Home from seeing the Nutcracker.  It's been years since I have seen it and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. First, there is something charming about seeing ballet performed in a small space. I feel like I was better able to appreciate the intricacies of movement.  The choreography was lovely, the children playing the mice were just about the cutest things you ever saw, and couple playing the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier were beautiful dancers.  Also, the guys had really nice butts.  Well, I mean, really...I know you all expect me to notice these sorts of things.  Also, I had forgotten how much I really like the music.  Not surprisingly perhaps, I find the Trepak/Russian dance particularly appealing and will likely be humming that to myself for a bit, which may make it difficult to go to sleep tonight.

I can take a hint

A few weeks ago, I got a text message from my niece which said something to the effect of, "I just bought this dress for the baby. It looks like it would be easy to make. Don't you think it would look cute in candy cane stripes for Christmas?"

HINT HINT HINT

I couldn't find a pattern that I liked, and after playing around for a little while, I eventually came up with this:



New skill learned: pleats.  I couldn't find any patterns for making pleats on a top down garment, so I figured it out myself.  I think I will make them more pronounced next time, but I am still proud of myself.  Overall, I like the way this came out and can't wait to see my great-niece in it.

talking to a brick wall

me: can i get [information x]?
brick wall: you don't need that information
me: here's an explanation of why i need this information. [explanation]
brick wall: i can give you that information next week.
me: here's an explanation of why i need this information now. [explanation]
brick wall: there is no information.
me: so you are saying there is no information?
brick wall: i didn't say that.
me: so can i get the information?
brick wall: what information?

i am pretty sure talking to my cat was more effective.

A-ha!

Working on the semi-circular entrelac shawl still. Because in each round, the blocks are increased by one stitch, they were starting to get kind of big and funny looking. So I figured out how to switch from doing 6 repeats of a 10 stitch entrelac pattern to 12 repeats of a 5 stitch pattern. Without breaking the yarn. This may have been done before, but I figured it out all on my own, and therefore am very proud. Go me.

a conversation between me and my cat

Gwyd: Hi Mommy! I'm so glad you're home! No one has ever loved me ever. Can we snuggle?
Me: No honey. It's hot. Here, have some gooshyfood.
Gwyd: But I..Oooh! Gooshyfood. Nom nom nom.
Gwyd: Hey. Where'd you go?
Me: I'm in the living room, enjoying the air conditioning.
Gwyd: It's nice and cool in here. You wanna snuggle?
Me: Go away.
Gwyd: How 'bout now?
Me: No.
Gwyd: Now?
Me: Really? Can you just... Ow, that's my leg.
Gwyd: I'm sorry. Were you using your lap for something? 'Cause it seemed lonely.
Me: Ahhhhhh! Ow. Ow. Ow.
Gwyd: Oh, you want me to headbutt your face?
Me: Ahhhhh!
Gwyd: I think I missed a spot.
Me; Ahhhhhh!
Gwyd: Got it.
Me: Oh god, I have cat hair in my eye.
Gwyd: It's too hot to snuggle. I think I'll go nap in front of the a/c.

Entrelac shawl

Started a shawl to match my entrelac hat. The beginning is a little wonky, but I am hoping it will block out ok.

Monongahela Shawl

I am thinking about making the Monongahela Shawl for my sheep to shawl challenge. The 46 pages of instructions are a bit intimidating.