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Wednesday, February 23, 2005
That dangerous place
Since it's past midnight, so technically I am not considered posting *twice* in a single day right?
eBay - that dangerous place
I was reading Siow Chin's blog and her Feb 19 entry is definitely arresting. She's just gotten her first taste of eBay and in her words, "realized it's a dangerous place to go."
Ah uh. I've been on ebay since that fateful day in July 1999, even waaaay before eBay Singapore's set up. [I know, I attended their 1st year party just Dec last year.] If you have been an avid fan of mine (not that I am expecting too much...I just don't have a stats ticker on this blog so wave your hand regularly or sign my guestbook)**1, then I would expect that you noticed the link to my hubby's timepiece hobby.
It's like going to paradise or dungeon, whichever you prefer. Like 2 kids in a candy store, hubby's eagerly persuing all the various timepieces -- Omega's his fave brand; while I looked and drooled at all the yarns, needles and notions.
While he relentlessly went on buying sprees on that e-place to feed his addiction, we've both developed a common hobby: stashing.
But that's where the similarity ends.
For one, I am cautious about purchasing yarn online because I am worried about the smoke, the moth infest & the huge delivery fees.**2 But I did buy 2 vintage Boye Needlemaster Sets since I heard so much of them. Used them on my fairisle project. It's nice; but I still heart my Clover circulars. I've got a set of them 3 mths after I began knitting 9 years ago.
As much as it's paradise, it's dungeon as hubby's slowly letting go some of his collection. A man's got to feed & cloth his family right? Actually, it's a decision we made in view of the imminent renovation & furnishing bills. So if anyone's looking for any Omega or vintage military pieces, please let me know yeah? [Shameless plug, but it's my blog! I'm sure you all understand; we're women.]
On my digital camera
Lest I get distracted....lemme tell you about the digital camera I have. I promised; see my previous entry.
Since I obviously only have one camera (no, I still don't own a camera phone!), I can't take a photo of its own sexy body unless I put it in front of a mirror. And mirrors by default, are rare in this house. I have plans for a full length to be installed just outside the master bathroom in our new apartment...forward planning for those days when I need to do self portrait shots to show off my FOs!
Back to the camera, it's a Sony Cyershot DSC-F55E. It's coming to 5 years of age. Here's a review all about it.
You see, here are some problems:1. It's 2.1 megapixel. Most cameras now average 5 mg pixels or so.2. It comes with a 4 mb memory stick that allows no more than 10 JPEG images at the camera's highest resolution (1600 x 1200 pixels at 24 bit) [Yeah, you read it right!]2. The battery is almost on deathbed. Each time I charge, it allows me no more than 4 shots before it goes bleep, bleep and shuts down.3. As with its age, it's driver does not allow you for any direct explorer style download. Essentially, I still need to its proprietary software to browse & download the photos from the camera.4. The replacement battery costs US$75!5. For hubby's hobby, we'll need more closeup zoom features.6. I would like to have a new toy.Despite all these, I love it for its easy navigation. I borrowed my pal's Canon A95 and was in for a shock! There are so many functions and features packed in that it left me jaw dropping. At the same time, I realized that the feature I loved most about that baby of mine is that its anti-shake mechanism. With the new cameras, my wobbly hands are no good. Just even a tiny shake and the photos are completely blurry...is it just me?What should I do: buy a new camera or another Sony camera, or just plain ol' battery & memory stick? Decisions, decisions....**3PS. To Mona & anyone interested, Ms Saffron's from Rowan's Issue #25. **1. Thanks to all you ladies out there who's taken the effort:
- signed my guestbook
- linked to my blog
- posted comments
- or even bothered to get this far!
If I didn't write or reply, I am not ignoring you. It's probably because blogger's anonymous feature isn't much help and I have trouble trying to install the Haloscan which allows you to leave your details that allows me to reply to you easily. **2. Just to give you an idea, most eBayers charge a US$10 - 20 flat rate for a 200g item to anywhere in the world, via registered airmail. So a bag of yarn would probably be like US$30 or so?!
**3. I think I've too much on my mind...the word "blog" in my fashion should be "yak" and "blogging" be "yakking".
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Ms Saffron caught on blog by paparazzi!
Ms Saffron has been dodging the cameras lately but I've managed to steal some shots of her when she's lying out for a tanning session.Here's some photos of her royal highness, Ms Saffron. She's about 85 percent done. A buttonhole band will go on all around once all parts are joined. Guess that needs to be done on the smaller needles to make it tidy. One more sleeve on the needles to go! The shoulder & side seams are sewn up. See the shoulder join? I am @n#l; kept comparing the charting so that it ends up with the tips of the pattern!  Blocking trip a must since I used the needle size for the cast on and throughout.
Actually I think my digital camera is gonna die on me soon. It's 5 years old and in digital age; it's time to rest in peace. Another post on that tomorrow.
Hello Kitty Along update I think I am gonna get on my Kitty bag soon.
Mariah Along After Ms saffron is all sewn up, I will get started with Mariah. I am sure she can't wait to get started! All that buzz and funk whenever I think about her cables and all.
On renovation Yeah, assuming if things go on schedule, we'll appoint one by this weekend or early next week!
Gosh, this whole buying an apartment and furnishing thing is such a major exercise! It's almost like undergoing a degree course! There's so much to learn about the type of paintwork, the flooring, the lightings and especially the kitchen & bedroom carpentry! So many choices, so diverse pricings...
I ought to be lucky that 2 of my friends and my sister are moving into their apartments this year and they are also looking around. So we share the knowledge acquired and stuff.
Did I mention that I am also thinking of knitting lounging pillows for the sofa?
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Happy Belated Valentine's, Everyone!
Hubby and I went out for our Valentine's celebration dinner on Sunday night. Alfresco by the Singapore river, Siam Reap II is a nice spot.
I've yet given him a present! Eikkk! I will work on it tomorrow. He's not the demanding type and I am finding it a challenge to really get him something unique. He's told me not to buy him watch cases or boxes, watch winders. And I am not about to buy him chocolate, though Wendy's idea of buying her other half Valrhona to share is a good idea.
Yeah, and he was doing unit duty on the actual night. So much for that....
On the knitting front
Ms Saffron is one sleeve and collar, buttonholes away. Let's hope she'll be whole and complete by next week. She'll need blocking to be presentable as I've used the same needle size all over and the ruffle edges are, well, a little ruffled -- they flare slightly and flip up a little.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Chocolates...Let me count the ways I love THEE
Yup, about 5 hrs ago when I wrote a lengthy post about my other worthy passion: chocolates.
Blogger decided to feast on it selfishly rather than to share. What a glutton!
Anyway, the topic of chocolates came up due to a couple of recent incidents:
1. Carumba no more...no it's not Cha cha
Last Friday, was munching on Tim Tam when Carumba suddenly popped into my mind. These are chocolate biscuits from Arnotts, in case anyone's wondering. And I haven't bumped into the latter (a wonderful fruit & nut chocolate biscuit) for quite a while in the supermarkets so I went a-surfing.
Only to find that:
- the online store was shut down
- Carumba sales has been falling so they have decided to discontinue it!
Morale of the story: When you love something, let it show. Holding back from showing my unbridled passion for Carumba thinking that I could have it once in a while is sheer folly. Never again.
------------------------- 2. Coco on your body, not through your mouth?
My favourite skincare company, Origins sent a catalog announcing the launching of their latest Cocoa range of body products. Gotta go check out the products and see if they smell anything like the real McCoy. I dislike those products that claim cocoa use and then smell totally yucky and synethic, if you know what I mean.
Let me count the ways I love cocoa....
Morale of the story: If it's good enough to eat, they'll make it good enough next to your skin.
------------------------- 3. What has chocolate got to do with this blog?
I wanted to get on this topic as I was browsing Fiber Fumblings site. I've got to agree with her that Godiva is not quite on my list. Instead, she's talking about this Bissinger's. I wonder if they'll ship overseas. I LOVE VALRHONA. It's Jivara and Caraibe for me anytime....75grams blocks can be chowed down in one sitting easily. If not for its prohibitive costs, I would love to gorge on more. The irony? My hubby loves white chocolate more.
Chocolate and cocoa is up there with knitting.
They both de-stress you; they pick you up when you are down.
They soothe and calm your nerves.
They get you giddy and dizzy when you walk onto the store
The sensations and shivers they send down your spine when you're in contact with them. Nothing beats a hot cup of cocoa and your knitting in a relaxed unrushed afternoon.
So don't hold back when you think of yarn or chocolate. You can have your favourites, but never be afraid to try new ones.
Morale of the story: Buy, hoard & stash!* (I learnt my lesson with Carumba!) -------------------------
Oh yeah, here's the last bite on my last Tim Tam to mark this post!
PS. Now, I've got to go to the supermarkets for more!
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Dressing up
Our Feb Knitting Meetup Today
Brought forward because Cara's need to go away on a CNY1 home trip and I didn't want to have it in the latter part of the month. We had a new friend (hi Erin!) *waving* drop by. I didn't realize how lousy the location would be. There was a tentage next to the cafe and they had an MC that was playing music and talking to attract crowds to sign up for some credit card. Durh, we should have engaged him to be our crowd puller. But either way, it got a little loud and distracting for us gals. Still good, nevertheless.
On my FO albums
Ladies, I just checked...Imagestation doesn't require you to register. You will indeed see initially the thumbnail sheet. Just click on the thumbnail so that it will bring up the larger photo. Else, you can click on slideshow (just under the album name, once you are on the site) so that it auto runs.
Erin, this is the pattern for the halter that I was wearing today. Hope your daughter would come along the next time.
And here is is the very "gu niang" (Hokkien for: "lady-like") hot pink furry scarflette that I was talking about this afternoon. Not quite me but every lady has one of those "little gal's days" right? I have to admit it looks gorgeous with my small black dress; tied around my neck. Wore it to the Jaguar XJ launch event in Beijing early this year. Does this motivate you to check out the other stuff?
Don't you think it matches my blog well?
This scarflette took a skein. Imagine I have another 20 skeins of this in that light chocolately color...still in those cartons. And some with mini ball slubs on it...yes, fur + ball slubs. Hmm...what treasures do I have...can't wait to have a unpacking session in May. I should take a photo inventory of all the yarn I have and you can frown on them then.
From the comments
Siow Chin said: "I wanted to order from KnitPicks too but they don't ship ex-USA and Canada."
Well, thanks for telling me. I didn't realize it at all. Hmm...good deterrant strategy, say no to this SG stasher! To think that I was drooling over Shimmer in their Turquoise colorway...alright, I will just sit in the corner and convince myself that Alpaca can't be worn in Singapore's weather *sulk*
Lauren said: "That Tabby Tail yarn looks like fun! I am excited to see what you make with it."
I would err on the side of caution. I am waiting for kitty tabby tail to tell me what it wants to be. It's still purring at me.
For Kitty Kitty, the yarn's details are as follow: Tabby Tail, from RichMore, 50g and it's 15 metres?!!! 2
Ms Saffron is letting me hold her lower arm now. It's a good sign. I will move up soon. Did I mention that I want my next project will be knitted 4.5 - 5 stitches an inch? That'll help me exercise other sets of muscles on my hands, arms and shoulders.
Hmm...blogging titles are beginning to challenge my creativity. Apart from the last bland title, this is one of the first where I couldn't quite my hand on what title to use. Is this normal or does it just happen to boring people?
*1. What was I thinking when I posted the Feb 02 entry? CNY is next week on Feb 09!
*2. Yikes, that's quite a tail yah? Looks like I have to go into a more indepth *black magic* consultation with Siow Chin.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Slow week
Everyone's getting excited about CNY (Chinese New Year) that's gonna take place in 2 weeks' time. I am not. Somehow, on the contrary, I am having this inner-monster that's pulling me back into the deep, dark and unknown. A little too temperamental, some might say.
For the good news: I've been RAOK'ed!
Like I mentioned, Siow Chin's sent me a ball of very interesting yarn. It's called Tabby Tail by Richmore. She's finger crocheted a fabulous scarf with it on her blog, go see it (Jan 17 entry)! Mom's laughing when I explained to her the meaning of the yarn name.
From the comments:
Thanks to Mona and Siow Chin for your concern regarding my allergy. I don't think I am quite affected by pollen (in China, I was perfectly ok tissue-less most of the time) so I would really like to think that my body's telling me to take an away holiday like what Siow Chin says! (grin)
And to Laura, please contact me when you arrive Singapore and we'll meet ya?
Now, onto my projects:
Lady Saffron is taking her time
Now that the front and back pieces are done, I am going to progress with the sleeves. I *do* know why many knitters are so not into tiny gauges of 7 sts to an inch.
Mariah is doing a closet dance
I was really tempted to purchase some yarn from Knitpicks to make Mariah. But I got held back by the amount of yarn that's rapidly invading the house. Hubby's getting *concerned* but he's not showing it. (note to self: Have RESTRAINT!)
Yeah, and I recalled that I have another 6 unused skeins of Super Butterfly Cotton of the similar colour for Fairisle/cabled sweater. Remember this? I am really surprised, looking back at the archives that it's a WIP sitting around for about 2 mths! I really need to fix it.
The Butterfly cotton as I recall will be off in gauge as opposed to what's required for Mariah, so I think I'll just do upsize knitting? (note to self: Check Butterfly gauge and see if upsizing will work!)
I'll say I start on her after CNY.
Hello Kitty KAL
I've gotten the pattern. Again, just need to read and check gauge before I start knitting.
With all these new projects plus those in various stages of WIP, one will think that I need to morph into an octopus so that I can work on various projects simultaneously.
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