Knitting Update!

So I've had about two knitting classes so far, and I have to say they've got me really excited! After the first class I practiced my stockinette stitch until I ran out of yarn and it all looked pretty uniform and, no numb fingers!!

There's my very first ribbing too! So many exclamations! I'm just very excited to be on the path to my first sweater :)

Right now I'm working on a grey wool hat that should be finished this Monday night. And then another project lurks around the corner...

It's really nice having handwork to do lately. I've been staring longingly at my sewing stuff, but I just don't seem to have the time. With knitting I can take it anywhere I go so it's inspired me to keep an eye out for portable sewing, etc. In fact, I have a 30s leather glove pattern I picked up just a while back and recently got the chamois to practice with (phew, it stinks and the box proudly proclaims it is tanned with 100% fish oil).

How is everyone's Winter going? I haven't even looked at blogs in what seems forever so I've got some catching up to do!

Back to School

Today will be the first day back to school for Winter term. I pretty much spent this break sleeping, counting patterns, being sick, and going to the gym.

I'll be taking more web development classes, painting, and a couple non-credit courses: KNITTING AND SWING DANCING!

I'm pretty excited for the painting and two aforementioned classes, but I hope I don't get lagged down by some of the web development courses, well, one in particular, Javascript.

I've been doing quite a bit of cardio lately, so I decided to make my phone useful and grab an app for working on running 10k. If that goes well I've got some half marathon training on my list. I've never been a runner, but I figure doesn't it just take training like anything else?

The only sewing I did over the break was sewing some patches on gi's (worn for Jiu Jitsu, looks similar to the karate gi for an idea of what I mean) for a friend's kids.

Dress Peek

Just a little peek at my dress. The yellow is a bit more vibrant than the picture shows, more like a deep mustard. Oh and I went with the ruffle! I'm pretty pleased with it. I think it looks pretty close to the pattern art.

School Comes to an End and Winter is on the Cusp

I finished with school for the term and I ended up with straight A's! I was working pretty diligently the last week or so with my web development courses.

Here's a link to what I was working on: Things Found Vintage

You may have taken the guess already but I'm thinking about making the leap to my own site and really revving up output and become more rounded with what I sell. That's a pretty rough layout, but it's where I'm headed. I was almost thinking of changing my shop's name to something a little more creative too - the current one is a bit dull. Maybe that's just me?

I have been working on my dress again! The super lightweight cotton I am using has been pretty finicky so there have been some breaks in between progress (to accomodate wailing and gnashing of teeth.) Thank goodness the sleeves are through with, I look forward to working with a stiffer, or at least thicker, fabric. I think I've been dragging my feet about finishing because I know I can't truly finish until I get a proper buckle for the dress. Does anyone else do this? And how don't I have more buckles with the ridiculous amount of random notions I have?

Since classes have been out I have been at the gym almost every day. I cut down quite a bit during finals... on everything else but school really and so I think a few pounds snuck up on me!

Remember those girdles I purchased? They were sent on the 23rd of last month but they haven't shown up yet. I'm still crossing my fingers because they were shipped out of England and they're having some real weather problems lately from what I hear. Portland is real similar when it snows everyone throws up their arms and runs around in panic until most the city's population just huddle inside.

I've been on a bit of a shopping binge and so I'll post a few pictures of my goodies too. I need to keep it down to window shopping for a while now... A lot of the purchases were worthwhile, and all good deals (I see a good deal and my hand just reaches for my wallet automatically.)

Speaking of buys, I got some sleeves for my patterns! I'm going through and besleeving them all, finally! I think it might take a while but this means I'll be able to move them around with a little less worry. I'm also trying to order them all by date. Then maybe I'll let you see my collection. Let's just say I got 500 sleeves and I'm not really sure it's enough...

Art Final

So, this is my last piece for my drawing class. I got really into gesture drawings, which was the last thing we were introduced to so I made my final to do with figures. I have mixed feelings about it so I took a picture of it hoping it might give me some separation from the piece.

Almost done with school!

Favorite Holiday Recipes

Oh Man

I've been so busy, and will be busier, until school ends, which is in the next week and a half. My dress had to be put on hold, and currently is almost done. It has one sleeve on it - which I suppose could be a fashion statement. Hmmm...

I still haven't gotten those girdles either - I'll be posting about my experience with them whenever they arrive.

While the gust of school winds blow by, I have some filler for you all.

I present for my discerning audience; the LEOPOTARD!

Hello Nineteen-fifty-fourrrrr

You can click for a much larger view. And I think you'll want to.

According to the inflation calculator, it'd currently cost $137.81!

Sorry Peggy, I don't think you'll see the Leopotard under the tree this year