I'll be back

We're moving to Oklahoma this week. I packed more yarn and fabric than I did clothes. TTYL.

Packing

We leave for Oklahoma in a few weeks. I have been sorting through bins of craft supplies and finished projects. It's amazing how much I've made in this house. This bin of socks and mittens is only part of what I knit. So many were given as gifts.

These tubs are full of handspun yarn. I sold a bit and knit a bit and gave quite a bit away, but I still have almost two full tubs. I am kinda proud that I managed to spin my boredom and sadness into something wonderful and tangible.

We might not get base housing for up to 6 months. We'd prefer to buy a house, but the paperwork from the VA is holding up our loan. We don't want to rent and be stuck in a lease for a whole year. We really aren't sure what we'll do. We'll likely be spending quite a bit of time in TLF (temporary living facility) while we scramble to find a place to live. I made this giant tote to make living out of a suitcase more pleasant. I made up the pattern as I went along. I used fusible batting instead of interfacing and the bag is both sturdy and cozy. I might make some more as gifts when we get settled in Oklahoma.

I made a hat

I knit a leaf beret. The pattern is from Melissa of www.knittingschooldropout.com fame. I modified it a bit because I wanted a beanie, not a beret. I didn't have the right yarn for a beret. Plus I have a huge noggin. I don't want to call more attention to the vast size and Charlie Brown-esque roundness of my giant head.

The yarn is some handspun I've had sitting around for over a year. I like the deep forest green with the leaf pattern. I love the look of the leaves in the bulky, bumpy handspun.

I've got a lot going on right now. Some good things are happening. I'm working on showing some of my work in a real, grown up gallery. I am really excited about this. It's nice to know that all the pain I've slogged through this year has been turned into something good. Validation is a great selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor. For reals.

I recorded a piece for Insubordiknit's podcast. I forgot how bad I sounded while I was battling my allergies this spring. I hope you take the time to listen to this podcast. It's all about fiber arts as therapy. You know I relate to that.

Celebrating my heterosexuality* with socks

*To all of my gay friends, I know you don't mind as long as we don't make out in public.

I know most of you prefer your socks to match--probably almost all of you do. If you love the symmetry of twin socks, I support that. Most of my handknit socks are heterosexual. Two socks give me two chances to making something unique and special.

I used to wonder why I think of socks as individuals. I think it comes down to two reasons. The first reason came from my second stepfather. He referred to sock mates as "brothers." I really hated that guy. Everyone knows that socks have mates. They pair bond like humans.

The second reason is probably that my dad is an identical twin. I was raised with the attitude that the more two people look alike, the more they are really exactly the opposite. I guess I've always thought that being exactly like something else is somehow bad or boring.

Maybe I'm just thinking about my marriage too much these days. I have to start a new life with my husband after being single for a year. How am I supposed to pick up the pieces of our old life? The thought of living together again is frightening.

I knit this sock couple from Knit Picks Risatta. It's probably the best elastic yarn I've used, but I don't really like elastic yarn--it splits and feels weird. One is knit from toe up, one cuff down. I made up the cable patterns as I went along.

Whatever their differences, these socks are mated.

Lots of color

I bought some Red Heart sock yarn (Spring Stripe colorway) at Joann's a few months ago and forgot I had it. I threw it in my suitcase when I went to Korea to give it a test drive. I've been in a crocheting mood lately, so I decided to try out a Clapochet.

I've tried to crochet a Clapotis shawl a few times before. I had no idea that a pattern already existed. It was pretty easy and has the distinctive Clapotis diagonal stripe. I like it. I used almost exactly 3 skeins to get a smallish shawl. I am thinking of adding some buttons to make it convertible like Wisp.

My car needed to be washed very badly.I had my camera with me and got a few pictures. My daughter loves riding along. Her favorite part is the tri-color polish spray. I have to agree with her. Both of us love color.

Catching up a bit

I'm in the mood for a bit of housekeeping, so I took a few pictures.

I worked on these entrelac socks on my many airplane and bus rides on vacation. I even took them out a few times on the subway. This was the perfect project to bring with me. Sock knitting will always remind me of Korea. They had many stores dedicated to fancy, cute socks. Since you have to take off your shoes a lot in Korea, you need nice socks.

I sewed this purse for my trip. I wanted a crossbody bag that would keep my hands free. I made a zippered interior pocket to protect my passport, money, and boarding passes. (I lose things easily and it was a relief to know that they were safe and sound.)

I got the fabric at Joann's with a 40% off coupon. I really loved the colors. I got more compliments on this bag than anything I've ever made.

I also put a pocket on the strap for my iPod or camera. It was really handy. The pleats on the outside were an accident. I cut the lining too small. I love the look of the gathering. I plan to make other bags with deliberate pleats.

Months ago, I joined the Phat Quarter ATC Swap. I got my package late because the artist lives in England. The card she sent me was funny, a little sad, and very pretty. I was really honored to receive this.

Her packaging was also a treat. She wrapped everything, including some vintage buttons on a handmade card, in sewing patterns. Then she tied it all together with floss and a big button. It was such a treat to open a package like that. I am really inspired by Megan to pay more attention to how I mail things. There is no reason to be plain and boring.

Downtime

I am back from Korea. I had a marvelous time. Eventually I need to sort out everything I did and saw. I actually got some crafting done. I didn't actually finish anything, so I won't blog about it until I do.

I bought some bento lunch boxes in Seoul. My new hobby is packing cute little lunches to eat outdoors. I hope your summer is as great as mine!

Warning: some vacation photos ahead.

I'm still in Korea, but we downloaded the SD card, so I thought I'd share a few pictures with everyone. We visited the Teddy Bear Museum. It was very cute. I really wish I could have brought Isabel with me.

Hootchie bear.

Annual design contest entries.

I took entirely too many photos of the bears, but they were really adorable. Kyooto.

The Asian aesthetic I am so fond of is everywhere in Korea. I bought a few craft supplies in Dungdeamun Market and I can't wait to put them to good use. I'll write a much more thorough blog entry later. I'm having an amazing time.

Some Artwork, Not Mine

This is Isabel's portrait of Barrack Obama. I had to share it. Cute, huh?

I've got a lot of projects to photograph and I'm missing some vital tools. I'm embroidering again and it feels great to tap into my favorite creative outlet. The sun is shining. Maybe I will, too.

Craptastic at best (bad photos ahead.)

Snip. (Extreme sock mark closeup.)

Here are a few pictures of the new tattoo. It's still crusty and peeling and the lighting is depressing, but I'm still excited. I want to add a few flax blossoms here and there, but I am tattooed out right now.

The frogged yarn was important to me because I am such a mess. Life isn't about perfection, but persistence. Plus we were trying to cover the old tattoo completely.

The text says, "Proverbs 31." I recognize the irony of a "religious tattoo." Nobody needs to point that out.

For those of you who aren't familiar, Proverbs 31 reads...

Proverbs 31:10-31 (New International Version) (Colored emphasis is mine.)

10 A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Since I am the only woman at my church who knows what a distaff is and uses a spindle, I feel entitled to own this passage. I'm a wife and mother--it's my career--and I give everything I have to it.

And, yes, it did hurt. A lot. Who decided that the most painful tattoo spots are the most appropriate for women? Yikes.

Leave is over

It was fun. I had forgotten how lovely it is to have a husband.

We got tattoos. Fun, huh? Jami went to our church in Great Falls before she moved to Helena. She is an amazing, interesting person. She has fierce faith. I adore her.

The look on his face is priceless.

I had an old (17 years old) tattoo reworked. I was a little ashamed of this tattoo because it was ugly and meaningless. Jami fixed me right up. I had to sit for 2 sessions to get it done, but it was worth every minute. I'll show a picture of the finished piece when it heals.

Before:

Here is the obligatory picture of me knitting while she tattooed the yarn and needles. I also have a pair of scissors, a spool of thread, a sewing needle, and a crochet hook.

I've decided to go to Seoul for 2 weeks this summer. I can't wait.

I'll catch up more soon. I've got to concentrate on not scratching my tattoo for a while.

Break Time

Sgt. Husband is coming home tonight. He gets 20 days of leave and I plan on disappearing for a while. I will have lots to show you when I get back. I'm spinning flax and knitting socks. I've got a few more pounds of Merino roving and some natural dyes. I'll be a busy bee, but I don't want to be a computer bee. Take care of yourselves.

See ya later!

The Thing

John Carpenter's The Thing with stop-motion GI Joes, from Zombie Zombie

I remember watching The Thing at a drive-in movie theater with my father. It was right before my parents divorced, so I must have been 7 or 8. I was supposed to be asleep in the back of the station wagon, but I couldn't stop watching. I was terrified out of my mind. Nothing is scarier than blood on snow.

When my brother and I were in high school, we drove to my grandparents' cabin in Red Lodge, MT for Christmas. On the way home we passed a horrible car accident. There was bright red blood all over the snow. There were bright emergency lights flickering through the snow. My father stopped to help and we sat at least an hour (it's possible it was only minutes, but this is how I remember it) and my brother looked terrified. This is the only memory of his being scared ever.

His blood and his daughter's blood were on the snow last year. I don't think I'll ever get that image out of my mind.

I saw this stop-motion video on Boing Boing and thought I'd share it. In the interest of slaying demons, I face things I used to hide from. The scariest memories of my life seem much smaller when told with dolls. GI Joes are like miniature plastic Chuck Norrii (the plural form of Chuck Norris.) Maybe everything seems smaller as an adult.

Today is my wedding anniversary. My life-size GI Joe is freezing in Korea. He has promised not to play strip poker with the warm woolies I have knit him. (That was a reference to MASH. I always picture David on the set of the 4077 instead of a modern air base.)

The next month is going to be long, but my love is waiting on the other side of February.

X is for...

I totally forgot to finish my ABC Along last year. Here is my X. I was proud of the X in my first name as a kid. I got teased a lot for having a boys' name, but somehow the X made up for it. A couple of years ago, I was at a party where everyone was picking out their stage names in case they ever became pr0n stars. Mine was Alexxxandra. My real name sounds more fake than any fake name I could invent. That still cracks me up.

Since a picture of Alexxx is frightening, here is an X I make every day.

I am working on Sgt. Husband's second sock. He gets leave 2/26 for 3 weeks. There is no point in explaining how excited I am since the English language only has a quarter of a million words.

I'm working on a scrap blanket. I have the loom put up until I can trust the dog not to chew on the wood. I am weaving it in two vertical pieces. The yarn is leftovers from everything and a skein of banana silk that I bought in a moment of yarn foolishness. I bought blanket binding to hide my edges. It might be pretty.

Dazed and Confused

Our animal shelter mutt came home today. She's so sweet, but drugged out of her little doggy mind. Poor thing. At least she won't have another litter of pups. Sgt. Husband was just as cranky when he got fixed. (Even though it was 10 years before I met him, I still hear about it.)

I finished my crazy socks and had the crazy idea to overdye them green to make the colors less eye-searing. I totally forgot that one of the yarns was corn fiber. One sock is striped and the other isn't. Still, I consider this an improvement. I've got to work on more artful mismatching. Right now I still look like voices from outer space tell me what to knit. I need to take it down a notch.

I just spent 20 minutes petting Isabel. She was jealous because I was petting Fable and I had to rub her back until she quit crying. Spoiled.

Here is a link to Fable before we adopted her. She's been hit by a car. She's five years old. She's been at the shelter since October. She was the best damn dog in the whole place. Welcome home, sweetie

Our Little Country Is Growin Up...

I've always loved my country, but I'm actually kind of proud for once.

I spent the day at the animal shelter. I have wanted another dog for a long time. I adopted the ugliest dog in the place and she is sweet as peaches. She's at the vet getting "fixed." The kids start rubbing her fur off on Thursday.

I wove another scarf. I used Kroy from Michael's. This scarf is really floppy and sleazy. The edges were crazy ugly. I did a slip stich crochet finish on the selvedges and it helped quite a bit. At least this scarf will be light weight enough to wear into the Spring.

I finally picked up my car. One of Sgt. Husband's friends called out of the blue. Happy relief.

I am seriously considering flying to Korea this summer. Humidity, schumidity.

I made it through another day without my husband. When I wake up tomorrow it will be yet another day over. I think I can... I think I can... I think I can...