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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A Treasured Swan

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Heather

Last night I finally finished up the Ackworth Swan Treasure Keep from the February issue of The Gift of Stitching. It turned out absolutely lovely, and I think it ranks up there in the top 5 of my favourite pieces that I have finished, even though it isn’t my normal style.


Ackworth Swan Treasure Keep from The Gift of Stitching, February 2009
Treads: Olde Willow Stitchery hand dyed silks
Fabric: 36ct. linen from Stitches and Spice

I’ve also finished up the first sleeve for Baby Man’s jacket. It was just able to get it out of the first ball of yarn. Below you can see the sleeve and ball #2 waiting to be used for the second sleeve and back.


And, fresh off the needles, withing the last 15 minutes, is the Kiss Me dish cloth from the February KAL for Monthly Dishcloth KAL. (It obviously hasn’t been blocked or anything. I’m not kidding when I said it is just off the needles.)


So, what’s next for me? Well, finishing up the jacket, even though it is going to be way to big for Baby Man to wear in the spring. I’m also going to get the second of those blue/purple socks started. It is wise to always have a sock on the needles, I think.

For cross stitch, I need to finish up Part 1 of Castles in the Air, and then I think I will work on the Jeanette Douglas tree design (the name of which I forget) and probably Camelot Miniature from Teresa Wentzler. And, of course, get Baby Man’s stocking started.

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Earth Hour 2009

Posted on March 28, 2009 by Heather

I was really disappointed to see how few people in our neighbourhood took part in Earth Hour.  The two buildings next to us appeared to be only slightly less lit up than normal, and the seniors’ condo and the larger condo complex down the road both were as lit up they would be any day of the week.

I don’t understand why some people aren’t willing to take the simplest of steps.  How difficult is it to turn off the lights for an hour?  The gods forbid that we would have to miss our favourite shows and instead sit and talk with our loved ones in the candlelight with our loved ones.

If it is so hard for us to take the simple step of reducing our power usage for one hour a year, how are we ever going to make any progress towards repairing the environment?  Maybe, instead, Earth Hour should be monthly, or even weekly.  Little steps will help, especially if we all take part.

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Asleep in My Arms

Posted on March 28, 2009 by Heather

The other night Baby Man woke up at about 9:30pm.  Very unusual for him; he’s slept through the night since he was about three months old.  (Except for a few weeks around Christmas, that is.  But that was because his pjs were too small…)  After letting him cry for a little while in hopes that he would go back to sleep, I went into his room to see if I could calm him down.

That night, I feel in love with my Baby Man all over again.  He was grumpy and tired, but when Mommy picked him up and started to rock him, he feel right asleep.  It nearly broke my heart.

You see, Baby Man has never been a cuddly baby.  After about the first month, he preferred to be ensconced in his papasan swing.  There he would rock back and forth and fall asleep.  Sometimes, if I was lucky, he would have his afternoon nap on my lap.  If I was really lucky, he would fall asleep on my chest, and I would get a nap too.  But, mostly, he was content to sooth himself.

He is only 14 months old, but I already feel like he is growing up.  He loves to play by himself, stacking his Megablocks, pulling his train, or pushing along his cars.  He can hardly walk or talk, but I see him already becoming his own person.  But it is nice to know that once in a while he still needs Mommy to rock him to sleep after a bad dream.

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Totally Useless Stitch Along… and a Kimono

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Heather

I’m a day late with my Totally Useless Stitch Along photo. I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather with a cold that just doesn’t want to get started properly, or go away. Anyway, here is my picture for this month:

Inside is yarn from the sock I shared recently, the Endless Blue Shawl of Doom (I’ve started ball 3 of 8!), the bunny, and Baby Man’s Kimono. There is also floss from Trick or Treat Fairy as well as a couple misshapen beads, from Castle in the Air, Ackworth Swan Treasure Keep (which I really, really want to finish), and Kitty and Me Design’s mystery SAL.

Even though I haven’t been feeling well, I have found time to knit. (Imagine that!) Baby Man’s kimono now has two fronts and a part of a sleeve.


Garter Stitch Kimono by Bernat
Yarn: Bernat Baby Jacquards

Soon it will be ready to be put together. I’m a bit nervous about that part since I’m not very good at seaming things. In retrospect, I should have knitted one of the seamless kimonos. Anyway, I have a sleeve and a half and the back to do, as well as ties. I’m nearly done the first ball of yarn, and it looks like two balls will be more than enough.

Also, don’t forget that tomorrow is Earth Hour.  Turn off all your lights, TVs, computers, etc. for an hour starting at 8:30pm local time.  We will be doing it, and I hope you will be too.

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A Castle with a Sock

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Heather

It’s been a while since I’ve written about what I’ve been up to. With quanta taking some time off work last week, I was able to get away a couple of times and see some of the outside world. Along with a trip to the Royal Ontario Museum (probably the worst place for a mom to escape to alone during March Break), I also visited 3 yarns shops and increased my stash nicely.

On the weekend, I finished up one of my socks that I have been knitting using Panda Cotton. I did write a while back that I couldn’t stand it because of the way it untwisted, but I’ve learned to live with and just love the resulting sock.

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

I’ve also been working on Kitty and Me Designs’ Garden Fantasy SAL. I don’t have any pictures to share yet, since it still doesn’t look like anything. Hopefully I’ll get some more of it done soon.

Papillon Creations has just started their newest SAL, and I’m happily working away on it. For my Castle in the Air I’m using hand-dyed fabric from Enchanting Lair called Wind. My choices for the colours are:

  • Dark Green – 500
  • Medium Green – 501
  • Light Green – 503
  • Floral 1 – 333
  • Floral 2 – 340
  • Floral 3 – 316
  • Floral 4 – 153
  • Floral 5 – 3078
  • Floral 6 – 151
  • Floral 7 – 3047
  • Floral 8 – 778
  • Metallic – PTB PB32 (which I bought for something else but can’t remember what…)
  • no decision on beads as of yet

Note that I will probably be using a Swarovski 4mm mauve pearl in the centre (originally bought 60+ for a knitting project that isn’t happening because of my allergy) and Swarovski 4mm crystal AB bicones in the corners where square eyelet is charted. I also didn’t do the second part of the tied Smyrna crosses. Not sure why, mostly because I didn’t care for the look I suppose. Here is what Part One looks like nearly done.

Castle in the Air – Part 1 by Papillon Creations
Fibres: DMC and Petite Treasure Braid
Fabric: Wind from Enchanting Lair

Progress is also being made on Baby Man’s jacket. The second side is about 1/3 done now. No pictures because I left it in his room and he is asleep.
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