Friday, December 11, 2009
Blahs
Do you ever feel invisible, or if you're not invisible, you're just wrong? I've got that feeling right now, and it's not much fun. I'm a natural lurker, and speaking up is usually not comfortable for me, so perhaps I'm more sensitive than I should be, but being ignored doesn't really inspire me to speak more. I suppose it could be argued that if I were more vocal, I would be more a part of the conversations around me, and therefore my contributions would be better taken. It's hard to feel comfortable doing that, though, when I feel like my current contributions aren't well received. Maybe I'm just in a funk this week. There's been too much stress lately, and not enough mellow. My feelings seem to be in a constant state of hurt. I need to dedicate this weekend to doing things I want to do, and not things I feel obligated to do. Granted, the bathrooms really can't wait any more...they're rather nasty, and I need to get the comforters washed, because it's fuck cold...but other than that, it'll be all about me. Maybe I'll even stay off the internet... ha, maybe
Monday, May 18, 2009
May?
It’s hard to believe it’s already mid-May. Barton and I have already gone on vacation, and I purchased quite a bit of lovely, happy yarn from Knit. I’ve got a lot of fiber-related projects going on. I’m on the HPKCHC Slytherin quidditch team, so I’m organizing the making of wrist warmers for the house with my fellow beater, Rosa. Quidditch is much more team oriented this term, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m also participating in the Yarn Bowl Challenge between Yarn Haven, and Serendipity Needleworks of Tuscaloosa, AL. So far, I’ve only completed 2 hats, but I’ve set myself a goal of 30. In other charity knitting endeavors, I’m making a chicken jumper to donate to the Little Hen Rescue for a member of MA. The entire jumper is k1p1 ribbing with some decreases for shaping. It’s going to look great when it’s finished, but it’s a pain to knit. I detest ribbing. I tolerate it fairly well for a cuff or something, but this much ribbing is tedious.
I have made some progress on my UFO-reduction goal, but not as much as I would have liked. The knitting needle bag is complete and fabulous, and I have finished knitting the Shem Creek shrug. It will need some fabric paneling sewn to it to make it big enough to fit my broad shoulders. I don’t know what I was thinking when I cast on. She even says in the pattern notes that she made it for her incredibly tiny daughter, and that normal sized people would likely need to add at least 1 extra lace repeat. Oh well. It is very pretty. I still adore the yarn, and the lace pattern really opened up with blocking.
I have done a little sewing this month. I pieced together my Cape May Tote, and gained a lot of confidence with my machine. I think I’m about ready to attempt my wall hanging. I might go fabric shopping next weekend. We should have some really decent sales going on with Memorial Day just around the corner. Mamaw gave me several quilt tops to finish, too, so once I do the wall hanging, I can attempt some larger scale quilting. Two of the tops are heirloom pieces that my great great grandmother made out of scrap material and flour sacks. This will be outstanding when finished. I think I’ll display them in the guest room, and keep them away from sleepy animals. They’ve suffered a little damage from pests and time, but I think I’ll be able to fix them . I want to take them to the quilt shop in town and ask for tips.
I would also like to start the Mousey cross stitch soon. Barton and I went home to visit my parents last weekend, and I found some pictures of her as a kitten and as she was a bit older, but still in good health. It’s nice to remember her that way. I think this will be a fun project. I have all the pieces, I just need to get started.
I played around on my piano this past weekend, too. It’s getting tuned this Wednesday; I’m so excited. I’m playing through some beginner books. It’s all very familiar, but my hands aren’t used to the motions anymore. I had a lot of fun with it, though, and the cats are starting to get used to it and accept it. Oreo even peaked inside the piano under the keyboard and watched the hammers go for a while Sunday. She talked to it like only she can. It was adorable.
All in all, life is good, and I’m staying busy. I can’t complain.
I have made some progress on my UFO-reduction goal, but not as much as I would have liked. The knitting needle bag is complete and fabulous, and I have finished knitting the Shem Creek shrug. It will need some fabric paneling sewn to it to make it big enough to fit my broad shoulders. I don’t know what I was thinking when I cast on. She even says in the pattern notes that she made it for her incredibly tiny daughter, and that normal sized people would likely need to add at least 1 extra lace repeat. Oh well. It is very pretty. I still adore the yarn, and the lace pattern really opened up with blocking.
I have done a little sewing this month. I pieced together my Cape May Tote, and gained a lot of confidence with my machine. I think I’m about ready to attempt my wall hanging. I might go fabric shopping next weekend. We should have some really decent sales going on with Memorial Day just around the corner. Mamaw gave me several quilt tops to finish, too, so once I do the wall hanging, I can attempt some larger scale quilting. Two of the tops are heirloom pieces that my great great grandmother made out of scrap material and flour sacks. This will be outstanding when finished. I think I’ll display them in the guest room, and keep them away from sleepy animals. They’ve suffered a little damage from pests and time, but I think I’ll be able to fix them . I want to take them to the quilt shop in town and ask for tips.
I would also like to start the Mousey cross stitch soon. Barton and I went home to visit my parents last weekend, and I found some pictures of her as a kitten and as she was a bit older, but still in good health. It’s nice to remember her that way. I think this will be a fun project. I have all the pieces, I just need to get started.
I played around on my piano this past weekend, too. It’s getting tuned this Wednesday; I’m so excited. I’m playing through some beginner books. It’s all very familiar, but my hands aren’t used to the motions anymore. I had a lot of fun with it, though, and the cats are starting to get used to it and accept it. Oreo even peaked inside the piano under the keyboard and watched the hammers go for a while Sunday. She talked to it like only she can. It was adorable.
All in all, life is good, and I’m staying busy. I can’t complain.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April Planning
For my UFO-elimination goal, I'm dedicating April as my official starting month. I have a handful of ufos that I wish to tackle this month, and I'm aiming to not start any new projects until May. The plan stands thusly:
I've already eliminated 1 >year old ufo project...the catnip mice are finished!!! I'm doing fairly well on my other goals, as well. I have started 3 spinning projects, but with the ufo theme of April, I may not be finishing my first skein until May. We'll see, though. I have purchased very little yarn this year, and I think each is justified. I purchased yarn for my part of the charity quidditch project, and for a gift for my little cousin. I also bought some yarn for me as a reward for finishing the fitness for everybody program on the work wellness site. I'm planning for some projects to buy for when I visit Knit on our vacation...I'm really excited about going to Knit =D I've also been reading, and thoroughly enjoying it. My next book is a favorite of Barton's, and I think I'll like it. I've been in super-crafty mode the past week or so to try and finish up stuff for the House Cup, but now that we've got a month off between Spring and Summer terms, I think I'll return to my lazy pace of read if I feel like it/knit if I want to.
- Snowdrop Mitts: 6 rows per lunch break until finished
- Naga Socks: 12 rows per evening until finished
- Snowball’s Chance: travel project (softball, hockey, etc) plus some weekend time
- Porphyria and Ravenclaw Scarf: Vacation projects!
- Shem Creek Shrug: Sunday project =)
- Knitting Bag: sew lining over the Easter holidays so I can take it to Charleston!
I've already eliminated 1 >year old ufo project...the catnip mice are finished!!! I'm doing fairly well on my other goals, as well. I have started 3 spinning projects, but with the ufo theme of April, I may not be finishing my first skein until May. We'll see, though. I have purchased very little yarn this year, and I think each is justified. I purchased yarn for my part of the charity quidditch project, and for a gift for my little cousin. I also bought some yarn for me as a reward for finishing the fitness for everybody program on the work wellness site. I'm planning for some projects to buy for when I visit Knit on our vacation...I'm really excited about going to Knit =D I've also been reading, and thoroughly enjoying it. My next book is a favorite of Barton's, and I think I'll like it. I've been in super-crafty mode the past week or so to try and finish up stuff for the House Cup, but now that we've got a month off between Spring and Summer terms, I think I'll return to my lazy pace of read if I feel like it/knit if I want to.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
*waves* It's been a while...
It’s been a while since I’ve written, but maybe life will slow down a bit soon, and I’ll have more time to write in my blog. January was nuts. The wedding was perfect, and then we got a few family obligations out of the way. I was even able to get a little knitting done. As a January crafting recap, these are the projects I finished:
One of the things I wanted to do this year was have some crafting goals. I would like to challenge myself with learning a couple of new techniques, and taking on some larger projects. My 2009 goals:
Complete and empty my UFO bin – by June 1st
Stranded Colorwork – completed! Feb/09 with Endpaper Mitts
Beaded knitting – by end of May
Entrelac – July goal
Attempt a fitted garment – by end of August
Complete a skein of homespun yarn – by end of April
Actually complete one of my design ideas, make sketches of others – year long
Work almost exclusively from stash – two yarn buying exceptions: honeymoon in April and birthday. Buying yarn for gift knitting is allowed. – year long
Learn to quilt – make quilted wall hanging – in May/June
Mousey cross stitch – start in May; finish by end of November
In plant news, it’s been warm enough the past couple of days, that I got to put all of the plants out from the garage. I think I’ll have to move them back in this weekend, but I think 5 or 6 days of real sunlight and fresh air will do them good. My office plants are kicking ass, as well, and my phalaenopsis is about to bless me with his first flower of the year. The largest bud started opening today =) My little christmas cactus cutting is making lots of new leaves, the cattleya has some interesting new growth, and the dendrobium is putting up new leaves. The violets aren’t thrilled with how cold it’s been in here this winter, but warmer days are coming fast. I think I’ll take the big dracaena tree home once the warmth comes to stay, and maybe bring the big leaf plant in. It’s doing well in the laundry room, though…it even put up flowers! Barton and I were given daffodils as a wedding present and they’re not enjoying the laundry room quite as much. Hopefully they’ll be able to go outside and stay there soon. I’m thinking of splitting my english ivy into 3 or 4 smaller plants. It’s just too big to take to work as it is, but I don’t think it’s getting enough light at home.
It’s getting to be about that time for me to think about what I want to do with the garden. I still have plenty of seeds from last year, and I think we could have an excellent crop of herbs and vegetables. The old owners left a ton of pots, too, so I can play with some more decorative plants, as well. It’s been such a gloomy winter, I’m really looking forward to getting outside and playing in the dirt =)
There were two other challenges I considered taking up this year, but with the way the first two months are going, I think I would be quite foolish to attempt them in 2009. I can start preparing for 2010, though ;) I would really like to attempt the Project 365 photography challenge, as well as the 52 in 52 book reading challenge. I have more than enough books to read, to fulfill the latter, and playing with the camera to get better pictures of my plants and crafts has sparked an interest in improving my photography skills.
One of the things I wanted to do this year was have some crafting goals. I would like to challenge myself with learning a couple of new techniques, and taking on some larger projects. My 2009 goals:
Complete and empty my UFO bin – by June 1st
Stranded Colorwork – completed! Feb/09 with Endpaper Mitts
Beaded knitting – by end of May
Entrelac – July goal
Attempt a fitted garment – by end of August
Complete a skein of homespun yarn – by end of April
Actually complete one of my design ideas, make sketches of others – year long
Work almost exclusively from stash – two yarn buying exceptions: honeymoon in April and birthday. Buying yarn for gift knitting is allowed. – year long
Learn to quilt – make quilted wall hanging – in May/June
Mousey cross stitch – start in May; finish by end of November
In plant news, it’s been warm enough the past couple of days, that I got to put all of the plants out from the garage. I think I’ll have to move them back in this weekend, but I think 5 or 6 days of real sunlight and fresh air will do them good. My office plants are kicking ass, as well, and my phalaenopsis is about to bless me with his first flower of the year. The largest bud started opening today =) My little christmas cactus cutting is making lots of new leaves, the cattleya has some interesting new growth, and the dendrobium is putting up new leaves. The violets aren’t thrilled with how cold it’s been in here this winter, but warmer days are coming fast. I think I’ll take the big dracaena tree home once the warmth comes to stay, and maybe bring the big leaf plant in. It’s doing well in the laundry room, though…it even put up flowers! Barton and I were given daffodils as a wedding present and they’re not enjoying the laundry room quite as much. Hopefully they’ll be able to go outside and stay there soon. I’m thinking of splitting my english ivy into 3 or 4 smaller plants. It’s just too big to take to work as it is, but I don’t think it’s getting enough light at home.
It’s getting to be about that time for me to think about what I want to do with the garden. I still have plenty of seeds from last year, and I think we could have an excellent crop of herbs and vegetables. The old owners left a ton of pots, too, so I can play with some more decorative plants, as well. It’s been such a gloomy winter, I’m really looking forward to getting outside and playing in the dirt =)
There were two other challenges I considered taking up this year, but with the way the first two months are going, I think I would be quite foolish to attempt them in 2009. I can start preparing for 2010, though ;) I would really like to attempt the Project 365 photography challenge, as well as the 52 in 52 book reading challenge. I have more than enough books to read, to fulfill the latter, and playing with the camera to get better pictures of my plants and crafts has sparked an interest in improving my photography skills.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Christmas Tree Happiness
Barton and I decorated the tree tonight, and I love the way it turned out. Beth gave us our first couple ornament a week or two ago, and it has a place of honor near the top of the tree =)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Faith
I need to not be so pms-y and have a little faith. My swap package was received, and apparently well loved, so I got grumbly over nothing. I think I shall blame the crazy hostess of the retirement party I had to attend yesterday evening for my mood. I'm gonna miss Daryl, but it'll be nice to no longer have to deal with his wife and her delusions. Now for a happy Friede pic (I have so got to make me one of these)...
Grumbly Musings
I've participated in three swaps now, and I'm not sure I'll do any others. The first two were massive swaps making quilt blocks and quilted postcards for quite a large number of people. I didn't particularly enjoy it, but I thought my issues might just be the scale. So, I signed up for a small scale ornament swap where I just have to make things for one person. I was quite pleased with the package I received, and I thought things were going well with the package I sent. I wanted to create something unique and different, that fit within things that she seemed to like. Apparently, I missed the mark. I haven't actually heard from her, but I know she's been online, and I know her package was delivered two days ago. Even if she's been busy, a quick note to say she got it doesn't seem like too much to ask. She may have it and love it, she may have it and hate it, or something may have gone oddly wrong with the post office, and she may not have it at all. I'm just bummed I don't know something. I loved the little ornament I made, and could easily have kept it for myself. Perhaps I'm just selfish, but the experience hasn't been as satisfying as I thought it would be.
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