Socks, Big and Small

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Heather

It’s been a little while since I’ve had a craft-related post on this blog.  For those who don’t know, I post about my crafting (knitting and cross stitch, mainly) over at Stitching Lotus.  However, I’m finding it a bit too time consuming to continue writing two blogs.  So, I will be posting everything here on Reflections going forward, and I will continue to post on Stitching Lotus until the end of May.  All this means that while Reflections will still have the navel-grazing, self-indulgent, somewhat spirituality related posts it was always had, it will now have the addition of interesting-only-to-me crafting posts.  What fun!

So, on to the crafting!

I recently finished up my fifth pair of socks, the lovely Spring Forward from Summer ’08 Knitty, using On Your Toes Bamboo.  It is a really great pattern, and turned out quite nicely… except they are a little large.  Thankfully, I know someone who has feet bigger than me, so these are destined to be a gift.

Spring ForwardSpring Forward
Yarn: On Your Toes Bamboo, colourway Seashell multi

I also knitted myself a super cute mini sock that was meant to go onto my sock blocker keychain.  However, it turned out waaaay to small.  I will be giving the pattern another go, but I will try going up a needle size or two.  (Just for reference, that is one of our wacky Canadian quarters next to the sock.)

Mini SockMini Sock!
Yarn: Mary Maxim Bamboo Soft Stripes, colourway Lagoon

This evening I’m planning on starting the lovely Lily of the Valley Stole using some pink Handmaiden Lace Silk.  It wasn’t the colour I was planning on using, but I decided I really liked it.  And, pink is actually something different for me, and will be a nice change.  Honestly, with my pale colouring, pink will look much nicer than the cream I was planning on. (And, it was actually a bit cheaper too.  That is a super big plus.)

And, with luck and some hard work, I should have a lovely cross stitch finish to share in a few days.

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Modern Masters Missing?

Posted on April 26, 2009 by Heather

I just finished watching a documentary about Michelangelo, a master painter/sculptor/architect who’s work is still seen in the Sistine Chapel and elsewhere.  It seems that his patrons often took a chance on him, giving him the freedom to create great works of art that were a little shocking at the time.

What got me thinking was how we still regard his works.  They, along with works from other great masters, still have pride of place around the world.  And rightly so.  But I wonder how many modern masters we may be missing out on because we focus to much on the past.  I read an article the other day (which I can’t find now) about how there are factories in China full of art students who paint fake masterpieces to be sold as reproductions.  What great works could they be making if they weren’t wasting their time painting yet another Picasso destined to hang in our living rooms?

I wonder if our desire to have great works of art from the past is actually making it impossible to have great works of art in the present.  How sad it would be if that was the case.

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An Escape to Camelot

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Heather

It’s been a little while since I’ve shared some of my knitting and cross stitch.  I’ve finished up a couple of things lately, so I figured it was time to share some pictures again.

Monday night, I put the final stitches into Camelot Miniature.  It is a darling little design, stitched almost completely over one.  This is the kind of thing I love to stitch, even though there isn’t much in it beyond simple cross stitches.  It Teresa Wentzler starting making use of speciality stitches like The Victoria Sampler does, I would be in stitching heaven!

Camelot Miniature by TW Designworks

Camelot Miniature (aka Medieval Miniature) by TW Designwords
Treads: DMC, Kreinik blending filament
Beads: Mill Hill
Fabric: 25ct. ivory Lugana

I also finished up my lovely purple and blue socks.  I used Panda Cotton to knit them, and honestly I’ve never worked with a more temperamental yarn.  But the finished product is lovely, and I will definitely be using Panda Cotton again.  You can find out more about them on my Ravelry project page: Showy Blueberry-Grapes.

Show-Off Stranded Socks

Show Off Stranded Socks by Anne Campbell
Yarn: Crystal Palace Panda Cotton in Blueberries-Grapes

I’m on to my next pair of socks using On Your Toes Bamboo.  I’m slowly working my way through all the sheepless sock yarns.  Only five more mass produced yarns to go!

The Never Ending Blue Shawl of Doom is living up to it’s name.  On Sunday I realized I had made a mistake up near the top of the shawl and I had to rip out a ball and a half of yarn worth of work.  It is hibernating in my knitting bag right now, but I will dig it out before the week is over.  I’m not going to give up on it.

And, lastly, the Baby Man’s jacket has been completely knit.  It just needs to be seamed, which I am aiming to do tomorrow.  I’ve found an awesome book to help me, The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques.  It has totally gone on my wish list!

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A Garden in Camelot

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Heather

My goodness! Where has the time gone! You’d think I’ve been busy, since it has been so long since my last post. Actually, I’ve had a bit of work to do in the evenings (even though I’m a SAHM now, I still do some research and data analysis for my previous job.)

So, what have I accomplished? Well, the second Show-Off Stranded sock is about 2″ away from having the gusset started. Baby Man’s jacket is nearly done; I’m about halfway through the last sleeve now. I crocheted him a wee Easter Basket using this pattern from Lion Brand, leaving off the flower. (It is a dull, rainy/snowy day here, so my pictures are all very poor.)

Easter Basket by Lion Brand
Yarn: Softee Chunky (basket) and Vanna’s Choice (leaves)

I also finished up the first part of the Papillon Creations SAL Castles in the Air. I think it looks lovely! For more about my changes and thread choices, see this post.

Castles in the Air (Part 1) by Papillon Creations
Threads: DMC and PTB
Fabric: Wind 28ct evenweave from Enchanting Lair

And here is Camelot Miniature, which I believe is now called Medieval Miniature.

Camelot Miniature by TW Designworks
Treads: DMC
Fabric: 25ct. ivory Lugana

This weekend I will be visiting my not-so-LNS to see the Victoria Sampler trunk show. I’m super excited. I really like VS designs, even though they aren’t really my style. I know, that doesn’t make sense at all. I’ll be picking up my birthday gift (a month early), which is VS’s Heirloom Stitching Sampler, as well as the supplies to Nora Corbet’s H fairy and, with luck, My Needle’s Work by Little House Needleworks as well. (Both were charts ordered before my 50 Project Challenge.)

This week I’m aiming to finish up the jacket completely, although I am nervous about seaming it all. Next time, I’m making a seamless jacket! I’d also like to get a few more rows of the Never Ending Blue Shawl of Doom done, and share a picture if it looks like anything. For cross stitch, it will be Camelot Miniature and possibly some of Tree for All Seasons that is in Just Cross Stitch. (Why did they skip a month with it? How strange.)

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A Little Off the Top

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Heather

I took Baby Man for a hair cut yesterday.  He was blessed with a full head of hair when he was born, so this is the third time he has had a trim.  Our appointment was supposed to be at 1, and we were perfectly on time (an amazing feat, as anyone with a small child can attest to).  Unfortunately, they were running behind and I needed to entertain the little man for a half an hour with almost no toys or interesting things at my disposal.

I’m always concerned about the little man making too much noise and disturbing other people.  Seeing child yell and run free and make messes while in public just drives me crazy, and I never want my little guy to be like that.  So, the though of having to wait around for an indeterminate amount of time was very worrying.  But, of course, I should know my little man better then that.  He is a super happy guy and generally is exceptionally well behaved.  (Although he is starting to get into the grabby phase, so I need to keep an eye on him when we are out shopping.)  I managed to keep him entertained and happy, with a little help from a couple of books they had at the salon.

Somedays I am just worn about by how difficult being a mom is, and other days I can’t believe how easy the little man makes it for me.  Not only dyd he behave well while we were waiting, but he was a little angel while getting his hair trimed.  There were a few squirms and some looking around, but the cut was fast and easy.  He’s no fashion plate, though, since I had the lady cut his hair pretty short.  He’s still my cutie though.

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April 2009 Goals

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Heather

As the baby gets older, I’m discovering that I have less and less time to get things done.  It’s funny how much time kids can take up. 😉  So, with that in mind, I thought I might set myself some goals for April.

  1. Finish knitting Baby Man’s jacket
  2. Finish the second Show-off Stranded Sock
  3. Start Baby Man’s Christmas stocking
  4. Write at least three new articles for The Lotus Pond
  5. Organize my knitting patterns
  6. Organize my knitting stash
  7. Finish stitching Camelot Miniature

I thought about setting goals for things I’m not going to do, but that seems kind of silly to me.  I think I would much rather focus on what I want to do, and that will leave me no time to do that undesirable stuff, like shopping.

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2009 Goals – 1st Quarter Review

Posted on March 31, 2009 by Heather

Now that the first quarter of the year is coming to an end, I thought it was a good time to review my 2009 Goals.  I won’t comment on them all, but I will touch on the ones I’ve done well, or poorly, with.

First, I have done a one card Tarot draw every day.  I’ve seen some trends in the cards which appear, but I’m not sure if I’m any closer to figuring things out.  I’ve used a different deck each month, which has been a great way to get to know the decks.  April will be The Lover’s Path Tarot‘s turn.

I have avoid celebrity gossip as much as possible.  All that I have been exposed to has come through regular news, like the Rhianna thing.  I did thumb through a couple of Hello! magazines when I went to the spa, but I was just looking at everyone’s clothing.  (Why I didn’t bring any knitting with me I’ll never know.)

I’m managing to keep up pretty well with work, although I will admit to feeling very blah about it.  It is like my life is about Baby Man and family now, and work things almost feel like an intrusion.  But I’m plugging away and trying to bring in some money to support my cross stitch and knitting habits.

The Lotus Pond has been moved over, and I’m even working on new content.  Amazing!

I’m not doing too well with my crafting goals.  I haven’t started Baby Man’s stocking or finished his jacket.  I haven’t started a felt kit, nor have I stitched any of the house Christmas ornaments.  I really need to reassess some goals here, I think.

My weight loss is going well.  I’m down approximately 35lbs, with about another 25lbs more to go.  I believe I am on track to hit my goal by September.  I will admit that last week wasn’t the best, but I think I  need to indulge a little once in a while.  But only a little, and only occasionally.

Overall, I’m fairly happy with how the year is progressing.  Beyond keeping up with my goals, the family is healthy, everyone still has a job and a roof over their heads, and there are even a few weddings to look forward to this year.  I hope my next review is even better.

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