Friday, December 21, 2007

How am I doing?

Stuff I need for tomorrow:

Felted clogs: done
Knitted dishcloths: 9 1/2 complete
Knitted cloth bags: 0 (I should get 2 done tonight)
Something to bring to share for the party: no idea what to bring
Wrap presents: started (I'm using gift bags so it goes pretty quick)

Purchasing the rest of the gifts: Sunday.

Monday work has been cancelled so I'll be heading to WI early.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

felted clogs


felted clogs
Originally uploaded by Valkyr8
I realized I forgot to upload a photo of the clogs I already fulled. I think they turned out nice, even though the pattern is a bit tedious.

I soldier on...

I knit 3 more wash/dish cloths last night which brings the total up to 6. I have 3 more skeins of cotton which should yield 6 more cloths.

I felted the clogs for mom and they turned out great.

Tonight I am stopping at the book store for presents. Friday I will be making carmels for the family gathering on Saturday.

My mom's cousin called and gave me the recipe for her family's flat brod. I'm going to try it out and add it to the class repertoire in February.

I have a desire to purchase a grey wool skirt to wear with my new red knee highs.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

A day of pampering

I think people underestimate how nice it is to spend a day fully relaxed, and mostly asleep, while people slather different creams, lotions, and balms on your body. It really is worth every penny.

If you have an AVEDA institute near you, go and take advantage of it. The prices are 60% what you are going to pay at a professional salon and I was treated like a queen all day. The only thing that was missing was a locker for my stuff and wandering around in a fluffy robe and slippers.

I started the day with Elemental Nature Facial with a revitalizing eye treatment. I rounded out the day with the Carribean Therapy Body Treatment (dry room version). I fell asleep during both proceedures and I felt amazing afterwards.

Currently the Aveda in Minneapolis has a special for $99 for a facial, massage, manicure and pedicure. Very reasonable.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Day of gifts

Ok you knitters who did not make it to fiber night on Monday, here is what you missed.


It was delicious.

I slept in this morning and when I went downstairs for coffee my gift from P was sitting there for me. There was much squeeing!


Today I have an appointment for a facial at 1 and a massage at 3 at the Aveda institute and then pints after fighter's practice. It's going to be a wonderful day!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Weekend knitting goodness


Subway Mittens: Done!
Matching hat for mittens: Done!
1 clog: Done!

Tonight I will finish the second clog and pop the pair in the washer to felt.

I got an early birthday present on Saturday. A set of Ebony Lantern Moon DPN's in size 2. They are awesome!!! Now I want to cast on a sock.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

To Do List by December 22

Felted clogs
Subway mittens (started 12-12)
6 Market bags
6 Dish cloths

This weekend I am attending a baby shower and would like to make a stuffed rabbit as part of the gift. I have one mitten done and will be starting the second tonight so that will be one gift down. I think I will have enough yarn to knit up a G cap to go with it. Saturday G2 is coming over to work on her tent so I will spend the time knitting market bags or cuddly bunnies.

Saturday night is dinner. Sunday is the baby shower. I'm thinking we should go to the Pompeii exhibit this weekend.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Clessidra stockings are done


I finished the toe decreases and kitchnered the second stocking this morning. They look and fit great! I need to finish weaving in the ends on the second and then wash and block both of them. Maybe I can finally rid my hands of the red dye.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Steve's Liquor

We stayed in Madison over the weekend for the event and went to Mill Street Inn and Pub for brunch on Sunday before heading home. After brunch we stopped at Steve's Liquor.

I know that MN has Surdyks and The Cellars but they do not compare to Steve's. They were out of Spurgeon Mead, which is our stand-by drink du jour at Lilies. We did cheer ourselves up by purchasing some new beers:

A single of Delirium Noel, Belgian Ale
A single of Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Red Ale
A single of Kill Ugly Radio
A case of Grays Honey Ale
A 4 pack of Dogfish Head Festina Peche
A 6 pack of Fallen Apple from Furthermore Beer
A 6 pack of Pranqster, a Belgian style Golden Ale

Our travel companion picked up a couple singles of Santa's Butt.

So far we have tried the Pranqster and the Fallen Apple and both have been delicious.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Toe still hurts

A rather stout piece of wood landed squarely on my big toe on my right foot Wednesday night. Of course I was in the middle of moving something important so I really could not take the time to do the "boo boo ouchy dance" and sucked it up.

Once the pain kicked in I actually felt faint. The color rushed from my face, I broke into a cold sweat and my vision started to go tunnel like. That was fascinating. It hurt like a mother Wednesday night and most of Thursday and today it has the ocassional dull ache, but it's not that bad. I'm pretty sure I'm going to loose the nail.

New gadget

I stopped at Barnes and Noble last night to look for book lights. I've been wanting to pick up a book light that I could use to knit or do hand crafts by during car rides.

I ended up buying this item.

I'm thinking I can clip it onto my waistband or on the back of the seat in front of me and it should work. We will see.

I also picked up the holiday edition of Interweave Knits. weeeeeeee Tonight is a long drive to Madison for Boar's Head on Saturday. My new gown is done, except the hem.

I'm hoping to color my hair before we leave cause my roots are a fright.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Clessidra heel


100_1192
Originally uploaded by Valkyr8
I've reached the heel flap on both stockings. I've added a reinforcing thread to each heel flap and will use it through the short row shaping for the heel cup and the toe.

I'm liking how the stockings look, but dang they are taking a while to complete. Please keep in mind that more than 2 weeks is a long time for me to complete stockings. Now that the cabeling is done in the back most of the knitting will be seed stitch so that should speed up the foot.

Silk!


100_1191
Originally uploaded by Valkyr8
The silk was delivered this morning. WOW! The color is wonderful and it is so even. I can hardly wait to begin!

Garb progress

My wool gown was sewn together last night and I tried it on with one of my fitted gowns to check how it looked. I must say I'm loving it. I started adding the fur and I sewed the center seam. I still need to hem it and tack down the fur trim, which I will start tonight at the Baronial meeting.

Tonight we are collecting Toys for Tots and we are expecting memebers of the Marines to join us. Last year we had a lot of fun and I expect this year to go well too.

It will be funny if TRM's call with their decision tonight since all 3 tickets will be at the Baronial meeting.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Garb for Boar's Head

The theme for Boar's Head is Agincourt so I am sewing a Burgundian gown to wear over one of my fitted gowns. It's a deep burgundy almost brown color. I pre-washed the wool and hung it to dry. It fulled a little in the wash, but not bad. I cut everything out on Sunday and last night I attached the lining to the front and back and tacked it down. I reinforced the V neckline with a strip of silk so that it doesn't stretch on the bias. I sewed the sleeves, lined them and attached a strip of fake fur. The fake fur is grey and almost looks like squirrel. I still need to hand tack the fur down, and do a bunch of other hand sewing.

Tonight I am pinning and sewing the gown together. The construction is fairly simple: 2 sides, 2 back pieces, 2 gores, and 2 sleeves. The front will be sewn together and then close with a hook and eye. The closure will be hidden under a belt. Most of the construction will be done by machine with hand finishing to secure the fur to the gown and finish the hem. I'll need to finish the interior seams eventually, but I may not have time to do this prior to the event.

I have not made this type of gown before, but I understand the theory behind it. Either it will look fabulous or it will be a hot mess. I really wish I had a decent hat to wear with it. I should have something tall, but I can't imagine that I will have time to whip something together before this weekend, which is when I plan to wear it.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Onto December

Ok now that November is over I can return to my more sporatic blogging nature.

P was giving me crap on Friday that I was just shy of having a post for every day in November hense the reason for the 2 silly posts in one day.

On Saturday P and I braved the roads, wind, sleet and snow to travel to KWAR in Minneapolis. We went primarily to meet with TRM's so they could speak to us about the Baronial selection for Nordskogen. I thought the meeting went well. They just received the polls that day so I'm not sure if they had time to look at any of them before they spoke to us, which is too bad but what are you going to do? They did speak to the former Barons and Baronesses, which I was glad to hear, I think that makes a lot of sense.

At this point I really have no idea how this is going to go. All of us will find out sometime this week and the rest of y'all will find out at Boar's Head. However it goes I'm going to be happy with the decision and it just means that I will know if I'm in the kitchen or not at 12th Night.