Oh My!

It's been a while since I posted with actual crafty content, but today I will not disappoint. I have been knitting away on Clapotis and on Casey's sweater (I'll finish the back tonight) but a couple of weeks ago we needed shop samples so I took a break for about 4 days and made these:




From the top: A crocheted and felted bowl from Conjoined Creations yarn (wool & soy silk)
A quick and easy baby hat from Cascade's Fixation
A felted tote made from paintbox (K1C2) and Galway (Plymouth) - both held double
Another felted tote made from Miss Priss (Schaefer) and Cascade 220 - both held double

I'm still cleaning out my stash and getting organized all over the house. It feels good to get all the excess out of my home. I've got a long way to go, but I keep plugging along.

I finally added a "Bloglines" button to my sidebar - so you can subscribe at will!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Quick Note:

Guys watch Uncommon Threads today on HGTV - "Crafty Helpers" - My friend Caro is on! Very cool!

I'll keep You Posted!

AmyDe

Only 6?...

I was tagged by Alicia for the 6 weird things about me Meme. I am in general weird so I'll just give you the top six:

Disclaimer: None of the following oddities may be used against said "odd one" at any point in the future!

1. I give GREAT directions unless I am actually in the car trying to navigate. Don't let me navigate (right girls)! I will sound certain - I AM certain - I am also WRONG!

2. I will watch The Fifth Element everytime I catch it on TV. It's almost compulsive - I MUST stop and watch it - even though I own the DVD and have seen the movie about 20 times.

3. I won't eat blue food! Not candy or kool-aid, not jello or M & M's(I don't like the red ones either) - the only exception I ever make is for Electric Lemonade @ 50's Prime Time Cafe in Disney's MGM Studios - rum and vodka make all the difference.

4. I get crazy when Casey (husband) eats Kit Kats without breaking them into individual sticks first - or he eats an oreo without opening it up, or he doesn't seperate the jellybeans by color and/or flavor (and he says I'm the weird one).

5. Speaking of Jelly beans, I once won a costume contest for being a bag of jelly beans. I wore a plastic bag with holes cut in it for my feet and arms and filled it with balloons. I was in 7th grade.

6. I watch Crossing Jordan, CSI 3 times/week, and Law and order more than that - through all the blood and gore I'm fine, but that animated toenail fungus commercial just makes me want to crawl under the couch and hide. It completely grosses me out!

Thanks Alicia for tagging me - this was fun.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Etsy...a Few Notes

I LOVE Etsy! I get a small thrill watching the "recently listed items" pop up and scroll across the homepage. It is so much fun to see what others are crafting and to see what they are selling, etc. I have to tear myself away so that otherthings actually get done - like making new things, or you know, feeding my children. It makes me feel good to see crafters selling their items and making money at something they love; It's Good! I meet many neat people through Etsy and what's more fun than expanding your crafting community and creating friendships along the way?

It makes me feel GREAT when someone buys something I make. I hope that they will enjoy the item as much as I enjoyed making it. The whole process is a thrill for me from the conception of an idea, gathering of materials, construction, listing, advertising, answering questions, the sales transaction and finally shipping an item off to it's new home. I especially love it when someone buys something from me that they are giving as a gift - when you see an item and say "hey I know someone who will LOVE that!" That's good stuff!

WARNING: Shameless Self Promotion:

I have several sock knitting (or any other small knitting) totes listed and some other items that expire soon so get them while you can. I'll be listing more items over the next few weeks also. Hey maybe you'll see my items run across the "recently listed items" bar (because it really is fun to watch). Check Etsy out (if you haven't already) and have some fun looking around at what everyone's making. You'll be inspired.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Spinning

So I bought a spinning wheel Saturday. The local spinning guild had it's "Garage Sale" day and I found what I wanted there - a Louet S10 for CHEAP. Two of my good friends, Katey and blogless Laurie (happy birthday btw), have wheels and now so do I.

Spinning is something I have been fascinated with since I was a little girl. Maybe it's a Little House on The Prairie thing, or maybe it was the girlscout trip o Historic Charlestowne when I was about 11 - I'm not sure, but I have always wanted to do it - so now I am going to.

I was worried about learning to spin on the wheel as I have coordination issues. In college they made me stand in the back of our aerobics class because I was cracking everyone else up. I have trouble getting my hands AND feet to cooperate. I was right - I was a bit of a spaz and Katey was enjoying that she knew something I didn't (maybe enjoying it a little too much *grin*). After a few minutes I got it and Katey's evil plans were thwarted - though she's still much better at spinning than I am mind you!

I'm still working on Clapotis and Casey's sweater and both are coming along nicely. I've cleared through most of my yarn and fabric bins and have LOTS and LOTS of give away - and it's all really GOOD stuff, but it's yarn and fabric I'm never going to get to so... out it must go! My local friends are going to have a very good "Happy New Year to Amy's Clean Craft Room Day" as they get surprise gift bags full of yarny goodness.

I was brutal on the stash and I still have some more to get through - I did yarn and some of the fabric - I haven't even gotten to scrapbooking or miscellaneous crafts. More to come - rather, more to go.

Meanwhile sign up for Project Spectrum 2.0 - it's going to be GREAT!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

The Aftermath of a Crafty Christmas

I made many lovely things for family and friends this year and my craft room (ok the whole house) is showing it. It's time for a PURGE! I am going to pull everything out of the craft room and sort it by categaory - then PURGE like crazy. (I haven't taken "before" pictures - can't risk them being around forever.)

THEN I will decide what storage solutions I need and reset the room. I figure (with some help) that I can get through the sort/purge in two full days. It will take another two days to shop for and assemble any pieces I need and reset the room. Then my goal is to actually craft everyday. I have two entire bins (big ones) of UFOs (That's UnFinished Objects) that I want to FINISH before the end of January.

I've got LOTS of work ahead of me! Anyone want to join me in the January Clean Out? You can purge your craft rooms/areas/stashes too.

Any of my local girlfriends who love to purge and organize things (you all know who you are) want to give me a hand?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

What a Bore...

I've been lately! I haven't updated in forever, I haven't even replied to much email...snore! Life is good here. Christmas came and went and New Year's couldn't get here soon enough.

That week of "nothing" in between was hard for me. It was quiet and still, which I normally love, but I found it just plain empty this year. 2006 was truly a roller coaster year and I am looking forward to 2007.

I usually like roller coasters literally and figuratively, but sometimes you get off of one that gives you a sick headache or worse and this year has been one of those; like riding Mission Space 2 times in a row and then ordering a Margarita - let's just say I wouldn't recommend it - even for those of us with strong stomachs! Maybe I'll wait on-line for the carousel this year?

I have been knitting this week though. I started a Clapotis (for me!) in Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb color: Rainbow - it's going to be very loud (like me)! This yarn is yummy to knit with and I can't wait to be finished so I can wear it. I just started today and I'm almost to the straight sections. I am also knitting a sweater for Casey in Jo Sharp Silkroad Tweed DK - a dark green & size 6 needles - it's going faster than I thought and is also very yummy to work with.

Steph - you asked me if I still like the camera - the only thing I don't like about it is that we had to give it to my Daddy for Christmas. The Nikon D-40 is very nice indeed and you can't beat the price!

I'd have pictures, but like I said - we had to give the good camera to my dad so...

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

The LIST Revised...

As I was making out my list for the children of who gets what and from whom, Christmas Eve v. Christmas Morning, etc. I realized that if I stop right now that they are even and we might possibly avoid the "gimme gimme" glut. To that end - I have removed three children's 'make' items from my list, which gave me time for a long bubble bath last night - aaahhhh!

We did finally get the tree decorated Sunday night and I've wrapped most of the gifts (need to dig out more paper) and things are looking rather pretty. I still wish everything had been completed two weeks ago, but... Just a little more sewing, a little more knitting, a little more wrapping and all will be finished.

My craftroom is a disaster and my work area in there keep shrinking, but I'm managing and I'm almost through. Thanks to all for cheering me on and I'll have more pictures after Christmas as I realized (only just now as I'm typing) that I've boxed everything up to wrap and have no pics yet - oops!


I can't wait to be finished and able to think about and concentrate on new projects with more distant deadlines!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Just Keep Sewing, Sewing, Sewing...

I'm getting there. I can finish everything by tomorrow evening, but I'm not sure I'm going to. I have to evaluate # of gifts/child so I may eliminate an item or two from Anna's list. Everything is cut out and ready to sew - just in case!

I did add one thing, a requested hat for my Daddy, and have finished it already. Gotta run - I've got sewing to do!

BTW - Andrea - I found this just for you!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Dad's Gift in Jeopardy

We had his great idea, Casey and I, to buy my Daddy a new digital SLR camera for Christmas. It turned out that just after we decided this his old (really old) manual Minolta 35 mm was stolen out of his van so it seemed the perfect idea yes?

Well almost... We found a GREAT camera at an even better price and ordered it - the Nikon D-40 - brand new on the market and with all the options we wanted. We ordered it and it arrived quickly and safely Wednesday afternoon. Casey opened it up to check it out and learn a little about it so we can train my father - that's when the trouble started.

Casey had the camera in his hands for about 5 minutes before he called me at the shop and said only this "NO." Immediately I knew we were in trouble and I relayed to him that no matter what - Daddy IS getting the camera for Christmas; he reiterated only "NO."

I came home ready to make my case and stand my ground, after all it's my Daddy's camera right? Then Casey hands me this exquisite piece of machinery and I was in love. The Nikon D-40 is a beautiful thing - it takes GREAT pictures, is super easy to use, is digital (which means I can shoot as much crap as I want) AND it makes the noise! You know - the 35mm SLR noise, a noise that I grew up with and love.

So now I have a problem. I intend to give the camera as a gift as planned, but I REALLY want one for myself. In and of itself that's not a problem - I'll get one, the problem is I don't want to wait. Quite a predicament, guess I'll practice my patience.

My pics from yesterday were taken with the D-40 as was this one:


That's my Pokey - she's a silly beagle and a Mommy's girl. We love her!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Photographic Evidence...

I have photos (some are crappy - bad light, no time, etc) of several of the finished items from the LIST.

Here goes:


I'm still working. I've got lots of sewing to do today and I'll be able to mark off a bunch of items tonight. I'm having so much fun - I hope you are too. Thanks for all the great comments and continued encouragement through my craziness!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

I Think I Can! I Think I Can!

I am well on my way to finishing my LIST. Check out the crossed off items - not to bad huh? I'm not sure how many I'll mark off tonight as we are doing the last of our actual shopping (as opposed to virtual shopping) tonight and it will be a mad dash indeed.

Thanks for all the supportive comments and stay tuned to find out "Will she make it?"

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Can She Do It?

Hey check out the "Between Now and Christmas" list over there on my sidebar. I'm taking bets on getting all those things done. I need your encouragement (and maybe prayers) to get through it all with my sanity in check, at least as in check as is possible for me.

What do you think? Can I do it?


I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Truant Blogger...

I've had the blogging blahs for the last couple of weeks. While trying to pinpoint why I realized that there is no ONE factor keeping me from the keyboard, but there are many. I've taken on more at work and that takes time and lots of mental energy, homeschool is in (almost) full-swing, I'm stressed about holiday crafting (moreso about holiday getting off my ass to do the crafting, but...), and November was just hard for me this year in ways that I did not expect.

My Mother's birthday was yesterday and I had planned a touching and charming post about lessons learned, examples of love, and whatnot, but when I sat down to write - I couldn't do it; words would't come without tears so... I'll file the idea away for another time.

Thanks to all who are bearing with me through this. I so enjoy the blogging community and want to get to know you better, please give me just a little extra time to get back on my feet.

I've got major sewing,knitting,crocheting, and crafting to do over the next few days and I am looking forward to finishing projects. I'll be back to crafty posting soon and have pictures and all that good stuff too. Until then, this made me laugh:



I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Black Friday Shopping

Well I did it! I shopped on "Black Friday." I got up early (7:15) and washed my face, threw on my shoes (bunny) and sat at my computer to shop. Did I brave crowds and parking nightmares, and set alarms to wake up before dawn - NOPE! My theory this year is if I can't buy it online - I don't need it!

Believe me the $9.00 shipping I paid this morning was worth being able to sit at home in my jammies and bunny slippers and NOT deal with people. I bought this for Anna, and these for each of the kids. I'll do more shopping tomorrow after we decide our final list for everyone. Connie is still getting a quilt, and several others are still getting the embroidered dishtowels, but I'm not too worried about anything else. I've already gotten many gifts taken care of and I've got good ideas for everything else, so I think I'm in good shape.

I do have to make a trip to Harry & David (damn! I'm all broken up about it) to use an instore only coupon but I can do that next week - anyone like pears?


I am thankful!

We had homemade vegetable soup and good sandwiches for our meal yesterday. My Daddy and my brother came over and we had a nice time. I just wasn't ready to make my Mom's meal this year - not yet.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if anyone went out shopping today I just have one thing to say to you...

SUCKERS!!!!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

"Chicken Pops" Redux

Turns out it isn't Chicken Pox at all. As I looked at it I told Casey I thought maybe it was something else - so he went to the doctor yesterday and it is a skin born infection. Not sure how he got it - it's bacteria that's on the skin all the time, but once it breaks the barrier it can go crazy and cause the sort of breakout he has. FUN! I know - you all wanted to know that. Anyway some major antibiotics and a few days and he'll be fine - PLUS it's not contagious!

On to things more pleasant. Andrea and I spent 8 plus hours working in the shop on Sunday. We cleaned and we moved furiture and we cleaned out storage and we CLEARANCED tons of yarn. We worked very hard and while there is still more to be done, the shop is looking great. Our December calendar is almost ready and looking great as well.

I'll get lots of things done today crafty wise and have some pictures for posting tomorrow - didn't think you guys wanted pics of the rash (eeeewwww)!

Everyone go wish Katey Happy Birthday today!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

"Chicken Pops,"

as Anna would say. Breakthrough Chicken Pox is the official title of what we have - we've all either had Chicken pox or been vaccinated, yet we have the rash! We're all feeling fine and I am showing no symptoms, but the kids and Casey all have a very very mild, but definitive, case of Chicken Pox. It sucks!

I had to cancel a crochet workshop this morning and bail on 3 people waiting for me to teach them to crochet - I'll rescedule, but it sucks to bail out at the last minute. I figure the students would rather reschedule than be contaminated though so I'll be scrambling this week to get things together for make up sessions.

On a positive note our December class calendar is looking great and we have lots of new things in store for the shop. I am so excited.

Now, if I just weren't contagious!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Long Days...

I am so tired, but I am also mentally energized. I worked last night until 11 p.m. at the shop with one of our favorite yarn reps and the night before that I was there until 9:30. We have so many new and exciting things coming up for the shop and I can't wait to get started. I've got about 1000 ideas running through my head and I'm chomping at the bit to get moving.

I'm going to be working more for the next few weeks - both on shop things and on Christmas stuff that I still need to take care of. Here's a photo of the Sock Tote I sent out as a prize for Socktoberfest: Sock Monkeys!!!



I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

A Literary Journey

We've been at the Library a great deal lately and it always makes me realize how little I read anymore. To that end I've made some lists:

A) Books I haven't read, but want to: Pride & Prejudice, Look Homeward Angel, Of Mice & Men, Emma, Little Women

These books have been on my list for sometime and I never get to them - that's a good goal for next year.

B) Books I have read, but wish I hadn't: The Jungle, The Federalist Papers, Grapes of Wrath, Animal Farm, Catcher in The Rye

Most of these I had to read - for school or should have read in school, but Cliffed - so I went back and read them - why I'll never know - perhaps I'm more educated for reading them, but I was happy ignorant too!

C) Books I'm glad I DID read: Anne of Green Gables, As I Lay Dying, Great Expectations, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, The Giving Tree (Anything Shel Silverstein)

These are just some of my favorites. I've read Anne at least 3 times and I never ever get tired of it. I LOVE Dickens (who doesn't) and unlike many I LOVE Faulkner.

D) I am currently reading: Lots of children's books (best books EVER) and The Body Farm

What are your favoties and what are you reading?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Little House in The Suburbs...

(that's googlemap satellite imagery of MY house)

"Knit it All!" There's a goal for you! Christina, AKA 'Knitty-D' has a goal to knit all of her Rhinebeck 2006 Fiber Festival purchases BEFORE Rhinebeck 2007. Considering what Knitty-D purchased that is a reasonable, yet big, goal. I like the concept though - the "use what you have" BEFORE getting more idea. I want to do this as well - use it all.

I have so much and I find myself constantly wanting, driven to, more. I think about our pioneering American history and how people "made do." I know I romanticize the life - because it was no doubt truly harsh - but I can't help but believe that it was also happier.

The world today beeps, and buzzes, and whirs at a dizzying pace and no matter what I have - in over abundance - I always want newer, better, more. Being bombarded with ads from every side, T.V., billboards, magazines, radio, the beloved internet - it's EVERYWHERE - I constantly am presented with more ways to seperate me from my (ok my husband's) hard earned money.

Don't get me wrong, I love and thoroughly enjoy my very modern lifestyle I just think sometimes it would be easier without cell phones, and answering machines, and email, and instant access, and TiVO (ok NOT TiVO - that's just crazy talk). Anyway, more life with less - that's the ultimate goal; less stuff, less running, less spending (or at least different), less disconnect - more time, more family, more laughter, more contentment, - happier.

The pioneering Americans and many generations that followed understood value, they understood usefullness, and they understood hard work in a capacity I will never know. My life - just the daily survival part - is easy by comparison and while I take the bad with the good (I do love me some TiVO) I wonder what I'm missing by having everything.

So, a goal - "knit it all!" - or in my case - "Use it All!" is adopted. not a "don't buy anything" binge (because everyone knows where most of those lead), but a new way of thinking. I am "thinking home" first and asking myself "do I already have something I can use or make work? Do I really need it? Do I really want it?" I am working on projects I already have and gifting to others those I am never going to complete. I expect using materials I have and completing projects I am already mentally, and finacially invested in to bring me great joy and contentment.

So I set off with the American Pioneers as my role models and a hopeful, expectant attitude to "Use it All" and seek More with less. Who will join me?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

p.s. Speaking of TiVO: Thank you BS Galactica writers for giving us back Lee with the bod and for the gratuitous abs footage this past week - truly - Thank You!