Seamus McGillicutty

Our wee, baby cat Seamus lost his struggle last night. He was a very sick kitten and even after 2 days on an IV and intensive care, his body continued to shut down on him. In the end, he got down to under a pound, his lungs began filling with fluid so he was unable to breathe, and his temperature was so low that even with a warming bed and blanket he still shivered. It's likely that he also had some kind of congenital disorder disrupting his digestive system. The kids were able to say goodbye to Seamus, but waited in the vet's lobby while Dave and I stayed with him until he was gone. The doctors and staff at the AM/PM Animal Hospital were all amazing. I'm so glad he spent his last hours in a place with such good people. Special thanks to Dr. Smith (who attended to him when we first rushed him to the hospital), Dr. Parker who aided us in working with the shelter to get him all of the medical attention he needed) and Dr. Renner who shed tears for him and relieved him of his misery in the end). We're so grateful to you all.

It's funny, I've never really considered myself a pet person, per se. When you're with an animal when he dies though, you see how similar they are to us and what amazing creatures they are in their own right. He was only in our home for a few days, but we all loved the little guy very much.

I know that most of you who read this blog do so for knitting content and light-hearted fodder, but we really appreciate the well wishes that were sent while our cat was sick. Thank you.

xo,
Vickie

Catwalks & Kittens

This week I unearthed all of the materials for Catwalk Crochet. I haven't worked on this book for almost a year, so I need to get my head back into it and get this sucker done. The publisher wants 40 projects (of varying sizes) in this one and I think right now, including all of the amazing contributed pieces, there are 23ish. Soooo, you do the math on how much crocheting I'll be doing over the next couple of months. Oy. Yesterday, I started an open-weave, silk, beaded scarf out of Tilli Tomas's Rock Star (which BTW, is gorgeous yarn that's a dream to work with!) for it. I'm either almost done or not at all, depending on whether I decide to make it extra-long and dramatic, or short and flirty. I think because of the drape and color, I'll go for the latter... but we'll see.

Over the weekend I did something I haven't done in I don't know how long; finished a non-work related knitting project for myself. About 3 years ago I got some sparkle-y Cherry Tree Hill yarn at Stitches East. A year later, I cast-on for my friend Karen Baumer's Simply Lovely Lace Socks (Interweave Knits Spring '06). At some point, I finished one sock and it sat alone in one of my UFO baskets for oh, let's say another year. Finally last Saturday, I cast-on for the 2nd sock and a couple days later, was the proud owner of a finished pair! I forgot how much I enjoy the sock knitting.

As I'm sitting here typing this, it's pouring rain outside. We've been having the most freakish weather in Austin, lately. It's rained every day for the past 2-3 weeks, which never happens here in the summer. Usually by now, we're in the middle of sweltering 3 digit heat but this year, we haven't even reached 100 degrees yet. I'm not complaining, but it is a little eerie to geographically be in Texas but living a Washington July.

Our wee kitten Seamus McGillicutty, seems to be feeling a little under the weather. He's having some bathroom issues that have us worried about him getting dehydrated (he's only 1 1/2 pounds, so he can't afford to lose any weight). He's eating really well, though. To be safe, I'm going to take him in today to see our friend Erin (she's the one in the post-elopement photos with the awesome back tattoo) who's a vet at a pet hospital not too far from our house. Hopefully the little guy's ok!


Alright, Jennifer's coming over for a conference call we have in a bit so I'm going to gulp down some more coffee and possibly, get out of my pjs.

xo,
Vickie

Oh yes, She's Crafty!

I made it back safely over the border and have been laying low with the family since. I'm juggling kiddos and our new, adopted kitten Seamus (shay-mus) today so I'll make this short and sweet.

I had a great time as a guest on She's Crafty in Vancouver. The host Wendy, and everyone else on the crew were all so freakin' nice! The production coordinator Caroline, practically held my hand during the whole country-crossing debacle. At the end of the two day shoot, they presented me with a flask engraved with my name on it and, "She's Crafty: Award for the Most 'Impressive' Arrival". I *heart* it!

Set Envy

The She's Crafty set isn't in a studio at all but rather, a historical building. The brick walls, floor-to-ceiling windows and wood floors are all authentic, causing me much set envy. On the downside, there wasn't air conditioning which made sitting under the stage lights pretty spicy!

The "She" in She's Crafty

With the lovely host of the show, Wendy Russell. She's great, HGTV Canada's lucky to have her! Look for her appearance as Jennifer Garner's character's best friend in next year's film, Juno. :-)

The Great Divide

There was only one bathroom with two stalls in the building, so the men and women had to share. The above pictured plexiglass divider was in the middle of the room to separate the labeled, "boys only stall" from the side of the room containing the "girls only stall". Also in this room, a huge map of Asia. Oh, those crazy Canadians!

LYS

The 2nd day of shooting was spent in West Vancouver at their LYS, The Knit & Stitch. This is the director Stephanie and audio guy Mark posing in front of it with Wendy. The store was comfortable and had a lovely selection. I picked up some neon green, locally spun mohair that'll likely sit in my stash for years until I get caught up on work projects. It's totally impossible though, for me to spend time in a yarn store without buying anything!
Knitty Gritty doesn't air in Canada so of course, they didn't know me from Eve at this shop. Knowing this, it made me extra happy to find out that one of the clerks happened to be crocheting my market bag from the current Knit.1. Pretty cool.

Creepy Baby Picture

Delirium from a long shoot called for an E.T. inspired picture with all of the the knit store's be-sweatered dolls.

Ok, the natives here are getting restless for brownies. More later!

xo,
Vickie

Almost Permanent Layover

I enjoy the Seattle airport. If one had the time, they could choose to do any of the following and more!

• Eat something non-greasy
• Get a manicure
• Purchase a reproduction of a 1950's swag lamp
• Peruse a well-stocked Borders Bookstore that even carries Knit.1 Magazine!
• Have a glass at the wine bar
• Learn about Puget Sound
• Get a massage
• Stock up on DVDs
• Shop for wares made by local artists

Have you ever wanted to *knock someone down, just to take their shoes? Also in the airport, a woman wearing these amazing, strappy white & silver platform espadrilles. But I digress.

Originally, this post was going to end there. That is, until I got denied entrance to Canada via plane in Seattle. Good times. Apparently, even a call to US Customs ahead of time and news stories about the passport offices being overwhelmed (causing implementation of the new law to be postponed), were not reliable sources of information. Oh, and it doesn't appear that anyone told Canadian Customs about the US passport delay. Oddly enough as long as you have an I.D. and birth certificate, it's perfectly fine to drive over the border. Does this seem like a flawed plan to anyone else?

Sooooo, not being a knitter that can be held down (and knowing all too well how a no-show guest can screw with a production schedule), I rented a car and drove from Seattle to Vancouver. The drive was long, but really beautiful. I arrived at Peace Park and made it over the border, without incident. I pulled in to the hotel parking lot just in time to meet my friend Lauren (one of my co-panelists at last year's SXSW Interactive) and then drinks with Wendy (the host/producer of "She's Crafty"). Oh, Canada.

xo,
Vickie

*I do not condone or endorse knocking people down or stealing their shoes. Thank you.

Drinkie Poos--Free Patterns of the Month!

Drinkie-Poos
Knitted Cozies, for Beverage Comfort
A 6-Pack of Knitting Goodness!

MATERIALS:
Vickie Howell Collection’s ROCK (40% Soysilk/30% hemp/30% fine wool; 100m/50gr) in varying colors. For a complete color chart, click here.
Size US 7 (4.5mm) Needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Tapestry Needle

GAUGE
20 sts.= 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch

Drink #1 (Garter Stitch Version)
With Jonas (variegated blue/black), CO 40 sts.
Knit every row for 4". BO.

Drinks #2 &6 (Garter/Stockinette Stripe Version)
With Siouxsie (purple), CO 40 sts.
Rows 1-2: Knit.
Row 3: Join Billie Joe (green) and knit.
Row 4: Purl
(From this point on, carry both colors along the edge)
Rows 5-6: Switch to Siouxsie and knit.
Repeat rows 3-6 until piece measures 4”. BO.
(Version #6 use colors Trent & Thom instead)

Drink #3 (Ribbed Version)
With Courtney (hot pink), CO 48 sts.
Row 1: *K2, P2. repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *P2, K2. repeat from * to end.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until piece measures 4". BO in ribbing.

Drink #4 (Spiked Stitch Version)
With Jeremy (yellow), CO 40 sts.
Rows 1-4: Work in St st. (k on RS, p on WS)
Rows 5-6: Join in Billy (orange) and work in St st.
(From this point on, carry both colors along the edge)
Row 7(RS): *K 4 sts, spike stitch (count 5 rungs down in between the stitch you've just knitted and the next, insert needle and pull through a long loop of Billy. Place loop on LH needle taking care not to bunch fabric. Knit this stitch). Repeat from *, ending with k4.
Row 8: *K3, p2tog. Repeat from *, ending with a k3.
Repeat rows 1-8, twice more. BO.

Drink #5 (Loopy Stitch Version)
With Billie Joe (green), CO 31 sts.
Work in St st. for 1 1/4"
Next RS row: K1, *Make Loop stitch (K1, leave st on LH needle and bring yarn in front. Wrap a look clockwise around your thumb, bring yarn in back and k in same stitch. Lift first stitch over the 2nd st on RH needle, and let it drop off.) Repeat from * to last st, k1. O
Next row (WS): Knit.
Repeat last 2 rows until piece measures 2 3/4".
Work in St st. until piece measures 4". BO.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and seam up back. Happy sipping!

xo,
Vickie
P.S. For more great patterns, check out my shop!

P.P.S. For abbreviation guide and basic how-to instructions, go here.

Pillows & Packing

I leave for Canada tomorrow and still haven't packed. First step: filling an envelope with several different forms of identification, covering all variations of my name since birth--Vickie Carole Montoya, Vickie Montoya Howell, Vickie Howell Campbell...
I did however, finish the 6-pack of drink cozies and all of the step-outs (those are the versions of a project you see on TV, at varying stages of completion) for the one I'm teaching. I also finished and shipped off the next KIWI project, a "Trick or Tote" bag for the Sept./Fall issue, made from snack bags. I sliced my finger with a rotary cutter and my sewing machine is officially old and sucking, so this crafty adventure did not go smoothly. I finally ended up bandaging my finger and running to a local store, Craft-o-Rama, to rent a machine for an hour so that I could finish the bag without putting any more extraneous, screw-up holes on the edging. All in all though, the tote turned out pretty cute and is (at least I think it is) a good alternative to throwing away all the wrappers that are usually wasted after a good trick or treat session.
Technically, I'm supposed to also write the KIWI copy and edit the Tori S. interview transcription/write the intro before I leave. Realistically though, I'll bring my ol' barge of a laptop and work on both on the trip. I don't really know anyone in Vancouver anyway, so I'll probably have plenty of hotel time.

In unrelated news, I finally got the first Vegas pattern written and photographed. Check out P3, available for download now on my shop page. This pillow is puffy, pretty and done on US size 10 needles so, quick to knit up! Christmas (knitting) in July, anyone?

P³ (Powder Puff Pillow)

Pattern: $5
Yarn used: Vegas in color: Pink Champagne

Ciao for now!

xo,
Vickie

Colors (Not the Sean Penn Movie)

Alrighty, ladies and gentleknitters, I finally have swatches of the new LOVE and all of the VEGAS colors. Sit back, and watch the magic. ;-)

Summer ('o7) of Love

Andrew & Sam
(cool, sage green)

Clarence & Alabama
(hot pink--ohhhh yeah!)

Miles & Maya(deliciously deep wine)

Viva Las Vegas!

Click here to see swatches. Please note, "Excess" has a dark purple metallic thread running through it that's not visible in the photograph. The pictures don't do this yarn justice. Hope you like them as much as I do!

And with that, I'm off to buy supplies for my next KIWI Magazine.

xo,
Vickie

Vancouver or bust!

I'm headed off to Vancouver on Monday. I saw the movie "Sicko" last night and feel that I have no other choice than to flee to Canada. ;-) Actually, I
going for the guest appearance I mentioned in another post, on She's Crafty. Jennifer P. shot her episode a couple of weeks ago and said she had tons of fun, so I'm looking forward to it. I've never been to Vancouver, but I hear it's beautiful and my friend Emira is sending me veggie restaurant recommendations. Yay! Anyone have any *must see* suggestions for while I'm there? It looks like I might have some time to do a little sight seeing.
Since it's not a knitting show, the producers requested a super-simple project that anyone could make. I'll be teaching the basics (casting on, the knit stitch, purl stitch, binding off, etc.) so viewers can knit up a drink cozie (after all, who doesn't like a well-decorated, cold beverage?). I've made 3 different samples so far and will knit 3 more to make a 6-pack. Hmmm...maybe I'll put the pattern for one of the less-easy versions up on this blog as the very tardy, free pattern of the month.

Speaking of this blog, it got mentioned in an Aussie craft magazine called, Get Creative. Anyone heard of it? I got a kick out of seeing my site listing, nestled amongst those for the Sydney Stitch n' Bitch and the Handknitter's Guild of Melbourne. :-)
Alright, off to knit and catch up on Entourage episodes. Tonight, I think we're going to try and get in to see the free The Decemberists show downtown.

Later gators,
Vickie

Party Pics!

Dave McLaughlin, the photographer from our post-elopement celebration, just posted a few shots on his blog...which I promptly grabbed to share with you. I love how artsy he got!
The party was on the rooftop plaza at the Whole Foods flagship store in downtown Austin. It was perfect for us because it has a great view of the city, is centrally located, has a playscape for the kids, and plenty of space for (my) Dave's band to play. We drank wine, nibbled on a vegetarian Italian feast, watched the kids have sword fights with the Asian paper parasols I supplied, danced, chatted and in general, just had a great time!

If for some reason I screwed up and you can't enlarge these, they're also posted on Dave M.'s blog.

Backside of the plaza before guest arrived+Me & my friend Lori

Wildflowers & mason jars+web gal (and one of my B/F/Fs) Jenny's fabulous platforms+
Dave's beloved guitar

Dave singing+Guests dining + Our friend Matt+ Dave performing w/ Tanner+Me talking to Tristan+ Our wee friend, Cody.

This is my favorite montage--I'm a sucker for lanterns. :-)
Cupcakes (who needs a "real" cake?), Dave w/ his dad & step-mom, Dave's friend Lary, Our friend Erin's amazing tattoo, Dave and I with our siblings and kids+ Me.

Signifigant others and families watch as Arms in Danger performs+
Josh on drums+My SIL and her husband, Matt+J.P. on bass+More drums+Todd on lead vocals+ Me toasting them+ TLA.

xo,
Vickie

P.S. In case you're wondering, dress & shoes both by Betsey Johnson. I *heart* her stuff!

My Alternative

I'm so excited, ROCK and my "Hand Like a Hole" wristbands got a mention in the new issue of Alternative Press Magazine! It would make me so happy to know that musicians out there saw the blurb and started knitting-up projects out of my rock star inspired line. That would be freakin' awesome! Band geek, much? ;-)




While I was at Waterloo Records grabbing a copy of the mag, I also stocked up on some new music, all of which is worth checking out (pssst!...you can sneak peak each of these bands on MySpace).

Girl in a Coma: Both Before I'm Gone

I've been a fan of theirs since a couple of years ago when I saw them perform in Austin at Emo's. I dug them so much, I bought their demo but since then they've been signed by Joan Jett's label, Blackheart Records!

Monsters are Waiting: Fascination

I came upon them randomly through the Sugarcult MySpace page, when I was looking up the other bands playing at the Bay Area Indie Music Festival in August. I've been listening to them a lot over the past week.

Great Northern: Trading Twilight for Daylight

They're also playing at the Indie Festival in Northern California. They're dreamy...
Oh, and they're signed with Eenie Meenie Records, a label with several really good indie bands. Check 'em out!



Happy, musical Monday!

xo,
Vickie

This is me procratinating.

I'm supposed to be compiling information for the end of a report I'm working on. Instead I'm posting nonsense here. Procrastinating: I'm really good at that. That should be my motto.

Is anyone watching Al Gore's Live Earth concert? We have it playing in the background while we're washing all of the dishes and linens from the party, before we return them to their respective owners or donate them to Goodwill. I'm thinking about Annette O. today, wishing her and her husband (Michael McKean) good luck and an amazing time. They're in London for a special Live Earth reunion of Spinal Tap, where she'll be singing back-up. If I were in the UK audience, my excitement level would totally be on 11. ;-)


Speaking of rock, I knit up this square for Warm Up America and had planned to start a knit-a-long to coincide with the Knitty Gritty Special we're shooting, which will also benefit WUA. Trusty web gal Jenny told me however, that it is... uh... very "rock n' roll looking". In Jenny-speak, this means that I need to go back to the drawing board and come up with another square. Oh well, they can't all be winners and hey, it's double-stranded ROCK yarn so even if it's not pretty, it'll still contribute warmth to a finished blanket! Don't forget people, any 7X9 knit or crocheted square will work!


This week's mail brought good fortune! Former Knitty Gritty art department guy Dylan Jones, sent me this advice. If it's good enough for a cookie, it's good enough for me!Lastly, for you parents out there looking for a quickie summer project for the kiddos, check out my no-sew, "Poncho Libre" bathing suit covers made from thrift store towels, in the current issue of Kiwi Magazine!


And with that, I bid you a happy Saturday. Adieu!

Vickie

So KniTORIous

I don't know what strange universe I'm living in that allows me to do the most random things all in the name of knitting but, I'm not going to question it--I'm just along for the ride! Last week I got to have dinner with a rock star family, build stuff with amazing women, have lunch with Superman's mom and stroll the grounds of Donna Martin's new venture.

I'm still a wee bit tired and behind on work from our post-elopement reception last weekend (which was AWESOME, btw--more later), so I'll be brief and just share a few pictures...

With Billie Joe & Adrienne Armstrong at a Southern California restaurant.
With Annette O'Toole at Los Angeles restaurant
With Dean McDermott & Tori Spelling at their B&B, Chateaus LaRue
Crew sets up for Knitty Gritty Special/Tori & Dean shoot One of the Chateaus LaRue lounges.
Tori & Dean both working on their squares for the DIY Warm Up America blanket

Now, back to my regularly scheduled life.

xo,
Vickie