Living in a Material World

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do?

2012-01-27T08:12:00.000-06:00

I hesitate to post this when Jack is on his way to for a stay at a day spa in the country where he will run with a herd of beagles during the day and sleep on someone else's head/pillow at night, but when I got home yesterday, the cushion from the back of my chair was in the floor along with this:

I flipped at first, thinking the foam was from the cushion. It wasn't. It was from a dangerous slipper that didn't survive. It will never threaten the world again. I asked Jack about it.

He has no idea how it happened. He didn't see a thing. He's not a great guard dog. He somehow slept through an intruder coming in and chewing up my slipper.

What? You think Jack did it? Have you seen this face? Impossible.

Tradeshow locations

2012-01-26T07:51:00.001-06:00

Houston in October isn't too bad.
Orlando in July was a really bad idea.
Portland in May was beautiful, lovely, and the place and time I'd like to live always.
Chicago in the summer...eh, I traveled from hotel to convention center via tunnel so who knows?
Ditto Las Vegas. I mostly remember slot machines and Star Trek-themed lunch with masked characters which I DO NOT LIKE. Neither had anything to do with the tradeshow.

And then there's Anaheim. In California. Beautiful, sunny Anaheim. It snowed in Malibu the first year I went to this tradeshow and I believe I've worn a sweatshirt every time I've gone, but it's January. I get that. Here's the forecast for my trip to CHA:

It's going to be nice. Did I mention that the 79 degree day is also my birthday? (Upside: sunny California. Downside: airport at the crack of dawn, TSA, and being crammed into the window seat for painful, unending, crazy-making hours. Thank you, Lord, for not making me a traveling salesperson, but why did you have to put the sunny coast so far away?).

Yeah, well, that makes it easy to remember the weather for this time of year. I have two choices: a foot of snow or spring-like beauty, with very little in between.

Here's the forecast for home on the same days:

I am looking forward to the weather on the trip, but I can almost hear gnashing of teeth from northern climes over 64 degrees (and it's higher the next day). Come to Arkansas. Right now. It's all good right now.

My newest purchase

2012-01-24T08:34:00.000-06:00

I'm wearing these while I write.
I don't expect to get much use out of them because I have a long history of getting glasses and then not wearing them.
Why? My vision's still pretty good, but we are reaching the point where I can see a difference when I put them on. (See? Get it?)
Why do I think you care? I have no idea, but it's really the newest development in the exciting life I lead.

Jack's class is tonight: sub-novice obedience. We've been made an example of, but he did a lot better last week. I have my fingers crossed that it's a trend.

Enthusiasm, or why you should probably have a dog

2012-01-20T09:19:00.000-06:00

Jack's morning routine is this:
My alarm clock goes off. I get up, hit snooze, and try to get nine more minutes of blessed rest.
Jack immediately begins nudging, clambering, crawling, poking and prodding.
My alarm goes off again. I throw myself out of bed in a bad mood, slap off the alarm in a bad mood, and climb in the shower in a bad mood.
Jack is waiting for me when I get out. His is happy. I am only awake.
I dress myself and smoosh a bit of goop in my hair before adding a thin layer of veneer to my face.
Then Jack and I run into the living room. He picks up the ball. I throw it. He brings it back.
We do this for a time. The limit depends on how many times I hit the snooze.
I pack a healthy and not quite appetizing lunch. Jack sits and waits, tail wagging.

Then I pack his purple toy with treats. And this is what that looks like. Everyone should have a dog. The enthusiasm is not quite contagious but it makes me smile before I hit the commute.

Spring-like

2012-01-18T07:52:00.001-06:00

We've had some nice weather, plenty of sun. Jack has a new favorite spot.

Another use for yarn

2012-01-16T18:51:00.000-06:00

Why I'm not getting a lot of knitting done:

Crochet on tv

2012-01-12T07:35:00.000-06:00

So, brace yourselves. Here comes a sentence I could not have predicted in a million years.

Last night, thanks to Celebrity Wife Swap, I watched Flavor Flav's wife (fiance?) try to teach Dee Snider and his family how to crochet.

Yes, really. Dee Snider sat there, wrapping yarn around a crochet hook.

And because I can already hear the questions.

This is Flavor Flav and the crochet teacher. His claim to fame: member of Public Enemy and the greatest hype man in the business. I have no idea how you prove that claim.

What I learned about him: he loves his kid and mostly acts like one.

Dee Snider and his family. And because I can already hear the questions, his rock persona is below. What I learned about him: seems like a good dad, good husband, a nice guy. Also, has no crochet skill but deserves credit for trying. I could not find a picture of Dee holding a crochet hook and wrapping yarn around it.

This was after I watched the Gary Busey episode. The expected train wreck between his crazy and the disgraced preacher never arrived. What I learned about them: they seem to have picked good wives. Also, there was no crochet.

Next up: Niecy Nash and Tina Yothers. Hijinks will ensue. I do not expect them to involve crochet.

National Clean Off Your Desk Day

2012-01-11T07:32:00.000-06:00

The goofy radio show I listen on the way in to work was talking about this today. Happily, I started cleaning off my desk yesterday. When there's a National Clean Off the Flat Surfaces You Pile Stuff On So That Your Desk Looks Better And You Can Actually Sit There AND Breathe Without Contemplating How Much Difference One Single Match Could Make To Your To-Do List, I'm going to have real trouble.

Things on my desk:
1. A list of items that need to be ready for Sales.
2. The valuable stack of sticky notes, needed every day.
3. A tape measure, possibly not a common item on most office desks but it comes in handy around here.
4. An apple, abandoned on Monday. There is a new attempt to eat better at this desk. I expect that to shrivel like this apple will.
5. Healthy Cuticles. This might be TMI but my hands need all the help they can get.
6. Stress Relief lotion from Bath and Body. Don't believe the hype.
7. Glass for water.
8. Diet Coke. The good stuff.
9. Various work form-y stuff that needs to be filed.
10. Stack o'magazines. It's been building. Must. Get. Through.

Almost winning

2012-01-03T06:27:00.000-06:00

In case you were wondering what the spoils of almost winning a national writing contest to be included in a Debbie Macomber book looks like, here you go. A box showed up from Avon books so it was just like...Christmas.

Christmas vacation

2012-01-02T20:26:00.000-06:00

So it's back to normal this week and I have a blog post or two. I know! It's been a while, right? I survived Christmas. And then last week my family and I spent some time working though my grandmother's stuff. There was a lawyer. There were boxes. There were mulitple trips to Goodwill. And my trashcan overfloweth. We were busy.

The map: A is where I live. B is her house. It was a haul. But it was a beautiful haul.

The horse: one of the neighbors.

The dog: very much a country dog at heart. The wind is always blowing at my grandmother's house. It's in the middle of pastures on a dirt road. Jack had a field day but he froze. Then he collapsed in front of the stove. Every time. Between the visiting dog, the wide open spaces, and the stove, Jack was in heaven.

What about you? Was it a good vacation? Make any resolutions? None for me. I have plenty from previous years that I could pull out if I need one at some point.

Twenty minutes or less

2011-12-16T06:23:00.001-06:00

Jack's mom away from home, Jean, got him this squeaky carrot for Christmas. In the excitement of "I'm home, I'm home" I gave it to Jack. And then I cooked some unimpressive dinner. When I turned around, the toy was in pieces. All the stuffing was pulled out through one eyeball and the squeaky was exposed. I'm definitely going to have to start getting toys that are larger than Jack. And made of steel. Jean, Jack was very happy to get his toy. He says "thank you" right after he spits out his mouthful of fiberfill.

Class clown

2011-12-14T07:35:00.000-06:00

Jack did it. By the hairs on his chin he passed his test last night. I am an overachiever. I understand this. Jack is just caught up in my wake. I got there very early to practice with Jack. He acted like a total nut, whimpering, whining, corrupting a beautiful dog who was on the longest stay with an absent owner. It was impressive. So was Jack. This is the way he works. I was the first one to take the test. This is how I work. Together we managed to make it through.

Chip, the show dog that went with us through the test, had some difficulties, so I was sweating the whole time. Jack has a hard time focusing under good circumstances. If another dog is acting up, he's so there.

I mentioned that having his picture made with Santa wasn't even the craziest dog-lady thing I'd done, right? Jack is now registered as Jumping Jack with the AKC. He had to be to get his Canine Good Citizen certification.

It's okay. I know. He's a dog.

But now he can become a therapy dog or a rally champion or an agility champion.
Or I can take him to doggie day care.
Either way, he'll be happy.

Why Jack can't have nice things

2011-12-06T08:20:00.000-06:00

This is a Nylabone. This is not some flimsy plastic dog toy that you might pick up for a steal. This is the good stuff. This is Jack's third one. We've now known each other for almost 8 months. Darcy had one that lasted the first half of her life until I tossed it after finally understanding that she had zero interest in powerful chewing of that sort.

On Saturday, Jack had a big day. I loaded him in the car and drove him to the library where I dropped off books, then to the park for his walk, and then to PetSmart to have his picture made with Santa (and that's not even the dog-craziest thing I've done in the past week, so there.) After all that, I bought him a new Nylabone. And I came home yesterday to find this. So the life of this bone, the one for powerful-chewing medium sized dogs, lasted less than 3 days.

He's also destroyed a Kong Wubba (fuzzy, squeaky with long "legs" that he can force me to play tug of war with) so I bought him one bigger than his head. So far, so good. In the future, I'm gong to make that a requirement. Is it bigger than Jack's head? Yes. Okay, let's give it a try.

Beggars, choosers, etc.

2011-12-05T12:31:00.000-06:00

Things you might not know about my family:

1. I am the youngest and the only girl of three kids.

2. I am also the most charming, but it's hard to tell because I am also the quietest.

3. My brother will disagree with #2. The most charming part, not the quietest. He likes to introduce me as his older sister even though he's 7 years older than I am. Other people think he's charming.

4. Most of my family lives within about 30 minutes of me.

5. This is a blessing. Really.

6. I have a family that fights over things like keepsakes and valuables and the last piece of pie like this: No, you take it. No, you take it. No, I don't need it so you take it.

7. This is a blessing. Really.

8. Cussed independence is the trait that is easiest to see in several people in my family tree. I will not name names at this time.

9. My brother gets called on for all moving requests that are so large that they conquer #8. Like, say you get new furniture or a new television that you can't figure out any way to lift on your own short of inventing and installing a complex system of ropes and pulleys. When you can't figure out how to beg, borrow, or steal it yourself, you (meaning me) call your big brother.

10. He agrees immediately, possibly because the shock of being asked for help renders him unable to remember his other scheduled commitments of which there are one trillion zillion because he is charming. And then he and his wife show up, move out whatever it is that weighs a trillion zillion pounds while you stand back and hold the dog. The catch? They show up at 10:30. In the p.m.

I have a good family. They stay until the job is done.

This guy

2011-11-30T07:41:00.000-06:00

This is what happens when you buy the wrong Milkbone box. Your dog occasionally gets a treat that is as large as his head. Instead of grabbing the large box of small bones, I picked up the large bog of large bones. There is a sizable difference in square treat area.

Some things deserve a large treat. Jack had his Canine Good Citizen class last night. We missed last week because of all the traveling I did so I knew he was going to be wound up. And he was. There was jumping. There was whimpering. There was crying. There was a sharp, high-pitched bark of glee. There was tumbling with his friends. There was making new friends.

And that all happened in the 15 minutes before the class started. I was thiiiiis close to picking up the squirming whirlwind of fur to sneak back out to my car when the teacher started class. I ignored my feeling of impending doom and stuck it out. And he surprised me. He could have done better, but he could have done so, so, so much worse too. I have serious doubts that he'll be able to pass the test, but we have one more class for it to magically come together. And if he doesn't pass the test? He'll never make it into a good college.

If he doesn't pass the test, he can try, try again.

Long time, no post

2011-11-29T07:45:00.000-06:00

Did you think I'd moved away and left no forwarding address? The thought has crossed my mind lately but I'd take my blog and blog friends with me. I promise.

My grandmother died around 3:30 on Sunday morning, November 20, and my brain has been on overload since then, so no blog posts! Since my mother's gone, my aunt needed as much help as we could give her (possibly more, but you have to work with what you've got, right?). For most of her life, my grandmother lived near Mountain View which is about 2 hours from Little Rock. When you add in storms of monsoon proportions with flash floods and closed interstates, it gets even more adventurous. Throw in several "Crooked and steep next 17 miles" signs and funeral homes in three different places, and I was pooped before everything was taken care of.

Oh, yeah, and then there was a holiday too. Basically, what I'm saying here is that I'm still pooped. I expect to remain in this condition for a bit, but I'm going to pick back up the posts. Expect to see lots of Jack the dog posts!

Books to Movies

2011-11-17T07:44:00.000-06:00

If you've somehow missed it, there's a buzz about the first Hunger Games trailer. Because I can name several many people who don't know The Hunger Games, I'll remind you that I read it (because there was going to be a movie) and talked about it here. It takes place in America in the very bleak future where the country has been arranged into districts that serve the frivolous people in the capitol district. There's a reaping ceremony where 2 young people from each district are chosen to compete in the ultimate of reality shows, a live televised competition where 24 people go in but only one survives. It's a hard life in the district where food is rationed. You can ask for more, but that means you have more entries in the reaping, more chances to be chosen. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to save her sister. And then she changes the game.

Get More: Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

A lot of work

2011-11-16T07:28:00.000-06:00

This is calm Jack. I believe this was taken Saturday afternoon after a nice, looooong walk at the park. He is relaxing in style. He's pretty good at that, becoming a limp mass of fur and legs that you can position in most any way without disturbing him.

But then there's the other Jack. The Tuesday Night Jack. That Jack is W-I-L-D. He has all the attention deficit and hyperactivity mixed with selective hearing. Thank goodness for treats. I believe he's corrupted all but two of the dogs in this class (watch out Chip and Cowboy). His latest conquest is Cheeto, the laid-back-and-perfectly-behaved Lab. Last night he had Cheeto whimpering, barking, rolling around and jumping instead of listening. And all I could do is look at Cheeto's person and mumble "Sorry" as I wrestled my wiggling mass away.

You just can't argue with the joy on his face, though. I'm glad he can't be sent to detention. We'd spend our whole lives there.

Not as easy as it looks

2011-11-14T07:34:00.000-06:00

Every November there's a national writing party called NaNoWriMo. The goal: write 50,000 words in a month. They don't have to be good words or arranged in a particularly pleasing manner but thinking of 50,000 words and typing them all together in one place is tougher than it sounds.

That works out to an average of 1,667 words a day. I am currently around 20,000 words behind, but after my flash of near-success last week, I had an IDEA. If I'm doing the math correctly, I now need to write somewhere around 2800 words to make the goal. I managed to win NaNoWriMo last year with some challenges going on. I might be able to do it again (said with a question mark in my voice).

This story features Jack Johnson prominently. Apparently I am a big believer in writing what I know.

It's a truth universally acknowledged...

2011-11-10T07:36:00.000-06:00

Remember when I said I wanted this? I don't anymore. Because I bought it! I went out at lunch on Tuesday and managed to find this in the sea of magazines at Barnes and Noble. Happy Knitting Magazine to me!

And thank you Liz and Cindy for the congratulations. I'm happy that I have such good friends to celebrate with. The flowers are from Jean and my friends Jean, Lisa, Susan, Frances, and Mary took me out for lunch to celebrate. I also had a chance to speak directly to Lucia Macro at Avon, all the waaaay up in New York City. She was complimentary, encouraging, and very nice. I shall now be anxiously awaiting my prize books because I need a large collection of books. I love books, so the more the merrier! In the mean time, I'll work through my knitting magazine and try to beat the late fees from my leaning tower of library books.

Oh, yeah, and possibly write something.

Y'all are not gonna believe this

2011-11-09T10:30:00.002-06:00

I went to the dentist yesterday. That's not what this story is about. Don't worry. This is important to know because I turned off the ringer on my phone while I was in the office. They have a lot of signs asking you to do that so I did. And I forgot to turn it back on when I left.

Since my grandmother's been having trouble, I've been so conscientious about having my phone on me and checking for missed calls when I've been away. Except for yesterday. I just hopped in the car, punched my Bluetooth to call my aunt to check in, and headed home.

I decided to be efficient after I made it there. I washed dishes. I did laundry. I cooked dinner. I practiced with Jack (so that I could shoot a superior smile the teacher's way). And a little after 6, I checked the weather to make sure I wasn't heading out into a tornado before I started rummaging around for clothes to wear. Somewhere in this process of searching, I pulled my phone out of my purse. I don't know why. Probably to reassure myself that it was present and accounted for because I have a strong attachment to my phone even with the ringer off.

And I noticed I had a missed call. And a voicemail. From area code 207. I figured it was a super special offer of some sort but hit "play" to listen to the message. And this is where it went insane.

APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS BEFORE A RAINY TUESDAY NIGHT IN NOVEMBER

I love Twitter. I first read of a writing competition there being sponsored by Avon Romance. Writers could submit a novella to be included in Debbie Macomber's upcoming title, A Family Affair. There was no entry fee. I pondered it briefly and figured there was no real way I could write a story in the time allowed (due October 1) of high enough quality to accomplish a win in what would be pretty steep competition.

And then my writing friend/co-worker SJ sent it to me. And I explained to her that I didn't think I had it in me. The style, the competion, etc.

And then my nonwriting but very supportive friend Mary sent it to me. Three times is too many times to ignore. I sat down and wrote the 23,000 words for this story. I had already plotted it. All that was left to do was write it.

I sent it in. And made plans on what to do with it after it didn't win the contest. Maybe I'd publish it myself for my six friends to read. Or maybe I'd release it installments a la Pioneer Woman.

And then I got a call from New York. More specifically, I missed a call from Executive Editor Lucia Macro in New York. And I nearly died. My heart raced. My face was covered in a light glow (of perspiration) because I am A FINALIST. I am ONE OF THREE.

Holy. Cow. Y'all.

I called my spiritual advisor, the one who hoists me up to the high road, because she deserves a little good news now and then from me. And I called my friend SJ.

And then I took Jack to his class in a monsoon, but I didn't even care.

I went online to Avon's Facebook page. And my name is there.

I went to their blog. And my name is there.

I have an email from Lucia Macro.

And I've listened to the phone message twice more.

I think this is real, y'all. The winner will be announced today. First place is published in Debbie's book (and a check, too), and the others are paid in books. And whether I win, place, or show, I can't imagine feeling more pumped than I do right this minute. I can't lose! I took this screenshot of their blog as visual proof. Notice the time. Yeah, I didn't sleep. I'm running on sugar and Diet Coke right now.

UPDATE: So, I won't be showing up in Debbie's new book. And I'm still so excited about being a finalist that I can hardly sit still so it's all good.

One more Quilt Market post

2011-11-08T07:59:00.001-06:00

Even before we made it near the Clover booth at Quilt Market, we heard tales of this new Fuse n Gather. And the name says it all: iron down the fusible, gather by pulling the threads that are already sewn in.

Here's a link for a demo (done on the floor of Quilt Market for added atmosphere): Clover Fuse n Gather.

Also very cool (with link to demo): Clover Fuse n Bind and Clover Wonder Clips

Our travel plans to the show were a little wrinkled, thanks to a cancelled 6:45 flight, so I got to the show about an hour before my first meeting. What did I do? I have my priorities in line. I headed straight over to the Sullivans booth to see my friend Pat Sloan. I had to catch her while I still could! I've been impressed with their Edge ruler (it has a rotary cutter blade sharpener on...the edge, get it?) and embroidery floss. This time they had wheeled sewing machine cases (in pretty colors which is important) and these cutting mats. You can piece together different mats and sizes and they are joined like puzzle pieces. This gives you flexibility in storage and in portability. You can also replace a mat that becomes too worn without scrapping the others. Cool, right? The joined mats were nice and flat and seemed sturdy enough for happy rotary cutting.

Jack Johnson, mole hunter

2011-11-04T07:08:00.001-05:00

When I travel, Jack takes a car ride to the country to stay with my friends Jean and Charles and their beagles. It's a fabulous arrangement for me because they also usually throw in delivery and pick-up all for one low price of FREE. I didn't get a lot of report on Jack this time. Jean just said, "He plays hard." And he does. And then he sleeps hard, usually curled up in a ball with his head under his tail right where you don't want him to be. I should probably work on that.

I got wind of one of his escapades from someone else. Apparently, Jack took his digging skills to new heights. We're doing school to try to discourage the digging, but this was fresh ground. And he must have had a good partner because they dug up a MOLE. A mole, people! Luckily, Jack didn't win the competition. Betty beagle did. It just seems like bad manners to be a guest in someone's house and go and dig up their mole, you know? I'm sure he was a gentleman and let her have first pass at the mole (not really. he probably still relives that in his dreams.)

He had his second Canine Good Citizen class and it wasn't much better than the first one, despite my careful planning. I almost showed my real self there in that metal building. It takes a bit to provoke me to lose my religion and I barely managed to grit my teeth and make it to the end of class. I felt like the teacher had unrealistic expectations of my good boy baby dog Jack because he couldn't hold a sit-stay when I walked away from him. And she just could not let it go with him the way she did with others. He hadn't ever done it before and she was just way too...I didn't like the way she talked to me or expected me to talk to my good boy baby dog Jack.

But as we've done before, we came home and practiced. And he can do it. My good boy baby dog Jack just needed some practice. So there, lady. Here's video proof. Please ignore the state of my patio. I do neaten occasionally and come back to find things scattered, knocked over, and generally moved around. Do you think I might have a mole of my own??

Quilt Market 2011: Artist Village in fabric

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

I mentioned my sprint through the quilts. Did I mention screeching to a halt in front of this cute little village of houses built of fabric? I could have spent a lot more time absorbing the details of this village built. I would also probably have gotten to know a quilt angel and possibly a security guard very well because I wanted to pick up the houses. I didn't! I promise, but I did want to see the fronts better. I blame the missing dollhouse of my childhood or fond memories of my Barbie Dreamhouse or maybe my disappointment at having neither the space nor the dollars for an over-the-top Christmas village with a train running through it. Oh, and also...I just love fabric.

The village was built by Kathy York, Jane Davila, Judy Perez, Leslie Jenison, Jamie Fingal, Connie Hudson, Sherri McCauley, Barb Forrister, Naomi Adams, Laura Wasilowski, Freida Anderson, Melanie Testa, Frances Holliday Alford, Susan Else, Lisa Call, Pamela Allen, and Vickie Hallmark.

Quilt Market 2011: a few quilts

2011-11-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

Quilt Market is a crammed full of things to do, mostly of the meeting variety, and seeing the quilts exhibited gets leftover time and not very much of that. This year we were set to fly out on Monday at 1:00, so I trooped/rode the bus over to take some quick snaps of our designers and then ran through the quilts with one eye on my watch and the other peeled for things I liked. It's a wonder I didn't steamroll a quilt angel accidentally.

Here are a few of the quilts I stopped for:

Salvaged Words by Jette Clover from Text on Textiles: Words as Design exhibit

Natsumi and Sumire by Hiroko Miy Ama in cotton fabrics, nylon tulle

Memories of Gombe (portrait of Jane Goodall) by Mary Pal in hand-dyed cheesecloth, buckram, scrim, silk blend, and acrylic paint

Lucy by Judy Greenwood in cotton, ink, thread, and batting

Quilt Market: 5 things

2011-11-01T13:23:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure how many Quilt Market posts I've done but there have been a few. You can visit the Leisure Arts blog to see my post on our designers some time this week. This is my attempt to be all...different. I'll do something better tomorrow. Promise.

1. Quilt Market is a theme park for quilters and has the souvenirs to show for it. I come back with stacks of paper and had packed my bags so carefully in order to avoid the checked bag hassle that I had no room for anything other than said paper. I wanted the Quilt Market tote. I didn't get it, but this picture is interesting. You see the souvenir booth. And you see dudes shopping at it. Didn't expect that, did you?

2. It's planes, trains, and automobiles to get to Market (without the trains and included a bus or too). I don't know if things have gotten more efficient or I've just gotten luckier in my old age but the bus from the Hyatt to the convention center was really, really convenient this time.

3. I do know for sure that Houston has gotten prettier since we've been going to Quilt Market. It's been a long awkward phase of construction, but this area around the convention center is really pretty, particularly when there is good weather. As I had never really seen good weather, I began to doubt Houston had anything other than hot and humid with a side of extra humid, but this year was absolutely perfect. FYI, that makes it harder to walk the show floor. I wanted to be outside.

4. If you can't spend all your money shopping for fabric, notions, thread, patterns, magazines, or books for you shop, you can find a few other booths mixed in here and there with some pretty jewelry. Oh, and buttons. I find myself falling more every day for buttons. It's weird.

5. Where high powered publishing executives meet. If you've ever/never met me, you probably understand how important food is in my life. This market I spent a larger amount of time traveling to and fro the Food Court. In the extreme absence of a booth and designated sitting place, we spent time occupying the Food Court. Meeting, not eating. Yeah. N-o-t eating. It was sad but efficient.

Where did all the posts go?

2011-10-28T07:18:00.001-05:00

So I had been doing so well with the posting in a timely manner. This week, I'm out of whack. I'm heading for Quilt Market so there's a lot of list-making and gathering going on. And after work, I've been sitting with my grandmother at the hospital, so my brain sounds like a party in that you have to yell to be heard. With those things together, I'll probably find my remote in the freezer next week.

Next week, there will be Quilt Market posts! Woo hoo!

Canine Good Citizen, not so much

2011-10-26T07:40:00.001-05:00

Jack started his next class, the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, last night. And I'm very, very tired. Fourteen dogs. One was absent. Twelve were calm, cool, and collected, although there was more angry dog barking and snapping last night than I've seen before, probably because the space is too small for that many dogs. While we were actually being tested, there was a lot of standing and waiting. During this, twelve of those dogs stood or sat and watched their owners or the other dogs in the center.

And then you have Jack. Honestly, he was wild. And not even food got his attention. It was exhausting. While the dog next to him was all "I am a serious student and must pay attention", Jack was more like "Hi, Hi, Hi, Hi, WatchaDoin?, Hi, Hi, MyName'sJack, Hi, Hello, Hi, WhatKindaTreatsYouGot?, Hi, Hi, Hi, MyName'sJack, WhatchaDoin?" all while pulling at the end of his leash. Add to that sniffing every square inch of the dogged up floor, barking at the wheelchair test, and refusing to stay and I mostly wished I'd stopped at one class.

People who had previously met Jack understood. The new people were all "Wow, he's so happy to be here" with raised eyebrows.

On the up side, he was definitely having fun. I was afraid he was going to dislocate his whole hind end. He's going to stay in the country while I'm at Quilt Market. Maybe beagles Harley and Betty will teach him some cool.

Copyright infringement y'all

2011-10-24T10:11:00.004-05:00

I feel like I've spent days of my life wrestling with sites like eBay and etsy and several others where I don't even speak the language lately trying to get illegal copies of our patterns taken down. And here's my complaint: these sites that make it so, so easy to commit copyright infringement make it a hassle to take it down.

It's a problem.

And these are the sites we know about. How do we know? Concerned consumers contact us to let us know. We appreciate that.

I'm not lawyer so I can't help you navigate all the contingencies of what is or is not illegal. In the interest of completing my rant (which has been mostly in my head but has leaked out a bit here), here are some really, really broad lines.

Selling a completed, single product made from our instructions: not copyright infringement
(unless it's licensed product like Disney. Mickey and Winnie and Buzz and Tweety and Sponge Bob and other famous characters like this have posses of lawyers, I'm pretty sure. Buy the leaflet, make items for your own personal enjoyment, file the leaflet safely away. And whatever you do, don't make up your own designs and submit them to a publisher. Adapting their artwork without buying a license to do so is also copyright infringement.)
Re-selling your used leaflets: not copyright infringement
Selling photocopies of our printed materials: copyright infringement. copyright infringement. copyright infringement.
Selling electronic forms of our printed materials (scans, PDFs, disks, downloads): Copyright. Infringement. !!

Protecting the copyright is important to us but we also owe it to the designers who work with us. Buying illegal copies (or finding them listed for "free" on the internet) harms the designers you love. And being out of print doesn't mean something is a part of the public domain so the copyright stands.

So what happens if you're surfing the webs and you see something?
1. Say something. Contacting the seller is usually my first step. I like to assume she doesn't understand copyright protection and start with polite requests. If you decide to do so, just beware. In my experience, polite requests are not always answered with polite replies.
2. Let the publisher know. Most companies have a website with a way to contact them. Including specific links to items for sale is a big, big help.

Hot Springs Bark Park

2011-10-20T08:31:00.000-05:00

In the effort to give Jack some time off the leash, I took him to Hot Springs' dog park. It was Thursday afternoon. I expected it to be deserted and it almost was. The park is divided into two sections, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. I thought we would play ball. Jack was not interested. He wanted to sniff. He wanted to play with the other dogs. The dachshunds were aggressive, so I moved him over to the other side. And then after a Husky showed up and did his best to trample Jack in the dust, I moved him again.

This visit didn't quite go like I wanted but it seems like a pretty nice park. And it's situated next to a nice people park where you could probably walk on a leash. We went back to the lake, back to the whimpering or walking my legs off choice.

I dislike hills. That's all I have to say about that.

And Juile commented that Jack was lucky I picked him up. He was. There's no telling when another dog-crazy sucker like me would have come along. Still, we've had a pretty good time together since he showed up. Sometimes I wish he was more like Darcy, but sometimes I'm glad he's goofy. And I went back to the Little Rock Dog Training Center for another orientation for another class this week. Talking to Toby's mom sent cold chills down my spine. She rescued a dog. That was pregnant. With 13 puppies. Thirteen. 1-3. All of them healthy. And having to feed at 4 hour intervals. And all but 1 adopted. Now they have 6 dogs.
I try not to think about 13 puppies.

A gift for me from me?

2011-10-19T06:03:00.001-05:00

My birthday's in January.
Christmas is still a looooong way away. I keep telling myself that because it makes it easier to sleep at night.

But I want.

It's available at Knitting Daily for pre-order. If I remember how much I wanted it, I may do a little looksy around town around November 8 when it becomes available. Let's all hope I forget.

Will I actually knit something from this? Probably not. As a person who could act all the parts in the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice and the Alan Rickman/Hugh Grant Sense and Sensibility and do a bit of Jeremy Northam's Emma too, I need this. I mean, for the collection. You know?

Jack goes to the lake

2011-10-18T06:40:00.002-05:00

Jack's a good dog, lots of fun, and clearly has mad obedience potential. But he's not restful. Darcy was restful. He's...energetic. He has no use for any more lake water than he can drink because he doesn't want to swim. He wants to run. And talk to other dogs. And people. Even at a mostly deserted place, he can make a strong show for crazy when anyone else comes by.

I think he whimpered for the 40 hours or so we were there. If we were inside, he wanted to be outside. If we were outside, he wanted to be moving. If we were moving, he wanted to be moving closer to the only other person or dog on the place.

And when we got home, he slept for two days straight.

Five Points, Lake Hamilton

2011-10-17T07:28:00.001-05:00

Two nights is not enough. I never really settled in on this quick trip to the lake, but the weather was absolutely perfect. What did I do? I walked Jack. I read books. I didn't turn on the television. I thought about chunking my phone in the lake. I didn't.

If you're local and you want a cabin on a lake with easy access to the entertainments of Hot Springs and the convenience of Wal-Mart and two Sonics, give Five Points a try. Also, it's dog friendly. This time I stayed in one of the new cabins. It was nice. I wish I was still there.

The next thing I want Jack to learn

2011-10-12T07:53:00.001-05:00

So I'm trying to convince Jack to work on his folding skills. Instead, he's going to curl up for nap in the laundry.

It's tough being a little black dog.

In other news, I paid his debt to society at the library this afternoon with considerably less librarian stink eye than I expected so it's all good. They didn't seem to understand the wit of the dog eating a book about a dog. Oh, well.

Small-ish town Saturday afternoon

2011-10-11T07:37:00.001-05:00

Saturday was Old Fashioned Day in our downtown. They closed off the streets in the square around the courthouse. There were crafts for sale. I parked a block away, wandered down the sidewalks, and bought nothing but a snowcone. I pondered the funnel cake but it was warm. A snowcone seemed a better match. I wandered back to this square with a fountain and flowers and sunshine and finished my snowcone.

Entertainment: Little Texas and Restless Heart. I skipped that but I was tempted. (I once had a hot burnin' thing for Little Texas and vividly remember seeing them at Fiesta Texas. God Blessed Texas...anyone?

There are some things I miss about living in what passes for big city living around here.

But this is nice.

Week 8: Winning

2011-10-09T21:01:00.000-05:00

Okay, kids, work hard and stay in school and you too might win some medals. That's not one medal but two Jack is wearing. Oh, yeah. He's pretty much fabulous.

He tied for third place with his sit-stay. This surprised me but I'm happy. I messed this one up for him by saying the wrong thing, but he was still very, very good.

And then he won a second place for his recall. He's very good at this, but his degree of difficulty wasn't as high as say the Mastiff who sits perfectly and waits to be called or Mia who needs only hand signals. But he comes quickly, reliably, and with style and flair.

And I must also say...no, they didn't all get medals. They all got certificates but not medals. Without exception, all those dogs got better.

So that's it. Basic Obedience is done.

I celebrated with a bucket of bubbly: a Route 44 cherry limeade, the good stuff. And then Jack slept for about 4 hours.

April 27. That was when I picked Jack up out of the middle of the road. Jack's first post: Dang. It.

In less than 6 months, he's destroyed nearly every pair of shoes I own, eaten his way through a library of paperbacks, patiently suffered pills and my own emotional swings, flourished in school, and won medals. He's always been too sweet but he's also too funny and knows how to work a crowd, win friends and influence people. This is my commercial for shelter dogs and rescues. If you're thinking about getting a dog, please give one a try.

I wish I were lucky in drawings, door prizes, lotteries, and bingo. I am not. I am a lucky dog picker. And also, I do fairly well with friends. Mary and Gary were Jack's official press corps. I appreciate that.

So, now, I'm on vacation. I'm going to do some home stuff. And I'm going to stay a couple of days on the lake to see what Jack thinks of lake water. Wackiness will probably ensue.
Stay tuned,
Signed the lucky, crazy dog lady

Knooks now!

2011-10-05T07:28:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention...those Knooks that we've been talking about are now available on the world wide webby site of Leisure Arts. If you've been dying to try one but couldn't find it locally, visit us at www.LeisureArts.com. This month you'll see new videos and pattern publications.

Ignorance was more bliss-like

2011-10-04T07:47:00.002-05:00

I felt like such a responsible grown up on Saturday. I attended the meeting of my "property owner's association" also known as the people who collect money to keep the subdivision sign lit.

Reason for the meeting: They haven't been doing that and so the sign isn't lit. And the grass around it isn't taken care of. And two of the three elected previously have left the building.

So, that's good. But a concerned group has called us all together to re-elect and make a plan. This plan will get the sign lit, the grass cut, and So. Much. More. We need speed bumps, a playground, and a neighborhood watch. When it came time to elect, I did my best "not it" head duck.

It was eventful. I now know how often things are being broken into, including garages while people sleep, and how many drug busts there have been. Apparently, one was made in connection with my late-night visit from the police. Remember that? Yeah. I remember it well. So I'm sleeping well, ears peeled for any sound and occasionally lurking behind curtains to peer out into the urban jungle of my neighborhood. I'm thinking about getting Jack his own German Shepherd too. Googling "burglar" for an image for this post creeped me way out.

I'm on vacay next week. I have a list of security measures to execute. I'll let you know if I pick up a police dog for Jack's protection.

Week 7: So good

2011-10-03T07:43:00.001-05:00

Sunday afternoon, 4:30 p.m.
Jack is zonked. Snoozing. Comfortable.

It's tough to be a social butterfly.

He did pretty well in his last class before the finale. He's not quite perfect, but it's his love for trainer Cheryl that lures him from the straight and narrow.

Trainer Larry said it again. Jack might be the one to beat when it comes to medal competition. And now I'm pondering what sort of epic fail might be looming on the horizon. Whatever happens, it's okay. This week, I had to drag Jack to the car to make him leave school. He's enjoyed his friends that much. And I've laughed. A lot.

He was a maniac outside but focused really well, even negotiating an obstacle course of distractions without losing focus on me. Or on the chunk of cheese in my hand.

He likes cheese.

We practiced in the park and I have a public service announcement to parents, grandparents, and anyone who might be in charge of children ever. Don't let them run up to an unknown dog. Ever. There were literally hordes of loud unleashed children in the park on Saturday because it was the perfect day. And I think it's a wonderful place to be loud and run, but over and over they ran right up to us, asking to pet Jack. And whoever was in charge was too far away to do anything (which worries me a bit too because this park's a big place, woodsy, and deserted for long stretches so it seems like adult supervision would be a good thing). Jack's not aggressive, but he was freaked out by the noise and the running, sometimes dragging big sticks and stuff. On him, that looks like sitting between my feet and cowering but it doesn't look like that on every dog. He was fine, and it was good practice for him. If he'd been a different dog, it would have been scary for the kid, the parents, and me. I'll be headed to the park much earlier from now on when we mostly encounter joggers and dog walkers. Jack loves the dogs. And now I'm off the soapbox.

Do not be alarmed

2011-09-30T08:03:00.000-05:00

The thing about me is that I know I'm crazy. It's okay. There's no need to be concerned.

In the mangled jacket of the library book, I noticed Chet the dog narrator of these books had his own website. And why shouldn't he?

I went there. I uploaded Jack's picture to be a friend of Chet and wrote a little letter.

Then I also sent a note to tell about Jack's violent reaction to To Fetch a Thief.

Once a month, a random winner is drawn. They are featured on the site but even more important, they win a book.

I could really use one of those books right now.

You may need to click to embiggen if you want to see what Jack had to say to Chet.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
Signed, The Crazy Dog Lady

Tote's done but you'll have to take my word for it

2011-09-29T07:26:00.000-05:00

I finished the tote but forgot to take pictures of it until I was out the door for work this morning. I'll try to remember to take a better photo, like one that isn't obscured by Jack's head.

In case you were concerned about the length of the tote's life, due to Jack's interest in it, I moved it before I left.

I'm running out of high places to put things but for now tote's safe.

Hats & Flowers

2011-09-28T07:21:00.002-05:00

So I have flowers done. They aren't quite attached yet, but I consider the making most of the battle.

I've actually made 3 but the first one was so large as to look like it might eat your head. Definitely not a good thing for a baby hat.

Cindy asked me to report back on how I like the book. First warning: my crochet skills are weak. I couldn't finish the first one I started but I'll just go ahead and admit that it was user error ("Now how do I do a single crochet again?"). Then I successfully completed 3. I like that there are a lot of choices.

Second warning: I do work for Leisure Arts and am predisposed to like all of our books. I think the fact that I could make three flowers successfully says good things about the ease of the designs or the instructions or both.

Of course, I still can't tell right side from wrong side. That there 2-color flower may get sewn on backwards.

Possibly, I should put down the hook.

Irony? Maybe

2011-09-27T07:38:00.000-05:00

So you remember on Friday I talked about Spencer Quinn's book Thereby Hangs a Tail. Cute. Funny. Ha-ha-hilarious to see the world through a dog's eyes. I checked it and the next one, To Fetch a Thief, from my friendly local library.

And on Friday, I started reading the second one. It looked like this at one time.

Now it looks like this. I went to the grocery store early Saturday morning and in the space of less than 2 hours, this book went from the top picture to the bottom picture.

Jack ate a library book.

I am not amused.

He is still alive.

I had to send the library a note saying that my dog ate my library book. And then wait, cringing all the time, for the bill to arrive. So much for "free books" and all.

Then we had some quiet time. When I stuffed my rage back through resting my eyes, a cold Diet Coke, and half a box of Cheerios, we went on to the park. That went about like you'd expect.

Then Jack took a nap and forgot the whole episode. I won't forget until the check to the library clears the bank.

Week 6: Back in the Game

2011-09-26T07:44:00.000-05:00

So, everyone here knows how easygoing I am, right? There's hardly a competitive bone in my body, true?

I would never let a little thing like not winning a medal cast me into the depths of despair. Also, I would never throw around phrases like "depths of despair" in connection with a basic obedience class.

This week, I was getting pretty fed up with the homework, especially in the face of almost certain defeat. Jack and I had a bad Saturday, a topic for another blog post, and I really expected hijinks on Sunday.

Then we pulled up in front of the place. Jack saw Cheryl and flipped. Cheryl and Larry spoke to him and he was a perfect, delightful gentleman. Other dogs showed up and he went total nutcase like he does. And then class started.

And he was very nearly perfect. I don't think he got the message that he was supposed to do better at home than in class but whatever. I'd need a video replay to confirm but I think trainer Larry might have actually said Jack was going to give the Mastiff a run for his money. He does a very good recall, didn't even get distracted by the puppies this week. He must have nerves of steel because those dang puppies are so stinkin' cute. I would have been distracted. I was distracted.

One more class and then the big finale. He loves it so much. I'll be checking the schedule for something next session. I hope they have something without medals.

Good books

2011-09-23T07:47:00.000-05:00

Checking out books from the library is such a freeing experience for me, mainly because the books there are close to free so I can pick up things I wouldn't plunk down my debit card for. Right now, I'm experiencing a period of heightened fiscal responsibility so I'm not buying books. This is very difficult for me. Very. But I have been lucky enough to get on a pretty nice streak with books from the library.

You saw this one in the photo from yesterday. I did finish it. Everything worked out in the end, which is good because there are two more books in the series already out. To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn (real name Peter Abrahams, award-winning author, Stephen King's favorite writer) is the second in the Chet and Bernie series. Dog On It was first. I read it and talked about it here. I took a chance then and now because I have a policy against reading books with dogs in them. It's much too easy to harm them in fiction and my heart can't take it. What's different about this series is that Chet, the dog, is the narrator. As a "writer" who's backed into the first-person corner with a story, I am so impressed at how much we know about Bernie and the world when we only know what Chet the dog sees, understands, and remembers. The basic plot: Bernie and Chet are private investigators hired to work as a bodyguard for a dog-show winner. The kidnapping threat turns into two missing people and a dog. There's murder, crooked cops, and adventure. If you've ever wondered what your dog thinks or you laugh out loud at dog antics, try this one. The story holds things together, but the character of Chet is the attraction here.

And the other one I checked out because it was there was Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie. I don't like gothic anything and this is a gothic romance. I recently rented and made myself sit through Jane Eyre because that's what English majors do. Orphaned governess moves into a spooky house with an inscrutable employer, falls in love that can never be because she's poor, she inherits from a previously unknown rich relative, and the crazy lady in the attic burns the house down so that Jane returns to save her love Rochester.

I don't like dark or spooky or crazy ladies who burn down houses. I am not a fan of orphans, haunted houses, or mysterious accidents. I don't like dark. This is another strict policy I have. I took a chance on Maybe This Time, a gothic romance with a twist, based on the author. Crusie books are often weird but also funny. This is my theme: I'll take a chance on you but I want you to be funny whether you are a biography or a romance or a mystery or a fantasy. Just be funny.

And Maybe This Time is. It's funny. And gothic. The plot: 10 years after their divorce, teacher Andromeda tells lawyer North that she's remarrying. He asks for help with his two wards. Their aunt died in a fall at the spooky house transplanted from England and they keep running off nannies. They live with a crazy housekeeper on an isolated estate. There are ghosts. Some are malicious. There is a cast of characters that shows up for a house party/seance at the end. Wackiness and deadly seriousness ensues. Through it all, Andromeda is funny.

We know I have eclectic tastes in most things. The common thread here is funny. This is what I like to read. And this is how I'd like to write. Someday.

Flower time

2011-09-22T08:37:00.001-05:00

Just any minute I'll have some flowers made for my plain hats.

Keeping up with all the new television shows has required logic, reasoning, careful DVR programming, and dedication. Crochet has not been possible during this time.

But I found this book: Crochet Embellishment by Jean Leinhauser

It has 32 different flowers as well as leaves, borders, shapes and...this is very important..."A Refresher Course" in the back. As my crochet skills are spotty, this will come in handy.

Look out, world. I'm grabbing my crochet hook.

Also, that book in the background is an accident. But it's a good one. It has to go back to the library today and I'm thiiiiiiss close to finishing it.

Dos hats

2011-09-20T09:58:00.000-05:00

Dos sombreros.
Deux chapeaux.

I have no idea why I'm going for international flair today.

Possibly because these need some flair. Good news: the green yarn is nearly gone. Bad news: green hat #3 is nearly finished. Good news: I can add a flower, flor, fleur to help.

Also, I think someone has a birthday today. Who could it be? 40 years young...Bon anniversaire, Leisure Arts! and also ¡Feliz cumpleaños!

Leisure Arts is 40 years old today...
Ou est le gateau d'anniversaire? Como se dice "Where are my birthday presents?" en espanol?
But why is there no cake? (in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, which I missed yesterday, I'm channeling Captain Jack, savvy?)

I'm going to stop now before my high school and college foreign languages get me into trouble I can't talk my way out of!

Week 5: Jack is Gracie Lou Freebush

2011-09-19T08:07:00.000-05:00

I think I've resigned myself to not winning a medal in basic obedience.

Maybe I've begun resigning myself anyway.

Yesterday I watched a ginormous Mastiff complete a picture perfect recall with the bonus landing in heel position. And that was from a perfect Sit-Stay.

Jack almost nailed it but got distracted by the puppy class. And Sit-Stay from more than 5 feet for anything more than 3 seconds? Forget about it.

In a class of beginners, he would be top of his class, but he's facing some pedigrees who had a jump start. He won't even get Most Improved. That's going to go to a Beagle named Sunny and that's a very good thing. I'm happy for Sunny. He's a different dog than when he started.

If there were an award for Mister Congeniality, Jack would totally win it. There would be no competition for Jack. This dog snoozes until the last 5 minutes of the car trip. Then I turn into the driveway and he comes alive. He whines. He whimpers. He leaps back and forth. He paws.

And then he sees Cheryl the trainer. Hearts and flowers shoot from his eyes. And he can't contain his joy. Finally, we make it out of the car. He races to her and plants himself perfectly in front of her.

And every dog that arrives gets the same treatment. People, too. Jack does not discriminate against size, color, or number of feet. He loves equally and joyously and while wiggling his entire body.

It's exhausting for both of us. People smile when they see him. Dogs either patiently endure his excessive excitement or they join in. So he can't get the perfect Sit-Stay or Down-Stay and he needs to work on sticking his landings. He's a lot of fun to watch. I'm sure if there was a vote, he'd win Mister Congeniality.

Friday? Yes? It is! Friday!

2011-09-16T07:42:00.000-05:00

I hope you have a great weekend. I'll be home, doing dog homework and trying to get a few important things done. It's hard to focus when you have this watching you all the time. iPhone=best invention ever.

The New York Tote, a smidge of progress

2011-09-15T07:42:00.000-05:00

Lunches have been a little sporadic but I am making real progress right now.

The outside of the tote is cut and pieced.

The lining is going into the piecing together stage (really wish I had some yardage, you know?)

The straps are cut, need to be pieced together.

I'm pondering pockets now.

Pockets are important. This could take a while.

How many? Oh, yeah, just 1

2011-09-14T08:11:00.000-05:00

When I pulled out the lone sock kit from my overwhelming craft closet, I was intending to make a hat. I knit like the the wind through the sock and went back to my original plan to make a hat for Arkansas Children's Hospital.

So this weekend, I made a hat.

Here it is. It's plain. I think it needs a crocheted flower. Since I was on a knitting roll and wanted to finish up one single solitary ball of yarn from the craft materials avalanche, I cast on another. When I finish the second, I'll ponder embellishments...

And I forgot to mention...

2011-09-13T08:02:00.000-05:00

I got a haircut this weekend so now, after the heat and humidity of Jack's class, I only look like this:

Week 4: the zoomies

2011-09-12T07:46:00.001-05:00

All last week, Jack had trouble with his homework. He was having a good time, but he wasn't doing things as well as he had. There was a lot of unsanctioned jumping going on.

And on Saturday at the park, he was very, very, very social. Every dog had to be greeted like a long lost friend. And there was a group of young men doing...something...I'm not sure what in the middle of the park. There were uniforms and stretching and a cadence was involved. You could hear that all over the park. Jack was intrigued whenever he pulled his head up from whatever tiny piece of material he was investigating at the time.

This walk took forever. I mean it. I wished I had brought a book along.

And Sunday, he was normal. Until we pulled up at school. And he went crazy, meeting and greeting and jumping and whining and saying "Hallllooooo" until I was worn out.

And then his class started.

Trainer Larry mentioned that about now you might see your dogs with a bad case of the zoomies. I pointed at Jack. At that point, he was straining at his leash, trying to talk to the Doberman next to us.

I had a bad feeling, but he did pretty well with the class. He stayed in place even as a squeaky duck toy was dragged past him. I would have bet money against him on that one. And he did the recall both times perfectly. After one dog broke loose and really showed what the zoomies could look like with a wide open ring, 10 other dogs encouraging her, and 12 adults trying to catch her, I looked down at Jack and could see the wheels turning. He didn't do that and I nearly passed out from relief when he ran right to me and planted himself in a perfect sit. He did pretty well. Until the last 15 minutes. And by that point he had expended all the energy he possibly could.

Jack stretched out, sprawled out, looked absolutely as comfortable as you can on a black floor in 90+ degree heat. He was ready for a snooze. I, on the other hand, was ready to keep moving around the circle with every other person in the class. When it was over, Trainer Larry came over and scooped him up off the floor. He carried him around like a baby (something Jack seems fond of) and talked to him for a bit.

I suspect Jack will just start out here next week, stretched out on the floor. This was more attention than he's gotten since we started. And to top it all off, he started barking at a large German Shepherd across the room. Why that dog in a room full of dog? I have no idea. Why today, the fourth time we've done this, instead of any other time? I have no idea.

I blame the zoomies.

I think my dog might be the class clown. Still, he did pretty well with all the commands. This week we added "Leave it" which will be handy in the park if Jack gets it.

S-O-C-K-S...yes

2011-09-09T07:42:00.000-05:00

So I'm the only one that remembers that commercial, right? The wonderful system to learn Spanish and they say in a sing-songy voice: Eso si que es!

S. O. C. K. S...
Never mind.

The socks are done!
I took out the one sock to measure the sock in progress and then set it to the side. When I looked up, a certain dog had it in his mouth, watching me. After a no-tugging tug of war, I rescued it from the jaws of death.

I do think we should all take a minute and enjoy these socks now while they are new and whole. This could be the last time you see them this way.

I throw like a girl

2011-09-08T07:42:00.000-05:00

This is what we do after the homework is done. I hope you are charmed by dog faces. That's all I have today. I smile at his look of disbelief every time that I actually have another ball to throw. I'm growing a squeaky tennis ball collection.

Tote Time

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

If only I hadn't said that I'm sewing from the stash...it's a good policy, but may not be as easy as I thought it would be. I'm going to work with the New York fabrics. I shall make a tote. From nothing more than 6 fat quarters and a bit of black yardage. Maybe.

Note to future self: fat quarter bundles are fab. To make things easier for your future self, also pick up some yardage that matches or coordinates, 'mkay?

I think I can do this. Taxi cabs=lining fabric. That part's for sure.

Ah, long weekend

2011-09-06T07:57:00.001-05:00

So I thought I might have these done this weekend.

I don't.

On Saturday, I did dog homework at the park. And then I recovered.

On Sunday, I did dog class and only felt major discomfort from the heat and humidity. As I've been close to death the previous weeks, I feel that's progress. The weather is changing. Jack learned a couple new things.

I'm not sure how the average second grader keeps up with all the homework. I'm worn out already and this was week 3.

And then on Monday, I did everything I meant to do on Saturday and Sunday.

It was a good weekend. That's what I'm saying. I did manage to make it into the foot of the sock. It's easy street now. I had a bad moment when I walked away and came back to see Jack with yarn in his mouth but there was no harm done. This time. I feel certain these socks aren't long for this world. A combination of yarn and sock, two things Jack loves to chew on above many other things...we should start a pool to guess when the first hole will appear. Near perfect recall and improving obedience will not conquer the lure of good feety yarn. I'll just enjoy them while I have them.

Progress: 30 second Stay and a quick Down

2011-09-04T10:47:00.001-05:00

So here's the promised video. You might want to turn down the sound. I added applause because I apparently have too much time on my hands and one too many apps on my iPhone. (And I definitely need some help from a sound guy. The first part is too low and the second is too loud. It's OK. I know. Just turn down the sound this time. I'll improve the next one. Maybe.) This was after a very long walk around Mills Park, now to be renamed Jack's Park. He successfully marked every 4 feet of the path on both sides. As it had been a whole 7 days since he'd last done so, I think the place is now secure. I spent more time watching him stare off into the dark trees that actually moving at anything above a snail's pace. He's very curious. He is not very fast. I got brave and tried him with just a collar. He did pretty well. When I put the 20 foot lead on his leash and worked on recalls, he started weirding out so we had to call that the end, but he answered and came back to me every time. He's definitely getting better.

National Sewing Month

2011-09-02T07:58:00.004-05:00

First, we should get this out of the way:

It is ALREADY September.

I know. It's a shock. And it still feels like the harsh depths of August around here, but the turn of the calendar page means relief has just got to be on the way. Never mind about the heat, right?

It's time to sew something.

I have a couple of projects in mind. What are you working on? I'm going to sally forth into the nightmare stash closet to see what I can stir up this weekend. There will be some rotary cutting going on in September (but probably not on a quilt. Short attention span and all... plus, there's the second sock that's already been languishing for more than a year and dog homework to do.)

My own rule: no new purchases although I would really like to use some trimmy something and I'm going to neeeeeeed buttons because I like buttons...No, only stash. I mean it. Must use stash. That's why I have it. Right?

sally: rush or leap forth suddenly. I only do this on very rare occasions.

Check back this weekend. I'm going to post a video of Jack "Thirty Pounds of Sugar" Johnson doing his rendition of Down. The dog has style. He needed a new nickname. I thought of that last night when I was trying to read my book with a dog sprawled on top of me. Literally.

Oh, Pinterest

2011-09-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

So I've had an invitation to join Pinterest for some time. And then I finally did but I didn't do anything with it. And then I had a conversation with someone yesterday who wanted an invitation but didn't have one and I could totally invite them so I did. But I still didn't have any pins.

Why did I ask for an invitation in the first place? All the cool kids were doing it. That's all it takes for me. Yes, still.

Here's the problem: I'm not sure I understand Pinterest, pinning, boards, or what we're really doing there.
On the bright side, I hardly ever let that stop me.
Yesterday I decided I better get some pins up on my boards so I skulked a bit, checking out the boards of people I knew like Cindy and Pat Sloan, people I trust. And then I looked at the tastemakers.

And then I started pinning willy nilly. The quotes and words and graphics were my favorite, but I think I did use it once correctly. I pinned a shawl photo to my craft page because I'd like to make it someday (which is weird because I'm not a shawl person). Now I won't forget!

And that was one entire night of my life...gone. Just like that.

Landmarks

2011-08-31T07:15:00.001-05:00

So I've been blogging a long time, most of it for my own amusement (and my audience of 5 friends/coworkers who can be counted on to stick with me through endless days of dog posts) only.

Yesterday I hit a landmark, a number of visitors that in the early days (and possibly even last week) that I thought might never come.

But it did. 50,000 visits. I suspect that the same 25 people a lot of different times but that's okay. I value loyalty and consider that 25 the kind of friends you want to have around: they like crafts and dogs or maybe one but can tolerate the other.

Thanks for dropping in. I really appreciate it.

Single sock syndrome defeated

2011-08-30T07:54:00.000-05:00

So in a rare spurt of industriousness (brought on by having a bit of time off), I went in search of knitting needles and yarn this weekend. I was going to make a hat for our Arkansas Children's Hospital collection.

To do so, I opened up the frightening stash closet which currently houses all of my yarn, all of my fabric, and all of my massive collection of tote bags, many of them holding incomplete projects.

As these things do, an avalanche began and I had to stem the flow with one hand while I threw things back in the closet willy-nilly. As I was fighting for my life, my hand landed on this very neatly packaged project in a Ziploc. It held yarn, all the double pointed needles, a measuring tape, a yarn needle and some extra yarn to use as a stitch holder. I'd even put in scissors.

It was meant to be.

If you've been around, this photo will look familiar. Waaaay back on March 1, 2010, I posted a photo of a single completed sock. I started it along with the Olympics and the Yarn Harlot's stitch-along plan. I completed one. And then I packed it neatly away. That single completed sock was also a part of the package I pulled from the stash closet.

I had already done the 6 rows of ribbing on Sock 2, so the hard part of getting the wonky needles all set up was done.

So this weekend, I knitted the cuff. And Sunday I made it to the heel to determine...I had forgotten how to purl. O.M.G. I had to put it away. With a new look last night, I pulled the "how to purl" from the deep, dark recesses of my brain.

It was scary. Since I don't know if knitting is like riding a bicycle or even if riding a bicycle is like riding a bicycle in that it's easy to pick back up, I just need to knit more. Jack is very interested in knitting needles but he loves chewing yarn so I'm going to have to be strategic with the knitting. That doesn't make me optimistic about finishing a lot of projects, but these socks seem to be flying along. Once I make it past the heel, it's just a quick knitting storm to the toe. I should have a pair complete by October...2012.

Not a sock knitter? Check out I Can't Believe I'm Knitting Socks, which is the how-to instruction you need to get started. I'm adding Look for Knit Baby Hat Leaflets and Look for Knit Sock Leaflets to my list of things to do because I expect to be on a knitting roll now.

Class 2: DONE. Homework pays off.

2011-08-29T08:01:00.000-05:00

I know you may or may not care about Jack's progress, but it's a fairly big deal right now in my life, mainly surviving the heat, so there you go. Somehow, when it isn't breathing down Jack's neck, the Poodle of Unusual Size looks more normal in size. It did, however, get in a shouting match with a muscular Doberman at the beginning so I don't think this poodle is a pushover. I don't know the poodle's name. I'm guessing something like Friederich. In this class, there's a Maile, a Rafa, a Sasha...and a Max, a Jack, and a Duke.

This was how we ended the class. It was basically a test to see if your dog will come when it's called. Helper holds the dog while you walk to the end of the lead. Then the helper lets go and you call. Your dog either a. comes b. makes a run for it or c. sits, terrified. B and C choices have to be reeled in.

Jack did exactly as he should. And I was soooo happy! He had previously been an example twice of what not to do, but all our homework last week paid off. This week's homework: the sit-stay.

Progress, slow but sure

2011-08-25T10:17:00.000-05:00

Jack's got Sit down, no problem. He volunteers to sit when he isn't sure what it is that you really want. His heeling is better but still shaky. And Down...we're making progress. I don't think I'm supposed to be doing this with the food yet (and I know I'm not supposed to give him more than one chance to do it without putting him in the right spot but...I believe I might be what is called a "Pushover" or maybe a "Marshmallow"), but he's getting so much better with it. Of course, I'll next be looking for the perfect doggy diet.

I'm already moaning in dread about the glistening I'll do on Sunday. If the forecast holds true, it may feel like a lovely fall day. At 90 degrees.
If you're in Irene's path, stay safe!

My missing photo

2011-08-23T08:29:00.000-05:00

Regina and Cindy (*waving*) mentioned that there's no photo on yesterday's post showing how I looked after more than an hour in hell. I did accidentally see my face while I was shooting Jack's picture over my shoulder in the backseat.

Facts:
My hair reacts unpredictably in most situations. Throw tons of humidity at it and most of the time it will curl like crazy. Say I'm in Houston: curls run amok. But they don't always run amok evenly. I think that's what amok might mean.

When I am hot and/or frustrated, my hands twist and smooth and yank and brush and twirl said hair.

When I have curls going on, they get larger and fuzzier. Sort of like this:

And you might have also heard that Southern women don't sweat, they glisten. On Sunday, I had glisten dripping in my eye. Add to that how my face blazes bright red the minute I have any exertion or heat, and the idea that anyone might take a picture is absolutely horrifying. I'm certainly not going to do it to myself.

I will post Jack pictures all day long.

Obedience class 1: It's not the heat, it's the humidity

2011-08-22T09:30:00.000-05:00

Photos: Jack, after more than an hour of obedience. In hell. I mean, just the temperatures. The class was fine.

He was way out of his weight class and was stalked by a Poodle of Unusual Size (Princess Bride? Anyone?) but managed to act like a gentleman for the whole time.

I felt a little like a slacker mommy, of course. Trainer Larry would say, "Now does anyone already know Down?" and hands would shoot up. There was a man using hand signals to get his dog to sit.

Seriously. And if Jack and I had met at 8 weeks instead of 8 months, he would probably have been further along but I've been working on making him act dog-like since he moved in. Now it's time to work on obedience.

We worked on Heel, Sit, Down, Stand, Auto-sit (where you're heeling, walking along, and when I stop, he sits automatically), and answering his name, all very valuable. Jack plays right along until we get to Down.

Jack doesn't do Down.

He also doesn't appreciate having to work for his morning cheese. He's used to being handed things because he's pretty. Now I want him to be smart and pretty. We've got a long road to go. And not much time to get there.

He was funny. There were barkers and lungers and leapers and growlers...and then there's Chill Jack, just watching it all go on around him. Eleven other dogs were in various states of attention while Jack was stretched out on the mat, just chillaxin. It's funny. Unless you have a medal on your mind.

We'll be working on some homework this week.

Special Delivery

2011-08-19T12:28:00.000-05:00

Is it Christmas already?
No, but it is Friday! This makes me happy!

And I did get an awesome delivery.
Guess what's inside...

No, it's not a million dollars.
No, it's not shoes.
No, it's not books (but I love books and that would also make my heart go pitty pat).

It's a special deliver of quilts, quiltS, quilTS, quiLTS, quILTS, qUILTS, QUILTS!

Open house, Jumping Jack starts first grade next week

2011-08-18T07:36:00.002-05:00

I attended my first orientation at Little Rock Dog Training Center on Tuesday. There I and probably another 100 pet mommies and daddies joined the trainers to learn the rules and meet the teacher before the 8-week session starts next week.

Y'all, I may have found my people. Between the trainers who were so proud of what they volunteer to do to help pet owners and dogs alike to have better lives and the other yuppy mommies like me who wanted to be sure junior had all the right supplies to be an obedient success and the lady wearing the "Crazy Dog Lady" t-shirt, I felt pretty much normal.

They had chairs set up facing Ring 1, which was outfitted to demonstrate what dogs learn in Rally (see the signs on the floor?). And all the early birds, like me, got a good show on what Rally looks like, how they train, and what you need to get started.

There were a lot of dogs and that was just for the trainers. The newbies were told not to bring dogs. I can't imagine what this place looks like when there are classes in all the rings. There must be dogs galore. I met Dakota, a large, beautiful German Shepherd and a terrier named Stitch. I also got to see an impressive Obedience, off-leash demo. The thought of Jack ever being able to do that filled my heart with joy. We'll see. And there was a short Agility demo (they changed out the ring set up quickly).

I was pretty impressed. There were a couple of problems, though.
1. The teacher intimidates me a little, but he did say some of the right things so that's probably just me. Jack needs better stuff: a different collar, a leather leash, better treats, his own bowl just for class...there really should have been a school supply list. Also, I'm convinced Jack will be the smallest kid in the class. And I could easily see Jack doing every single one of the "Don't worry, we'll have a dog do this, or this, or that" examples.
2. Trainer Larry showed medals. The last class is a party/competition/display of skills. Dogs win medals. And now I want one. I mean, I want Jack to win one. You know, for his sake.
3. They handed out all the homework. At the orientation. And my heart quailed in fear. It really did. When I got home and read it, seated amongst Jack's collection of socks, destroyed box, destroyed toys, and right next to the destroyed chair cushion, it all seems just a bit impossible. Teacher says it isn't. I had to put all his paperwork on top of the refrigerator...a dog eating his own homework, his obedience class homework, would be too much irony for me.
4. Can you guess the last two problems from the picture?

I have no desire to be surrounded by a wall of mirrors. Before it went to the dogs, this was a place where kids came for gymnastics. I wish they'd taken the mirrors when they tumbled on out of there.
5. And NO AIR CONDITIONING. It wasn't too bad with the fans, but I'm a little skeered of what's possible in August in Arkansas. I wonder how well Jack will handle the heat...

Still, if Jack and I can ever get to the point where he sits on one side of this ring and watches me walk to the other, waits and then runs to me when I say "Jack, come" I'll probably expire with joy. That's if the heat doesn't get me.

There will be 11 other dogs in Jack's class. And several men. He loves both. I expect him to be dancing in joy. I hope I'm right and that I can catch his joy on video.

You're going to want this book.

2011-08-17T07:55:00.000-05:00

Seriously, I know I think you want them all, but there is no way you don't want this book. I haven't even seen the photography yet but there's going to be no way that it won't be awesome. I have seen a lot of quilts. I have loved many. These have been outside my office for more than a week and I still say "wow" when I walk by them.

But it takes a long time to cook a beautiful quilt book. So I have only the sneakiest of peeks right now. (And I just apologize in advance. I meant to bring my big girl camera this morning to get good pictures but I forgot it so I have only the iPhone but that's okay because to make this even more tormenting than normal I've messed with the photos. I can be like that.)

I changed this one to black and white....what color do you think it really is? Hmmmm?

My desk, on Tuesday

2011-08-16T08:02:00.000-05:00

Don't you ever proof your instructions?

We get that every once in a while from people who contact us with questions/complaints. They usually start out with an angry blast and then this question gets worked in somewhere.

And we do. We really do.

This is what my desk looks like this morning. You can tell it's accurate because there is a Diet Coke, front and center. And spread out over my desk, among other things, is the final step for what will be a very, very nice book. Believe me, you're going to want this one. But it's not quite done cooking yet so more on that when you can actually purchase it and hold it in your very own hands.

We proof instructions. A lot. Here's the process:
1. Instructions come in from designers. They are nearly never ready to publish.
2. A technical editor goes through the instructions, editing for style and content. She checks and corrects measurements, yardage requirements, and all the missing items go in.
3. She reads it again at the first layout. And the second. And the third. And as many times as needed to call it final.
4. Another editor reads it two or three times, checking and correcting.
5. And then there's me.
6. And then this is the last step. It's been called final. The color is beautiful. And we pull these proofs. And the heartbreaking, unavoidable truth is that 9 times out of 10...there's something on this too. Maybe it's two periods, maybe it's a missing word, maybe it's the wrong fig, or maybe it's something else, but the clarity of the proof helps these things show like there's a spotlight. (This stack appears to be the rare #10, no notes when it hits my desk.)

This is a very good system. That is why these "Don't you ever proof?" questions are so very few and far between here. When a book like this hits my desk, beautiful and lovely and unmarked, I'm so happy to work with the pros. You can thank Lisa, Jean, Frances, Mary, and Susan for the fabulosity of Leisure Arts quilt, sewing, embroidery, cross stitch, and craft copy. They work hard at getting it right.

And uh, oh yeah...we've got some of the prettiest quilts lining our hallway right now. I'll give you a sneak peek tomorrow. You don't want to miss these.

New Knook winner

2011-08-12T15:51:00.000-05:00

So, CottonCandyG didn't email me.

Cheryl is sad.

One knook remains to be won.

Cheryl is happy.

Lucky #8 is too: Stitch 'n Frog! Yay!
Email headed her way...NOW!

Hope you all have a G-R-RR-RRR-EAT weekend!

More on the Mitts

2011-08-11T10:32:00.000-05:00

Cindy (*waving a mitted hand*) asked for more details on the mitts...first, they're very easy. If you knit already, they're a snap. If you're learning to knit or knook, they're really good practice. I like to knit ribbing. There's no need for a pattern to tell when to knit (you see Vs) or when to purl (you see bumps). These mitts begin and end with ribbing. And the middle isn't too difficult. I never got the pattern memorized, but it's all knits and purls and the mitts are flat when they're finished (as opposed to knit or knooked in the round). My downfall: finishing. It always is so my seam's a little bumpy, a little lumpy, and a little jumpy. I think you're supposed to be able to do that so you don't actually see the seam. I need more practice!

The yarn I used is Moda Dea Washable Wool but I think most 4s/medium weight should work. Take that advice at your own risk. I have a very loose understanding of gauge as well. The pattern is a $2.99 download, click here for more info!

And anybody know CottonCandyG??? No word so I'm thinkin' I'm re-Randomizing on Friday to pick a new winner...tick tock, tick tock!

Knook mitts: DONE

2011-08-10T07:24:00.000-05:00

So, anybody guess August 9 for the finish date? Because they're DONE! And just in time for cold weather somewhere. Here, I had more time. Here, I'm still thinking about wearing my bathing suit to work because it's hot, but someday, these will come in handy. Ha. Handy. See what I did there?

Raindrops are actually falling on my head...

2011-08-09T08:01:00.002-05:00

It's been a long, hot, dry, sunny, hot, dry, long, harsh summer. When there are clouds, it feels like a blessing. When there is actual rain, it's time to celebrate. When I heard thunder on Sunday, I ran to the window like I do in the winter to check on snow. And it poured. The hail was just a minor inconvenience for the wonderful soaking downpour that lasted hardly any time at all. I hauled my garbage can out to the curb this morning in tiny drops of rain. It was nice (well, as nice as dealing with a garbage can in the summertime can be). You might think after about day 10 of being 100+ degrees with a heat index of a kajillion, you'd just go head and get used to it. Nope. If you've been under the heat dome too, I hope you get rain.

Winners...we have winners!

2011-08-08T08:04:00.001-05:00

So, thanks to Random.org, I have two winners. I included all the comments on my Knook posts and the winners are....drum rollllllllll....

JustCindy:
How cute are those! I think you will be finished by August 6th, this year. lol I really must find one of those Knooks so I can learn to do this. Have fun!!
and
CottonCandyG
I'll say by Christmas time, so you can give them as a gift. wink wink...
Happy Knooking... (cant wait to get mine.)(Hopefully Walmart will actually start selling them.)

Cindy's been been a webby friend for so long! And she's the best kind...one who leaves nice comments. Yay, I'm so happy!!
And CottonCandyG is a new friend. Email me your addresses and we'll get them on the way!

And to everyone who wants a Knook but can't find it in their local Wal-Mart, here's a post from the Lesiure Arts Facebook page to help. Don't forget to Like us on Facebook.
If you can’t find the Knook at your local Walmart, just call us at our Consumer Desk at 1-800-526-5111, ext. 355 or Email us at customer_service@leisurearts.com, and we’ll try to help.

Progress:

Tick tock for Knook comments...

2011-08-05T15:24:00.000-05:00

Don't forget...one more day to leave a comment for a chance to win a Knook! I'll be looking at all my Knook posts to come up with the total commenters and I'll let Randomizer pick the winners. Check back Monday to see if you've won!

A hand-me-down decor

2011-08-05T08:26:00.001-05:00

I love the feeling on this blog lately. I post some fabrics that need a purpose and you actually leave me comments! I chortle. Comments make me happy. Helpful comments make me happier. Yay, you!
So suggestions included pillows, book covers, wall art on stretcher bars, and a quilted lunch bag.

I should probably have warned you all: my house wouldn't mesh well with New York fabric, too...country? traditional? mixed up? I'm not sure.

I moved out into an apartment about 3 months after I graduated from college with my best friend. I had no money (this will be a theme in my life) and she had less than I did. We brought our own bedroom furniture. I left the coordinating white plastic butterflies for the wall with my mom. I got a sleeper love seat that weighed approximately 800 pounds from an aunt. It was covered in velvety stripes of greens, ranging from olive to chartreuse. And one night we made a scary drive into the backwoods to check on a dining table listed in the paper. We bought it, probably paying too much, and it, along with the 4 chairs, barely fit in the back of my Dodge Daytona. Thank goodness for hatchbacks.

My mother was crafty, thrifty, helpful, and such a blessing. She helped me cover up the green stripes with a "quilt" from WalMart and recover the chairs. Those chairs were trick chairs. You might be sitting in one, talking on the phone, and then suddenly you'd be sitting in the floor, having fallen right through the legs. My mom was so cool. She also helped me clean up spilled green paint out of the floorboard of my car. Her vacuum cleaner was never the same. That was my first move.

Eventually, we replaced the love seat with a garage sale couch. With this furniture, I moved from the first apartment to the next apartment to the rent house. In my first house, I got rid of the trick chairs and dining table and just went with wide open space.

Most of the decor in my house was purchased then, roughly 11 years ago. And that's okay. I still like it. Eventually I did buy a new couch, love seat, chair, and fabbity fabulous pillow top mattress. When I moved to my new house, that came with me. Someone gave me a dining table and chairs. I bought/made new curtains and a new comforter. I put my old stuff in its new place.

And then my mother died and I got furniture. Lots. Some of it, like her china cabinet which stood in her kitchen before I was born, I would move to keep if I had to. I have a few other things like that: her sewing machine and my grandmother's sewing machine, both in cabinets, her cedar chest and my grandmother's cedar chest. I did replace my childhood dresser and chest of drawers, held together by at least 10 different coats of paint and some decoupage, with a set from her house. Just because. There's a Smurf sticker stuck on the mirror. I probably put it there. Five years ago, I wasn't ready to just give that away.

So what I'm saying here is there is no single style for this house, but none of them work with New York fabric. I sorta wish I had a fun studio that would, though. Somebody sign me up for Extreme Makeover, okay?

That living room furniture? Until Jack, it was in good shape. This is the back cushion of the chair. Don't worry. He's still alive.

I still haven't decided what to do with the fabric but I have the urge to start cutting...

Knook progress

2011-08-04T07:39:00.001-05:00

Did I just hear you say "awww" in disappointment? Yeah, I hear ya. Still, I have done the hard part (for me) and have completed the chain and have the correct number of stitches picked up. That took three tries (which chain? which chain is the first one? gah.)

It's going to be smooth, quick sailing from here.

If you picked August 1, 2, 3, or 4...too optimistic. Please come sit next to me. I like optimists.
If you picked August 5 or 6 or 7 or even 8...you might be in the zone. We'll have to see.

I almost called this post: The Sound of One Hand Clapping. I should, perhaps, get a little help with blog post titles.

And there's still time to enter to win...tour ends on Saturday...

Say you had some fabric like this...

2011-08-03T07:35:00.000-05:00

So, say you made a special trip to City Quilter in order to find this New York fabric (and on the SUBWAY no less).

I don't really have trouble with souvenir fabric that never grows up to be anything else, but I think I'd like to make something this time. 30-minute-lunchtime crafting worked with the mitt (and I know I have to finish the other, so many people are waiting and watching...) so maybe it would work with a small fabric project.

At this point, I'm at tote. I've made many using my favorite Pat Sloan pattern and could finally make the small tote I've wanted to hold a notebook (the old school kind that you actually write in, you know, with paper and stuff) and my netbook (aka the baby laptop). I'd be happy with that. When I consider my closet full of totes, I wonder if anybody has a better idea...ideas?

A walk in the park with Jack

2011-08-02T07:00:00.012-05:00

So getting the harness and leash on him took major work.
He was pretty unimpressed until I parked at the park.
Then he perked right up.

In preparation for Jack's upcoming education, I decided he needed a bit of polish. I'd hate for him to be the slowest kid in the class. He's getting better on a leash but he could use a bit of practice. I got up early Saturday so that we could make it to the park early in order to avoid incineration. It's hot. Jack is unbothered by that. And he did pretty well.

My only complaint was that he passed on the left and fell behind on the right so I was always twirling the leash over my head to keep from becoming a skinned-knee statistic.

I don't know what critter is here, but I think there must be one.

Darcy was all about progress in the park and her brisk pace reflected that. She took hills as a personal challenge. She didn't pull but she always led.

Jack is all about joy in the journey.

He sniffed and marked, mauled bugs, greeted pretty ladies, smiled at the friendly silver sneaker crowd, nosed and tailed a few new furry friends, investigated a turtle that I didn't even see until his nose was on top of it, and chased a squirrel after yanking the leash out of my distracted hands while I answered email.

I paid more attention after that. And he came back when I called him so maybe he's readier than I thought. It wasn't much of an aerobic workout and took about twice as long as I thought it would, but Jack did very well anyway.

And it took a lot out of the boy. This is on the ride home.
If you don't have a dog, look at what you're missing.
Seriously, he's dang cute. Right?

Knook...Pow!

2011-08-01T06:26:00.005-05:00

And you said it couldn't be done. Okay, so I said it, not you, but...voila! The FIRST completed mitt. If you guessed August 1, don't get too excited because I now have to knook knit another. If you guessed December 21, 2012, you're still in the running. Although, I'm not sure I'm going to need fingerless mitts at that point (um, what? You don't make plans based on the ancient Mayan calendar? What about John Cusack movies? Nah, me either but I'm still going to try to have the mitt done before then, just in case).

Please to ignore my dishpan hands. I come from good stock, salt of the earth types and this is reflected in my hands.

I just wanted to show that this one can be worn. We won't talk about my finishing skills because those are not the knook's fault.

Want to make a pair of your very own?? It's not too late. Leave me a comment here, the contest runs through August 6. And the odds are pretty good! Stay tuned for more mitt developments.

Twitterfest, Knook-a-palooza

2011-07-30T09:47:00.002-05:00

So I had way too much fun with the trivial bits that float around in my head and the Twitter yesterday. ALSO, it's not too late to leave a comment: click here. I need the love.

In case you missed it or had too much trouble deciphering which movie quotes I actually mangled, here they are from first to last:

Notting Hill
Anna Scott: After all... I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.

And I said: I'm just a girl, standing in front of anyone who wants to win a nook, asking you to leave a comment.

Dirty Harry
Harry Callahan: I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

And I said: Do you feel lucky? Well do you, person who wants to win a Knook? It's Twitter, 140 characters, and also I should totally have looked it up first.

Breakfast Club
John: Hey, how come Andrew gets to get up? If he gets up, we'll all get up, it'll be anarchy.

But I wanted to use: John Bender: Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place.
Couldn't make it work.

And I said:
"Hey, how come Andrew gets to win a #knook? If he leaves a comment, we'll all leave a comment, it'll be anarchy." Movie?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Dumbledore: It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget to live.

And I said: It does not do to dwell on dreams of winning a Knook, Harry, and forget to leave a comment.

The Princess Bride
Inigo Montoya: Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

And I said: My name is Inigo Montoya. You want to win a Knook. Prepare to leave a comment.

Dirty Dancing
Lisa Houseman: Oh, my God. Look at that! Ma, I should have brought those coral shoes. You said I was taking too much!
Marjorie Houseman: Well, sweetheart, you brought ten pairs.
Lisa Houseman: But the coral shoes match that dress!
Jake Houseman: This is not a tragedy. A tragedy is three men trapped in a mine, or police dogs used in Birmingham.
Baby: Monks burning themselves in protest.
Lisa Houseman: Butt out, Baby.

And I said:
This is not a tragedy. A tragedy is 3 men trapped in a mine,or police dogs used in Birmingham. Or not winning a #Knook?

I believe there might have been a You've Got Mail quote to me and also a Moonstruck (Snap out of it!) also. Movie quotes, I wish I could quit you.
And with that, I think I'm done. Maybe forever.

I did it for the Knook...

2011-07-29T07:00:00.008-05:00

So when I was asked to be a stop on the Knook Tour, I had only one question: Ahem, um, can I have one? I work for cheap. So last Friday, I picked up my Knook, the book (included in the set with beginner projects), and some yarn.

First, the cautions: My crochet skills are slim. I learned to knit first and loved it, fell headfirst into a baby afghan and never really looked back. As I was the Knit and Crochet Director at the time, I also learned to crochet. (BTW, this is also how quilting came into my life. I'm afraid we'll start a lawn and garden division next and I'll be the director and I'll have a real moral dilemma on my hands. Not really. I don't do yard work for any reason.)

I am the World's Second Tightest Knitter (after Art Director Rhonda learned, she knocked me from my throne) and if I was doing anything other than growing a small black dog with an insane vertical leap and overwhelming need to be in my face at all times, I'd be knitting something. Why? I like working with my hands.

So, having said all that, I have a Knook. I learned everything I know from the book and the helpful videos at http://www.leisurearts.com/how-to-knook. (waving at Lindsay and Sarah)

1. If you crochet, you won't have the two challenges I have: which stitch is the first one that I work into and also how to keep my stitches nice and even. Once you get past the foundation chain, the first one is addressed. The second requires practice.

2. If you already knit a bit, maybe you'll miss twisted stitches because the way you work into stitches and work with the yarn seems strange if you've been a crocheter forever. To me, this seems just like knitting. Left to right to knit, right to left to purl. Easy. Knits and purls will take you a long way, too.

3. If you don't do either, you could start right here with the Knook. See what I did there?

I found knooking quick and fairly easy to understand. I do like the bamboo hook too, even though I miss the squeaking noises my knitting needles make as I saw them together. Not really.

I started out with one of the projects from the book: a garter stitch scarf. I only had to master the knit stitch. And then I just had to do that over and over and over. This worked really well with my first knit baby afghan, but I wasn't sure it would hold my interest. Plus, someone actually asked me if I could purl. I took that as a challenge. So I tried it. Indeed, I can purl without much difficulty. Next I will try walking and chewing gum at the same time because I think I'm on a roll. I did a practice swatch, and then I decided...what the hey, let's do something for reals.

I looked around at the free projects. I looked around at the $2.99 downloads and picked the fingerless mitts. I've been threatening to make a pair for some time. Here's where I am:

Lunch, Day 1: Wrist ribbing, DONE. That's 6 rows combining the knit AND the purl. I'm probably not setting any land speed records yet, but that could be said of me in every area.

So, do you have a Knook? Look for them at Wal-Mart. If you do, check out the downloads like the fingerless mitts (and really, really fab baby legwarmers...so cute!) HERE.

Someday, I'll have one of these mitts. Why one? I'm sort of like that. I might even swing two if the yarn holds out. I'll keep you posted.

So, now to the reason you've dropped by...leave me a comment with your best guess on when these fingerless mitts will be complete....that means finished, sewn together, and able to be worn on hands so I'll need an actual pair. Leave me a date including year (and maybe an encouraging word, couldn't hurt, right?). And because there's absolutely no way to know, we'll let Randomizer pick the winners on August 6.

Sorry, I know this isn't a dog blog

2011-07-28T06:46:00.001-05:00

But I don't really have a blog post. Come back tomorrow...I'll have a fabulous write up of my journeys with the Knook. So yesterday I mentioned Jack's upcoming schooling (I hope). I have long thought that a dog that can jump up on counters and pull the curtains down has some serious potential. Perhaps the potential to be housed behind bars one day but I choose to be hopeful instead. If we can channel his energy and teach him to do things on command, he could go far. I don't know where but it would definitely be better than the road not taken to doggie jail.

So I was thinking agility classes because it looks like fun and I think he has the fearlessness to do it. But as I was signing him up for basic obedience I noticed rally, a less-intense intermediate step. What do you think?

I think rally actually gives him the skills I want him to have...you know, someday, when he manages to make it through basic obedience. I'm such a stage mother already and he can't master not carrying the unmentionables out in the backyard yet.

Rally, perfect score at the highest level:

And agility...this looks like a lot of running on my part. I may need to rethink...

Knook blog tour, complete with chances to win!!

2011-07-27T15:59:00.000-05:00

Guess who's going to be giving away a Knook? Yeah, it's me! And I'm not alone (although I am a tad late making the announcment). Check out the list below for all the stops and leave comments along the way. My post goes up on Friday. (Hint: you just gotta come back on Friday. I neeeeeed you to leave me a comment!! On Friday's Knook post. Please? Please? Please? Imagine Jack's face to go with that, 'mkay?)

My writing partner

2011-07-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

So one more picture of sweet Jack. When I sit at my desk and ponder the impossibility of writing anything that other people might want to read, Jack demands his due. That might mean jumping up onto the keyboard or whatever is stacked on the desk, but more often that means jumping up behind me in the desk chair. That's an experience. But as long as I scoot forward so that he can wedge himself next to the back, he's happy. Me, not so much, but I can live with that over an unhappy Jack.

And then sometimes I take his chair and he does this. I mailed off his application for finishing school today, eight weeks of learning how to operate in polite society. I'm hoping we'll have a chance to learn some new tricks in basic obedience before we graduate, maybe to use his leaping ability for good instead of evil or at least entertainment (maybe it's not agility but rally that he needs...will have to find out more). I think we'll have some fun...if he can make it through obedience after I've already done my best to spoil him.

Unposed

2011-07-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

So Jack has two speeds:
go, go, Go, GO, GOOOOO! (seen in video format yesterday)
and
Snoooooze

Darcy used to sleep in this chair too, but nothing like Jack does.
I was thinking this weekend about how much I miss her, her absolute perfect fit for my life. And also this chair. She was the anti-lap dog but we were never separated by much space. I really, really miss her.

Jack is the ultimate lap dog. Look up "lap dog" in the dictionary and you will see his funny face. In fact, he's more a "chest dog" or even a "stand on your shoulders or lay across your neck" dog. Sigh. Jack is happily, adorably imperfect. Somedays I really have to concentrate on the adorable part, but he is always pretty funny.

This is completely unposed. I have a series of shots showing how he came to be sleeping peacefully while dangling off the chair.

Jack is so...active

2011-07-25T07:37:00.005-05:00

This one's for Mary who said it was time for another Jack video.
So, here's Jack. And that used to be a shirt.
Please ignore the grass. It's been a hard summer what with the heat, the no rain, the digging dog, and the...me.

Cool post, the second

2011-07-23T18:15:00.003-05:00

Went to see Harry Potter 7.2. Loved it as I knew I would.
Also loved this trailer. I wonder what LL Cool J thinks. (Because it's Mama Said Knock You Out at the beginning, one of my favorites of the LL Cool J greatest hits. Never mind.) Bringing fluffy back is also a good thing even if it's not really what Justin Timberlake had in mind originally.

UPDATE: sound doesn't appear to work on embedded video. Here's the link instead: Happy Feet Two trailer

Keep cool

2011-07-22T07:35:00.000-05:00

I've waited a whole entire week. That's about all I can stand so I'm going to pack some tissue and head out for the final Harry Potter movie.

Nobody tell me how it ends, okay?

Just kidding. I've read the books. It's going to be epic.

What about you? Big plans? If you see me out in the elements at all, it will only be a flash as I dart from one shady and/or air conditioned place to another.

Stay cool, people.

(I think I'm gonna need more than a tissue or two. The second image has me a little misty eyed already.)

Leaning tower of new books

2011-07-19T06:14:00.002-05:00

This is my favorite stage of the book: done. My second favorite, opening up the box to pull out the models for the first time, runs very close.

One of the pros around here is advance copies. Before the full print run hits our warehouse, we get a few copies to hold in our hot little hands or, in this case, stack up next to the in box.

In this stack it looks like I have Best of Kooler for cross stitch, Scrapbooking Inspirations from Creating Keepsakes, Debbie Mumm's latest, our very own bee-you-tee-full Bouquet of Blooms, and a cute felt leaflet called From Felt to Fabulous by Kimberly Layton.

Nice.

How long til October?

2011-07-18T04:56:00.001-05:00

I'll be running directly from the car to the air conditioned building and back again for at least the next 10 days.

I'm also looking for a work exchange program to the North Pole. Or the face of the sun, just some place cooler than this. Will work for room, and board and I'll bring along the entertainment, a clown named Jack.

The haul

2011-07-13T07:58:00.000-05:00

I'm only showing my fabric purchases. I didn't buy any yarn at Purl, mainly because it's harder for me to make snap yarn decisions. It's easier to grab up fabric bundles and know that when you sit them around (because you're never actually going to get around to making anything with them because you have great plans but the attention span of a gnat), they're going to be beautiful.

I'm not as convinced of yarn's ability to sit around, stay neat, and look pretty.

So at Purl, I bought a bundle of Kokka dwarf fabrics, because they reminded me of a story that I pitched that morning. These will probably never become anything but just in case, I bought a little bit more (cutesy, wittle deers this time and a hedgehog just in case) at a local quilt show last weekend because it is always better to be safe than sorry.

And then I made it to City Quilter. In my investigation before the trip, I had determined that I needed these New York fabrics in the way that I needed Diet Coke. It was fairly important to get on the subway and find them. So that was my first grab when I was buzzed in. Then I went looking for Leisure Arts books, and picked up the dog fabric and the wool bundle. I don't even use wool, but it was all nicely bundled and on display so now I have some.

Add to this about 6 years' worth of new t-shirts that I will only wear in my house, 4 magnets, 2 totes, souvenir tape measures for my friends, and a Christmas ornament for the tree, that's it. I mean, that's not a lot of extra spending, right?

Oh, and books.
And a Shutterfly scrapbook.

Really, I think that's it. I consider going with one suitcase and returning with only one suitcase to be success.

OK, one more New York post

2011-07-12T05:33:00.002-05:00

What I did before the SuperShuttle carried me to the Newark airport roughly 6 hours early: Toys R Us in Times Square and souvenir shopping.

The Lego Empire State Building and my old friend King Kong

Home for the week. See the Harry Potter ad?

And the final adventure: I rode on the subway, y'all

2011-07-11T05:08:00.003-05:00

After a very serious Thursday and Friday morning, I skipped out of workshops early for the true test of my New York cred: the subway.

I took the R train down to SoHo. Yeah, I'm cool like that. I had a bad moment or 6 because the R trains were running late because of an "earlier incident" but as I didn't know how to work the other trains (because I relied exclusively on my iPhone maps and its mass transit directions) I just waited and hoped for an incident-free ride. I'd made the mistake of reading the safety tips before I got on so I had a fairly extensive idea of what an incident might constitute. Other than performers asking for donations, every ride was incident free.

Why was I going to SoHo? Two reasons: 1. Purl Soho and 2. Wooster Street Social Club. I guess you could add a third: I am odd.

After a wrong turn and a few extra blocks, I was happy and relieved to make it to Purl. It was crowded and beautiful. I bought fabric. I'll take a picture of my purchases for tomorrow's post.

And after I did this, I almost convinced myself to head back to "home" in Times Square. But I still wasn't sure about the R train and looking on the map, I was so close...

So I walked right on down the street and around the corner. Broome street was all honking horns and gridlock. Wooster street was quiet and calming, so I leaned and did my best to look inconspicuous as I watched the windows and all the people going in and out of the tattoo parlor. No, I didn't get one. I require a painless method first. So, if you've ever watched Miami Ink (and I have), you know Ami James. Now he's got New York Ink here at the Wooster Street Social Club. And as long as nobody's watching me, I'm happy to be curious across the street. Fearing attention, I moved on quickly...to the 1 train back up to 23rd street, the closest stop to the City Quilter (according to my handy iPhone).

And I loved this store. Fabrics! Wool! Quilters working on projects and shopping for projects and other out-of-towners like me! Quilt art gallery! And LEISURE ARTS BOOKS y'all!

I bought fabric and wool. I have all the books I can handle.

Rejuvenated, I walked back to the subway to take the 1 train back to Times Square. If it had ended there, all would be well. And it was well, but I walked back to Rockefeller Center to the NBC experience store and re-enraged my feet. It was closed by the time I made it back down from Top of the Rock the first night, but I could see good stuff. So I went back and bought: a Chuck magnet, an Office shirt, a House tote (as an add-on, good deal, you know), a Burton Guster shirt from Psych and I am currently wearing Michael Westen. Someone should take my credit card from me when it gets dark apparently. I stopped at a Five Guys for a hamburger and trundled back to home. A ride on the subway, shopping bags, well-fed...such an urban girl I am (even without a tattoo).

Day 3: a Daniel Radcliffe kinda day

2011-07-09T19:07:00.000-05:00

I can't remember if I have confessed here my love for musicals but I do know I've admitted my deep and profound love for Howard Keel so I think I must.

On Day 3, I started out at Harry Potter: the Exhibition (click for photos), just right around the corner (44th street) from the hotel. Hagrid's hut, the great hall, the Gryffindor boys dorm room, costumes, props, screaming mandrakes, and a sorting ceremony...everything the Potter geek needs to just wriggle with excitement. Believe me, I know. Fun like the theme park but without the threat of imminent heat stroke. And seriously, it was all I could do not to touch...I have no idea where this is traveling, but if you love the Potter, go.

Then I went to some workshops in the afternoon which was the reason I was in New York after all.

And then I walked around the corner and down an avenue or two to the Al Hirschfield Theater to see How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. I cannot put into words how much I loved it. This was another "no photos" situation, so I have the theater backdrop and a light. But check out the video below. It's long, a selection of bits and pieces but it does show the knitting, a lovely funny highlight.

While I was waiting I took this amazing picture of me leaning against the sign outside. It's the closest I'll make it to Daniel Radcliffe.

Uptown Tour

2011-07-08T05:11:00.003-05:00

Columbus Circle and a Trump Tower

In the attempt to keep the party rolling along without moaning audibly from the pains in my feet, I hopped on the uptown bus tour that went up through Harlem, Morningside Heights to see Grant's Tomb, back around the west side of Central Park, and then down Museum Row. It was a lovely, lovely way to see parts of the city I would have missed otherwise.

Each bus tour took over 2 hours, but it was all sitting so it was all good. The tour guides are great. Uptown includes the Dakota for all Beatles fans.

So this was Tuesday: the museum, the tour. And a literacy signing with more people than should be allowed in a ballroom for safety codes. Since I don't do well with that, I headed for dinner across the street at Junior's where I had a Cobb salad bigger than my head and slice of really good cheesecake. All in all, this is what you call a wonderful end to a wonderful day.

One of the original subway buildings

Central Park

Harlem

Guggenheim Museum

Metropolitan Museum

Day 2, Museum of Natural History

2011-07-07T06:37:00.000-05:00

So after a night of "ow, ow, owie, ow" with every pitiful step I took, I got up early the next day to head to the American Museum of Natural History via the "hop on, hop off" uptown bus tour. Since we were there about an hour before it opened I tiptoed down a path or two in Central Park before I thought better of using any remaining energy I might have. Then I went and camped out on the steps to wait. And I started a conversation with the closest neighbors I could find, identified by a University of Kentucky hat. No, that's nowhere near home. And under other circumstances, like anytime the Razorbacks are playing basketball, voluntarily beginning such a conversation could be considered grounds for treason. Still, it was nice to find someone who was as interested in finding the Easter Island head from the movie, The Night at the Museum. I found it first and considered it the jewel in the crown. I did manage to walk the whole place, but might be able to do better with either a day of rest or a motorized conveyance of some sort. I did enjoy myself thoroughly and that's what really matters. And as I trailed a tour for a bit: that movie was actually set built using ideas and items from different museums so nothing looked really like it should (from the movie). Still, it was a great time.

Day 1, Rockefeller Center

2011-07-06T03:59:00.001-05:00

So at this point I'm back on the ground from the top of the world at the Empire State Building. And I have to make it back to Times Square. Looking at the map, I decide...I have to walk back anyway. I might as well try to get in a few more sights. If I walk down Fifth Avenue, then I pass the New York Public Library, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and then turn up past Rockefeller Center. Sure. I can do that. I just looked up how far that was...nearly a mile. So on Monday, on top of airports and such: a mile to the pier, a mile back, a mile from the Empire State Building, and another half mile back to the hotel. I think what I'm saying here is that I nearly walked my feet completely off on Monday. If I could have managed a total foot transplant, I could have kept going. The spirit was willing but the feets were weak. There was a lot of hobbling going on overnight...

The New York Public Library

As close as I made it to St. Patrick's Cathedral

NYC at night

Rockefeller Center

Day 1, Empire State Building..

2011-07-05T04:18:00.001-05:00

So, after finishing the Liberty Cruise two hours earlier than I thought I would, I walked back to Times Square to hop on the hop on, hop off bus. I think this purchase was an excellent decision, not because of the ability to use it for transportation. These buses only work with the hopping if you have all the time in the world. I didn't feel like I did. But I decideed to take the downtown tour which featured the Empire State Building.

I had no idea that this would be like a theme park ride with this line followed by that line and then the next and then an elevator ride and then another line and then another elevator ride. But it was. And I was hot. There was air conditioning but there was also half of the entire world in line with me. And a King Kong to keep the line entertained.

And if I hadn't been a hot, sweaty mess, I would have made his handler take a picture of us when he proposed to me. First he snuck up behind me (hated it) but then he kissed and proposed, so I have warm feelings in my heart for King Kong. But no picture.

I do have these. You can tell it's late afternoon. Afterwards, I ate next door at the Chipotle because I am less food brave than walking around New York brave. And then I went to my hotel room.

No, I didn't. I looked at a map and plotted a route that would keep the party going. I mean, it was past my bedtime before I made it back to the hotel, people! What can I say, so wild I am.

The view from the Empire State Building. Picture these views, me, and literally half the population of the world on the outside observation deck. It was just like Sleepless in Seattle except late afternoon and so packed with people that there would have been no way for Tom and Meg to find each other.

Macy's and the Empire State Building

Bus tours require constant vigilance...lights, signs, and tree branches!

The 24 hour post office

Empire State Building views