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Spill Guts Here. It's gotta go somewhere, know what I mean? Can you stand it?
purls before swine
Geek Knitting
West Indian Parade
West Indian Parade
Dog/Cat Wrestling
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11.30.2004
In many ways, the new shop is going to be a new start. Considering calling it "Free Kitten", instead of RedLipstick. I won't but I'd like to. Off to run more errands this afternoon.
I'm really tired. Have to make it through December, then January at full speed ahead.. 11.29.2004
Knitting fine gauge (7-8 stitches to the inch, really lux and fine} Sawtooth Stripe Hats, in cashmere and superfine merino on the 7G this am, have 8 done in various colorways, need to make two more, then I can run my errands. This is a continuation of the sawtooth series started two years ago.
I very rarely let myself think like this, but: this am I moved the carriage on my knitting machine over 3000 times, and changed colors over 180 times. No wonder my hands are falling apart. It does reinforce my respect for my machines design, though, they've been doing this since the seventies. Adjustable height shoes for women!!! Finally! I would love to sell these in the shop. 11.26.2004
I have discovered something new to be thankful for: Chestnut Soup, aka Orgasm in a bowl. Will be experimenting with this and will post a recipe when one comes close to what I had yesterday. Damn. GOOD. UPDATE: This looks like the recipe. No bacon for me.
Shortly running errands, but not until I make one or three more scarves, using knit-weave technique. Also finished knitting a red kid mohair/merino cowl neck sweater this am. Just need to finish it and wash and block everything tonight. Shop is closed today, because the "Black Friday" all the media screams about does not apply to small shops like mine, but discount outlets, electronics, malls etc. Looking forward to getting lots of work done, have agreed to participate in a private sale with a few other artists on the weekend of Dec. 3-4, so need to stock up for that, as well as the shop. Renovation is going well, was there last night and progress has been made. Have decided against the original chandelier I liked, because have now seen 2 new boutiques in the Slope that have wood floors and bad crystal chandeliers, {McBoutiques}. Sigh. Time to do something different. No big deal. Have a lovely weekend. I'm shutting up for a few days, nose to the cashmere grindstone. 11.24.2004
TV B-Gone. Went in to the shop for a few hours today, specifically to receive deliveries. Got a sample pair of Adbusters Blackspot Sneakers. They sent me a size 14 mens! They're like gunboats or breadboxes! Put them in the window anyway. They seem really well made, but of course I can't try them on. My exciting existence.
Happy Thanksgiving. Spending it with a dear friend this year, dinner will be French. 11.23.2004
Turbanado Update: This hat is laying half-knit in the bottom of my knitting bag, interrupted by other duties. Anticipate another week or two.
11.22.2004
 This is a first for me. Rode all over Brooklyn today running errands and pricing metal gates. Have a local designer making my sign.
Closed up last night, came home, ate some sushi, walked/fed the dog/cat, got my knitting, jumped on my bike to go to Freddy's for the Alphorn Jazz Stitch-n-Bitch. As tired as I was, I was glad I went, it was an Event. We were filmed for a documentary on the knitting phenomena, and also interviewed for an article in the local rag.
 Our host, Tony, whipping out an interesting hatlike object.  Beers, Balls and Belles in the Backroom.  Martina Struck and her Alphorn. This was amazing! She really did play jazz on it, and quite well, too. Awesome.  The guys gave it a shot. Adorable, right?  The lovely Katy W. works on an Aubergine cabled poncho. In other music-related news, I got an email from a German record company called Crippled Dick Records. {you can't make this up, can you} who wants to put Pulsallama {my old band} on a compilation of late '80's girl groups. Maybe we'll be {posthumously} big in Germany! I love my life right now. All kinds of drama going on in the background, taking it with a huge grain of salt. Renovation has started on new space. 11.18.2004
I want one of these shape shifting robots bad, real bad.
This is one of the many reasons I fucking love living here: Baseball jesus. The new shop is exactly 2 blocks from the current one. I had to stay in my beloved neighborhood. Meeting with Jose later today to assess and plan for the reconstruction of the mouth of demolished hell. 11.17.2004
WebShop: ExceptionLab's Ceramic Greek Coffee Cup. These have been super-popular at the shop.
Oh how beautiful this is! The walk cycle is one of the first things an animator learns, this one is deeply creative. Of course, I can make amorphous, glowing intestine-like objects spin and morph like crazy, but the walk cycle eludes me, since I approached animation from a purely abstract point of view. But I do appreciate this. I poked around a bit, and I think these are Latvian art students. I'm part Latvian myself, which makes me like this even more. {as is my pal Mr. Keegan} Shonen Knife: Sedated. Hokey Pokey. Unbelieveably cute, like monkey nurturing a kitten level cute. 11.16.2004
I'm not sure why anyone but me would be interested in this, but if for some strange reason you are, Here's the raw version of the new shop! It's Mine! I have a good month to get it together, before I have to focus on other projects. Right now though, I'm exhausted from excitement.
NYC Knitters, Liz Maryland is hosting a fun event for an excellent cause: Knit-Out with the Critter Knitters at the Museum of Arts & Design November 20, 2004, 1:00 - 5:00 PM. More info. 11.15.2004
Taking some "before" pictures of the new shop tommorrow. I'd like to catalog the work being done, but I don't really have the time. A before/after will have to do. Have located an exquisite chandelier to be installed. Floor remains the mystery component, will go to The 'Pot with Jose and pick one in the next week or so...
Designing a sign, have some interesting options. Half of my mind is whining/deeply sighing because I just want to move into a place only needing a paint job , I am SICK TO DEATH of building renovation work. I've done more than my fair share of it over the last 5 years. ENOUGH!!!! This is it. The next building will be MINE. 11.13.2004
Obsessed with chandeliers. Really enjoying designing the new space. Knitting scarves, cardigans and hats, and the green knit dress will finally go into the window tommorrow. Have a super busy week ahead.
Soundtrack: Runaways, L7 and Shonen Knife versions of Cherry Bomb - Guns & Roses: Welcome to the Jungle, I Used to Love Her, Sweet Child of Mine, Yesterday - Kinks: Tired of Waiting, You Really Got Me, All Day and All of the Night - Runaways: Black Leather, Born to be Bad - Joan Jett: You Don't Own Me - L7: I Used to Love Him, One More Thing, Pretend We're Dead, Hanging on the Telephone, Everglade, Scrap, Shit List - Swingle Singers: Ticket to Ride - Velvet Revolver: Faithful - Violent Femmes: Blister in the Sun - Beatles: Ticket to Ride - Sex Pistols {Sid V.}: I Did it My Way - Chiffons: He's So Fine - Elvis Costello: Everyday I Write the Book - Morrissey: Every Day is Like Sunday 11.12.2004
Brooklyn-centric post today:
Rose at the wonderful Yarnivore has posted her class schedule. I met the adorable Tony Limuaco {excellent hat knitter, BTW} today, he came into the shop to tell me about a new winter knitting group he's hosting: Unwind to Alphorn Jazz on Knit Night at Freddy's Sunday, November 21, 2004 from 8:00 until 11:30 An Alphorn is a 30 feet long!! How would you like to sit and knit around one of those? You would? Please join us! Here's Freddie's Back Room address and info: http://www.freddysbackroom.com/live_cal.html It's half a block from my shop, the time's right, and I'm most likely going to be there for the fun. Freddie's is one of the coolest bars in Brooklyn, BTW. From Tony's press release: Hand knitting has been called the new black. But Stitch-n-Bitch is also the new social scene. Over the course of winter my friend Janice Behrens and I are hosting a knitting circle on jazz night with the Struck Band . It's a forum (not a class) for exchanging ideas, snacks, old books, leftover yarn and show-n-tell. I'm getting a great response from a mix of both men and woman. With little promotion we've already attracted some knitwear designers, neighborhood activists, writers, lawyers and musicians. This just might be the new singles night for people that are sick of online dating. I'm not personally interested in the dating part, but the knitters in my 'hood are wonderful. More: It's not a class and we do encourage crocheters (those people) and folks with different skill levels. On hand, there will be an assortment of needles, yarn and funny knitting devices. Martina Struck's jazz ensemble features the "Alphorn", a 30 foot long horn you've see on the Ricola commercial. They perform jazz standards with regular horns and woodwinds, but that alphorn is amazing. The sound vibrates in your chest so sweetly. Martina is in fact a native of Switzerland. Mark your calenders. I think this must be some type of first. As a former classical trumpet player, I'm hoping to possibly try it and see if I still have any embouchure left. Longshot, though. It goes away pretty quickly left unused. 11.11.2004
I rarely post at night, too pooped by the time I get home, but I feel extraordinarily lucky today, and want to record it. I sign on the dotted line on Tuesday, at which point I will post pictures of the demolition done so far: currently the space is a vomit-making mess. Holey, uneven floors, holes in the walls, craptastic paneling, a hole in the floor where the potty should be, furring slats visible in the crumbling plaster ceiling, dangling electrical wires, mucho dust, and the powerful scent of stinky incense, which was sold here previously, and won't go away.
However, when I look at it, I see pale dove grey walls, a lavender floor, white trim and a huge crystal chandelier. My landlord doesn't get why I'm so excited, he can't see the pictures in my head. Here's the lucky part, {among others}. My renovation contractor, Jose, who I've worked with on 3 other projects is a "building materials magnet", the same way I'm a yarn magnet. If it comes near him, it stays there, know what I mean? I'm going to save many, many thousands of dollars on building supplies. And although he's extremely busy and booked with other jobs, he's doing the work for me. Extremely, unmoderately, lucky. I love just about everyone and everything right now. This is going to work out just fine. Jose, THANK YOU. Glenn, THANK YOU. Both are getting black cashmere watch caps. BTW> Thanks, gentle readers, (Hey Miss Boggs!) for the opinions, having a bite, then starting on the Turbanado pattern. Let's have a knit-a-long and gallery after it's posted, shall we? Sweet dreams, all.
Working on populating the various sections of the webshop {among 5000 other things}, and I have a question: Hat patterns, which should I work on and post first: Turbanado or CatHat? Both have been best sellers in the shop over the past four years. Make your opinion count today in my comments, because I want to start working on it tonight. There are various versions of CatHats already around, but they're very different in structure than mine, and I don't think there's anything around like the Turbanado. You pick. Thank You!
 11.10.2004
I think I sort of fell in love with someone recently. How do I know? I can't eat. Is it reciprical? I think so, but it's been so long, I'm really not sure what's going on. I need this right now like another hole in my head, but plan for it, you cannot. In any case, will be taking my sweet time before declaring anything. Maybe it's just a gargantuan crush. Will either dissipate or escalate. Right? uh.
Not sure if you guys read this blog, but if you do, Sharyn and Sarah, know that I love and appreciate you both.
11.09.2004
Demolition of interior of new shop started yesterday. It's still a bit early to give details, but suffice it to say at this point, there are benefits to this new place that were not even remotely expected, but just appeared. This is going to change my life, actually, in more ways than where I go to work. Exhausted and super busy {supervise a gut job during the 2 busiest months of the year? Why not?} Scouting dark lavender, raspberry pink or grass green industrial flooring, chandeliers, wrought iron gates, etc. Nuff said for now.
11.07.2004
Webshop: Sweet Action #2 Porn for Girls mag. If you're offended by male nudity, this is not for you.
Try the Rasterbator. Fun. 11.06.2004
KnitKnit #4 is back in stock, now with the option of getting it coverless.
11.05.2004
Embroidered ribbed tops in production.
 11.04.2004
This says it all. That's slightly more than half of our population, I suppose. How internationally embarrassing. Americans are now the rednecks of the world.
 11.03.2004
Webshop: Brooches updated.
 Why does looking at something like this make me feel better? Abstract is so much easier to deal with.
Unless there's a miracle in Ohio later on, I'm too depressed about the election to blog today. The worst thing that could happen to our country is 4 more years of that religion obsessed liar. And it's happened, apparently. Great art will be made in the next four years, it always is under regimes like this, the creative community flourishes. I would have taken 4 years of artistic mediocrity anyday, though. shit..
Mittens, Glittens, Armwarmers and Gloves. New batch of brooches and evil eye things in yesterday, going to shoot and post some up this am just to get my mind off our immediate future. 11.02.2004
PLEASE, Vote bush out of office today, he's the worst "president" we've ever had. I believe he's destroying the fabric and basis of our country. Nothing else is more important. Thank you!
"What you do is of little significance; but it is very important that you do it." -Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948) {via wordsmith.org} 11.01.2004
Webshop: Eugenia Kim Cigarette Hairpins on sale.
Webshop: Brooches. A small selection from the shop, where dozens more live. These are going quickly this year, though. Yeah, I've got my own traumatic lipstick story. Wonder if this little chick {scroll down to Oct. 25th entry} is going to grow up to be my competition, MauveLipstick. I hate myself for laughing. Really, I do! |
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