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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Would you guys be interested in knitting tutes?

Hi everyone!

So I was tooling around on twitter today, chatting with Jenna and Kiki, and was thrilled to hear that Kiki is learning to knit! YOU GO!! She asked some questions about yarn hold and some basics, so I quickly rattled off a couple of videos for English and Continental style. Not like there aren't a million, but it's fun to contribute, and I love converting new knitters. So here's the videos!
I also posted them on my free tutorials page for future convenience. So here's my questions: Are you guys interested in other knitting tutorial videos? I know there's a glut of them out there, but sometimes somebody shows or explains something in a different way that makes more sense to some people. What would you guys want to see?

Since I haven't written in a few days, here's the current rundown:

Right Now:

Listening - I've got the show "Numbers" on right now, streaming through Netflix. I love binging on shows. Especially ones I've never seen before and there's several seasons to catch up on. 

Eating - Nothing at the moment, but I might heat up some of my taco soup I made the other day. OH! That's a whole other post, but I've started cooking for the entire week and freezing servings to easily heat up. That way I'm actually eating, getting more nutrition, and don't have to cook. all. week. 

Drinking - well, my tea's gone cold, so I'll just stick with my water. On the other hand, I have diet cherry soda in my mini fridge that sounds pretty enticing right now. What?! You thought I'd say wine? It's only 1pm people! Gimme *some* credit ;)

Wearing - pink owl jammy bottoms with a pink tank top. To match my pink nails. I guess I'm in a pink mood lately. 

Feeling - kinda guilty that I haven't done much of anything productive today. I need to get my machine embroidering some things so I can get those out to their new owners soon.  But overall, pretty relaxed. Hooray!

Weather - It was kinda windy this morning, but very sunny. It's still sunny out, but a teeny bit overcast as well. Funny story - we didn't have LA's crazy violent wind, but we did get some good gusts early this morning. I was in the middle of a dream about being chased by zombies, and it was an INCREDIBLY tense, scary part of the dream when a big gust of wind blew something over in the side yard with a BANG! I must have jumped a mile out of my bed. Adrenaline rushing, heart pounding. I had to laugh at myself (Thank you brain, for choosing JUST that moment to scare the crap out of me when a zombie is reaching for me!). 

Wanting - To rewind today so I can be more productive!! And maybe that cherry soda. 

Needing - To close my door because my sister just started vacuuming and I can't hear Numbers. It's a tough life. And now I really need that cherry soda. Do you ever just CRAVE a soda? I don't drink them very often, but when I want one, I WANT ONE! I NEED ONE!

Thinking - About a lot. My brain is such a jumble lately that it seems I can't organize any thoughts. Projects, goals, what direction I want to head in with my shop, my blog, etc. I'm kind of enjoying flying by the seat of my pants though. I love writing about life, and not just crafting all the time. Hopefully I don't bore you guys too much!

Enjoying - This slower, more relaxed pace of life lately. With my best friend in town, it's been a little bit busier, but it's been good to get out and do things. It helps put into perspective how very much I've changed over the past couple of years, become more introverted and *quirky* shall we say. Ten kinds of special crazysauce. I have a lot of self work to do, and it's an interesting road. I'm very very slowly starting to feel like my old "I don't need no mans" self again, and I'm looking forward to being totally self-sufficient and independent. Emotionally, financially, and otherwise. 

Time to be productive!! Have a wonderfully awesomesauce day everyone! Anything exciting going on?




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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Completely ineffective notes to self through time and space....

The first rule of being a crafter with dogs - if there is fabric, your dog(s)/cat(s) will lie on it. Fact. This is Rowan helping me organize and fold fabric earlier today.
It's a tough life, making sure this fabric stays put....




A few hours ago, I posted this to Facebook off the top of my head:


Why is it that when you feel like "I'm f*ing amazing, strong, and independent" is when you don't need it, then when you need it most, you don't feel that way at all? It'd be nice if you could send yourself notes into the past and the future.


Well, while I haven't yet perfected sending notes back in time to myself, I have attempted to send notes to my future self. There's a cool little chalkboard thingee in my room which reads "Kick ass and make stuff", and before that it read: "You're awesome, and don't you forget it!".  It's my version of "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me..." I hope you get that joke. It sounds hokey, but in a small way it's an attempt to send a note to my future self saying "keep your head up". Of course, the times when it's needed most is when it's easiest to dismiss it and roll my eyes at how stupid that sounds. Ah, silly future self. On the tougher days, the thing that helps me the most is to think about all the AMAZING, strong, creative women who have my back and keep reassuring me that we all have each other's backs. Especially my fellow husky owners and fellow crafters....I'll tell ya, these ladies are a force of nature to be reckoned with. My favorite kind of people. 


......I kinda forgot where I was going with all that. Sorry! I rented Super 8, and it's playing in the background right now. The train crash just happened, which was super spectacular and incredible, and I have the attention span of.....well....a person with ADD. Which I am.....Anyway! What was I saying? 


Woah!! Dude with melted face!! Sorry...movie again. Ever see "Up"? SQUIRREL!! Yeah, that'd be me. WOAH!! Dude with melted face is alive!! Sorry again....Maybe I should pause the movie until I'm finished writing. Can you tell most of my writing is stream-of-consciousness? I rarely go back and read what I've written after it's been published, which is probably a good thing. Also, I totally want that rainbow striped shirt the chubby kid wears in the movie. 


On a happier note (life isn't all teenage-angst, I swear!), my very best friend in the whole wide world, my partner in crime and hetero-life-mate Morgan flew in from England today!! I haven't seen her yet, but just knowing she's a few miles away at her parents' house makes me want to do a happy dance. Also, I'll be going to my friend Kathy's house for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Yay!! Kathy's a first-rate cook, and I love her and her family dearly. I've known her since high school, and she's become a fellow crafter. We're planning on knitting/crocheting after chowing down. Perfect Thanksgiving! Her daughter Sophie is the freaking cutest thing you've ever seen (and I am NOT a kid person) and calls me 'Bon-Bon". She gets that from her mother. 


Are you still reading? Sucker..... *wink*


Okay, so here's the wrap-up. I swear this new journaling prompt thingee is what's getting me to write. Otherwise I wouldn't even know where to begin! 


Right now:


Listening: "Heart of Glass" was just playing in the movie, otherwise it's suspenseful music and dialogue. 


AAAHH!!! OMG!!! KILLER ALIEN!!  Okay, so I didn't pause the movie. Can you tell? FOCUS PRUITT!!


Eating: *sigh* Promise not to tell? I just finished my McDonald's fries, and I still have a small cheeseburger waiting in the bag. It's cold by now, but who cares? Work wiped me out, and after not eating much at all today, I just wanted something, fast, easy, and indulgent. I'm weak. 


Drinking: Water. I threw away the soda that came with the meal. Sleep is a valuable commodity, so caffeine from afternoon til bedtime is a no-no. 


Wearing: (Why does this one always strike me as odd? Almost like "what are you wearing right now? *heavy breathing* Creepy stalker-like. Alright, pervs...I'm wearing my flannel owl jammies my Mom gave me for christmas last year. Wanna see? Man, you guys really are pervs. Joking! Joking! 
That photo was taken last year when I got them. Still my favorites. 

Feeling: Sleeeepy....my tylenol PM has kicked in, so I'm getting a little bleary-eyed and ready for sleep. 

Weather: I'm pretty sure it's clear out there. Nice and cool, but clear. Today was sunny. Not that my pasty ass was out in the sun at any point today, but sunny nevertheless. 

Wanting: To finish that other cheeseburger so I can focus on the movie and drift off to sleep. Mmmmm....sleep.....

Needing: Hmmmm......more practice writing? Seriously, is anybody still reading at this point? Don't feel bad if you aren't, this must read like some completely ego-centric 16 year old's diary. "Dear Diary...he talked to me today!! Can you believe it?!" Next day.... "My life is over! OVER!!" 

Thinking: I'm thinking I'm going to have to go back a few chapters in the movie. I don't know if I've absorbed anything at all because my attention is on writing.

OH NO!!! Hang on, dude with the melted face!! Hang on!!

Sorry....movie again....

Enjoying: Kind of enjoying this weird, rambling, stream of consciousness style of writing. Almost like having a conversation. 

That should wrap it up! (I know, I know...try to contain your disappointment.) I'm sure I'll have another extremely uninteresting word vomit upchuck post tomorrow. In the meantime, eat lots of turkey and stuffing, and let me know how your Thanksgivings were!  I feel like I'm forgetting something.....Huh. Must not have been that important. G'night all!! 

PS - I'll respond to comments from the last couple of posts tomorrow. There's a lot I want to write back to you guys, but I'm really bleary-eyed and tired, so it'll have to wait til tomorrow. Love you guys though! Thanks for hanging in there with me!


Monday, November 21, 2011

When you don't even know who you are anymore...

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty darn good, with just a touch of melodramatic "poor me" crap. I'm still having a very hard time processing my breakup with my ex-boyfriend, even though it's been about 11 months. Yeah, I know. No lectures, please. Keep in mind that it was my first *real* relationship, and it lasted almost six years. I form strong attachments with people, and I'm not the type to just cut the rope (metaphorically). He was very good to me, and I still love the guy, even if we were headed in different directions. There's no bad guy here. I still have a LOT of bad days where I cry the "ugly" cry (you know, where your face is all squinched up and your nose is red like Bozo the clown), and feel about as lovable as a pile of horse dung that's been sitting in the sun for a couple of weeks. I used to be the kind of person who was perfectly fine being single (honest-to-goodness) and genuinely wasn't looking for any kind of relationship. Not even a one night stand. Ew. So when I opened my heart and formed a long term attachment with someone that didn't work out, I hope it's a little understandable that I'd have a hard time letting that go. Everyone's allowed to have days that are harder than others. I'd give anything to be that independent *I don't need no mans* girl again. There's just a lot I wish I'd known six years ago. Just sayin'.
     ANYWAY!! Re-forming your self identity and regaining a sense of self-worth is never an easy process. Sewing and crafting in general has given me an outlet, an identity, and something to be proud of. Working with colors and texture, creating things that are well-made and beautiful has been the biggest self esteem booster I could ever hope for. Walking into my room on any given day and seeing all these bright colors and beautiful things I've made brings me such happiness, it's hard to explain. Which sorta kinda brings me to this weekend. Break it down, sistah!!

On Wednesday, I met my old friend Christy at Islands restaurant for dinner after work. I've known her for about 16 or so years now. Christy is one of my very favorite conversationalists because we can talk forever and never run out of things to talk about. She's also very VERY cerebral and intelligent, so we can talk objectively about things in an abstract sort of way and can always follow each others' train of thought. I imagine Thursday and Friday were run-of-the-mill days. I can't even remember what I did besides a few hours at work. Saturday Christy invited me to an early Thanksgiving dinner at her grandmother's house (she wouldn't be in town, so her family was celebrating early) which was DELICIOUS. Chris, if you'd send me that recipe for the drinks you made, I'll love you forever. Afterwards, we went to see Puss in Boots. I grinned like an idiot through the entire thing and enjoyed it so much, I've been talking about it non-stop. Go see it. It's awesome.

Sunday, I decided to clean and organize. Before I could buckle down and do some serious crafting, I needed to organize my stuff and clean off surfaces so I could find everything I needed. I'll take better pictures in the daytime, but here's a couple of photos I snapped with my phone when sending them to my BFF twitter friends.

It may not look like much, but folding and organizing fat quarters is no joke!
Yeah, that took me pretty much all day. I don't want to go into detail about how much I had to haul, cull, organize, etc..etc..etc. It was a ton of work. My Mom and I also did a bit of xmas decoration shopping (thanks for the goodies, Mom!) and I promise I'll post photos of the adorable xmas goodness soon.

So overall, it was a great weekend. I just have to keep my thoughts away from the dark places and focus on all the amazingly wonderful people in my life and all that I have to be thankful for. 

Extra bonus!! My hetero-life-mate (aka my bestest best friend and sister/partner for life Morgan) is going to be in town on Wednesday!! She's visiting for Thanksgiving from England, and I'm so excited I could just pee myself. Can'twaitcan'twaitcan'twait!! *Jumping up and down*  

So now for the journaling breakdown:

Right now:
Listening - I had "Numbers" episode one, season one playing on Netflix, but honestly I wasn't paying attention. So instead, I'll share the song stuck in my head.
Song Currently Stuck in my Head - "Rock Your Body" by Black Eyed Peas. It was the last song I was grooving to in my car, and I love the Black Eyed Peas. The more fun and fluffy the music, the better for me lately. 
Eating - Del Taco! I still have another macho taco left in the bag, and I'm debating whether or not I want to eat it. But I also know there's peanut butter cookie dough in the freezer. Mmmmm....frozen cookie dough.....
Drinking - Diet coke, also from Del Taco. But I should cut that out since I need to get to sleep sometime before 3 in the morning. I love caffeine, but not when I'm supposed to be winding down. WHEE!!!!
Wearing - Holey-kneed comfy jeans and my red "Bend, Oregon" sweatshirt. I freaking love this sweatshirt, almost as much as I freaking love Oregon. I will live there someday, mark my words.
Feeling - A hell of a lot better after a long, fast walk with the huskies! I almost forgot, here's a pic!!
The fur-kids love walking at the harbor at night. Loki is especially happy.
Weather - Very clear today, after all the rain and wind yesterday. Man, that storm was pretty awesome! Good day for organizing craft goodies.
Wanting - That peanut butter cookie dough in the freezer. And to sleep well tonight. Preferably in that order.
Needing - that cookie dough. Kidding. No, really I need to do just a little bit of knitting before I fall asleep. 
Thinking - About that cookie dough. Kidding, kidding. I'm actually thinking about what I need to make tomorrow to earn some money since work is scary-slow.
Enjoying - Well, gimme a minute and it'll be that cookie dough. Seriously.

Edited to add: My Mom threw the cookie dough away. I am very upset. No, really.

Edited AGAIN to add: Crisis averted. A trip to the local liquor store later, I'm enjoying a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar and some white chocolate Reeses peanut butter cups. I don't eat sugar often, but when I'm craving something, WATCH OUT!! Nomnomnomnomnom....


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Let's try something new...

I've only got about 25 minutes to write before I take off for errands/work/etc, so I'm going to try something new that piqued my interest on pinterest. Hee. Interest on pinterest. I'm easily amused. So here goes!

Right now:


Listening - For a radical change, I'm listening to only the ticking of the clocks in my room. Normally I have the tv on, streaming netflix or catching up on DVR'd shows, only half paying attention. Lately I've been in such a bad place that silence is the enemy. If I'm left alone with my thoughts and feelings, it gets ugly. So lately I powered my way through a metric buttload of Dr. Who on netflix (had never seen it before), and now I'm looking for another long-run tv show to binge on. Even when I'm walking my dogs, I like to listen to podcasts (mostly This American Life) to get my head into another world. But I figured since I have such a short amount of time to write, I'd better focus without too much distraction.

Oh! On that note, I'm going to add another prompt that might be unique to me...you guys will have to let me know if you're the same way.

Song currently stuck in my head - I ALWAYS have a song stuck in my head. No exceptions. Maybe it's growing up being a musician, maybe it's my extremely strong music memory, I don't know. But right now? "Spiralling" by Keane. I'm so impressed with their new stuff, especially this song. The last album was totally forgettable (to me), and I don't even remember one song off of the whole album. This one? Energy! Danciness! Fun! Go listen...

Eating - umm...yeah. I kinda haven't eaten anything yet today. I woke up and sort of dove into walking the dogs, coming home, making tea, and writing. Making breakfast takes time I want to spend on other things right now!

Drinking - yummy English Breakfast tea with heavy cream. Don't judge. It's an indulgence that I relish wholeheartedly. Heavy cream is about the closest I can get to the double cream I got addicted to at my best friend's house in England. I had a couple of friends over for a sewing day a couple of months ago, and they tried their tea with heavy cream too. My friend Erin said "Damn you, Bonnie...I can never go back!" Mwahahahahaha!!!

Wearing - Jeans torn at the knees (they're my comfy jeans), a tank top, and a cozy shawl-collared sweatshirt over that. Oh, and boot-slippers from Old Navy I picked up last year. That reminds me, I want to indulge in another pair this year. :) But I need to get changed for the day!! Maybe it'll be another bright pink hat day.

Feeling - Kinda scattered, but basically okay. No immediately bad feelings waiting to chomp on me when I least suspect it, so I'll feel happy about that. Maybe it was the dog walk that mellowed me out a bit.

Weather - Ooooh! Cool and foggy! A real treat for this California girl who needs to live in Alaska. Or Oregon. Wanna see?

Wanting - more time right now!! I want to write more, do some sewing, maybe some knitting, but that's going to have to wait. I also want food, but that can wait a bit. 

Needing - I really need to get changed and start heading out. Nooo!! Don't wanna!!!

Thinking - I'm thinking I need to bring my bluetooth keyboard with me to work so I can keep writing on my iPad during my work break. Oh. I also need to bring my knitting with me. Just in case. Never ever be without a project!! Ever!

Enjoying - My tea, and the quiet. Living in a house with 5 people and 5 dogs isn't always the quietest situation. My family isn't a super duper loud one, but it's VERY rare that I'm home alone and there's no noises. No tv, no dogs barking, no people hollering across the house. Aaaahhhh... 

Before I go, I'll post just one finished project I've been loving. My pink hat! 
Yes, it really is that pink. Flamingo pink! I got the yarn on sale through craftsy. They have sales every so often, and I try to jump on the malabrigo ones as much as possible. The yarn is "Pink Panther" in Malabrigo silky merino, and the pattern is the Mayrose hat from Woolly Wormhead. I just changed the brim to seed stitch because I'm not super fond of garter stitch. 

AACK!! I have to go! Later guys, let me know how your day is going too!









Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Etsy shop reopened!

I know it's been forever since I posted, and I really am going to make an effort to write more. I won't elaborate too much, because you're all already aware that I'm completely crazy. Well, I've been an extra special sort of crazy lately. It was an incredibly hard decision, but I decided to back out of the two quilting bees I was in. The best thing for me to do when I'm feeling that crazed/depressed/stressed/insane is cut back on commitments and take it easy to regroup. As much as I hated disappointing my friends, I have to admit it did feel as if a small weight had been lifted. The guilt over falling SO FAR behind on the blocks was eating at me something terrible.

Anyway, moving on. Work has also slowed down the past couple of weeks, which has been a mixed blessing. Time to regroup, yes. Paycheck, holy crap. So I got busy and restocked my etsy shop! There will be more coming very soon, and I'm very excited to be back on that horse. Also must write more.

New theme!! Halloween is way over, and it's not quite Thanksgiving yet, but I've been in and out of the holiday mood already. I'll write a huge diatribe about my feelings regarding christmas, but doing a blog makeover is my small way of staying visually inspired and christmas-y. It also serves to remind me that I need to get busy and make some christmas gifts for my friends and family!

So head on over and check it out! If there's anything that catches your eye, jump on it. It'll be shipped immediately!

I'll be posting pictures of what I've been making lately for "fun" (i.e. sanity), and there will be upcoming posts about stuff that's been going on, both good and not-so-great. OoooOO! Did I leave you hanging? Good! Come back and read! ;)

P.S. I've been bowled over lately by the concern and support of friends, both online and real-life. The ladies in the quilting bees were so incredibly nice, it actually made me tear up. Offers of re-joining, adding on an extra month if I want to come back, shoulders of support for chatting, venting, "if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask", it was a massive reminder that the crafting community really does have the NICEST PEOPLE EVAR. I really have felt the cozy quilt-blankie of love and support lately, and I wish I could give you all a gigantic hug and tell you how much you've helped me lately. Thank you.

Okay, enough pap & sap (as my Mom says)! I've gotta get ready for work, so head over to my etsy shop and see if there's anything you'd like. Happy wednesday, everybody!