Several months ago, I put together a post where I showed some of the outtakes from my daily photo project. I’m ready to do it again, but this time with a theme.

I end up rejecting about 80% of the photos I take of myself due to unwanted facial expressions, what I’m calling “bitchface” and “goofyface”. One would think that after nearly 18 months of self-portraits, I would be better at controlling this. I am not.

I have learned this much. Two things that make me look angry are the sun, and concentration. Goofyface happens when I start getting bored with a photoshoot.

	Outtake of this photo. Reason: bitchface.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: goofyface + tongue.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: bitchface, and this was just a test shot before I’m even wearing the sweater.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: goofyface.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: bitchface.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: goofyface.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: bitchface.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: dogs are cute, but not supposed to be in the shot, plus goofyface.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: I don’t even know what to call this face.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: goofyface + tongue again.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: not angry enough for a zombie.
	Outtake of this photo. Reason: even Tippy can have bitchface.

I’m here! I don’t have Swine Flu! I still have a computer!

Many thanks for all of the sweetly-worded hate mails, because they worked. Lookit! I’m updating!

Pardon me while I bitch for a moment. Verypink has been under a nearly constant barrage of hacker attacks. My WordPress style sheets have been full of European drug website ads that I’ve been deleting as I find them. The biggest problem is that this hacking has somehow changed the font you see next to the photos, making it bigger. I already had a very limited amount of space for text, and now it’s even less. Ugh. Still trying to find a way to fix this.

Fast-Topic-Changing Friday, ready for takeoff.

	If I look different, it’s because I’m OLDER. It was a month ago now that I had my 41st birthday. Surprisingly, 41 feels a lot like 40, which felt a lot like 22. Next…!
	This ittybitty bit of yarn…
	Knits up as lightly as an underweight feather…
	To make an entire sweater to fit a grown-ass woman.It’s the Featherweight Cardigan, and it is currently my very favorite sweater. Ravelry deets. Next…!
	Abe and Tippy have recently become evil partners in crime. They don’t copy each other’s good behavior, just the bad. Pull all the towels off the rack? Let’s do it together! Shred toilet paper? We’re a team! Next…!
	I’m working on a new sock design. No. I’m re-working a sock I designed a couple of years ago, because I didn’t bother to write it down as I designed it the first time. Free pattern available soon. Next…!
	Another new design. Still a big secret. Next…!
	Baseball season in a city with no MLB team. Instead, I can go to UT games, or frequent sports bars that have the MLB cable package. (The only problem with the sports bar is the amount of pub grub and beers I accidentally consume while I watch these games.) Next…!
	The futon mattress ended up on the floor when I removed the cover to wash it. It suddenly became THE COOLEST PLACE IN THE HOUSE, according to my little partners in crime. Next…!
	Had to sneak in a photo of Ike. Have a great holiday weekend!

Fast-Topic-Changing-Friday, First Spring Edition. This is the post where I make a big deal about springtime and spring colors, as if winter in Austin was something difficult to endure. As a former Alaskan, I assure you – I survived the winter unscathed. Regardless, springtime and I are total BFFs.

And here we go…

	A big kiss for WillieMcGee. To everyone who thought I couldn’t do it, I SUCCESSFULLY FOSTERED A DOG WITHOUT ADOPTING HIM! Yay, me! He went to his forever home last week with Chris (my ex). I’ll still get to dogsit him when Chris travels. Basenji Rescue. Next…!
	New design – Socks for Mary Janes. I designed these girls’ socks to be a free pattern for The Knitting Nest’s April newsletter, but I’ll be releasing it to the public on March 31. Ravelry details. Next…!
	Fair Isle Easter Eggs! Not my pattern, but something I knit up for a class. Ravelry details. Next…!
	I’ll start bitching and whining about the heat in the next few months, but I am terrifically in love with Austin right now. Every day is a perfect, windows-open, short-sleeve, bare-legs day. And the city is transforming leafy green lusciousness. Love. Next…!
	Current work-in-progress, Leaf Tie Cardi in a fluffy pink angora blend. I don’t think I’ve ever used the exact yarn, exact color twice before this, but this yarn is that awesome. With Socrates. Next…!
	Tippy is both photogenic, and really expressive with his face. It looks like he’s saying something here…I just can’t think of a good caption. Can you?

Sticking with the springtime/new beginnings theme – another video to share with you. Trust me, it’s eight minutes you’ll be glad you spent. Have a great weekend!

Faster, faster, faster, faster!

Don’t miss the video at the end of this post. You might want to go ahead and empty your bladder now, so you don’t pee your pants laughing.

Fast-Topic-Changing-Friday, as scheduled.

	As I write this post, I’m wearing wool socks and a bathrobe that looks like an arctic sleeping bag…and I couldn’t be happier. The brutal Texas summer has been delayed by a few more days. A few more days of wearing handknits and NOT sweating. Hello, Clapotis! Next…!
	God gum? I found this at the checkstand at Hobby Lobby. I’m guessing it’s not a joke, because it’s Hobby Lobby and all – but it reminds me of this product…
	“Believe in God Instantly Breath Spray”. This is available on amazon.com, and IS a joke. The packaging says “Miraculously Minty Faith-Enhancing Breath Spray”. Next…!
	February Lady Sweater. I made this for the other Stacy’s daughter, and it’s currently on display at The Knitting Nest. Such a great pattern, and a really friendly introduction to sweater knitting for new knitters. So, I’m offering this pattern as a class this month. Next…!
	I made this little man, too. He’s a felted Fiber Trends pattern, and really fun to knit. I swear, he’s cuter in person than he is here, because he is NOT photogenic. I took a bajillion bad photos of him before I got this one. Next…!
	Here is a silhouette of WillieMcGee, after he rearranged the sofa cushions while hunting. His prey? A confused housefly. One last thing –

Crafty people need to watch this video. I’ve been singing this song for two days because I love it that much.

Have a great weekend!

Do you remember the old Triscuit cracker commercial sung to the tune of “A Tisket a Tasket”? I do. A Triscuit, a Triscuit! Delicious whole wheat Triscuit!

I probably just aged myself. Anyway.

Just a quick pattern update…

	I’ve just updated this Felted Easter Basket pattern to include…
	Instructions for this gingham design. The pattern is available on my patterns page. If you have already purchased this pattern, I will happily send you instructions for the gingham version, free of charge.
	Of course, everything I do at home raises the curiosity of the dogs…see Ike’s nose here? This photo was taken right before he sent my whole display crashing to the ground…eggs, teacup, basket – and I had jewelry in the teacup.
	Fortunately for him, he is cute. Have a great day!

Man, I’ve been ignoring verypink for so long…I got a nice email that let me know that someone hacked into the site and added a bunch of spam! I think I got it cleaned up. The comments were out-of-control with spam, and there were about two solid feet of links at the bottom of the page for things like Xanax and penis-growing drugs. Oy.

I haven’t been here much lately because I’m busy, and scattered all over the internet. I’m sort of mini-blogging via my photo project on flickr, and my knits are always detailed on my Ravelry page. It’s time for me to rethink how much I’m able to maintain. I don’t want verypink to sit as a dormant blog like it has been.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to decide what I want to do with verypink. This site will always be important to me, because I have a long history with it, and it is a really good way for me to provide links to the patterns I offer. Other than that, I have to figure things out.

But for now…I’m still knitting! I still have dogs!

	WillieMcGee (formerly known as Leroy) is still hanging out here as a foster. He is such an awesome beast. Chris (my ex) is going to adopt him, which makes me so happy. When I say goodbye to him and let him go to his new home, it won’t be goodbye forever. Chris will always need to travel for work, and I’ll get to babysit.
	I’m over half-way through a new sweater design, and I’m really liking it. The dogs like it, too.
	Believe it or not, I had a GREAT day yesterday, even though this was part of it. Handsome motorcycle cops have a way of turning a bad situation into a good one. Call me, Officer Friendly!
	CanNOT forget to mention this! Casey, Jess, and Mary-Heather from Raverly came to visit us for a fun-filled Valentine’s Day weekend at The Knitting Nest. Caro and The Husband made it down from Boston, too. What a blast! I think we all agree that we need to have them out to visit again.
	I’m doing a happy dance right now…this photo is going to be the cover of the Basenji Rescue 2010 calendar! I’m so honored, and feeling very lucky to have such handsome models for my photos. Have a great day!

This is not a normal Fast-Topic-Changing Friday. This is a Plow-Through-All-the-Knitted-Stuff Friday, which I just made up.

I haven’t been posting very regularly, but I’ve been knitting like a fiend. I’m going to keep the descriptions brief, because I have a lot of catching up to do…

	Central Park Hoodie! Love! I’m wearing it almost every day (when it isn’t 80 degrees, like TODAY). Next…!
	New pattern available – Felicia Baby Sundress. Pattern includes instructions for both the knit and fabric skirts. Next…!
	Tomato Baby Beanie! Free pattern, in my normal baby hat pose. Next…!
	Another new pattern – Baby Hand Socks. Check back here (or on Ravelry) after February 1 for the free pattern. Next…!
	Bella’s Mittens! Just like the movie Twilight, and a free pattern. Next…!
	The Hudson Hat! Okay. Pant, pant. Enough knits for now. I’m caught up. Now for dog time.
	Dogs in the morning sun. Have a great weekend!

Edith Bunker! Come on down! You are the first four contestants on The Fast-Topic-Changing Friday!

Can I still say Happy New Year? Happy New Year! Miss Manners can drop me a note if she likes. Let’s get started…

	First up – new foster dog. He’s a handsome one-year old named Leroy, wise and calm beyond his age. If Ike could have been this good as a puppy, I’d have fewer wrinkles now. He’s a FOSTER. Really. Next…!
	2008 Christmas knits. I kind of blew it with the photos this year. I was so desperate to get everything blocked and sent to Alaska that I didn’t have time for nice photos. As soon as this stuff was dry, I had to send it out. Luckily, the package arrived in Kodiak on Christmas Eve! Next…!
	Birfday! All Basenjis are born in the weeks surrounding Christmas – it’s a weird thing. So they’re all having their birthdays about this time. Abe just turned 5! I’m happy to say that he’s acting more like a puppy now than he did two years ago. Next…!
	Saartje’s booties. (pdf link to free pattern) I knit these up for a class sample. Man, they’re cute. Next…!
	Now that I’ve finished my year-long self-portrait photo project, I’ve started a new photo project. This one is 365 Year in Photos, or YIP. I’ll take a photo every day, but I don’t have to limit it to selfies. Should broaden my horizons a bit. Next…!
	I knit another thing…this is Just Enough Ruffles, knit with double-strands of Babyboo. I highly recommend this pattern. Next…!
	(Another blocking board shot…sorry.) My Central Park Hoodie is mere MOMENTS from being finished. I’m trying to psych myself up to be excited about the seaming. Yay! I get to seam! I love seaming! Oy. Next…!
	Ike is one of the few dogs I’ve met who seem to “get it” when it comes to photos. I’ll say Ike’s name and he’ll look at me, then I get a nice photo of his face. Every other dog gets up from their cute pose to come towards me, because they think I’m calling them. Leroy is no exception. Have a great weekend!

I shot a Christmas video this year instead of a still photo…you’ll understand why…

In case you were wondering, here’s last year.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Staci, Ike, Abe, and Tippecanoe
P.S. 750 Points to anyone who “gets” the title.

Thank you for flying Verypink Airlines. Please ensure that your seat belt is fastened, your seat back is upright and your tray-table is stowed. Please switch off all electronic devices at this time.

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. Next…!
	Sunday was a big day for me…I hit Day 366 of my year-long self-portrait project.
	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. Here it is on flickr. Next…!
	I’ve mentioned before that Abe has a fondness for dragging things into the backyard. (Unfortunately, he’s training Tippy in this skill as well.) This is what I found when I got out of the shower the other day. Have a great weekend!