I’m Crafty

I changed my official start date to May 4th. I’ve also started a new photo blog for goal #14: Post one photo a day that I’ve taken. Will post on new photo blog. Check it out!

I couldn’t make it to Maryland this past weekend because I had to move but I had a great time at CT Sheep and Wool the weekend before. Much tinier than Maryland and Rhinebeck but way less overwhelming. I was able to walk around and see each vendor a couple of times before buying anything. I also got to see some New Haven SnBers! There were sheep, of course:

These guys were running at me and I was a little terrified that they’d run right into me but a sheep dog showed up just in time. I didn’t go crazy with the spending.  I brought $100 in cash and spent probably about $98. I bought some nice Cormo cross:

My goal is to spin it up this week because I need to return my rental wheel. I tried out a ton of spinning wheels and ALMOST bought one. Luckily, Conor was there to talk some sense into me. Right now, I’m leaning towards  a Lendrum because not only was everyone and their mother spinning on them but I felt the most comfortable with it. I heard such great things about Kromski’s but I didn’t like any of the ones I tried. I need to get my hands on more Ashfords before I decide. In the meantime, I can spin using this:

I thought I had given up on spindles but I had a decent time using this Golding spindle so I bought it. So much better than the crappy $5 one I bought in Maryland last year. Maybe I’ll master the spindle while I’m saving up for a wheel. The spindle is resting on some lovely pink/orange Cormo:

I’m a little sad I missed Maryland but there’s still Rhinebeck and Stitches East (in hartford, whoo!). I came home with a good lot and had a great time.  Conor had fun too:

PS. Changing my start date of my 101 in 1001 list to today. This weekend was waaaay to crazy and I forgot all about it. 

So, I decided to try this 101 in 1001 thing. The idea is to set 101 goals that you can accomplish in 1001 days. I’m being totally realistic about this. I know that I might not accomplish all 101 things and that I might drop out completely half way through but making the list itself was a good exercise. I’m officially starting May 1st and will have until Friday, January 27, 2012 to finish. The end date will be my 27th birthday.  Most of the things are pretty basic because some of my larger goals are a bit too personal to share on the internet. Here are the hobby related goals. The entire list can be seen here.

1.        Knit a full-size afghan.

2.        Knit Conor a sweater.

3.        Knit an intricate lace shawl in actual lace weight yarn.

4.        Complete at least one knitting project a month. (0/33)

5.        Design my own knitting pattern.

6.        Knit a cowichan style sweater aka “the dude” sweater.

7.        Organize my yarn storage…again.

8.        Knit for at least 15 minutes a day. (0/1001)

9.        Buy a spinning wheel.

10.     Once I purchase a spinning wheel, spin for at least 20 minutes a day.

11.     Spin enough yarn for a sweater

12.     Purchase Photoshop and Lightroom.

13.     Learn how to use Photoshop and Lightroom.

14.     Take one photo a day that I like enough to show people. Will put on flickr or my blog. (0/1001)

15.     Sew a vintage style dress that I love enough to wear.

16.     Sew a quilt.

17.     Sew curtains for my bedroom.

18.     Make one skirt that fits me perfectly.

19.     Then make it in multiple colors.

20.     Take a class at Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven.

21.     Paint my bedroom green.

22.     Have apartment fully decorated by the end of summer.

23.     Adopt a puppy.

24.     Learn to crochet.

25.     Go record shopping once a month. (0/33)

26.     Listen to a new music once a month. (0/33)

27.     Buy an accordion.

28.     Learn the lyrics to Paul Revere.

29.     Take a cooking class.

30.     Work on my pie crust.

31.     Bake Devon an apple pie.

32.     Make Crème Brule with a blow torch.

33.     Make another roast chicken.

34.     Stop fearing chicken in general.

35.     Put my favorite recipes into one format and complete my first recipe binder.

36.     Buy a nice bottle of tequila.

37.     Host a beer tasting.

Read complete list here. 

You guys. It’s spring! Isn’t it funny how one day you’re grudgingly putting on your winter coat and the next you’re walking around downtown wearing a t-shirt and flip flops? I started riding my bike to work again last Thursday. It was so wonderful, I almost wish we lived farther from my job. We’re moving again, Conor and I, to the East Rock area on May 1st. I am very excited and I’ve already begun mapping different routes to make my bike commute longer in the morning. With some inspiration, I decided to dress up my bicycle a little:

I’ve been wanting a basket since I bought the bike, well over a year ago, but ended buying a rack and attaching a milk crate to it. I was always paranoid things were going to fly out of it though, no matter how many bungees I used to secure things down. The front basket puts my paranoia to rest and it’s visually pleasing especially, with the flowers. I’ve  been meaning to blog about my helmet since I bought it last year. 

I’ll admit it, I hate helmets. I think they’re dorky and they make my head sweat something fierce in the summer. That being said, I value my brains and my life so, I wear a helmet. I searched the Internet far and wide to find one that I wouldn’t mind wearing and ended up on Nutcase Helmets. I love it. My head still sweats but I feel like a cool dork wearing it as opposed to a dorky dork.