I think I can!

I bought this book, "Holiday Knits" by Allison Isaacs and Sara Lucas.

From the moment I got this book, I told myself that I was going to make every single item in it. Everything is so cute. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the holiday theme. Maybe it has great pictures that make everything just so appealling. Whatever it is, despite my very busy schedule, I decided to take a break today and knit the baby poncho.

I am not an advanced knitter, but I'm not a beginner either. Other than something just taking time, I can follow a pattern and complete my projects.

Let me tell you, I must be having a very bad day or something because I started that poncho over three times, and finally gave up. Then I tried a baby bootie. That has also been frogged. The needles have been put back in there place. The used yarn wrapped around the remaining skeins. It was very frustrating. The patterns weren't clear and didn't make sense.

The pictures in this book are gorgeous. The book itself is not cheaply made - nor was it cheap. The designs in there are just yummy - but the patterns. Geez!!! I wish I were good enough at my knitting where I could get an idea for something and make up my own pattern. I depend so much on instructions that this really frustrates me - because I don't know how to make all these things I want to make now.

Maybe I'll be brave and try it again another day. Knitting usually relaxes me. Not tonight unfortunately. Bummer.

Ain't life funny?

OK, this isn't the funny part. I don't know what is going on with my Blogger. I can't add titles to my posts! The title field is there, but I can't click into it or type into it. Frustrating. So, I'm manually creating a "title" within my entry.

Now, my real blog. One boring evening, I decided to search on loom knitting on You Tube. Don't ask me why, because I have no idea what made me even think of loom knitting. I was surfing on You Tube, so I probably saw it as a link on something else. Anyway...

I came across these instructional videos from purlingsprite that just made me completely fascinated with loom knitting. I had no idea what that colorful round frame with all the little pegs sticking out of it could do! Or what it was for. I've seen them forever at the craft stores.

Last night, I was catching up on my taped episodes of Knitty Gritty, and who should be a guest on the show??? My loom instructor from You Tube, Isela Phelps (I figure since she was on TV, it's ok to reveal her name on my little blog). Turns out she has her own blog and has published a book on loom knitting. In fact, she and her husband create and sell looms! What a small world.

So, what am I doing tonight? Happily catching up on the Purling Sprite blog and reminding myself that I have way too many WIPs to even think about starting to take up looming.

I'm feeling a little down today

Actually, the day itself was not bad, but there has been a little cloud of sadness over me. Today would have been Bubbles' 16th birthday. Which mean, in another 7 days, he would have been gone from us for one year. One year already!

It brings back memories of what a difficult time it was for me and my family last year during these very same days. Bubbles was diagnosed with cancer, then it seemed to be in remission. Then it came back in full force. He was not able to stand or walk at this time, and my parents lovingly hand fed him all his meals every day. It was a very sad time for all of us.

I hugged his picture today and cried a bit. I still miss him very much. Sigh...

On a happier note, we've been catching up on movies this summer. We just watched Blood Diamond. Very good movie, but since I know those things happen in reality, it was disturbing. I'm sure diamonds are not as rare as the distributors want the world to think, but they control it. And to think of all the carnage that happened in the last, God only knows how many, years - it's just sickening. Anyway, good performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou.

Tonight, I felt like a comedy, so we watched First 50 Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. I liked it, but it was sad at times. I really like both actors, and there were some very funny scenes. If you ever watch it, be assured that the comment they make about a Walrus' (eh em) private parts, is true. Years ago, I went to Sea World with some friends and while visiting the Walrus exhibit... well, let's just say, I have a very funny picture that is evidence of what they talk about in the movie. Hey, if you ever saw it live, you'd break out your camera too.

Earlier this afternoon, I watched Volver, with Penelope Cruz. It's actually very good. I was surprised that I enjoyed it so much. Unlike other films, this was completely in Spanish, so I couldn't knit and watch at the same time. I actually had to pay attention and read the subtitles. It's not the best film in the world, but it was good. Penelope Cruz is so pretty, even though she has raccoon eye make up throughout the film.

The All Star Game festivities have begun. My hubby and I just ran outside to watch a short fireworks show near AT&T Park. They're closing off streets and traffic is going to be crazy here. I think I'll be ok getting to work in the mornings, and I can always walk home from work. My hubby has to get to Redwood City. He may try to take the CalTrain. It would be a nightmare for when he tries to get home by car. On Monday, he wants to go to the park, because they're doing something called the Home Run Derby. Should be interesting.