Zeneedle...needleart as life

Because a List (or four) on Friday has Become Der Rigeur…

Tuesday was a much better day than Monday (maybe it was a better nights sleep) and while dressing for work I looked in the mirror and said to myself, "Damn!  You look great for someone who is near 60 years old." (Big Zero birthdays have never bothered me, but 60 feels a little daunting.) 

That morning I read Nora's post on loving your body for what it is.  May I impart a bit of advice to you younger souls.  Enjoy your 30s and 40s; they are your body's best years.  Around 50+ you start dealing with aches and pains and other age issues.  This year has been a difficult one for me health-wise and so I'm going to talk about the "good stuff" and stay positive.

It's All About Me

1. While dealing with pneumonia, et al., I lost a few pounds.  The goal has been to keep it off.  So far, so good.
2. My hair is still mostly dark with some swaths of gray and I'm fine with it as is.  Coloring is not an option for this simple reason: I am too lazy to deal with it myself and all that time in a salon would make me nuts.
3. My new haircut looks cute and (dare I say) sassy.  My earrings show and I love that, too.
4. Thankfully I'm not a snack food eater.  I don't like it, it doesn't like me. Give me yogurt and berries (perhaps a few nuts) over anything else and I'm happy.
5. My neck has a few wrinkles, but has no wattle…thank goddess!!
6. My lungs have gained strengthened in just the last couple of weeks and I should be able to start working out. Yay!
7. My body looks ok, but it's weak and I must start walking (farther) and lifting weights (which I can now do...see #6.)
8. I'm at the age when what's in and what others think doesn't matter much...it's very freeing.
9. I dress and look younger than I am. My clothes and shoes don't show my age.  I never want curly blue hair.
10. Friends don't let friends act old and you'll help me out, keep me on the right track….true?  Now, that's a reason to keep blogging.

Changes (Sob)

1. The soundtrack to my week was KCRL Community Radio…Radio Free Utah.
2. I have loved this station for many, many years (over 25!).
   
3. They are changing formats as of May 5th...to paid programmers!
4. Can you believe they fired all the volunteers!?!
5. I have been very upset and continue to grieve over the change.
6. They did hire three of the volunteers…two are favorites of mine. (Thank goddess!)
7. I'm still worried that the music I love will change.
8. The volunteers have given years to the listening public and I will miss them with all my heart.
9. Many of the volunteers didn't take it lying down and have started their own web-based radio, Utah Free Media.
10. Utah is full of renegades...and don't you forget it.

This is for Sallee who asked for more mountain pictures. Mt. Olympus taken on Thursday afternoon.

It's Friday!

1. The weather has been wet (snow, hail, rain) and cold this week. (See the new snow on the mountain above?)
2. Please, please, please let us have a few warm days in a row.
3. I'm tired of bitching about the weather.
4. Next complaint will be in July when it's over 100.
5. Fridays are the best because I can wear blue jeans to work.
6. I LOVE wearing blue jeans (and lace).
7. Wearing lace and blue jeans together is even better.
8. I need want Romi's new earrings to peek out from under my new hairdo.
9. There could be a CeCe photo shoot this weekend!
10. I'll be taking Mondays off from blogging now that summer is coming. I'd rather be having fun in the sun than spend Sunday afternoon going through pictures and writing a post.

Reasons Not to Post on Monday

1. Spending Sunday outdoors (or anywhere away from a computer) sounds like fun.
2. Blogland is slow during the vacation months of summer.
3. Knitting all day Sunday (if not out of doors) would be more fun than typing.
4. More time to spend with Smith and Moxie.
5. This feels like the right time to slow down my posting schedule.
6. Maybe I'll have a dinner party...barbecue anyone?
7. I'd like to read a book (or two).
8. Maybe I'll be better at correspondence. (I suck at answering emails.)
9. Many Sundays this summer will be spent traveling or recovering from travel.
10. Why not!?

Happy Weekend, Everyone!  See you TUESDAY!

Friday! What's Up with You?

How is everyone?  It's so quiet in Blogland and I'm wondering if it's just me. Has everyone moved on to Ravelry and/or Flickr?  Tap, tap, tap...who's out there?

The week is finally over and I SO need a quiet weekend. It's been a crazy week and I've had little time to knit or relax.  I'm planning some down time, a haircut and loads of knitting on Saturday and Sunday.  Because life has been a bit busy I could only come up with one list today.   

Random Bits

1. Monday the high temperature was 81!
2. Tuesday and Wednesday it snowed (and didn't reach 45)!
3. Roller coaster spring weather is rather the norm this time of year and more cold is coming.
4. At least the snow pack won't melt too quickly. (Looking on the bright side.)
5. Because the Sock Mojo has forsaken me I have forsaken the purchase of any more sock yarn.
6. However, Rebecca has a sock yarn I don't think I can live without.
7. This week the soundtrack to my life has been Chris' fabulous CD mixes and the Drive By Truckers new album.
8. It's their irreverence...gotta love that!
   
9. Yes it is an album even though it's a CD.
10. A collection of anything (like music) is an album.

It may still be on the chilly side here in SLC, but the lilac buds are growing each day!  Hurray!!

That's it from me! Enjoy your weekend.

Let's Do it Again!

Are you sick of my lists?  It's become a habit tradition each Friday as it's an easy way to catch up with myself, get things off my chest and make a nice ending to the week.

1. Norma started the conversation, Sandy continued it, and a button was born.
2. For several months I've been carrying my own bags to grocery store.
3. After I purchased them it took several trips before I was able to remember to take them in with me.
4. It's now become a habit and they are so much nicer to carry than the plastic bags of old.
5. Sandy's bags are much prettier than mine.
6. A local farm (which was once a dairy) has started a food delivery service (mostly organic items).
7. It's been wonderful to have the weekly delivery of needed items right to the door.
8. By buying bulk at Costco and having regular items delivered, a trip to the small local grocery only happens once a week (if that) and it's usually for only a few items (bananas, apples and some veggies).
9. I do try to buy local, but it's not my main focus.
10. I go more for a good product and ease...I'm all about easy.

Ten On Tuesday Moved to Friday - Favorite Actors

1. We watch very few movies.
2. Consequently I know few actors by name or who is "in" at the moment.
3. Clive Owen comes to mind.
4. Helen Mirren does, too.
5. At one time I loved Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Costner.
6. I watch movies for the story line, plot or genre (Western), not the actor.
7. We're more into the Indie movies than mainstream Hollywood.
8. We get two Netflix movies a month and barely have time to watch them.
9. I'd rather listen to music.
10. This weeks sound track was Nirvana and Bob Dylan, with Miles Davis thrown in for good measure (and Lou Reed).

TMI Tuesday Friday (Thanks Stacey! Happy Birthday, btw!) I found this to be so funny and just had to "do it".

1. Your boyfriend/girlfriend cheats on you with your best friend, who are you (more) mad at?

BOTH!  They are adults and both are responsible for their own actions.  Both should have consideration for our relationship.  They are both betraying a trust and both should be shot.

2. Is there something someone could say to you that would cross a boundary of not being able to take back or forgive them? 

I believe you should forgive (for yourself), but that doesn't mean you should forget or like the person who does you harm.  Life's too short to be upset and angry over someone like that. Energy is best spent in positive ways. 

3. What non-sexual body part do you find the sexiest?

Oooo, I LOVE a good forearm, the inside of the arm is so-o, so-o sexy, so vulnerable.

4. Would you ever consider cosmetic surgery to have the perfect body?

Never.  Plain and simple...never.

5. Have you ever kissed someone of the same sex?

Yes.  Ann and I had a "thing" at Rhinebeck two years ago.

A list of 25 should be plenty.  Have a great weekend everyone.  We're heading for bare toes and sunshine ALL weekend long.

It's The Forty Things Again

Spring Cleaning

1. The Ten on Tuesday this week was "10 Things You'd Fix in Your Home".
2. That's easy…everything from the paint in would be replaced and/or renewed…everything.
3. Everything that isn't tacked down would be thrown out.
4. OK, that might be a little harsh, but I sure would like a dumpster (a big one) at the back door for a week, then I could easily toss out a bunch of junque.
5. Sunday, while driving home from So. Utah, I thought about the new summer clothes (still) sitting (nicely folded) on my studio junque room floor.
6. After thinking about them for 3 hours, the first thing I did when I arrived home was go to the clothes closet and start tossing.
7. Out went all my 90s clothes, old belts (does anyone wear belts?), and other unworn, ill fitting clothes and old bags (ugly old bags).
8. All my clothes, including the new summer bunch, now fit on one rack.
9. I love it as everything is in one spot and visible.
10. Now to tackle the sweater cupboard and all the leftover 80s clothes in the extra closet.

Put a Spin on It

1. This week I finished plying the Cormo/Cormo/Cormo-Angora from the Wooly Wonka Exotic Fiber Club.
2. Did you get that…it's a three-ply?
3. It turned out pretty well and looks even better after a good whacking about.
4. I want to dye it  (maybe blue) and then knit a hat for next fall.
5. All my bobbins are empty and ready for the summer of spinning.
6. It's hard to choose exactly what to do next as there has been some new fluff acquisitions.
7. Like the yummy Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks merino/silk I bought from Celia Quinn and the new Spirit Trail fiber.
   
8. One or both are destined to be shawls.
9. I love knitting and wearing lace.
10. It's fun to spin for lace, too.

In My Ear

1. This week all the music of my life is new/old.
2. The Cowboy Junkies have revisited the 20 year old Trinity Sessions.
3. If you don't know about the original Trinity Sessions you should.
4. The Revisited Edition is just as wonderful.
5. Old Gram Parson's/Flying Burrito Brother tracks were found in the Grateful Dead music vaults.
6. A two CD set has been released and it's marvelous.
7. Listening is like hearing Gram for the first time and like he was never gone.
8. He has such a look of innocence.
9. He wasn't, but he really was.
10. I still listened to Lou Reed, too.

The Process of Knitting

1. Yes, I am still about the process of knitting (and learning about MY processes).
2. Maybe, at heart, I'm a one project person.
3. I start several things....three or four, but enjoy the process on one in particular.
4. At the moment my favorite process is lace. 
5. CeCe and Zetor get the most attention and everything else feels like overwhelm.
6. It's the KISS process at work...don't you think? 
7. To much is just, well, too much.
8. But, that doesn't keep me from dreaming.
9. Zetor could be finished this weekend and then I'll feel like working on Persephone.
10. It's doubtful I'll feel like knitting a sock.

Have a good one!

Ten x 4

It's been quite a week!  You know that feeling you get when things have gone well and it's all wrapped up...the time when you brush your hands together with the satisfaction of a job well done?  That's just what today feels like.  Birthday celebrations were better than wonderful (and continue) and the finishing flurry, along with resulting posts, were very rewarding.  It feels like an ending and a new beginning and I guess it is. With it being a very busy week there hasn't even been much knitting time (damn!) and I seem to have run out of posting steam.  So, I'm falling back on a random list to finish off the week.  After seeing the movie meme spread around blogland and the new 10 on Tuesday meme, I decided to make another post of 40 on Friday.  You get 4 different sections on 4 different topics....riveting, no?

One of Four - Random Bits

1. It's been a tough week for Moxie (and us) as he was attacked by an off leash pitbull.  He had surgery, but is doing very well and is now being humiliated by wearing a baby t-shirt. It's better than being a conehead which was bad for his poor psyche. He's bouncing back quickly and we're all relieved.
2. This week was a little crazy so I still have not mailed the packages from my Blogiversary contest.  They will go out tomorrow.  Promise. (I hate making excuses, but please do excuse me.)
3. My needlepoint students (I have 13) gave me a large and lovely gift certificate to a LYS.
4. For the life of me I'm just not sure what to buy.  It will marinate for awhile while I make up my mind.
5. Can you believe I really don't know what yarn to buy, what project (beyond what's in my stash) I want to knit?  Perhaps a new bag and some accessories will be fun.
   
6. My main musical loves this week have been Bright Eyes and Lou Reed (always Lou Reed). 
7. I did get a little classical infusion by listening to Death and the Maiden quartet. I'm crazy for string quartets, too.
8. I told Cindy I didn't think spring would come and that we would jump right into summer.  That notion has been revised.  It looks like spring will be here for the weekend.
9. What's up Hollywood?  The new movie Bonneville, filmed mostly in Utah, has a character named Margene, played by Kathy Bates.  Big Love, on HBO, about a polygamist family in Utah, also has a character named Margene.  Not many Margene's spell their name like I do. It's usually Marjean and there are very few of either spelling in Utah!  I'm a little fed up with you ripping off my name, Hollywood.
10. I haven't seen the movie as yet…hope to change that next week.

On that note...

2 of Four - Movie Bits

The rules:    
1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.    
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.    
3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.    
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.    
5. Looking them up is cheating, please don't.

~~~Movie Quotes- Neener, neener..bet you can't get one...no cheating. ETA: Look how good you are!  I wouldn't know one and they're some my favorite movies!

1. In a world of secrets, love is the most powerful weapon. Blue Sky- Tygher Knits got this one right! 
2. If we forgive our fathers, what is left? Smoke Singnals - Katinka Good job!
3. If you can't share your secrets with your friends then what kind of friend are you?
4. The world is not made for people cursed with self-awareness. Bull Durham - Nancy! Way to go.
5. It is a weird lullaby and so it is; it is mine.  The Piano - Jennifer got it right!
6. Why do you pee on your lemon tree? - Worlds Fastest Indian -MIM (She's good!)
   
7. This is dark chocolate. It comes all the way from Switzerland, Europe.Open Range- Nova (She has a great explanation as to why she knew.)
8. Those women will do things to you you'll never forget. 3:10 to Yuma -  Mim (See, she knows her stuff!)
9. Even if you do get the money, how do we know you'll come back? Silverado - CherylS (I knew she'd get this one.)
10. I would've been much nicer. I would've just cut your face. Kill Bill 2 - Angela!

3 of Four -Ten on Tuesday Friday -10 Places You’d Take a Tourist to See in Your Hometown. Everything on this list is less than 30 minutes from my house. Pictures below (in order).

1. Silver Fork Lodge - best breakfast in the West (maybe all of America).
2. Great Salt Lake - a unique spot that is interesting and beautiful.
3. Jordan Pines a big meadow area that's amazing year round.
4. Donut Falls -  easy hike on a wide trail through a pine forest, cold water to wade in.
5. Willow Heights - short strenuous hike straight up through a large aspen forest to an old beaver dam and lake. Worth the effort.
6. Snowbird- this resort has everything you need all year round...including the best views.
7. Alta Ski Resort- even more scenic than Snowbird and if you come in the summer the wild flowers are blooming in profusion.
8. Cecret Lake - a bit of a hike to a glacial lake, but so worth the effort.
9. Red Butte Gardens - a variety of gardens for all seasons.
10. Silver Lake - easy, gorgeous walk around lake.

 

4 of Four

1. If you're still reading I applaud and thank you.
2. It's the time of year for thoughts (and perhaps action?) on spring cleaning.
3. There are piles of 'things' to be put away and I MUST get motivated.
4. New summer clothes (pants and linen shirts) are in a (nicely folded) pile on my studio/junque room floor. 
5. They sit midst many other 'things', like yarn and roving.
6. It is embarrassing to admit, more embarrassing (even to myself) to see.
7. Must make a plan of action and start doing something about it this weekend.
8. Who knows, I might be able to wear a few of the new clothes soon!
9. Yeah, I'm not holding my breath.
10. Moxie sez, "don't cry for me blogland"

Happy Easter Weekend! 

Happy First Weekend of Spring (whether it acts like it not)!

My Year, My Pictures!

As luck would have it, it looks like I'll be battling the flu all weekend. Hopefully by Christmas I'll be feeling better.  It's been years and years, since I felt this poorly.  This post was ready to go few days ago, otherwise there would be nothing.  Instead of a picture from the first post of the month I went with my favorite. It's my meme and I'll do what I want to.

January (no linkage this time)


Not only the SnB has an anniversary in January...Smith and I do, too!

February

Hanging out with Smith at Solitude Ski Resort on a sunny day. We love the beauty of the canyon's during the winter months.

March

KimG came to visit and we've met up several times since.  She's a doll, fun to be around and a wonderful friend.

April

It was warm enough to bare the toes. w00t!  (I can't wait to do it again.)

May

Shearing at Sunrise Ranch with Deb and Jim.  Hopefully you two aren't too cold and buried in snow!

June

Hanging with the grrls during our Estes Park trip. This was so much fun and it was great to meet Chris and Laura.  Are you grrls coming back next year?

July

Hidcote's debut in Bryce Canyon.  A very nice trip, a beautiful day in a very unique place and a wonderful photo shoot!

August

I had more FOs in August than any other month, but my favorite thing is Manise's handspun. We had a little swap and I think I got the best end of the deal.

September

Carole, TeresaC, and Kim came to visit for a few days...it was heaven.  If only it could happen more often.

October

Spending time at the Grand Canyon with Smith was the highlight of the year.

November

Mittens from Manise's hanspun!  I couldn't love them more!

December

Blue mittens and blue sky!

Merry Christmas to you all!!

The Best Laid Plan's and all that She-it

Norma and I are nursing broken hearts.  The storm in Boston did our plans in and rather than keep trying we decided it was best she be warm, safe and not stuck some place far away from home (like Boston).  But damn, it's disappointing! 

I'd already planned this post because Vicki's Word idea was just too easy so, here's the Zeneedle Year in Review.

January
Get Ready, Get Set… The start if Hidcote Shawl. I hit a wall with this project and didn't finish it until June, but the wait was worth it as the photo shoot was in Bryce Canyon.

February
Surprises! Another Good, Bad, and Ugly Post... The weather had been frightful (as in cold and inversion-ed.  The end of January usually brings the end of that nightmare.

March
Three Years Ago Today... Blogiversary! End of year 4(!) is approaching.

April
Umm, It was a Good Weekend... Grrlfriends weekend report..grrlfriends just wanna have fun and we do regularly!

May
Oh My, Oh My, Oh My, OH MY!!... A very nice Toasty Toes swap arrived. I love this pair of socks!

June
Spinning With Intent... Spinning wool...what else?

July
Walking After Midnight... A moonlight walk on Antelope Island (gorgeous!)...one of Smith's best ideas ever.

August
Winter Dreams... Dreaming of winter, trying to stay cool in the hottest summer on record.

September
I Need a Rest from My Weekend... Labor Day weekend fun and a bigass moose!

October
Preview of Coming Attractions... First snow of 2007 and new shoes!

November
Out, Out, Damn UFO!... Self explanatory, no?

December
December...and the Livin' is Easy... It snowed, I made soup (good soup, too.)

Later I'll do the year in pictures.  I know, you're so excited you could fall out of your chair (or fall asleep).   Enjoy your weekend.  I'll try, but it's going to be a sad one. Waaaaahhh.

Another Meme?

Teresa! I just did this meme on the 3rd. But, because you are a dear friend (and I need something to fill up a Sunday post)...I'll oblige.  Here are 8 more things about memememememe.  If you don't know what a meme is you can read Norma's description here along with all the other reason I she hates memes.  I'll  do my best to share something you wouldn't already know.   The plan was to be tough on myself and reveal things that many of you don't know...but, blogging is a release for me, a fun, entertaining part of  life and I decided to keep it that way...light, fun, boring,  nothing too deep. So...I'm going to play off of Terry's 8 Boring Things.

1. The only glasses I've ever worn are magnifying readers.  My eye doc says they're just fine for what I do, but I see changes, so glasses might be in my future (night driving isn't as fun as it used to be).
2. In 12 years of school I attended 6 different schools...none were parochial and, IMO, all were pathetic excuses for schools. (See #5.)
3. I've never been into plaid skirts, but at the age of 8 I did have one that was bright red, with a gold windowpane.  My mother bought a bright gold t-neck sweater to match. I thought I'd died and gone to hell.  What's a kid to do!
4. Pink and blue have always been my favorite colors.  I do like almost all colors (except some greens), but won't wear green or yellow of any shade.
5. I do my best to write, rewrite and not be too blatant with grammar errors.  However, I don't know all that I should about grammar and don't worry about it as much as I did when first starting to blog. (That sentence may suck, but what's a grrl to do?)
   
6. Terry likely rewrites my sentences in her head and others of you run screaming from my blog.  I do the best I can and that's good enough for me.
7. The only Christmas music I like is the 'weird' stuff like Robert Earl Keen's Merry Christmas From the Family (video) and I only want to hear it Christmas Day, thank you.
8. I try to empty my email box everyday, but actually, it only happens about once a month. I'm not good at keeping up with email conversation and I do feel bad about that, but that hasn't changed my ways.
9. There is a number nine because I feel the need to not follow rules...aka, Norma (and because Norma said I should come clean, AND because I hear John Lennon in my head saying, Number Nine, Number Nine). SO...I swear often, a lot and sometimes inappropriately. I can swear in person, but not on the blog. 'nuf said

No tagging...the meme stops here (or you can gank it if you like.)

Random Things

In a weak moment I trouted for NaBloPoMo...it felt right to join Vicki and see if I was up to the challenge.  There was a lot of  debating with myself and, in the end, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and give it a go.  If you're thinking about posting less frequently and having thoughts on giving up the blog, why not go in the opposite direction...doesn't that make sense to you?   Anywoodedodedo, problem is I'm addicted to you, my friends from near and far.

Rebecca tagged me for the 8 Random Things meme and, at first, I bowed out because, well, it's something I've done several times.  However, I did think of a few things you may not know.  So, here goes...

1. Saved to my computer is a Word document with HTML code ready to cut and paste into any post. It's the code that creates pop-up windows for links. The links used most frequently are saved and ready to add at any time. I'm no geek.


2. At the top of that Word doc page are the words Locus Dei. It's a way of reminding myself that Utah is a place of uncommon beauty, a beauty to which we can escape when the people of the "predominate culture" come up with silly ideas (which they frequently do).  We're very good at escaping...as you know the mountains are our haven.  Why do you think we go up the canyon so often?
   


3. We've been talking about getting a kitty, which may or may not happen...we're just talking.  No gushing or excitement please...we're a long way off from it happening.


4. There will be no furnace war winners in our house. The heat has been on for some time.  It snowed mid-October and that day it was 58F in the house...we caved.  The heat runs for a short time in the morning, just to take the chill out of the air (the morning low was 28F on Friday).


5. This time change is hard on my body clock. Mornings are my favorite time of day, but getting up at 4:00am instead of 5:00am (my normal wake up time) is tough. It will take a week to get back on track.
   


6. I've taught needlepoint classes for many more years than I ever stitched needlepoint.  My embroidery background is extensive and varied, which helps with idea formation/creation.  I like teaching and I'm good at it. Fortunately, my students agree.  *pats self on back*


7. I love music and listen constantly to the radio, my own mixes, or CDs from Paste Magazine.  My tastes are extremely varied, but my current favorite song is "Scar that Never Heals by Jeremy Fisher.


8. Today I'll be spinning and maybe trying my hand at felting. Elizabeth's handspun sweater was so inspiring and Kim’s cool felting project has me all a gahgah!  I really must give that a try.
   

See you tomorrow!

Color Me(me)

It's the time of year when the talk of color is on everyone's lips.  The colors of fall are vibrant or subtle, always warm and inviting, truly rich and earthy. This weekend Birdsong and I had a long conversation about color.  She had her colors 'done' and learned some colors were better for her than others. Some were colors she already wore and loved and others were a bit of a revelation. 

It's time to change over the closets and so I've been thinking, gleaning, cleaning and dreaming about wardrobe fixes, too. Kristi steered my thoughts in this direction last week when she started her color series. If you have been curious about color, but never understood the terms or theories, you'll find Kristi's series very helpful.

Her first post had a meme with excellent questions about color choices. After you read  the color questions (which can be answered on your own blog), go back to her post on color theory, the first in the series. You might also find her answers to the meme interesting.

Over the years my ideas about color, my likes and dislikes have changed.  Trends have an impact on what we like (because of what we see), but with the process of aging eyes and changing preference, what once looked good to, or on a person, evolves.  It was interesting to think about the transition

Here are my answers to the meme.

What is your current favorite color?
Shades of blue & red catch my eye more often than any other color.  I'm drawn to bright clear color, but often find myself enchanted by something new, such as a color that hasn't been seen for a long time.

Had your favorite color changed over the years?
As a grrl-child my favorite color was hot pink (the rest of my bedroom was a cowboy theme), but I've always been partial to blue and other jewel tones. The colors I use, or wear, least are yellow and green and that much hasn't changed.

Is your current favorite color one that is currently trendy? (Do you see it in the fashion rags or on the clothes rack or in the linen aisle right now? How about 5 years ago?)
After checking with this site, I see that my favorite colors (clear, not gray) are out, in general. Plus, there is NO blue!? I'm not sure about 5 years ago, but two two years ago ago the colors were clearer.  Color changes so rapidly any more.  Is one color 'out' for long anyway? (Or maybe I just don't pay attention.)

What is your favorite color combination?
Right now it's brown and red, brown and blue, brown and almost anything. 

Is that combination a popular one? (Is it used in prints you see in the stores and catalogs and magazines now? How about 5 years ago?)
From the looks of the above link, brown is very in, as are brown 'toned' colors…bright is out and drab is in.  Maybe bright colors were more popular 5 years ago, I'm not sure. I'm not that conscious of fashion trends and often have trouble finding clothing in colors I like.

What is your favorite way of using color in your knitting? (Are you a stranded knitter? Do you prefer simple stripes? Do you prefer just accents at the hems/collars?)
If I use two or more colors in my knitting it's usually in a stranded project. Color choices also depend on the project. Socks in colorful yarns, multiple colored yarns are fun to knit and a good way to play with color(s), colors that may not be 'my thing'. 

What colors look good on you?
Blue shows off my eyes and bright, clear colors are best with my skin tone. People are often fooled by my color preferences as I'll knit any color in socks and even wear pants in colors that wouldn't be good close to my face.

What colors look bad on you?
The current fashion favorites…grayed or brown tones. (Birdsong and I found we are at opposite ends when it comes to what colors look best on us.  Opposites do attract.)

Do you wear colors that don’t look good on you just because you like them?
I don't wear any color I don't like and try to stay away from a color that doesn't look good, but sometimes I'll get a printed T-shirt just because I like the subject matter and only wear it around the house.

What is your favorite neutral color? black/white/ivory/tan/brown/gray – if brown or gray do you prefer cool or warm versions of those or does it matter? And, how dark?
Black has always been a favorite color, as well as gray…any shade of gray.  Pale neutrals (ivory or tan) don't work for me and, when I wear brown, I like red browns in darker shades.

Is there a sweater pattern that uses more than one color that you’d like to make, but you wish to change the colors from what is published? If yes, which one? What do you not like about the published colors?
I love Eunny's s Autumn Rose, but the colors would not look good on me. Sad, because if I change them it will no longer be Autumn Rose!

Color study is very interesting and I enjoyed taking many classes on color theory when I studyied embroidery.  What I learned is helpful when I teach embroidery and the students enjoy learning tidbits along the way.  They find it easy to absorb the principles in small doses and when it can be used in a practical application.  Many people find it complicated and hard to understand color theory, but learning just a few basics will be very helpful to you when you dye yarn and/or pick colors for a project.  Check out Kristi's series...you should find it very helpful.

click for big

Speaking of color...Amy does such amazing color work when she dyes yarn and roving.  This was the July selection in her Spunky Club...Shetland wool in the colorway Celebration.  I spun it in a partial woolen method and plied it in chained singles so the colors wouldn't mix together.  It was then wet finished (as in abused with a yarn plunger in very hot water and smacked around quite a bit) and it turned out beautifully!