No zipping required

A local sewing store closed recently. My daughter and I snatched up all the shorter-length zippers we could find. I'm planning to use them some how but haven't figured out in what way. Last night I crocheted while watching TV and am thinking of making some granny-square sachets. No zippers involved in that project though.

Olive, the Kitty Kitty Cat

I've plastered the forums (I call in plastering, for others it's an occasional post) with photos of our new kitty, Olive. And I have even posted once about her here on my blog. But you'll have to suffer through another Olive post. She's the cutest cat I'VE ever had. And I've had a lot of cats (sorry to Timmy, Furry Mittens, Tiger Lily, Snowball, Mel, Larry, Purr, et al). Now before you all freak out that I'm some bad cat owner, first of all, I'm old-ish (46) and second of all, I grew up on a farm where lots of cats is the norm. Now, back to Olive: she was born in the backyard of a "Cat Woman" who lives next door to a friend of my daughter's. As soon as I saw the litter, I said "I want one of those kittens." I've never been one to actually "buy" a cat or dog. There are so many that need to be taken in from the harsh conditions in which they are living. Olive was incredibly frightened, infested with worms and had conjunctivitis when we brought her home (we got her on a Sunday and I took her to the vet on Monday) in late-September. She and Ginger, our 7 year old "Brooklyn Brown Dog" (a new "mutt breed" which we made up), are sort of figuring each other out. Ginger is actually very eager to be Olive's friend. As is typical of my experience with cats and dogs, the cat will decide when she's good and ready whether or not Ginger is an acceptable pal for her.

An Ordinary Ride

I often take the Q train into Manhattan. I love the Q train. It's fast, makes few stops and it goes over the Manhattan Bridge. I can make quick phone calls if need be. I can be above ground for a few minutes instead of in the tunnels of the NYC subway system. But what I love most about the Q train is the view I get while going over the Manhattan Bridge -- see it there -- lower Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge, and although you can't see it in the photo, the Statue of Liberty is also visible. Of course, what's missing from the view are the twin towers. It's a gaping hole in the skyline still.

Take it outside

I have slowly been "fixing" my etsy shop. I read all the stuff about taking good pictures. In lieu of going completely outside which requires going down two flights of stairs, I was taking my photos near a window. They seemed to be OK. Yesterday, late in the day, after the kids were home from school, I decided to try taking some photos outside -- the way everyone says you should.

You be the judge:

Inside-the-house photo


Outside-the-house photo


It's pretty obvious that they're better outside. Now I just have to do all of the other items in my shop and we're good to go.

New Project

As the weather turns to summer once again here in Brooklyn, I'm starting to crochet more. Normally, at this time of year, the air is nippy and I long for the feel of wool yarn against my fingers.

Book Club Delinquent

Tonight I am hosting my book club. That means I am cooking dinner and feeding approximately 7 people. We meet once a month or so, as do most book clubs. Have I finished reading the book? No. We're reading "Away" by Amy Bloom. I am about 50 pages into it. It's not a long book. For some reason, however, I have been UNABLE to pour myself into it. I have exactly 11 hours left. But in that 11 hours I have -- dare I admit it? -- other things to do. While I'm on the topic, I also belong to another book club with my 15 year old daughter. We read a book a month for that one too. This month we are reading "Towelhead" by somebody whose name escapes me at the moment. According to another mom, it's "sexy wexy." Now that I will probably be able to finish.

Etsy Front Page

It was a crystal clear night. The stars were out. Or at least I think they were. It's hard to tell in the City sometimes. My evening consisted of social activities to remain private (i.e., I can't remember what I was doing.). I came home, went to bed, woke up early on Saturday and logged on to etsy. There I saw a congratulatory forum post to me, fernfiddlehead. Yes, it's true. My collection of etsy pieces for a boss or co-worker had been on the front page Friday night.

For my lover, for my lover

I've been having fun on the etsy forums entering these "contests" that the EtsyLabs people put on. The latest challenge was to come up with a collection of items for the object of your affection. Here's mine:I actually "won" one and had my collection on the front page of etsy. It was the one for your boss or co-worker. I believe it was last Friday night at 11:00 so I missed it. Fun anyway.

Sock-o-licious

I have started to make something new. I do crochet although you might not realize it because up until today there was nothing crocheted in my shop. I noticed these iPod socks flying around and thought to myself, "I could make those." I started one today on the subway. It was so cute that I immediately made another. I hope someone buys one so I can keep making them. Actually, I'm going to keep making them even if no one buys them. It's a great way to use up old yarn. I have so much yarn.

What's With this Weather??

OK, so I do like warm weather. I even like hot weather. But in October? Indian Summers (that's what we politically-incorrectly used to call them in Upstate New York) are usually fun and surprise you by only lasting a day or so. We have had 80+ temps for days now in Brooklyn. Just a bit weird, that's all.

On another note, our kitten (whose name is now Olive) is doing very well.


And lastly, I sold my 10th item in my etsy shop which is very exciting to me. Double-digit sales. I love it.

Kitties & Kiddies

We have a new kitten in our house. We picked her up yesterday morning. She is a kitten from a litter born to a cat that lives behind a daugther's friend's neighbor's house (follow that?). Her very unique and creative name is Cally. Ok, well not so unique and creative but we like it. She is extremely afraid of our dog, Ginger, at the moment. We are slowly introducing them. I took her to the vet today and she has conjunctivitis and worms. Not really that surprising given where she came from. She was living totally outside and roaming from backyard to backyard here in Brooklyn. I feel like I have a newborn. I was up and down with her all night trying to calm her down when she went into a crying phase. Unlike newborn babies, however, she will quickly (within a week, the vet said) grow more comfortable. I have had many cats in my life but I haven't had a cat in about 12 years. It's fun.