Knitting and Writing Thoughts

Writing!

2009-08-29T11:35:00.002-04:00

OK, so I've not been terribly inspired to do any 'blogging' for quite some time.

I think this is mainly due to having a lot on my plate between work, projects related to work, and also suffering from some mental fatigue to be honest.

But...

I am LOVING my writing class - to begin with, the people in the class are amazing. I mean, they are really amazing. Everyone has something to contribute and everyone has amazing stories to tell. And Tim, our inspiring leader, has a way of making everyone be inspired to write their best and most interesting stuff. Now, I guess every writing class has that potential but having taken a college level semester long class and other workshops, the class I am in is actually pretty rare. It does make me feel a bit slouchy for not writing every single day.

So, I resolve to get back to taking one single hour of each day to write something. I certainly have plenty of things to work on - at least three short stories in sad states of progress, my 'novel' such that it is, and a pile of ideas for new stories! One thing that I am discovering is that stories from my memories of my youth, especially in NYC, seem to have some rich material, even if I know I'll be fictionalizing it a lot. I also love to write about Wales, and its landscape and the pace of life there. So I'd better get cracking...

As for knitting, it's been too hot and humid for the most part. But I have been thinking about knitting... so I plan to assess my UFO's, figure out which one I can finish the quickest and get to work on it! I have two sweaters that are begging to be finished and I want to wear them!!! And I need to get cracking on Christmas gifts....hats, scarves, snowmen/women, and a bunch of other things. Lastly, I have to get the yarn for, and get moving on my event teammate's wedding present...

Until the next time....

Yes, it's been a long while!

2009-07-29T18:59:00.004-04:00

Not much to report in terms of knitting other than I received my new Rowan magazine yesterday and I decided that I want to knit practically EVERYTHING in it! :-) Not very realistic... especially as I just signed up for a Intro to Fiction Writing class that starts in two weeks.

I have been working on writing though -- co-authored an article that I hope will get published in a trade mag on Fire Safety and Special Events, and have been mulling over ideas for my story/novel in progress about this crafty woman, Morgan and her life and world. We'll see how it goes once I am in this class. The peer pressure should help get me motivated.

I've been going to the gym but I don't see a lot of progress...

And spent a delightful weekend in the Adirondacks of NY with my cousins and their children!

More to come...

Happy New Year! Finally back in the groove... or something!

2009-01-09T12:53:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year!

I've just been busy at work and relaxing over the holiday and never got a chance to post some of my new stuff...

First... the recipient of the Cabled Rangoli Hat -- dear Mom! Doesn't she look cute? (*try not to notice my loose needle joins... I tried blocking it but I can still see them... I can't quite master the 'seamless' knitting in the round, especially on larger needles).

Next are another gift yet to be given due to some sad news. One of my crafting (and otherwise all around) friends lost her brother unexpectedly a few days after Christmas. My heart goes out to her and her family. I hope this gift will cheer her up!

Aren't they cute? I still have some finishing but I love these little snow people! I think I'll be making a lot more of them in the future....

I'll post more next week but have to run back to work! It's what pays the bills!

9 days to go... panic mode is kicking in!

2008-12-16T11:32:00.006-05:00

9 days until Christmas! Yikes!

I have managed to finish a few things but I am panicking that I've missed someone, or won't have enough time to finish all my Christmas presents.

I finished the Cabled Rangoli Hat -

I love the color AND the way the pattern comes out! I think my recipient is going to LOVE it!

A few comments on the pattern (I plan to send the designer a note too because she asked for feedback) - there were a couple of rounds that were not correct but easily spotted (things like K2 instead of K3). Also, she had a K1, yo, K1, yo, K1 into the same stitch and then P5tog on the following round. Let's just say - I had a lot of trouble with this in that the stitches on the needle were VERY difficult to do the P5tog. I got pretty frustrated (PMS didn't help!) and decided to do a bobble on the next ones -- I think stylistically it is similar enough so it makes the same basic design element. Still, for those of us who are not big fans of bobbles of any ilk... I think a straightforward K bobble is a slightly easier to control animal. (my tension on purling and yo's is harder for me to control). Any comments from you all out there in cyber-land as to other solutions, I am open!!!

We've had our fair share of holiday parties here...but I think this one was the most spectacular from a design and decor standpoint! It truly was a Winter Wonderland - all glittery and sparkly!

So on that note, I will report more later... happy holidaymaking!

More FO's! Ho Ho Ho! Santa's Helper is busy!

2008-12-06T12:39:00.011-05:00

So, I literally have been knitting every possible moment when I am not working... or sleeping... and kind of when I am eating. I can sort of knit while eating... depending on what I have felt inspired to cook... lately not much! The above picture is my cubicle decorations - including the Congratulations poster I made for my cube mate who got engaged on November 22nd! I got the tacky aqua/turquoise blue tree at Target last year for... a DOLLAR! Isn't it perfect for a beach girl?

I finished the "Love Nugget" Hat Isn't the top cool!

and only have to stitch up the multi-colored (Dollar store yarn buy) 'purse'.

I cast on another really cool hat last night -- I needed the stress relief on SOOOO many levels! It is thanks to a web search for hat patterns and is by a fellow blogger DesiKnitter http://desiknitter.com/ (though I don't know her at all, she has some BEAUTIFUL knitting on her site) - it is called "Cabled 'Rangoli' Hat" and according to her, was inspired by an 8-point lotus shaped 'rangoli' design her mother makes. I got this lovely shade of light blue to match MY mother's coat... I love the diverse and random connections knitting and the web help us make in the universe!

I am looking forward to seeing this finished and perhaps after the holidays, making one for myself!

Lastly, I am trying to get in the spirit of the season... the last couple of days have been tough at work but I hold out hope things will get better! A friend was talking about the new batch of beer they were making... Santa's Jingle Juice. I am hoping at least a bottle will show up under my tacky Christmas tree being the beer girl that I am! I will be baking batches of cookies the next two or three days - I'm woefully behind but easy enough to catch up!

So, happy holidaymaking and more FO's will be coming! Knitting away....

Christmas projects.. progress!

2008-12-03T08:17:00.014-05:00

Ho Ho Ho! So I am getting into the holiday spirit... I finished two hats over Thanksgiving, and started another. I am having fun just playing around with ideas using Nicky Epstein's book as a springboard.

First hat - using the reversible rib as a pattern in Cascade 220 (I LOVE this yarn!) in a heathery gray.

I didn't knit it as long as I could have (as the pattern called for) but I think it works. I love the stitch definition this yarn produces... you'll see more of this yarn soon...

Below is a Berrocco yarn in a red multi... same pattern though I knitted it to the pattern so I'd have a cuff and as you can see, it does look different (ok I added a pom pom too) just due to the yarn quality. This is one of the things I love about knitting and yarn!

I made this cool little bag from a pattern in a Martha Stewart magazine - it called for a zipper. I so thought that was way too much work for such a small item... so I did this -

I used the left over yarn from the scarf project, added an I-cord and a cool button and voila! It can be used for glasses, sunglasses, a few odds and ends, whatever. The other thing I realized was that if I added an I-cord wrist handle (or a braided cable type cord), it could be almost self-contained... perhaps for the next one!

Now for stuff on the needles

I am trying to make a cool bag of some sort with this yarn that I got at the dollar store for $1... I got three skeins so I have options. I am thinking of making a big rectangle shape and gathering it up a little like a pouch kind of bag. I still need to work it out but heck, I can always go to the frog pond.

Lastly, this is a hat that I suspect I will end up making more of... I found the pattern on line. Whatever did we do before the Internet? It is called "Love Nugget" by Rachel "Ivy" Clarke. Again, Cascade 220 in a gray - it has a little blue tinge to it. It is more than halfway done as I only need to do one more pattern repeat of 16 rounds and then the crown shaping. I expect to finish it tonight or possibly tomorrow morning. I need one of these for me. This one IS a gift however... Just two slightly different angles...

So, the challenge is to find time to get my knitting projects done and still have time to write cards, make & bake cookies, decorate my house, and oh... that pesky thing called work! I am thinking of doing the ornaments using swatches as shown in Interweave Knits Christmas Project magazine... that is quick, inexpensive and an unusual gift. I like that.

Until next time, happy holidaymaking!

Retirement - no, not mine!

2008-11-19T13:33:00.004-05:00

This past Saturday, my former Commanding Officer retired from the Navy/Navy Reserve after... yes, get this, 42 years! I was 5 years old when he joined the Navy as an E-1 (the bottom of the rung). As many of the speakers acknowledged, he truly did two entire careers in his time - he went from E-1 to E-9 (Master Chief Petty Officer) and then crossed over to the Officer ranks and went from O-1 (Ensign) to O-6 (Captain). He had a remarkable career and is one of the fairest, nicest and most competent people I know and is a true inspiration to me. He was awarded the Legion of Merit - a pretty impressive award though he's not one to ever make a big deal of it. He's the one on the right with the medal hanging from his cammies.

His shawdowbox was the most impressive I ever saw. Wherever did they get that 1966 Mustang hood ornament????

On to Knitting stuff -- I have managed to finish the Agave scarf - just have to block it out and began working on a small purse project which I cast off - just have to sew up, figure out what I am going to use for a closure. Next up are all the languishing small projects and Christmas presents. I need to make some hats, stockings and small things for the folks at work...

I am in a quandry for what to do for presents for my mom... money is a serious object this year - and not likely to improve anytime soon... we'll see how it goes.

Next time knitting pics... for sure!

More FO's! (albeit small ones)

2008-11-12T19:41:00.010-05:00

First, Happy Belated Veteran's Day! I am proud to have served in the Navy/Navy Reserve for 21 + years (now retired) and most people do not realize that even if someone didn't serve in combat or wartime, veterans still made sacrifices most people have no idea about. In honor of the day, here's a photo from the Marine Corps Birthday Ball held at the Convention Center on Friday. Happy 233rd Birthday Marines! Semper Fi!

OK so I've been doing small projects instead of working on my two sweaters I need to finish. All of a sudden I woke up and realized it is mid-November. How the heck did it get to be November already!!!

I made a hat out of some yarn I bought at a craft show (the sister yarn to my multi-colored hat) and made a spiral rib hat... used 10 1/2's (US) --

then one of my co-workers who bikes to work about two or three days a week said something about her head being cold even with the helmet so I offered to make her a hat... I used Cascade 220 (I LOVE that yarn!!!) in a charcoal gray and it was so yummy! Here's the hat

and her in the hat.... isn't Renee cute! :-)

I am now working on a scarf intended for my event team-mate but she just got a RED coat... I don't think this will work now....

Doesn't exactly go with red..but I love this yarn too - It's called Poems and I got it at this lovely shop that I just discovered. I think I will be back there frequently... as the budget will allow...

That's it for now... I'm exhausted!

Off home for me. Until the next time....

FO! FO! FO!

2008-10-23T11:28:00.004-04:00

It's an FO! Here I am modeling it -- (Thanks Cassie for taking the picture!). I just sat and watched "No End in Sight" a documentary about the current Iraq war and the lack of pre-planning that created the quagmire that exists now. It was nothing I didn't already suspect but it is scary that so many supposedly competent and experienced people were so short-sighted. I digress!

Anyway, I sat on the couch with my brown ale and my sweater and just stitched up the sides and sleeves and the next thing I knew, it was done! It really is yummy and warm, and although, as most knitters know, I know where the mistakes are, it really does look pretty good, if I may say so myself!

Now... onto finishing the Nova Scotia! I am motivated and determined!!!! Until next time, Happy Knitting!

Ninety Percent Done!

2008-10-21T13:39:00.007-04:00

Finally, after two weeks of not really having either the time, energy or motivation to finish this sweater, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I worked on setting in the sleeves yesterday which was a little tricky as they have a slight gather/puffy (highly technical design terms I'll have you know!) piece at the top. Unfortunately, if a less experienced knitter were to work on this, they might not have realized this straight off and it could cause some challenges for someone like that. As soon as I placed the center of the sleeve at the center of the shoulder, I realized something had to give... and considering knitted fabric doesn't hold a pleat the way fabric does, I don't think I did too badly. I pinned the underarm and sides and 'tried' it on and they seem to look the way they should.

Now all I have to do, a somewhat simpler task, is to stitch up the sides and sleeves - this is something I can do while watching TV to be honest. I still have to pay attention but it is not as tricky (or tricksey as Gollum would say) as those sleeve tops!

A warning for anyone who may consider making this sweater -- I would have made it a bit longer in the body than it calls for - I am not overly fond of sweaters that hit my waist exactly. Having said that, it seems to fit quite well and have a nice look so I think once I've finished it, I'll take some pictures with me in it! The V is not too deep either -- though I am sure if someone wanted it deeper, they could adjust the pattern accordingly. Another note, it does not call for dpn's for the neck finishing but I think it was the only was to do it -- not connecting it in the round because all you do is pick up and knit the required number of stitches and then immediately cast them off once you get all the stitches on the needles. But it got very awkward with a straight needle so my recommendation is to use dpn's.

Anyway, I love the subtle detail by using K3 tog/K3tog tbl at the neck and shoulders and especially using this yummy alpaca, it was a joy to knit! It was instant (as instant as knitting a sweater can be) gratification! Can't wait to wear it now!

That's all for now!

No progress...

2008-10-04T10:23:00.005-04:00

So I made no progress mainly because I am still fighting off this nasty cold and I just didn't have it in me to even think about knitting. A picture of my sunny kitchen though may help me feel a bit more lively! This was taken about two and a half years ago -- it is a bit more cluttered now but still all that yellow and blue always makes me glad to be home!Then the view from the opposite side - my living room. Yes, I live in a 'hobbit' house - it's pretty small and not a lot of room for crafting to be honest. I do have an addition now of a gate-leg table behind the couch which does give me some flat space for things but I long for a 'room of my own' that could be dedicated to crafting of all ilk... one day...

I feel obliged to add some knitting photos now! :-) Here's a hat I made with this yummy handpaint yarn I got at a craft show last Thanksgiving here at work. I love this hat and the yarn was full of lanolin feel so it was fun to work with. I made this hat in less than a day on a trip to upstate NY the weekend after I bought it! I wore it all last winter even here in VA where yes, it DOES get cold enough! Remember I live close to the Atlantic Ocean and the breeze always blows off the water!

Lastly, here's a picture of me wearing Alice Starmore's Filey (Fisherman Sweaters) at the Oceanfront at the King Neptune statue with Navy buddy Carmen! She and I served together for over 13 years in the same reserve unit in NYC and shared a lot of experiences around the world (and probably raised a little cane too!) We are all going to be going to our old Commanding Officer's retirement ceremony in November - here in VA so it should be a good time!

So it's off to St Louis tomorrow for a conference (unfortunately not about knitting!!!) - may get to post, may not. We'll see.

Until the next time!

Front and one sleeve done!

2008-10-03T10:51:00.009-04:00

Here it is so far!

Woo hoo! The front and one sleeve of the V-neck sweater "Fennel" from Rowan is done. I've been unable to post for a lot of reasons - went away last weekend, had a busy couple of weeks at work and then this week have been fighting off a nasty sinus cold... fun times. But I did finish the front on the trip up to Clifton Park, NY (my cousin and her daughters!)

and the hubby and the dog! :-)

I finished the sleeve the night I got home from my weekend! The second sleeve is about not quite halfway done (the cold has made it tough to do anything but sleep!) but I anticipate finishing it before I depart for St. Louis on Sunday... fingers crossed!

It is so soft and yummy, I can't wait to wear it! If only the weather would also cooperate - it's been in the 70's so sweaters just seem way too hot! (despite the fall seeming foliage in the Adirondacks of NY)

The only thing I am not overly fond of it the curl factor -- stockinette stitch does it every time! But I know once I put it together, some of that will go away. It's still awkward, and especially because this yarn has such a silky drape to it -- makes it yummy to work with and wear but a pain to finish and put together... slippery stuff!

Anyway, probably no posting until late next week - when hopefully I will have a completed sweater to show off - possibly even on moi! :-) Then I have to tackle Nova Scotia and get that DONE!

The back is done!

2008-09-18T12:49:00.006-04:00

Woo hoo! I finished the back of "Fennel" this morning before I came to work! Obviously, I haven't blocked it yet - but I think it came out well all the same! I have all evening to start on the front so I am hoping to make my goal of having the pieces all knitted by Oct 1st! If I can do the front in 5 days, that puts me at Wednesday to begin the sleeves and I have a long weekend out of town so it should be no problem. Exciting for me!

I have a busy weekend ahead - working tomorrow and then Sunday is the MS Walk and of course, a Jets game! My Mets are also almost in the playoffs... though I admit they are making it more difficult (as always) than it needs to be. It is the whole edge of your seat, nail biting way the Mets (and the Jets) seem to head into the post season that drives me crazy!
So, I hope to have more to report tomorrow! Happy knitting!

Progress on the V-Neck (Rowan 'Fennel')

2008-09-18T12:49:00.004-04:00

Good news to report! I'm nearly finished with the back of the Rowan "Fennel" V-neck sweater I started on Sunday afternoon! That's less than a week, and I've been working all week and not getting to start knitting until around 8 pm (2000 EDT) each night. I will have part of Saturday to work on it but Sunday is pretty much a bust day as I am participating in the local MS Walk with a friend. I'm the biggest fundraiser on the team nearing $500 already. I am so hoping to exceed that... if everyone who has promised me money donates, I should make it handily!

I have also been enjoying chatting with my friend Heidi - http://betweenstitches.blogspot.com/ - on Google Talk! It's a lot of fun and it really keeps us connected as if we lived around the corner. It still would be great if I could pop over for a nice cup of tea and some crafting time! So my post isn't so boring... here's some cool socks I made last year!

Anyway, the other good news is that I have finally made it back to the gym and although I'm a little sore, it felt great and I am looking forward to my next workout!

I am looking forward to next weekend when I'll be able to do some serious crafting while I travel to upstate NY (north of Albany) to visit my cousins and Aunt & Uncle. Being a passenger is always great for me to knit and get a lot done, and also being a guest for a weekend is also great for working on knitting! I may have a LOT to report after next weekend!

Pictures to come on Saturday of the "Fennel" back...

Until next time!

An actual report on Knitting! FO's to report!

2008-09-15T17:20:00.011-04:00

I have an FO! (that is a Finished Object for you non-knitters reading this) It is a Market Bag for a friend who needed one with a longer strap to wear over her shoulder rather than holding it in her hand.

I also managed to take some pictures of some other knitting I have done or are WIP's (works in progress) as opposed to UFO's..(unfinished objects)... she laughs... It is a very fine line between WIP and UFO...

One is my old friend Filey from AS "Fisherman's Knits". I made this 11 years ago and it's still going strong... though as you will see from the photo - it has faded quite considerably compared to the gauge swatch which I found while cleaning out my junk drawer. Of all places to find it!

Of course, Figaro the cat also decided he liked the sweater too - and the camera...

So, some other WIP's (thinking positively) - here's a scarf (something... not really sure what this will ultimately turn out to be) that I was playing around with a new (to me) cable. I realized my mistake after I had gotten through about three inches of it... see if you can figure out where I went wrong with my pattern... (hint - it's with the flanking cables not the main cable)

I also have to finish off this cool pillow - free Rowan gift for being a subscriber. My somewhat inept but fun tribute to Kaffe Fassett. I need to get more polyfil or whatever to stuff it with as it is not a normal size/shape pillow. Not sure what I'll do with it as nothing in my house is remotely any of these colors! Probably a good gift for someone!

So, although I totally procrastinated on working on my two seriously outstanding projects, I did do something productive yesterday. It was a good Sunday - my NY Jets were playing at home... sigh, Brett Favre! and it was so humid out so I stayed in the A/C. I have had this lovely gray alpaca yarn some friends brought me back from Peru and needed a somewhat mindless project to work on while watching football! I looked through all my books and found one - 'Fennel' from Rowan 24 (1998) which is a simple V-Neck in Stockinette Stitch. I started it around 2 pm - gauge swatch included and look how much I've gotten done -- even on US 3's! I am going to really try to discipline myself to work only on this until it's done and see how long it takes me!

I'll keep my progress updated as I can. I have some small events this week but enough to keep me busy!

Alas, I made more progress than my Jets did. They lost to those lousy Patriots... even though Brett did look good and play well for the most part. A friend called me to rib me about them losing... at least it's early in the season... I still have hope! Just like my Mets... this fall is better than last year when I was so broken-hearted.

Happy knitting to all!

7 years later...

2008-09-11T09:16:00.005-04:00

(this image is from a September 11th website - credits are on the photo. I just thought it was a less painful image of the towers and certainly more artistic).

7 years. It is difficult for me to believe it has been 7 years since that horrible day. The week leading up to September 11th has become more challenging for me rather than less. . I remember going to work that day, in New York and thinking what an absolutely gorgeous morning it was. Of course, an hour later, the world changed...

I feel myself steeling myself for the images, the tributes and the heaviness in my heart that gets buried most days. I do know we have to live life to the fullest and not get paralyzed by the pain and fear that inevitably follow such heinous acts of terrorStill, it is hard to go through this morning without thinking of that day and my own experience on that day. I went to the Observation Deck of the building I work in at 8:46 am to honor the day - unfortunately for me, some other people also came up to take in the view of the Atlantic Ocean so I ended up leaving there. Still, in my heart, I have done my small bit to honor this day. I will be fine later today and tomorrow for sure but for today, I will remember, I will say my form of prayer and I will honor those who died 7 years ago.

My friend, Heidi & I have been able to chat live on line using Google Talk which is great fun and a terrific way to keep in communication with far-flung friends! http://www.google.com/talk/about.html

I haven't done ANY knitting this week, despite my best-laid plans. Being at work at 6 am and getting home around 7 pm has not been conducive to anything other than being a veg on the couch and going to sleep early. This morning was even worse as it began chucking it down with rain around 3 am and it woke me up and I never quite got back to sleep before having to get up for work. It's going to be a long day. Probably explains my melancholy mood... oh well.

Until next time - hopefully with real stuff to report!

Sunday at work - report from the past week

2008-09-07T08:49:00.005-04:00

Yup - that is Senator Biden in the Virginia Beach Convention Center Ballroom! It was pretty exciting all around to be a part of the campaign if only from the sidelines. Regardless of what side of the issues one is on, it is not everyday that the Vice Presidential candidate comes to town and comes to one's place of employment. I found Senator Biden extremely well-spoken, gracious and a tough competitor. I know those on the other side of the issues disagree with his take on the issues and all that but for me, I found it encouraging and insipiring to see him take the 'high' road and not stoop to personal attacks on his rivals. It gets so old the nastiness of modern politics and to hear someone actually speak of Senator McCain as a personal friend and valued colleague and pointing out that the thing that divides them is their philosophy on the direction the country should take was refreshing and encouraging. Perhaps there is hope yet for the process.

What I find discouraging is how many of my co-workers feel completely comfortable in saying things about politics that are somewhat over the edge in terms of friendly political banter. I always try to be as gracious as possible when talking about my personal views - and to stick to the issues at hand (well... when it comes to the evil current VP, I find it hard to hold back...) but others seems to feel a need to do what they can to make me feel stupid and as if I am a bad, scary person because I actually care about the social contract and don't think goverment should be so 'hands-off' on certain issues that have great impact on our society as a whole. There are plenty of things that I don't always agree with on the left either, and agree with on the right but overall, I do think as a progressive society that we should not wholesale expect that Corporate America is going to ensure an equitable society through the whole series of tax incentives, tax breaks, boys taking care of their boys and so on. From where I sit, corporate America takes care of its own -- the philosophy being - hey, pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. All the while, they're getting a HUGE helping hand from the government... hmmm... OK. Enough of my soapbox. I am smart enough to know that corporations do drive a large part of the economy and that ensuring their health IS important to the overall fiscal and economic health of America. (Yup... I know many of my Republican friends would not really believe I mean this but I do). Still, there are huge (HUGE) chunks of our society that have fallen so far through no real fault of their own - they work two and three jobs, send their kids to school, struggle to keep a roof over their heads and food on their tables. I know, although on the face of it I am 'successful', because there for the grace of G*d go I. I have a good job, no family to support and yet I have to consider taking a second job so I can pay off my debt, pay my household expenses and get to work every day. But if I were to suffer a catastrophic incident - illness, loss of my primary job, whatever - I'd be out on the street. So, yes, it's kind of personal. Some of my issues are of my own making but some of them are caused by government giving huge breaks and allowing predatory practices (credit card industry) to take place. Almost everyone I know is in debt (not including a mortgage or car payment) and find it difficult to see any progress on their balances despite paying more than the minimum, not charging additional amounts. But their lobby is more powerful because they have more money...oh, wait, I think that is a lot of my money!

Wow, I didn't mean to get so political this morning! Enough on this.

I did spend the day of Hanah home cleaning, arranging, writing and I even managed to make a necklace (picture to come). The necklace is okay - I had a mermaid netsuke and wanted to use it in a necklace. The problem is that the head part is heavier than the bottom part so it lays upside down... I need to figure out how I can fix that.

I am also going to rip out the offending 10 rows in my Swedish Thora and re-cast off so I can begin to put it together, and finish the sleeves. I expect realistically that I'll finish it somewhere in mid-October. Fingers crossed!

Campaign Stop!

2008-09-03T18:16:00.003-04:00

Woo hoo! So Senator Biden is doing a campaign stop here at the venue where I work tomorrow morning. It wasn't assigned to me as I just came off of a long weekend event (see my last post!) but I am going to listen to him speak all the same! Senator Obama was here before he received the nomination which was exciting but I couldn't go to the rally then. It is just exciting to be a part of the campaign trail, even if it is a small stop... there are advantages to living and working in a smaller city!
Anyway, I didn't quite have the time off I had hoped for so I didn't get any knitting done... but hopefully I'll get some done this week. Not a lot of writing either though I've been good about writing in my journal...

Anyway, I hope to get some pictures tomorrow and I'll write more after the rally/discussion!

Jane

B-52's -updated 09 12 2008

2008-09-01T18:16:00.003-04:00

UPDATED 09/12/2008. Photos courtesy of my dear friend Alice! Thanks! You can now see what a good time we had!

So I just need to make a quick report - the RNR 1/2 (as we call it in shorthand) went off very well despite crushing humidity and everyone seemed happy. I managed to get a few hours of sleep before heading to the Oceanfront with some friends to see the B-52's (in the VIP section!!!). All I can say is they were AWESOME!!!! It was pretty packed and not a lot of room to 'dance this mess around' (no, they didn't play that) and their encore of Planet Claire and Rock Lobster was phenomenal!!!!! How can you not be in a good mood after seeing them?
It was just a terrific end to another great RNR 1/2 year - and now I'm off for the next three days - with nothing but sunshine and beach calling my name! Nothing like being able to go to the beach while everyone else is starting back to work/school - it feels like I'm playing hooky!

Until next time! I promise pictures and real updates! Good friends having good times! :-)

Rock & Roll!

2008-08-31T02:11:00.004-04:00

OK - it's 2 am and I'm at work getting ready for the start of the Rock & Roll Half Marathon http://www.rnrvb.com/home.html in Virginia Beach (no knitting unfortunately) which takes place in about 4 hours. I actually don't ever mind coming in to work overnight for this event because it is a really neat event and I love watching it all come together in the morning and the thousands of runners that converge on 19th Street to start the race. No - I am not running! But the ballet of people setting up the race village, the volunteers arriving, the runners arriving and then lining up in the corrals and finally beginning the race as the sun begins to rise is truly a worthwile moment to witness.

I am hoping to actually get some work done on my projects in the next couple of days but for now I'll head back to the observation deck and watch things come together!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

A quick post

2008-08-25T09:38:00.003-04:00

Seriously, this is a quick post. Hoping to get time later but not likely as this is a busy week.

First, I had an AWESOME chat with my dear dear friend Heidi - her blog is http://betweenstitches.blogspot.com/ in case you want to check out her incredible work! (as an aside, I did mean to call you back but I fell asleep on the couch in my lazy Sunday mode I was in yesterday.) It was just so wonderful to hear her voice and to re-connect! It also really inspired me to get going on these two projects that seem to be thorns in my side! It was Heidi who taught me to knit when I was in my 30's... of course, I give away my age somewhat but... I am proud of all my years on this planet!

I also love 43 Things: http://www.43things.com/person/JaneKnits is my running list at present. Of course, I would have four hundred and 43 things if I could. There is always more I want to do, learn, see, experience and share in the world...

I have to run for now but... I'll be back...

Long week - no knitting, only a little writing!

2008-08-23T23:42:00.004-04:00

So - I had a hectic week at work. A lot of it was really distractions which made it more difficult to get any real work done. But it's over. I'll be back on Monday after I take Figaro (my new cat) to the vet for a follow-up visit. My favorite event moves in on Tuesday - the Rock and Roll Half Marathon and Expo. The people are so great to work with and it's just a fun event!

Anyway, so no knitting done this week - I only took some pics of Nova Scotia. I did get a fun pattern from a friend (Thanks Val!) which I may play around with tomorrow. It's for knitted chicks (like peeps) - that could be so cute at Easter.

I did write in my journal several times though which is better than no writing but I need to knuckle down.

A friend today sort of challenged me to consider doing a Master's degree and said we should do it together. I think I always feared going back after my experience at Columbia but perhaps with the right encouragement, it might be worth pursuing again. We'll see how serious they are about this. And of course, I need $$$.

So until next time, where I hope to be able to report more progress,

Jane

Nova Scotia

2008-08-21T14:52:00.005-04:00

So - I brought Nova Scotia into work to take some photos so I could post it here. It's not the greatest photo but at least it's something for the moment.

The good news is that all my non-knitting co-workers think it's a beautiful sweater! The bad news is that I still need to organize myself so I can get the bloody thing done! This is where you, dear readers, come in (all three or four of you!)!

My challenge with the point I have reached is the whole waste yarn thing and doing the shoulder straps. I don't know why it terrifies me so considering that I can always rip (tink) and re-do it. I shouldn't expect perfection. But, every time I pick it up to work on it, I feel the fear worming its way in, and then I put it down. Realistically, I think I just need to be knitting with someone else who has accomplished this who can gently nudge me in the right direction without doing it for me. But I am determined in the absence of such person, to finish this by November... I can do it -- it only took me 5 months, not working on it all the time, to do the entire body of this. I can do it!

In other news, I am still struggling with a little bit of personal angst over some people I work with. Some of it is just envy/jealousy and some is just plain puzzling. I am sure somehow it will all sort itself out.

I'll try to get some better photos for the next post!

I'll sign off with a lovely quote that my favorite artist/actor/creative soul, Viggo Mortensen said in an interview (not sure if it is all his own words but...) -

"People who are creators create. People say to me all the time 'Why don't you just focus on one thing?'

And I say, 'Why? Why just one thing? Why can't I do more?

WHO makes up these rules?'"

Until the next time...

Mid-week ramblings...

2008-08-20T17:46:00.004-04:00

Don't I look studious?! We had an all-day training at work that I put together -- I decided NOT to show the pictures of me doing the Wii Fit Hula Hoop... scary! I'd never get a date if I posted those!

Anyway, I had a wonderful Sunday at my friend Susan's in the peudo-crafting mode. I did bring my Nova Scotia with me - still not in a place to finish it off but at least looking at it really made me much more inclined to get it done before the winter really sets in. I'll post some photos of it next time! Susan and Val are my sort of new crafting buddies and they are so creative and they really inspire me to get going and also to think about crafting in different ways! I am so glad I have them in my life.

I did finish a first draft of an essay on Baseball -- I really (really) need to edit it but I feel good about it have a beginning, middle and ending although I recognize it is pretty loose and rambling. I intend to polish it off in time for perhaps a class at the Muse in Norfolk, VA. I am really hoping to be able to work a writing class into my schedule this fall.

I also had a wonderful conversation with another dear friend last night - a former co-worker of mine. She had a not such pleasant experience at her old job but now she's in a wonderful new job and I'm so happy for her! She's another crafting friend - I'll probably try to gather them all together sometime this fall for a fun day of knitting and so on! Anyway, it was a perfect girl talk - which I dearly needed as there is some stuff going on in my world that was in need of talking through!
Anyway, lastly - I wish my dear dear friend Heidi a belated happy birthday! I left her a message on her blog - Between the Stitches - but I really needed to call her and it got away from me! The thoughts and the feelings in my heart were there!

Until next time!

Home again...

2008-08-14T20:33:00.004-04:00

Well, my computer is acting up a bit so I'll have to upload a photo tomorrow morning. I planned to post a photo of the left front of the Swedish Thora... oh well.
Instead, I am writing this and multi-tasking (or multi-procrastinating) by watching A History of Britain - the Simon Schama series on British history which I actually love. I'm on the episode leading up to the Civil War. I find Professor Schama has a style that I particularly like in the way he presents historical concepts. I was lucky enough to have been in a lecture with him once when I worked at and was attempting to get a MA in History. Of all the professors I had a lecture with, his and Professor Fritz Stern were the only two I enjoyed and learned the most from. I think I was just not cut out to be a scholar in that way. To me, history is meant to be made to come alive and the relevance brought forward in a way that makes sense and connections to times past. Alas, it seems that modern scholars (not all I will qualify) have a tendency to publish for publishing sake or to spout ideas and theories that just re-hash others' ideas. This is my humble opinion and probably uninformed but I just think history is so much more interesting than most books and teachers make out.
I am also switching back and forth to the Olympics.. though I am not sure I'll be able to stay up for Michael Phelps... the time zone thing doesn't work for me on a 'school' night...
No knitting however... can't knit and blog at the same time :-)
So until the next time...

Getting inspiration...maybe

2008-08-14T06:24:00.001-04:00

It has been a busier week than I expected at work this week which always saps my energy for other projects and activities.
I have enlisted some help in motivating me to complete my two biggests UFO's - Alice Starmore's Nova Scotia and the Swedish Thora from Knitters Magazine. I have procrastinated way way too long on Nova Scotia in particular through some fear of me messing it up somehow. I know better -- knitting can always be ripped out and re-knitted -- but with this project I always seem to find some reason why I need to wait. Enough! I want to wear this sweater!
The issue with the Swedish Thora is more reasonable - I did have it nearly finished, and made a mistake on one of the front pieces. I need to rip it out and re-do it but at least I started the sleeves and it won't be a major undertaking. (she says hopefully!)
Otherwise, I've done some journal writing, and trying to add some 'cool' things to this blog when I can. I am such an amateur and un-savvy when it comes to these things. It makes me feel more my age than when pursuing other interests. But... I still plunge into the pool (if only I could swim like Michael Phelps!) and try to stay on top of new things in the world.
So, off to work, more Olympics tonight, and baking cookies for the pig roast we're having tomorrow at work. Until next time!

A brand new week!

2008-08-11T09:08:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday! OK - well, maybe that's a bit too enthusiastic! I did manage to not only get some beach time - Saturday was truly one of those special weather days where all things came together to bless us with a gorgeous day - but I did also spend some time writing - working on the novel, worked on a short essay on baseball and wrote in my journal.
I am struggling with some life issues - clearly I have some lessons to learn but not exactly sure what those lessons are. I just feel very much at odds with the rest of the world and as if I have not much to show for my time on earth at this point...sigh.
So, I pour myself into my writing.
I am also trying to get a serious handle on my UFO's (unfinished objects for those of you unfamiliar with this term) and will work each evening to try to whittle that down to a manageable level and be able to give myself permission to start a new project this fall. There are so many yummy(!) patterns in the new Rowan magazine and the new IK. I could knit full time and still not have enough time to make them all!
Until next time!

Writing... need motivation

2008-08-08T16:14:00.001-04:00

OK - so I've added a short piece to the blog that I wrote for a class in Creative Writing. I need to get back to working on my story that I've tentatively titled "The Crafter". I've allowed life to get in the way and I need to really get moving on this. I thank a friend from work for giving me motivation - though they have no idea they have inspired me through their own example of living in the moment.

Still, my creative soul needs nurturing so I plan to spend a good portion of the weekend working on writing and knitting!

Happy weekend!

2008-07-18T14:56:00.000-04:00

This is all new for me so I am just going to say hello for now and when I get more time, I will add some more words and photos.

Peace,
Jane