So I am failing at blogging, but I feel like I have an excuse (or at least it seems that way).I'm stressed! I am running out of time for my mug assignment - I thought I was almost finished. I was going to have 15 of 17 done last Sunday, but then the most bizarre thing happened... After a day or two of sitting on the shelf (after the final firing), all but 4 of them cracked! It started around the base and went up the side. I can't figure out what happened. In years of ceramics, I've never seen it! I'm hoping that it was a bad batch of clay. I have 21 more mugs made and drying, but even then, I'll JUST get them done by the deadline. Aack!!!
And then, this also happens to be the month when we were actively pursuing opening a karate school. So last month it was training for a black belt test and this month it's research and homework on retail leases, state and federal taxes, corporation vs. partnership, etc. Aack!!! And we did sign a lease for 3 years in a shopping plaza, so now we need to hurry and start classes so we can pay the bills! But before we can do that we have to put in carpet and paint and build an office and bring in furniture and so on...
And of course I need to get my Hurricane Sock Exchange package finalized. At least I finished the sock (after about 5 starts on the same one...). As best as I could figure out, my sock pal wanted a lace sock, so I picked out a pattern and my yarn store recommended a yarn. I started with a knit cast-on because I was told it was pretty elastic - and I knit a gauge. So I thought I was good to go. After several mishaps with the lace pattern, I started to see that the sock would be too tight. So I started again with a different cast-on (for more elasticity). That cast-on wasn't any better, so I started over again. I found a great cast-on on the web, but had to do that one twice because the first time was too loose. Finally I used the same cast-on with needles two sizes smaller and switched to a different lace pattern (I was hating the other one). So I finally got a sock with few or no (?) mistakes, but I have to say that I've lost faith in my yarn store lady. It was a variegated yarn that looks pretty neat on stockinette stitch, but to me it was pretty busy with a lace pattern. All the same, it's finished! I hope my sock pal does okay with it. If you're curious about the cast-on, you can find it here: elastic cast-on Google video. Just ignore that fact that they are speaking Spanish and watch how she does it. Like I said, I ended up using two needle sizes smaller, but I love it!
So, this week, before the June 1 deadline, I have a ridiculous amount of ceramic work to do, in addition to painting primer and color on 1750 sq. ft. of space for our karate school.
Oh, and my mom is coming for Memorial Weekend! But that's a good thing - she can help paint! :-) Then we'll go see Pirates of the Caribbean!
Till next!
