Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Weekend Knitting

On Friday I updated my Facebook status to say in so many words I'm going out of town for the weekend and knitting a lot. Well, you be the judge:

I got started on my "Orange Day", which is Tikru's "Green Day" pattern knit in Peace Fleece "Glastnost Gold". It's a Christmas present and going rather nicely. It is only written in one size so I'm hoping it'll fit. Once I get a bit further along I'll put it on a scrap yarn and try it on myself to see if I think it will fit. I'll probably cry if it doesn't, but it'll be my own fault. :)

I also got 4 washcloths knit out of my Cable Rib Dishcloth pattern. I did garter stitch instead of seed stitch because it's faster and I have to knit 33 more washcloths. Speed over elegance at this point. I have a feeling I'm going to be mighty sick of knitting these by the time all is said and done. But I have a good start, so I'm optimistic.

I have also started a new pair of longies for the store, my Midnight Sky Longies. Here's what I got done yesterday along with the charting for the fair isle at the cuff:


I love printing off graph paper and figuring out the charts, it's so rewarding, like you're inventing something! I also found a site where you can make charts up on the computer (like for this cabled hat I'm working on) for publishing. That was an exciting find. Oh, and I have the Reversible Cable Rib scarf off being tested. A lot going on these days I guess.

So back to weekend knitting. It was a beautiful weekend. The guys went fishing and I stayed at my grandma's house with the kids. We watched some Disney Channel and played in the leaves. Here's where I spent some time knitting:

I raked up a pile of leaves with an extremely inadequate rake while my dad's puppy attacked the leaves and rake... and as you can see, my son. All in all it was a beautiful fall weekend. Aah... fall. I only wished it lasted a little longer.

Friday, October 24, 2008

I *Heart* My Postal Worker

This is a little late, but I left the post office so frustrated on Wednesday, which I guess isn't a first. The post office is never a "fun" place to go, but this was even better than normal. First off, look at the right side of your screen. See where my "profile" information is? What does it say... oh yea, mother of 2 kids is mentioned, right. Well, to specify I have a son who turned 3 last week and a daughter who turned 9 mos this week. So they're pretty little and oh let me tell you I LOVE carting them to the post office of all places since it's my favorite place to go on a day off.

So we walk in, there's one guy ahead of me in line and 3 postal workers helping people. So it should be quick, right? Then the dreaded happens... when it's my turn one lady goes into the back, leaving 2 postal workers. There's Dan and another-lady-who-shall-remain-unnamed. Guess who opens up? The Unnamed. Now it shouldn't be too bad. I have 2 priority mail packages to send out that are all ready to go (thanks PayPal!) and one box to send off.
It was a scarf for Mandi of Yellow Brick Lane, we did a scarf swap on a board we're on and we ended up eachother's partners. It's knit out of Cascade 220 Heathers and is the Reversible Cable Rib Scarf, a new pattern I'm almost done writing up. (She likes it.)
So anyway, back to the post office. So I walk up to Ms. Unnamed. And she has a reputation. She's ... s l o w ... I mean... ... s l o w . But it's okay. I only need postage on one little box, should be easy. So I hand her the package and say I'd like to mail this First Class (I'm cheap). She says "Is there anything liquid, fragile... blah blah blah inside?" No. "Would you like to mail this Priority Mail? It'll get there a couple days sooner." Um... no. I said I wanted to mail it First Class. (She got it today, by the way.) "Would you like insurance or delivery confirmation?" No. "Okay, it'll be..." I think it was like $2.53 or something. I tell her the others are ready to go and hand her my check card. She hands it back and asks me to sign it. Um... it's signed. "It's faded. I need you to sign it again." Remember the part about me having two small children? Well let's review, one is 9 mos so where do you think she is? Yep, you've got it... in my arms. So I juggle her around and REsign the dumb card. I figure, "Well, she watched me sign it so she can just watch me sign the paper and we'll be good" because I'm irritated with her for making me resign it in the first place because if you looked closely and squinted a little you could still read it. I put the card back in my wallet, zip it shut, and she says, "I haven't run it yet." Um, what? Why didn't you run it, have me resign it, and then just let me keep it? Why hand it back to me, have me sign it, hand it back to her, run it, hand it back to me to put away and then hand me the receipt to sign and hand back to her? Um... seem a little redundant?
Anyway, I know it's stupid but I always think it's completely asinine to have me sign the card in front of them. If it really were stolen, well now my version of Jane Doe's signature is on the back of the card. But, Mandi got her scarf. And in her exact words, "It is so squishy and nice." Yep, I rock. As long as I mail things from home.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Blogger Stupidity

And for you Blogger savvy folks out there, how do I get ahold of a fellow Blogger? I am trying to find Jackie that posted below about testing a scarf pattern... but I can't figure out how in the world of blogs to find her blog or any contact information. ???

Growth and Growing Pains

Well, Serenity Tree has officially had it's second stocking... today. It has been a little disappointing as none of us have sold much, but I hear the economy is to blame and people just aren't spending much. It's a bummer because I was really hoping this would be a good opportunity for my business to grow. Well, we'll wait and see.

On another note, I made some bath products for a local woman who bought some for her and her mother-in-law and they both love it. Enough that the mother-in-law is ordering gift bags for all her nurses... all 38 of them. This is fabulous! Except... it also means I have to knit 38 washcloths between now and the beginning of December. Yikes! I have about 45 days in which to finish them. So... it'll be a sprint, but I can't complain. This really is an opportunity for growth.

And here is a pic of the pants I just finished for the STC stocking this week:

Monday, October 6, 2008

The Big Day

Well, tomorrow is the big day! Grand Opening of Serenity Tree! Am I ready? Well, I guess. I have all my listings up, though I'm not altogether thrilled with my selection: some diapers (including one free for shipping), a turtle butt, wrap, blankie, and a custom slot. I thought there was one more thing, but I guess not. I do have a pair of britches almost done, but I should wait to list them for next time or just keep them for dd. She's desperately in need of some pants. 17 hours and counting!