Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sock Summit Loot - After the Event





















After Sock Summit, I got home and thought about all the neat things that I saw. There were only two things that I figured I could not live without.

First, I tried on some Dansko's that I liked, but they didn't have my size in black. I searched the web and found some in stock and ordered a pair. I am looking forward to knitting up some pretty socks to show off in these pretty shoes.

Secondly, I really wanted some BMFA Socks that Rock in the Sock Summit themed colorway, Sockgate. I went to the website and saw that it, along with ST-1 and ST-2 were listed and in stock; so, I added all three to my shopping cart. Then, I checked out the Knitters Without Borders colorway that I have long admired. They did not bring that one to the show, but I feel that 1. it's pretty and 2. I support the cause; so, badda-bing! A skein was added to my shopping cart as well.

From left to right - Sockgate, ST-2, ST-1 and Knitters Without Borders.

That's all folks!

MK out.

Sock Summit Loot - At the Event Part 2



















I had to buy a skein of Skinnamarink that Amy dyed for the Sock Summit Dye for Glory contest. She got honorable mention in the Watercolors category. Go Amy! I also bought a tape measure from the Loopy Ewe.



All in all, I think anyone would agree that I didn't do too much damage to the wallet.



Until...



MK out.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Sock Summit Loot - At the Event Part 1
















Surprisingly, I restrained myself.

Clockwise from the top, a sweater's worth of Valley Yarns Goshen from Webs, a skein of Buffalo Gold #3 for a reduced price in exchange for a skein of yarn from my stash, a pair of triangular wooden needles from Laurel Hill,* two sets of Signature size 0 double-pointed needles in Stilleto, a skein of quiviut** from Village Spinning and Weaving, and an Addi Lace size 4 circular needle from Webs again.

There are two more things that didn't make the picture...Tune in tomorrow.

MK out.

*I am such a needle ho - I don't even like working with straight needles anymore, but I bought them because they were pretty. I can always display them...Yeah, that's it...

**I bought a skein of quiviut in the brownish tone five years ago in Alaska and gave it to a friend for her birthday. I have been wanting to buy a skein for myself ever since and never did, until Sock Summit, when I found a skein in black! Woo Hoo!!!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Yes, I've Been Watching Movies...

I watched a few videos: Made of Honor is a cute, little predictable romantic comedy with Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. Hannah (Monaghan) and Tom (Dempsey) are the best of friends. Hannah asks Tom to be the "maid" of honor in her upcoming nuptials...but Tom realizes he wants Hannah for himself. It was cute.

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? was written by Morgan Spurlock of Supersize Me fame. He and his wife are expecting a baby, and he wants to find Osama Bin Laden in an effort to make the world a safer place. He travels to the Middle East looking for Bin Laden and in his various stops, he interviews ordinary citizens about their views of the 9/11 tragedy and how it impacted their lives. It was really interesting, because the overwhelming theme is that most people want to live in peace, be able to educate their young and have their basic needs met. It was good.

Gypsy Caravan: When the Road Bends is a documentary chronicling the 6-week concert with five gypsy bands from four countries playing flamenco, Indian folk, Romanian violin, Raga and jazz. It was really interesting. I liked learning more about the Rom people.

Confessions of a Shopaholic is a cute, little chick flick. Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack and John Goodman star in this movie about a girl who shops compulsively. She wants to work for a fashion magazine, but ends up working for a financial magazine instead. She writes a popular article giving practicle financial advice, while in real life, she is in plastic debt heaven. It was funny. I liked it.

I Love You, Man is crude comedy at its best...crude, crude dialogue, but funny, funny movie. A couple becomes engaged and the groom soon discovers that he doesn't have any friends from whom to choose his best man. He goes on a friend-making spree. After a few false starts, he meets someone he really likes in an unexpected situation. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel star in this movie. I liked it.

I managed to catch a few in theaters: In Inglourious Basterds, Brad Pitt plays a Jewish American soldier who brings together a group of men whose main focus is to kill Hitler and as many Nazis as it takes along the way. Melanie Laurent plays Shosanna, a Jewish girl who witnesses the murder of her family at the hands of a cruel Nazi and vows her revenge against the Nazis. That officer was played by Christoph Waltz. Look for his name come Oscar time, because if he doesn't get nominated for that role, it will be a shame. He was fantastic. It's a Quentin Tarantino film; so, get ready for the graphic violence and blood. I managed to like this movie, despite the gore.

Julie and Julia is based on the autobiographical film by Julie Powell, which tells about the year she spent cooking 524 of Julia Child's recipes and blogged about it. Julie is played well by Amy Adams, but the real jewel in this film is Meryl Streep as Julia Child. She gave an over-the-top performance that captured her essence without trying to imitate her exactly. Streep was right on!It was magical. Stanley Tucci played Julia's husband, Paul, and did a great job. I really liked this movie.

I really did not like The Time Traveler's Wife. Eric Bana plays a guy with a genetic condition that causes him to travel through time when he is stressed in some way. Most of the time, I did not feel the stress that caused him to travel. The romantic interest is played by Rachel McAdams. I did not feel any chemistry between the two of them. A friend pointed out that she thought the movie was trying to show how bittersweet and fleeting life is. I guess I appreciate that part about it. I also thought the two little girls in the movie played their parts well, but otherwise...not impressed.

The season is getting ready to crank...I can't wait!

MK out.