Cactus flowers, Mount Lemmon, Tucson. They really were this bright!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
SP 10 Package!
Ok, I'll admit these photos are not the best! That first one is handspun by Kate! Wow. It's beautiful. I'm not sure the deep reds come out so well in the photo, but it was the best I could do - I was fighting with a tripod and waning light. The other photo shows most (but not all, oops) of the other goodies: green apple mints, a mini crochet hook, some Noro silk garden lite, a lovely yellow stone bracelet, gummy bears (sadly, I have already eaten these...yes, I have a problem), and cat toys! Not pictured is the super yummy Sistercraft soap (that photo just did not turn out) and three little notebooks with a sheep guy stamped on the front. I really wanted to eat the soap - sandalwood with a bit of vanilla scent!
And this is how hot it is:
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Warning....Slow Knitting Ahead...
My gauge was on with size 9 needles (the pattern calls for size 7 and others have gotten gauge with this size....I must be a tight knitter). But, I thought, I like the way the fabric looks with the size 7 needles. So I cast on with size 8 (happy medium?) and tried to make one size larger than I need. Then, I realized about an inch or two in that I'm knitting much looser than I did on my gauge swatch. Oops! So I switched back to size 7's. I can't wait to see how badly I've screwed up the sizing on this one. But hey, if I don't keep going I won't learn anything, right?
I'm a little bored right now - each row of stockinette takes forever. I knitted half the blob while watching "Raiders of the Lost Ark" the last two nights. And Jennifer is right - it does hold up really well over time! There's a bit of silliness here and there where you can see the age of the movie, but overall, I'm glad I own this one. On another note - no, archaeologists really don't like the view this gives of archaeology (you know, the treasure-hunting aspect...). I mean, most archaeologists would be loathe to remove those objects from their contexts without proper mapping. hehe. Sorry. That's my inner archaeologist coming out. But really, it's about being dirty and finding hardly anything for hours or days or weeks at a time!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Indecent [cat] Exposure
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
BELATED thanks to my SP!
A couple weeks ago, my lovely SP signed me up for Knitters Anonymous! The stuff they have is hilarious - see the pink pad? "While you were knitting." I'm not sure I qualify yet for "extreme knitter" - and I don't think I've ever knit in traffic (I walk to work - lucky me, but no knitting happens while walking!). There was also a "knitwit" magnet that I'd already left at work (oops). I think it would be disastrous if I knit while drunk - uh...I've never been drunk, actually. But a bit tipsy or tired and ripping is required!
On the cat front... Chester has now been an indoor cat for a full year! AMAZING. Not sure how we got through the first few weeks, either. Here's one of the last shots of him outside - note the lack of collar and if you look really closely - you'll see the injury on his back paw that required us to bring him in. He had to have a bone extracted (the same one you'd extract if you were declawing a cat - something I think is inhumane...but in this case, he had a bone infection). It's been tough, but he has his sweet moments (and he's super cuddly).
Friday, May 11, 2007
Bookmarks and Postcards
Next, are
And here, I used stamps to make a couple haphazard post cards. It was a technique I found in a book that looked like it was right up my alley - I like throwing things together quickly. Actually, it takes a while to get the stamps, ink, cleaner, paper, embossing powder, and all that out. I used to make stationery (not that I write to anyone...usually I just sent it off to people in swaps), and always underestimated how long it would take me to finish. A set of ten sheets took an hour or two! But looking at these makes me want to do some this weekend...
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Totes are Fun!
Isn't this an adoreable little tote? I know, I know - I have a minor addiction. I got it at Superbuzzy - they have great Japanese stuff! This bag doesn't hold too much stuff - it's a short tote - but it would probably hold socks! I shoved my entire green, blue, and grey pre-tote-form into this (just barely fits).
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Where to Find Patterns for Felted Bags
The other felted bag is the Slouch Bag, available at The Knitting Zone. There are quite a few fun felted bag patterns there, too!
I'm hoping to make a bag with flowers - yikes, intarsia.... but I'm imagining a really beautiful brown bag with blues, purples, pinks, and greens....haha.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Yikes....been a while!
So, it's been two weeks since my last post. Obviously I'm slacking. Probably due to the lack of readership? Perhaps. I'm finally going to post some FO's! First up - the tote that I received from a blogless Martha. That purple is really an eggplant color. The handles are super long and I can put this across my body... after sending off my own tote (that I absolutely love), I'm thinking that I might want to felt this some more (ok, I know it's actually fulling, not really felting...but whatever).
I finished up my "fibonacci tote" - the pattern and yarn was sent to me in a swap in December (and the colors are rather vintage Christmas).
This photo was taken pre-handle attachment. This was a fast knit, and the pattern directions are simple - it was my first try at knitting in the round. And the felting doesn't show the poor job weaving in ends, etc.
The last recent project is my tote for the Tote Exchange:
So, what next? I'm busy putting together a package for my Secret Pal 10 partner - I've got some good stuff planned for her! I'm trying not to buy too much for myself - random expenses keep popping up... But I'd really like to get some good cotton yarn for a new sweater project...should've bought that stuff on ebay a while back...*sigh*
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Movie Stuff!
1) Name a movie you've seen more than 10 times. Really? Ten times? Maybe Harry and the Hendersons (against my will – one of my sisters loved this movie when she was little). And probably You’ve Got Mail. By choice.
2) Name a movie you've seen multiple times in the theater. Whoa. Just had a blank-out. Oh, yeah – Braveheart.
3) Name an actor who would make you more inclined to see a movie. I’d have to agree with others on this one – Johnny Depp! Brad Pitt, too.
4) Name an actor who would make you less likely to see a movie. Oh, geez – Kevin Costner for one. Will Ferrell (sorry, you’re hilarious, but I can only take a few minutes).
5) Name a movie you can and do quote from. French Kiss (You people make my ass twitch! – Honestly, isn’t that a great line??) But I usually quote tv shows – Seinfeld, Friends, Sex and the City.
6) Name a movie musical to which you know all the lyrics. Um. None!
7) Name a movie you've been known to sing along with. Um, also none!
8) Name a movie you would recommend everyone see. Star Wars (the original) – because it’s still awesome!
9) Name a movie you own. Is it weird? I own it. Ok, not really! The Usual Suspects is the last one I got, though.
10) Name an actor who launched his/her career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops. Mark Wahlberg. Who I still refer to as Marky Mark! He’s hilarious in I heart Huckabees, great in Boogie Nights – who knew?
11) Have you ever seen a movie at a drive-in? If so what? Gosh, no, never!
12) Ever made out at a movie? Ew. After paying so much to get in? Are you nuts??
13) Name a movie you've been meaning to see but just haven't gotten around to yet.
14) Ever walked out of a movie? Not in a theatre – but I turned off Old School after a few minutes, gave up on Waterworld, Snatch, and almost Ocean’s Eleven….oh, and Last Tango in
15) Name a movie that made you cry in the theater. I’m not sure I have, actually.
16) Popcorn? If I have enough money!
17) How often do you go to the movie theater? Rarely – once a year, if that.
18) What's the last movie you saw in the theater? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Yep. 2005.
19) What's your favorite/preferred genre? Weird. Is that a category? I avoid many comedies and most “chick-flicks.”
20) What's the first movie you remember seeing in the theater? It was either Snow White or E.T. (which I hated)
21) What movie do you wish you had never seen? Oh, I already answered that! Last Tango in
22) What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed? How weird?
23) What's the scariest movie you've ever seen? Um. Pulse? But, I was little – all sorts of things are scary when you’re little!
24) What's the funniest movie you've ever seen? Gosh, I don’t know. Comedies aren’t my thing!
Movies I've seen lately:
The Squid and The Whale - I actually found this to be quite an amusing little movie. Weird, too. And a bit gross now and again. My friend hated it. Oh well!
The Prestige - I didn't think I was going to like this! But I really enjoyed it. Also weird. And by the director of Memento (which I own). I love things that play with memory - like Memento, this one is circular - it begins and ends with the same scenes.
Chinatown - Wow. Some serious Noir here! I don't remember why I wanted to see this, but it's definitely good!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Pink, Yellow, and Green...
So this was supposed to be for last month...but there is green in it too. It's taken months for me to get through that much stockinette. Ok, well, moving on! Unfortunately, pink is not one of my favorite colors - although I do enjoy it on flowers.
And I know some of you would prefer no yellow flowers - but the flowers on my prickley pear out front are yellow (and
Monday, March 26, 2007
The Thing About Street Fairs...
Despite all this, it's fun to people-watch. I spent a couple hours on my porch yesterday critiquing everyone! We have a huge number of freaks per capita here in Tucson.... I might have to post about some of my favorites someday... Also fun to watch as people comment on my house - we have ocotillo fencing around the yard. The previous tenants put it up to prevent the homeless from sleeping on the porch. I know, I'm painting quite a picture, aren't I? You all want to move here now, right? ;)
So what is the *thing* about street fairs? Well, everyone seems to enjoy them - but, honestly, it's all the same CRAP every year (ok, twice a year). I wouldn't have thought this before 2005, probably, because I collect as much as the next guy. I used to consider myself a "packrat." However, since July 1, 2005, my house has become a lot cleaner, I collect a lot less stuff.
Although I was warned, I went to help a friend pack up her stuff - my co-worker indicated that it might be traumatic. Honestly, I thought I could handle it! I'm messy, I collect stuff...right? Um, no. OCD "Hoarding" disorder....I'm sure my friend does not believe she's OCD, but her house says otherwise. And I went over to help her *after the moving truck had already gone.* Her husband had already moved, a moving van full of stuff had already moved.... and the house was a MESS. I went through her laundry room (took a full day). She had boxes full of broken sunglasses (probably a total of 30+ pairs), "super-glue projects" was in another box, the little cardboard squares from boxes of weigh-paper (taken from work), the plastic cover pieces ripped off of who knows what - doll boxes? - you know the plastic sheets I mean... One of the symptoms is keeping piles and piles of printed matter (newspapers, magazines...) - most of this had already been dealt with. OCD people think their stuff is worth as much to others as it is to them (her garage sale items were quite overpriced). Let me tell you something - if you ever bring lunch somewhere and find BUGS in it - you have a serious problem. I'm not kidding. Hoarders are the least likely to get help (they think it's just you're typical "packrat" thing...). When my husband got home that day at 5:15pm - I was drinking a beer. Not my typical behavior. And the next day, when I threw out boxes and boxes of articles from grad school, he knew something was wrong! But I guess I'm better off now... if only I could deal with my serious procrastination problem...
Monday, March 12, 2007
Monday Flowers!

It's feeling like spring in the desert... and these here flowers could be making me sneeze. I just noticed these in my front yard on Friday - ok, I knew the plant was there, I just noticed that it's blooming!
Ok, it's beginning to feel like summer, even. It's getting hot - could be 90's this week!
I am feeling much better than I was on Friday. Although, I'm still finding it a bit hard to believe that we're down to the last possible job this year. If my husband wants to try again, the next round will start again in September or October. But, there is that last chance... And I've no idea when we might hear from them (if at all).
In the meantime... I'll be posting some flower pictures - to remind us all to stop and smell the roses (or whatever flowers you've got) - even if they make you sneeze!
Friday, March 09, 2007
I tried not to get attached...
I know I'll get over it. Probably by tomorrow. Can't dwell on things that never were, right? There's some sidewalk graffiti at a park that I often walk by. It says: "Life could be worse." Of course it's true.
I don't know that my husband will continue in the field he's in. This might be it. After that interview, I doubt he'll apply for a job again. And I really just want to tell the search committee chair what I think of him being a *tease.* I see that I am in the "anger" phase of grief. My husband went on another interview, and if he's offered that one....my life is going to get infinitely more complicated. I'm not even sure he wants that one.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Secret Pal 10 Questionnaire!
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
So far I enjoy knitting with wool and wool/alpaca blends – especially really soft ones! Cotton and acrylics do not seem to be as fun – cotton because it isn’t soft or stretchy like wool, and acrylic just doesn’t feel very nice.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have knitpicks options with a case and a fabric needle roll to store straights.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for about 6 months; I’m probably an advanced beginner (or, I’d like to think so!).
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, I have an amazon list.
5. What's your favorite scent?
I like jasmine, gardenia, and sandalwood. I like stuff with amber, musk, vanilla – sort of in the oriental range.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Oh, I’ve overdone it lately. I like dark chocolate and Haribo gummy bears (yum!) – oh, not together, though!
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I haven’t tried spinning yet, but I’d definitely be interested in trying.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I have the ability to play mp3s – we have tons of music though – I (ok, my husband, really) already own most all Led Zeppelin, including bootlegs, a huge amount of Bob Dylan stuff, nearly all of the Grateful Dead albums and concert recordings…
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love red, teal, dark greens, brown, grey, purples, blues; Not fond of yellow, pink, neons, pastels. I can deal with pastels, yellows, and pinks if they are in with other dark colors in a fun variegated yarn (I haven’t seen a manos del Uruguay colorway that I don’t like).
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have four cats and a husband – no kids anywhere in my family (including extended!)
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Hahahaha! It’s 80 degrees here already. I’ve already made myself two scarves, so I’m good there. Not sure what I’d do with a poncho. Hats are useful for a couple months a year, though, and my hands are always cold. Of course, full mittens would be difficult to work in.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
So far, tote bags are fun, scarves are fun...and small clutches and bags give instant gratification. But I haven’t yet tried socks. Or sweaters. Is there something that isn't fun to knit? (Besides miles of stockinette in one color)
13. What are you knitting right now?
A tote bag.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes! Um…unless they smell musty or moldy.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I’ve just started using circulars – knit picks options. Although I do like my bamboo straights. And I’d love some of those beautiful rosewood ones with carvings on the end, but they’re rather expensive!
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No – I haven’t been able to justify the expense yet. And I knit really slowly so it'll be a long time before I can even buy more yarn (and justify that to my husband..)
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Two months (I’ve only been knitting for six!)
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Any day off work. Um, probably Christmas despite all the expectations and expenses...Hmm. I might want to make up my own holiday tradition for some other holiday to make it more fun.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Fun little (wooden, tin, stone, antique…) boxes. And bags.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Fair-isle, intarsia…maybe lace, too.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I have yet to knit my first pair of socks…and I have five skeins of sock yarn.
23. When is your birthday?
November 21st.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Tyger the amazing burrowing cat!

Tyger decided he'd get under the couch cushion the other day. He loves to get underneath stuff - couch cushions, rugs, clothes... I love how the side angle shows off his amber eyes. See the black specks on his nose? He also has a few black whiskers (hard to see here, though).

As you can see, Anya wasn't quite sure what was going on! Yes, I realize the couch is covered in fur - we actually picked this couch up in the alley behind our house when someone moved. Pre-cat-scratched, too! Free crappy furniture! Don't have to take it with me when I move... just put it back where I found it. Sometimes it's convenient to live in a student ghetto.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Winnings and Such
And here's that lovely yarn up close. Not thrilled with the photo - diffuse light would be better than blazing sun!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Blue Skies...Dead Ficus
Thursday, February 22, 2007
A thursday in the life of thursday...
6:30 am - Chester wakes me up with an obnoxious meow (or four). Currently it's still an acceptable time, but when the sun starts coming up super-early, the Chester gets up earlier. *sigh*
6:45 am - have now fed and watered all four cats (I think I did it correctly, but who knows - I'm pre-coffee)
7:00 am - Chester wants more food. This is ok, because I should really be getting up anyhow. My routine is rather boring - I feed the cats (again), put away the dishes from dinner (from the drying rack, I don't have a dishwasher), set up the coffee maker, and put water in a pot for my oatmeal and set it on the stove. And yes, I do the same thing every morning. Makes it easier to get up - routine, you know?
7:15 am - shower, etc.
8:00 am - turn on the stove to make the oatmeal
8:30 am - what was I doing? No idea, but the water has been boiling for at least twenty minutes.
8:45 am - eat breakfast and drink coffee. Yum. My favorite part of the day - often marred by cats trying to get attention by scratching the books on the mantle, attacking one another, etc.
9:00 am - wash dishes and put some food out for black fuzzy and the long-haired calico.
9:45 am - Arrive at work. I am extremely inconsistent. Luckily, nobody at work seems to care much. Some days I don't arrive until 11 am. This is a good day!
10:00 am - actually start working. I usually stop and say hello to people before actually doing anything worthwhile. Haha. As if the stuff I do for work is always worthwhile.
So this is my desk area. Yup. I'm a bit messy. But, I know where everything is. ;) But, you can see I have some file folders up on the "wall." And this is how it looked all day - not much changed!
I work in a lab, so behind my desk is a gas line - we burn up samples and collect the carbon for radiocarbon dating. Essentially. And I know it isn't that interesting.
6 pm - Leave work. Well, this is what sometimes happens. Usually I am fooling around with non-work stuff before I leave. But, this was a good day. It was actually February 8th when I was documenting my day! And it's taken two whole weeks to upload the photos and type it up!
7 pm - 2 or 3 mile walk with my husband. We try to walk everyday. Sometimes the walk gets pushed to 10pm and we do the slightly shorter walk down to the university (well-lit and lots of people are around late).
8:15 pm - Dinner. My husband cooks and I "help." Some nights I have actually been cooking (!) lately - he bought me a cookbook for Christmas (a hint, perhaps?).
9:15 - coffee and a bit of knitting and chatting with my husband. Usually coffee this late is decaf. But, yes, I can drink coffee as late as 10pm and still go to sleep soon after. Crazy, huh?
11 pm - Hmm... Time for bed! Usually getting ready for the next morning and for bed takes the next half hour...and I get way-laid often. Bed time is often past midnight. Now you can see why Chester waking me up at 6 am is a bit of a problem. I think I need more sleep than 6 hours!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Musings on travel...
So, I'm off to nap and maybe do some knitting...it might help calm me down.
