Fill in the Blank Friday?

Well, it's been 2 weeks in a row, so let me not fall out of rhythm here.

Fill in the blank friday, hosted by the little things we do!

1. My absolute favorite movie of all time is I'll get back to you on this. It will need some serious pondering. That is quite a lot of pressure for one movie.

2. My favorite movie as a child was Drop Dead Fred. My brother and I watched this over and over and over and over. Too bad Mom didn't know what it was about and pretty much forbid us to watch it until she knew what it was about. A girl with an imaginary friend (Drop Dead Fred) grows up... and he comes back. I bet we could still recite every line from it together and laugh the whole time.

3. The best movie quote ever is from I'll get back to you here too...

4. My favorite actress is I don't know that I have one. Sandra Bullock definitely rocks and can do no wrong for me. Too bad she had a scummy husband who didn't appreciate her. But we won't get into that.

5. The movie I could watch over and over is One Fine Day. Especially when it's raining. I have watched this movie over and over and over. I just love it. For no reason in particular. Or the Breakfast Club. The real one. Not the made for TV edit out all the good parts version.

6. My favorite movie genre is Romantic Comedy Or "Teen" movies. You know the ones, like made for TV movies that are on Disney and the Family Channel. I don't know what it is but they suck me in every time! It's kind fo embarrassing but I love Wish Upon a Star, the Au Pair series, Sydney White.... hmmmm I'll stop myself now before I can't lift the veil of SHAME.

7. A movie I'd like to watch this weekend is The Time Traveler's Wife. Just came in from Netflix so I'm ready to bawl my eyes out and get emotional.

Location, Location, Location

I am participating in knit & crochet blog week, sponsored by Mimi at Eskimiknits.com

Where do you like to indulge in your craft? Is your favourite arm chair your little knitting cubby area, or do you prefer to ‘knit in public’? Do you like to crochet in the great outdoors, perhaps, or knit in the bath, or at the pub?

I've got 2 favorite places. Let's start at home shall we?

There is this chair. Actually it's more like a throne... or a bed. Or a burrow. This chair is affectionately known as the "coma chair" because it is where 6 out of 7 days I find myself. In a coma, passed out. Now you wonder why I would think such a chair would be a fabulous place to knit. Because this chair is the most comfortable chair I've ever sat in in my entire life. Every night I'll burrow myself in the corner and sprawl out. There is plenty of space for needles, yarn, pattern, and cat. Cat is very important otherwise she will end up on my lap... or my shoulder which makes knitting very difficult. Anyways, my projects pile up to the right side of the chair and I can reach down and grab any one that I want and knit until I fall into a coma. Happens every time! Oh and did I mention is has a big ottoman in front of it? So you can lounge freely and kick your legs up. Mine always end up being covered by a blanket and aforementioned cat as well. But it's comfortable. and it's home :)

Now let's talk about where I go when I want to knit away from home. I'm sure you have no idea what place I'm going to mention. While I haven't worked up the courage to knit in a pub or a train, I do knit in the car and on planes, and I go to the park across the street on nice days during lunch to knit, but my absolute favorite place is Lambikins Hideaway!

Gosh, Christina should start paying me for all the publicity I give her! I'll happily accept Malabrigo, Noro, Sprout, Amy Butler Fabric..... just throwing it out there! (totally kidding Chris! maybe.)

Anyways, back to what I affectionately refer to as "the shop" anyone who knows me knows exactly where I'm going when I'm headed to "the shop". It's seriously my home away from home. Every week I'm there on Monday. No question. I have to see my knit night ladies. It's great girl time and just relaxing to be out of the house and enjoying what we love best. Then on any other given week I'll be there for hours on Saturday, and maybe a few hours Sunday, and definitely a few hours when I'm off work. It's my happy place and I swear that I've not found a shop out there that feels the same. It really feels like "home" maybe because it is in a house shaped building, has stairs and rooms just like a house, a cute coffee table, and a big dining room table where we can knit. Not to mention the fireplace and huge barka loungers and couches she has upstairs (where we have been known to go up around 8pm on Mondays to watch Dancing with the Stars!) I love Lambikins. And I'm sure I talk about it enough that you all do too! If you are ever in the Cincinnati area you should definitely stop by! Even better, she also has an online shop, and you can even order gift cards. hint hint. go there. buy me one. or five. thanks!

(Photo taken from Lambikins site. Chris if this is not okay, let me know)

Click the Lambikins logo to go directly to the website!

You can also find them on Flickr, Twitter, and Facebook!

ETA: How could I forget! They are also on Ravelry! Duh!

A New Skill

I am participating in knit & crochet blog week, sponsored by Mimi at Eskimiknits.com

Is there a skill related to your hobby that you hope to learn one day? maybe you’re a crocheter who’d also like to knit? Maybe you’d like to learn to knit continental, knit backwards, try cables or attempt stranded colourwork.

Well, considering that I started out as a crocheter and became enamored with knit, I'd say I'm good in that venue. In terms of knitting, I don't fear much. I see cables, lace, colorwork, felting, etc. and I think to myself- hey! I can do that! I'm pretty self sufficient when it comes to learning as well. Give me a book or a few pictures or an online tutorial and set me on my way. I would love to be able to learn continental style and be comfortable knitting an entire garment or project in it. And entrelec. I've never done entrelec before and seeing Genevieve start a blanket the other day in this technique has intrigued me.

Or maybe I'd love to be able to have enough self control to only start a new project when I've finished another one, or buy new yarn when I've used my stash and need a new project. that's a skill right?

but let's be honest here. That will NEVER happen!

Timeout

That's what I need.

I'm taking a break from knicroblo week for the day. I'll catch up soon though, I promise.

I'm just breaking down. I think I'm terribly stressed (though I don't FEEL incredibly stressed) and it's wearing me down. My body is revolting on me. I've had an eye twitch since yesterday around 10:30am. Thought perhaps a good night's sleep would help. But what do you know, I wake up and it's twitching.

I just need to take deep breaths and remember that only 2 more days of work then off for a week for vacation. But then that adds whole new levels of stress imagining myself in a bathing suit frying under the Nevada sun. I'll get over it. I swear.

But take a few deep breaths for me and send some zen my way.

The next 2 days are pretty stressful and if i can survive I'll definitely be enjoying that sweet sweet reward of rest and relaxation next week.

One Great Knitter

I am participating in knit & crochet blog week, sponsored by Mimi at Eskimiknits.com

Write about a knitter whose work (whether because of project choice, photography, styling, scale of projects, stash, etc) you enjoy. If they have an enjoyable blog, you might find it a good opportunity to send a smile their way.

Wow, pretty much anyone that picks up needles and yarn (or hooks and yarn) is one great knitter (or crocheter) in my opinion! I don't think you need to have patterns published and books hit the best seller list in order to be great. To break this out I think I'll pick great knitters (in my opinion) based on the categories that Mimi listed in the topic.

Project Choice: My Knit Night/Lambikins Ladies (Mindy, Christina, Donna, Leslie, Tonia, Genevieve, Hallie, Ahna, Kathy, Lesley, Amy, and I'm sure I'm forgetting many many more. If I forgot you, my apologies! let me know! I'll add you and your link to the list!) These ladies inspire me to challenge myself and introduce me to new patterns, designers, and yarns. They also enable me. My wallet doesn't like them much. But I still do!

Photography: Mimi (Eskimimi on Ravelry) takes the most vibrant wonderful photos I've seen. And she was gracious enough to post a tutorial on her blog. It really works. I used it at home and so simple with great results!

Styling: A new knitter that I found recently is Lynne. I loved her v-neck Hey Teach cardi and when I saw her projects page I just had to message her to let her know how awesome I thought it was. I then discovered she had a blog. Not only does she knit fabulous wearables... she sews them too! I only wish I had her styling ability. From tunics to sweaters to dresses... she's flat out amazing!

Scale of Projects: Genevieve. She may not make California King sized blankets but she probably could in about 2 weeks! This girl, let me tell you. She is lightning fast when it comes to knitting and it's a good thing because she has a list a mile long and she happily knits every stitch and crosses each project off with a smile. I think the count as of Monday night alone was something like 8 baby projects to knit this summer BEFORE she can knit for her own dumpling she is expecting in the fall. And I thought a 13 day lace binge was a serious undertaking!

Stash: Joyce (Joidell on Ravelry) I think she walks the fine line of hoarding and stashing but she does it fabulously :) From yarn to fabric to books to sewing machines, she is a stash queen and I bow before her. I also appreciate the stash since I got 2 great skeins and 3 fabulous books during a recent destash of hers. I would have had more if I wouldn't have been 2 hours late to the sale! Christina (MyYarn2Knit on Ravelry and Owner of Lambikins Hideaway) would come in a VERY close 2nd. I saw recent pics of her stash and the 400+ skeins of sock yarn almost sent me into palpitations.

I hope you get a chance to check out some of the links I've included. Even if you aren't a crafter. Maybe you'll be inspired anyway. The above is just a small sampling of many of the great knitters out there.

If you have other knitter or crocheter designer/blog recommendations that I should definitely check out- send them my way! My blogroll and pattern binder are always ready for more!

Book It Update

First off- Welcome! to all the new readers visiting for knit and crochet blog week! I hope you stick around. 2buckeyes is pretty much a hodge podge mashup of anything and everything that is captivating me at the time. Mostly it's fiber related, but there is some home construction, niece and nephew cuteness, lots of pictures, and a little bit of vinegar for good measure.

(you can follow me over there on the right >>>>>>>)

I'm happy to report that after only 6 days since my last Reading List Update, I have managed to finish a book!

Brings my grand total for 2010 to... drumroll please... 5!

1. Finger Lickin' Fifteen- Janet Evanovich
2. The Lace Reader- Brunonia Barry
3. Julia's Chocolates
4. Knit the Season- Kate Jacobs
5. Garden Spells- Sarah Addison Allen

I thought it was a delightful read. Right up my alley. A bit of magic, some family turmoil, and mysterious and strong heroines at the center of the story. I started reading and even with putting it down many times for errand running and working, it was still a quick read. It makes me wish I had an enchanted garden... and a temperamental Apple Tree :)

Read an excerpt here. I'd definitely recommend it!

I'll be starting Sarah Addison Allen's 2nd Book The Sugar Queen tonight.

Recommendations are always appreciated!

An Inspirational Pattern

I am participating in knit & crochet blog week, sponsored by Mimi at Eskimiknits.com

Blog about a pattern or project which you aspire to. Whether it happens to be because the skills needed are ones which you have not yet acquired, or just because it seems like a huge undertaking of time and dedication, most people feel they still have something to aspire to in their craft. If you don’t feel like you have any left of the mountain of learning yet to climb, say so!

From the moment I laid eyes on Sylvi I was in love.


From the knee length seed stitch, to the cabled vines, to the textured petals, all the way up to the tip of the hood. Sylvi is beautiful. And what a challenge! The investment would be great. But the end result? It just screams beauty to me.

I hope to some day be able to get to the level where I could knit up this lovely piece of artwork in a half way decent amount of time, without guilt over the $$ spent on yarn (Sylvi would need the best. Simply the best. and nothing less) and challenge myself to embrace the stitches and cables and sleeves! (Sleeves scare me, well- not really scare me, but I avoid them like the plague. You can ask my sleeveless hoodie sweater that has been waiting for sleeves since Fall.)

I will get to you eventually Sylvi. I am still a new knitter, only 1.5 years under my belt so rest assured we will meet someday.

For now I will contemplate colors and fibers and drool over all the fabulous Sylvi's that have made it into the world so far.

In gold, by Roxer


In green, by yarnmonster


Some day...

Some day.