Thursday, October 28, 2004

Where is the time?

I haven't blogged for a couple of days, first I just couldn't get five seconds too myself to sit and write and then I ran into a technical glitch that prevented me when I had the time to write.

This is only going to be a short one, I haven't really done alot of anything. The hood on the Italian scarf is nearing completion. Yes!

I'm planning on going shopping, I'm looking for Christmas Cookie Cutters. So I can bake Christmas Cookies.

Yesterday I bought the NEW Auatralian Women's Weekly Christmas Cooking book, and unlike the previous one this is all cooking. And do you know what it had in it? Yes, the choc nut tree. I keep looking for that recipe every year and can never find it. Then once Christmas is over and I'm looking for something else I'll find it. Do you think I can remember where I saw it? The book seems to vanish certain times of the year.

This weekend is of course Halloween! How excited am I? Very. I'm really looking forward to it. Also this is traditionally the weekend we make the Christmas pudding. Unfortunatly nobody seems to have prepared for this. I'll have to see what I can do.

Saturday, October 23, 2004

It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to.


Today is the day, it's my 26th birthday. And what a boring day it is too. The highlights of the day so far was joining the Hallowig Knit Along (my first knit along!) and getting a gift voucher for Spotlight from my sister.
I don't know what I'll spend it on, my sister's like I'm sure you can find something. That's not the problem, deciding which of all the things I find to actually get is going to be the hard part.
As you've probably noticed I have been fiddling with my blog outlay again. I can't help it, now I've figured out how this HTML stuff works, about getting buttons that don't already have code pre-written onto my blog and just finding more stuff I can't resist.
Yes, I am a button-a-holic. If you have a button I will most likely make off with it and put it on my blog.
And for those who don't have buttons I have mastered the art of clickable names. Like some people have a list of blogs they read and you can click the name and go there. I'm not sure what the technical term for that would be. But I refer to it as clickable names because I know what I'm on about, even if my sister the computer geek doesn't know what I mean.
What we have know down the right side of my blog is – Ezekial the DoK's resident feline who counts how many people are coming through my blog, if it slows down I'll know I'm boring you all and try to write something exciting. Isabella the Weather Goth with a weather report from my capital city, unfortunately I can't get a closer report yet. Beneath Isabella is the guide to the moon's phases from my part of the world, probably only really important to me.
Then we have all the knitting links, since my blog is about my knitting and what happens around it. It has some very cool knitting sites, knit alongs (if I'm currently doing any), blogs I like to read, blog rings I've joined so I can read more knitting blogs and links to local knitting groups in my area.
The knitting links and blogs I like to read will probably expand.
What's next? That's right all my pro-wrestling links and all things related to it. Which is followed simply by stuff I've seen somewhere and couldn't resist. Assorted odds and ends, though amongst all the weird stuff there will be some sensible links.
I always check out links on other people's blogs, but then I could just be nosy. I love my buttons and links, I'm kinda disappointed when I go to someone's blog and they have none. I think even though some ones taken the time to write a post for their blog you can learn a lot more about them and their interests from stuff they link to. And you can also learn a lot in general checking out some of the links. You just never know what you'll find.

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Home Sweet Home

It's good to be home, not that I didn't enjoy craft camp. I did some very cool stuff and learnt something very new and exciting.

Monday afternoon I spent doing as much work as possible on my Italian Scarf, I am pleased to report that by the time I left yesterday I was halfway through the hood.

Tuesday morning I learned the finer points of propagating plants, maybe I'm a bit closer to being able to grow them as opposed to killing them.

This was followed up by silk painting where I made a scarf. I was planning on blue and purple, but then nearly everybody used blue and there were at least two other blue and purples. Instead I made a purple and green one, or it was meant to be. It came out a bit more green with a hint of purple. But it is so incredibly cool! And I made it, which just makes it so much more excellent.

Then in the afternoon, I went to the Fun with Felt class. I presumed it would be cutting felt out in shapes and gluing them together. About my level of craft ability.
But what it turned out to be was felting wool. I was very excited because I've been dying to try a felted bag pattern.

This was felting of a different kind than what I expected, it's based on a Japenese style of felting, begins with N. Not expecting it to be this I hadn't taken anything to make notes on.

Start with a piece of cotton voile, layer it with fleece that has been carded but not spun (it's kinda fluffy and is called "tops" and there are also coloured ones). Put your design on to it out of more "tops" or other bits of yarn - I made a Starfish design out of some very pretty coloured stuff that had silk in it. Then place a piece of tulle over it, spray with warm soapy water and using a plastic bag you smooth it all over. Sort of flatten it and causes it to start to felt. Then take the tulle off, roll it up in the bamboo blind it's on, and then roll the rolled up blind back and forth to cause the firction that makes it felt.
Mine took a bit longer to felt because I hadn't put as much fleece stuff on my voile. Once it was felted enough it was then fulled, which consisted of folding it up and droping it down hard on the table a couple of times. Followed by "shocking it", you tell it lewd jokes.

No, not really. Into hot water and then into cold, wring it out. Quick press with the iron and off to leave it to dry. I am very impressed with myself.

Wednesday morning I made handcream which turned out to be really simple and very quick. Virtually idiot-proof, another craft at my level. I made a lemon-grass scented cream. Smells really, really nice.
That was my time away at craft camp.

And today since I feel like it and I need cheering up, the perve of the day!
 

Sunday, October 17, 2004

Closer, closer, it's here!


It's hard to believe just a week from now my birthday will have been and will all be over.

I'm about to embark on a three day stint at craft camp. I'm making hand cream and will also be doing some silk painting. I'm hoping inbetween times being away from home will leave me reasonably distraction free and I can get some serious knitting done. I'll let you all know when I get back and hopefully have pictures to go with.

No I really can't leave these quiz's alone. I saw this one over at
ttbookjunkie knits I suspect I may not be the only quiz junkie.

What kind of knitter are you?
Knitting Guru
You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting
and do it all the time. While finishing a piece
is the plan, you still love the process, and
can't imagine a day going by without giving
some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation
involves leaving ample space for the stash and
supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn
ends and you begin.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

And this is one I also originally saw on ttbookjunkie knits and have been meaning to go back and do.

What kind of yarn are you?
You are Novelty Eyelash.
You are Novelty Eyelash.
You are very of the moment, hip, and happening. You
are often seen wrapped around someone's neck.
Some see you as too flashy and ultimately
shallow, but you are having too much fun to
notice.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Saturday, October 16, 2004

What I've done today.

While cruising other people's knitting blogs and cruising knitting blogs they had links to I discovered this site - Domiknitrix. She has designed a very cool devil hat pattern. I absolutley love it. I may have to buy a copy.

Yes as you've proably noticed I'm less of a cranky old bag today. Miracles do happen.

My sister and I rummaged through the Dr Who Scarf bag where all the wool and the ball bands are kept for this project. Do you think we could find the band for the mid-brown which we need to buy more of? No. So we are going to have to take the remaining wool and try and match it.

I'm pleased to say that the scarf is past the halfway mark, it'll be so much quicker to finish now. I really must force myself to work on it.

As soon as I figure out how it's done I'm going to put my fave blogs to read down the side here. Other people have it, you know a list of names and you can click and go see the blog or site. Just as soon as I figure it out.....


Friday, October 15, 2004

Fast track to Mad Old Batdom.

Yes, it's happening. I'm on the express to Mad Old Batdom and I'm not sure a return trip is possible.

I'm not sure what has sparked it today. I had a daily ration of chocolate. A large piece of mud cake for breakfast. (I find chocolate cake is excellent for any meal of the day.)

Maybe it's my impending birthday. Maybe I just don't like the thought of other people being so incredibly happy. Maybe I know I won't get Matt Hardy dipped in chocolate for my birthday.

Why can't I have Matt Hardy dipped in chocolate? Well?

I haven't knitted today or yesterday. It must be making me uptight.

Hopefully I'll get some knitting squeezed in between dinner and the end of Johnathan Creek. Which project will I pick? Hmmmm, this could be exciting.

That's my riveting Friday night. What is everybody else doing?

Thursday, October 14, 2004

Fluffy Pink Knitting

I am going to watch Miss Marple tonight. The Moving Finger - all about poisen pen letters and a murdered letter victim. So in honour of Miss Marple I am going to work on my fluffy pink scarf.

I hope to have a progres photo very soon for you. I might even get some work done on the Dr Who scarf. It's probably a good thing Tom Baker was th elongest running Dr. Plenty of time to finish it.

Yet another short one today. I will make an effort in my next few blogs. Something exciting might happen.

Matt Hardy might mysteriosly appear at my door gift wrapped and unconcious in a large brown sack.

Truth is weirder than fiction.

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

I did knit today.

Yes, I knitted today. I did more work on the Girl's fluffy pink scarf. My mother thinks it will make an ideal Christmas present for my cousin who is 6 and an absolute pink fan. That's one present taken care of.

I managed to get the beanie to match the mittens cast on and half the ribbing done on Saturday. Or more to the point a fellow knitter offered to work on something for me since her project had come to a holt. This was the same knitter who told me there was something wrong with the fluffy scarf and didn't think it would work. I suppose I should be nice to her, I might be able to get her to do the rest of my ribbing on the beanie. I'm thinking this beanie along with the mittens will be my mother's present. I suppose I'd better give her something I've made. She's tried to claim at least three of my projects I'm making for myself for herself.

It's not like she can't knit, she just won't try anything bigger than booties.

I'm hoping to figure out how to make stuff clickable on my site. So I too can list my fave blogs to read. It can't be hard to do. Can it?

After reading (at http://ttbookjunkie.blogspot.com/) about this quiz I had to take it, yes I am addicted to quiz's.

The Sheep Quiz, Mark 2!






Which flock do you follow?

this quiz was made by alanna


You are a - Goth Sheep!
Black is the new black, don't you know. All you happy people scare me.

I'm loving it! What sheep are you?

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

If I was a yarn.....

I did absolutely no knitting last night. It happens.

Amanda who told me my mini-bag came up great - thankyou! I've been across to read Amanda's blog ttbookjunkie knits. Amanda's been traveling around the US the last two years, sounds like fun. Some people have all the luck. What I wouldn't give for even two hours in the US.

While at Amanda's blog I saw this and had to go try it.

What kind of yarn are you? quiz.

Apparently I'm Shetland. Hmmm, maybe I should try again it doesn't really go with the Interchangeable's.

Well, I think that's it for today. Maybe I'll get some knitting done tonight. Maybe.

Monday, October 11, 2004

IT WORKS!!!

I started the Girl's Turquoise Scarf from Creative Knitting Issue 7 - Scarf Special on Saturday. Or to be more precise I started it four times on Saturday. I started it again last night in a last ditch effort.

And it worked, and it looks really good. I'm making it out of a stray ball of fluffy pink stuff and I actually like it. Pink is one of my least favourite colours. Mainly because it's so hard to find a nice one. But I am very pleased with how it's progressed in one nights work.

Once agian today's is another short one. Perhaps I can get some more knitting done. Pretend to be remotely productive.

Sunday, October 10, 2004

This, that, and something other.

I've passed the 250 visitor mark, I just wish some of you would let me know what you think of my blog. Either in the comments section at the bottom of the posts or in my doodle board. Some feedback would be really good.

I think I have mentioned the Knitting with Fabric kits here in my blog before(?). I know I've been talking about them else where to people. Somebody (the very helpful Kylie from Melbourne SnB) suggested a link when I was talking about these knitted fabric bags, the Nordic Needle based in the US have them on their site. And they are the ones I'd seen in my local Spotlight. Well my local Spotlight had the Purple Gem and the Southwest Hobo. You can all go and look and see what I'm so excited about. Or wonder what I'm so excited about.



The nearly completed Mini-Bag made from Rowan DK Cotton. All that's left is the strap. Posted by Hello

The finished mittens from Funky Knitting. Posted by Hello

Barbie's Witch Dress from About.com. Posted by Hello

Close up of bead work on Mini-Bag. Posted by Hello

Saturday, October 09, 2004

Things that fly.

I was just thinking how time flies, and so do witches.

It was election day here today. Oh yeah. I'm sure it will allow lots of knitting time tonight as all we're bound to get is election coverage.

I'm a bit bewildered about this Family First party that has sprung up. Who are they? I asked my sister having never heard of them before. According to my sister what she's heard from one of their candidates is they think mosques and bottle shops are supposed to be somehow related to the devil. And another of their candidates claimed that all lesbians are witches.
Okay, I think we now know what kind of party they are. The Raving Idiot Party. Do people actually vote for these people? I hope not, they should be thoroughly discouraged at every available opportunity.

But I suspect like those people who persist on knocking on doors to tell people about God they are not easily discouraged. Not that I have anything against God. I just object to being awoken early on a Saturday morning by cheerful people eager to tell me about him.

I continued to work on the skirt of Barbie's knitted witch's dress last night. It looks really good so far, it has a ruffle around the base. I'll post a picture hopefully sometime over the rest of the weekend of it and my other projects (mittens - completed, mini-bag - nearly completed).

I have been working on Dr Who but he's been put to one side for Barbie. She's so much easier to work on. I will get Dr Who done - eventually.

While reading Yarn Harlot (very cool blog, an absolute must read) I've become fascinated with the Thrum Mitten Along. I was reading about the pair she made and they looked really trippy. They also look like they might be hard. Hmmmmm, when has that stopped you Suzi? I'll just jump in with both feet and see what happens.

In seeing there is nothing but election coverage tonight I might have to ransack the DVD shelf and see what I can come up with to watch. I think in honour of October and the Family First Party it'll be a trashy witch movie!


I'm thinking it might be Elvira - Mistress of the Dark tonight. Very trashy but very funny movie!

Friday, October 08, 2004

Quick Quick!

It's what my parents say to the dog last thing at night to encourage her to go out and do whatever it is dogs do before coming in to bed for the night.

It's also what my post today will be. Well I shall recap some of my highlights, started the witch's dress for Barbie last night. I had the thrill of eating big toast today.

It's called Texas Toast. It's these incredibly huge slices of bread. I love them.

I fiddled with my blog some more and added some more links to stuff that well interests me, and since this blog is about what interests me......

And being Friday, I have a favourite link for you all. Okay now I've lost the link, but here it is. My fave top ten for this Friday!

Top Ten Reasons Why Trick-or-Treating is Better Than Sex:
10. Guaranteed to get at least a little something in the sack.

9. If you get tired, wait ten minutes and go at it again.

8. The uglier you look, the easier it is to get some.

7. You don't have to compliment the person who gave it to you.

6. Person you are with doesn't fantasize you're someone else.

5. If you get a stomach ache, it won't last nine months.

4. If you wear a Bill Clinton mask, no one thinks you're kinky.

3. Doesn't matter if kids hear you moaning and groaning.

2. Less guilt the next morning.

1. If you don't get what you want, you can always go next door!


Thursday, October 07, 2004

Work, work, work.


Work has re-commenced on the Dr Who scarf. My sister informs me she thinks we're approaching the start of the Tom Baker era. I will need to knit lots and lots to get this finished in time. I have passed the halfway mark, I hope. I haven't been brave enough to count the grand total of rows in the scarf. But I have counted the stripes. I've done 24 and have 14 to go. As soon as I get this block of maroon done it's all short stripes to the end.

I'm not feeling very partial to my mittens, no I don't like them. I've tried to counteract this by wearing them and thinking how nice and warm they are. We seem to have hit a cold snap again, at least where I am feels very cold, especially at night.
I suspect my mother will be getting a pair of mittens very soon.

I got a complimentary copy of Elann's newsletter yesterday. It features four yarns, three of them Jo Sharp! I have finally had a chance to feel the Silkroad Aran, Silkroad Aran Tweed and the Rare Comfort Kid Mohair.

I've had a good fondle, stroked them all and decided to hell with the cost I have to have some! I was thinking of buying some of the Rare Comfort Kid Mohair so as to make some socks and a hot water bottle cover as featured in Jo Sharps Fourth Book – Home. I'd like to try socks and a hot water bottle cover in kid mohair just seemed so decadent. How can I not make it?

The pictures besides the Rare Comfort Kid Mohair in the Elann newsletter are of “Nouveau” Crocheted Shawl and “Cosmopolitan” Wrap Cardigan both of which come from Jo Sharp Village. They look gorgeous. I must learn to crochet. I must buy Jo Sharp Village.

Bags are the new scarves. I need to break away from scarves and the only other thing that really excites me is bags. After reading Clemtines's Shoes (another knitters blog, a must read) I had to ask about her In The Bag bag. She pointed me in the direction of In The Bag's website. I think my favourite design was the same one Diana was working on, it's called Winter Collection 2003 - Slimline. I've added it to my future to make list. It never seems to end.

Having made mittens I am very keen to now try gloves. Knitting a pair of gloves just seems very cool.

I am still very envious of my sister (and fellow knitter) and her very exciting projects. Namely the Alien Illusion Scarf from Stitch N' Bitch. Now she's also got two beanies on the go. One with a cable and the other one is a “ski hat” and features a fair isle pattern of snow flakes.

I spent almost a year knitting squares before I branched out into more “challenging” projects. After a month and an not even quarter finished square my sister had branched out into very cool projects.

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Finished!

I have completed my second mitten, it dosen't look as good as the first one however so I am a little disappointed.

And do you know what this means? One less project underway. This means I can start something else (or more to the point devote the time to something abandoned. But these are not new and interesting any longer).

So I thought I'd work on some Halloween projects. A witch's outfit for Barbie, complete with hat and broom from About.com. I'm sure I have black and orange yarn knocking about at home.

Then the ultimate costume decoration - Hallowig form Knitty. This may require more work, it's on double-point needles. And I need to find just the right colour. Magnum produce a very vivid purple colour I just adore.

Lucky link for today is:


Before I finish for today I would like to reccomend a book to you all I have just read. Married Alive by Julie Birchill, a very funny book and worth the read.

Tuesday, October 05, 2004

Another day less.

Work on the second mitten is back on now the stitches have been picked up. I've done some more work on the hood of my Italian scarf it's looking really good.

I met a new knitter today at SnB, always fantastic to meet someone new. And her daughter (only 9 weeks old) is absolutely beautiful!

I found this recipe through About.com and it sounds really yummy, I might have to try it out. Yes, I know - American. It will require some converting.

Chocolate Mousse Witches Hats

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1 cup milk chocolate chips
4 squares (1oz.each) semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 tsp. shortening
1 pkg (4 3/4 oz) chocolate sugar ice cream cones
Halloween sprinkles
12 thin Chocolate wafers (2 1/4 " diameter)

Instructions: In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup cream to a boil; remove from the heat. Stir in chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
In a mixing bowl, beat the remaining cream until stiff peaks form; fold into the chocolate mixture. Cover and refrigerate.
In microwave or double-boiler, melt semi-sweet chocolate and shortening. Stir until smooth. Dip pointed tips of ice cream cones a third of the way into melted chocolate; roll in sprinkles. Refrigerate until set.
Just before serving, spoon mousse into cones. Top each with a chocolate wafer. Invert onto a serving platter.

I'll have to start shopping for Halloween decorations, so hard to find, even though Halloween is becoming more popular here. I was thinking for Christmas (it's not far now) I'd go with a Nightmare Before Christmas theme. I think it would be highly applicable.

Make the most of the Post-Halloween sales, it'll be exciting and very, very fun!

Monday, October 04, 2004

I'm counting!

I'm counting down the days to my birthday and even better the days to Halloween. If only I'd been born a week later.....

I started the hood on my Italian scarf (finally!) and it looks really good. Look for a photo real soon.


****The following may offend some witches, I'm sorry, but I love the old hag and the trashy temptresses! Give me more!****

Onto more knitting and Halloween, About.com in their knitting section have a Halloween section. My personal favourite - Barbie Witch's outfit. It's so cute!
But is Barbie a real witch? Hmmmmmm........you do have to buy her friends.......


Speaking of Barbie's, I do believe I have mentioned the Gothic Bride Cake before? I'll include the link
here, because I'm not sure I put it in last time. It's over at Cat Smith DIYing. How gorgeous is it?

It may be very kitsch but I love themed food. Cooking for Halloween is my ultimate fave, probably because I get to make lots of stuff shaped like ghosts and skulls.


Halloween wouldn't be complete without a trashy witch flick or better yet multiples!


I'm loving I've Been Waiting For You, it's based on a story (Gallows Hill) written by the author of I Know What You Did Last Summer. Perhaps not on the same scale as Last Summer the movie. Never read either of the books however.

Sunday, October 03, 2004

The Italian Scarf, the Mitten and the Bag.

Well, I have completed my first mitten with a little assistance from a fellow knitter who picked up the two stitches from the base of the thumb for me. The pattern I used is from the book Funky Knitting, and I have used Bendigo's 8-ply in Carnival (I can't remember what "type" it is). The colour did nothing for me on the shade card, and impressed me no more when I was given the ball. However knitted up I am absolutely loving it!

I've completed the thumb on my second mitten, I just need to find someone who can pick up stitches now.........


My Italian scarf I am very thrilled to say is at the point where I can actually start the hood. Yeah! Look for a picture to follow soon.


I'm planning to press and sew up the Mini-Bag tonight, yes my first project involving beads I am absolutely thrilled with it.

On a non-knitting related note, I got an e-mail back from the very divine Shane Helms (YUMMY!!!!). Granted it was only one line, but he obviously saw me as the deranged lunatic I am and decide not to encourage me.

My name is Suzi and I like to terrorize unsuspecting male wrestlers (but only the cute ones, there's not enough time for them all so I had to be choosy).

But before I go I saw this quiz and had to do it!
What kind of knitting needles are you?


interchangeable
You are interchangeable.
Fun, free, and into everything, you've got every
eventuality covered and every opportunity just
has to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and
every day is a new beginning. You are good at
so many things, it's amazing, but you can
easily lose your place and forget to show up.
They have row counters for people like you!


What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

That's it for today, I might actually get some knitting done today or I may just plan future projects.

Friday, October 01, 2004

Just a quick note.

Today's will be incredibly quick. Just to let you all know I am indeed alive and well and stranded without my knitting! How will I cope?

I've included some pictures of my boys today so you can see what they look like. I'll be looking at pictures of some other boys shortly......but enough about that.

Here's the black & white cat, no less equally naughty than the white one. Perhaps just less weird. None the less I love him all the same. And he loves my knitting. Posted by Hello

My naughty white cat. He is a slight worry since he failed his hearing test, he spends most of the day in his own mad little world. Kind of like me.... Posted by Hello