I found this website during my search for others iritated with the current system. It's a little loaded with religious content, but the over-all idea is right in line with what I'm thinking about these days...scroll below for ideas of meaningful gifts....

So...here something fun and stupid to pass the time when your supposed to be working...google...."________[your name] needs".

So I did that right? And I started reading them, and they started getting me all down about myself, even though I knew they werent really referring to me (personally)....there's just something psychological about reading "cristina needs to boil her stank twat". I don't know what that means exactly, but I'm highly offended.

so i decided to take the typical northern california hippie route and keep it positive...

Heres what comes up for "cristina has"...here we go...if you know me...this is very very erie.

Cristina has subsequently become an expert in this field of cyber-law.
no expert and not cyber law, but just escaped from the law field and cracked into the tech industry. might be a stretch....

Spains Princess Cristina Has A Baby Girl
i was born in spain. they also talked about queen sofia, which is my favorite little girls name.

Cristina has written: Muhamad's Desert Night
my husbands name is Mohammed.

Cristina has made her debut as a children stories writer.
i've always dreamed of writing childrens books, and have recently looked for classes to take.

CRISTINA has been honored by numerous organizations.
absolutely no relation here!! the only honors i've come across was when I had to say "your honor", but we don't need to go there.

Cristina has her BS in History, Sociology.
i have a BA in sociology.

Cristina has revealed her own plastic surgery.
i would never reveal that information!

Cristina has been a regular performer in the Seattle Opera Guild’s preview ...
met my hubby in seattle...

Someone elses turn to waste precious minutes of they're life....Pink Purls and KnitKnitKnitKnit...TAG...your it!!

He'll wear this project:



I love how he's standing there totally normal as if he's not wearing a matching fanny back.

CONTEST: Interesting Hand-Made Gift's

I'm in search for interesting Hand-Made gifts....

Did you get one? Did you give one??

Send me your ideas and pictures (knottieknitter@hotmail.com) , I'll make a collection for all to see...let's stop buying and start making!!!

The most unique idea will get a little sumin' sumin' from me in the old-fashioned mail!!!

I've officially declared 2006 as the year of personal health and enhancement!

The following is a list of places in the San Francisco Bay Area:

General Personal Improvement (cooking, painting, pottery, knitting, etc....):
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Craft Gym, SanFrancisco
Craigs List, Your Area
Piedmont Adult School, Peidmont
Randall Museum, San Francisco
Ceramics List, San Francisco Bay Area
Sharon Art Studio, Golden Gate Park - SF

Sewing:
Stone Mountain Fabric, Berkely (?)
Muse, San Francisco
List of a whole bunch of resources, Bay Area
Stitch Lounge, San Francisco

This Holiday societies over-consumption really got me down this year.

After taking some time to read through blogs of fellow craftinistas...I decided that the answer is clear.....no more Gap...no more Macy's....no more contibuting to the bastardization of the holiday's. It's time to get back to the basics and promote creativity rather then the over-consumption that our current market offers through the sacrifices of low-paid workers without the protections of labor laws and democracy.

So, lets hit those garage sales....antique stores....get our knitting needles....our sewing machines....wood and nails and start creating meaningful gifts for those we love.

I'm going to start collecting ideas throughout the year to prevent the last minute rush to Target next year...Please email me your ideas (knottieknitter@hotmail.com)!! The more we know...the more we grow.....

I will start with a few ideas here....
These two little numbers along with other really beautiful works can be found here.
Little Men:













Peg Doll:


Not crafty? You can purchase a bunch of little dolls here.
Or make them to reflect entire family!

You also have to check out this pencil roll and art bag little number by Red Current!

Here are some pictures of what she made:



















This is soooooo cool. Its a wreath designed by Posie Gets Cozie. It's gorgeous and colorful and wonderful. Also check her blog if you have a chance, it's pretty cool.




















Kicks ass. It's a quilt bag made by the very industrious Wise Craft, inspired by a japanese craft book called "Machine Made Patchworks".















These are some really cute coasters that I found on Chuculeta Con Raton blog.














Heres another one. You could make a super cute apron, here is one example, it can be found on Jessie Steele if your not confident enough to make one:



















matching oven mit too....


MORE TO COME....

finally found the perfect pattern!! These were designed by SavannahChik.
and she's starting a group...so i might join...considering my tendency to dive into things that are waaaay over my head....it'll be good to have someone there to help me along...expecially if that someone is the designer!!

Also found these funky things on Anti-Craft for my more sinister side....sooodamncool.

Need opinions...anyone heard of this one? I'm in desperate need of some serious stash busting, and thought that this little puppy might help me along....
What better excuse then "stash busting" could I have to justify this purchase?


Or this one...Alter Knits...I've checked it out a few times, and I'm not sure if I'll really knit anything from it....or use it as a coffee table book because its sooooo damn cool

Q1 Goals (Jan., Feb., Mar)
1. scarf - lina (jan. 15th ish)
2. scarf/ear warmers - mom (by 2/18)
3. toy - charity knitting (beginning of March-ish)
4. toy - mattie
5. toy - mattie's sister
6. toy- sofia
7. toy- natalia

Q2 Goals (Apr., May, June)
1. booties and beanie - matties soon-to-be sibling
2. blanket - matties soon-to-be sibling

In with the new Knitty, came the discovery of a fabulous artist and designer, Jess Hutchison. She designes interesting and unusual knitted toys, which also happens to be the answer to something I've been looking for, for awhile. Her patterns also happen to use one of my favorite yarn brands, Lions Pride by Brown Sheep...they have an amazing array of colors (despite the lack of color on their site!), and they're perfect for these types of toys.

Jess also has for sale, a booklet with a bunch of knitted toys, and let me you tell you, is a great buy! The best part of all this, is that Jess lives in my town and is now attending our Chicks with Sticks knit group on Monday nights at Bliss Bar in Noe Valley!

Just thought I would throw this in here since I'm at it. This is Misty Garden from Scarf Style. I knit it up using some Noro Auruora that my sis picked up for my in NYC.

Well here we go...our first Christmas...our first stockings (together, anyway)!
I made these sotckings using Lions Pride bulky and size 13 DPN's. They were a really fun and quick knit, and I was really satisfied with the way they turned out. I must say, however, they're not done. Still to come, a fuzzy white cuff, needle felted monograms and some overall felting. The one on the left belongs to my husband, and the one of the right is mine (and is supposed to be elf-like).

Well, here I am sitting aroung blogging 3 days before Christmas with a very relaxed look on face...silly considering the huge list of shopping I am still left to complete.

On another note, however...check out these pictures of my tree! This is our very first Christmas tree as a married couple...it's gorgeous, and I love it, and I'm dreading the day we'll need to take it down. Below are our 2 and only ornaments. A little German girl and boy that my grandmother gave to us (on the condition that we would paint their hair black so they would match my husband and I!!). I think they're really sweet.

Great news....I got my 3rd and final secret pal gift in the mail today!! It was wonderful....a great letter from Susan ....the cutest teddy bear ever....some candy (which is half gone at this point, even though I just received the package this morning)....candles...a hat pattern...some Noro (my fave!)....and a really really cute magnet...did I miss anything? She really really spoiled me this time.

This has been really fun, and I've enjoyed trying to figure out who she was. By they way...THANK YOU SUSAN!! I'VE LOVED ALL THE FUN SURPRISES!

The sad news, is that its over....:(

The crazy news is that Susan lives in very rural area in Washington called Richland. It just so happens that I had traveled up to this area last week. I was in Walla Walla and Pasco for one week last week...I was probably minutes from her house and how noooo idea!
Now THAT is crazy!

Thanks again Susan, you have made this really really fun for me, and I'll blog roll you and check up on you ever onces in awhile, I love to see all the great spinning and felting projects that your doing!

I've finally had the chance to yank myself away from my ever amounting work...to take some pics of some stuff I'm currently working on...or have since finished. So...I would like to present...my first crack at sock!!





Looks pretty cool, huh??.....well....sure...as long as you don't comepare it to anything of a reasonable size....check it out again with my (averaged sized) hand next to it.....
aaaahhh.....the importance of CHEKING YOUR GUAGE!!

Sorry I havent logged in a quite a while. and frankly i hadnt planned to today....but this is soooo fitting:

Your Birthdate: November 8

Watch out Donald Trump! You've got a head for business and money. You'll make it rich some day, even if you haven't figured out how yet. A supreme individualist, you shouldn't get stuck in a corporate job. Instead, make your own way - so that you can be the boss. Your strength: Your undying determination Your weakness: You require an opulent lifestyle Your power color: Plum Your power symbol: Dollar sign Your power month: August