Wednesday WIP July 8, 2009

I had Monday off from work so I took advantage of a day in the studio.  I cut book board (ouch) and trimmed down paper.  Throughout the week I’ve been gluing covers and folding text blocks.  Here’s just a small sampling of what I’ve been working on.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many books are in progress at the moment but I do believe it is somewhere near the fifty mark. I’m also still knitting along on the Siren Shawl which is almost done I’m on the last ball! I’m still working on the Buttony Sweater but it’s kind of been on stand-by because I’ve been working on books so much, it’s no longer portable, and I just can’t bring myself to start the sleeves.

I’m getting ready to cast on for the Ishbel shawl. I’m going to make it in Malabrigo lace. yum. I attempted to start Cookie A’s Marlene socks from Knit.1 winter 2008 but I wasn’t getting gauge with the needles I was using and now I can’t find my size 0 circs. Oh well, at least I’ll have Ishbel.

EDIT: I found my size 0 circs but of all the needles I own, I can’t find a single size 6. Not in straights, dpns, or circs. I have lots of 5’s & 7’s but no 6’s. Weird. I’ll have to buy a set tomorrow.

Come See Me, The Crafty Kitten July 7, 2009

If you’re in the Southwest Virginia area later this month, stop by my booth at the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon, VA. I’ll be under the big tent near Barter Stage II. I’m going to be stocked up with lots of books (if you’ve been following along with the blog you’ve gotten a sneak peek.) I’ll be there Thursday July 30-Monday August 3, which is during Celtic Weekend *squee* If you’re trying to find me on the festival map look for the Appalachian Arts Center booths 17 & 18. Get out your calendars, mark those dates & plan a road trip! Need directions? Email me I’ll be glad to help. Oh, and if your a knitter or crocheter, plan on stopping by A Likely Yarn.

Come on by and say Hi!

Monday How Does Your Garden Grow? July 6, 2009

The pumpkin plant has grown beyond the front door. I very curious to see just how far it plans to grow. There are so many blooms on it too.

The three tomatoes that were growing on the porch have been moved. They looked so sad and were not growing like the other two. I’ve moved them to the corner of the driveway so they can get much more sunlight.

The other two tomatoes are so loaded down that the plants have collapsed the tomato cages.

The way they both fell actually helped the oregano plant in the middle of them.

The other pumpkin and pepper plant seem to be getting along together very well. The pepper plant even has a bloom on it.

The Hosta has bloomed as well. I really love the color of it’s blooms.

Etsy Sunday – Math July 5, 2009

I’m an openly admitted Math Geek. I do equations for fun. Yes, you read correctly; FUN. I even have a vintage calculus book that I like to randomly pick problems from to solve when I’m bored.

Pi — Crochet Plush by EternalSunshine

Normal Distribution Coffee Cozy by NausicaaDistribution

Math Signs Coaster Set – Red/White by etceteramedia

I heart Prime Numbers by vozamer

Math Clock by eagleapex

Friday Fo’s July 3, 2009

Hurray! I actually have finished projects! I managed to finish seven books yesterday. I also had an extremely productive evening in the studio. Annnnd, I picked up some new cover papers that I’m so excited about! I’ll post about those next Wednesday because I already have some things in progress.

The Crafty Kitten studio has slowly become The Crafty Puppy studio. Raisin has begun taking up residence with her little bed during my studio time. She will pout at me until I bring her bed in for her to sleep on.

Snuggies disrupted her nap time.

Kitty feeding time and she didn’t get any noms!

BTW, Today is the three year anniversary of my Etsy shop. Sorry it’s really empty right now but soon enough it will be stocked full of goodies.

WIP Wednesday… on Thursday July 2, 2009

Life got in the way of my blog post yesterday so this week’s WIP Wednesday is happening on Thursday. Life has been getting in my way all week. Sunday I was so exhausted that I didn’t get out or my pajamas or my recliner all day. I guess the alpaca excitement was too much for me, hehe. Several evenings this week I’ve attempted to get some things done in the studio but either I’m just not feeling it or my leg/foot is giving me so much trouble that I have to quit. But, any progress is progress. I have gotten small things done this week and they are all things that would still be left to do if I hadn’t tried at all.

The buttony cardi is coming along nicely but I’m so afraid that I’m going to run out of yarn. I’m going to stop at the end of this ball, knit the sleeves and then continue with what is left and pray that I don’t end up with some awkward length. I suppose I could rip out to just below the bust line and have a cropped sweater, but I probably wouldn’t wear it that way.

Here’s the stack of books that have been haunting me all week. I did mark and score the spines & covers this week but that’s about it. I’m planning on tackling them today & who knows, a couple of them may end up on my Friday FO’s post. *fingers crossed*

This, is a skirt. It may not look like it but it is. I’m fighting with this project because I know that once I get several inches done it will go smooth and be an easy repeat pattern. It’s just that I’ve had to cast on twice… all 500 stitches… twice… gah. And I’ve knit the first two rows twice… it was horrible to rip out those 1500 stitches but it had a twist and stitches that looked weird. I kept throwing it in my bag because I was on the go while casting on and doing the first row. Not a good idea when there are that many stitches involved. Anyway, I’m now on row three and starting the set up row. I may end up putting this aside until after the festival so I can focus on getting books done.

Monday’s How Does Your Garden Grow June 29, 2009

Etsy Sunday – Scooters June 28, 2009

Peanut Butter Girl And Jelly Bean Go Zoomin’ (Print) by thedreamygiraffe

MADE- Brit Blue Vespa by LeahSutton

vespa scooter wall art on reclaimed wood by beepart

Urbanna Shoulder Bag – Scooter – Pink by nicoleleedesigns

I LOVE Vespa Necklace by Piggy

Oh My God, Alpacas… June 27, 2009

… Are freaking adorable!!!

Today was the grand re-opening at A Likely Yarn. We had a bunch of wonderful customers, two classes, door prizes, a giant sock monkey, and ALPACAS!

Dreamland Alpacas came to show two of their beautiful baby girls, Jasmine (brown) and Arcadia (cream). Jasmine was a bit nervous all day but Arcadia was so sweet! I love alpaca kisses!! Arcadia gave me bunches of kisses I’m planning on visiting the farm soon.

When I showed my hubby the photos, he said that I looked completely happy with them, and well, I was.

If you’re in the Abindon, VA area tomorrow, Dreamland Alpacas will be back with two of their little boys and there will be more Grand Re-opening celebrations.

Friday FO’s June 26, 2009

Hurray! I have some books done! There’s only four books to show for all the work I’ve been doing but I like them.

Two have covers from a vintage science book about The Cell. It has some great full page photos and drawings.

One looks like a plain jane craft paper cover but the inside has coffee stained end papers that I made.

The last is a little book with surveyors on the cover.

I also finished my Trekking XXL knee high socks.

This is a little crochet purse that is a shop sample for a class I’ll be teaching next month. It’s made with Classic Elite’s Soft Linen which is such a wonderful yarn.

Finally is the Net of Justice bag from Handknit Heroes Issue #2. I love this little bag. I made it with just a bit over half of a ball of Hempathy.

I love the detail in the bottom of the bag.