My Kinda Deals

Not only was I able to get two sets of these for less than $25 after using passwird.com’s special 20% off code, I also scored some great book deals at a local Barnes and Noble.  This summer I received a $25 gift card from B&N and had held on to it because I hardly drive near one of these stores.  I’m glad I didn’t use it right away because after my trip to LnT to pick up the pillows, I paid a visit to the B&N which is in the same shopping strip. 

The first thing I noticed when I walked through their doors was a cart partially filled with books and other merchandise.  A big red sign advertised a 75% off sale.  A magnetic force pulled me immediately to the cart to check out the selection of clearance stuff.  To my delight I found two cookbooks, two children’s books, one kick-ass leather bound journal and this baby:

It ain’t no Barabara Walker, but for $7.50, it is guaranteed a spot in my library.  In all I’m pretty happy to say that I only had to fork over $1.80 to cover the difference between the gift card and purchase total.  I love finding good deals like these.

Dusted It Off

My sewing machine that is, because it’s been months since it was last used due to the lousy tension which I couldn’t fix.  I figured I’d give it some time off with the hope the problem would take care of itself. 

Guess what? It did.  Maybe something settled down during the time it stood still or maybe I just had more patience to figure out the problem.  Who knows.  I’m just glad it’s working better.

Given that I’d been knitting more socks lately and having to run more errands which required sitting/waiting patiently while my name was called, these two activities merged perfectly together.  Well almost.  You see, I’ve been carrying my knitting in either bags that are too big or too cumbersome. 

For a time now I’ve had my eye on those little pull string bags, aka, sock project bags, but since I’m a cheap ass and couldn’t bring myself to spend $10+ on some rather sad looking ones nor the $20+ on the nicer ones, I made do with what I had.  My philosophy of course was why spend more money when I had the materials and some of the skills needed to construct what I want.  But I was being lazy and used Ziploc bags instead to carry my knitting.

That of course changed when I the sewing bug hit me hard.  I took out my sewing machine, dusted it off, rummaged through my fabric stash (which I’m embarrassed to say could be a tad smaller) and found fabric remnants I’d purchased a while back. 

After some planning and pattern making based on sample bags I liked, I began to cut, sew and assemble.  Here’s the end product.

DH was nice enough to comment on the fabric’s “happy” colors but their assumed association doesn’t bother me. Let’s face it, I’m of Mexican decent and like the majority of my people, I love color and the more of it, the better.

I forgot how much fabric I had, but was able to make a total of 4 lined bags.  The simple drawstring handle made from ribbon I found in my stash keeps the bag nicely closed and is the perfect length to carry from your wrist to knit as you go. Needless to say, I was rather pleased with the end product even though there are little adjustments here and there planned for a few more future bags.

Given how inspired I was, I even managed to sew six pairs of pants and start a bathrobe for DD to wear this winter.  Might as well but a dent on that fabric stash and take advantage of a working sewing machine.  For my next sewing projects, I’m planning  storage cases for my dpn’s and my makeup brushes. 

From Mystery to 3×1 Rib

Poor yarn, poor me.  These socks started out as socktopia’smystery socks  but after knitting two up to the gusset, I came to the conclusion that it was not a happy marriage between the yarn and the pattern.  So poor yarn gets frogged and poor me lost all those knitting hours.  Oh well, many a knitter can relate and I’m sure you’ll agree I did the right thing given how the pattern is lost in this colorway. 

The pattern was put to rest for a more appropriate yarn and the yarn was knit into a simple 3×1 rib.  I think this was a better alternative given how “busy” the variegation on the yarn is.

To be honest, I’m not thrilled with the color of this yarn.  The colorway is one of those that looks better on the skein than knitted up, but as long as my feet are warm this winter, I won’t make a big fuss. 

Pattern:  My own.  The cuff is a 1×1 rib followed by a 3×1 ribbed leg and foot.  A modified slip stitch heel flap from SKS was used and Folk Socks provided the instructions for the round toe.
Yarn:Skacel’s Trampoline #235
Needles:US1 dpn’s

Everlasting Bagstopper

It’s only appropriate that after my last rant I knit something environmentally “friendly.”  Ms. Singer’s Everlasting Bagstopper was a good choice especially since I was gettng grocery shopping done at Big Wally’s, who for some reason does not understand that more than two items can be carried safely in one plastic bag. 

My god, the number of plastic bags they hand out to customers with each purchase is ridiculous.  But shopping there is occuring less frequently.  I’ve opted to shop elsewhere after all the recalls, the amount of Chinese originated stuff they sell and quite honestly, their produce sucks.  (Personally, I have a theory that the Chinese are trying to kill us off and what a better way than through all the crap we buy and consume, but that’s for a different post.)

Anyway, let’s get back on track and talk knitting.

Yarn:  Cherry Tree Hill Rainbow Ribbon in “Life’s a Beach”, acquired over two years ago during a grab bag sale, hence the crappy color.  The yarn is great to work with and is so soft but the color leaves much to be desired.  The hanks come in 530+/- yards, so there is enough left over for another bag.  The question is, do I really want another anything in this colorway?

Pattern:  Knitty Summer 2007 with modified handles.  The idea of carrying a load on my shoulder was not very appealing so I opted for short knitted handles.

Verdict:  If I really intend to stop the entry of plastic bags into my house, I’d better start cranking at least 5 more of these bags.  They also work quite well when it comes to pecan picking.  Not only does the bag expands nicely to accomodate a good picking of pecans, (and believe me, with 6 of these trees on our property and all the rain we had this summer, we are having quite a harvest) but the YOs allow for air to circulate around the pecans making it less likely they’ll turn moldy as they dry up completely.    Fortunately this is a good “no brains needed” kind of pattern so I don’t have an excuse not to make more. 

Really? I Can Do Something About It?

I think not!!

When the August/September 2007 issue of Planning  arrived in the mail, I had to smirk and roll my eyes at the cover page.  Why? Because this issue deals with the environment and on the cover is the following question:

Global Warming:  What Can You Do About It?

 Honestly, my first reaction was: Not a fucking thing!!!

Why? 

Because the key word here is global.  No matter what I do as an individual, it will not make a difference. 

Why?

Because as I “do my part” by recycling, composting, or buying environmentally friendly products, my neighbors don’t give a shit.  Either they are driving around in their gas guzzlers, throwing their recyclables to the landfill or cutting down trees in their property because they don’t want to rake the leaves that fall on their yards during autumn. 

What’s the point of me trying to curtail global warming if our own cities don’t do their part as well.  Yes they might have recycling programs in effect and energy saving incentives but they are just as guilty of causing negative effects on the environment.  Sprawl and uncontrolled growth which many cities do little to address, is one of the biggest culprits.  Not only are pristine green-fields destroyed to give way to new development, these new developments, be they commercial or residential, only encourage heavier use of the automobile which increases the demand for gas and emissions polluting the air. Yes, having a recycling program is good, but planning mixed-use communities which can be self-sustaining, cause minimal impact to the site and reduces the need for the automobile is even better. 

Our federal government is not much better at trying to solve the issue.  After all, it is run by politicians whose primary goal, for the most part, is to stay in office.  They will only push the agendas which will keep them in office.  This would require that citizens gather in mass and demand the federal government push environmentally friendly policies.  But even if our citizens and government did such a thing, what about the rest of the world?  We have nations such as China who are causing havoc on the environment due to industry and manufacturing.  Nope, one or a handful of countrys’ environmental policy is not going to solve the problem because this is a worldwide problem and it is up to world leaders to unite and work together on this global issue. 

No, I as one single individual among 6,752,446,163, and counting, cannot make a difference to solve or reduce global  warming.  Can the world unite to address this issue?  Probably not.  Everyone has their own agendas which conflict in some way with the need to protect the environment.  In the meantime, I’ll try to do my little part and have some peace of mind. 

“How Clean is Your House?”

I admit I have a morbid fascination with this show and while I am not the queen of clean, I have a hard time believing people actually live in the conditions which are depicted in the episodes.  Some of those places look so bad, I can’t imagine Kim and Aggie walking in there without wearing some protective gear.  There is no way I’d be touching those filthy spaces with my bare hands much less breathing in the stuffy air.  But Kim and Aggie are a hoot, have a positive outlook and good cleaning tips to boot so I try watching their show whenever possible.  If only I’d have their cleaning crew at my disposal, I’d be one happy, happy knitter.

Finished Jaywalkers

The socks took over three weeks to complete.  The pattern was not hard at all and I really liked the effect it had on the yarn I used.  I found it to be cleverly written since it allowed very little room for mistakes and was easy to memorize but for some reason, I just couldn’t sit down and finish the final half of last sock.  Honestly, I blame the K-F/B at the first and last stitch of the zig zag pattern for the delay.  For some reason that stitch was very annoying and I’d let days lapse between little bits of knitting progress.  Fortunately, they are done and tucked away waiting to be worn.

Good-Bye Green Summer

It was a joy while you were here.
But you’ve finally shown your true colors
And it will soon be brown around here.

No Knitting This Weekend, Just Some Delicous French Toast

A weekend trip to Houston led to the discovery of the best French Toast I’ve ever eat.  Off the IH-10 exit to Shulenburg, TX is Frank’s restraurant which I believe has been in existance for at least 50 years.  We stopped there for breakfast and I was relieved to find a place that offered comforting, old fashion, homemade American breakfasts.  Breakfast tacos are good, but eventually Tex-Mex breakfasts become old.

The breakfast menu ranges from cold cereal, oatmeal, pancakes, simple eggs, omeletes and French toast.  The egg and omelete dishes come with a choice of hash browns or grits and biscuits or toast. Hubby and I opted for hashbrowns and biscuits to accompany the cheese omelete he  chose and the egg and ham I ordered.  Our 4 year old picked the French toast without a doubt in her mind.  The girl must have a sixth sense because she hit the jackpot with that choice.  Frank’s French toast is the best ever.  It was light and flavorful, not mushy nor heavy at all.  I detected just a hint of cinnamon and the warm syrup which accompanied it hit the spot.  As for our dishes, I can’t complain.  The highlight were the hash browns.  They were cooked to perfection, just a tad crispy on the outside and light in the inside with a hint of butter which made them so comforting.   

Next time we travel to Houston, we will make it a point to have breakfast at Frank’s.  I’m now curious about their lunch and dinner.

I wish to say I had some yarn purchases to report for this weekend but maybe next time.  I did come across Yarn 2 Ewe by mere accident.  Since a section of IH-10 was closed in Houston, we exited the highway and headed south until we hit Memorial in the attempt to reach 610 from there.  Somehow we missed a turn and ended on Voss.  Our route of escape was Shepard Rd and as we headed north, I noticed the shop. Stopping to shop was not an option.  Hubby and daughter would have been bored.  Next time I’m in Houston I’ll be sure to head out there by my lonesome.

No trip to Houston is complete without a trip to Ikea though.  This is one place we can all enjoy. Not only did we walk out of there with new chairs for our kitchen table, we also found what will be our future bed, dresser, chest, dining table and chairs.  I love Ikea, their kids’ stuff is especially adorable.  Daughter scored pink Hippo even though I was smitten with blue Giraffe.  They are really both so much cuter and colorful in person.

 One thing’s for sure, Houston was not the place to be this weekend.  Then again, I don’t think there are many places in the US which are escaping this hellish heat.  Not only was Houston 100 degrees yesterday, due to the unbearable humidity with the heat index it actually felt like 107.  Talk about appreciating A/C during the dog days of summer.  While walking around Ikea, the place went pitch black until the generators kicked in after a few seconds.  Close to half an hour later, Ikeas makes a PA informing shoppers that there was a blackout in some areas of Houston which included them as well.  All I know is that I was grateful to be in a place with back up generators during the middle of the afternoon in the middle of August that provided some relief from the heat.  Luckily we were able to load up into our vehicle, turn on on the A/C and be on our merry way back home unlike some Houstonians who had to endure being without electricity for a while.

The Good and the Better

Let’s continue looking at knitting book sequels and my impression of them.  Today I’ll focus on Lucinda Guy’s Handknits for Kids and And So to Bed.  Both books are cute to say the least.  Their presentation is like none I’ve seen before, with jovial illustrations which makes them almost like a children’s storybook.  They both offer a good assortment of adorable patterns ranging from blankets, hats, sweaters, and dresses to toys.  These books have a little bit of everything for your favorite kid. 

If I were forced to select just one of these books I’d go with Handknits for Kids.  I found this book’s patterns more appealing and interesting.  And to Bed has some very pretty patterns as well, including several sock patterns for kids and some very cute blankets, but I found Handknits patterns a lot more adorable. Here’s a little peak of Handknits for Kids (Knitpicks has a good sample of images for And to Bed if you’re curious):