Wednesday, November 29, 2006

One down, one to go

The power went out this morning at about 9:45 and stayed out for an hour and a half. I had nothing better to do but finish my first mitten. I think it's pretty frigging cute and can't wait to finish its pair so I can wear them proudly. The weather is starting to get colder, so it'll soon be time for scarves, mittens, hats and all things wooly. I wove in most of the ends, but I still need to either block or press the base of the mitten so it doesn't curl.

Here is the amazingly yummy Artyarns supermerino I bought in Dartmouth last weekend. And yes, that is Moustache getting ready to pounce. If Moustache was a 20something young woman, he would be the most high-maintenance woman out there. He will only play with expensive yarn. He scoffs at the thought of playing with anything made of acrylic. It's only cashmere and merino wool for this kitty.
The Artyarns supermerino is colour 101: a melange of purple, gold, navy, brown, olive, with turquoise highlights. These three balls will soon (when I finish my second mitten) become some lovely Thuja socks for hubby. Here's hoping I can figure out how to turn a heel. Eeek!

Monday, November 27, 2006

Trying my hand at mittens

I decided that my kitty hat needed some friends, so I'm making some matchy-matchy mittens with my leftover yarn (okay, it's more than just "leftover yarn". I bought two hanks and still have one left). This is my first time knitting mittens, and so far it's going well. I think lefty is looking pretty cute.

I went to Halifax on Sunday to drive my cousin back to university after a weekend at home. I stopped at Tooshie's to pick up my new best friend, Mrs. Pinky Kettle. Isn't she lovely on my barfalicious harvest gold stove?

She's a beauty and she whistles! I've only had electric tea kettles in the past, but I am officially in love with Mrs. Pinky. I've even stored the old electric kettle under the sink.

I stopped at Tangled Skeins in Dartmouth. I've heard that it's the happiest place on Earth, but had never visited before. I can confirm all rumours: it is indeed the happiest place on Earth. I bought several bamboo dpns and circulars and some beautiful Artyarns supermerino sock yarn (for my first attempt at socks, of course). I will take a photo of the new yarn whenever the sun comes out.

And now for some eye candy. Here's a print hubby made of moi! It's awesome. I love it.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Happy Holidays from Mr. and Mrs. Homicide

We were taking Christmas card pictures last night at Mum and Dad's house. Of course, we had to test the lighting first, so instead of just sitting there in front of the fireplace, hubby and I decided to put on a show.


Now that's creepy enough . . . having your hubby threaten you with a fire poker, but then Jesse got even more homicidal:


Hmmmm. Makes you wonder how the love of your life really feels about you.

Not much knitting to report. I'm working on another 2x2 rib scarf for my hairdresser. After that, I hope to dive in to my first sweater.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Two new finished projects

It's finally happened. After starting this project three times, I've finished it. This is my third hat and, of course, my first cable. Isn't it sweet?

Pattern: Cable and seed stitch baby hat by Sundara
Source: Purly Whites
Materials: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in colour #602 (1 ball)
Needles: US 3/3.25 mm dpns
Started: November 16, 2006
Finished: November 22, 2006

Modifications: Only one! In the increase row, I increased after every 17 knit stitches instead of after ever 16 stitched because 17 divides into 102 a heckuva lot better than 16.

Notes: This is such a lovely hat and the baby cashmerino was a pleasure to knit with. However, I found that since the yarn is so soft and smooth, it slipped off of my needles a lot and then I became frustrated. But cables were much easier to do than I thought they would be and I can't wait to try them again. I knit this hat because it seems as though everyone I know is having babies. This little gem will go to the first one who pops out a little baby girl.

I also finished this secret project a few weeks ago. Since the person who will receive this as a Christmas present may or may not read this blog, I decided to take a photo that doesn't reveal what it is . . . so just admire the blanket stitch and neat material.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

new friend

This lovely gal will be a permanent fixture in my kitchen very soon. I saw it on a full-page ad in the paper last week, on sale for $29.99 at the Paderno Factory Blow-Out sale. Awesome, except the sale is at the Halifax Forum and I wasn't planning to drive three hours for a tea kettle, albeit a very cute one. So, I asked Tooshie if she'd pick it up for me, and she did. I can't wait to see it!


The cut-off date for the job I applied for is today. I'm really hoping I'll get a call for an interview this week! Keep your fingers crossed!

Friday, November 17, 2006

Baby's first cable

After starting this project three times, I've managed to make my first (and second, and third) cable. It's oh-so exciting and I feel extremely accomplished. Before I was a knitter, I looked at cables and thought only experts could knit them -- now I know all you need is a crooked needle and ta-da! Instant cables! This photo is far from great (can you say "no sunshine for days"?), but if you try hard, you can see a cable somewhere in there.

This will be another baby's hat made of Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino in a pretty pinky coral shade (I know it looks orange in the photo -- blame the bad lighting).

I gave my umbilical cord hat to my friend today. We tried it on the little one and it's absolutely adorable. It's still a little big for him (he's only one month old), but he'll soon grow into it. I wish I had my camera with me when we stuck it on his head, but alas, I didn't.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Chapter 2

Well, I've fnished two new projects. I finished a secret project last night that's for someone who may or may not read this blog. Here's a hint:

Could be a button hole? Maybe not. Oh, it's all so intriguing.

And, as promised, the Kittyville Hat is done. I tried making pompoms (pompons?) to go on the ends of the drawstrings, but they didn't turn out. I think my yarn is too slippery because no matter how taught I pulled the string that goes around the centre, the pompom wouldn't hold. Oh well, I'm happy with a couple of knots on the ends of the drawstrings. I think the hat is rather lovely and cute as a button. Can't wait til it starts snowing and I can wear it (well, maybe not).


I also quit my job today. I had a huge problem with the bureau chief (I've had a problem with him since he came back from his "leave" in July) last week, so I sent an e-mail with the deputy managing editor telling him the whole story (the bureau chief essentially stole one of my stories and put his name on it). The deputy managing editor got back to me today, apologized for the way the bureau chief acted and wished me well. I've applied for a job that seems promising, so I'm hoping to snag it soon. If I don't get this job, who knows what I'll do. I have a freelancing opportunity coming up, so I'm looking forward to that.

I'm starting a new chapter in my life. One chapter has finished and I can't wait to read the next one.

Monday, November 13, 2006

new hat!

We join this kitty hat already in progress . . .

I started the Kittyville hat in the Stitch N Bitch book on Friday and it's already nearly finished. I just have to weave in some ends, finish the ears (so cute!) and add pompoms to the ends of the drawstrings.

Here's what it looks like so far:

I'm really happy with it. I knit it using Misti Alpaca worsted yarn that I bought in Saskatoon and it's so yummy and soft. It was a quick knit too. I started it in the car on the way to Halifax (to see the Hidden Cameras, eeee!) and knit like a champion all weekend. Knitting was a nice distraction Friday night when we went to Sarah's house for a small get together. The party was lots of fun (five of us spontaneously broke into Paradise By The Dashboard Light in the kitchen. We sounded awesome) until the world's most annoying couple showed up. I just focused all my attention on knitting and got through the evening fine.

Oh! and The Hidden Cameras were supergood. Jesse and I had a prime spot to watch the show (centre stage, first row) and we danced a lot. I don't think they were as good as two years ago, but they were still rather mind-blowing. The opening acts were good too. The drummer of Spiral Beach looked a lot like my ex-boyfriend Travis. Kind of creepy.

Stay tuned for my next post, for the Kittyville hat will be finished!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

back in Nova Scotia

My cold proved to be a pain in the ass (ears?) on the plane ride home. When we took off in Saskatoon, it wasn't long before most of my hearing was gone, but I didn't worry about it too much. Little did I know that going down would be much worse. As soon as we starting heading down toward Earth, the pain started. I was so thankful to be sitting next to the nicest lady in the world (Thank you, Beth!) who held my hand, put her arm around me and gave me a constant suppy of water. There's no point in explaining how much pain I was in -- let's just say I was stomping my foot and came within a nanometre of crying. What was the worst part of all this? Realizing I had to take another plane to Halifax in three hours.

The second flight wasn't as bad (although it was delayed by an hour because of an "indication of a problem") but I couldn't hear in my left ear until the following morning. My left ear still kind of hurts and I still have a cold. Those Saskatoon colds sure are powerful.

I knit another umbilical cord hat for my cousin's new baby boy and I plan to knit another one today for my friend's baby (who is due to enter the world next week!). I have knitting group tonight, so I'll probably work on it then.

I'm also working on a special project for a special friend who may or may not read this blog. The project is almost done and is as cute as a button. I can't wait 'til she sees it at Christmas!!

I applied for a job yesterday! They're hiring two copy editors at the new dialy in the valley, so I applied. I've always wanted to be a copy editor, so I'm hoping this is my "in." As far as I know, copy editing is a lot like producing, which I really enjoyed, and I'm in desperate need of a change. It might be nice not to have my name in the paper anymore. Plus, we could live in Halifax if I got the job and I could commute to Windsor. I'm trying not to be too hopeful ... but I really want the job. I deserve it. I made sure all of my references know that I'm applying and I explained to them why I want the job. Now it's all up to them and my prospective employers.

Jesse and I are going to Halifax this weekend to see The Hidden Cameras. Superexciting!!

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Last day on the prairie

My whirlwind tour of Saskatchewan is coming to an end. I've seen and done so much! I went to the Ukrainian Museum, saw the provinces two biggest cities, saw tumbleweed (I thought it was just something you see in Bugs Bunny cartoons, but there really is tumbleweed here!), went to an Aboriginal museum, saw Jason Collett and the Dixie Chicks, hung out with Erica and Recep and got a cold.

I also had time to visit some of the knitting stores in Regina and Saskatoon. I picked up some REALLY soft pink alpaca yarn. I'm thinking about knitting myself a hat with kitty ears with this:


I picked up this lot of yumminess in Regina at Hip2Knit. The blue Patons Decor is for a scarf for my hairdresser. I bought the green Mission Falls cotton yarn because I loved the colour and the Debbie Bliss cashmerino was just calling my name. It said, "Ingrid! Touch me! I'm cashmere!!!"


And this is the umbilical cord hat from the Stitch N Bitch book that I started and finished on the plane. Isn't it supercute?
Today I hop on the plane at 11:40 a.m. and I'll be in Halifax by 9:30 p.m. (if all goes well). I'm staying in Halifax tonight and making the trek back to Yarmouth Sunday afternoon. I'm a little (read: a lot) worried about how I'll do on the plane with my cold. I'm really congested and I know congestion+changes in altitude=pain. I'm planning to take a lot of drugs to try and clear my stuffy nose.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

road trip to Regina

We had a good trip to Regina yesterday and I've learned the rumours are true about Saskatchewan: it's flat.

Here I am in the car with some flat land in the background:


This is the only hill in Saskatchewan (well, maybe not). The Qu'Appelle Valley:


Saskatoon's river (and, yes, that is ICE!!!):

The village of Chamberlain (near Regina), a typical scene in Saskatchewan. It could almost be the setting for Corner Gas.

The ubiquitous grain silo:


It's definitely cold here on the prairie, but I'm surprised at the difference between -10 degrees in Saskatchewan and -10 in Nova Scotia. It's not very windy here and the air is extremely dry (I feel like I have a cold, but I guess it's just that I'm not used to the dry weather. My throat is so dry and my nose feels funny. I'm hoping to find a solution to the dry throat soon. I will try cough drops today), while in NS it's always windy and wet. -10 definitely feels a lot colder in NS than in Saskatchewan.