Day 3 - KCBWDAY 4

The question of the day for the 2nd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog week is "whatever happened to your___".
Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.


Well. Let's go with my Starving Artist hat.... I saw that Aimee had one and it was so pretty. I needed one too and the pattern was free. So I found some Berrocco Vintage Chunky at the Studio in KC and off I went. The hat was filled with memories of driving back from KC to NC with my car at the end of Spring Break. It literally got woven in at the final hotel the last day. I've worn it a lot since... :) 

I am being productive in the office modeling my hat... While finding unproductive things to do at Barnes and Noble on the unmentionable horrible day this week I stumbled up this- 

That's right: A knit your own dog book! Did I need this?  No. Did I secretly sort of want it? Yes. Was I a little miffed my favorite dog breeds were left out? yes! No English Setters or Shelties to be found, but they did include a daschund. wink wink. Here's a red setter: 

Super cute. 

I got my Mean Girls Yarn Club shipment! SQUEE! It's secret and exclusive so sorry I cannot picture it right now. Each shipment include: a nom (the chocolate kind), stitch marker with story about the evil woman theme, and a skein of hand dyed yarn from Knotty la in a MGYC colorway. This shipment's witch was one from a movie made from before I was born, so I was told. No wonder I didn't recognize her. But still very very happy for the package. 

Also if you're looking to listen to do a great podcast while cleaning/driving/etc: try Never Not Knitting by Alana Dakos or Knit Picks Podcast by Kelley Petkun. 

As always,

Fiber Foodie for Life. 

Day 3 Question: 
"How do you keep your yarn wrangling organised? It seems like an easy to answer question at first, but in fact organisation exists on many levels. Maybe you are truly not organised at all, in which case I am personally daring you to try and photograph your stash in whatever locations you can find the individual skeins. However, if you are organised, blog about an aspect of that organisation process, whether that be a particularly neat and tidy knitting bag, a decorative display of your crochet hooks, your organised stash or your project and stash pages on Ravelry."


I did import most of the stash onto ravelry. My profile is Kaitlinh. Otherwise I keep the literal stash in fabric bins in the closet. Not too exciting, and most of it is located back in my hometown. That's probably a good thing since I don't have much room here to store more yarn. haha. 


Yesterday was a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day. Without re-hashing it all some things occurred: I had discussions with five idiotic people, (not one FIVE), my sunglasses I love were lost, I journeyed 20 minutes to a place where nothing was to be found, I glimpsed a poor run over cat on the road. This is all without going to class- had that occurred someone would be missing an appendage. I am just waiting for the weekend. I spend all week counting down the hours my uninteresting cooking class will be over and my happy actual life can begin. The joy of required courses! I will be proud to have survived it. The last two nine day lab segments are NOT cooking classes. Thank goodness. Yesterday I needed some comfort food so here they are: 

A chocolate raspberry cupcake from Sunflour. I also got some peach-mango yogurt from Tasty Yo. I get a discount since I'm the four square mayor. I got to see my favorite yo-tender, Eli, who thought I dropped off the face of the earth. In reality, my earth was overtaken by an alien known as: Cooking Lab Segment. Pretty evil. I got my free Noodles and Co on South Blvd, which was nice. I won this meal, since two weeks ago my to go side salad had no dressing. None- zip-zilch. Also had an ice cream cone from Mr. K's which was cheap and flavorless. I just wanted to crunch the soggy cone at the bottom anyway. The parking was insane though... Like usual. I'm looking forward to a run with E on Friday and my first swim lesson with Keith. He's taking them, I'm teaching them. Besides, Petsmart friday night and work Sat. morning I have NOTHING SCHEDULED. This is the FIRST time since Spring break this had occurred. I am ready to sit down or outside on the roof deck, listen to my new Hunger Games audiobook (also got the Last Song) and knit on my Wispy Cardigan. The swatch turned evil and wouldn't rip out without breaking due to the laceweight yarn. Besides being frustrating my gauge is half an inch off, but I'm going to trust in the Knitting Gods and hope it turns out. I learned I hate male readers on audiobooks and much to my dismay, the reader for the entire Harry Potter series has a horrid voice.... tsk tsk.  I sound like an old lady in the making- alas. I entered the Jimmy Beans Wool Beans for Brains Scholarship Competition and hopefully my application is received. Here's a swatch photo, sorry it's upside down.

BABY L says: 

What is this thing you call, camera phone?! 

As always,

FFFL

Day 2

"Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year. Have you learned any new skills or forms of knitting/crochet (can you crochet cable stitches now where you didn’t even know such things existed last year? Have you recently put a foot in the tiled world of entrelac? Had you even picked up a pair of needles or crochet hook this time last year?"


Well this time last year I wasn't crocheting or knitting. In May of 2010, I was reminded of how to crochet and off I went. I used the Stitch N Bitch Crochet book and made little squares of each stitch pattern and amigurumi out the wazoo. 

Here we have mouse for Grandma, Octopus with 6 legs for Caroline (no that wasn't intended)  and my first one: Hippo that can't stand on it's own legs. haha. Crochet and internet tv saved my life at my sumemr camp job  and I spend every meeting making hats. I learned how to knit in November 2011 and whoosh. Hello converted knitter! There's something about the swoosh and click. 

As always,

FFFL

Knit and Crochet Blog Week!

First day: Thanks to www.changeisnecessaryforgrowth.blogspot.com for the heads up. :)

Topic: Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.

Malabrigo! March that is. Anything malabrigo is almost guaranteed to be soft, reliable and a gorgeous colorway. I purchased this one skein during the Charlotte Yarn Crawl having no idea what to do with it. It just called to me and said, "I am so pretty.... Come buy me..." Now that I bought Brave New Knits, this hat is perfect for it. Lenina Cap by woolly wormhead. 

For the opposite of Malabrigo: I special ordered this yarn for a crochet top. Then couldn't afford it, a few months later I could and spent 60$ for the stuff. I don't want to make the project anymore and need to find a use for it... Boo hiss! Rowan Cotton Glace. 

I really want to make these however... Easter Eggs!

As always,

FFFL

A weekend of food.

Soo. Friday I ventured to a local shopping center filled with ritzy stores like Tiffanys and Louis Vuitton. While being entertained by the real life versions of "The Real Housewives of Charlotte" walking around, I stopped into Pinkberry. The chain originated in LA years ago and sparked the yogurt trend that's led to: Orange Leaf, Red Mango etc.

I order a small original with strawberries. It cost 3$ ish. So expensive! I enjoyed trying the new spring flavor: Lychee with Lime. So for atmosphere, I give Pinkberry: <3 <3 Two hearts, the furniture is futuristic but it's not somewhere you're tempted to stay in. For product: <3 <3 <3, delicious and clearly fresh toppings. Bang for Buck: $$$- Too expensive for a college student, but good for an occasional treat.

I had heard awesome reviews of the Cheesecake Factory's Red velvet cheesecake from classmates so I shelled out my 8$ for dessert that night. Unfortunately,  I was unimpressed and wanted my eight dollars back! Cheesecake Factory is a chain, with large portions. The cheesecake was original on the bottom layer but an un natural tasting white chocolate flavored layer on top. The cake layer was moist and springy. I couldn't stomach the fake whipped cream. I give the Red velvet cheesecake: <3 for product. And $$$ for bang for buck. 

I needed dinner then as well and had a coupon for free garlic knots at Fuel Pizza. I made a to go order on the phone at the South Blvd location and got the Ultimate pepperoni. $14.70 for a 12" pizza, not a bad deal for one person. It was covered in cheese, tons of pepp, and garlic goodness. I didn't find the "two layers" of pepperoni that was stated in the menu description but overall: reheats well and very flavorful. 

I give Fuel Pizza: <3 <3 <3 for product, <3 for atmosphere (that location has NO parking), and $$ for bang for buck. Relatively affordable. 

I found some super cute Soap Chicks at Bath and Body works. I didn't buy one but if I had an easter basket ;) I'd want one: 

I purchased another pair of TOMS. They are the opposite of my purple and black pair... And found a cute window display at Nordstrom. 

Finally, last night after a hectic (read: awful) night at work and a CPR re-cert class I needed some good ole saturated fat. I weighed my options at 9:15pm on a Saturday and made a to go order at Big Daddy's Burger Bar on East Boulevard. I went all out and got the "Bacon Cheeseburger on Steroids" with Sweet potato fries and chipotle ranch dipping sauce. They mean it literally about steroids: The 6 oz beef burger was topped with... two or three pieces of bacon, two or three pieces of jalapeno bacon, two tomato  slices, lettuce, onions, monterey jack cheese, and Baconnaise (bacon mayo~!). MM it was delicious. Meaty, and most of all : Bacon-y. The fries were thin, most likely frozen previously, and cold but that was alright. For atmosphere I give it: <3 <3 <3, the location was nice but again little parking. For product <3 <3 <3 <3: great food, bang for buck was: $$$. I couldn't afford to tip.... Total was: 12$ 

This week on the needles: Another pair of fingerless mitts. I'm halfway done with the second one now.

 I really really want to cast on for the Wispy Cardigan... I'd like to make a gauge swatch today. I wish I didn't have to go back to work at 6pm. Swim meets= Evil. (for lifeguards anyway) 

As always,

FF4L! 

Cute kitten pic: 

Baby P says: WHERE'S MY POM POM??!!.

Behind you silly... 

new post is coming soon

A new long post reviewing food items from the weekend will be posted soon.

Didn't want my two readers to think I was MIA.

just busy having eaten a Bacon Cheeseburger on Steroids and working 20 hrs this weekend.

<3

Forgotten cute kitten pic of day (CKPD)!

Baby L sez: 

I'M GOING TO CLAW YOUR FACE OFF! 

...just kidding. I'm stretching. :) 

Today's breakfast spot:

Sunflour Baking Co.

Tucked away nonchalantly on seventh street, a no frills sign decks out the bakery. Open since the fall of 2010, this venue will clearly make it's mark one day soon.  Once inside, the glorious display of orange rolls, "poptarts" and a variety of croissants will definitely tempt your taste buds. A five day or so repeat customer, this is one of the five minutes away bakeshops near my place of living. Out of the three bakeshops, so far it holds the #1 spot for product. Atmosphere is a bit austere with only metal chairs and wooden tables to sit at. They have free wifi but for some reason my phone refuses to connect with it each time leading me to become tearful and bitter. After tasting: a strawberry poptart, orange roll, chocolate banana muffin, blueberry "cream cheese" (quotations for the lack of cream cheese in this titled muffin), cheddar biscuit sandwich, nutella poptart and today a cinnamon roll my thoughts are confirmed. This was over a period of days, not one day - Are you crazy?!. Haha, actually if I had enough $$ I could definitely eat all of those in one day.

This bakery does baked goods well and at a fair price. I forgot that I did try the chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing as well. The icing was hard, flat and tasted like shortening base but the cake was moist and springy. I am proud to admit I am one day away from becoming mayor of the venue on Foursquare. Hoo-rah! as my previous Chef would say.

Today I tried the nutella poptart which was delectable and a cinnamon roll. The roll was criss crossed with creamy icing and the superb texture of the bread component stood out to me. It was a good size, not too large and not too tiny. It was rich yet light with just enough cinnamon lining the layers. The icing was a bit gelatinous not that "melt in your mouth" texture one hopes for. But overall I would get one again. It was as they say: "MMm Mmm Good." That's for soup, but who wants soup when you could eat something artery clogging?!

If any readers, right now that's you mom and my besties: can tell me why my phone deletes my downloaded podcasts and doesn't re-sync them every time I plug it in I would greatly appreciate it.

Today on the needles: I cast on another pair of quick knit mitts in the same Universal yarn. This time though, I am starting with the gray strand of color quickly working my way toward orange. Oooh. Ahhhh. After about an hour and half of work here's the progress:

And a close up of the variegated ball: 

My PU (parental unit), found a DPN (double-pointed needle) in my bed today. Does this mean I was meant to knit? Yes, adding the fact I dreamt about yarn the other night. I'm going to try to figure out how to add a side bar with abbreviation definitions of common knitting terms and other ones I use. My group in class made: waterzooi, frog legs for the rest of you who don't know that language the word is from. Mussels, another icky one and Dublin coddle, heart attack in a pan of: bacon, onions, butter, potatoes, and bangers (sausages). We got pretty nasty stuff, in my opinion, but that's simply my opinion. Now I know never to order the Waterzooi... According to the brave souls who tried it, no it doesn't taste like chicken. "Chicken-y texture but it tastes like something from the sea." - Brave Soul from chocolates class trying our frog legs.

As always,
FFFL

 Goal of the blog: Rate/review local eateries of all kinds, also share progress on knitting projects and other random tidbits. Hopefully to jumpstart potential career as a food writer.

The beginning

So. I've been told numerous times to start one of these. So here it goes. I aim to review local restaurants and  different yarns, notions, etc thus combining my passion for both food and fiber. Also you get a cute kitten pic of the day/week. :)


Baby P says: My what long whiskers I have!

Currently nothing is on the needles but by nightfall another pair of "Quick-Knit Mitts" designed by Jen Hintz with Fibro Fibers will be waiting. They are being made of: Universal Yarn, Classic Shades a machine washable 70/30 acrylic wool blend. The yarn is very fuzzy and squooshy though can knot on itself and felt when one is desperately trying to untangle said knot. In color: 714 which is a varigated yarn ranging from purple, gray and orange to hot pink. I've knit two pairs total before so it's wonderful mindless knitting. Here's my first pair (knit with Fibro Fiber yarn in Rainbow Reef)  modeled by someone I don't want creepers knowing.

This week's lunch spot was:

Fran's Filling Station.
 A local favorite with Facebook and Twitter specials announced in a timely manner. I dined solo and arrived precisely at 11:30am when they opened to avoid the dreaded lunch crowd. It appeared I was the first customer of the day and a pleasant waitress seated me outside, as requested. I chose   the... # ____ sandwich. The menu isn't available online which adds to intrigue but leads me to only allude to the actual name of the delicious sandwich. I chose it on white bread, and it arrived lightly toasted, spread with apricot jam, fuji apples, fresh turkey and melted harvarti (?) cheese. It was accompanied by the special side of the day Italian pasta salad. My only complaint was the pasta wasn't quite al dente but since I was most likely the first one to eat it that day, that could easily go unnoticed. I would definitely go back again since the bang for buck was: $$ ($ great value- $$$$- too expensive for the quality of product).  I ate half of the filling sandwich and all of my side with half of a sandwich to eat a few days later, still delicious all for about 10$ with tip.

As always,

FFFL
(Fiber Foodie For Life- cliche I know).