novamade

thanks for the memories

 
Birthday memories, that is.  For the most part, the last of my birthday/novakkah gifts trickled in today (my summer activity books arrived!); and, I have to admit that this year's celebration was quite nice (in case you are curious, I did get treated to lunch, and I found a free parking space in Providence last night, I know you were wondering).

I ended up plugging most of the novakkah tallyies into a random number generator to get the winners for my little birthday giveaway, the exception being Day One because someone (hi, Kathy!--the ribbing is all in good fun here, Kathy and I are good friends, even if she can't follow directions) decided to leave two comments, ahem--I just made up a number and counted down. Day Five was preferential selection, because I couldn't help giving a gift that keeps giving, even vicariously so (a chartiable causes crafter, I salute you).  Giftees for novakkah 2011:

• Day One, handspun yarn: Heidi, aka Digital Misfit
• Day Two, roving and Spin-Off Magazine: Hannahbelle
• Day Three, custom dyed roving: Stacey (Earthchick)
• Day Four, Crochet Today mags and Mission Falls Cotton: Andrea K. (blogless, but no less awesome, I'm sure).
• Day Five, fabric scraps: Jen (blogless, but crafts for others, which = awesome + thougtful)
• Day Six, embroidery kit: Carolyn
• Day Seven, Rowan Purelife Autumn book: Jacey
• Day Eight, Interweave Knits mag, Wollmeise and Shibui Sock yarn: Andi

I will e-mail you guys tomorrow to coordinate mailings (or, get your addresses), discuss dyes and authors, etcetera.

Thanks everyone for celebrating my birthday with me, we'll do it again next year!  I do like a good party, after all.

novakkah 2011 :: birthday

 

Today I am a princess queen, no royal wedding required.  I definitely feel older (creaky much?).  I am not sure if I am any wiser (I have been doing a lot of reading though, so just maybe...).  But, I know I am definitely loved. 

 
And really, that is what Novakkah is all about.  Sometimes a person (me) just wants to be thought of or remembered, particularly on the occasion of the anniversary of one's birth--maybe I am just selfish that way, so be it.  And, well, gifts never hurt either.

 
As for as consumerism and capitalism are concerned, it's been a good birthday.  I have received various and sundry gifts, all of which I wanted and will be immensely useful in the continuation of crazy in my household (that big thing on the right is a canning pot--excited!!!--can you detect a summer activity?).  Thank you.  Obviously, thank you notes will be written and sent as appropriate (because that is the sort of person I am), but for now, here is a digital thank you to friends and relatives who sent gifts and to blog readers who have been celebrating with me these last eight days.

 
I wish I could say that today was going to be spent doing extraordinary things, but I need to tend to the business of living/working/schooling.  I have a webinar to attend in Worcester, Massachusetts today (trust me, it's not as exciting as it sounds...).  I have class in Providence tonight (here is hoping for a free parking spot), and when I get home everyone in my household will be asleep.  But I don't feel all that deprived since we have been celebrating all week.  And maybe K will take me out for an early lunch (here's hoping).

For today, the last day of the Novakkah "do", I have a copy of the Winter 2009 Interweave Knits magazine (it's a very good issue, again, I just have two of them) and some yarn.  A skein of Wollmeise (yes, Wollmeise) in Fratello - dark; and two skeins of Shibui Sock yarn (the tags came off, but I think it's Wasabi--it's a pretty shade of green, that's my disclaimer).  You can make two pairs of socks, three baby sweaters, a layette, shawl, or whatever you want.  I thought it was a good way to end my celebration, I hope you agree.

 
Should you be interested in being gifted this bountiful package of knitting fun, just leave a comment today (easy, right?). Birthday wishes will be happily received, but any thoughts you would care to share would be considered an entry. I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th (THAT IS TODAY!!!).  Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.  Everything except the custom dyed roving is packed and ready to go (see, I am on the ball this year).

 
Thanks for celebrating with me!

novakkah 2011 :: day seven

 
Some might think that celebrating a birthday for eight days would get old after a while; but, no, it doesn't.  None of it gets old.  Party hats, streamers, balloons, gifts, flowers.  Nothing stale about any of that.  If you have tried celebrating your birthday for a week(+) and it isn't a jolly good time, I would suggest that you are, perhaps, not doing it right. 

Little Sir reminded me of this bit of fun, I am sharing it with you because, well, "music is awesome" (also, is it just me, or does anyone else think the Yo Gabba Gabba writers are brainstorming ideas while on some sort of designer drug?).

 

Every year, there is one particular sort of gift that I can count on for my birthday.  Books.  I am a bookish sort of person, which is probably for the best considering my trade is archives and libraries (yes, both, there is records management as well, but let's not dwell on that).  Last year I got a lot of great books for my birthday, I suspect this year's haul will be just as excellent.  I guess we will have to see about that tomorrow.  But take my word for it, I am sure I will see a great bunch of books to add to my bookshelf and spend time with this summer, like Wildflowers of America (worst segue ever, just go with me), which I have to admit was purchased with home decor in mind, not coffee table or book shelf adornment.  The librarian in me is embarassed to admit this, but I am going to rip this book apart (with a razor blade, maybe some thread, actually) for the plates and frame and hang them around my house.  It is operation "make the house a home" time, after all.  And hey, aren't I resourceful?

 
Since I have books on the brain, it makes since that today's gift would be a book as well.  If you are a knitter, it's a good one.  If you are not a knitter, sorry, I've got nothing for you (aside from my wit...)  Rowan's Purelife Autumn...  It was so great, and I liked it so much, I bought two copies of it.  There is something to be said for redundancy, I guess.

 
If you want to add this fine book of patterns to your collection, please tell me a funny birthday story, joke, anecdote, whatever.  I will also happily take fun birthday themed links (see above video of the Ting  Tings for reference).   I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th (that would be tomorrow).  Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

novakkah 2011 :: day six

 
So my boss happened to pass by as I was snapping a picture of myself in the stacks with a party hat on, and my explanation was, "yay, party hat!"  And then we proceeded to discuss work business (scheduling for finals week) like librarians wear party hats in the stacks all the time.  Yep.

Moving on.  A long time ago (like, six or so months), I moved.  There was a great deal of me talking about my move before, and during, but I didn't really say much about the new place after we moved in.  Mostly because it is still a work in progress (or WIP, as it were).  We like the house and everything; but, honestly, it doesn't quite feel like home yet.  A huge part of  fixing this situation is putting stuff up on the walls and personalizing the spaces more, but apparently, we are lacking in "hanging things up" skills at the moment because our walls are bare (it could also be laziness--more likely).  Still.  So, operation "make  the house a home" has commenced.  In order to move things along, I started purchasing some artwork and random bits for our walls from etsy...and I laid them out in the dining room (surely this will drive some action--our laziness, staring us in the face...daily).  I am a huge supporter of etsy, and artists who sell their wares on the site (apparently, I am also fond of people who rip apart old books and sell the plates found therein as well).

 

In addition to the artwork and prints (if you are noticing a nautical or boat-y theme, that's a good thing (K has to live her too, after all) I have been purchasing on etsy, I am, of course, working on things to personalize the house myself as well.  There are quilts in the works (but with my track record of getting quilts done, it is going to be a while yet....let's be honest); but, there are more manageable projects (you can read that as "realistic" if you'd like, I won't be offended) in the works, mostly in the form or embroidery.  I have finished a few embroidery projects, that I don't mind telling you, are awesome (more about that later), so this modicum of success has somehow provided the catalyst for stitching a few pieces for my living room, dining room and maybe a guest room.  I guess you could say that these would be gifts that keep on giving.  And really, doesn't everyone want to make their house/dwelling a home--if not for one's self, then for the others who reside in said dwelling?

 
Since I am thinking about embroidery these days, it makes sense that others are too (sure).  While I don't consider myself a trendsetter, I don't mind telling you that embroidery is going to be big this summer (if you are in "the know", you know that this is not headline news, a lot of crafters pick up embroidery in the summer when hauling out wool seems disheartening--though I am not one of those people-- and portability is a must).  Today's gift is a copy of Enid Mason's Embroidery Design.  It's a fun book that  has some inspirational ideas for embroidery (but really anything textile in nature, when I was reading it, it put me more in the mind of quilting design, to be perfectly honest, but there you are).  As is the case when I come across awesome things, I acquired two copies (some would say this is a sickness). 

In addition to the book, I will also send you an embroidery kit (of sorts) to get you started.  I will send you some Osnaburg (because I love it), some muslin (because it's practical), and some white solid (could be Kona cotton, but I honestly have no idea, I have been embroidering on it with no problems), an embroidery needle, an embroidery hoop, a metal ring with plastic bobbins, and a rainbow of embroidery floss to get you started.  How's that?   I will make an already accessible craft extremely so for someone. 
If you are interested in this gift of embroidery, please tell me about the best gift you have either received or given that fits into the theme of "gift that keeps on giving".

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th.  Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

 

novakkah 2011 :: day five

 
Well, as great as Washington DC was, we ended up fleeing the scene at two this morning afterLittle Mister started exhibiting signs of a stomach bug.  We are pretty sure it was food poisoning suffered at the same time as catching a fresh cold; but, at the time (of which, I am thinking very little in the way of rational thought happens at two in the morning) it seemed like a good idea to start heading home.  The healthy kid decided his time would be better spent at school, so away he went.  He brought flowers home with him though (thoughtful, no?).

 
The sick one basically took up space in different parts of the house all day.  But he is so cute, one can't be bothered by it, really.

 
Coming home early did give me a chance to get some quilting done and enjoy all my new birthday fabric. 

 
If it weren't my birthday, I suspect an intervention of some sort would be happening, but since it IS my birthday, well, it's just a jolly show of capitalism (just go with me on this).  Any way, today's gift...scraps!  Of fabric!  Get excited!

 
I have recently finished quilting three quilts (and sewing a pillow) of the vintage fabric variety (don't get too excited, all the quilts need binding).  I have a bag of scraps left, it needs a new home.  I think I have a three quilt limit with fabric, I can't look at the stuff any more.  In addition to the vintage-scraps--you should read this as upcyled bed linens, because that is what they are (which came from fat quarters purchased from Whimsie Dots on etsy), I am also going to give you a fair amount of scrap-age of quilt store quality cotton fabrics as well (some of it will just get cut from fresh yardage as I tend to find ways to encorporate my scraps into new projects which leaves very little in the way of fab-scraps in my stash).  You'll get a lot of solids as well as some fun prints, a good selection of scraps of all sizes to add to your stash.  If you are wondering what one can possibly accomplish with scraps, you are obviously not familiar with the genius of my friend Chawne.  Get thee aquainted.

 
At the moment, all my quilting energies (and general productivity, actually) are going into finishing a quilt for the birthday (or really, birth day--as in day of birth) of Little Mister's teacher (I have decided to quilt more lines...a thing worth doing is worth doing well, after all).  The woman has been pregnant for the last nine months, it's not like the impending birth is a surprise, I just waited to the last minute to design, plan, and make the quilt, as one does.  If you are interested in getting this very fine collection of scraps to work with (of course it's very fine, people, I do nothing half way), please tell me the most meaningful gift (birthday or otherwise) you pulled together in a hurry (we could also say procrastinated, but that would suggest laziness--and if you are not willing to own your laziness as I am, you might be offended, so let's just say "pulled together in a hurry")... if you are a crafter (which I assume you are because you are reading this blog), this should be an easy one--but it doesn't have to be a gift you made, after yesterday's post and the comments I am curious to see how thoughtful and meaningful gifts given are remembered.  In case you haven't figured it out, I take gift-giving very seriously.

 
I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th.  Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

novakkah 2011 :: day four

Probably the only thing more annoying to locals than a tourist snapping pictures is one doing so in party hats; but, there you are. The Littles were kind of obsessed with this fountain, so we took a picture in front of it, in party hats.  The Fourth day of Novakkah and Mother's Day came together to produce a day full of win (and a lot of walking around the nation's capitol).

Which was no problem because of my handy new water bottle.  It's not the most exciting birthday gift one can purchase for one's self, but practical is good too, and well, it's orange.  Also, I need to drink more water. I figure less empty calories in the way of juice and soda means calories that can be swapped out for other things that are not so empty in caloric consumption like...tacos and cookies (or whatever).  Practical, indeed.

My Mother's Day Gift/Novakkah gift (though I usually frown upon the combining of gifts business, I am willing to concede the point this time, it's a big gift...and we are traveling, after all) from K and the boys was the Strauch yarn ball winder that I have been wanting for years, so yay!  Some would say this is a practical gift of sorts, but no, you'd be wrong.

Todays gift for you, yarn and magazines!  Two Crochet Today Magazines (winter and holiday editions) --duplicates in my collection, again (that are full of win and awesome, especially so if you are a crocheter...or perhaps if you know one).  Also, six skeins of Mission Falls cotton.  You can crochet it or knit it, totally up to you.  Should this be of interest to you, please tell me about the most practical/least frivolous gift you have ever gotten for yourself.  As gifts go, I am pretty sure a water bottle isn't the most exciting thing ever, but maybe you have me beat.

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th.  Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

To all the mothers out there, a Happy Mother's Day to you!

novakkah 2011 :: day three

 
Well, isn't this exciting?  No, we didn't wear the party hats all day; but, you know, "birthday whoop at Maryland Sheep and Wool!"  Very exciting. 

 
It's no secret, I enjoy a good fiber festival.  And while I prefer Rhinebeck To Maryland, I still had a good time.

There was lots to see (like friends).

 
Lots to do (like catch up with friends).

 
Lots to buy.  A whole lots to buy, actually.  But I found that I didn't really need nor did I want a lot.  It was fun just to  look.  So my purchases were modest.

 
My main goal was to purchase some fiber, an orfice hook (not as dirty as it sounds), some US 6 knitting needles and the soap was spontaneous puchase, some of which is for other friends.  I like the Little Barn folks (vendor that I bought the fiber from).  Good fiber, fair prices.

Since I got so much fiber (which let's be honest, I really DO NOT need), I figured I could share some of it.

 
Today's gift is fiber.  No, not the plain undyed stuff (well, if that's how you want it, sure, it's all yours); but 8 ounces (that was EIGHT, in case you missed it) of wool roving (you choose: bfl or merino, superwash or not), custom dyed by me for you (or whoever you want, I guess).  You can tell me how you want me to dye it (colors, saturation, whatever) and you can name the colorway (my only requirement is that you pick an American author that I haven't already honored with a colorway, see items listed and sold in my shoppe).  If you are not a spinner, I will even spin the wool for you (see, now everyone can play along!).  Now that, my friends, is how you give a gift (we are working on thoughtful gift-giving practices with Little Sir right now..."we know you like it; but, will your friend like it, that's the real question...."  I put a lot of thought into this gift for today, so I am labeling it as "thoughtful".

If you would like to receive this bit of fluff (or yarn), please tell me the best (or most thoughtful) gift (birthday or otherwise) you have given someone in the last year, and why you think it's so special.

 I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th.  Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

See you tomorrow!

novakkah 2011 :: day two

 
Or, Mommy-kah?  Huh.  Last night I got home from a class pretty late and saw that K and the kids strung our birthday banner up in the kitchen...over the sink.  Considering this is pretty much where I spend a good deal of time at home, I guess it was appropriate; but, still funny--very unexpected.

 
I am convinced that the universe is conspiring to help me have a good birthday celebration.  There was a choice parking space left for me at school last night (which if you have ever tried to find parking in Providence on a  holiday that involves drinking, like St. Patrick's Day or Cinco de May, say---you'll understand, this is a pretty big deal--and it was free!), therer was also an uber-choice spot left for me at work today--right behind the library (thank you), all technology that I have interacted with today has worked without problem (including my laptop which I have decided is possessed by a ghost in the machine, or something, I have no idea),  and all the archives patrons who have asked for assistance today have been really nice and cordial (and uncharacteristcally un-needy).  If the first two days are any indication of the next six, it's going to be a great celebration, indeed.  But I digress.

 
K and the the kids have been leaving me little gifts on the kitchen table (kind of near the birthday banner, actually).  A very fun thing, obviously.  Really, the only thing better than presents you get for yourself are gifts that other people give to you (especially when they are shopping from a wishlist or some such thing).

 
The second gift of Novakkah (or, the gift I got myself) is a new camera lens.  I have been wanting a 35mm lens for a while, so I figured now was as good a time as any to get one... so, yes.

I am looking forward to taking some pictures with it at Maryland Sheep and Wool tomorrow.  Speaking of wool (that was a segue, by the way--transition skills, I have them), today's gift is...wool!

 

I have here a four ounce braid of hand-dyed roving (superwash merino) from Squoosh Fiberarts and a Winter 2009 Spin Off magazine (it's a good one, I just happen to have two--the same could be said about the fiber, actually).  Should you be interested, please tell me, in a comment on THIS POST,  about the best birthday tradition that you, yourself, observe or that you have heard of others observing (you can't list Novakkah, that's cheating...well, you can, but you need to tell me about something else as well).

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th.  Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

Have a great weekend everybody!

novakkah 2011 :: day one

 
Or, well, Cinco de Mayo.  I am not going to go into the full detail of what Novakkah is (been there), why I celebrate it (done that) and why it is so awesome (evident).  I think I did a good job detailing all this last year.  Last year was the first time that I invited blog readers to celebrate this most auspicious occasion with me, it was fun--so I figured we would do it again (but you know, only if you really want to).

 

The first gift of Novakkah this year were my purchases from the Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival from last weekend.  I bought some buttons because they were pretty spectacular and if I should get around to knitting a few sweaters, I might find them useful (in addition to pretty). 

 

I also bought some roving from the Sheep Shed folks.  They are always at the CT Sheep and Wool Fest, and I usually pick up some of their roving while there. 

I love their merino tencel blend it spins like a hot knife slides through butter.  If you are a spinner who has not spun a tencel blend, you should go and correct that.

I spun the Sheep Shed wool/tencel blend for the first time a few years ago.  The results were beautiful (she says humbly) but the colors (though spectacular), not really my thing--I know that I will never use it.  Maybe it's your thing (or someone you know will be a fan)? It's about 100 yards, worsted weight.

 

So today's Novakkah Gift is this skein of handspun. If you want a chance of getting the gift of this handspun, you need to leave a comment on THIS POST telling me about how you plan to spend your next birthday.  This Novakkah sees me traveling to Maryland for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, and Washington DC with the fam for a weekend of fun.  And I will be doing other things that I enjoy too.  I am very good at finding ways to celebrate the awesomeness that is me.  How are you celebrating your awesomeness this year?

 

I will take comments for this post, and the next seven Novakkah posts (that's daily blogging, people!), until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th.  Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter (with the exception of one gift--more time will be required, but you will figure out which one and why later).  How's that for fun?  As to how the winners are selected, totally at my discretion, it's my party, after all.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

wool (& celebration) is in the air

 
I really love this time of year.  The weather starts to warm up, flowers start to grow, birthdays are celebrated, and wool and sheep festivals start happening. 

As we have done for the past few years, the Littles and I packed up for a day in Vernon Rockville, Connecticut to spend a day with sheep (and sundry other animals).

We also did some (not alot, just a little) shopping.

How can you not when there are, among other things, vendors with so much awesome?

We had fun.              

So much fun.

We had so much fun that we think we will head down to Maryland for that big wool and sheep festival this weekend, you know the one.  Anyone else going?  I will be there on Satruday with K and the Littles.  I will be the woman wearing nary a handknit (but possibly a party hat) chasing her children all over the fairgrounds.  Good times!

Also, tomorrow starts a celebration, you know the one.  It's a fun party, I think; and, of course, you are invited.