, Illinois and Colorado.
5. Each move was for his job. He's a construction superintendent and when he finishes building a project we move to where the next project is.
6. With this most recent move to Colorado, we should be able to stay put for awhile.
7. I taught myself to knit in 2005 from Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch
8. The only reason I remember it was 2005 was by checking the dates of my knitting magazine collection
9. I'm horrible with dates and if asked how old I am, have to do the math
10. I started quilting in 2006, but am just now truly getting into it
11. I'd like to be able to sew my own clothes, mostly because I'm picky about fit
12. This pickiness drives my husband crazy
13. It is also the reason I hate shopping. Or clothes shopping, at least. All I want is clothes that fit, but apparently that's too much to ask
14. I run
15. I just got a new bike and am getting into cycling
16. I'd consider doing a triathlon if I was a better swimmer
17. I'm not overly competitive when it comes to athletics. I'm in it more for the fun of it and the personal challenge than to win
18. I once was a newspaper photographer
19. I had one exceptionally crappy job that single-handedly destroyed my love of photography
20. I'm just now starting to recover so my photography skills are way rusty

Stuck

2008-04-13T21:43:00.000-06:00

So the apron was on the agenda today, but I ran into issues. My sewing machine has developed a bit of an attitude. The top thread keeps breaking and it's making a scary clunking noise. I tried cleaning it, oiling it, replacing the needle... and it worked when I just tested it on scraps, but when I switched back to the apron, I got all of six inches sewn and then the thread broke. Frustrating.

Tomorrow, round two.

Angie's Apron, the fabric

2008-04-12T16:26:00.001-06:00

Angie's Apron - Fabric, originally uploaded by ddboots.

I've been commissioned by my mom to make an apron some potholders for my cousin Angie's wedding. I wandered through JoAnn's, coupon in hand, on Thursday and after much debate came up with this. I have such a hard time picking out fabric for other people! By a happy accident, the leftover binding from my last quilt which is now gracing the spare bedroom bed goes well with the fabric, so there will be binding on the hem, on top of the pockets and around the edge of the potholders.

So it begins

2008-04-12T12:07:00.000-06:00

I've never been one to keep a journal, so we'll see how this goes...