RAOK and Discontinuations

Yesterday I received not one but TWO very sweet ecards from the Fairy Godmothers at Crochetville. Thank you sooooo much, they really made my day!! =D

I've been working on a sleeveless turtleneck for myself this weekend. Yes, I change around projects a lot. It generally starts with me buying yarn for one thing and then deciding to use it for something else, then I change it again (and again sometimes, heh). Well this time I'm using Lion Brand's Chunky USA in Demin... and I'm running out!! =(

I only need one more skien to finish this project and it's looking like Lion Brand has discontinued this yarn. Dammit. Just my luck.

I swear when you buy something on sale they need to tell you that it's that damn cheap because they want to get the last of it off their shelves!! I certainly would have picked up more if I had known that in a month no one in town would carry it any more.

If you're reading this and you have a orphan skien of Chunky USA in Demin lying around... I would love you forever if we could work out a sale/trade/etc. so I could get enough to finish this up. I'm reallllllly loving how this shirt looks so far and I'm going to cry if I had to tear it apart, lol.

Alright I'm off to start scanning all that stuff I've been promising this past week, heh.

I hope everyone's having an awesome weekend! I know mine's going much better then the rest of my week did. Many thanks to all the sweet people that stopped by and gave encouraging words during my cranky rants, heh. You guys rock!

Needs sleep badly

A severe lack of sleep the past 2 months has made me a severe bitch. I can fully admit to that now.

Yesterday was one big pin prick after another and with each one I felt hotter and testier.

In a meeting with some important people at work I had to literally bite my tongue because someone snidely and IMO inappropriately said "Well I assumed...blahblahblah".

Guess what I had to chew back? That's right boys and girls... something to the effect of assumptions making you look like an ass.

Not good, especially not good when it's the "big boss" you wanna get snarky with. Thankfully sanity kicked in at the last second and I said nothing, merely stared straight ahead.

Next came a trip for coffee trapped in an elevator with half a dozen lawyers. One of which was whining that he was late to work because a section of the highway was shutdown for a crime scene investigation. I guess they found 2-3 homeless people with gunshots to the head. His response: "They're homeless, leave them where they are and stop inconveniencing my commute".

My response: "Excuse me?!? Wow. What a wonderful way of trivializing someone's life and death. If it had been a business man, say another laywer, someone worthwhile in YOUR eyes, I'm sure you wouldn't have said something so shitty."

Their shocked expressions were almost worth the shrinking world feeling I got when I realized what I had just blurted out. =/

To finish off the night there was an ignorant, time wasting fight with Hash that was entirely my fault. It's becoming all too clear. I'm turning into an evil bitch.

I need more sleep. Now. I would dearly love to crawl under my desk and snag an extra hour before I go all homicidal. Maybe if I explain it to my boss that like she'll let me... I mean it's for the good of the office right? LOL

The SC Swatches: I had the instructions for 3 stitches drafted but Blogger ate them sometime between Monday and today. *shakes fist* Argh, I'll be rewriting them during lunch and then I'll upload the swatch scans when I get home tonight. Woot!

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Shetland Wool.
You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a little on the harsh side. Though you look delicate you are tough as nails and prone to intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are widely respected and even revered.

What kind of yarn are you? brought to you by Quizilla

Hmmm at first this didn't sound terribly flattering, but then the truth rarely is. While not exactly on spot I'd agree with most of this lil' quizzes results. Minus the 'revered' part, LOL.

Never a dull day

Is it really Tuesday already?! I guess that's a good thing, just 3 more days until the weekend is here again. I say 3 because I'm stubborn and I won't count the active day... that's just another day to add to the count and that bums me out.

I spent a good deal of the time in front of my computer this past weekend. But could never seem to get around to making a post here...

I blame it on Crochetville and Neverwinter Nights! An awesome site and an entralling video game.

I love and dread being new to a community message board...

Why I love it: There are soooo many tips and project ideas hiding in the forums, all of them wonderful secrets I can't wait to devel into.

Why I dread it: I tend to lose track of time digging for my treasures and next thing I know the entire weekend is gone and though I've gathered a sweet To-try-next list... I no longer have time that weekend to actually TRY any of them, heh.

We're doing some furniture arranging in our computer room (aka the dining room we never used as a dining room) so my computer is in the living room for the next day or two. When the dust settles and I get things reconnected I have a half a dozen things I want to scan and share.

I've been altering several 12" squares to use in Crochetville's 6" Blue Squares Too swap. This past weekend I contacted the designers and have been given permission to post the altered patterns, woot! I'll post the instructions and previews of the sqaures as soon as my system is hooked up to the scanner again.

Boucle is my bane

It was suppose to be a simple shrug to match a sleeveless dress. Its this damn boucle yarn! *shakes fist*

Boucle and I have a love/hate relationship. I love how she feels and looks. Frogging more then a stitch or two is a hassle. And she mocks me the whole time.

I think it will be worth it in the end. =D Now I just need to find someone with a decent digital camera to take a pic of it when it's done.

A maybe not so lil' peek at me

I'm a self proclaimed hippie. An unconventional hippie. A digital hippie. Don't try to gank the URL 'cuz we've already got it. *neener, neener* LOL

What does this mean? I'm my own liberal fool. I believe in freedom, the right to your own thoughts, beliefs and loves. I believe in being kind to each other. Even though I have a 5-mile wide ornery streak it's all in fun, because laughter lets you live longer and enjoy life more. I love technology and with the exception of my husband, all of my closet friends are online buds I also have the random phone conversations with. I love Mother Nature and I spend 85% of my time enclosed in 4 walls and 55% of that time in front of a computer be it at work or in our apartment. I say 'Please' and 'Thank you'. I curse like the devil.

And the rest is with all seriousness... I ran across this site last week: http://www.savethesheep.com/. And I ended up going back to it tonight and reading more.

At first I was torn. Now before the 'true' hippies and the vegans skin ME alive let me explain...I find myself in a tough position. I'm not vegetarian, nor vegan. So where does that leave me when I'm so sickened and brought to tears by the images on the this site? I couldn't even bring myself to watch the video on the front page. I felt nauseous just thinking about what I'd see after reading that "mulesing" is the term for the live flaying of the sheep. You read that right...

Then I started thinking. Does this happen with other breeds of sheep? How many? What of the other fibers fetishists like so much? Angora, cashmere, alpaca, camel? Maybe? Probably? I'm afraid to know what is probably a sick truth, but I'm compelled to find out.

The rational so far? The consumption of meat and the death of animals that it comes from makes more sense to me then the torture and death of an animal to dress us 'nicely' and so fiber addicts can get their fix.

I came across a link giving alternatives to different wool fibers, it even listed specific brands. I can't seem to find that link in my favorites tho I was sure I had saved it. I believe that's where I found the Save the Sheep link.

Now the uber yarn snobs make even less sense to me. In an age when we can duplicate these fibers and it can stop cruelty like this (and spend less) why not use them? Is it the price factor?

Now more then ever we're in a time where money is 'power' and it can make you 'popular', new trends start everyday and they're 'out' 5 minutes later. People pay $70 for jeans that look like $20 jeans that've been abused for 7 years. People pay $1000 for crocheted Chanel handbags that relatively experienced crocheter could make in a night or two and yet sell on eBay for $15-25.

Does that make it better? Of course not.

But I believe some people need status symbols. What we wear or accessorize ourselves with can say a good bit about us to people without saying a word.

My clothes have never said 'I have something to prove'. Could you tell how much I make by my wardrobe? I've never thought about it. I couldn't possibly care if someone else likes what I like or wear (with the exception of appropriateness).

At this point I have no idea where I was going to end with this. This past week has been draining but I feel like I'm on the mend. *sigh* I need to go to bed now and 'catch up' on some sleep.

Peace and love,
PBnJ the Digital Hippie

To frog or not to frog...

This is indeed the question. I made this sweet lil' baby dress for a co-workers new baby girl and when I asked someone that had seen the baby recently (in real life not just pics) they said it was too small for her already. =( I guess she's big for her age and she's got her daddy's mile long legs, heh.

Here it is:


*Click to see the full version*

I used Caron Simple Soft in Soft Pink and Jamie Pompadour in Candy Print, my sweetie, Hash, actually helped me pick out the colors and textures! Awwwwwww =P

It's not completely "finished" it was suppose to have a lil' flower in the center of the yolk but now that I'm finding out she won't be able to wear it I find myself caught between frogging it or finishing it and saving it for 3-5 years when Hash and I decided to start with the making of the babies, heh. It just looks too cute to tear apart!!

I've got more then enough yarn left over so I'm thinking to make my friend's baby a blanket instead since those are basicially one size fits most, LOL.

Catana made a post about people hating the Single Crochet stitch and how there's so little you can do with it. I was quick to let her know this is one of my favorite stitches and you can in fact do it in a dozen variations! (ME opinionated?!? Never! hahah)

So to help others learn about these cool and simple tweaks to a common stitch I've started working up swatches and instructions. I'll be posting them here as they are completed. =) I hope they're helpful and that you enjoy them so stay tuned!

It's been a busy week

OMG am I glad it's Friday! This week has been hellish. Work recap for this week: shitty meeting after shitty meeting, screaming co-workers that should be hospitalized (when we people grow up?!), and an project that needs at least 3 days... and they give me 1 and a half.

My father-in-law is having a valve replacement and bypass surgery this morning, right now actually. I know it's not an unusual procedure any more... but I can't help but be concerned. And it brings up memories of my dad's death.

It's all just piling up on me. ARGH!

You ever get that detatched feeling? Like all these shitty things are happening to someone else and you're just watching? After being stressed for so long it's just like a switch clicks. And then nothing. You just feel empty. And you can't even care.

/end Pity Party

I've signed up for the Blue Squares Too Exchange and the Autumn Secret Pal over at Crochetville, woot! This is my first time participating in something like this, it's sure to be a blast! I've got one square almost finished, I'm hoping to work on it during lunch (if I get one today). I'll scan it later tonight when I get it done.

Lookin' Good

I said to hell with the knitting for a bit and started on a crochet tanktop for myself. I'm working loosely from a Crystal Palace pattern. I started it Sunday evening and between spending most of the evening on it, working on it during the bus ride to and from work, as well as during lunch it's already half done, woot!! I'm using different stitches, throwing in a lil' filet around the tummy, and making it much longer. I want to actually be able to wear this to work and offices generally don't dig tummy tops, heh. Though I've seen a several women at work doing it, and breaking a dozen of the other dress code rules as well. =/

I'm generally not one to bitch and moan about such a silly topic but they've change the dress code before because of people abusing it. I don't even like business casual... but I don't want them to go back to full business dress either. I don't like suits nor can I afford them.

So Ladies of Nationwide... please do us all a favor before you get the business casual dress privilage revoked... tuck your boobs in, make sure your undies aren't visable out the top of your pants, and NEVER wear flip-flops. This might've been ok when you were in college but you're in a professional work environment now. Please look and act like it. *nods firmly*

Wear whatever the hell you want out in public. I could care less. Really. As a matter of fact none of the clothes that I wear outside of work could ever be worn to work. But again I understand what's appropriate for work... and what's not. Mini-skirts and hooker pumps fall into this category.

/end rant

A Bumpy Road

I don't normally do the blog quizzes but this one intriqued me and I found the answers to be very truthful even though the questions were a lil' weird. So here it is, don't expect to see many of these here.

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to obedience and warmth.

In love, you feel the most alive when your partner is patient and never willing to give up on you.

You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic.

Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

On to other things...

I'm still struggling with my knitting. I've been reading up on the Contenital method and though it definately seems like it would be quicker once I get used to it... my stitches end up even sloppier then when using the English method. =/ Suckage!

On the off chance that it helped at all I changed the yarn I was making my pratice swatch with. It's now I lovely emerald green instead of a plain ecru. I love green to death but it hasn't done a damn thing for making me enjoy this any more, lol.

*sigh* Off to pratice some more.

Please sir, can I have some more?

After a hair pulling morning, an important doctors appointment and a paniced trip to the bank... I decide I hadn't had enough stress intake for the day.

Then I come home and picked up my knitting swatch.

I'm a newb knitter and this has been such a change from crochet. I've tried to learn how to knit dozens of time, but I've always made a mess of it and said nevermind. =/ This time I'm doing my best to stick with it. It helps that I've found several dreamy patterns and I'd love to make once I figure these damn sticks out. XD

I feel soooo clusmy and slow. I'm sure it was much the same when I was learning to crochet (forgive a girl's bad memory I learned to crochet about the same time I learned to hold a pencil).

So now I'm home and have been working on a basic knit swatch for about a hour, repeating the same stitch over and over and over... I fought bravely, ignoring the split stitches and the alternating tension and just kept going (I had already frogged this yarn to death on this pratice project). Next thing I know I have 40 rows done and could see a gradual improvement as the rows went on.

Woot for me! Hey at least at this point I could make a very simple scarf, hehe.

Onward and upward... to the purl stitch!

A Long Weekend

I had a nice long 3 day weekend thanks to the July 4th Holiday. It could almost be considered a 4 day weekend since they let us go home very early on Friday. It was crazy, we had a meeting at 10am, it only took 30 minutes and then my manager closed the meeting by saying... "Now go home." I couldn't believe it! I actually went up to him and asked, "For real?" LOL

For having a nice long weekend I didn't get much accomplished. =/ I frogged a few UFOs. Sorted through a bag of old yarn my mother-in-law sent through the mail. Some of this yarn is older then I am, hahah. The labels were all hard yellowed crumbly paper so I figured I should ball them up while I was digging through them. I really would love a winder....

I heard another crocheter mention that she uses big ol' flip-lid Rubbermaid containers for her yarn... I'm thinking I'm going to check out Wal-Mart this weekend and see what they have. My stash isn't as big as it was before I moved. But I'd also like to keep it in better shape then some of my old stuff, heh.

I have a new favorite yarn, Caron's Simply Soft! I wish there were a few more varigated colors but I love the soft silky feel of this yarn and the slight sheen it has is so pretty. It works up so smooth and quickly, it's like buhtar, dahling. I can't wait for fall to get here so I can make a sweater for myself, hehe. Hmmm I might have to get an early start on it I could always use a cardigan for when the office gets chilly.

Yes. I use the 'evil' acrylic yarns... I firmly believe there's a purpose for every type of yarn, be it artificial or natual fibers.