Portrait in Linen

“Honey-Weekend” fell though.  He prefers not to go.  We’re going to focus all our energies on getting the van.

Trying to stay positive.  The van means freedom for the entire family to go here and there, no matter where.  I’m sure he’s going to want to make a trip sooner or later.

Lots on the plate for the weekend.

• bomb house
• finish Yellow Blankie
• cut out 4 skirts
• laundry
• floors
• bathrooms

And at some point, I need to work on the short story for the writers’ meeting Tuesday night.  Fell asleep composing in my head.  I hope I’m able to recall what I “wrote.”

Two more skeins to go on Yellow Blankie.  It’s taking longer than it normally would, because I’m dividing spare time between knitting and doing Jigsaw puzzles.  Finished a 1,000-piece mosaic of the Earth, and now working on a 2,000-piece “Toyland Memories” puzzle that’s at least fifteen years old.  It’s so old, we don’t even remember where we got it from.  After this 2,000-piece, I’m going to look into something more challenging.

In the meantime, I’ve endeavored to learn to crochet, and to cut hair.

M. leaves for work again around 2 AM.  The routine is to cut his hair the day before.  I’ve watched the clipper How-To video three times, but I still can’t wrap my mind around how to “blend” and “taper.”  I’ve ended up having to just shave his whole head at least a dozen times because I can’t get it right.  I want to take a class….

But his haircut–or “shave,” rather–looks tough.  I like it.  He’s growing a beard for the first time, and it grows in just slow and sparse enough that it looks rugged and urban, rather than “lumberjack-like.”  I like it.  I do.

However, if I were more skilled, I’d give him a “Harvard-boy” cut every time.  That’s my favorite.  Unfortunately, “Harvard-boy” becomes “high-and-tight,” and neither one of us likes that.  So we end up shaving it all off to correct the mistakes.

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Should be getting our van within the next three weeks.  We’ve needed one so badly.  He’s shopping eBay.  I think we’ve pretty much decided on the Honda Odyssey.  Love that 8th seat we can put in/take out as needed.

He wants a black van, but I protested.  Black in the heart of Southern Louisiana is not practical–or humane.  Neither is leather upholstery.  But, if thousands of other Southerners manage, we should be able to as well.

Mainly, he doesn’t want to drive around something that looks like I should be driving it around.  His quip–”It should be something I can wear sunglasses with.”  Funny.  But true.  If I had my way, it would be white with beige interior.  Somewhat demasculating for him.  At least I don’t intend to put flowery decals all over the windows.

In any case, I’ll be thrilled no matter what color it is.  Finally, we’ll all be able to go places together, as a family, complete and unfractured.  We’re all itching to go to the beach.

Only an hour or so before Cousin arrives.  Still have to arrange the bedroom for the dog–Cuz’s animal phobia.

Still working on Yellow Blankie for Sister, now that I was able to buy the skeins I needed.  Guess I’m about halfway done.  I work on it mostly during movies, because it’s a garter stitch, big needles, and I don’t have to look at what I’m doing in order to do it right.

Primary project is another Cap-n-Booties set.  Distant Cousin in Texas is due anytime now, so I’ll send the gift with Cousin when she visits next weekend.  Gotta finish it by Sunday night.  Same patterns, different yarn.  I chose a semi-glossy kinda baby weight this time.  Personally, I prefer the dull and soft wools in neutral colors, but for gifts, it’s best the presentation is shiny and fancy-like.

Still don’t know what Distant Cousin is having, though.  No pigtails, if it’s a boy.

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Goodness Gracious…. JoAnn’s Daffodil Dash starts this weekend.  BIG percentage discounts!  I’m going to have to exercise some serious self-discipline.  Spring + birthday + fabric-store-savings = huge sense of entitlement, itchy wallet, and grand visions of crafting potential!  It’s going to be dangerous!  I cannot go in there without a budget set in stone.

I definitely want to buy a whole bunch of knitting needles, stock up on yarn.  A knitting tote would be awesome.  I need more of those yarn bottle things, too.  They’re so convenient.

I wish weavers cloth was on sale, too.  Picked up some when shopping for denim for the girls’ skirts.  I am in love with this fabric.  Light, so easy to sew, drapes well, goes with anything.  Best part of all, it doesn’t need to be ironed at all!  It’s the perfect fabric for the skirt pattern.

I picked up some more at the fabric store this week, but the color is a bit darker than the last round of skirts I made.  I don’t much like it for spring or summer, but it’ll do just fine.  After this set of blue skirts, I’m going back to buy some khaki weavers cloth.  I’m crossing my fingers I’ll be able to get my yardage at 40%-off during the Daffodil Dash.

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Life swirling by all around me.  I’d like to just sit down with a fresh cup of coffee and write / knit / work on my puzzle.

(Project idea from Kris Percival’s Knit Knack Kit)

New Sake

The project book described it as a “Crazy Wiggly Worm Scarf.” Whatever he is, I think he’s the cutest little thing I’ve ever seen. He went in Rocky’s “Easter basket,” which wasn’t a basket at all, but rather, a boonie hat filled with treats. No bunny for him–the snake was much more appropriate.

I probably wouldn’t have chosen to make a snake for Easter, but there’s a tradition between the two of us insofar as homemade snakes go. Made this one for him when he was about three. He always dearly loved his “sake.” He still does, though he’d probably only admit it to me.

Old Sake

(From Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer of HeartStrings FiberArts…)

I got Knitted Bunny from the HeartStrings website. I was surprised at just how simple the pattern was–just a square of knitted fabric with several seams and bells-and-whistles.

It didn’t turn out like the photo on the website, though. If I do it again, I’ll be sure to construct the bunny with the “grain” (Is there a “grain” in knitting?) going lengthwise, like the sample. I won’t make him so big, and I definitely won’t knit the ears so long that they look like they belong on a Cocker Spaniel!

He’s cute, though. He’ll meet his purpose.

I do like the Bunny Mini-Hat. No pattern. I just improvised and hoped it would turn out alright. The results are as desired. Even better, because the ears are actually “adjustable.” She’ll be able to curl them or lay them down or twist and turn them.

I made the hat so she could put it on any of her various sleep toys, or an egg, if she chooses. I’ve decided to make another, so that’ll be little bunnies for the younger two, and bunny mini-hats for the older two.

Not sure what to make Rocky yet. Bunnies don’t impress him.