Stolen… September 7, 2009

So about a week ago, my beloved Toshiba Laptop computer (that weighed about a million pounds and was so big it couldn’t fit into ANY computer bag I sought out for it) was stolen out of my car at a park in Reno. Now, I know you must be thinking, “Kristen, what were you doing leaving your computer in your car?!?!?”

That is a very good question. I actually NEVER leave my computer in my car and this one time was the exception. I was doing some location research for the new educational program I am building, and I was on my way to work. Since my home computer is also my work computer, I had it with me. I covered it all up when I got to the park and locked up all the doors and went for a little walk to explore. I was gone maybe 25 minutes and I came back to my car only to find that my car door had been jimmied, and my whole computer bag had been taken. Inside it was also my wallet with my social security card and passport (I know, I know, stupid Kristen! I actually had just put those things in there that morning as well as I needed them for something.) What are the chances?

Yes, the worst had happened. This person was experienced as they jimmied the door (or I assume as the window wasn’t broken or anything), and chances are they were probably watching me as I covered up my computer and locked up my car… creepy. The person who stole my stuff went and immediately tried to use all of my credit cards. Luckily credit card companies are used to dealing with this sort of stuff everyday now so it wasn’t a big deal to get them to reverse the charges and whatnot. The biggest bummers are my passport, soc. sec. card and my computer.

Here’s another stupid Kristen moment…I hadn’t backed up anything on that computer yet… I know, I know! I had just gotten an external hard drive and had not yet backed it all up. Lesson learned… take no chances… Back it up (and get renters insurance)! I lost all of my pics from the last 3 years, all of the knitting patterns I was working on and that I had saved from other designers, all of my work files including the new curriculum I was working on… everything… bummer.

So, I spent part of last week trying to recover from all of this. Thankfully, I was able to buy a new computer this weekend. I feel so lucky… and so in love with the system I bought! I have been wanting to buy a mac for years and I saw this negative thing that happened as an opportunity to get the system I wanted. So I went down to the mac store and bought this:

and it came with this:

All very exciting! I was eligible for the educator discount that is being offered right now so I saved a little money which was nice… especially since I am a volunteer right now and am trying to get by on an AmeriCorps stipend… Anyway, so what was kind of a downer of a week, turned out okay… although I have a feeling i’ll be dealing with the repercussions of this for a while… Hopefully though, this will renew my interest in blogging and the like. So for now this is Kristen signing out with a message to all of you to BACK-UP, BACK-UP, BACK-UP YOUR WORK!

Things I am excited about… February 16, 2009

This hat I started last night. I have no idea what the rest is going to look like yet, it’s all experimental…

Also, it’s been snowing here a bit. Even though we need more than this, it still means the mountains were getting pounded so that is really good… When you live in a desert, every little bit of water counts.

Thanks to everyone who has given positive feedback on my Owls here and on Ravelry. I’m still loving them, especially because it’s been cold.

Be mine. February 14, 2009

Yeah, so it’s Valentines day. I don’t care for the holiday too much so I never really get into it in the weeks before-hand. However on the day of, I always feel a little bit more lovey-dovey than usual. What gives? I want to be anti- but somehow, I never really can. Maybe it’s because I always loved the holiday as a kid. I always looked forward to signing all of those little cartoon valentines to each of my classmates and then taking them to school and putting them in the little construction paper mail folders we would hang from our desks. I loved eating those awful candy hearts with the sayings on them and reading each of my valentines as if all of the givers really meant the sentiments that were written on them. Nothing says valentines day like Bugs Bunny playing basketball. “You’re a slam-dunk, Valentine!”

My Valentine and I

I have no idea why, but this feeling has carried into my adulthood. It even survived my years of singledom. I can’t explain it exactly. But anyway, even though I definitely want to barf at the cheesy diamond commercials that pop up around this time of year, and the hearts flowers and candy cliche, I still like to subtly celebrate the holiday in my own way.

With that, Nick and I are doing what we usually do: staying in, cooking dinner together, maybe watch a movie. None too exciting, but for us, it’s the best possible evening. We don’t feel that we need a holiday to be affectionate to each other, we do that all year round. Okay, you can stop the fake barfing noises now.

So, all that silliness aside, I wanted to share some fun things that have been inspiring me lately. First, this made me laugh hysterically. It kind of expresses my sentiment about the whole over-the-top nature of valentines day. This cozy and cute blanket by Ysolda reminded me that I hadn’t yet bought her new knitting pattern collection “Whimsical Little Knits.” I need to get on that. There are so many projects from it that I love! These mittens from Flint Knits. Love. Love, love, love. This Beret from the Shetland Trader. And finally, I was intensely envious of this. How awesome is a bouquet of yarn in lieu of flowers for the holiday? Pretty freakin’ amazing if you ask me! Happy Valentines to everyone out there!

Getting hammered and eating Quiche. January 22, 2009

So, I didn’t exactly “get hammered” in the drinking sense. Today Nick and I drove to Carson City to go to the amazing hot springs they have there. It’s worth the half hour drive to get out there just to soak in the amazing water for a few hours. I swear the water has healing powers! My back has been acting up for over a week now and it finally feels better! I love the hot springs, primarily because the pool is not so hot that you can actually soak until you are so pruney you would swear your extremities are about to fall off, but also because it is huge. You can actually swim laps there.

Pretty happy after a good long soak.

Actually, the best thing about the Carson Hot Springs is the Hammer. It’s really just the pipe that comes directly out of the actual hot spring and into the pool. If they turn it on at just the right speed, the super hot water and the pressure can be just enough to loosen up ANY tense muscles. In my case, usually my back. Now, you may be thinking, a developed hot spring? How is that better than a natural spring? Well actually, let me tell you. It’s great. There is no cleaning the sand or dirt out of your bathing suit afterwards, it’s just as natural as it comes directly out of the ground and into the pool, and there is more temperature control so you can stay in longer. As the water is constantly filtering through the pool and draining out the other end, it’s not stagnant either and there is no need to chlorinate. In other words, it’s awesome! I’ve been going to the Carson Hot Springs for years, and I never feel like I go often enough.

Otherwise, it’s been a nice relaxing day off. Nick and I slept in and then I got up a bit before him and brewed some coffee from an amazing Organic local roaster we recently discovered, Blind Dog Coffee Roasters. I then made a quiche with a somewhat Tex-Mex flavor to it. I have recently been modifying my pie crust recipe when I feel like a more Spanish flavor. I love the recipe that I got from the Chicken a while back, but sometimes I will cut out one of the cups of flour and instead use one cup of corn masa flour. It gives the crust a nice corn flavor and definitely a more Spanish flavor. Add a little chili powder, and pepper jack cheese to the mix and then top with avocado and you have a really tasty meal! We’ll be eating leftovers of this tomorrow for lunch. Mmm.

How pretty is that?

Other then that, this evening will be filled with some knitting to work on my Prudence sweater, watching Lost, then early to bed. I’m up early tomorrow to teach for Sierra Nevada Journeys–my former employer with AmeriCorps–at one of the local elementary schools for a few hours. Should be fun!

New Year, New President, New Goals. January 21, 2009

Happy New Year everyone!  I know i’m a little late, but i’ve been so busy already this year.  I first want to say how tickled I am that Barack Obama was sworn in as President today!  This year is already off to a good start!

So, I guess I should back up a bit.  I had a really nice holiday season spending a little time with my family who generously showered me with new cookware (Le Cruset to be exact) which I am very excited about and it’s already been put to good use.  The gifts for mom, dad, and bro were recieved well also.  My mom especially loved her Frontier Blues Jacket. Also, Nick gave me the most awesome thing ever…a Cuisenart!

New Years was spent at Lake Tahoe at my friend Matt’s family cabin.  We had good times making Pizza, drinking god beer and wine, and playing lots of Bandu–the best game ever!  Thanks to my brother Jon, Nick got his own copy of the game for Christmas (which is no longer being produced and was found on a vintage game website) so we can play anytime we want!

Let the games begin!

Elle's already off to a bad start...

Micah and I had a build-off...

Clearly I won that one...

Notice Elle is wearing a scarf and hat, both made by yours truly!

Happy New Year!!!!

I’ve been working on my Prudence Sweater for the yarn shop.  It’s my very first shop knit so I am kind of eager to please.  I’m taking a leap and converting the pattern to a bottom-up sweater knitted in one piece.  It’s already a raglan so i’m not too worried about the conversion.  I’m going to be posting all the modifications I make on the Jimmy Beans Project Log so that customers can reference that if they want to knit it the same way I did.    The pattern is from the Amber book by Kim Hargreaves for Rowan.  She is known for her vintage-style patterns and subtle elegance.  I am so in love with this yarn!  It is Rowan Bamboo Soft (100% Bamboo) but it feels and drapes like silk.  I love that it is eco-friendly and so nice to knit with.

Prudence

I have decided recently to focus more of my energy on knitting pattern design rather than making and selling Neckies.  I’ll still keep a few for sale on Etsy, but I really want to venture more into design.  I’m working on about five patterns right now actually to hopefully be debuted through Jimmy Beans.  I’ll keep you all posted on my progress.

Lastly, I’ve been recently inspired by another blogger to do an experiment this year.  Seeing as last year was kind of an experiment in how frugally I could live on my AmeriCorps Salary, I thought it only fitting to begin a new experiment for the new year.  In an effort to cut back on needless spending and consuming as well as the desire to work more on my sewing skills (and knitting, of course), I am going to begin a year-long, no clothing shopping experiment.  I will not be tempted by sales or even the Goodwill, my favorite place ever.  I will learn to take better care of the clothing I already own by darning things more often, taking the time to make my own clothes and better my sewing and knitting skills, and re-inventing clothes I am bored with or don’t fit quite right.  I’ve just been feeling for a long time that I need to do something like this.  It’s just too easy to go out and buy something new to wear.  Cheaper too i’m sure.  But the bottom line is, where does it end?  When do we start to value our clothing like our ancestors did?  My grandmother has always made most of her own clothes.  I have always admired that in her.  She is a very accomplished seamstress and quilter.  My mother too is also very talented with a sewing machine, always making clothes for my brother and I when we were young (until we started begging her for store bought stuff of course.)  As I get older I want so badly to cling to these roots and to go back to a time where people bought less, made more, and treasured and cared for the items they owned.  I’ve never been what you would call “trendy” or “hip.”  I’ve always just worn what I feel good in.  It’s much easier to feel good in well fitting clothes, and it’s even easier for them to fit you well when you make them yourself.  So that is my new experiment, and in the end, I hope I find a new appreciation for the clothes I wear and the skills I have gained. Goodbye Anthropologie and Goodwill, hello Singer Sewing machine!

  I must add however, that in this experiment, I am giving exceptions to the following garments:

Shoes- as I can’t make those and I will be in desperate need of a new pair of running shoes soon

Undergarments-I will not torture myself with trying to make these and I really don’t foresee this being a need in the near future, however you never know.

Jeans-always in search of the perfect pair and seeing as I only own one pair right now that actually fit, I could really use another.

Also, I will be able to buy fabric, yarn, patterns and notions as needed for new items but I will be trying to use up some of my stashed fabric and yarn this year. So that is the grand plan.  I think I will begin by making this cute smock by Meg from Sew Liberated.  I’ve had the pattern for over a year and haven’t taken the time to make it yet, I love that it’s reversible.  Wish me luck!

Dead moose, dead moose…. December 18, 2008

On my last trip to the Goodwill, I got Wallace this adorable little stuffed moose.  It has a festive little holiday scarf on it.  Since it’s entrance into our home, Wallace had proceeded to make it his new favorite toy by first ripping out it’s eyes and then pulling Moosey’s head stuffing out through his eye-holes.  I only hope that Wallace does not decide to someday make Nick or I his favorite toy.  What a way to go…

I’ve been busy knitting the last few days.  So what else is new, right?  I finished the sweater for mom last night.  It is the Frontier Blues Jacket from Knitscene Magazine and designed by Wendy Bernard.  Here is a picture of it pre-blocking (the picture isn’t that nice and the color looks all funky, my apologies):

I’m looking forward to giving this to her.  It’s pretty cute on, I hope she likes it.

In other news it’s been snowing like crazy here.  Well, it snowed a couple days ago and there is more on the forecast for tomorrow.  After two days of sunshine, our front yard still looks like this:

That is how cold it has been.  Burrr!  I think the high the other night was something VERY cold for Reno like 17 degrees or something.  Now, I am sure anyone from the Midwest would probably laugh in my face right now but, you know, it’s all relative…

Lastly, amidst all of my frantic knitting, I found time to make our Christmas cards this year.  I got the idea from Angry Chicken when she posted about this awesome stamp set she picked up at Michaels.  I know it’s very Martha Stewart of me (ironically, these stamps are Martha’s brand) but I grew up doing this stuff with my mom.  It’s taken a while for me to get back into it.  I’m excited to send these out.  I had fun making them.  Here’s a preview…

Anyway, back to my knitting….

Life, Knitting, and the pursuit of Happiness. December 15, 2008

So I know i’ve been on a major hiatus, but i’ve been gone, dealing with a death in the family, starting a new job, and knitting like a feind.  Lot’s of craziness going on around here.  First, Nick and I went to San Diego (which to my surprise was pretty cool) for my friend Liz’s wedding, yay Liz!  Then, on the way back we stopped at my parent’s house to pick up Wally boy and found out that my Grandfather’s condition was going downhill very quickly.  I went to the hospital to say my goodbyes and he passed away a few days later.  It was really hard for me since i’ve always been very close with him.  I’ve had a lot of support from close friends and family and I am very grateful.

Since then, I have been working at Jimmy Beans Wool, our lovely local yarn shop.  It. Is. Awesome.  I have found new inspiration to go home and knit everyday.  I spend my days touching amazing fibers and I love, love, love it!  It is so much fun seeing what other people are working on and designing new projects for myself.  It’s fantastic. It’s also nice because we are busy, busy, busy! I’m amazed at how JBW (Jimmy Beans Wool) has been able to grow this last year in an economy that has taken a down-turn. We do 80% of our business through our website so that definitely helps. Anyway if you are looking for yarn, check us out!

I recently did The Holiday Art on the Lawn craft fair with Never Ender showcasing my Neckies. Lavender Ridge in Reno hosted it and it was so much fun!  I sold quite a bit of stuff which was great.  I’ve been trying to find new ways to market my little neck warmers, but the economy isn’t helping.  It’s okay, though, I am leaning in the direction of pattern design for the future of my business anyway.  I’ll be keeping the remaining Neckies in my Etsy shop for a while.

I’ve been knitting like crazy recently, as I mentioned above, but mostly Neckies and Christmas Gifts like this sweater (that I am almost finished with) for my mom:

The pattern is the “Frontier Blues Jacket” by Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic.  It was featured in the Winter/Spring 2008 KnitScene.  I started this sweater back in May with the intention of making it for myself, but I got busy and never finished it.  As time wore on, I realized that my mom would really love this sweater so Voila!  Christmas Gift.  I hope she loves it.  Actually, since I took these photos, I have attached the sleeves and done about 4″ of yoke.  I’ve just started to shape the shoulders.  I’ll post pictures of the finished project after I have it blocked.  I’m excited to have it finished!

I’ve been working on lots of other small projects. Many of my gift recipients are recieving hand-warmers this year so I have been making those like crazy.  I am making my dad very traditional a stocking cap out of this cool Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted Camouflage yarn since he is the big hunter in the family.  It’s knitting up quite nicely but the pattern is super boring.  Last year I tried to do something more modern and fun for him and he complained about how the hat didn’t have a brim he could fold up.  Here you go dad, this year you are getting a boring stocking cap, hope you love it!  At lease the yarn is cool and fun to work with…

Projects on the horizon (and oh there’s a long list) include this lovely Sylvi Coat from the Winter Issue of the Twist Collective.  I am so excited to get started.  I’m making it in a beautiful deep eggplant color called Aubergine.  It’s gorgeous!  Here’s a sneak peak at that:

Anyway, so you can see how full my plate is right now.  I am going to try and be better about posting.  Hopefully at least a couple times a week.  That way I don’t have to do any more gargantuan posts on here.

It’s snowing right now and I have a cup of warm tea next to me.  I love winter!  I’ll be back shortly with more pics of my knitting adventures and updates on my new foray into vegan cooking and baking!  Until then, happy cozy winter days to you!

So I know it’s been a while but… October 24, 2008

I’ve been super busy and only intentionally neglecting my blogging duties a little. I am finally done with camp. Yay! Actually it’s only “yay” because I get to be home all the time and sleep in my own bed and Wallace doesn’t give me the cold shoulder for a good 24 hours after I come home. On the other hand, it’s not so “yay” because I am not working with kids all the time (which I miss), and also because I am suddenly jobless. Bummer. Well, not entirely jobless, I did manage to secure myself a new job at Jimmy Beans Wool, (our local Reno yarn shop!) in the last week or so. Unfortunately, i’m not able to start for another week or so due to impending travel plans. I’m going to visit my family in Lodi for the first part of next week, then Nick is picking me up and we are going to San Diego for my college friend Liz’s wedding. I’m super excited as I have never been to SD before and Nick has been dying to show me around since we met (he went to college there). Also, we might camp in Big Sur on the way down and possibly on the beach in SD…so excited!

Anyway, life is still crazy but i’ve had a little time to work on some knitting projects. Not too much variety, mostly Neckies but i’ve been fantasizing about some new projects I saw on Ravelry which is my favorite new time-suck. It’s like myspace for knitters and it is so addicting! I love it! Anyway i’ll leave you with some of my most recently finished Neckies (modeled by my lovely friend Carolyn aka. Wumble) and I promise more FO’s to come soon. I am about to finish some baby items for a couple of friends…

I’ll be back in a few days with more good stuff…

Long time no write… September 28, 2008

I really have no new exciting news to report only that I will have some new Neckies up on Etsy later today. Go to www.marinade.etsy.com to check them out!

I’ve just been working my tush off and taking care of the house and fam. I’m currently applying to grad schools also so things have been a little nuts. I should have a couple of new finished projects to show you soon. Till then…

Off to camp September 7, 2008

So, later today, i’ll be back at camp for a week. So excited, but also sad to be away from home for another week. I feel like this summer has not been very productive in terms of the stuff I wanted to do around the house. I really wanted to grow a garden this year but that didn’t exactly happen as I was gone so much. I wanted to brew more beer but we just couldn’t get it together to do that either. Oh well, beer can be added to the fall projects and the garden will have to wait until next year.

My parents are visiting for the weekend. My dad is in Reno for a golf tourney this week and mom came up for a couple days to hang out. We went to Johnny’s for fantastic Italian last night and I baked this pie for desert. Notice how fancy I am getting with the pie decorating:

This pie was strawberry, blueberry, rhubarb. Can you tell I’m obsessed with rhubarb?

Anyway, Nick, my parents and I played cards last night and then Nick and I taught my mom how to play Ticket to Ride…this nerdy train game that we love. My mom like it so much she wanted to play twice!

Also this weekend, we have 3 doggies in the house! Wallace of course, Nick’s parents’ dog Bhodie, and my parent’s beagle Baily. It’s been quite the circus. Here is Nick this morning with the dogs in our ridiculously ugly yard, trying to get them to do tricks for treats…we had mixed results.

My mom brought with her the used serger that she bought for me recently. We will be setting it up along with my yarn winder today in my new in-house crafty space. Pics of that will be coming soon. In the meantime, we made a frittata for breakfast with sauteed onions, summer squash and potato with cheddar on top served with ambrosia melon and toast with my homemade strawberry jam…yum…

Hope everyone has a great week! See ya’ll in a couple days…