Domestic Geek

I thought I had posted about this, but it turns out I just tweeted it. That's one of the major downfalls of sites like Facebook and Twitter, I'm not documenting stuff here. Anyway, back on June 26th, I got my rear in gear and finally took a lesson to learn to use the embroidery machine that Marcus got me for Christmas in 2007. I had stopped into the Aurora location of Rocky Mountain Sewing & Vacuum the week prior to inquire and met a wonderful lady named Barbara who said she's be more than happy to help me get started. I'm determined to find a way to make a living with that thing. One thing that is a side effect of any kind of sewing, but especially embroidery as I'm finding out, is the large amount of thread scraps all over. I've always meant to get a little basket or something to keep by the sewing machine to toss scraps into, but have never quite found something I liked. I started to make myself something out of plastic canvas years ago, but somehow managed to misplace part of it before I finished it.

A couple of weeks ago, Marcus used up the last of the oatmeal and tossed the container. Inspiration hit!

I've had that fabric with the cutting mats scattered over it for a couple of years now. I meant to cover magazine boxes with it, but have never gotten around to it. (<sarcasm>Big surprise!</sarcasm>) I picked up some bias tape for a couple of bucks at Joann's. I wish I had taken pictures during the process, but alas, I'm a slacker that way. I wrapped the oatmeal container with some batting and glued the fabric and bias tape on. I was happy with it at that point, but something seemed to be missing. While I was perusing designs of many of the embroidery sites I frequent, I came across a lovely embroidery machine on Designs by Sick. I added type to it in PE Design, put a border around it with one of the frame designs built into the machine and voila, Scrap Container. I used the lid as a base to keep the bottom from getting worn and messed up. I think it came out rather cute!

So...my 44th birthday is coming up in 23 days. Wow, time flies, huh?

As I get older, I find my desire for "stuff" waning. I'm trying to purge excess junk from my life. I can get music on iTunes, eBooks on Amazon and watch almost any movie or television show I want through Netflix. As my birthday approaches, I'm trying to tactfully address the issue of not wanting more physical "stuff."

If you're a good friend reading this and is trying to figure out what to get me for my birthday, may I suggest a Joann's gift card or a donation to my Paypal account (link in sidebar)? I am starting to build my embroidery business empire. One thing sorely lacking is a space to cut and hoop fabric and to set up my sewing machines. There is an awesome table I want at Joann's, but it is a little pricey. It's the one thing I want right now more than anything (except for a new embroidery machine or digitizing software - but at $10,000 and $1500 respectively, those will have to wait - LOL).

I've got to face the fact...my body is getting old.

I'm trying to work on a pair of crocheted earrings from the July/August issue of Crochet Today while I watch Lost streaming from Netflix on my PlayStation 3. I'm using a tiny steel size 12 (1mm) hook with crochet thread and I can NOT see the stitches. *sigh* I had to bust out my Ott light with the magnifier on it so I can work on these.

I knew my eyes were getting worse and it was time to go in for an exam and get some new glasses. This reinforced that thought. Oh, to be able to afford laser surgery.

Speaking of Crochet Today, that was the first and only issue I will ever buy. That magazine sucks. The earrings are the only thing in there that I will make. Most of the patterns are stereotypical of what people hate about crochet. Most of this stuff is FUGLY!

OK, gripe over for now. Off to crochet.

OK, I saw this on a Ravelry forum thread (link only works if you're a Rav member). While the thread was started over a year ago, I never saw it and I've never done this particular meme, so why not?

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Bold for stuff you??ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you??re not planning on doing.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffitti knitting: knitting items on, or to be left on the street
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Household items: dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies?K
knitting socks- or other small tubular items- on two circulars
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else??s handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
JewelryKnitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

When I picked my Ravelry username a few years ago, I had many monikers I used on the Internets. Since then, I've dropped most of the others and am just DomesticGeek most places. I saw that I could change my Ravelry username, so I typed in DomesticGeek and found that someone else already had it. Somebody who signed up AFTER me. *sigh* I have a Google Alert set up to tell me when it finds the phrase "Domestic Geek". I used to be that I only got hits for my own stuff. Now there are 3 other bloggers that I get returns for. It's weird. At first I was a little insulted. I was like, "How dare you use my name!" But, seriously, cyberspace is a huge place and there is room for all. I can't sign up for everything out there just to make sure any time you see DomesticGeek on the web that it is me. It's still weird, though. Kind of like digital doppelgangers. If you're curious about the others, just Google Domestic Geek.