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January 31, 2007
The First In A Dozen Days
January is always a hard month for me. The holidays are over and the weather is cold and nasty. It just seems like a time when I get a little down and wonder where my life is headed. This January has been a bit harder than some because of my dissatisfaction with my current spot in the world. However, there were a couple of really bright spots this month, and I chose one as my first installment of A Dozen Days. A couple of weeks ago I went to Phoenix and spent some time with my best friend Ashley.
Ashley and I have been friends since we were 13. As it stands now, we've been friends more than half our lives and it's one of those friendships where you can talk about anything any time you need to. In reality we're more like sister than friends. In a time where things in my life are unsettled and stressful, having a friend like Ashley really means the world to me. The only thing that would make it better is if we didn't live so far apart. I'm holding out hope that they move to Colorado in a few years rather than to Norway, but there's been talk about both options. As she and Torstein, her husband, prepare for their first baby I feel blessed to be able to share her excitement and hopefully I'll be able to be there to help her with the new little guy when he arrives in a few weeks.
So, while the baby won't be born until late February or early March, January to me has been all about Ashley.
January 26, 2007
I Need To Work On This
So remember the other day when I said I was going to post the details of my crafting and baking during the week? Yeah well that didn't happen. I clearly need to work on the consistency of my blog posting. I don't really know what the problem is, but I just haven't felt like sitting down to write. I think a lot of it is that I haven't knit much this week, so I feel like I'm in a funk, but some of it is just that general feeling of blah. The good news is that it's Friday. So, I'm putting my happy face on and I'm going to try to do better next week. I actually find that if I sit down and take pictures and write in the evenings I do a much better job of posting regularly. If I leave it to do in the morning, it just doesn't get done. I suppose that's a good lesson. Don't wait until the last minute.
Last weekend I actually sat down at the sewing machine. I was going to sew a pair of pajama pants, but I decided that I should start small and see how the sewing vibe was. So, I chose the Simple Leather-Handled Shoulder Bag from Amy Butler's In Stitches that Angela gave me for my birthday. I used some scrap fabric I had left over from Cyndi's apron and this is what I came up with.
I shortened the bag. The pattern has you cut a piece of fabric 14" x 32" but I didn't have that much fabric and I knew I wanted a shorter bag so I cut my fabric 14" x 22" and it's just about right for a project bag. I made i-cord handles rather than using leather as specified in the pattern, mostly because I didn't want to buy anything for this project and I had the black yarn hanging out in the leftover bin in the craft room. The bag took about 30 minutes to sew and I'm really happy with it. The handles might be a bit too long, but that's an easy fix. I'm going to try to sew those pajama pants this weekend from some fabric I have in my stash. I really need to do something crafty or else I will have already failed on the Holiday Headstart January project.
In exciting knitting news, I'm working on a project for Kristi - I'm test knitting her latest pattern and having a lot of fun with it. I decided to use the Bearfoot I had in my stash and it is yummy. Sometimes a new project is just what the doctor ordered to get the juices flowing again. I'll have more on that later. Tonight is Friday Night Spinning and I'd love to finish the coopworth. I haven't really enjoyed spinning this fiber. It's a bit scratchy and grabby (I'm not even sure that's the right word) and drafting it has been a challenge. Oh well, every time I sit down to spin is a learning experience. I have some alpaca on tap for my next project - it shouldn't be scratchy or grabby at all (although I hear it's kind of slippery). Have a great weekend. Happy crafting.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:32 AM | Comments (17)January 22, 2007
Friday Night Spinning
My Friday night spinning got off to a late start. I stopped at my mom's house on my way home from work to do a book exchange, so I didn't actually sit down to spin until about 8:00 (but I got some good books to read). I suppose the important thing is that I did sit down and spin on Friday night. I'm still working on the same blue coopworth I was working on the last time I spun anything, so I'm afraid I don't have anything fabulous to tell you about. I started a new bobbin because this is destined to be a 2-ply and we'll see what it's suited for once I get it done (if that ever happens).
This weekend was quite relaxing. I read, watched tv, baked, and even sewed (I know, shocking). Since I don't think I'll have a lot of knitting content this week, I'll share everything with you in the next few days.
On a side note, does anyone have a good newsboy hat pattern? I absolutely love this one (scroll down a bit), but I don't know where to find that pattern book or something similar to it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Happy Monday.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:19 AM | Comments (22)January 18, 2007
Well, Well, Well
Look who's alive. Yep, I survived the trip to Phoenix and the baby shower. I have pictures, but I've been a total slacker and haven't even downloaded them from my camera. I'll have to get that done this weekend because there are some I want to share. So, the trip was interesting. My flight was delayed for an hour and a half in Denver because the plane was late leaving Las Vegas due to weather. While I was waiting in Denver it started snowing really hard and there was some concern that we weren't going to be able to take off. But, after we finally got on the plane and got de-iced we were off to sunny Phoenix. The first bit of the flight made me kind of nervous. The whole plane was shaking and bouncing around because of the storm in Denver. Sometimes watching shows like Lost don't do you any good at all. I was imagining all these terrible things and you know if you're on a plane from Denver to Phoenix the chances of crashing on a tropical island are pretty nonexistent. I always laugh when they do their water landing spiel because there isn't a bit of water on that whole trip. However, after a bumpy start, the flight was just fine. I didn't get into Phoenix until 12:30 in the morning and my very pregnant friend Ashley and her hubby had to come pick me up. I felt terrible, but she swears she didn't mind. Luckily they don't live very far from the airport so they just left their house when I landed and it worked out perfectly.
The shower was Saturday and we had it at a great little restaurant. It was on the patio and there was a little lake with ducks and trees and everything. The only problem was it was about 50 degrees in Phoenix on Saturday. Let's just say it was a little chilly. They had heaters and that helped, but you definitely wanted a jacket. When you compare 50 degrees to the -20 it was at my house on Saturday it's pretty much a heat wave, but those poor girls from Phoenix were freezing. Anyway, the food was great, the cakes were wonderful (Ashley's mom made them), and the gifts were adorable. I had no idea how much crap you need when you have a baby. Wow - it was eye-opening. That, my friends, is a whole different world.
Sunday dawned even colder than Saturday. When we took Ashley's mom and sister to the airport at 8:00 it was 27 degrees and there was frost! I know it's winter, but come on. When I go to the trouble to fly to Phoenix I expect a little warm weather. Know what I mean? Anyway, Sunday was a great day. We shopped, and shopped, and shopped. We had baby stuff coming out our ears. We bought a trash can (with a lid, of course), a car seat/stroller thingy (after we did considerable research on safety and such), some cute clothes, and I went a little crazy in Pottery Barn Kids. Baby stuff is just so cute. And soft. And since I'm not having any babies, I figure I can get away with spoiling this one rotten. I don't think he'll care, do you? After we couldn't shop any more we went home and washed baby stuff and put everything away, took things out of boxes and made Ashley's hubby put everything together, organized, and generally got the nursery put together and ship shape. It was a lot of fun. The very best part was the time I got to spend with Ashley - just the two of us. We haven't done that in too long. I realized how much I miss her. I mean, I knew I missed her because we've been best friends since we were 13 years old and I live in Wyoming and she lives in Arizona. But, I really miss just having a girlfriend to hang out with. Someone you can go with to the mall, to lunch, and just hang around the house. I'm going to try to go back in March to help her out after the baby is born (even though I can't help with the baby I'm sure I can do laundry and cook). The little guy is due in late February and her mom is planning to spend a week, but I thought she might like more help than a week (what do you moms out there think about that?). I thought I might shoot for mid-March.
Knitting has been non-existant around my house. I knit a bit on the plane, but didn't knit at all in Phoenix, on the way home, or since I've been back. I hope things are a bit better today because not knitting for 5 days is kinda weird. I don't have a single thing planned for the weekend except to hang around my house, watch movies, knit, and maybe if I'm feeling really ambitious I might tackle cleaning out the pantry. No promises though.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:20 AM | Comments (22)January 12, 2007
Eye Candy Friday
A box of horse shoes. These particular shoes are St. Croix Eventers - a bit wider than your standard plate or rim horse shoe. The 1-H is the size: a size 1 hind (fronts and hinds are shaped differently because the wider steel of the Eventer shoe is harder to shape with a hammer on an anvil). A horse's hind foot is more long and narrow whereas a front foot is rounder - typically.
I'm headed to Phoenix tonight for Ashley's baby shower and I'm really excited (my flight leaves from Denver at 9:00 - I really hope I don't have trouble with the roads). The baby sweater is, of course, not finished, but I'm taking it anyway. I should have time to work on it and Ashley wants to see it, so it's going. I'm also taking the second knee high because I am determined to get those suckers finished - sometime. Sometime really soon would be good. I'm taking my computer and Ashley has wireless internet, so I plan to post while I'm gone. Hopefully. Have a great weekend.
Posted by Stephanie at 1:45 PM | Comments (17)January 9, 2007
Progress on the Baby Dale
I'm both pleased and disappointed in the progress I've made on the baby Dale. I'm pleased because I think my colorwork has improved dramatically, but I'm disappointed because it won't be done on Saturday for the baby shower. This sweater is for my best friend Ashley. It's her first baby and her husband is Norwegian. I made the sweater an 18 month size so the little guy can wear it next Christmas when they go to Norway to visit Torstein's family (and hopefully it will fit a year from now). So, there really isn't any need to get it finished in time for the shower, except I wanted it to be done. Grrr.
I finished the colorwork on the chest and have a few inches of white stockinette to finish before I can start the sleeves.
There's no way I can get the body finished, two sleeves knit, steeks cut, and the whole thing put together by Friday. I told Ashley (she actually picked the pattern, so this isn't a surprise gift) and she's fine with it. The little guy is due in late February, so I want to have it done and mailed by then (that's the new goal).
I'm hopeful that the roads will be open tomorrow and I'll be back at work as usual. However, it was really nice to be home putzing around today. It's amazing how much I can get done when I set my mind to it. That was a good reminder for me. Now to just find the right professional fit and all will be right with the world. Have a great day, and if you'd like some snow, please let me know. I'm giving mine away for free if you'll come pick it up.
January 8, 2007
When It Snows...
The only thing to do is stay inside and spin and knit. Friday night spinning went well. I sat down at about 7:30 and spun for 2 hours. I'm pretty pleased with the singles - they seem to be fairly even (or at least they look like it at this point).
I still have some roving left to spin, but I think that will be for the Friday after next. I won't be spinning next Friday because I'm going to Phoenix for my best friend's baby shower.
I made good progress on the baby Dale, I finished the chart on the chest and am working on the plain white on the upper portion of the body. I'll have more on that tomorrow. In amusing events, Riley likes to hide his greenies before he eats them (usually under the pillow on the guest bed). Yesterday he decided to hide it under the file cabinet (and he managed to get it too far under to get out by himself). This is what it looks like when Riley and his dad try to rescue the greenie.
I spent most of Saturday afternoon outside helping Travis with the ridiculous amount of snow in our driveway. I had to get the horses in because the idiots will stand out in the wind and snow until they freeze to death. I swear. Then I got to run the snow blower. Man, that is hard work, especially when the wind is blowing 70 miles per hour (and I am not kidding). Then we put up the snow fence (better late than never). The purpose is to break the wind and make the snow fall right behind the fence, rather than drift the driveway shut).
Yesterday I knit and took the Christmas tree down and put all the decorations away. The holidays are officially over. The tree has been hauled outside, the pine needles have been swept up, and the furniture rearranged. We've even eaten all the cookies and candy - so it's back to the real world.
Posted by Stephanie at 6:00 AM | Comments (27)January 4, 2007
Wow
I can't believe the response to the Snap A Dozen Days. I'm really excited that so many of you are going to be participating. We aren't creating a blog or doing a web ring, but it was suggested that we start a Flickr group for participants to use to post pictures and keep track of what others are up to. I thought it was a great idea (and it was really easy to create a group) - so here is the group page.
If you look on the sidebar you'll see that I joined the Friday Night Spinners. Rebekah got the idea after I mentioned that I was going to try to spin on Friday nights and thought it would be fun to have a group. We're just going to spin on Friday nights and then post about what we spun. No pressure, no goals, no plan - just sitting down to the wheel. If you'd like to join us, save the button, put it on your blog and sit down at your wheel.
January 3, 2007
A Dozen Days
I have a proposition for you. There's a bit of talk around blogland about photography and improving our skills in 2007. I told you about my Project 365 plans, but Margene and I have decided that a little photography group could be fun. So, here's the idea.
You post one or more pictures once a month, any time during the month. The pictures should express the meaning of the month to you. You can post about a person, a place, a thing - whatever you want. Then you write a blog post in conjunction with the pictures to explain the meaning of the month. Twelve pictures/sets = a dozen days. At this point we're thinking of keeping it simple - do it if you want, but you don't have to join anything to participate. And we aren't planning a blog or a web ring. You just post to your own blog. What do you think? You can do it in conjunction with Eye Candy Friday or another group that you are a member of. The goal is to make a fun group that you can use to improve your skills and reflect on the things that matter to you. Anyone interested in joining me?
Posted by Stephanie at 6:00 AM | Comments (40)January 2, 2007
New Year's Knitting
I have had a lovely New Year's holiday weekend. I spent a lot of time at home, which you know I love. I didn't nap, but I knit and that is the ultimate in relaxation. I'm quite pleased with my progress on the Baby Dale. I've started the design on the chest.
I think my stranded skills are steadily improving. I'm seeing more even stitches and less puckering as I go along and my gauge is about the same on the one and two colored portions. That is indeed progress.
Travis and I went cross-country skiing on New Year's Eve. Travis skate skis and he's trying to teach me. I've been 3 or 4 times, but this is our first outing this year. Holy crap, it is hard work. Either that or I'm a fat slacker. But, I think I'm finally starting to get the rhythm of it. Again, progress. Riley had an excellent time playing in the snow and he got a good workout. People are always amazed that he can keep up, but he really doesn't have any trouble. Those legs of his might be short, but he's fast. I would like to try to go once a weekend or every other weekend because it's good exercise and that's the only way I'll get better. We'll see how that works out.
Now, let's talk about what 2007 holds. I'm terrible about resolutions, but I always try to start the new year off with some goals - things I'd like to change or make more time for in the new year. This year I have a couple of "goals." I want to exercise more. I know. A typical resolution. But, I've signed up for Curves because I can go over my lunch hour 3 days a week. I went last week and it seems like a pretty good workout for 30 minutes. I'm also going to try to eat a bit better. My problem is that Travis is extremely active all day and so he can eat a lot of food and burn off a lot of calories. He needs way more food than I should eat and he likes foods with more calories than I need. There's no way I'm going to cook one thing for him and another thing for myself. I'm lucky if I can get one meal cooked, there's no way two would ever happen. So, I'm rereading my French Women Don't Get Fat and I've signed up on the website. Right now I'm keeping track of the food I eat and I can already tell I eat a whole lot of carbs and sweets. So, I'm sure that is going to have to change. But, the keeping track part is a couple of weeks. I'm thinking about speeding that up and doing the Leek Soup next weekend.
My second goal is to improve my photography skills. I thought about starting a photo along or joining an existing one, but as of right now I'm going to do my own Project 365. There's a Flickr group, but I'm just going to do it on my own and see how it goes. To that end, I've finally set up a Flickr account (I think if you look for Unwind you should be able to find me, but I'm not sure. I haven't got the whole thing figured out yet. That link should work, but let me know if it doesn't). I'm just going to post a picture to my account every day. I'd love it if you would stop by once and awhile and let me know what you think of my photos - constructive criticism is a good thing. Hopefully the photos improve as the year progresses.
My fiber goals are pretty simple. I'm going to try to spin every Friday evening. I usually spend the evening at home watching television and I figure it will be a good time to work on my spinning. I'm afraid that without a set evening I won't ever make time for it, so I'm setting a time and we'll see how it goes. My knitting goals are to knit as much from my stash as possible. I have yarn for a couple of great sweaters, plus I want to make finishing Butterfly a priority. I'm going to join Rebekah's Yarn Focus Challenge as some support for this goal. The first installment is for 3 months and I think it's starting soon. There will be some lace knitting in the new year because of the Victorian Today KAL, but I have yet to pick out a project. I will have to use one of my free days during the Yarn Focus Challenge to buy yarn for the project I ultimately choose.
So, that's it for me. Thanks for sticking around through my rambling post. Happy New Year and may 2007 be a truly wonderful and productive year.
Posted by Stephanie at 6:00 AM | Comments (18)
