Crafty Kitty

All right, so much to say, so little time to say it all.  Let’s see – must jog my memory of what I’ve been doing since the last post.  On Friday night I had a girl’s night out with my friend Casey and her friend Lana.  We went to the movies and saw Just Like Heaven, which was cute in a totally predictable romantic comedy kind of way.  Then we went back to Casey’s house and watched 13 Going on Thirty because neither Casey nor I had seen it and it is one of Lana’s favorite movies.  I didn’t get home until after 1:30 and I was so beat that although I was supposed to get to Casey’s house at 10:30 the next morning to go shopping on State St, I ended up sleeping until almost 11. 

It was fine in the end, and we still did go to State St for a little while.  But first I made Casey stop at Lakeside Fibers with me because I needed to get a skein of Cascade 220 to finish off my Mom’s shawl.  I also got some solid color sock yarn for my Secret Pal.  And then I broke down and bought some Mountain Colors hand painted yarn for the Ella shawl.  The stuff from Knit Picks was lace weight and I needed something heavier than that.  I’m going to use the Knit Picks lace yarn for the Mystery Shawl Along 2 that I have decided to participate in.  The Mountain Colors yarn is so beautiful and soft I can hardly take it.

On State St I bought the coolest bag at Pop Deluxe to haul all my yarn in.  I’m going to Stitch ‘n Bitch tomorrow night at Escape on Willy St and I can’t wait to actually put the bag to some good use (and go to SnB).  I normally just hunker down on the couch and knit.  Plus, I am sorely lacking some female friends that actually live in this city, besides Casey, and she’s just not into the knitting and crafting like I am.  I also got some cute little journals because I have a journal addiction.

Saturday night I spent writing an essay on the movie Antwone Fisher for my class that takes place tonight.  I then started on the Ella shawl which was looking so cool, until I totally f-ed it up while I was watching the Packer’s game at my cousins house the next day and now I have to frog it and start it over.  It doesn’t look bad, but I know there are mistakes in there and if I just left it, it would really bother me.  Plus, I wasn’t that far along.  But I still hate ripping hard work out.

Sunday was the long awaited U2 concert in Milwaukee.  My brother and his girlfriend, and my 3 cousins (plus one wife) had all got tickets way back in the beginning of March (for a concert that didn’t take place until this past Sunday – talk about a long ass wait).  It was well worth it though.  U2 are the epitome of rock stars and they put on one hell of a show.  And even though Bono is like 45 years old, I would still do him.  During With or Without You, he pulled this girl out from the audience and basically held her the whole time he sang the song.  And since that is like my all time favorite U2 song I was so freaking jealous of that girl that it was almost unbearable and I was getting embarrassed just thinking about what it would be like to have Bono hold you while he sang With or Without You.  Hey, I embarrass easily – sometimes I get embarrassed for people on TV.  So just imagine me in real life – I am almost always in a state of perpetual embarrassment.

That’s pretty much that.  I’ve also been crocheting away on the retro bed slippers for my Mom.  I hope to finish them up when I get done with my test tonight during class and am waiting for everyone else to get done (I am an incredibly fast test taker for some strange reason).  I have a picture to post of the one that I have finished, but of course it’s at home so I can’t post it now.  Eh, you’ll see the finished product when they’re both done.

I had a doctor’s appointment earlier this week.  I’ve had depression on and off for quite a while.  When I was 20, I finally saw a doctor about it and went on Celexa.  I was on it for almost a year, probably about 10 months or so, until I just stopped taking it because my life was going pretty okay and I was handling things fairly well.  I went through one or two depressive episodes after that but I was able to dig myself out of them without the help of medication. 

That was until I moved to Madison - without knowing anyone and a debilitating fear of meeting new people (because I hated myself and thought everyone else would too).  And also, after just getting out of one of the most horrible relationships, if you could call it that, that I had ever been in after which I jumped into a semi-relationship with a close friend that just tanked.  I knew moving was the best thing for me and I learned a lot about myself while meeting some of the awesomest people I know.  I never thought I would find people that were like me (you know - adults with actual responsibilities) that liked to do the things I like to do.  And because of the move, I now have a best friend who just also happens to be my boyfriend.  That was something I always hoped would happen, but never actually thought would happen, due to the aforementioned horribly low self esteem. 

But at the time, I had sunk to a new low in which I was barely able to function at all.  I knew when it started affecting my parents to the point where they had to seek counseling to try to figure out how to help me with my depression that it was time to go on the meds again.  I was resistant to go on them again because I didn’t think I should need a pill to be happy and that there was something fundamentally wrong with me and maybe I was just meant to be unhappy all the time.  I saw a counselor, who even though in my opinion she had spectacularly shitty counseling skills, did at least get me in to see a doctor and back on the Celexa again. 

My life really started to pick up once I was able to function again and see that there was a reason to go out and enjoy life instead of sitting in my apartment with the shades drawn, watching Gilmore Girls over and over again, while not getting off the couch and eating my weight in chocolate and french fries.  I was able to finally converse with some of my coworkers who are the above mentioned awesome people I now spend most of my time with and I also realized I can occupy my time with knitting and sewing and doing the things I used to like to do before I became non-functional.  And it was awesome.  I lost a lot of the weight that I gained from the couch sitting and was feeling really good about myself.

Then, I slowly started to pack on the pounds again.  I thought I was just eating bad and that I should cut back on the calories and workout more.  But no matter what I did, it seemed like the weight wouldn’t drop off.  So when I went to the doctor earlier this week she told me that it was most likely due to the Celexa that I’ve gained the weight.  And it’s not like I’m even close to being overweight – it’s just that most of my pants don’t fit me right anymore and I don’t want to spend the money on a whole new wardrobe. 

I've been on it again for about 9 months and since I’ve been doing so well and can say that I am truly the happiest I have been in a long time, and after a discussion with my doctor and the boy, I’ve decided to slowly taper off the Celexa and see if I can live my life without the meds.  I figure the worse thing that can happen is I realize I can’t deal and I just go back on them and buy myself some new pants.  But I honestly don’t think I need the little pill anymore and as long as I have supportive people close by and exercise to get my endorphins up, I should be A-OK.  At least that’s what I’m hoping for.

It seems like I’ve been hearing a lot of bad news lately.  On Thursday I found out that the son of one of the consultants that is working on a fairly large project for our firm was in a pretty bad car accident.  From what I understand he was hurt fairly badly and needed to have surgery.  Then it was a just wait and see if he comes out of it sort of situation.  I haven’t heard anything about it since then so at this point I’m assuming no news is good news (and least, that’s what I’m crossing my fingers for).  Then yesterday I found out that my friend’s Dad was thrown from a horse this past weekend and has been in a coma ever since.  He has severe brain swelling and they even had to remove part of his skull.  From what it sounds like, they don’t expect him to make it through today.  I haven’t actually talked to her, but Chris spoke with her on the phone yesterday, and when he got off he looked like he was going to lose it.  It was his birthday yesterday and we had gone out to dinner and had margaritas and tequila shots.  When he got off the phone he just poured himself another shot.  We sat around and drank beer and just generally felt bad about the situation.  Chris lost his mother five years ago but I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a parent, especially in a tragic accident like that.  I want my parents to be around to see me get married and have kids and so I can see them be the awesome grandparents I know they’ll be.  Chris said if he did end up passing away, he was taking off work to go be with our friend.  I unfortunately can’t, but I’ll definitely be sending flowers.  It’s not a lot but at least she’ll know I’m thinking about her and her family.

Other than that sad news, not much else has been going on.  This past weekend I went camping at Wyalusing State Park, which was wonderful.  I didn’t realize it was so big and they had some really excellent, challenging trails, most of which overlooked the Mississippi or the Wisconsin Rivers.  There were some caves too, that I don’t really think were caves so much as they were overhanging bluffs, but they were still interesting to see.  I managed to get some crocheting done at the campsite on the retro bed slippers I’m making for my mother for Christmas.  I’m using Koigu PPPM and I really like how they’re turning out.

After much consideration, I’ve decided to frog the boobholder.  It just is not turning out the way I wanted it to and I think it’s mostly because I tried to cheap out on the yarn by using Paton’s Wool.  I should’ve known better but oh well.  And since this will be the second time I’ve frogged it, I don’t think I can bear to start it again.  Instead I’ve decided to do the Hot Lava Cardigan which seems to be making it’s way around the blogs.  I think it'll be better for fall anyway since it has long sleeves.  I’ve also been trying to find a cool shawl to make and I’ve settled on Ella from the new Knitty.  I really like the lace pattern and the shape of the shawl is very interesting too.  I’m using this yarn from KnitPicks in the Red Hat colorway.  Can’t wait for it to get here!

Tonight I managed to finish the Chinese Charm purse for Deanna.  The sad thing is, it's a Christmas present and even though I'm going camping with her this weekend and really want to give it to her, I have to resist.  There's so much I want to make for Christmas presents though so it's good thing I'm starting early.  I used Lion Brand Landscapes yarn and lined it with matching batik fabric.  Here is the finished product:

I put a zippered pocket on the inside lining too because I love purses with pockets.

When you realize that because you overslept you did not set the VCR to record the season premiere of your most favorite show of all time (aka Gilmore Girls) because you have class that night, and you ask your boyfriend to tape said show and he then actually remembers to tape the show because he knows how much it means to you (with a blank tape that he had to go out and purchase for you because he didn't have any tapes lying around the house to tape it on).  AND then, when the next night he comes over and realizes that he caught you in the middle of watching it because you got totally distracted by your best friend calling you and crying to you about her totally NOT best boyfriend ever that he sits and watches the rest with you and revels in how much you enjoy it.  That's how you know you have the best boyfriend ever.

I am so excited as today is the day everyone gets their Secret Pals!  And lordy, I can't wait to find out who mine is gonna be.  And then I can't wait to come up with what I'm going to send them in my first package.  I just want my e-mail notification to pop up and say it's from the SP6 gals.  This waiting has been killing me I tell you.

In other knitting new, I visited the WI Sheep and Wool Festival on Saturday in Jefferson.  It was about a 30 minute drive from Madison.  I'm bordering on being poor here (and for anyone that actually knows me, my definition of poor actually means still having money, but just not enough to you know, splurge on yarn and other non-necessities) so I wasn't able to buy a lot of things.  I did pick up some gorgeous green-y lace weight yarn that I plan on eventually making a shawl with.  I really had to talk myself out of buying a spindle and a bunch of beautiful roving but I'm saving that for a Christmas idea for my parents.  They always need lots of assistance and I need to not waste my time spinning while I have Christmas presents to make (and actual homework to do).  At least now I know I have to save my money up for the festival next year.

I also completed the hat for Chris, although I have yet to give it to him.  I plan on doing that tonight and I'll snap a pic to post at that time.  I really should finish my boobholder but I just didn't feel like working on it yesterday so I started the Chinese Charm purse from SnB for my pal Deanna.  It's a quick knit thanks to thick yarn and I actually think I will get it done tonight.  My coworkers laughed at me because I brought it to lunch today to knit on while we waited for our food to come.  I was like, whatever!  The two boys across from me kept watching SportsCenter on the TV and weren't even really talking to me and the boy (who was sitting next to me).  The boy was just kind of lost in thought as he tends to do, as do I, and he doesn't care if I knit because he is all too familiar with my obsession. 

Nothing else too exciting has been going on.  On Friday night the boy and I went to see the Rebirth Brass Band at the Union.  They were freaking awesome and the boy and I got up and boogied on down (which is rather unusual for us).  Saturday night I just chilled and knitted and watched Arrested Development.  Last night the boy and I went to dinner and then to see The Aristocrats, which was hilarious.  Then we saw Bob Schneider at The Annex.  And how I love me some Bob Schneider.  He even made an appearance in a dream I had last night as my pretend boyfriend even though my real boyfriend was right there in my dream and then I had to convince the real boyfriend that Bob was only pretending to be my boyfriend for TV.  Okay, if I could give a more in depth explanation I would, but that's about all I remember.  I have no idea why I was going to be on TV and why Bob Schneider needed to pretend to be my boyfriend.  And yes, I know I have messed up dreams.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

It's pretty much all the same to me.  I mean I love higher quality yarn but sometimes the budget just can't afford it and I'd rather use cheap yarn than not knit at all.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I don't spin but I've been meaning to get a spindle for ages and just haven't gotten around to it.  I know how to crochet but I haven't done it in a long time.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

No allergies.  Woot!

4. How long have you been knitting?

Well, I taught myself to knit out of a library book when I was 12 and would do it off and on throughout the years.  I got crazy obsessed with it again about a year ago.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I do now.  Not very much on it at the moment.  It is here.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I'm not that big into candles or bath products.  I burn Nag Champa incense incessantly.  And I wear patchouli every day even though there are a lot of people out there who can't stand it.  I love it.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Hell yes.  I love chocolate and peanut butter together, that's my fave.  Oh and I heart dark chocolate.  And I also have salt tooth.  And really any other kind of food tooth you could have. 

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I love fabric and I love to sew.  That's pretty much the only other crafty thing I do, but between that and knitting the possibilities are endless for me!  I've also done some needle felting which is pretty fun too.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Well I have a pretty eclectic taste in music.  I love, love The Beatles and have since I was a little girl.  Then I got into the jam bands like Phish, String Cheese Incident, Moe. et al.  Now my boyfriend has been getting me into Indie bands.  I usually update the CDs I'm listening to fairly regularily if that gives you any hint of my musical tastes.  My computer and my car CD player can play MP3s.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

Green is definitely my favorite color but to be honest I pretty much like them all.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live by myself with my two cats, Taz and Simon.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

Right now I'm contemplating getting my masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling.  Which is kind of odd since my bachelors degree is in Computer Science but I guess I realized I wanted a career in which I can help people and counseling seems like a really good way to do that to me.  So my dream is to become a really good counselor.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

I'm a fan of wool but I'll knit with anything.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I'm not picky.  I have yet to meet a fiber I did not like.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

At the moment, I'm into making hats for everyone I know.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I don't have a favorite.  I love to knit anything!

17. What are you knitting right now?

Let's see: a hat for my friend Chris, a shawl for my mother, a pair of socks for the boy and a boobholder for myself. 

18. What do you think about ponchos?

I prefer shawls to ponchos.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circulars all the way.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I use the Boye Needlemaster kit for most of my knitting and those are aluminum.  All of my double pointed needles are bamboo though and I like those too.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

I'm making my first pair right now and I kinda dig the teeny needles.

22. How did you learn to knit?

Out of a book from the library.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

The shawl for my mother that I started back in April.  I keep running out of yarn and I've banned myself from the yarn store because I always drop so much money there.  It will get done soon though.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Well my all time favorite animated character is Mushu from Mulan because he's just so damn funny.  Favorite animals are definitely cats.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Nope, don't really collect anything.  I've been meaning to start collecting vintage patterns but I haven't been thrifting in ages.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Don't have any.  I fear once I start I won't be able to stop.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

I am a huge book nerd so there are always books I want.  Way, way too many to list.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??

Not that I can think of off the top of my head.  I'll update this if I come up with something.

Alrighty - here is my list of projects that need to get done in time for Christmas.  I'm trying to mentally prepare myself so it doesn't seem so overwhelming.

• Chinese Charm Purse from SnB - for Deanna
• Retro Bed Slippers from Hip to Crochet - for my Mom
• Manly Arm Warmers (my own design) - for my Dad (he wants them for when he's fishing)
• Newsboy Hat from SnBN - one for Christen, my brother's girlfriend, and one for Melissa
• Winter Hat (my own design) - for Phil
• Dog Sweaters from SnBN - for Dylan (aka Dylly) and Astro
• Boyfriend Sweater from Knit Wit - for the boy

That's really not that bad.  Most of the projects are small, except for the sweater I want to knit for the boy.  Plus I have all the yarn for all of the projects except for the dog sweaters, which I plan on using scraps for, and the sweater for the boy.  The yarn for that could get pricey.  Maybe I'll get lucky next weekend at the Sheep and Wool Festival and see some really neat yarn that I just need to snatch up.