Dog Days

I hate Summer. I live with someone who loves it. On days with the heat index over 100 degrees, I just want to sit in a cold dark room with a big icy drink. A few weeks ago the Man and I were in Lake Geneva, and I got sick being out in the heat. Like my innards were cooking! The Man wanted to go away today, and I was dreading it. He didn't feel good today, and although he would never admit it, I think the heat from yesterday really got to him. So we stayed home. I'm taking care of my friend's house and cats while they are away for a week, and I think the plants in their window boxes are going to die on my watch. I feel like the life is sucked out of me, and I need all the energy I can get these days. Because he didn't get to be chauffeured by me all over Wisconsin, I made a meal at his request, potato pancakes. Two large potatoes shredded with as much water squeezed out as you can, one medium onion, chopped, 3/4 cup flour, 2 eggs, salt and pepper. Mix all together, form into palm-sized patties and fry in a hot pan with oil and butter. The Man likes his with maple syrup. I like mine with salt and creme fraiche.

Suspension of Disbelief

"Willing suspension of disbelief" is a term left over from my days as a theatre major. It's when you let go of reality just a bit so you can believe the story being told in the play. It works sometimes in real life too. If you practice this in politics, you would be known to others as a NeoCon. Oops, I'm showing my blue side! Back to the project. This is a piece that's going to be featured in the August issue of Symmetry magazine, a science publication from Fermilab. LHC stands for some sort of particle crusher that's being built in Switzerland. I've been told what the letters stand for, then immediately forget. The photos were to document the process of knitting the sweater, a process that had nothing to do with how this sweater would be constructed in the real knitting world. The back and sleeves were knit on my machine, a great tool for meeting deadlines. The sweater is assembled before the front is finished! To show the letters taking shape while the observer would surmise that this item is a sweater, I had to do the intarsia upside down. So I started with a provisional cast on, worked part of the upside down intarsia, and did the neck and shoulder shaping in the reverse direction. When I got to the point that's in the photo, the client thought that there was too much yarn on the needles. Don't try to explain that this is the widest point of the piece, and therefore, would have the most live stitches. They just want what they want. I ended up casting on a few stitches for a blue dot that will be at the bottom of the circle, picking them up through the sweater, and running a piece of yarn to hold the live stitches. I have no idea how they dealt with the curling that was going to happen with most of the stitches off the needle. My brain was bleeding! The real work, when finished, will have the final dot done in duplicate stitch. The yarn used for the sweater was Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran, which is lovely stuff. Get some. The colors were more Silkroad Aran, Cascade 220, and some green wool that happened to appear in my stash at just the right time, so I can return the ball I purchased for just the few yards of green that the L needed. This sweater will be on the cover, and featured on the inside of the magazine, like the table of contents, etc. I'm getting a photo credit, too. This should be out around the same time that Playboy hits the stands. How did I get this job? Thanks to my friends Kathy and Sharon at Arcadia Knitting. They told the client that they knew the knitter that just did the cover of Playboy. Speaking of Arcadia, they're hosting a blogger meet up next Monday, 7/31, and they want me to feature some of my work. So, there may be a little preview of what can be expected next fall. Sort of like a book signing without the book. It starts at 7 pm, and there's going to be treats and surprises and lovely new yarns to fondle and sniff, and dog mannequins.

My Take

On tonight's Project Runway, Designer's Best Friend! This photo is from Tim Gunn's blog, and just shows the designer, but not his outstanding garments that deserved some more attention, and perhaps the win! This is Michael Knight, and so far he's been under the radar. What I've seen looks very interesting. In my opinion, he is, as he states it, a MFing designer! I hope it's not my kiss o' death, but I think he could get to the final three. I'm over that Laura Bennett. Her attitude about that adorable little Pomeranian was offensive. She says she can't relate to a little dog because she has so many kids. Kind of reminds me of situations where yuppies have a baby, who become the new prop (or accessory), and the poor pet gets neglected.

Proof That I'm Losing My Mind

I would call the sweater that Piccolo is wearing in the photo with the Man one of my favorites. I knit the body with Christopher Sheep Farm wool, in a lovely candy apple red, and did the collar in some mill end Lorna's Laces. The bands are wool/mohair from Cloverleaf Farms, and the tips are Kimmet Croft wool. A lovely collection of fibers, I must say, knit about two years ago. I didn't realize until I put both sweater into some wool wash yesterday that I almost duplicated the color combination with a freshly made sweater for Piccolo's ever growing wardrobe. The bottom sweater is knit in Lucy Neatby's Blue Faced Aran for the body, Blackberry Ridge wool/mohair for the bands, and Cascade 220 for the tips.

I'll Take That Drink Now

Have you ever done a Google search that revealed a shocking surprise? I was looking at the blog stats last night, which led to the Google search, which informed me that a book is being released in September that has my title. Spelled differently, but my title just the same. Authored by a Rowan designer, her affiliation discovered doing a secondary Google search. Doggie Knits was not my choice, but I've been living with it, and referring to my book as it for a long time now. I'm sure this happens frequently, especially with the glut of craft books that are being published. I hope that my editor will support me changing the title. I had first thought of something with Lucky Penny in the title, but really, that name has no brand recognition (yet!), so that won't work, either. It's a strange turn of events. The Man and I are going out for a margarita tonight, and I really need it!

Full Plate

I quit one of my jobs today. It was a part-time arrangement that I hoped would turn again into something full time, but my manager left, so the chances of that happening went away, so I thought, why stay? The Man thinks I should have kept it, but honestly, there's so much to do. I haven't made a sweater for my retail site in months, and after my manuscript is turned in, there's three shows to get ready for, and an Etsy storefront to fill. It might also be fun to do a downloadable pattern from this blog or the Lucky Penny site. The time has really come to make my little business grow. I'm ready!

Project Spectrum--July

So this may be the only purple you see on this blog this month. I'm up to my eyeballs in work projects, and I got the email I had been expecting, the when can we expect your manuscript one. So, no projects will likely be made from my purple stash, and the heirloom cauliflower was eaten. It didn't stay that purple after steaming, I might add. So, it appears that if I like a designer on Project Runway, it's the kiss of death. I was thinking I was loving Malan. The affectations, and the goofy laugh. The story of how his mother humiliated him broke my heart. I think that the attitude that he could show just covered up vulnerability, which made me like him more. Too bad. He would have made the show way more interesting.

Amongst the Treasures

Behind the Roseville Freesia urn that holds what remains, is a treasured photo of Yoda, the little girl who came to a shelter as a stray, and chose me for the Mom. I had gone in to the shelter with my friends Pam and Lee when they were looking for a dog for themselves. That day, I had no intentions of having a pet. Yoda was old when she came to live with me, and only spent a few years as my treasured companion. Weighing only six pounds, I could carry her in one hand, and she went along as I shopped the antique malls that dotted the neighborhood where I once lived. Years after her death, I was still recognized by the shops' proprietors as Yoda's mom. She slept next to me, curled up in a little ball next to my head. I loved to snuggle with her and just breathe her in. During a heat wave in 1995, which I'm convinced took a toll on older pets, because Yoda was not the only old dog in my neighborhood to die that year, I took her with me to San Francisco to visit David. I was out doing laundry, and David shot a roll of black and white film. The photos really captured Yoda's essence. I have this in a place where I can see it every day. She taught me that nurturing and caring for a little vulnerable creature is the best feeling. Ever.

Stinker

Just look at this child! Doesn't he look like he's going to cause some mischief? It's the Man, circa 1952 in his back yard in Chicago. I can't get over how cute this is, and how he still sort of looks like this, and he is a stinker. Tomorrow's the birthday, and in many family restaurants, he can qualify for a senior discount. So, how wrong was I about Project Runway? I knew my San Francisco friend was doomed when she gave up the sewing machine in favor of hand stitching her dress together. I'm surprised one can make it that far in the audition process without basic sewing skills! My new favorite is the very glam Laura Bennett. I love her audition video where she is standing serenely while her five male children are all running amok in her apartment. That's sort of how I picture the Man's childhood. The Man is the oldest of seven children. I imagine from his behavior now, that his parents gave up on the discipline and order because there were too many kids! As opposed to my family situation with the Strictest Parents Alive.

Vintage

I love vintage linens, and use them. I must confess that many of my vintage sheets and pillowcases are getting rather threadbare, and deteriorating much the same way as my vintage quilts are. A little "sub collection" are my vintage handkerchiefs. This one I had framed. It's a calendar hanky from 1951, the year my Man was born, on July 15. Born to make me crazy. Every year in the fifties has a calendar hanky, and I have one for my year of birth, but 1951 is the cutest. My intention was to get my hanky framed, and then hang them in a pair over our bed. I haven't gotten around to getting mine framed yet. I'm trotting this out because I don't have much to show knitting wise. I'm itching to start something new, and have a few things lined up, but I'm trying to wrap up professional obligations before I take the plunge. The sleeves for the magazine piece are blocking, and the studio still has the rest of the sweater. I was going to get it back this evening, but it doesn't look likely. I hope they still don't expect it assembled on Friday still.

So Excited!

I generally hate reality shows. I only watched Survivor for a few episodes, and found it silly, and the host rather full of himself. Never tried the Survivor clones that are everywhere. The exceptions are on Bravo. I always chuckle at the Queer Eye boys. They're adorable, and so kind to their makeover subjects. I would love for them to make over the Man into a creature who's tidy! I thought Being Bobby Brown was amusing, and Whitney Houston hilarious. Then there's the best, best show. Project Runway. I was hooked during Season One, and guessed that Jay McCarroll would win the big prize. He never won any of the challenges leading up to fashion week, but his work was always interesting. Season Two was harder for me to predict a winner, because the designers really had a lot more skill. Looking at the stills of the New York Fashion Week show, Kara Janx, who was the last eliminated before the final three, had the strongest collection, which featured some hand knitted items! Wednesday night, is the premiere of Season Three. This photo is Stacey Estrella, an early favorite, mostly because she's from my adopted fantasy home town, San Francisco. I also just love, love Heidi Klum. She's adorable! Also memorable is Tim Gunn, the very droll advisor to designers as they complete the challenges. The challenge for me while the show is on is to keep the Man away. He always does something to divert my attention while the show is on. I demand silence, and no distractions for Project Runway! The best source for all things Runway, even better than the Bravo site, I think, is Blogging Project Runway, which has frequent updates, and all kinds of links to designers' and models' websites and blogs. The designers even write in with updates. This is really going to take the edge off this summer, as I "carry on" with my Project.

I've Got Nothing, So Check This Out

I think that the art that's displayed in my home should reflect my interests and passions, and not necessarily match the furniture. What's hanging on the walls are vintage calendar plates, vintage linens that I've had framed, and dog art. I posted these paintings of Penny and Gidget a few months ago, and now the painter, Sandy Stutz, has them on her web page, Stutz Studiowerks. The other photo is an icon box that features Sandy's dog Freida Pixel. There's a surprise in the box that you have to go to her website to see! Some designs for the Doggie Knits book are named for Sandy's dogs. Besides Sandy's art, she also represents a few other artists who work in various types of media. In my little studio, some progress was made on both projects, but I've really got nothing to show, and nothing purple for Project Spectrum yet. The Man wanted to go away again this past weekend, but I was firm on staying. I'm on deadline! Piccolo was not herself this weekend either, I think is may be a bad knee acting up again, but we stayed in Saturday night to cuddle with her.

Lapse of judgment

Tonight at KIP at Letizia's I told stories about the Man. A few months ago, I wrote about his idea of stuffing paper napkins in his armpits to extend the wearing of a shirt. He told me that he went to breakfast the other morning at a restaurant on Lincoln Avenue, and after he was seated, he noticed his napkins protruding out of each sleeve of his shirt. This story, like so many other Man stories, got a very big laugh. I did confess to the Man that I told people this story. I would love to see a television sitcom about the Man and his silly world, all the crazy characters that he knows, like Mr. Imagination the bottle cap artist, and Ronnie Woo-Woo of Wrigley Field fame. Today I bought a few more dog mannequins from my friend Sandy, who's moving her business and doesn't want to take them. That makes for 8, practically a kennel full of plastic life size dogs. I'll probably go back and buy some display grids to add to my collection. I'll need some display that can be set up and transported easily. I found out tonight that I'm going to be a vendor at the Renegade Craft Show in September. I was in the first one, in 2003. This time it's two days, which will be a pain because the set up has to be taken down on Saturday night to be set up again on Sunday. I'll either buy or borrow a canopy, and get a cooler full of beverages so it can be a little party/picnic for all my knitting friends who want to stop by. Hopefully I'll have some book related media by then. I know I said before that I would not do another outside show. I'm hoping that the weather cooperates, and it won't be beastly hot, or rain enough that Wicker Park turns into a mudslide like last year. In another lapse of judgment, I applied to the Rockwell Crossing Art Walk again, for October.

Vacation Greetings

The Man and I both pretty much make our own work schedules. Our time off is always rather spur of the moment and without direction. On the road, wherever it takes us, which has usually been up North to Wisconsin. We are convinced that apart from Starbucks (for me), no good coffee is found in the state. Including the bad pot of coffee that I made at my mom's house. We're finding good inexpensive dining, such as the Four Seasons in Manitowoc, Jessica's Family Restaurant in Whitewater, and the Apple Holler in Sturtevant. This photo is from the mini farmyard zoo on the Apple Holler grounds. The animals there are sheep, goats, llama, and a herding dog named Dexter. We went away for the holiday, and Piccolo stayed behind in her quarters at Riser Animal Hospital. I didn't have better luck with the motel room. Not much sleep was had, I'm not certain if the air conditioning was faulty or if I'm having hot flashes! Fun. Progress in being made on both the publication sweater and that Other Project. Back to knitting! I'm planning ahead to lure the Man up to Michigan next month for that big fiber event.

Summer 1978

I've been thinking about getting older, and people that have come across my path who I've admired. Who got older, and did it with incredible style. The person who most impresses me with aging with style was a professor I had in college, Dr. Jean Scharfenberg. She died a few years ago, and a Google search didn't bring up a decent bio, although there are a few acting and directing scholarships in her memory. This is a photo from As You Like It, from the first Illinois Shakespeare Festival, in Bloomington, Illinois. I worked in the costume shop that summer. I believe the actor in the photo is Gary Cole who may be familiar to you from the Night Caller television series, and playing Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald in a television movie series. The costumes are macrame, people! We were not loving macrame in the costume shop, believe me. Dr. Scharfenberg directed this production. She drove a Porsche, wore capes, and used a cigarette holder. She had a pool in her back yard in Normal, Illinois, and her pool parties were legendary. I was invited once. My favorite memory of Jean Scharfenberg was when I spent an afternoon alone with her in New York City, while I was on Spring break with the Theatre Department. We stood on line to get tickets for On Golden Pond when it was an off-Broadway production. She laughed heartily at me, while I gasped and screamed through my only cab ride in New York.
Dr. Scharfenberg educated many actors that are working now. I often recognize former classmates on television shows and in movies. My life now has very little to do with my college experience as a Theatre major. I realized in my senior year that if I pursued a life in the theatre, I would probably spend most of my time waiting tables, and while I wasn't the most talented actress, I was worse as a waitress. I do think about getting my MFA in costume design, even now sometimes. While the job I have feeds me, it doesn't really Feed me.