Pink Leader's Pontifications

22 December 2009 @ 01:55 am

so, uh...

We got some snow on Saturday...

By the end we accumulated 18 inches before it started to settle.

I did manage to peel myself away from bad TV enough to embroider some more on the nightcap

The snail is so cute!

And finally today during a snow day I got inspiration to make a snow person

She's lounging in the chair on the back patio, soaking in the sun/cold

Ladybug was not pleased by the falling snow

But she has finally lightened up and was playing in the snow in the backyard up on the hill for a bit this afternoon.

Tags: embroidery, pup, snow

Mood:

amused

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19 December 2009 @ 02:14 pm

silly and real display

They had a silly cardboard cutout at the reveal so we could have our pictures taken "wearing" the jacket. It was silly but fun. I'd look fabulous in such an outfit, though I think I might forgo growing my neck to resemble a giraffe. (The model Elizabeth did have a rather swan like and elegant neck, but it wasn't that long.) Eh, if I do one for me it would need much more pink than red with the gold. :)

It was good fun and raised a few more funds for the project, so I was game. And really, I'll never have a jacket of this magnitude.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The latest Thistle Threads newsletter mentioned that the Jacket will be on display this Spring at Winterthur. It will have its own corner in the public galleries from Spring 2010 to Fall 2011. After Fall 2011 it will join a larger exhibit for a time and then travel back to Plimoth for a long awaited exhibit there. Ideally they will have a flat screen to display some images of the jacket in progress and well as videos and such along side the jacket. Sadly Winterthur has their available screens spoken for, so if we want to show the visitors more than just the finished product, more funds are needed. Winterthur has put up a page for fundraising specifically for this project and the upcoming symposium in Fall 2011. Thistle Threads has pledged to donate matching funds up to $3000 for any donations that come in during the last few days of 2009. So. if you want to make a donation before year's end, know that it will be matched and go to a very worthy display and furthering of the project.

I've also got a New Year's Resolution already planned. I need to start saving money now for the Jacket Study Tour planned for the Fall 2010. They are still working on finalizing the plans, but hope to have more details to release after the New Year. We heard mumblings after the reveal of ~$3500 per seat on the bus. (Rumors, not official, just a rough numbers though that should include the exchange rate!) That includes transportation, lodging, food, and the time of the handlers for the museums to ensure that folks get enough quality time with each jacket, but are not bored waiting around for others to take their turn. There are plans to see over a dozen jackets (two thirds of all extant jackets of this nature!) including ones at the V&A, Museum of London, Bath, Platt Hall and Maidstone. (wow.) There will also be a separate tour splitting off at the end to go to Scotland to see the Burrell Collection, so I'll have to see if I can fit that in the time and budget. Sounds like a piece of heaven really.

Tags: plimoth, travel

Mood:

giggly

2 comments | Comment

17 December 2009 @ 11:56 pm

touring

Notes and links for the Nieces' visit

Washington Monument: http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

Historic Wax Museum appears to be defunct, but there is a Madame Tussaud's in DC not too far from the Spy Museum: http://www.madametussauds.com/washington/

Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/visit/ is apparently right near the Folger. I wonder what they have on display?

Air and Space: http://www.nasm.si.edu/ I wonder if we'll have time to see both locations?

Natural History Museum: http://www.mnh.si.edu/ The Written in Bone exhibit sounds fascinating. I wonder if the nieces still have a sense of the macabre?

The Smithsonian Castle: http://www.si.edu/visit/infocenter/sicastle.htm

Tags: family

Mood:

curious

3 comments | Comment

17 December 2009 @ 11:27 pm

More on Knitta

The originator of the phrase responds to the criticism to Alexis L. of OneGrandHome in Founder of Knitta, Please Speaks & Modifies Site

One wonders if Knitta, Please is any more or less insensitive than Tigger Please or Ninja Please? What about Smurf Please, thanks to the Daily Show? (Sadly the Daily Show site has a naming problem with the N-word clip only actually bringing up the Colbert Report lead-in, not the Wilmore and Oliver clip, sigh)

While I wouldn't suggest censoring anyone, it does behoove us to consider the impact of our words and terms on others. It comes down to being considerate of everyone, and try to think outside of our own limited perspectives.

So I was thinking of what could perhaps take the place of KP, a term that conveys the same intent without the negative effects. Knit On! Knit-fiti. Knit-evar. Stitch-fiti (also includes crochet), etc. I am heartened to read that the Knitta Please book is actually planned to be titled Knit Graffiti, which is clearer without bad connotations.

Of course I haven't knitted in what seems like forever...

Tags: communication, knitting, politics

Mood:

contemplative

19 comments | Comment

16 December 2009 @ 06:42 pm

Knitta?

I want to do a post on this, so I'm setting this up as a reminder with links to maybe provide speculation.
Racism Is Not Crafty by Alexis L. of OneGrandHome
Responding to Knitta Please with Words and Actions also by Alexis L.
The Elephant in the Room on RiffeRaff
Stake in the Ground from Crafted Life

Essentially when I first stumbled upon Knitta, Please I liked the concept, and found the name clever. I don't think I grokked the character names as spoofs of rapper names. But I only saw it from my side. I never thought how this would be see by other eyes. Some see the name as racist, some see it as clever, some think it is appropriation and some think folks are making a mountain out of a molehill. Lots of thoughts are spinning through my head, but the main thing is that while we have freedom of speech, we should consider how those words are received by all people.

If you have the time to read the first link and the comments associated (ignoring the obvious trolling ones) it might open your eyes a bit.
Does the name of the group Knitta, Please remove the power of the N word or is it casually racist and inappropriate?

Tags: communication, crafty, knitting, politics

Mood:

thoughtful

18 comments | Comment

15 December 2009 @ 03:40 pm

Winter University

Winter University will be hosted by Isenfir on 2/6/2010 in Mineral VA. I hope to see many fine smiling faces on those eager to learn that day.

Poll #1499473 UofA77
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 17

Are you planning on teaching at Winter University in Mineral VA on 2/6/10?

Yup
7 (41.2%)

Nope
6 (35.3%)

I'll be there in student form
3 (17.6%)

clicky
1 (5.9%)

Class Proposals are due 12/21. Does that give you enough time to put your proposal together?

Oh! yeah, I can get it in by then.
4 (25.0%)

Crap, life struck, sadly no.
3 (18.8%)

Maybe just a little extension?
0 (0.0%)

clicky?
9 (56.2%)

Would an LJ form make it easier to submit classes?

Oui!
5 (33.3%)

Nein.
1 (6.7%)

I'll email it to unversity@atlantia.sca.org when I'm ready
2 (13.3%)

CLICKY!
7 (46.7%)

Class Title:

Class Description:

length?

1 hour
2 (66.7%)

2 hours
1 (33.3%)

Class size limit?

none
3 (100.0%)

20
0 (0.0%)

15
0 (0.0%)

10
0 (0.0%)

8
0 (0.0%)

Fees?

0
3 (100.0%)

$5
0 (0.0%)

>$5
0 (0.0%)

<$5
0 (0.0%)

Special requests?

As a student, is there something in particular you wish to learn that I can track a teacher down for?

Tags: poll, uofa

Mood:

curious

18 comments | Comment

14 December 2009 @ 10:22 pm

Inspiration

I always come back from Plymouth inspired and a bit tired.

After finishing up some little projects I had on hand, I set to starting on one of the Needlework Nibbles in my stash called Gilded Grapes. Starting on Friday afternoon, I made the following progress by the time I got off the plane Saturday evening, obviously not working on it the entire time.

I also got back to work on the nightcap when I got home for a few hours on Sunday as I avoided the rain outside. I had already made progress on the grasshopper, and finally finished that and some other little bits.

Too bad I had pesky shopping to do tonight and have pesky decorating and cleaning to finish up around the house, and pesky work, because I could easily spend a week on the couch watching bad tv and embroidering. Alas I'm sleepy and shouldn't pick up the needle tonight.

Tags: embroidery, nightcap

Mood:

hopeful

2 comments | Comment

12 December 2009 @ 11:24 pm

Reveal Part 2

There were many more Thistle Threads blog posts on the reveal with wonderful pictures. Alas since no flash photography was allowed, the images I achieved were not so clear, but kinda give a feel to the glitter and glow, the color and texture. The braided coils and detached wings and peapods really came to life when off a frame and on a 3D object, such as the model.

I also managed at least one very brief video that gives the feel of seeing the jacket in motion, glittering in the candlelight.

And to top it off, the Boston Globe obliged with an article on the front page of the Metro section on Thursday to coincide with the reveal: History (and) high-tech woven into jacket.

Still in a bit of shock.

Tags: embroidery, plimoth

Mood:

ecstatic

12 comments | Comment

11 December 2009 @ 11:03 am

Reveal

Plimoth Jacket Reveal
I tried to take pictures but not with my iPhone so will have to wait for when I get home. I did manage a few short videos where you can see it glitter that I hope to put online once home too.

We're happily sitting with a bunch of fellow stitchers at a local Panera chatting about the assembly process, book ideas, etc.

Wow. Brain is almost overwhelmed. :)

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Tags: embroidery, plimoth, via ljapp

Current Location: US, Massachusetts, Plymouth, Coles Ln, 65

7 comments | Comment

09 December 2009 @ 11:08 pm

17 hours to reveal

Tomorrow morning we drop Ladybug off at the All Dogs Club, pick up

attack_laurel and make our way to BWI. That's right, we're leaving on a jet plane to go to Plimoth for the reveal of the completed Jacket Project. We'll also get a to visit with the Mother-in-Law, and who knows what else while we're there. I've tried to look at the hours of Pilgrim Hall, what's on display at the MFA or ISG or elsewhere in the area, but really, I can't think much past 4pm tomorrow.

Must remember to pack the camera and I hope the lighting is good enough for decent shots without flash. Too bad my current embroidery project is too big to take along.

Tags: plimoth

Mood:

excited

1 comment | Comment

08 December 2009 @ 10:26 pm

um...

Brain fried. Updating to update.

Spent Saturday of the weekend watching the snow fall, as we sat by the fire enjoying movies. I had delusions of accomplishing more, but other than sleeping in and walking the dog, that was it. And I made brunch of turkey bacon and pancakes. We watched in reverse order Gran Torino, Harold and Kumar Escape Guantanamo Bay, City of Ember, and I can't remember what else at the moment.

Slept in very late on Sunday. Alan even came up to check on me and I was snoozing as he was chatting to me. When I finally did wake up I was gifted with a visit from Rob and Wen who brought me a pink poinsetta wrapped in pink foil! squee! Then Alan and I set to putting up the tree and getting a start on decking the halls. The tree is mostly decorated, and we put up the garland over the door and lights in the windows and ran out of steam. Really I walked the dog while Alan napped and then we all boogied over to Rob and Wen's for a chicken pot pie dinner of extreme yumminess.

Yesterday was a day at home sick sleeping for the most part. I tried to do some embroidery last night, but we watched Alice which required too much visual attention to also try to accomplish much on the frame.

So there you go. I've got a fresh Rx for antibiotics, which means that hopefully any bugs in my system will be gone by the time for our flight on Thursday morning up to Plymouth. But I can't wait for the big reveal of the Plimoth Jacket. One more question though, what do I wear?

Tags: holidays, home, tv

Mood:

blah

7 comments | Comment

03 December 2009 @ 05:04 pm

Costco deals

I think it was

chargirlgenius who was looking for sewing machines on the cheap. Costco has a Brother Sewing Machine computerized, 77 stitch functions, automated buttonhole for $120 (includes shipping) Not sure of the reviews of this machine, but seems like a good deal on the surface. Too bad I already have two working sewing machines I rarely use.

There is a big part of me that is tempted by the significantly cheaper price on the Wii, considering it was $3-400 when it first came out, right? That could be fun in the basement, and would likely freak the dog out.

theblueleader , are you still contemplating/researching GPS units? Costco has the Garmin nuvi 265T with 3.5" screen for $129 and the 755T with 4.3" screen for $199.

I also kinda wonder how this keyboard stacks up in comfort comparison to the one I have at work that it a decade old MS Wave keyboard. Of course work should pay, not me. And I've always wanted a Roomba, mainly because I hate vacuuming and never do it often enough. But then always wonder about the multiple levels of the house. Would we need 4?

Okay, enough virtual retail therapy. My head/face hurts from having three fillings this morning, and I just wanna go home and lie down.

Tags: retail therapy

7 comments | Comment

02 December 2009 @ 08:22 am

One year eviler

Happy Birthday attack_laurel! I'm sure she has a Dorien Grey like portrait hidden at the farm, cause she sure doesn't look forty. And somehow it's fitting that we have a full moon in the sky tonight.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Tags: via ljapp

Current Location: US, Maryland,

2 comments | Comment

29 November 2009 @ 09:39 pm

Foods and Feasts 2009

Had a grand time at Jamestown this Thursday and Friday.

Thursday I worked at the Devon Oven with Maryon the staff. She made the bread dough and I fired the oven with Isaac's help, and we all talked to visitors. Sadly I got the oven too hot so the bread was a little extra crispy on the outside and a bit gooey on the inside. I think if we had made smaller loaves, like the pea bread biscuits, then they might have been okay, or if we did a pie or something, but alas we got slightly burnt bread instead. sigh.

Friday I got to work in the big Barracks/4-Bay with staff member Elisabeth and some other company. Again I had Isaac's help at the fire, also with preparing the herbs for the Herb Cheese tart. Paul was excellent at minding the rabbit on the spit and keeping our fire going. We also did a Turkish Dish of Meat, finished baking the Pork and Apple pie from Thursday, roasted some tasty ribs, and I tried Sandy's pie crust technique to prepare a dough ball in the afternoon the staff could use on Saturday with the extra cheese I brought and left.

I only snapped a few pics, but got some nice ones.
( pictures... )

Tags: cooking, jamestown

Mood:

accomplished

4 comments | Comment

25 November 2009 @ 04:07 pm

History is fun

For the next three days we are headed down to Williamsburg to volunteer at Jamestown Settlement for their Foods and Feasts event. We'll definitely be there Thursday and Friday, but Saturday is up in the air. Thankfully the weather report is dry and positive.

Then on December 10th we are headed up to Plimoth for the Jacket's Grand Reveal. The invitations are gorgeous, I gasped when I first opened the envelope from the mail, and I can't wait for the party. It will be nice to see some of the hard workers again, in addition to the Vega showgirl sparkly glory that is the jacket. No flash photography is allowed, but I'll see if I can get permission and my camera to take some pictures, and maybe even a short video of the jacket in motion.

I also finally got more tokens for fundraising. I'm sorry I missed some folks at Holiday Faire for sales. If you want a cast bird or butterfly for the holidays, let me know and I'll see what I can do. Thank you to everyone who have been so supportive already.

Tags: jamestown, plimoth

3 comments | Comment

25 November 2009 @ 02:43 pm

easier?

Sometimes you gotta wonder at new technology making our lives "easier." Really, it is just the adaptation to the new piece. The iPhone has made my world a ton easier in many ways since getting it. But moving over to my new laptop has proven a bit of a pain.

Download iTunes, sync phone, can't sync apps as will overwrite the ones on my phone with nothing. Bug Alan. He remembers you have to authorize the new computer to sync with iPhone. Authorize. Still having problem with apps. Ah, apps won't come off phone onto PC, you have to re-download them to the new machine (free of charge, but still!) and then go from there. I couldn't find a quick button that let me go into my purchase history to redownload just those apps. argh!

Okay, I finally get my iPhone working with the new machine okay, so I go to transfer my old files to the new machine. No problem. Go to import bookmarks. Argh! I know I exported those bookmarks, where is that file?!?! Dammit. Give up and eat soup.

Not to mention the insane Windows Update install stall that occurred overnight after purchase that locked it up for what seemed like a day. blech. And I think it was doing another update last night that locked me out showing there was power but nothing loaded to the screen. Windows 7 was supposed to be easier. Need to look into some settings and maybe un-automate some stuff. Wait, was that set to automatically update at 7pm? What a stupid time, I need to change that. sigh.

Easier? Not yet, but hopefully soon.

At least it has been distracting me from embroidering/sewing, which I'm not sure is a good thing anymore... At least the laundry is done.

PS: the Moroccan meatball and squash soup was very good, and we have leftovers. yum! All thanks to Chris, our non-Frances long term guest.

Although Ladybug was very distressed and confused at the prolonged activity in the kitchen. What is he doing and what are those smells?!?

Tags: cooking, tech, whining

Mood:

aggravated

1 comment | Comment

22 November 2009 @ 11:05 pm

34

I've decided that Sunday birthdays are the best.

I got to take Friday off work to give myself a three day weekend and indulged myself in; sleeping in, a massage, shoe shopping and new made-in-America kicks for dog walking, a late lunch reading by myself, a nap, and then Indian food for dinner.

Saturday was more sleeping in, a liesurely trip to Holiday Faire for fun visiting, early birthday wishes, and a little shopping. After getting home and walking the pup we settled into the basement to introduce Chris (a high school friend and our second longterm guest while he finds a place to live in the area) to the wonder that is Firefly.

Today was the best for my actual birthday. I slept in very late and Alan brought me breakfast in bed, cold Diet Coke, mango sausages and eggs with Gouda. Then I got to check FB and pet the dog while he cleaned up the kitchen. :) We went out shopping to ultimately get me a new laptop (pink Viao!) look at other fun electronics, get noms for the pup and coffee for himself. I managed a quick nap before we took off to the Snuggery at the Old Brogue to see Iona with Beth Patterson in concert, which was awesome. The bangers and mash were tasty, the Irish Whisky cake with Jameson's ice cream is almost worth the drive alone, but the music was great fun too.

And the evening has been topped off with a visit from the Morgensterns who also brought apple pie and oatmeal cookie dough. Fresh warm pie with ice cream then fresh warm cookies and then fun conversation makes for an evening of win.

And now I think it is time for bed. Must remember to turn back on the alarm for tomorrow.
(I just wish said new laptop would come back from the Windows Update it thinks it is doing. Sigh.)

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Tags: bethodist, events, holidays, love, retail therapy, tech, via ljapp

Current Location: US, Maryland, Anne Arundel, Baltimore Washington Pkwy

7 comments | Comment

16 November 2009 @ 03:53 pm

I <3 Theo

Looking forward to my massage with Wendy OTMH on Friday.

Tags: wildlife

Mood:

amused

4 comments | Comment

14 November 2009 @ 11:23 am

Home

Last night I took a break from the embroidery to relax into the heating pad for a bit and then attack the mail-avanche in the foyer. Paperwork purged I went to bed with a flexeril and slept for 9 hours, finally waking up to a pup desperate for a walk. We've now had our 1.5 mile mosey and sniff and she's all crashed out on the living room floor.
I should make the guest bed, spend some time cleaning the sewing room, and head out to yoga, but the snoozing Ladybug has powerful sleep vibes.
I hope folks are having dry fun at the tourney today.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Tags: cleaning, health, via ljapp

Current Location: US, Maryland, Montgomery, Colesville, E Randolph Rd, 1759

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13 November 2009 @ 12:59 pm

decisions...

When I woke this morning all I could think of is that I need to figure out some stretches or yoga specifically to counteract the head/neck/shoulder stiffness created from my embroidery. I already do weekly chiropractor visits for maintenance, but when working with the frame while sitting on the couch watching TV I'd need an adjustment each night before bed. I'm obviously addicted to this project, so I need to look into ways to make the going easier for the remaining 1000 hours or so this will likely take. (okay, I hope I speed up some over time, but that's a conservative estimate.)

So I've been thinking of Google searches to run. Stitcher's stretches? Yoga for Needlework? A quick search brought up this link for How Yoga Helps Stitchers, which deserves a closer look, but not much else. It is the hunching over of the back, but then the drawing back of the shoulders to hold the frame up that is a battle. We even joked at the Plimoth jacket stitching sessions that we needed mandatory yoga/stretch breaks because it was so easy to get engrossed and forget to pause and stretch.

And then I check my email and see this in my inbox from Blue Heron Wellness, the place I go for acupuncture:

Yoga for Shoulder & Neck Pain with Debbie Jensen

Join Debbie to explore the shoulder and neck - development an understanding of the anatomy and learn how to use yoga to resolve, reduce, and prevent pain in shoulder, neck, upper back and head. Let Debbie's clear, knowledgable approach empower you to control of your body!

Saturday, Nov.14, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Boy, doesn't that sound like just the thing? It's like seeing the Grail shaped beacon.

But, I was planning to make an appearance at the Tournament of the Lily on Saturday. And then I see the cold rain at my window. But it should be mostly dry by then. And still likely muddy. It's not like I've made anything special for the event, nor was I planning to attend feast. Alan's committed to going for the rapier portion, but that means he'd be on another separate field from the pomp, etc.

Poll #1484923 Yoga-Lily
This poll is closed.
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 25

So, on Saturday, should I?

Go to the Tournament of the Lily.
6 (24.0%)

Go to the Yoga for Shoulder and Neck Pain class.
18 (72.0%)

Go to the Yoga class and send me details so I can attend too.
0 (0.0%)

Tough it out, stay home and embroider more.
1 (4.0%)

Tags: embroidery, health

Mood:

curious

18 comments | Comment