Lucky Me!

There is a cute little yarn store near my office called Knit 1. I have only been there 3 times, but I looked them up online to see when their classes were, because if you read this blog...you all know I need knitting lessons. Anyway, when I found them online, their blog had posted that they were closing (I was bummed) but they were having a yarn give away if you purchased their patterns. Well I could always use a new pattern, so I entered AND..........................

I FREAKING WON! How in the world did that happen? Here is a photo of my loot which is $507 worth of yarn related products. Can you believe it? I absolutely CANNOT. I am super lucky. I really love everything I got. I haven't won anything since that 2nd grade coloring contest at the grocery store!

Big thanks to Knit 1!

Studying

The problem with having a craft blog is that you have to be constantly crafting. My crafting is coming to a slow down because I am studying for my ARE exam to become an Architect. The first of 7 tests is on February 22nd. I will still be posting, but not quite as often, I imagine. But I am huge procrastinator, so who knows.

I just ordered some new yarn online (because the weather is too nasty to actually go shopping), I have been waiting for it, so I can finish some projects that have been stashed for too long. Kelly if you're reading, one of those is yours.

Olive Scarf

This my latest and greatest. When I finish it, I will have to block it. There are some imperfections, but I am going with it this time because sometimes you just have to let things go. And it's green!!!! Green is one of my favorite colors.

I have to create something multi-colored soon because I am feeling overly monochromatic these days.

Catalan Names

Because this is my blog and I can write whatever I want in the world wide web....I've decided to post my knowledge of Catalan names. I lived in Barcelona for a bit and learned that people don't have Spanish names there. So here we go, this should be fun. I will write in English, Spanish, and then Catalan. Pronunciations will be in parenthesis.

James, Jaime (High-May), Jaume (Jow-Ma)

Anna, Ana (Ah-Na) , Aina (Eye-Na)

Xavier, Javier (Ha-Vi-Air), Xavier (Shavi-Ay) or (Shavi-Air)...will have to check with the Catalans on that one. I know they call them "Xavi" (Shavi) for short

George, Jorge (Hor-Hay), Jordi (Jor-Dee)

John, Juan (Whan), Joan (Jo-On) or with accent (Zsho-On)

And a couple of Catalan names that don't translate are: Mireia (Me-Ray-Ya) and Montserrat (Mohnt-Ser-Aht). Montserrat is a name of a mountain there.

Ok your turn. Give me some names from other countries. Or your favorite names in general.

Haiti

Sending my thoughts and prayers to those in Haiti today.

Memory FAIL

I realized when I jumped out the shower this morning that I already blogged about Winter, before I blogged about Fall. Silly Eliza! Well that Winter shot was only the first snow. I will photograph Narnia (as promised) when its safe to leave my apartment again!

Fall Behind

Awhile back before the cold weather set in, I took a long walk with Mona at Lincoln Park. I photographed the end of Autumn and I meant to share it, but forgot. I plan on showing you Narnia (my alley) soon, but I wanted to share the season of Autumn before the season of Winter.

Enjoy!

ps...In the first column, 2nd photo down, you will find a squirrel gazing at you.

A new blog favorite

I found this blog by reading an article on my flight back to Chicago. I really love it so I just wanted to share it with you.

http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/

City Livin'

We kept looking at the weather forecast trying to find the warmest day to go grocery shopping since its a 15-20 minute walk from our place and we don't have a car. We have officially become city folk this evening by purchasing our first round of groceries online. I had no idea they deliver all sorts of stuff such as: school/office supplies, healthcare/beauty items, petcare items, you name it. And their organic selection is bigger than Jewel's. I might never leave my apartment again!!!!

New Year, New Beginning

It is 2010 everyone! This year I made a resolution to be happier and I am already off to a good start. Spending time with friends and family has truly been wonderful. I am also feeling all 'gung ho' about crafting. For your viewing pleasure I will post the beginnings of a hat that I started last night. My sister in law gave me this yarn for Christmas. Yay!


Happy New Year!!!!!

Feliz Navidad

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Holidays from Texas. I am home for 12 whole days visting my loved ones. I baked you some cookies. Too bad I can't share them, I really do have too many. This is only half of them. I am without photoshop here in the lonestar state, so they don't look as yummy as they taste. They are homemade using Martha Stewart's cookie and icing recipe. Hope you and your loved ones have a happy and safe holiday season.

Raspberry Hat/Cowl

I fell in love with this convertible hat/cowl pattern by April Draven. The pattern called for bead at the ends but I made pom poms because I have never made them. Oh how I love making pom poms....I could make them all day long.

The Culprit

So I mentioned I have been in a knitting slump lately. Well I thought I should share why. I have started this scarf 4 times now. I get to row 16 and the number of stitches are incorrect. I think it's a nice beginning though. Once again, I found this pattern on the purl bee. You can click to see what it should look like if I ever finish it.

Not much else going on, besides a couple of secret projects I am working on. I might start something new today because its grey outside and football is on. I am dreaming of sushi and Texas these days. I can't wait to be home with family and friends. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Cold Weather Realizations

First snow December 2009

Since this is my second winter in Chicago, I thought I would share my cold weather realizations with my friends from the south. Some of these I really didn't know until I moved here.

1) The only thing worse than a slow person walking in front of you in 7 degree weather, is 2 slow people walking in front of you in 7 degree weather.

2) In case I haven't mentioned it here before, I realized when I moved here that boogers and eye mucous CAN freeze.

3) How does a vegan live in a cold climate? All the warm stuff includes: down, wool, angora, leather. I guess they fleece it up. I have never seen a dressy fleece though....

4) Chicagoans think that setting their thermostat to 65-68 in the winter and the summer is ok. Totally NOT ok.

5) Snow really does glisten :)

6) My dog has excellent slush vision. I will see snow and step on it only to find out its a layer of snow covering a puddle of water. Mona however does not have this problem. She can tell it's slush from 20 feet away. If I could only bring Mona to work in the mornings. Of course slush won't be here again until April or May, as its completely turned to ice now.

7) Shoveling snow is a daily activity here for anyone who owns a house or car. If they miss a day, you will surely hear about it. People have to keep a shovel in their car. And I hear that if you shovel out a parking space then there is a rule about placing a piece of furniture there to hold the space until you return. If you shovel it, its yours. I, of course, do not have this problem as I own nothing except the items in my apartment.

8) It is possible for your car to be ice enclosed, leaving you stranded without a car.

9) Main roadways are completely snow free, but still white in the winter due to the salt. And salt ruins shoes and pant hems. Alley ways are full of snow and look like Narnia. I prefer them!

10) It gets A LOT colder after it snows

11) No matter how many days in a row you see snow falling, its always beautiful.

Slippas for my Sista....in-law

So I am 99% sure that my sister-in-law does not read my blog, so it's safe to post the gift I made for her here. They are really cute, I want some for me. I bought the pattern off etsy from Adventures of Jessica Rose.

I cannot say these were easy to make. I am in a crochet/knit slump right now (if you didn't notice due to lack of posting). I will work something up and then tear it apart. And my stash has got me really down. I feel like I shouldn't buy anymore yarn until I get rid of it all. But its all so uninspiring. I just needed some inspiration....AND I think it might have arrived. Winter is here! Thursday morning its supposed to get down to -6 degrees. Holy Moly! Hopefully my blog will be full of posts in the months to come!!!