the one where i ask for donations of mojo

I've got nothing.

And I really mean that.

I'm still working on some top-secret projects (and by some, I mean "two"), and for whatever reason, they're just dragging.  I don't know if it's this whacky weather we've been having or what, but I've been exhausted and completely unmotivated.

Which means I've been doing nothing.  Like... nothing.

But I have bought yarn, which is so unproductive, I can't even begin to describe it.  I started cleaning up the disaster my craft room has become and almost fainted - there is nowhere to put the amount of yarn I've purchased over the past couple months.

I think part of my problem is that I have so much good yarn that I'd rather hoard it than making something with it.  Is this a thing?  If it's a thing, are there meetings I should be going to?

Summer is always like this, though.  Every July, I say I should work on some stuff for my shop so I'm ready for Fall and the holidays - then I sit around reading all the time instead.  And I've finished some good books this summer (and some awful ones, too).  So I guess it hasn't been a complete waste.  But it's something.

That's all I've got.  SOMEONE HELP ME GET MY MOJO BACK!

ocmd beachy yarn haul 2013

Well well well... Here I am after a month of just pure shenanigans.  What's new with me, you ask? I believe the last time we spoke, I was headed to our annual vacation in OCMD with a small group of our friends.  We ate, we drank, we sat on the beach and roasted, we listened to audiobooks (well, I did, anyway), and we are now home.  Le sigh.

As promised, I managed to make my way to Salty Yarns, a craft shop right on the boardwalk.  I've made it my "thing" to go and visit on whatever day happens to be a little rainy.  This year, it was our second day in when the rain came, so I was obviously thrilled to get to my favorite part of the trip almost immediately.

Here's what I walked away with:


Yum!  In case you can't catch the yarn, it's Noro Taiyo Sock Yarn in a pretty variety of colors.  Here's a close-up:


I keep trying to finish a pair of socks, so I've started buying anything that might motivate me.  I can finish one and then I'm like, "Eh, a second one seems so boring."  Hence the purchase of a new sock knitting book.  I guess we'll see what happens; since getting it at the end of May, I have yet to look at it any longer than it takes to snag a photo.  I'll keep you updated :)

Anything else exciting happen so far?  Yes: I did, unfortunately, turn the tender age of 30.  30!!!!  Is that possible?  I still remember turning five.  I'm pretty sure I got one of those balls you could bounce around on - it kind of looked like Saturn.  But at 30, you don't get toys as much as "experiences."  And this year's experience included a Segway tour of Philadelphia.  Aside from one snafu when I got stuck in a gutter and had to pull myself out, I somehow managed not to die... which is why I'm here to tell the tale.

Oh, and one more thing: I got a new job!  If you haven't heard from me in awhile (and most of you haven't), it's because I've been running around like a crazy person - actually enjoying life for a change.  I love what I'm doing and I'm happy with my decision.

Happy Summer to me! 

prepping beachy yarn excursions


blog [blawg, blog]
noun

  1. a Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other Web sites.
  2. that which I continually neglect day after day, week after week
(And also, do people really spell "Web site" that way anymore?)

I've got nothing.  Okay, not entirely true.  It's not like I haven't been working on things.  Most of them are custom orders for products you've already seen about a bajillion times.  Other things are smaller projects that I haven't had a chance to photograph because either I'm really really busy or really really lazy - I haven't decided.  And finally, some projects are super top secret because they're gifts.

10,000 meter challenge = fail.  I surrender.

BUT...

I'm going to beach next week for our annual roasting session - I mean - vacation.  I plan on taking a project or two with me for those occasional downtimes when we're locked in our hotel room enjoying some newly acquired Dogfish Head.  It might not be the best idea to indulge in craft beer while working an intricate lace pattern, but you only live once.

And let's not forget that yarn shop I found on the boardwalk last year.  If I managed to spend $100 on yarn when I could barely stand from sun poisoning, well then, my bank account is in for treat.

I'm sure I'll have photos to post once I'm back that include - God willing - a yarn haul.  What should my theme be this year?  Last year, I went for some mohair lace yarn that matched ocean-y beach colors.  I'm thinking this year's theme should be... "insane hoarder"?

I mean, look at this mess:



That's my craft room.  Do I really need more?

Yes.

So with that said, I shall see you all on upon my return :)  Hope you have a great Memorial Day Weekend and are surviving this whacky heat wave.

officially the worst blogger ever

I think the title says it all.

Why?  Because I barely blogged last month.  I think I had one entry throughout all of April.  Dry your eyes, though, because I'm updating now :)

With what, I'm not sure.  I joined a 10,000 meter challenge on Facebook where we have to knit or crochet 10,000 meters by the end of June.  You know how much I've done?  68 yards.  Pathetic.  Luckily, I have a few custom orders coming in that will help with that number, but my motivation is lacking.

I blame it on the weather.  And also the fact I just invested in a Nikon D5200 that's been keeping me entertained.  Exhibit A:


Yes, that's my puppy and yes, he's wearing a bow tie.  We've been having fun being outside taking fun pictures together, just experimenting with my camera's features.  I only had to take 42 photos to get this frontal shot of him.

I also can't tell if I'm suffering from allergies or a wee bit of a cold.  I've felt disgusting all week and haven't wanted to indulge in crafts, so there's been a lot of reading and watching the first three seasons of "Arrested Development" in preparation for Season Four on Netflix.  Exciting, I know.

But I did get a huge box of yarn yesterday, so I plan on taking some artsy photos and updating with a haul in the coming days.

I hope you've all had a great month since my last post and are enjoying the beautiful weather that May has brought with it.  Summer is right around the corner and I, for one, am looking forward to what that will mean for my life.

finished: crochet easter bunny for mom

Remember when I posted awhile back asking you to guess what I was making?

Well here it is: a little guy that I was making as an Easter present for my mom:


Project Description: I posed this pattern on my Facebook page a few weeks ago and mother oh-so-subtly hinted that she'd love it if I could make one for Easter.  So I did!  I chose the colors that most appear in my parents' house and then added sparkle - of course - with the green accent color.

This was the first time I had ever used safety eyes.  Here's the thing: I always wondered why safety eyes were fine on toys given to children.  I thought they'd just be easy to tear out and chew on and I guess it's still possible.  But my fingers almost fell off trying to get the stupid things in.  I love how they look, though, and wouldn't have done it any other way.

PS: I got that amazingly pink feather wreath for 40% off at Michaels.  Totally worth the investment.

Yarn Used: I used four yarns to complete this pattern:
Pattern Used:  Easy Crochet Bunny - A Green Dragonfly Tutorial

Life Updates:
  • My world is a little crazy.  My mom was admitted to the hospital unexpectedly last week, so I've been trying to help out as much as possible.
  • I'm leaving for San Francisco on Friday, so I'm trying to take care of stuff around the house and need to do a crap ton of shopping in preparation.
  • Easter was really nice, even though my mom couldn't be there physically.  I got lots of candy - how could you go wrong?
That's it for today?  I'm hoping to update at least once more before traveling to Frisco - I'm excited!  It should be a great time and productive because it's work-related.  I'm planning out my travel knitting projects as we speak for optimum efficiency :)

Hopefully nobody tricked you yesterday!