In My Copious Free Time

Cute purse card templates

http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/purse.htm

http://twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=308115

http://www.stampington.com/html/tempting_template_purse.html

Must try one of these soon.

CKU Reunion crop

My new-old friend K1 hosted a crop today -- I've been looking forward to attending one of her crops since we got acquainted again at CKU. I spent several hours last night (well, technically this morning as it was after midnight) meticulously packing up my supplies. I find packing for a crop very challenging because I don't want to lug a bunch of stuff around or take up too much space, but it's also frustrating when I get an inspiration and don't have what I need to accomplish it. I managed to do pretty well, and was almost done when it occurred to me that I might want to pack some actual photographs as well. Duh. So then I had to weed through photos. I think I got in bed at about 2:30am. Thank dog Alex sleeps well. Although he scared me -- he woke up at 7:30am and was wide awake, saying he wanted his blue train (on my bedside table), so I gave it to him and cuddled him up and he fell asleep quickly (I suppose, I know I did), and we all slept until 10:15-10:30ish. Ahhhhhhh....

Then I baked brownies, loaded up the car and headed to Kerri's house. It was a grueling 1.1 mile drive. ;) K2 was there, along with a few people I hadn't met, but had heard all about me. (In the lead up to the crop we all were exchanging email and one of them wrote "Tara? The World Famous Tara from CKU? I can't wait to meet you!" Sheesh, that's a lot of social pressure for an introvert like me!)

But it was great -- everyone was so nice, and fun, and I got a lot of work done: 6 completed layouts, 2 of which were 1-page spreads, and the other 2 were 2-page spreads. And on the 2 2-page spreads I used a total of 18 photos! I did a lot of stuff I'd never done -- layered a vellum quote over a photo, used my foam stamps and paint to stamp a title, used my hinges (which I've had for over 3 years - they are older than Alex, I know) to mount a photo and hid jouraling underneath it. I'm really pleased with the pages, and I hope to do more scrapbooking soon. Oh, and K1's husband grilled dinner for us, and everyone brought munchies, and K1 made some yummy vodka punch.

Oh, and K2 is pregnant! We talked at CKU and she told me about how she'd just started TTC and I told her all about TCOYF and temping and stuff, and before she left I told her I had a good feeling that she was already pregnant. And I was right. :)

K1 is hopefully going to have another crop very soon. They participate in this online challenge group that you get points for layouts completed and different techniques used or subjects covered, and the last weekend of the month is an "extreme points challenge" weekend where they get bonuses. So, perfect weekend for a crop.

Friends Don't Let Friends Rib Knit

This is my new motto. So, take 3 on the cami ribbing was a winner. Amazing how well things go when you know what you are doing. Of course, rib knitting is painfully slow. At least it is for me. If I EVER say I'm going to do a 1x1 rib scarf, shoot me, please. It will be for my own good.

Anyhow, I finished the ribbing (done as a front piece and back piece on straights since I don't have circular 3s), moved both pieces and joined them on circular 6s, and I'm about 4 rows into the knitting in the round.

Oh, and the yarn for the Karalund Along arrived yesterday! Amazingly fast since L just shipped it from DC on Saturday. Go, USPS. It is gorgeous! I was a little apprehensive that it would be too brown and/or earthy, but it's very vibrant.

Month of Frugality, day 1

Not too bad. I've resolved to only spend $100 on knitting and $50 on scrapbooking this month, along with various and sundry other cutbacks. Oh, and I'm limiting myself to the purchase of 2 magazines to augment the cubic buttload I get by subscription.

However, last night, L talked me into knitting http://www.chicknits.com/chickami.html along with her. I just happen to have enough Berroco Softwist for it, in black, so I figured I'd give it a go. So I'm using my stash, which is a Good Thing. I did not, however, have the correct needles, so I went out to AC Moore today and got some bamboo circulars in US #6. I also picked up some decent stitch markers and a skein of Patons Katrina in pink (for future baby hats since it was 50% off). So $16.83 off my $100 budget so far.

But, oops. I didn't realize I needed #3 circulars to cast on with -- I thought the pattern started with 6s. So instead of doing the ribbing at the bottom on circs, I'm doing the front on the straight 3s I have, then moving that piece to holders while I do the back ribbing. Then I'll join them when I move it all to the 6s to start the body.

Of course, my singular inability to read for comprehension means that while I'm now on the 4th row of the front ribbing piece, it took me three lengthy tries to get to this point. Thanks to Tr for some on-the-spot wisdom on rib knitting, and to Sa for being there to muddle through to understanding with me.

The funny thing is that I have this rep for being a BI. But my little experiment in frugality has been very popular today. Go figure.