New Silly Slippers

These are the Cozy-toe Slippers from Funky Knits.

I made them before with Rowan Big Wool.

They are terrifically comfortable, but I am afraid that the fabric is soft enough that I am wearing through the soles.

My new slippers are made from Lamb's Pride Bulky in the new multi-color held double.

I just got them out of the washer, and they are really, really fuzzy.

I think they might need a haircut.

These worked up in about 2 hours for the pair, including felting.

Now I get to pick out the buttons!

Buttons will have to wait, as everything from my crafting space is still packed away in the basement waiting for the make-over to be completed.

The goal for today is to pick out a paint color and maybe get some on the walls.

Have a sunny Sunday, I think we're gonna get one!

Jess

Saturday

Another busy yarn-filled day today.


It started with the MN Knitters Guild's yearly event Yarnover.


I always make it a point to work at Yarnover.


There are stores from all over the state that come to sell their wares along with smaller farm-based spinners, basket makers, potters and other artisans.


It is a great opportunity to see what is out there that we don't sell at Yarnery and also to, dare I say it, enhance the stash.


I will say that I held firm to a point.


I bought neither basket nor yarn, though I did bring money for those things.

I did, however, buy this darling tiny bowl by Jennie the Potter.

I also got to see a lot of customers that I hadn't seen in a while.

I used to work 3-5 days a week at the Yarnery before I had the Hug-a-Bugs and now I work 1-3 days depending on the number of exciting yarn events going on.

As a result, I have missed seeing people and what they are knitting.

It is fun to check in once a year at least with the most prolific knitters.

And then, as if that wasn't enough, I sat for Franklin of The Panopticon for his 1,000 Knitters Project.

Franklin is a sweet sweet man.

I sat and knitted on the scarf of many knitters for about 3 minutes and then I went back to work.

Only after I left did I realize that my hair was a total disaster.

I hope he was taking pics of the knitting and not my head.

He said that today he got up to about 600 knitters in the project.

After I was done with my shift at Yarnover, I came home and the sun came out, I know, hard to believe, but it actually came out and the sky was bluish if not blue.

The Hug-a-Bugs and I went outside for a little frolic and the Elder Hug-a-Bug drew a hopscotch board while I took pictures of the budded out silver maple.

For those who are waiting for a Fifth Lamp Photo for April, I will have time tomorrow.

Now I've said that, I guess that I better take one...

Have a happy Saturday,

Jess

Harlot Night

Well, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee came to Saint Paul last night.
What a wit!
She was so funny!
Also very informative.
We learned all about the four states of brain activity and what to say to rude people who discount knitting as a quaint activity.
She also does a spot-on impression of an attacking deer.
What a night to leave the camera at home. grr.
The weather was horrid.
Rain, WIND, sleet, snow.
'Round here we call that "winter mix" not that the result is anywhere as cute as the name.
We were expecting about 600 people and about 470 came.
A Wonderful crowd.
I will now demand that you all go to Ms. P's and Shelly's to see what there was to see.
The knitted goods were dazzling.
There were at least two Tangled Yoke Cardigans, one in red, a fine choice.
(Someday I will share my Tangled Yoke story)
Really the list of knitting present last night is too broad and deep to mention all of it.
Just follow the links above, you'll be blown away.

The last thing here is really the first thing on the program last night.
We totally lucked out at the Yarnery in that we have some really fine musicians working there.
The aforementioned Ms. P is an hilarious lyricist.
She rewrote the lyrics to How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, My Favorite Things, and Edelweiss and we did a little tribute to The Harlot before the show.

We also had our terrific Mens Knit-Night leaders Scott and Eric on piano and singing bass respectively.

It was a TON of fun!
I even got to pull out the guitar (after an 11 year hiatus since open mic night in junior year of college) on Stephanie (Edelweiss) and then the crowd joined in and it was an event unto itself.

Thanks to the Yarn Harlot for coming and making such a fun night for us all!
And special super duper thanks to Maura!!! and Shelly!!!! for their tireless work as the amazing planners of the event.

Have a relaxing Friday
Jess

tuesday

Just a taste of spring at our house.
I love how the tulips catch the light like little bowls of sunshine.

I have made some progress on the stockings.

They are done but for the blocking and reindeers' noses.

The funnest thing going on right now in my life, as many of you know, is this:
The Yarn Harlot is coming to Saint Paul on Thursday, courtesy of the Yarnery.
Stephanie is such a joy to see live. She is smart, witty and can that woman knit!!
We are planning some fun surprises for the show, and next week there might be more information about that (tee hee).

Have a lovely day,
Jess

How long does it take to make a Christmas Stocking?

People will often ask me that question.

I always answer, 'Gee, I don't know, I've never timed it'

Well, last week Amazon sent me the holy grail of girl porn, that's right, Colin Firth in Pride and Predjudice.

I just can't resist his curly locks and smouldering looks.

I sat down last night and watched the entire 2-disc mini-series.
As I just can't have my hands idle at any point, I was knitting the entire time.
I started this stocking last Saturday, so when I picked it up last night I was in the middle of Santa's hats.

I guess the answer to 'How long does it take to knit a Christmas Stocking?' is about 2 viewings of Pride and Prejudice.

Have a Warm and Springy Friday!

Battlestar Galactica starts today!!!!

Jess

new project

My latest project is rehabilitating my crafty space.

This house is our first house.

We bought it in kind of a hurry.

I was 8 30/31 months pregnant and a friend called and told us about an inexpensive house in her neighborhood.

We looked at it, decided to buy it, next morning my water broke, no labor, my friend brought over the papers, we signed and went to the hospital to greet the Elder Hug-a-Bug.

Since we have never been in this house without tiny and small children, we have been either too tired, or didn't want the mess of fixing the many things that made this house so inexpensive.

I did try to give the sewing room an overhaul last fall.
I bought a new storage buffet and cleaned up, swept under the radiator and everything.

However the gaping holes in the ceiling, and the plaster patches all over the wall detracted from the overall effect.


While I was moving everything out of the crafty area and the upstairs "attic" ie closet off my bedroom, I found a disturbing number of projects that have been in storage for 1-5 years.

I was able to gather up 5 tall garbage bags of unfinished projects, never begun projects and fabric that had come from other people decreasing their stashes, along with buttons and knitting books for baby projects that the kids are too big for now.
I donated all of that to the mission sewing/knitting group at the church where I grew up and work. I hope there is something that they can use.

This project has consumed my waking thoughts.
I have to fix the holes, pick a new color for the walls, re-organize my space.
I am thinking about splitting the space in two and having a crafty area for the kids in here too.
We shall see what happens with that...

Have a great Wednesday!
Jess

Spring!

Buds a-poppin'!

The Culprit

The Terrible Aftermath

for Krista,

I here embark upon the afghan project.

The center square is new.

As you can see, the color isn't perfect, but it is as close as I could come.

I had Brian look at it and he couldn't see the join.

Have fun in the mud, (not, of course, with Grandma's afghan)

Jess