Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Art Room - Organized!




Our guest room doubles as an art room. It contains a queen-sized bed (I'm serious when I invite people to come stay!) and 4 Ikea pieces that look new, but I plucked them off Craigslist for a total of $40! The dresser contains my roving and odd balls. I've staged 2 Roman battles on top, with a considerable amount of creative license. On the left, Gluteus Maximus faces off against two giant Angora goats. To the right, Cerberus confronts Primus, Secundus, and Tertius in a standard shield formation. Their legionaire Pantsius Minimus leads from the rear, while color guard Odor Permeatus (named for his wolf's head costume) cheers them on from the front line. The non-pictured wardrobe is mostly empty, but holds a sewing machine and mini fabric stash. The two bookcases you can see for yourself. Girlie keeps her guitar(s) and painting supplies in here, too.

The labels are just paper slipped between the fiber and inside wall of the bin, for easy changing. I bought the boys at Hamley's in London when we went to get Preston last May. It was deliciously fun to declare "Roman Army" as a purchase on the Customs form.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Links from PKF

Monkey-Toes project bags
Piddleloop project bags
Cavyshops (OMG!)

1st Annual Philly Knitty Fest





Jas organized this little gathering of Knitty forum readers, which rapidly "spun" out of control into a rampage of international wool fiends. Please note that these pics only represent a small percentage of attendees! A few quotes should sum it up:

"You know there have been ho's in this hotel."

"I've found my people."

"Tell him the yarn store was giving out free samples."

"Assault with a deadly napkin."

"Coffee with babies in it"

"I poke people for yarn."

"Do we need to put velcro on your ass?"

"You'll poke people for anything."

"I'm my mom's own little Asian sweatshop."

"There was some sex and then there were some babies born."

"I think grey with an 'a' looks dumb."

"It was the shorts that really disturbed me."

"Tickle me Koigu"

"An epiphany every round"

"I looked at her boobs and thought 'She's not with us.'"

"Hail Odin!"

"It's a knitting miracle"

"If it explodes under me, it's not my ass, it's the chair."

"Did you put out for him?"

"Even Amy can't distract me from clearance yarn!"

"I swore you said there were monkeys in Portland."

"This fell off, where do you want me to stick it?"

"We need some fiber to push it through."

"I'm eating someone else's cheesesteak!"

"Are you getting any back there?"

"Mel's dropping her balls"

"She's going to True Value for a good screw."

Can't wait for next year! Thanks, everyone... There's nothing like making a passel of new best friends while touching merino and silk. :)

FFBX contest

1. What is your favorite yarn for felting, and why?
I like using my own handspun. I also like playing with a huge lot of no-name llama yarn I bought from a weaver. It creates a fun halo.
2. Name one person in the swap who is not from the U.S. and tell us where they are from, and link to their blog.
Chrissie lives in Singapore.
3. Find one person in the swap who has a dog, and let us know the name of their dog(s) and link to their blog.
Mary and Lady live here.
4. Find one person in the swap who has a child or grandchild and link to their blog.
Judy has done her bit to populate the Earth.
5. And finally, tell us if you like October or November more, and why!
October, because it includes Halloween, obviously! :) Plus Oct is all about breezes and colorful leaves and breaking out the sweaters. November is more oh-geez-it's-cold and what's-with-the-Christmas-Decor-on-Nov-2?

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The Maine Event






My sister (in law) Nancy throws a Rose Family Reunion at her home in Maine every year, and WOW what a shindig. We're talking pony rides, tractor rides (much more violent/exhilarating than I would have expected!), pet fish shopping (we came home with a long-nosed eel, Cyrano, and a spotted catfish, Bengal), cake decorating, swimming, deep sea diving, cheese tasting, chocolate lolly painting (I made the tie-dye one for Matt), horse surgery viewing (orthopedic, the mare did fine), horror movies, a free-weight workout, Millionaire Shortbread, and of course the sweetest, most succulent lobster ever. We had about a zillion adults and kids running amuck and it was utterly fantastic.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Save the Surfers!


John From Cincinnati has been cancelled. I've already written HBO to ask them to reconsider. I love its intelligent quirkiness. If you feel the same, speak your mind. And ask 'em to bring back Carnivàle while they're at it.

Fall Felted Bag Swap Questionnare

1) How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom? Taught myself to knit about 4 years ago. It was actually a silly jealous urge to compete with Matt's first wife, who is a serious Martha Stewart type. She crochets but said she could never learn knitting - it was "too hard" - so I tackled it. One of the best things I ever did for an utterly ridiculous reason.
2) What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting? The first one was a purse (felted for strength) - a disaster - I underestimated the squish factor (vert. vs horiz. shrinkage). Since then I've successfully made bags and stuffed animals.
3) What are your favorite colors? No pastels please! My absolute faves are sapphire, ruby, & emerald, but my tastes are pretty varied.
4) What are your favorite styles\types of bags? Since I have to carry a 6"x 10" appointment book everywhere now, I prefer one on the larger side. Pockets are good! Is it possible to make a roomy, sturdy felted bag that isn't too heavy? Maybe not... a fun casual bag would be great too.
5) What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting? I have a smallish "Where the Wild Things Are" tote that I use as my everyday purse. It's the perfect size but I'd like to have an alternative. I do have a giant knitting tote for S&Bs, etc but in general I carry just the essentials of a small portable project (socks) in a cotton bag in my purse.
6) What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? I don't know how to crochet, although I plan to learn at some point. I like knitting my handspun into stuffed animals / monsters, clothing, accessories.
7) What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? Circs and DPNs only. Bamboo / wood unless the yarn is super sticky. Metal is good to avoid cat dental tracks, though.
8) What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make? Fair Isle sweater.
9) What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with? Sea Silk (in my stash already - I was a dork and got 2 in diff colors - I wish they were the same so I could make a tank top)
10) What other hobbies do you have? Spinning, photography, books & movies, science, history, medicine, beading / jewelery.
11) Besides yarn, do you collect anything? Roving... realistic rabbits (not the dressed cutesy ones).
12) What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Both! Small quantities, please.
13) Do you have any kiddos? Skin kids: 2 girls, not living with me :(. Fur kids: 3 cats & a bunny. Steel kids: 2 London Taxis & a VR6 Jetta.
14) What kind of project best personifies you and why? My knit monsters - I make them up as I go along and let them develop their own personalities. I like their individuality and strangeness.
15) What is your favorite part of Autumn? Everything!!! It's by far my favorite season, and Halloween is my favorite holiday. Crisp air, colorful leaves, yum! I just want to run into the forest in a Red Riding Hood! :)
16) Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery. Pay off my bills & set up all my family members. Book a trip to Italy. Buy a battered old Range Rover.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Natural History





Matt & I took Girlie's son Artful Dodger (er...Wart... no! Sonic the Hedgehog) to Philly's Natural History Museum. As you can see, both were eaten by dinosaurs, but survived to come home and snorgle Blackberry. What a happy bunny! We also saw the Mütter again - I love that place! Forgive the cellphone pics (yet again!) as I left the real camera at the office... after forgetting to photograph it. Oops!

Men can be really stupid

Here's my Craigslist ad:

Extraordinary ACUPUNCTURE and THERAPEUTIC BODYWORK

I'm an acupuncturist that has recently moved here from the Seattle area. While waiting for my Pennsylvania licensing paperwork, I'm offering my acupressure and osteopathic-style bodywork sessions at a reduced introductory rate: $60/ hour

I can ease tight muscles and relieve pain with a gentle, intelligent touch. I have great success treating migraines, sleep disorders, back / neck / joint pain, TMJ, and anxiety. My specialty is musucloskeletal complaints. I have experience working on everyone from Olympic athletes to fibromyalgia patients. Techniques include Trager, percussion, Still, myofascial, counterstrain, muscle energy, and Tuina. FREE smoking cessation treatments available.

My new office is inside the Spirit of Yoga Wellness Center in Downingtown. Home visits are also available with an additional fee depending on your location. I live near Paoli. Appointments are available 8am to 6pm.

Please note that I *DO NOT* provide contact of a sexual nature: I am a professional healthcare provider. The keywords below are only to help people find me who may be uncomfortable seeking medical treatment from a more conservative office.
Please call 484-238-8127
Sharon Rose

keywords: bisexual lesbian gay queer friendly poly polyfidelity polyamorous transgender transman transgirl dominant submissive bdsm kinky alternative lifestyle tattoo blue hair "family of choice" gentle effective healing therapy medicine

*******

Still, I get mail from guys listing their height / weight, asking what I wear, asking for a pic. WTF? These people need help that I cannot provide. Unfortunately I can't actually post that picture.

FYI: This is completely legal - there's no licensure requirement for "massage" in PA.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Because I need another purse :)

I've been having so much fun with these swaps that I'm going to do one more: The Fall Felted Bag Exchange. Autumn's my favorite season - this should be a blast. Now I just need access to a top-loading washing machine... the one here is a front loader. Oops! Rented the wrong house!

Friday, August 03, 2007

No Sheep for Me II - More silk!

Once again, my NS4U Secret Pal (not so secret anymore) has soared above and beyond the call of duty. Check out the booty:

1) 2 skeins of silk in a lovely French blue. The texture is actually fluffy and quite wool-like!
2) Biscotti (yum!)
3) some sort of instant yummy hot drink mix (shall be scrumptious with (2), I believe)
4) A blue hard-shelled notions case
5) Blue birdy scissors to go in the case
6) 5 stitch markers with sapphire crystals (my FAVE color!)
7) more stitch jewelry
8) Ginger (my fave flavor!!) lemon cookies
9) wool washer
10) Choco Altoid mints

All wrapped up in sparkley blue paper and topped with a cute card.
Kris, my knitted hat is off to you. May your future upstream swappers be embarrassingly generous!