A few months ago, I started meeting a friend at a local coffee shop with a knitting group. It was nice to start routinely going out again, even if just for an afternoon once a week. Since I didn’t knit, and really had no interest in starting.. I mean, I’d tried several years ago, and though I love the look, I determined it was just too complicated for me to bother with.

Instead, I took other projects along. One day I cut out patterns for doll clothes, or tiny stuffed animals for doll toys – these were for my ball-joint dolls I’ve been collecting. I took some wool roving, felting needle and piece of foam to play with another day. Still another day, I took pieces of long fur material, the size of a note card and made little wigs for my dolls. I could have taken a crochet project, but really hadn’t been in the mood to crochet yet another scarf. Scarves and wash clothes seemed about all I had ever really made.

One day, another knitter brought a sweater she was knitting for her nephew (I think it was). It was a natural color, like a sandy, natural off-white, brownish color (yeah, I’m sure there is a name for it, but I’m totally drawing a blank on it. On the front, she’s knitted (or maybe it’s cabled) 3 owls. It was adorable, and I could so envision making something similar for my granddaughter. I was in awe… and told the ladies that was the project that was going to make me want to knit. I wasn’t kidding.

I went home and over the next week, I bought small circular knitting needles, went through all the patterns on ravelry, and settled on a dress for my dolls. Over the coming couple of weeks, I made two dresses, and a few others that were ok, but not my favorites.

I then found a pattern for a shawl. I thought that’d be wonderful. Many times the coffee shop we meet at is chilly in the evenings, other times, I run in the grocery in shorts and a tank top, only to come out shivering and numb because the grocery is just so cold. A shawl kept in my bag would be perfect.

I started with a pattern that was simple for me to understand, and was so easy it makes for a good group project – in that I can knit this pattern, while I chat and not worry too much about mistakes. It’s called the One-Skein Shawl – find it on ravelry.com, or knittersreview.com.

After knitting the body, I was ready to do the border. Here I got stumped. Today, I finally figured it out – not that I did on my own by any means, but the people on the ravelry forum were great at helping me out. It took them figuring out my thinking, rather than the pattern, though.

I wrote an email to a friend giving her an update. Rather than rewrite it here.. I’ll just share the email. I hope you get a good chuckle from my confusion.

I thought I’d update you on my issues with the shawl border.

In the pattern when I got to the amount of stitches I was suppose to have on the needle, it said that it was now time to add the border to the bottom. This didn’t make any sense to me, since I was working from the bottom up… to me, it meant adding border to the top, which I didn’t want.

I went to the pattern’s [forum] page on ravelry, and asked about it. I got two responses that told me yes, the pattern was correct and to just keep going and I’d be fine. Still not understanding the why’s of this, I decided I’d run over to FiberWorks [local yarn store, LYS] last night. Since they were open until 830 and I’d have the opportunity to go ~ Bob [hubby] would be home in plenty of time. And, I thought, I’d pick up yarn for a couple more shawls. If they go really fast, I’ll give them as gifts right away, if I run slower on them, they’ll be gifts for the holidays. I also figured I’d take my work, the pattern and ask for help there.

I showed them my LittleFee bjd doll – the one I’d named Darla – but changed to Agnes (a nostalgic name from childhood. I kept getting little whispers in my thoughts that this needed to be her name). They oohed and ahhed and told me I did a good job.. (btw, another customer came in at the end of my talk with “forgethername”, and she ooh’d and ahh’d over my doll and the dresses, lol).

I showed her the pattern, my work, etc. And she agreed with me that it didn’t make any sense. Now, in my favor, I don’t think she’d made shawls before, as I think if she had, she’d have caught my mistake right away. That said, I gave her misinformation and based on my misinformation, she wouldn’t have been able to figure it out. I was frustrated, disappointed, but at the same time, i still felt good. I wasn’t giving up the project. I wasn’t going to just “wrap it up” as it was.. I was determined to figure it out. Which really did feel good (but you can understand my frustration at what felt like deadends). I really needed someone to explain, exactly what was going on.. did I need to pick up stitches, bind off and then back on.. what?

Have you guessed my mistake? It’s so simple, and really, I knew it was. The whole pattern up til this point had been so simple. A quick pattern you could easily whip out in a weekend of dedicated knitting… so why was this last part causing me to hang up so much. And I knew once I knew the answer, it would be a “smack forehead” moment.

It truly was.

I had posted on the forum for the shawl, but since the replies there hadn’t helped me, I went to Fibers of Dayton (is that right?) and asked there too. One lady took the time to reply back and forth with me a few times, trying to figure out where this pattern was situated in my brain, and why I was seeing it so different than everyone else. While we went back and forth a few times throughout the day, I remembered I’d posted on the other forum – I must not have it set up to notify me via email, so it’s easy to forget, and I had to figure out my way back to my posts… anyway, I must have told them there what I was doing and that I didn’t want the border across the top, but along the bottom… and it clicked with them just what I was doing wrong.

Actually, nothing wrong. I was just thinking upside down. I thought since I was increasing with each row, that I was knitting bottom to top – like an upside down triangle, point to width. In actuality, it is worked top down. So the point or tip that I thought was so flat, was really the center of the top. And the border I needed to add really was to the bottom of the shawl, the part on my needles.

So flippin’ simple.

In my defense, this is only the second real project I’ve done.. and I only really started knitting a couple months ago. And the only real instruction I’ve had the whole way, was watching YouTube videos. So, I’m pretty proud of myself.

I will share pictures soon, of the shawl, almost ready to come off the needles, before and after blocking, and of Agnes too.

Cayla Kluver is my newest favorite author. I had downloaded Legacy: AmazonEncore Edition, but only just got around to reading it. Ms. Kluver is another young author, having written the rough draft for Legacy when during her sophomore year in high school. She then combined her junior and senior years to graduate early.

Legacy is set in the times of Kings, Queens and castles, in the Kingdom of Hytanica; it’s a love story, a story of growing up and mystery. Alera is the eldest daughter and will become queen on her 18th birthday. But she must find a husband suitable to be king – and that is the hard part. Only one man fits the crown as far as Alera’s father, the current king, is concerned. And this man, Steldor, while in love with Alera, seems egotistical and rude in Alera’s opinion. It doesn’t help matters that Alera finds her heart falling for Cokyri raised Narian; a year younger, and questionable allegiance, he is an unsuitable match for Alera, so says the King.

A war, sixteen years earlier, between their kingdom and neighboring kingdom of Cokyri resulting in 49 infant sons being stolen from Hytanica… and 48 bodies being returned. The return of the bodies was the abrupt ending of the battle from Cokyri.

A new battle begins.

I am already anxiously awaiting Allegiance. Since I finished Legacy and wondered when Allegiance would be out, I looked Cayla Kluver up on google. Found her website Cayla Kluver Official – and from there followed the link to her blog. Check her out before the end of July – as she’s got a $40 gift certificate to give away from CSN stores. She’s got links her her blog, so check it out.

FOR SALE OR TRADE:
Bobobie / ResinSoul Mei

I’m just going to laugh over this experience.  But I am just not “into” this size of a doll.  She’s lovely, so slender and dainty.  And I knew going in that posing would be limited.. I’m going to rehome her because I just want smaller dolls.  I had this vision, when first starting the journey into bjds, that I’d take a doll or a few with me when I went out to eat, or to the book store. I love taking pics of food and drinks when we go out to eat, or we’re just sitting around the table waiting, so I envisioned taking dolls with me and making them a part of things this way.  My boys enjoy the dolls too (very gentle though).

I thought before I ordered her that size might be an issue. I just didn’t realize I’d be so disappointed so quickly.

I’d like to sell her, or, even better, I’d be will to trade for a puki-puki or puki-fee – willing to discuss and price differences if interested in trades.

Anyway, pictures are at my flickr. I have the box and padded bag she arrived in.  She has been body blushed – only what you see in the pics and slightly enhanced face-up.  Eyelashes have been trimmed since the pics were taken.  I do have some 3.0 mm elastic on order and would be happy to include some for re-stringing her if you’d like. I also have glib acrylic eyes (in transit to me now) in aurora green sz 16mm and will include those.  She has been hot glue sueded and pipe cleaners are in each of her arms and legs (easy to remove though)

I’m asking $165 SOLD (US) which is just what she cost me, not including shipping (and my price is not including shipping).

I have made a few articles of clothing for her using patterns from gracefaerie – 2 dresses, a petticoat, and bloomers, which I’d consider selling with the doll and in addition to her cost (otherwise, I will keep).  She’s wearing a Leekeworld wig (Kosha $28.00 sz 6/7, Goldenrod) will sell for $25 with the doll (otherwise, I will keep).

Weeds, on Showtime Mondays at 10pm, is about a woman whose husband dies and she still has to pay the bills. Her and her two boys live in cookie cutter suburbia and she’s jobless. She makes ends meet by selling pot. It’s such a good show, the cast is awesome and it’s funny too.

But, since I’m a season behind because I never get the tv to myself, I’ve been buying each season on iTunes. So I am just now starting season 4. The first episode “Mother Thinks The Birds Are After Her” (and I suspect they are in some form or another, ha!) the usual theme song is of course, Little Boxes, originally sung by Malvina Reynolds, but sung by several different artists on the show is as always great! The ending song piqued my curiosity though, so of course, I googled.

The song is Se Puede by Los Mono. It’s got such a good beat it makes you want to grab a beer, or me, a few tequilas and lemons, and jump up and dance (and for me that says a lot since I’m not much of a dancer). I then found another song of theirs I like too called, Promesas – another great beat. And the youtube video for it is funny too — Love the dancing monkey man. See video at the end here..

I did find a translation of Promesas in both chilean and english and was impressed. The song isn’t just a hip-hop mess of words to rhyme with little meaning or story behind it. Rather than just reword what’s been said, here is a quote by Sonic360 regarding Los Mono and the album playing these two songs:
“Not only is Somos Los Que Estamos a full on high-energy blast from start to finish, the album is an adventure with a moral message; promoting creativity, originality, positivism, and self-responsibility. In fact, the conscious lyrics and upbeat vibe are the perfect compliment to an album that is driven from start to finish with a myriad of crunchy lo-fi beats n bleeps, infectious melodies and pure funk-fuelled inspiration.”

While I haven’t listened to the whole album, maybe it’s off, but I am definitely getting a few songs of Los Mono to listen too. I like the beat.

Here is Promesas in both chilean and english and the translation is in thanks to c.hilino.com – like it, let ‘em know.. something off about it, let ‘em know. Oh and seriously, don’t pass on the video:

Promesas by Los Mono
Album Somos Los Que Estamos

Las palabras son bastantes,
son bastante importantes
cuando hablo pienso antes
hay que hacerse responsable

Mula! Mula!

Decir una cosa una cosa por otra
Es como confuso es como pura boca
Una promesa rota palabras que rebotan
Una persona por delante y por detrás otra
Una promesa trucha, puras palabras mula
Porfa diga la verdad
Y no me prometa lo que nunca llegará

Una vez que se dice algo
Se hace, se cumple, no se pasa por alto
Una vez que se dice algo
Se hacen las promesas no se pasan por alto

Prometé una liebre por un gato
Lo que prometiste lo espero hace rato
Que pasó? Se olvidó? No cachó?
Cuando me lo dijo no ponia atención
Aaaaa q pena q pena q me da
Ya no estoy seguro cuando dices la verdad
Duda duda duda duda duda
Muchas dudas ahora me das

Una vez q se dice algo
Se hace, se cumple, no se pasa por alto
Una vez q se dice algo
Se hacen las promesas no se pasan por alto

Cuando digo algo y lo cumplo
Algo gano yo siento q triunfo
Pero cuando digo mucho me confundo, me siento
Como un gusano como un humano trucho antro

Puede ser, quizás, q yo te llamo
Te lo juro, demás, obvio q vamos
Sí sí sí, como si fuera tan fácil
Mula…

Yo lo se, es difícil decir que no
Pero vale la pena
Entonces vamos a aprender
Como N con O es NO, N con O es NO
Si le pones un “gracias”, cuanto mejor
No gracias, señor
Yo esta vez pasó
Para qué le digo que sí sí no ,
Si te confundo a ti termino confundido yo

Una vez q se dice algo
Se hace, se cumple no se pasa por alto
Una vez q se dice algo
Se hacen las promesas no se pasan por alto

Una vez q se dice algo
Se hace, se cumple, no se pasa por alto
Una vez q se dice algo
Se hacen las promesas no se pasan por alto

Etc…
- – - English translation (roughly)
Words are pretty,
pretty important
I think before I speak
You have to be responsible

La-hame. La-hame!

To say one thing, one thing for another
It’s confusing, it’s only your mouth
A broken promise, words that bounce back
One person on the front and another on the back
A false promise, only lame words
Please tell the truth
And don’t promise what will never come

Once you say something
You do it, you fulfill it, you don’t overlook it
Once you say something
You fulfill promises, you don’t overlook them

When i say something and i fulfill it
I get something, I feel like i win
But when i say too much i feel confused
I feel like a worm, like a bad human being

Maybe, perhaps, I’ll call you
I swear, sure, of course we’ll go
Yeah, yeah, yeah, like it was that easy
Lame…

Once you say something
You do it, you fulfill it, you don’t overlook it
Once you say something
You fulfill promises, you don’t overlook them

Words are pretty,
pretty important
I think before I speak
You have to be responsible

I over-delivered on my promise
I’ve been waiting for a while for what you promised
What happened? You forgot? Didn’t understand?
When he told me I wasn’t paying attention
Aaah, man that sucks, that’s really too bad,
Now I’m not sure even when you’re telling the truth
Doubt doubt doubt doubt doubt
There’s a lotta doubt you’re delivering

Lame!

Etc…

And the video… makes you want to move… even in your seat.

For about a year, I coveted Amazon’s reading device called the Kindle. While there are other reading devices available, I liked the Kindle because you can be just about anywhere, browse Amazon’s books and download a new read in less than a minute.

For Christmas, my husband said, “Order it”. I did, knowing it had a 13 week back order date. I hoped by February or early March I’d have it in hand. Little did I know at the time, but the Kindle 2 was going to make it debut and I’d be getting one of those.

While the Kindle 2 doesn’t have a memory card slot, it provides plenty of on device storage. Amazon keeps a history of all the books you download from them, so you can delete items and re-download them any time.

If you don’t have a good connection, or you prefer, items may be transferred via usb. Yet another option if it is a small files email it to your kindle email address, which Amazon provides, for a small fee of 10 cents per email.

I’ve had my kindle since February 25th, 2009. In that time, I’ve read so much more than I would have had I not had it. It’s just so easy to use. I’ve found many books for free, and many others for just a few dollars. While I am not able to resell, or buy used like I did for paperbacks, it’s beneficial to me just because of how much I am reading. I have found new authors I never knew about and I just love. I’ve read many series I’d not known about.

When asked what the downside is the only one I can think is the lack of organization ability. There are no folders, no way to tag or use keywords. You can sort by book, by author and by date, or just to a different page. Using the Search feature is easy so finding your book isn’t hard. It keeps your most recently read books at the top of the first page, so keeping track of where you are isn’t hard. While the lack of organizing is definitely a downside, it’s absolutely not one to keep me from buying my kindle, or loving it now.

I have read many books, but decided to keep a list of the series I have been reading (My Reads). My list will make it easier to reference the authors I’m waiting on for new books. It has been fun though getting caught up on some series. I have been able to download the next book as soon as I finish one; reading a series one after another is great. I find myself always scanning and searching Amazon for new authors and series.

Who is your favorite author(s)? Do you have a favorite series? Do you read paper books or use a reading device?