Thursday, February 26, 2009

Craft Mojo still going!!!

Hello my beautiful people. I know you all miss me. You probably just gave up on checking my blog because there hasn't been any new posts. I am so sorry, but I was busy getting myself into some more crafty stuff. Don't worry... my knitting hands still work. So, let's rewind a bit.


I left for my trip to Trinidad in the beginning of February. Before I left, I tried to attend as many knitting-related events as possible. I figured that I might as well work on my Top Down Raglan Cardigan, because it would be straight stockinette knitting, and easily transportable since it was 1 skein of yarn.


So, here is a picture of it during knit night. (I forgot what night it was, as it is all a blur now)
The next morning, I found this big boo-boo on my Raglan decreases. Ummmm... did they spike my coffee at the shop? Geez!!!

So, the next step was to do this.

Yes, I got pissed off and frogged the whole thing. Since I Spit-spliced the yarn, this is a picture of two full skeins wound into 1 yarncake. I didn't think it would be possible on my regular-sized ball winder, but a bit of pissed-off-ness and vengeance helped to wrap it really tight. LOL!

I met up with Deborah for some knitting therapy and was able to finish this Crochet Scarf for her before I flew out.
Aside from that, I participated in the Knitfiti event on January 15th at the Time Warner Building to help Jamba Juice promote their delicious steel cut Oatmeal. I was interviewed, and here is the VIDEO to prove it. It was so much fun!

So we move on in the time scale to Feb 5th. I am on the plane in Miami, waiting for my connecting flight to take off. There is some oil spillage in the engine, and the plane is grounded for about 1.5 hours before takeoff. Luckily, I had my MMMMmmalabrigo laceweight yarn and some size 4 bamboo needles. 5 days later, this pretty Hemlock Ring exposed itself. I thought it would be difficult, but the pattern is very easy. It is not your typical plane knitting, but I only had 1 mistake and was able to fix it fast. The flight attendant said " you're not done with my shawl yet?" LOL!! A lot nicer than the other horror stories that I have heard about knitting while flying.
So, I put the knitting down for a while, because I decided that I want to make my carnival costume. So before I get into that, I want to explain a little bit about carnival. It is derived from the time of Colonists and Slaves in the Caribbean, and was the only day that they slaves had any freedom. They wore costumes to mock the slavedrivers and danced to drum music. It has evolved into a whole culture of music, food, fabulous costumes, competitions, and a big money-maker for the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. When you "play mas" (short for masquerade) you have the opportunity to pay for the privelage of being part of the parade for 2 days. My particular band, TRIBE, offered us an all inclusive package complete with a gorgeous costume, port-a-potty truck, mobile cool-down unit, premium drinks, breakfast, lunch, snacks, goody bag, the hottest DJ's, and top of the line security. Not to mention a sea of other masqueraders/hotties to dance with. However, it is customary with TRIBE that their band members wear the bikini tops for both Monday and Tuesday. Many people do that without any problems. However, I am a different story. Trinidad is Hot, Hot, Hot, and I sweat if I walk down 1 block. So, I decided to make my own outfit for Carnival Monday.

The theme this year was Birds of a Feather, and my costume was the Hummingbird.... Hence the purple and green colors.

This is what I had to work with.

Starting the sewing.

1 hour later

Finally done

I just want to make one disclaimer. Although the costumes are a tad bit skimpy, what I see when I look at them is the beauty and the art and the craft of Mas-Making. It is such an amazing thing to see the amount of work and intricate detail that goes into making these fabulous costumes. Check out me and this depiction of a Brazilian Macaw


So, who is coming with me next year?

18 comments:

miukat said...

Yay! You're back! We missed you at the mitten swap! Maybe I can't come with you next year, but there's always the Mermaid Parade...

Shameka said...

Muikat.. I am not back just yet. Blogging from Trinidad. I should be back in a week and a half. I need some more sun.

Anonymous said...

Finally! I knew you hadn't given up blogging but what an exciting life you lead. Carnival looks fantastic especially since we're expecting snow. Glad you're back

Deborah-- said...

OMG I can't believe you blogged! Everything looks great. BTW, I love my scarf you made for me. I need to attach the additional flowers to the hat still.

CarrieM said...

I wish I could come with you next year!! You look absolutely fabulous! (sorry about the boo-boo in the rag...I recognize the yarn tho! I have the same Manos!)

Carrie--who is soaking up the sun in San Diego!

Kelli said...

I was beginning to wonder where you'd gone. I'm glad you had fun on your trip. The hemlock ring is gorgeous.~ksp

nicolina said...

gorgeous! i love how you look all carnival-ed out. and i can relate to lack of blogging. for me - it was lack of the internet.

Anonymous said...

Hi sagga gal
I know you still liming, bring you butt back to NYC, it lent. Leave some baccanal

Anonymous said...

What's up Sagga gal,you know it's Lenten season, carnival is over the mass camp are close why are you still in T&T,lyming? girl you better get you little self back to the big Apple. see ya

Anonymous said...

have i seen you walking up and down Eastern Parkway???

LOL!

Anonymous said...

Shameka, you look good! I love your natural look! You look like you're having a ball, and your pride is radiant. With that said when are you being extradited back to the states?

craftivore said...

Wow, you look HOT HOT HOT. I wanna go too. You need to frame that picture.

I'm with the flight attendant, "you're not finished with my shawl yet?". Hemlock is looking amazing and I'm sure it will feel absolutely fabulous in mmmmmmalabrigo.

chicagopurl said...

I MISS YOU LIL SIS! ARE YOU HOME YET! GIRL YOU ARE WORKIN' IT! LUUUUUUVIT! I'M GOING TO GO WITH YOU ONE YEAR! CALL ME CHICA, I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING!

Mary Beth said...

I took a chance that you must have blogged since you stopped by mine.

I always love the photos of you in costume down in T&T. You are such a hot islander!!!

Love Hemlock. That Malabrigo is to die for! I'm going to make it into the Eco blanket ala Brooklyn Tweed.

Scheherazaad said...

I want to come next year! You look great and like you are having so much fun. I think that one of my co-workers only teaches part time just so that she doesn't have to miss carnival.

Anonymous said...

Way to create, then rock, a costume!

The FG/CH Knitters miss you!

Sharon said...

LOVE the costume! It's gorgeous! Also, I'm so joining you next year. ;)

Kim said...

Welcome back to cold ass NY! As always you look awesome. I love your sequined bikini and that dude's painted chest is amazing.
Something is wrong with my bloglines cause I was jsut alerted to this post today, many weeks after you posted. Gah!