tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24590419538697279482024-02-19T09:13:38.832-08:00purlgurlknits2spinning yarns my entire life. knitting them since 2004.p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-1227895661292709192009-06-22T17:46:00.001-07:002009-06-22T17:50:52.683-07:00Fathom starts his long distance swim to Tennessee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3652483134_1bfb0b60e0.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3652483134_1bfb0b60e0.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Whew, I'm finished! I couldn't decide whether or not to paint/color his lips, but in the end, I decided not to. Here's the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/purlgurl/sets/72157620169250821/">Flicker set</a> of all the photos a snapped if you're interested. And here's just a few if you're not:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3652471478_5625efbe5e.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3652471478_5625efbe5e.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Close up of his creepy eyes:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3651676179_f9a0050ff1.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3651676179_f9a0050ff1.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-41010368515357149832009-06-19T13:39:00.000-07:002009-06-19T14:20:44.472-07:00Amazing Parade of Mermaids...Zan of Wild at Heart Art organized a wonderful doll swap called <a href="http://wildatheartart.blogspot.com/2009/04/under-sea-swap.html">Under the Sea Swap</a>. Today she posted the <a href="http://wildatheartart.blogspot.com/2009/06/parade-of-mermaids_19.html">Finished works</a> of those participants that sent her images of their completed works. Although mine isn't quite finished, it's prettty darn close, so I snapped and sent her a poorly shot photo from my mobile phone. Take a look at the dolls, they're all so different, but all so very well done.<br /><br />Sign ups for this swap were a while ago and for some reason (uh, doi now...it's called LIFE) I was waiting for that crafting inspiration to hit me and would allow me to hit the ground running with this swap. Well, it didn't hit until a few nights ago and so, this weekend I'll be putting those final OCD touches on <a href="http://cynjonnoah.blogspot.com/">Cynjon</a>'s merman. I think I'll name him, Fathom. What do you think of him so far?<br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3642355754_b3017f060a.jpg?v=1245444766"><img style="WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3642355754_b3017f060a.jpg?v=1245444766" border="0" /></a>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-88256950780667578782009-05-21T13:13:00.000-07:002009-05-21T13:22:29.319-07:00l RUV MARU the CAT!He's got his mention on <a href="http://boingboing.net/2008/11/08/magu-the-cat.html">Boing Boing</a>!<br /><br />You can obsessively watch ALL of his antics on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mugumogu">YouTube</a>.<br /><br />Here's a little tidbit to get you hooked:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z_AbfPXTKms&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z_AbfPXTKms&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />How can you resist his cute little hind legs poking out of the box? i RUV Maru!p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-19662193603487241232009-05-07T22:13:00.001-07:002009-05-07T22:41:52.559-07:00yep, genetic predisposition to all things cute<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.62864278.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.62864278.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />surfing the craft blogs the other day i came across <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alleluja/collections/72157608559834050/">alleluja</a>'s work and then went to her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7097465">etsy shop</a> to purchase this uterly adorable porcelain cat with a pin stuck in its heart (cute and sick at the same time). gotta love it. she sent me an email that the kitty was sent it off from tokyo japan today. check her work out. it's totally great!p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-73843108992329441182009-05-07T13:26:00.001-07:002009-05-07T22:28:57.214-07:00Two more birds have landed in Berkeley<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3508566359_a189830b39.jpg?v=0"><img style="WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3508566359_a189830b39.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3507855536_64bb2306be.jpg?v=0"><img style="WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3507855536_64bb2306be.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>OhThat & Lukenlarry's & birds have joined Avesthel & Amaryllisroze's birds in relocating to Berkeley, California. All four birds are enjoying the temperate climate here and are aquainting themselves with each other.</div><div> </div><div>Thanks gals! I'm waiting for one more bird...</div><br /><div></div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-21718353219688935042009-05-07T12:49:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:28:13.561-07:00Sabine is OFF hold. Hoping to finish it this weekend!I'm on the last few rows of the right sleeve on <a href="http://cocoknits.com/knit/garments/women/sabine.html">Sabine</a>. I have to review my notes and figure out where I am on the body. It seems long enough when I tried it on, but I don't recall where I am on the pattern with respect to it's increases and decreases. It seems there are more people showing/discussing their issues with the pattern on Ravelry. Maybe theyv'e been there all along, but I'm just noticing them now. View the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sabine-3/people">peeps in process/have completed Sabine</a> for an idea of how varied the results can be on this 'little' sweater. I would have preferred to see the author of the pattern show her garment on a person as opposed to the mannequin. It may show quite a different story.<br /><br />As fellow Raveler, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Susan/sabine">Susan</a> points out, there seems to be a "new math" with this sweater. I too had/have similar experiences as Susan knitting this up. Although I was getting row gauge the length was all wonky and too short. My fix was to add several rows to lengthen the body and sleeves. Most others are getting or purposely knitting to 3/4 sleeve lengths. I prefer a little below the wrist and added enough to the length to achieve this. I also added stitches so the circumference of the sleeve was a bit bigger as well as omitted the decreases that come before the cuff portion of the pattern. The result is a sleeve that does not bell out as much.<br /><br />The pattern uses Filatura di Crosa’s Superior (70% cashmere, 30% silk). I find that this yarn results in a fabric that is way too "sticky" to put on. You have to re-adjust and be careful not to pull or break the lace fabric when putting on the sweater. This is just too fussy for me to deal with. I like sweaters one can just throw on and not spend 10 minutes each time adjusting the sleeves and body because it's sticking to the t-shirt underneath. It's not a kind of sweater that can go without something underneath as it's so sheer and lacy. I'm not even sure if I'll wear this when all is said and done. Sure <a href="http://knittingasfastasican.com/2008/regrettably-i-am-not-shaped-like-a-hanger/">looks good on it's hanger</a> though.<br /><br />I've been notating my pattern mods and comments in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/purlgurlknits/sabine">project notes section</a> on Ravelry and will continue to update it as I finally approach getting this baby off 'er needles!p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-13691375795998261242009-05-04T14:52:00.001-07:002009-05-07T22:29:09.626-07:00Birds coming in from all points to roost in BerkeleyI've received two of the five birds so far from my swap partners in the <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=295969.0">Craftster Handmade Bird Swap</a> I'm currently participating in.<div><br /></div><div>Here's #1 from avesthel (Florida):</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3488216961_f93f05cee3.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3488216961_f93f05cee3.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></div><div>Here's #2 from amaryllisroze (StL, Mo):</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/3495001555_a8d395ea67.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/3495001555_a8d395ea67.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you both! The birds are wonderful and I've placed them on a display shelf in my living room for all to see.</div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-35398260812080588992009-05-04T14:45:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:28:48.454-07:00The next swap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANSC9mDIppNyCtnFdirVoD_NT8QkAthjxra7Kk1bce24MSAC-OABaIRPU4wIBF-g3F_UX5RXLu-rWbcpdB7YIVHzrP_Tjyg6HUZuoNcLqB7sFPy8mygLxSRXgjD6zlsrp4KXKz-ZW-TsA/s320/UNDERTHESEAbadge.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANSC9mDIppNyCtnFdirVoD_NT8QkAthjxra7Kk1bce24MSAC-OABaIRPU4wIBF-g3F_UX5RXLu-rWbcpdB7YIVHzrP_Tjyg6HUZuoNcLqB7sFPy8mygLxSRXgjD6zlsrp4KXKz-ZW-TsA/s320/UNDERTHESEAbadge.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />So I decided on my next swap...it's the <a href="http://wildatheartart.blogspot.com/2009/04/under-sea-swap.html">Underwater Sea Swap</a> hosted by <a href="http://wildatheartart.blogspot.com/">WildAtHeartArt</a>. There are a bunch of amazing artists participating in this swap. To be honest, I'm a bit intimidated and hope I didn't get in over my head, nor will disappoint my swap partner, which is yet to be determined. I believe sign ups are until May 8th, so there's still a few days yet for you to sign up!<div><br /></div><div>Check out the participant's blogs and websites in the righthand column of WildAtHeartArt's site. You will not be disappointed!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div> </div></div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-89018608544649702812009-05-01T08:49:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:29:28.899-07:00Managed to finish ONE knitting project...Almeara Gloves is finally FINISHED!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3491714330_d73536152b.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3491714330_d73536152b.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div>Well, they're finally done. The knit-a-long group that I did the Jared Flood <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2009/01/almeara-gloves.html">Almeara Gloves</a> with finished theirs long ago, but I didn't get the right glove finished until last night. Oh well. I'm fairly happy with the way they turned out. I kind of want to rip out the thumbs and do them over as they are a little big around the thumbprint area and the cables look a little wonky for some reason. I modified the palm and instead of garter stitch as the pattern called for, I did stockinette. I prefer the stockinette. I also swapped around some right cables for left and/or vice versa to make the cables have a mirror effect from the left to the right. Now, to change my in progress status to finished in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>!</div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-88608661631836513612009-05-01T08:27:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:29:47.115-07:00The birdies have flown the coup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3471271896_3a81f23fc8.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3471271896_3a81f23fc8.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />All five birds set off in flight to their various destinations (1-california, 2-ohio, 1-texas & 1-finland) yesterday, April 30. My favorite of the 5 turned out to be Erdos (above). He was the first one I completed too. He's headed on a long flight to Finland! I hope he makes it there OK. All of my swappees received the "green" light, so I got clearance to shoo the birds out of their nest all at the same time. Now that I've successfully completed <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=295969.0">my first Crafter Swap</a> what should I do next??? I looked on <a href="http://swapdex.blogspot.com/">swapdex</a> and found these two swaps that piqued my curiosity:<div><ol><li><a href="http://wildatheartart.blogspot.com/2009/04/under-sea-swap.html">Under the Sea Swap</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://clairesblog.paynedesign.co.uk/blog/_archives/2009/4/23/4162633.html">Secret Monkey Swap</a></li></ol><div>What do you think? Under the Sea looks a bit intimidating, but I'm up for the challenge. Take a look at all the fabulous participants/artisits that are joining the swap! Whew! The Monkey Swap looks totally fun too. All these swaps are seriously putting a dent in my knitting time...</div></div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-42005875512772914392009-04-24T14:14:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:30:04.299-07:00and then there were five...<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3470459937_00fa42604d.jpg?v=0"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3470459937_00fa42604d.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I finally finished the five birds for the <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=295969.140">Handmade Bird Swap</a> I signed up for through <a href="http://www.craftster.org/">Craftster</a>. I made four of them a while ago and for some reason the fifth one took me a few extra weeks to complete. I pretty much used the pattern/tutOWLrial I found online by <a href="http://moonstitches.typepad.com/photos/tutowlrial/index.html">Moonstitches</a>, but added a few of my own mods like a little pouch/pocket in front of each owl and made a different base for each owl as well. I tried to take in consideration each recipient's likes and dislikes based on the questionaires we were all asked to fill out. Each one was made with different recycled/upcycled materials, different buttons and styles of eyes and wings. The stuffing used is made of bamboo. Initially I was going to construct little <a href="http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3763451dt.jpg">softie tree logs</a> to house them in, but then stumbled across bamboo boxes below made by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.numitea.com/">Numi</a> the tea company. The company must have donated them to the <a href="http://www.east-bay-depot.org/">East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse</a> as they had hundreds of them. I decided to go the easier route and use them instead. I figure my recipients can think of creative reuses for them as well! </div><div><a href="http://www.worldpantry.com/numitea/img/thumb/numi-10151.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://www.worldpantry.com/numitea/img/thumb/numi-10151.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.east-bay-depot.org/images/reusemenu_r2_c1.gif"><img style="WIDTH: 129px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="http://www.east-bay-depot.org/images/reusemenu_r2_c1.gif" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Here's hoping my recipients like the birdies and bird stuffs I'm sending along with them. Bye bye birdies! <: </div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-65767598804069071252009-04-24T13:59:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:30:20.778-07:00Mindful knitting with the Dalai LamaWell, I just picked up my three "freebie" tix for two friends and myself from another friend to go see the <a href="http://berkeley.edu/dl/">Dalai Lama</a> tomorrow at UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre. I was planning on bringing my <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2009/01/almeara-gloves.html">Jared Flood Almeara glove</a> project along, but upon reading the security info on the UC site, I'm not sure if it's such a good idea. I wouldn't want my knitting to be "<a href="http://berkeley.edu/dl/security.html">perceived as weapons</a>" and I'd be pretty bummed if I had to give up my right glove to gain entrance to the event. Here's a pic of the right.<br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3462173703_d052497e96_m.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3462173703_d052497e96_m.jpg" border="0" /></a>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-14981693228037449842009-04-16T17:43:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:42:17.307-07:00Italy earthquake: 98 year old woman knitted as she waited for rescueThis story has hit every knitting/crochet blog out there, but in case you haven't seen or heard about it here it is a few more times...<br /><br /><div>There's some question as to whether she was knitting or crocheting and some say a bit of both. It doesn't really matter, I just think it's a great story.</div><div><br /><div>Huffington Post:<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/08/98-year-old-woman-found-a_n_184751.html">98 Year-Old Woman Found Alive In Italy's Earthquake Rubble<br /></a><div><br /></div><div>The Daily Telegraph UK:</div><div><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/5120197/Italy-earthquake-elderly-woman-knitted-as-she-waited-for-rescue.html">Italy earthquake: elderly woman knitted as she waited for rescue</a> </div><div><br />YouTube:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lh9-In70d90&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lh9-In70d90&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div></div></div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-64804230271132951992009-04-14T22:47:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:39:47.284-07:00spoiler alert for handmade bird swapees...don't peek if you want to be surprisedhere are four of the five birds i'm sending to my swap pals for the craftster handmade bird swap. each one was created using their color and fiber preferences. hopefully, they'll be happy with what i've made. i added little pocketses and plan on putting little tidbits in each one. we've got until the end of the month and i could keep on obsessing on the additional things i'd like to add to each one, but i really want to send them off asap and not wait until the 11th hour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3444062678_3d708025e7.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3444062678_3d708025e7.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-51503316576025807532009-04-09T13:55:00.000-07:002009-04-09T14:15:50.906-07:00oldie but goodie, the cuppycake song<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/12Z6pWhM6TA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/12Z6pWhM6TA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />You're my Honeybunch, Sugarplum<br />Pumpy-umpy-umpkin, You're my Sweetie Pie<br />You're my Cuppycake, Gumdrop<br />Snoogums-Boogums, You're the Apple of my Eye<br />And I love you so and I want you to know<br />That I'll always be right here<br />And I love to sing sweet songs to you<br />Because you are so dear<br /><br />I first heard this little girl's voice on an animation of a kitty that looks like a loaf of bread on www.e-thug.net. The domain is no longer but you can find it on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tn-641Mloo">YouTube</a>.p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-87983189688414257622009-04-09T08:29:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:35:13.404-07:00Latest haul from the The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles FaireI try to make the <a href="http://www.antiquesbybay.com/">The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire</a> held every first Sunday of the month. I just call it the Alameda Flea Market. I've been going on and off for several years now and have found some wonderful things for my home, art/craft supplies, etc. Here's my latest find:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mytypewriter.com/ProductImages/UN_Universal_Matte_M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 296px;" src="http://mytypewriter.com/ProductImages/UN_Universal_Matte_M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />According to <a href="http://mytypewriter.com/underwooduniversalchampionportableof1938inmatte.aspx">this website</a>, it's a 1938 Underwood Universal:<br />Billed as the new Typemaster portable, the Universal/<br />Champion line was a popular portable that embodies the latest development in personal writing machines of the late 1930s. Noticeable improvements of the new line include Sealed Action Frame, Champion Keyboard, Dual Touch Tuning as well as an array of features that one would expect to find only in higher priced portable. Available in Charcoal gray or tan matte finish. The early version had metal ring key tops while the later version had improved plastic key tops. (A carrying case with folding stand was also offered at the time as an optional accessory for the line).<br /><br />Mine has the carrying case and folding stand. It's in excellent shape, but I think I'll still bring it in to <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/berkeley-typewriter-and-clark-business-machines-berkeley">Berkeley Typewriter</a> for a tune-up. Isn't she a beaut? I also picked up some vintage french fabrics that I'll use for some of my bird softies. Ok, off to work...p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-85583894943992483102009-04-09T08:18:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:35:30.238-07:00BirdspirationWell, I should be finishing up my <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2009/01/almeara-gloves.html">Jared Flood gloves</a>, but instead I've started playing around on the <a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3304793971_d799b81f3f.jpg?v=0">old singer sewing machine</a> figuring out what kind of bird(s) to make for the <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=295969.0">Handmade Bird Swap</a>. I stumbled across <a href="http://sotosofties.blogspot.com/">Soto Softies</a> blog where she points out a few wonderful <a href="http://sotosofties.blogspot.com/2007/11/bird-brained-experiment.html">bird softie makers</a> in an old post: <a href="http://annwood.net/blog/">Ann Wood</a>, <a href="http://whileshenaps.typepad.com/whileshenaps/">Abby Glassenberg</a> (while she naps), and a familiar site...<a href="http://stephaniecongdonbarnes.blogspot.com/">Stephanie Congdon Barnes</a> (little birds).<br /><br />Wow, do I have a lot to learn regarding construction of softies, let alone creating original works and getting my own style down. I don't wanna go to work...p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-79013717686707253622009-04-02T15:31:00.001-07:002009-05-07T22:42:49.598-07:00when crafters go bad...on ocassion, i peruse the <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/all/">best of</a> on craigslist. <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/van/1023828822.html">this one</a> had me cracking up:<br /><br />Lost small crocheted robot<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Date: 2009-02-06, 1:23PM PST<br /><br />I have lost a good friend due to alcohol abuse.<br /><br />I got blackout drunk at the commodore last weekend (Fri Jan 30) and misplaced a small crocheted robot with a lot of sentimental value.<br /><br />I need this back.<br /><br />If you see this doll either laying around or in a crackhead's shopping cart please alert me because I need dexter back.<br /><br />See the below picture, please hook a sister up.<br /><br />Text 778.239.6844 if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of dexter.p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-18818266642181823632009-04-02T10:01:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:32:30.863-07:00das vadanya from mr. b :(Looks like <a href="http://www.coraline.com/">Coraline</a>'s Mr. Bobinsky's <a href="http://bobinsky.tumblr.com/">blog</a> posts have come to an end. He's gone back to Russia with his mice and posted a <a href="http://bobinsky.tumblr.com/post/90482490/children-weve-made-it">farewell message</a>. Heavy sigh...:(p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-68772879955655618672009-04-01T20:06:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:35:57.622-07:00whimsical little knits arrives in berkeley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ysolda.com/store/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pre-cover1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://ysolda.com/store/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pre-cover1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Ysolda's hot off the press booklet of patterns arrived from Edinburgh in my mailbox today. Pretty darn fast shipping as I ordered it last week. Thank you <a href="http://ysolda.com/">Ysolda</a>! I love every pattern in this book and would like to start off by knitting the little slippers pictured first. I discovered her fabulous patterns where else, but on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> and there's even a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/ysolda">Ysolda group</a> on Ravelry too.p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-52161177439622095442009-03-27T09:18:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:43:40.327-07:00picture is worth a thousand wordsI'm knittin' up <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/">Jared Flood</a>'s <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2009/01/almeara-gloves.html">Almeara gloves</a> and on row 31, it calls for p2tog tbl:<br /><a href="http://members.cox.net/knittingabout/graphic/p2togtbl.gif"><img style="WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" alt="" src="http://members.cox.net/knittingabout/graphic/p2togtbl.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.knittingonthenet.com/learn/learnp2togtbl.htm">http://www.knittingonthenet.com/learn/learnp2togtbl.htm</a><br /><br />Love it. So easy to see what I'm supposed to do! The pattern mentioned that <a href="http://www.vogueknitting.com/">Vogue</a> had an area on their website "Techinique & Abbreviations", but I searched to no avail and don't like to lug around my stitch dictionaries in my <a href="http://www.librarything.com/catalog/purlgurl">library</a> collection. So, I ended up using the trusty dusty <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a> to come up with the above. Now, onward march...p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-44699126043794283962009-03-25T14:38:00.001-07:002009-05-07T22:33:19.625-07:00knit happenings in berkeley this weekend<a href="http://www.knitoneone.com/images/flyer-March-28-sale-JPG.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 438px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.knitoneone.com/images/flyer-March-28-sale-JPG.jpg" border="0" /></a> with <a href="http://www.knitsonya.com/mt/">knitsonya</a> in da house and next door a wonderful bakery, <a href="http://www.sweetadelinebakeshop.com/">sweet adeline</a> !p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-22586304190774451802009-03-23T15:54:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:34:38.469-07:00From Coraline to the Birds<div><a href="http://www.craftster.org/pictures/data/500/bird14.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px" alt="" src="http://www.craftster.org/pictures/data/500/bird14.jpg" border="0" /></a> Well that didn't take me long...I found myself another swap-a-roo to join and help me continue on my eternal procrastination quest! It's named the <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=295969.0">Handmade Bird Swap - Sweat Shoppe Style</a> and it's being hosted by <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=73155">dragonmama</a> on <a href="http://www.craftster.org/">Craftster</a>. Dragonmama noted that this swap was based on one that <a href="http://blog.creativekismet.com/">Creative Kismet</a> hosted back in January of this year. It was called the "<a href="http://blog.creativekismet.com/2009/01/01/bird-of-change-exchange/">Birds of Change Exchange</a>"and like CK's ideas and meaning behind it. Creative Kismet just so happened to be part of the <a href="http://blog.creativekismet.com/2009/03/18/box-26/">Coraline Mystery Box Swap</a> I'm a part of too. Her box was and is AMAZING, definitely one of my favorites of the lot.</div><div><br /></div><div>So in this swap we are supposed to make birds in flocks of 5 or 10. I opted for the smaller sized flock which will allow me to spend more time on each bird than if I were to try to crank out 10 of them, sweatshop style. So now I'll be changing my obsession from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/coraline-mbs/">Coraline</a> to Bird plush/stuffies. Maybe I'll sneak in a Coraline reference or two! </div><div>( : : ) ( : : )</div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-30580407195176936882009-03-23T15:45:00.000-07:002009-03-23T15:51:42.499-07:00Spring has sprung and it's time for the secret gardens of the east bay tour again...<a href="http://66.117.159.164/secretgardens/images/2009/home_photos.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 456px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px" alt="" src="http://66.117.159.164/secretgardens/images/2009/home_photos.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's been a few years since I've last gone on this tour, so maybe I'll scrounge up the dough to make it on their self guided <a href="http://66.117.159.164/secretgardens/index.html">tour for 2009</a>. They even have a version of the tour that's on bicycles, called <a href="http://66.117.159.164/secretgardens/pedalpower.html">Pedals to Petals</a>. That sounds even better!p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459041953869727948.post-53417056020194104352009-03-19T16:05:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:34:53.925-07:00Creepy Cute Crocheted Coraline (C^4)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3368291290_055faa5272_m.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3368291290_055faa5272_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I got my mystery box yesterday. I wasn't able to get my paws on it until well after work. It came from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36198503@N03/">Evalana</a> aka <a href="http://rabbithutchiscalling.blogspot.com/">the Rabbit Hutch</a>. Inside the #29, tin box was:<p></p><div><ul><li><a href="http://needlenoodles.com/home/">Creepy cute crocheted</a> Coraline</li><li><a href="http://bobinsky.tumblr.com/">Bobinsky</a>'s <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/purlgurl/3368296422/in/pool-coraline-mbs/">mouse</a></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/purlgurl/3368300174/in/pool-coraline-mbs">Letter</a></li><li>black "other" buttons</li><li>Coraline Mystery Box Swap tag created by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/batwrangler/3328567100/in/pool-coraline-mbs">Batwrangler</a> with button key added.</li></ul><div>Very cool Evalana. I'd love to put her on the dash of my Matrix, but the sun will likely do a number on her. Maybe I'll put velcro on her bottom and have her on the dash only when I'm driving. Same goes for the little mouse.</div><div><br /></div></div>p u r l g u r lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03875236983600227020noreply@blogger.com0