okay, i promised i would give more detail about my prime scarf. well, you are gonna have to keep waiting for those (you are completely heart broken, i know). i did, however, want to give a small update on how it is going. well, it isn't done yet. i know, what have i been doing for the last two weeks. answer: knitting like a crazy person and battling the ever present tired monster. i am nearly done with stripe number five, so there are only two left. i only have until monday to get it finished. therefore, you will definitely be hearing all about next week. there have been several hiccups along the way (stupid yo or lack there of), which have caused an increase in my foul language (not something i'm proud of) and a large amount of ripping out and redoing. frustration abounds, resulting in a mildly frightened hubster (sorry darling!).
a good chunk of my recent frustration is the direct result of how tired i've been over the last several weeks (could've been longer, that's just when i noticed it). i'll be working away in the evening and be suddenly overwhelmed by an incredible sense of "i must sleep now or die" kind of feeling, which almost inevitably leads me to basically passing out in my chair. lame, i know. so this has impeded progress significantly. hopefully, over the next couple of days, i will be able to overcome what seems to be an unending obstacle and crank out the last twenty someodd inches in time to wash and block on sunday.
well, i suppose this could be considered a test of my endurance and perseverance. i know, not a terribly large test of such things, but hey, it is big to me! Nerd Wars is encouraging me to push myself. speed is something i'm not too amazing at to start with. being tired all the time is not helping. i'll just have to keep pressing on and praying through it. i personally believe that God wants us to succeed in our endeavors and to help us along the way. He is fulling capable and has equipped us to follow Him. so, here i am, reaching out, asking that He help me along the way. i'm doing my best Lord, that's all i can really do without your hand to hold along the way. together, we'll do better.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
buckle down and turn it out.
okay, i finished yet another bordering-on-ridiculously-late christmas gift last night, just in time to give it to her as she arrived to go to dinner. katie, i'm glad you liked your bright red scarf. i'm really happy with how it turned out. it was what i was working on on the side during the whole dice bag frustration. something nice and relaxing to work on. i've come to the conclusion that having a less stressful project that is ready, willing, and able to be picked up and put down when that is what you need is an awesome thing. i do believe that i will be maintaining a side project from now on, potentially.
took a poll around the office (i asked elizabeth and karen) about which of three ideas i would work on first for the first round of Nerd Wars. it was decided that the Prime Scarf would be the first project, entered under the intellectual category. so far, it is 8.25 inches long. i know. however, i did only start it two days ago. cut me some slack (but not too much, there is a deadline after all). i'm really excited about it. more details later. teehee. :)
also, i definitely discovered earlier this week that i've been doing the knit stitch wrong. for about five years. may i just say, my world stopped completely for a solid five minutes upon this discovery. i then pulled out some yarn to test the new way. at this point, my world decided to stop standing on its head and stand up properly for the first time. this was a game changer. the hubs spent a solid half hour trying to calm me down (mild hysterics had come to pass). he was very sweet and patient (thank you darling) and sucessfull, eventually. anyway, i'm using the correct stitches now. still trying to figure out the best way to cast on now. it will just take practice, i'm certain. i'll keep you posted.
i'm tryng to really push myself to improve. the whole accurate knit stitch thing was an eye opener. speed is slowly increasing. i, personally, feel that improving one's self is exceptionally important to mental well being. in my experience, when i'm just sitting around, gathering dust, i feel really crappy. i'm moody and cranky and generally unpleasant to be around. however, when i'm working on something that challenges me, even if it is only a little, i'm continuously talking about it, thinking about it, trying to work it out in my head and my hands, doodling about it. i'm motivated, not just to keep working on that, but other things as well. i'm more likely to be tidy and active in general. honestly, i think God wired us this way. to be motivated and excited by things that challenge us. when we aren't motivated, we get rather complacent. never good. but when we are challenged, we stretch ourselves mentally, emotionally, physically, even spiritually. it is legitimately helps us grow as people. i think God really enjoys watching and helping us grow in all ways. i believe that as we grow in all these ways, we also grow closer to Him. isn't it amazing the way that works? i'm honestly awed when i've learned something new, not because i did it, but because of where it takes me. people are always changing, and i refuse to believe that God doesn't have a hand in every moment of it.
took a poll around the office (i asked elizabeth and karen) about which of three ideas i would work on first for the first round of Nerd Wars. it was decided that the Prime Scarf would be the first project, entered under the intellectual category. so far, it is 8.25 inches long. i know. however, i did only start it two days ago. cut me some slack (but not too much, there is a deadline after all). i'm really excited about it. more details later. teehee. :)
also, i definitely discovered earlier this week that i've been doing the knit stitch wrong. for about five years. may i just say, my world stopped completely for a solid five minutes upon this discovery. i then pulled out some yarn to test the new way. at this point, my world decided to stop standing on its head and stand up properly for the first time. this was a game changer. the hubs spent a solid half hour trying to calm me down (mild hysterics had come to pass). he was very sweet and patient (thank you darling) and sucessfull, eventually. anyway, i'm using the correct stitches now. still trying to figure out the best way to cast on now. it will just take practice, i'm certain. i'll keep you posted.
i'm tryng to really push myself to improve. the whole accurate knit stitch thing was an eye opener. speed is slowly increasing. i, personally, feel that improving one's self is exceptionally important to mental well being. in my experience, when i'm just sitting around, gathering dust, i feel really crappy. i'm moody and cranky and generally unpleasant to be around. however, when i'm working on something that challenges me, even if it is only a little, i'm continuously talking about it, thinking about it, trying to work it out in my head and my hands, doodling about it. i'm motivated, not just to keep working on that, but other things as well. i'm more likely to be tidy and active in general. honestly, i think God wired us this way. to be motivated and excited by things that challenge us. when we aren't motivated, we get rather complacent. never good. but when we are challenged, we stretch ourselves mentally, emotionally, physically, even spiritually. it is legitimately helps us grow as people. i think God really enjoys watching and helping us grow in all ways. i believe that as we grow in all these ways, we also grow closer to Him. isn't it amazing the way that works? i'm honestly awed when i've learned something new, not because i did it, but because of where it takes me. people are always changing, and i refuse to believe that God doesn't have a hand in every moment of it.
Monday, February 7, 2011
after four days of snow
while i probably should have updated while basically snowed in (this is west texas after all), there were other things that devoured my attention instead (i.e. persona 3 portable). for instance, i completely forgot to inform you all that i am an exceptionally proud member of the Team Bazinga! for Nerd Wars: tournament the first! i am having serious difficulty deciding what to work on first. would love some suggestions. i did, however, finish a couple of things up just in time for a good friend's birthday! i don't recall having mentioned it before, but i found a pattern for a dice bag shaped like a four sided die! stupendously awesome! so i made it for one of my best friends (we d&d together) for his birthday. i actually made two. one to test out the pattern and one to give to him. in my personal opinion, the first one came out better for reasons i am completely unable to explain. go figure.
being stuck at home for a week was both nice and mildly frustrating. dear hubby was stuck home too (nice). however, as the week went on, he tired of the things he was doing and decided it was more entertaining to pester me (less nice). everything was fun though.
i did spend a good chunk of time just staring at the snow out the window, especially the first day. no one was out and about until later in the day, so the seven inch blanket of frosty delight was clean. pure. completely undisturbed, as if promising that once it bid us farewell we would be venturing forth into a land of fresh opportunity. it was really very inspiring to just watch it sparkle in what little sun light there was that morning, knowing that every day really is fresh with promise and opportunity.
i feel, personally, that i need to start truly seeing every day that way, as a fresh new world despite the distinct lack of sparkliness on a regular basis. perhaps God was trying to tell us something this week while forcing us to slow down. perhaps looking out with new eyes and seeing the wonder of it all every day, without inclement weather dictating your actions, and really stopping to appreciate all that He has given us is more important than we want to think.
so, as the snow and ice slowly fade from the landscape, let it also fade from our frosty outlooks. let's all work on warming our perspective up a tad and thawing out our dreams and expectations for good. i am fairly certain we weren't created to exist so frostily.
being stuck at home for a week was both nice and mildly frustrating. dear hubby was stuck home too (nice). however, as the week went on, he tired of the things he was doing and decided it was more entertaining to pester me (less nice). everything was fun though.
i did spend a good chunk of time just staring at the snow out the window, especially the first day. no one was out and about until later in the day, so the seven inch blanket of frosty delight was clean. pure. completely undisturbed, as if promising that once it bid us farewell we would be venturing forth into a land of fresh opportunity. it was really very inspiring to just watch it sparkle in what little sun light there was that morning, knowing that every day really is fresh with promise and opportunity.
i feel, personally, that i need to start truly seeing every day that way, as a fresh new world despite the distinct lack of sparkliness on a regular basis. perhaps God was trying to tell us something this week while forcing us to slow down. perhaps looking out with new eyes and seeing the wonder of it all every day, without inclement weather dictating your actions, and really stopping to appreciate all that He has given us is more important than we want to think.
so, as the snow and ice slowly fade from the landscape, let it also fade from our frosty outlooks. let's all work on warming our perspective up a tad and thawing out our dreams and expectations for good. i am fairly certain we weren't created to exist so frostily.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
already getting excited
okay, i got the wedding shawl all done (string tucking, washing, etc.) the night before the wedding this past weekend. it turned out really well. i'm exceptionally pleased with the results and will probably be using this pattern again soon, probably a narrower version for a scarf. she loved it, as far as i could tell it being a stressful day and all for her. she was beautiful. the ceremony was lovely (i actually managed to not cry for this one, miraculously). all in all, a wonderful day.
the major winter project is now out of my hair and i can move on to other smaller items (christmas catch up and an up-coming birthday or two).
i am beyond stoked about what is starting at the beginning of february. NERD WARS!!!! basically (from what i understand), it is a three month crafting tournament being hosted on ravelry.com for all the nerdy among us. there will be a challenge each month that must be fulfilled through knitting (my method of choice), crocheting, spinning, or weaving an item that fits into one of six categories (still working on how i'll do that). also, everyone is on different teams, all of which revolve around different fandoms (i.e. team enterprise will be full of star trek fanatics). i filled out my sign-up form yesterday and am anxious to find out what team i'll be on. it is going to be a long week and half of waiting on the answer. but don't worry, you'll be among the first to know.
i've never done a tournament before, so i am a) nervous that i won't be able to finish my entry each month, b) thrilled to be competing with fellow fanatics, and c) pumped that i've got deadlines and a great way to push myself creatively and skill-wise. this is going to be a good growing experience, i can feel it.
i've never been a terribly athletic individual (not coordinated enough for team sports). therefore, i am deliriously happy to be on a team like this. the forums are places of encouragement and sharing ideas, helping each other through the issues they are facing and finding solutions to problems together. cheering each other on and reveling in a team mate's success. earning the points and bringing your team honor. having been raised in west texas, it reminds me a lot of high school football with substantially less disappointment and anger when there's a loss. same kind of "your victory is our victory" feeling, sharing the love... you get the idea.
fellowship is what it comes down to, being a part of a larger community that is working toward glory. whether that means earning points for my nerd wars team (which ever it may be) or seeking to glorify God through every action and interaction, fellowship is what this comes down to. i cannot find the appropriate words for how important and wonderful fellowship, in all its forms, is.
i. can't. wait. :)
the major winter project is now out of my hair and i can move on to other smaller items (christmas catch up and an up-coming birthday or two).
i am beyond stoked about what is starting at the beginning of february. NERD WARS!!!! basically (from what i understand), it is a three month crafting tournament being hosted on ravelry.com for all the nerdy among us. there will be a challenge each month that must be fulfilled through knitting (my method of choice), crocheting, spinning, or weaving an item that fits into one of six categories (still working on how i'll do that). also, everyone is on different teams, all of which revolve around different fandoms (i.e. team enterprise will be full of star trek fanatics). i filled out my sign-up form yesterday and am anxious to find out what team i'll be on. it is going to be a long week and half of waiting on the answer. but don't worry, you'll be among the first to know.
i've never done a tournament before, so i am a) nervous that i won't be able to finish my entry each month, b) thrilled to be competing with fellow fanatics, and c) pumped that i've got deadlines and a great way to push myself creatively and skill-wise. this is going to be a good growing experience, i can feel it.
i've never been a terribly athletic individual (not coordinated enough for team sports). therefore, i am deliriously happy to be on a team like this. the forums are places of encouragement and sharing ideas, helping each other through the issues they are facing and finding solutions to problems together. cheering each other on and reveling in a team mate's success. earning the points and bringing your team honor. having been raised in west texas, it reminds me a lot of high school football with substantially less disappointment and anger when there's a loss. same kind of "your victory is our victory" feeling, sharing the love... you get the idea.
fellowship is what it comes down to, being a part of a larger community that is working toward glory. whether that means earning points for my nerd wars team (which ever it may be) or seeking to glorify God through every action and interaction, fellowship is what this comes down to. i cannot find the appropriate words for how important and wonderful fellowship, in all its forms, is.
i. can't. wait. :)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
resolution time again.
well, here we are again. the beginning of january. so far, it hasn't been anything amazing. dear hubby has been sick for the entirety of 2011 thus far. hopefully, he'll be up and moving again this evening.
the wedding shawl is going very well, which is good considering it must be complete by friday. it has added quite a bit of green to my life (it covers my legs completely while i work on it). i like green, so it isn't anything bad.
so with this last project that was started in 2010 coming rapidly to a close, i've been trying to decide what i want to accomplish in 2011. first, i simply must finish with christmas (yes, i realize that was two weeks ago). i've got about three hats and a scarf to do for that. second, a good friend's birthday at the beginning of february. after those are done, i'll be pretty much knitting for whatever i choose. perhaps i'll finally make myself something. we'll have to wait and see.
as far as new year's resolutions go, we are planning on tidying our home once a week, probably saturday mornings. obviously, with a sick hubby, this hasn't actually happened yet. he tends to leave disaster in his wake when he is ill. it isn't worth the effort to clean it up when you know that you'll just have to do it again the next day. so weird.
new years always remind me of all the second chances we receive. we, as the human race, have a serious habit of messing up in serious ways. adam and eve started it all, and while God did cast them out of the garden, he never truly abandoned them. when he decided to start over with noah and the ark, he promised not to do that again and still stuck with us. through all of our wars and disagreements with each other, he still stands beside us, trying to guide us to peace. and here we are at the start of another new year. what will we do with this chance? i like resolutions. i like the idea of writing them down to see how you did later in the year. here seems like as good a place as any. so here we go.
my resolutions for 2011:
-i'm going to work on loving properly, the way God does, without judgement.
-i'm going to give more of myself to others without expectations.
-i'm going to work on improving in knitting and possibly cooking.
-i'm going to continue to chase after the creator and seek to learn more from his creation through my own.
well, wish my luck and remember me in your prayers. i have a good feeling that i'm going to learn quite a bit. also that i'll be good a broken down in the process. however, i know God is fully capable of creating new from what is old and broken.
the wedding shawl is going very well, which is good considering it must be complete by friday. it has added quite a bit of green to my life (it covers my legs completely while i work on it). i like green, so it isn't anything bad.
so with this last project that was started in 2010 coming rapidly to a close, i've been trying to decide what i want to accomplish in 2011. first, i simply must finish with christmas (yes, i realize that was two weeks ago). i've got about three hats and a scarf to do for that. second, a good friend's birthday at the beginning of february. after those are done, i'll be pretty much knitting for whatever i choose. perhaps i'll finally make myself something. we'll have to wait and see.
as far as new year's resolutions go, we are planning on tidying our home once a week, probably saturday mornings. obviously, with a sick hubby, this hasn't actually happened yet. he tends to leave disaster in his wake when he is ill. it isn't worth the effort to clean it up when you know that you'll just have to do it again the next day. so weird.
new years always remind me of all the second chances we receive. we, as the human race, have a serious habit of messing up in serious ways. adam and eve started it all, and while God did cast them out of the garden, he never truly abandoned them. when he decided to start over with noah and the ark, he promised not to do that again and still stuck with us. through all of our wars and disagreements with each other, he still stands beside us, trying to guide us to peace. and here we are at the start of another new year. what will we do with this chance? i like resolutions. i like the idea of writing them down to see how you did later in the year. here seems like as good a place as any. so here we go.
my resolutions for 2011:
-i'm going to work on loving properly, the way God does, without judgement.
-i'm going to give more of myself to others without expectations.
-i'm going to work on improving in knitting and possibly cooking.
-i'm going to continue to chase after the creator and seek to learn more from his creation through my own.
well, wish my luck and remember me in your prayers. i have a good feeling that i'm going to learn quite a bit. also that i'll be good a broken down in the process. however, i know God is fully capable of creating new from what is old and broken.
Monday, December 27, 2010
christmas, and beyond!
well, christmas is officially behind us now. did the vacation road trip things with my family, which was a very long car trip for six adults in a mini van. 22 hours one way. we took a picture upon arrival. not gonna post it here but suffice it to say, we looked rough. we had loads of fun in disney world (mom has probably posted pictures on facebook, or will be soon). there were frustrating moments, but as this is probably the last time we will all be in the same location (brother and wife are moving soon), it was worth spending time together.
christmas itself was great as well. the scarf, chain chomp hat, and ear warmer were all well received. i got what was probably the highest praise for the hat i've ever gotten (other than "i just love it"). sister-in-law said that it looked store bought! my homemade hat looked professional enough to be purchased in a store! possibly the best compliment i could ask for. period.
so, started working on the wedding shawl on the way to florida (what else is there to do in a car for twenty-two hours) and kept working on it on the way back. it is about a third of the way done (i think) and i am currently praying my heart out that i don't run out of yarn. i ended up using bigger needles (15s instead of 9s) after three test runs and much forum reading for advice on ravelry. this is my first time doing lace and i really want it to look right. so far so good. thank you blocking red heart super saver forum! you were unbelievably helpful. i washed and dried it and it turned out well. i just hope the same thing works on "I Love This Yarn!" because if it doesn't, i may cry. yes, that really is the name of the yarn i'm using. yes, it is an odd name for yarn. oh well, it was the right color.
so that is that. i've also started on a little phone cozy for my office mate (her birthday is the day after mine!) and it should finish up quickly, i just need to sit down and do it.
to sum up my knitting deadlines, i'm definitely in a crunch. i'll keep you posted on how it goes. then i'll be going back through my queue to see where i want to go from there. so much knitting, so little time!!!
all this creation is getting me thinking about new-ness. each finished project goes out and starts a life with someone. it is sent out to better others and pread happiness and cheer. it reminds of the new year that is coming up, full of possibility and promise. it makes me want to renew some old promises i made myself a while back. i'll post about that later. i'm going to really work on leaning on God more. He'll get me through it all. after all, that is His promise.
Happy Christmas all. keep the christmas spirit alive all of this next year.
christmas itself was great as well. the scarf, chain chomp hat, and ear warmer were all well received. i got what was probably the highest praise for the hat i've ever gotten (other than "i just love it"). sister-in-law said that it looked store bought! my homemade hat looked professional enough to be purchased in a store! possibly the best compliment i could ask for. period.
so, started working on the wedding shawl on the way to florida (what else is there to do in a car for twenty-two hours) and kept working on it on the way back. it is about a third of the way done (i think) and i am currently praying my heart out that i don't run out of yarn. i ended up using bigger needles (15s instead of 9s) after three test runs and much forum reading for advice on ravelry. this is my first time doing lace and i really want it to look right. so far so good. thank you blocking red heart super saver forum! you were unbelievably helpful. i washed and dried it and it turned out well. i just hope the same thing works on "I Love This Yarn!" because if it doesn't, i may cry. yes, that really is the name of the yarn i'm using. yes, it is an odd name for yarn. oh well, it was the right color.
so that is that. i've also started on a little phone cozy for my office mate (her birthday is the day after mine!) and it should finish up quickly, i just need to sit down and do it.
to sum up my knitting deadlines, i'm definitely in a crunch. i'll keep you posted on how it goes. then i'll be going back through my queue to see where i want to go from there. so much knitting, so little time!!!
all this creation is getting me thinking about new-ness. each finished project goes out and starts a life with someone. it is sent out to better others and pread happiness and cheer. it reminds of the new year that is coming up, full of possibility and promise. it makes me want to renew some old promises i made myself a while back. i'll post about that later. i'm going to really work on leaning on God more. He'll get me through it all. after all, that is His promise.
Happy Christmas all. keep the christmas spirit alive all of this next year.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
christmas is upon us!
well, it is mid december and i've gotten all of the christmas knitting done that i'm going to. i finally finished the chain chomp hat for my brother. also, after much frustration and the realization that i am super easily distracted, i got my sister-in-law's headband/ear warmer done. also, had mom's scarf done a while back and can't remember if i posted it. huzzah! i can't wait to see their faces (hopefully full of joy) when they open them.
i love christmas. okay, mostly i love giving gifts. i personally feel that giving homemade gifts is awesome (obviously). i do it because i feel that making it myself means putting love into every stitch. my recipients mean the world to me and this is the best way i've been able to come up with to share my love for them with them. it is personal. you think about them the whole way through the process, doing your best to tailor it to them. yes, it takes substantially more time, but the finished item is completely unique. think about it. God did the same thing. the perfect gift that was completely unique and irreplaceable. He put all of His love for us into from beginning to end. that was probably the best Christmas gift ever.
so, it is official. the very best gifts are homemade and come straight from the heart. i guess i'm just taking my cues from the Creator on this one. i'm okay with that completely.
i love christmas. okay, mostly i love giving gifts. i personally feel that giving homemade gifts is awesome (obviously). i do it because i feel that making it myself means putting love into every stitch. my recipients mean the world to me and this is the best way i've been able to come up with to share my love for them with them. it is personal. you think about them the whole way through the process, doing your best to tailor it to them. yes, it takes substantially more time, but the finished item is completely unique. think about it. God did the same thing. the perfect gift that was completely unique and irreplaceable. He put all of His love for us into from beginning to end. that was probably the best Christmas gift ever.
so, it is official. the very best gifts are homemade and come straight from the heart. i guess i'm just taking my cues from the Creator on this one. i'm okay with that completely.
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