An Error in Judgement

My son turned ten over the past weekend and we finally caved in and bought him the pet rat he’s been wanting for two years. I’m not sure this was completely thought through. Something goes awry in my brain about a week before my children have a birthday. I want to get them the coolest gift and make their birthday the best ever, and then I usually do something incredibly dumb. This video is the proof.

Trade/Sell

I posted on Ravelry that I’m interested in trading/selling my Creative Memories scrapbook product supplies that I won’t be using.  (These products are NIP unless otherwise noted.)  Mostly, I’m interested in trading for yarn (especially sock yarn), pretty stitch markers, Elizabeth Zimmerman books/videos, Addi Turbo lace needles or regular (depending on size), spinning stuff like roving, Spin Off mags, etc.  And, of course, I take money, too. 

Please email me if you have questions.  r_hartman@yahoo.com

If you want more immediate product info, go to www.creativememories.com and you will see product detail there.

Creative Memories is the Cadillac of scrapbook supplies.  Their albums stand alone as the best because of their ‘open flat’ design and superior quality.  They are guaranteed for life against defects. Their stickers don’t tear when you remove them to shift them around. The cutters last and last for thousands of cuts. I was a Creative Memories consultant for six years, but knitting and fiber arts are my passion now.  Sadly, my scrapbooking has fallen by the wayside (but oh, the lovely shawls I’m making!!) 

I have more product not listed here including paper packs in all colors, sticker packs, holiday papers and kits. 

This is a work-in-progress. Please ask if you don’t see something you’re looking for.  

 

ALBUMS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney’s Mickey coverset (no pages) retail $32, asking $28 , ’sky’ coverset (no pages) retail $25, asking $22, ‘natural’ album w/ natural pages $44, asking $35  [all albums are 12"]

Smaller Albums (Not Pictured):  mauve, suede-like, with raised rosebuds on fabric, 7×7 album called ‘Rosebud’  with pages retail $21, asking $15, and a 7×7 coverset-no pages- in ‘Olive’ with a lacey pattern on front, retail $17, asking $15

 I do have refill pages for these 12″ albums.  Retail $17, asking $15.  I am out of protectors

Wedding Stuff:

 

wedding album ‘kits’: Left is ‘I Do’ kit (contempory style)  includes 8 sheets perfect fit paper, 2 junbo great lengths stickers sheets, 10 journal boxes.  retail $10, asking $8,

Right is ‘Once Upon A Wedding’ (traditional style), comes with 9 sheets double sided paper, 6 sheet s perfect fit paper, 6 sheets 10×12 paper, 16 journaling boxes. retail $15, asking $12….both come with idea book

I realize that they’re hard to see, but they’re NIP so I can’t show what’s inside and plastic makes it hard to see sometimes.  If you want to see detail go to www.creativememories.com and search the product name or go to site wedding section. I think both packs are still available.

Wedding accents: Formal Affair die cut sheet retail $3.50, asking $2.50, also Formal affair stickers$5.00, asking $4.00.  Very lovely and could be used for anniversary, new years, easter, etc.

Tools/pens/adhesives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fine tip basic pens (4) retail $10.80, asking $8.00, fine tip ‘precious elements’ rainbow asking $8, round tip ‘precious elements’ rainbow, asking $8,   Round tip (normal marker tip, not fine) jewel tones (4 pens) retail $10.80 asking $8,  if you get nothing else, get the single black round tip pen for $1. It’s my favorite style pen that CM has and it’s great for titling pages. Tape runner retail 6.75, asking $5.00, corner rounder for photos retails for $9, asking $7., tag stickers retail $2.50 asking $2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(pens above are in details in previous photo)  Mini star maker shown retails for $16, asking$12, Box style cutter “Personal Trimmer” for photos, gently used for classes only. Great cutter, still very sharp, thousands of cuts left on it. Asking $5.  This item is discontinued but originally sold for $19

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hexagon maker, large size (not mini), retails for $20, asking $16. This can make some cool borders, shadow effect accents for pages, etc.  If you choose both makers I’ll throw in the book below for free, full of ideas.  It’s retail is $10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right: Fast Formula book retail $10, free with two makers.  Left: Circular Titletopia tool.  A great way to do creative, fun titles in the round.  Very cool.

Sorry these photos are sideways, couldn’t figure out how to flip them in wordpress.

Perfect fit blues paper, illusions stickers, and Great Lengths ‘lines’ stickers.  All great for boy photos.  Bundle for $10 (retail $17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding paper bundle $27: two packs of vellum, one plain, one printed, family chart page, perfect fit ‘inspiration’ paper pack, perfect fit ‘naturals’ pack, wedding ‘glimpses’ die cut $27 (retail $38.50)

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘rainbow’ assorted paper, birthday die cut, blues great lengths stickers : bundle $9 (retail $15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedded Bliss stickers ret 5.50 asking $3.50, Title stickers from Cabana and Cottage collections ($10 retail )  asking $8 each $17 for Bundle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Garden party paper album, great for gifting already made Ret. $15, asking $12,” vintage” 7″ album kit ret $15.50, asking $12, Primary Snap Pack retail $10 asking $8,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sticker Packs: Outback & Rainforest, Festivities, Fundamentals, Baby girl stickers … Bundle retail $20, asking $13 for all

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soccer, Botanical Laser, Kaleidescope Bounty, Marines sticker packs Bundle for $10.5 (retail 16.00)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Military Sticker packs: Airforce and Navy $3 each

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Lover (retail $3) , Summer Medley (retail $3.50) , Sightseeing Europe (5.50 retail) , Wheels & Whistles (ret 3.50) Bundle $10

Latest FO

I have such fun knitting and felting these beer cozies from my handspun.  They make great gifts and I really love using them.  No more cold hands or warm beer!

 

 

Overheard Conversation

I was leaving the hospital complex today with my daughter, whom I had taken to a doctor’s appointment.  We walked up on two women talking. 

Woman one :”How’s Jordan doing?”

Woman two :”He’s doing fine.  You heard about that, huh?”

Woman one: “Yeah. Well, I’m glad he’s okay.”

Woman two: “They ordered the autopsy and everything. He was dead! Yeah, he’s fine.

I walked away from this conversation with many thoughts running through my head, none of them giving me a bit of confidence about my local hospital.  I cannot believe I have to live the rest of my life not know what the hell happened to poor Jordan, but since I was too polite to ask, I guess I have no choice.  Never a dull moment. 

Have you overheard anything interesting lately?

The Sherman Heel ‘Yay!’ Moment

I have become obsessed lately about learning this new technique for sock heels.  I don’t know why I am the way I am, but I love mastering new knitting techniques.  A few weeks ago I read about this this heel and decided to figure it out.  [There are two great sites with directions, www.knitlist.com/2002/ToeUpSock.htm and http://hipknitism.com/classes/basic_ribbed_socks/lesson4.shtml (lesson 4: Sherman heel) (also,has modified chart for various size socks, invaluable!).  I needed all three to get the job done, however. ]  I have knit several pairs of socks over the past couple years, but was searching for a better heel, one that be more easily replaceable, or just more easily mended.  The thing I really like about it is that I can memorize the pattern, well, I haven’t yet, but I know I can if I do it a couple more times!  I liked the heel flap and gusset, makes a lovely sock, but it’s very time consuming, this definitely is faster.  I was going to put photos of my socks up, but they are both in incredibly dark yarns and the heel stitches are hard to see.  So why am I blabbing about it?  Because I am having a ‘Yay!’ knitting moment.  At times I get into a rut and think I’m not a very good knitter, and then I try something that seemed difficult at first, wrestle it a bit, and DO IT!!  It’s just completely cool. 

 I know a lady at church who only knits garter stitch washcloths and always the same pattern.  Why?  Because that’s all she knows how to knit.  She has absolutely no interest in any other aspectof knitting, I’m not sure she can even purl.  I know she’s happy in her ignorance, and content to have a bit of handiwork to help her through her quiet moments; she’s told me this.  But I’ve always thought it sad that she’s not on the Knitting Journey.  What makes us different?  She just doesn’t want to work at it, is that it?  She only likes a little knitting?  She’s not a Knitter, merely a knitter?   What makes someone a Knitter? I don’t get it.  I didn’t ask for this.  I fell bass-akwards into it.  I learned to cast on and the runaway train did the rest.  I didn’t have a choice.  Knitting chose me.   I have met some fascinating people on this journey, made some wonderful friends, come to appreciate handcrafted things and the artists who make them, learned some amazing things about history andpeople, met some adorable sheep, alpaca, goats, bunnies, and the people who care for them, and learned the art of giving gifts from the heart.   And most impressive of all, I have done things with two sticks and string that I never would have believed I could.  The greatest part of it all is that the journey never ends. 

 

 

All For Naught

easter 023

Originally uploaded by miss moonbeam

Middle child had to have this hat. He begged me to make it for five months. Then, when it was done, he wouldn’t wear it. Go figure. I told him he was off the ‘handknits’ list until he shapes up. Harumph! 

 The truth:  I love this hat and am secretly glad he hates it so I can sport it around.  Admittedly, I felt like a total knob wearing it in public.  I purposely wore it to scouts to pick up middle son.  He was horrified.  I told him it was retaliation for his refusing to wear it.    Mostly I wear it to haul wood to the house and driving around town.  It’s an incredibly warm hat.  Miss Moodle, 6, is begging to have the hat.  She loves it and will probably inherit it next season. If not then the saga begins again when I make a pink mohawk hat for her that she’ll probably refuse to wear as well….

Knitting for loved ones is a tough gig.

When You Can’t Lead a Horse to Water

Last night was our local La Leche League meeting.  I have been a leader for six years, and along with another woman, we have been having monthly breastfeeding support meetings(or not so monthly during this crazy flu season we’ve had).  We used to have a pretty hoppin’ group.  In past years we would have 6-8 mothers with maybe 4 babies and a few toddlers running around.  The meetings would be so loud with fussy kids we could hardly hear ourselves. Man, those were the days.  I wish I would have enjoyed them a bit more, instead of complaining about how nuts it was.  It was definitely crazy, but we were meeting a need and mothers were glad we were there for them. 

Things have really changed for our group.  Last night we had one person attend other than group workers.  We expected four newcomers who never showed up.  It’s so frustrating when I know we’re providing an important service to the community, yet no one’s showing up to benefit from it.  I blame it on the internet.  When you can get instant answers to any BFing problem, why leave your home to attend a meeting?  But that isn’t completely it.  We are still doing something the internet cannot yet provide.  These four women contacted us and WANTED this meeting, and then didn’t show.  I just can’t figure it out.  We are so close to being done with meetings and being a ‘phone-help only’ group.  In fact, that’s what we’d basically decided until these women called us.  I do think times are changing and our group will have to change to survive, but some women really do want the fellowship of other nursing moms and I think we need to provide that on some level. 

The other issue is, how long can I really keep doing this?  My youngest is six and I don’t plan on doing this forever.  The meetings are a huge disruption to my family life.  We have three kids who have homework, music lessons, scouts, etc. and the meetings take time and preparation.  I planned to keep leading until the time was right to step down.  I have wondered if I’m there yet.  My co-leader says no, so I continue on.  I think I’ll know when it’s time to be done.  But will we know when it’s time for the group to be done? 

Spinning Lesson

www.bubbleshare.com/myalbum/339190.b0e93d7604f/11941791

Middle son had such a good time learning to spin last weekend.  He thought the wheel was cool, and he was determined he was going to make yarn he could knit with.  He did an awesome job and actually made decent yarn.  (Beginner’s yarn is actually amazingly fun, thick and thin, which is very hard for an experienced knitter to do.  I can’t do it anymore, I’ve tried.  shoot.)

Other photos are of some booties which are headed to Canada soon for a new nephew.  They are supposed to be felted, but I think they’ll be too small and they seem fine now since they were knitted on #2s, I know that’s odd, but the pattern called for it.  Anyhow, I think if I felted them they’d not felt properly since it’s such a dense knit already.  The pattern sucks, however. I think there must be a mistake in RS/WS or maybe a row missing in patt.  I had to adjust pattern for it to work.  I have no clue what ’s wrong, but they weren’t fun to knit.  Who knits on #2 for felting???  Duh.

Other lace photo is of my latest scarf project.  It’s actually a narrow shawl, Trellis Scarf from an IK 2006 issue.  It’s a lovely scarf from photos I’ve seen on ravelry, I hope mine is lovely when I’m done.  Lace is so very time consuming, and it takes so much attention to the pattern.  I don’t think I’ll ever memorize this pattern. No way.  It’s 16 row of pattern.  ugh.  But I only started it on Friday night and I already have about 8 inches done, yay! 

 I’m on spring break from work and supposed to be cleaning my house.  Blech.  Where to start?? 

I am so annyoyed. I had the photos in this entry, hit one foul button and they were gone.  Tried everything to put back, nothing is working that should be.  Gotta dash, will try later.  I hate ‘puters. What an effin’ waste of my last 30 minutes!  ARGH! 

Lace Urges

Here’s the thing.  I knitted Icarus. I patted myself on the back. I blogged about it. I emailed photos of it.  I blabbed incessently about it.  Basically, I O.D.ed on it.  It was so much fun.  I really just want to knit another lace shawl now.  Or maybe not a shawl, but some other lace thing that will knock my own socks off when I finish it.  I’m having lace urges. So many urges that I’m looking at shawl porn daily on ravelry.  I just cannot help myself.  I’m just so drawn to it.   It wouldn’t be so bad it if weren’t for this yarn diet I keep telling myself I’m on.  I am really attempting to de-stash this year.  I’m doing pretty well so far, but with no lace weight in the stash, I have a problem.  Hmmmm.  I could hurry up and spin some, but see, the lace shawl urge is happening NOW, not in a week or three when the hand spun yarn would be ready to use.  I just need to settle down.  I have socks on the needles, they could keep me happy for awhile, and the urge will pass, right? Maybe, but I NEED to start a new lace project, and soon.  I think, “Strike while the iron is hot” is great advice, indeed!

What about a nice swap?  I have oodles of worsted brunswick wool yarn just sitting in totes waiting to be loved.  I always imagined the felted slippers, hats, bags, mittens, and other yummy winter delights I could knit with the 15 skeins I have purchased through the years on discount.  If I swapped yarns with someone, does that still count as stash-busting?  I think so.  But could I part with it?  I’m a bit attached to my stash yarns.  Even the ugly yarns I bought as a beginning knitter make me think of the project that I originally imagined that will never be.  And how would I feel with no stash yarn?  What if I could actually use up all the yarn I’m storing? Then what, I just buy yarn for every project as I need to?  But isn’t that why I bought all that yarn to start with, so I wouldn’t have to do that?  And if I run out of yarn, that means I can start rebuilding the stash, right?  So in the end, when I die, I will still have craploads of yarn.  So maybe I’ll just order up that lace weight right now.

Icarus Mission Accomplished

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I can’t believe I’m even typing this.  I am actually finished with the Icarus Shawl.  I am just beaming, can you feel the rays from there? I know I’m a bit behind the Icarus Bandwagon, I was left in their dust at least a year ago. I’m not even sure how it happened. In the fall of ‘06 I knitted about 70 rows, ran out of yarn, I blinked, then about 14 months went by before I picked it up again.  Here’s what I learned from this project:

1. Lace charts suck.

1A. Breathing when knitting lace is a good thing.

1B. Hunching over knitting until my neck hurt for three days requiring Vicodin isn’t fun.

1C. Post it notes on the knitting pattern denoting RS symbols and WS symbols are a time saver. (did I mention lace charts suck?)

2. Never again will I assume I’ll remember what the hell I was doing when I had to put the project down.  I will always write knitterly notes to myself as if I’m planning to develop Alzheimer’s before I get back to it.

3. Always, always, always buy more yarn than you think you’ll need to finish, especially if you use heavier yarn, DUH. (hence the reason I ran out of yarn after 70 rows.) Buying form a LYS rather than an online store would have helped too.

4. Say extra prayers daily for the kind hearted knitter (whose name I forgot) in Canada who graciously sent me two skeins of yarn matching the dye lot I needed. Are knitters great folks or what?  (I really hope she liked the soap I sent her in return!)

5.  Although K’Nex toy blue circle gizmos make great stitch markers, it’s a good idea to  invest in oodles of stitch markers for lace because I lost a zillion of the real markers I started with on this project.  also, the ones that come apart would have made this project soooo much easier.

6. Buy an Ott style craft lamp.  This dark yarn made me a basketcase. 

7. Buy lace addi-turbos. Sheesh. This was my first experience with regular addis and loved them, but this was alpaca/silk yarn and it was way too slippery for these needles, also, they’re not pointy enough.

8. Lace is very rewarding, especially when it’s a yummy alpaca shawl I can drape around my shoulders!  I absolutely cannot wait to wear it.  It’s blocking at this very minute!!

9. Sacrifice at least a dozen skeins of crappy acrlic yarn from my stash to offer thanksgiving to the lace goddess.  She was so kind to me.  It really is the least I can do.  I am eternally grateful.  For the most part, this project went off without a hitch (after the running out yarn incident, which was my own stupid fault).  It seemed at the start that I was biting off way more than I could chew with this pattern, but I took it one step at a time, ripped every time it started to go awry, and just kept plugging along.  I really did learn a tremendous amount from this project, and isn’t that really what it’s all about??