Knitting Caboodle

Yes, the allergies have taken over my life. I have either been really sick with allergies (lethargy and dizziness) or I’ve had migraines. Both ways suck. If you don’t want to read about it, scroll down to the pictures of my latest project.

I just saw the ENT specialist today. He concurs that I have allergies. Heh, thanks, doc!

Actually, he was very nice and wants to screen my allergies before prescribing more, or different, drugs than I have now. The next step is 2 hours of skin pricks to see what I react to. Woohoo! Fun!

Oh, and he wants me to start saline rinses… through the nose snorting saline water rinses… I don’t think that is going to happen, and I told him as much. I may seem like an uncooperative patient but at least I’m an honest one. Why won’t it happen? Let’s just say my face is very sensitive… I’m the one that holds her nose when she jumps in the water, and I almost never put my face underwater. Why? Because I don’t like water in my nose, eyes, or ears. Cannot stand it. But, since I’m a big girl, I’m going to try to psych myself up to the saline rinses… it just isn’t going to happen overnight though.

Oh, and my new regular doctor is convinced that my endocrine system (aka hormones) is out of whack. More tests! Blood tests. Have I told you about me and blood tests? No? Let me tell you now… I don’t do well with blood tests. I have small, roly poly veins that your average phlebotomist (the person that sticks that huge needle in your arm) cannot seem to hit without digging around. I have a “one chance” policy with blood tests. If they can’t hit the vein the first time, someone else has to come in… usually the head phlebotomist. I forgot to mention this rule the last time I had a blood test. The result was that the woman missed and started digging around in my arm. I nearly passed out. See? It is bad. I know it’s psychosomatic (all in my head) but knowing doesn’t change the effect. Also, my son was with me that last time and he was terrified when I started flaking out. Doubly bad.

Anyways (oh, shut up! I wrote that for the peedants out there… like my sweet hubby who cringes when I use the bad grammar), it isn’t all bad. I have orders for bags. One of them is a new shape (new to me, is there anything truly “new” in the bag world?). I made a mock up to get a feel for the cutting and sewing requirements before I cut the fabric my client chose. It’s still not done but have a looksy:

I didn’t quite get the pattern right the first time (that’s why I do mock ups) so there is some gapping on either side of the flap. The handles will be attached on the sides of the purse for over the shoulder wear… this client likes a long handle. I think a long handle will look ok but a short one would look better. This fabric was kind of blah so I used fleece interfacing and sewed along the stripes to give it more texture.

I will probably put a magnetic snap on flap. I’m not sure if my client wants the flap or no flap and a zipper.

I was inspired this weekend while making my latest bag. I was going to make a week-long tutorial (only because it was picture heavy) about my process.

I took tons of pictures.

I carefully went through the pictures for the best.

I then started loading them to Flickr.

Flickr promptly asked me for money.

They weren’t joking…

Hmmph!

Frazzle was not pleased…

I said I would include pictures of the dog when I have no crafting content but I’m giving you the cat… he is so much more cooperative *snort*.  I got this shot as he was sniffing the camera.  He can’t imagine why I would be fussing with this inanimate thing… it doesn’t smell like food, and it doesn’t stroke his fur. It doesn’t even scratch his chin when he rubs on it.

My creative bones have taken a short hiatus. On Monday, I made bread for the first time ever! 100% whole wheat bread at that… and it wasn’t nearly as dense as I expected. I would have taken pictures but I was too busy inhaling all that wheat and gluten.

(I didn’t actually eat all that bread.)

Did you know that the intense smell of yeast can be somewhat nauseating?  I could never bake bread for a living.  I suppose there are many professions associated with strong smells that I would avoid if at all possible.

Just a little crafty chit chat:  I am trying to finish my tank top but my crochet skills are wobbly.  I want to write out the pattern and post it for anyone interested, and I want to post a picture of it finished.  Want, want, want!  It is on hold temporarily because I have two commissioned bags in the queue.

Speaking of bags, a friend of mine is starting up an online children’s boutique.  She says “children” but she means girls, there isn’t anything in her line for boys.  Anywho… she wants me to make some bags for her shop!   Exciting and nerve wracking!  She is putting me up against some really big designer names… my hands are getting sweaty just thinking about it.  I may have to break down and get that new sewing machine I have been dreaming about.  My old one is still a hoss but it has some problems that a new machine would solve.

If you have sewing machine recommendations, now is the time to dish!