two days of rest

Thanks to all of you for your kind and enthusiastic comments on George. That was, by far, the pattern that I have put the most design time, re-working, fiddling and fussing into, and I am really pleased with the final result. If you knit him, please let me know how the process goes and what kinds of modifications you make to the pattern.

So in response to some of your questions:

Why felted? How would he look just knitted?
Just knitted, he looked pretty floppy, though pipe-cleaners would have been an option for bendy legs - they just couldn't make a tough felted leg do anything, but would have worked in knitted legs I think. I wanted him felted so that he'd be tough enough for actual playing, snuggling, etc. by the rough-and-tumble kids we know.

Let's hear one of your Grandfather's octopus stories...
Pop-pop's octopus stories were usually comic one-liners. I remember when I was about 9 telling him that I'd gone riding on a pony. He told me that he'd had a pony once, but he took it riding on the beach, and a giant octopus came out of the ocean and ate it. You'd think that might have been upsetting, but of course I was sort of expecting it, so I thought it was pretty funny.

= = =
In case you're dying to hear me ramble on about what a nice weekend I had, you're in luck - this is quite a ramble...

Saturday and Sunday were two wonderful days of much-needed rest. There were a few really exciting (to me) bits sandwiched among the general loafing, doing a little homework and household puttering.

First, a neighborhood yard sale! My sister scored a Super-8 movie camera in its original case - with the instruction book and even the 1960 packing slip. I got a milk glass vase (just like my Grandma's) and a 60's ice crusher for summer slushy rummy tropical drinks - whee! Grand total between the two of us: $10.


i hear the call of the islands



Second, treats in the mail! I ordered two fused-glass rings from the multi-talented Marsha Penner (one for me and one for Sis), and both arrived on Saturday. They are so dreamy. The same mail delivery brought me the new White Stripes album as well. I'm interested to hear what y'all think of it (Stacie?) - I've only given it a rudimentary first listen.


this is my ring - my sis hasn't received hers yet

Lastly, and most greatest, lovely people! I got to spend a lot of time this weekend with with dear ones and some new friends. The girl next door had a birthday party and graciously extended the invitation to us. I have been itchingly curious about her and her partner, because they look about our age and have an old Kucinich sticker on their car. My curiosity really began burning one afternoon when I saw her coming home with a rack of hand-made skirts and I realized why she seemed so familiar: the girl next door is India*Romeo, of the Handmade Market. My surging curiosity was stricken with sudden shyness, and alas, I never went over to make friends. Until the party, that is. You know what? She is the bomb-diggity. I can't believe I was so shy - how stupid! But that's how I am sometimes: rather stupid. A crafting, designing, thrifting goddess right next door, and it took me 6 months to meet her.

It was a lovely gathering full of cool people from our new neighborhood, and full of crafty, crafty women. I spent most of the night talking with Tess, who is so cute and talented it's almost criminal. We ate tofu beer brats and raspberry birthday cake and drank La Fin du Monde and generally soaked up the great vibes from a backyard stuffed with friendly, creative people. Did I mention this all went on right next door to my house? I think I might have mentioned that.

This two-day weekend thing was so great, I think I'm going to have to try it again some time.