New Camera and Finished Projects

I finally got a new digital camera!!! It is a Canon Powershot SD1200 IS and it takes really nice pictures. Now I can take pretty pictures of what is on my needles and hooks ;)

My latest completed projects are the Ruffled Corset Belt and the Athenian Scarf...

The Athenian Scarf is going to be a Christmas gift for someone...I don't want to say who in case they are reading this ;) This was my first time ever working with Broomstick Lace in a project and the results are stunning in the Malabrigo. Due to the width and length of the scarf, it can also be worn as a shawl with a nice shawl pin.


The Ruffled Corset Belt that I spent FOREVER working on is extremely cute, but since I have lost weight I can no longer fit the belt :( I am THRILLED to lose weight, but sad that the belt won't fit. Since I don't know how to cut, unravel, and rewind yarn yet I will just have to find a lady who can actually fit it. I like this belt so much that I might remake it in a smaller size for myself ;)


Stress relief at its finest...

Hooking and Picking for Christmas

My work schedule is still not completely down to normal hours, but it is better than it has been in over a year and I am VERY thankful for that. I am on a mission to try to post to my blog at least once a week starting todayJ I am still running for exercise, but working it into my schedule has been a challenge. Today is hooking and picking, not running!

As far as my crocheting goes, I am working on a beautiful broomstick lace pattern scarf and my first pair of socks. For the scarf, I am using Malabrigo worsted merino wool yarn in Vermillion…currently on my 3^rd (and last) skein…yikes! For the socks, the yarn of choice is Malabrigo superwash merino wool sock yarn in Caribeno. The scarf is almost finished, but the socks still have a little ways to go. I am still on sock #1 after 2 weeks but I know that if I had a full weekend to myself I would finish the one sock and get halfway through the second.

I just learned how to knit at the end of August so I am still very new to the craft. One of the main reasons I learned to knit is because I have an obsession with socks and sweaters and wanted to start making my own. I am currently working on some dishcloths, using Peaches N’ Cream cotton yarn, for my first project. Since I know how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off, I will be adventurous and knit a scarf and hat for one of the Christmas presents I will give out this year. I ordered the Learn to Knit kit from Knit Picks that includes a hat and scarf pattern, enough yarn for both garments, along with (2) size 10 (10”) Harmony Wood knitting needles. If I like the needles, then I will order a whole set of these needles ;) I have an abundance of crochet hooks, but not a lot of knitting needles (currently only 2 sets).

I figured since I am making Christmas presents for some people this year that I would at least make 2 things for myself in the process. For me, it will be a pair of crocheted socks and knitted socks (I will learn on DPNs first) J I will post pictures once I get a new digital camera…

For the Love of Yarn...Crochet, Knit, and Yarn Thing

Well, I am back after a bit of a hiatus. Since I am not in graduate school anymore, I now have more time to focus on things that I love to do like crochet, read, and run. I finally completed the Ruffled Corset Belt from Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker. I started this belt on Christmas Eve 2008 and I just finished it on August 14, 2009 (I will post a picture by next week--camera is broken). Basically, I did not have the time to do it. Life just kept getting in the way unfortunately.

I have been thinking about getting back to crocheting and learning how to knit since the beginning of this year. So, last week I started looking for a podcast on crocheting and knitting. I found Yarn Thing!!! The host, Marly, is absolutely hilarious, informative, and has a great passion for both crocheting and knitting. I started listening to her podcast (older episodes first) just to get some encouragement to finish the belt. Yarn Thing is my favorite podcast about crocheting and knitting because she talks about the joy of both. And honestly, the podcast title is very fitting...it is not a crochet thing, or a knitting thing..."It's a Yarn Thing" ;) I HIGHLY recommend finding her podcast on iTunes or Blog Talk Radio/Yarn Thing and listening in. Marly will keep you laughing and give tons of good crocheting and knitting tips.

I also finally learned the first 3 stitches of knitting this weekend (i.e. long cast on, knit stitch, purl stitch). I still have a long way to go, but I want to make some socks ;) Although I am learning to knit, crochet will always be my first love. I will be a crocheter who knits :)

Late Night and Yoga in the Morning

I am getting ready for bed, but figured a quick post would be a good end to the night :)

Well, this has officially been he$$ week at the j-o-b. I have worked late (getting off between 9:30 and 10:30 pm) every night this week except Friday. That is the sheer 'joy' of production life. Since my line was running on Friday, I left at 5:30 pm, which is early for me ;)

I will be going to Yoga class in the morning. It is one of the few things that actually relaxes me now. Sundance Yoga is the studio I go to in Pearland, and it is very cozy. The class is 80 minutes, but worth every bit of it. Admittedly, my knees and hips are very tight and not very flexible right now, but I know over time this will change.

Anywho, off to bed...might write another post about my Yoga class later today ;)

Work and Changes

Due to long working hours and very little time off from work (working weekends) it has been awhile since my last post. But since I have a moment I figured that I would do a quick update ;) I have dropped my Accounting class. I was doing well in the class at first (A-/B+) but then my production line started again and I fell behind in my class. I was behind the exact amount of time my line had been running (4 weeks)...imagine that. Working12+ hours a day AND weekends, I have had no time do homework let alone sleep or even see my husband and friends. I was too far behind to catch up, so I dropped the class.

At this point I don't even think I want to do pursue my MBA anymore. I am now considering the pursuit of a PE license. I would take the FE (or EIT) Exam then after 5 years take the test for my PE license. My background before going to the plant is in design and projects, so it will not be a huge leap for me. After working in the "fire" for over 2 years, I miss having a life. When working in design and projects, late hours are dependent upon the project and then that ENDS after a certain amount of time. In the plant, the long hours can go on for days, weeks, months, or even years (I am at years). I have my production experience and now I want to get out.

I talked about bike commuting in some of my past posts. I have been unable to even attempt it because I don't know what time I will get off work. It is usually 8 or 9 pm on an average night. Too dark and late to ride.

Change will come in the future...stay tuned...

Accounting--Fuzzy Math

I figured I would do a quick post before I continue doing my Accounting homework ;) This is the only class I am taking this semester due to finances and the plant start-up I will be working starting in the next few weeks. To be honest, I thought this would be an easy class due to just simple math (i.e. add, subtract, multiply, divide). Well, I was VERY wrong. The math is not what makes Accounting a challenging class. It is the "fuzzy math rules". It is basically getting everything into the right column for the Accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Owner's Equity) is balanced.

I can't wait for this class to be over...

Day Off--Not Relaxing, But Still Work

Since it was a company holiday at my job, I figured I would use the time to catch up on the following list of tasks:

1. Accounting homework
2. Putting clean clothes away
3. Getting litter for the litter box
4. Get a workout in

Well, my day went "slightly" different than what I expected :( I ended up sleeping until 9:00 am. Then I did the weekly weigh-in (another post in itself), then had oatmeal and green tea for breakfast. I ended up watch "Dead Like Me" on Sci-Fi for 3 hours before I actually started doing anything useful. After washing the dishes and washing the cat's blankets, I then started doing my accounting homework. I am 2 chapters behind so I have to play catch-up ;) I figure by the end of the week I will be caught up since the chapters so far have not been long. This is what I love about taking an Internet class. I get to work at my own pace and still come out pretty good...

I figure I will get a vigorous yoga practice or tae bo in before the hubby gets home ;)