Miss Sporadic

Hello, sorry for the long silent blog. I have not got much knitting or blogging mojo going on this semester so things will most likely be slow around here but check in every once in a while - you never know! I have another site for home renovations that will be updated pretty regularly and if you are interested, leave a comment and I'll send you the info. Speaking of redecorating, I am posting from my blue office (I really love it) with my newly finished scarf. Its pretty short, but I love the reversible cables I ended up working in - easy and hides mistakes really well!!

School is chaotic but its moving along. We have 2 weeks of fieldwork coming up and I am working at a hospital. From what I've heard, it should be pretty intense so I'm sure I'll have some crazy memories after that experience.

I gave my friend (who's due really really soon!) her baby blanket & it was a success. I goofed and did not take any final pictures of the project, but I assure you it turned out cute.

I am craving some new big projects, but I think my next will be from the stash - most likely a hat for this cold weather we've been having lately.

In the end, I promise to post any projects, but I can't promise I'll have any to write about! Hope you all are enjoying this year flying by & had a lovely Valentine's Day!

Thanks, Abbey

Our fiesty little dachshund, Abbey, is modeling a scarf-in-progress today my first reverse cable.

She's just longing to get outside right now!!

I finally settled on this pattern after knitting and frogging entrelec twice, it just didn't work with this scarf - was not feeling it. So here we are - I'm actually on the 3rd skein of 4, so this will be a short scarf even after I block the stuffing out of it.

This week I'm trying to distract myself from the constant noise of the roofers above and this little cold that's got me laying low. School starts again next week, so I think getting back in a routine will do me lots of good. Its crazy how many expectations/plans I had for the past four weeks of vacation and how many of them stayed unchecked on the to do list...now, I'll just have to squeeze in projects between classes and home renovation!!

We Made It!

We've finally made it to our new house, but are still very much in the middle of unpacking and fixing up the digs! Every other day calls for yet another (expensive!) trip to a home improvement store for needed items. I know, I know "welcome to being a homeowner"!!

Well, I've finished my friend's baby blanket for her little one that's due in March. I'll post final pictures on the blog after I give the gift at her shower in a few weeks! If you are especially curious or impatient, I'll put up some pictures on ravelry (I'm socalknitter). I think it turned out pretty cute - its a nice size and I'm so happy I went with a log cabin border!

Hope yall are having a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day!

Actual Knitting Content

Hello all! I made it onto Ravelry and updated photos of the gift I am making if anyone is curious and motivated enough to check that out. I also got yarn at the AFY party this weekend for another entrelec scarf which I'll share with everyone:

Details: It's a self-striping "super bulky" yarn although I've seen much bulkier - these are only US 8 dpns, and the brand is Nashua, Style - Vignette, Colorway - 0009 and I'm using 4 skeins to make a scarf. The color is pretty true in this photo, but its a dark blue/green palette.

Other than that, I'm in the midst of finals and trying to set up all of our contractors for work on the house. Two tasks I'm not particulary fond of, but the end result will be worth all of this effort!

Step 2 of Becoming a Grown-Up

First, the office chair! Now, we've sealed the deal and bought a house! I am very excited and we are planning to move next month although I haven't even begun to think about packing yet.

This week Husband, myself, and our side-kicks (the dogs) are all taking a road trip to my grandfather's house for Thanksgiving. We missed last year with them and are really excited to not miss a second time around.

There is one more week of school and then after a few finals, a few group projects, and a few papers I will turn my energy towards home renovation & creative projects. Our ideas are much larger than our budget at this point, but I have no doubt the house will be adorable by mid-2009. I will surely be posting before and after pictures of that process.

Oh yes, I AM working on a biggish knitting project and its for a friend who knows I'm working on it, but I hate to spoil the surprise with pictures. Soon enough, I'll try and post a sneak peak!

Office Makeover

After five years, finally made the giant leap from this:

To this:

We are just oh so grown-up these days - thank you IKEA!

Yowza

Golly Geez, its been a while since I've posted anything! You can tell how much fun crafty stuff I've been doing by the amount of blogging so.........not much!

We had an extended weekend trip to the MidWest to visit family a few weeks ago - so fun to see our nieces & nephews (and everyone else) - they are a blast!

I did get around to making a super-fab pencil skirt a few weeks ago and even wore it out to dinner the other night. Its made of some super-clearanced linen and finished it in 1-1/2 days, talk about instant gratification! And here you have it:

(I know I don't look to jazzed about it in the photo - I was hungry!)

I did start a knitting project and have another one in mind, but no pictures for now. Its much too early to be interesting. I finally got to head over to see my knitting pals at AFY Thursday night and it was a lot of fun as always!

This weekend I am back out looking for houses. I think I will be on the 50th or so house by the end of this trip. As far as school goes, fall semester is halfway done and we are all looking forward to getting out there for our week of fieldwork. Practice on real patients and all of that. =)

Well, that's about it for news around here...hopefully I will have some exciting house-related news ASAP! Have a great Halloween!

Checking In

Hello there - schools' been keeping me pretty busy, so all is quiet on the blog these days.

I think the only thing of any interest is that we are currently shopping for a house - send us good luck vibes!

No knitting news to speak of, but I did finish a "5-minute skirt"* . However, it took me about a week to complete it due to lack of supplies. (*pattern is on angrychicken.typepad.com) Check it out:

And I'm sure I'll make another one soon!

A Few Things...

Almost 2 weeks ago we went to Malibu, to the Getty Villa which I've been wanting to go see for well over a year now. It was cool - a very European feel (I imagine, as I have not been there). I got to wear my new FO - the Lush & Lacy cardigan by http://www.sweaterbabe.com/ I used 5 + a tiny bit of the 6th skeins of Lush by Classic Elite.Husband and I spent a few days this past week in San Diego - we stayed downtown in a cute historic hotel with very slow elevators, checked out the zoo, and also toured Old Town. Fun trip and fantastic weather! No pictures to show however, guess I wasn't in the mood for pics this week!

I also cut my hair and for the requestors, here's a peek:

I am undecided if I like it or not, but I do miss my curls...they'll be on hiatus for a while. =(

The 2nd semester (out of 6) of school starts tomorrow and I am so ready to get started. They are having us take 5 classes this semester - wish me luck!

There is one called "Medical Lectures" which I am most intrigued by... who knows what we'll learn in that one, but I bet it will be interesting.

Chance to Breathe

I made it through the semester - its been a Looong time since I've taken summer school and I don't think I've ever taken 4 week long classes.

Hi, this course is about xyz and hey, the mid-term is next week! Weird.

But, anyways - 2 weeks to recover and surely, work on some knitting, etc!

Last weekend I cranked out almost an entire Lush and Lacy cardigan - shocking, until you find out its on size 10 needles and I had nothing else to do! Its so cute and I will post pictures when its done, to do its cuteness justice. The LYS had a 50 percent off sale and I couldn't resist the previously unaffordable project purchase! I love their sales!

I'm still "working" on the green socks, but lost some steam on those.

I leave you with the last of the random craftiness from our Skills class ( I will miss that class, the crafts were like the adult version of nap time!)

Two weeks left of Neurology class & I'm trying to keep my sanity by indulging in craftiness! Got my first dress done this week...well, really close to being done :

We got to make our own stamps in Skills class & I found a super cute elephant picture and made up some postcards, gift bags, etc....drop me a line & I'll mail you a postcard!

And working on some green socks for Husband. The color came out just how it looks in "real life"...There is a CUTE sock pattern with bobbles in the new Interweave that comes out in August and I can't wait to make them. I'm not much of a bobble lover at all, but I think I could handle them on socks.

Probably more from me during the break between Summer & Fall semesters!

More Crafty Things

Today is halfway through the summer semester - it doesn't sound like much, but it definitely feels like an accomplishment! In "skills" class we've tried our hand at leatherwork and mosaics since I posted anything - nothing fantastic, but some fun mediums that I'm glad I tried out:

That's about it for me - I hope to CO for a sock (yes, something KNITTED finally) before the end of the weekend. I'm craving a big project, but I am on a yarn diet until I am working again this fall and can afford to....anyone working on any knitting projects they would recommend?

What's OT?

Just in case you're wondering what it is I'm studying - check out this hilarious "OT Rap" on You Tube that explains it pretty well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDP1-gcDcAI

Recent Creations

Whew - the first week of school was quite the ride! It hasn't been THAT long since I've been enrolled, but there is SO much administration to take care of that I just don't remember doing in undergrad. Thankfully our days are balanced with a little art-making in the afternoons to take the edge off - behold my collage! (and a sewing project beneath it)

At home, I finished the loopy cowl which looks like it could've crawled around on the ocean floor at some point.

And....the sewing is slow but great - finished a paneled skirt and have a baby tunic on the way for a shower coming up soon. Sewing is normally really fast & fun which is a great antedote to long days at school.

Alright, must get back to studying muscles of the shoulder - yeah, fun!

Loopy News

Today was one of the best birthdays I've had in a while and these last few days of vacation between work and school are doing wonders for my stress level.

Been knitting from the stash since I am on a yarn diet. Grabbed some purple wool and cast on for a project from the original Stitch & Bitch book - the Loopy Velez Cowl. I had low expectations, but the loops were a lot of fun and I think I could work this in the winter time. Should have a FO picture up by the weekend...

Today also brought a new permanent resident to our already crowded home, but I could hardly complain: a sewing machine! Woo hoo! Been craving one of these for years - knitting's getting a little competition!

Transitions

Exams are through for the semester, I start graduate school next month, and oh yes, I did finally finish those knee-high socks!

That's all the news for now!

Aha!

So, I finally I found 5 minutes with sunlight, my finished project, a camera, and a photographer!

Project Details:

Pattern: Orangina

Needles: US 3 circulars for lace & US 2 circulars for ribbing

Yarn: Knit Picks Shine in "Grass"

Size: 34"

Verdict: Simple and easy lace with minimal seaming - fun!

Central Coast

Husband and I finally managed to finagle a weekend out of town after a bit of a traveling hiatus. Since there are limited opportunities for "getting away" these days, I was really looking forward to this one. Friday afternoon we took the pups over to their "hotel" where they are quite the celebrated guests and headed out on our road trip. On the way up to our destination, I finally eeked out the first knee-high sock which took an entire skein of Lorna's Laces and came directly below the knee - I am very pleased! I started the second one, but am in no hurry to finish.

On the way up to the Central Coast, we ate lunch at Trattoria Grappolo (thanks for the idea, Beatrice) and got to visit a few wineries before the end of the day. Saturday we took in our second tour of Hearst Castle, which was very cool! My favorite stop on the tour was this amazing bedroom at the top of a tower called the Celestial Suite that seemed to glow with sunshine.

Now, its back to the grind and I've got plenty of homework I need to be getting to!

Without Further Ado

I have written about 5 drafts for this post, but never seem to get it published because I'm hung up on getting in those darned pictures. So, today a picture-less post and soon a FO post with loads of pictures - how about that?

That FO would be the green Orangina lace tank- I am 2" from finishing the ribbing, but I just got burned out on the project Sunday evening and set it aside. With any luck, I'll have it finished by the end of the week, including seaming (a cinch with this pattern). And if the weather would cooperate I could actually wear it without freezing something off!

My friend, Candice, came out to visit last weekend & we made our way over to the beach to enjoy the fantastic weather - it was great catching up with her & trying to be a good teacher of knitting as she worked on her first scarf and her first attempt at cables. I really shouldn't say attempt, because they came out great!

Finally, we are planning a Stitch & Pitch event in early June that I am really looking forward to....I think I'll drag those knee-high socks back out for that evening - they are dangerously close to hibernation & could use the fresh air.

Weekend Update

I got a LOT of knitting time this weekend + this is Spring Break, so I'll most likely get more done during the week too!

Change of plans with the socks - I decided to make knee highs & that means I'll be doing ribbing at the top to help them stay up instead of a picot edge. This also means I worked my fingers to the bone on these all weekend and still have 4" to complete the first one. I think it will we worth it, I love how substantial they are! Here is a sneak peak at the first one, which I'm taking careful notes on because I'm making this up as I go along:


Yes, that's 17" long including the toe so far - one of the few times I'm glad to be short.

Also, CO for Orangeina on Sunday & this is one (long) movie-worth of lace knitting:

Well, that's about it from here - hope yall are enjoying the work week &/or Spring Break for some!