TGIFriday Night

Maybe blogging should just be a monthly thing, as it seems that's all I really have time for these days.  Between 30+ hour (and split shift) work days, teaching after school and all my volunteer commitments, life just seems too busy to sit down and blog regularly.

But that doesn't mean things haven't been happening around here, for they definitely have. Just not the same ways they used to.

For one, I've been spinning a lot more.  I finally got my wheel to spin consistently AND was given two more bobbins that fit it, so the wheel has been turning a lot more.  So much that I finished this gorgeous purple alpaca in two weeks (a feet for me!). The question is, what will I ply it with? I want to maybe do something shiny, silver...

I also unearthed some polymer (Sculpy) clay and have sense become re-addicted to bead making. So much that I am working on a new line of markers to utilize they beads.  Currently I have some Earth Day markers up, but I have some rainbow ones in the works as well.

Somehow painting is happening as well, despite my random schedule.  This is my most recent, which is about half done.  The plan is to have those balls floating in water, so I want to do some layers to make some fall back and some com forward.  Isn't it wild!?

My art classes ended this week and despite my anticipation at the extra free time, I was almost in tears after the last one.  The kids this year - every single one - were absolutely stunning and inspiring and fabulous.  There just are too many words to say how proud I am of them all.

I also finished my Mix Tape this month, in fact it has been almost a month since it came off the needles.  I really like the colors and feel, but it's got an awkward shape, so I haven't found a way to wear it that makes me happy (and thus the hanging photo). 

Sadly, that's the only knit news I have, for I have been spinning and painting so much that knitting has kind of taken a back seat.  Hopefully soon it will get picked up.

Weekly Monthly Inspirations:

Knitting: Just look at Andi's sock collection! I love it so very very much. I can't imagine ever having a collection so beautiful as her's (and a good portion are just vanilla socks in great yarns!)
Art: Three new artists at Navasota again! Abby, Christy and Eric are all living at the house and creating wonderful things. I have met Abby, who is a fiber artist, and she is fabulous :)
Food:  No recipes to share, just that I have been getting weekly produce baskets and working from them to make delicious meals.  I never knew stir fried chard and onions were actually delicious!

Life: Relay for Life is next week and I joined again! Want to contribute? Watch my video then go HERE HERE HERE !! to donate to my cause.  Even $5 can make a difference.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and if I don't see you before then, a wonderful May ;)

~Lisa

Worth the Wait

Is it the end of April already? I cannot believe how fast this "Spring Semester" (I will forever judge time in semesters, despite no longer being in school) has gone by. 

I think one of the signals that time is going so fast is the fact that Relay For Life was this past Friday evening. For those of you who have been following my blog the past months (and years), you have probably heard me talk about Relay and all the efforts I put into the event and fundraising.  This year's event was no different. 

People walking during the Luminaria Ceremony. I love how my camera shaking inadvertently made a good photo. 

Me with my bags in memory and honor of my Grandparents. 

Usually every year we spell out HOPE in the bleachers with Luminaria bags.  Well as Chair for Luminaria, and as my last year on committee at KSU, I wanted to leave a bit of a mark on the event and try something new.  So I decided to make "Giant bags" that say HOPE on them.  As you can see, the wind had other ideas. 

However, the desired effect was still achieved, when we lit them with lanterns and changed them to CURE. 

It was a fun night to be had by all.  Being on committee for the past four years has been a real treat, and this year was even better. Our committee showed so much passion and dedication and really knocked it out of the park. AND at the end we raised almost $27,000 for American Cancer Society, which is an amazing number for a college event. 

On the crafty side, I finished my striped socks about a week or so ago.  I love how they turned out - besides the toes the stripes match perfectly - and think this is my new favorite pair.  However, I think the foot is a bit short, because the heel area keeps sliding down onto the foot.  If I use this pattern again (the basic short row toe up from Wendy Knits) I will make the feet a bit longer.  Has anyone else experienced this and how did you solve it without ripping it out?

Weekly inspirations:

Art:  Ok so to be honest, I haven't been looking for much artistic inspiration lately. But I would love to share with you one of the first "knitting artists" I ever discovered.  There is just something about the simplicity of these that makes me happy. Valerie Molnar

Knitting:  As I mentioned last week, I really want to work more on pairing my yarns with projects.  My first choice shall be Creme Brule. I just need to sit down, find the yarn and start now.
Food: As I type this, I can smell the bread in the oven baking.  For about a year or so now I have been baking my own bread (I think I have maybe bought one or two store bought loaves - not counting the homemade at Farmer's Market - this past year).  The kind I'm particularly fond of right now? Honey wheat oat (which is from the bread machine book)

Life:  With Relay over, packing to move begins. I am t-minus 1 month away from moving. What a scary thought.  However, I am really excited to be finally cleaning up and moving on.

Happy Sunday all!

~Lisa 

Just for giggles. 

February Loves

What better way to celebrate the month of February than with a quick post about my recent crafting loves.

This gem showed up in my mailbox today, courtesy the amazing Andi. I am always saying how much I LOVE her stripey socks but this is such a treat :) I cannot wait to cast on a lovely pair with this super squishy skein of sock yarn from Lady Bug Fiber Co.

A few weeks ago I finally finished my merino/silk blend yarn.  I received this massive chunk of Louet Roving from my amazing friend Ivy for my 21st birthday, over 2 1/2 years ago! I've been spinning off and on on it ever since (I've spun other stuff in between!), working towards that perfect skein.  I have finally finished it with a little motivation from the Knit-along I am in.  The end result? Over 200 yards (I think...I tried to count with my niddy noddy but that's not always right) of lovely purple awesomeness. Now the real question - What should I knit with it? 

With the completion of the gorgeous merino, I knew I wanted to add more fiber to my stash, so that way I'd have an excuse to spin more. I was passing through Abilene last week and stopped at the Shivering Sheep Yarn Shop, looking for something as a favor to a friend.  While I didn't find what she was looking for, I did walk out with these 2 bits of top/roving (how do you know the difference?). Both are hand dyed in Nova Scotia by The Fleece Artist.  The one on the left is a lovely green and brown Blue Faced Leicester and the one on the right is a pastel rainbow merino.  I can't decide which one to work on first! Hmmmmm 

Finally, you all know my love and passion for all things Relay For Life. Well I posted on a buy-sell-trade board about knitting scarves as a fundraiser. I had a girl contact me about knitting scarves with colors of specific cancer ribbons and I took up the challenge.  In the end I decided to pair a simple black yarn with 4 different thin stranded linen yarns.  The pattern is one I improvised but really like - a combo of garter and lace.  I think she liked them, it was hard to tell when I handed them off. But either way, I feel great about knitting for such a good cause!

I hope everyone had a great February and Valentine's day. I feel like the months are flying by. Just 3 more and I am off to start a new page in my life - what that page is is still a mystery though. But no matter what, I know it will be very full of art and knitting!

~Lisa

January Update

Ok, technically it's February, but I haven't updated in a while, so I thought I'd share what I've been doing this past January.  Anyone else think it's insane it's already February???

Knitting:

One of my resolutions for this year was to successfully knit a pair of Cookie A. Socks. I decided to try and conquer Rick after trying once before back in 2011. I have been working off and on on these, but now that I have the cuff pattern down, it's going really fast! I am about half way into the required repeats but I think I am going to cut it short at 10 (instead of 18). I am not sure if they are stretchy enough to go that high up on my legs and I am not a fan of super long socks anyway.  I am a bit nervous about the rest of the socks, but I am sure it will go fine.

This month's project for the Knitting Monthly was a top from Kennita's new e-book, Tuscan Knits.  Although I was a bit hesitant at first to be spending MORE money on yarn, I fell in love when I started the project.  The structure of the it is so unique to me (knit flat and then seamed up the sides) and the stitch pattern was so easy. Pair that with the fabulous new yarn from Tahki Yarns and you get this gorgeous top. I finished it in a WEEK! That's what happens when you don't have school to worry about I guess. 

I've also been spinning on my Merino/silk that I have had for about 3 years now. I finally got all of the singles spun and have been working on plying.  I realized I had some 'bobbin' (toilet paper tubes) that were thicker than others, so I was trying to pair a thick with a thin, but I got to the point where I had more thin that thick. Luckily, I had some practice from the very beginning that was super thick, so I've been going back and attempting to unspin and respin that. We shall see if that works! I am really loving the feel of the yarn all plyed up. It's so squishy and bouncy. I think I will have close to 500 yards - enough for something extra special!

Art: 

Having graduated, I lost my studio space on campus.  So I moved all my stuff into the spare room of my apartment. I've been working on a painting there and it's been going ok.  The lighting isn't ideal and the ventilation is minimal (fan and window) but you do what you can. I am kinda liking my painting, but it's not there yet (but it's further along than this photo shows).

I also finally got hi-res images of all my gouache paintings. That being said, I am going to try something. As you probably know, I am very passionate about my local Relay For Life.  I have decided to sell fine art prints of a special gouache painting I am working on (see here what I have done so far) for $50 a piece.  $40 of that money will go to my Relay event. I haven't finished the specific painting to be sold, but I am taking advanced orders. If you know you will want one of my special cancer fighting knit worlds, feel free to comment or email me :) And of course, any donation is always accepted, even if you don't want a print in return. 

Life:

I've been working 30hours a week at my preschool for about a month now, and it's going ok. Those kids sure are crazy some days though! They wear me out, and I'm off work by 1...it's a miracle anything else gets done.  I've been binge watching movies from the library and of course knitting like crazy.  And trying to stay active. I hit the gym at least 3 times a week and enjoy every minute of it.

Why I felt you needed to know that is a mystery.  

I hope everyone has a great February. I have a feeling it's going to fly by :) 

~Lisa 

Fighting Ever Fighting

You guys have heard me talk about it a lot already, but I really need to share with you my day yesterday.  It was my 3rd time serving on the Luminaria Committee at the Relay for Life of Kansas State, and my 5th Relay for Life overall.

For the first time since I have been doing it, there was not a chance for rain, which was nice. However, it was very windy and bitterly cold out pretty much all night. I would have given a few raindrops for some warmer weather.

My primary job on committee (along with my friend Kenny, although I seemed to do a lot of the work) is the Luminaria Ceremony. For those who don't know (did I mention on here before?) that involves the sale and decoration of bags for those who have won or lost the battle to Cancer. As an event at Relay, we line the track with these bags then do a huge ceremony where we light them with lights (usually LEDs) and then have a speech and silent lap in honor and remembrance  Something else we usually do is spell out "HOPE" in the bleachers, than change it to "CURE" during the ceremony.

Besides Luminaria, I am also a Team Captain with my group of friends. Although many of us do no personally fund raise, being college kids and all, we still do lots of group fundraisers and have a good time! This year (drumroll please...) we hit over $1600!!! (about 550 was my personal fundraising). That's the highest my friend group has ever hit and I am so proud of all of them for being an amazing group to share the experience with!

and... I'm already planning next year's ceremony! 

~Lisa
(Oh and the title is reference to the theme, which was KSU's birthday. Fighter ever fighting is part of the fight song).

Civic Duties

Sometimes I wonder if I care too much? 

I spent the majority of today standing outside a local grocery store asking people for canned goods. In the end, we got a whole cart load and then some (250 at least). 

Why? For Relay of course! As many of you know I am heavily (that's putting it lightly) involved with Relay For Life. Especially the Luminaria portion of it all. Well this year we decided to weigh down the luminarias with canned goods, and then donate the canned goods to our local food bank after. So guess who got to spend her Saturday asking for them? 

Overall, I think it was worth it. It was lovely outside and a great way to take a school break and give back to the community. 

6 day until Relay!

~Lisa

FO Friday: Headband Hubbabaloo!

You will never believe how hard it was to come up with a catchy title!

Hi everyone, hope you all had a great week! I know I did. Between a painting that is finally going right, some great news regarding my spindle drawings and a painting society show, and just feeling really good about the way my diet is going, this has been one heck of a week! Oh and I finished some projects!

You can probably guess by the name of today's post, I have been crazy busy making headbands lately, and thus I have finished quite a few.

First, I finished up all of the handspun headbands I plan to sell next week at a craft show for Relay. Ten in all, and all are simply gorgeous!

I'm thinking between $15 and $20 for each, is that too high? How much would you pay? Which is your favorite!? I really like them all :)

Next on my list of headbands is the Ribboned Headband I made to match my Berry-boned wrists that I finished back in August. At first I hated this project, because it was curling and tedious and annoying and well yea. But now that it's done, and blocked, I LOVE it. And it keeps my ears super warm!

Excuse the bad lighting, once again my camera hates me!

Finally, I have another one that I started for myself. After finishing up the ones for the sale, I wanted one similar to those for me and decided to stash dive. I cam out with one of 3 skeins of Plymouth Encore Worsted and decided to cast on. I am loving the color, which has flecks of pink and blues in it and how warm I know it will be! I can't wait to get this bad boy done.

Just to humor you guys, I'll share a photo of my painting in progress too, which is in the very rough stages, so ignore the mess :) I am still loving this more than any other I've done this semester, simply because it's in oils!

Happy Friday, and for more FO's, check out Tami's Amis!

~Lisa

Fiber + Art Update

Man guys, I wish I could update more, but as busy as I am with school and life it's hard to find time to work on projects, let alone post about them. However, I do have some things that have made progress that I'd like to do a brief blog about today. 

Mom's Milanese Wrap is finally coming along and going smoothly. Just call me the stitch marker queen, because I could not do this without them. I tend to get that way with lacey projects, always having to put markers after every section. It sure does help though. Hopefully this will be done in time for Christmas. My mom asked me about making it last week again, but I just told her 'maybe...we'll see, I'm really busy'. She doesn't even know this is coming!

My finally fall shawl for Eveyln's KAL is coming along slowly but surely. I was keeping it strictly at studio, and I will probably take it back tomorrow. I have taken up to working on it during breaks in our figure class. I got quite a bit done last night actually, thanks to Ivy and our skype knit night! I hope that happens again, because it was so fun :)

Me and my Relay for Life team are doing a craft show around Thanksgiving, and I plan on selling handspun headbands as well as drawings. So far I have about 20 drawings! I have been really working on these a lot during the weekends. I'm really excited for this yarn too! The rainbow is stunning! I really wish I could remember what colors I used to make it that pretty :( . I plan to ply the rainbow with some pure undyed white, so it doesn't get so confusing, and so that I can maximize the rainbows!

Finally, we have to do full body self portraits in my figure class and we are only allowed to use a mirror. I knew I wanted to do myself knitting, but wasn't sure if I could pull that off with a mirror. But guess what! I think I did. My right hand needs a bit of work, but other than that, I think given the circumstances, this is pretty good and actually looks a bit like me. I am going to ink wash over this sometime soon.

I hope the weekend is treating you all great, I know it is me :)

~Lisa

Design-in-Progress Wednesday

Good morning! I am currently entering day 3 of my week of nothingness (aka week of boredom). I am actually starting to wish I had gone home to work, and I don't say that often.

The only thing good about this week is the amount of knitting I have gotten done and all the progress I am making on everything. So today I wanted to share with you a few things I am working on, all of which are designs of my own (hence the name...).

I was bitten by the sock designing bug back in June and filled many pages of sketchbook with ideas. So far the only one to materialize into reality is Woven Cables Worsted Socks, which, after the help of a couple of amazing testers, is available for download as of yesterday.  I am not going to lie guys, I am in love with this pattern! The finished socks are so gorgeous, even more so than I visualized, and I was able to make the pattern look so professional and neat.  The math is all correct (for once) and I finally have a formula for heels! Expect many more sock patterns out of me in the future.  But until then, head over to Ravelry and download this one :) It's $2 and all the money goes to Relay For Life!

Thanks Ivy for the amazing photo!

The next design on my list is the messenger bag I made my sister a few weeks ago. I had a few people express interest in the pattern and I have decided to publish it. So right now I am working on a second one, with commercial yarn. I'm noticing obvious differences between it and the handspun: The gauge is much bigger, requiring bigger needles and less stitches.  I love this design though, as I have never seen a bottom up, non-sewn closed bag. But then again, I haven't done many bags....

Expect this pattern by the beginning of  next week, and this one will be free :)

Knitting the bag at the coffee shop :)

The final project is one I mentioned in a couple other posts, my secret hat! I finished the first one and then decided I wanted to try submitting it to Knitty. So I got to work on the pattern and realized there were a lot of things needing changed.  So what did I do? I started a second! I had enough yarn anyways, and will likely rip out the first one eventually. The second one is coming a long very fast and I am liking it so much! I really hope I get in -- this hat is super cute!

I can't share a full photo, but I can share this with you if you'd like an idea. I should have it bound off by later today...if my wrists don't give out first. And then all I need is photos by Sept. 1! 

This week seems to be going really fast, school starts Monday already. And man, I am so ready! Getting to be in senior studio FINALLY is like a dream come true for me, and all my friends will be back and "hopefully" there is a boyfriend in my future too :D I just want this week to speed on by so I can get on with the epic-ness that will be my Senior Year. 

How is the summer winding down for you all? Is in speeding to a close, or going slow? I'd love to hear all about it!

And as proof of how bored I've been, I started a puzzle last night, something I told my brother (who gave it to me) I would never have time to do!

Hardest Puzzle EVER

Want to see more WIP's? Check out Tami's Amis!

~Lisa

3KCBWDAY4 - Dishcloth Mania

Random Blogs for the Day:

Fresh Stitches

The Crafty Adventures of Yellow Purple Zebra

Annie Bee Knits

Mrs. Thomasina Tittlemouse

The Kettle's On...

(oh and by the way, my contest is still going on until Sunday!)

Once again, today's topic was a bit of a push for me. I really am a knitter for all seasons, because I tend to knit depending on the season I am in. I wish I could be reversed - knit winter in summer and summer in winter - so I have the stuff to wear that coming season, but that'd drive me crazy. Anyways though I spent the day trying to think of what I really wanted to talk about with this topic, and realized that I could mention my dishcloths, since they are a versatile project.

As many of my regular followers now know, I am heavily involved with Relay For Life. I made stitch markers that I was selling (and still am....) to raise money, but before that I was on a dishcloth mission.

My aunt, who lives nearby, had suggested that I set up a table at the local Farmer's Market. We had planned to do this last summer, but this never actually happened. Between Scotland and summer school and not enough product it just didn't work out. I will hopefully get the chance to set up this year though, if I can wake up early enough.

Back when this plan surfaced the idea was to think of thinks I could knit to sell. The first thing that came to mind was dishcloths, since it was farmer's market, they are small and easy to knit, and the yarn is cheap. I started knitting them back in March of last year, and have been working on and off ever since.

The great thing about dishcloths (and how it relates to today's topic) is that they can be knit at any time, anywhere and any season. I made about 10 that first week I started since it was Spring Break. I made a bunch this summer during my breaks at work, and also have been making them off and on this previous fall and winter when I didn't feel like anything else. I have learned so many amazing stitch patterns and gotten so many done in the process.

The other nice thing is that I haven't had to buy hardly any of the yarn. If you haven't heard of the Random Acts of Kindness board you should check it out on Ravelry. I posted on my wishlist a few times about my dishcloth mission and have since gotten many skeins of cotton sent from amazing ravelers all over!

(there's a lot more than what you can see in this photo)

So looking back, I guess you can say I'm a knitter for all seasons, because I have a great project to do during any season!

Happy Thursday! Knit Night Tonight!

~Lisa

Going Green

I bet you weren't expecting a new post so soon! Well let me say, neither did I! But I really wanted to share my FO with you guys, as well as my next project.

Thanks to everyone for the opinions about Knitpicks, I liked seeing what everyone had to say about them. I also want to thank you all for the opinions about my Abalone Sweater. In the end I decided to use the Sari Silk and boy am I glad I did!

(Does no justice for how pretty this is)

I know a lot of you are considering knitting this sweater also, so I am going to give an honest review of the pattern.

1) I really liked how easy it was to knit, as well as how it was adjustable to your gauge and yarn,. I wish there was a bit more shaping, but overall I loved how easy it was. If I had to do it again, I'd probably make it go to a little bit further on my chest.  So I give the construction a 9.

2) The pattern was a bit vague in spots, probably because it's not written in the USA. I had to re-read a few things quite a bit before I comprehended what they required. I am still not sure if I did it exactly right, but it worked out. The major dilemma I found was separating for sleeves, but that may just be because I am a novice sweater knitter.  I give the writing a 6.

3) Finishing, which was also a bit vague, I really liked because I didn't have to block it! I could if I wanted to, but I probably wont. So I give that a 9 also, just for being a little confusing. 

Overall this pattern is getting a solid 8 from me, I would definitely make it again or adapt it into another pattern. Can't you just see something with cables or a design? The yarn here is Manos del Uruguay silk blend in the Mermaid colorway. I know you can't see it well above, but each skein pooled differently, so it is a bit striped, but I love it! And the sari makes it very unique! I have no clue how I will wash it when the time comes, but I'll figure something out.

Finally, do you guys think I should put a tie in the front? I have a bit of Manos left and was thinking of making a crochet chain and using it to close the front (with a bow) when I want to? What do you all think???

I also want to share my next endeavor. I am going back to spring socks, with Yukon by Pagewood Farms that I purchased at Wildflower back in November. The sock pattern I am knitting is Pyroclastic, a pattern that looks perfect for this color. :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Relay is this weekend (tomorrow!) and I am all busy getting ready for that. I will keep you posted on how it goes.

~Lisa

Oh and just for fun, here is Muffin hanging out in the Catnip plant we have in the back yard!