Yesterday I went to put on my Millifiore cardigan before I did my makeup. While doing my makeup, foundation managed to squirt all over the sweater (the nozzle was clogged apparently.) I tried everything I knew to get it out, but it would appear that it has stained.
I know it’s hard to see in this picture – my camera has washed out the contrast, but trust me when I say there is a line of beigey yellow running from the arrow down to the 3rd button, as well as furthur down the button band (it was a really bad squirting accident.) I’m really upset because this was such a recently finished sweater – I only got to wear it maybe three times, and it represents nearly a month of work.
Also today: I found out that I am being cut from full to part time at my main job. It’s not completely unexpected, but it has thrown me into a really upset state… I know, at least I still have a job, but I am really terrified of changes sometimes. And I do have another job, and hopefully I will be able to take on more students now. I’m trying to tell myself that perhaps this will be a blessing, as it will free me up to work on the things I really love. Lately I’ve been so stressed out, in large part over this job, and so worried about being cut, that I’ve barely even been able to knit. And I love knitting, so you know how bad things must be.
I have been working on the soap bubble wrap, and I’m partway up the back. I’m at the point of knitting the sleeves together with the back, and with that many stitches it is slow going – but after this piece I figure I am 3/4 finished, so that should motivate me.
I am very lucky at this time to have my husband, who tells me “We will manage, no matter what,” and uses his mathy skills to point out that I will easily make up the cut salary with the students I have taken on since last year. He’s also taking me to lunch tomorrow after what promises to be a distressing meeting with my boss.
And I do have my kitties… sad though it may seem, nothing makes you feel better than seeing this while typing a blog entry about your troubles.
Sarah Jane is doing so well now… she’s getting along (or at least ignoring) the other cats, and her blood sugar levels are stable on just medication (no insulin.) Every night she sleeps on my pillow, and every morning she wakes me up to let me know that she needs pets.
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter – I hope to get to feeling less depressed soon!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
I love your FO’s and blog and can’t wait until your next entries, I hope things get better for you soon.
Like you said, things happen for a reason. You’re very lucky to have your husband for support, in more ways than one.
I hope your sweater survives the stain…maybe after a good washine. Hang in there.
I’m sorry to hear about your job. I’m sure it’s stressful and worrisome. But it sounds like you have a positive attitude about it, and who knows? You may find that the opportunities it lets you explore make you happier in the long run. Good luck!
I’m sorry to read things are abit up in the air for you at the moment. I hope things work out xx
I hope you start feeling better soon. Like you said things happen for a reason. I am so glad you are back. I love your FOs and I think your blog is geat!
I literally gasped out loud about the foundation spill. I’m so sorry for that, and for your job cut- I hope things get better soon! Keep knitting; it’s a great destresser.
There’s nothing like the warm fuzzieness of our pet to ease our troubles. I hope your worries are eased soon and you get your knitting mojo back.
This is the first time I leave you a message. I´ve been reading your blog for a while, and I´m a true admirer of your knits and FOs. I hope things get better soon! xxx
That’s a bummer about the job, but I think you’ve got a great attitude. I read a study recently that most people who’ve been laid off/cut back are expressing higher levels of happiness and satisfaction. So maybe this is a break you need!
I’m sorry to hear about your job. Changes like this can be stressful. It sounds like you have a lot of support from your husband and your pets, and a few other options, so I think you’ll be feeling better soon.
And I’m so sorry to hear about the foundation stain. How frustrating! Have you thought about overdying it? I just used acid dyes for the first time and while it was fussy to find equipment that I could get something toxic on, the results were good and it was relatively easy to do.
I’m so sorry to hear about your job and all your stress. Sometimes when things are crazy it is hard to sit down and knit and that is exactly what we need to calm ourselves. I hate to say it because everyone does, but things do happen for a reason and maybe someday soon you can look back at this time in your life and see all the wonderful things that happened because of all this change.
So sorry to hear about the foundation incident – how frustrating!! Also on the job, I’m sure it’s stressful, but as your mathy husband says, you’ll easily make up the difference and have the benefit of doing something you enjoy for more of your time. Sometimes I think we need a push to change our lives in what ultimately turns out to be a good way, but it seems scary at first.
i’m so sorry to hear about your job – but at least you have some hours! it’s tough right now… but you’ll make it through.
Oh no! I bet you can wash the make-up out, though, and congrats to you on already having the foresight and initiative to take on students. I’m sending good vibes in your direction. 🙂
have you tried palmolive or shampoo? or, if it’s not really an oily foundation, you might try rubbing alcohol to dissolve it. I’m a lurker but I love your blog and I just had to come out of the woodwork to testify to the wonders of palmolive. I hope everything turns out okay.
Sorry to hear about the job cuts. I had a similar thing this year – I was very worried when I found out I was being furloughed two days a month for a ten percent paycut. But I found I really enjoyed the extra time off and now can save up the days like vacation days so will be able to go on vacation this year when I thought that I wouldn’t be able to due to having a new job. Yeah, the paycut sucks, but enjoying the extra time takes some of the sting off. I hope that little story helps : )
I squirted foundation on my favorite new sweater (had been worn only twice) on Christmas morning and had to get a completely new outfit. So I totally feel your pain. I used cleanser to take it out, but finally ended up taking it to a dry cleaner. I went to my LYS to get recommendations – we have on in town where knitters take sweaters to be blocked before they seam them so that’s where I took it. They steam blocked it – it was knit in the round – which rather upset me, but I washed it and the creases seemed to come out.
Oh, no! That sweater is gorgeous, I’m so sorry that happened! I’m glad you posted today, I was wondering a bit where you were. I hope things start looking up soon.
I have no idea if it’d work, but have you tried makeup remover on the stain? Maybe it’d soak in and pick up the foundation’s pigment.
I hear you on the job thing. It’s almost more stressful and depressing to be waiting for the bad news than it is to actually hear it. It takes a lot out of a person. Hang on, and don’t feel bad for feeling bad.
I’d try the drycleaners with the sweater- what a shame.
Sorry to hear about your hours at your job, I hope there’s a silver lining in having more free time for you!
I am so sorry about the sweater and your job. Are you sure you can’t remove the stain? I just figured out how to remove grass stains this weekend…I should have figured this out a long time ago given I have a 6 and 4 years old! Anyway, maybe you can Google a way to remove the foundation from wool – probably a long shot 😦
I hope you have a wonderful lunch with your husband and get lots of snuggles from your cat.
I have just recently gotten into knitting and found your blog.
I really have enjoyed looking at all your finished projects. They inspire me to perhaps someday attempt a sweater and maybe some socks, although I can’t wrap my head around it right now!
We all go through the fears/doubt/worries of money issues…
I own my own business, so don’t have to worry about a boss laying me off, but there is always the issue of customers coming and going and sales figures going up and down… You just never really know.
I am a mineral makeup expert (self-proclaimed! ha ha) but haven’t had much experience with liquid foundations.
Perhaps Dawn would take it out, but not sure.
Things will all even out… you’re not alone in your frustrations…
I completely understand!
My doggy always makes me feel better, no matter how rough things are… ah, the soothing happiness that pets can bring is so fabulous. I love pets.
Keep your chinny chin chin up….
I’m a regular reader of your blog and really look forward to seeing your fo’s – so sorry that your lovely cardigan has been damaged – hope you can get that fixed somehow. Also, hope your job worries are resolved, hopefully things will turn out for the best in the end – best wishes and looking forward to happier blog entries!
I feel your angst – I’m in almost the identical boat… but mine’s sinking a whole lot more. It’s hard to be positive in stressful times.
Love your blog and hope you are feeling better and things improve for you soon.
Love your blog – maybe this is an opportunity to take on knitting students as well. I have followed your blog for a while and love your FO. I always come here for inspiration on my next project and you hooked me on ravelry. Clearly you have a following in the knit community – maybe there is a way to translate this into additional income. Good Luck and Follow your Bliss!
My company was bought out in December and I am still looking for a job. Not sure what to do yet; little to apply for in either field for which I’m qualified. Like yours, my husband did the math and said we’d be fine, but I really have no idea where my bliss is — it’s frustrating. So I can totally relate to your down days. Hopefully we will both be feeling better soon!
Cats are such a saving grace, aren’t they? Mine are such good company and keep me laughing with their antics. One is now being treated for IBD but seems to be in good spirits so that also encourages me. Hope your sweet girl continues to do well!
Things will get better soon. It always does. Sorry about your Milleflori. It’s such a gorgeous knit! Have a good week!
Aw, sorry for all the bad things piling up like that. Thank goodness for cats! Hope things start looking up soon.
I like your blog and your beautiful fo’s. I’m sorry to hear about your job. The recession is messing with everybody. Things are really slow where I work too
You are lucky to have a husband who loves and supports you.
I love your blog and look forward to seeing all your stitchy projects as they progress. You are truly stressed if you are not knitting! I feel your pain–stressful changes pretty much suck, there are no two ways about it. And how frightful to have stained your sweater, to boot! I sent you a message in Ravelry yesterday before you posted; I wondered what was up in your life… thank you for sharing.
Sorry to hear such bad things.hope things change .in my oppinion people with such a talent shouldn’t worry.future is for gifted ones. here in greece we expect EASTERso we still hope .Maria
Just posting my support – you’ll be surprised at the good things that turn up to fill the void of your cut hours! You have so much talent, there are many ways to go with the extra time…
About the make-up stain… I agree with others above that dishwashing liquid is a good option. Dilute it just a little with water so that its still thick and put a good layer on the stained areas, working it in gently just in those areas. Then leave it to seep in (not in water). After a couple hours, soak the entire sweater in tepid (not cold) water with the same liquid. After the soapy soak, use a clear water soak until the soap is all gone…. hopefully the stain will be gone too… (keeping my fingers crossed)
Sorry to hear things are going well. You are in my thoughts. Take care.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear you’re having a tough time. I wondered what was up with you since it had been a while since you posted. Hopefully the cut hours will eventually be a good thing and you can get more students coming to the house instead. I understand it must be really hard to focus on that now, though.
As for the Millefiori, that’s so sad! I really hope that some of the above suggestions work if you haven’t already tried everything. It really was a beautiful sweater.
As you can see, we all missed you and are hoping that things look up for you soon! I’m glad that Sarah Jane is comforting you and it sounds like her health has really turned around. 🙂
Hey there, I’m sorry things are rough at the moment. But try to focus on the positive; you may really enjoy having a bit more free time, and you are so talented, I’m sure you’ll find a way to fill it!
Sorry about your job cutback. I just got similar news and the uncertainty is so hard! Your Soap Bubble Wrap is looking good. Can’t wait to see it finished 🙂
I’ve read a strong recommendation for using Classic CocaCola to remove stains! The person said they use it to remove axle grease from work clothes, but test it on a scrap first. For wool, use about two tablespoons to a basin of water, with some Dawn dishwashing liquid, and let it soak no more than ten minutes before rinsing. Note I have not done this myself but if you have scrap yarn left to test it with, it might work.
I’m so sorry to hear about your job stress. I know that stress as we had a similar thing happen last fall with my husband’s job. After too much stress and worry (I was responsible for feeling stress and carrying out the worrying) he ended up starting his own company. I worked hard to keep the faith and I am so happy because we are much better off with his company than we were last year when he worked for someone else. His salary is much improved and he loves the flexibility. I did have to put him on my insurance which turned out to be much better than the insurance he used to have with his old company. Keep the faith… it will all work out.
I’ve been wondering where you’ve been. I’m sorry things are stressful for you right now. It will pass. And your husband sounds like a great guy. My husband and I have been going through a bit of a rough patch ourselves, and it’s really highlighted for both of us how lucky we are to have each other to face down the dragons with.
I am sorry to hear about what happened to your beautiful sweater! I second the recommendation of trying Dawn. I also use OxiClean and Fels-Naptha soap to get stains out of my son’s baseball pants, but those may be too harsh for your lovely sweater.
About your cut in hours – now you have room in your schedule for more students! I’m sure there are many potential pianists who will be happy to have you as a teacher! Hang in there :o)
First time post for me here, I love reading your blog. I went through a similar issue 2 months ago where my hours were cut 25% with no notice what-so-ever. It made me really mad and stressed out too. However, it has turned out to be a blessing. I am in school full time in addition to formerly working 40 hours/week, and having more time for school has been excellent. Luckily I have financial aid from school so that has helped cover the pay loss. I hope you find a similar blessing with your unfortunate situation. Best of luck to you.
PS…love the bubbles sweater, its in my queue too!
Hey there!!! I work at Nordstrom (for the moment) and we use these great wipes for getting makeup off the clothes! I’ll be happy to send you a few…it’ll get the makeup right off your sweater, no water involved. Email me if you’d like ’em.
I feel you with the job situation…like I said…I’m at Nordstrom at the moment. Grateful to be employed mind you but not what I want t be doing or really paying the bills.
Keep your chin up.
I only recently found you blog and love it! As a former model, I have seen those terrible foundation accidents ruin some clothing so….here is a trick you can try….
turn your sweater inside out and work from the inside
drape the “injured” section over a collander in the sink and prop the rest on the counter if you can
pour water through the fabric, as hot as the fabric can take- don’t drown it but give it some force to work through the fabric
it also helps to add a half tsp of baking soda to a gallon of water and rinse well- the heat will melt the make up, the force of the water should push it out of the fabric and the soda helps breakdown the salts in the make up which can stain as well. This works best when you first have a spill…..just resist the urge to scrape and rub….it makes it worse!
Good luck!
Hope this helps!