Friday, September 14, 2012

Friday Mishmash

I'm just going to apologize in advance for the amount of pictures on today's post...you'll see why in a minute.  And now, on to the mishmash!

Remember the other day when I rearranged my bedroom?  Well, I got the bright idea to mix things up in my office when I was doing a deep clean recently.  While I can't change the position of my desk, I moved everything else.  I swear, this was harder than moving my bedroom furniture - one shelf thing is actually a wrought-iron baker's rack, and it was heavy!  So I moved things, and cleaned, and moved them and oops, that won't fit on this wall, and moved things again, and again...and here's the end result:
 
Pretty much exactly the same.  Yep. There was a reason things were where they were in the first place - they didn't fit anywhere else!  Although I did get crazy and move this bookshelf to an angled position.  At least everything got a good dusting instead of my usual "Swiffer Swipe" - and I rearranged some of my treasures, so I'm noticing them again.
Oh, and I brought out a friend for bicycle Barbie - See's Candies Barbie, that my mom gave me about 10 years ago.  (Side note: as a child, it would have killed me to leave her in the box - I played with my Barbies - but the box is set up like the store and I like seeing all the detail...however, give me a convincing enough child, and I'll open it!)

After all of that (plus a sore back from dragging the heavy baker's rack all over the room), I realized that what really bugs me is the gold chair - I've been wanting to replace it with a more modern piece, in black-and-white upholstery, but my money priorities have been elsewhere (running shoes/clothes/race fees).  So that's the deal...but hey - at least the room is spotless now!

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I have been doing really well with my ankle not bothering me too much with all the running, but last Saturday, I stepped on an uneven ridge of concrete *just* so, and a sharp pain shot up through my ankle - ARGH!!!  Ever since then, it's been making noise.  After yesterday's short run, I iced it for the first time in forever, and it's feeling better.  My nurse was a big help, what with licking the outside of the bag, too...which is why I ended up tying a towel around it:
I not lick dat.  You stop telling on me.  
(Oh, I also somehow took a chunk out of the top of my foot during all that furniture moving - hence the bandage (and Neosporin underneath).

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OK, here's where the picture explosion begins.  Because...I finished my throw!  Holy cow, I love  how it turned out.  LOVE IT.  I cannot tell you how pleased I am with it, from the yarn feel, to the color, to how gorgeous it was to knit.  This yarn was definitely a splurge, but I am so glad I bought it - and honestly, had I not been in California and in the shopping mindset, I probably wouldn't have, being a cautious new knitter and all.  Now I know - good, gorgeous yarn?  Buy it!!!

Here's the throw:
Knit with 4 skeins of Malabrigo Rasta in Zarzamora, and 1 skein in Indiecita - I divided the Indiecita into thirds, and knit it between each skein of Zarzamora.  Debby encouraged me to do this, and I'm so glad she suggested it as I think it brought even more fun to the look!
 The stripes are actually pretty subtle in person...
I adore how using the stockinette stitch shows off the colors so well.
I knitted 4 rows of garter stitch at the bottom (and top) and also did 5 stitches on the edges, to keep the blanket from curling due to the stockinette stitch.  Love how the border looks on it!
Backside - complete with dog fur.  I laid the throw on my bed to take the pictures and remembered too late that this would be the result.  And I washed the bedspread just a couple days ago!!  Story of my life - dog fur everywhere...
Just another shot of the gorgeous colors!
 So soft, so warm, so wonderful!
Without a doubt, my favorite knitted piece so far!

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I went to my first knitting guild meeting last night - more on that next week, as I think I've exhausted your knitting information patience enough for one post.  Jeff will be home today from his latest trip; we have a coupon to use up at a local Italian restaurant for some yummy carbs before tomorrow's 8 mile run.  Have a great weekend!

24 comments:

  1. I love the colors in your throw, very pretty. What a great space you have for your office. The big window is great Our office is in the basement, I call it my dungeon. I do have ideas for a spare room upstairs just for a "me" space. You have also given me an idea for a bakers rack I barely use anymore. Take care of that ankle.

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    1. Woohoo for new ideas - and heck yeah, make a "me" space. You'll love it!

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  2. I keep forgetting how much I LOVE the color of your office until I see it in photos. I could sit in that room all day I think.

    The throw IS gorgeous. You have become quite the knitter!

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you have lower humidity and a fresh ankle for your 8 miler. Rock on!

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    1. I really do love my office color. Hasn't gotten old after more than a year!

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  3. Thanks for the reminder that Swiffer swiping is not a real dusting. I need to do the real thing too...

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  4. I LOVE YOUR NURSE. He looks like a Nurse Practitioner. I have one too, who is afraid of terrifying things like strange towels wrapped around familiar ankles. Not kidding.

    The paint color in your office is great! I love it - totally a green girl here. Any memory of the brand/color name?

    The throw is gorgeous, and jewel tones are my favorite. Malabrigo is such great yarn to work with. I think I told you that I felted a bag knit with a Malabrigo wool in pretty similar colors, and it felted to perfection. Gave it away
    :( Have a great w/e Shelley!

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    1. Both Jeff and I agree that my office is our favorite paint color in the house - it's Gleeful (totally fits, right?) by Sherwin Williams. So fun, so pretty!

      One of these days I'm going to knit a bag and felt it. Thanks for the tip on the Malabrigo - I'll keep my eyes out for a good color.

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  5. Ha - love the look on Paco's face! Hooray for Jeff coming home - have fun at dinner.

    Your throw looks gorgeous - can you machine wash throws like that?? Do they shrink - its been so long since I knitted that I don't even remember.

    Kick 8 miles ass tomorrow! I am going to attempt 4 miles. :D

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    1. This is not machine washable - which is why I made it for me, as I know how to care for it. I'd hate to make a gift for someone that wasn't easy-care, because it's too easy to ruin something like this.

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  6. Well, you know the trouble with a post full of news and pictures, right? I have to leave an extra long comment!

    Is that an exercise ball in your office? Do you use it? I've never heard you mention it.

    2. Love Paco's face. Its that "I can't help myself. Must lick. Must lick." face.

    3. You know I love the throw. I'm glad you splurged on it too. Answer to Biz and probably unneeded warning to you--NO, YOU CAN'T MACHINE WASH IT! (See Leslie's comment.)

    4. I just chuckle with all your use of professional knitting terms. Guild meeting?! You're killing me making me wait until next week to hear about it!

    5. Have a fun dinner with Jeff, and good luck on your run in the morning!

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    1. It IS an exercise ball, and I don't use it as often as I should. Mostly I lay in it and stretch out my back, or use it to prop up my foot when I need to ice it.

      Yeah, washing the throw would turn it into something completely different. Jeff doesn't normally wash things like this, but I've already given him the "don't EVER wash this" talk, lol!

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  7. Shelley - you can get some upholstery paint for your chair to update it. http://www.simplyspray.com/product/simply-spray-upholstery-fabric-paint/
    You can only go darker with this stuff, but maybe a plum or burgundy would look awesome!

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    1. That paint is bizarre! I've never heard of doing something like that...it would work in the short term, but the old Queen Anne-style chair is getting, well...old.

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  8. Uh, that dog! SO CUTE. The office looks great, Shelley!

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  9. That really is a gorgeous throw. The colors are comforting and nice! Paco is a cutie too :)

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  10. Just had to say your throw is lovely!!!

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  11. The throw is fantastic, great job Shelley.

    I ordered yarn yesterday for a winter sweater. It's time to pick up my knitting again. I haven't finished the Spring sweater but I'll finish that next Spring. I don't like working on Spring/Summer pieces in Autumn/Winter and vice versa.

    I love your office, it's so bright and light. The color makes me happy. I have an office too at home and the funny thing is that the wood of the window and my door are green too and of one wall has a wallpaper in white/yellow/orange/green stripes. Seems we have a bit of the same taste here :)

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  12. I really do love the way you decorated the walls of that room, especially the patchwork quilt. And the lime green works perfect in the sun! (My dish on that table in my post was yellow, btw. But I do have one green one; I have a rainbow set. LOL!)

    Fantastic job on that throw. So, so pretty!

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    1. Thanks! I love the quilt - my blogger friend Debby made it for me. :)

      LOL on the plate - I have a rainbow of colors, too. Makes it so fun to set the table!

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  13. Are you able to tell me the measurements on this lovely blanket?

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    1. It's about 32x50 - it has fuzzed quite a bit, so I'm not sure I'd recommend using Rasta for something that gets a lot of use.

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