Peanut Butter and Jelly Ink

I finished knitting my Declan Capelet, but it didn't turn out how I wanted it too. I think I'll rip it out and knit this capelet instead. I may wait to rip it out until Wednesday's Knitting Circle, as requested by Andrea, but it has already been decided. (I'm the Decider! Ha ha).



This alpaca is so quick to knit up, that the process is enjoyable. I don't mind attempting something and failing, as long as I can acheive an end product that I will love. After all, it is (repeat with me), "prize winning showfleece!" Please note, I will limit myself to repeating that phrase to ten more times.

Don't you like how I am knitting with alpaca, while wearing a knitted wool sweater, and sitting under a woven alpaca blanket direct from Peru? (Thanks again, Aunt Sissy, you world traveller!) Is that a fiber overload or what? Good thing it is balanced out with our ratty free couches comprised of 1970s plastic fibers...

I've been working on the Lace Ribbon Scarf with my Colinette Jitterbug. Not to sound so forlorn about my knitting, but I'm not sure if this yarn is working with the pattern. Perhaps it's destined to become a pair of socks afterall.



Since my knitting has been going south, the universe has balanced out by providing some gocco luck this weekend. Don't let this peanut butter and jelly looking ink fool you, it turned out quite pretty. (The brown was to warm that cool purple shade up).



I'll show you what I can very soon. Here's a sneak peek, since I like you all so much.

Bloomington and Back

Mike and I returned from Indiana on the tail end of Monday night. Sheer exhaustion, unexpected skee ball playing, reigning supreme at Quizzo, bowling and the flu have kept me away for longer than anticipated.

Although the ride is a good ten to twelve hours, I enjoy taking road trips with Mike. As long as I don't nearly start crying from having to pee so badly, get one Cinnabon fix, and my knit on, we're great road trip companions. Maybe some Guns N Roses too...



I didn't get too much knitting done on the trip, as we drove through the night. There was also lots of preparation for Becky and Jeremy's wedding (Mike's sister and brother-in-law).

There were Easter baskets to fill, favors to decorate, and the orchestration of hanging lanterns. Susan created gorgeous arrangements of flowers. We frosted cupcakes and put them on a lovely stand they created. We were rather surprised with how professional they looked, but played it off pretty well.



We had so much fun that we didn't take very many pictures! That's the way it should be though, right? I took pictures in my head. Mike and I are attending another wedding in April, and will be wearing the same outfits, so I'll take a photo then! (wink)

I did get to pull out my favorite party bag, which was a gift from Tracy. It is a beaded, swooshy satchel that re-creates the feeling you get as a five year old spinning around in a twirly skirt. (Hello, my name is Marissa and I have a problem with run on sentences).



We visited the art supply store where Mike and I used to work. Sadly, I didn't get to see any of my friends who still work there. However, I did finally score a coveted stainless steel tear bar for cutting paper.



A new owner bought the store, but not everything has changed. I was happy to spot some of Mike's old handmade signs, and they have store cats again!



The week flew by, and we were heading East and entering Ohio in no time. I snapped a shot of King's Island, which is the site of Mike and Marissa's first date. Awwww.



Night fell, and the two of us, some semi trucks and the moon, returned to Philly.

En Route to Bloomington

I've been busy getting my odds and ends together to be in Becky and Jeremy's wedding. Becky is one of Mike's three lovely sisters, and I'm really honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Not to mention, that it is the easiest job I've ever had. We got to pick our own black dress, the only requirement was that it was cocktail length. My main job will be frosting cupcakes Susan. It's going to be a lot of fun to see everyone and spend time in Bloomington.

Now we just need to drive there safely, which we will. (Love you, Mom).

I didn't have lots to say, but exercised my hand with a quick, messy and informative sketch. I haven't drawn in awhile, and I needed this little activity to get the juices flowing again! I did it just like I used to when coming up with ideas back in design school, one of my favorite activities...

Or rather, I did have a lot to say, but communicated visually instead of verbally this time.

Have a great week! I'll be back soon.

Love, Mariss

P.S. Thanks for everyone's sweet comments and support about my "blaahhhs" in my previous post. It sounds like a lot of you are going through the same thing. Perhaps it's the change in season! xoxo

This or That?

We have a predicament. I have this gorgeous sock yarn, but I think it's too pretty to be relegated to my feet. Other pretty sock yarn, sure, but this is the yarn that "launch'd a thousand ships". It inspired me to make it hump a skein of tweed in order to see if we could breed them...



Should I make Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts like Lisa did, but without the colorwork? Or shall I knit a shorter version of Veronik Avery's Lace Ribbon Scarf? I'm leaning towards imitating my friend, Magda by throwing a jaunty scarf over my shoulders this spring, but am still indecisive.

I walked home from work as a way to get exercise, but also to reflect. I've been feeling kind of stuck and in limbo, but I think if I just let it go, everything will work out. Nothing major, my friends, just a case of feeling "blahhh". You know?

I will say that the spring air on my face, walking past the dog park (except for heart pangs), just feeling my legs working, finally seeing some blossoming trees on Kelly Drive, and my favorite Tupac album blaring across the street, were excellent remedies.

I have to walk past what I would refer to as a colony of homeless people who live by the Rodin Museum. I'm intrigued by them, and think of them every day on my way to and from work. Is that strange and voyeuristic? Heart pangs there too, but I don't want those ones to go away. That could have easily have been my brother, if life had taken other turns. I'm rambling tonight, but this blog is also for me, and I'll allow it.

I'm not sure what I'm trying to say tonight, but I'm inclined to keep typing. I usually try to keep it positive and light hearted here, with classy occasional references to "humping", (which I regard as the silliest word ever). Part of that is because I do try to stay positive in my daily life and put things into perspective.

My thought on life is that there is always someone better off, and worse off. However, that doesn't mean that your problems aren't legitimate. Sometimes you need to let yourself process whatever feeling that may be, but you also need to move on with your life. Of course, sometimes we need help, and I encourage anyone to seek it.

I remember when we were kids, we'd be devastated after returning from visiting our childhood hero, Uncle Denny. My mom would finally say, "You can cry for five more minutes, but then you need to move on!"

One of the reasons I don't want to move back to Florida is because it is hot all of the time. I love the change of seasons, and being able to look forward to summer when I'm freezing my arse off, and appreciate fall and spring. Just as I wouldn't want to only be happy all of the time. Otherwise, how would we learn and grow and find that fire in your heart to strive for better things?

I want to make sure that I stay true to myself, and don't always put an unattainable pretense of my life up here, without being a cranky whiner. I need to remember not to compare myself to what others have accomplished in their lives, and just worry about my damn self!

I do feel blessed, and am so grateful for the things I have, my brain, my loved ones, my friends, and you people still reading! But there are also things that are stressful, sad, aggravating and real.

Phew. A weight has lifted, and I feel like myself again. Thank you for listening, truly.

Now excuse me while I go on a hot date with Mike to the laundromat, since we don't have a washer and dryer. But we do have each other, hot running water and indoor plumbing. I guess I can deal with that, even if I do have to turn on said hot water through an access panel in the wall...

Practice...practice...practice

In order to make the capelet work, I've been practicing knitting elements of the design I want to bring together. I've decided to go with a simple stockinette stitch, but to create some interest using yarn overs for the increases.

These openings will create some shape to the garment, instead of just sitting atop my shoulders in a big heap. For practice, I used this my favorite sock yarn, Colinette Jitterbug. After seeing how pretty it is, I may not want to make socks out of it!



Here's where 1.75 skeins of alpaca have gotten me. The yardage is better than I had hoped for, and really only took a few hours to knit. I'm not saying much, as I don't want to jinx myself (wink).



In non-knitting news, an order arrived today from Paper Source! I'm designing bridal shower invitations for a friend and have some other ideas up my sleeve.



If you knew what a fiasco my mail produces, you'd understand my amazement...

Mini Three Layer Cake

Well, I promised you crafts this weekend, so how about some "show and tell".

The Declan Capelet has finally been started. I'm tweaking the design as it goes, so cross your fingers for me.



I started a new pair of socks, since it's always good to have a pair on the needles. They're mindless knitting and you can take them anywhere.

I finished my taxes, and remembered to turn my clocks forward.



I also baked the cutest mini-three layer cake for Olivia. I've always believed that anything is cuter in the miniature form, well, with the exception of palmetto bugs.



Good theory, right?



My proudest accomplishment this weekend was being somewhat understanding when my upstairs neighbor spilled a gallon of gasoline in our hallway. Who does that? Oh yeah, my neighbor. Aargh. The fact that he's now drumming on our ceiling is not helping the fragile relationship. Thankfully, we're watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Those guys always put me in a better mood!

Philadelphia Flower Show

In my three years here, I finally made it over to the Philadelphia Flower Show.



I enjoyed the vignettes that transported you into the bayou, as "jazz" and New Orleans were the theme this year. It was an enjoyable imaginary mini-holiday from the bleak winter weather!



I really got a kick out of the canine topiaries playing in a grass filled area complete with a red fire hydrant. I was particularly fond of the daschund!



Although I enjoyed the scenes, I preferred looking at the different specimens and varieties of plants in the science fair type setting. It made it easier to find the really weird ones. I won't even say what some of the plants (*cough* orchids *cough*) looked like, but I'll give you a hint...reproductive organs (wink).

No, not the tulips. They were cheerfully normal.



I purchased a few souveneirs from this trip. I've always wanted a bonsai tree, so I found a small one, and even got a teeny ceramic water buffalo to sit underneath it. He just needs a good name, any suggestions?

My mom told me that my Lolo (grandfather) used to do bonsai too, and one of his brothers was apparently a master who studied in Japan. I hope those genes transferred!



There was a great deal on cacti, so I picked up a few for Mike. He's taken over the plant care at our place, so I thought he deserves a treat for his hard work!



(Okay, maybe the pink ones were for me too). Happy Friday, everyone! I'll hopefully have some crafting to show you this weekend.

Sea Urchin Ring

Sheer chance found me browsing Etsy while this sea urchin ring was being featured on their front page. Well, sheer chance, and the fact that I forgot Kathy Jean's birthday, and wanted to send some Sulu-Design earrings to assuage my guilt...



The ring is from Star of the East, a wonderful mother and daughter team located in Turkey. After travelling across the Atlantic, it's now sitting on my dresser.



I love my new ring, and it's the perfect size for my extra large man-hands!

Gocco Swap Loot

I wanted to share some of my loot from the Mid-Winter Gocco Swap. The prints I received were only from one of the groups, you can see more prints in the flickr group here.



I did a side swap with Kristen of Taylor Made Designs. Isn't everything she does great? I love the wine tags she added to my package. You can check out her etsy shop here.

She pays so much attention to detail in creating an entire package. Although, what do you expect from a talented graphic designer? (wink).



Thank you everyone!