Website of the week

Are you having the post thanksgiving blues?

Coping.org

Make yourself feel better.

You can do it man!

La Fille Grenadine

pas de titre

Happy long weekend everyone

I can't believe tomorrow is Sunday. Why don't I feel totally relaxed? Perhaps I need to take a bath. That sounds nice. It's freaking cold now and the heater isn't very efficient. The cat in fact remains in the kitchen, sleeping on the hot spot in the floor where the heater actually works. Meanwhile I'm bundled up in a scarf, knitting socks and a hat. I'm thisclose to putting on some mits.

Thank god I'm going to Australia in a few weeks. Oh. Did I forget to mention that? Yes friends I will be spending this Christmas in the land down undah. Mr. G is an Aussie and we will be visiting his friends and family. It's coming upon summer in the land of Oz which means that I will be spending a lot of time on the beach. Hopefully my pale skin won't get burnt to a crisp. SPF 50 should do the trick. Of course there will be heaps of photos to share.

Last week I had a bunch of friends over for knitting and Colin Firth, I mean Pride and Prejudice. I made a pot of lentil soup a la Martha Stewart and 9 ladies of all ages gathered around the tube with their various knitting projects. Rachel has a beeeauutiful green thick and thin yarn with which she is making a scarf. Sara swung by Marin Fiber Arts and got herself some teal Amalie by Muench and started making a neck scarf. It was gorgeous to see it just in garter stitch. Jessica brought some multicolored wool to make a hat. My mom's been working on a green poncho. She's the kind of lady who looks good in ponchos. Moriah was working on her first scarf. She aspires to make the wavy scarf from knitty. Colleen brought her wedding photos to sort out (ok that's not knitting, but it wasn't strictly a knitting party it was a crafting party -everyone enjoyed checking out the photos nonetheless). Morah brought her grandma Bobbi who brought her sewing. And my cousin Liz came for the Colin Firth, I mean Pride and Prejudice. It was fabulous having everyone over. I'm going to have another party as soon as I get back from Oz.

Thanksgiving was good. Simple with family and friends. Delicious food. Relaxing. Spent the day after with my family watching Firefly episodes. Why oh why won't they put that back on tv? Hello Sci Fi channel? Put this show on!!!! Sci fi doesn't NEED aliens. They need another good space western. Sigh. Now I have the Firefly theme song in my head...

Ok but now I'm going to have Fiona Apple in my head because I went to the concert last night. It hurt. Amazing seeing her sing in person, putting the emotion and power into a live performance that her songs require. Worth every penny. She played all of my favorite songs. She seems so small in person, making her voice all the more amazing. If you love the new album or have always been a fan, make it a point to see the show. It was worth all the pain and suffering I had to endure from my brothers and husband about the stigma attached to being a Fiona fan. Why can't some men see past her slight craziness (which I find to be appealing) and give her respect for her awesome voice and stellar songs. Sigh. again.

I'm feeling guilty right now b/c I was unable to make it to my friend Warren's knit for her cure event today. I got caught up in other activities unfortunately, but I will be visiting him at the store tomorrow, with the handbag I've been working on for him. I just have to get around to actually attaching the lining to the bag. I just don't want to mess it up, so I'm avoiding it.

Well the cat has emerged from the kitchen to hide under our new side table. She must have found another warm spot in the floor. And now my fingers are freezing so I'm going to throw on a pair of mittens.

Hope you're all having a good weekend and I'll see you soon.

GG

We miss you Rebecca

I Confess I'm on the Dancefloor

I am totally obsessed with Madonna's new album. That first song Hung Up snagged me. I saw the video and that pretty much nailed it. I can't get the song out of my head, and for once that's a good thing. Maybe it's because Hung Up is now the new ringtone on my cell phone. it's good to see ol' Madgie reconnecting with her disco side. Oddly enough it makes me feel like a zygote again since that was the closest I ever got to disco.

Speaking of in utero musical exposure, I remember two songs from my childhood. The first one is Rhiannon from Fleetwood Mac. It was constantly on the radio. The second one is the theme song from the Young and the Restless, which always used to creep me out. Apparently my mom used to watch it when I was knee high to a grasshopper. I was once an avid Y and R watcher and I think that my early exposure the the theme song had something to do with it. And I betcha CBS does that on purpose...

Life's been good to me lately which is probably why I haven't been blogging too much. I have a new car pool buddy, which has improved my quality of life tremendously. It's great to have someone my age and on the same page as me to hang out with to and from work. And it helps that she's totally nice and a sweeheart. It makes me feel like I have a regular everyday social life. Isn't it funny how people just magically appear in your life?

Oh yes, about special people, my pal Cecile from SP4 sent me a surprise package. je l'adore!!!!! C'est magnifique avec le Marie Claire Idees et le stylo rose, et les laines roses. Elle savent bien les choses que j'aime. Merci Merci Merci!
Et j'espere que je voyagerai a Paris. Peut-etre tu viendra a San Francisco? Le vol n'est pas trop cher!

I am currently suffering from too many project syndrome. Where I have so many things I have to make -especially with Christmas on its way- that no matter what I'm working on I feel guilty that I'm not working on something else. Fortunatly the knitting project I'm doing now is satisfying enough to ignore that. I'm doing the Besotted Scarf from Hello Yarn. I highly recommend it as a beginning cable project. I had the pattern memorized by the second repeat. Hello Yarn also has some awesome sock patterns, and some sweater patterns to dye for. Not to mention her own line of hand dyed yarns. Somebody give this woman a book deal! That's how much I love her patterns. Anyhoo I'm making the scarf for my husband in Goddess Yarn's Ellen which is a wool and cotton mix (in the navy blue) and it's a dream to work with. I've been enjoying it tremendously. A good project for in front of the tv.

Speaking of TV. Mr. G and I are heavily engrossed in the Firefly dvd from season 1. I wish this show was still on tv. Please please please. Its the best tv dvd I've watched all year, ok almost, it comes a close second to the Forsyte Saga from PBS. But in Sci Fi land, it's #1.

So this weekend I'm having a crafty party for the ladies. I've invited my closest female friends for some soup, a fire in front of the fireplace and BBC's 1996 version of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth!!!!!!!!! Oh and some crafting as well. I'm pulling a full Martha Stewart. There will be massive cleaning, fancy glasses, fancy punch, food preparation the night before. I'm kind of excited about that. I love being a hostess.

Back to the projects. I'm almost finished with two flower basket bags. I just have to put together the linings....

anyhoo that's the round up. Hope you're all doing well.

La Fille Grenadine

Go here now

This is a dream come true...

http://www.paperdollheaven.com/dolls/johnnydepp.3.php

A real post to come soon...

GG

Boo

Aren't you scared?

I am. I haven't been posting that often.

Must mean I'm busy or something.

Vancouver was maaarvelous. Went garage sale shopping and found a pair of red levi cordoroys for four Canadian dollars. Then discovered the joy that is Winner's. Winners is the Canadian equivalent to Marshalls in the states, but with a greater selection and bigger brand names. You can't help walking out of the dressing room shouting "I think we've found a winner", but that's just me being a tacky American. Found a new zippered hoodie there and a pair of leather wedge boots. Happy Happy joy joy.

Of course there was some crafting involved. My friend and I went to a quilt show of the local Vancouver quilter's guild. Very nice show with some beautiful quilts. We also found out about the Pacific Northwest Quilt show happening in August '06. Must go even if I don't qualify to submit a quilt.

Also visited a swanky store in Yaletown called The Cross, if you're in Vancouver, stop by this shop, they carry a large variety of candles, journals, French ephemera, books, and furniture, that it's impossible not to take home something special.

In knitting news I felted another flower basket bag today. Loving the Brown Sheep burlyspun for it. Good thing because I have plenty of skeins of it burning a hole in my knitting closet, I mean craft room. Hopefully I will line the bags next weekend.

Knit night at Marin Fiber Arts was another hit. Warren introduced me to a new fiber combination involving a Cascade ribbon and Crystal Palace kid mohair. He was knitting a swatch of it and I announced that it would make the perfect evening bag, so he stuffed some of it in my hands and asked me to make him one. who am I to refuse the offer of free yarn? anyhoo as soon a I finished knitting up the last flower basket bag I set about creating this sparkly wonder. No photos yet (Mr G has the camera today), but the combination is just perfect for holiday gifts and the pattern I'm creating is super easy.

Went again to MFA this afternoon to meet up with some knit night knitters and met some new people. I love knitting it is the center of my universe right now, which hopefully my husband won't find offensive. He will always be the person at the center of my universe, albeit draped in hats, scarves, socks, mittens and the random skein of yarn.

Anyhoo, I have to write some thank you cards to people. I finally used one of my massage gift certificates this weekend and it certainly made me make the most of the day.

good luck and happy knitting

GG

See you in Vancouver

Surprise!

I'm flying to Vancouver tonight to visit a friend. I can't wait to see her new house and see how big her daughter has grown. It's so good to do a bit of travelling. Also I hear good things about the yarn and quilt stores of Vancouver. Good thing I've been saving my money!

I haven't had much time for knitting, especially with all of the concentration cable knitting requires. I finished Luke's socks, which turned out a a little too small for him. Funny how they're the perfect size for me. I have to buy another skein of that regia for him. I'm going to make another pair of socks for him. I can imagine the two of us sitting together fireside in our matching socks. Its enough to make me sick, but that's what marriage and knitting does to a couple.

Knitting meeting was last night. Good fun as always. Warren's store opens next Tuesday. Check it out, the yarn is very well organized according to manufacturer and the atmosphere very friendly. Warren's been working on these baby mohair socks from crystal palace. I am majorly coveting these socks, but Warren can't sell me the yarn because it isn't priced yet.

Anyhoo hope you all have a great weekend.

GG

Alright I Give Up

It's fall. This is our busiest time of year at work and I have the tendency to get stressed out. Often I'm reluctant to do the things that keep me from stressing out. You know like eating well, working out or getting enough rest. I had planned to make the drive down to visit my mother, but once Friday night came around I was exhausted and felt the beginnings of a cold coming on. So I stayed home on Saturday and I renewed my membership at the gym, but still it was a busy day, doing laundry and getting groceries. I have to say just walking 20 minutes on the treadmill gives me renewed strength and does ease some of my stress.

healthier is a better way to live.

GG

It Hurts

I'm so tired. And it's only Monday.
Went to the Tracy Chapman show last night at the Fillmore. Amazing. She did a cover of Rising Sun that was sensational. And Ben Taylor's set made me an instant fan.

However, I'm exhausted. I'm too tired to make myself dinner, but I've got my cat. And that's enough to make me happy.

Lord knows there's a bunch of stuff I should be doing. There's some stuff I should be writing, which I'm always thinking about in my head, but can't quite get down on paper. I should be doing the laundry, at least be doing a few rows of knitting, but I'm too tired.

Oh yeah, I ran into an old friend at the TC show. A word out to E.H. - it was great seeing you hope we get another chance to catch up!

What else is going on? Alot, some of which I won't mention because it's too sad and I don't want to depress you, but if you believe in the power of positive thought, throw some happy thoughts to my friend Rebecca.

I really shouldn't wonder why I'm so tired. I am a busy girl. And I'm thankful for that.

I was reading my friend Tai's profile on Myspace. Tai's a good friend. He's always trying to tap into my inner-danceclub-child, but after watching the video on his profile of that last big party he went to, I was surprised. Usually when I view such things, I think to myself, wow wish I went to that, but now, it seems like the most boring thing on earth. I will take a well cooked meal with good friends and interesting conversation over big time partying any day of the week. Yes friends, my days dancing on tables are over.

I must be getting old and I'm not ashamed. Bring on the knitting needles.

La Fille Grenadine

Move Over Martha Stewart!

I just had the best time cooking an autumnal feast of pork tenderloin with roasted butternut squash and wilted spinach. Yummy yum yum. And we had apple crumble pie with Vanilla ice cream. We had company over and it was nice to catch up with our friends. I may have encouraged one of them to take up knitting again.

anyway my husband is feeling neglected because I'm apparently blogging too much (ahem my last post was in September!) so I've got to go, but here are some knitting projects in the meantime...
tell me if you can guess what they are.

GG

Long Week

so yeah. This Marin Fiber Arts store is going to be fantastic. I went over there yesterday to help Warren paint the walls. Now I had a vague notion where the store was going to be. I knew the building, but I had no idea how magnificent a location Warren's store would be.

Simply, the store faces a stone wall fountain. Its only maybe 30 feet away from the store front, creating an instantly serene setting to peruse yarn. I was relaxed and there wasn't any yarn to be found yet, just paint. I actually enjoyed painting. Thank you Warren for offering me another new experience. I know your store is going to ROCK! Rock fountain I mean. Just joking.

One of the fellow knit night knitters Sue was there and we must be on the same page because we keep thinking about having a knitter's retreat. Warren suggested that we might have one somewhere in Point Reyes, which would be fabulous, especially during the winter in a cottage with a fireplace. Any other northbay knitters into this notion? We were thinking of renting a place for the weekend, Friday and Saturday on a weekend in February. I've done a little research and it looks like for about $200/per person we could have food and lodging in beautiful Stinson or Bolinas. Alternatively, we could do a wine country knitters retreat where in addition to some knitting we could indulge in some wine tasting. Dangerous mix I'd say!

Aside from that not much is going on. Mr. G and I have been doing a major house cleaning. We don't do the spring clean, we do an autumn cleaning and its quite nice I think.

Anyhoo I've got to cook dinner so I'll see you guys later

Grenadine Girl

There's something wrong with this picture

Let me explain.

A few weeks ago I bought some Rowan Cotton Twist and the Rowan Beach Cool pattern book. There was a cute hat that I thought would be nice to wear on some beach one day (hence the name beach-cool). Now the first problem was that this was a crochet project and I'm not so keen on crochet. So I ask my mom the expert crochet-er to make it for me. How hard could it be? Its just a hat. Mom had made a couple of cool crochet hats. She's crocheted her way around many little baby outfits. But then my mom tried to make this Rowan Hat. This was our first time using a Rowan pattern.

We're not impressed



Just for your reference, here's what the hat's supposed to look like

We've decided that the hat in its current form would make a much better tea cozy.

In fairness to Rowan, we acknowledge as Americans from a non-hat wearing culture, we may be the tiniest bit uninformed about English hat design.

Needless to say the hat has been frogged.

GG

Catching Up

Ahhh Saturday morning. Its been a long week at work. Crazy busy, even more than usual. I finally have photographic proof of my current knitting bonanza.

I keep forgetting to mention that I've joined a knitting group. On Thursday nights I meet at Warren's house with other like-minded folks. I've met some great people and discovered some fabulous new yarns. You see, Warren is opening a new yarn shop and I've been lucky enough to get to peruse his wares before it even opens! He's a longtime knitter with a keen eye for quality and innovation. I can't wait until his shop Marin Fiber Arts opens. He's pursuing his dream and I'm sure he's going to make it the best yarn shop in Marin. He's got so many great ideas, such a friendly and knowledgeable demeanor that novice and experienced knitters alike will find him welcoming. It doesn't hurt that he has such great taste in yarn. He's encouraged me to try sock knitting. I really hope that his shop becomes a magnet for local knitters to congregate. It's in a great part of town, near to some wonderful coffee shops and restaurants. Please visit his site because he's going to start selling online very soon.

Marin Fiber Arts

I've also met some fabulous tricoteuses at these meetings. Its such a relaxing thought to know I'll get to meet with everyone on a weekly basis. Everyone's so nice and has wonderful stories and projects to share. These knitting groups are like group therapy, but we don't have to talk about our problems we just share our love of knitting, this in itself is so nurturing. Its satisfying to surround oneself with like-minded folk especially when they're from varying backgrounds. If you want to join our group, visit Warren's site and blog.

so onto the photos. First off is a photo of my recent purchase from Warren:


I bought a Chibi (one of those cute little things to hold your tapestry needles), some "Knitter's Little Helper" which is a lucious hand moisturizer with such a lovely scent, two skeins of Nature's Palette in Odd Duck #1 for a pair of socks, and some Brittany sock needles. You can tell that I've gone sock crazy because.

I'm already working on a pair of socks for Mr. Grenadine:

Socks just come naturally don't they? These are MG's anniversary socks. He bought me the yarn on our first anniversary. Hopefully I'll have them done soon.

Here's the yarn I'm usuing for the Fall Cable knit-along:


I'm still working on the red scarf. Its a gift and I have to finish it this weekend:


I'm making another one in green as a gift too:


And just for good measure I've also finished the body of another flower bag:


Thank god I've been waiting to get all of this stuff off my chest! And a note to Cecile, I still love to read your blog! I hope you've had a good vacation. Glad you're back blogging. I've got a package for you can't wait to send it!

happy knitting to everyone.

La Grenadine

Lotsa knitting news

Contrary to what I've been writing lately I have been knitting a lot. I'm working on yet another flower basket bag and a pair of socks. Its funny because I didn't know much about knitting when I started my first flower basket bag, but now I knit them barely reading the directions. And I started knitting socks without so much as a pattern and I daresay that they're going well. I know you're thinking "knitting socks without a pattern!!!!???" but I just mean the beginning part in the round. Once I get to the heel I'll be consulting one of the many free patterns floating around out there.

You know its almost been a year since I started knitting and its true. I'm entirely addicted. Nothing makes me feel more relaxed.

Now if only I could get off my butt and put some photos on here...

oh laziness

GG

Milestones

How apropos that this is my 100th post and my first wedding anniversary! Had a lovely day reliving the wedding and dreaming of the future with my hubby.

To celebrate both events I have two photos:

me on my wedding day:



me on the anniversary:


Thank you to Mr. G for being such a supportive loving husband who let me peruse yarn on our anniversary. I married Mr. Right.

GG

Attack of the Silly Cat

Gabrielle Will Like This

Your Boobies' Names Are: Thelma and Louise

Get your own Boobie Names

How did it know?

just a few weeks of summer left...

and its already getting cooler. The earth must be tilting in a different direction b/c the afternoon light already hints of autumn. This has me looking forward to winter with its dark evenings and cozy rain showers. Perfect crafting weather.

I was able to pick up my quilt. It was nice to have it back. I finally get to enjoy the fruit of my labor, well until I send the quilt to my mother in law. I know I've promised myself not to start another quilt until after January, but I have such great fabric that I can't help myself. But then again I have fabulous yarn. I can't believe I have to choose between yarn and fabric. Its torture.

Of course with the quilt finished you would think that I would have attempted some knitting tonight. But no, I went on a cooking rampage, whipping up some homemade tomato sauce, baked ziti and chicken parmesan. One day I will have the time do do everything I want.

autumn is on its way and I've joined the Fall Cable knit along. I will be knitting one of the cabled scarves from Scarf Style from the yarn my SP5 sent me. Pictures soon, probably this weekend.

GG

Its official the quilt show is over

And I forgot to pick up my quilt. Do you think they'll let me have it back? Ack!

Here's some photos from the show. I've done a TON of knitting and getting some fabric organized for my future quilts.

For now here's some stuff from the show:



That's the quilt on the left


Close up. It's not the best quilt, but I had fun making it!

Oh and here are some photos of me giving the cat a bath. Seriously she enjoyed this a lot more than it looks. She actually purred in the bathrub for the first couple of minutes until I put the cat shampoo on her (which was all natural especially made for cats) I promise she wasn't harmed in the making of this photo!

Don't Disturb, I'm Busy Quilting

OK, so I have to deliver the finished quilt TOMORROW for the Marin Quilt and Needle Arts Show. The good news is that in my absence on the blog I have managed to finish the quilt, however I still have to attach the hanging sleeve and baste on my entry number. It shouldn't take that long, but all of this work on the quilt has prevented me from making a major contribution to this blog.

I have a whole heap of stuff to share with you. I've been on a yarn rampage since I have a bunch of christmas presents to make and fall is coming soon and I have a new scarf project that I've been dying to start. I've already taken the photos I just need to get them on here...

Oh and secret pal ends this week and I have to send out my last package. I also have a special package for Cecile, my sp4 pal, which I am also trying to finish up.

pictures soon,
GG