My Meanderings

Snow and Other Happenings

2008-03-08T17:55:00.002-06:00

It snowed in Mississippi last night! It almost never snows here, so when it does everyone is so excited! What a beautiful phenomenon. It was almost midnight when I realized we were actually getting snow, and I sat out on our deck alone and watched the snowflakes fall. There's something about it that's just magical.

I've been spinning too. I'm not very good at it but I love spinning. I went to Pretty Impressive Stuff at ARTichoke , and Rissa offered to give a lesson and didn't even charge me! Talk about southern hospitality. I bought a top whorl spindle and some roving while there. After I got home, I was trying out my new spindle and the hook came out! I was so aggravated. But Rissa told me to bring it back to her shop and switch it out for a beautiful cherry and walnut Kundert. It was love at first sight! sigh

That's some corriedale I purchased from Rissa too. She hand dyed it and named it Hydrangea Dreams. This is my third attempt at spinning, and it's getting better. I read on a Ravelry forum that beginners should spin 15 minutes a day, every day, and then the process will just click one day. It's good advice; I still have to park and draft, park and draft, and when I start getting tired, my spinning starts getting thicker and thicker. I can't wait for the day to come when I'll be able to draft as the spindle keeps turning. But even so, I love spinning! It's the most relaxing process, almost like I can feel all of the frustrations and tension I have pent up inside of me comes flowing out as I spin. (Maybe that's why the yarn is so thick sometimes, hehe). I got this book to help me learn: A Handspindle Treasury, by Spin Off magazine. And yesterday the book I ordered from Amazon, Natural Dying by Jackie Crook, came in. That is my next endeavor, to learn to dye my wool. (As if I need another hobby, hehe).

And last week, I received my 1st package of swap goodness from Amy Jo! Wow, she is so talented. Here are some piccies.

How cute is that?!! And she also included these:

She handpainted the little box which is a perfect storage place for the beautiful stitch markers she made. And what a beautiful bookmark! Amy Jo knows me so well already, yes she does. She sent really pretty stationary in my favorite colors, postcards, and 3 of her favorite recipes too. Not to mention some yarn, yay! We have both decided we're addicted to swapping. In the package that she received, I sent this:

Indeed, swapping is so much fun!

I bought a bellydancing DVD that was on sale this weekend and also got out all of my yoga DVD which I plan to start doing every morning before work. So far this year, I've lost about 15 pounds since Christmas, yay! I had been jogging 2 or 3 times a week, but not lately. It's just too cold and the cold air just hurts my lungs too much...so I haven't jogged in awhile. I know, excuses, excuses. Hopefully the yoga DVD's will stop collecting dust and be put to good use.

A weekend of R and R

2008-02-24T14:25:00.003-06:00

Ok I admit it, I found a great sale on Etsy last night and just couldn't resist buying this pretty crochet thread on these antique spools from Redworks, in celebration of finally finishing my taxes this weekend. Yay! This has been a terrific weekend of rest and relaxation. I've stayed at home almost all weekend, only leaving the house once on Saturday to ship package numero uno for my Craftster partner, Dexter Mom. And since she posted some sneak peaks on her blog, I suppose I can do the same, just in case she's stalking me the way I've been stalking her. :) She should be receiving the package next week after all.

I am having so much fun with this swap! I've already decided what the lovely Amy Jo will be getting in package #2. In fact, I just may get started on that right now! xo

Spin Me Around

2008-02-19T10:24:00.022-06:00

Well I caved in and purchased a drop spindle kit. I've been thinking about learning to spin my own yarn for quite some time now, and I just did it! I bought a lovely kit from Maine Woods Yarn & Fiber and can't wait to get started. I'm very excited.

Let's see...what else has happened since my last post? I am the winner of a blog contest hosted by yarn tomato!! I love the bookmark! Thanks yarn tomato!

The beautiful green beaded bookmark has found it's current resting place in Kurt Vonnegut's Welcome to the Monkey House, which is now on our bedside table. Rob has been reading to me at night before we go to sleep. He has such a relaxing voice; I just love it when he reads to me!! :)

We had a wonderful Valentine's Day; we just kept it simple and sweet. I gave him some silk boxers and a sexy negligee for me to wear and some chocolate covered pretzels (yum!). He gave me a gi-normous helium balloon that sings "Wild Thang" when touched, hehe. He also took me out for a romantic dinner and then drove out to the resevoir to watch the ducks on the water and some star gazing. AWWWWW! He is such a sweetheart.

I have been crocheting like crazy but what I've been working on is a secret for now, since it is for the sweet Amy Jo in the Make a Friend Swap on Craftster. I will post piccies as soon as Amy Jo has received the items, which hopefully will be this week. I'm such a procrastinator when it comes to shipping stuff. I always have good intentions but seem to wait til the very last second.

Oh and look at the yummy yarn I purchased from Villageknitiot on Ravelry. I just love it and plan to crochet a cover-up for me to wear on the water this summer. I can't wait for summertime to get here!!

Something To Ponder

2008-02-04T10:36:00.000-06:00

Someone passed this along to me and I found it very thought provoking and wanted to share it:

I Believe

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born

A Death Certificate shows that we died

Pictures show that we lived!

Relax. And read this slowly.

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest
distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays
you've celebrated.

I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something
totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe - . That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help .

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Somebody IS Reading This!

2008-02-01T16:30:00.002-06:00

How exciting! I'm new to blogging and have only been trying it out for a couple of months now. I've been admiring several blogs for quite awhile, and my FAVORITE blogger, Meshell, (formerly of Little Ms Meshell, now the solitary thread) left my first comment! It's so exciting, and gratifying even, when you realize someobody is reading this description of my life. Even though my blogsite isn't nearly as witty or as beautiful as some, I'm still working on it. It seems like this will be an ever-changing and growing work-in-progress. I love it! I love blogging to let everyone know what I'm up to and also hopefully I can be an inspiration to others. So by all means, leave a comment for me if you like. I love getting feedback! That's all for now, Ta-ta!

Knitting Doesn't Like Me

2008-01-30T11:51:00.000-06:00

So I've been trying to learn to knit and trying to love it but I just don't think knitting loves me back. :( I have ripped out and started over on this darn stockinette stitch scarf so many times it's outrageous. I finally just said I am going to just keep going even if I do have some extra stitches. (How did it happen!??!!) I can't seem to figure it out. I haven't given up completely, but I am definately a crocheter at heart. This morning I whipped up the cutest coffee cozy using simple double and half double crochets. Now THAT is my passion. I think the "scarf" will actually turn out to just be a dishcloth, if I even get that far with it. I'll keep you posted!

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

2008-01-29T11:03:00.001-06:00

I got started on my Babette! I love the pattern (it took a few tries to get it "just right") but I've finally figured it out and I love it. I think I'm probably going to do this 12-round square over because I don't really like the way the colors are overlapping in some rounds (that was tricky to figure out the best time to change the yarn color). I'm using Caron Simply Brite and Simply Soft yarn. You see Tyler in the corner there. He thinks he has to be the center of attention, regardless of whether I'm crocheting, knitting, sewing, or trying to take pictures of what I've been working on. I tried pushing him out of the way but he just comes right back. I finally decided to just let him have his way and be in my picture. He is SPOILED! :) I love him to pieces though.

The Weekend is Over :(

2008-01-14T07:46:00.000-06:00

The weekend is over and it's time for work again today. I sincerely wish I could stay home and craft all the time! There are soooo many thing I want to do but there's just not enough time! I did have a crafty weekend though, mostly crocheting. I have almost completed the Winter White scarf I'm crocheting for my friend, Candace. (I ran out of yarn as I was almost finished so I'll get more yarn today and finish it up tonight.) I also added some fringe to a fun lime green and turquoise scarf that I crocheted awhile back but it just needed a little something extra. I love it now! And when that was finished, I started crocheting a new scarf which is in bright, happy colors (fuschia and turquoise) and I'm about halfway finished with it. I read in a post on Ravelry that a pattern that I've been searching EVERYWHERE for will be posted this week in the Knitting Daily online store (the Babette!) and I'm super excited about that. This afghan is so beautiful and I can't wait to get started.

Back to Normal

2008-01-09T09:56:00.000-06:00

Whew, I'm so glad the holidays are over and I'm back to work and in my normal routine again. I have done a little crafting (I made a pincushion, finished sewing the Frenchy, and have almost completed crocheting a scarf). I finally finished sewing the Frenchy this weekend. I was not happy with the way it turned out. I had trouble with the magnetic clasp tearing my fabric, and the top wasn't even and the opening a little too small. I'm determined not to give up on learning to sew though, it gets better with experience, right?

This weekend I went to Hobby Lobby with my mom and purchased some beautiful yarn to make a scarf for a swap on Swap-Bot.com. I'm almost finished crocheting the scarf, and it's turned out really cute (light pink and white with silver sparkles throughout). I'll post pictures on here later. I always feel better when I go back to doing something I'm familiar with (crocheting) so that I can convince myself that I'm not a complete numbskull. ;) I know that sewing is something that I can do, I just need to practice. And I also want to learn to knit, so I bought some knitting needles and an instructional booklet too. I'm looking for an instructional dvd on knitting as well.

I also bought new fabric (turquoise and brown!) to make a bedside organizer from a pattern in my Amy Butler's In Stitches book that I got for Christmas. I hope it turns out well!

Yarn

2007-12-20T09:54:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I bought this yarn to knit two beanies for my friend Erin's two little girls. These are bright, fun colors! I can't wait to see how the beanies turn out.

There's so much to do before Christmas! I keep finding new crafty projects that I want to make for someone before the big day; I don't think there's enough time in the day for everything I want to do. Last night I found these adorable coffee coozies that would be perfect gifts for my parents and they looked really easy to make. I also plan to make Christmas sugar cookies with cream cheese icing and red and green sprinkles to carry to my parents on Saturday, and then another batch on Sunday to Rob's parents for Christmas dinner. I'm still working on the Frenchy as well. I think it's going to turn out really cute. We shall see!

Learning to Sew

2007-12-16T20:01:00.000-06:00

For a couple of months now, I have been admiring the photos of a handmade Amy Bulter purse of someone I met on myspace. I love to quilt and crochet, but I've never learned to sew. So I decided to get a simple McCall's pattern and some cheap material from Wal-Mart and give it a shot. I finished the project this weekend, and I have to admit, I'm quite pleased with myself. There's ALOT of mistakes, and I had to do every step at least twice, but this was a learning project after all. I am happy with the way it turned out and I believe the next project will be easier. So I went to this nifty little store called Quilt Arts and bought the pattern for an Amy Butler Frenchy and some adorable Amy Butler material. I can't wait to see how the Frenchy turns out!