The Hyper Monkey

I finally blocked a finished shawl this week. If you remember this particular shawl, you deserve an award. If you remember the yarn, you deserve further accolades.

Let me refresh your memory.

Megan gave me some hand-dyed yarn for my birthday last year. Remember this?

I started knitting with it in  December ’09, if you can believe it. I’m pretty sure I finished it this past January.

I don’t enjoy the blocking process. This illustrates the point.

But in celebration of Megan’s grand opening of her shop Wayward Yarn and Fibers, I decided it was time to get my ass in gear. Because really? She’s an amazing dyer and her yarn knits up beautifully.

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl (get your free copy here)

Needles: Size 4US

Yarn: One of a kind fingering weight by Wayward Yarn & Fibers

Started: December ’09

Finished: January ’10

I went with the nupps instead of beads, because I think beads would have distracted from the beauty of the yarn.

Oh the yarn! I love how it’s not stripey. I’m not a fan of stripey at all.

It’s almost like she sprinkled colors onto the yarn. Who knows? Maybe she did. I know not the mysteries of dyeing. :)

Another thing Megan has done for me? She’s introduced me to the ways of Zentangle.

What is Zentangle you ask? Well, I’m not very good at describing it, but there’s this handy-dandy website that reveals all.

I started off with “Zendalas“, which are round tangles, after I saw some videos on Milliande‘s website. You can see mine -> here <-. Then I went on to the full-page tangles.

I’ve become so addicted to them, it’s all I’ve been doing. In fact, my hand has started to hurt from holding the pen for so long.

Here’s one of my full-page tangles.

Megan has been such a big supporter of everything I do, whether it be yarny stuff or paper stuff.

Did I say supporter?

I meant enabler.

o.O

Seriously, I can’t thank you enough Megan! You’ve opened my eyes to new things in life both in the arts and in my heart. I am so proud to call you my friend!

Here’s another shot of Ryan, my friend Sandy’s dog.

Doesn’t it look like he’s dreaming of the weekend?

TGIF, folks! I’m headed to the art supply shop tomorrow for more pens. Why for? For tangling of course! :D

Lately I’ve been all about the spirals. I’ve been adding spirals to my drawings and I’ve been beading spirals.

That’s a double spiral rope. I used size 8/o beads for the core and then for the spirally bits I used size 15/o beads.

If you didn’t know, size 15/o beads are really tiny. My eyes went a little crazy working on this necklace. I think it was worth it in the end.  At least, I’m happy with the results.

I started the necklace at the Seed Bead Party over at The Bead Gallery on the 21st. I finally finished it on Sunday. This meant I didn’t have as much time to work on the Haruni, but I have made some progress.

I’m on the last repeat of Chart A. After that there’s only Chart B to do! Except the rows just get longer and longer and longer. You know how it is, if you knit lace.  But I’m gonna keep truckin’!

Lookie at how peaceful my sweet boy looks!

You wouldn’t know it, but earlier this morning we were trying the snatch and grab with this poor kitty.

The thing is, even though he’s only around 3 or 4 years old, he needs to have all his teeth out due to a very severe case of gingivitis.   Today was “Take Two” of getting him into the cat carrier for his oral surgery.

Scheyer may only have 3 legs, but he is fast and squirmy. We’ve tried everything. The only thing we haven’t tried is locking him in the bathroom the night before.

I’m very leery of resorting to this extreme measure because he’s skittish as it is and not only will his yowling probably keep the neighbors up, i’m not sure how much it will damage his relationship with us.  It took a couple of years for him to really settle down with us.

Any advice is welcome.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Remember my grand designs on finishing two necklaces before my mother’s birthday? Well, her birthday was on Tuesday.  I sort of finished the necklace.  I will explain in pictures.

I give you the necklace.

Looks finished right?

Except I hid a rather crucial element.

Yes.

There is no clasp. I could say “Well. Mom hasn’t picked a clasp yet.” as an excuse. But really? It’s me.

Oopsies.

The finishing touches are always the hardest for me. It’s just so fiddly and tedious.  Just like seaming when it comes to finishing a sweater. You feel me on this.

Gratuitous close-up shots.

I gotta say that these are not the colors I would choose to wear or to work with. They’re too bright. But it’s for Mom!

As for the focal bead? Of course it’s a Calvin Orr. She has a serious addiction to his product.

I did finish the beading part of the necklace on Sunday during the True Blood marathon session I mentioned in an earlier post.

When I say marathon? I mean marathon. I went over to Sandy’s hose at around 10am. I didn’t leave until around 11PM!  Phew! I’ve been recovering from that and a busy last Friday and Saturday.

I will say, it was worth it! Every minute was worth the pain!

Not to mention I got to hang out with one of the cutest males on the planet!

While I’ve been recuperating, I’ve mostly been art journaling. So I haven’t had much to share on the bloggity blog.  I’ve been beading too. I’m also hoping I’ll get some knitting time over the weekend.

We’ll see!

Happy Thursday folks!

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I last blogged. It’s been a hectic week. My mother was out of town and I was busy doing things I wouldn’t have done while she’s around.

Like making a mess in the kitchen while art journaling and watching all sorts of chick flicks. Like Twilight and New Moon.

Don’t judge me.

I also knit a baby shrug for a friend who I won’t name yet. I’m 90% sure she doesn’t read my blog, but you never know!

Pattern: Confections Baby Shrug (Ravelry)

Yarn: Berroco Comfort DK

Needles:  size 8US

Started:  August 17, 2010

Finished: Augsut 19, 2010

I’ve been knitting since I was 7 years old. Can you believe this is the first article of baby clothes I’ve ever knit?

I have to admit I was a little freaked out when I finished the back. I just couldn’t believe it would fit an actual person. I even called Megan to make sure I was doing it right.

Once I figured out I was on the right track, I had a lot of fun with it. So tiny! So cute! I’m tempted to make another.

Thanks to Megan for turning me on to this great pattern!

No thanks to Megan and Daniele that even though I have to finish the Lyra, once I was done with the shrug, I started something new. ;-)

That’s the Haruni Shawl (Ravelry). I promised to KAL with that troublesome duo, but I’m not regretting that vow. The yarn I’m using is absolutely fabulous to work with.

It was a gift from Cookie and it’s got a rather long name. Pagewood  Farm Hand Dyed Sock Yarn Yukon.

Phew!

It’s got Superwash Merino,  Bamboo, and Nylon. The colorway is Denim and I’m in love with it. So soft and the graduating colors are amazing!

I’m also still chugging away on my Mother’s second birthday present. Here’s a sneak peek.

Those aren’t the colors I’d normally work with, but once you see the whole necklace you’ll see why I chose them.

I’m really looking forward to the weekend. I have a Seed Bead Party to go to tomorrow and on Sunday? True Blood Marathon at Blogless Sandy’s!

I’m all excited. I’m not sure what Quincy is though.

Maybe a little mad a the lady with the camera?

Happy Friday everyone!

I was bound and determined to finish a necklace for Mom by the time her birthday rolls around. I finished a necklace last night and since her birthday is the 24th of this month, I got the job done with some room to spare.

That’s the Multiple Choice Necklace from the magazine Bead & Button, Issue 96. I used fluorite, amethyst, freshwater pearls, and swarovski crystals for the focal area.

Because my Mom has short hair I picked pretty findings since they’ll be so visible.

I also finished the earth tone Braenock Bracelet I was working on the other day.

I just used an assortment of czech fire polish colors that I had on hand since I didn’t have enough of one color to do the whole bracelet.

I’m not sure how well it worked out, but I had a lot of fun making it.

Knitting has taken a backseat mostly because it’s been so hot here. Beading is so much nicer to do in the midst of the hottest months of the year. Plus, those little beads are very hypnotic.

I’ve been working on another necklace for Mom since I have a couple more weeks before her birthday hits. The question is, will I be able to finish that one in time too?

Kitty!

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Saturday was my monthly “bead’n'bitch” meeting with my friends over at Bella Beads. I brought a seed bead project because it’s so much more portable then bringing a wire project.

With wire projects I’d need to bring all my tools, which includes hammers, bench block, and mandrels. I’d also need to bring all the required gauges of wire that I might need and all the findings.

I could buy everything at the shop negating my need to haul a suitcase full of supplies, but I have a serious stash that needs busting. In fact, I think my bead and wire stash now outweighs my yarn stash.

But I digress.

Once I got home from all the fun, I was once again fully obsessed with the tiny beads. Only instead of finishing off the numerous bead WIP’s I have going on, I started a new project and even managed to finish it on Sunday.

The pattern is the Braenock Bracelet by Nancy Peterson.  It called for 3mm Fire Polish beads, but I used 4mm beads instead.

The pattern was very easy to follow, which made the bracelet a joy to make. So much so, I started another bracelet.

Please note that this second bracelet is being made in earth tones. I don’t wear earth tones. It’s not that I don’t like them, I just don’t wear them. So Im not exactly sure what’s going to happen to this bracelet.

I can’t sell it. You can never really get a good price for seed bead work. I don’t have any friends that would wear it either. So it might be time to shop for an outfit in earth tones.  Poor me. ;-)

Remember how I told you I was going to give  Acornbud some spinning lessons? Check it out! She made yarn at my house! She’s a natural at the wheel.  Woohoo!

Sammy is making sure Quincy is still breathing. o.O

You alive?

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

As I mentioned, Naomi and I took a class yesterday with Jamie at The Bead Gallery. We made a couple of bangles.

We made the bangle with the bead first. The bead I chose is Kyanite. I’ve always been in love with that particular gemstone.

Actually, I tell a lie. Naomi is really the one who chose the Kyanite. I just chose -which- Kyanite.  I liked this particular one because it has this dark blue streak running through the middle.

I used 14 gauge wire for the Kyanite bracelet. For the Heart bracelet, we used 12 gauge wire which is thicker and less pliable.

It was a bitch to work with. My hands really ached while I attempted to bend that wire to my will.  I think it worked out okay though.  I’d be happier if the coil was a little tighter.

To make these bracelets, we used an oval bracelet mandrel. I currently don’t own an oval bracelet mandrel.

Can you guess how much I’m currently coveting one?

Scheyer has heard it all before and is simply not impressed.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Phooey! Before I got to go all gung ho on the Lyra, I remembered that my Mom’s birthday is this month. It’s not that I don’t love making things for her, it’s just that I was so focused on that shawl!

As to what to make for Mom?

I have several necklaces in progress for her. Too many to count. The one I chose to complete is a repeat offender. I’ve already made one in green way back when.

This time I’m doing it in purple.

It looks like I don’t have much more to do. Maybe if I’m lucky I can get it done this week. If I have time.

This week promises to be a busy one. I’m going to take a jewelry class with Naomi tomorrow while she’s here visiting family. Then on Thursday I’m going to attempt to teach Acornbud how to spin on a wheel.

Wish me luck on the last bit. I’m not sure how great of a teacher I’ll be. I’m more of a spin by the seat of your pants rather then a thoughtful spinner. So I’m not sure I’ll be able to translate what I do into words.

I’m still metal stamping too.

You’ll find some of those pieces up on the shop and if you’re interested in a custom piece, please leave me a comment or send me an email at opal at opalescentjewels dot com.

Quincy is thinking about it.

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. :)

I have already mentioned that Jamie has been an inspiration to me. I’ve said that she’s the whole reason that I’ve gotten back into seed beading.  If not for her I would not have rediscovered my love for the tiny beads.

It all happened sometime last year when she asked me if I wanted to join in on one of the Needle and Thread classes at her shop. From there I took off as only the madly obsessed do.

One of the first projects I did when I started back up again, was a Spiral Peyote Bracelet. For some reason, I chose pink with pearls.

I was very happy with how it turned out, but I didn’t think it really belonged to me. Somehow I knew the bracelet was meant for Jamie as a thank you.

Right now, it resides in a counter on display at the shop. It feels pretty good knowing that Jamie and Jason think it’s good enough to have a place in such a prominent place.

Back in the here and now, despite my resolution to finish what’s on the needles, Megan has concocted a knit-along. She’s roped a few of us into knitting the Haruni, which is  a truly beautiful shawl.

I’ve already decided to use some yarn in my stash for it.

I love me my blues and I love me that yarn. I can’t wait to start! That means I have to do a bit of speed-knitting on the two shawls I have going on. I figure if I finish one of them, I can cast on for another.

What better way to speed knit then to have a totally blissed out cat by your side?

Happy Friday, everyone! Have a great weekend!

Since I finished the shawl for Jamie, I’ve unearthed the Lyra. I started that way back in April 2009, if you can believe it.

I left it on row 111 or something like that. I know it was before the start of the corners which is on row 113 and the corners scared me. :P

Since I deciphered the instructions for the corners and figured out where the “bold” lines were on the pattern, I’ve been at it as much as time allows.

The rounds are starting to seem like an eternity to knit though. In my head, I’ve started to refer to the shawl as the “Black Hole”. I mean, look at it. It even looks like a black hole. It’s black and because it’s circular, there’s a bit of  hole.

All that negative thinking must be thrown out the window. I must be “gaman”, which is Japanese. My friend May says it means “to endure, persevere, to overcome”. She also said if someone calls you “gaman-zuyoi”, it means you don’t give up or “wimp out.”

I want to be that person.

She and I have much love for “gaman”. I even made her a bracelet.

I think I need to make one for myself.

While I was at it with the metal stamps, I made a few pieces for the shop.

I’m finding it easy to balance my time between knitting and metal stamping, which is a huge surprise to me. I wonder how long that will last. I suppose the fact that metal stamping after 10pm is out of the question (as its too noisy) helps.

I’m also finding Scheyer’s company quite easy on the soul. Isn’t he a handsome little devil?

Happy Thursday everyone!