UFO'S that need to be FROGGED...

and other such folderawl......(SP?) :-)

UFO boyfriend, has been frogged permanently! (L this is for you....LOL!)...and for others reading this blog...L is a fan...and has been recommending this ever since first reading my blog. Frogging a person from your life....is a concept I had never considered....How to do that effectively, will be a subject possibly for my next post.

Frogged permanently meaning, for example, numbers removed from my speed dial, etc. The things you set up in life when you are in a relationship....and perhaps are no longer consciously aware of their existence....photos around the house, in rooms you rarely visit are another....and the list can go on.....and on. It was time, I had just not gotten around to it. Now it is done. It was painless, because a true break up, is just that....indicative that something is broken....and can not be fixed. It is time to move on to greener pastures.

This is just as important, for personal relationships that have gone awry as for home projects, art projects...and knitting projects. Clutter blocks energy....either physical clutter or emotional.

So when does a UFO need to be Frogged?

1. When it's very existence keeps you from moving forward, consciously or subconsciously.

2. When it impacts your creativity, negatively.

3. When it weighs on your heart, too heavily.

4. When there is no future.

5. When it takes more effort or thought than it will likely ever give.

6. When it is totally out of your control...like you need more yarn and it is no longer available or in the original dye lot you require.

7. When it is oversized or undersized....It does not fit you and probably never will!

8. When you know no matter what you do, it will never make you happy or even crack a smile........and there are other projects or alternatives that will!!!

9. When you have partially frogged and redid, frogged and redid more than 5 times....give up and start a new project, this one just was not for you.....even though it seemed perfect at conception.

10. When you run out of storage space....and there is no where left to put this oddball.......

On other subject matters, the puppy doozal...is 16 weeks old......and growing cuter by the day.

Puppy kisses are good for your soul..........!!!!!

She is healthy and happy and a good addition to our home.Koko is so happy and thriving with her new friend.

Note, trust your instincts,even when all your friends and family are telling you, not to do something, it does not mean your instincts aren't the right ones.

The store, is in abeyance at the moment. There are problems with which, I am not sure that I want to contend. I am contemplating severing this arrangement, with great remorse, partly because completion of my store, is just taking too long!

This is what the interior looks like so far.I have put 5 months into planning this venture, so if I do decide to end the transaction it will be with great difficulty....but with the knowledge that I had no other choice.

Hint: It has something to do with the nefarious antique dealer across the way, who is not on the up and up! He has a theft record fairly long and a history of drug abuse. I am not pleased about the situation for many reasons, obvious and otherwise.

Some people see second chances only as a way to do more harm.

I am weighing my options as I type and will make a final decision at the end of this holiday weekend.

Please take a moment this weekend, to remember those that are still far from home....fighting on our behalf, protecting our shores....and those that have died to honor our country and US.

Wishing you all a wonderful fun and remembrance filled holiday,

smiles to you,

DC

More Pitti Filati - 2008

You can find the photo gallery of pitti filati 2008 here and the video prepared by the pitti filati blog in my post below for your oogling pleasure.

Pitti Filati, is the international trade show, where all the new yarns and fibers are presented to buyers. Their trade exhibits are always incredibly inspirational to me. To attend this show would be a dream come true, not to mention it takes place in Florence, Italy. Just imagine....for any stashaholic....it would be HEAVEN on earth......

To learn more about pitti filati or florence, Italy, check out this blog......

Please help end the horrible conditions that puppy's may endure at PENNSYLVANIA puppy mills. It is atrocious and despicable that any animal should be subject to the current conditions.
Support the passage of Rep. Casorio’s bill which, is vital if Pennsylvania is to improve conditions for dogs kept in commercial kennels and put an end to the state’s reputation as the “Puppy Mill Capital of the East.” read about the bill here.......please sign and execute before May 14th, 2008.

https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2388

Thank you!!!

Smiles to you on this rainy pennsylvania evening,
DC

Pitti Filati - 2008

Stitch N' Bitch Bucks County.....

happened last evening....and there were actually three of us that showed up....Four if you count the EX-HUBBIE, who showed up without his KNITTING AGAIN!

We were happily knitting away....and discussing Karen's impending nuptials...when I happened to mention my stepson's wedding planning....and, how he called to inform us that our 1/4th share of his big event was $14,000 and we never agreed to pay for anything....or knew the planning had begun...LOL! I had just mentioned that ultimately our share was weedled down to $7,000 sometime after my EX, exclaimed.....HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND???? FOR WHAT???? I just gave you a $10k graduation gift and a very generous engagement gift and I have your school loans to payoff...

Seems stepson and his fiance, decided to go shopping with everyone's money and just assumed we would gladly pay the bill. We were laughing about it......When the EX showed up out of no where and corroborated my story. My question is, did I subconsciously will him to show up? Is that possible? If so, why didn't my soulmate show up with him?

It was about then that Karen and Jane decided to part, I wish I had. I ended up having two MERLOTS at the grotto with him.......which, helped me immensely. I had a third one when I arrived home. The silver belle right yoke never got finished. I am still working on it.

I had peanut butter and jelly for breakfast and an extra helping of whipped cream in my coffee this morning...I needed it.

The EX inquired about the well-being of UFO Boyfriend,he had bumped into someone UFO had worked with who had been fired and wondered if UFO was okay and still had his JOB....LOL!

I said, "perhaps you can start stalking him....you two have lots in common."

The highlight of the evening, was when I said to the EX-HUBBIE, you never hear what I say....after, he asked me the same question 3 times. He said, yes, I heard everything you said. I did. That is when I said, "so why do you keep asking me the same question over and over? My answer has not changed".....LOL!!! He did not have an answer for that.

He told me he is doing well and does not need to take his meds anymore. I said, how do you know....he said, because I decided this. I said, you are a narcissist...diagnosed, forgive me, you are not the one to decide this alone....hopeless! He also insisted he is no longer obsessive compulsive. I said, well why can't you sit still, why do you have to constantly be moving, that is an anxiety trait. He insisted he just likes to move constantly....he never stopped moving or making noise for the entire 14 years we lived together. My house is so quiet now that he is no longer here. I am broke but, I have silence.

He did inform me that he is doing well financially and making beaucoup bucks again...without any thought to how he devastated my life. Mental illness is devoid of logic or reason. It is best to just listen, nod your head...and hope the discussion is over soon. The two merlots helped me immensely with this.....

He may now be willing to pay me back the $750 he owes me. I hope so.....but, not counting on it!!!!

I got most of my chores done today, which included bill paying, biz phone calls....and tomorrow, I am joining the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce. I hear that this is very helpful to new businesses and comes with lots of support which, I will need. I never ran a retail enterprise of my own and am starting to get nervous about it. Some stores have opened...last FRIDAY.

My shop is still under construction, still hoping now to open before JUNE sometime. There is just so much to do....but, much of which, I need to have the construction out of the way first, to get done. I need visuals.

I love the new lingerie store, PRIVE....go check it out. I bought four great pieces there: A matching leather thong, skirt and bustier with red satin ribbons that lace it all up. And another bustier with black and fuschia stitching and fuschia satin ribbons. I love fabulous lingerie, it is a weakness of mine and nice lingerie is hard to find.

The oxygen bar is now open. I tried it out, it was great. The owner also has a very funky clothing store next to it. It has some great tops in it. What I liked most was a line of jewelry that she is carrying....where you put aromatherapy fragrances into the necklace or belly button rings...very different and a product I had never seen before.

The woman next to my store, also has jewelry. She is doing more beading...but had some cool repousse cuffs. She also has lots of hot sauces.

It turned out to be a beautiful spring day today, so I am going to fire up the grill and make some dinner for myself and the two dogbears and work on the Silver Belle right YOKE. I have memorized the pattern which, makes the knitting go fast. I am so curious how the finished sweater will turn out. The construction is unique.

Wishing you all a wonderful spring evening,
smiles to you,
DC

Feedback For Male Cyberdaters.......

Okay, I will admit it......I am befuddled, befruzzaled, betwixt and between....never chatting with another cyber dater again........I have been contemplating this all morning, because when I absolutely would have rather spent my Saturday evening, with THE SILVER BELLE SLEEVE..... than out laughing and flirting at one of the nicest area restaurants, with a charming "Built like a Celt guy....who is man enough to wear a skirt...." I know there is something wrong.

........and to quote, Johnny Guitar Watson....." there is something wrong....something wrong...yes,there is".....but, What I said to myself this morning....WHAT?

First off, I think it is truly romantic, to quote Mel from Braveheart........and to even have a romantic fantasy that YOU ARE WILLIAM WALLACE....but, let's face facts, there was only one William Wallace and he is NOW dead....and as I type this, I just know that this post is going to haunt me......but, some things just need to be said.

I am constantly written to by men, who would like to take me out. They are always complaining that they write and write to women and have trouble meeting someone nice....and they do not have a clue as to why. I DO KNOW that, there is tons of stuff on the net, written about cyber dating etiquette...for men and women..........WHY NOT READ IT???? Try it out....if it does not work, you can always go back to your old routine.

I spent the first half hour of my date, waiting and waiting for HIM to show up. Now call me crazy, but isn't the woman supposed to be the one late....especially if her drive is 45 minutes...and his is 10 minutes?????? I am the one that is usually late! I knew then I was in trouble. Thank God for Merlot, and that it was good merlot.

First thing he says, after hello is DO I look like my photo?....well his photo had long hair....his was short. He was a lot a younger....did not have that triple chin or BIG BELLY.....so here I am....sipping my Merlot and wondering why I did not leave when the going was good......???

He must have asked me, five times if he looked like his photos? I confess, I LIED....I was hungry....I was already there. He spent half the evening, telling me how Celtic looking he was....the highlight was when he asked the waitress what nationality she thought he was....she was irish.....she said, "Scandinavian"....he was crushed.

Point to be made, It is not romantic, to discuss your looks for entire first date....or to solicit commentary from the waitress. Your mind should be on something else.

I finally asked, "Do I look like my photos?", since this seemed to be the one and only topic of the evening. I got, Yes, you are slender....a petite woman. Then he said, I like Big Women....and I thought, so what are you taking me out for????? HELLO.......I knew then, that even if, I wanted this date to go somewhere, it was not going anywhere that I wanted to be. Capische?

He did ask me, No, He said, I need a woman to help me find accoutrements for my apartment and unpack boxes,...... Will you help? I said, "what is the pay"......like I have nothing better to do than go out shopping for a man, in my free time..........I looked at him and said, forgive me, but I am still unpacking from two years ago.....and opening a new business....I am not looking for more chores to do.........

There was one good and shining moment of the evening.....olives stuffed with blue cheese...YUMMMMMM! Very good in a martini.

This date, goes on my list of all time worst dates.....I did not even order dessert!

.....and then people, wonder why an attractive woman like me is still single.....I guess that is because, I do not consider IT dating...... DOING YOUR CHORES, Cleaning up your messes, doing your laundry or the solicitation thereof.....I have enough of my own to do. Not to mention discussing these chores is about as far from romance as I can imagine....and I DO THINK WILLIAM WALLACE would agree.

I am NOT YOUR WIFE.....NOT YET....so stop treating me like I am.....if you need a maid, HIRE ONE.....if you need an errand girl, HIRE ONE........if you need an image consultant, HIRE ONE....but, please do not ask me out on the guise of a date.....to get my services for free. I did not get dressed up and drive out here for a JOB INTERVIEW....I am here for Romance ....ROMANCE....and if you do not know what this is, or have forgotten.....start reading here........

Then I wake up, make some coffee....with extra whipped cream...I needed the extra whipped cream this morning.........started to check out my emails and found this message from someone who would like to take me out........

"there is NOTHING LIKE A MATURE WOMAN THAT HAS KEPT HER youthful figure"....
please call me.........

Now, call me crazy, but, this is not one of the all time best, pick up lines for a first email......is it? No wonder guys write that they do not like meeting women in bars....THEY CAN'T...

Not with a pick up line like this......My thought is, if you can not meet a woman at a bar....then you are not going to have anymore luck online......

The worst part about all this, IS THESE MEN ARE MAKING UFO boyfriend....look good....and that should not be.

UFO boyfriend admits to drinking too much, not buying gifts, not showing up when he says he will, being confused, being unable to commit to anything but, getting to work on time, being difficult, vain and self-centered....being a player. But, at least he can carry on an intelligent discussion, has many interests and advocations.....and can tell a good joke or ten. I am worried that I will never meet the guy for me....these days. Maybe I am just looking in all the wrong places for love. I need help on this one.

I think I am going to start lying about my age. Mature woman with a youthful figure, that I am......where is THE SLEEVE????.....I am staying offline today and knitting THE SLEEVE....it will nurture me, it will keep me warm, it will make me feel beautiful, it will get me compliments, it won't be late....it won't waste my time.....it will be what it is....A sleeeve....and that is just fine with me. I can relate to the sleeve. I can not relate to men who are legends in their own minds........

We are all aging.....it happens while we sleep, while we work, while we eat, while we walk.....it happens, is happening, will happen........and all we can do about that is to accept it graciously...one day at a time.....Now how to do that well is the quest......

Lastly, I just want to say this, I like men...I really do....and the truth is, I am just wondering what happened to all the real men. Those traditional men....those chauvinistic men....those men like William Wallace, who really meant what they said....that were self sufficient, brave, courageous,and knew what they wanted....and went out to get it! Those men that respected women and knew how to treat them like women...

Happy Sunday........
smiles to you,
DC

The Stars Say Fiber Arts are the Thing to Do .......

this evening....READ ON:

"Antique hunters and memorabilia collectors may still have a field day while looking for treasures as the Moon parallels Venus (4:11PM EST) and then moves on to make its monthly union with Pallas (9:23PM EST). The lunar orb's rendezvous with Pallas suggests that embroidery, sewing, knitting, quilting and needlepoint are back in style. In addition, you should check out the wide variety of products that can strengthen your immune system. Card, board and word games are in the spotlight this evening. "

I found this quote in Astrology.com's Daily Cosmic Calendar for Today....which you can read in it's entirety here.

All of which, indicates this is a great evening to make progress on your latest fiber project or perhaps if you have found yourself in a bit of a creative rut, tonight is the night to get out of it.

Wishing you a wonderful Saturday evening of creative fibering.

Smiles to you,
DC

Chasing the Blues away.....

....and the Virtues of a PB&J....otherwise known as the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich....can cure the blues in my humble opinion, unless of course your blues are related to weight gain! When was the last time you had one? If you are like me it has been awhile. Not sure what possessed me, but, I am glad it did!

How do you like yours?

Of key importance is deciding whether you want chunky or smoooooooth? Natural or lots of corn syrup? I prefer natural smooth. My favorite brand is "crazy richard's" which, I always call crazy dave's not sure why...You can pour off some of the fat and reduce those calories.

I like smooth...I think life generally has far too many ruts...and bumps, so I prefer to leave them out of my peanut butter.

Then there is the jelly/jam selection....a crucial component to a good sandwich...

There is the old standby, grape....but let's face it, grape jelly does not taste as good, when you can not buy it in those fantabulous flintstones glasses....am I right? The smurfs never did it for me.....
My favorites are apricot, black raspberry or strawberry. Homemade is best. What are
yours?

Remember to cut the crusts off........it is a little extra effort, but....it has amazing benefits. Eat one side with crust and one without........and you will see what I mean. and of course, Wonder bread makes the best PB&J's.....plus the wrapper is just sooooooooo cheerful!

My mom used to tell me crust made your hair curlier....so if, you want curls eat your PB & J with crust.

When you are done smacking your lips......I guarantee that you will be smiling... and what's a few extra calories, when the endorphins are charged up for a great day...

This weekend, a friend took me up to NYC to see the John Dillinger band, of "Hang on Sloopy" fame. He wrote those lyrics at the age of 16. They were together for the first time in 32 years....and I had a blast. It was at BB Kings place right near Times Square. Good food, good music and lots of smiles. That is Ken Arenson below...and John Dillinger is in the center in the photo to the right.

I had not been in NYC for awhile, and it was very cool to be amongst the hustle and bustle on a friday nite.

Saturday, I went to an Art Gallery benefit in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia...to benefit AIDS care. Saw some interesting art, including a sculpture made entirely out of dildoes...too funny.

Bicycles with toilets attached. There was only one handmade piece of clothing, which was a knitted tank top with fabric inserts.

Sunday, I spent the morning vaccuming up blossoms that covered my deck from the trees.

Spring is going so fast. My lilacs and irises are already blooming and that usually does not happen this early. Here is the view from my blogging window.

On a knitting related note, I began the Silver Belle Jacket by Debbie Bliss from the Vogue 25th Anniversary Mag on April 11th....in violation of only two new projects going at once, 376 stitches for the peplum…yipes!

....and as I am working on row 1, I am thinking this is smelling like a UFO… before the first row of the peplum is done. ;-) I hate chart knitting, for anything but, lace!

After getting through the first row, I started the second, which is when I realized the first row was wrong…because I had read the chart right to left which is the standard way to read a KNITTING CHART!!!

I had to find the magazine and study the photo…to figure out where I went wrong. frogging 376 stitches sucks and took the better part of the morning…but there was no way I was going to cast on those 376 stitches again!

The first important thing to note in this pattern is some bimbo, decided to start the first chart row from left to right….I envision this took an entire board room and think tank to screw this up…Why do people create standards to follow.....and then ignore them?

(Exerpt on reading knitting charts from the book, "knitting for dummies"!!! “You will follow the chart bottom to top and right to left. The second row will then be read from the left to the right. “) It would have been nice to have left us a NOTE….stating in clear english….start these charts left to right!!!!

The next complaint is the charts are too tiny…so I went back to the original pattern and blew up the charts….if anyone wants a copy of these large charts, just email me…and they are yours.

Now that this is straightened out, I am contentedly working across row 2….once the pattern is established it will be easy to remember, but, screwing up the first pattern repeat…is a fast road to the UFO heap!

Found a lot of good info on the silver belle here which included someone’s pattern row table for the peplum(sorry, I forgot where I found this)…to use in each section. This was the biggest help.

So merrily knitting along on the peplum and contemplating as I knit all the modifications others made that I found on ravelry, longer peplums, more buttons, different collars, sleeve edgings…etc. Ravelry is an amazing site, once you get used to navigating its offerings.

4/22/08 - finished the peplum, but, I am going to put it all on stitch holders, in case I want to make it longer. It took almost five skeins. Very happy with the way it looks…..and the yarn I selected is very soft and comforting to knit. It has been a long time since I have done an aran project and I have forgotten how much I enjoy them.

4/24 started the sleeves…I am only increasing stitches every 16 rows instead of 8…and did 2 rows of moss stitch before beginning the sleeve chart. I prepared a sleeve pattern row table like the one I found for the peplum…it helps immensely.

If you want this file, just email me or post to the comments here. The directions leave a lot to be desired even for someone that has been knitting as long as I have. I have to wonder about some of the technical editors around...or editors...

There is an error in the sleeve chart, for the bobble pattern. It says k3 together, and it should

state P3 together.

Here is beluga modeling the sleeve. She is 13 weeks old today and thriving. Her and Koko have become fast friends. It is a lot of work training a puppy, but I am so glad I decided to do this. Koko has come out of her depression and is enjoying mothering this young pup.

Beluga's latest enjoyment is biting the white dandelion globes. It makes me smile everytime,I think about her face when she gets a mouthful of air and seeds.

Wishing you all a wonderful spring day....enjoy!

Smiles to you,

DC