Sewing

When I was in the 8th grade, I learned how to sew on my mom's sewing machine.  I managed to jam it and break the needle, not once, but twice.. and my mom had to replace them both.  I had been hand sewing for a long time prior to that, and after that fiasco, I never really wanted to try machine sewing again.  But I've been seeing so many cute things lately that don't look very hard to sew, but would be so much quicker/easier by machine!  Once I've finished moving, I'm not sure I'll be able to get a sewing machine or anything... but I sure am tempted!  Take a look at these cute projects:

Sweet Verbena

Crafter Hours

Wonderfully Awkward

Want.

Have you seen these Paper Bags before?  They are SO COOL!  I am drooling over them... I haven't wanted a bag this bad since the Sabrina style Offhand Designs bag (that they have since discontinued, sad bears!).  And before that, I don't think there was a bag over $40 that I even remotely wanted (luckily, my bags tend to be handmade bags [imagine that, only neon green with cartoon robots!] or Sanrio bags.)

I desperately want, but the move has cost us so much so far, that I am going to need a new job and a little bit of saving to warrant actually purchasing one.  >.<  I think my favorite is Tank... but it's so hard to choose!  Do you have a favorite?

Pictures are taken from Jump for Paper.

Sweater Progress

Working on a test knit here.  Got 2 sleeves going (alternating, not 2-at-a-time), and they are coming out beautifully!!  I am loving this pattern so far.  Starts with the sleeves, then moves on to the body.  Different, but I like how it's going.  And it's fitting my arm great!  Hope the body turns out just as well.  Yarn is Wollmeise in Feldmauschen.  It is gorgeous.  It appears grey in some lighting, and other times it appears to have more of a warm brownish oatmeal tone.  It's my first time using the fabled Wollmeise, and it is great.  Loving the stitch definition that it's known for.

Also working on a Percy shawl in what I'm pretty sure is cashmere or a cashmere blend I got from China.  Maybe I should take a picture of the label and ask someone to translate.  The lady selling it to me got a book and showed me a picture of a goat and tried to emphasize it.  And it's super soft, so I am assuming that means it's cashmere.  Haha.  :o)

In other news:
I've been knitting between packing to make the packing go easier.  I feel like I've still got so far to go, but it's definitely gotten to the point where I can "see the light."  That makes it so much nicer to keep the motivation going, just knowing there will be an end!  Gotta get rid of a desk and then transport some of the borrowed furniture back to their owners, then I will also feel a lot better.  Saying that sounds kinda funny, doesn't it?  Like I'm still a college kid borrowing furniture to live on the cheap.  ;op  But I have lots of loans to pay off, so living on the cheap isn't a terrible idea until I get a decent chunk of those loans down!

Move is now less than 2 weeks away, and I'm here alone (B has moved himself already, I delayed my move for various reasons), and I have work till the 27th!  I always do this to myself.  But, since I knew the move was coming up, I forced myself to pack "a box a day," and while I didn't actually stick with that, I did get a good amount of work done ahead of time so that it would be easier when the time crunch hits.  Would still appreciate a bit of encouragement, as B doesn't get back till the 30th, the day we have to move out.  *whew*

Well, that's all for now.  Considering lots of different things for this blog.  But for now, I'm gonna go with an easy goal of just updating it more often.  ;o)

Picture post! FOs!!

Modeled pics of Raiu.

Front

Back (showing the slight racer back effect)

Shawls:

Gossamer by Kitman Figueroa

Yarn:  Knitpicks Palette

Larissa (which I did as a test knit awhile back, but never took pics of.  Now I can't find the pattern on Ravelry, so I don't know what happened...)

Yarn:  Baah LaJolla

Basic feather and fan shawl.

Yarn:  Mountain Colors Bearfoot.

FO: Raiu

Well, not the best shot, but I'm discovering I finally may have a desire for a tripod.  With Bret already moved and me not moved just yet... I'm finding getting posed shots of something this big is nigh impossible!  And, it's not like Bret actually wants to take pics of me, more that he is forced to... Hehe.  I'll get some modeled shots soon enough.  Raiu is a quick and easy knit, with sizes that range from 32"-52" bust sizes!  It can be worn as a dress or cowl, and I've seen a shortened version that is being worn as a tank.  I highly recommend it.

Quick question... does anyone use those simple programs that let you "write" things on your digital photos?  If so, what program do you like to use?  I've been thinking about the idea of doing more with pics on the blog, which would help me remember to use it more.  I thought it'd be fun to be able to add notes to the pics right away.  Is photoshop with a tablet (writing tablet, not an "ipad" type tablet) the best option?  Or are there other ways?  Thanks!!