M is for Monster

A Pain In My...

2009-08-30T11:36:00.004-07:00

Dear Mr. President, CEOs at my insurance company, and other assorted politicos currently at the wheel of this clown car:

Please fix things so I can go to my rheumatologist when my arthritis is really bad and get a shot of Kenalog in my butt and not have to pay $218.00 for it. Kenalog is not expensive, and if I could buy it at the pharmacy I would do it myself for a couple of bucks. If you trust me to drive my car every day you can trust me to give myself a shot in the butt. Additionally, your system causes me more stress which in turn causes more aggravation of my arthritis and requires me to get more shots. See how I am stuck here? Your help would be greatly appreciated in this matter.

M. Keeton

Meet Elliot the Elephant

2009-07-20T10:10:00.003-07:00

Everyone loves an elephant!

The Price of the Poke

2009-06-23T21:50:00.004-07:00

With the current "economic downturn" that we are experiencing it seems that a lot of prices are falling. Generally this is a good thing. I'm happy that I can buy cheaper toilet paper and eggs and soap. Maybe the only time this is not so great is when you are an artist and the falling prices mean that other artists are dropping their prices to a degree that is simply ridiculous.

Needle felting is a relatively new craft that has only recently gained the kind of momentum as other fiber arts. When I started felting I couldn't find books on it. I had to order needles online and the wool I used was being sold for spinning. Now in any yarn shop there are books and supplies for felting. This discovery of the medium by the crafting public also happened to coincide with the boom that hit Etsy. The result is that there are a large number of needle felters selling their wares on Etsy now.

I would not be disappointed about this if it were about having more competition. I belong to several groups and enjoy seeing other work and bouncing ideas and techniques around with other artists. The problem is that a lot of these very new crafters who are also inexperienced Etsy sellers price their felt work so low that it makes the rest of us look like we are grossly inflating our prices. Whenever I show people my work if they are unfamiliar with needle felting they ask why something so small would cost so much. I kept a log while I was working on the Sleepytime Pip for an example. It took me over 7 hours to complete that piece. Selling him for $69 is not really a profit! I do it because I love it and I hope some day in the future that I might be able to cut back on my "real" job and make my art a more substantial part of my life.

People who are selling little needle felted pieces for $15 are damaging the work that the community has done in establishing the medium as a fine art. Other types of art dolls and artist bears don't sell for that cheap regardless of how small they are. I understand the lure of pricing items really low on Etsy to make more sales. You simply have to understand the value of your work and realize that selling something hastily thrown together at a very reduced cost it is hurting all of us. It makes needle felting look like something that is fast and easy (which it is not) and it makes those of us who are really taking the time to learn and perfect this craft look like we are just price gouging and pulling the wool over our customer's eyes, which we certainly are not.

New Mouse in the House

2009-06-15T15:02:00.003-07:00

Perhaps you noticed my darling little mouse up there in the corner? Well I decided that I needed a professional logo for the new shop. I put a request on Etsy's Alchemy and got waaaaay too many bids! There are so many talented fine artists and graphic designers there. If you've never used Alchemy before you basically request whatever you are looking for (say a tuba cover knit in green mohair) and shop owners put in bids to do the project for you.
It was very hard to decide who to go with but I finally settled on Jade Nellans after seeing her portfolio here http://www.jadefrolics.net.

The fact that we share part of our name and an infatuation with cats kind of sealed the deal. Unfortunately I got it done just as my good friend Emily was finishing a drawing for me so I ended up with two little mice. I am going with Jade's for now because it fits in the avatar and banner space on Etsy better. I might use Em's for some packaging (thanks Emmy!). Check out Emily's portfolio too. She's been my dear friend forever and I've seen her art progress from crayons and markers to the fantastic pieces she does now. www.Moth-and-mouse.com

I discovered some other amazing artists and since I am still in the process of decorating the "new" house (we've been here for eight months!) I am going to have no problem filling some of this white wall space. Here is one of my favorites. It was so difficult to choose, let me tell you.

Another artist I fell in love with was Jenni Phillips. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5762710 shop ID LucaJenn on Etsy. Her girls are so simple but expressive, sweet, and magical- kind of what I strive for in my felties.

Somebunny I Love

2009-06-14T21:28:00.006-07:00

This is Susie Rabbit and her doll Annabelle. She's named after my sweet mom. At MousePants.etsy.com now! (the rabbit, not my mom)

Raindrops on Roses

2009-06-11T21:46:00.003-07:00

Yes, more pictures from the garden. I can't help but capture a permanent record of my first successes with it and really enjoy taking flower photos. Since I am really tired (and sick at the moment) I'll just leave you with some pics. My brain feels like it fell into the paper shredder.

Sleepytime Pip

2009-06-07T07:45:00.007-07:00

Meet someone special. Sleepytime Pip is responsible for putting everyone to bed at night. He carries his pocket watch so he is certain not to be late for bedtime and a little bottle of sparkling sand to sprinkle in your eyes. Once his sand hits your eyelids you drift off into sweet, blissful sleep. Since he is used to sneaking around in the night Sleepytime Pip is a quiet little fellow but he is one of the most gentle and friendly Pips and a true friend. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25941041

They Found Me

2009-05-21T15:12:00.004-07:00

This site http://foundhandmade.com contacted me to let me know they had put Little Wooliam my sheep on their blog. So go check it out! It's a couple of posts back now but that just means you have to look at more handmade goodies to get to it. Here's the link directly to the blog http://foundhandmade.com/news/itemize if you want to skip the intro and shopping (are you crazy??). It's so nice to get a little pick me up when things are so slooooowwww.

My Goofy Guys

2009-05-19T09:21:00.002-07:00

You Garden and You Grow

2009-05-11T21:02:00.005-07:00

Some things I have learned in my garden this spring:

Patience. Not my forte, but you can't force a seed to sprout or a plant to flower.

Balance- water, food, compost, worms, sun, and in life.

Enjoyment of the most simple things. My first blades of grass, so soft and vibrantly green, were so beautiful.

To let go. Sometimes there is nothing more you can do. The peppers die and you pull them up, make a new plan, and move on.

The importance of taking time every day to be silent and still. No email, telephone, iPod, Facebook, television.

Optimism. This patch of dirt looked like it might be a lost cause. All it needed was some hard work and care.

Did not Make my day.

2009-04-22T17:01:00.002-07:00

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been a devout reader of Craft since Volume 1 and am very disappointed that the magazine will no longer be published. This is especially irritating to me since I had just received my first subscription issue as a gift and then got the notice. Obviously Craft is being sacrificed to save Make in these difficult economic times. As for the website, I have found it difficult to navigate. It is most definitely not a substitute for the print magazine.

I want to give Make a chance to wow me the same way Craft did. I hope that you will begin to feature more projects and articles in Make that would appeal to me. However, today I received Vol. 17 and was not thrilled. Since there are ads in it for Craft subscriptions it was obviously published before the axe fell on Craft and might not reflect the changes that will occur. Some of the projects in Make are interesting but not one of them is something that I want to spend my time doing (or have the tools, materials, knowledge, etc. for).

So here's the deal: My toolbox is equipped with crochet hooks, ribbon, Alene's Craft Glue, Sculpey, and Mod Podge. Not a circular saw, soldering materials, or anything else I would likely lose an eye or a finger to. If Make is going to incorporate more things that I might actually use in the future I would be happy to continue my subscription. I do not think that Vol. 17 should be counted as one of the issues left in my subscription since it was produced for a different audience and doesn't include any of the Craft spirit or style. If, however, Craft is simply dead and buried please let me know and I will consider cancelling my subscription.

Thank you for your honesty and for all of the past issues of Craft which amused me.
M.

Booze Hound

2009-04-15T13:35:00.004-07:00

One too many drinks at the OK Corral for Sheriff Sebastian.

Just another idea for stretching your entertainment budget! *

*Please note: Dog did not consume any alcohol. He is underage. Said dog is only a very hard sleeper. Author cannot guarantee success of this activity with your own pet or that you will find yourself so easily amused.

That's Some Schnauz

2009-04-14T21:32:00.003-07:00

The Lieutenant cracks me up. Looks like a grumpy old man, acts like a toddler after a cup of coffee.

A Sharp Idea

2009-04-12T21:40:00.003-07:00

Can't afford $10 to see a movie in the theater? Putt-putt a little too pricey these days? The dollar store is a great source for free entertainment if you leave your shopping list at home and look for oddities and funny stuff instead of bargains. Case in point: these totally affordable markers, which aren't those overpriced Sharpies- they're Skerples!

Help Homeless Felties

2009-04-06T13:34:00.005-07:00

While I'm in the process of moving my Etsy shop to mousepants.etsy.com I am having a 25% off sale (pre-shipping) just for my blog buddies. If there is a piece you have had your eye on send me a convo mentioning my blog after your purchase but before paying on Etsy and I will send you an adjusted invoice. You can shop from the old address at mjkeeton.etsy.com or the new one. I hope this can get some of my felties into good homes!

I Got It All

2009-04-01T19:46:00.004-07:00

It's a little late but here are some pics from my surprise birthday party last Monday. Will and Ann worked on the whole thing and even got my mom to come from out of town without me knowing that anything was in the works. The whole house was filled with orange, pink, and yellow streamers and balloons. We built a bonfire in the backyard and grilled and ate and laughed. Then the best part- a pinata. Now Will didn't just fill my pinata with candy. My pinata was filled with candy, little bottles of booze, and yarn. What more could a girl ask for?

Jumped the Gun

2009-03-30T10:28:00.002-07:00

It's been so beautiful lately that I forgot how New Mexico is in the spring. Last week I was wearing a tank top and working in the yard and today the sky is steel gray and it is frigid! My neighbor Ahmed saw me planting a tomato plant and told me to wait two weeks but I got carried away with the smell of wet grass and the siren song of the new buds on the rose bush and planted it anyway. Now it is a pile of brown mush. Why must nature toy with me so!

2009-03-22T21:50:00.003-07:00

Jade Goody died today. She was 27 years old and had cervical cancer. I am turning 28 tomorrow and I have cervical cancer. I kind of fell into a tailspin this afternoon thinking of all the things I would miss if I didn't have another birthday. Hearing my mom say "I love you" and the purring of my cat and the feeling of the wind on my face. All of those little things that are really the important things. Get yourself tested. Do what you can to take care of yourself and enjoy all the moments that so easily slip by everyday without us pausing to notice.

Spring Has Sprung

2009-03-21T13:22:00.010-07:00

The first of my spring tulips poked its pretty head out yesterday.

And then a cute little bee showed up!

The Birth of MousePants

2009-03-19T08:44:00.004-07:00

For a while now I have been trying to come up with a name for my "studio". Something that embodies my felties. Something charming, playful, sweet, and most of all just Me. I've gone through a couple and they just didn't prove to be the perfect fit. Well, I believe I've stumbled on my final choice. MousePants. Yep, Mouse + Pants. This all started with my little cat Maggie. She was a feral cat my mom rescued and gave to me. She lived an anxious life mostly under my bed and in my closet. I tried everything with this cat. I tried treats, leaving her alone, forcing her to interact with the other cats, snuggling her. Nothing could really tame that little beast. I bear the scars to prove it.
Eventually Maggie started waking me up in the morning peeping out from under the bed and chirping. I found that if I sang to her softly she would come out and tiptoe around a bit and give me a little affection to start the day. It was a nice little ritual for both of us though my singing leaves something to be desired. Not knowing Maggie's taste in music I started making up songs for her and one had to do with "little Maggie mouse wearing little mousy pants". She seemed to enjoy this one the most and MousePants seemed a fitting nickname for the skittish, tiny cat who slinked along the baseboards. Shortly after we moved to the new house Will accidentally left a window open and Maggie got out. I have seen her around the neighborhood but we haven't been able to catch her even with a livetrap. Little Miss MousePants has returned to the wild.
So, for some reason MousePants just seems the perfect thing to call my studio. When I was doing some basic searching to see if anyone could possibly be calling something else MousePants I did find some Mouse Pants. Thankfully, I do not think anyone will get confused between my felties and knickers with a keyboard in the lap, a mouse to use on your thigh, and speakers in the crotch. I love you little MousePants, wherever you are.

Opening Night

2009-03-13T10:04:00.002-07:00

Last weekend there was a reception for the opening of my show Wonderland at The Wooden Cow gallery. Some of my dearest friends from the knitting group came to give me some support. I was really nervous but when I walked in and saw all of them in their lovely shawls (they make a lot of shawls!) I felt just fine.

Introducing Lieutenant Mustache

2009-03-12T20:24:00.004-07:00

Well of course everything has changed. I needed a break. A little time for reflection. I got a miniature schnauzer puppy we named Sebastian and he's been keeping me busy. He is a complete goofball but also very snuggly and lovable and has proven to be my best therapy. Life rolls along. Work, knit, felt, friends, work. I'm getting the yard ready for our first summer here and having a great time finding all the new things I can hopefully coax out of the earth. I started a bunch of pepper and tomato plants and hope to have them ready to venture outside in a couple of weeks. More biopsies on Monday. I get to thinking about things and get too worked up. I sat down with a rum and coke and a jar of Spanish olives and a fork and decided it was time to get back on this horse.

A New View

2008-12-04T20:49:00.003-07:00

Finally starting to feel like I can breathe again. Sometimes the most simple things are the best therapy. This is the evening view from my new studio/office.

Free Falling

2008-11-02T11:21:00.015-07:00

One thing I have tried not to do with this blog is talk about my health issues. The reason is that I have a lot of them and a large part of my day revolves around pain management, doctors visits, labs trips, and dealing with insurance. I thought I could keep all of that separate. The problem is that it is such a substantial part of my day that a lot of the time I can't compel myself to sit down and write without mentioning it and so I just don't post anything.
I have had a new diagnosis that has shaken the foundation of my life. The C word. It's treatable and I will probably be just fine. Nonetheless it has changed things for me and made me feel totally ungrounded and unsure about everything. I was bobbing along- moving into our new home, planning a wedding, trying to put more time into my art, and POW! Life changes in a few short days so drastically.
I have been very busy with moving so I haven't had a lot of time to dwell and pity myself, thankfully. I am finding it hard to keep my mind focused on doing anything artsy though. I have a Christmas list of gifts to make that's as long as my arm and I can't bring myself to just sit down and invest a couple of hours each day in knitting. While moving everything I flipped through a book I bought some time ago on freeform crochet. I got out some vibrant Noro sock yarn that I know one of my girlfriends will love and sat down with a hook and just started making a scarf with loops and bobbles and following along wherever it seems to want me to go. It has been the one thing I can sit and do for hours. I love knitting and I will always love knitting but right now when all my plans and the path I have tried so carefully to pave for myself has been blown away it makes more sense to my scrambled mind to NOT follow directions or a pattern. It seems fitting to just sit and watch the colors flow through my fingers and put lacy bits and bumps and turns wherever they seem to fit instead of where they "should go".
If you've actually read this far you deserve a treat. Here's a free pattern from Berrocco for an interesting star sprocket crocheted thingy. http://berroco.com/exclusives/celestine_crochet Knitting (and crochet) are one of my most beneficial therapies. I will be sure to write more about that in the future. I hope that if you are facing challenges of your own be it your mental or physical or spiritual health, you can find something as positive to bolster yourself up. It might even make you more popular with all your friends when you get good enough to knit them all socks. XOXO

Moo To You!

2008-10-08T23:24:00.003-07:00

Please do me the honor and come visit my little felties at The Wooden Cow Gallery in Albuquerque, NM if you get the chance. It is a great, unique art space dedicated to promoting artists rather than pandering for profits. Sorry about my absence. Many changes in my life. I hope to return with a bang! XOXO

2008-09-09T20:35:00.001-07:00

Itty Bitty Knitting

2008-08-30T16:47:00.005-07:00

One of my more exciting knitting moments involved knitting a thong in a bar in 20 minutes for $20 and a round of drinks. My newest finished knitting project doesn't have that same guerilla crafting spirit but I have returned to the idea of making knitted underwear. Recently at least four knitting books dedicated to lacy, saucy underthings have been published. This particular pattern, free from interweave.com, has a frilly girly look without being fussy. Finally something I knit that I can wear in the summer.

Put Em Up!

2008-08-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

Best cat toy ever- a crocheted boxing mouse!

Slaying the Sockupine

2008-08-21T10:24:00.005-07:00

I have an ailment. Second Sock Syndrome. I didn't start off having problems finishing a pair of socks. I used to sew up a toe and cast on the cuff of my second sock with no hesitation. Perhaps it is because I have less time for knitting lately. I think it might also have something to do with all the beautiful sock yarns that beckon me whenever I go yarn shopping. In the past couple of years sock yarns have really gotten exciting so there is always something that I want to start knitting with. With three lonely single socks and all my DPNs occupied in my knitting bag I decided I had to take some action. I got 2-At-A-Time-Socks by Melissa Morgan Oakes and promised my sweetums a pair of socks. That way I have a commitment I have to keep, ya see?

The whole process looks a lot more complicated than it is and involves a 40" circular needle. If you can conquer a Mobius this is a piece of cake. The main problem I am having is that I am using both ends from one ball of yarn so there is a nasty snarl in the middle. I think I could have probably dug up enough info online to learn the technique without the book but the pictures do help. We will see how things go when I get to the more challenging parts (turning heels, etc.). Overall this seems to be a faster way to pop out a sock and it does ensure that both socks are the just same and that you get both (or neither) done. Still, as a traditionalist I kind of miss juggling my four bamboo double points, inevitably sitting on the whole mess and stabbing myself, and searching for the lost one that the cat stole or rolled under the couch. There is just something endearing about the sockupine that I may never be able to completely give up.

Feeling Green

2008-08-14T08:13:00.003-07:00

Why make a panda in black and white when you can go green? This is Shandy- he's on Etsy now!

Meet Orly

2008-08-06T07:57:00.002-07:00

I'm still here! I've just been having a hard time with the juggling act of life as of late. All that water did inspire this little otter though.

When It Rains...

2008-07-31T20:07:00.002-07:00

Last week my hometown was struck by a freakish spin off from hurricane Dolly that dropped nearly 7 inches of rain in 24 hours. Normally in the summers in New Mexico we worry about wildfires rather than flooding. I don't live there anymore but my mom does and I have lots of friends who do so it has caused me a great deal of worry. One particular area of town was severely torn apart, my mom's neighborhood. There is only one road in and out and the bridge washed out so she has been unable to drive out for days. At the end of June I was there visiting and spent some time hopping from rock to rock in the river, spotting rainbow trout, and looking for mint along the banks. My favorite places are there in that forest. My childhood wasn't spent with video games. It was spent exploring there. Throughout my years of "teenage angst" I took refuge in the stillness there that I couldn't seem to find in my life.
The most important thing is that my mom and all the people I care for there are safe. Things can be replaced and mud can be cleared away. I only worry that the next time I go back to visit I will find that my memories are all that is left.

Constant Craving

2008-07-24T13:42:00.004-07:00

I haven't been that thrilled with the latest Blythe dolls. Peony is cute but way too expensive for a girl in pajamas. I've been trying to snag an Ichigo Heaven anyway and they are too similar. All I have done with Mod Molly since I got her is torture her with customizations. Her head is in pieces on the coffee table right now actually. But this little lovey? Miss Sally Rice! Blue hair, kitty dress, and maryjane shoes? I simply cannot resist her. To my delight (and my responsible, reasonable inner adult's horror) the next one in line is Bow Wow Trad who has a dog in a skirt and tam. Yes, I said the dog was in the skirt. And the girl. She looks a lot like Night Flower who I have already but she has awesome turquoise eyes and A DOG IN A SKIRT and A HAT. Make way, girls, we're getting two new roomies.

Unhappy Hands

2008-07-21T20:21:00.003-07:00

Margot the Moth Girl. I haven't had the hand stamina to do much felting lately. I have a little pile of heads sitting on my felt board waiting for bodies. Margot the Moth Girl finally came to life tonight after a long time flitting about in my head.

Framed

2008-07-12T09:04:00.002-07:00

Eyewear by Calvin Feline. Models available for immediate hire.

A Good Omen

2008-07-09T07:44:00.003-07:00

After a string of unfortunate events (car repairs, health issues, plumbing problems) yesterday I came across a new inhabitant of my little porch garden. This preying mantis has apparently moved in among my tomatoes. Surely a sign of good luck. I think I'll call him Jeeves.

Hit the Shower

2008-07-01T11:14:00.003-07:00

I'm back in the bubble business! I made soap for a long time and had some great aromatherapy blends that I am reintroducing through my Etsy shop with hand knit spa cloths. Go treat yourself (and everyone who has to smell you) to some super smelling suds!

The Nose Knows

2008-06-30T08:53:00.002-07:00

If you have been wondering what Michael Jackson has been up to these days I believe I found the answer: He's been fathering alpacas.

Simple Pleasures

2008-06-29T11:00:00.003-07:00

Nothing in the world like homegrown tomatoes! My first little crop went into a great salad with wonton strips, sesame seeds, and radichio. I was away for a few days and thought that my house sitter (Thanks Dale!) would eat the tomatoes that ripened but I got back to all these just waiting to be plucked. What a great little treat- especially not having to worry about the salmonella!

2008-06-16T08:30:00.001-07:00

Roxy died yesterday.

This Little Piggy

2008-06-11T13:11:00.004-07:00

One pig, two pig. Grey pig, new pig! Here's out little baby guinea Roxy with my fatty Daisy. Roxy looks like a big head with legs.

Mad Love

2008-06-08T13:22:00.003-07:00

Maybe you've been wondering where I have been lately? What's been taking up my time? Leaving me distracted and a little breathless and losing my keys all over the place? In a nutshell: Boy meets girl. Girl runs over boy's foot with her car. Boy finds girl wildly charming. Boy and girl move in together. Adopt wily orange-haired guinea pig. All in less than a month. Call me crazy but I just decided that I needed to trust my heart and my gut feeling and hang on for this wild ride.

I'll post pics of Daisy with baby Roxy soon!

There Are No Words

2008-06-06T10:36:00.003-07:00

I am nearly beyond words trying to express my sadness and anger while watching this footage of a 78-year-old man be run over by a car yesterday in Hartford, Connecticut and then basically ignored by everyone on the busy street around him. I cannot imagine how all of those people could stand by and watch him lying in the street bleeding and not one of them reach out to help or even call the police. I am simply stunned. I find myself unable to even write much about this because seeing it makes me feel as if I have been hit in the gut. Someone interviewed afterward said they were "uncomfortable" about helping the man because he was bleeding and unconscious. Is the world such an ignorant, cold, selfish, horrible place that this is an acceptable way to treat one another? A few days ago I passed a bird flopping around in the street and didn't stop to do anything to help. I felt bad about it for days. I hope each of those people who chose to stand around gawking instead of acting like humans feel the weight of their stupidity and selfishness every day for the rest of their lives.

Size Does Matter

2008-05-31T16:39:00.003-07:00

The first time I made the Phyllotaxis Tam by Norah Gaughan it was great fun but it turned out too big. I have a perfectly average sized head- I have double checked. And no, I did not knit a gauge swatch, so don't even start with that. I have been wanting to do the pattern again because the top of the hat is a really fun series of right and left slants and a friend's birthday is the perfect opportunity to show off my skills. I decided to use Taos yarn by Crystal Palace and I really like how it turned out. Unfortunately this time I decided that I needed to knit the child's size since the other was much too big (for me and her) and now this one is too small. It fits, mind you, but it looks way more like a beanie than the classy cloche that the author intended. Well Hell's bells, I'm done with this one folks. The next time I want to investigate a phyllotaxis I will go ponder a pine cone.

Dal House

2008-05-24T11:55:00.003-07:00

My Dal duo- Calyx (Monomono) and Sakura (Sooni). Who will join the Plastic family next? There is a pink haired Dal coming soon and one with a sweet kimono and two limited Blythes who look quite promising.

Ask And Ye Shall Receive

2008-05-23T16:12:00.001-07:00

This, my dear, is a tsuboniwa.

My Garden in the Ghetto

2008-05-20T10:21:00.003-07:00

Every spring I start itching to open up my porch and see what all I can coax to thrive here in the middle of the city. There are some additional challenges besides the normal container gardening stuff- mostly that the whole thing is concrete and faces south so it bakes during the day and a lot of plants just can't take it. I was going to do a Japanese tsuboniwa this year but they don't usually include a lot of flowers and I love my flowers so I'm just doing my normal mishmash of oddities with a focus on bright colors. My pride and joy this summer are my four tomato plants which have gone totally crazy! I think the trick was that I started using worm poop in my dirt. It smells funny. Of course I am growing a nice patch of cat grass too.

Mouse Trap

2008-05-13T07:34:00.001-07:00

Little Maggie MousePants first thing in the morning. She's been known to give some luvens then bite you on the nose.

Brown Eyed Girl

2008-05-10T22:05:00.002-07:00

#3 in the Bikini Bunny series- Brown Eyed Girl.

Confounded.

2008-05-07T21:39:00.002-07:00

Limited edition fruit?

This Grass is Greener

2008-05-06T10:10:00.003-07:00

Combining my love for my kitties and my love of small scale gardening I am growing hydroponic cat grass. I got the spoiled little beasts a new drinking fountain and saw that there was an attachment to sprout the seeds right in the basin. Of course I had to get it. Can't deny them anything. At least I don't spend an hour a week doing their nails anymore.

Coincidence- I Think Not!

2008-05-04T21:00:00.004-07:00

Yesterday there was one dead bird on my doorstep. Today there were two dead birds on my doorstep. Either some sicko is messing with me, one of my outside cat friends is bringing me lovely bloody gory gifts, or there is some vampiric creature living in the bamboo there making a midnight snack of those poor little tweeters. Update forthcoming when the mystery is solved.

Get Thee to a Nunnery

2008-05-03T21:30:00.003-07:00

I bought new earrings. I curled my eyelashes. I told my friends I had a hot date. I picked out just the right thing to wear. And then I sat and waited. And my date didn't call. Didn't show up. And I feel like an ass. Since I haven't had any contact with him since making plans yesterday I obviously didn't do anything wrong but it still feels like it is somehow my fault. When friends bail on me I feel like that too and a lot of the time they don't realize it. So back to this guy- he seemed really nice. I talked to my mum and she said that she wondered whether all these guys who act like jerks have mothers around. Well, I happen to know the names of my dates parents. Reminded me of an episode of Sex and the City. Miranda gets stood up and is absolutely fed up with being trod upon by men. She happens to have gotten her dates mother's phone number so she decides to give her a call and let her know just what kind of a man she has raised. In that case the guy died of a freak heart attack earlier in the day. I have a feeling mine is just being a donkey. Maybe I should call his mother and let her know her son is going around town treating women like disposable little toys. I wonder if that would make him think twice next time? So here I am, Saturday night, 10:30, drinking Fat Tire. I made some cornbread. Burned the shit out of my finger. I'm ready for the nunnery.

Cuckoo for Koigu and Cram Cream

2008-05-01T15:21:00.005-07:00

I'll explain all this Koigu next time but for now suffice it to say that this is the first time I have actually owned Koigu and it is lovely yarn indeed. I have been wanting to make the Charlotte's Web shawl for years now and finally have the opportunity! Yeehaw! Additionally I decided that I needed a little more cute in my life and ordered a few rolls of Cram Cream tape to jazz up my packages, laptop, etc. These days my life is pretty much a pursuit of cuteness and I couldn't resist. On the site I got them from one was listed as "koara" which I also found maddeningly cute. Before I give you a toothache I'll go but remember, que tu es mignon! You're Cute!

OMG.

2008-04-29T16:00:00.003-07:00

OMG OMG OMG. I got my new Dal Sooni today and she is Supa Cute! My little Blythe girls have come competition. I don't anticipate taking her apart and repainting her face and stuff but she is just too adorable to resist. Her eyes move left and right rather than blinking. Her hair isn't as nice as some stock Blythe hair and it's a little wonky right now but I'll give her some styling. I couldn't find any comparisons for size between Blythe and Dal and I was worried she would be smaller. Eeeh! She's soo cute! Okay, that's enough of that. I'm going to have problems since there are at least two others who are right at the top of my list now. Gonna have to start selling organs or something.

Roots

2008-04-25T20:15:00.003-07:00

Little Sabine is all back together. My first two Blythes have pretty much been chop shopped but she's turned out pretty well. Her peppermint green mohair is very soft (from Yadeno) and I'm pretty happy with her new lips and eyes. I even decided that after all that poking and prodding she deserved a new dress.

My Life in Fiber

2008-04-18T08:36:00.005-07:00

The stash is an unusual thing. People who do not have one do not understand why you would accumulate mass amounts of yarn of all types, colors, weights, and fibers and continue to shop for and covet more. They wonder why, when you see a project you would like to tackle, you don't simple go to your basket or closet and pick out some yarn that you already have to make it. Now other arts and crafts require that you keep supplies on hand if you are serious about them but the stash isn't simply a collection of supplies. It is a tangible history- a rainbow braid that can take you back through all the months or years or decades you have been a devout fiberista. Each skein is a marker of some event or time or project and also holds the possibility of becoming something more.
I thought about all of this while I was untangling and sorting through two gigantic stash baskets earlier this week. Because of work and illness I haven't had as much time to knit lately as I like. This organizing project was something that I had been putting off for a long time but once I got started I felt like I was looking through a photo album of my knitting history. At the bottom of the baskets were balls and bags of Fun Fur from when I very first started knitting and it was new and all the rage. I think I had a scarf in every color made of that stuff. There were a lot of skeins of stiff acrylic from before I had discovered the importance of yarn with at least a little organic matter in it. Then came the beginning of my true addict years, after I had discovered wool and alpaca and angora and mohair. I have a ton of little bits of precious remnants of those first few balls I bought at the "real" yarn store. It's not enough to do anything with really but I've kept it. There's the vibrant pink mohair that I was so enamored with despite its price only to discover after knitting up a scarf that mohair and my bare neck aren't a good combination. I still adore that yarn. There is some Homespun that I made a scarf for my Grandaddy out of because it is so soft and easy to wash. He lived in hot west Texas and didn't have many occasions to wear a scarf. When he died I got it back with his smell on it so I know he wore it at least a couple of times. There are a lot of things that I had grand plans for that have yet to develop. On the very top of the basket there is the nubby purple wool and silk that I got on a little road trip with Kay and Betty when we ate some great pie. That's going to be a cardigan.
So the stash is more than just clutter in my house, or a cushy place for the cat to sleep, or miscalculations about how much yarn I will need for a project. It is a reminder of all these years that knitting and everything that has come with it has been such an important part of my life. It reminds me of my friends, the warm things I have made for my family, and the things I have taught myself to do that I never imagined I would be able to accomplish. For that I am willing to have a bit of clutter.

Putcha Hands Up

2008-04-14T16:32:00.003-07:00

1. A squirrel in progress.
2. When I'm working on animals I often search online for pics to get their faces right. If you search for pictures of squirrels a disturbingly high percentage of the pictures that come up are of squirrel carcasses. On the other hand there are also a lot of squirrels in costumes.
Another thing I have noticed- when I use the words hardcore (as in shopping folks), kitty, and uh.. sewing machine (?) more people seem to find my blog here on searches. How odd.

Got Stuck

2008-04-11T20:13:00.004-07:00

For all you fantastico needle felters out there I thought I would share my recent discovery- the Clover Pen Style Needle Felting Tool. Usually if I want to use more than one needle at a time I just tape the shafts together with Scotch tape. I do this because 1. those handles that hold multiple needles are usually heavy 2. I am cheap 3. I usually just use one needle at a time. I have that other Clover felting punch but it makes too much noise and is heavy. It also does not work particularly well for 3D stuff. This pen caught my eye because it was at Hobby Lobby which has just started carrying a little needle felting stuff and was hot pink. My verdict: It's very light and being small it's easy to hold onto without straining your hand. They say only to replace the needles with Clover brand needles but my other ones fit just the same. You can take part of it off and use it to either punch more shallow or deep depending on what you're doing. So I say go for it. It was $14.50 which is cheaper than a lot of the ones I have seen (course they are usually made of nice things like wood or metal) and I may actually be a partial convert from bare-handing it. My main complaint is that the cap does not fit on the end as a pen cap does which means every time I take it off I lose the damn thing. It also causes a much bigger wound to stab yourself with three needles than with one. Oh what we do for our crafts!

As a side note I had to mention that I managed to get gum in my hair today.

The Times They Are a Changin'

2008-04-08T22:03:00.003-07:00

It's very easy not to appreciate something (or someone) until it is no longer around. This is sadly the case with Magknits.com. After four years of operation Magknits has closed their site for good citing lack of funds, support, etc. I never really thought myself a big fan of the site until I found it had closed. The way I stumbled on it was looking through my bookmarks on my computer and trying to pull up a pattern for a scarf that caught my eye months ago. Well, along with new content the archives of past issues are goners too. Oddly, the project I was taking with me to TNK (Tuesday Night Knitting) today was my Jaywalker Socks which were a Magknits pattern.

As a sidebar, I have to post pictures of those socks cause you will love 'em!

So back to Magknits. I guess I always thought of them as Knitty.com's less sophisticated cousin and didn't give them as much credit as might have been due.

Another unfortunate discovery is the lack of free patterns that KnitPicks has been generating lately. I remember a time not so long ago when getting that catalog meant hopping online to download at least one free pattern. After their website got revamped last year I swear for a short while it said something along the lines of "patterns for you cheapskates" at the top of the free pattern section. That ticked me off a bit. Actually it really ticked me off. Because while they claim to be so affordable they are getting some real competition these days as more brands are producing nice yarns that are actually affordable. Also, when I order from KnitPicks I always do the same thing. I think,'Ah, everything is cheap so I should get 10 of them. Oh, and two of these too!' And I end up spending $50. So I'm plunking down my cash and yes, I have come to expect those couple of free patterns now and again. They did promptly remove that idiotic line from their site. I'm sure someone realized people weren't going to spend there money somewhere that insults them.
So here we are without Magknits and with KnitPicks dropping a couple of crappo patterns every six months instead of producing beauties like the Moc Croc Socks and the Candleflame Shawl. I guess the best we can do is try to let this be a lesson. Hang on to the things you hold dear. Give them the importance they deserve. Go hug a friend. Go hug your stash.

History's Mysteries

2008-04-02T17:13:00.002-07:00

I was disassembling some shelves on my porch and found this board. Apparently the person who lived here before me led a much more interesting life than I.

Corrupting the Cats

2008-04-01T12:44:00.004-07:00

Since I got the new fancy TV my little beasts have taken an interest in watching television. When I had my little crappy TV none of them cared about it. Forest is fond of nature programs on PBS and particularly likes frog noises. He likes to sit on the footstool so he's at eye level with it (as seen here watching an ocean crab). Tanga prefers cartoons.

Q&A

2008-03-30T15:54:00.010-07:00

I had the opportunity to do a little interview with a fellow Etsy crafter for her blog that was published today.
While you're there you can check out her shop too (bendawndavis.etsy.com). It's great when we can help each other out like that. It's easy to put so much energy and focus into promoting yourself and your artwork that you overlook other people's. The thing that keeps me from doing that is my good old hardcore addiction to shopping. I have to remind myself on Etsy that I'm there mainly to sell and I gotta keep my head in the game. Otherwise my credit card bill would be growing like an overfed goldfish and my felties would be languishing and collecting dust.

I have had a lot on my plate recently. I am debating whether I ought to just spill my guts here or not. There are people from so many facets of my life that read this that I have to consider. I do feel that until I can put more of myself here and be honest it's really just a photo album of my art which was not the original intention. So I have to work that all out on my own. Until then I apologize for having bored you in the past few weeks. I'll go get the cats some clothes or get something pierced for your enjoyment.

I Am the Egg Man

2008-03-25T21:50:00.003-07:00

My brain feels fried as an egg. I haven't been writing because by the end of the day lately I just want to melt into the couch. I did get my first spring flowers planted this weekend and went on a yarn expedition with some buddies. Of course, even after all the gems I added to my stash I have still been chasing one elusive catch, Lana Grossa Royal Tweed. I want to make a sweater out of this stuff but it's apparently been discontinued. Of course, if it was just a plain old worsted I would just get something else but it's got an interesting kink to it that most reminds me of Lion Homespun (much hated or adored I know). I don't want to make the sweater out of Homespun because that stuff sheds and pills like a cat in summer. How is it that you can come across 50 year old yarn for sale but not 8 balls of a yarn from 2006? I even considered ordering it from Germany but they didn't have enough of one color. In the meantime, while digging through the annals of Lana Grossa history to find out if there was a chance of finding it I came across some of their sock yarn that I promptly added to my "Much Coveted" list. I really like it knit sideways like that and I haven't been impressed by that before. Since today was crappy and I couldn't fulfill my yearning for yarn I bought two pairs of shoes. Now I just have to find the time to actually go somewhere and wear the shoes and knit something with all this yarn.

2008-03-22T23:01:00.001-07:00

27... shit.

A Mouse in the House

2008-03-22T08:30:00.001-07:00

Mena the Mouse Ballerina. A new piece finally on Etsy. It's been a busy week but she came scurrying out of my head at last.

Birthday Booty

2008-03-19T07:24:00.004-07:00

I was a lucky girl yesterday! I finally got Squiggly Squirrel all the way from Japan (remember her?)! Mum also sent me another Momiji called Rainbows and a pair of flip flop socks with little froggies on them. These were a hit with the knitting crew last night.

Then I decided I needed to just go ahead and splurge on the rest of the linens to match my comforter. While I was trying to make the bed I was opening packages and laying things out. I went to pick up one of the pillow shams and oddly it would not move. Well, guess who had moves in and made a little nest? Tanga was not happy when I dumped her out and replaced her with a pillow but quickly went to work burrowing around under the blanket as her next endeavor. So much for a fresh new bed.

Wee, wee, wee

2008-03-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

Penny the piglet in her little red pants!

Let Them Eat Cake

2008-03-14T00:36:00.002-07:00

Dear Tara made me some cupcakes for my birthday next week since she is going to be out of town. One of the best things about Tara, other than that we always have fun together and I can be a complete dork and play with toys in front of her and she still comes around (and she loves cheese, though not as much as I) is that she is an excellent baker. It's probably good we don't get to hang out really often or I would have gained some major chub.

Sensory Overload

2008-03-12T20:55:00.002-07:00

The worst part about this sinus operation has not been pain or bruises. It's been being stopped up. I could not breathe through my nose for days. Now that they took those giant splints out and I'm getting adjusted I have found myself to have a new ability. While sitting at my desk working I smelled cat poo. I looked around the room to make sure someone wasn't being naughty (they don't do that!) and found myself alone. So I went to investigate. I found the source right where it should have been- in the cat loo in the bathroom closet. Being able to smell gross things from such distances is not a super power you want to have my friends. Additionally, I got a big LCD television as an early birthday present. Now I get HDTV which is a great new wonder to me. The bad part? Watching a damselfly larvae eat a tadpole so large and so realistically in my living room actually made me throw up a bit in my mouth. I don't normally get skeeved out so easily, but the same happened when watching giant tarantulas crawling all over the screen. I think I am going to go put my head in a bag now.

My Little Pony

2008-03-10T21:24:00.005-07:00

That nice person I met a few weeks ago turned out not to be so nice. As usual, this means that I am once again putting all my energy into making stuff. It is disappointing that things did not turn out the way I had hoped. Dating is a complete drag. I guess it gives me some "angst" to pour out in art. Needle felting is good for that since it is basically a whole bunch of stabbing. Here's my newest- Luna the Unicorn. She's pretty happy considering I am not in the happiest of moods.

Slimy Things

2008-03-07T16:23:00.003-07:00

I've been on hiatus because I had surgery on my nose and sinuses. During my convalescence I started thinking of snails for some reason. I think it might have had something to do with the interesting things that have been coming out of my nose since the procedure. This little snail here is much cuter than those things. I promise. Don't dare me to put a picture of that on here cause I just might do it.

Felted Fortune Cat

2008-03-06T14:07:00.001-07:00

At Last

2008-02-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

Frida and Zapato are all done. What's next?

The Orderly Chaos That is Me

2008-02-29T10:06:00.002-07:00

Remember when I started Little Frida in Felt? Well here she is, nearly finished. I decided to make her monkey friend out of paper clay which I have only just discovered. It is quite fun to work with. I think her little monkey is named Zappato but he actually looks more like a bear or a cat. Maybe he needs some big monkey feets. I went out on a limb here and decided to give you a look at part of my desk where all the magic happens. Actually, it happens all over my apartment so the whole dang place looks like this. As you can see, I keep things nice and clean but Martha Stewart would definitely not approve of my organizational skills.

In Bloom

2008-02-26T21:40:00.001-07:00

Sprout!

Imaginary Friends

2008-02-24T16:10:00.001-07:00

Poke, poke, poke. Listening to Bjork has got me making more little nymphs and woodsfolk again.

Call Doll-ANON

2008-02-22T23:14:00.002-07:00

As if I needed another thing to spend my money on or another thing to start collecting I just discovered Momiji dolls. While searching for more kokeshi I happened upon Momiji which are modeled after kokeshi but are made to appeal to a modern, younger audience rather than art collectors. Each one is a little character with a story. Check out momijishop.com to see all the little cuties and other kokeshi stuff like mugs and bags. I am not going to admit how much money I have already dropped on these. They are just too sweet to pass up. Hopefully before I end up living in an alley with a bag full of dolls people will start feeling the same way about MY little creations.

The Unabashed Face of Evil

2008-02-22T12:25:00.002-07:00

Went psychotic on basket of yarn.
Broke the lamp.
Bad, bad kitty.

Felty of the Future

2008-02-16T20:18:00.003-07:00

Socket the Sappy Robot
I liked the idea of making a robot, something typically made of metal and electrical components, out of squishy soft felt. Socket has a little story of his own that explains his big heart. Go to my Etsy store to read it!

Slick New Sticks

2008-02-15T13:19:00.002-07:00

Wooo knitta! After starting yet another project on circular needles, not having the right gauge/length combination, running out at 9 pm to Hobby Lobby, and ending up with a crappy curled up Baleen circ that stayed coiled up like a stubborn cobra I finally broke down and treated myself to the starter set of KnitPicks Options wooden needles. Back when I very first started knitting and had no one to compare notes with and no experience I tried the cheapo interchangeable needles and was very unimpressed. Well this is a whole new ball game. These lovelies have a great cable that popped right out of the bag and unrolled ready to get to work. The joint feels as smooth as a standard high end circular and there is a little key to tighten the tips and make sure they don't come loose while you're in your knitting groove. And of course, what caught my eye in the first place, the needles themselves are made of satin smooth rainbow colored wood. If you keep up with my banter you know my preference for wood and these simply take the cake. So there's only one question- why am I spending so much of my Friday free time extolling the virtues of these needles and not curled up in a fit of stitches? Go get you're own set! I'm off to knit!

Better Late

2008-02-13T20:48:00.004-07:00

I met someone friendly on Groundhog Day and lost my focus in a bit of juvenile twitterpation. How could I possible ignore a holiday centered around a fat, bucktoothed marmot? Since my post is a little untimely I thought I would share some great groundhog facts and give you a little update. First off, did you know that groundhogs weigh about 13 pounds but can reach up to 30 lbs? That's some big rodent, huh? The groundhog has many names including woodchuck, whistle pig, marmot, and land beaver. The average groundhog moves 700 pounds of dirt while digging its burrow. If they're that industrious how are they also so rotund? Now that I have given you a few bits of animal knowledge that you can use to impress your friends I'll get back to today. It's been very busy. Lots of work. Etsy has been slow. Since I've had so much work I haven't had a lot of time to make art. I do have a custom piece that is almost done. On a happy note, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Well I guess that might or might not be happy. I bought myself some ridiculously expensive chocolates. Maybe tomorrow I can drum up something more exciting to tell you. Who knows, you may end up getting to meet my new friend who distracted me in the first place.

Also- to everyone who has left me kind comments here, thank you! I appreciate your encouragement and love to hear from everyone whether I know you already or you've just tripped and landed in my little corner here.

Red Red Rat

2008-02-07T16:58:00.000-07:00

Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Rat in the lunar calendar. Had I been at the top of my game I would have unveiled a rat felty today. I myself am a proud little rooster by the Chinese zodiac. My dear mum is a rat so perhaps this will be an auspicious year for her. If you are in ABQ there is a celebration on Saturday at the Chinese Cultural Center at 1 p.m. There's supposed to be a big dancing dragon!

Two For Tea

2008-02-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

This week has got me feeling like a hamster on a wheel. Actually, I think most hamsters run on their wheels because they enjoy it, right? Hopefully this weekend I can take a cue from my bunny pals and kick back with a cup of tea and a book.

Tattooed and Confused

2008-01-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

This is really, really, really strange. So say you don't want a tattoo or piercing but you want to decorate yourself with something a bit "edgy"? How about a ring that you roll over your skin to leave a temporary imprint in a lovely pattern? WTF is this all about? If you want to find out what all the hip people who are apparently light years ahead of the rest of us are up to go to http://www.trendhunter.com and look at the Hot Trends sidebar. I'm not entirely certain whether these things are just predicted to be popular or already have some numbers behind them but I myself do not know any fans of canned cheeseburgers.

UPDATE:
The link was working last night and then it disappeared. Don't understand all that so I just wrote it in. Now at least you can find what I was talking about. And as for the Sumerians and all, dearest Kay, yes that idea has been seen before. My first thought was of the DIY rollers that you can use to put patterns on your walls with paint. But, um, not smooshed into your face so you look like you have some odd form of designer pox! Now go check it out :)

Grrr!

2008-01-27T11:29:00.001-07:00

Need coffee.

Long and Lean

2008-01-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

Graham the Giraffe. Actually he kind of has a belly.

Lost My Candy

2008-01-24T23:00:00.002-07:00

I lost a giant box of Lifesavers somewhere. I have been looking for it for like two hours. I am going crazy.

Lovely Little Ladies

2008-01-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

My eight beautiful kokeshi dolls. After I had three I decided I needed to get a shelf. Now I need a bigger shelf.

Mouse is so Last Season!

2008-01-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

Omygod, Blythe is putting out a Petite called Squiggly Squirrel in February! See, it's not just me (and Dale) who are nuts for them. Squirrels are SO hot right now!

It's Easy Being Green

2008-01-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

The Green Pip and his pet dust bunny Fuzzle.

The Red Pip

2008-01-13T23:02:00.001-07:00

This is the Red Pip. He is going to live in California. I am working on an army of little Pip minions to help me take over the world. I figure having one stationed on the west coast is a good start.

I'm In Love

2008-01-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

I have yet to find the perfect man but I did finally find the perfect quilt!

The Hat That's Been on My Mind

2008-01-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

I took some time for myself last night after finishing a little wooly to do some knitting. I have been spending so much time felting lately that I have been neglecting my knitting needles. What got me going was the need for a super soft slouchy hat. A bit more fashionable than a beanie and less snooty than a beret, you can throw it on over bedhead but still look pulled together. Another bonus for me at the moment is that you can easily finish it in an evening. I started with a pattern but when it wasn't going like I wanted I winged it so if you want it leave me a message and I'll post it here for everyone. I made this one in Bernat Alpaca Blends which is soft as a kitten. Meow!

Happy Dance

2008-01-07T09:38:00.001-07:00

Harvey Hotfoot the Dancing Hamster. He was on the front page of Etsy! woohoo!

Bad to the Bone

2008-01-05T22:09:00.000-07:00

You're certain to look really tough when you step off the curb in front of a bus with this kick ass skeleton jacket zipped up over your face dumbass.

Long Live the Queen

2008-01-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

I may not have my own Valentine but I'm getting in the mood for love with my felties! This is the Queen of Hearts.

K2tog? Nope.

2008-01-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

In hopes of promoting my knit pendants I thought it would be a good idea to send out some "samples" to my favorite knitting sites and online knitting personalities. I figured that especially all the knit bloggers who got their start in the knitting business by sharing their projects and musings with strangers online would be receptive. So I sent off a few emails explaining who I am, that I am just one little lady in an apartment trying to get my idea off the ground, and that I would like to share it with them no strings attached. I included my Flickr address and my Etsy address so they could investigate me if they wanted to before giving me their mailing addresses. There was one lady in particular who I had met at a lecture here who I was certain would take my free gift. She seems so personable and easy going in her books and on her blog! She seems so funny and down to earth! Well, forget that. It seems that I don't even warrant a "go sit on a tack" or "no thanks". I had hoped that these people would remember that they got their start because someone gave them a chance. Apparently our community is not as tightly knit as I thought.

A Good Start

2008-01-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

I rang in the New Year with best bud Dale, three full seasons of Meerkat Manor, a giant pizza, and champagne. Can't ask for much more.

Singing in the Rain

2007-12-29T17:36:00.000-07:00

Needle felted crocodile on Etsy! I put a chimp on yesterday.