Did you see him?

Did you see him?, originally uploaded by Teodoratan.

I don't know about you, but I just LOVE art -- all kinds.

This chica has some AWESOME talent -- check him out!!

Crazy - Sexy - Cancer

Strange name for a film about cancer, isn't it? I thought so too -- and than I watched it!

WOW!!

I cannot tell you how great this movie was, or what a GREAT person Kris is Carr is. If you see it airing in your area -- WATCH it. Even if you aren't sick -- it's extremely inspiring! You will laugh, cry, giggle, scream....but most of all I think you will be inspired too!

Here is a link to her website in case you'd like to read more Kris Carr -- MY HERO!!

My custom Dyed yarn!

I just came across my custom dyed yarn today -- and I am in love all over again!

This stuff is soooooo squishy soft and lovely -- when it arrived, I could not believe there was such a thing as a wool yarn (it's merino) that was so soft....what did I know, I was new!

The only wool I knew was that scratchy stuff that old sweaters were make out of that you HAD to wear something under or spend the whole day in misery with itchy skin. I still have not decided what to do with this, but one day I will come up with the perfect project for the yarn that was custom made just for moi by Irish Baby Knits. Thanks again, girls! I still love it to death!

And in knitting news.....Cat Borhdi's: New Pathways for Sock Knitters and the Stitch Markers

Yeah, I know -- it's about time, right? This _IS_ supposed to be a knitting blog after all -- but my rotor cuff is still really messed up and I have been too scared to mess it up more by doing any knitting. BUT -- I think I'm over that and ready to get my knit on again before I have no hair left at all.

So, in the spirit of preparing myself for "THE" day, of course I had to treat myself to a small little gift. Since Cat Bordhi's book is on my wish list (and we all know how addicted I am to the almighty sock!) -- I decided to find the stitch markers before they were all sold out! And find them I did! Check these out, my friends!!






I know my photography skills have not improved -- and these really are nicer in person, but aren't they cute? If you click the picture, you will see a larger view and really get up close and personal with the cute little devils :) I am SO happy with them.

If you'd like a set of your own, (I special ordered mine because I liked the beads she used on another set of beads she offered, from Canada -- and they were here in LESS than a week -- but she is now offering them in her etsy store!!!) I cannot recommend Tricia highly enough.

Her prices are awesomely fair, and she's super sweet and quick as lightning! Her etsy shop is called Knit Jewelry if you'd like to have your own set -- check her out!

From what Ms. Cat seems to think -- in the very near future, she sees ALL patterns being written using either lettered or numbered stitch markers, and I can see where she's coming from! If you think about it, it makes a WHOLE lot of sense. Rather than just telling you to knit to a marker -- you can be instructed to knit to marker A and do "blah. blah. blah" then to marker "B" and SSK....I think that the Genius AKA Cat Bordhi is on to something.....again! She is someone that I would SO love to meet!! I've seen her on Knitty Gritty and she's fascinating to me -- she knits with circs behind her back (and I wouldn't be surprised if she could do it standing on her head too -- she's extremely passionate about knitting!) Ah, well. Unless she comes to my house, chances of that happening are NIL. :(

I can't believe it's over....Evel DICK WINS

For the past three months -- Showtime has been a very big part of my life for three hours each and every night!

Big Brother 8 has been on Showtime 2 and for those of you that don't know -- last night it ended, I knew I was going to miss it -- BUT -- it's only the first night and it's BAD! The addiction was DEEP.

I could not be happier with the outcome -- I was THRILLED that D&D smoked all the others -- and that they seemed to be on the right track to healing their relationship. Coming from someone that has lost their own father -- I would give every single I own to have one more day with him, so for Dani to not want to give her Father the time of day breaks my heart....So, I think the last week in the house may have cemented what the past three months have started.

(And just so that I don't get any more freaking out phone calls from any one -- No, I don't agree 100% with ED's way of playing the game (he's a WHOLE lot like my own father was, actually! And I didn't exactly love it when I was on the receiving end of the yell-fests AT ALL) but with ED it was strategy and he NEVER directed it at Dani....THAT is one thing that you have to give him. Never ONCE did he yell or even raise his voice at her....and there were a couple of times where she really needed to hear it too, IMHO (sorry, but it's true!) So, I just mean that I totally respect his game, and I have a feeling that although what Daniele says is true, I don't think that the everyday ED is quite as in-your-face as the BB ED was. Got it? Good.)

Oh, and ED should you ever happen to drop by here -- CONGRATULATIONS!! Have a BLAST on your trip!! And Dani, I hope that you and Nick have a great time together! I almost didn't recognize him, no facial hair -- it was SHOCKING!! (he's still a huge hunk though -- you've got awesome taste girl!) One quick thing, if I may. Please watch out for that one that cries all the time, OK? ::shiver:: And as long as I am on a roll here -- Vincent is adorable too, guess it must be something in the genes!

Now, on to your Mother ED -- I don't think that she could have been any more proud! She was BEAMING when Julie asked her about your and Dani's reconciliation she lit up like she had just won the 500 grand. She's a doll! I hope Jameka had the good sense to apologize to her. What she said was just awful!

Ok, this has taken up a few minutes, what am I going to do for the rest of the three hours? I MISS BIG BROTHER 8 ALREADY!!!!!!

I think I will go cry for a while.......just kidding -- I am not that bad...but it's close -- As Daniele would say, I need to get a life. Right Dani?

Since I firmly believe free is better than cheap....

A phrase a person that is still very dear to me taught me many moons ago -- that I still believe today :) AND, there is no knitting going in here at this time -- I bring you the following free offer:



Thanks, Folgers!!

Nine Eleven....

As I searched for something appropriate to post here, the tears fell more and more with each page I browsed.

While I really didn't want to post something this heavy here -- the song that is accompanying this piece convinced me that it was just what I needed to do......

God Bless all those that lost their lives -- and those they left behind. I, for one, will ever be the same....

Sweater Finishing for Hand and Machine Knitters

I know this is a long shot -- but is there anyone out there that has this video that would be willing to lend it to me for viewing for a couple of weeks? (I can't freeking believe one just sold on eBay for TEN FREEKING DOLLARS! I could have bought it for that but $50 is something I just can't swing ATM) Or that is beyond what it can teach them and is willing to trade -- I have some sock yarn that I would be willing to part with if you're an Opal fan :)

I am in need of help with my sweater skills -- but I SO cannot afford to spend another penny on ANYTHING that isn't "the" thing for me. I have so many videos and books and you name it that I would love to be able to check this out before fork over money we don't have now (the job axing happened @ dh's job and trying to make ends meet on unemployment in such a freeking JOKE, if I weren't so busy crying it may actually be funny.

Can anyone help this depressed knitter (well, studying her butt off now 'cause she can't knit at the current time knitter) out in this pinch?

Trade Items for Marina

Here you go ;) Thought this would be better than sending them in the email! If you click on the pics, it will open them up and make them look even crappier er, bigger....Sorry -- we're all gone, except for the Sea Silk and Rare Gems which are going to stay! Thanks, everyone!






1- STR -- Mustang Sally -- this color leans _much_ more towards the red side than it looks like it does on their website IMHO. I think it looks more of a pinkish-mauve on the site.....

2- STR (Special Colorway (Rare Gem) that I don't think will ever be repeated -- it was a special color for the STR Club Members as Christmas Gift. I am not completely sure I want to part with it -- but if you really must have it we can talk :) ok?)

3- Handpainted Opal Sommernachtstraum Partie 4

4- Cherry Tree Hill Merino

5- Fleece Artists Merino

6- Don't know if you're interested in this or not but this & 7 are the special 150g skeins of Sea Silk from Fleece Artists had available for a while last fall

7 - Sea Silk in Special 150g Skeins

8- Lana Grossa Cotton Maya 7012 Cotton Maya 4ply 100g 45 Cotton 42 Virgin Wool and 13 Polyamid



9- Regia Surprise 100g

10- Same Brand as 9 Different Color (duh! )

11- Opal 100g

12- Opal Cotton 100g 48 cotton 39 wool 13 polyamid

13- Lana Grossa Cotton 45 cotton 42 wool 13 polyamid

14- Trekking XXL (Pink one)

Fell off the face of the earth for a while!

It's been a bad month or so -- but I bet I didn't even have to tell you that did I?

I am still hanging in there -- I think! Barely! I still am not able to knit because of the shoulder injury -- but I am going to start again this week I have just decided :) I REALLY miss the wool, plus the stress relief that I got from the knitting, plus I have all this lovely yarn just calling my name that I have to do something with!

On other fronts, the DH did lose his job, we now have no health insurance and no job available AT ALL AND no way to pay for my EXTREMELY expensive prescription drugs either (unemployment is such a JOKE!), so I am trying to find out if there is a way to get the drug companies to provide them...but so far I can't find any programs for the drugs I need them for. And it's no wonder -- they are SOOOOO freeking expensive! If anyone knows of a place to check for any drug assistance, please feel free to send a message -- or leave a comment and I will be forever in your debt!!

That's it for now. Hopefully I won't be gone for another month!

**WARNING -- CONTAINS MAJOR RANTING

*
Here is one thing we can do -- can anyone that reads this message PLEASE go to this website and BEG (for me, please if not for your self) that they keep the crafting type shows ON DIY and HGTV -- Pretty Please? I'll be your best friend , ok, couldn't resist that last part, I can't remember wanting something this badly that I was not able to get for myself since I was a kid -- and that is what I can remember saying :) Here's the link:

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/newsletter/text/0,2019,DIY_14146_14234,00.html

And I thank you from the bottom of my heart! *********

It doesn't happen very often these days -- I just don't have the energy to devote to being this angry any more, but I am PISSED!

Here I am, minding my own business, and for the first time in literally a week I am feeliing strong enough to sit up and read for a bit and what do I find but this lovely entry in Vicki Howell's (oh, how I ♥ that woman!!) Blog -- wait until you see -- You're gonna be pissed too! Hope Vicki doesn't mind my borrowing this -- it's easier than trying to word it myself:

Unfortunately, the voice of Knitty Gritty's mostly female viewership (or any of the other DIY craft shows, for that matter) has not rang through as clear when it comes to ratings. Nielsen has shown that the network's audience is overwhelmingly male's who watch Fix-it shows. That said, although KG is still strong for them in the genre they've found that re-runs do just as well for them as new shows so we won't be going into production this year. It will still be on 5 days a week but at least for 2007, the majority of the shows will be re-runs.

I'm very curious about how Nielsen box recipients are chosen and how accurate ratings are in this technological age when people are DVRing or often, watching at least parts of shows on the internet. Do men monopolize TV ratings power, or do women have as much ad revenue influence there as we do on-line? I suppose, there's only one way to find out. If you're a woman with a Nielsen box in the house and you enjoy Knitty Gritty, Craft Lab, Uncommon Threads, etc., then you can help ensure new episodes of the shows for 2008! Tune in and tune in often. Thank ya, kindly.

Now, what kind of A$$HATS are there at DIY Network anyway? Do they REALLY think they are making us happy with reruns? The only reason I watch them is because there isn't anything else on at that time -- however, if there were -- I wouldn't! AND, I am seriously thinking about a Boycott. I mean, WTF? We do NOT deserve to be treated like this!! How can they say things like just give them reruns, they're stupid and will watch them and be just as happy with them anyway. I am HIGHLY PO'd about that I tell you right now.....

Does ANYONE know how to go about doing something about this? Where can one write to try to persuade the "powers that be" to GIVE US NEW SHOWS??? PLEASE help if you know how I can do something about this!

Here is one thing we can do -- can anyone that reads this message PLEASE go to this website and BEG for me that they keep the crafting type shows ON DIY and HGTV -- Pretty Please? I'll be your best friend , ok, couldn't resist that last part, I can't remember wanting something this badly that I was not able to get for myself since I was a kid -- and that is what I can remember saying :) Here's the link:

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/newsletter/text/0,2019,DIY_14146_14234,00.html

And I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

@)#(@ _@)# ( @_( #$)# @)(@# $)@# @(#) $ !@)( @#@ ($*$ @)!_)

The Yarn Snob has a new store!!!

And she didn't even tell me!!! But isn't her button lovely??

You can find her new Etsy Store here, just in case you'd like to visit. Her yarns are really lovely, you should check it out just to drool!!