I just can't stop watching this video.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
It just so happens.
It just so happens that the week of February 21-25 I was in Toronto, and that I was there the weekend before and after those dates. It just so happens that I like to walk and although a fair distance, from where I was staying, I walked to Kensington Market. It just so happens as I was aimlessly wandering around, I came upon Lettuce Knits. It just so happens that the Yarn Harlot was not shopping for yarn there, that day. I just so happens that I can't have every thing my way.
It just so happens that two skeins of lovely purple Koigu followed me out of the store that day.
It just so happens that later that week I made a deliberate visit to Romni Wools. It just so happens that I found myself in their basement surrounded by discounted and discontinued balls of wool. It just so happens that Mission Falls has closed their door and Romni has put the remaining Mission Falls stock in their basement. It just so happens that enough 136 merino superwash for a sweater and one ball of sock yarn followed me out of the store.
It just so happens that yarn bought while on holiday doesn't count as stash.
So, it just so happens that I have not cheated on my yarn diet. It just so happens that I know you'll all agree with me on this.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
It just so happens that two skeins of lovely purple Koigu followed me out of the store that day.
It just so happens that later that week I made a deliberate visit to Romni Wools. It just so happens that I found myself in their basement surrounded by discounted and discontinued balls of wool. It just so happens that Mission Falls has closed their door and Romni has put the remaining Mission Falls stock in their basement. It just so happens that enough 136 merino superwash for a sweater and one ball of sock yarn followed me out of the store.
It just so happens that yarn bought while on holiday doesn't count as stash.
So, it just so happens that I have not cheated on my yarn diet. It just so happens that I know you'll all agree with me on this.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
Monday, 7 February 2011
The Begining
As promised, to myself mostly, here is my first post for my own seven things project. I did what I could, but considering I wasn't around any of my stuff this week, my outs are few and far between.
I brought a small selection of recipes (something else I collect) in one of the folders that I keep them in, to the apartment. One evening I went through them and got rid of a surprising amount of things. These would include manuals for long dead microwaves and recipes collected from newspapers and magazines for dishes that I will never make. If nothing else, it is a start.
My friend Taph made me realize that the time I do spend in the apartment does make me realize just how little I need. This, however, is a tainted view of reality as I am up to my eyeballs in work and have very limited spare time. When spare time returns I will need to return to my happy place and my usual leisure time activities will once again find a space in my life.
Other than a selection of several pieces of paper, I did manage to throw out a cracked chocolate mold. Onward and upward I go and this is just the begining.
Until next time
Yours in yarn,
The Fibreholic
I brought a small selection of recipes (something else I collect) in one of the folders that I keep them in, to the apartment. One evening I went through them and got rid of a surprising amount of things. These would include manuals for long dead microwaves and recipes collected from newspapers and magazines for dishes that I will never make. If nothing else, it is a start.
My friend Taph made me realize that the time I do spend in the apartment does make me realize just how little I need. This, however, is a tainted view of reality as I am up to my eyeballs in work and have very limited spare time. When spare time returns I will need to return to my happy place and my usual leisure time activities will once again find a space in my life.
Other than a selection of several pieces of paper, I did manage to throw out a cracked chocolate mold. Onward and upward I go and this is just the begining.
Until next time
Yours in yarn,
The Fibreholic
Monday, 31 January 2011
Dealing with the Hand that's Dealt
I'm back and I've started stalking my favorite blogs again. Don't worry.....if I start stalking you in person then you'll know you're in trouble.
In revisiting some of my favourite blogs, I've discovered a few common threads of wisdom. Firstly the resolution to live more frugally and secondly to learn a new skill or get better at one you already have.
I am on a VERY tight budget. I have to live within my means. I have savings but I'll need those to help set up my own place this summer. I've decided that instead of focusing on not spending and feeling hard done by because I can't afford to get something or just don't have the money for the purchase, I'll focus on what I do have.
This year I took two trips and both times I came back with some seriously gorgeous stash enhancement. The last one was in August and I vowed that I wouldn't buy any more yarn/wool for two years. In December I told someone that I still hadn't bought a single skein, his reply was "that's because you don't have any money". When I told a knitting friend about this conversation her reply was "ok so what have you bought?" I think that it will be the muggle who will keep me on track.
I've bought two sets of DPNs. Since Sept 2nd that is all I've bought. That's it! Yes I know some of you are shocked and at least one of you has fainted. Not to worry though I am consoling myself with some stash diving. Feeling hard done by and having the urge to cast on a new project with something GORGEOUS from the stash, I started a lacy cardi from a wool/cashmere blend. One word comes to mind when I work on this project.....heavenly!!! On further inspection of the stash I have this yarn in two more colours, both with enough to make cardis. That is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have in my stash. I really have no reason to feel deprived, but I think that I'll continue to go cold turkey and refrain from visiting my LYS for the next few months.
Other than curtailing yarn purchases....what else is there? Answer: The Seven Things Project!
My motives are not so much about wanting less, living frugally, needing less or even trying to be environmental as they are more about not being able to buy anything and not wanting to pack up as much when I move. Getting rid of seven things a week won't be hard for someone who can't afford to buy anything. It will mean that I have to examine all my stuff and decide if I really need to continue having it in my life.
Did I tell you that for almost two months DH and I have been sharing an apartment? He lives there one week while I'm at the house and then we trade. I'm at the apartment this week so there is only so much that I can do about culling my un-wanteds, un-neededs and things cluttering my life. I'll see what I can do and let you know what happens.
Here's the goal: get rid of seven (or more) things each week. I'll try for a weekly update and hopefully it will be on Mondays....but you know me.....that may not happen (for example today is Tuesday). Regardless the stuff has to go.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
In revisiting some of my favourite blogs, I've discovered a few common threads of wisdom. Firstly the resolution to live more frugally and secondly to learn a new skill or get better at one you already have.
I am on a VERY tight budget. I have to live within my means. I have savings but I'll need those to help set up my own place this summer. I've decided that instead of focusing on not spending and feeling hard done by because I can't afford to get something or just don't have the money for the purchase, I'll focus on what I do have.
This year I took two trips and both times I came back with some seriously gorgeous stash enhancement. The last one was in August and I vowed that I wouldn't buy any more yarn/wool for two years. In December I told someone that I still hadn't bought a single skein, his reply was "that's because you don't have any money". When I told a knitting friend about this conversation her reply was "ok so what have you bought?" I think that it will be the muggle who will keep me on track.
I've bought two sets of DPNs. Since Sept 2nd that is all I've bought. That's it! Yes I know some of you are shocked and at least one of you has fainted. Not to worry though I am consoling myself with some stash diving. Feeling hard done by and having the urge to cast on a new project with something GORGEOUS from the stash, I started a lacy cardi from a wool/cashmere blend. One word comes to mind when I work on this project.....heavenly!!! On further inspection of the stash I have this yarn in two more colours, both with enough to make cardis. That is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have in my stash. I really have no reason to feel deprived, but I think that I'll continue to go cold turkey and refrain from visiting my LYS for the next few months.
Other than curtailing yarn purchases....what else is there? Answer: The Seven Things Project!
My motives are not so much about wanting less, living frugally, needing less or even trying to be environmental as they are more about not being able to buy anything and not wanting to pack up as much when I move. Getting rid of seven things a week won't be hard for someone who can't afford to buy anything. It will mean that I have to examine all my stuff and decide if I really need to continue having it in my life.
Did I tell you that for almost two months DH and I have been sharing an apartment? He lives there one week while I'm at the house and then we trade. I'm at the apartment this week so there is only so much that I can do about culling my un-wanteds, un-neededs and things cluttering my life. I'll see what I can do and let you know what happens.
Here's the goal: get rid of seven (or more) things each week. I'll try for a weekly update and hopefully it will be on Mondays....but you know me.....that may not happen (for example today is Tuesday). Regardless the stuff has to go.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
Monday, 24 January 2011
One day at a time
Yes I know that it has been some time since I last posted but things have been happening in my life that I am forced to deal with. These are dark and painful things. These are things that I never thought would ever happen to me. Sad things, hurtful things and heart breaking things.
DH has gotten on a train and is going full steam ahead in the other direction. It has come clear to me that I have no choice in this matter, this is his journey to take. He will not even slow down to look behind him until this matter is well underway and his journey has reached its first destination.
In the meantime, my family has been ripped apart and the house is being prepared to be sold. This summer I will get my own place. I will embark on a new phase of my life as a single woman. Maybe this is something that I should have experienced when I was 20 not at ??. (yeah like you really thought that I was actually going to divulge my real age) How did I get to this point? The answer is never clear. My past, present and definitely future is covered in the thick fog of uncertainty and is being held there by fear. Maybe when I stop being afraid will I be able to face the future head on with the confidence that I know is somewhere deep inside me.
So until that time, as my friend Sarah says "be calm and carry on". My friend Taph tells me, I cannot change the decisions of the past but be mindful of the decisions that I make from now on. Here's to making the very best decisions from now on.
All I can do is cry when I must and laugh when I can and just take it one day at a time.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
DH has gotten on a train and is going full steam ahead in the other direction. It has come clear to me that I have no choice in this matter, this is his journey to take. He will not even slow down to look behind him until this matter is well underway and his journey has reached its first destination.
In the meantime, my family has been ripped apart and the house is being prepared to be sold. This summer I will get my own place. I will embark on a new phase of my life as a single woman. Maybe this is something that I should have experienced when I was 20 not at ??. (yeah like you really thought that I was actually going to divulge my real age) How did I get to this point? The answer is never clear. My past, present and definitely future is covered in the thick fog of uncertainty and is being held there by fear. Maybe when I stop being afraid will I be able to face the future head on with the confidence that I know is somewhere deep inside me.
So until that time, as my friend Sarah says "be calm and carry on". My friend Taph tells me, I cannot change the decisions of the past but be mindful of the decisions that I make from now on. Here's to making the very best decisions from now on.
All I can do is cry when I must and laugh when I can and just take it one day at a time.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
Friday, 1 October 2010
Something Wicked this Way Comes
I've gotten to the point in my life where if I can't celebrate my birthday in the way that I want, I'd just rather forget about it. This year, for the second year in a row, I had to get up at 4:15 am and work for 12 hours before any type of celebrations could begin.
Turns out that my birthday celebrations had to be shared by a celebratory meal for the teen. (Which means we went to her pick of restaurant so that she could have her favorite meal) So armed with the man and three kids we went out for supper after work.
I was looking forward to quick and quiet birthday celebrations but as it turned out....that was not to be.
Remember Lulu...the very naughty sheep??? I asked Denise if it would be okay if she came to visit while on her world travels. Denise agreed and the arrangements were made. After all, Woolworth was dying to meet her.
So when did she appear on my doorstep? You guessed it....my birthday. So not only did I have to share my birthday celebrations with the teen but I was shoved into the shadows further by sheep on a date.
Woolworth was so excited until he saw the empties. He began to get very nervous and wondered what he was getting himself into by begging me to invite her to our home. Lulu is a unique creature....frankly I've never met a sheep who likes beer......my beer....as much as she does.
Woolworth is a gentleman and despite being scared to death of the energetic and amorous advances, he took Lulu to the movies and bought snacks. (He'd been saving his allowance for weeks)
He treated Lulu to Avatar: the last air bender. She really seemed to like it, although she did complain about the lack of style in the design of the 3D glasses.
The following weekend I went to a friend's place for additional birthday celebrations. What am I saying...I'd hadn't actually celebrated my birthday yet.
Again the lush was into my birthday beer and drinking like a fish. Glad my friends have a keg machine so that they could easily quench her thirst. Good thing she wasn't the designated driver because by the end of the night, she was in no condition to drive.
Well Lulu needed to check out other things besides the beer that Canada's capital has to offer so I brought her to visit the gang at KnitKnackers and Biogenie. Lulu and I both got our legs done, she got to meet the great Emily and discovered Malibrigo.
The fun didn't actually start until I brought her to work with me one night. At that time my job was still babysitting a building but I did so by watching camera monitors.
"How do you work this thingy"
"What thingy, Lulu?"
"The thingy that moves the camera?"
At this point I should have locked her in a closet, because my night became a whole lot more "interesting". But no, as I was trying to be a good hostess, I taught Lulu how to operate the cameras.
"So if I turn this knob then I can zoom in really close?"
"Yes, Lulu....really close"
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized what I had done. I had created a monster. A spying, snooping and peeping monster. She couldn't be left alone for a moment I couldn't even turn my back on her.
I even developed a mantra that night: "NO Lulu, you may not use the cameras to spy on the cute guy in the apartment across from us"
She was a fun guest but that sheep tried my patience that night. She is home again, where she belongs. After having her for a couple of weeks I can understand why Denise sent her on a holiday.
Woolworth however, is still in therapy and still trembles around aggressive females.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
Turns out that my birthday celebrations had to be shared by a celebratory meal for the teen. (Which means we went to her pick of restaurant so that she could have her favorite meal) So armed with the man and three kids we went out for supper after work.
I was looking forward to quick and quiet birthday celebrations but as it turned out....that was not to be.
Remember Lulu...the very naughty sheep??? I asked Denise if it would be okay if she came to visit while on her world travels. Denise agreed and the arrangements were made. After all, Woolworth was dying to meet her.
So when did she appear on my doorstep? You guessed it....my birthday. So not only did I have to share my birthday celebrations with the teen but I was shoved into the shadows further by sheep on a date.
Woolworth was so excited until he saw the empties. He began to get very nervous and wondered what he was getting himself into by begging me to invite her to our home. Lulu is a unique creature....frankly I've never met a sheep who likes beer......my beer....as much as she does.
Woolworth is a gentleman and despite being scared to death of the energetic and amorous advances, he took Lulu to the movies and bought snacks. (He'd been saving his allowance for weeks)
He treated Lulu to Avatar: the last air bender. She really seemed to like it, although she did complain about the lack of style in the design of the 3D glasses.
The following weekend I went to a friend's place for additional birthday celebrations. What am I saying...I'd hadn't actually celebrated my birthday yet.
Again the lush was into my birthday beer and drinking like a fish. Glad my friends have a keg machine so that they could easily quench her thirst. Good thing she wasn't the designated driver because by the end of the night, she was in no condition to drive.
Well Lulu needed to check out other things besides the beer that Canada's capital has to offer so I brought her to visit the gang at KnitKnackers and Biogenie. Lulu and I both got our legs done, she got to meet the great Emily and discovered Malibrigo.
The fun didn't actually start until I brought her to work with me one night. At that time my job was still babysitting a building but I did so by watching camera monitors.
"How do you work this thingy"
"What thingy, Lulu?"
"The thingy that moves the camera?"
At this point I should have locked her in a closet, because my night became a whole lot more "interesting". But no, as I was trying to be a good hostess, I taught Lulu how to operate the cameras.
"So if I turn this knob then I can zoom in really close?"
"Yes, Lulu....really close"
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized what I had done. I had created a monster. A spying, snooping and peeping monster. She couldn't be left alone for a moment I couldn't even turn my back on her.
I even developed a mantra that night: "NO Lulu, you may not use the cameras to spy on the cute guy in the apartment across from us"
She was a fun guest but that sheep tried my patience that night. She is home again, where she belongs. After having her for a couple of weeks I can understand why Denise sent her on a holiday.
Woolworth however, is still in therapy and still trembles around aggressive females.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
Thursday, 6 May 2010
The continuing saga
I'm begining to think that I'm a very bad blogger....no wait I probably am a very bad blogger. Oh well.....ignoring my blog....ignoring my kids.....just another of my own little quirks.
So where was I? Oh yes In Aukland, NZ and headed to Rotorua, NZ
This was my first experience with hostel living. I soon discovered that the rooms are small and it's like living in a co-ed dorm (which isn't all bad considering my run in with a guy in a towel)
Rotorua is home to a large aboriginal population called the Maori. As such there are many touristy things to do in the area based on their culture. New Zealand is even considered a bi cultural country. So without furthur ado here are a few pix I took while there.
I went to a Maori ceremony and feast cooked in the traditional way called a Hangi. What you see here is a Maori challenge of peace.
Got to go 65 metres below sea level while caving.
This is Nigel, he was my guide for my white water rafting adventure.
Visited a geothermal spa called Hell's Gates. Had the most wonderful mud bath....you haven't lived until you've had a mud bath.
And since you asked.....yes I did partake in the night life of Rotorua. Although soon after I took this the grumpy security guard told me to get down off the bench.
Now where is the knitting and the stash enhancement you ask.....it is coming...trust me it IS coming.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
So where was I? Oh yes In Aukland, NZ and headed to Rotorua, NZ
This was my first experience with hostel living. I soon discovered that the rooms are small and it's like living in a co-ed dorm (which isn't all bad considering my run in with a guy in a towel)
Rotorua is home to a large aboriginal population called the Maori. As such there are many touristy things to do in the area based on their culture. New Zealand is even considered a bi cultural country. So without furthur ado here are a few pix I took while there.
I went to a Maori ceremony and feast cooked in the traditional way called a Hangi. What you see here is a Maori challenge of peace.
Got to go 65 metres below sea level while caving.
This is Nigel, he was my guide for my white water rafting adventure.
Visited a geothermal spa called Hell's Gates. Had the most wonderful mud bath....you haven't lived until you've had a mud bath.
And since you asked.....yes I did partake in the night life of Rotorua. Although soon after I took this the grumpy security guard told me to get down off the bench.
Now where is the knitting and the stash enhancement you ask.....it is coming...trust me it IS coming.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)