Knitting just wasn't enough was it?

My mother went to visit her brother about a month ago. While she was there she learned to make bracelets. Not just some plastic beads tied on elastic string. No I mean really nice bracelets with clasps and everything. She made me this one.



Pretty isn't it. Over the next few weeks I watched her acquire more beads. Then she bought something to hold all her beads. Then when that was full she bought another container. She bought a bead design board, and tools, then better tools when she didn't like her first set. In short she is a bead addict. Like any good addict she tried to get those around her involved in her addiction. I remember doing the same thing when I learned to knit. It's easier to have an addiction when those around you share your addiction, then they aren't judging you and your spending habits. For weeks I resisted her temptation. I said things like "maybe later" (code phrase for "when hell freezes over") and "sure but I gotta finish this knitting first" (polite way of saying "I'd rather knit") and finally "Mom, I don't need another hobby." But being a dutiful daughter I didn't want to dampen her enthusiasm so on the eleventh time she asked me to bead with her I did. This stuff is like heroin. I'm addicted.

I made this



Notice the really cute heart toggle clasp. I made a matching one for Pork Chop.

Then I made this



and this



and this



The first one was for my Mom, and the second one was for me. I also made a small bracelet for my Grandma, but I forgot to photograph it before we gave it to her.

All this beading and wire led to the inevitable thought "I bet I could use these beads and this wire to make stitch markers."

Last night I tried it. And I can.

I made this (sorry for the blurry photo)



then blues



then greens



then purples



and finally words



As The Greatest watched me happily make my stitch markers last night he just fondly smiled at me and said "knitting just wasn't enough was it?" No, I guess not.

And that is Boyd modeling my stitch markers. I thought if I dressed him up and made him feel pretty he might be in a better mood. He might feel generous enough to grant me sunny weather on Saturday for my move. I thought this might be worth a shot. It seemed easier than sacrificing a chicken (that would involve building an alter, finding a live chicken, sharpening a knife, and a lot of bloody yuck) and quicker than waiting on the Post Office to deliver my box so I could smash it. We'll see how it goes. In the mean time I can proudly say we are moving Saturday and I have yet to pack a single thing. Don't worry too much. Most of my stuff is already packed and sitting in storage. Mostly I just have toys, clothes, movies, and the computer to pack. I can whip that all out tomorrow (I think). Ever the optimist I'm sure it will be fine.