An Update for You!

I have been shirking on my sewing duties, but I have been buried in knitting attempts (and flash games).  I have just successfully finished knitting my first sock.  This is a very exciting day for me because I have followed through on a goal.  I think for anything, the best thing is to find your own way of doing things, otherwise you're going to be smashing your head into a wall when there's an open door right next to you.

I started trying to knit socks on double pointed needles.  My husband compared this to wrestling with an octopus.  I compared it to the fiery embrace if the underworld.  So there it sat in all its tenataclicious glory.  Untouched.

Then I found the Magic Loop method of small-diameter knitting.  I became happy.  I was able to knit socks without anger.  The world was filled with rainbows and dolphins.

So now I have one sock.

I guess I should go make another one to go with it so I don't look like I can't dress myself.

So a reiteration of the moral of today's story: find what works best for you (in knitting and in life).  Don't give up just because the 'tried and true' method doesn't work for you.  Find whatever it takes to make your dreams come true.  Because they can!

Love,
Carolyn

P.S. One of my favorite quotes for you:

You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however.
Richard Bach

Finished Knitting Project!

Well color me excited.  I have just finished my first real knitting project in years!

I do a lot of exercising outside.  I have found that the face-covering balaclavas are the most horrid thing you can wear when out and about in cold weather.  Rebreathing hot workout breath is disgusting.  Also disgusting is having rebreathed workout breath fogging up your glasses.  So I needed something with an open face.  Thus was born my version of the helmet liner.

It's made out of Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, which I love.  I'm just getting back into knitting, so I'm not a yarn snob.  Yet.  Judging from the difficult time I had picking out yarn at JoAnn's today, I'll be a yarn snob pretty soon.

So trying this on, it's super duper super warm and cozy.  It's a bit big for my head, but it was sized for men.  I can deal with lumpy as long as it's warm!

It was a pretty easy pattern to do considering I haven't jumped into too many knitting endeavors before.  It's available for free on the Lion Brand website, but I can't link it to you because it will just send you to a sign-in page.  You can always find my knitting projects on Ravelry (ninseam).

Did I mention this is really warm?

Also: I am blessed with a cat who likes to snooze in my lap whilst I knit and does not care to play with yarn.
I win.

Finished just in time for Black Belt winter camp next weekend!  I am gonna need it!

Signing off for now,
Nin

Oz Brainstorming

So I've been hinting heavily on Twitter about doing some clothing based on the Wizard of Oz.  I spent a good portion of my childhood watching this movie.  It was the first VHS we got after we got the VCR!  It was around the time that the 50th anniversary edition came out.  That's pretty cool because the 75th anniversary edition just recently came out and for some reason do not own yet.  This will of course be rectified shortly now that I have brought it to my attention.

Here's what we have so far:

Dorothy:  Classic blue gingham skirt with red edging or trim around the bottom.  Hopeful to find a red quilter's cotton with shine or shimmer so I don't have to get an over the top prom dress fabric for the bottom.  Sparkling red lace trim at bottom also an option.

Tin Man: This in silver with a crystal red heart button at the neckline.  Contemplating whether or not to do a textured or patterned silver.

Lion: Winter set: paw mittens, tail scarf with a hero medal brooch, and a lion mane hat.  Should the hat be a full mane, just ears, or something in between?

Scarecrow: Button-down in the classic blue-green.  Still contemplating how I want to incorporate the straw-yellow.  Yoked shirt would look bad.  Perhaps a knit lace scarf or shawl to accent the neck.

The Wicked Witch:  Little Black Dress.  Going to bring in the classic green color as an accent or color block (depends on what dress pattern I decide to like).  Suggestion of knitting striped witch socks.

The Good Witch:  The girly outfit.  Pink capris with glitter accents.  T-shirt with painted/screened: "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"

Toto: Plaid handbag with scotty dog iron-on.

That seems like a big enough pile of stuff to handle.  If you have any suggestions for any of these projects, please let me know in the comments.  But remember, this stuff is meant to be worn in public, not for cosplaying!

A Round of Pictures!

Photography is not my strong suit.  I'm just going to lay that out for you right now.  Also, I have not painted my door frame yet.  The knots are sexy, no?

Anyhow.

Anyone who has seen me in the past month has seen me wearing these jeans.  They're a staple.  I'm hopelessly addicted.  But I want to change... honest!  These were made using McCall's 5849.  The pictures on the front of the package are misleading.  My ass does not look nearly as good in these as the models on the cover.  Also, these more resemble "mom jeans" than "classic straight leg" that flatters your midsection.  But hey, they are SAFE because they're jeans, right?  Bah!

This lovely number was part of James' Halloween costume two years ago.  I'll give you a hint: he was a cowboy.  This one is made out of cozy flannel (aka pajama flannel) so it's extremely comfy and very warm.  The sleeves are rolled up because I had an issue with the cuffs being off centered so I never got around to making a button or buttonhole.  I enjoy wearing this one because it is not constricting in the chest area.  This seems to be a problem for me in women's shirts.

This skirt has not seen the light of day yet, mainly because it's been winter.  That doesn't mean anything this year because this winter has been rather warm.  But I like being warmer than just warm, so I wear pants during this season.  I guess it's time to knit wool stockings!

There you have it!  A small sample of what I've been wearing this year.  There are a few things in the laundry right now due to 'one to wash and one to wear.'  So maybe I'll give you more pictures next week.  Or maybe not.  It depends on if I've had enough potato chips to keep me happy.  (Kettle Jalapeno chips, please).

Cheers!