What's on my needles?

Entries in swallowtail (2)

Monday
Aug032009

3 bad things 3 good things

Which do you want know about first? The Good or the Bad?

I'll start with the Bad so you can leave the post with the Good 8-)

I've been offline for awhile because my first issue was that my camera stopped working. I kept messing with it trying to bring it back to life, but no luck. I still have some kind of hope that it will start working *fingers crossed*. I delayed posting because it's sad to post a crappy picture when you put your heart into your knitting.

My second issue, which actually turned out to be a bigger issue than my camera ,my damn wireless router died on me. It is over 4 years old, about the lifespan of your average router. I had to order a new one, and I had requested overnight shipping over the phone about 6 p.m. about a week ago. I opted to pay the extra fee for shipping. Well, Friday came along and guess what, no router still. I contacted the company and come to find that because I ordered after 6 p.m., overnight shipping isn't allowed and I get the standard shipping. I didn't get charged the extra fee, but it meant I would be without internet that much longer.

After I realized I would be without internet longer that I anticipated, I actually tried to use the backup dialup # I have! UGH! So I get the backup dial up phone numbers and connect my modem and setup my connection, I had the nostalgic sense of my early years in IT *sigh*. I was prompted for my username and password, and I input my info, and BAM! Rejected!.. Seems I forgot my passsword for my main account, so no luck. After messing around with different passwords, I just called it quits, and figured I'd have to stick it out. Today I finally received my router, YAY!, and now I'm back, online and happy to be posting.

Onto my 3rd bad issue, so yesterday my husband and I got up early and went to get some coffee, and them came back to make breakfast. I made my usual, over easy eggs for my hubby, scrambled eggs for me and the kids, turkey bacon, and homemade potatoes with fresh tortillas and juice. We about ready to go eat breakfast when I went to check on something in my bedroom, I walked by my bathroom, and glanced at the floor, to my horror, there was water and cruddy overflow of gunk everywhere! It was coming out of the shower drain, and the toilet was empty! I went to the 2 other bathrooms, and sure enough the same damn thing. Well, after the initial shock, we called an emergency plumber who gave us a 45 minute window to be on-site, so we ate breakfast and waited.

Plumber got here and he asked us where's our main line, and we looked everywhere, nothing. We got the landlord on the line, he doesn't know, so he calls the former tenant, who coincidentally lives down the street. She was kind enough to walk over and show us where the main line was. I can't thank her enough, because we would've never found it. It was literally hidden by overgrown grass on the front lawn, smack in the middle! The Plumber was like "That really should be in plain view, if we didn't find it, the work would be way more complicated". Phew! About 30 minutes later, everything was fixed. We finally got to use the bathroom! I had to run to Safeway to use the bathroom during all this, which was a pain. My work wasn't over though, I had to sterilize and clean all 3 bathrooms now. I spent the next 2 hours with bleach, comet, scrubbers, and plastic gloves cleaning the showers and toilets, mopping, you name it. So that's my 3rd!

Enough bad, now onto the good...

I have been getting some knitting done, and I've got these 3 wonderful FO's here:

FO x3

From left to right, clockwise

1) Swallowtail Shawl in Madeline Tosh Merino "Arabian Nights"
FO x3

2) Elm Row Scarf in Scout's Swag "Peach Pit"
FO x3

3) Karma Tank in Sundara Yarn " Brown Sugar Over Buttermilk"
FO x3

All three are complete, and need blocking, but a blocking kit is one highly needed tool this knitter doesn't have 8-( I'll be investing on one in the next few weeks, until then, these 3 precious garments bring me happy FO eye candy and I can't wait to show off the how they'll transform. I've already tried on the Karma tank so many times, and it fits perfect. I can't wait!

For the pictures I'm using my backup video camera, which doesn't take the best picture but will just have to do until I can get a new camera.

Even though I have these 3 FO's waiting in the wings, I went and started a new project, with more Sundara Yarn. I'm happy to be back online and hope I'm past the "3's", at least the bad ones!

Happy August everyone!
Monday
Feb022009

The 2 hour handbag

For my Hogwarts swap I was tasked to create a pouch or bag for our Flying class. I've been playing catch up since I joined the swap late, so I've been fiercely trying to get on top of my homework! I've always been a honor student, and there's no stopping me now 8-)

I improvised this pattern, used chunky yarn, and knitted this pouch up. The entire thing was knitted and crocheted from the same strand of working yarn, not once did I break to continue elsewhere, I figured out the best way to seam it up and add the crocheted embellishments plus the crocheted chained straps. I casted on just before the Superbowl yesterday, and finished up by the end of the game. The only part that wasn't in the "2 hour" timeframe was the Golden Snitch emblem on the front, which I just crocheted a circle and then added wings, again improvisation on this. I'm just a beginner at crochet, but I can feel my skills gaining speed. I'm most proud of 2 things for this project 1) That I was able to knit & crochet the entire pouch from one working strand of yarn and 2) That I created something out of crochet that turned out so cute.

I don't have a name for it, and I'll put a pattern up on Ravelry for free if anyone wants it, just let me know 8-)

Golden Snitch Handbag

Golden Snitch Handbag

Golden Snitch Handbag

I hope my Professor Madam Jak likes my homework **crosses fingers**

And onto other fun news, here are some snapshots of my Swallowtail, yes, still on the Budding Lace, I just need to dedicate more time to it, but it is turning out so pretty.

Swallowtail progress

Swallowtail progress

I need to get busy on this, ooh, and guess who I found snoozing beside my bed...

Rosie sleeping

Oops! I disturbed her sleep! Bad Mommy!

Rosie sleeping

Darn, scared her away!

Rosie sleeping

She has a look like she's thinking about what to do, and yep, I did scare her away, "Bright Light" as Gizmo says!

More to come tomorrow 8) Happy Monday!