KnitPurlGirl

Happy 2 double 07

2007-01-03T16:35:00.001-08:00

Feeling down now that Christmas is over. Still finishing my sister's scarf, calorimetry for A's therapist and finishing up a snappy scarf for T.
I hope we sell this house soon as I'm getting fidgety and just want to get the hell out of here.
Saw the movie "Blood Diamonds" last night. I was crying during and at the end of the movie. Excellent acting by Leonardo DiCaprio..think he'll get an Academy Award for it. It's based on the horrific things that go on in the diamond trade in Africa.
I love diamonds, but I actually felt guilty wearing my diamond ring. I was more in the mood for a mindlesses movie like Borat, but it isn't playing anymore.
Have to make a peanut butter sandwich for M and the try to squeeze in some knitting.

Happy 2 double 07

2007-01-03T16:35:00.000-08:00

Test post

2006-07-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Just testing to see if this post shows up..because nothing else shows up on my blog right now :(!!!!

Back To Knitting!

2006-06-17T04:42:00.000-07:00

I've taken a break from knitting for a few months...I've been so exhausted from work, that I just didn't have the time to knit. Well, now that i resigned from my job, I'll have some extra nitting time wheeee! I'm going through all of my fave knitting books and vintage knit books. I'm looking for a pattern for a cotton cap sleep top, v-neck, narrow around the waist.

Link to historical hats, caps, socks etc..

2006-02-12T04:11:00.000-08:00

I love this site - so many interesting historical knitting patterns.
http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=266

Taking a break from knitting, since I overdid it at Christmas time and my right hand/fingers were getting numb. I *miss* it, it's been a litlle over 1 month since I've knit. We're having a snowstorm here..think it's time to get out the needles and start up another project in front of the fireplace. Thankfully the numbness has gone away. I have a few projects in mind...saw a nice pattern for cabled fingerless gloves:
http://www.thegivingflower.de

Just had some Absinthe and I found this

2005-12-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

How To Be More Creative from www.kerismith.com's blog:

1. Document what you are responding to regularly. *journal/sketchbook, blog, listmaking, photo journal, bulletin board collage, internet bookmarks, Allow yourself to go deeper into an idea. Find influence outside of your field. Consider that you are ALWAYS working for yourself.

2. Start to challenge yourself on a regular basis to try new things, (not just for work. *i.e. new foods, colors, processes, classes, travel, become a guerilla artist, etc. Your hobbies are your greatest source of play.)

3. Go back to your childhood, (the formative years). What were your favourite things to do? In this lies some clues as to where you want to focus your energy as an adult. What makes you burst with energy?

4. Do something that is not for money. For your own enjoyment. (Your greatest work will come from here!)
*examples…
-newsletter
-zine
-website
-x-mas card
-product concept
-toys
-gifts for friends.
Design for yourself. *See handout on guerilla art.

5. Use sources that are based on your daily life. Your life IS your art. What are the things that are most important in your current life?

6. Become a collector. Collecting allows us to look at one thing in a contemplative & mindful way. Giving you new insights and perceptions. Examples: Maria Kalman -purse contents, Steven Guarnaccia -shoe sole
rubbings, Ian Phillips & Grant Heaps -Lost & Found pet posters, Mark Ulriksen (former art director) -misspellings of his name, Charles & Rae Eames -toys from other countries

7. "Pay no attention to the man behind that curtain." Ignore what other people are doing. It has no bearing on your existence or vision of the world. The times we feel the most discouraged are usually due to the fact we are comparing ourselves to others. Most times reading awards annuals, and industry mags only serves to make us feel inadequate. Try cutting it out entirely. Designer Bruce Mau recommends not entering awards competitions. His reasoning, “Just don’t do it, it’s not good for you.”

8. Don't promote to target your audience. By all means send things out into the world, but don't think in terms of "promoting to get work". Send stuff out because -you're proud of it, -you want to share something with the world, -it's fun to get mail, -to have good karma, -you want to spread your germs, -you like licking stamps. Try sending a postcard of something you made for fun, (i.e. directions on how to make a finger puppet). When thinking of subject matter for promotions look to your current life. If you deal with topics that are important to you a piece will have much more life to it.

9. Take a lighthearted approach (Don't take yourself too seriously). If you feel stuck, you can always reinvent yourself, (re: try something else).

10. Study other artists or creators who followed their own vision. Research.

21 days until Christmas

2005-12-03T16:32:00.000-08:00

I am freaking out because I'm behind in my WIP for Christmas presents. One hat I made too big and I ran out of yarn for a Booga bag. I could always use another type of colorway of Noro, but it might look a bit off if I combine different colors. I'd *really* like to start knitting China Cloud (pictured), but it's going to have to wait until after the holidays. Kids are asleep, (yay!) off to start knitting again.

A silver lining in every cloud -oops, I mean- Free fun fur

2005-11-29T13:09:00.000-08:00

There is a silver lining in every cloud..or in this case, free fun fur. After getting over the shock of the awful color (Accck!!) I found a "Sweater Dryer" in the accompanying catalog www.marymaxim.com. I've been looking for one of these *forever*. The last time I saw one was in France, in the early 80's. So, I now know where to get one of these contraptions. I don't know what to do with this yarn. I think I'll donate it ...to whoever will take it.

If I only knew I didn't have to be at work 'til tomorrow...

2005-11-21T21:22:00.000-08:00

I woke up bright and early, ready to go back to work after hurting my back, Strolled right in aroun 6:30 AM, and my boss looks at me strangely. Happy, but puzzled. Boss: "Hi, umm..are you supposed to be working today?" Me: "Yes, that's what occupational health told me." Boss: "I think you're scheduled to work tomorrow, just double check the schedule" Me: "Ok, (looking at schedule)..yes, not here until tomorrow. Ok, everybody. Bye, going back to sleep! See you tomorrow." And I drove home. Scrubs off, loungewear on, and snuggled under the covers, watched and knitted. On a rainy, dreary day, it was a treat to stay home. I love listening to the rain drizzle on the windows at night.

My Pupppies!

2005-11-21T18:21:00.000-08:00

36 Knitting Days Until Christmas!

2005-11-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

I have 6 more scarves/hats to make within 36 days. Well, I could stetch it out to around 40 days, because I won't see everyone on Christmas Day...but who needs the extra stress around the holidays? Finally broke down and bought the Rogue pattern -
http://http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/rogue/detail.php
It's absolutely gorgeous and the details of her knitting design are fabulous! I mean, she *really* writes detailed knitting patterns. I give her a lot of credit, I don't know how she does it. Anyway, I'm dying to start knitting it, but I can't because it will interfere with my Christmas knitting. And, I don't have any Aran weight yarn- yet. I just got Barbara Walker's 2nd edition of Kniting patterns- excellent! Now, I want the book in the !st, 3rd and 4th edition.
http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0942018168/104-2794446-6849525?v=glance&n=283155&%5Fencoding=UTF8&colid=3MEXQTDL15NH3&coliid=I1AQV609U44GWP&v=glance
Maybe Santa will bring me one for Christmas. Maybe I'll win the lottery. Back to rest my back and continue my knitting marathon.

The Stork is coming!! (not for me, whew!)

2005-11-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

Just got a call from my SIL that she's in labor *now*- she's a few weeks early. I didn't plan on this (well, it's really up to the baby) . So, I'm hurrying to finish up these Ugg boots.

knitpurlgirl.com

2005-11-12T20:26:00.000-08:00

Have been working hard getting knitting designs together for my website www.knitpurlgirl.com. My knitting philosophy is to design classic patterns, with a twist. I started designing patterns for myself because I didn't like most of the knitted items I saw in the stores. There will be some free patterns plus eventually other yarn goodness (hand dyed yarn, knitting accessories). Unfortunately, I've had a setback - I injured my back and it's not easy knitting/designing patterns lying down, with spasms cruising up and down my back and legs. Uuugh! SPeaking of ugh, I'm working on baby Ugg boots tonight. Hope to get the website up and running within the next week.