March In Review

March is over and I'm quite happy at what's been going on and where I'm going.

Sunday was the last performance of The Magician's Nephew presented by the Columbus Children's Theater. This was my first time working back stage for a theatrical production. The bar has been placed very high for the next production. I was thrilled to be asked to participate as the Props Master with the added bonus of working with the cast to move sets during the performance. The crew for this production is amazing and I was happy to be part of the show.

I finished teaching another class at my LYS. This class was about the Elizabeth Percentage System. I had six students that where really engaged in the class and enthusiastic about the process. Out of seven sweaters being knit (that includes mine) three were completed during the last class. The sweater I was knitting for Sallie's grandson was one. J completed her sweater out of Noro Kureyon and made a sweater that fits her perfectly. Two of the sweaters that will be finished are a mother/daughter team. I'm working with one knitter because she is knitting with cotton and that takes a bit longer. One of the best things about this class was to help the students with "knitter's choice." "Knitter's Choice" is that wonderful, scary experience when you get to make whatever option you want become a reality. Having lots of options leads to many frustrating and liberating creative experiences. Teaching the class was a rewarding experience for me. I'll be teaching a Baby Surprise Jacket class in the next round of classes.

knitSB and I will able to spend some more time together as I've stopped working at KM. We're planning on spending time deeply "spring cleaning" the house, playing in the yard and getting some things done around the house. I am most going to miss seeing all the knitters and the joy of matching yarn with the project for the knitters. I'll be around and I'm happy to knit in public (KIP) anytime someone contacts me. (hint*contact me*)

Work continues to change towards the goal. But I won't go into that now.

My knitting in March was the EPS for the class and Kristen's socks (one is finished and the other is only missing a heel and ribbing at the top).

Expect to read a bit more from me in April. I'll be sharing some steps I'm taking. I welcome comments and the conversation that can happen in a blog.

Magician's Nephew

So I've been spending my time working on this show. It's been a great experience for me. The director is top-notch and has provided these kids a professional, first-time theater experience. This is the last weekend for the show. If you want to see an exciting and short performance that has amazing costumes, wonderful performances and skilled actors of all ages, come this weekend. Of course, the sound cues are great as are the props and sets (not to mention the set dressing).

SPECIAL CHANCE TO SEE

The Chronicles of Narnia

THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW

SPECIAL OFFER

*Friends of cast & crew members may get one ticket FREE

with the purchase of one adult ticket for any of the performances listed below.

PERFORMANCES

March 28 Friday 7:30 p.m.

March 30 Saturday 1:00 p.m

Saturday 3:00 p.m.

Saturday 5:00 p.m.

March 30 Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Columbus Children's Theatre

512 N. Park Street

Columbus, OH 43215

BOX OFFICE: 614-224-6673

Tunes on Tuesday

I've been thinking about great artists and musical groups that I would enjoy seeing in concert. I don't go to concerts very often. The crowds, getting there, waiting patiently and dealing with drunk idiots acting stupid while they sing along with the headliner annoy me. That being said, I did see a great concert last year.

What I was thinking about specifically was which artist(s) would I want to see in a small venue with an appropriately behaved audience. I would, of course, have great seats and be thrilled with the play lists. I would be so enthralled that I wouldn't be able to knit because my full attention and being would be watching the performance. That being said (or over said), my list would include the following (living) artists in no particular order:

Marianne Faithfull
Annie Lennox
Dave Stewart
Eurythmics
Tracy Chapman
A Flock of Seagulls
Prince
Nine Inch NailsAlison Moyet
George Michael
Pet Shop Boys
Madonna
Peter Gabriel
Billy Joel
Sarah McLachlan
Joan Baez

That was difficult. I've been fortunate to have seen Joan Baez, Annie Lennox and Eurythmics in concert (not together, but separately a few years back).

Who would you want to see in concert?

noro sock yarn

Did you read the Knitter's Review of noro sock yarn? I appreciate the honest review. I too am frustrated by the plethora of knots that show up in all of noro's yarn. I don't think I've ever had a skein that didn't have a knot in it. Now, I'll be happy to go and take the knot out and spit-slice to avoid having to run in ends.

I appreciate the good review and will use it as I explain to people the benefits and drawbacks of the yarn. The color is great. And it's a thin yarn and needs to be knit on the smallest needles to keep the fabric tight so it doesn't wear out. That means I'll be knitting on a size zero needle. I've got a skein of this stuff divided in half to try to knit. Of course, these fall lower in the knitting queue than I want, but there is knitting to be accomplished, right?

Creative Friday

I might have not been totally forthcoming with where I'm spending my non-work time. I'm "Prop Master" for the Columbus Children's Theater production of The Magician's Nephew. Most of the props are set and I've been able to help do some set dressing. I'm making ivy curtains, bushes and flower steps that will be part of the Narnia set. I took Friday off so I could have uninterrupted time to work on these pieces. I've been able to work at the "studio" space for set designs. It's a large warehouse where they do set creation for all their shows and store props, etc.

I had a really wonderful day working. I've forgotten how much I enjoy the creative process. When I was in school, I would spend hours lost in the creative zone, so much that I lost track of time. This happened again on Friday. Moving around, accessing the right supply to put into the work, listening to music really brought back my desire to find this creative space more often.

Of course, the snow moved in to town. I was able to drive with only a few problems to get to the studio. Songferret kept me in the know about the weather advisory and knitSB was in a two hour trip home from work for a trip that should have taken less then 20 minutes. I worked until about 11:00 p.m. and loaded the car up to take everything to the theater on Saturday.

I stopped for ice cream on the way home, just because. I got the call at 8:30 that the LYS was closed today because of weather. Good choice.

Sock Exchange with the Knit Wits!

Quick, look at these photos. The lovely Cat organized a sock exchange for the Ohio Knit Wits for the month of February. The idea was to have people sign-up to be included in the exchange and Cat would randomly match people. There were 8 people in the exchange.

Now, I had Kristen and she was kind that I didn't finish my socks. Work and such, been busy and I've had lots of knitting for the LYS class. Here's a picture of her with the progress socks. It's not like she's excited to have Cider Moon socks in a pattern that I've created for her! See?




Her smile is an indication of how much fun we had! Beth made Cat some fun socks. And Kay made socks for Megan, and Megan made socks for Kristen's Mom and Kristen's mom made socks for Jen, and Jen is making socks for me, Cat made socks for Kay and Kristen made socks for Beth. Who did I forget? I'm holding Jen's socks for ransom. :) They're in my car!

Next exchange is a "2 skeins or less" idea. Use 2 skeins or less for the exchange item. That item can be anything appropriate for the recipient. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? I'm going to use yarn from stash. And there are some great books out there to help with the one or two skeins.

Tunes on Tuesday

I'm an Annie Lennox fan. (but you already know that by now, don't you?)

I'm also a fan of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. I've read the book several times and have watched almost every version of the story available, including An American Christmas Carol and Ebbie. I did play Bob Cratchit in a play of a Christmas Carol when I was a freshman. That might be what started it. I so enjoy a story when love wins out and someone has the realization that they can be a crabby dork or share good will across the board. Call me sentimental.

One of my favorite versions is Scrooged and it came out in 1988. Bill is great as is the supporting cast. It has this great song "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" sung by Al Green and Annie Lennox. This song makes me feel good. I bought this as a 45 back in the day. You remember 45's, don't you. I played this song when I had a turntable set up.

I give you a single that makes me feel good. Very nice to feel good on a rainy day!

Knitting 'Todd Style

This past saturday I had an opportunity to hang out with Songferret and do some knitting after I completed my work on the props for the CCT Magician's Nephew. It's been awhile since I've actually had time to knit. And my hands missed the needles.

We watched Sweeney Todd with Angela. It was quite good. I saw the John Doyle tour last year and rather enjoyed it.

There is a scene when he is given his razors after a long time without having them in his hands. I sometimes feel this way when I get needles in my hands after not being able to knit for awhile. No, I'm not wanting to hurt anyone, of course. I've included the scene for your viewing pleasure.




edit added by knittingbrow
Of course, Songferret had the perfect follow-up movie, Jersey Girl. He told me to "trust him" as there was a reason to watch this movie. Have you seen Jersey Girl? It's quite good, really. So, after seeing Sweeney Todd, I got to see this scene in Jersey Girl. Perfect match!