SLOW TV Knitting Inspiration

This weekend I found on Netflix a show called Slow TV, focused on Norwegian Knitting. It was almost 4 hours long, and while I had to do it in 2 sittings, I did watch it all. It is pretty amazing the speed at which some of those ladies knit, and to be honest, I would LOVE to be able to make some of the amazing patterns that they create. Someday...

Example of Selbu Mittens found at https://thornews.com/2012/09/06/the-story-of-the-selbu-mitten-selbuvotten/

So after watching the show, I decided to drag out my needles and some cotton to make dish cloths. I logged into my Ravelry account and found a pretty simple, but interesting pattern and started on it tonight. This is one repeat of the pattern, should look like a basket-weave when completed. How long it will take to complete is another story, shouldn't really take much longer than a couple of hours, but I do tend to get distracted. :D

I'm Back

So it's been awhile, yeah, but now I have an app on my phone that reminds me everyday to take my pills, do something creative and to write. This spot is as good as any to put my thoughts down, so I guess I am back on the Blog.

I really don't want this to be a place for bitching, BUT there is something swirling around in my mind today and I really need to get it out. Hopefully it will be less bitch and more cathartic, but we shall see.

Yesterday, I peed in somebody's Kool-aid. Not literally of course, but I took something that they thought was awesome and brought enough of a dose of reality to it, where it was ruined. To be honest though, I am not sorry that I did it. Let me set the scene...

About 9 years ago, we began the process of creating an Incipient Shire (SCA) in our community. It was a long and difficult process, over a year from start to finish. We were recognized and went on our merry way, but as it often does, life happened. Our Incipient shire never really flourished and about 2 years ago we went dormant. This did not affect how my husband and I played the game, just made it so we no longer had to attend monthly meetings, or be responsible for reports, or be political in anyway. It has been pretty nice. Last weekend there was an event, that unfortunately we missed, at which some discussion was held as to what to do with our dormant group, well actually we aren't even dormant anymore, we don't exist as anything but people living in the Kingdom lands.

Anywho, someone has the great idea that we should become a Canton of a neighboring group that is in the process of becoming a Barony. I find the idea appalling. There are at most 7 registered members in our area, 3 of which live over 50 miles away, mainly casual players. The people in town play occasionally but are not hard core members. Since we are technically no longer a recognized group, I believe that all of that work that was done 8-9 years ago will have to be redone, we needed 12 registered people back then, I am guessing it would be the same now, and we obviously don't have them. In addition to not enough people, even if we pulled this thing off, a name and device would have to be submitted to the College of Heralds, that was a joy last time (not), reports are expected monthly to both the Kingdom and the Barony. I cannot see the benefit, so I refused to buy into the grand idea, hence, peed in the Kool-aid.

I was accused of shooting down the idea, "Because it wasn't mine". Whatever, it is a bad idea, don't care who's it was. The King himself could have come up with it and I would still have the same opinion. Well, maybe if I were chasing some regalia I would consider... nope, not even then. :)

Prep for the Roman Cloak

My hubby has a Roman persona for SCA and he has been telling how much he needs a Roman soldier's cloak. So since the orange is off the loom now it is free for a scarlet wool, of a heavier weight, so I don't have all the frustrating breakage. I have been busy skeining the wool and getting it ready for weaving. I never realized it was such a long process!  Last week I got all the skeins done and I went to Elspeth's to dye them on Saturday.

First a shot of a bunny

a pile of skeins

washing the wool

rinsed and ready for the dip

Into the scarlet dyebath

rinsed after the dye

The first batch is done

It's Done!!

It seems I am in an upswing, truly IT IS ABOUT FREAKING TIME! Today I cut my first wool fabric off the loom, it has been on there for almost 2 years. About the last 6 inches I was ready to pitch the whole thing, but my Laurel has assured me it is all good. She is going to make herself garb out of this piece, so I hope she is as happy with it once it is washed up. I have also done the sleeves and necks on two of the cotehardies for the girls, have 2 more to do and all the hems. Then we went and bought more material for garb for the hubs and myself. The only one who isn't in dire need of garb is Sonshine, but with him working now I wonder how many events he will actually make.

I of course still have tons of cross-stitch and embroidery to do, but I do feel like I am making some progress and that is what matters. It really is too bad that once I start doing my projects on a regular basis I decide I need to go looking for more to do.

I started a new job, sometimes I feel like I jumped from the frying pan into the fire, but as I am much busier in this one. We will see how I fair this summer. My lack of summer vacation may be a big turning point for me. Just need to get that debt paid down so that I feel like I can make the choices instead of feeling like I HAVE to suffer through.

A new start

Alright, I am starting over again, both on the blog and in Weight Watchers. I signed up for Weight Watchers online. I had planned on starting today for awhile, but after trying on 3 different outfits this morning and none of them looking very good at all, it cemented the deal. Of course I decided to have chicken fried steak breakfast, so I am actually starting counting my points tomorrow.

Also school is out for summer, so I don't have to go back to work, except for a couple of pre-registration days. So I got a summer job. I am going to be waiting tables at a local pizza place. So hoping that doesn't impede the diet, but I think it should be manageable.

Still waiting for winter to be finished

So it has been a while and my new years resolution has been shot, but I am going to try to get back on the wagon... so to speak.

February and March have been crazy and trying and I just am ready for them to be over. My grandma and one of my uncles passed away withing 2 weeks of each other. It was not an unexpected situation for either of them, they both had terminal illnesses, but still it was a lot to have happen in such a short time.

On another note I took my Sonshine to see Spamalot, which he throughly enjoyed. It was nice to have some time just with him. Seems that he is growing up way too fast, a sophmore now! Now the girls want to see Wicked, but the closest place to go to that is like 12 hours drive. I promised we could go though, so in May I will be making another trip to the Theater, lol.

Also planning a vacation with the hubby. A weekend in Vegas to meet up with some friends. The funny thing is, other than us, I keep running into other people I know who are just happening to be going there at the same time, all for different reasons. Guess the world is just that small.

Well...Crap

Tonight I got all ready to go to volleyball, loaded up little and middle Z and got to the gym, just in time to get a call from my teammate asking if everything was ok, because I missed the game. UGGG!

It has been a kind of up and down week. My grandma is very ill and took a turn for the worse on Tuesday, but by today she is doing much better. It is kind of hit or miss on how she is feeling at any time during the day. The family is converging, and while it is good to see everyone there and getting along, it is unfortunate that all of this comes at such a sad  time. Unfortunately I think it is all too often that is the case.