Fine Painter

Here's the house, paint job complete!




YEAH! I think it looks awesome...I especially love how the numbers "pop!"

And here is what Gus thinks of my sampler shawl

Updates

--The house painting should be done TODAY! Full photo gallery to follow!

--The Memorial Service went off without a hitch...we had a wonderful turnout and it was well received by all the families that attended!

--Which means I can now focus all my attention on the other main even of the week, (no, sadly not knitting!) which is Elizabeth's shower!

--The podcast is up...to download check out the podcast blog @ knittydandthecity.blogspot.com or search for it on itunes podcasts! According to Wendy, we already have 12 subscribers!
You don't need an ipod to listen to the podcast either!!!! You can download it to your computer and listen to it during the day while you "work!"

--Special shout out to momala! Thanks for playing the piano for me yesterday! You rock!

--Maggie GUTTED a remote. Photos to follow

House Painting in Progress

I came home to find MUCH painting had been done at the house. I find it breathtaking---probably because it is such a change from the federal blue/yellow scheme that I've had for 8 years. So the main coat is up...the trim is coming. Here is the progress:

I actually don't think the photos do the job justice...but all in all...I am still in awe. I will continue to post the progress...time to knit lace...it CONSUMES me.

Oh, and the Phillies suck.

And Dad, yes, they attached the gutter too!

Crisis on 46th Street

When I came home today, the painters were nearly finished priming the house. The time had arrived to PICK A COLOR!

My painter, Luis is LOVELY and I recommend him to everyone (finepainters.com)--he's a lovely Brazilian who's English is a bit broken, but he and his staff are PRIMO.

But I proceed to FREAK OUT about picking colors and went as far as to call my parents and have them look up colors on sherwin-williams.com

Many minutes and color schemes are proposed and discussed. Finally I chose a taupe with green hues called "roycroft suede" as the main color with a darker, sage hue green call "roycroft brass" for trim and "polished mahogany" as the accent color (including the door). I think I did well...at least I hope I did because this is going to last for many, many years.

Crisis averted.

Thoughts on obsession...addiction...habit

The Yarn Harlot signed her book for me last week and in it she wrote, "obession is normal," which got me thinking about the definitions of obsession, compulsion, addiction and habit.

--I would say I have a knitting habit. Habit is defined on dicitionary.com as a "recurrent often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition."

--I am addicted to (buying) yarn. Addiction is "the compulsive physicological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance," in this case, yarn. I love how buying new yarn makes me feel...I guess it must be what an addict feels when s/he gets high...the rush of blood to the head? Buying yarn is like getting a fix for me. It is the ultimate of retail therapy. Remember that scene in Pulp Fiction when Travolta gives Uma the shot of adrenaline in the heart to ward off her OD...after Stitches or Sheep and Wool...I feel like I need this sort of intervention.

But, I'm not sure I'm obsessed, at least not by the dictionary.com definition-"a compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anixety." This definition has some pretty negative connonations that I'm not necessarily comfortable applying to my need for yarn and knitting.

Semantics I guess...

But, I am preoccupied at this point by my progress with the lace shawl and my lace knitting skills. Here is where we have been recently:



This is the shawl on Sat 4/15---I've completed the first lace pattern and have started the second. The second is MUCH more challenging, with each pattern row doing something different. I'm different too---I'm getting the hang of reading my knitting and finding mistakes. I'm not PERFECT with fixing the lace mistakes, but it is coming...

Here we are last night...I've completed the second lace pattern and started the third. The thing is GIANT...very very long.

I knitted in rounds this morning and am plowing through pattern number 3...it is pretty easy...or is the lace getting easier for me???

Anyway, my preoccupation with lace manifested itself last night in me going through some knitting books and obsessing about the lace patterns. WHAT AM I GOING TO MAKE NEXT? NOW THAT I KNOW I CAN DO THIS...THERE IS NO STOPPING ME! So I think my Sheep and Wool shopping will focus on yarn for lace projects. This actually works as I'm not knitting any sweaters until the weight watchers thing is more stable...I've lost 6 inches in my bust already so what is the point of putting all that time and effort into a sweater I won't be able to wear much??? I'm stressing that I won't EVER wear the koigu sweater again because it will just be too big...then what do I do with it? Frame it and call it art???

Success...so far

I have finished two of the five lace patterns in the sampler shawl! I dream about lace now...
Next up from folks shawls will be the North Sea Shawl and the Kilkenny Cable Shawl...I'm obsessed.

They have also started working on my house for the paint job! It was kind of bizarre to come downstairs this morning to ladders and sanders and 4 Mexican men in the front yard...Maggie didn't take very well to it either...she was terrified. But it is good to know that things are underway for the new look of my house!

Photos to follow...
Nothing else exciting AT ALL...Wendy and I will record the PODCAST on Saturday...
Keep your pants on, I know you are WICKED excited!

What Did Maggie Eat Today?

Yesterday morning, I came downstairs to find that Maggie had been exploring my knitting bag:
She decided the "Clap" would taste good...or at least the needles would. Mind you, this was the second set of size 8 needles in one week...

She also got a hold of the shawl; but thankfully she can't really eat Addi turbos...

Guest Blogger: Sister of Knitty D

Hello Knitty D Readers! Knitty D and I have had a fabulous weekend in Philly and I have reconnected with my inner knitter as Knitty introduced me to Loop and I found inspiration. I'm now working on a baby blanket for my dear friend Sara Jane and a stylish summer scarf for myself. Thanks to Craig for helping me pick out a pattern and yarn and to Martha for showing me how to knit through the back loop!



I've also reconnected with Mr. Gus. After a shaky visit to the Joy House at Christmas, Gus and I are now BFF. I'm thinking of packing him into my suitcase and taking him back to Michigan with me.

The weather here has been amazing and Knitty, Super T and I took advantage of it and did some serious people watching in Rittenhouse Sqaure yesterday. Please, whatever you do, don't wear holey leggings under a denim micro skirt - you are only asking for the ridicule. Knitty also introduced me to my new favority Philadelphian food - Three Cheese Risotto fritters at the Ten Stone! Delicious!

All and all, Knitty and I had a very fun and successful weekend (especially if we block out the lock outs).

I've lost a Gus.

Now calm down. Gussy is sitting right next to me on the couch; here he is

















My point is as follows
I took Gus to the vet yesterday and he weighs 37 pounds
I have lost 37 pounds.
S0, I hve lost a Gus.

TEEHEEE

I also made it through the first lace pattern of the Sampler Shawl. I embark on the second pattern when Lost is over. Now, I dream about knitting lace...and all the things I've wanted to make, but have stayed away from because of my lacephobia.

Catharsis...Epiphany...Progress?

Well...I think it happenend. After four hours at LOOP and some serious concentration, I think I get it. I'm able to (better) read my knitting and recognize where I've made a mistake. The process of fixing the mistakes is still coming along; but really I feel as if I've made some damn great progress. I've now made it completely through the first pattern repeat and tonight (swallow hard Grace!), I made it through an entire pattern row ALL BY MYSELF! And when I came to a place where I knew there was a problem, I figured out the problem (dropped yarn over two rows ago) and fixed it! Holy *expletive*!

Here are some progress photos:

Here is the "shawl" at LOOP on Saturday. I am almost through the first pattern row and starting to feel more confident with the pattern.

Here we are through the first pattern repeat! Yeah!

Close up of the first pattern repeat!

Maggie GET OFF THE SHAWL! For the love of god!

Maggie has made the Easter Bunny Beagle her own; she takes it with her everywhere she goes.

Isn't she adorable?
Tonight is the Harlot at LOOP and hopefully Wendy and I will be venturing into the Podcast land . Check out our podcast blog at http://knittydandthecity.blogspot.com

As far as the knitting epiphany, perhaps it was the group dancing to "Baby Got Back" prior to class?

Pressing Onward...

Well, I will head to LOOP soon for my close supervision.
Here is a photo of the big *expletive* mess, prior to intervention by Grace

Okay, so I made it look worse than it really is by piling up in a ball; but I think it is pretty indicitive of how I feel about it and spending this entire afternoon on the verge of tears at "class." This feeling will be even worse when I get to "class" and discover that Wendy is nearly finished with her shawl. I love you Wendy, but you are a knitting wench!

So, I've been focusing my energy on Clapotis in Silk Garden Light

Three words for this HOT HOT HOT. I'm almost done with the increase section, and then begin the middle, straight rows. Right now I think it resembles a sleeve a best. Who could imagine it will turn into something so deliciously gorgeous?????

For those of you that aren't aware of the prowess of Clapotis, check out www.knitty.com and go to the pattern archives for some photos and the pattern, done up in a delicious colorway of Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb.

Last night, I went to a book signing/excuse for knitters to drink wine, a Loop, starring the writers of Mason-Dixon knitting, a blog I've enjoyed for a bit. I got a copy of the book for me and for mom's Mother's Day gift. The patterns inside range from a bit bizarre to amazing. There are many blankets fashioned on traditional quilting patterns including the Log Cabin and The Flying Goose. It reminded me of the good old days when mom used to quilt. Remember the quilting mom?

And finally, here is the aforementioned cashmere splurge, which will also become the "Clap" after I finish the silk garden and figure out the kinks...

Yeah, I know. It is GORGEOUS. It's like Koigu in its hand painted sassiness. And I can't even describe just how soft it is. I can't wait to knit with it.

Okay so I'm off to class (via WAWA for some massive caffiene to get me through the afternoon).
Think good thoughts.

Happy Birthday to...

Twinkies and Post-It's

Where would we be without these two icons of American invention.

Three Strikes and You're Out?

So, we all know the old saying (baseball oriented of course), "Three Strikes and You're Out?"
I'm thinking about applying this to my knitting of lace and this ***expletive expletive expletive*** shawl.

I ran, like a child to it's mother, to Grace for an intervention. She was calm, cool and collect--as she always is. I was an ADD knitter, at best, wanting to focus my energies on other pretty things surrounding me a the store and getting the news about the Coup de Yarn Harlot.
Basically, Grace fixed my booboo; but I still have NO CLUE what I am doing wrong. I'm trying to read my knitting, to look at the pattern I have created with the stitches; but there is just some bizarre mental blockage going on. I hung around LOOP for a bit longer and finished the pattern row-a bit more confident because the next row was just a purl row and how could I *expletive* a purl row.

Tonight I was determined to get at least half way through my first pattern repeat. I purled the purl row and bravely trodded onward to the next pattern row. Forty five minutes later, I'm still not done with the damn row and I've lost about 104 stitches (okay that may be stretching it) and I want to cry. Thankfully, Trish arrived at that time to drag me out for our night at the Kimmel Center. She talked me down as I repeated over and over again, "why can't I do this? WHY CAN'T I DO THIS?" Then I realized it; it is just like math---and I NEVER got that either.

So I've tucked it back into the knitting bag and will not work on it again without close supervision (ie at class on Saturday). I will think positively. I will not obsess. And if I can't get it, I'll take suggestions on just what the heck I should do with all this alpaca silk.

Clapotis is coming along nicely; so nicely that I purchased some *expletive* expensive but GORGEOUS (swallow) cashmere and am now officially in the YARN SLUT category. But Laura HAD to make Clapotis in the cashmere and had to have it in the shop and I just had to put it on and then I just HAD to buy it. It is time to hit the stash for an ebay clean out again to earn some more yarn money before Sheep and Wool.

Wendy has a ?great? idea of a podcast, starring the two of us, entitled Knitty Delicious & The City. I can't even imagine the hilarity involved in this project.

T and I had a great night hearing the National Symphony Orchestra and Emanuel Ax this evening. It was an amazing performance; it made me teary---of course it was Rachmaninoff; which does it for me. We were so enthralled we purchased tickets to see Lang Lang in two weeks in a piano recital. Young, hot Asian musician. Giddyup.

And finally, here is a SHOUT OUT to my sister Ali, who will grace me with her presence next weekend. Thanks Ali for sharing Easter with me and for helping shop for new (smaller) clothes.

161 to go

I'm referring there to the number of Phillies games remaining in what will surely be a long, painful, woeful, silly season for this die hard Phillies fan.

And yes, I was there, sitting in the raw, misty rain, with a giant "P" painted on my face and a rally towel on my head. And yes, when Jon Leiber struck out the first two batters of the game, I was hopeful. And then game my first, infamous Phillies line of the year, said to Trish, "if Scott Rolen hits a grand slam, we can go home." And he did. And so did we.

Photographic evidence:

Here I am, after just getting "P'd" on...

I'm Crazy Towel Head; give me some candy!

Trish and I bought matching Phils hats in this years newest style; the pink pinstripe

It was Trish's first opening day!

Here we are, draped in our rally towels and smiling ear to ear.

Of course, we lost 13-5, but JRoll kept his hitting streak alive and Pat the Bat gave me the first bell ringing opportunity of the year. It will do, for the first game of the season.

Only 161 to go...

Frustration

I now officially am ready to cry over the shawl...and I'm only on row 3 of the pattern row.
I messed up...I'm missing 2 stitches and I can't find them. Someone hold me, I don't want to cast on 401 stitches again. I know I know, look on the bright side, I got through 1 pattern row unscathed...then came to second. Anyway Grace isn't working again until Wednesday and I'm going to have like 6 rows done by Saturday...WHY DID I DO THIS!!!????!!!!????

HOLD

ME

Cute bagels

Is this the CUTEST photo of Molly and Gussy EVER????

A Busy (Long) Spring Weekend

PHEW

I'm beat. Seriously. The weekend was JAM PACKED and blessed with GORGEOUS weather.
My dear pal, Carla (a fellow Smith ELC alum) came up from Baltimore to hang out. It was also the first weekend of FOLK SHAWL KNIT A LONG (CLASS), and the most spectacular weekend to plant my garden. I'm telling you, I wracked up some major activity points, which is a good things because I went to the Ten Stone last night and had a little party with the Risotto Fritters (YUM!).

So first, knitting class. There are 8 of us; three newbies for me. Everyone else is well known to Knitty D. It was very interesting that all of us (except 'chelle and Cecilia) are knitting different shawls from the book. I've choose the Sampler Shawl in Blue Sky Alpaca Silk. The colorway is a gorgeous, muted sage green. Here is my swatch:

I started on 6's but the piece didn't feel and strong (or as Grace would say, "like a piece of fabric"). It felt like stretched out undies...so I went down to the five and feel that after blocking the gauge will be gorgeous. Of course, it's not like it is a fitted sweater, so how much does gauge REALLY matter?

Here are my classmates, toiling away. Poor 'Chelle was winding pounds and pounds (or what seemed like this) of black Zephyr off a cone. She plans on doubling the yarn for the Aran Diamond Shawl. I think she is high-black, doubled Zephyr! oye

I tried six different times to upload Wendy posing with her loin cloth...I mean the beginning of her triangle, but Blogger is pissed at me-again. So I'll bring this post to a close and tomorrow blog about the gardening extravaganza that took place today at my house and Heather's house (and the business we gave to Lowe's and the Depot the weekend)...as well as photos from Phils Opening Day; which, accordingly to the latest weather report, may be a bit soggy!