I'm here! I've just been away from the computer for a week. It's the only downside of vacation... e-mail buildup and blog stagnation. There HAS been a bit of knitting - I finished the first sock of my brown Embossed Leaves pair, and hopefully I'll be able to knit away on the second one during my upcoming road trip. Which I will be able to document on this blog, because I'll have access to the internet AND I'll even bring my camera :)
No pictures right now, since the computer I'm using is incredibly slow and I'd rather deal with loading stuff when I have a slightly faster connection.
So that's the latest update! I'm going to go back outside now and enjoy the sun. Oh, and finish packing and marking up the map for driving tomorrow :)
22 June 2006
10 June 2006
Up and Coming
** BLogger is not letting me put pictures in! I'll try to add them when it starts working again**
Well, this is officially the last weekend of my first year of graduate school! I'm amazed at how quickly this year has gone, especially since it's been an absolute ton of work - moving halfway across the country, making new friends (really, that's the best part), learning the ropes of grad classes, navigating a new school/community of faculty and students/library/job/church/
neighborhood/city, and coming out stronger and happier on the other side. Phew.
I've just about resigned myself to the fact that I'll have these last two papers (with no set deadlines) hanging over my head for my three weeks of break in California, but it just means I'll have a project waiting for me when I get back here at the start of July. I'm going to finish as much research and preliminary drafting as possible in the next two days, but at most I could maybe finish one of them. In any event, they'll definitely be completed by the end of the July, and I'm trying to be okay with my own slower pace, because my brain is trying to go into vacation mode, and if I push to get these absolutely finished right now they are going to be horrible. Enough excuses - I'm slow, and I'll write a bit while I'm on vacation and then again when I'm done playing around at home! :)
I've been knitting, so here are the latest socks! Details when they're all finished...
I finished the arm warmers requested by my friend, so hopefully I can give them to her before I head home.
And now on to the "up and coming" part of the post!
Spinning
is definitely in my near future, using these gorgeous and awe-inspiring supplies from my Secret Pal. I am not planning to dye the fleece (though I might change my mind and dye part of it later), because it has such beautiful lustre and depth of color by its own neutral self!
I cannot tell you how excited I am to get serious about spinning. I always need new hobbies!
Future Sewing
Oh yeah, sewing machine, I'm headed back to you in just a few short days! We are going to have so much fun! Headbands
Tissue holders. These (June 9 entry) really appeal to me for the same reasons outlined in this entry. And I use tissues in Chicago more than I have anywhere else.Quilting for pillows or a lap quilt. I'm inspired by all of these great quilts! I'm looking forward to doing something simple - squares, strips, not sure yet - with strong colors.Cute tops like these!
Future Knits
More Socks - basic basic basic and oh-so-relaxing for plane and car knitting over the break
Ms. Marigold in KnitPicks Elegance, Grass colorway
More one-skein wonders, no yarn selected, but I'd love to pick out some Noro.
Sweet Mary Janes in Patons wool, a lovely purple for the lovely person I'm spoiling in SP8
Arm warmers and i-pod cozies [I had no idea my little brother, the only one in my family with an i-pod shuffle, would be so excited about these super easy projects] in all my sock scraps from this year.
These are fairly modest goals, because I like to fly by the seat of my pants and pick projects on the spur of the moment. This is probably why socks are my favorite projects; they're so easy to start, quick to finish, and infinitely variable within a few consistent parameters.
What projects are you planning for the summer?
Well, this is officially the last weekend of my first year of graduate school! I'm amazed at how quickly this year has gone, especially since it's been an absolute ton of work - moving halfway across the country, making new friends (really, that's the best part), learning the ropes of grad classes, navigating a new school/community of faculty and students/library/job/church/
neighborhood/city, and coming out stronger and happier on the other side. Phew.
I've just about resigned myself to the fact that I'll have these last two papers (with no set deadlines) hanging over my head for my three weeks of break in California, but it just means I'll have a project waiting for me when I get back here at the start of July. I'm going to finish as much research and preliminary drafting as possible in the next two days, but at most I could maybe finish one of them. In any event, they'll definitely be completed by the end of the July, and I'm trying to be okay with my own slower pace, because my brain is trying to go into vacation mode, and if I push to get these absolutely finished right now they are going to be horrible. Enough excuses - I'm slow, and I'll write a bit while I'm on vacation and then again when I'm done playing around at home! :)
I've been knitting, so here are the latest socks! Details when they're all finished...
I finished the arm warmers requested by my friend, so hopefully I can give them to her before I head home.
And now on to the "up and coming" part of the post!
Spinning
is definitely in my near future, using these gorgeous and awe-inspiring supplies from my Secret Pal. I am not planning to dye the fleece (though I might change my mind and dye part of it later), because it has such beautiful lustre and depth of color by its own neutral self!
I cannot tell you how excited I am to get serious about spinning. I always need new hobbies!
Future Sewing
Oh yeah, sewing machine, I'm headed back to you in just a few short days! We are going to have so much fun! Headbands
Tissue holders. These (June 9 entry) really appeal to me for the same reasons outlined in this entry. And I use tissues in Chicago more than I have anywhere else.Quilting for pillows or a lap quilt. I'm inspired by all of these great quilts! I'm looking forward to doing something simple - squares, strips, not sure yet - with strong colors.Cute tops like these!
Future Knits
More Socks - basic basic basic and oh-so-relaxing for plane and car knitting over the break
Ms. Marigold in KnitPicks Elegance, Grass colorway
More one-skein wonders, no yarn selected, but I'd love to pick out some Noro.
Sweet Mary Janes in Patons wool, a lovely purple for the lovely person I'm spoiling in SP8
Arm warmers and i-pod cozies [I had no idea my little brother, the only one in my family with an i-pod shuffle, would be so excited about these super easy projects] in all my sock scraps from this year.
These are fairly modest goals, because I like to fly by the seat of my pants and pick projects on the spur of the moment. This is probably why socks are my favorite projects; they're so easy to start, quick to finish, and infinitely variable within a few consistent parameters.
What projects are you planning for the summer?
Filler :)
Hey!
I'm still around, I'm just swamped (once again) by the end of the quarter rush - didn't we just go through this about 2 months ago? I'm so confused by the quarter system. Anyway, I'm headed to the darn library again (mmm... darn...knitting socks.... no! must read! must write papers!), but I just wanted to let you guys know that I haven't forgotten about the pictures of new knitting, lovely spinning materials that I really really can't wait to get started working with, fun tutorials I've seen online, and future knitting & sewing plans for the summer. I'll have a real live entry with pictures tonight, but for now it's time to work. Again. Some more. Even still.
Good thing it's almost over, and I get three weeks of lovely vacation :)
I'm still around, I'm just swamped (once again) by the end of the quarter rush - didn't we just go through this about 2 months ago? I'm so confused by the quarter system. Anyway, I'm headed to the darn library again (mmm... darn...knitting socks.... no! must read! must write papers!), but I just wanted to let you guys know that I haven't forgotten about the pictures of new knitting, lovely spinning materials that I really really can't wait to get started working with, fun tutorials I've seen online, and future knitting & sewing plans for the summer. I'll have a real live entry with pictures tonight, but for now it's time to work. Again. Some more. Even still.
Good thing it's almost over, and I get three weeks of lovely vacation :)
06 June 2006
There IS Knitting!
Really!
Here's some of it -
My Briar Rose socks, named for the fact that they remind me of the color-splattered dress in the fairies' magical fight scene in Disney's Sleeping Beauty, which I can't find a picture of online, for some reason.
Here's some of it -
My Briar Rose socks, named for the fact that they remind me of the color-splattered dress in the fairies' magical fight scene in Disney's Sleeping Beauty, which I can't find a picture of online, for some reason.
Yarn: Katia Mississippi, a cotton blend
Needles: Metal US3 dpns
Pattern: 3x1 rib, slip stitch patterned heel flap
I haven't decided whether or not to keep these for myself, as they're a little bit short in the foot (yeah, I know, that could have been easily avoided, but I just wanted to get on to the toes already!).
Completed a while ago, but just now getting around to its photo shoot: the One Skein Wonder. 
Thank you to my bathroom mirror for being a good sport. This is going to be the perfect little shoulder-warmer for summer around here.
Latest project, rows of which are being used as a reward for finished paragraphs of my papers. 
These are actually a really light pink, and I'm using this free pattern (but I'll skip the thumb gussets); I'm making them for a Div. School friend and enjoying the process so far. I haven't done cables in quite a while.
There is also an amazingly wonderful, fantastic, and even phenomenal package from my Secret Pal, but I was at work and studying in the library today during prime sun-time, so I didn't get any good photos. Hopefully tomorrow...
For now, I'll leave you with a portion of a colored-pencil sketch I made last week, inspired by an angry face I drew in my class notes. I'm not grumpy anymore, but this little guy cracks me up.
03 June 2006
Stop, Thief!
I was over at the Yarnstorm blog the other day, and this post really got me thinking. If I suddenly shifted career tracks to begin a life of professional fine art pilfering, what would I go after? Not to mention the further consideration: what does it say about me that this has really been the only question I've felt like seriously considering in the last 24 hours, even though I have three (3!) papers to write, each of which comes with its own set of questions? Right. Summer-brain, welcome back. So bear with me as I map out my future life as an art thief (feel free to join in, and let me know so I can check out your blog)...
Step 1: The Great Van Gogh Heist
A selfish theft; the painting I'd take so I could put it up on the wall and stare at it all day:
Boats at Saint-Maries, 1888
This is one of my favorites of all time. I love the way the sky seems to be rotating around the cluster of masts, the sharp outline of the foreground boats compared with the translucent waves on the sand, and especially the bright red and white prow against the subtle background shades.
Step 2: Take one for the team - William Blake
Title page from Milton: a Poem
Because while most of Blake's art gives me the creeps - nearly transparent people flung about against blood-red backgrounds or standing disturbingly still - this (ahem) view of Milton allows the figure a much more forceful presence; instead of showing a body being contorted by intense emotions and passions, Blake depicts solid musculature [those calves are pretty insane for a poet!]withstanding and even repelling the swirling mists. And shouldn't everyone have a piece of art that reminds them to feel powerful?
Step 3: The Impossible Dream - Auguste Rodin
The Burghers of Calais, 1889
Talk about body language! Different responses to the crisis of having to offer up the city key, from resolution to downcast despair. My favorite element of this piece is the exaggerated size of the hands and feet; I think it says something about all these men, even while they're caught in indecision and worry, being very firmly planted and having the potential for assertive action. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how I would transport a giant sculpture. Or where I would keep it. Hmm.
So there you go! I'd better get down to some serious planning. Anyone want to drive the getaway car? P.S. I promise some knitting pictures soon :)
Step 1: The Great Van Gogh Heist
A selfish theft; the painting I'd take so I could put it up on the wall and stare at it all day:
Boats at Saint-Maries, 1888
This is one of my favorites of all time. I love the way the sky seems to be rotating around the cluster of masts, the sharp outline of the foreground boats compared with the translucent waves on the sand, and especially the bright red and white prow against the subtle background shades.
Step 2: Take one for the team - William Blake
Title page from Milton: a Poem
Because while most of Blake's art gives me the creeps - nearly transparent people flung about against blood-red backgrounds or standing disturbingly still - this (ahem) view of Milton allows the figure a much more forceful presence; instead of showing a body being contorted by intense emotions and passions, Blake depicts solid musculature [those calves are pretty insane for a poet!]withstanding and even repelling the swirling mists. And shouldn't everyone have a piece of art that reminds them to feel powerful?
Step 3: The Impossible Dream - Auguste Rodin
The Burghers of Calais, 1889
Talk about body language! Different responses to the crisis of having to offer up the city key, from resolution to downcast despair. My favorite element of this piece is the exaggerated size of the hands and feet; I think it says something about all these men, even while they're caught in indecision and worry, being very firmly planted and having the potential for assertive action. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how I would transport a giant sculpture. Or where I would keep it. Hmm.
So there you go! I'd better get down to some serious planning. Anyone want to drive the getaway car? P.S. I promise some knitting pictures soon :)
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