crap, but at least there is SnB

I have been having a crappy week. Nothing dramatic, but let's just say the work situation, which has been going rather well, has been a bit bumpy as of late. The important thing I've tried to hold on to is to breathe in and breathe out and try not to cry in front of people. It's just hard when you feel like you're giving your all, but no matter how hard you work, because you don't play the political ass-kissing game, that you'll never be rewarded. (although the question of giving my all I guess could be raised since, well, I'm updating my blog at 9:30 in the morning on a Friday).

SnB has gotten me through this week. Both Tuesday and Thursday I went home and crawled into bed and pulled the covers over my head. I would have stayed there all night and wallowed in my own misery if I hadn't had SnB meetings to go to. Because even if all I do is quietly sit in a corner and knit, just going and listening to laughter makes me feel better. It maybe doesn't solve the root situation, but it definitely helps.

So, the phrase that pays from last night's WeHo SnB is : Eunuch Hats.

Ok, so maybe that needs a bit of explaining. Faith made this gorgeous knit hat from a variegated wool (kind of looked like Noro) that she said she made with a German yarn called Unikat. Across the table and across many other conversations, Gwen thought she said "eunuch hats." It was very funny at the time. Maybe it was funnier not explained.

yet another project

Ok, now that my friend, Christa's wedding is over, I feel the need to begin a new project. I still have a bunch of unfinished things, but, you know... I get bored. I'm like a cat -- easily distracted by shiny objects (or in this case, fuzzy, colorful objects... like yarn).

But, as part of my Stash Reduction Objective, I am using some cute pink & metallic red Dive yarn that I purchased at a Yarn Lady sale a year ago. I'm making this:

It's for my friend, Allison's birthday. She's pregnant, but I figure she'll get a lot of baby stuff, and every mother I know needs something pretty for herself. Plus, it's a shrug, so no wacky closures over bellies.

If anyone is interested in knitting this shrug along with me, the pattern is posted in the right-hand column. The sizing is as follows: 12 (bust: 30-31"), 14 (bust: 32-33"), and 16 (bust: 34-35"). Not very big, I'll give you. Luckily, Allison is very small, so even with maternity's gift (ie, bigger boobs), a large should fit, no problem. As I work on this, I'll report if the size is true.

photos

Ok, as requested by my fans (ok, fan -- Hi Laurie!), I present photos.

First, let me state for the record, that I am a bad photo blogger person. I forgot to take a photo of myself in the pink crocheted shrug with the bridesmaid dress (it was really hot at the reception, so I only wore it for a few minutes). But, I did remember to photograph the shrug & dress on the hanger. Not as good, but maybe a close second. So, here it is:


And here is the embroidery piece I (with help from my husband, who actually embroidered -- and liked it). I had it framed & matted before I gave it.


Here is the jewelry that I made for my sister (turquoise chunks, freshwater pearls & silver beads). She wore it to the wedding to match her Charlie's Angels-esque dress.


And here she is in said jewelry (why her mouth is open like she's trying to catch flies, I don't know).


And finally, here is me with the family at the wedding. Note the "glow" about my face (some unkind people might call it sweat). It was like 100 degrees with little to no breeze. But it was fun.


Santa Monica Stitch n Bitch is tonight. I don't really know what I'll work on because my finger is still sore from the *sports-related* injury. Maybe I'll try a little crochet, at least until it starts hurting again. grr. It's frustrating not to be able to make stuff when I want to.

weekend (craft) update

Ok, so it's Monday. The wedding is over, which means I'd better have finished all my wedding-related craft projects. And I am happy to say that I did.

I finished my alterations to the bridesmaid dress. It was still relatively unattractive, but aren't all bridesmaid dresses? The zipper never looked right, but I think that was mostly because I had to replace the it (first one broke while I was re-installing it) with one that was slightly heavier.

Crocheted shrug -- finished, although I think I actually wore it for all of 6 minutes because it was so hot at the reception. I passed the shrug on to my friend Carrie, so hopefully, she'll get some use out of it.

Embroidery wedding present -- complete & framed & gifted. Pictures posted later.

Jenny's jewelry -- completed, presented & worn (and paid for). Ended up with a necklace, bracelet & earrings.

Did I mention that I finished all of these projects with a *kickball* injury? Yes, I play in an adult kickball league (adult as in, over 21, but not as in "Debbie Does Kickball" -- www.kickball.com), and in the pre-game practice session on Wednesday, I bent to catch a kicked ball and jammed my right ring finger. I played the game, but I paid for it Thursday morning when it was bruised, swollen & hurting. I've got it taped up, but it still hurts like a mother. And it makes typing a bitch. So please excuse any spelling mistakes as I'm using the hunt & peck method as best I can.

Now that the wedding is over, I can not only work on non-wedding related crafts, but I can start the baby-related projects (not for me -- for one of my best friends). She's of English/Irish descent and his family is from Mexico, so I'm thinking of doing a baby blanket with shamrocks and chili peppers. I'll keep you updated.