New Lovely Things

Today I finally got the package I've been waiting for from KnitPicks!  I got an email from them a week or two ago that some of their yarn was being discontinued, so immediately I hopped on their website to snatch it up!  And since they offer free shipping on orders more than $50, well... how could I not fill up my cart with goodies?!  Since I had a goal to reach, I filled up most of the quota with a ball winder - as soon as I figured out how to assemble it (no instructions included - can you believe it?), I totally went to town on it.  It's literally my new best friend.  I might even sleep with it.

All of this yarn is simply delightful - especially the stacked skeins; they are so soft!  The yarn's line is called Sugarbunny, and rightfully so!  In December I bought a pink/coral version of the yellow and navy skeins, so I already know I'm going to love those.  ;)  On top of all that, the light gray skein was free!  From a promo that KnitPicks is doing.  I can't complain!  Also did some work on a new button with a shot I got earlier, as you can see below.  I've already added it to my sidebar, if you were so inclined to take it...  ;)

Tomorrow morning I'm heading into San Francisco to pick up an Ikea desk and hutch from a Craigslist listing that will become my new knitting "studio".  The desk is 63" long and is 3/4 the width of my room, so am I crazy for doing this?  The answer is probably yes, because I barely have room to turn around in my room from all the furniture already there, but they were free!  How could I say no?!   xx

currently listening to.... Dancin' Away With My Heart - Lady Antebellum

A Home for Heloise

I haven't mentioned Heloise on the blog here very much, but this post is all about her.  Heloise was bred into Guide Dogs for the Blind, and after she finished her puppy training, became a breeder for Guide Dogs.  After our previous dog, Sydney (I talked about her here) died of cancer in Feburary of 2011, my mom was looking for another dog as a companion on her daily hikes, and with her background with Guide Dogs (she and her three sisters raised puppies for them growing up), she called them up and found that they were looking for a custodian of a certain breeder. ;)  Being a custodian of a breeder means they are a semi-permanent dog.  They live with you in between pregnancies and while pregnant.  They go back to Guide Dogs to have their puppies, and raise them until they're 7 or 8 weeks.  Then they go back to their custodians, for a rinse and repeat cycle.

Keep in mind that we went into this knowing that she may not stay with us permanently, and our worst nightmares were answered when we found out that she was being pulled from the breeding program in April (for putting out only four puppies, across two litters) and being chosen to go back into training to become a guide.  Becoming a guide would mean serving a blind person for the rest of her life, and that meant we would never see her again.  So, we were heartbroken when we found out that she was going to be trained for that life.

Heloise has been home for a few weeks though, through when she's set to be spayed at the end of the month (for recovery).  She was supposed to go back to training in the beginning of July, and we've been counting down the days.  However!  Tonight my mom got a call from the people who raised her (we've been in contact with them since last summer, and met them multiple times), who told us that Heloise "belonged with us."  She was rejected from training today for annihilating Kong toys (rubber, cone-shaped chew toys), and apparently ingesting them, and her raisers had first pick if they wanted to keep her permanently or not.  And since they said no, she's ours!!  As soon as mom told us that, I instantly started crying from being so happy.  Never in a million years could I have hoped that things would have turned around this much.

Anyway, I'm sorry for this uber long post about my dog (who is now actually mine!) but I'm just so happy and excited!  :D   xx

currently listening to.... What Not to Wear

Sunny Streaks

  

Here's the adventurous post I was so secretive about yesterday!  Hair transformation.  What's my secret to amazing ombre-hair-dying skills, you ask?  One word, and one word only: chalk.  I kid you not!  My mom said I look like an "indian maiden" but what does she know about the hair-streaking trend??  Here's the best part about streaking your hair with chalk: it comes out with a wash (or two).  And this is what that means: you can put different colors in your hair depending on if you want to match your outfit, or if you were just wondering what specific colors would look like on you.  It's brilliant!

Here's how you do it!  First you need chalk pastels - be aware that regular sidewalk chalk that you have in your garage from when you were five will not work.  I tried.  You can find chalk pastels at your local arts & crafts store; I bought a 36 piece set for less than five bucks.  After you have your chalks squared away, fix up your hair.  I prepped mine by straightening it and putting it in a waterfall braid (I had an idea to color all the 'falling' pieces of hair, but ended up only doing one).  Once your hair is set, pick up whatever color you want to use, wet the tip of the chalk, and pull it down a small piece of your hair.  The smaller the piece, the better, it seems.  If you use a big chunk, you can see the chalk on individual hairs, and just looks less cohesive overall.  In my opinion.

Once you've applied the color, go over it with a blowdrier or flatiron to set the color into your hair; this will also bring out the true color of the chalk, since it will no longer be wet and dark-looking.  Whatever you do, DO NOT BRUSH THE COLORED PIECES OF HAIR.  I learned the hard way last night when I first experimented with the chalks.  Not only does it totally dilute and destroy your lovely streaks, it hurts like a bitch.  Swearing is necessary for this one.  It hurts that much.  Don't do it.

So that's how you make your hair look amazing and like you spent $100 on it for only five!  Do as many or as few streaks and colors as you want.  I did four, and for the ombre effect went from pink, to red, to orange, and to yellow. I think it looks pretty awesome!  No matter what my mom says.   xx

currently listening to.... She's Everything - Brad Paisley