Birthdays and in-laws and all

I had a very nice birthday. My mother and father in-law came to visit. They drove in and stayed about an hour away, but we saw them on my birthday, the next day (Monday) and Wednesday. They've taken to estate sales and brought us a crazy brass dinner gone and other interesting thing. For my part, I loved the 30s sewing box; it's dark wood on a stand, perfect for moving around from room to room.

I have also found that I really like crewel embroidery. I found a pre-printed pattern on linen at a local thrift shop (crewel wool, as well) and finished it yesterday. At this point its final destination is unknown...pillow, bag, footstool...who knows?

Most local yarn shops don't carry embroidery supplies, but we were in Tiverton/Sakonnet on Sunday and Sakonnet Purls does; I found the last few colors I needed there. Today I also found a book on crewel embroidery. It's a good mix. History and how-to are mixed together almost seamlessly.

Other than that, not much. We did finish the bath and bedroom; pictures soon. They need uploading. (I'm lazy.)

Oh---last night DH & I went to see Star Trek,. It was very good. Lots of interesting back-story, and the casting exceptional.

Sheepy Weekend

...coming up!

Tomorrow we're going to the fiber festival at Coggeshall Farm, next to Colt State Park, in Bristol. It's a lovely little festival--a postcard of a New England farm. A Colonial farm, at that. We had a fine time last year. The vendors were very personable, and I got yarn (alpaca and some wool) and wildflower honey.

Stitch 'n Pitch at the PawSox (Boston's AAA team) happens on Sunday. Game time is 1:05 P.M. There's a "family" event after. I'm not sure what it encompasses, but it sounds like fun.

The sad part is this...I have no knitting to take! Jimmy's cabled socks have about 20 minutes left in them, the rest is either finishing, or work that needs a fair amount of concentration. I think I need to dig out some sock yarn and make another pair of Plain Vanilla socks. It's just as well; several pairs of socks have hit the trash can in the last couple of months.

Paint Fumes

Ugh. I've been painting the upstairs bath (finally!) and using an oil-based primer. It didn't bother me yesterday but it does today. At least the second coat of primer (yep) is on...tomorrow or Monday I'll be putting on the paint. Then to the curtains, which I have to design and make. Probably something simple. They will need to disguise the fact that the idiot who made the other unimprovements put the wrong sized window into the frame.

We have the bedroom furniture in now, too. I've ordered a mirrored glass top for the dressing table (it's two small tables to be connected by the glass). That should be ready for pick-up next week. After that I'll iron the vintage draperies & spread, and except for artwork and a decent rug, the bedroom will be set.

Just the guest room remaining, now. We do need to paint most of downstairs, the hallway, and the upper hall as well. Otherwise, though, we'll be fairly well settled.

Time for home repair--the silver lining of being unemployed.

FOs, here and there

I haven't posted many photos, especially lately. My old laptop went to the scrap heap in the sky (metaphorically speaking) and my new one doesn't have the photo software installed yet.

But I moved a few over from DH's computer.

Here is the Frankencozy I gave to my former boss for his birthday.




These are the silk mitts I made for the receptionist. I still haven't given them to her; I was laid off the Friday before her birthday:



I'll find more, and maybe they'll be posted this year. Maybe not....

The Providence Athenaeum and archy

Providence is an old city, as cities go in the United States. Benefit Street, one of the prettiest streets you'll see in this part of the world, has, among its Colonial beauties, this lovely membership library. The library was founded in 1753, by the citizens of Providence, and it was then named the Providence Library Company. The present building was designed by a Philadelpia architect, William Strickland, and opened in 1838. I can vouch for its marvels. As soon as you walk in, something inside says to you, "Now, THIS is a library."

I think it's a wonderful place, and am very glad we decided to join. There are glorious old books, rareties that can't leave the building, and others, still lovely and in good bindings, that can. But for me, the profusion of 1920s and 30s books are the most enticing thing. And downstairs, in the Reading Room (you can sit there all day in an old chair, surrounded by the lovely mustiness of old books, looking across at an "Egyptian" library table, reading, or sitting, or thinking), I found books, plays, poetry and more from my favorite time frame.

Don Marquis is down there. That is, his books are. I have a few volumes of his collected poems, but many are out of print, and difficult to find. The Old Soak is one of the books I borrowed. Possibly, I should read it with a pitcher of martinis at hand, and so, probably won't start it until after 5. But I have just finished the book I mention below.

I also discovered Archy Does His Part. The earliest of these poems and stories was published in 1916, and the latest in 1934. The book itself (a first edition) was published in 1935. This is the title of the last poem in the book:

"what the ants are saying". Here are some excerpts:



...it wont be long now it wont be long
man is making deserts of the earth...

...america was once a paradise
of timberland and stream
but it is dying because of the greed
and money lust of a thousand little kings...

...men talk of money and industry
of hard times and recoveries
of finance and economics
but the ants wait and the scorpions wait...
drought and erosion and desert
because man cannot learn

...dear boss i relay this information
without any fear that humanity
will take warning and reform
--archy

Awake

Thanks to Than Chai and Fa Sing (quarrelling over a mouse) I'm awake at 3:00 a.m.

The poor mouse got away; I hope it's relatively uninjured and can find its way outdoors, but I have an awful feeling that we're going to "nose" it in a week or so. Urk.

The antiques sale was wonderful. DH finally found an oak desk, 30s, I think, or a little earlier. It fits nicely into his office, and is working out very well.

My big find was a wonderful 1920s evening coat. Black velvet with black satin geometric inserts and a huge fur collar. I'm not sure what kind of fur. Normally I can tell, but this appears to be upscale rabbit! Back then they used a lot of furs that are no longer popular.

We got a very Art Deco mirror; round, with a 3/4 circle of wood around it, and demi lune shelves. I'm painting the wood white, and will use it above a 30s office cabinet I found at the Salvation Army. Those will go into the upstairs bath, which I am finally finishing. The fabric for the curtains is washed and shrunk and ironed, too...I need to measure and see if there's enough to make an outer shower curtain as well as window curtains.

Another deal was a huge stack of 30s magazines, most in near mint condition. Primarily Yankee magazine and a few different house & garden magazines. There were a couple of knitting pattern booklets too, including a couple of good ones from the 1920s, with patterns more sophisticated than usual for the period.

The rockabilly show was a bit of a disappointment; the first band was a no-show, and the last band not so great, but the middle band was very good, and we picked up their CD. I am glad that we went, in any case.

I'm looking for Art Deco stencils to use on the cabinet...does anyone have good sources?

Springing along

It's lovely here. 70+ degrees F, sunny and there's a bit of a breeze. The cats keep parking themselves in front of the sliding glass door (open, with the locked screen between them and Prey and the Evil Outdoors). Cat TV at its finest.

Yesterday I did what appears to be spring cleaning, and I have actual, concrete plans for finally doing something with the bedroom and the upstairs bath.

Went for a run this morning, and driving back from shopping (sales & coupons, oh my!) I almost wanted to go again this evening.

Tomorrow we're going to an antiques sale and then a rockabilly show. There will be three bands at this one, and I am really looking forward to it.

As for the knitting, I am still working on DH's cable socks. They're looking very good. The 40s sweater looks good, but I am seriously considering a trip to the frog pond to re-do the back. I'm afraid that even with blocking on 100% wool it will be too small, though it's meant to have relatively little ease. This might have something to do with the fact that I need to loose 10 pounds (more. i lost one this past week. must stop sampling all the baking....)

There's a pair of cardinals singing from a neighbor's yard!

I still live here

...but am currently masquerading as a Hausfrau.

And doing it rather well. It's a good thing I like to cook, and mend and even (sometimes) do laundry.

The jobs aren't out there right now. Not at the pay I was getting, which was good, but not great, either. The only things that have come my way so far are temp jobs at $11/hour. And if I'm in the middle of one of those and can't make it to an interview for a permanent position I won't be a happy camper.

I did start myself a new sweater; it's based on a pattern in one of my hardcover knitting books from the 40s. The directions are scant, even for the period. I'm glad I've got some experience behind me, but I'm still puzzled about the collar. It's not a case of picking up and knitting; the trim on the fronts is knitted in conjunction with the rest.

There's no photo of the back of the sweater, but it would appear that the collar is an extension of the fronts trim, folded over and sewn in place, though the folding and sewing up is not mentioned in the directions for making up.

The yarn is nice, a 100% wool worsted from Brown Sheep. We found it at a Five and Dime in West Concord, MA. Really! It was $4.99 a skein, and the yardage is crazy...something like 250+ yards per. The back took less than one full skein. If it turns out too small I just might frog and start over, with an additional pattern repeat here and there. There will be enough yarn.

Fulling it

A few years ago I was able to sell knitted cat toys at a local gift shop. They carry quite a bit of handmade stock, and some is locally produced.

I stopped in last week to ask if they'd be interested again, and got a yes...so this past week I have been fulling ("felting") old sweaters and turning them into bags and cat toys and dressing up T-shirts with knitted details and some embroidery. I have two T-shirts, a felted mouse, and one bag finished; the second bag needs a strap and I will make at least one more cat toy.

We'll see what happens; it won't be a lot of money, but all income helps, especially with a mortgage to pay.

If I can remember I'll take some pictures and post them, if I can get to DH's laptop. Mine hasn't enough memory! (Neither do I...h'mmm....)

Baltimore, and socks

It's been an interesting week. Last Tuesday I got slammed with a cold; I was actually an interesting invalid for two days, but that did help, it's almost gone now.

I sent out more resumes, and got ready for a trip to Baltimore, MD. A friend I met in NY (the City) was married. She's a naval engineer, now in Maryland. Some of the others in the NYC crowd were there, too. I got to dance and drink good bourbon and talk and generally enjoy myself.

On Friday I met up with Mimi of Charm City Daily. We've been friends for five years, but it was the first time we met in person! And it was wonderful, she's as pretty, funny, interesting and opinionated in person as in print. (I'd write this even if I thought you weren't going to read it, Ami. Yep.)

Here's the other bonus: long train rides are great for knitting. I finished a simple pair of anklets in Noro sock yarn and got a few inches done on the lace stole.

The socks I mentioned in the last post are destined for the frog pond. Too few stitches, not stretchy enough, and ugly! Fun to knit, though.

Productive, if not employed

I've been busy.

My resume has been updated. I've re-submitted or applied to four temporary agencies, sent the resume to friends who might help me network (and got at least one nibble from that).

I have a preliminary interview for Wednesday, from a submission for a jobs listing I found online, though it's probably a sales position (not my strong point).

I have applied online for unemployment ("unenjoyment" as my friend Nathan calls it). That's a first. But as we have a mortgage I am taking no chances...not in this economy.

Yesterday I also made tapioca pudding. It's fantastic, if I say so myself. (We shared some with the neighbors.) I made a good dinner--ziti with mushrooms and carrots and sauce, with cheese.

Not much has been done with the lace, but I've been trying a new sock pattern, something especially for variegated yarns, with an "aforethought" heel. It's out of Sensational Knitted Socks (Charlene Schurch).

Today's dinner will probably be something very sturdy and comforting, too. The weather is dreary; freezing rain and sleet. March is still roaring.

Laid off

Happy Friday. You're out of a job.

There are so many things I could say...none of them politic or PC...but I'll be a good little liberal who's been fired by panicking conservatives and just say that I am out of work.

DH, thank God, is not, at least not now.

I did get some laundry done.

Love me, Love my friends.

When you have a moment or two to spare, take a look at my links area.

There are some good sites and blogs listed. Most are dedicated in some fashion to the retro and vintage lifestyle. Some are musings on living the life, others a how-to, and some are just good articles and ideas that will probably interest you.

Lace Conundrum

Yesterday I complained about the small size of the Cozy I'm knitting (as I'm using yarn much finer than that recommended in the pattern)...well, it's still bothering me.

I think that the frog pond is in sight. If I rip out and cast on again with an additional 36 stitches it should be wide enough for a stole, more useful than a scarf, for me. It'll be painful, though. I hate ripping out, and it's worse when the work looks good.

This yarn is perfect for the pattern stitch. The colors flow over the pattern, but I just don't need another lace scarf to pack away! I want to wear this one.

Fuzzy Feet; just in time.

I finished the Cascade Fixation socks and the Fuzzy Feet (I felted them about 5 minutes after I was done with the knitting). DH likes them so far...I think I'll make a pair for myself, but with some color work.

The timing is good. DH's feet will be warm today. We got slammed with a Nor'easter again. This winter seems determined to make up for the lack of snow in the past ten! It wasn't a fun commute, but I got here in one piece, as the other poor fools out and about were being careful, too.

Yesterday I cast on for Knitty's Cozy, but in a lighter gauge. I found a gorgeous, misty laceweight merino at Fresh Purls; it's a very fluid mix of pastel blue and green. Knitting lace with this is like working a spun cloud. I don't know why I keep knitting lace scarves...they're not something I wear often, but they're lovely to work and to look at. I had hoped to make Cozy with sport or fingering weight and have a real wrap, but I wanted to use this yarn, and I wanted to make Cozy...and there you are.

Still Prolific

The knitting orgy continues.

The socks from Maizy and Cascade Fixation are almost done. I have also nearly finished the knitting of a pair of Fuzzy Feet (more or less; see Knitty for the proper pattern) for DH. In fact, I'll probably finish them tonight. The felting might not take place until the weekend.

Yesterday we went antiquing and I found some more vintage needlework magazines. Not a lot of knitting in them, but there is a wonderful mittens pattern. Fair Isle Scottie dogs, a la FDR's Fala. What a great excuse to go get some fingering weight Shetland wool!

Inhumanity

I haven't posted in two weeks. Somehow it seemed either a means of revenge or (if only knitting related), frivolous.

On Friday night, February 6, a friend of mine was murdered. Not a "random act of violence"; her boyfriend shot her. And the friend she was with. And then the SOB shot himself.

Deb was a force to be reckoned with. Vibrant, pretty, strong, funny, annoying, more than opinionated. She was a successful lawyer and an actor. She also played trombone and euphonium. Her politics were nearly the polar opposite of mine; we agreed to disagree long ago. She was well-bred, generous to a fault, kind, rude, and infuriating. Human, in other words.

It's been years since we were in regular communication, but we were aware of one another. She was one of the first people in my New York crowd to make friends and she never lost sight of me.

A mutual friend e-mailed me late last week about her memorial service. That's how I found out. I took a bus in on the day it was held and came back the next afternoon.

We celebrated (yes, life is for celebrating) her life and her quirks at a good dive bar. Her movies played on a loop (bad commercials, too...she did have a great sense of humor) and we ate and drank and remembered.

I still can't believe she's actually dead, or that the bastard who shot her did so. He must have been carrying concealed. It was the Sabbath, so he'd've known where to find her, and that he'd be able to let himself in. It's all so very wrong.

Not yet...

...but there will be FO photos soon.

I've finished the first MiL sock. Zero ease, because this stuff has no memory, and I don't want them to get all stretched out.

I'm not sure what's next...maybe a cloche (for me), or the Fuzzy Feet for DH.

It's time to decide on a fine gauge pattern for another Me sweater, too, if I can find the right yarn. With luck I might dig up enough vintage yarn from the stash to make one; otherwise I'll see what fingering weight modern yarn I have around.

This weekend will be full of knitting, but we're also supposed to get a February Thaw. I'm looking forward to that; rumor has it that the temps will be in the 50s (F) on Sunday!

Deadstock

That would be a great title for a mystery involving the vintage trade.

I was nosing around to find a few Albert Campion titles (author: Margery Allingham) and stumbled over a Golden Age Mysteries forum, but it won't let me post. It got me to thinking again about writing a mystery, and of the ones I like to read.

Here are some of my favorite "golden age" authors, in no particular order.

Sayers (Lord Peter Wimsey)
Christie (Tommy & Tuppence, Poirot and non-series are my favorites)
Stout (Nero Wolfe)
Allingham (Albert Campion).

There are a few present day authors who write historical mysteries set in the 20s and 30s.

Jill Churchill (Grace & Favor series)
Kerry Greenwood (Phryne Fisher)
Carola Dunn (The Hon. Daisy Dalrymple)

The later aren't on an even footing with the real thing. Hindsight can ruin a good book (!) but I enjoy them, if only because I'd like to think I could do as well.

"Deadstock", by the way, is term used to describe "old/new" items. In other words, something vintage or antique that has never been used, and might even still have the original sale tags.

Keep going!

(I'm cheering my sudden knitting output.)

The crunchy silk mitts for our receptionist's birthday are done. I'm more than half-way through the first sock for a pair to be gifted to MiL for Mother's Day, and suspect that I might have enough mojo to make another birthday present for a friend who has a birthday n March.

I would also like to make Fuzzy Feet, or a reasonable facsimile thereof for DH. They'll knit up very quickly and will be my first foray into the world of felting (or fulling, if you want to be snarky about it) now that I have my own washer & dryer.