Typical...

It's going to be nearly 90 degrees tomorrow.

Do I really want to wear a 12 foot wide shawl thrown around me in that heat?

So, I may *allegedly* perhaps be trying desperately to finish Teroldego before tomorrow.

It may be a case of "weaving in ends as we drive there" but I think I can do it.

Let's just hope the hands hold up.

---------------------------------------------------------
Like my writing? Why don't you buy me a coffee!

You can do so through my ko-fi link HERE: ko-fi.com/blackgoatknitting

Or donate directly through my paypal HERE: https://www.paypal.me/blackgoatknitting

The Lyfe and Tymes of Thou Fairest Writer

Do you know how hard it is to maintain a crafting blog when the ONLY PROJECT you're working on has to be kept secret?

This is all I can really offer without spoiling things.

Like, what can I even write about? I haven't really purchased any new yarn (except for an extra skein of my night sky color for the MKAL because I thought I might be short), haven't really gone out and done anything fun. And I've already written enough about my mental health to fill a novel.

All I really have to offer are selfies, a couple of sketches I've done, and some cat pictures.

I've been wearing my Rios Lace Tam practically everywhere and have been having fun sticking various pins into the brim.

I got a really cool new galaxy dress.

And I did a kickass job on my makeup the first time I wore it out.

Like, I actually got a bunch of compliments, which never really happens.

I bought a couple of new mugs.

I'm hoping that if I buy them one at a time, John won't realize that I'm hoarding collecting them.

I also bought one for Al to throw off his suspicions more.

Speaking of Al, she did this watercolor piece and I'm SUPER EFFING PROUD OF HER!

Watercolor is not her usual medium, so it's been great seeing her branch out and try new things.

It's STILL snowing here.

I, as the Queen of Winter, apologize for this gross oversight. But unfortunately, you humans have done screwed things up enough that we're not really in control anymore...

HOW ABOUT THEM SKETCHES?!

I'm participating in the 100 Days project.

Every day for *shocker* 100 days, I'm supposed to draw/sketch/paint a little something.

I have no set theme unlike some other artists. Just been sketching whatever strikes my fancy.

Here are the first 3 days.

HAD to start things off with a tribute to my Muse.

Second was a new style of cactus that I haven't attempted before.

Third was my usual and favorite lil prickly babe.

I guess all that's left now is a flood of cat pics.

That last one is just for you, John. ;D

Guess it's back to this Secret Project of Secretness...

*sigh*

"Uhhhhhhhh......."

This clever title brought to you by the ever lovely Jamie. Because hell if I could think of one.

I'm exhausted, friends.

My mental illnesses have sent me on one hell of roller coaster recently. It feels like there are just as many bad days as good days right now. I'm not sure what exactly is causing this sudden change, but I'm hopeful that things are going to even out.

But in the meantime, you'll have to deal with a slightly less witty blogger.

Anyway, September has come and gone and there's no Mermaid Lair to show for it. There is, however, a new shawl in my collection.

One that was completely improvised, mind you. A good, mindless knit.

Say hello to Polar Bear in a Snowstorm.

It originally started as a scarf to wear with this dress.

But of course, this is me.

So it got 'Ashtaned'.

No regrets, though. It's the perfect middle size. Just a really good, satisfying knit.

But, for the love of Henry, my next project has GOT to be something with some damn patterning! Give me lace or give me death.

Shows and Sanctuaries

It's another list post because my brain is scrambled.

1. I GOT A NEW PHONE SO NOW MY PICTURES ARE AMAZING AND I AM SO HAPPY.

I can take selfies without a weird halo again!

2. Had a lovely time with Vi and John Friday at Brain Candy Live in Cleveland. We actually got there super early and had a great dinner before the show. After, we got some coffee and I saw a really cool clock that I really wish I could have stolen and taken with me.

3. And before you even ask, yes, I knit during the show. I managed to pull my yarn out of my bag, though, and couldn't reach down and grab it. Which led to an uncomfortable period of time of trying to keep it trapped so it wouldn't roll away until intermission. My hips are still feeling this.

4. I was totally in love with my outfit for the show. I WORE SPAAAACCCEEEEEE!!!!

5. I should be done with the selfies for this post now.

6. Finally got around to painting something that Jamie had suggested forver ago. A D&D themed tentacle piece.

7. My cats are fuzzy assholes and decided to try and eat my poor fuzzy cactus. So, I built him a little house.

Unfortunately, where I had to move him to, he wasn't getting enough light. So he's living at grandma's until I can find a better place here to keep him.

8. I managed to snag a couple of skeins of my favorite Tosh color (Earl Grey). It had been discontinued and was selling out rapidly. I know this is against my "no buying shawl yarn this year" commitment, but I felt an exception had to be made in this case. 

My rules anyway, right?

9. I've barely touched my knitting since I finished the Art and Coffee shawl . I worked a bit on my Grey Skies shawl yesterday, but I've been more on a painting kick lately. But I think I'm starting to feel the wooly urges again,

10. I cleaned the bedroom and took pictures today for a facebook group I'm part of. So, I'll share them here, too. See the wonder that is my little golden multi-function sanctuary! Painting, makeup-ing, yarning, and even sleeping! All can happen in this one little box!

11. I lied about being done with selfies.

But look at this preciousness.

The dog's pretty cute, too.

He Goes by Henry

I think it was sometime in the middle of last year that I first joked about selling my soul to a Wooly Demon patron. An offhand comment, made for a laugh.

The problem was an idea started forming. Just a little think tucked away in the back of my brain.

I started building it in my head.

If I really did have a demon patron, what would he look like? How did he get assigned to someone like me? What was his life like before?

And before I knew it, this character blossomed into life. He didn't have a name yet, but I knew what he looked like. So I sat down the other day and decided to finally get him out.

Meet Henrizaial Thurnard Gorthmyne IV, wooly demon patron of one knitter by the name of Ashtan. He goes by Henry, thank you very much. It's what his grandmama called him.

I ended up doing a full water color portrait of him.

I stayed up until nearly 5 am to finish him, but he was finally out of my head and in the world.

Satisfied, I went to bed.

But, like it always does, my brain came up with another idea.

Damnit.

So, a second Henry came about.

And he was cut out by hand using an exacto knife. By the way, HOLY CRAP, THAT KILLS YOUR HANDS!!!

Needed some other supplies to go with this project, including some very tiny crocheted flowers and small balls of yarn.

But the end result is exactly how I imagined in my head.

I need a better picture of it, but Henry is enclosed in a shadowbox now. He's hanging on our bedroom wall, guarding my stash.

I like to think of this as his Spring Look.

Which means that I have to make three more for the rest of the seasons...

Crap.