Found Objects...

Tis the season for skulls. I've been stealth knitting, furiously, which makes for poor blog fodder when you can't reveal what you've been working on. I did take time out to crank these off the needles though, and as they are timely and appropriate, so they are posted. Plus, I've been going through a phase at the moment where I feel utterly boring and blaseh, so I just don't feel as though I have anything to talk about. Bleh.
Booties: Patons Kroy in black and white, Zoe Mellor's Star Booties pattern from 50 Baby Booties to Knit with my own skull chart.



I think this whole nesting phenomena might be rearing it's head in my direction, or at the very least, giving me a sideways glance. I've had the urge to organize and clean, which, while not totally out of character, has spurred me into quicker action than usual. I can usually convince the instinct to take a backseat while knitting takes shotgun. And also, I've been baking. Which I've always enjoyed, but it just seems to me as though there is an urgent need for baked goods to be in the house...at all times. We devoured the chocolate chip cookies in record time (yes we, not just me) and, well, the house has just felt empty ever since.

Anyhow, my point. I was tidying up the craft room, finally saying goodbye to things I just no longer desire to have in my space and in going through my 'tester tote' (a bin full of stuff that I've just tried out or swatched etc.) I found this skully dog sweater. As this clearly will not fit Hank, nor any other dog in my immediate family, I've got the perfect person/dog combo in mind and I hope she gets a huge kick out of it. Not sure why the teeth are so long though.



I also found this in the bin, a knitted bib I made over two years ago. It was intended for our neice, but when I was finished with the knitting of it, I thought it was rather ugly. Not sure why. I mean, it's still not terribly attractive to my eye, but then again it is from a time before I realized I was purling incorrectly. So all the stitches are twisted. But whatever. So I grabbed a crochet hook and some white Bernat cottontots (which is what it was knit out of originally), did a simple crochet edging and ta da, insta-bib. Gotta love that. The colour doesn't really show up on the photo, but it's a pretty purple. I'm calling it burple.

And that's pretty much all I can talk about at present. I've been doing a little sewing for myself too, so I'll post about that later. For now, stay in doors for heavens sake...it's miserable out there. And have a Happy Halloween.

Busy Weekend...

On the twelfth, Hank and the constable celebrated their birthdays. It was Hanks first. I think he liked it.



Hank got a new toy. He's not good at sharing (yes, that's me snorting on the video).

Had some people over for Thanksgiving dinner, which was lovely. I like making a big meal every now and then, as long as there are lots of mouths to enjoy it. I think it went over well. And I had no problem eating turkey sandwiches for lunch and another full turkey dinner last night as well. With some stuffing and gravy and turkey still left over. Mmmmm....don't have to cook for the rest of the week.

I've been knitting furiously as well, all stuff I can't show you just yet. All in good time, my pretties. All in good time.

Yesterday was a big day. First ultrasound which I was pretty excited/nervous about and ended up being totally amazing. I have to say though, I was pretty bitter (re: exceptionally bitter...only time I wished I still lived in Ontario...don't get me started) over the fact that they don't give out ultrasound photos here in this fine province (at least not in my little corner of it), but was pleasantly surprised when I was able to snag one for myself anyway. Check this out:



The detail that they can pick up these days is just outstanding. And my suspicions were confirmed; there is indeed an alien life form dwelling deep within. And apparently it hearts NY. Who can blame him really?

Then there was that little matter of a federal election. I voted, hope you did too.

And now the week is half over and I still feel like it's Sunday. Holidays totally screw me up. Must get some work done then.

Until later...

Better...

I think I get on with my day now.

Love and Hate...

Love:



--My Central Park Hoodie. A less than enthusiastic photographer who disappeared inside before I could approve the photo shoot and perhaps request additional shots resulted in a handful of photo's that did nothing for either the sweater or the model. This is the best of the bunch and can best be described as me doing my best immitation of a sulky teenager.

--Meeting new people. It was a perfect fall day here in NS and I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow Raveler and Mountie wife from BC who I have been exchanging Rav messages with for the last little while. Lovely lunch and chat and some yarn shopping to boot in Mahone Bay. A thoroughly pleasent meeting and afternoon, which left me feeling very contented and happy, floating on a little yarny-purchase cloud all the way home. Soon after my arrival the dramatic turn off events resulted in the aforementioned hate.

Hate:

--When the dog shits on the floor for the third time since moving into the house in July. Seriously, WTF? This dog is trained. He practically asks in as close to a sentence as you can get with a dog, 'Um, excuse me, but it would appear as though I need to be let out of doors to relieve myself. Could you possibly assist me in facilitating such?' To which we happily reply, 'But of course Hank. By all means.'
Both the constable and I were in the house and not at all pre-occupied. I was at the computer upstairs, he in the livingroom playing PS2 baseball. At no time did Hank politely ask to be let out. Not until the unpleasent stench of dog feces wafted into the craft room was I aware of his wrong doing. Middle of the landing at the top of the stairs, which, thankfully, had a plastic drop cloth down as we are back at the painting. But still...what gives? He'd been out just a little while earlier, and made no attempt to make his needs known. Instant grumpiness. For the entire evening. Which probably lead to the other thing I hate...



--When I don't listen to that inner voice that says, 'Wait to borrow a swift from someone before you decide to wind that skein.' That mess was a lovely, squishy hank of Tanis 'Sweetheart'. Now it is the bane of my existence and will haunt me until tomorrow, as I refuse to do battle with it any more this evening.

I want a glass of red wine so bad it makes me quite literally want to cry.

Worst...Birthday Present...Ever...

Hank turns 1 year old on the 12th of this month and yesterday he was neutered. We waffled on the decision for a very long time, even though we were contractually obligated to have it done. Just seemed, I dunno, hurtful. I didn't go to drop him off, but I went to pick him up. I thought about him all day. And he was just as spry and bouncy when we went to get him as he was that morning. I don't know what I was expecting...some sort of drunken stagger I suppose, perhaps a bit of 'what the hell?' aloofness. But he was talking up a storm when he saw us, which I like to believe translated to 'Get me outta here!!! Do you have any idea what it is that they do back there?'

The drunken stagger he saved for the ride home. I think the initial excitement of being picked up wore off and he was a little mellow and drowsy on the ride. It was kinda funny actually; he sat there with his mouth open, but I don't think he was actually panting. Anyhow, he seems to be fine. Slept a lot last night but was up and at 'em first thing this morning. He even made a bee-line for the van when I took him out, which I was a little surprised at. But I think that had more to do with his trips to the beach the two days prior to surgery. I'm sure he'd be all for going out and chasing the ball on this lovely fall day, but I'm making him chill out and of course keeping a watchful eye out for, um, licking. Gross. I know he probably is a little none the wiser about the whole affair, but I still feel kinda bad. The constable and I were worried about strange things, like will it change his personality. But if today is any indication, he's as clingy and loving as ever. Emphasis on the clingy. Has yet to leave my side.



So I used playing doggy nurse maid as an excuse to sit and get the hood finished on my Central Park Hoodie. I still need to do the button bands, but this is pretty much all I've been working on since the last blog post, and it was getting a little stale, so I thought it was time for an update.



I've tried it on with a t-shirt and it just kinda fits at this point, though I won't be able to do it up even after the button bands are done, but it is super cute and there will be a nice cardi waiting for me at the other end of this pregnancy thing egging me on to get back into some other shape than round. I'll of course model it a bit once the bands are knit.



I think I should've gone with my original instinct which was to do a collar instead of a hood, but it seemed a little pointless to knit a Central Park Hoodie and omit the hoodie part. The hood seems a little small, although it hasn't been washed or blocked like the rest of the sweater, so perhaps it's just a little bunched up and tense. Overall, I'm very pleased with this sweater. It's a quick and easy knit.



I had this to distract me when I got bored of the sweater. Just a plain crochet bib of my own devising. When I was done, I thought it looked a little bland, so I perked it up with a couple of red buttons and a little felt applique. Which sent me on this tangent...



The photo is a little blaseh, guess the sun when behind a cloud at that moment, but it's actually quite bright. Maybe I should stop taking photos with the lime green cutting mat as a background. In any case, I've got sketches for half a dozen bibs with different fruity themes. Too much fun. It's terry cloth backed with white flannel with a lightweight interfacing in between and of course, the felt applique. Makes me smile.

So were you watching the debates last night? Either side of the border? I find it kind of interesting that so many people think Canadian politics is boring, but frankly, I thought the format that they used for the leaders debate was much more...entertaining, for lack of a better word. Five leaders, one roundish table, questions posed by actual Canadian citizens covering a spectrum of topics...I found it more engaging than the vice-presidential format, that's for sure. Two candidates, pretty predictable outcome. But I'm not a pundit and I did finally pack it in at 11:30. So there you go.

I'm at knitting odds now. I've gotten to the point with the sweater that I just want it done without having to actually do the knitting. And I'd like to move onto baby things. It suddenly dawned on me that five months can go by pretty quickly. If I'd like to have a small arsenal of items, I'd better get crackin'.

Until later...