Yesterday Jacob and I spent all morning playing with images and fonts, adjusting, getting them just right... went out for the afternoon, and came home with these:

Jacob; left forearm; coordinates of his father's hometown (Monrovia, Liberia). We were really specific with the font - and it looks just right.

Me; right wrist; a portrait of my handspun, sketched from one of my favorite photos. I love the details so much, the shading, the uneven bits plied together, the tiny shadow.

Both tattoos were done by Craig Jackman at American Electric Tattoo (a local shop - it's been in the neighborhood even longer than we have). They are both small and detailed - I wanted a good portrait, and we were really specific about the font for Jacob's, and Craig nailed it with each. They were done with a single needle - such pretty serifs and shading and just great work. I'm happy.

This past weekend, Jess and Casey, founders of the Bestest Website Ever In The Whole World, came all the way out here to Los Angeles for the TNNA Conference.  I got to meet them and hang out on Saturday at the event (what a whirlwind - oh my gosh - I touched Norah Gaughan!), and later spent some time with them eating yummy food, hanging out with friends, and checking out some nice spots in the city.  I've been chatting with these two online for months now (I do a lot of volunteering on Ravelry and help out with the site as much as I can) and it was awesome to finally meet these creative, fun people in person and get along with them so well.  We all I'm pushing for Ravelry to relocate to Los Angeles... but despite the gorgeous weather we had this past week (and the strong, mighty pull of Pinkberry - I'm pretty sure that when they open in Boston, Jess will be the first in line), I don't think it worked.  Oh well... at least I know where to find them on the internet.

Yay Ravelry friends!  Thanks so much for all that you do, J&C, and for hanging out, goofing around, and appreciating my completely random taste in music.  I'm looking forward to seeing you again!!

Important things planned for later today...

Knittng with friends, catching up (it is a weekend full of friends, actually - knitting and not).

A lovely way to spend the afternoon.

Decision time is getting close: what should I bring to knit?

Saturday afternoon, Ms. Stephanie Pearl-McFee appeared in Los Angeles for a talk and book signing.  The last time she came to L.A. was August of 2005, I'd had the good fortune of helping arrange her visit to The Knit Cafe, and bunches of us sat on every available surface on the store, ate yummy food, and laughed ourselves silly. 

This time, she came to speak at the Central Library, downtown.  I love downtown L.A. -so close, and really easy for me to get to by train (that's pretty rare here).  Besides being really really lovely, the library actually has a big enough auditorium to hold all the knitters who want to hear Steph speak!  I was really impressed at how evident it was that Steph has grown accustomed to speaking in front of large crowds - despite her sometimes writing about freaking out on her blog, she's very poised (but still hilarious and obviously down-to-earth) up on stage, giving a very funny and thoughtful talk. 

She also still, despite the crowds and the exhaustion that would set in for any normal person with her traveling schedule, takes the time to talk and have fun with everyone who waits to have her sign her book. I also noticed her signature has totally sped up since the "At Knit's End" tour.

First tour...



Current tour.

Smart woman.

Thanks so much for coming all the way out to L.A., Stephanie!

The talk/signing was also the perfect occasion to meet up with my friend Lori (who naturally passed the Yarn Harlot's Canadian test with flying colors and thoughtfully explained what the heck was going on to me later) and enjoy a nice walk over to the fashion district and... well, basically spend a bunch of money at Michael Levine.  Lori was wearing the cutest shirt in a lightweight cotton print - it turned out that she'd made it the night before!  She makes great clothes that are totally inspiring to me.  It turned out that the shirt pattern was modified from the basic shirt in Sew U - a book I own, enjoyed reading through, but have yet to make anything from.  I have seen the error of my ways... and I have now bought plenty of yardage in two really cute cotton voile prints to correct the situation.   And some fabric swatches for my bridal party (and it will be a party... oh yeah).  And possibly a cute flower embellishment.  Um, and some notions... I did put the $36.00 worth of buttons I was looking at for no reason back in the box, though.  I don't think I've ever before excercised button restraint, it felt kind of good!  I managed to find everything I wanted for a really great price.  Score!

Lori - it was really fun to hang out with you - thanks for driving all the way up here and listening to me and my rambles, and of course, for snapping the pictures of me and Steph! 

Exciting news for today - I have another post up on Whipup - a review of Fibre & Stitch, a new website.  Check it out!

I've never considered myself a summer person; I don't think anyone who burns as easily as I do ever would.  Bay Area winters?  Now that's the season for me.  Rain, fog, rain, mud, rain, and wind.  Bring it!  Something has happened to me this summer; I don't know why, but I am loving the heat!  This is totally new for sun-shy me.  Have I lived in L.A. too long?  Am I assimilating?  Hmmm... I've also eaten fish three times in the past week.  Halibut.  I've been a vegetarian for 14 years!  It was delicious - a science project that turned out to be surprisingly tasty.  Surprises everywhere.