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Monthly Archives: June 2010

Weekend Wonders

26 Jun

I am so glad that it is the weekend, and that I have two solid days off to relax, create, and get my craft on!  Work has been very busy and stressful the last two weeks and I’m happy for a break.

Imagine my sheer surprise and glee when I lifted up the leaves of my cucumber plants to find two actual cucumbers that have started growing!!!  Our wee garden only has four plants in it (tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and rosemary.)  This is my first time really planting anything in the ground that I could eat later, and I’ve been very good about watering them all every day (save for rainy days.)

Oh, how she grows!

The tomato plant is HUGE, compared to what is was when I planted it.  There are several clusters of yellow flowers in bloom on it, so I can’t wait to see some actual tomatoes!  The basil … well, I think it is a lost cause.  It wasn’t that healthy when I got it (it was the last one that the greenhouse had.)  The rosemary is faring well, but I am most proud of my cucumbers!

Humble beginnings

Does anyone out there in blog land know when I should pick my cucumbers?  How big should they be?  I have no clue.

In addition to the garden growing, I’ve also been getting my craft on!  I’m making some baby sacks for Peyton, the son of our friends Marcus and Sharon, in NY.  It has been an adventure for me, to say the least.  I now know how to sew sleeves and use bias tape!  I have one finished and plan on starting the second one tomorrow.

On the knitting front, I seem to be addicted to shawlettes.  I don’t know why, but they’ve got their hook in me.  I started a new one, Nightsongs; a very cute and easy lace pattern, once I found some help via Ravelry.  There is some confusion about the main body repeats.  I’m not sure if I’m doing it right, but the stitch count comes out spot on, so I’m just going with it.

See the leaves?

I love this yarn.  It is Cascade Heritage prints in Indian Summer.  It reminds me of autumn leaves, so I thought it was fitting for the pattern, with the leaves and lace.  I know it will gain so size when it is finished and blocked, so I’m not really worrying about it while I knit.

So, yes, I’ve been busy.  But good busy, in the sense that I’m letting my creativity run wild.  Work has been above and beyond stressful for a few weeks now, and it is nice to do what I want to do on my days off.  The only good thing about all that stress from work is that it fuels my Muse.  I’ve added two chapters to my romance novel while eagerly awaiting my first novel to finish with Tory, my friend who is also very good at editing.  Baited breath folks … nerves, pins and needles.  When I get ‘The Return’ back from her, it will be time to write query letters, in hopes of finding a literary agent!!!

 
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Posted by on June 26, 2010 in Misc

 

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Happy Fathers Day

20 Jun

Happy Fathers’ Day to all the Dads out there, and especially my Dad!!!

My Dad and Me - The Day I Was Born

My Dad is one amazing guy.   I inherited so much of his personality; sense of humor, easy-going attitude, and the need to learn about the human spirit.  He was a political science major in college, and went on to study theology.  He’s been in the Army, traveling all over the US.  He’s a preacher (who believes God is a woman,) a ex-cop, and a social worker.  He’s a big kid and loves to have fun.  He wants to help people whenever he can, and always taught me to do the same.

His love of books is something else he passed on to me.  Bookcases are double stacked in the basement of my parents’ house with history, theology, biographies, and even some fiction.  I can remember him reading to me when I was little, and then teaching me to read with everything and anything; street signs, comic books, maps, etc.

When I was little, I remember tossing a football or baseball in the yard, riding bikes, or going to the park just to run around.  When he’d get off the night shift as a cop, we’d go to Hardee’s for breakfast.  As I grew up, I still remained “Daddy’s little girl.”  He’s always been there for me, from field trips to band, always letting me know how much he loves me and never giving up on me, even in my darker times.  He, like my mother, never gave up on me, and for that I am eternally thankful.

So, Happy Fathers Day to the best Dad in the world.  You’re not just my Dad, but you are my best friend.  You’ve done an amazing job in shaping me for my own adult life, and many of my actions and decisions are brought about based on you, and the way you raised me.  Thank you so much, Dad!!

My Dad!

 
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Posted by on June 20, 2010 in Friends and Family

 

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Taking The Next Step (My Novel)

19 Jun

Last November, I decided to truly exert my craziness and try my hand at writing a novel.  The NaNoWriMo challenge is held once a year in November, and the goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days.  After an insane amount of caffeine consumption, I did indeed finish the goal, ending with 51,800 and something words.  I sat in awe for a week, just in sheer surprise that I actually wrote a first draft of a novel.

I stepped away from it for a few weeks, taking a much-needed breather before diving in to edit my creation.  After reading it one or two times, I tweaked and re-touched, adding some polish to the grit of raw word and idea.  I sent it off to some friends and my Mother, who all have had nothing but good things to say about it.  Even a member of the NaNoWriMo group I participated with, someone who I don’t remember meeting in person, read my first two chapters and thought that it was better than some published works she has read.

Now, I’m trying not to let my head get too big here.  I know that it is very hard to get published.  I have no grand fantasies about becoming a best-selling, NY Times Top Ten author right off the bat, if ever.  The important thing for me is that it gets published at some point, and that many people read it and enjoy it.  The money wouldn’t be bad either. :-)

Right now, The Return is in the capable hands of my friend, Tory.  She is an English major at JMU and has a business for her editing, EdiTory.  I’m excited and nervous all at the same time.  I mean … this novel, it is my baby.  It is a manifesto, dreamscape, and a part of my soul.  It is a part of me that I’m nervous to share with the world, but anxious for it all the same.  So, I’m waiting with bated breath for her to finish her end of things.  Pins and needles, folks, pins and needles.

After that?  Well, I think I’m going to send it off for hopes of getting published.  John got me a great book last Christmas on how to get published, so I’ll need to read that again and highlight all the important parts.  I need to get head shots done (thank goodness I have several friends who are photographers,) work up a cover letter (trying to sell myself AND my novel,) and prepare myself for at least twenty rejection letters before one bites.  But like I said – I have no grand fantasies about how this works.  All the same … wish me luck!

And to prove that I am truly insane, I plan on working on another novel this November, challenging myself yet again for NaNoWriMo.  This year, the idea has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time.  This time, still in the science fiction/fantasy genre, I’m influenced by Thomas Jefferson, Nikola Tesla, spinning wheels, time travel, and the raw power of Mother Nature.

 
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Posted by on June 19, 2010 in Misc

 

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FO: Lazy Day Shawl

19 Jun

Recently I have become addicted to knitting mini-shawls.  This is a bit odd for me, because I don’t really wear shawls.  But I love knitting them, working the simply design in favor of displaying the yarn.   And this shawl is particularly exciting for me, because it is my first project that I’ve knit with yarn that I’ve spun.

On Display

  • Project : Lazy Day Shawl
  • Pattern : Lazy Daisy Shawlette by Orange Flower Patterns
  • Yarn : My hand-spun!!! (Santa Monica)

She’s very pretty and I’m pleased with how well she blocked.  While these are not colors that I normally work with, part of the allure to spinning (and then knitting with said yarn) is to expand my color palette.  I tend to stick with the same colors most of the time, but getting out of my comfort zone is an adventure that I am enjoying.

On display

 
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Posted by on June 19, 2010 in FO, Knitting

 

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FO: Little Sister Dress

17 Jun

I am so happy that I can finally share this FO on my blog!  I’ve been holding out until Whitney’s baby shower, because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.  Whitney is a gal in my Knit Night group, who is expecting her second baby – another girl.  We had a great time spoiling her with knitted dresses, blankets, and Guinness Cupcakes!

Pretty In Pink

  • Project : Little Sister Dress
  • Made For : Whitney (and baby #2)
  • Pattern : Little Sister’s Dress by Tora Forseth Design
  • Yarn : Knit Picks Palette

This was such a fun and easy pattern.  I really like the way it turned out, even though I was nervous about the finished size.  I don’t have any kids, so I don’t know what size is best for what ages.  The directions were very easy and even with working in fingering weight yarn, it was a rather quick knit.

Cute buttons!

I know some of you are going to ask, “Where did you get those buttons?”  Well, I got them at Jo-Ann Fabrics.  They are super cute, aren’t they?  Erin found ones in purple and used them on the dress that she knit for Whitney.

 
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Posted by on June 17, 2010 in Uncategorized

 

Spinning FO: Gray Ghost

14 Jun

I love alpaca.  I’ve had the chance to knit with it before, but now I have spun with it and I’m addicted.  Officially, utterly, addicted.  Thanks to my Mother for feeding my fiber lust.  This fiber (along with another bat in black) were Christmas presents last year.

  • Project : ‘Gray Ghost’
  • Fiber : Bellasera Alpacas, 70% Suri Alpaca/30% Merino
  • Ply : Navajo Ply (3 ply)
  • Yardage/Weight : 97 yds/Worsted

Hooray – I can Navajo Ply!!!  Chan was a great teacher today at the Spin In, and after a few tries, I actually seemed to know what I was doing.  My only regret with this yarn is that the three-ply is a yarn suck, so I had less in yardage then I had hoped for.  Still, I am very pleased!  This was also a first for spinning from a bat.  Seriously – this was like 4 oz of pure luxury.

Not too bad for a first try

 

 
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Posted by on June 14, 2010 in FO, Spinning

 

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Stoney Mountain Spin In

14 Jun

Today was such a fun day!  I drove a couple of hours to one of my favorites places, Charlottesville, Va.  Barbara of Stony Mountain Fibers hosted the first Stoney Mountain Spin In at East Rivanna FD in Albemarle County.  All in all, there were about twenty or so spinners there.  All with wheels of every variety and drop spindles too!

It was so much fun meeting new folks, learning about different breeds of sheep and getting to see the various fibers and yarns up close, and try out a couple different wheels. 

My friend, Chan, was there, one of two people who I actually knew.  The big task for the day was a lesson from her in Navajo plying.  After trying it out on some cotton yarn to get the general feel of it, I totally went nuts on the gray alpaca that I had spun a week or two ago.  I’ll post a FO blog post soon with all the details.  It was easier than I thought it was going to be, and after I got the hang of it, I had the whole bobbin plied in no time!  I don’t know if you can really see the method in the photo, because the yarn fiber was dark and it isn’t very visible against my blouse. 

Total Concentration

I also got the chance to play with a wheel that I can safely say I may never get a chance to try again.  I was blown away by the sheer size of the Canadian Production Wheel.  It is a Saxony style wheel and really takes a lot to get going, for me at least.  Single treadle, HUGE wheel, but very fun to try.  By the way, I totally want one for re-enacting.

Something new

That wheel belongs to Elizabeth of Good Wool Hunting.  I mentioned that I loved Charlottesville because I’ve always been slightly obsessed with Thomas Jefferson.  She mentioned that she used to work at Monticello and we struck up a conversation.  She invited me to try her wheel and I was all too happy to accept.  She also mentioned that she has read my blog before!  How cool is that?

Say hello, Elizabeth

There were a lot of various wheels there today.  Saxony, Castles, and even a few spindle styles.  I was particularly gushing over Chan’s new wheel, a Majacraft Aura.  She’s truly a very lovely wheel, and while I didn’t get a chance to spin on her, I will have to keep in it mind if I ever have the chance to get another wheel.

Chan, spinning

Barbara had a huge Saxony spindle wheel there ( I think that is the right term.  If I’m wrong, please correct me.)  She invited anyone who wanted to try it out to do so.  Elizabeth was a whiz with it. 

It's all in the arms

I really wish I was better at remembering names than I am (I only remembered Elizabeth’s because I put her info in my phone.)  There was a lady there that has a Rio Grande wheel, something that I didn’t get to see in person today but her description was amazing.  She also showed us some yarn that she spun … three-ply lace weight.  All I can say is, wow.  It was beautiful.  I hope that I can get to a skill level such as that one day.   She also brought a lace blanket that she knitted from her own handspun.  Of the many words that come to mind, perfect is the one that stands out.  I swear, the sheer amount of talent in that room today was breathtaking.

I also met a woman who prefers to use a drop spindle, something that I could never quite get the hang of.  She brought some yarns that she had spun, to showcase various breeds of sheep.  It was a real lesson as to different fibers and how they feel as yarn.  I still have so much to learn!

Cotton, via spindle

There was a very nice lady sitting to my left whose wheel was one of the most unusual I have yet to see.  It was made in New Zealand in the 1960′s/1970′s, and it was made from wood and copper.  It was a very cool wheel, and one she said isn’t made anymore.

Small beauty

I wish I could have stayed the whole time, but it is a two-hour drive one way.  But I had a lot of fun and learned so much, not only about fiber, but a new way to ply as well!

 
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Posted by on June 14, 2010 in Friends and Family, Spinning

 

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Wedded Bliss

12 Jun

I love weddings.  I haven’t had the chance to go to that many (and this year we were invited to three, two of which – sadly – are too far to travel to this year.)  One of my co-workers surprised me by inviting me to hers.  I know her, but we’re not that close, so I was honored to be invited.

It was HOT!  Almost 100 F in the sun, with rain looming on the horizon.  But it was great to be able to witness her special day.  I didn’t get any pictures of John or myself, but plenty of the wedding.  There were a few other co-workers there, but the amount of people who I knew, I could count on one hand.

The view was breathtaking.  The wedding and reception were both held at a farm that belongs to a friend of hers.

Truly Majestic

It was so hot, I kept looking at the river and wondering if anyone would miss me, if I went down for a quick dip.  Now, I had a cotton dress on, so while I was hot, I was not as uncomfortable as Christopher, Billy’s best man.  He was in a tux.

Candid Camera

I was shocked when I found out Christopher was going to be there, and in a tux no less.  I assured him that I would only blog, and keep it for further use if I should ever need to blackmail him.

I took a lot of pictures during the wedding, but it was hard to get a good spot without blocking someone else’s view.  I did catch a few good shots.  I really like this one, of Billy (the groom), and his and Steph’s son, Danielle.  He’s a little over two years old, adorable, and knows it.

Father and son

The ceremony was short and sweet, something I know everyone in attendance was thankful for.  The heat was almost unbearable, and there was very little shade.  Steph made a b-line to change out of her gown after the pictures were over, but I had a chance to catch her before she did.

The blushing bride

 We stuffed ourselves with pork BBQ and cake, chatted a while with some folks from work, and decided to head out early.  I was weary and tired, John feeling the same from the weather.  But it was a good day, and I wish Stephanie and Billy all the happiness in the world.

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2010 in Friends and Family

 

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Ten On Tuesday : Favorite Childrens Books

08 Jun

Yes, I do realize that this is my third post for the day.  :-)

When I was a kid, before I could read on my own, both of my parents read to me each and every night.  When I was learning to read, Dad would have me read signs, billboards, comic books; anything that would help me learn to improve my skills.  Reading was a true force of inspiration for me, and a true escape.  I can’t remember a time, and even now, that I don’t find one or both of my parents with a book in their hands.  While I did enjoy reading books that were for my age group, I always drifted back to more advanced titles when I was in junior high.

 
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Posted by on June 8, 2010 in Misc

 

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Sewing FO: Summer Dress

08 Jun

Alas, the dress is done!  I am so happy to finally have it finished.  Not that the pattern was hard or anything, no – that is not the case.  It is just a pain to make clothes for myself, with all my curves.  The alterations that I have to make are a time suck.  Thank goodness for my Mom, who is more experienced than I am in such things.

Summer Dress

The only further alteration I would make is to cut about 1/2 inch off the sides of the front bust, because I get this gap that bunches up, but other than that, I am very happy with it.  The back is cut a size larger than the front, and I adjusted the area of the gathering at the bodice piece. 

I’m a total dork when I read sewing patterns.  I put my lining in wrong, but thanks to my Mom, she helped me fix it.  I plan on making some tank tops using this pattern, so I will know for next time.  In my mind, it makes sense, but my mind is also set on how to sew in 1864, not modern-day.  Very different techniques, believe it or not.  Mom also helped me get an even hem, to which I can not accomplish on my own, because I don’t have a dress dummy.  One day, when I have some extra cash, or when Santa Claus thinks that I was a good girl, I will have one.  Oy – and another great thing about this pattern … when I do get pregnant, it will be perfect for maternity wear!

 

Sitting Pretty

 

 
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Posted by on June 8, 2010 in FO

 

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