For The Love Of Fiber

getting into it...

2006-02-24T06:00:00.001-08:00

My Secret Pal has returned with bounty to share from afar! Unfortunately, busy as I am, it took a nudge to get me to my mailbox. She has sent chocolates, perhaps Parisian, a book about knitting and most timely, spectacular Japanese incense!
I say this because I have been feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork and interests and integration. So, immediately upon opening my box of goodies I gravitated to the smell of the cedar and immediately filled the room with the incense. What a welcome calming respite. Thank you, Secret Pal!

2006-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

2006-02-24T05:58:00.000-08:00

no need to gush...

2006-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

happy valentine's day!

ready to start

2006-02-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

okay. so this is the pattern for the 'hug' I'm making with the yummy cashmere! thanks to ali, my special girl, who's coveting my yarn, eager to wind it, would really be glad to take it for her own, I have a project bag all set with loaned size 10 needles included, her favorites. Do wish me success in starting, better yet, in finishing!

The moment it arrived

2006-01-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

I was hooked. There it was a box with SP in the return address. What was going to be inside? This was that moment. What compelled me to join secret pal thing in the first place. A package, contents unknown yet anticipated, for me!

first peak...

2006-01-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

oh my...cashmere and color...

2006-01-26T19:19:00.000-08:00

for me...to hold and use

2006-01-26T19:18:00.000-08:00

there's more...

2006-01-26T19:16:00.000-08:00

and more...

2006-01-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks SP!

2006-01-26T19:13:00.000-08:00

2006-01-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

First Podcast

2006-01-20T06:47:00.000-08:00

You Are Bold Red Boots

You like to put your most outrageous foot forward!

What Kind of Boots Are You?

2006-01-20T06:45:00.000-08:00

You Are Psyche!

Eternally in search of purpose and insight.
You're curious and creative with a total sense of wonder.
Totally empathetic, you pick up on other's moods easily.
Just be sure to pamper yourself as well!

What Goddess Are You?

First Podcast

2006-01-19T15:37:00.000-08:00

Been trying to figure out this podcasting thing....not sure I quite got it, but here goes. First Cast

Desveaux's Hat

2006-01-16T18:12:00.000-08:00

Current Project

2006-01-16T17:31:00.000-08:00

This is my most recent start. Now that it's secret pal time,I'm using up some odd bits of yarn I've had more than a few years. I had to make SOMETHING! Have the idea of making a brightly colored doll/monster thing. Clearly my daughter's influence rings through, though no pattern involved, just me. So we'll, see.

Ali's Boots

2006-01-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

I just went for a walk with my little miss (not so, so little anymore, really), around the block, so to speak. A beautiful day indeed, we spoke of blogging and knitting. Color is a marvelous thing. It pops so on a day like today, bright and sunny, and cold.
She threatened to monitor my progress, to look over my shoulder and say knit. More!

Fiber Secrets

2006-01-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

I've joined a secret pal thing now that I've started the blog thing. It's really quite fun. You get matched with someone, well two someones, really. And then you get to give gifts and get them! Below is a questionaire I filled out for it. (It's mainly for my secret pal,I think, so feel feel to skip it)

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? I suppose I am, I love the deluxe stuff. Soft feel- good yarn.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? No, but the whole make your own yarn thing is really appealing especially after checking out links to links of zealous spinners, knitters, fiber artists.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? A cloth knitting needle holder from my grandmother, who gave me all her knitting supplies a few years back, Tupperware containers and a wooden chest. Yes, I have more than a handfull.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Beginner, sure, especially since I’ve never cabled. I can also design. So maybe advanced beginner.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No, but maybe I’ll make one.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I like essential scents,sandalwood,lavender, spruce (for candles), anything naturally based. Don’t care for the perfume-y smells.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Did, do, but am trying to cut back on the sugar. Time to cleanse my system.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Printmaking, digital arts like video, animation, interested in installation and performance art as well as dance too. It’s all in there swirling around.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I love music! Reggae, world, soul, classical, folk…liking it all, just not so inclined to throw on heavy metal and punk these days or too much rock.

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

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
No pets. A daughter and a special someone.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes. Yes. Yes and yes!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Well that depends, I’ve liked soft bulky yarn because it knits up quick, but I don’t if I’m still wanting big bulky knits.

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

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Truth be told I’m not in an obsessive place right now about knitting, a little while back I was getting kind of obsessive about knitting machines.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Hats are fun, bags.

17. What are you knitting right now? Haven’t touched a thing in a couple of months, I think the last thing I was knitting was a pink tube. Think skirt, head wrap shrug all wrapped up in one.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, especially fun and funky ones.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?Each.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?Bamboo, though aluminum has a very satisfying ring to it.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?No.

22. How did you learn to knit?Taught myself.

23. How old is your oldest UFO? UFO stands for some unfinished object, right? It was years and years and then some. But I’m letting them go, my daughter is now using the yarn that would have been my mom’s coat and I think I tried felting some of the other partial pieces of things unfinished.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? I’ve been liking the little birds with black stripe-y marks that come feed outside the kitchen window.

25. What is your favorite holiday? Hmmm, let me think…

26. Is there anything that you collect? Yeah, like lots of things, being part pack rat. Books, material, yarn, art supplies, computer applications, sewing machines, shoes, bags, lights, things that strike my fancy, music.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? No subscription but am fond of Fiber Arts

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Probably any multimedia art book or book with cool graphics for inspiration. Anything rich in imagery that can make my mind soar.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Dye-ing, Spinning

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Not yet, size 10.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 05/26