Am I Sleeping Yet?

Ugh..

Busy Busy times.

Have you ever worked overtime and come home to find your favorite show is on?

So Graham Norton is the best thing to watch after a long day at work.



I'm so busy that I haven't even had time to take photos of the bountiful gift from my friend Cecile, please visit her blog, her craftiness will wow you and thoughtfulness will inspire you. I can't wait to share it with you. There was a fabu French magazine, some luscious cotton yarn, a fountain pen among other wonderful things. Thank you cecile, I'm so glad we've met.

On to the crafts... since I worked so late tonight I didn't get a chance to work on the quilt. We only have another month or so left until the quilt show and I still have to sew in all the little bits and sew on the binding. I'm almost done with the binding. It will be finished this weekend and hopefull all those pesky ends will be finished within two weeks. I'm just going to have to rent a heap of movies (any suggestions?) and glue my gluteus maximus to the sofa.

I've been doing some knitting, though I've limited myself to simple projects. I'm making another chenille flower washcloth to prove that I can do it correctly. I've enjoyed working with the chenille so much that I bought a stash of it on Ebay this week. I'm also figuring out how to make other shapes like hearts and stars. Suddenly I get the feeling that lots of people will be getting washcloths for Christmas.

hardy har har.

good night

GG

We pause for a commercial break

The folks at Maran Illustrated were kind enough to send me a complimentary copy of their knitting and crocheting how-to book. I wasn't expecting to like it because frankly, to me it's not very aesthetically pleasing. Don't get me wrong, the knitting and crocheting illustrations are excellent, however the use of color and the photography aren't so good. However, I will take excellent illustrated instruction over aesthetics any day.

This is the first book that showed me multiple ways to weave in ends, to make cast-ons and to increase. Anytime I have a question on a pattern this will be my go-to book. It's like a knitting bible. I would liken it to a textbook for its factual and detailed approach. Everybody's got a million pretty knitting books with lucious photos and interesting anecdotes and tasty projects, but Maran's Illustrated Guide to Knitting and Crocheting will be the book I use to figure out how to actually knit.

If you need a book to help you figure out some of those tricky knitting techniques: look no further: Maran Illustrated

Grenadine Girl

Real Retail Therapy

I have discovered a NEW LYS!!!!

For those of you who don't knit, an LYS is a Local Yarn Store and one just opened a short distance from my office. I had stopped by there while it was still in its construction stages and I was a little unsure. It was filled up with the nicest yarns, the rowans, the debbie blisses. This store had every potential of being one of those snotty yarn shops. Its in a wealthy area, there are alot of other good, but low key yarn shops in the region. However I'm totally thrilled. The manager and proprietor are enthusiastic and friendly and even invited me to knit in the store whenever I wanted. And man do they have comfy couches? I have found yarn haven!

Studio Knit

Ahhh to be writing about knitting again...

GG

Too Busy for Crafting

Sigh.

I can't really complain the weekend was very action-packed. I went to a short film screening on Friday night followed by a late night gelato run.

Saturday my brothers and cousins came for a visit and stayed the night. It was crazy with all those people in the house AND I got my Harry Potter book which I managed to read while everyone else was playing drunken Monopoly. The Harry Potter book was finished by Sunday morning, which was riveting to say the least. I can't wait for the next book and I wonder where I will be when it comes out. When the last one came out two years ago I was living in an apartment by the bay. I can't believe that was two years ago!

Aside from finishing the Harry Potter book, I also cooked waffles for my entire family, no mean feat. Then after everyone left I took off into the city (with too much traffic) to meet my friend Lija for a screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Apparently its the Harry Potter Charlie Bucket weekend. By the time I got home Sunday night I was too knackered to do anything but laze around on the couch.

Anyhoo. I liked the Charlie movie, however Johnny Depp's performance was a little too Marilyn Manson. I prefer Gene Wilder. Johnny's performance took away the humanity of Wonka and just turned him into a freak. This isn't surprising considering Tim Burton's affinity for freaks, but the story isn't about a man who doesn't fit into society. The story is about family and making Wonka an all-out freak just raises questions that Wonka's background doesn't resolve. Sadly this results in a cariacature performance. All the other performances are spot-on. I fell in love with every character despite their inherent flaws and who didn't melt for Charlie's entire family? I'm already a HUGE fan of Noah Taylor's work. He was Charlie's dad in CATCF, but was also in Shine, Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky, and Tomb Raider. Please put him in more movies. He's a solid actor and nice on the eyes. I also liked Helena Bonham Carter's work. I think she even wore fake teeth. She made a charming mum.

Anyway I was too busy to craft anything so no photos...

Grenadine Girl

I did it

I just mailed out my application for the Marin Needle Arts Guild Quilt Fair... now I just have to finish the quilt!

ack

GG

New View

Yay! I got a new cubical at work and I have a window!

I am absolutely shocked at all of the interesting things I see on my hohum industrial street.

I saw my friend Ren riding a bike.
I saw a three legged dog.

And I'm pleased to discover that I can see the bay from my chair.

Ahhh instant calm.

La Fille Grenadine

Summer Stuff

Hello Friends,

It's that time where I write a post to update my family abroad on the happenings of me and Mr. Grenadine.

We've been getting used to the cat:





We've been having high tea in the living room:



And I've finished a small knitting project: a flower shaped chenille washcloth (without a row counter, I've managed to knit too many rows in the center so it's a bit floppy) but I'm still proud of it.



Overall it's been a good summer. I took a walk around the block, found some sale fabrics at Joann's (one of my rules is that you can't say no to $3/yard fabrics) I've also been feverishly laboring over the Freckle Quilt because the Marin Quilt Fair deadline is coming up soon. I'm a little concerned b/c I'm a beginning quilter and I machined quilted it myself and with everything I make it's a little wanky. Can somebody remind me to apply for this thing because my procrastination will prevent me from entering. I don't know because if I do enter and don't get in, I'll be discouraged from quilting and I've bought so much fabric that I just can't afford to give up the habit.


Anyway happy crafting to all and to all a great night.

GG

London Bombings

I'm totally sick that this has happened. I don't know what to make of it. Can we stop terrorism? I don't know. This is heartbreaking. These people think they have morals? The terrorists are barbarians.

My heart goes out to Muslims who are not affliated with terrorism in any way. Their lives have also been made more difficult. My thoughts will be with Britain. Please think of them too.

Also, ignore the American Media, go to BBC. The american media doesn't know anything and they're playing COMMERCIALS between reports. This is as shocking as 911 and I'm disgusted that our media doesn't find this news as important as that.

G.G.

Meet Our Cat

This Is M:

And back to the knitting

As we speak, there is a new addition coming to the GrenadineGirl Household. Yes Mr. Grenadine and I are expecting... A NEW CAT!!!

I havent had a cat in over a decade. I'm a little concerned because I'm rescuing a cat who would otherwise be needing a home. Her name is M and she's a devon rex. This is going to be interesting because Mr. Grenadine doesn't like cats so much and apparently this cat really likes humans. She likes plenty of attention and I hope that Luke and I can provide that.

Aside from that nothin much is new. I heard from my secret pal. Please think good thoughts for her, she recently lost her job. I'm hoping that good things will happen for her, because she is so creative. I mean, just look at the amazing little packages she sent me. Most of them were made by her. She took the photos, made the postcards and the custest little stitchmarkers! She has me ready to break out my bead box again.



I also have a finished project and a project in progress to show you:

Remember that afghan that I keep talking about, but I've never shown? Well, here it is, a series of garter stitch blocks that will be sewed together. I'm using Plymouth Encore Chunky, which is very soft. The blue skeins you see in the photo will provide contrasting blocks. Eventually it's going to look like a checkboard. I'm giving it away, but it's so cozy that its not going to be easy.



AND FINALLY THE KNIT ONE TANK IS FINISHED. (almost)
I just have to block it!

As Requested, More Photos of Me in a Wig:

More Party People



That party was just too much fun. You can tell I'm having a rowdy 4th of July weekend because I'm blogging. NOT!

Anything to put that photo lower on the blog!

It's been a productive day. I folded a month's worth of laundry, cooked a chicken curry, started seaming up the Knit 1 Tank, and I ran the dishwasher. It so doesn't take much to entertain me. It was a fun day at work. I kept getting great emails with post-party gossip. Let's just say that I wasn't the only one with a hangover on Sunday...

So there's a lot of crazy project progress in action and some interesting developments.. later this week I will post something more substantial with lots of photos of projects in progress. I still have to show everyone the loverly package my sp sent me, which I loved...

Anyway hope you're all having a good week...

Grenadine Girl

Please Don't Laugh

OK, you know the part in the previous blog where I said that I looked fabulous at last night's party. Now looking at the photos I'm not sure anymore...

Vodka, Always a Painful Encounter

Last night was the big "what the" party and I took the opportunity to dress up. I will post a picture later, but imagine if you will a short dress, platform mary janes, and a huge pink wig and a tiara. I kept my distance from the Castro as I didn't want to upstage any drag queens because I looked fabulous.

Of course, no one else took the opportunity to put themselves in such crazy getup so I was the only one looking so out-of-this-world, which for some people would be uncomfortable, but for me I just felt sorry for those who didn't have the balls to revel in the unusual. Of course I am married and I will take any opportunity to revert to my crazy dance club girl behavior, even if only temporarily.

Needless to say my naughty behavior included drinking multple cosmos and lemondrops so I'm hurtin' a bit today.

Ouch. The price you pay to party.

Grenadine Girl

Sewing Anyone?

I am on a crafting rampage. Never satisfied with just one project, I am balancing three:

witness the mayhem:

I'm a messy crafter


The quilt in-progress


Knit 1 Tank Top In Progress




I'm also working on a messenger bag that I can't understand the schematics for...

Oy Vey!

GG

Photo Bonanza

Here is a photo summary of the last two weeks, mainly birthday celebrations. A special prize for who can tell me the name of the man with the funny shirt:



The Margarita Moviefest 2005:

Before Margaritas:






After Margaritas:


Sausalito Madness:























I'm exhausted just remembering all of it. Hmmm one of these days I'll actually post some knitting photos. Oh and my secret pal sent me a loverly package. So adorable and all hand made stuff -some stitch markers and handmade postcards featuring 70's and 80's era Wonderwoman... I'm a happy knitter.

peace out.

grenadine girl

Maaaarvelous

June is a good month and not just because its my birthday. Well maybe this June is particularly good because my birthday celebration lasted more than a week. A special thank you again to all of my friends family and coworkers for making my birthday absolutely fabulous!

Secret Pal 5 is in action and I'm enjoying emailing my secret pals. I'm impressed that I always get paired up with interesting people. You knitters are a fascinating bunch. Blah I wish I had more to say. Things have been really good. I've been eating entirely too much. I had some fabulous Crab Bisque at Bungalow 44. It was so good that every day at lunch time I fantasize that I'm sipping Crab Bisque instead of chomping down on last night's leftovers. Many thanks to R and R for treating me for my birthday. It was an unforgettable dinner.

Last Friday as you may know I went out with some of my friends. I planned this event for two reasons. One: to fete my birthday but also two : to see if any of my girlfriends might like any of my guy friends. Time will tell, but I think something's bubbling. I'm such a trouble maker, but the people in question are fabulous, intelligent people who have had bad luck in this arena. I've done my part playing kismet in bringing them together.. as I'm fond of saying only time will tell...

Time will tell in two weeks when my pal J has a house partay. The theme is "What the f*ck", meaning "I'll go to the party with a lampshade on my head -what the f*ck?" or "I'll wear a Homer Simpson mask to the party -what the f8ck?". I think I may go wearing a purple wig a la Charlotte in Lost In Translation (but also with a tiara -how often do I get to wear a tiara in public ?)

So this summer is panning out to be quite memorable. I've made new friends and been much more sociable, which even my pal Tai has noticed, who normally condemns my lack of a social life. Things are falling into place. Luke and I have cleared a major hurdle in our lives so we're focusing on enjoying ourselves. I'm feeling so good that i'm realizing that there only a few truly memorable eras in my life. The rest of the time life is difficult and you struggle, but unexplicably, there are times when magic happens and everything is how you want it to be. Or perhaps you're more ready to accept things the way they are, allowing you to truly enjoy what you have. The other times when this happened was when I was 13 years old, when I switched middle schools and finally met people who understood my quirky sense of humor and unusal taste in clothes (I wore a black beret everyday in middle school to remind me of my dream of travelling to France). That was a magical year because I didn't just have one friend, I had a whole group of friends. This was short lived in that I moved away the next year and had to start over again. But still I recall it as a special time. The first time I felt accepted for who I was anywhere.

The second time I felt this kind of bliss was when I travelled to Paris with my high school and stayd with a French family. I never thought I would leave New England, let alone the United States (though you would think moving to California might give me some hope). I never thought I would get to France, but go to Paris I did -sans famille and it changed my life. I was liberated by the idea that I didn't know anyone in this country and i would never see any of these people again. I felt free to be myself and to not care what people thought, even though I was hesitant to speak the French I had worked so hard to learn, I still felt free because I had to get around on my own in a foreign city and I did it. This was the first time that one of my dreams came true and the first time I felt fearless.

The last time I felt this good was when I broke up with my exboyfriend of four years. I had made a heap of friends in film school and i spent the summer doing anything and everything I wanted, following every inspired whim and impulse. Admittedly some of it was dangerous, and some of it I look back and it makes me cringe, but it was freedom, absolute freedom and I never learned more about myself. I had a heap of friends, watched a ton of movies and literally danced my ass off. It was the summer I met my husband, the last summer of no responsibility. I wish I had appreciated it more, but I don't long for that time at all. I just remember it fondly.

There was a short time -the summer of 1999 was wonderful. I spent it at UCLA where I hung out exclusively with international students. It was like going abroad without going abroad. Again it was a time of friends and lots of movies. I suppose I am happiest when I am surrounded by interesting people and going to the movies frequently.

What's great is that I know that another memorable summer is ahead of us and that we have to grab it by the horns and open all the doors to allow it to be as good as it can be. I'm going to make my own ice cream, I'm going to hang out at the Thursday Night Farmer's Market, I'm going to have lunch with Anne, have cocktails in my backyard, play tennis with Luke, going to write that screenplay, go away for a weekend, and hopefully have enough time to make quilts and knit tank tops.

Hope you all have a fabulous summer because mine starts NOW.

GG

Is it really Sunday night already?

yep it is because I'm blogging my weekend roundup.

Truth be told the weekend went by rather slowly because I was so busy. It was the best of both worlds. I went out, hung out and crafted out. Friday night was my birthday celebration in Sausalito. Pretty low key -we went to my favorite hole-in-the-wall bar called Patterson's. Once everyone arrived we went to my favorite Indian restaurant for some Punjabi burritos. I gorged on two potato samosas. I'm still full. Then we went to my friend Tai's house where we watched Iron Chef. Did I mention that this was the best birthday ever? You really can't beat watching a Lamb battle with your friends. It was all fois gras and bacon and truffles. Do I need mention that Iron Chef Sakai won the battle?

Saturday my parents and brother came over we snacked and I took my mom to the local quilt shop and yarn shop. My empty wallet hurts. We went for sushi at Sushi to Dai for, which was quite yummy. I saw my friends Jessica and Anne walking down the street so I got up in the middle of dinner to chat with them. It was a good time. I'm lucky to have such nifty friends. I hope to spend more time with them this summer. Man I really need to have a barbedcue, as if I haven't partied enough this week. God.

As such, I was happy to have a quiet Sunday. I worked on my quilt, worked on the Rowan knit-1 tank, and just generally enjoyed myself. Oh yeah and I played Lord of the Rings. I'm totally addicted to that game despite the fact that the turn-based play is pretty boring. I'm stuck fighting the pig-faced orc at Osgiliath. I've been beaten by him 6 times already, but I'm not letting it get me down.

Yay: "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" the doco about Wilco's album Yankee Foxtrot is on so I will leave you to watch it and to drink my glass of red wine.

Happy weekend for me, good week to you.

joyex tricoter

Best Birthday Evah!!!!!!

Yes Friends,

Today is my birthday -only four more years until I'm 30! I have been spoiled beyond belief by my family, friends and coworkers and it isn't even noon yet.

Many thanks to all of you for making it so special.

Oh and thanks to my secret pal 5 Speedway (that's her secret pal name!) for the hilarious e-card.

Its nice being loved.

Grenadine Girl

Secret Pal 5

Have you noticed that I do the things that I already said I wouldn't do? So here we go for Secret Pal 5.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I prefer the higher quality, but I won't turn down any yarn!


2. Do you spin? Crochet? no spinning or crocheting


3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)I am allergic to smoke


4. How long have you been knitting? Since September 04


5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? yes


6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)citrusy, light floraly scents


7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Not so much


8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Quilting and collaging


9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)lots of stuff, just not rap.


10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I love hot pink, teal, green, orange, yellow. Surprise me.


11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? married, no pets or children - yet.


12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)To be a citizen of the world.


13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Cascase 220, Rowan All Seasons Cotton, Any plymouth yarn, Crystal Palace Chenille


14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? not a big fan of the novelty yarns.


15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? tank tops.


16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? scarves, handbags, and shirts


17. What are you knitting right now? Two things: a tank top and a baby blanket. I would like to be knitting something with a ribonny yarn. Yes a shawl with a ribonny yarn would be quite nice, perhaps in lavender-type color.


18. What do you think about ponchos? Not so much.


19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Straight.


20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? All of the above.


21. Are you a sock knitter? No, but I would like to be.


22. How did you learn to knit? I taught myself!


23. How old is your oldest UFO? 4 years old.


24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? none really.


25. What is your favorite holiday? New Year's Eve.


26. Is there anything that you collect? What don't I collect? Tea Cups and Saucers, antique books about Napoleon, old cameras, French ephemera.


27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None, but I'm a magazine-a-holic so they would be welcomed.