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Archive for December, 2007

“Magnificent”

Monday, December 31st, 2007

Out with the old, in with the new. Time to look ahead to 2008.

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions, but I have some personal goals this time. Easy ones:

1. Do what makes me happy.
2. Be nice to myself, and less critical.
3. Surround myself with people who make it easy to stick to above goals.

When it comes to the new year, the descriptive word that pops into my head is “magnificent”. One of the dictionary definitions of this word is “exceptionally fine”. Yeah, baby. I can live with that.

So here’s to a magnificent new year from me…

…and the Bs.

See ya in 2008.

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Friends Again

Friday, December 28th, 2007

It’s a fast-topic-changing Friday, but first, a story with a happy ending.

You may have gleaned the fact that I have been fighting with Anne Boleyn (my headless knitwear stunt-double). I was offended by how she was keeping her bedroom in the new house, and when it came to fitting hand knits, she was failing me miserably.

But I realized the source of our problems. While I’ve been on The Divorce Diet, Anne has not. I have neglected her. Anne and I have since spent a little quality time with the tape measure, and we cleared things up. (She is adjustable.)

I should really stop calling it “The Divorce Diet”, and start calling it something more positive like “The Single Gal with an Active Social Life Diet”.

	I would like to take this time to publicly apologize to Anne Boleyn. From now on, I will try to be a better roommate. Proof that we are friends again.
	Here she is modeling my latest knit for myself…Basic Black from MagKnits. Pretty color! Great fit! Ummm…not really…
	This is the truth. It’s huge. In fact, everything I’ve knit for myself over the last several months fits like this. I’ve been using fancy photo-styling techniques to keep that fact a secret. I’ve been knitting everything to fit Anne, and she and I were different sizes. Now that Anne and I are friends once again, this is the LAST ill-fitting sweater that I will knit. I declare it! Ravelry details Next…!
	Just because I haven’t been talking much about knitting on verypink doesn’t mean I haven’t been knitting. Here is a baby dress I designed for The Knitting Nest, made with Babyboo bamboo/nylon yarn. I’m really happy with it! The free pattern will available soon here on verypink and at The Knitting Nest. Next…!
	And another… This is Vestee from knitty.com, knit with Fantasy by Dark Horse Yarns. I am NOT normally one who knits with synthetic fibers…but this is the NICEST acrylic yarn I’ve ever encountered. Ravelry details Next…!
	Before…
	…and after. A rug made a huge difference in my front room. Little by little, I’m getting this place the way I want it. Next…!
	Yeah, I know. I can hardly stand to live with all of this adorableness. It’s exhausting. Have a great weekend!

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Trying to Wish You a Merry Christmas

Monday, December 24th, 2007

Camera? Check.

Tripod? Check.

Ten-second timer operating correctly? Check.

Treats for bribing? Check.

Dogs ready? Oy.

	“Oh, you’re a good boy. I wish your brother was in this photo…”
	“Okay, dang. Can you just… no… Ike… hey…”
	“Up here! Up here next to me! C’mon…”
	“Well, umm… ouch…”
	This is the best we could do. Merry Christmas from Staci, Ike, and Abe!

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Sleigh Bells in the Snow

Friday, December 21st, 2007

Wow! Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, and all.

Here in Austin one hears fewer “sleigh bells in the snow” and more “flip-flops on the sidewalk”.

It’s a fast-topic-changing-Friday, I hope you know the drill…

	My shameless begging for Christmas cards has turned out to be such a great experience! Cards have come from all over the world! The Christmas wishes written inside are so very sweet and heartfelt. Besides the written notes, I’m enjoying the smiling family photos, the recipes, the trinkets…each card is like a giant Christmas present. I am so grateful. Next…!
	Speaking of cool things in the mail… Tammy sent me The World’s Sexiest Earrings. Ha-cha! Tammy happens to be my online pal and personal fashion adviser in addition to being an amazing metalsmith. I have found that wearing these earrings guarantees a good time. Magic? Maybe. Next…!
	Umm…spoiled much? Actually resting their bodies in the soft grass is just too “country” for these dogs. A bug might touch them or something, I guess. Next…!
	On the needles…a baby sweater, specifically Vestee from knitty.com. I didn’t want to make it until I saw one knit-up in person. Another pink knit for my little niece. (She will never be mistaken for a boy again!) Next…!
	Bad dog. I get up from my tv/knitting spot for ONE STINKIN’ MINUTE and Ike moves in. I know for a fact that he doesn’t need the light. He might just find a lump of coal in his stocking. Have a great weekend!

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Campaign Promises Delivered

Monday, December 17th, 2007

Back in September, I started my No More Short Socks Campaign. I say “campaign”, which makes it sound like a really big deal, like my socks were running for office or something, but it was really just my little thing.

I have the results of the first socks that adhere to the new rules: toe-up design (no yarn wasted), and massive yardage (Fearless Fibers gives you 550 yards of sock yarn).

The design is my own, called Bubbles Down the Drain. I’ll write up the pattern and make available soon.

	These socks feel so good! Snuggly wooly goodness all the way up to my knees. Because I designed these socks to be a custom fit for anyone’s legs, they stay up! Here’s proof:
	They stay up while waiting in line at the bank…
	While reaching for a book off the top shelf…
	Even surfing!
	Here’s the “during the photo shoot” story. These socks are so long that I had to remove my jeans for the photo shoot. Abe brought my jeans into the dining room, and then tried to remove a tissue from my pocket by ripping a hole from the inside. He still acts like such a puppy.
	Ike, of course, is too dignified to participate in any silly tissue-retrieving mission. This has become Ike’s “spot”. I will forever have dog beds on my bed to keep him happy.
	One last note…I’ve decided to take part in a photo project on Flickr called 365days. The rules are that you have to post a self-portrait every day for one year – self-timers and tripods are fine, but no one else can click the shutter. I expect this to be an adventure in creativity and self-discovery. You can see what I have so far in my Flickr 365days set.