iPhone gone Android with Samsung Galaxy Note

Yes, you heard it here first. This Apple girl has gone Android! No, I'm not abandoning Apple. I just feel that this particular phone is a better fit for me at this stage of my life.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Samsung Galaxy Note:

This is a huge phone, but its more than just a phone.  Its a tablet hybrid. Its a stunning 5.3" vividly bold screen with stylus (called an S-pen).
Its a camera. Its an e-reader, its thin and light and... well, big. But I love it. I recently gave my iPhone 4s (so long Siri) to my son and sold his iPhone 4 on Craigslist to purchase this. I haven't looked back. I still have my new 3rd gen iPad which is great but being wifi only I'm always searching for a free wifi signal. With my iPhone and my ATT unlimited data plan I had internet access but only on my small screen. Now with my Samsung Note I have the best of both worlds: a single web enabled device with a big screen and phone capabilities for no
additional monthly expense. Who wouldn't love that?

Yes. Its big. Yes, I do put it up to my ear and talk on it like a "normal" phone. No, I don't care who stares...

My new Golding spindle

Look what arrived today! I absolutely love this little Golding spindle. It spins like a mini tornado. My "Motherland" themed spindle collection has increased from 1 to 2 :)

A great Knitting machine information and pattern resource

Be sure to check out Britlady52's very generous collection of free knitting machine patterns and manuals online. Theres info for dozens of machines. Thanks Britlady52!

http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/Britlady52/

It Spoke To Me, I Swear!

Perusing Ravelry's "for sale" groups is dangerous business...

I should have been getting ready for bed, but instead I chose to check out the "Used Knit and Spin Equipment" group on Ravelry. I'd recently sold one of my Golding spindles through the group, a pretty Celtic design that I purchased at Rhinebeck from its maker, Tom Golding. It was much more of an impulse buy than a need and I just never bonded with the little guy (I mean the spindle, not Mr. Golding). So, I sold it to a 1st time Golding spindler. I hope the two are happy together.



While checking out the group I happened across several Goldings listed for sale - this intrigued me because Goldings are usually NOT so readily available for resale. Perhaps my listing set off a chain reaction? Perhaps the taboo of reselling a Golding was temporarily lifted? I'm not sure, but I saw about three others listed for sale. This particular one caught my eye and stole my heart:





It's an "African Mother and Child" ring spindle with antique sterling silver ring and accents. I learned from the seller that it was purchased on Mother's Day last year. It's so ironic that a year later it should become my Mother's Day gift to myself.

KnitKing 4000 / KnitMaster 4500-esque

My new-to-me knitting machine has arrived! It's a KnitKing 4000 (at least that's what my research suggests), which is very similar to a Knitmaster 4500. It's the perfect machine for intarsia knitting. I simply lay the yarn across the needle hooks and slide the carriage across the bed. Changing colors is as easy as grabbing a yarn end. It's that simple and I love it.

Here's a sample I did about a day after receiving he machine:



The machine came with some great tools too. Having two of each triple and double transfer tools make for easy cable knitting.



Multiple transfer tools: this one capable of handling 33 stitches! The other is an adjustable needle pusher capable of pushing up to 33 needles in any configuration.



And finally, the piece de resistance! A Knittax pattern cam that slides across the needle bed to select needles for patterning. It came with a set of 4 cams ( one is loaded inside):





Although the machine did arrive with some damage and the incorrect needles (which I repaired and the seller rectified) I'm delighted with this new machine.

Ferdez Craft Club - Origami

Every 3rd Thursday of the month my craft club meets to chat, chew and craft. We have show n' tell and focus on a new craft for the night. Last week was quilling - Nhi, a wonderful quiller, showed us how to create beautiful paper quilled flowers. More recently, we had an origami night. Magdelena taught us the meaning behind "one thousand cranes" and showed us how to make origami cranes, hearts and (my favorite) beautiful paper boxes.

Wow. Where have you been?

Ok, the real question is, where have I been... All over actually, with the exception of this blog.

I've been preoccupied. I've been machine knitting and rollerskating, sewing and spinning, crocheting and weaving, juicing and snacking. I've also discovered Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram and Viddy - all after saying goodbye to Facebook.

Yeah, I've been busy exploring other parts of the Internet. Its good to be back. Now, what have you been up to?

iPhone 4 - is it worth all this?

My iPhone 4 Experience:
Went to upgrade at local Radio Shack. Mgr says I'm eligible for $200 upgrade. Decide to upgrade two phones. My son's is approved, mine isn't even though we're on a family plan. Pay double for my phone. We both leave happy. Get 1 block and my home button won't work. Go back, get another new phone. Go several blocks and some demo video comes onscreen. Go back to RadioShack. Mgr apologizes for putting demo software on phone in error, has to restore phone. I wait 30 minutes while he makes calls to find out how to remove the demo software. He tries again, restore takes 25 mins. He exclaims "uh oh" and informs me that there was an error and restore won't go thru. Asks me to leave the phone there till tomorrow. He's out of iPhone 4s and will get me one tmrw. I tell him I need a phone - reactivate my old 3GS. He tries but can't reactivate the sim. He gives me a new sim. I leave with my same old phone, $600 lighter. Tired, frustrated, angry and jealous that my son ha a new working iPhone 4. Maybe I'll have mine tomorrow.


- Posted using BlogPress from my (old) iPhone

Moving

Hiya folks. I've been away from my blog again but that doesn't mean it hasn't been on my mind. So, what's new? Glad you asked.

I've just moved into a new apartment. My kids are almost out of the nest (2 down, 1 to go) so I looked for something I could live and love on my own.

Here's a little diddy I picked up from my local secondhand shop. It's a vintage Kenmore fan. Totally awesome with it's wood frame and steel vents (positionable). I think it has a lot of character...







I've also had an addition to the family, my Main Coon cat named Sushi. She's a doll! Rescued from an auto repair shop. Don't ask.




I've also turned onto an Ikea-aholic.


My bathroom.


My lovely slotted Ikea bench on my bathroom.


My kitchen.


My livingroom.


And my bedroom (excuse the messy bed, I'm getting in it now).


Nearly everything has come from Ikea in some way whether directly or indirectly. And, I'm actually very happy with it all.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Feeling good

My new way of eating has certainly been going well. I've lost about 7 lbs. in 2 weeks by eating healthy and reading labels. Juicing has become my main source of nutrition. My skin has been glowy and smooth and the dark circles which had moved in beneath my eyes have been evicted. I feel really good too! Like, good inside and clear headed. Dairy and I have parted ways and I've discovered almond milk which is just yummy!

I did decide to test what would happen if I ate cooked food. I ordered stuff tilapia with stuffed shrimp, rice and veggies. It was delicious but bells were going off in my body the minute it hit my lips. After eating just half my meal I felt a heaviness in my gut that I hadn't felt since I started juicing. The next morning, I couldn't get out of bed. My back was in spasms and I felt like bubbles of gas were trapped throughout my body, mainly in my upper back. The slightest movement caused excruciating pain. I spent the day doubled over trying to move around and work those bubbles out of my body. Two days later I'm feeling much better but I'm leaving cooked food alone!

Breakfast this morning consisted of bananas, granola, cucumber and coconut milk all blended together with a handful of ice into a really delicious smoothie. Seriously, even my daughter enjoyed it. The high fat content from the coconut milk should keep me full most of the day. Coconut milk contains "good" fat and no trans fats. I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be so concerned about what I put into my body. Blessed with a high metabolism I've always eaten what I wanted when I wanted yet paid the price for it with a bloated gut or upset stomach. Learning to feed my body good fuels and to "eat to live" instead of "live to eat" is an invaluable lesson.

Do yourself a favor, eat something living and green today...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Going Green - Day Five

So its nearing the end of my first week of eating healthy. Juicing has been a part of my daily life and its a part that I can definitely live with. I feel good, no heavy-gut-gotta-undo-my-pants-can't-sleep-on my-stomach-after-eating-feeling. ZERO! In addition to juice I decided to just keep it green and uncooked for the most part. I've been enjoying salads, fruits and veggies, juicing, sushi, trailmix, nuts and lightly steamed vegetables with brown rice. It hasn't been THAT difficult but with this BBQ weekend coming up I know my committment will be tested. A&P Prepares Green Way Debut Refresh

While shopping the produce section of my local A&P supermarket I came across some organic carrots on sale. 5lbs for $5 - even cheaper than the non-organic varieties. I'd never noticed the label before "Green Way Organic". Hmmmm... I grabbed my carrots and headed over to the cereal isle for some granola. Again, I noticed the Green Way Organic brands of cereal. After reading the labels and checking prices, this organic cereal was even cheaper than the commercially processed crap. Again, I'm thinking this might be the label to look for... I found organic peanut butter, instant oatmeal and more. The ingredients and simple organically grown, natural products. For example, my organic peanut butter had one line of ingredients: "Peanuts, Sea Salt". The peanut butter currently in my cupboard had about 4 lines of ingredients and warnings on the types of partially hydrogenated oils and nuts that may actually be in my "peanut" butter. Interesting.

Needless to say, I stocked up on a few things and went back for another bag of carrots - they were actually on sale for $4 :)

Just Juice - Day 2, Breakfast is served!

Slept like a baby last night! Most likely because my body didn't have to work so hard digesting solid and cooked foods. I juiced all day until my sushi dinner. Late night snack was a small cup of juice at nearly 2AM. I felt so comfortable - no fullness, no uneasy feeling in the stomach. I was even able to sit in my chair with my legs up against my chest, something I've never been able to after eating.

Breakfast of champions! Raw fruits and veggies juiced in my Breville Juice Fountain Elite.

This morning I woke up, thanked the Creator for a new day and downed two glasses of breakfast: spinach, parsley, cucumber, apple, carrot and ginger. Yum!

Just Juice, day one: Success!

I'm attempting a "juice only until dinner" fast. First day of juicing is over and done... not bad! Green/beet juice for breakfast and fruit juice for lunch. Graduation dinner out with the fam and I wasn't even tempted to have any of my son's filet mignon! I ate my fill of sushi (keeping it raw!). I'm getting ready for bed and I feel great. I'm not weighed down from over eating or tired from all the work my body normally does to digest my huge junk intake. Day one: success!
(Decided to make a quick "goodnight" juice - carrots, apples celery and ginger. Mmmmm mmmmm! :))

First Juicing

Last night was taco night at T's. And yes, I fell off the no-dairy wagon and had cheese on my taco! I'll start back on my no dairy fast on Monday. Promise!

We finally used his new juicer, a powerful Breville Elite (mine arrives on Monday). It was a lot of fun! We made a spinach, carrot, apple, cucumber, celery, ginger juice that was delicious! Man, vegetables never tasted so good! I woke up this morning feeling clearheaded and refreshed. Good stuff!

The Breville Elite has a huge 3" opening so you really don't need to cut up average size fruits and vegetables. We stuffed a whole head of celery right into the machine. Even juiced 3 carrots with the greens and all - at once. I highly recommend this 1000 watt juicer. It has two speeds 13,000 & 6000 RPMs so it's super fast!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

CSM Traveller Workcase - have CSM will travel!

I've had been looking for an easy way to travel to and from events with at least one of my very heavy, antique Circular Sock Knitting Machines. After purchasing my favorite CSM, a 1914 Gearhart from a seller on eBay, I decided to check out the link to her business site - The Appalachian Sock Company. This is where I first caught site of the CSM Traveller Workcase.
Each case is handcrafted from solid wood and built to your brand specific machine (i.e. the wood machine base for a Gearhart CSM will be slightly different from that of a Legare CSM).

Not only can my fully assembled Gearhart fit inside its CSM Traveller, but it comes out easily, still attached to the wood machine base, then securely fastens to the workstation with no screws to turn - just slide the base onto the workstation and slide the bolt into place. Done! Now, not only do I have a great way to securely travel with my CSM, but I no longer need to bring a table or stool to clamp my CSM onto. The CSM Traveller does it all, and in a nice neat little workcase that is very portable and extremely light for an all wood item.

Thanks Kim and Greg!

IF I HAD CANCER, or any DISEASE... (part 1 of 2)

I'm passionate about juicing and changing my life and my health. Are you?

California Dreaming - My dream plying wheel

Not sure why or how but I know when something is for you, it's for you!
This beautiful California bulky handcrafted spinning wheel fell into my hands for free. Well, not exactly free - I'm trading one of my sewing machines for it. The seller isn't a spinner but thought the wheel was a beautiful piece of furniture. I on the other hand, plan to do all my plying and spinning of bulky art yarns on this wheel.




It's absolutely stunning! Comes with three hand carved bobbins, a folder of information and yarn samples and a beautiful basket filled with roving.







I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! Actually, I'm not lucky, I'm blessed :)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Crankin 2010 Is Coming!

Oh I so wish I could attend this year's CSM conference in New Hampshire! Its going to be filled with fun, learning and of course lots of crankin! I placed my order for one of the early bird USB drives available separately for a limited time, or included with conference registration. It arrived today and its totally awesome! Lots of goodies inside :)

CSM Eye Candy

I put together a small slideshow of some of my CSMs for someone on Ravelry who's conducting a CSM survey. I figured I'd share it with you all :)

A New CSM! This time its twisted!

I'm VERY psyched about my new CSM. Its a 1929 Swedish CSM called, "Favorit". Not only is it my very first non-North American CSM (I've had Canadian and American so far), but its also my first non-traditional functioning CSM. This CSM is twisted, in that it knits inside out! Knitting happens at the top and spills down over the center tube. No weights needed when knitting, only during the cast on stage. Oh yeah, and there's no ribber. It shortrows for heels and toes just like a cylinder CSM. I've enlisted Caprifool's help in translating the manual and patterns. Time to brush up on my Swedish perhaps?

Check out the slideshow: