Not Today

So I found out that I didn't get the job I was really hoping for. I was very upset but I've moved on and am hoping that what ever is supposed to be, will be soon! I do have another interview on Wednesday but this one is for a short-term temporary job. Other than that, it sounds very interesting!

I finished Kim's scarf this weekend and am working hard to finish my Chicago Bag. It's been lingering in the knitting basket much too long. In honor of spring, I'm trying to get my WIP's out of the basket and through the finish line.

Yesterday I worked on a purse out of this fabric with brass rings for handles.



I don't have a picture of the finished purse because it's not finished. I'm having troubles attaching the brass handles. They keep getting in the way of the sewing machine and I can't sew the seam and then add them later since they are a closed circle. I'm letting it marinate and I'm sure a solution will come to mind.

As for me, I'm off to meet my former boss for coffee.

Ta!

Running Fool

Yesterday I embarked on a long running journey of 12 miles. Well it was going to be 13 but I had to cut off one mile since I wasn't doing so hot on this run. We started in Greenlake and ran down to Shilsole Bay through Ballard and up to Fremont before returning to Greenlake. Mot's hips started hurting at mile 8 so she returned to Greenlake by cutting up through Phinney Ridge. While it was hilly, she did finish faster which was her goal. It was a great run but my foot started hurting at mile 10 and I walked the rest of the way in. All I can say about this run is that it is over and next week I only have to do 10 miles. Of course the next week I do have to do 12 but I will think of that later.

Last night while recovering from my running adventure, I watched Lost in Translation which was very good but in my opinion not Oscar worthy. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson were great together and had such wonderful chemistry.

I finished this hat for Mot a few months ago but I hadn't had the opportunity to get a picture of her wearing the hat. This was one of my own design projects. Mot wanted a hat to match a checkered white scarf she had purchased.

I can now make COLD beverages!

Last night at the coffeeshop I started my "real" training. The first time was just an introduction, fill out forms, etc. I learned how to make cold beverages and even convinced some customers that they needed a blended drink instead of a hot latte. Never mind that it was pouring down rain outside or that it was only 45 degrees. They needed a blended beverage so that I could make it for them! They even said they tasted good so I succeeded!

Today I go back for four more hours of training. I think I'll learn how to run the cash register! Yea for me!

I didn't get a chance to dig into my new fabric yesterday since I had lunch at Earth & Ocean for their 25 for $25 promotion. It was so good! It was delicious but the service was quite slow. Normally this wouldn't be an issue but when people have to get back to work, it can be stressful. So yummy though!

Well I think I need to answer my fabrics call before it gives up on me!

Fabric Fanatic

Last week while in the midst of my totebag frenzy, I went to a few local stores looking for fantastic fabric. I purchased some but was left wanting more especially after one store where the lady before me purchased the entire bolt of fabric that I wanted one measley yard from.

Luckily Mariko from Super Eggplant had emailed me to share her favorite online fabric shops with me. I quickly visted The Cotton Shop and located some wonderful fabric. Yesterday they arrived.



I love the Fashion Girls!



Lady, all I wanted was one yard, why couldn't you share! So I got TWO yards of it somewhere else.

Totebags and other such designs are demanding to be made! I must answer thier call!

A True Artist



Many years ago when I went off to college at Washington State University, I decided to take the chance and allow the college to assign a roommate to me. None of my best friends were going to my school so I thought I'd see who they stuck me with. In the back of my mind, I think I always knew that I could switch roommates if I needed to.

I got lucky that day. I remember moving into this tiny room which was about the same size as my room at home but I had to share it. Now that made me nervous. What didn't make me nervous was the great person the college assigned to me. Kim was so open and friendly. She even offered to help me move my stuff in even though she was tired from moving her stuff in the day before. In just a few weeks, Kim is getting married and I'm lucky enough to be in the wedding. It will be a very special day for all of us. When I say that Kim kissed a lot of frogs before she met her prince, I can truly say that she kissed a LOT of frogs! When I met her fiance for the first time, I called my Mom and told her that I thought Kim had met the one for her.

Kim comes from a very creative and close-knit family. Her brother works at one of the local TV stations as a weather forecaster and writes articles for the station's Web site. Kim's mother, Karen paints beautiful works on silk and recently was invited to showcase her work at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Scott wrote a great article on this feat.

Click here for the article

I'm always tickled when I think of how far Karen has some with her work. She didn't begin to blossom until Kim and I were in college and she would send us the most beautiful care packages. It amazes me to think that someone I know has artwork hanging in a true museum. Karen also did Kim's wedding invitations which turned out so beautiful.

I will try scanning it in today so I can share the beauty with you. It's amazing what people can create.

**Update**

Kim's Wedding Invitation

Happy Birthday Em!

Almost forgot to wish Ms. Em of Everybody Loves Saturday Night! a Happy Happy Birthday!

Enjoy your cake and knitting!

All's Good

So the Interview went well (I think). I really liked the lady and she said she enjoyed meeting me which may just be lip service but still sounded nice. I should know by end of the week, so now I can sit around and shake like a nervous crazy lady!

I start at the coffee shop tomorrow for my first day of training. It will be 4 hours which will be good. It will keep me out of trouble for 4 hours!

I don't know if I showed this earlier or not but I finally got around to finishing up my waterbottle cozies! Yes, I made two. Why stop at just one when they are so cool!?!



Also I finished up my PINK scarf! I love it! Too bad the weather is getting nice and I won't be able to wear it until next winter. Well, I do like the sun too.



This scarf was done in a wavy pattern from Knit It so here is the close up!



Tomorrow watch for stories of me fighting the espresso machine all the while hoping for the "real" job!

Steady

Yesterday I completed a 10 mile run from Greenlake down and around Lake Union and up Roosevelt. It was a nice and brisk morning with a great run. I really enjoyed it and am very ready for next week's 12 mile run. EEK!

I also saw Starsky and Hutch which was fantastic! I loved it! After the movie, I received a phone call saying I had received a job as a barista at the coffee shop. While it's not my life-long career goal, it is a job and I really really like the manager. There is 25 hours of training so I'll be busy learning how to be a barista.

Monday I have a final interview with a company I really want to work for so think good thoughts tomorrow for me! I hope to soon go from no job to two jobs!

Now I need to go and make a laundry bag. It's an idea and a concept but I'm not sure about the execution!

Tote Bagging Strong

After carefully thinking about my gym shower bag, I decided what kind of strap was right for the bag.



Then I decided to make another bag (It's an illness! I'm totebag crazy!!!!)



I got the new Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora book and I'm thinking of making this tank. Has anyone else make this? What did you think?

Sew Some, Knit Some

Yesterday I began work on my new Gym cosmetics bag. I have a bag that I carry my shampoo and other important shower stuff to the gym in but it is beginning to fall apart. In my quest to make as many tote bags as humanly possible, I decided to make myself a new bag for the gym. I purchased some oilskin fabric and began sewing. Just a warning! Today is a big photo day!

This is what the fabric looked like before I started.



And this is what my bag(s) look like. After sewing the bigger one, I decided I needed a smaller one to carry combs and other hair accessories.



Now they just need zippers and handles (well the big one needs handles). Here are the insides of the bags. I decided not to line these bags and just folded down the top edges.





I also started knitting up the scrumptious ribbon yarn I acquired on Wednesday. It's knitting up quick and looks quite delicious!



Oh, Mot brought me this back from Hawaii. Do you think she knows me too well?

Busy Bee

Yesterday I was a busy busy bee. I visited the fabric store and the yarn store to acquire a few lusty objects.



These fabrics will be used to make tote bags and



this yarn will be for something fun!

I also attended the Seattle Knitting Guild Meeting last night and it was great! I especially enjoyed meeting Ryan and all of her knitting buddies. She knows everyone!

Knitting Guild Adventure Begins

Tonight I'm going to the Seattle Knitting Guild Meeting. I'm nervous but I shouldn't be. I'm excited to meet Ryan of Mossy Cottage Knits and I think the topic will be interesting. Karen Olsen of Cloud Ranch Alpacas will be there to discuss raising Alpacas.

Any other Seattle knitters that want to join? The guild meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church at 8008 35th NE in Seattle. I think you need to become a member. Well at least I plan on becoming a member.

Tomorrow, a report on the guild meeting!

P.S. Yesterday I followed Mariko's directions and made the cutest tote bag. Today I'm making more!

Sitting Quietly



Today's a day for sitting quietly. The sky is a bit gray and the air is crisp.

On the other hand, I'm getting excited about the knitting guild meeting tomorrow!

Mariko has a great tutorial on Tote Bags 101 today and monica of Hollyweird Knits just finished a great Green sweater in time for St. Patty's Day! Fabulous!

Interviewing Interviewer

Whew! I just returned from a very long but productive interview. I want to work for this company. The people seem nice, the job seems nice, the place seems nice. Now they just need to be nice and hire me!

When I made the move home to the nest, my Mom asked me to make her a crocheted pillow for her bed. I present said pillow. I think it goes great with her Amish Quilt.



Now I need to get cracking on Kimmy's red scarf so I can get back to knitting up my Chicago Bag!

The Knitting of Strange Objects

Ryan of Mossy Cottage Knits Fame often writes about strange and interesting knitting objects she's found on the Internet. I think my newly created pattern is next for a feature!

I present for you, the knitted Gear Stick Cover! monica, notice the Gu!



And a close-up of this wonder created for my friend Julie after her dog nibbled on her car's gear stick:



Since this is the first pattern I've ever created on my own, I'm quite chuffed!

Here is the pattern for all the other knitters out there lusting after my new yet strange creation!

Needles: US 7

Yarn : Worsted-Weight. I did use Debbie Bliss Casmerino for this one though.

Gauge: No need to worry about gauge here.

CO 34 stitches. Work 2 ½ inches in 1x1 rib. If you want a fold-over look, knit 5 inches in 1x1 rib. Knit next 3 inches in stockinette stitch. Begin decreases. *Knit 2, knit 2 tog* Repeat across row. Purl 1 row. *Knit 1, knit 2 tog* Repeat across row. Purl 1 row. Knit 2 tog across next row. Cut yar, leaving a tail about 12”. Using a tapestry needle, thread tail through remaining 10 stitches. Pull tight closing mitten top and fasten off. Use remainder of tail to sew gear stick cover seam using mattress stitch. Weave in loose ends and Enjoy!


Today I leave you with a gratuitous shot of Destiny looking so cute while sleeping with her paw over her eyes.

Just one more day dreaming about Hawaii!

Just one more day waxing on about Hawaii. Just make me wish that I had learned how to surf. Now that looks like fun!

Here is the view from our room in Honolulu



And from our room in Kaua'i



So beautiful!

I had another interview today and it went well. Fingers crossed! I'm still finishing up the other interview's homework assignment. It's quite hard and makes me nervous about the job to be honest.

I leave you with a sunset view from my hotel room's deck in Hawaii.

Dedicated to Matya, the Chicken Lady

Today's post is dedicated to Matya who has an obsession with Chickens. She told me in Kaua'i that she wanted to visit that particular island because of the wild chickens. Kaua'i Wild Chicken's are everywhere you go on the island. There are millions of them due to the lack of predators. These wild chickens are descendants of fowl brought by the Polynesians and domesticated species that escaped during hurricanes ‘Iwa in 1982 and ‘Iniki in 1992. Only two mammals are endemic to Kaua‘i: the Hawaiian monk seal and the hoary bat. Any other beasts you encounter have been introduced to the area. Mot decided to chase them around at the Blue Room Wet Caves.



Mot even purchased a fake chicken which she named "Roosty".



Yesterday I received a message from her saying she had purchased a t-shirt with a chicken on it and was now looking for pants. She'll be the wild chicken lady!

We encountered most of our wild chickens at the Blue Room Caves. Here is a picture of Melinda at the caves. You can't really see her because of the lighting but it's a good shot of the caves.



While in Hawaii, I started my second Chicago Bag. I think I'll be adding some felted flowers to the front. Maybe the Poppies from MagKnits!

Gotta run! I just got a call that the yarn I ordered in November is in stock! Yea!

P.S. First interview went well today. I have a "homework" assignment and need to finish that but the yarn store will be a nice break!

Back from Paradise

I'm back from working in Hawaii. It was a week and a half of hard, hard work with a very nice relaxing end. I think this says it all!



More later once I've gathered my scattered thoughts. For now I must get back to job hunting. I do have interviews lined up all this week!