tsaiware

Finally finished, with 2 days to spare!

2008-08-15T12:20:00.002-04:00

My first, well second, embroidery attempt.

2008-08-15T12:18:00.000-04:00

WIP, only 2 weeks left to complete it!

2008-07-31T13:47:00.003-04:00

The pieces are all sewed together, and as I thought it looked a bit top heavy. So I decided to embroider one of the trees on to the section.

I think this is actually the first time I've used embroidery floss to actually embroider!

The tree is coming together, but now I'm not sure how I'm actually going to get it on the quilt. I think I'm going to have to learn how to do applique now! Or I'll just restart it directly on the quilt.

I made magnets!

2008-07-31T13:03:00.004-04:00

As my contribution to my friend's wedding, I offered to make her wedding favours. I think I made close to 300 magnets over the weekend. They're each about the size of a nickel.

Baby Boy Quilt 1

2008-07-31T09:27:00.003-04:00

Deciding on which fabric to use for the quilt. My plan was to sort out all the quilts to be made, but I focused on just one, which I regret now because I don't have the luxury of space at my own place.

The colour combo has been chosen, it wasn't difficult because most of it was from a set.

I've decided to go modern with this one, because it required less cutting and will give me time to work on the other quilts this summer/fall.

Production

2008-06-09T14:54:00.002-04:00

There is going to be a production of quilts a happening. I am going to attempt to sew five baby quilts this summer. Wish me luck, I'm already 1 behind.

Long time gone

2007-12-04T07:45:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how busy work has become, I've been pulling more hours now than ever. Oddly enough I'm loving my job the busier it gets. Strange.

There hasn't been much crafting going on, but I did slip in a quilt for Neen's new little one.

Chinese Lantern Festival 2007

2007-10-12T23:51:00.000-04:00

Nuit Blanche 2007 Pompom Tutorial

2007-10-12T23:49:00.000-04:00

Pompoms, gotta love em!

Gorgeous

2007-10-12T23:45:00.000-04:00

One day I'll make something as cool as this! Kudo's to the artist (unknown).

Femmebomb

2007-10-12T23:39:00.000-04:00

Part of Nuit Blanche 2007, this building's facade was covered in a pink quilt and crochet flowers.

Thanksgiving Baking

2007-10-12T23:09:00.000-04:00

I decided a while back that I was going to bake cupcakes, but I have no desire to eat them so off to work they went. This was my first attempt, and I figured out that you're not supposed to fill the cups up to the rim (I'll try 2/3 of the way next time). I suspect they ended up looking like dinner rolls because I used a bread recipe. Oh yeah, these are Pumpkin Walnut Bread in cupcake form with Cream Cheese Frosting and the extra batter was used to make two little loaves of bread. These little treats were inspired by chockylit.

Woven Scarf No.3

2007-08-23T12:28:00.000-04:00

I thought that I had mastered the set-up on my Knitter's Loom, but I found myself having to refer to the instructions around three or four times. Oddly enough, some steps felt as though I was doing them for the first time! Was I doing my usual skimming the first two times? For this scarf I am using a wonderful buttery yellow wool from Uruguay, and a handspun multi colour skein that I bought off ebay (which I must add, the colours were not even close to what the image looked like on the posting). However I am happy that I am finally able to use it for something, and I had exactly 1 foot left over once I threaded the loom....phewwwwwww!

The first two woven scarves!

2007-08-20T10:49:00.000-04:00

My new toy!

2007-08-14T11:35:00.000-04:00

Thanks to AM and all his gift certificates for my favourite wool shop, I was able to purchase this Ashford Knitter's Loom. The instructions are easy to follow, especially for a beginner like myself. Once I set it up, I completed my first scarf with in a couple hours (probably quicker had I not used this thick'n thin yarn).

Three of my favourite things

2007-08-03T15:00:00.000-04:00

Could there be a better combination for me? Yarn, fabric, knitting and window displays...maybe that is four things. Clegs on Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Australia

101 Things to do with Cupcake Paper Cups

2007-08-03T14:40:00.000-04:00

or what to do with 101 000 cupcake paper cups. These lighting feature was in the window of a storefront in Melbourne one block North and East of Federation Square. (disclaimer: I'm really bad with street names and directions!)

Trouble

2007-07-06T11:47:00.001-04:00

Sands of Time

2007-07-06T11:40:00.000-04:00

My first craft attempt after recovering from my CTR. This piece of wallart was created with various techniques including, needle felt, wet felt and crochet.

Carpal Tunnel Release - My Recovery

2007-06-19T17:06:00.001-04:00

Carpal Tunnel Release - My Recovery
Originally uploaded by tsaiware

It has been just over a month since my Carpal Tunnel Release surgery on my right hand. I put a little collage of the healing process, it may be a little difficult to look at for the squeemish, I know I had a hard time looking at it many times over the past month.

I am happy to say that it is looking good, I have almost all the mobility back, I am currently typing with all ten digits! I still have a couple weeks to go in getting my strength and grip back, its all good.

The left hand surgery is looking more likely now that I know the right hand seemed to have been 100% successful (so far).

I hope I will be able to knit again soon, but I may still give it another 6 weeks before I try. Good thing I have the embellisher!

Update

2007-06-12T15:58:00.000-04:00

As of tomorrow, it will have been 4 weeks since my Carpal Tunnel Release surgery. I have 30% of my strength and grip back, and a fairly decent range of motion with my palm and I can move my fingers and bend them almost 100%. There is vast improvements everyday, they are little but when you suddenly can't use you dominant hand you notice.

When I got to the plastic surgeons office Ihave to admit I was fairly anxious, not ever having had any surgery before (unless you count all four impacted wisdom teeth taken out in one shot). I signed some waiver forms, then was brought into the pre-op room for the needle from hell. I'm sure there are worse ones, this just happened to be the most painful one I've ever had. They had to numb all my nerve endings for this, NO, you don;t get put under! I was left there for 20 min as the stuff kicked in, I kept poking at it, thinking I'm going to feel all this! And it was true!!!!

The strangest thing is that you can feel,hear,smell and watch (if you wanted to). The worst soundis when they are cranking the instrument to spread apart your skin (it still gives me the heebeegeebees). I only had the nerve to look over three times, and it probably totalled less than 10 seconds! Did I mention you could feel everything, yes FEEL...but it didnt hurt. UNTIL, 6-8 hours later when the anetheasia wore off. I thought that needle was the worst part, well I was totally mistaken.

I spent 15 minutes in the waiting room holding the bandages tightly, then I was allowed to go home. For 3 days I had to have my hand elavated over my shoulder and not get the dressings or wound wet. This was such a minor surgery, I don't know how other people can put up with anything more than 2" long! haha....I'm such a whimp!!! Five days after the surgery I was allowed to take off the bandages, and let the incision and stitches see sunlight. I was so freaked out, funny thing is that if it was on someone elses body I would have been okay to look at it.

Thirteen days after the surgery, I went to have the 17 stitches removed. Within an hour 2/3 of it split open, and a few days later so did the rest of it. As of today, most of the dead flappy skin has fallen off as well as 50% of the scabs. It is all healing very nicely. I took over 100 photos (mind you alot are blurry) of the healing process. Soon to be blogged, when I get the time to sort thru them.

I will wait until next year before I do the left hand, because i'm going stir crazy not being able to craft.

Blogging Ceased Temporarily

2007-05-15T16:25:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,

I will finally be getting my carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand tomorrow, I've opted to have the left done next year. There won't be any blogging, emails or solitaire playing for a while. This is all in hopes that I'll be able to craft again! So enjoy the jellyfish and cake pictures. Maybe I'll take the cast off and take a picture of the stitches in a few days! We'll see....ttyl.

Felted Jellyfish at Magic Pony

2007-05-15T16:18:00.000-04:00

The New Cakes

2007-05-15T16:12:00.000-04:00

I ordered some markers the other day...

2007-05-09T12:10:00.000-04:00

...and they came with almost 1000 free pencil crayons.

Confusion

2007-05-03T09:03:00.000-04:00

I've been trying to kick this cold for the past two weeks, how can I tell I'm finally getting better? I just noticed that I've blogged to the wrong blog. Ugh. The past few entries (anything after April 17th until this posting) should have been on the other blog. It would mean a little too much effort on my part to move them, so here they'll stay.

On another note, 2 more weeks until the carpal tunnel surgery, I hope I'll be back to crafting by August. I'll be overseas for the most part of July.

My Favourite Store on King St. E

2007-04-26T16:48:00.000-04:00

Tokidoki at Taschen!

2007-04-26T16:25:00.000-04:00

Choices

2007-04-26T16:22:00.000-04:00

Sometimes if there is too much of a decision to make, I end up not making one at all. So I just take a picture, maybe this will help next time I go to the bakery and I can decide before hand.

Weiner Heaven!

2007-04-26T16:13:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure if it has to do with growing up in Winnipeg, but my friends have a knack for walking up to strangers and asking them questions. This question being, "Can we take pictures of your dogs?" The answer was, "Sure."

Meet Peanut and Shady, SR was in heaven.

Stack on!

2007-04-26T16:09:00.000-04:00

As we made our way down the boardwalk we came upon some yoga balancing rock stacker with a group of female followers (cult?) I didn't get a good picture of the guy, but here are the rocks!

The Beaches or plain old Beach

2007-04-26T16:03:00.000-04:00

There was some kind of a vote last year on whether this east end community was going to be known as The Beach or The Beaches, or maybe it was Beaches or Beach...who knows. All I know is that the first amazing weekend of the year had people from all over Toronto visiting, even me! (and Syb!)

I love these shots...

2007-04-17T17:28:00.000-04:00

...something creative has to come out of these!

Card Creation

2007-04-16T14:43:00.000-04:00

I knew that my streetart photos would come in handy one day! This card was made for someone who owns a graffiti removal company.

Inspirational Books

2007-03-20T15:35:00.000-04:00

When it comes to Craft or Cookbooks, I completely believe in the saying, Don't judge a book by it's cover. I have never bought a book online with out seeing it first in a bookstore, I find that the brief descriptions on the sites to be completely useless. J1 and J3 will probably say that it is because I skim read! And because of skim reading, I like my craft books filled with images, especially instructional imagery. As for cookbooks, I've only started reading beyond the ingredients, cooktime and temperature portions. Who would have thought that the instructions actually served a purpose! tee-hee.

Here are some of my favourite crafting books at the moment.

Tricia Guild - Patterns

2007-03-20T15:23:00.000-04:00

Patterns
Tricia Guild
ISBN-10: 0-8478-2892-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8478-2892-0

Westminister Book Number 2

2007-03-20T15:19:00.000-04:00

Westminister Patchwork and Quilting Book Number 2
Twenty projects by Kaffe Fassett, Liza Prior Lucy, Susan Powell, Karen Stone, Kim Hargreaves, Puline Smith
ISBN 0-9672985-1-2

Westminister - Book Number 1

2007-03-20T15:14:00.000-04:00

Westminister: Patchwork and Quilting Book Number 1
Thirteen designes by Kaffe Fassett
ISBN: 0-9672985-0-4

Quilt Toppings

2007-03-20T15:10:00.000-04:00

Quilt Toppings: Fun and Fancy Embellishment Techniques
Melody Crust
ISBN: 1-933308-02-8

Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts

2007-03-20T15:03:00.000-04:00

Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts
Designs Inspired by the Victoria & Albert Museum
with Liza Prior Lucy
ISBN:1-56158-754-0

Landscape in Contemporary Quilts

2007-03-20T14:59:00.000-04:00

Landscape in Contemporary Quilts: Design and technique
Ineke Berlyn
ISBN 071348974X
ISBN 9780713489743
www.anovabooks.com

Fabric Gifts

2007-03-20T14:54:00.000-04:00

Last-Minute Fabric Gifts
Cynthia Treen
ISBN: 1-58479-485-2

Feltmaking and Wool Magic

2007-03-20T14:48:00.000-04:00

Feltmaking and Wool Magic: Contemporary Techniques and Beautiful Projects
Jorie Johnson
ISBN 1-59253-275-6

Spin to Knit

2007-03-20T14:44:00.000-04:00

Spin to Knit: The Knitter's Guide to Making Yarn
Sharron Okey
ISBN-13: 978-1-59668-007-4
ISBN-10: 1-59668-007-5

Cupcakes Galore

2007-03-20T14:41:00.000-04:00

Cupcakes Galore by Gail Wegman
ISBN 1-84601-036-5

Contemporary Quilts

2007-03-20T14:39:00.000-04:00

Make Your Own Contemporary Quilts
ISBN 1-84430-112-5

Zucchini Bread

2007-03-05T16:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I decided to bake, to make up for the lack of crafting, but as it turns out I couldn't mix the batter without my hand cramping and falling asleep. Good thing the surgery date has been set!

Oh and it took 30 min longer to bake in my oven, normally things cook too quickly and I end up making crispy everything!

I've also learned that, as long as you don't tell people it's ZUCCHINI bread, they'll eat it!

Underground

2007-02-28T12:23:00.000-05:00

If you haven't ventured into the basement at Romni Wools, you may not have known they also sell cones of yarn. There is also the sale section downstairs too!

Valentine's Biscotti

2007-02-13T16:44:00.000-05:00

These are the White Chocolate Almond Biscotti that I made for our office valentine's day treat event. I highly doubt it will become an annual event but I thought I'd contribute. But seeing as alot of people have taken work home for the supposed snow storm we're getting tonight/tomorrow, there may be alot of treats left...or just no one in the office at all.

Coconut covered Chocolate Hazelnut Sandwiches

2007-02-12T16:55:00.000-05:00

My second attempt at making these cookies, there is a name for them, but I forgot what they are. They were a tad time consuming, but that was probably because the first batch was too thin.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

2007-02-12T16:51:00.001-05:00

It is what it is! With some left over heart sprinkles.

Valentine's Baking

2007-02-12T16:51:00.000-05:00

Because my apartment has about 4 square feet of counter space, I had to do my first annual baking attempt at GM's place. Here are the results of my first batch of cookies, which were too thin to use for the "sandwiched" cookie, so I made them into these. Chocolate Tuxedo cookies with pink sprinkles.

Blanket for Chloe

2007-01-30T15:18:00.000-05:00

Blame it on the carpal tunnel, but this baby blanket took just over 5 months to complete. It is roughly 42"x32" (depending on if you stretch it out or not). If I could have knitted more than 10 rows in a single sitting, perhaps it would have been finished alot sooner. Good thing the baby isn't due for another two weeks!

Flickrs Interestingness page

2007-01-21T17:57:00.000-05:00

Seeing as I haven't blogged in a while, I thought that I'd highlight some of my flickr photos that were choses for the Interestingness page over the past two years.

Currently I have a blanket that I'm trying to finish for the end of the month, but other than that there hasn't been much crafting going on. My hands are falling asleep again and I'm not very motivated. Suduko has taken over my spare time, however my hands go numb while I hold the book. *sadness*

And Again

2007-01-21T17:55:00.000-05:00

Holiday Embellishment
Originally uploaded by tsaiware.

On December 18, 2006 the full version of my 2006 Christmas card was listed on the Interestingness page at 286/500. As of today, its been viewed 121 times and marked as 4 peoples favourites.

On November 17, 2006

2007-01-21T17:49:00.000-05:00

Holiday embellishment
Originally uploaded by tsaiware.

Holiday Embellishment was my fourth interestingness photo, it placed at 459/500 it has been viewed 73 times and chosen twice as peoples favourites

On October 11, 2006

2007-01-21T17:46:00.000-05:00

Needle Felted Landscape
Originally uploaded by tsaiware.

This was my fifth interestingness photo, it placed at 134/500 it has been viewed 411 times and chosen 14 times as peoples favourites.

On April 28, 2006

2007-01-21T17:42:00.000-05:00

Elephant Cake
Originally uploaded by tsaiware.

Elephant cake was my fourth interestingness photo, it placed at 136/500 it has been viewed 1471 times and chosen 22 times as peoples favourites.

On December 20, 2005

2007-01-21T17:41:00.000-05:00

pink n green
Originally uploaded by tsaiware.

This was my third interestingness photo, it placed at 333/500 it has been viewed 240 times and chosen 4 times as peoples favourites.

On October 20, 2005

2007-01-21T17:37:00.000-05:00

felting a rainbow
Originally uploaded by tsaiware.

This was my second interestingness photo, it placed at 419/500 it has been viewed 131 times and chosen 4 times as peoples favourites.

On February 10, 2005

2007-01-21T17:32:00.000-05:00

Telly's a Grouch
Originally uploaded by tsaiware.

This was my first interestingness photo, placed at 93/500 it has been viewed 174 times and chosen 3 times as peoples favourites.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2006-12-18T12:52:00.000-05:00

Housewarming gift for J+T

2006-12-18T10:37:00.000-05:00

This embellished fibre art is roughtly 6"x6".

1 Crochet, 2 Knit = 3 gifts

2006-12-18T09:18:00.000-05:00

These are some of the items I knit (and crochet) for Christmas presents this year.

How to make Rice Paper Rolls

2006-12-15T12:32:00.000-05:00

J1 was in town for 4.5 days, and I kept harrassing her about what I should make for her to eat. I promised to make some Salad Rolls (with Chicken), I've been told they're actually called Rice Paper Rolls by J3. Either way, this is how I make my version:
Step 1: Get yourself some Rice Paper, any variety should look like this.
Step 2: To reconstitute the rice paper, you'll need to soak it in some warm water. I put a small pan on low while I make the rolls, just so I don't have to keep running hot water from the tap.
Step 3: Make some vermicelli, this also comes dry. Soak in hot water, until soft, this can take a couple minutes.
Step 4: Have your veggies prepared ahead of time. I use english cucumber, red pepper, carrots and lettuce.
Step 5: Lay your rice paper on a plate, the lay a piece of lettuce on it. My plate is white, so its hard to see the rice paper in this picture.
Step 6: Add some vermicelli.
Step 7: Add your carrots.
Step 8: Then add your cucumber and red pepper.
Step 9: Add you chicken. You can add just about anything you'd like to the roll (basil leaves, mint, sprouts, whatever you'd like). I usually just make up a chicken broth for some soup I'll make later on. I use one chicken breast, place it in some water, with ginger, carrots, celery, onions, salt & pepper. Boil until the chicken is cooked, take the breast out, let it cool, then pull it into shreds. You can also soak your vermicelli in the broth to give it some flavour if you choose. But strain all the other things out of it first.
Step 10: Fold over the short edge of the paper.
Step 11: Fold over the two sides, then roll. The paper will still be damp enough to stick to itself.
Step 12: This is how the final product should look like, you can also make it so that the filling sticks out of one edge, or cut them in half for a better presentation. I should have cut it and taken a picture of the inside, but it was too late when I remembered. Serve with a peanut or sweet chili sauce dip. Enjoy!

Preparations

2006-11-28T16:24:00.000-05:00

These are the pieces I've cut out for my current project. There are parts that I'm happy with and other's that I'm not. I may be abandoning it if it doesn't take a change for the better.

Purpleberries for T

2006-11-28T16:21:00.000-05:00

Holiday Embellishing

2006-11-28T16:19:00.000-05:00

This is a preview of my first annual Christmas card.

First Hat

2006-11-28T16:17:00.000-05:00

This is my very first attempt at crochetting a hat. I hope it fits!

Lil'Lamb

2006-11-15T15:55:00.000-05:00

Knit with the skein I bought from Americo and some handspun wool from Uruguay. Measures roughly 5" x 54" . Knit on size 13 circular needles, CO 120, knit in garter stitch until desired thickens.

Nice find!

2006-11-15T12:53:00.000-05:00

I was walking around the new temporary Winner's at the just north of Queen Street on Yonge and I found this for only $6.99!

Holiday Knits
by Sara Lucas and Allison Issacs
photographs bye France Ruffenach
ISBN 0-8118-4718-7

Another WIP

2006-11-15T12:51:00.000-05:00

Halloween for your pets!

2006-11-07T16:23:00.000-05:00

Normally I object to people dressing up their dogs, especially in wigs and and boa's. However I saw these in the window of a shop (which I've forgotten the name of) and they were so adorable. There must have been a superhero theme going one for this halloween. Hmmm, are star wars characters considered heros?

Have I mentioned I love this wool?

2006-11-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

Americo Originals

2006-11-06T16:44:00.000-05:00

This new yarn/textile store has opened up at 456 Queen Street West, Toronto. I first noticed it last friday morning on my way into work, there was this delicious steel blue skein of yarn in the window. Inside are some of the most gorgeous handspun wool I've seen. Plus there are spools of crochetted "ribbons" that are sold by the yard, textiles and knitted items all from Argentina.

Nicole, kindly allowed me to take a few photos of the shop for my blog. If you happen to be in town, and you love to knit or just look at pretty things, you definately have to stop at Americo Originals!

456 Queen St. West
Toronto, ON M5V 2A8
416.777.9747

Yah! I got my MiniCards

2006-11-02T16:36:00.000-05:00

Tissue Holder - sample/test

2006-11-02T12:08:00.000-05:00

Keyhole Scarf - Noro 159

2006-11-02T12:03:00.000-05:00

Greener Pastures.

2006-10-27T17:01:00.000-04:00

This is the scarf that I've knit for myself, I just have to get some ribbon for it and it'll be done! The knitting part is all finished though.

Japanese Prints

2006-10-27T16:57:00.000-04:00

Sadly, I only have eighths of each.

Ready for a boy!

2006-10-27T16:53:00.000-04:00

If any of my friends have boys next time around, I'll be prepared! For some reason my stash of fabric consists of flowery pink things.

Kaffe Fassett fat quarters! Yum!!!

2006-10-27T16:52:00.000-04:00

Another visit to Romni Wool

2006-10-11T14:13:00.000-04:00

Pictoral Needle Felting Tutorial

2006-10-11T13:04:00.000-04:00

Materials: Foam base, wool batting, needlefelting needles, colour roving and your imagination.

This project was made for my friend as a housewarming gift. It is approximately 10"x13".

New Crafting Aid

2006-09-14T09:55:00.000-04:00

Ever since I first saw the Crocs Kneeler last year, I regretted not getting it for all the times I've cut fabric on the floor. So last week when I saw it in Vegas, I grabbed it. Orange wasn't my first choice of colour, but it was more fun than the navy blue. My knees are gonna thank me!

Blankie!

2006-08-29T14:01:00.000-04:00

Last night I was inspired to make a blanket, this is what I accomplished in a few hours of tv watching.

Starting all over

2006-08-25T12:15:00.000-04:00

I was worried that I had forgotten how to knit after my hiatus, but it's just like getting back on a bike I suppose, you just don't forget the basics. I started this last night and cut into my knitting time, with a little photography.

Winding

2006-08-25T10:57:00.000-04:00

It has been quite a while since I've been able to knit, I haven't actually gotten the Okay from my doctor either. However, he gave me a shot of steroids over a month ago, and I've had very little pain since, so I've decided that I can knit again. Last night I started winding my first ball of yarn in over eight months. Half way through I realized I should have taken a picture of the skien (avec ball), the colours are outstanding, but not so great in this lighting.

Handmade Carnations for Gladys

2006-07-19T16:43:00.000-04:00

SPUN by Janna Segal

2006-07-10T17:02:00.000-04:00

For the past few years, I have seen these incredible wool creations by Jenna Segal featured at different shows. I haven't seen a website for her either, however she can be contacted at: Spun by Janna

Caroline Flak's Felts

2006-07-10T16:45:00.000-04:00

Beautiful felted bags and brooches by Caroline Flak at the 2006 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. I don't think she has a website but can be emailed at: antiflakflak@hotmail.com

Alice Vander Vennen

2006-07-10T16:32:00.000-04:00

Awe-inspiring fibre art by Alice Vander Vennen at this year's Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.

I caved!

2006-07-06T19:24:00.000-04:00

I caved last week and knit this scarf, I felt so guilty about doing it that I put it away and forgot to take any pictures of it! I'll edit this post when I name it. I almost forgot how fun it is to knit, but I don't know if it was worth the pain afterwards.

I also felt again last night, and woke up to numb hands...grrrrr!

Powerball

2006-06-22T18:17:00.000-04:00

Yesterday two things happened, 1. the Powerball that J1 bought me, arrived in the mail. Just intime for 2. going to the specialist's specialist for my carpal tunnel.

Maybe it's just me, but I hardly ever have any luck with doctors (besides the one's I'm related to). Initially, I went to a walk-in clinic because my hands and wrists were killing me. He referred me to a specialist - a rheumatologist. He determined that I have carpal tunnel syndrome and then referred me to another specialist, someone in the neurophysiology field.

Well, I went to that appointment yesterday. I got to the lab and was the only one there. I could hear alot of laughter in the back. I waited for the receptionist to get off the phone, she was very polite and professional. She took my name and info and asked me to take a seat. I listened to more laughter from the back, apparently the boss was away...anyways, finally a very nice pregnant woman came and did my tests. A series of pulses on certain areas of my hands and arms, which made my arms and sometimes my whole body spazz out...thats supposed to happen...she did her readings. When I moved to the otherside of the bed, all the change fell out of my pocket, some of it onto the floor under the bed, which she ended up moving and picking it up (which is why I said she was very nice). I could have done it but she got right in there, then said that the only thing that would make her bend down at this point of her pregnancy is money.

So she then left me with a three page questionaire to fill out, you know, how often does it hurt, from a scale from 1-10, which fingers hurt more etc etc. This took all of 5 min to do, but again it seemed that all the staff was at the back of the lab hanging out and chatting. Over 15 min later, the doctor finally came in. This is when I realized that he was one of the people in the back talking because I recognized his voice. He then introduced himself and took my papers away. Within seconds, I could hear him chatting up the ladies again, talking about how he's going to sod his backyard this weekend. About 10 min goes by, with continuous chatter. He comes back in to say, "Well, you definately have Carpal Tunnel, but I can't tell you how to treat it, because I don't have permission from your referring doctor".

This was definately a HUGE waste of my time. I told him that I already knew I had it, and he told me that he was testing to see how badly I had it, which apparently is "moderate". When I asked what that meant, he told me again he wasn't allowed to tell me anything, but that it was definately not a mild case. AND that it was worse in my right hand than left, no kidding dingdong, I not only told two doctors, a lab technician, but also wrote it down on my survey thingy. He then went on to say, that IF he was to say anything, he's say there is a very good surgery you can have for it, but I can't tell you what treatment to take.

I have an appointment with the referring doctor, in another month, probably so I can go there to hear that I have moderate carpal tunnel syndrome and that he's going to send me to another specialist (a hand surgeon).

It has taken over four months to get to this point. In another month, I'll know more. So for now, I'm going to self treat myself with the powerball my sister sent me, and continue to wear splints when I sleep...or try to.

Knitting is again, on hold.

Lettuce Knit - Toronto

2006-06-12T20:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I found myself wandering Kensington Market and finally stumbled across
Lettuce Knit. There are more pictures linked, on my flickr set.

The other white flower

2006-06-09T16:18:00.000-04:00

Handmade Flower

2006-06-09T15:56:00.000-04:00

handmade flower1
Originally uploaded by tsaiware.

This was inspired by this:

Magprint at the Riverdale ArtWalk

2006-06-06T15:22:00.000-04:00

These are some of my favourite prints from Magprint. Magprint was a featured artist at the Riverdale ArtWalk this past weekend, her prints can be found at etsy as well (click on the heading of this post).

Riverdale ArtWalk 2006

2006-06-06T14:57:00.000-04:00

These are some of my favourite pics from the Riverdale Art Walk this past weekend. The artists seemed to survive the non-stop rain on Saturday, to enjoy the crowds on Sunday.

Saturday Night

2006-06-05T15:58:00.000-04:00

Last week I was determined to finish the scarf I've been knitting since December. It was a dreary stay in because its raining Saturday, and TA-DA, I finished the scarf. I'm not going to bother showing it again, because I think I've blogged about it twice now. However, as it turns out, starting to knit again wasn't a very good idea on my part. I was up for over two hours between 1-3am because my hands were aching and numb again. I'm not sure what to do anymore. I can't handle the pain, but get depressed just looking at all my yarn. I'll probably just knit...a few rows at a time.