Another week bites the dust

Sushi Embroidery,
originally uploaded by Fiber Maiden.

So, hell week at work is at a close, and only half of a hell week lay ahead, and then I can get back to more important things like knitting. In loo of knitting this week I also started another project. Dum Dum Dum ....... Embroidery. Yes, people I can do it all I am a regular wiz at just about anything fiber. I got some patterns in from sublime stitches at www.sublimestitching.com. I have never bought her patterns before, because I usually make my own. In the spirit of the post that I made a while back about time managment I am letting her do the work for me. Hey, I can do it all, but I don't have to. I like the patterns. They are a little simple and plain, and there are alot of things that I plan on adding, but they are the best patterns on the market for the modern embroiderer. If that is even a word. I really like embroidery it is cheap, dirt cheap, easy, imaginative, small (it travels just as well as knitting), and relaxing. I find it to be even more relaxing than knitting, but that probably is because I have been embroidering longer than knitting. There are thousands of stitches just like knitting, and there are lots of different colors and patterns. Typically you will see embroidery on tea towels, pillow cases, and hankies, but I have seen alot of other kind of embroidery including on clothing and art. Jenny Hart the creator and owner of Sublime Stiches is an artist in her own right. You can find her art at www.jennyhart.net she is very talented. I have never done anthing on her scale, but I do enjoy the detail work just like I see in her art. If you have never embroidered give it a try. You might find another fiber obsession you can't live without.

Work is a 4 letter word

Argosy Lives,
originally uploaded by Fiber Maiden.

It is a word most cursed in my home. Dishes go unwashed, clean laundry piles up in the closet, and by the bed, and infront of the dryer. Food is being eaten out of boxes and bags. Yes, Mommy is working a little to much at work lately and it shows. I am just afraid there is no end. I feel like all I do lately is work, and work and work. There is no end! We are temporaily shorthanded at work and everyone is taking vacations, so, work has become a bane to my family. I actually knit a couple of stitches last night and fell asleep. Like an old man watching dateline. I was out in no time flat. My knitting didn't even stand a chance. I am looking forward to relief from this schedule from hell. If only it was over sooner. No more talky talk must knit, and maybe I can take a nap between stitches.

Knittingitus

Malabrigo,
originally uploaded by Fiber Maiden.

So, I have been so busy with the new dog that I have done little to no knitting, crocheting, or spinning in the last week or so. I need to start practicing so serious time managment. I think time managment could benifit alot of knitters out there. More often than not I find that fiber hobbiests are all or nothing. Which is just a reflection of poor managment. Most artist are poor managers. In my previous business I found that artists never valued thier work appropriatly. Most of the time totally under valuing their talents, materials, and efforts. I think it is high time we start valuing our efforts in a manner that a good manager would. You should set aside time weekly to work on your projects. If you worked for you inc and you didn't do your work you would fire you, wouldn't you. If you worked for you inc and you undersold your work, you would fire you too. I know that with a little bit of pre planning, time managment, and organization. We can make this thing work. After all it isn't just knitting anymore. It is the time we can spending doing something we truelly love, and have a natural gift to do. Don't we deserve to manage it like it was a billion dollar asset! I think so!

Who is that doggie in the window?

Rosco That Dog,
originally uploaded by Fiber Maiden.

So, it has only been a couple of days and we have already caved. The dog is going to stay with us. My husbands new dog does not have a name yet. So, I am taking suggestions. He is young, mostly hairless, and very energetic. Our other dog's name is Chuy, so, that might give you some ideas. Let me know if you have a good one, and we will consider it. I have been on skype alot lately almost constantly. There are alot of lovely knitters over there. Most of them are on Ravelry already so alot of the chatter is about that. I am sitting behind 3759 people as of now and it looks like they are adding about two to three hundred people a day. At that rate I won't have anything to contribute to the chat until next month. By that time something else will be the happening thing and I will be a month behind that. Oh, well, at least I get to the party even if I am not the first to be invited.

Rosco The Rescue

Rosco The Rescue,
originally uploaded by Fiber Maiden.

In the late hours last night straight out of SnB I rescued this Hairy Hairless Chinese Crested. He is just a gem. It is amazing to me how increadibly heartless people can be to animals. These are one of the rarest and most expensive dog breeds in the world and someone saw fit to abuse it. An animal is total dependant on its person or people to provide a health enviornment and teach it right from wrong. Every living thing is entitled to love and happiness. I am currently interviewing people to get him into a loving home. I would keep him. My Hubby even said I could People. Which is totally crazy! But he is young and he needs to be in a home with a very active family. My crested is old and tired and that works for us. If you know anyone in the Greater Houston Area that is interested in Rescuing a wonderful dog have them email me. There is no charge for him. He just needs a forever home.

No Crochet You

No Crochet You,
originally uploaded by rrhood78.

I relized that I have never written about crochet. Yes I dabble in the dark arts. I think alot of fiber artists make a big to do about being one over the other. Mostly knitters sad to say, are consumed by the thought that knitting is some how better. I think that is crap! There is no logical that making a swatch of fabric with a hook is some how less than making a swatch out of two sticks. Of course there are advantages to both and they are slightly different from each other in style. Crochet makes a heavier fabric and uses more yarn, but anyone who does both will tell you that they can crochet a hat in less than an hour and most hat patterns can not be knit in that time. It is supper fast and easy to do while watching or ready. I do all of my charity items and most of my children's items in crochet. Crochet is playful in the way knitting is sophisticated looking.
I first learned how to crochet when I was very young ( four or five). I was tought by my grandmother. Who has crocheted everyday for most of her life. It is something that to this day we share and talk about on a regular basis. It is our bond and it was my glimps into the fiber world. I learned to make crocheted lace when I was a teenager, and still have that pattern book to refer back to.
I find that being able to do both, and having the tools to do both is helpful in most of my fiber adventures. I have yet to do a finished garment completely in crochet due to the heavyness of its fabric, but I do most of my hats and scarves in crochet for the same reason. I also do alot of finishing touches and embelishments on my knitted garments.
Crochet is in some way my past, but recently it has started feeling like my future too. The crochet community is growning and changing and I can feel it happening. I hear it and see it all around me. So, I am a Hooker and I am proud of it!

Happy Fourth Get A Mop

Our Damage,
originally uploaded by rrhood78.

So, in loo of cool fire works, hot dogs, live music, and good family and friends visiting untill early morning hours. We cleaned up flood damage, and nursed emotionally wounded family members. Our fourth of July celebrations rival that of any other holiday during the year. It is easily said that fourth of July is the biggest and most amazing celebration all year in our family. With annual attendance at or above fifty people steady for the last twenty years. When we where kids we would sell tickets and put on a fourth inspired talent show with all of my cousins. When we were young we would pop a few crackers, do some romain candles, and a sparkler or two, but in the last 15 years the piro has grown to a full on professional production. Most due to the advancing technology in piro, but also due to our sheer buying power. We easily by thousands of dollars worth of piro to make hour long amazing displays. Now instead of lip sinking to old county tunes from a sterio, we have live bands. It is amazing how something like that can grow into a monster of an event. Well, none of that happened this year. In fact only five or so people even showed up. After two weeks of constant and heavy rain the lake house was flooded. All in all about five feet of water came into the house, and we lost everything. Every bed, appliance, and piece of furniture is ruined. Everything will be replaced eventually, but it was devistating cleaning all of the silt, mud, fish ( I am not joking really real dead fish), and debri out of the house. We spent fourth ripping out dry wall and floor boards. Instead of telling old stories and roasting marshmellows. It is a fourth like this that will make all from now on a little sweeter, and a fourth never to forget! Needless to say, I did little to no knitting, and spent my entire vacation working, so, we are good an tired and going back to work tommorow.

Project 2007

Project 2007,
originally uploaded by rrhood78.

So, here it is well into the Summer the 2007 project has begun. Just so that you know the last time I did a big project it took over two years to do, and had to be started from scratch over a dozen times. My needles where eaten by dogs atleast two times, but I think it was closer to four. My yarn was eaten by dogs. None of these dogs where mine, so, it wasn't my fault. The Never Never sweater as it is known was pulled out involuntarily a couple of times by infants and small children. I swear that this will not happen to this project. I promise to stand by my project and protect it from small mammals at all times. I will keep it in a zipper bag protected from all matters of weather. I promise to take pictures of it and listen to lots of podcast while knitting it. It will not fall by the way, it will be my new best friend, and lover. Project 2007 I will honor and obey you! This I promise!