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Fast-Topic-Changing Friday prepared for takeoff…
This is perhaps the worst Winter Wonderland photo in history, but! Last week! Snow! In Austin!
We’ve all gotten over the shock now, and we’re back to 78 degrees today. Whew.
Next…!
More exclamation points! Because! Addi Click set!
Addi just released their interchangeable needle set, and it rocks. The needles connect without the use of a tool, the join is lovely, and the cords are all Addi.
Somebody oughta tell Santa that knitters want this.
For my finale photo, I decided to do an art project within an art project.
This required a lot of card stock, printer ink, and lame test shots that featured the ceiling.
I really just got lucky…I started building the collage before I knew if my lens would pan out enough to show all the photos. I also didn’t know if I was going to be able to get enough light on the whole thing to show detail.
But as I printed, cut, and taped – I saw it coming together and WORKING.
I even did rehearsal shots, to see what photos my arms were going to cover if (when) I raised them.
I was able to incorporate every photo from the project but 40, and I chose to leave those out because they were too dark to really show.
The collage took me about a week to assemble.
Here’s the final shot. This was the first shot that day. I took more, but I think this one ended up being the best because my enthusiasm and expression were so genuine.
Christmas is coming, the dogs are getting fat. Please to put an organic liver treat in the old man’s hat. (My version of an obscure Christmas song.)
Friday! Change topics! Fast!
I checked the map, and Austin is still in Texas. Hard to believe today. It was 34 degrees when I walked the dogs this morning.
Know what’s sad about this photo? I knit FOR A LIVING, and the only handknit here is my scarf.
Next…!
Oh, it’s so hard to get a decent photo of a black dog.
Abraham is ready for winter. He don’t need no stinkin’ handknits. He’s grown a thick, soft coat that feels like a bunny. In fact, it’s supercold right now and he’s outside. Sunbathing.
Next…!
This blurry mess is handknit Christmas gifts. (Intentionally blurred for secrecy.)
My plan this year – chunky yarn, or double-strands of worsted. Big needles. Big stitches. Quick projects. Warmth for my family in Alaska.
Next…!
Yesterday was an anniversary of sorts for me. I’ve now lived in Austin for one full year. I closed on this house on December 3, 2007, and moved in the next day.
Good news. Tippy has FINALLY stopped coughing. His body is winning the battle against the heartworms.
The bad news? He has more energy than ever, and he uses it for evil. I’m remembering now what it’s like to live with a three year-old Basenji. I never get a chance to sit down.
Next…!
Last up – a little movie. Here’s the story…
I’m generalizing here, but Basenjis aren’t known for being super “bouncy” or “waggy”. They’re hounds, not terriers – and they have the demeanor of hound dogs. (My dogs spend most of their time trying to be cool.) This clip is an “excited” Tippy. His little cinnamon bun tail barely shifts from side to side. I have dog treats in my hand, and he wants one. (Please excuse my voice here…I’m using my get-the-dogs-riled-up voice, and it’s ridiculous.)
We ARE here, I swear. Thank you for all of the kind emails wondering if we’re okay – and we are. It is my busy season right now (temps dropped a little, and everyone wants to knit), plus the fact that I’m using every spare moment I have to knit Christmas gifts for my family in Alaska.
Here’s a little catch-up:
Let’s start with Tippy, my new rescue dog. (He’s the “top dog” in this photo.)
Before I tell you how bad he is, let me say first that he’s sweet and loving and eager to learn.
Now for the dirt.
Tippy chews handknits.
Tippy destroys makeup brushes and shreds toilet paper.
He also tries to eat every piece of trash off the ground on walks, and (like Abe) he drags rugs and towels and tv remotes into the backyard.
Small things, really, when I consider how well he gets along with the other dogs.
We’ve had a setback on his heartworm treatment, but nothing to worry about. His body is just taking longer to rid himself of the dead worms than expected. He should be perfectly healthy soon.
Oh – I’ve been doing so much knitting, but I can’t show you much of it until after Christmas.
But here’s a little ditty I knit for myself – 28thirty from Zephyr Style.
Something else that’s keeping me busy…I only have 12 days left in my year-long self-portrait photo project.
I’m trying to think of an appropriate finale for the last photo. Hmmm.
Basenji torture = Ike as Santa.
I couldn’t get a decent photo while he was plotting my murder.
Last up – a little movie. This was supposed to be a video of Tippy purring (he sounds like a LION), but all you can hear is Ike’s high-pitched purr. Oh, and some post-breakfast yawning and smacking.
