A New Beginning... And A New Direction!

Hello all!

I know it's been way too long but life has taken some turns (mostly in the areas of career and hobby stuff) and now it's time to accelerate and lean into those turns! Woohoo! ;)

First of all,  I'm still knitting, designing, creating art, and crafting up a storm. So expect to see creative stuff!

Second of all, I'm focusing on my voiceovers more these days and I may try to post some voice samples to my blog just to get my voice out there.

Thirdly, every now and then I may want to review a book (or several) that has inspired and moved me! Be it fiction (with mostly an emphasis on romance) or books on knitting patterns, arts & craft projects, and perhaps even inspiring books on teaching and education.

Which leads me to my new direction in life...

Starting in September... I begin my training to be an educational assistant. Making a difference in children's lives has always made me happy. So I'm going to give this everything I've got!

Well there you have it! A new beginning. I stand at the start of this new career path and to be honest... I am excited... And terrified! :D

*fingers crossed*

Poor choices of the past...

Hello all... 

Sooo very many crazy days since my last post... But I do hope to find more time to keep the "blog rollin" Lol! 

*sigh*

Errr... ummm... Anyway... 

This book is the bane of my existence right now. Don't get me wrong... Living healthy is a very important thing for a child to learn. It contains puzzles, activities, and a story about all the ways to stay healthy including staying active,  eating right and... welll... *sigh* living smoke - free...

My darling boy asked me about smoking and we chatted about how it isn't good for your body... Then... He asked me if I ever smoked. At that point I had to make a decision. Do I lie to my impressionable 5 year old or do I tell him the truth.

I decided to tell him the truth with an extreme emphasis on that it was a very poor choice to make and why. I know it will come back to haunt me but I can't undo what I've done so all I can show him are the better choices that I'm making now...

Me: So Want... A Generic Tub of Pastel Legos.

Who knew a trip to Target would end up so thought provoking?

I rarely have moments where I'm vocal about my stance on things... Especially in public. But this was a moment where I felt the need to say something...

I was in the Target yesterday and was chatting with a cashier about how much we loved watching "The LEGO Movie", how cool the "Cloud Cuckoo Palace" set was, and how awesome LEGOs were when we were kids.

She went on to say how she isn't a big fan of the new Lego "Friends" sets. I agreed with her. But a woman who was standing off to the side (must have been the cashier's friend) said, "Well, girls need pink legos!" The cashier looked at her and said "No they don't. I played with legos as a little girl and I loved them. I didn't need pink legos!"

I agreed with her again. But I also added:

"I don't think girls, specifically, NEED pink legos. I think ALL kids should have equal access to ALL colours. My little boy had a fantastic time building the 'Cloud Cuckoo Palace.' He saw it for what it was. A cool thing to build... pink bricks and all. I'm lucky that my son doesn't see colours as feminine or masculine (at least for the moment...) He loves them all. He has preferences of course. Who doesn't? But to him, pink is just a colour that's equal with all the others."

I honestly don't mind that there are pink, lavender, and sky blue bricks in the world. I love the idea of more colours... However, I DO mind that those colours are being marketed EXCLUSIVELY to girls.

If I could, I would buy a generic (Non-"Friends") tub of  pastel coloured bricks to mix with all the other coloured bricks we have. That way my son can play with any colour he wants.

What a truly Wonderful Day!!!

I just have to say... 

*sigh* What A Day... What a truly WONDERFUL day!!!

It's rare that a "day with my son" is as heart-warming as today was. Time "together" gets easily lost in the everyday grind of daily life. And I found myself feeling a little sad... But then my little boy surprised me with a beautiful moment.

While my darling boy and I were having lunch, the "Cups (When I'm Gone)" song came on the radio in the Tim Hortons. He looked at me and we both started singing it (we love that song). Then he stopped to take a bite of his bagel, looked at me so sweetly and said, "Mommy, I'm gonna miss you when I'm gone*..." to which i replied "Awww... Me too, Sweetie!" and we smiled at each other with the biggest goofiest grins we could make. 

It was such a precious moment. And it will always be OURS. I want more of those moments... So I think i'm gonna have to make sure i have more days like these.    

*(just to clarify... the "gone" bit is referring to when he sometimes goes to Nana & Grampa's for a weekend" :D )

WOOT It's 2014! Wait... WHAT?!?!

where did the time go? it's been 2014 for almost a month?!

oops! ack!

as you can guess i've been knitting up a storm since my last post sooo...

quick 2013 wrap up / catch up to 2014...  annnnnd... GO!

• i tried to design a neckwarmer - i wanted to try something knew so i cast on a bunch of stitches, took my favourite rib pattern and started knitting in-the-round... i thought it was looking pretty good until i realized (after i was done...doh!) that i was following a "knit-flat" pattern and knitting in-the-round without modifying it for circular knitting. i really love how it ended up but it was not what i was expecting. so i call it "My Beautiful Mistake" neckwarmer ;)

• i finished my Elegant Travels Fingerless Mitts - And I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! They're so pretty.

Elegant Travels Mitts

• i finished my first cable project... Rainbow Twist by Thao Nguyen - this is one of my favourite neckwarmers. the yarn i used was not as thick as the pattern wanted but it came out perfect for me. it's basically like wearing a cozy thick turtleneck. i had never tried cables before and i probably should have started with something a little less chunky, but i'm so happy with how it turned out!

Rainbow Twist

• something for the family gift exchange - i was told that the gift had to be under $10 and gender neutral. so i made this. no pattern just 2 chunky yarns held together and knit in a 1x1 rib. i can post it now because Christmas is over and hopefully it found a good home :)

Gift Exchange Neckwarmer

• *sigh* Christmas REALLY took it's toll on our family - the plan was to spend Christmas up-island. and it was a pretty exciting plan... except that our family was not well. you know how when you're sick... you stay home. we were away from home and it was just not as pleasant as it could have been. there was stress all around especially with my little boy. he was not himself at all. it will probably go down in history as the most memorable holiday we've ever had. but it's also totally blurred. i can't remember a whole lot... oh wait! there was a surprise wedding... but for the most part i can only remember what i was feeling... *sigh*

• i FINALLY knit up an Arbutus cowl - Jane Richmond's designs make the most wonderful knits! i have been itching to try and knit up the Arbutus since her book (ISLAND) came out last year but i was nervous about all the complexity of the pattern. what are"short rows?" erm..."wrap & turn?" so i put it aside for a while. then just after Christmas i realized i wasn't knitting anything *GASP* :D i saw on instagram that a couple of people i was following were having a "jane-along" (a knit-along using patterns designed by Jane Richmond) so i decided that it was the perfect time to start the Arbutus. it was an open group so i joined... and guess what! here it is!

Arbutus 

• crochet (or knit) mood blanket 2014 - i saw on instagram an idea that a crocheter had started and it boomed in popularity over instagram and facebook. it's quite simple. you can make one square a day for 365 days or one square a week for 52 weeks. it started out awesome! the first couple of weeks were so exciting... i seamed them together and saw that it was looking not too bad for a strip of knit squares :) then i started thinking about other projects and well... i'm kinda falling behind now... but i know i'll pick it up again... why? because i am tenacious when it comes to my knitting... some might even say i'm TOO tenacious! :D

Colours for my Knit Mood Blanket 2014

• i'm designing something new - bu-u-ut that is for another time! ~.^

there! all caught up! woot!

Knit Project: Travels Fingerless Mitts... PLUS, I WON!!! ~.^

Life is crazy! Tis the season :D

Between knitting, sewing, getting food organized for Christmas and trying to clean around the house... Life has been a non-stop whirlwind.

Since finishing my pair of Rathtrevor by Jane Richmond, my newest obsession has been on fingerless mittens. 

Let's start with a couple of new ideas...

Cozy Travels Fingerless Mitts
I found a ball of bulky yarn in my stash and looked up a bunch of different patterns in The Knitting Book that I got for Christmas last year...(Someone obviously knew me ~.^)and came up with these. They are so warm and cozy... They are a bit big for me but it's a cool first try! They turned out better than I had expected...

But then...

I wanted something a bit more elegant and pretty. So I used the same pattern, chose a finer yarn and adjusted the number of stitches and came up with...

Elegant Travels Fingerless Mitts 

I found a ball of Martha Stewart Crafts 100% merino (colour: Buttermilk) in my stash and thought "I just have the one ball so why not try it out." I have to admit it took me a couple of tries but I think I've got the pattern almost perfected. I finished one piece. I seamed it up and tried it on. The fit is comfortably snug. But I like the look of it. Because of the stretch it looks almost lacy... The width of my palm is about 9cm. I will play with the number of stitches so see the different fits I get.

PLUS!!!! 

I WON an ebook copy of Journey from reading Melissa's MisoCraftyKnits blog and entering the giveaway. Journey is a NEW book of knitting patterns by Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook.  All three of these fantastic ladies are incredibly talented crafters from Vancouver Island, BC. This TOTALLY made my Christmas! I am so excited to start on these patterns. Squeee! ^.^ 

Finished Projects for This Week!

1. Christmas Decorating? DONE!

I love seeing the house done up at Christmas... *sigh*

2. Marian Cowl by Jane Richmond? DONE!

I really enjoyed knitting this up. It is so warm and cozy. 

And because it calls for super thick yarn... it knit up in no time.

 I may have to knit up a couple more in different colours.

Love Love Love!

3. A Cowl for Mark

 When I started, I was  knitting up a hat. 

But when Mark took a look at it he thought it was a cowl. 

Which gave me the idea to turn it into a men's cowl.

I just started knitting it up a few hours ago... 

 Now... DONE! :D 

(Mark wouldn't model it for me... *pout*)

I'd say that's enough for this week. 

Time to rest up tomorrow so I can get ready

 to tackle the projects for NEXT week!

(which may or may not include the baking of some goodies)

^.^

Knitting: Moving on to... The Marian Cowl ^.^

In light of yesterday's weather development I decided that it was high time that I make the Marian cowl by JaneRichmond that I've been itching to make since last spring... I bought some Lion Brand: Wool Ease, Thick and Quick yarn in Charcoal, brought out my 12.75mm 24in circular needles and got ready to go.

I wanted to try out a few rows. So I started it late last night to see how comfortable it would be for my hands to handle knitting. I stopped after a few rows to take a few pics but kept going. I got so into it I forgot to stop. It's knitting up so fast and easy. I could have stayed up and finished it but my body was screaming for sleep so I got about 3/4 through it and put it down. Now I'm ready to finish it up!

But first... To Christmas-ize the house a bit!

Stay tuned!

^.^

Christmas: Advent Calendar Blues... :(

I bought a crafty advent calendar called Adventivity by Gina Carpenter (Author) and Laura Hambleton (Illustrator) a few weeks ago and was very excited for December 1st to arrive so that I (and maybe my darling son) could put together some cute paper crafts for Christmas.

However, as it turns out...  It is definitely not something my 5 year old could handle. The punch outs were a bit too intricate for his short fuse to take.Which is totally fine. Hey, more fun for me, right? :)

But what really got me was that as cute as these appeared, this calendar is turning out to be a disappointment and I don't think I will ever get it again.. For one reason and one reason only.

It CLEARLY states on the attached cover holder...

"Includes materials to make 25 projects."

When (so far) it actually doesn't. You need to provide your own materials to complete each project and make it work.

So far...

Day 1: a pop-out star for a card... they provide the paper punch out of the star and you provide the card. The star doesn't work on it's own without a card supporting it.

Day 2: (this one wasn't too bad) a candy cane mouse... they provided the paper punch out of the mouse and you provided thread for whiskers and the candy cane (of course).

Day 3: a light catcher... they provided the cut out and they EXPECT you to have coloured cellophane candy wrappers lying around to paste into it. for the stained glass effect. Wha? Even if I did eat candy with cellophane wrappers, before opening this up, I would never have known to keep them for this project.

Day 4: a paper guardian angel... they provide her head, wings and arms and you have to provide pink card stock for the body (not a problem) but also a paper doily... A PAPER DOILY. I haven't seen one of those since I lived with parents.

Day 5: (This pretty much solidified my decision not to get this again) an origami Santa. They didn't provide the origami paper. So YOU have to provide the origami paper. Specifically, origami paper that is red on one side and white on the other side.  So "technically" I cannot make this project because they DID NOT include the material to make it.

So the cover lied. So far it BARELY includes materials to make 24 projects now. I'm tempted to give up on it because so far it has only frustrated me.

The only defence I have for this book is that it was all open. Not sealed. The projects were all there, labelled and you could have (if you wanted to) looked ahead to every project to make sure you had ALL materials you needed to make everything. But for me, that totally defeated the purpose of this calendar. I wanted the wonder, excitement and surprise of having a small precious gift for the day.

When I opened that first window and saw that pretty picture of what I was going to make that day I was so excited. Then realized that I didn't have everything I needed to complete the beautiful project. And I had to scrounge around to see if I could find what I needed to make it work...

So it was no longer a gift... It felt more like a chore.

*sigh* Live and learn...

Knitting: Rathtrevor Fingerless Mitts... DONE!

Aaaand they're DONE!
I am so in love with these mittens! They are cute and cosy and I loved making them!

I made a couple of modifications to Jane Richmond's Rathtrevor pattern to my liking. For instance, I didn't make the forearm as long as the pattern instructed. I just wanted them just passed the wrist.

Also, the pattern instructed the "hand/palm" in a stockinette stitch then bind off but I decided to do the stockinette stitch until the last four rows and then ended with the same rib as the wrist. I think it ties it all nicely together. :)

Soooo... What next?

~.^

Hey There! Long Time No See!

Hello all! Long time no see! :)

I took the hiatus from knitting for what seemed like an eternity and did other things with my time...
Such as:

• Seeing my little boy fall absolutely in love with Kindergarten!
• Getting the opportunity to work on my voice over work. 
• Watching my darling husband take on the challenge of a new job... as well as biking and swimming three times a week...
• Working at honing my beginner sewing skills because... well... I NEED to craft! :)

I remember looking in the closet in the spare bedroom last week and happened to stumble upon my fabric stash. I remembered that I wanted to try a cowl pattern  I found on line. It didn't quite work out the way I liked so I started playing with the fabric a bit, found what worked and then got totally hooked. I sewed together some cowls out of my a few different types of fabrics: fleece, flannel, some coordinating "fat quarters" and some funky fabric called "missoni." I totally got addicted to making them... so er... now I've got a TON! A few went to my sister in-law's craft booth at the Christmas craft fair last weekend. And the others are just waiting around for Christmas... ~.^

Here's a few styles I tried with different fabrics...

top left: Three coordinating fat quarters
top right: Missoni fabric
bottom left: solid fleece and brushed cotton in plaid print
bottom right: Three coordinating fat quarters and solid flannel

But now...

I'm sooo super happy to be knitting again... However, I have learned my lesson and I'm taking it slowly and carefully this time! I decided to start with a project just for me...

The cooler weather is taking it's toll on my hands so I've started a fingerless mitten pattern by Jane Richmond Designs called Rathtrevor from her Island collection.

Here's the first one so far. Please pardon the double pointed needles. I'm just getting the hang of using them and wanted to see how the wrist fit.  :D


Wish me luck!

Me: So Many Changes... But They're Good Changes!

There are a lot of new and exciting things happening in and around our lives right now:

-I turned 40 and I am trying to figure out my career path...

-Mark is embarking on a new and exciting job of his own...

-Kai is turning 5 in October and has started French Immersion Kindergarten... and so far he LOVES it!

Kai: "Mommy, did you know that 'mouse' in French, is 'souris?' "
Me: "No Kai, I didn't know that. Did you learn that at school?"
Kai: "Yup!" *giggles like crazy*

-My dear ol' friends Ron and Jennie will be expecting their first child in a couple of months... Squee!

-My wonderful friends Kelly and her husband James had their second little boy, Thomas James. (That's him in the picture... In my defence, he had just woken up and was hungry. I hope that once he gets to know me better he'll smile with me in the next picture. *fingers crossed* As long as I don't come between him and his feedings :D But what an absolute cutie!)

-My lovely friend Missy is trying her hand at teaching clinical at UBC. And I KNOW she's kicking ass at it! Because she's incredibly awesome! Woot!

So many changes...

But I'm so full of crazy giddy optimism because they are all incredibly wonderful changes that is sure to bring more happies to everyone!

*love and hugs to all*

Knit Project: *wince* Ouch! That Hurt... :(

"Sniff!" - pencil sketch by Jenn 

So i was looking around the house for a particular set of knitting needles and remembered that i had left them on my half-finished beaded mesh cowl that i was knitting a few months ago. it was a new design of mine and was hoping to get it done by fall but then i gimped up my wrists and arms with my extreme knitting marathon-ing. so i went to the doctor and she told me that i carpal tunnel. so she told me that i had to stop knitting... so i did.

but  after a few months of not knitting and resting up as much as possible, i decided to start up again slowly and pace myself. when i opened the project bag where the cowl was, i saw that the wooden tip had broken off of the cable connector and almost half  of the 218 stitches had slipped off the cable. all i could do was wince and then utter a heavy sigh. there was no way i could salvage the project. so i began to unravel the cowl. i wound it back onto the ball of yarn and let beads fall off the project as i unraveled it. it was frustrating and heartbreaking at the same time... but definitely a learning experience.

i was really excited about this project but i guess i just have to be a bit more careful.

oh well... next time.

*extremely heavy sigh*

I Survived My Life So I Could Finally Live It!

"Jenn"
(Self-Portrait Using Crayola Crayons 64pk)

As the last few days of "my thirties" comes to an end and I'm thrust forward into a new decade, I find myself pondering...

What have I got to show for it? Well... Hmmm...

I look back and see a blur of the past twenty -to even as far back as thirty-five- years (yes I still have memories from when I was a wee little lass) and have come to conclusion that I think I've accomplished far more than I give myself credit for.

But right at this moment, my biggest personal accomplishment was that I survived.

I lived in a home where memories of bad times overshadowed any memories of good times.  I was surrounded by different kinds of abuse for a lot of my early life. The details may shock you... or they may not. But the moments were very real, they did happen and I will never forget how they have affected me. But I won't just list them here. If you want to know, just ask and I'll tell you. (*This is more for the people who only know half the story and want to know MY side of what I had to go through so that they can stop trying to guilt me into doing what THEY think the "right thing for me to do" is. So I leave it to you...) But I managed to get through it day by day. Hanging on to the promise of tomorrow. And much to my surprise...
I survived.

I wanted to continue into post secondary education. So I decided to go to college. Sadly, I didn't finish my schooling. But I definitely learned some valuable life skills in that time. I was learning what it meant to take responsibility for my actions and that I had no one to answer to but myself for my triumphs and my failures. I was learning to make hard (even heartbreaking) decisions. I was learning to bask in the pleasure of a good decision and learning what it meant to struggle in the regret of a poor decision. I was learning to search my heart for what I wanted and what I needed. I began a journey of self discovery. Going to college and realizing that I could choose my own path, was the first step. It was liberating. It was terrifying. But...
I survived.

I got a retail job while going to school and moved away from home and lived on Mister Noodles for months at a time...
I survived.

I lived on my own in a tiny little apartment for a time. The ultimate test of freedom and accountability...
I survived.

I found a wonderful job as a music teacher. Dealing with days and nights of trial and error. I was discovering what worked and what didn't work for each individual student. I was learning to trust my instincts and going with what I knew and then to successfully pass that knowledge onto my student. I loved seeing my students learning music. I loved listening to them. I loved seeing the moment that realization hit them when they understood what I was asking them to do.  I loved to see them doing well. I loved helping them when they were not doing so well... *sigh* Although it broke my heart to have to stop... I never forgot how much joy it brought me...
And I survived.

I fell in love... I found someone who would listen to me; someone who would help me get through my pain; someone who would fight for me; someone who loves me unconditionally. On occasion he was even someone who kicked my ass when I needed it. But don't get me wrong. It was rocky. There were challenges... There still are and I know there always will be. But...
I, and my heart, clearly survived and I know WE'LL survive together. ~.^

I got married... I managed to get through the wedding unscathed and beaming like a goof. I am one lucky girl. I've never felt more loved and cherished in all my life. I love my husband with all that I have and all that I am. He makes me feel strong. I couldn't possibly have found someone more perfect for me than him. I love what we have together. But as with everything... You need to work hard for the things that mean the most. In our relationship I learned a fabulous new word... COMPROMISE! :) My partnership with my husband is full of tougher decisions. But instead of them affecting just me, they now affect us. At first it was weird going from "me" to "us." It was certainly an adjustment. I had to swallow my pride... a lot! But again...
I survived.

I gave birth to my wonderful boy. I had an incredibly boring pregnancy only to be thrown more excitement than I thought I could handle when it came time to deliver the young lad into the world. From the induction of childbirth to my epidural malfunctioning. My husband was my rock. He was as strong as he needed to be to get me through it. I felt as though my world was going to end. And although I felt like I was going to die, I didn't. Hence...
I survived.

I'm a mommy now. The toughest role I could have ever imagined but at the same time the most rewarding. I've made mistakes and I've done things I'm not proud of. But I've learned that just because I'm a mommy doesn't mean I have all the answers. No one ever told me they were sorry while I was growing up. No one ever thought they were making any mistakes. I'm always learning. I'm always making a lot of right and wrong decisions. That will never go away. When the decision is right, it's magical how smoothly everything goes. But making the wrong decisions... that's where things get a bit hairy. But I will tell you that the most wonderful and beautiful thing about dealing with my poor decision is looking at my son, telling him how much I love him and how sorry I am. Then seeing him run into my arms to tell me "it's ok" and/or "I'm sorry, too!" And then hearing him tell me how much he loves me... As incredible as this mommyhood stuff is... will always be a challenge. But I know...
I'll survive.

(Hmmm... It's funny looking at everything laid out in front of me as I write this post. I see my view changing. This wasn't where I was planing to go with this post. But here I am... As I grow more confident and proud in the realization of where this is taking me... This is turning out to be quite the therapy for me. I needed to do this for me.)

Everything that has happened in my life has gotten me to THIS moment. I've learned so much. I've learned so much about myself. And I realize more and more that with each passing moment that I had "survived", I was on my way to living. Living a life of my own making. To be honest it now gives me a sense of pride knowing what I've done and all that I have accomplished to get where I am today...

So I will no longer question what I have to show for my years on this earth. I will simply say...

"Just look at me. I am here! I am living this life! THIS is what I have to show for it! And I couldn't be happier or more proud. So Forty (and beyond), Ready or not... Here I Come! Bring. It. ON!"

(I want to say thank you to the family and friends who have helped me along the way. Your guidance, support and love have been everything to me. I love you all so much! *love and hugs forever*)

Me: Not much to say except...

I'm feeling a bit off...

Yes please...

Jenn

Song In My Head: "Gitchee Gitchee Goo" from Phineas & Ferb

This is such an great song! So catchy! I love it!
Can't seem to get it out of my head... But then again...
Why would I want to? It's awesome!

Give it a listen...

^.^



Gitchee-Gitchee-Goo (Means That I Love You)

Phineas & Ferb (featurng Candace)

(spoken) 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ferbettes!
I'm Phineas and this is Ferb, and we're gonna sing a song

(singing)

Bow, chicka, bow-wow
That's what my baby said
Mow, Mow, Mow
And my heart starts pumpin'
Chicka, chicka, chew-wop
Never gonna stop
Gitchee-gitchee-goo means that I love you

My baby's got her own way of talking,
Whenever she says something sweet
And she knows its my world she's a-rockin'
Though my vocabulary's incomplete

I know it may sound confusing
Sometimes I wish she'd give it to me straight
But I never feel like I'm losin' it (losing)
When I take the time to translate

Here's what I'm talkin' 'bout

Bow, chicka, bow-wow
That's what my baby said
Mow, mow, mow,
And my heart starts pumpin'
Oh, Chicka, chicka, chew-wop
Never gonna stop
Gitchee-gitchee-goo means that I love you

Well I don't know what to do (I don't know what to do)
But I think I'm getting through (I think I'm getting through
'Cuz when I say 'I love you' (when I say I love you)
She says 'I gitchee-gitchee-goo you too'
(Gitchee-gitchee-goo you too)
(Gitchee-gitchee goo you too)
(Gitchee-gitchee-goo you too)... Don't need a dictionary

Bow, chicka, bow-wow
That's what my baby said
Mow, mow, mow,
And my heart starts pumpin'
Oh, Chicka, chicka, chew-wop
Never gonna stop
Gitchee-gitchee-goo means that I love you

I said...

Bow, chicka, bow-wow
That's what my baby said
Mow, mow, mow,
And my heart starts pumpin'
Oh, Chicka, chicka, chew-wop
Never gonna stop
Gitchee-gitchee-goo means that I love you

Gitchee-gitchee-goo means that I love you
Gitchee-gitchee-goo means that I love you
Baby, baby, baby (baby, baby, baby, baby)
Gitchee-gitche-goo means that I love you

(Lyrics from eLyrics.net)

Crafting: Something Different...

So I went the doctor yesterday and she told me that while I try to heal my poor right arm... *sigh* I am not allowed to knit. Boo... :( But those of you who know me... You know that I can't NOT be crafting something. But what can I do? Hmmm...

Interestingly enough... About a week ago my husband and I were trying to organize the office/craft room when we happened to discover the crazy amount of fabric that I own and it gave me the idea to start sewing again. So I wanted to start with a project that was easy and small. And since I am "cowl crazy" right now I decided that I would try to make The Patricia Infinity Cowl by Shannon of luvinthemommyhood.

I found some beautiful fabric sets that I thought would look awesome... 

Black White and Currant II by Henry Glass & Co.

Chinese Takeout by Sheri McCulley

So now we'll see what happens...

~.^

Me: The Search For Bliss...

My search for bliss begins... NOW!

It begins with me deciding where my heart truly lies and what will make me happy... But to be honest, this is turning out to be harder than I thought.

I have done a few jobs... I've been a music teacher, a retail sales worker at the mall and of a huge hardware store (working in many different departments), a grocery store employee and a fast food restaurant employee.

I've worn many different "hats." But I never really got the feeling that any of them truly "fit." (Although being a music teacher really came the closest...)

So now it's time to find my true career hat. Maybe if I try to make a list of all my favourite things (*singing* "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens"... etc. ~.^) I could narrow it down into something that would make me a happy career. 

So here goes...

• I love creating
• I love crafting (mostly knitting, bead-crafting & paper-crafting)
• I love reading
• I love voicing characters
• I love computer/video games
• I love to blog
• I love music
• I love to bake

So there you have it. The things I love to do.  Now, do they mesh together into something awe inspiring? Hmmm... I don't think so. Maybe not yet.  But at the very least it's a place to start.

Stay tuned... ^.^

Me: Good News & Bad News...

Knit Night at
 Good Earth Coffeehouse at Uptown

Last night was our monthly knit night... and to be perfectly honest... I was a little worried.

I had mentioned in a previous post that my wrist was giving me problems (carpal tunnel) to the point where I could barely move it without a surge of pain shooting through my arm from my pinky to my elbow. It's been like this for about a week... So I thought it was because I had been knitting like a mad woman for the passed month and a half. So for a week I didn't knit. It was excruciating not being able to knit because I wanted to but I couldn't...

But then knit night came and I picked up my needles... Much to my surprise, I noticed that when I started to knit, my wrist felt fine. Yay! BUT... Then I noticed that I had to concentrate on relaxing my grip on the needles. When my hands were relaxed, it felt fine. But when I tensed up, it got achy again... *pout*

So... Needless to say, I really want to concentrate on healing my arm. So I'm going to start by only knitting every other day for twenty to thirty minutes. If that get's to be too much I will space the days out even further.  But I can't not knit. I just started a design project...  At the very least I NEED to finish it! PLUS I really really really want to start on my cardigan soon... But it's not crucial. I just wanted to make this sweater.

So the good news is I can still knit... The bad news is I can't knit as much as I'd like to... *pout*

But all that being said we did have a great night knitting, chatting and sipping beverages!

Woot! Funtimes!

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