Picket Line Here I Come




Today is my scheduled picket line duty day. And wouldn't you know it, we're supposed to get more snow. So I'm trying to get myself geared up for another cold and snowy walk. Wish me luck, and send warming thoughts. lol


I've gotten a few comments about my mini animal menagerie. I'm glad you all are enjoying them as much as I'm enjoying making them. As soon as I get home this afternoon, I've got at least three more I want to make.


There were also some questions about where the patterns came from. Because I did most of the posting with my phone I couldn't put in links. So here are the links for anyone who might be interested in making them.

"Piggy" - Lion Brand Amigurumi Pig, using Vanna White yarn.

"Ella" - Lion Brand Amigurumi Elephant, using Vanna White yarn.

"Octavia" - Momma Octopus from Amigurumi World, using Heavenly Yarn.


"Teddy Rose" - Tiny Teddy Bear from Kyuuto!, using Berrocco Comfort DK.

I hope this information helps. And I can't wait to see what you all decide to make.

INTRODUCING...

I couldn't go to bed until it was at least almost done.
Here's my "Little Teddy Rose".
Stopping by to say goodnight.
Goodnight.

Another FO in 2008

I'm so in love with making these little toys, I don't know if I'll be able to stop. In less than a week I've made a mini menagerie. And I have plans to make several more right away.

I can't seem to help myself, and I don't think I want to. When I enjoy something, I fall into it whole-heartedly. As you can tell, my new obsession is Amigurumi Toys. I ask you, how can I be expected to contain myself. These toys are quick to make, they don't use much yarn, and they are just soooo gosh darn cute.

Yesterday I got another book, and loaded up on the little safety eyes. So now I'm off to cast on another right away. I'm leaning towards either a bear or a bunny. You'll have to come back later to see which one I chose.





S.

I'VE BEEN THINKING...


I know, all the ladies who know me are gasping! But I do think sometimes. I'm just not real good at it, so I try not to do it very often. lol But like I said, I've been thinking about moving my blog. Don't get me wrong, I like Blogspot. My problem is, on several occasions wonderful people have left comments on my posts and because they were blogless, or not on blogspot, I couldn't reply to their comments. I would love to be able to reply to comments, but unless I'm missing something (which is always a possibility), Blogspot doesn't have the ability to track-back non-Blogspot commenter's. My question now is: "What site should I switch to?". I've been checking out a few of my favorite bloggers who aren't on Blogspot, and right now I think I'm leaning towards Wordpress.

Any other suggestions and/or comments would be appreciated.

Another Amigurumi Toy

This one's an elephant. Really easy to make. I like this one too.

We Shall Not Be Moved...


I just finished my first scheduled picket line assignment. And my goodness is my back killing me. Walking in circles for four hours in the snow is hell. But we've got to stand strong against the unmovable force that runs our company.

It was funny, a young lady was driving by and asked what we were striking for. When I told her half our wages and benefits she was shocked. Her response was, "How does your company expect you to live off half your wages?" I said, "That's why we're on strike. No one should be asked to give up half their wages and benefits!" She told us to stand strong.

I'm not scheduled to go back until Friday, but I may have to go in again tomorrow.

Sorry about the rant. Knitting content will return soon.

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!


I am on strike!

More later.

The time is near! And I'm a mess!

I will be so glad when this strike either happens or doesn't, and these contract negotiations are over. I have been a complete muddleheaded mess for over two weeks. I've missed appointments, forgotten to schedule others. Argued with friends and loved ones over ridiculous issues. And cried alot! Usually for no real reason. I think what makes all this so bad is that I've known this was a probabilty, and I'm as prepared as anyone can be for a short term strike. And this also isn't the first strike for me. But for some reason I can't seem to put my finger on, this is reaking havoc on me.
The deadline is Midnight. So wish us luck!

I've been wanting to make an Amigurumi doll for months. This is my first attempt. It's not perfect, but I like it.

Factory Knits

My Uzume socks are coming along really well. Between the beautiful pattern by the late Momma Monkey, and the great knitting technique by Mellisa Morgan Oakes, these will be my absolutely favorite pair of socks!

These socks have also been a perfect distraction from all the crap that is going on here at work. Since I started working here I have hated contract time. These contract negotiations have been the worst of all. The auto industry is in such a bad state that we have no idea what we may end up with when the dust settles. Our deadline is Monday at midnight, and the rumors of a strike appear to be true. Nedless to say I'll be spending the weekend making sure I'm prepared for whatever Tuesday morning may hold for me. I'll either be walking a picket line or trying to decide if our union needs to go back into negotiatons.

Wish us luck. We're going to need it!

Valentine's Day Blind Date Update



First I wanted to thank everyone who commented. And I also wanted to appologize for my explict rantings.

My cousin, the matchmaker, called the jerk to find out what his problem was and he actually repeated to him what he said to me. According to what he told my cousin he had arrived at the restaurant early to get us a table, as it was Valentine's Day and very crowed. But made the mistake of having a couple of drinks while he was waiting. I know, that's no excuse, and even he admits to that, but that was part of the reason he was so forward. My cousin told him he should have thought better of the first impression he made to me and not drank at all. (Two points for cuz) The jerk wanted to know if he should call and appologize to me, and I told my cousin to tell him, thanks but no thanks. The message was received, but I don't wish to speak to him again.

I've been thinking a lot about it since I got the message. I'm not sure if I'm being to hard on him. But right now, all I can think is: Strike 1. He obviously can't hold his liquor (I don't want to date a drunk). Strike 2. He doesn't think before he does or says things (can he visualize FOOT-IN-MOUTH). AND Strike 3. He never really said that's not what he was thinking, just that he wished he had expressed it differently. I'd say that's a total strike out with me. What do you all think?

I hope you all had a better Valentine's Day than I did. And I hope you all have a great weekend. Much love to my cyber-friends for all your support and encouragement. Thanks!

S.

TODAY'S T-SHIRT

Can you feel the bitterness?

I HATE BLIND DATES


Over the years well meaning friends and family have tried setting me up with men. And after each attempt I say never again. Well against my better judgement I allowed myself to be set up by a relative last night. And all I can say is "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THESE MEN OUT HERE!!!"

The date started nice enough, but progressed to diasterous very quickly. His first mistake was sitting next to me in the restaurant booth, (you know I politely asked him to move to the other side), then he asked me how many men I've slept with in the last year, (none of his flippin business). And the final straw was this statement, made with a straight face, intent on an answer from me. "So, S. what's wrong with you that you are almost 40, childless and still single?" Let me tell you, my mouth hit the floor, hard. I couldn't believe it. Still can't. I looked him in his eye to see if he was serious and the bastard said, "WELL?". Like he was annoyed that I didn't immediately answer. Needless to say, I not so politely told him what an ignorant question that was. Gathered my belongings and told him to go "Straight To Hell, Fucking Asshole!"

Why do me think that we are so desperate for their company that they can say or do whatever they want and get away with it. What woman in her right mind would have continued to tolerate his presense after that kind of behavior?

Yes, I'm single. Yes, I'm childless. And yes, I'm almost forty. But none of that means I'm an idiot who will put up with being insulted on a first date! None of that means I'm so desperate to have a man in my life that I'll accept an ass-hole just to say I have a man. I have and will be fine all by myself before I will ever put up with shit like that again or ever!

So, I'm back to my original rule. NO BLIND DATES!!!

Right now, I can't wait to get my hands on the relative who thought this was the guy for me. He is soooo Dead Meat!!

Sorry about the ranting and bad language. But I needed to get it out. I slept fit-fully last night, and knew if I didn't vent soon the next man I came across was going to have hell to pay. And I'd hate to inflict my bad attitude on someone who didn't deserve it. I think I'm okay now that I've gotten it off my chest.

I hope you all had a better Valentine's day then I did.

S.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! I hope

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I hope your day is filled with the love.

S.

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!

I'm home from work yet again. This time it's for pratical reasons. I scheduled several doctor's appointments for today. Get them all over with in one swoop. And since we got several more inches of snow last night, I'm glad I won't have to be trekking off to work this morning. I hate driving in the snow.

I decided at the last minute not to attend our weekly knit night yesterday. The snow was coming down steadily, and I was afraid of what I'd have to deal with when I left. Now I'm really glad I didn't go. We got a lot more snow than I was expecting, and I hear the evening commutes were hellacious.

I've been racking my knitter's brain to figure out what to knit now. Since I finished my Twilight socks, and am presently working on two PinWheel Baby Blankets, I need an at work project. I can't decide if I want to cast on the "Belle Epoque" socks from "2-at-a-time socks" book. Or if I want to go for a previously unexplored challenge and cast on a pair of Cookie A. socks, "Mingus" or "Pomotomus". My work projects need to be pretty straight-forward since I actually only get a few short stretches of knitting time. I'll try to decide today and cast on so they're ready for work tomorrow.

The baby blankets are actually coming along pretty well, if I do say so myself. And I'm planing several other baby projects to go with them. I'd like to do at least one set each, hat/mitt/socks, to go with the blankets. But only time will tell if I can get them all done.

It's time for me to head out. I'll try to post again later today.

Have a safe and pleasent day!

Another FO in 2008

I started these socks the end of January. And finished them tonight. If I didn't say it before, I'll say it now. I LOVE Melissa Morgan Oakes book, "2-at-a-Time Socks". Unfortunately there were a few errors in the written pattern. But they were very easy to correct. Even for a novice knitter like me.

Pattern: Twilight

Yarn: Felicia from Knit Picks (Firefighter)

Needle: 40" Addi (Next time I'll use a 47", as stitches were a little crowded especially with gusset increases)

Started: January 27, 2008

Completed: February 10, 2008 (would have finished sooner, but only worked on during week)

Crescent's Little Girl's Pinwheel Blanket

I'm making this blanket for one of the great young ladies I knit with on Tuesdays. She's expecting a little girl this summer, and I can only hope she'll like the finished product.

February Knitter's Night Out

Friday was the monthly Knitters Night Out at HYAW. And we decided to show up in our pj's. I was surprised as how many of us actually wore them. We even went to Amicci's afterwards, and were quite a site.

Don't you just love this onezy. I've been wanting one like it for as long as I can remember.

I'm off to cast on socks for my co-worker. Have a great week!

S.

Tag - Looks Like I'm It!


Lil Knitter tagged me to do "The Power Of 7".

Not sure if there is anything else I can add. I've been tagged before. So I'll try not to repeat myself.

1. I LOVE horror movies. (always have. A fact that horrified my parents as I was growning
up. Seeing a 6 year old horror movie fanatic is a bit disturbing. But that was me.)

2. Every member of my family was taller than me by the age of at least 10, some even sooner
than that. (I'm only 5' tall)

3. I've tried almost every craft known to man at least once. (ie: crochet, knitting, tatting,
weaving, cross stitch, etc.)

4. I was a fairly talented artist in high school. (got discouraged by my parents, then lost my
confidence in my skill)

5. Learned sign langauge in junior high, now can only remember part of the alphabet.

6. I cry when I'm really angry.

7. I've made the best friends anyone could ever hope for since I started knitting.


I know that a lot of people don't like being tagged. So I won't specify anyone in particular. If you want to tell us seven things about yourself, please do.

Thanks Lil Knitter for tagging me.

S.

MOBILE BLOGGING pt 1

My internet has been up and down for the last few days due to high winds and freezing rain. The Michigan weather has been playing some serious guessing games lately. The temps have gone for the teens to the forties several times. Usually over the course of just a day or two. Because of all that several times I sat down to blog, and my internet was down. So as a result, I'm here at work mobile blogging. Needless to say, this post will probably take at least two parts.
This past weekend was Knit Michigan, unfortunately because of money issues I wasn't going to be a marathoner this year. But I had every intention on attending the market and visiting with my knit friends who were marathoners. But as what seems to be the case more often than not in my life, family duties intervened. Oh well maybe next year.
Sunday was Superbowl, and in what I hope will become a tradition, I gathered with some knitting friends for what we call our "Knitting Bowl"! As is always the case, I had a blast!

I SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF MYSELF...


But I'll tell you what, I'm not!!

Since yesterday afternoon there have been threats of up to 10 inches of snow here. I immediately thought, holy shit! I can't begin to tell you how much I hate driving in the snow. I hate it at 5am, when I would be on my way to work. But I hate it even more at 3pm when I'm on my way home. My comute, on a good weather day, is about 10 minutes to and from. But it has been known to take me as many as a couple of hours to get home on bad weather days. And today is going to be a bad weather day. That being said, being the irresponsible worker I am, I am playing hookie again today. I KNOW, I KNOW! Shame on me! But honestly I just DON'T feel like fighting traffic, I DON'T feel like dealing with asshole bosses and co-workers, and I simply DON'T FEEL LIKE IT! And I don't have to feel like it!

I will probably regret this later. But right now I'm laying in my warm and cozy bed, about to start a horror movie marathon, and knit until my fingers/arms get sore, or I fall back to sleep. Which ever comes first. I'll post more later.

For anyone who reads this, and is/has/will be braving this heavy snow storm here in Michigan/Ohio/Illinios and Indiana. Take it slow, allow more time, and please be careful. If you can stay home, do so. This is not going to be a good day, weather wise.