Lately, shopping, and my inspiration

I've got it! what I want to knit for January! OK, OK, slow down, Cimorine. breathe. Let's go in order, shall we?
First, life has been pretty much okay. The blizzard is over, the snow is melting, the rain is pouring, Portland is getting back on it's feet, and I think I'm getting over the fact that I will eventually have to return to school. But that doesn't mean I don't like the idea. just the fact that I will also be getting back to my knitting group makes the thought bearable. and the fact that I'll have some help, finally, on my literary thesis. I still liked writing my first long thesis better (first quarter, in Advanced writing class).
Also, since I've gotten back to reading, I'm making some progress on at least one of my "must-read" books. But I really don't want to push it, because I feel this rediscovered love of literature could fade within minutes. So, I'm taking it slow, and just reading avidly about knitting, with Jane Austen on the side, to add some roughage. and also to get me away from the knitting, just a little, so I won't seem like a complete wacko when I go to college (though by the way things are looking, I'm probably going to go someplace cold, so it will seem closer to normality to knit constantly).
next, shopping. Money burns a hole in my pocket. today, I went to the mall, and bought this absolutely gorgeous shirt for $10, because the store was closing (as in going out of business). I also bought lunch, and I was going to buy a book or at least watch a movie or go ice skating, but no luck. Mostly because I stayed in Barnes and Nobel, reading a knitting book and knitting (big surprise). Since I didn't bring my cell, I didn't know what time it was, which was a real pain, and I couldn't call mom and see how she was doing (she was shopping, too, and she hates it. I was going to buy her a caramel apple with nuts, but I wanted to make sure she was miserable before I did).

Lastly, my inspiration. I think I might be coming out of hibernation, at least until school makes me retreat back to the bowels of the earth. I've been trying to catch up with my knitting groups on Ravelry, one of which is an online knitting contest. one of the girls has taken over for me, and it's been such a blessing. I don't have to worry about taking care of the group, now! Or, at least until I get out of hibernation. So, anyway, the January contest will be starting, and the theme is inspiration. because of that, I want my entry to be not only white (for January), but also something of my own creation, a pattern I made myself. And I think I have it.

See, I have all this boucle yarn, which I don't really like, in my closet (where my stash sleeps). I know I have at least 3 balls of the stuff, and one of the balls is white! When I fetched the ball, I happened to glance at my old stuffed animal, Jill. I tried using my old, "before-I-knew-how-to-really-knit" garter stitch scraps, but it hasn't worked. she looks awful in them. and I want her to look nice! After all, she is my bear. Besides, she doesn't have any winter wear (her only article of clothing is a jean jumper).

So, here's what I plan . . . I'm going to make her a dress! a lovely thing, and I'll go on the Internet for some inspiration. I wonder, too, if I can bead it. After all, this is a contest. I need to make it look good, because I want that prize: it's yarn, pink, I think. I wonder if it's enough to make a sweater, or at least add to one . . .

Ciao for now,
Cimorine