30 Day Challenges

I love the idea of doing 30 day challenges in general. I've done a few in the past and they are challenging enough to take some effort,  but doable! Did you know a new habit is typically formed in 28 days? 

This one spoke loudly to me when I discovered it! 

It's simple enough ! Spend  30 mins in nature for 30 days beginning May 1/14.

I'm in ! Are you? I'll post a few pics over the next month to capture the time I spend outdoors!!  Love it! Check out this site and sign up! http://30x30.davidsuzuki.org/

Goals and Designing....

Or is that designing goals?  :)

Today I found myself contemplating some goals for my knitting.  While I rarely consider where I want my knitting to go. Any one that knows me, quickly realizes that I’m more of a process knitter than a project knitter! Clearly, as I have far too many UFO (unfinished objects) to show for this!

It is only recently that yes I want to ‘stretch’ my abilities and venture out trying new projects, new stitches, and learning new techniques.

I’d like to learn to:   

1.  Make a pair of mittens (in progress!)
2.  Dye my own yarn (heck I have all the supplies for this one! I’m thinking come Spring, I’ll dye up some fabulous Spring themed yarn which leading me to ….
3.  Make a pair of fingerless gloves!
4. Double knit
5. Swatch.  Seriously I’ve never once made a swatch. I’m thinking for my next goal, it will be an absolute necessity…
6. Design a sweater and knit it.  This had been a goal for 2013, but hey this is the year of many changes and opportunities for my personal and professional growth. Perhaps more than I realize…  I even have a vision of what I want it to look like.  A hefty goal, but hey how hard can this be?(ha! I’m pretty sure I’m about to find out!) Isn’t every knitting pattern based on another pattern just with some modifications!
7. Design more projects.   A shawl perhaps? I just now realized I actually have designed a few projects – but not with the sole purpose of designing!  More often than not, it happened accidentally.
8. And a wee ‘mystery’ goal that will remain secret until further notice!

I’ve discovered how very satisfying to design and then knit the project.  And the very process, teaches you so much more than knitting a new stitch! (Discipline, experimenting and yes even practice at math!)

With my latest project/design, the designing happened quite by accident!! I had a luscious pink tonal Malabrigo yarn, I knew that I wanted to make a cowl/infinity scarf.  So unlike me, I simply cast on some stitches and just knit away.  Before long, a few rows in and I realized that wow, had accidentally/on purpose(?) created my own pattern! Overall I’m tickled pink with pleasure at the results.  So, this one will be my very first published design.  Once I’m finished I’ll be publishing the pattern both here and on Ravelry.  I’m planning to have it posted over next weekend. (Feb 28 – Mar 2)

My sweater is coming quite nicely. I am nearly half done the back, and I only cast on a week ago.Loving the colours!  Happy colours! I also noticed that the yarn is pooling, however I’m a fan of colour pooling in general - so no worries.  But an interesting thing is happening there are diamonds emerging!  Very cool!

Last week I started my next class and yep!  I quickly realized that oh yah baby it‘s like coming home!

Such an appropriate course for what’s been on my mind – Layout and Design!

Have a superb rest of your weekend! It is a proud day to call myself Canadian, we've done well this 2014 Winter Olympics!  (I may be yet even closer still to getting that maple leaf tattoo that I think about each year!)

O Canada!!

Adding more to the plate!

We are funny creatures aren't we?

I have a full plate,  a really full plate, and yet, I can't seem to stop adding MORE stuff.. projects, tasks!  What am I starving or what? ;)

I start a  class this week, and the following week I will begin a second class, so for a time I'll be juggling, 2 courses, homework, working full time, add to that errands, getting my chores done (we still need clean clothes, and to you know cook, and eat!!)  And I know now important it is to have balance...so yes some social life, and some me time- relaxing!

And yet I find myself adding yet more stuff! Lately I find myself perusing knitting patterns! Just last week I started a NEW project.  A big new project! why do I do this to myself I wonder?  I cast on a cardigan, and while that sounds simple enough, it will take time, plenty of time, and time I won't have.  I know this about myself.... I AM A SLOW KNITTER! And while I'm ok with that fact, the choice of a cardigan is not exactly practical!  I picture myself staying up really, really late, or getting up extra early!  (and as it is now it is I am an early riser between 5 to 5:30am! )  Ah well!   

In other projects..on my needles currently are:

1)  Newly Designed Cowl!  (nameless as of yet!)  in a luscious tonal Malabrigo pink, that highlights the subtle changes of colour within this beautiful yarn very effectively!  Sometimes a pattern just sort of happens ! Soon, I'll be posting the pattern! 

2) Cardi - knit in Sirdar 'Folksong' a chunky yarn (at least that part was practical!), so it should knit up fairly quickly, we will see!


 
Finishing up:

My Mini-Mania Memory Scarf ( need to create a blog entry on this project soon!) - I just have ends to sew in...  The pattern is on ravelry.com  here:  Mini-mania-scarf and several members in my knit group are making their version of this colourful and happy  pattern that was a joy to knit!!

What’s on my mind today?

Back to school!

It’s been a bit of a wait for my courses to begin again, and I’m extremely excited to get started again! Just like a little kid waiting for Santa, yes I’m counting down the sleeps! Only 3 more sleeps!  Excited, for so many reasons! A new beginning, a new career, and taking mega-action to make my world/life what I want and need it to be! I truly can’t wait, and I’m so eager to get this party started! (I may regret saying that in a few weeks time!)

So, I’m madly trying to get the home front organized, as best I can! Because I work full time, this going back to school is going to be a major challenge to manage my time, to get done what needs to get done!  We still need to eat, and have clean clothes, and sleep! My theme this week is as the Brownies/Girl Guides say ‘ Be Prepared’!

So with that, I’m pretty much ‘nesting’ like an expectant momma! So errands, and cleaning laundry, groceries, semi-planning my wardrobe and meals for the next couple of weeks at least. And setting up my own wee ‘homework station’ - that is going to be the ‘no touch zone’ for the kid!

I have my school supplies all in order, complete with new pens, tick! highlighters, tick! notebook, tick! binder, tick! And of course my course manual!  Tick!

And the mandatory – what will I wear the first day of class? :)

Stay tuned! I plan on posting some of my new adventures and surely some  trials and tribulations!

Back to Blogging!

Yep, after a long hiatus, I'm feeling a strong need/desire to put down my thoughts, ideas, post some articles and writings, photographs, knitting and crafting projects, and maybe add some inspiring words.....

While I'm on Facebook, and other social media websites, what I do enjoy about blogging, is I to a certain degree I can make 'it my own'....and for me that is fitting/necessary!

I've always loved writing in all formats; be it a journal, blog or writing an article, fiction- short story, or poetry, it really  truly is at the core of my being! I can't not write!

Life is about to get crazy busy for me, and it seems only natural to yes, add another project to the mix - doesn't it? !!!  ;)  

Today it is another cold morning/afternoon - -24c this am.   To cheer myself up, in the winter months, I search out something that brightens the day.  Today I found this little gem...

Nose Hill Park, taken on Aug 29, 2013  by me.

It just makes me happy!  Do you have a colour or a photo that makes you happy?

Platitudes with Attitude

What is your favourite platitude?

Do you say that's the way the cookie crumbles or perhaps it's "A bit of fresh air will do you good?"

A recent visit with Mom at the hospital drilled home the fact people that are sick and elderly, or heavens any one just needing to be heard reallllly detest hearing platitudes. (myself included!)

It has made me more aware of how I speak and what I may be conveying.

No More:

"It will look brighter in the morning" or "You just need a good nights rest"

By saying these and thousands of others platitudes we are in a way dismissing the person by not really listening to the person and hearing them and most of all understanding them.

So often we really don't know what to say that will provide comfort and show that we do care, so we have a tendency to pacify with a platitude.

I'm going to make more of an effort to stop uttering platitudes because my mother at the age of 85 has once again shown me her wisdom and taught me another valuable life lesson!

Show someone you care by taking the time to reallllllly listen to how they are, even when it may take more time out of your day!

Happy Fathers Day

Today is Fathers Day, and I am reflecting....on the kind-hearted, gentle man with the big heart, the sparkle in his eye, and the quick grin.

Even though you aren't here Dad, I am thinking of the man you were, the affect you've had on my life, and your legacy.

You are not forgotten. Missing you this day and loving you always.

Happy Father's Day Dad!