Craptina

Accidental Kinda Sweater

Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes. I hope everyone had a delicious thanksgiving, wether you were having turkey or tofurkey. I ended up at my brother's house, where the entire family gathered. My parents even came up from North Carolina and we had a ball.

Let me just say that Austin is the BBE- my birthday gift was a set of the Knit Picks Options needles. Ok, yes, I did mention that those needles might be a good gift, but he came through, and they are pretty sweet.

In knitting news I've got an accidental pattern on the needles. I think I'm being plagued by yarn shortage. I cast on about two weeks ago for a cardigan and quickly realized as I finished the back that it was likely that there wasn't enough yarn for the entire sweater, or maybe there was just enough, but it wasn't looking good. However, a back is a back, and a project could still be salvaged. I started looking for sweater vest patterns, knowing there was more than enough for the front. So here's the front of Boogie, a knitty.com pattern.

It's cute how the cables run up the front and split around the neck. I've modified the pattern slightly, adding more ribbing at the bottom because I had already had it on the back and I plan on adding a purl square edging along the sleeve side. So it's just about finished. I'll see where I'm at yarn wise when the front is done. Maybe there is enough for sleeves, but I doubt it. By the way this yarn is the Brooks Farm Fourplay, on size 8's. I'm crazy about how the color on this is coming out.

So while upstate the whole family went to see my brother Billy's band, 3  play a show. They have been growing more and more popular in the past few years. It's definitely hard rock rock, sometimes metal, with a serious edge. They came back from a world tour about a month ago where they went to Japan, Australia, Eastern and Western Europe, and England. I can't believe how they have grown. These guys used to play in my basement, and now they are touring the world. I wish I got to see more of my brother, but I know he is living a dream.

ps- check out the knitted vest! He found it at a friends house, I'm so jealous I didn't knit it!

27 things

Happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday to me!
Me me me me me me me meeeee
Happy birthday to me!

I’m 26 today. Today I launch into the 25+ bracket on the insurance forms. I feel my head is getting wider. I’m suddenly concerned about plaque.

The last year or two, my sister and I have made lists on our birthdays of ultimate goals to be completed within the year. Anyone who knows me IRL knows that I LOVE making lists. It’s so satisfying to cross off that line. So I made a list today of 27 things to do by the time I’m 27. (Eeek! 27? My Saturn turning? Scary!) Now not all of these will not be accomplished, but many of them will be motivators for adventure and experience-- and that’s the whole point of it. I may never really make a turducken, but I’m damn fascinated by it.

There will be a party announcement shortly- Austin's birthday is 12/5, so we're having a double wammie in the beginning of December. A moustache party to be exact, details to come.....

1. Knit a garment out of cashmere.
2. Make a turducken
3. Go skydiving
4. Plan or go on another international adventure
5. Lose the “bingo arm”
6. Rock out karaoke (no chickening out!)
7. Make a whole turkey just for fun, not on a holiday.
8. Jump in, head first.
9. Start another savings account and don’t dip in it.
10. Finish editing the short story.
11. Take salsa classes.
12. Visit Aunt Faye, she needs visitors.
13. Get out of credit card debt.
14. Buy more flowers.
15. Learn crochet.
16. Build a functional piece of furniture.
17. Make pasta from scratch.
18. Write a song.
19. Redesign this blog already.
20. Plan to not plan everything.
21. Train in Alexander technique.
22. Finally read The Man in the High Castle.
23. Be less bossy.
24. See an opera.
25. Lose the love handles.
26. Learn glass blowing.
27. Master pad thai.

Back on track

So I've been back in town for about a week now, and I think it's taken that long to get out of "vacay mode". I lost track of time out west in that short time, which is always a fun thing. The wedding was really beautifuly done at the Little Chapel of Flowers. A non-denominational minister married the couple, and there was a live broadcast on the web! No Elvis or Evil Knievel making an appearance, so it was really pretty. After the ceremony, we went to the Bellagio to take pictures in front of the fountain. 
And no, I didn't win any money, or rather, I won back the money I lost (and then some) but then lost all that again. Shucks. But it was a great time. I learned how to play roulette and definitely improved my blackjack and pai gow skills!
Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip, you can see the whole photo album on the sidebar on the right.

Yes. Right on the Strip.

Yoppy, the bride    

Gerard and Austin

Texas Tina!!! Not usually a fan of slots, I couldn't pass up the name on this one.....

A casino detour to Red Rock Canyon. a MUST SEE for Vegas!

So we had a great time! Four days was more than enough to do and see (don't do the roller coaster on top of the stratosphere, total ripoff). And in knitting news we have an FO!

Pattern :Picovoli t-shirt

Yarn: Cheap-o mercerized cotton from Hobby Lobby.

Needles: Addies circular size 6 and one 2.75mm crochet hook for edging.

I really like how the pooling came out, it's a little crazy. The pattern was really simple however I had to restart after completing about 4 inches because the shirt was way too big. I have a 36" bust so I ended up doing the 34" size (instructions not given, but can be fudged between the 32 and 36 sizes). I would definitely knit another one of these, I'm happy with out it came out :)   

The Big Winner

Yes, I know I promised house pics and kitties, but it's going to have to hold a few days more. I'm on my way to Vegas for a long weekend, baby! Austin's brohter is getting married, so we are flying out to be present for the most holiest matrimonious of the year. My online poker and gum-snapping skillz are on. The penny slot machines are calling my name. The bell bottoms are packed for when Elvis takes my hand....because I'm walking into that Waffle House white trash and I'm coming out a winner.