tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85216710247136658342024-02-20T09:04:50.916-08:00The Second SleeveI was going to write a book entitled "The Second Sleeve: Memoirs of a Knitter." Perhaps it will be a compilation of thoughts found on the internet instead.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-86357025754541255032008-04-10T18:18:00.001-07:002008-04-10T18:52:15.060-07:00Homeward BoundA lot of people have expressed interest in my job, so I thought I would share in a little more detail what it is that I do. First, though a couple photos.<br /><br />We took a trip of the most amazing high schoolers to the Bahamas and saw all sorts of great things including large piles of conch that made me want to wear pink and think pink and be pink all day long. This may be influenced by the fact that I recently finished 'Skinny Legs and All' by Tom Robbins - an excellent read I would recommend to anyone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/R_7DndvY8rI/AAAAAAAAAX4/jKfuyh6nN3I/s1600-h/conch+shells.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/R_7DndvY8rI/AAAAAAAAAX4/jKfuyh6nN3I/s200/conch+shells.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187798903543100082" border="0" /></a><br />I finished my father's Christmas socks, making the close of the Christmas knitting official. These are the Mock Wave Socks from Favorite Socks. I knit them on size 1 needles with Trekking Pro Natura yarn. More details can be found on ravelry or by request as I am a little tired and honestly can't be bothered to look them all up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/R_7DntvY8sI/AAAAAAAAAYA/mxjuLh_X3xg/s1600-h/dad%27s+socks.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/R_7DntvY8sI/AAAAAAAAAYA/mxjuLh_X3xg/s200/dad%27s+socks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187798907838067394" border="0" /></a><br />Onto my job and what it is that I do. Basically I am a deckhand on tallships (traditionally rigged vessels). This amounts to taking part in the every day running of the vessel as well as doing what other people tell me to do. On my current boat, the S/V Denis Sullivan, we took out programs with adults and high schoolers in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas until late March. Then we started the transit north. The boat's home port is in Milwaukee, WI but since the sailing in the Great Lakes is non-existent in the winter the boat goes south with the birds. Our stops have included Fort Pierce, FL; Brunswick, GA; Beaufort, NC; and Baltimore, MD where I am now. Before we reach Milwaukee we will be stopping in Woods Hole, MA; Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec; Port Huron, I don't know which state; and probably somewhere else in the Lakes. We'll stop generally for around three days in each port depending on weather and a number of other variables. So that's the schedule.<br /><br />The really great part of my job is getting the boat from place to place. This is generally known as 'transiting.' While underway we break into watches, essentially shifts. There are three watches made up of at least three people each. The watch schedule is as follows:<br />0300-0800<br />0800-1300<br />1300-1800<br />1800-2100<br />2100-0300<br />Each watch, or group of three people works one watch period then has two off. So you basically work 9 hours a day or so, the 9 hours are just spread around you get a 10 hour lunch in between.<br /><br />While on watch we take turns to steer, do lookout, and every hour we do a boat check. Boat checks include a physical check of all compartments in the boat as well as weather observations and plotting our position on the chart (nautical map).<br /><br />Off watch time is your's to do with what you will. For the most part people sleep, but you hit a point where you can't sleep any more. This is when computers come out to watch movies on, or a lot of reading occurs. I often sit in my bunk and listen to books on tape and knit. Sometimes if the seas aren't to rough and the sun is out I'll take my chair on deck for a little knitting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/R_7Dm9vY8qI/AAAAAAAAAXw/F2k5IFPlXY8/s1600-h/chair+on+deck.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/R_7Dm9vY8qI/AAAAAAAAAXw/F2k5IFPlXY8/s200/chair+on+deck.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187798894953165474" border="0" /></a><br />Meals occur between watches and are prepared by the cook (!) who doesn't stand watch. The oncoming watch eats a little before their turn on deck and the offgoing and standby watches eat after that. This way everyone gets to sit and eat a leisurely meal and the navigation and safety of the boat isn't neglected.<br /><br />Sometimes it is necessary to go aloft to do some work or sort something out. I love working aloft and take every opportunity to go, as it affords a much better view than on deck. Here I am sporting my new t-shirt my mother bought me. I do love the color orange.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/R_7DoNvY8tI/AAAAAAAAAYI/UAL4VBXJvt8/s1600-h/me+aloft.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/R_7DoNvY8tI/AAAAAAAAAYI/UAL4VBXJvt8/s200/me+aloft.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187798916428002002" border="0" /></a><br />That was a brief overview of what I do, but hopefully it answered some questions. If anyone wants to know more please ask. I love to my job and I love to talk about what I do and if you're lucky I won't be as tired when I reply and will do so with more eloquence.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-19192814628332681922008-03-05T18:23:00.000-08:002008-03-09T12:07:16.021-07:00A Fish Out of WaterFor the second time in as many months I find myself quite literally a fish out of water. I am currently aboard the S/V Denis Sullivan and we are hauled out in West Palm Beach, FL for our three year Coast Guard inspection. This entails a day of sitting around while the boat is hauled out and a week of long days with lots of work that can only be done while the boat is out of the water - like re-caulking some of the hull seams.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2312958385_4d13e6a1ed.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2312958385_4d13e6a1ed.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2312977269_93dc88c238.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2312977269_93dc88c238.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The long hours also mean that in the evening I am too exhausted to do much more than knit and watch a movie or some television in the crew lounge. Television usually wins because it is such a novelty these days. We don't have TV on the boat so the idea of watching something like Gray's Anatomy is novel and exciting. I am so close to closing out Christmas '07 it hurts. Today I put my Uncle's socks in the mail along with an altered Odysseus sweater. All I have left is 3/4 of the second sock for my father and Christmas will officially be behind me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2313759408_fbbd837ef8.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2313759408_fbbd837ef8.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Penelope was not as pleased as she could be with the neckline on the original Odysseus sweater, and I don't blame her the neckline was basically crap, so I did a little tinking and a little tinkering and have come up with something that will hopefully work much better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2157/2313831628_9349240e31.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2157/2313831628_9349240e31.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />In other news I have officially put my feet in the Atlantic. I have done this before but only once, this time around I have repeatedly put my feet in the Atlantic. I have also gone snorkeling for the first time in my life - how cool is snorkeling?! While I am a West Coast girl through and through the East Coast and the Atlantic aren't as bad as previously imagined - much warmer and saltier but otherwise delightful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/2313817450_60189596fa.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/2313817450_60189596fa.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-32316604586311870132007-12-19T09:14:00.001-08:002007-12-19T09:18:20.396-08:00Hello?Dear <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tenacious</span> reader,<br />Why are you still here? I haven't posted in almost two months. Go knit something. I do however have something of an explanation. These past four months have been the funnest happiest months I've had in awhile and instead of worrying about writing it all down and taking all the right photos and sharing them in a meaningful format I went out and had a blast. There you have it. I'm heading to the Bahamas to work on another boat in January and I may or may not post from there (let's be honest I probably won't) but since I am home right now with very little to do other than panic about Christmas knitting I will likely do something of an update. We'll see.<br /><br />At any rate Happy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Christmahannukwanzika</span> to everyone and may all your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">recipients</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">receive</span> completed gifts, I know mine won't.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-42546666484847771702007-11-05T15:59:00.000-08:002007-11-05T16:14:48.633-08:00A Photo Essay<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vHUbF3dI/AAAAAAAAAWE/q_32krocfzk/s1600-h/lynx+2007+part+deux+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129511040874569170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vHUbF3dI/AAAAAAAAAWE/q_32krocfzk/s200/lynx+2007+part+deux+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Someones Christmas present!<br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vHkbF3eI/AAAAAAAAAWM/16PQIoYMP5I/s1600-h/lynx+2007+part+deux+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129511045169536482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vHkbF3eI/AAAAAAAAAWM/16PQIoYMP5I/s200/lynx+2007+part+deux+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vI0bF3fI/AAAAAAAAAWU/dz8uvchQNHM/s1600-h/lynx+2007+part+deux+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129511066644372978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vI0bF3fI/AAAAAAAAAWU/dz8uvchQNHM/s200/lynx+2007+part+deux+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />My birthday present to myself. Those who know me will note the green and orange qualities of my skateboard.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vJEbF3gI/AAAAAAAAAWc/LBPdN5360w4/s1600-h/lynx+2007+part+deux+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129511070939340290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vJEbF3gI/AAAAAAAAAWc/LBPdN5360w4/s200/lynx+2007+part+deux+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I made the trek while in San Francisco and it was totally worth it. I would live here if I could.<br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vK0bF3hI/AAAAAAAAAWk/tn9l1RRxl9Q/s1600-h/lynx+2007+part+deux+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129511101004111378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-vK0bF3hI/AAAAAAAAAWk/tn9l1RRxl9Q/s200/lynx+2007+part+deux+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Privateer Lynx braced sharp around, sailing close to the wind.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-wL0bF3kI/AAAAAAAAAW8/KBHAFPsHb_A/s1600-h/lynx+2007+part+deux+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129512217695608386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-wL0bF3kI/AAAAAAAAAW8/KBHAFPsHb_A/s200/lynx+2007+part+deux+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />View of the deck of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_India_(ship)">Star of India</a> from the Main Royal yard (that's the highest place you can climb to on the boat).<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-wK0bF3iI/AAAAAAAAAWs/n__p51qBvDQ/s1600-h/lynx+2007+part+deux+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129512200515739170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-wK0bF3iI/AAAAAAAAAWs/n__p51qBvDQ/s200/lynx+2007+part+deux+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-wLUbF3jI/AAAAAAAAAW0/4brWg3V9YWc/s1600-h/lynx+2007+part+deux+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129512209105673778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Ry-wLUbF3jI/AAAAAAAAAW0/4brWg3V9YWc/s200/lynx+2007+part+deux+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Battle Sail in San Diego Harbor with the Californian and the HMS Surprise (the boat from Master and Commander).<br /><br />There are a few more photos in no particular order on my flickr account, Christineolea, for them as are interested.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-49185717587489181192007-11-04T22:03:00.000-08:002007-11-04T22:18:03.929-08:00Paving the RoadEvery time we come into port I have every intention of posting and they my laziness wins. As it is I am four ports later than the last time I posted and no update. <br /><br />It's late and I'm tired so this is going to be quick.<br /><br />I had a day off in San Francisco/Sausalito so I headed over to Artfibers and marveled at the glory of their yarn. I got some fabulous red mohair/silk laceweight. I do love laceweight. I also took up the skateboard.<br /><br />After Sausalito we headed down the coast to Moss Landing. Nothing much happening in Moss Landing except the sea lions we docked next to that never shut up. Ever.<br /><br />Next was Morro Bay. Morro Bay was great, very friendly people, nice town, good general vibe. I bought myself a skateboard for my birthday. It's orange and I love it. Knitting has been slow, I'm not really feeling the socks I'm making right now and I'm waiting on some yarn that I ordered and age ago to keep working on My Brother's Sweater. The plan is to start some different socks I like more and set the current ones aside for the time being. <br /><br />After Morro Bay was Long Beach and Catalina. Nothing too exciting, we had a day off on Catalina, which was lovely. I did some hiking, some snoozing, some knitting and some eating of ice cream. You can't ask for much more on a day off.<br /><br />Now I find myself in San Diego where it has not completely burned to the ground. The sailing has been pretty good and today the HMS Surprise (the boat from Master and Commander) came out to play, pretty pretty boat. The knitting is still at something of a standstill and I'm starting to panic because Christmas is coming ever faster and some of my family have rather large feet. <br /><br />Soon (ha) I'll even have pictures of all my adventures to share. As it is right now you'll have to do with half-assed exposition.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-37782276028319371612007-10-06T21:06:00.000-07:002007-10-06T21:47:08.551-07:00WhalesThis is a long one folks, it's been awhile since I've been in touch with the outside world and there is a lot to report. <div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>When I last left you we were having a day off in Portland. That was good times, saw some family, saw some friends, general merriment all around. Soon though, it was time for us to leave Portland. In order to do this we had to go under I-5. In order for our 96 feet to fit under I-5 they have to raise the bridge. That's right folks I have officially stopped traffic on Interstate 5, twice (coming and going). If that's not something to tick off the list of things to do in my life I don't know what is. </div><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhiesP3UHI/AAAAAAAAAVE/D6_koOdkghI/s1600-h/lynx+2007+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118449255919865970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhiesP3UHI/AAAAAAAAAVE/D6_koOdkghI/s200/lynx+2007+014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>On our way back out the rolling Columbia we docked at a dock that is literally in the middle of nowhere. Some yacht club built this dock on the Columbia for their members, but others can use it if no one is there. Pretty funny to dock on a dock completely unconnected with land. </div><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhifcP3UJI/AAAAAAAAAVU/I0UwNXu0T8I/s1600-h/lynx+2007+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118449268804767890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhifcP3UJI/AAAAAAAAAVU/I0UwNXu0T8I/s200/lynx+2007+024.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /> </div><div>We passed the Please Please Me. You read it right.</div><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhifMP3UII/AAAAAAAAAVM/uxQNSy8x2BQ/s1600-h/lynx+2007+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118449264509800578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhifMP3UII/AAAAAAAAAVM/uxQNSy8x2BQ/s200/lynx+2007+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then there was our transit. This transit, from Ilwaco, WA to San Francisco, CA is the longest we will be taking this season. We left Monday midday and arrived Thursday night. What a great transit. First we waited out some weather in Ilwaco then made our way across the bar. The Columbia River Bar is one of the most infamous bar crossings in the world so of course all kinds of precautions were taken. I gotta say though that the hype far outshone the actual thing. It was a little rocky but not too bad and we made it out without any incident. </div><div><br />The first couple days of our transit were wet. We were still experiencing the seas left behind by the weather we waited out. There was some rain but mostly there was just a lot of spray. This boat has the wettest foredeck of any boat I've been on so far. The bow cuts through the waves like a knife through hot butter, unfortunately this means a lot of spray and splash come up over the deck. This boat also has the leakiest<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forecastle"> fo'c'sle</a> of any boat I've been on so far. Take five wet sailors, add wet foul weather gear, steep for two days in leaky fo'c'sle dousing with more water as needed. Luckily the last couple days were fabulous. The sun came out, the seas calmed down and my foulies actually dried. I even managed to sit on deck in the sunshine on my offwatch and knit for awhile.<br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>While transiting we break into a watch system, this means that someone is driving the boat 24 hours a day and we all take it in turns. I was on the 12-4 watch which means I stood watch in the middle of the day and the middle of the night. This also means that I worked 8 out of every 24 hours. Needless to say I got a lot of sleep, did a lot of knitting and read a lot. I love transits. </div><div><br />The last day of the transit was the best by far. During my watch JP and went aloft to unfurl the square topsail, this is an easy job that makes for good skylarking. When we arrived at the crosstrees we were awarded the view of a veritable minefield of whale spouts. They were everywhere. As it happens the Lynx breaks for whales so we slowed down to have a look and were rewarded in spades. Whales spouting, whales breaching, whale flukes, saw so many whales it almost got old. Almost. Then the dolphins came. If there is any animal I would like to come back as it is a dolphin, they seem to just have fun all the time. Then there were the sea lions. We found ourselves in the middle of a fabulous party and everyone was having a blast. </div><div><br />Due to my fabulous photography skills all I really have are pictures of where whales used to be but take my word for it, there were lots and they were within 100 yards or so. So cool.</div><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhjksP3UKI/AAAAAAAAAVc/R9UkVWmpJeM/s1600-h/lynx+2007+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118450458510708898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhjksP3UKI/AAAAAAAAAVc/R9UkVWmpJeM/s200/lynx+2007+033.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhjlsP3UMI/AAAAAAAAAVs/dyE5kBBYv5s/s1600-h/lynx+2007+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118450475690578114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhjlsP3UMI/AAAAAAAAAVs/dyE5kBBYv5s/s200/lynx+2007+036.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rwhjl8P3UNI/AAAAAAAAAV0/YE8PDBOK2kY/s1600-h/lynx+2007+033.jpg"></a><br /><br />The last couple days we've been doing daysails in the San Francisco Bay. Good wind, good sailing and the Blue Angels are in town for Fleet Week so that is fun too. Nothing quite like a good sail with the Blue Angels and other interesting planes flying all around.</div><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhkGMP3UOI/AAAAAAAAAV8/xVCbpi79Y1o/s1600-h/lynx+2007+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118451034036326626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhkGMP3UOI/AAAAAAAAAV8/xVCbpi79Y1o/s200/lynx+2007+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh, and I finished my Love Lace socks. I am wearing them right now in fact. I don't have all the details in front of me, but they are the latest installment of the Rockin Sock Club, the best club in the world. Here they are off the coast of California. </div><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhjlMP3ULI/AAAAAAAAAVk/uVHQO8f8Rmc/s1600-h/lynx+2007+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118450467100643506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RwhjlMP3ULI/AAAAAAAAAVk/uVHQO8f8Rmc/s200/lynx+2007+027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My energy wanes and my bunk is calling my name. Hopefully I'll be able to update sooner next time so my post won't be so epic, we'll have to wait and see. </div></div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-48028892414694813402007-09-25T14:51:00.000-07:002007-09-25T15:34:49.755-07:00United At Last<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmDgtKXvOI/AAAAAAAAAUU/pnbo5Ij1idE/s1600-h/tina%27s+sweater+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114263449758055650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmDgtKXvOI/AAAAAAAAAUU/pnbo5Ij1idE/s200/tina%27s+sweater+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In other news Penelope has finally recieved her sweater. She held off the other suitors just long enough and is happy to be reunited with her Odysseus, changed though he may be.<br /><br />Pattern: Elizabeth's Percentage System. The lace insert is from Barbara G. Walker's Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns I don't remember what they are called and don't have the book to hand but they're in there.<br />Yarn: Koigu Premium Merino, 7 hanks.<br />Needles: size 3<br />Notes:<br />The neck might need a little work, Penelope is going to wear it for awhile and see what she thinks. It's a bit funny and doesn't sit quite right. To be honest the neck is where I deviated from Elizabeth Zimmerman and things went wrong. I told Penelope that I won't be able to do anything about it until Christmas anyway so she should just wear it and see if she wants it changed. If I'm lucky she'll come to love the wonky neck, even if she doesn't right now.<br />At any rate I'm pretty pleased with the results and the Koigu makes a wonderful fabric. The best part, however, is the 5 hanks of Koigu I have left that I'm keeping as my fee (that and Penelope isn't much of a knitter and doesn't want them anyway). What will I do with my five fabulous hanks of Koigu? I'll have to think about it.<br /><br />I also want to say thanks to everyone for the comments on my knitty article. I also find felting by hand to be a great stress reliever and a good way to feel better about sitting around and knitting all the time.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-58346584699343073032007-09-24T20:57:00.001-07:002007-09-25T15:51:39.294-07:00Plan A: Don't SuckPlan B: Stop sucking, stick to plan A.<br /><br />So far on my contract we've mainly stuck to Plan A, no need to stop sucking, we haven't started. The internet on the other hand skipped straight to plan B and hasn't stopped sucking. Therefore I don't have any pictures.<em> Just kidding, I now have pictures and have added them where appropriate along with more details now that I am properly rested.</em><br /><br />After Ilwaco we headed up the river to St. Helens, near Scapoose home of Blue Moon Fiber Arts, my socks definitely felt at home. On an 1812 Privateer it is necessary to fire upon any and every port. We love us our carronades.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmPDdKXvPI/AAAAAAAAAUc/1ac7IaOfdwU/s1600-h/christineolea+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114276141386415346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmPDdKXvPI/AAAAAAAAAUc/1ac7IaOfdwU/s200/christineolea+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmPDtKXvQI/AAAAAAAAAUk/iwc8VJ86Mas/s1600-h/christineolea+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114276145681382658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmPDtKXvQI/AAAAAAAAAUk/iwc8VJ86Mas/s200/christineolea+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After hanging out in St. Helens for a few days we came further up the river to Portland for the Second Annual Pirate Festival. So awesome words can barely begin to describe it. An entire two days dedicated to talking and dressing like a pirate. Oh, and cannons. No pirate festival would be complete without cannons. The gunner even let me fire a couple off.<br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmP1tKXvSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/7ZoHYh9PfH4/s1600-h/christineolea+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114277004674841890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmP1tKXvSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/7ZoHYh9PfH4/s200/christineolea+030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We were also sure to hang a Pirate from the yardarm to show everyone what would happen should they choose to mess with us.<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmP1dKXvRI/AAAAAAAAAUs/EH9Bvj41xkc/s1600-h/christineolea+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114277000379874578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmP1dKXvRI/AAAAAAAAAUs/EH9Bvj41xkc/s200/christineolea+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />No proper Pirate Festival is complete without a giant inflatable Kraken. Luckily this was a proper Pirate Festival.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmP2NKXvTI/AAAAAAAAAU8/k7_WySkanGs/s1600-h/christineolea+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114277013264776498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RvmP2NKXvTI/AAAAAAAAAU8/k7_WySkanGs/s200/christineolea+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />As the Purser onboard the Lynx I am responsible for the ship's store. This entails setting up display items of what we sell and sitting in the main saloon chatting with people and taking money should they decide to purchase something. This also means that I have a lot of knitting time. So far I have finished Sock 1 of the Christmas socks, the first sock and half of the second sock of the most recent sock club installment. Before I got on the boat I spent a lot of time thinking about what knitting to bring but I was secretly worried in the back of my mind that I wouldn't have much time to knit. Then I found out that my job entails me sitting sometimes for hours on end and what better way to fill your time? As if working on boats wasn't enough fun, I get to knit while I work.<br /><br />Tomorrow is crew day off and I am lucky enough to have friends in town so I'll get to see them then we are heading back out the river stopping in St. Helens and Ilwaco again then down to San Francisco. By that time I should easily have my second Rocking Sock Club sock done ready to adorn my feet in the foggy San Francisco Bay.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-37438890134988749682007-09-15T21:01:00.000-07:002007-09-15T21:13:02.565-07:00I'm famous!For those of you who don't know, I didn't until today so you're not alone, I'm famous! Well, sort of. I wrote an <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/FEATfeltingoldway.html">article</a> for <a href="http://www.knitty.com"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Knitty</span></a> awhile back and it got printed. I'm so excited, I felt good about it but they actually liked it and printed it. I've already gotten emails from some people who have read it. This is like writing a paper in college but better.<br /><br />I finished my first Love Lace anklet and I am still in love lace. I haven't started the second one because I've been busy starting my new job on the Privateer Lynx. I started Tuesday and this is the first chance I've had to get on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">internet</span>. Alas there is no picture of my new sock but it is all things lovely and wonderful in this world.<br /><br />As I reenter the world of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tallship</span> sailing I find myself rediscovering unused muscles. I clamber about all day and at bedtime it is all I can do to clamber into my bunk. I also find myself in the unusual position of being the only girl on a boat full of boys. All the previous boats I've worked on have been predominantly women and now I am the sole outpost of the double X chromosome. <br /><br />Thanks to those who have come because of my being famous and I hope you'll come again. Sadly as I have mentioned before I am working at a job that doesn't allow for constant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">internet</span> access so posts will be even fewer and farther between, but hopefully laden with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">hair raising</span> tales and lots of knitting.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-59359344839815526212007-09-09T17:45:00.001-07:002007-09-09T17:50:23.319-07:00Love LaceI don't know if gentiles can plotz, but I think I am.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuSUktjaYII/AAAAAAAAAUM/0huAZhGfLT0/s1600-h/DSCN2295.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108371235769311362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuSUktjaYII/AAAAAAAAAUM/0huAZhGfLT0/s200/DSCN2295.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Summer of Love Lace, the latest installment of the Rockin Sock Club.<br />At first I was dubious about anklets, but now I'm a little bit in Love Lace.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-15724873493830888192007-09-07T14:30:00.000-07:002007-09-07T14:43:28.632-07:00let there be Kaffe.<div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuHFQNjaYFI/AAAAAAAAAT0/zvFzpwACC_Y/s1600-h/DSCN2290.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107580334721622098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuHFQNjaYFI/AAAAAAAAAT0/zvFzpwACC_Y/s200/DSCN2290.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Pattern: Undulating Rib Socks by Ann Budd in Favorite Socks from Interweave.</div><br /><div>Yarn: The wonderful love child of Regia and Kaffe Fasset in the Landscape Earth colorway. </div><br /><div>Needles: size 1 for the feet and size 2 for the legs.</div><br /><div>Notes: I've never used Regia before but I quite enjoyed it. A little splitty, but otherwise a delightful sock yarn.<br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>On the first sock I did the leg on size 1 needles and while I could get it over my heel it was a bit of a trial. I knit the second sock leg with size 2 needles and had no trouble getting it on. This forced me to suck it up and rip out the leg of the first sock and re-knit on size 2. This was the best decision and now I think I'll wear these socks all the time.<br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>Going up in needle size meant I didn't have to do any tricky math to add more stitches or re-knit my heel flaps as well to add more stitches. I don't know if I would have thought of that if I hadn't already heard of the idea from smarter knitters than myself. </div><br /><div>My notes weren't good enough to synchronize my undulations exactly but they are 'close enough for government work' as my mother says. I didn't necessarily want the color stripes to match so I told myself I would just knit from the beginning of the skein and be happy with what I got. Lo and behold I am. </div><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuHFQ9jaYGI/AAAAAAAAAT8/fz0xgOEAS3k/s1600-h/DSCN2291.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107580347606524002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuHFQ9jaYGI/AAAAAAAAAT8/fz0xgOEAS3k/s200/DSCN2291.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-33473867340742360022007-09-06T18:04:00.000-07:002007-09-06T18:48:48.467-07:00Sweater Swatch SagaI have finally come to a sweater design for My Brother's Sweater. I've been working on this like crazy for the last couple weeks and I've finally made it. This whole process has sent me back to school and the agony of writing papers.<br /><div><br /><div>1. Go to the library. Check out a lot of books, especially from inter library loan (they come from further away and are thus better). Feel as though a lot of work has been done something has really been accomplished.</div><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCpIdjaYCI/AAAAAAAAATc/LcL_gCrHwtg/s1600-h/DSCN2157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107267940275347490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCpIdjaYCI/AAAAAAAAATc/LcL_gCrHwtg/s200/DSCN2157.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>2. Wait a week or so. Page through a few books. Take some notes, always cite your sources.</div><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnBNjaX-I/AAAAAAAAAS8/HVpCf6FtpGE/s1600-h/DSCN2263.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107265616698040290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnBNjaX-I/AAAAAAAAAS8/HVpCf6FtpGE/s200/DSCN2263.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>3. Write something while secretly denying that it is a little bit crap and not quite what the teacher is asking for. Pretend loudly that it is really good and clearly everything the teacher could possibly want. </div><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnAtjaX9I/AAAAAAAAAS0/20Iy3TYGOrY/s1600-h/DSCN2281.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107265608108105682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnAtjaX9I/AAAAAAAAAS0/20Iy3TYGOrY/s200/DSCN2281.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>4. Suck it up and revise. A lot time went into the first permutation and it is so good there is no reason to give it all up. Secret denial of it's suckiness continues along with the loud proclamations of it's fabulousness. </div><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnBtjaX_I/AAAAAAAAATE/F3fv73aqjfk/s1600-h/DSCN2282.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107265625287974898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnBtjaX_I/AAAAAAAAATE/F3fv73aqjfk/s200/DSCN2282.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnCdjaYAI/AAAAAAAAATM/UyRqFkI4IHo/s1600-h/DSCN2283.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107265638172876802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnCdjaYAI/AAAAAAAAATM/UyRqFkI4IHo/s200/DSCN2283.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>5. Time is becoming an issue. If this paper isn't finished soon the teacher will be so disappointed and there won't be much point in getting up tomorrow. Much revision and effort have provided an abundance of material, more than could ever into any one paper. The final version is in there somewhere waiting patiently to get out. If only it would make an effort, all the work wouldn't have to come from this end. </div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCq-tjaYEI/AAAAAAAAATs/JgHBC0_CXvM/s1600-h/DSCN2284.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107269971794878530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCq-tjaYEI/AAAAAAAAATs/JgHBC0_CXvM/s200/DSCN2284.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnCdjaYAI/AAAAAAAAATM/UyRqFkI4IHo/s1600-h/DSCN2283.JPG"></a></div><div>6. Suck it up again. Write one more version and swear it will be the last, whether or not it's crap. Time is of the essence and there isn't a lot to spare. </div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCpI9jaYDI/AAAAAAAAATk/xZGjw6DL9PE/s1600-h/DSCN2285.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107267948865282098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCpI9jaYDI/AAAAAAAAATk/xZGjw6DL9PE/s200/DSCN2285.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>7. Wish fervently that this was the final copy, but the time for secret denial is over. Merry Christmas anyone? Sense of pride and 'if you're going to take the time to do it take the time to do it right' kick in. Damn the man. </div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div></div><div>8. Rejoice in a successfully designed sweater. One that the recipient will happily wear, not just the first thing that came to mind. No secret denial here! </div><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnCtjaYBI/AAAAAAAAATU/bABIisPleAo/s1600-h/DSCN2286.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107265642467844114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RuCnCtjaYBI/AAAAAAAAATU/bABIisPleAo/s200/DSCN2286.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>9. If the teacher doesn't like it he better have the good sense not to say anything.</div><div> </div><div>I leave for work on the Lynx in 4 days and now I can take this sweater with me. Phew. My hope is to give it to my brother for Christmas, as he is expecting more for his birthday in 2009 or so it should be a good surprise. Now that it is all designed all I have to do is knit the damn thing. And design some ribbing. and... and... </div></div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-37052591918727318832007-09-04T12:08:00.000-07:002007-09-04T12:26:48.921-07:00Like sands through the hourglassThe landscape is changing here at the Second Sleeve.<br /><br /><br />Firstly Christmas is coming and I've already done the whole bit where I wrap an unfinished project, needles and all, and tell the recipient she'll get it when she gets it. Last year I started nice and early and this year is no different. I also happen to be at a good place to start with Christmas, having almost nothing else on the needles. Since this is the internet and this blog is public I won't be posting what I'm making for Christmas. I will, however, put it all on Ravelry since you still need an invite to get in there and no one in my family has one.<br /><br /><br />Secondly I'm going back to work on boats. I'll be working on the <a href="http://www.privateerlynx.com/">Privateer Lynx</a> and I'm super excited. A side effect of working on boats is less than regular and reliable connection to the outside world. I already don't post that often, but after September 12th it will become even less regular. This coupled with Christmas coming will likely change the content of yee olde cheshire blog. I've been thinking about how I post and what I write for awhile, so we'll see if I actually do anything about it.<br /><br />And now a tantalizing glimpse at what Christmas holds for my family. This is all the yarn I need to make fabulous gifts for my entire family except one. I still haven't finalized what I'm making for one family member, but I am blessed with a small family and only need to worry about 7 people to encompass them all.<br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rt2w29jaX7I/AAAAAAAAASk/X-Uy-fzvd9Q/s1600-h/DSCN2277.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106432010790526898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rt2w29jaX7I/AAAAAAAAASk/X-Uy-fzvd9Q/s200/DSCN2277.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rt2w3NjaX8I/AAAAAAAAASs/1PJUsu3yS_E/s1600-h/DSCN2278.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106432015085494210" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rt2w3NjaX8I/AAAAAAAAASs/1PJUsu3yS_E/s200/DSCN2278.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-43824911454706522452007-08-30T13:59:00.000-07:002007-08-30T14:58:09.290-07:00The Undulating Odyssey of My Brother's SweaterNothing has been finished this week Chez ChristineOlea, though much progress has been made on several different things.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Kaffe is Undulating along nicely. I have, however, reached a crossroads. The first sock is finished and the leg is just on the wrong side of too tight. I can get it on my foot, but not with ease. Do I knit the second one on a size larger needle and rip the first one back and do the same? Add a pattern repeat to the second one and rip the first one back and do the same? Or just carry on and only rarely wear socks that I would otherwise wear all the time because they don't quite fit. I think the only good answer is going to involve ripping back, taking time to do it right and all that. I may have to set them aside and let that idea steep for a bit. </div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8DdjaX2I/AAAAAAAAAR8/MWPW7ATTIk0/s1600-h/DSCN2268.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104614732818177890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8DdjaX2I/AAAAAAAAAR8/MWPW7ATTIk0/s200/DSCN2268.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>The Odysseus Sweater has grown by leaps and bounds. The sleeves are all attached (both of them) and let me say that the second sleeve is not nearly as painful when the sleeves are only 4 inches long. Short Sleeves Huzzah! Using my new stitch dictionary courtesy of Babs Walker I added a little lace insert along the raglan seams and everything seems to be going nicely. I have to ask Penelope what sort of neckline she wants. The good part about finally reaching the yoke is that every couple of rows I decrease 8 stitches so it only gets shorter. </div><div> </div><div>It looks a bit goofy on the needles but I think a good blocking and Penelope's delightfully zaftig figure will make this sweater work.</div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8FdjaX3I/AAAAAAAAASE/Q35W4jKqhJM/s1600-h/DSCN2264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104614767177916274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8FdjaX3I/AAAAAAAAASE/Q35W4jKqhJM/s200/DSCN2264.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8FtjaX4I/AAAAAAAAASM/eKvuy7V7J1M/s1600-h/DSCN2265.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104614771472883586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8FtjaX4I/AAAAAAAAASM/eKvuy7V7J1M/s200/DSCN2265.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>This actually is quite an attractive red, though like all reds it is difficult to capture on film. Especially with my lack of effort and care. </div><br /><div>I've been swatching and swatching on My Brother's Sweater. By the time I actually start the sweater I'll have knit a sweater's worth of swatches. I thought I was finished and ready to cast on, but I don't think I am. The colors just aren't quite working, though another trip to the yarn store and a couple more swatches ought to remedy that. Then I can order yarn from various sources and actually start. </div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8GNjaX5I/AAAAAAAAASU/zJr0AUGQbgI/s1600-h/DSCN2263.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104614780062818194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8GNjaX5I/AAAAAAAAASU/zJr0AUGQbgI/s200/DSCN2263.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8GdjaX6I/AAAAAAAAASc/rSvWZ9OG-Lg/s1600-h/DSCN2262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104614784357785506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/Rtc8GdjaX6I/AAAAAAAAASc/rSvWZ9OG-Lg/s200/DSCN2262.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>That and Ravelry has taken more time that it really should. The novelty should wear off soon but the knowledge that more people are joining weekly and adding their projects and such means that it is constantly new and changing with all sorts of wonderful things to look at. </div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-17963604217815150072007-08-20T11:11:00.000-07:002007-08-20T11:47:19.862-07:00Undulating KaffeTake 'one more row' multiply by 'one more color' sprinkle with rain and a mindless job. Steep for 2 shifts.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsnbPtjaX0I/AAAAAAAAARs/pRJ-xo4LRSw/s1600-h/DSCN2259.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100849115946442562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsnbPtjaX0I/AAAAAAAAARs/pRJ-xo4LRSw/s200/DSCN2259.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsnbQNjaX1I/AAAAAAAAAR0/rGQdxgOKmYc/s1600-h/DSCN2260.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100849124536377170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsnbQNjaX1I/AAAAAAAAAR0/rGQdxgOKmYc/s200/DSCN2260.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Kaffe Fasset is one of those designers that I've always liked but never had a desire to actually knit. I love that you can pick his designs out from across the room, I love the colors and textures, but I just don't have the desire to actually put any of his designs on my body. Then I heard about Mr. Fassett's affair with Regia. Finally something of Kaffe's design that I would actually wear. In my usual fashion I coveted the unborn Regia-Fassett children until I promptly forgot all about them. <br /><br />Then, while trying to kill some time, I entered a Not-So-LYS in a search for something else entirely. My first stop in any yarn store is the sock yarn, conveniently located by the door in the particular store. I saw the Regia-Fasset children and I had to have some. The long list of projects waiting to be cast on didn't even enter my mind as I looked through the pamphlet (free with purchase) and decided which ones would be coming home with me. I picked Landscape Earth 4255 for me and Mirage Storm 4250 for someone for Christmas. <br /><br />I've had my eye on the Undulating Rib pattern in Favorite Socks for awhile now and the perfect opportunity presented itself. Who was I to resist. Penelope and my Brother will just have to wait. I can already tell these will be consistently on the top of the pile.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-25987469091215604222007-08-18T11:33:00.000-07:002007-08-18T11:56:48.563-07:00Yet Another Lavender SachetIf I didn't already know the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">answer</a> I would ask where the time went. I don't even feel guilty about it. I graduated more than two years ago and I still sometimes marvel that time not spent doing homework is all of my time now. My time on sites like ravelry is still time spent putting off other things, but the vaccuuming doesn't work on a deadline and won't grade me on my work.<br /><div>Moving directly on to the point. Much of my non-ravelry time this week has, in fact, been spent knitting and I have a lot to show for it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>First off:</div><div>Yet Another Lavender Sachet! </div><div>Pattern: Cameo Lace from the Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara Walker. (I like to think of her as Babs.)</div><div>Needles: Size 0</div><div>Yarn: Some Cotton off the cone from <a href="http://www.weavingworks.com/">Weaving Works</a>. </div><br /><div></div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsdAetjaXwI/AAAAAAAAARM/_gN1Zk4FnwU/s1600-h/DSCN2218.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100115999388753666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsdAetjaXwI/AAAAAAAAARM/_gN1Zk4FnwU/s200/DSCN2218.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsdAfNjaXxI/AAAAAAAAARU/TB8O03NAFiU/s1600-h/DSCN2220.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100116007978688274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsdAfNjaXxI/AAAAAAAAARU/TB8O03NAFiU/s200/DSCN2220.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Since I started these I have cleaned out my mother, my brother and just this weekend my Aunt of all their lavender. When you look at lavender bushes they don't look like they have all that much lavender, but when you cut it and put it all in one place there is an astouding amount. As it stands now I should have enough lavender to make sachets for every drawer in the house, whether or not there is any wool contained therein. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Secondly: </div><div>The third installment of the best club in the world. </div><div>Pattern: Solstice Slip Socks by JC Briar</div><div>Needles: size 1</div><div>Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight in Firebird. </div><div>Notes: Mine are toe-up with a fabulous picot bind-off, my very first picot edge. I've always wanted to do a picot edge and just never did, but I thought these socks were perfect for it. My picot doesn't lay flat so much as stick out totally flat, but it really just makes my socks look like their dancing all the time and I love it. All of my socks may have picots from now on. </div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsdAf9jaXzI/AAAAAAAAARk/vac2R3aXzi0/s1600-h/DSCN2210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100116020863590194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsdAf9jaXzI/AAAAAAAAARk/vac2R3aXzi0/s200/DSCN2210.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsdAftjaXyI/AAAAAAAAARc/KWNG24OCxJQ/s1600-h/DSCN2217.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100116016568622882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RsdAftjaXyI/AAAAAAAAARc/KWNG24OCxJQ/s200/DSCN2217.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thirdly:</div><div>The Odysseus sweater has sleeves. I'm completely out of odyssey references, but the going is short from here on out. I just have to do a tiny bit of math to figure out my decreases and I'll be on my merry way. Penelope is already planning her next sweater but she'll have to go at the end of the line. </div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-53403380108093377192007-08-09T15:55:00.000-07:002007-08-09T15:56:41.936-07:00That squelching you heard earlier today was me being sucked into Ravelry. I hauled out all the projects I have to hand, except hats which will come another day, photographed them and put them on my ravelry page. Whew. My bum's a little sore and I want my day back so I can do something more productive.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-39201423594948307042007-08-06T10:34:00.000-07:002007-08-06T10:43:04.446-07:00Don Quixote<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RrddfvvhklI/AAAAAAAAARE/s11aQvZzb4A/s1600-h/DSCN2152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095644303366132306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RrddfvvhklI/AAAAAAAAARE/s11aQvZzb4A/s200/DSCN2152.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Pattern: The Windmill from Barbara G. Walker's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Second-Treasury-Knitting-Patterns/dp/0942018176/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/104-6222393-9899109?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186421943&sr=8-5">Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns</a></div><br /><div>Yarn: Zephyr 50/50 wool/silk, Real Red. Off the cone from my favorite <a href="http://www.weavingworks.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LYS</span></a></div><br /><div>Needles: size 0</div><br /><div>Notes: I knit this one flat and seemed it together. I got a little overzealous on my blocking and the yo holes are a little big; the lavender has a tendency to fall out. However, since it will just be sitting in a drawer I'm not too worried. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I still can't get enough of the spicy smell of Lavender, and I just got more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">laceweight</span> off the cone so there are more of these to come!</div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-78589296280841001572007-08-01T12:49:00.000-07:002007-08-01T13:00:01.874-07:00Lavender Green<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RrDmMPvhkiI/AAAAAAAAAQs/bHegnuNN5AQ/s1600-h/DSCN2148.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093824276614713890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RrDmMPvhkiI/AAAAAAAAAQs/bHegnuNN5AQ/s200/DSCN2148.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RrDmMvvhkjI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/6EpnQ8Rt_ek/s1600-h/DSCN2150.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093824285204648498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RrDmMvvhkjI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/6EpnQ8Rt_ek/s200/DSCN2150.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Lavender Sachet</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yarn: Bollicine Sissi, 70/30 Kid Mohair/Polyamid</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Needles: size 2</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Pattern: Lace chart from A Gathering Of Lace. Its from a pair of socks at the end, the book is upstairs and I am downstairs. I did the 13st bold pattern.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Notes: This one has the pattern on both sides, no particular reason, I just figured since it wasn't a picture it wouldn't necessarily need to have the pattern on only one side. I did this in the round with a three needle bind off at the top. Then I filled it with lavender and sewed it shut. There is a good reason there isn't a close up of the seems, but since it's just going in a drawer anyway I'm not too fussed. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The yarn is a little to camoflauge-y to me, and it would certainly detract from a more intricate pattern. As it is I'm just testing things out. I used larger needles because the mohair really called for it. I'm not worried about the lace escaping through the yo holes, mostly because it is so fuzzy. </div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-33216723051303753912007-08-01T11:36:00.000-07:002007-08-01T11:37:17.927-07:00P.S.my Ravelry name is ChristineOlea. Come on by and say hello.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-9342561777328426422007-07-31T16:51:00.000-07:002007-07-31T16:59:44.764-07:00RavelryThe talk of the town recently has been Ravelry. I am a little ashamed to admit it, please no rotten tomatoes, but I've had my invite for over a month and I just signed in today for the first time. I didn't sign in earlier because all I heard was what a time-suck it was, and my oh my the truth of those that came before me. I had to cut myself off. The time-suck is all things good in the world, and at least more productive than the hours I spent playing <a href="http://www.womgames.com/index.php">Snood</a> in college, but food must be eaten and showers taken despite the joy of Ravelry. Anyway, I'm excited about Ravelry and I'll definitely be using it in the future, I don't know if I'll muster the energy to bring it up to date with old projects though. For those still waiting, totally worth it, but make sure you eat and get sunlight occasionally.Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-6077565409898116712007-07-28T12:52:00.000-07:002007-07-28T12:58:02.953-07:00Dilly Dilly<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RqufrvvhkhI/AAAAAAAAAQk/Uarf4E2cT0U/s1600-h/DSCN2145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092339377571467794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RqufrvvhkhI/AAAAAAAAAQk/Uarf4E2cT0U/s200/DSCN2145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Lavender Sachet</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Pattern: Lace Chart from A Gathering Of Lace. It's one of the Pair of Pillows towards the end.</div><br /><div>Yarn: Misti Alpaca Lace</div><br /><div>Needles: size 0</div><br /><div>Notes: I don't usually go for cats on things, I like moose better, but I thought this cat was actually pretty cute and if I made it in cotton candy pink it would up the gag-me factor just enough to make the perfect lavender sachet. This one is for a gift, but rest assured that I'll be making another one for myself. </div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-62762940220533466272007-07-24T16:50:00.000-07:002007-07-24T17:02:49.155-07:00Lavender BlueAwhile ago I harvested lavender (right after I spied a suspicious moth in the studio) from our 'garden' out back and now I need something to put it in. Enter the sachet.<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RqaQ2vvhkfI/AAAAAAAAAQU/A_iF30fPjVQ/s1600-h/DSCN2142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090915698992058866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RqaQ2vvhkfI/AAAAAAAAAQU/A_iF30fPjVQ/s200/DSCN2142.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Pattern: The lace chart is from the Magickal Earth Shawl from A Gathering of Lace. The rest is my own devising.<br /><br />Yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Sunlight Heater leftover from a shawl I knit awhile back.<br /><br />Needles: Size 0<br /><br />Notes: I knit the lace flat, then turned and knit the back onto the front. I blocked it, filled it with lavender from the garden, and grafted it shut. Doing this in the round would make much more sense and the sides wouldn't look nearly so wonky. As it was I was just trying something out and I'm very pleased with the results. I will definitely be making more with other bits of leftover lace weight. With the size 0 needles the yo holes are small enough that the lavender doesn't fall out. <br /><br /><br /><br />In other news the Odysseus sweater is making some hefty progress. It's been awhile since 9th grade English and I'm out of Odyssey metaphors, in knitting mythology I'm at the bottom of the armholes, I just need to knit some sleeves and join them for a raglan top. Also think of something to make it all a little more interesting. <br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RqaQ3fvhkgI/AAAAAAAAAQc/kLfdHZkG9EA/s1600-h/DSCN2140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090915711876960770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RqaQ3fvhkgI/AAAAAAAAAQc/kLfdHZkG9EA/s200/DSCN2140.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-23938975538467994542007-07-16T18:42:00.000-07:002007-07-16T19:11:41.226-07:00It's a still life watercolor<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpwfNWgZw1I/AAAAAAAAAQE/mwXXTIBxnvY/s1600-h/DSCN2134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087975993262064466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpwfNWgZw1I/AAAAAAAAAQE/mwXXTIBxnvY/s200/DSCN2134.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpwfN2gZw2I/AAAAAAAAAQM/32sBC4bBxM4/s1600-h/DSCN2137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087976001851999074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpwfN2gZw2I/AAAAAAAAAQM/32sBC4bBxM4/s200/DSCN2137.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Pattern: Syncopated Caps by Kate Gilbert from Interweave Knits Summer 2007.</div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silkie Socks that Rock in Walking on the Wild Tide and Lovers Leap, 81% Merino Superwash 19% Silk.</div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>Needles: size 2</div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>Notes: I only changed a few minor things. Firstly I'm not much of one for skinny baby ribbing on hats, so I did a nice big lining and a hem. This makes for a neat edge and an extra layer of warmth right around the ears. This is the first hem I've ever done and while I always knew the principal it is exciting to see it actually work like everyone says it will. To make up for the lost length ribbing would have given me I added a pattern repeat, otherwise everything is as written.</div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>The hat could still be just a hair longer, maybe if I'd added another row between each pattern repeat, but it doesn't need to a be whole repeat longer. It is also a little too tight at the top and a little too loose at the bottom. The whole thing could use a good blocking so that should take care of the top, I don't know about the bottom though. It would have been ideal if my lining was smaller and hugged my head more, alas hindsight is 20/20. </div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>Other than that the pattern is easy to read and the decreasing cleverly fits into the pattern. I like when designers either hide the decreases or accent them in some way, you can't avoid them so you should own them. This one does in the just the right way. </div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span></div><div>I worked from both ends of the Wild Tide to break up the huge pooling problems I was having in my <a href="http://thesecondsleeve.blogspot.com/2007/06/bah.html">first incarnation</a>. This worked quite well and I think the Wild Tide looks really good on this hat. It will be the perfect bright springy hat for the dead of winter when its damn cold out. </div>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521671024713665834.post-55966098809740161612007-07-15T11:22:00.000-07:002007-07-15T12:04:19.920-07:00I've said it before......and I'll say it again, Cat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bordhi</span> is a genius, unrivaled in her time. She says you won't be able to get enough of these baskets in her book and she is 100% correct. I've made 4 and that just isn't enough. I'm not generally one for making projects multiple times but this one is so quick, easy and delightful that it is hard to resist. I want to have one for every step of my staircase, just like Cat does in the picture in her book. This one, however, is for a gift. I love gifts like this because people think you slaved hours and hours and did some very tricky knitting to make them this, when really it took a total of about 4 hours and I can't get enough of this basket anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptLWgZwxI/AAAAAAAAAPk/tterSeSPWWE/s1600-h/DSCN2124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087498770855871250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptLWgZwxI/AAAAAAAAAPk/tterSeSPWWE/s200/DSCN2124.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptL2gZwyI/AAAAAAAAAPs/gA_IfvhuttA/s1600-h/DSCN2129.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087498779445805858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptL2gZwyI/AAAAAAAAAPs/gA_IfvhuttA/s200/DSCN2129.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Pattern: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Moebius</span> Basket from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Second-Treasury-Magical-Knitting/dp/0970886985/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2515494-8313434?ie=UTF8&s=books&amp;amp;qid=1184525105&sr=8-1">Second Treasury Of Magical Knitting</a> by Cat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bordhi</span>.<br /><br />Yarn: Cascade Eco Wool for the base and bits of random leftovers for the handle. All held double. <span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span><br /><br />Needles: size 13<br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span><br />You may have noticed that one side has a row of brown at the top and the other has a row of purple. This was completely intentional. (read: I ran out of brown halfway through a row and switched to purple.) I do like how it looks though, adds just a little interest to an already fabulous pattern.<br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span><br />The handle is also a little longer than it really should be, but that's because the yarns felted at different rates. I do all my felting by hand and I simply couldn't stand over a bucket of hot water on a hot day churning a plunger anymore. The size of the handle doesn't really detract any, and you would only notice if you compared to the basket already on your desk.<br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">_</span><br />Because everyone loves a before and after shot:<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptMWgZwzI/AAAAAAAAAP0/g-gV2CUM9d0/s1600-h/DSCN2122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087498788035740466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptMWgZwzI/AAAAAAAAAP0/g-gV2CUM9d0/s200/DSCN2122.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptMmgZw0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/q0O48hu5faY/s1600-h/DSCN2130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087498792330707778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptMmgZw0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/q0O48hu5faY/s200/DSCN2130.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptMmgZw0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/q0O48hu5faY/s1600-h/DSCN2130.JPG"></a></div><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__pWiSdDos9M/RpptMmgZw0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/q0O48hu5faY/s1600-h/DSCN2130.JPG"></a>Christine Oleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692943357361372046noreply@blogger.com0