Thursday, September 29, 2005

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.

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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

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

Then I made this

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and this

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and this

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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)

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then blues

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then greens

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then purples

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and finally words

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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.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I'm new to your blog and love your stitch markers! Another addiction... I can totally relate! My motto these days is, "just say no" but it doesn't always work ;-)

Amy said...

LOL, dressing up Boyd. The woman is moving on Saturday and she's beading on Thursday....yep, that qualifies as addiction. Um, in a good way, I think.
I can't seem to get anything finished as I have extreme startitis (my blog hasn't been updated since August, for goodness' sake) but I may have to go drag out the beads. Again.

Darci said...

I love the markers - I have been meaning to get that started...Great another addiction. Hi my name is Darci. and I am a craftaholic.

Anonymous said...

I admit it, I'm a sew-, knit-, craftaholic, too. I hear you!! I want to learn how to spin. Do I dare?? I love your stitch markers. I brought a few things back from my vacation in the States to make my own, I live in Berlin, Germany, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I think I'm worried I would get stuck and not get away from it. I like what you've been doing. May I get back to my knitting now????