I Am SuperWoman

Why the picture of a big pile of construction waste, you ask? Because that pile was carried from my basement into the yard by me, after I ripped about half of it out myself! We moved into this house last August and since then, there has been nothing but talk, talk, talk about what we are going to do in the basement. Meanwhile it has remained a pile of boxes and construction waste from when we fixed the plumbing. Also, the moldy walls and old shelving units, installed by the previous owners probably 30 years ago, were still there. So, I screwed up my resolve and decided to do something about it. I've spent two days ripping out a wall and a crappy built in cupboard. Hurray for power tools! Hurray for me! I am a handy woman! I can do anything! I've moved all the boxes and soon the room will be not beautiful, but usable, with an old couch and table, a rug and some curtains. The daughter will finally have the play area we've been promising her.

When I emerged from the dark basement for a break, what do I hear but the sound of the mail truck driving away? On my porch is the final package from my wonderful Secret Pal. She is Sherrill from Washington State and she has been a true Pal in every sense. I've been so lucky. In this package are two lovely balls of sock yarn, a set of circs 2mm and sock knitting instructions. Is she trying to tell me something?
Check out her blog. Baa Bonny Belle. I am very impressed with her craftiness and productivity. Particularly interesting are her entries on eating local as this has been a topic that's come up frequently in my circle as well. Not only does eating local support the local economy, but we need to think about the sustainability of importing all these modified foods from all over the world. Mass farming for North American consumption is so damaging to the environment. For example, did you know that large scale lettuce farming trashes the farmland eventually because of massive irrigation requirements and the huge amounts of pesticides. Something to think about.
Remember when Ontario peaches were an event? For 2-3 weeks every fall, we would gorge ourselves on sweet juicy peaches. People would can and bake the Christmas pie for freezing. Now, peaches are available all year round. They've been picked green, packed and shipped using how much paper and fuel? And they're hard and taste like potatoes, so what's the point?
I could go on but I won't. (This rant inspired by Sherrill, so thank her.)
Malcolm followed me about the yard as I photographed. He's awful nice!

Fingers Crossed

I was surfing around for something to make with the beautiful Sensations Stellina wool blend from my SP and found myself, once again, gazing upon Lelah from Knitting For Boozehags. I've been admiring this lacy pattern for some time. However, I don't really want a tube top. (Not that the girls aren't up to it. I just want something I can wear to work.)


I started wondering if I could use a different pattern for the top half and, after much searching, found this: Empire Dream from the July 2005 Creative Knitting.

Now, these two patterns are completely different yarn weights, gauge, needle size, etc. So, after a fair bit of math and test knitting, I believe I have the correct number of stitches on the needle and pattern repeats figured out. I'll knit Lelah on the circs until the picot row then split it into front and back, switch to straights, and knit Empire Dream.

Tell me I'm not crazy! This will work, right?

Finally, A Face

This is what I've been able to accomplish this March Break. The doll I started months ago finally has a face and hair. She's supposed to be a princess with a crown, but I'm calling it a day and declaring her done as is.

What a week! The daughter and I had many break plans, none of which happened. Work got busy, I was ill and then my father had emergency surgery. Things are settling down now, so she and I will just have to play hooky some sunny day and have our mother/daughter outing then. She's cool with that and she also likes the silly little doll.

I did cast on for a new, somewhat ambitious project, last night. I'm attempting to combine the elements of two patterns into a new sweater. It's still very much in the planning stage so more details to follow.

Still Sick

Poop and double poop. Entering Day 9 of illness. This bites
I want to cast on something new but I'm exhausted and my concentration is shot.

A Quick One

Sick, sick, as some dogs. Yuck. So, this is a quick post of a two day project before it goes off to a new owner.
A co-worker of mine has a 2 year old daughter and was bemoaning the fact that she can't find a "dickie" for her. Now first I must contest her use of that word. We all know that a dickie is this. What she described actually wanting was a tubular scarf that can be pulled up like a hood - what I call a "cowl". What a fabulous opportunity to use up that Pixie novelty yarn I purchased long ago in a fit of insanity.
Not having a 2 year old handy, I'm using a Rupert Bear as a model. He is slightly smaller than the average 2 year old child.

She didn't say I couldn't make her kid look like an Easter egg...

SP Goodies

Yet another package has arrived from my most excellent Secret Pal. This one includes FIVE whole skeins of a gorgeous red wool blend. I could just eat it. I look amazing in red BTW. There is also a back issue of Interweave knits, some chocolate, 2 cute stitch markers, and a needle gauge. I'm delighted with the needle inventory index card and I particulary like the photo on the greeting card. Oh, there were potato chips as well...I wonder where they went?...
The reason the box took so long to arrive (Don't get upset SP. This is not your fault.) is due to our ever efficient Customs and Revenue Department. It was held up at customs for tax and duty even though the green sticker is CLEARLY marked gift. I had to go pick it up at the Post Office and pay ransom to get it. Now, here's the hilarious part. It states on the duty form: "See reverse for instructions on how to obtain tax refund." Well, there is no reverse because the form Is A LARGE STICKER stuck directly to my package!! Who are these people? Now there is an 800 number to call as well, which I will do as soon as I have a free afternoon to sit on hold. Rest assured I will be getting that refund because I'll be darned if those inefficient, overpaid, bleepity bleeps get my money.