So…Yeah, eh? February 18, 2008

My delightful friend Emily had been tagged with a couple of awards and gave one to me too. I like the “You Make My Day Award” best because smiles can mean so many different things whereas making one’s day is just that much warm-fuzzier in my world.

So here are some of the people who make my day, in, as Em put it, no particular order:

Dainty Kitty. We met through the first BackTack. We had to buy fabric and notions, send it to one person, then build something with the fabric we received and send the finished item to our final recipient. I sent Em fabric. And then I just wouldn’t leave her alone. Em’s who I want to be when I grow up. She’s fun, she’s flirty, she’s crafty, and her insights are lovely and clever and funny. And we keep up with each other on e-mail, not just blogging, which is lovely. Even though we’ve never met, I consider her a really great friend.

Firefly is a friend from life and the blogosphere. She’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met and so extremely giving! I enjoy every time I get to see her, as well as every time I get to read her blog. She’s very good people.

Purple Spaghetti is another friend I pretty much stalked from swap-land. She was the hostess of the first Secret Pal I took part in. The person who was sending to me ended up being unable to take part, so PS found me a really great angel. And afterwards PS was stuck with me nosing around. She’s so funny, generous, and talented. And patient (I think you have to be with me around). And a woman who loves Dr. Pepper and Josh Holloway can’t be all bad!

Lil Rose Thorn is my coworker at my day-job and I suckered her into getting a blog so she could take part in the swaps. I can’t call her assistant any more, she’s too important. She’s got the greatest outlook, she’s patient and gives of herself to everyone! And she’s got talent, that kid. And it’s a joy to watch her talents grow and see what she puts on the blog that she doesn’t show me at the office…

Nora astonishes me. She’s always got one picture, and then a post that is so eloquent. Another woman who I aspire towards. I find peace through reading her blog, and I enjoy knitting her patterns too.

Sulicat is a friend I met taking the first level of the Master Spinner Program at Olds College. She’s so cool. I can’t define my admiration of her. She’s just…so cool! Her creations, her vivacity, her community involvement…she’s awesome. I’m always delighted by her posts and in awe of her photos.

Donyale manages to balance so many things and still gets a lot of knitting done. She’s so talented and warm, her blog is so great to keep up with and she is always dropping encouraging comments on my blog. She spins, designs, knits and plays with silver. She’s my kind of gal.

And I’m finishing this list (which is by no means a list of EVERYONE who inspires me, but I have to go pretty quick here) with Sayward. Yet another friend through swapping, she’s getting the coolest education ever, and her artwork is astonishing. I dabble in stuff, but she actually CREATES. Her media are varied and enticing…what luck to find a fellow Canuck who just fills me with wonder.

So, that’s my list.

And…I hate to do this, but I fear I may be taking a bit of a hiatus from the blogosphere for awhile.  I’m working so much that I haven’t been getting a lot of knitting time in, and so I don’t feel I have a lot to contribute to my blog, which is fundamentally about my knitting with hints of my life thrown in to boot.  I love blogging, and I’m definitely going to keep up with all of the blogs I read (I have bloglines…and 103 blogs to read in there…good thing not everyone posts every day), and I will post whenever I finish something interesting, but I can’t promise any kind of regularity.

Hugs to you all.

Happy Valentine’s Day! February 14, 2008

Your Candy Heart Says “First Kiss”

You’re a true romantic who brings an innocent hope to each new relationship. You see the good in every person you date, and you relish each step of falling in love.Your ideal Valentine’s Day date: a romantic dinner your sweetie cooks for you Your flirting style: friendly and sweet What turns you off: cynics who don’t believe in romance Why you’re hot: you always keep the romance alive

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

And Another Thing February 13, 2008

I adore Inhabitat.  And now I want ecologically friendly underwear!

Next Time, Gadget! Next Time… February 13, 2008

I haven’t done the smile awards yet. This weekend I get two days off in a row, so perhaps I’ll do it then.

Thanks have to go out to Firefly though, she sent me the loveliest package that included a Keychain Sock Blocker Sock, a pair of striped skull socks (my last ones bit the dust, so they’re timely too!) and the greatest paper clips. Yay! Thank you SO much!

And, because I know you enjoy the photos, here is a bustle I mostly finished yesterday…the poufs are just pinned in place right now because I think whoever will wear it will likely need it to be hemmed, which will affect the poufs. This is the fist bustle I’ve ever made that doesn’t have a contrasting coloured fabric. And the first one I’ve made with tassles!

Eugh…Looking at these photos, I think I need a new camera. These were taken with a timer on a tripod…sadness. Oh well, hang in there little camera.

February 8, 2008

Les peaux de lièvres

Say mentioned seeing this work at her school. As a knitter, I of course think it’s cool. As a kid who never properly learned French…I still love Tricot Machine.

Happy New Music Year! February 6, 2008

This year is already starting well with the music.  Hawksley’s got some, Hayden too.  But the one I had to purchase right away is Hot Chip’s latest, Made in the Dark.  I love me some Hot Chip.

And Em hearts me.  I’m very blessed to have found a blog-friend like her.  I’ll “pay it forward” Friday or Saturday.

Thought Sifting February 5, 2008

I had a great birthday.  Despite forcing myself and my friends to breakfast at 9:00 am (on my only day off…yes, I had a nap later).  Besides, it was really good breakfast!  I also rode on the Galaxyland Orbiter, saw 27 Dresses and played blacklight mini-golf.

I’ll show you pictures later, but I got the coolest gift.  I got a book that may just teach me how to contact juggle and an acrylic ball!  So, if I ever figure it out, I can say things like, “But this is not a gift for an ordinary girl who takes care of a screaming baby.”  I’m so excited.

Although, I did ask for people to give to charity rather than to me.  I have so much stuff, and charities generally need more than I do.

My province’s Premier has called for an election for March 3.  Way to give us a month to do our research.  And…I’m a little concerned with the Conservatives and the Liberals both intending to get rid of our health-care premiums…what people seem to be forgetting is that we pay these premiums because we don’t have a Provincial Sales Tax.  Dudes, that money has to come from somewhere, where is it going to come from?  I’m more interested in seeing some better rent control, and building a cushion that will help us get through the end of the boom.  I had given it five years, but I have a feeling that the decline is already starting.  I hate to say it but I worry that a lot of the $450,000 condos and bungalows are going to end up belonging to the banks before long because we could very likely be hit by a nasty recession.  The boom caught our government off guard, I wonder what the bust will do…the Conservatives platform is “We have a plan” but what does that really mean?  And will I be able to figure that out in a month?

But this is a crafting blog.  If I had more free time, I’d probably have more to show you.  But with the three jobs, the silver smithing and the homework and the partying, there’s not a lot right now.  Oh, and Say, the leaf is cut, with the ring soldered onto the back and the veins engraved.  I’ve never learned how to properly cast silver.  One lady I talked to in Okotoks said she doesn’t do casting because anyone can do it…but I’m sure there’s got to be some skill involved…ah well.

I am almost finished the second footie though; I’m decreasing the toe.

But…Lil Rose Thorn could use some prayers for herself and her family.  I’m not at liberty to say over the internet, but some healing thoughts towards her general vicinity would be awesome.

7:49 From Yuma February 1, 2008

I just got a call from my Aunt and Uncle who are living in Yuma, wishing me a happy birthday, which was pretty awesome.  I was in the middle of watching 3:10 to Yuma a couple days ago when I put two and two together that that’s where they were, so I thought that was a pretty funny call.

Yup, today, I’m 31.  I liked 30…hopefully 31 is even better.