A FO, A Bed, & Some Hope

In Reverse order.

The Hope:

I'm counting down! Five more days until I'm emancipated from my life of serfdom at The Motel. I can't wait! I've been itching to buy all kinds of stuff to get ready for this move. I've already scheduled a day off, ordered the utilities, and assembled the move crew. I even bought a brand new high tech shower head. DM is a little surly about it but she'll get over it. LB and ST have moved back in as well as The Guest, Jeeves, and The Nut so she'll have plenty of company.

The Bed:

Yesterday I went out and bought a brand new bed! It's so FIYAH. I got it from Z Gallerie le outlet instead of the retail store and I'm so happy I did. I got it for 70% off and it's still in their current catalogue. Can you believe it?

This is my bed, called the Leslie Bed in Chocolate Passion Micro-Suede. The entire bed cost me $325 with tax. On the website it's going for $1,083 with tax and NOT including the shipping of $135. In total I saved a whopping $893. I just can't help but to pat myself on the back.

and lastly...

The FO: Reverse Halter

Forgive the "Front" pic. I have a serious issue with letting my niece's cleavage and belly be exposed and she didn't have time to put on a tank top before work. I believe in modesty, plus my niece didn't wear the collar up. Better pictures to come. Since this is a gift for my cousin Stacey, I'll try to catch her wearing it.

Time: June 2008, About a 2 weeks due to figuring out mods

Yarn: Vanna's Choice Worsted Weight Yarn, 4 balls in rust

Needles/Hook: J

Modifications: Instead of using Paton's Pooch as pattern calls for I used small wooden rings (about 72) from the jewelry making section of Michael's. Knitaholictoo suggested wooden beads. Thanks for the inspiration girl!

Kamika on the move

Your Opinions Needed

Okay I need your opinion. I'm just about done with the Reverse Halter from Doublestitch that I'm making for my cousin and I've come to a crossroads. You see, my cousin wanted the sweater in orange. I figured burnt orange would be more flattering for her so I knit the bodice in Vanna's Choice yarn in Rust. Unfortunately the pattern calls for the use of Patons Pooch for the bottom area and I decided that since the Pooch didn't come in a comparable color to the Rust that I would use a nice neutral color like Fleece to give her that Bohemian look she tends to like.

Here's my problem. I don't like it! I think the color contrast is too stark. Originally when I was at the store buying the yarn I had resigned myself to just knit it in creme like the picture but I couldn't find any creme yarns that seemed to match. The Patons Pooch is a very yellowy-cream wherein the other yarns were really dull and flat.

So what should I do? Do I keep crocheting to the end with what I've got or should I scrap it all together? I'm leaning towards finishing it because I won't be the one wearing it and it's not hideous, just not MY style. Even though I'll know this I may still be slightly offended if it never sees the light of day.

Kamika in a quagmire

Mean While, Back At the Ranch

Yippe Kayo, Yippe Kaya! I'm planning on checking out of The Motel this month. My long season of serfdom is almost over. I just can't take it no more! We have far less guests but way more drama of which I probably am the most guilty of. Jeeves has been getting on my nerves like no other. I just can't stand...Well whatever! I'm tired of rehashing the idiocy that is embodied in him. All I know is that there is no time like the present.

I started looking about 3 weeks ago and I think I'm really close to finding the apartment I want. I can't wait to move into peace and quiet. If I ever have roommates again (which I won't unless they come with names like husband and chir'ren) we all better live on the same or similar schedules. I'm a bit neurotic about my quiet time.

It's like relationships. A few differences bring zest and new experiences but too many differences and you got a hell-in-a-handbag bust hell wide open situation. My relations with The Motel has been of the latter. So let's cut to the chase. Who's to blame? ME of course! As if.

You just can't work a 9-5 be on a routine schedule and live with people who have no idea of what a schedule or routine is. It's not their fault. They don't have jobs and so they go to bed at 11pm after an evening of rauckus gossiping, snore like a locamotive all night, and then have the audacity to wake you up at 4:30am with their shuffling and nervous tendencies and singing of old negro spirituals, and more loud talking to only themselves. Going in and out of doors all night like a crack head, testing buttons a new cell phone and being in awe of the speaker phone feature like they just landed on earth all before the rooster has even gotten up. If I was a swearing women I'd say I swear I hear roosters cursing him every morning. If you haven't gotten the picture, let me sum it up for you. Have you ever had someone wake you up 30 minutes to an hour before you actually have to get up? Well there you go. EVERYDAY!

DM thinks it's cute. She ain't gonna think it's cute when I'm gone and he's sleeping in the room next to hers and The Geezers with only a thin wood paneled wall between them. She's gonna really be pissed when I don't give her my new address.

I'm not angry. I'm just counting down the days until I'm gone. I can see sweet freedom on the horizon.

I've been working on the Reverse Halter from Double Stitch. It's going so fast that there's no need to post progress pics. FO in next post.

Kamika the Free

Wait A Minute Mr. Postman!

I've been doing a lot of online shopping lately to satisfy my spending jones. I've been creeping into boutiques IR as well but I don't feel like taking pictures of that stuff. Check out my online scores:

The new Double Stitch - Designs For The Crochet Fashionista book by Erika & Monica Simmons. I preordered this one through Amazon back in April and have been patiently waiting for it up until yesterday. Below are a few items I will be queing up to make. Get yours in the sidebar -->



The book is full of colorful fun knits. Some for rocking around town and others for the sophisticates. I fall into the latter category and as such many are too bohemian for me. The sisters do no disappoint on inspiration though. I think that with a little creativity and a keen study of their designs on their MySpace page you can come up with all sorts of renditions on their already great designs. I really enjoy their stylish departure from the norm of cardigans, sweaters, socks, and pullovers. The stitch is simple but very detailed and decorative at the same time. I am happy to support the Queen's of Crochet Haute Fashion!

The Inaugural Issue of Verena Knitting by Burda (actually store bought). This magazine is really popular in Europe. On the cover it tauts itself as "Europe's top knit magazine." I'm really a sucker for good fashion styling. I try not to succumb to it but I don't think I'll ever change. Good styling is good styling. I guess that's why they do it that way. The magazine is sort of a mix between Rowan and Knit1 - classic designs mixed with the quirky. It's fun and for $6.99 you get 50+ patterns. Below are my faves.




On to hair!! Afrobella announced that Miss Jessie's was having their annual Mothers' Day Sale so I had to check it out. Normally I'm cool on all things Miss Jessies. I tried the Curly Pudding in the past and got a grape scented mess. Plus the price to me was prohibitive for a product I wasn't sure was going to be useful to me. I remember at the time it was $58 for 8oz. The devil is a liar! But, they were offering their Curly Buttercreme at $32 for 8oz AND you got a sampler pack of all of their other products (6 in total) thrown in for free. I figured I had to try it. I bought the Baby Buttercreme and got my order within the week.

I really like the Baby Buttercreme. It really helps with the knots and gives me a silky finish without feeling greasy. I didn't follow the instructions on the website or I would have had a hot greasy mess. You only need a little of this product for it to be effective not globs as the site instructs nor do you need to rake it through your hair with a baby doll size comb. My hair is so fluffy and full after applying just a little to each section and twisting.

Three days later I condish washed and twisted with the Curly Meringue. Meh! I'm not as sold on it. It did give me boingy springy curls but they were not as soft as when I used the Baby Buttercreme. I haven't gotten to the other products yet. All in all I'm very satisfied with the products. I'm happy that I didn't stop with just the Curly Pudding as I would have never tried the Baby Buttercreme. It's about trial and error. The only drawback I'm finding with the line is that there is an ingredient within these products that makes me slightly light-headed. I have to figure out what that is before I continue using. If any of you have experienced the same please do share your thoughts.

In my next few posts I'll post hair pics as well as pics of Oz which is 99% complete. Hopefully I'll have the pattern written up for you as well.

Love

Kamika