You know what I love...

People who sing along with their ipods out loud while walking around NYC or any where for that matter. You're not in your car or your shower or the privacy of anywhere remotely private. We can all hear you and most of the time it doesn't sound good. I have to say these people must have super high self esteem because I would be completely embarrassed. I'm really good at making a fool out of myself I don't need to walk around the city singing and rocking out. Though one morning on my way to work I stood on the corner waiting to cross and this girl across the way was completely rocking out to whatever was on her ipod like she was Xtina or something but she at least knew not to sing out loud. We all have our self induced embarrassment limit don't we.

I also love when house guests bring or leave gifts. I got home tonight to find a sweet little daisy plant from Carl's sister and husband. The note she left very clearly pointed out that we shouldn't be able to kill it and in fact she had purposely tried to kill the one she has and it just wouldn't die. Now that's our kind of plant. I know I baby the orchids but I really that's my limit, two orchids. Anymore plants will have to just be a bit more self sufficient.

Weekend Recap

Friday night we went out like it was going out of style. I will never understand why, when we actually do go out, we always have to drunk WAY too much and party till 4 am. I don't need to stay up till 4 to drink too much. I can get in a good bottle of wine before 11/12 and then go to sleep. Why all the late night partying? Needless to say we were totally pooped out Saturday.

This exhaustion proved to be a big bummer because Carl had planned on taking me on a day date from 10-3pm. We didn't even leave the house till after noon so the date had to be modified. He took me to the zoo at Central Park which was awesome. I have never been to that zoo, or at least not without a stroller, so it was really fun. I love zoos for two reasons, monkeys and PENGUINS. I really like the penguins. Of course so made a B-line for the penguin area as soon as we got there and on our way over we noticed that the sea lions were being fed in 30 minutes. When we got to the penguins we noticed they were being fed in an hour! What good luck! We got to catch two feedings!! It was a great day. We had to be done before 4 because I have to pick up this huge leg of lamb for Easter dinner. When we got home pretty much passed out till Sunday.

Sunday was sent at my mom's house (after schlepping the damn lamb leg home on Metro North) listening to my mom and brother scream about politics, knitting and running out of yarn because I was too tired to remember to pack an extra ball, reading Atonement and drinking champagne. Then my brother and I were shoved in the car and brought to the train with arms full of left-overs because 7lbs of lamb and three people is not a good ratio. I swear my mother is incapable of cooking for less than 10 people. All in all it was a good Easter.

Now that the weekend is wrapped for you all I can share this fun little fact I just learned. Apparently my knitting obsession has inspired my 80 year old Grammy to pick up knitting again. Her goal is to be able to make socks just like her grand daughter. I think this is so cool that I could inspire her when usually its your Grammy that teaches and inspires you to do these things. I can't wait to go visit her and help her remember how to pick up dropped stitches and knit in the round. This is going to be so much fun.

OK I have to get back to cleaning the apartment. Carl's little sister and brother in law are coming up from PA to stay tonight because they have there Peace Corps interview tomorrow in the city. I just love surprise guests...

ALL DONE

The sewing machine work didn't go so well since I kept forgetting to put the foot down so the seams are all wonky but I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Finally a Day Off!

I went down to Sew Fast Sew Easy and picked up the thread I needed to finish my clutch. It was hard to match the strange puce color of the lining fabric but I found something that was close enough so I was happy. I also decided to finally by something to block on. They sold those fold up cardboard fabric cutting board things for only $16 so I picked one up. All the other blocking boards I have been looking at have been too big and way too expensive. This little (when folded up) cardboard thing is perfect. When its not in use I can fold it up and slide it in the corner by my sewing cabinet. And since I finally figured out my sewing machine enough to actually sew something on it I can use it to make my first project. Now I just need to figure out what that project will be. For now the board is being put to good use.

a

a

What I also LOVE about this board is that I can pin what needs to be blocked to it and then lean it against the a wall so I can use My Little Steamer to block. Its not the best steamer in the world but it works. Unfortunately I can't turn it down to face a horizontal surface because the water comes rushing out of it. With the board that worry is no more. What I hate about the board is that walking with it on the wind tunnel like streets of NYC is pretty freakin hard especially on a windy day like today.

a

After picking the board and other miscellaneous sewing goodies I started to walk home-ish in hopes of finding a cab since I didn't want to ride the subway back with this 4 foot cardboard thing. I didn't find any cabs so I just kept walking stopping at M&J Trimmings just to browse. Then I went into the shoe store next door where I bought some AWESOME shoes. Some short black 80's inspired booties and some killer blue suede pumps with gold trim and heel. Of course I had to pick out the tallest shoes that had but they are so sexy. Who cares that when I'm wearing them I'm over 6 feet tall and Carl's only 5' 9" they're hot and what woman doesn't love new shoes. I kept walking and I still couldn't find a cab so I stopped into H&M to see if I could find a few outfits to go with the new shoes and of course I did. I love shopping for spring clothes it takes all the winter blues away. After that I started walking up past the NY Public Library, past a wonderful street performance by some kick ass break-dancers and then finally I found a cab and headed home. This why Carl fears when I walk to far in NYC, I shop shop shop! But I don't have too much buyers remorse because I haven't been able to do this for a while and like I said Spring is here its time to trick myself out for the new season. And everyone likes a happy Alyssa!

a

Now its back to knitting the skirt while my clutch dries. Carl has to work today so I have the apartment to myself which means I have full control over the TV. The downside is that our managing agent doesn't put the heat on during the week till the evening so I'm cold. But I guess when my hands get too cold to knit I can curl up with the Atonement which I'm started this morning after finishing (or re-finishing) the third Lauren Willig book The Deception of the Emerald Ring. I've been re-reading the first three to refresh my memory on the things I had forgotten while reading her latest book. If you love a good romance that's smart and not all heaving bosoms and throbbing members check out her books. I know I've probably recommend them about a million times now but I really like them, if you couldn't tell.

a

Have a Happy Easter!

Won't You be my Neighbor...

Mr. Rogers would have been 80 today. And thanks to Ravelry I have learned that in honor of our Neighbor today is sweater day! So break out your Cardis and Pullovers in honor of a dear old childhood friend and spend some time in The Land of Make-Believe.

Progress and a Sad Note

I'm about 20 rows away from finishing the clutch and I can't wait to see how it turns out. I think it's going to be pretty freakin hot. I hope to finish it on my day off. The only thing I need to do is find somewhere in the city to buy thread that maybe is on the UES? I really don't want to go all the way to the garment distract for just a spool of thread. I'll figure it out. I can't wait to show you all the finished clutch.

a

I wanted to rave about these knit card things I bought from Knit Picks a while back. I L-O-V-E them. They are so freakin helpful especially when you're always forgetting things like what decrease slants right or left like I always do. They're super handy!

a

I'm watching America's Next Top Model right now because Carl's out in Long Island visiting a family friend who's being taken off dialysis tonight which basically means he's being taken off his life support. Its a little sad around here right now. But to lighten the mood I decided that AMTM (sorry too lazy to write it out) should put really good drag queen on as a contestant and see what happens. I think that would make for great TV especially if they don't tell people there's a drag queen in the mix.

a

Ok back to knitting and waiting for Carl to get home and tell me what happened. My heart goes out to Bryce and his dad. Hopefully his dad will find peace when he's reunited with his late wife.

Ah Dreams...

I’m starting to become a human again. The pressure is easing up and I’ve stopped spontaneously tearing which is always a plus. Thank goodness for Good Friday because that’s the only way I will get a day off to rest this week. Things are super busy at work and I do not have the luxury, at the moment, to take a sick day.

Last night my hairdresser stopped by to cut my hair and I found out that my mother likes to chat to him about my knitting. He was all excited to see this “thing” I was making with bamboo yarn. He was so amazed with the yarn and its texture. He kept telling me to start my own business and that I should get people to help me knit. He was telling me about this lady back in Japan (he’s Japanese) that used make custom pieces and sell them for lots of money and how that’s what I should do. I didn’t have the heart to tell him (ok fine the complaints felt AMAZING) that I’ve never even made a sweater let alone designed my own garment. But maybe one day I can have little knitters knitting up my designs. It sure would be nice to have my job be something I love instead of something I don’t hate most of the time. Ah…dreams…

Speaking of the bamboo thing here is a look at where I am. Its slow going but going I hope it will be done soon.

I’ve also been working on a clutch. The February issue of Simply Knitting came with a handbag clasp and a simple pattern to follow (I know I told you this already but don't judge me, I'm telling you again). I decided to take a break for a day or two from the skirt (why it’s so slow going) and its knitting up very quickly. I love it.

Anyway, I’ve been noticing a lot of blog/ravelry chatter about this Malabrigo yarn. What is this stuff? Why is everyone talking about it? What makes it so amazing? Someone please let me in on the secret!!!!

I can't even knit

My head feels like its going to explode so I'm off to bed.

Thank you for the well wishes. I will kick this stupid cold's butt!

Busy Busy Saturday

I had to run home to the burbs this morning to take care of some finances and pay my taxes and things like that. But because I’m well a crazy knitter crafter freak I could go to the burbs without a trip to AC Moore. Before we went to the Moore though we stopped at the local quilting store because my mother is a crazy quilter crafter and I picked up a few fabrics. I picked up four that I do not have pictures of because I left them at home with my mom so she could make me two bags, one for my knitting (or course) and one for fun. I can’t wait till she finishes them but knowing my mom that could take a while. She’s been making two pillow cases for me for the last…um…4 months maybe but they’ll be finished one of these days. But I also picked up a few more, check them out.

This will be used as lining for this clutch I’m making with the claspy thing I got with the February issue of Simply Knitting. So I will basically be making a large coin purse out of this new yarn.

I know I said I wasn’t buying anymore yarn but this was a sale and it was perfect for the lining. I’m going to double strand it and knit the purse up following the pattern that came with the clasp on I think size 7 needles. The yarn is some weird almost no name brand I just found in the sale bin but I really liked it so I picked it up.

I also picked up 2 yards each of these fabrics not that I have any plans for them I just liked them. I’m compiling a large collection of fabrics I picked up just because they were pretty.

I love the last one. It’s so different and pretty.

I also got an early Easter present from mom. Isn’t the little sheep cute?? He baas when you squeeze him!

I’m supposed to be on my way to Irving Plaza right now to see Yellow Card with our friends BUT I went and got myself sick so I have been forced to stay home and sneeze and ache and generally just be gross. I just hope Carl doesn’t come home too drunk or too late. If does though I have some nighttime Tylenol cold so I shouldn’t hear anything. It’s been a long day though so it will be nice to relax a bit. I didn’t get to see Carl that much today but luckily he’s not working tomorrow so I get him for the whole day. I’m excited for our first Friday together in a long time. Ok sneezing getting started…must stop but have a great night and have a drink for me.

Blog Scrapping? Toilets and Knitting

So I was really bored at work because I was stuck at the reception desk for an hour at the end of a very busy day (don't get me started on the whole reception subbing thing) so I had some time to kill while I was there staring at the door so I spent it on Ravelry. I found this one thread where people were talking about blog scrapping. Have you all heard of this? I haven't till now. Apparently, there are people out there who make duplicate blogs of real blogs for god knows what purpose and steal the content pretty much word for word. I'm not talking about someone stealing a post here or there (still wrong) but a WHOLE BLOG! Content, pictures, words...that's crazy. What's the point? Maybe I'm dense but I don't get it. What is wrong with people?

a

Anyway, thank god its Friday! We went out for a nice little dinner at a local Italian restaurant. I think I might have TB now because this old guy was hacking up a lung at the table next to ours. I swear parts of his lung were coming out onto the table. He kept getting up and going outside the hacking was so bad. I seriously feel gross now and will be taking a shower to get the gross off me.

a

We're hiding in our apartment for the rest of the night which makes me REALLY happy because The Cutting Edge is on and I have a lot of knitting to do on the skirt. I'm getting very excited about finishing it. I have over a foot done and about maybe another to go. I really can't wait to see how it comes out. I go home to visit my mom in the burbs this weekend so I'm going to hit AC Moore and Michaels for ribbon for the skirt and maybe check out the yarn to see if they have anything good at low prices. I know I was going to be good and not buy any yarn but I'm just looking.

a

Ok Carl just changed the channel to The History channel and Modern Marvels is doing an episode on toilets. Yes this is a modern marvel but we really don't need to watch a whole show on it. I'm going to get back to Carl so I can regulate the TV watching.

Enjoy your Friday night!