Life Goes On

I haven't blogged since September.  I just want to get that out in the open so that I can't fool myself into thinking it hasn't really been that long.  It's been FOREVER!  I know.  I think about blogging a lot.  But, it just never seems to happen that I just sit down and type out the posts I plan in my head over and over.  So, somehow, half a year later, one day I decide to sit down and actually type.  It took me a while to get here though.  I've been sitting at the computer for over half an hour, just killing time.  Watching a couple of movie trailers, catching up on the latest randomness on Facebook, trying not to think about work.

I'm feeling a little melancholy today.  This is the first time I've been home alone in what feels like forever.  And there's just something about it.  For a while, you love it, and then without you really noticing the loneliness creeps into you.  And it's been oh so long since I've been lonely.  It's really quite hard to deal with when you've forgotten how wonderful it can be.  So, here I am, lonely and melancholy, and the rain is kind of spitting down outside.  But at least it's over 70 degrees here in Florida; I'm pretty sure I'd be in even more of a rut if I was somewhere colder.

The fall is a very busy time for me.  I teach high school, and in addition to that, in the fall, I am the assistant marching band director and color guard coach.  So, between mid-July and the beginning of December, work took up a major amount of time in my life.  And then the holidays, etc.  So, since September I have made (wait for it) TWO scarves.  I know, it's a pity.  I didn't even weave at all during my three week Christmas break.  In my defense, however, we were out of town for more than half of it.  But still.  I miss my loom, and I would really like to start a project any day now. 

But first, I need you to mourn with me.  I found out a few weeks ago that my favorite yarn company is closing their business at the end of this month.  Since I started weaving, my absolute favorite yarns have come from Conjoined Creations.  They make absolutely stunning hand-dyed yarns that are a dream to work with.  Though I understand completely that life takes different turns and things often change, I am very sad that they are closing.  If you are reading this and you do some type of fiber arts craft, I would encourage you to check out the final sales they have going on.  So, since they are closing, I have had to take a deep breath and make the last order I will ever make from them.  Here's what I've got.

 Above is the yarn I got for Christmas (before I heard the devastating news).

 This was my last order from them.  I am grateful that their final sale started before I made my last order because that allowed me to purchase much more than I can usually afford.  Also, thank you to everyone who gave me money for Christmas... this is where a lot of it went.

And so, this is my entire stash of Conjoined Creations.  I had just a few half-skeins left from previous projects.  Thankfully, this stash will last me quite a while, but when I run out, oh sad day, I will probably cry.

Well, though I still need to update you with some pictures of the whole 2 scarves I've made, I'm going to enjoy my loneliness and try not to bake something else in the meantime.  (I've been doing a lot of baking.  And by "a lot" I mean "AAAAA LLLOOOOOOTTTTTTT!"

Happy Saturday!

Something Relating to Weaving... FINALLY!

So, this weekend I had my first full weekend off in a long time!  Yay!  So, Friday, after work I ran up to Cocoa and Merritt Island to scope out some yarn stores!  And I did not come home disappointed!  Here are the delights of my day!

 

First, I stopped by Knit and Stitch in Cocoa to check out their selection, and you can tell from their webiste, the tiny little store has yarn EVERYWHERE!  Floor to ceiling, wall to wall.  It was overwhelming considering that I have not even thought about my next project since I can't seem to get anywhere on my current one!  But I got the great yarns above there.  They are 100% sugar cane and unbelievably soft!  I've never worked with sugar cane before, so I'm excited to try it out!  I'm thinking about some type of lace pattern with these...

 Then I went on up to Seaside Stitching in Merritt Island for some Conjoined Creations yarn.  Since I have begun weaving, Conjoined Creations soysilk yarns have, by far, been my favorite to work with.  So, since Seaside Stitching carries it, there was no way I could pass it up!  Turns out, the owner can order pretty much whatever I want from the company, so I'm super excited to work with her once I get some free time!  (Try next summer!)  Anyway, I picked up the yarn above because I just couldn't resist the vibrant colors!  It's a nylon and cotton blend that is incredibly shiny and silky, so I'm excited to try something out with that too!

All in all, it was a wonderful shopping excursion... now if only I had time to weave!  I guess that's a little too much to hope for!  :)

Movie Update:  So, Thomas and I have seen a couple of movies lately, even though the pickings at the theater have been pretty slim...  So, a couple of weeks ago, we saw "Killer Elite", and it was ok.  A little slow moving for a Jason Statham movie; the action parts were good, but they were just few and far between.  Though, Clive Owen with a mustache is certainly a sight to see!  :)  Then, last weekend we saw "Real Steel", and we loved it!  It was funny, entertaining, action-packed, and heart-warming.  We definitely left the theater smiling!  Here are a couple of movies that we're looking forward to (you can check them out, watch trailers, and everything on www.imdb.com):

• The Three Musketeers
• Immortals
• Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
• Mission Impossible 3: Ghost Protocol

And last of all, I would like to end on a quote that I heard on NCIS yesterday afternoon.  It was said by Tony DiNozzo, and it was probably the best relationship advice you will ever get from his character.  He says it to his girlfriend, Jeanne, when she asks why he's waited so long to take their relationship to the next level (aka: sleeping together), and he tells her its because he's looking for something more in a relationship.  "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got." ~Tony DiNozzo from NCIS

My First Treasury

Hello blog world!  Just wanted to drop by and let you all know that I created my first Etsy treasury tonight!!!  Yay!  And, for those of you who may not be Etsians, a treasury is a collection of items that is made, and it can have a theme or not.  It's just a way to group beautiful items that you like for any reason.  So, for any of you who read the blog regularly or who know me personally, you will not be surprised that my treasury is summer themed!  So, head on over to Etsy and check out "Summer Blues"!  I hope you like it!

AND.....  Yesterday, my mom and I went shopping (I LOVE shopping with my mom), and we went to two wonderful yarn stores in St. Louis.  First stop was Kirkwood Knittery, where the women were very helpful and friendly, and the selection was amazing!  Here's what I bought:

These are some beautifully colored, high quality yarns from Habu Textiles.  I can not wait to start weaving with them!  Second stop was Knit and Caboodle on historic Main St. in St. Charles.  They had an amazing selection of yarns of all sizes and colors.  I bought some beautiful roving there, but of course, I forgot to take a picture of it before I spun it up!  So, it's hanging up to dry right now, and I will blog about it tomorrow or Monday!

So, I'm just hanging out, being boring on yet another Saturday night!  Now, I think I will go play some "Every Word" on my Kindle.  I've got a pretty awesome game going right now!  Random Note:  I went to Red Robin for dinner tonight with my husband and in-laws, and I had the most delicious chicken caesar wrap I have ever eaten!  It was incredible!  I want to eat it all over again.  Lol.

Nighty night!