Confessions of a Craft Addict: November 2004 Archives

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November 22, 2004

Downtime? Never!

The 3wa crafts fair is almost over, and I've done quite well! I sold 9 scarves, and have been 'commissioned' to make another (along with the 8 scarves and 4 ponytail ties I'll still need to make on custom order from friends) If I can get quick enough on knitting these jewelbox scarves (just ladder/railroad yarn in a basic garter stitch on big needles... shhhh don't tell) they may actually become a viable addition to my business. I need to make some new cards... my current stock has been repeatedly picked over, and although they are good a lot of the most popular ones are either gone or nearly gone. However, I don't want to make that kind of mess (pulling out my card-making supplies and going at it) until I've cleaned up the mess that already exists in my house... So, for now, I will continue to knit and procrastinate. (procrastiknit?) =) I did update my FO gallery, So you can see all of the fabulous goodies I have been making this month. Lots of basic scarves, of course... but also this handbag (which I finally added the hardware to last night, meaning I get to take it off the WIP sidebar!):

and this not so basic scarf:

I made the pattern for the muppet scarf up myself, and I hope to eventually work it up and post it. It will probably take a while, though - between all the commissioned knitting I have to do and making holiday gifts, I'll be keeping pretty busy. And, just in case that all's not enough, I decided that I wan't happy with how the grey yarn knitted up into the armwarmers, so I got some delicious Noro Cash Iroha in brown and started over. I finished up the first one late last night, except for weaving in the ends. I also decided to go tighter and longer this time, and knit it in the round (my first foray into magic loop knitting).

I am pleased (though it's a pain in the butt to take a decent picture of your own right hand, if you're right handed!). Oh, and besides needing to make the mate to this armwarmer, I also got some Brown Sheep Prarie Silk in burnished copper off ebay to make a felted hat from. Never a shortage of projects, it seems! --------

Posted by Shannon at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)

November 18, 2004

Craft Fair

I've been busy knitting away on scarves for the 3WA craft fair that is currently in progress. Go check it out! my auctions are here, and I highly recommend checking out everything else there, while you're at it... there are some incredible goodies at fabulous prices! In other news, D's grandfather passed away this weekend, and our marriage is on the rocks - hence the not writing much. --------

Posted by Shannon at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)

November 04, 2004

Horrors, Heroes, and more...

I will begin with the political... I feel sad, frustrated, disheartened, and sick to my stomach about the election. I truly believed that Kerry would pull it out... Closer to home, I feel completely shocked and disgusted that Oregon's anti-gay-marriage bill passed... we have turned down so many anti-gay measures in the past... I don't understand how this one slipped though. *sigh* I was one of those who joked about leaving the country if shrub won, and although we may still take that road if we are threatened by a draft, or something else unforseen and horrible, I am feeling more of a pull to stay and change things now that the election has actually occurred. After all, if everyone with the brains, empathy, and passion to act out against this administration and their policies leaves the country, it will just make it easier for them to ruin everything. I don't want to make it easier, I want to be a part of the solution. </soapbox> As a counterpoint to all of the negativity and sadness surrounding the election and other goings-on in the world these days, go read this journal entry. Threeway Action is an online community that I have been a part of for over 2 years, and I am consistently amazed at the incredible things that these people do for one another, making a real difference in each other's lives - this is only one example. On to the knitting content. So, last weekend I went down to Eugene for my internship... on Friday, I wore my falling leaves scarf - and came out of that day with 3 people wanting to buy copies of it in various colors - one of them wants 6 long ones, and 4 short ones to tie around ponytails! This certainly boosts my confidence about being able to sell the ones I'm making for the 3WAuction Craft Fair that starts this weekend - as well as boosting my yarn budget in the near future! I completed my blue/green ladder scarf on monday, and I'm about halfway through with the red one, with purple and orange waiting in the wings. I'm also working on a pair of gauntlets/wristwarmers... my hands keep getting really cold at work (to the point my fingers have gone numb while typing), and I hope these will help.

I just finished the first one, but haven't started on the second yet. I knit all of this one at my parents' house on tuesday while watching the election coverage, so there are a few glitches, but it just wasn't worth it to me to rip back and fix them on this... It's made from a great merino/silk blend I got from the sale shelf at one of my LYSes, Northwest Wools. One last picture before I go today... This house was in the nighborhood I was staying in down in Eugene. I've never seen anyone go quite this all out in decorating their house for halloween, before (click on the picture to see it bigger):