revelation and crafting

First of, my SP revealed herself. It was Beverly! Thanks again for beeing my fantabulous SP this round!
She was my first SP that I didn't kind of guessed before the round was finished eventhough I knew where she lived and her real name. The funny thing though is that I did click a link from one of her posts in the SP thread to her blog and a post of her own sp package where at the bottom she wrote that the she would send the next package to her downstream sp(me) by UPS! I so could have figured her out if I just had read that!!!
Which is another reason to not just look at the pretty picture when visiting blogs. I'm still working on cutting down my bloglist, but with minimal outcome. I think I have deleted two blogs, but added the same number...
Oh and Diane was the recipient of my packages!

Anyway, the Star Wars pillows I made for my brother were a big hit, he loves them and said they would be for decoration only, too precious to sleep/sit on!
Knitwise my Scoop de Jour is almost finished and I brought some buttons for it today so now I can finally add the finishing touches.
I also started another cardigan out of Rowan Summer tweed. The pattern I'm using is from that Rowan summer tweed book and is called Cinnamon. Not sure yet if I will make it with buttons or without.
In other crafty news I finished a bunch of stuff for another round of the "Shop the Swap" on craftster. Too tired to add any pictures, but you can have a look over there. Not much else got finished.

Crafty girl

There's a reason I had not bloged for a week. Besides studying I did a lot of crafting mainly for a swap on craftster(Shop the Swap). Following are some of the things from my "shop" and some other crafted stuff:

knitting needle rolls for DPNS:

Dyed roving and sock yarn:

Star wars pillows, the first set is for my brothers 18th birthday:


Then I finally managed to sew in the lining for my cupcake purse. I'm pretty proud of the neat handstitching, my best so far. Though if I would do this again, I wouldn't interface the lining, atleast not with the strong interfacing I normally use for my bags as it's a bit too stiff:

(click to see neat stitches!)
And my Scoop du Jour is almost finished too. It took me quite a bit longer than I had thought it would take. The yarn is a cotton/acrylic blend and I can't knit as long as I want to with it. I still need to search for some buttons and then add the button and neck band.

knitting projects

What can I say, I'm addicted to swaps! I swapped a lot the last two months, mostly just supplies and fabric. It will be hard not to swap much for the next two months untill I have payed the study fees!
Anyway, here are some of the crafted things I send:
1. a tube top that gladly fit the recipient. I really wasn't sure about that and had no one to try fit it on. But as you can see it looks great on her! I also send a yoyo brooch along.


2. a pair of leg warmers. After I knit these I thought for some time to make myself some cause I loved how they came out, but I never wear leg warmers. It would just be a waste of yarn and time making some for myself. Good thing there are swaps so I can atleast knit some for others!

she liked them too ;-)

3.I also dyed and send some roving+sock yarn. I really liked the white-blue one and think I will dye that way again. I guess it would result in a really light blue with darker blue when spun up.

4.+5. two Calorimetries. I love to knit them as they are fast and only take an evening to make plus you don't need much yarn so it's a good project for all of those single skeins in my stash.

And I decided to knit Scoop du Jour from the retrieved yarn. I even began knitting the back and am almost getting the gauge. In fact the back is just a few rows short of completion and the only thing that stopped me from finishing it yesterday was that my hands started to hurt, always a sign to stop knitting.

In sp news, I have a hard time coming up with ideas for the last package for my downstream pal. Fortunately I had brought yarn before I had to buy a new sewing machine, so she surely gets that, but what else to send? I already finished a little knit project too, but the package looks so empty. Will have to think about that a little more.

Swap projects

I've been in a couple of craftster swaps lately and therefore couldn't post pics of some of my finished projects. But now that they've been received, feast your eyes:
1. dyed roving

I loved how the left one came out and debated parting with it. In the end I told myself that my swap partner might just like it as much as I do and send it.

2. knitted leg warmers

These are the first leg warmers I ever knit. I was a bit anxcious if they would fit, but my partner sais they fit perfectly! You might recognize the yarn, it's the same selfdyed lamb yarn I used for one of my sweaters and I still have left-overs from it!

3. heart swap

This is by far the best bag I ever sewed, if I might say so myself. I loved it so much I wanted to keep it for myself! I already cut some pieces to reproduce it for myself, but have to change the colors since I don't have enough of all the fabrics anymore.
And just because I'm so proud of it, more pics:

Flower obsessed

Since all of my WIP's are long term projects(except for socks, but I'm not in a sock mood lately), I decided to look for some little projects I can do inbetween.
I skipped through some of my knitting and craft books and saw a flower brooch in the "Crafter's Companion". I've made some flowers before out of craft felt(the thin type), but always wanted something with a bit more depth to it.
So I got out all of the fabric that hid in my wardrobe and searched through it...and then I went crazy making fabric flowers! The big black, the blue and the purple flower are based on that pattern more or less. They are nice, but didn't looked as "finished" as I wanted them to. So I did a quick google search yesterday evening for fabric flowers and stumbled across fabric yo-yo's. Something I have wanted to try for some time, but hestitated cause I would have to handstitch them. I suck at handstitching and get very impatient with that stupid needle. I had read somewhere about a yoyo-maker/template thingy(I think it's from clover) and had thought it a good idea at that time, something that would help even me sewing these.
Not anymore, because yesterday I sewed my first yo-yo in no time at all and I do ask myself why anybody would need that clover thing. I mean, if I can sew a yoyo, everybody probably can. Is there something to it that escapes me?

Today I finished a bunch of more yoyo's and then essembled three of them into this flower. It still needs to have a pin attached to its back, but then it's ready to be pinned to my blazer or bag or...

And then I colored one of the really cheap notebooks I brought at the euro store last week. They were only 50 cents and I'm definately going back to get more of them. This one has already been claimed in a swap:

Urghh, is that me?

Drinking beer and dyeing roving is fun!!! Seriously you should try!
But mix the colors first so you don't have to wear a mask and smell your own breath...urgh!
Just waiting till the next roving is finished cooking and trying to entertain myself till then. Results will be posted once I decide which one I will send to my craftster swap partner aka somewhen next week.

Excuses

or another post without real pics.
I've finished a few projects, but they either haven't been blocked yet or are in the washer. Also I've been rather busy with secret pal or swapping projects I can't blog about. That's part of the reason the blog was so quite lately. I actually started writing two posts, but never completed them. I was just not in a blogging mood lately and would rather knit or sew than sit in front of the computer. This mood has changed, but now I have nothing to really blog about...typical!
It's just like shopping for clothes, if you are broke there are a thousand pieces you would buy if you could and then if you have the money you can find nothing that you like or that fits you. This is more or less what clothing shopping is like for me at the moment. I'm searching for a black skirt and where there were plenty of them before I can find none...atleast not in my size. Which is a whole complain in itself. How is it that what ever size I have the clothes I like always have a different one? I've been looking for some great vintage dresses lately, found a few really nice dresses at a fleamarket last sunday and they all were too big! Like two clothing sizes two big...
Though I ended up buying a few patterns at the fleamarket to sew my own dresses and a vintage knitting mag:

inbetween post

I have the post about christmas and gifts and projects already written, but it lacks the photos. I've got no time though to take those, because I will begin tidying up the attic alone. If I wait for my mum it will probably take till next year for her to find the time to do it and I need space up there to put some of my stuff in. My room looks horrible with sewing machine, boxes of yarn and spinning wheel, I just need more space!

Oh and it snowed softly this morning when I woke up! By the time I left the house to pick up a package for my mum it was icy rain though...

Has anybody ever had a flaker during a swap? My total is up to three now. I did get angels for two of them and they made up for it, but it does suck. I often wonder what kind of greedy, selfish, **** people do that. A totally different story is if somebody faces difficulties in his/her life so that he/she can't participate in the swap anymore. I had that too and she did even notify me and said she would send once she's well enough again...I didn't ever heard back from her and actually worried a great deal; not about not geting the package, but about her...I know found out that she's still alive and presumely well...

P.S.: you might have guessed that I'm not in the best of moods today, probably going to delete this post later when my mood is better...

KIP and swaps

Yesterday evening I kip'ed for the first time in a theater! We(mum+me) went to see

It was a preview, so tickets only cost about 22€ and you could chose where to sit. They opened the hall 1.5 hours before it began and we arrived 30 minutes prior to that. We had superb seats, fourth row right in the middle with a little table between us to put the drinks on! So, that left me with much time to knit the second christmas sweater, but more below. I loved the musical, the actors, the singing and all. My mum on the other hand had seen it before with a different cast a few years ago and said she liked the first one better, but this one wasn't bad either. Ok, I admit I think the music and accustic in general was a tiny bit too loud. And once one of the mikes went out, but the woman mastered this situation wonderfully and just continued to sing without. Well and the voices of the three ladies of course overshadowed everyone else. They probably should think about adjusting the mikes volume for them...
..anyway I think it was a great evening with standing ovations and clapping and a little dancing at the end(you really can't stand still with this kind of music, atleast I can't ;-)).

Knitwise, I brought some contrasting yarn, frogged part of the christmas sweater for my cousin and reknit the yoke. I like it this way much better and have, as written above, already started the second one for her sister in the same color(to avoid envy between them; am I glad I don't have a sister!).


I've also received two craftster swap packages lately. I wish I had the time to write a bit more about them and not just show the photos, but I have a bunch of things to do before we leave and I'm already running late. We're going to visit my grans-aunts again for the weekend, so no blogging for the next few days.
Hogfather swap; from Angry Angel; vote for Claudius, the Eater of socks:

My country doesn't have that; from ScotSkipper(US):

Swaps are fun!!!

I love swaps of any kind, but lately craftster's swaps have just been perfect. Apart from getting nice selfmade things, I also love to craft for others who will appreciate it. Even if your family and friends oh's and ah's about what you make them, unless they craft too, they mostly don't know how much time and thought was put into it. But other crafters do and I just feel a lot more free when sending to one. I also like the themed swaps where you have to craft according to one theme and then see how everyone interpreted it and the ideas they come up with.
The latest swap has been the Hogfather swap which was based on the book "Hogfather" from Terry Pratchett, one of my alltime favorit authors!
Here's what I send minus a knitted hat that I forgot to photograph:

The main item was a tote with a cross stitched Death of Rats.

I'm not going to say much about this in case you want to read the book, but everyone who has already read it will recognize this ;-)

As Death is one of the main characters of the book, a little skull purse is just appropriate. Never ever will I combine metallic thread with my sewing machine again!

And a quote on a pen holder "HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMANS"

package!

Ever since my last SP send me some Lorna's Laces I was in love, so when Stariel offered a new home to my unfinished Jaywalkers and suggested we make it a little swap, Lorna's was my wish. And just look at the beautifull colors! My mum asked if it would be for some christmas socks for her...NO! THEY ARE MIIIINNNNEEEE!!!
*lol*, I actually said that in an gollum-like voice.
But she did get one of the cookies, the rest was mysteriously gone...

All about socks

This month, with Socktoberfest and the Sam2 it will be all about socks. Not that I have any drive to knit something else at the moment. It's horrible if you don't know what to knit next, atleast for me, but socks always fit ;-)
At the moment I'm knitting my first real pair of Jaywalkers. I made an attempt before but when I had finished the first sock I realized it was much too tight to wear comfortable~if there's anyone out there who wants the one sock(I'm a Eu size 40 and it's a 38/39 I would guess) and the remaining sock yarn, just wave my way. But I would only encourage other smokers to do so since it both has been laying around my room in the open. ~
This time I made the smaller size from the pattern and though it's a bit loose, it's ok. Next socks will be the snowflake one.


Lolly asked a few questions to help beginner sock knitters and to fill this post up a bit, I thought I answer them:
When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
-Hmmm...wait, I'll check the blog archive...ah, I finished my first pair of socks at the end of september 2005. I taught myself with the help of this wonderfull tutorial.
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
You can see my first pair here. As you probably can see they were a bit fuzzy to begin with and since then the heel has felted ever so slightly. They also were a bit too big and don't get worn so often anymore.
What would you have done differently?
I should have used better sock yarn, a nicer color and less stitches(a gauge check too).
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Lorna's Lace's!!! It's so much softer than regular sock yarn. Though I can't say how well they hold up since I hadn't had the time/weather to wear them much yet.
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I knit them on DPNs, really once you get the hang of it, it's not that hard. I must say though that socks weren't my first DPNs projects. I made some hats with thicker yarn before.
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I mostly do short-row heels now, but for some patterned socks I prefer the flap heel.
How many pairs have you made?
I have no idea, honestly. More than 15 I think, but how many more I can't tell.

Yesterday my aunt visited and I got a bunch more presents:

There's 1kg of pure undyed lambs wool, that is sooo soft. Unfortunately it's divided in 50g hanks, I thought it would be 100g hanks.
There's also a test package of silk hankies! I got quite intrigued by them from the Knitty article and a blog(can't remember which one it was, but she dyed and spined them). When I read that there's a german store selling them, they went directly on the birthday wishlist.
You can also see the most beautifull bag handle I've ever seen, this is the third present from my parents. Now I only have to come up with a suitable bag pattern!
Also in the package from my aunt was something that made me wear this on today's morning(blue touch added to mask the fact that I hadn't showered yet ;-)) :

Yes, I got some Ashford dyes which I had to test this morning. I'll post the result later, it's still drying. And thanks to my dad for storing(aka hoarding) everything you will ever need to build your own house(current number drill machines: 4; nails: uncountable!).

Also yesterday I found a surprise package in the mail, I opened it and discovered these beads:

I LOVE them! I guess it's about time I make my own necklace! Who was the generous donor? Phizzichicks from craftster, who also send me the wonderfull hairpins and brooches earlier!

Therefore after dyeing the yarn, I headed into town to the craft store to buy some jewelry thread stuff. In the end I came out of the store with this:

What is missing? Yes, the jewelry thread thing(that probably even has a real name...). I should NOT enter this store anymore. I always buy something...

And when I came back home, I found a big letter. It included this:

Thank you very much J.S!!! Sorry, if this is a dumb question and I'm missing something, but who are you? With all those forum/blog names I mostly don't really notice people's real names much(for those scratching their heads for what mine is: Janin:-)).
EDIT: Duh, am I slow sometimes! Can it be that it was jesintexas from craftster, who was organizing the birthday swap?

I don't know if you've seen it, but lately there has been much talk about copyrights etc. in various blogs. I'm not a lawer, so maybe some of my views are totally wrong, but I find most of these discussions just hilarious/absurd. Why? Because in some cases it's about designs that probably have been floating around for quite some time and the one screaming "you copied me" was not the first one to design XYZ. Even funnier(and kind of ironically sad) was the one who made some indie designer very unhappy because she claimed said designer copied her(which she didn't!) and a couple of weeks later seems to be copying the designer herself(quite clearly on that one)! Don't get me wrong, I don't think that someone in general should break copyrights, that's really not acceptable(for that reason I will never ever buy something from NOANOA, not that I could afford that anyway at the moment). But there are things out there, that I think are hard to copyright especially if they are really basic!

Swaps are cool

Just a short post to show the beautifull things I got from two wonderfull ladies from swaps at craftster.org.
First a package from Laura who acted as a swap angel after my original partner flaked. The packaged contained this awesome fuled bag with needle felted stars on it which was inspired by the flag of Alaska! For the coffee junkie me there was some coffee and some selfmade strawberry and kiwi jam.
Thank you very much!

Then I got a package from Phizzychick for the birthday swap. My birthday is on the 30th, but curious me couldn't wait to open it. Inside were some amazing hair pins and brooches and a Terry Pratchett book!

My favourit is this butterfly brooch, I love butterflies and it's attached to my black blazer now.

Just in case you're wondering why this girl keeps blogging so much when before she said she had to learn so much, I am actually also learning. Want proof? Here: