Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Crafting for pleasure....

So I am thinking about making shadow boxes up and showcasing teeny tiny versions of some of the stuff I have been knitting. You know, kinda like when architects make tiny models of the new building or wing on an old one. Although every time I think of those little scale models all that goes through my head is Zoolander getting upset because kids that don't think so good are too big to fit into that tiny little building.

Anyway....shadow boxes. I am on the fence as to whether I want to make them sans glass front. I once wandered through an antique shop where I admired some old antique sewing accoutrements in glass-less boxes that was looked kinda funky. But the realist in me immediately wonders how much dust would gather inside the frame part without the glass and if it is possible for me to dust said inside of the box before my guests get from the foyer to the living room...the hitch...without being caught? After all, dusting is a job reserved for doing only moments before guests are to arrive is it not?

So I think I will mull that little idea over a while and then start it. Or not. But I will definitely take pics if it turns out even close to what I want.

Oh, updates...I got updates, I got stacks and stack of updates.....UPDATES!!! Sorry I am a Letterman fan...anywho...

The Brussels Sprouts and Asiago baked thing was a SMASH! It was soooooo good. Now, I may try a better brand of sprouts so that they aren’t so mushy. As well, I may let the natural sugars caramelize a bit more on the sprouts...but the whole concoction was brilliant and so yummy. I have no idea why I would decide to try a new idea 30 minutes before thanksgiving dinner but I did, and God looked down favourably on me so I had lots to be thankful for.

I am almost done my dead fish hat. I am totally unimpressed with the way my tail cam out so I may pull it out and try again...perhaps I will post a picture here and ask for input. That would be fun for me. Either way it's getting done before my week of daytrips to various knitting shops next month. Did I not blog about my exciting week 'o' day tripping yet? Yay...that will be next post!

And lastly, my teenager hates me. I know, I know, I am not the first parent to say that. It’s just that I think she is about one of the most interesting people I know so it’s tough when she isn’t happy with me. It’s sometimes quite hard to stick a smile on my face when I know that we are on the outs about something or another. But I am here waiting on the other side for her. I will however take any and all good karmic thoughts I can get right now though.

Cheers,
~ tina-marie

Friday, October 9, 2009

Ahhh....the weekend

In case anyone was wondering I will be the one to confirm what you may have been thinking this afternoon...Yes, this WAS in fact the longest week in the history of time. It was long, boring, and for the most part, completely uneventful. Well, not true, Adam started his new career this week. Good for him. He deserves a little bit of happiness and I hope this works out for him.

However, as for me I am less than thrilled with my week for its utter nothingness. I mean, I am working on my hats and that is always a good thing, but beyond that, it was a big fat case of same ole same ole.

Oh, I am having the entire fam over for Thanksgiving this weekend which should be nice. Looking forward to the people and the food. I do a ham (even though my inner Jew screams for me to stay away from the pig) and my sister does a turkey. Although we disagree on the animal we eat, we are absolutely adamant that the cranberry sauce must be true to its gelatinous form with tin can lines firmly intact.

Oh, I am fooling around with a new recipe that includes artichoke, asiago, brussell sprouts and some nice italian bacon.  Will let you know how that works out for me. Or not.  If I speak no further of this experiment then it's because I refuse to beat myself up beyond the embarassment that will ensue in front of the entire mater, pater, et al.

So kind friends who read my drivel with only the occasional treasurous words, I am going to go hunter gather a long tall slender glass of champagne and relax with some wool.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~tina-marie

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Hey guess what? I knit hats!

As you know, a lot has changed in my life over the last year and a half or so. I have divorced, started a new relationship, and am currently experiencing a daughter hitting crazy-ass teen hormones hard!

I also, shortly after moving into my 'Century Home' I had the pleasure of dealing with mice, ridiculously cold floors, and the realization that this is the first time I am actually in charge of everything in my life.  That along with my amazingly loved yet crazy kid and my every growing relationship with Adam, life has certainly had it's high points.

But being blessed with Selby and Adam aside, this past year and a half has had it's really low points. Both my mother and my daughters God-Mother were diagnosed with cancer. Last week we just said goodbye to Heather, Selbys God-Mother. I am hoping that I have many more years before I have to say good-bye to my Mom. Sometimes thinking about it it gets very hard to deal with.  So I needed an outlet.

Interestingly enough, around the same time I moved into 'The Shire' (what we lovingly refer to the house as), I re-discovered knitting.

I have re-taught myself to knit, through sheer determination and with many, many midnight references to Knitting Help dot com, I have re-learned knit, purl, yarn over, circular knitting, and my favourite...short rows. I am engaging in a thousands year old technique and for the first time in my life I am truly loving a hobby. Moreover, I am STICKING TO A HOBBY.

However, I had an epiphany last night. I realized that I really only like knitting a certain item. But before I go on let me back track just a titch. I have about 5 or 6 different UFO's at any given time. Right now it's a sweater, a pashmina like cover-up, some socks, and a couple others that do not mean enough to me to bear mentioning. But if you ever look in my travel knitting bag you will always find that I am knitting the same type of garment...a hat.

I LOVE KNITTING HATS!!! Fun hats, silly hats, chemo hats, kids’ hats. I am sure that it has something to do with my attention span being that of a 5 year old boy. Sorry but I have had both a daughter and a step-son...the girls have WAY more attention at 5 years of age than boys do. But back to the hats...

I am currently working on a Mohawk Hat, a Viking Hat, a Dead Fish Hat, a Camo Hat (for sweet nephew Ashton), and finishing an Old Dear Hat I will give to someone over the age of 75 for Christmas.

What about the epiphany Tina? Gosh!!!

Well, it is this; I knit hats so I think that this blog will follow me in my exploration of knitting hats. Quite simple really. And aren’t the most delicious and exiting things in life the ones that are so completely succinct?

Yet another fork in the road of which I have I have made a decision on which route to take. I am enjoying myself immensely...I hope my travels will give you a smile.

~ Tina-Marie