Just a Girl With Glue

2010-03-07T10:15:00.002-05:00

All About Knitting

No scrapbooking here... haven't done a single page this year, but not to worry because I've got a couple of weekend crops coming up and I plan on starting and completing an entire album during those crops. My niece #2 is expecting her life album for her graduation in June and she will get it.

Now on to other news......
I finished my Kilkenny Shawl made from Shepherd's Wool made right here in Michigan. It has become a favorite item to wear, so soft and worn.

On my Knitting site, Ravelry, a competition of sorts was held during the run of the Olympics and interestingly was called the 'Ravelympics'. Thousands of knitters formed into teams and individuals on those teams entered events and projects were started, finished and sometimes frogged during the Vancouver games. The team I joined was Team Sasquatch and I entered both the Lace Luge and the Scarf Super-G because I was knitting a lace scarf, my first. The yarn was Qiviut (from the musk-ox), from Canada, appropriate for the location of the Olympics this year. I chose a project that would challenge me and it certainly did, but I finished on time.

Those who finished were awarded medals... here's mine from the Lace Luge.

Projects on the needles... working on the knitted hat the the USA athletes wore during the opening ceremonies.. it's red, white and blue, with moose/reindeer on them. Not that I'll ever wear it... I don't wear hats, but I just had to make it. It's done in three colors and I've never done a colorwork piece before. It's on the back burner a the moment as I ran out of blue yarn and had to order another skein.

Also starting to work on a pair of socks for niece #2 in 'Dream in Color Smooshy' in blue.

That's it for this update, hope to have more next time.

2010-01-22T20:49:00.002-05:00

Knitting for me!

Now that the holidays are over with, comes the time when I can knit for me. Of course, other items are thrown in the mix for good measure, but mostly its for me.

Well, first of all, the red sweater... I finally finished it last month and I love it. It only took me a year to complete, but I didn't work on it the whole time. It went into hiatus for a while, a sleeve need to be re-knit and then it took me a while to get around to blocking it. But now it's done and it has been worn several times since.

Now I'm working on a wrap as a 'knit-along' with others from my knitting group. The pattern is called the Kilkenny Cabled Shawl, and it seems that everyone is using a different type of yarn. I've chosen a granite color in a Michigan made yarn called, Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool. The pattern is from a book called 'Folk Shawls' by Cheryl Oberle. It works up quickly and the cable is easy to memorize. I'm about at the half way point and already looking for shawl pins in silver to wear with it.

2009-12-27T23:18:00.005-05:00

HO HO HOME......

It's good to be home, it's good to have Christmas at home surrounded by family. It was short, only lasted a day and half, but we made every minute count. Making plans for next year which will be over the top.

I knitted for Christmas, of course I did, Hats and scarves for the nieces and socks for a friend. The socks aren't done yet, well one is and the other is in the process. The nieces loved their handmade gifts, and I know they would welcome anything I made them. As a matter of fact, they've already picked out yarn from my stash for socks.

Christmas wouldn't be the same without some handcrafted cards... here are a few that went out to family and friends for 2009.

HO HO HOME......

2009-11-09T16:49:00.003-05:00

Knit...Knit...Knit...Knit...

That's what I did this weekend... 4 days of knitting. The retreat was put on by Trish, the organizer of a group I belong to. The 'Fiber in the Forest' was held at a retreat house on the northside of Lake Macatawa here in Holland. About 20 or so women from across the country attended. We didn't just knit of course, we talked, laughed, ate, did some spinning and some took a side trip to a sheep farm, and an alapaca farm. And then was the yarn crawl on Saturday where we all probably spent more than we should of, me included.

I did finish the mystery socks and even wore them on Saturday, and got many many rows done on the pink cabled scarf. I can't wait until the next fiber retreat.

In two weeks, scrapbooking gets its turn at a weekend crop.

2009-10-06T12:22:00.004-04:00

Busy Busy

yeah, maybe not so much. Apparently not busy enough to produce enough to blog about. I have been scrapping and I have been knitting, I just haven't been taking pictures of things..

in Scrapbooking.....

I did finish 'Adam's Visit'. What started out as pages within the 2005 album, turned out to be an album in and of itself. Adam is my cousin's son who we brought from Hungary to visit during the summer of 2005. Besides doing things locally, Adam and I flew out to California to visit my sister and her girls and we did all the California things from going to Hollywood, and Disneyland to learning to surf. Then only after days of returning home, we drove out to Washington D.C. to visit Alex and toured our nation's Capitol. Tons of pictures were taken during the summer and it was hard to keep them to a single album. Here are a few....

in Knitting...

I did finish my Swing Coat and am needing to block it and then assemble it. It's my first blocking job and I'm a bit nervous about it. I don't want to overdo it and then it won't fit. I'm planning on steam blocking it... pinning it down to the right size and then running a steamer over it. Maybe I'll attempt it on Thursday.

Continuing on the V-neck sweater using a lovely Noro Silk/Mohair/Wool yarn in a lively purple and blue coloration. Front and back are complete and started yesterday on the sleeves. I'll be wearing this next week already. I don't plan on blocking this one.

New Projects.... have started the Christmas gift knitting.. not naming what or who, just posting a picture of what I have so far. It involves three rows of cabling, the cable stitch I borrowed from another published pattern, and changed it to make my own design.

and then... working on my first 'Mystery knit'. The designer posts one set of directions each week and without a picture or diagram, you knit and see what happens. These are socks with Knit Picks Gloss sock yarn in the color 'pumpkin'. How appropriate is that for a Socktober challenge. So far I have the first cuff done, the second sock being wokred on and the next set of directions for the leg will be posted in 2 days.

2009-08-22T14:05:00.006-04:00

Socks, Spinning, Scrapbooking ....

It's been a busy few weeks creatively speaking at least. The latest knitting project done are a pair of socks for Alex.. I just guessed at size and color, but when he tried them on when he got home Wednesday night they fit perfectly.. he likes the navy color, and he's been wearing them since. Yeah me!

I've been getting some practice in on the the new wheel as well and have a bobbin of BFL. Of course being a new spinner and this my first EVAH homespun, it's a bit lumpy and bumpy and can be anywhere from lace to chunky. I put in a new bobbin, but haven't gotten the tension down and now I have to wait until I have full use of my right arm. Torn rotator cuff according to the doctor.... yes that's another story.. Spinning and trapeze work have to wait.

I've gone to a couple of crops, one being a weekend (3 days) long, and the other with my cropping cronies and I did get a lot accomplished. The cruise album is done and I got caught up on several 'missing' pages from other albums... some title pages, some to fill in spots and some that I had just forgotten about all together. I did manage to get over 40 pages done in the last couple of weeks. That's freekin' awesome for me and here is proof positive:

2009-07-24T08:21:00.003-04:00

Dancing the Mazurka

The Mazurka is a Polish type dance where the dancers whirl very quickly, similar to the Hungarian Csardas. It's because of this that the Polish makers of my spinning wheel named it that... the Mazurka, because the wheel spins fast and is supposed to look like dancers. I don't know about that but it does go fast.

I have a spinning wheel, the Kromski Mazurka. I've wanted one for a little while having been mesmerized by the wheels of my fellow knitters. I did my research, I found the wheel that I wanted and went about looking for the right one. I considered buying new, looked online and planned on trying them out at the Fiber Fest in August. I wanted a wheel that not only was the right size, had a single treadle and had the look and feel of an old wheel... something that an ancestor might have used in the old country.

It happened so quickly. The ad was posted on Ravelry, it came with all the accessories and more and I could tell that it was well taken care of and loved and besides... it was at a great price. That morning the wheel became mine. It came in from Boston this week and it's previous owner Dave, had it so well wrapped and labeled, you'd a thought it was Christmas. Well it really was for me. I can't wait to actually start spinning... My friend Trish (Bams on Ravelry) will start to give me lessons next week, but in the meantime, I'm practicing my treadling and getting a feel for how it works.

Many people name their wheels, much like naming their cars or boats, determining whether it's female or male.. I'm not sure I will, but there have been fleeting moments when speaking about it when I refer to it as her.

Here she is..........

2009-07-12T19:24:00.003-04:00

Yarnoire

Most crafters, whether a scrapper, knitter, quilter or whatever, always keep an ample load of supplies on hand... in case of a worldwide shortage, of course. That hording is not usually the problem, it's the storage of the paper, yarn, fabric, wood, beads, or glass. My scrapbooking studio may not be the neatest.... HA, far from it, but most everything has a place on a rack or shelf or plastic drawer.. it's there and I can find it. Of course I have a whole room to store this stuff. My yarn on the other hand doesn't have a room, just a dresser in a corner, some boxes and bags and so unworthy of the Malabrigo or alpaca.

With some redecorating lately, the sitting room got it's turn this week with new paint, furniture, rug and the addition of an empty armoire that was taking up floor space in the basement. It was moved upstairs and now proudly holds my yarn and knitting miscellaneous. I love my yarnoire.

2009-07-05T20:38:00.008-04:00

2 months already???

Boy, have I let things slide. That can happen when you're sick and not spending time at the computer, or if you're just not into writing, or if you've really got nothing artistic to add... or maybe a combination of all three.

Yes, I have not been well (doing much better now, Thank You), yes, I really wasn't interested in keeping my blogs going and also yes, while I have been knitting and doing some scrapbooking, it just didn't cross my mind to do anything with them.. MY Bad.

I did finish my Dragonfly socks... done in a lace pattern using Malabrigo sock yarn in a soft burgundy and gold color. Of course it gets done in time for sandal weather... now will have to wait until the temps get cooler, but by then I'll have a few more pair of socks to wear. Friends are already putting in their orders for their pair.
I had been working on my cardigan, and it's now done... all the pieces are complete and are waiting to be blocked and put together. My blocking boards as well as all my other knitting paraphernalia are boxed and stored away until the sitting/music/knitting room gets painted. I am working on DH's socks.. he wanted them over the calf which is taking much longer to knit up especially since I'm already tired of them and I'm not even done with the first sock.

Here's my Dragonfly socks....

In my absence, Father's Day came and went and while these cards were not made for my DH, they were made for The Shaker Box, a scrapbooking community that named me guest designer for May with the duty of designing several cards for men.

As far as scrapbooking, I'm still working, albeit slowly on the Panama cruise, so here's what I can add. I should scan more.... maybe this week.

2009-05-10T19:34:00.003-04:00

Slow Scrapper

I am apparently as slow a scrapper as I am a knitter. Not that I don't have the time... plenty of that, but I take my time and contemplate each stitch in an almost zen-like quality. I choose each color and embellishment for each scrapbook page with as much thought as a professional chess player his next move. And of course there is no perfection in either, but the end result is quite satisfying.

Here are a couple of recent layouts that I did for some challenges on Moments to Remember.

2009-04-16T14:45:00.002-04:00

Busy Hands

Since I've been home from my surgery (find out what and why on my other blog www.margo.koroknaypalicz.com) I've been trying to keep from going completely bonkers from watching too much TV. Working on my regular knitting of socks and sweater was too intense trying to read patterns or even trying to remember patterns. Couldn't keep the concentration going. And trying to work on any scrapbooking or cardmaking project also took some amount of patience which I just didn't have. I preferred to do some very light reading, doze, and watch mindless shows. The perfect solution was knitting up some squares for the Linus Project. The project, named for the Peanuts character Linus and his always blanket companion, makes blankets for children in need. A yarn store north of here is trying to meet the need of a request from their local National Guard for 500 blankets to give to the families of troops heading overseas.

So I got to work with leftover yarn from my stash and made some squares. Coggie (from my Ravelry knitting group) is picking them up and will begin the task of assembling them into an afghan. I truly appreciate that effort.

Here are the 26 blue, purple, taupe and green squares which hopefully some child will hold onto and hug tightly while their father or mother is gone.

Busy Hands

2009-03-09T14:36:00.005-04:00

Socks and Scraps

We're back from a lovely vacation to the Panama Canal.. (pictures on my Picturetrail album.. http://www.picturetrail.com/margokp ) and who but me thinks of what to knit when going on vacation... because there just isn't enough to do on a cruise. I grabbed some wonderful Caribbean blue yarn and a sock pattern and started a new pair of socks. I got the first one done and most of the way on the second. Not only do I love the yarn, the color, the pattern... these will always remind me of our vacation.

Shortly after we got back, I dove into some scrapbooking again by cropping with my peeps and actually finished the Alaska album.... and then got involved with an online crop. I really am not a big fan of online crops because I crop in the basement and my computer is in the office and whole floor and opposite sides of the house in distance. Turns out I actually won the big prize from The Shaker Box (Thank You) and a gift certificate to shop in their store.

Here is my favorite layout from the weekend.

2009-02-12T12:36:00.004-05:00

uncle.... uncLE..... UNCLE....

alright already.... I give up... giving up any hopes of doing lace while on vacation. I knitted up swatches of 4 different patterns and none of them look like lace... they look more like a cobweb in a hurricane.. just a bunch of holes in no pattern whosoever. I know to stretch out the swatch to get a better idea and I know it will look better once blocked, but I couldn't tell if I missed a stitch or read the pattern wrong and I'm not going to spend my time on the ocean and in the sun being upset and frustrated.. I may tend to drink more.... and so you ask???

I'll stick to socks and I'll stick to working on my sweater.....

2009-02-10T09:40:00.003-05:00

Knitting on vacation

We're going to be leaving on vacation real soon and I'm contemplating what knitting project to take with me. It won't be the sweater as it's too bulky... might be the Dragonfly socks to finish up, a new pair to start for the son, and maybe, just maybe, a new lace wrap. I have enough of the brown tweed alpaca left from Bob's vest and I'm thinking it would make a perfect all around wrap, but here's the dilemma... I've not done lace before. Should I start a new project, learn a new technique when I'm far from friends and internet for help? I thought I had narrowed down my search for an easy lace pattern to four, until CoggieTM (Rav name) came to knit night and brought a lace book with too many beautiful choices. Thanks a lot..

CoggieTM suggested taking not just one project, but two since this is my first lace and I will get frustrated... now how did she know that? and there's no throwing projects overboard either. Stayed tuned for pictures of knitting on board a cruise ship with pina coladas in the plenty.

2009-01-21T14:55:00.004-05:00

Finally, the vest

It's only been several weeks since I finished and gave Bob his gift... the alpaca sweater vest and finally he put it on so I can get a picture of it. I've only asked several times.... but that's a guy for you. He's even wearing it when we go out for dinner tonight.

Now that all the gift-knitting is done, I am diligently working on a sweater and pair of socks for myself. The pattern on the socks is called Dragonfly and it's for a Knit-a-long with a group that is reading (again) the second book of the Outlander series, "Dragonfly in Amber".

Scrapbooking has been put on hold a a little bit, but I am going to a 12 hour crop this weekend and should get a ton done. I did this LO over the weekend when a couple of friends came over to play.

2008-12-21T12:20:00.003-05:00

Christmas Greetings

Since I was in college, I've been making my Christmas cards each year. When I started doing this, I was designing and making my own linoleum block prints (wish I still had those blocks). Through the years, my family and friends look forward to getting my handmade cards and the list has grown to almost 100 cards. Making that many cards is a daunting task, but made easier because I create several different designs to mail out each year. Some are religious, some fun, some classy, some vintage... a little bit of a mix and each person on my list gets not only a handmade card, but handpicked especially for them as well. Here are 3 of the 6 designs for 2008.

2008-12-16T09:47:00.004-05:00

Knitty on the Tree

My Ravelry knitting group held it's weekly knitting soiree here at the house Monday night. We also did a knit ornament exchange where everyone made a tree ornament in such great patterns of sweaters, stockings, and ball ornaments. I made a little green tree with beads and sequins for added bling plus a little extra something for everyone. Knitting bags with balls of yarn and knitting needles... aren't they the cutest?

2008-12-05T18:06:00.006-05:00

....And another one done.

I'm just whipping through these Christmas gifts... yeah right. I must one of the slowest knitters evah.... not really, but it sometimes seems that way. This gift was a pair of tweed socks and I'm real proud of these. Loved the pattern, loved the yarn so much so that I hated to give them away, but I know I can make myself another pair. Don't they look comfy???

The recipient of the socks received the gift in a bag I crafted from a 12x12 sheet of paper.

Now I can back to the big project... an alpaca sweater vest for Bob. It seems it's been on needles forever, but it got put aside to work on other things.

2008-11-19T18:43:00.004-05:00

Knit Wit

So okay, I've jumped into knitting this time around with gale force strength.... accumulating a nice stash, collection patterns and attending workshops to help me further this addiction. Last Saturday I drove all the way to Lansing to Threadbear to be one of a number of women in a workshop hosted by designer Jillian Moreno who co-authored the popular knitting/pattern books for plus size women titled, 'Big Girl Knits'. The class was designed to aid women in determining what garment shape was best for their body type and how to alter a pattern according to your 'real time' measurements. Yes, I did get a lot out of the class, even though there was a lot of math and calculators involved... and apparently that side of my brain stayed home that day. After the hour and half long drive home in not to pleasant weather I was tired.... yet eager to start my next sweater project. This is the very informative and funny Jillian.

Another finished Christmas project.. slipper socks for a friend...

2008-11-18T12:14:00.004-05:00

Cropping along

I've been to a number of crops lately.... 3 day weekend long crops up north. Very fun and very tiring. I did manage to get a lot done in the Alaska album, didn't finish it, but came real close. The best part was being with friends laughing, talking, drinking, singing, and sharing. I can't wait for the next one in the spring. Here is the bunch of us singing the 'shoop shoop' song using our scrapping stuff as microphones..... and holding up our iPhones and iTouches with a cigarette lighter ala concert style. Yes we are a bunch of nuts..... but a fun loving bunch of nuts.

2008-11-04T00:06:00.004-05:00

I've been tagged.... oh goodie.

I've read so many other's and somehow have escaped the tagging.... Coggie of Ravelry and my knitting group tagged me for the 6 quirky yet boring and/or unspectacular details about myself game. Don't get bored now.

1. I can be quite shy and quiet.
2. I don't like being in small spaces that's why I drive a big car.
3. I have a sensitivity to scents and can't walk down the laundry aisle at the supermarket.
4. I'm a coffee fanatic and must grind my own beans each morning.
5. I want to be buried in my jeans and my Birks (don't care about the top).
6. I get regular massages... just because it feels good.

There... are you happy?

I'm tagging... Amy B., Robin, Dawn, Jeanne.

2008-11-02T12:05:00.003-05:00

Another Gift Done.......

This is the Cowl Neck Scarf for my son's girlfriend. It's my first lace project and I love it so much, I'm creating one for myself (after the gifts are all done). It went fairly quickly and a nice pattern to memorize. I'm now working on a some slipper socks for a friend. Maybe I will get all my projects done.

2008-10-22T14:36:00.006-04:00

A Month for Cropping

One of my favorite message boards, Moments To Remember, held a weekend online crop. 3 Days of games, and challenges to motivate and create. It was so much fun, but a little tiring being at the computer for that long. I did get some challenges done and are posted below. The board was so busy and so chatty, that it went down on Monday for lack of bandwidth. Imagine that... we ran out of room. The board is back up and running smoothly.

Here are some of the scrapbook pages I did this weekend......

This weekend, my friend and I are venturing up to Gaylord, a good 3 hour drive from here to attend a weekend crop. It starts around 6 on Friday, but we'll arrive much earlier to check into our room and get our stuff unloaded and set up at our cropping tables. We are planning on stopping to do a little scrap shopping along the way..... how could we not?? I plan on working on some Disneyland pictures from 2005 when my cousin Adam came to visit from Hungary and I took him out to California to visit my sister. I also hope to get a lot done on our Alaska trip that we took this past May. We shall see how many pages I get done.

2008-10-07T12:01:00.000-04:00

One Down!

Christmas project that is.... I finished this braided wrap for my sister and started on the next one which is a sweater vest for Bob from a luscious alpaca fiber. I've got about 4 more knitty things to go.... think I can do it?

2008-10-05T00:14:00.003-04:00

World Card Making Day

What? A day for making cards? Why not? We have days for everything else. Why not take a day to make a couple of cards and send them to someone you care about. We all get caught up with text messages and emails and forget how nice it is to get something in the mail that isn't a bill. In the spirit of the day.. I made some cards... 15 to be exact and here are a few.

2008-09-22T00:27:00.003-04:00

Road Trip

Saturday was a day for being on the road. A last minute yarn and crochet workshop in Lansing at Threadbear, a store I've been meaning to get to but always put it on the back burner. Coggie, a member from my knitting group was going and posted that she had room for passengers and even though I was tempted, I hesitated because it was my scrapbooking group's day to get together and crop. Unfortunately no one could make it, so I emailed Coggie and went along.

The classes were more about crochet than knitting, but held valuable information. The first class was held by the editor of interweave Crochet magazine. She brought all the crochet garments that are being featured in the fall issue of the magazine and it was nice to see these works in person and feel and the yarn and see the stitches up close. The second class was done by the person who does Knitting Daily TV... a show on PBS that talks about knit and crochet. Her focus was on how to alter patterns according to your own personal measurements.

There was time for shopping and I did give it my best to make a purchase, but without a project in mind, it was a bit mind boggling just to go through bin after bin of yarn after yarn not knowing what to get or how much to buy. Besides.... I've got more than enough yarn in my stash at home and more than enough projects to get on the needles.

2008-09-17T15:06:00.005-04:00

On the needles.......

A couple of projects going on now.. first... a sweater for me using Noro Silk Garden. The bottom is done on circulars with cabling all the way around and then the top will be done in pieces and attached. I love the colors of the Silk Garden, and the pattern I'm using, but not sure if it will be too heavy. Have put this on hold for a while though as I start to work on Christmas projects.

Second..... with the new Therapi yarn, making a braided wrap for my sister. The yarn is very pretty, has a nice hand and a nice sheen, but it's not the best to work with as it splits easily and with each skein I use the yarn has been cut and knotted back together. The pattern called for dividing up the stitches onto holders and knitting each section separately before braiding, but I found it easier to add yarn and knit the hold thing at once, that way I know they will be the same length.

Third.... just off the needles, or rather crochet hook is a square for a baby blanket. My knitting group is putting this together for a fellow member. Each square is 12x12 and will be assembled afterward... color and style are our own and I added flowers to make it pretty.

2008-09-02T19:19:00.003-04:00

Last weekend we took a road trip to Toronto and not wanting to take a big project to work on, but something that didn't take a lot of thought or complex patterning, so I grabbed some ribbon yarn I've had in my stash for a while and a couple of size 15 needles and worked and finished this scarf in the car and hotel room over 3 days. It was first experience using a drop stitch and I made the pattern up as I went along. I did stop to write it down just in case I wanted to do this again. Once home, I added some beads on the fringe... I think it needs more though. This may become a gift, or it may stay in my closet... I'm not sure, but I like it.

As far as other projects.... I'm still working on my sweater with the Noro Silk Garden, and a pair baby socks to go with the baby sweater. I also picked up some more yarn during our trip to Milwaukee this weekend for some potential Christmas gifts.

2008-08-27T12:09:00.003-04:00

Cat and Socks

Yesterday I had the privilege of taking a workshop with the famous knitting diva and designer, Cat Bordhi. The day long class was held at City Knitting in Grand Rapids and was based on Cat's book, 'New Pathways for Sock Knitters'. Now only having knit 2 pair of socks EVER.... I was open to looking at this skill with new eyes. Knitting from the toe up is new for me and I love the fact there are no heel gussets to make. A few more practice baby socks and I'll have this down pat and ready to explore other patterns. My practice baby socks was in a soft pink yarn, the same I made the baby sweater with and when I make the pair, I can send the baby gift on.

All the socks that were made in the class were posted on the wall to get photographed. See my baby pink sock at the top left?

I only found out about this workshop by reading the City Knitting website last week and on the spur of the moment called and took the last available spot. I enjoyed the class and this self-taught knitter enjoyed learning from a professional. I will keep my eyes on other classes that will come up here and at LYS in Holland.

2008-08-18T14:38:00.004-04:00

Comfy Kimono

A friend on one of my message boards is expecting a new granddaughter, her first, and I wanted to make something special for her. I found the pattern for the baby Comfy Kimono on the Lion Brand website and thought it would be a perfect sweater for a Texas winter. I added a hat and some crochet flowers for both. I think it turned out pretty cute. I hope she likes it.

2008-08-14T00:34:00.002-04:00

I can't really believe that it's been 7 months that I've visited this blog. I almost forgot that I had it. I've been posting semi-regularly on the blog that my DS set up for me. Go see it at: http://margo.koroknaypalicz.com. Yes, I'm my own dot com.

I really should just post the same thing on both blogs or turn one into a scrapbooking or knitting blog. I've been asked about a knitting blog as so many in my knitting group have one, but i knit so slowly, it's almost not worth it.

I created this fringed christmas tree and this card holder made from a cereal box as altered challenges for the 'Moments 2 Remember' site. That's my latest work. I really really need to get started on the Alaska cruise album. Maybe this weekend..

2007-12-16T23:23:00.001-05:00

It's Almost Christmas

I'm one of those Christmas followers that believe that the beginning of Christmas starts on Christmas Day.... not Halloween. We don't put our tree up on Thanksgiving and put it to the curb on December 26th. We actually just put the tree up today and it will remain decorated and lit until after Jan. 6th, the Feast of the Three Kings. We have a Nativity Scene and the Christ child doesn't appear in the manger until Christmas morning. He sets outside the scene, on another table perhaps. Before Christmas, there is a time called Advent, a time of anticipation, a time for patience. You know those pretty calendars with little windows you open each day? It's not for Santa, it's for the arrival of the Christ Child.

Ah, Patience... you don't see a lot of that these days as you brace yourself against the crowds at the mall. I don't do malls. I don't have the patience or to deal with rude salespeople (albeit tired and underpaid salespeople) and even ruder shoppers. I escaped the madness and shopped the internet. What a wondrous shopping tool that is.

I look forward to this Christmas, not because the tree is up and lit, or because my shopping is done, but because my family will all be together. Isn't that what it's all about? About family and love and anticipation. It's almost Christmas and I'm ready.

2007-11-06T16:59:00.001-05:00

Halloweenie and a Poodle Pirate

Just an inside joke between friends...... It was a meager Halloween this year as far as the trick or treaters went. We usually get around 200 kids ringing our doorbell and setting our dogs into a tailspin, but this year we had barely 40. It's a good thing we don't give out candy otherwise we'd have to eat the leftovers. It was a pirate Halloween at our house, with front porch decorations and pirate toys and goodies to hand out. Even Ginger got into the action with her own pirate costume which stayed on at least 10 seconds and hardly long enough for a photo.

2007-10-02T21:18:00.000-04:00

Love your Breasts

This month is dedicated to Breast Cancer... to the research to end it and to the woman who have survived and to those, like my mother, who have not. This past weekend one of the scrapbooking magazines sponsored a Scrap Pink event which promoted crops and other events to help educate women. In honor and memory of my mother, I helped give a crop at my LSS, Moments 2 Remember. Even though the scrappers present weren't great, donations given were generous and all money went to the Susan G. Kommen foundation. I thank everyone who came and who donated.

To the women reading this, please get a mammogram this month if you haven't yet, read the information on self-checks, and become aware.

2007-09-03T11:56:00.000-04:00

a prodigal friend and sister

My dear friend returned into my life after being gone for several years. Life and the things in it kept her away and due to unfortunate twists and turns, she has come back. As much as I missed her, I would much rather she be happy with the life she had for so many years. For it was an unwelcome and surprise divorce that brought her back. I am shocked and deeply saddened that she was treated this way and I hope that she will find her way out of it. I'm sure that it will take time and lots of tears shed, but I know that she'll be okay. She has her family and friends to comfort and support her. I wish for her peace.

I see what friends have gone through in their lives and I wonder if I would be able to manage if I were in their shoes. We all have our own crosses to bear and goodness knows I've carried a few and survived.

My sister whom I have missed terribly ever since her family moved to California, is moving back to the midwest. Even though she'll be a five hour drive away (or 3 hours by ferry), it's still shorter than a 5 hour flight (and a lot less expensive). I will see her more than once a year and may even get to spend the holidays together. I know it's all about the job and career and I feel terrible about my niece's life being interrupted once again, but please indulge me my little bit of selfishness wanting them to be close. I wish for them contentment.

2007-08-26T17:10:00.000-04:00

a pirate's life for me....

This weekend was the first Pirate Festival in Muskegon and being part of this event, I went with friends on Saturday. There was a steady amount of people both at Captain Jack's Bar and at the Vender pavilion. Although I love getting in garb and being all piratey (as much as a 53 year old woman can be), I usually take a back seat when it comes to all the activities... like storming the beach and taking back control of the rum from the English Militia. Let them other pirates do the nasty work and I'll wait for the rum. I keep adding to the costume each year and it keeps getting heavier and heavier to wear. Got to admire those pirate folk with the long coats and multiple layers of stuff..... firearms and broad swords will just weigh ya down. So the famous pirate photographer, Tiger Lee was there doing portraits and I just had to have mine done as well..... can't wait to see the final product. Beth, Sgail and Kelsey got their picture taken by him as a birthday gift from me and I have to admit theirs was awesome. So I'm packing away all the bits and bobs until next season. Well done Matey!

2007-08-14T21:22:00.000-04:00

Remembering Ozzy

Our beloved Ozzy passed away Monday morning. He and Ginger were at the kennel/vet while we were away and just before we could pick them up on Monday we got the call from the vet. Sometime between midnight Sunday and 5am Monday, Ozzy seizured. He had a couple of episodes in the last few years that we were able to handle, this one however we couldn't.

I am heartbroken and feel like I lost a member of my family. We had him for a wonderful 12 years and he will be missed. I will miss his big brown eyes so telling of his deep sensitive soul, his soft brown fur and big fluffy ears, his singing to Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby", the way he laid his head on my lap as if to say, "I understand", and how he slept at the side of my bed to protect me from the darkness of the night.

2007-08-02T11:09:00.000-04:00

a camping we will go......

I hate camping, I've gone a couple of times when I was younger and tolerated sleeping on the ground and peeing in the woods... but of course there was alcohol and mood altering medications involved. Camping these days? Not so much... roughing it has become a hotel without room service. No kidding... my friends will tell you what a queen I am. So what's this leading to? I'm going to camp... even as a kid I never went to sleep-away camp.... there was day camp, but that doesn't count. So Bob and I are going to a Hungarian Heritage camp located at a lodge in the mountains of Pennsylvania. There we will learn the language (for me a review and for Bob actually learning), and spend some with with other cultural activities. Should be interesting. I've checked the Penn Scenic View site and there are air conditioned lodges and because we're going as a married couple, we get a private room (how nice), but still not sure on the private bathroom... I just might be schleping down the hall in the middle of the night... better stop drinking that water. This is what I'm packing...... i-Pod, books, knitting, a fan for the room (just in case the air conditioning doesn't work), candles, flashlight (to get to the bathroom), bug spray, my pillow, and my altered book for taking notes and journaling. Well yes, I'm taking clothes, but that goes without saying. My friends will be disappointed if I don't bring home lanyards and pot holders and bird houses made from popsicle sticks. I'll try.

2007-07-26T11:26:00.001-04:00

iGadgets....

Yes, we got the iPhones... and new iMacs as well.... of course it has to go along with the new iPod I got a couple of weeks back. So what is this iMania? maybe it has to do with getting the latest and greatest of the Apple gadgets, or just our little way of trying to stay connected with the iWorld, in any case, it certainly is lots of iFun.

Bob had been stalking the manager of our local AT&T store to be on the list when the iPhones came in. Unfortunately our local store wound up not getting any phones on the Friday release date, but we made the trip to the Apple store later that night... about 10pm and there was no line, and more salespeople in the store than customers. Good for us. Activating the iPhones was not a huge problem.... but synching them was. Our computer wasn't equipped with the latest USB and no connection could be made. After a week or so of waiting for the upgrade, Bob plugged it in and the whole system failed.... oh just great. Another week being told we lost all data.... interject where I become hysterical thinking I lost all my photos...... and then finally giving in and getting a new iMac... (huge 24" screen thank you) and finding out that data was all recovered... thank the tech gods....

Now my iPhone is working wonderfully and I have become the tech idol of all those around me.... but this wonderous new computer has once again lost my data. All bookmarks gone, all stickies gone, all photos gone, all saved documents from Word gone, etc.. etc... Bob thinks they are in the computer somewhere.... so another trip to the Apple store and a consult with the mac tech gods should produce the data.... I'm hoping and praying..

2007-05-20T22:35:00.001-04:00

The Glacier of it all..

While I'm reading through my latest scrap mag, I come across a full page for an Alaskan cruise. Ordinarily I would pass it by since the only cruises I have interests in are those where palm trees sway and ocean breezes are warm and balmy, not cold and frozen. But this one strikes my eye because Tim Holtz is sponsoring it and holding workshops on it . Ok now I'm interested. So just in conversation I tell DH, and he says, "is that the guy from Club Scrap and the one you keep talking about from CKU?" and continues on, "Looks like it's right on Mother's Day and your birthday, so let's go". WHAT? Of course I'm freaked and call for reservations right away, just in case he changes his mind... lol. So next year I'll be turning 54 somewhere up in our 49th state. How "cool" is that?

2007-05-16T10:23:00.000-04:00

A memorable weekend

it was this past weekend being both Mother's Day and my birthday. We decided to drive out to DC to visit Alex, after all he is the one that made me being a mother possible. On the way down we stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast and picked up a couple of audio books.... David Balducci's the Camel Club and the Collectors. Both are set in DC and concern government spy agencies. Nothing like driving through the streets of Georgetown and thinking.... "oooh that's where they hid the boat" or "That's Roosevelt Island where the murder was committed".
On Friday, Bob and Alex took the Metro into the city and went to the Spy Museum (how fitting) while I took the credit cards and went shopping. I can't do the kind of walking that these guys were about to do. Alex also took Bob to his office at NYRA and showed him around. Dinner was in Silver Spring at a newly opened Piratz Tavern with interesting decor, garbed staff and mugs of grog.
Saturday we decided to go to Old Town Alexandria for breakfast, but by the time we got there couldn't find a place that served breakfast, so it was lunch instead. We walked a little and shopped a little and then drove out to Mt. Vernon. I was there 40 years ago and was trying to remember how things were different. Somehow it seemed smaller.. will have to dig out those pictures from 1968. Dinner was back in Alexandria at a French restaurant where I had delighted in one of my favorite appetizers, escargot. Then back into DC to see a play, Peter and Wendy, the story told with music, puppets and a very talented main actor/storyteller who did all the characters. Sunday, church, brunch in DC and then back to Alex's house for an afternoon of cards and board games. Of all the things we did, just being with Alex and talking and laughing was the best Mother's Gift of all.

2007-03-08T15:49:00.000-05:00

Out of my Scrapping Shell

I just recently decided that if others can get published with their work, why can't I? So I took the leap of faith and submitted some work to a couple of magazines for publication. I'm not even mentioning it on any of my boards or to any of my friends.. don't want to jinx it.. and in case I don't make it, I've got nothing ventured. Finally have the courage to step outside my comfort zone... when I was working, I never had the time so now there's no excuse. So wish me luck... cross something... as I step over that ledge.

2007-01-23T17:27:00.000-05:00

Scrap worthy?

Bob goes in for surgery on Friday. After a run to the ER last weekend and numerous visits to the doctor's and with x-rays and scans out with wazoo, it was determined that the gallbladder must come out. So what's the point of having one to begin with? Now I feel sorry for him, of course and I'll be there to nurse him back to health... but when the surgery was first scheduled for next week, I went ahead and sent a check in for a crop for Saturday.. one I'd been looking forward to going to... and now I'll be spending the day running up and down the stairs...waiting on him hand and foot. Hopefully he'll be so drugged, he won't need me that much and he'll sleep all day. Actually I asked the surgeon yesterday if I could get some pain meds too knowing what a bad patient Bob really is.

I might just pack up some stuff and take it to the hospital with me.... I've got scissors and a hemostat and fibers... I could do a little scrapbook operation while there.

2007-01-07T17:48:00.000-05:00

Counter Attack

I have waited long enough for new granite kitchen counters in this house and last week Friday was the day. It's a granite composite.. looks and feels and walks and talks just like slab granite, only costs less and they don't have to rip out the existing counters, this just gets laid over it. Should be an easy breezy install....

They were here to cut the template last month, so all the pieces for the counter, back splash, cook top, and edge were done and ready to install. So in preparation, we had both plumber and electrician out the day before to disconnect the sink, cook top, under counter lights, etc etc... We were ready to go!

The guy came out and went right to work.... the first piece went in... ooohhh LOVE it... can't wait to see the rest. Now since half my kitchen including the sink is in the dining room and the other half is in the office and laundry room... I went to scrapbook and stay out of the way... (did I mention the glue???? talk about getting a "high"). So I periodically go and check the progress and find that right down the middle of the most visible part of the counter, where two pieces will be seamed together, the granite doesn't match.... the color is off... one side lighter than the other. Now I wouldn't have minded if the back splash were a little off, or the cook top from the counter, not a big difference.... but right smack dab in the middle. "This is not acceptable", I say, "You better call your people about this". Well apparently the granite was cut from two separate pieces and the cutters didn't look closely enough to see the difference... but being an artist, I noticed that immediately.

So it is being replaced.... but in the meantime... no sink, no disposal, no cooktop, no dishwasher..... and my house is in chaos! I just need to be patient until Monday when the new piece comes.... and you bet I'll have my magnifying glass in hand.

2006-12-30T23:41:00.000-05:00

In the Spirit....... Christmas has come and gone and it was my little family that brought the spirit back. Decorations are still up and shining and will be for days to come. Always late in putting them up, keeping up through the whole Christmas season, not just the retail season.

I've been recently chosen to become a part of Moments to Remember Design Team, a scrapping website with a local store. I will be their in-store Designer, also contributing to on-line contests, challenges, and other fun stuff on a regular basis. I look forward to taking this new opportunity to a new level. Here;s their website.. go check it out.... www.moments2remember.com

2006-12-09T12:36:00.000-05:00

Here we are into December and I should be feeling the season, but I'm not. Even though I'm done making all my Christmas cards and they are sitting waiting to be addressed, I'm still not in the mood. Maybe taking our vacation to the balmy shores of Florida the last couple of weeks changed my outlook, or maybe having my family spread from coast to coast is the reason.

The houses in my neighborhood are all sparkling with lights and certainly helping out the local power company with their monthly output and I haven't thought of decorating and or bringing down the countless boxes of tinsel and trim. I keep putting it off hoping that some elf springs from underneath the holly bushes in the backyard and overnight puts up the garland and tree. Wishful thinking here. In any case, all my shopping is done thanks to the internet. When it snowed all day Thursday, my fingers did the walking on my keyboard and found gifts for everyone and I never had to clean off snow from the car.

So as we move forward into the season and I actually start playing Christmas music....( ordered Blackmore's Night new Christmas Carol CD) I may just "Deck the Halls", and actually enjoy the "Winter Wonderland" out the window. I'll let you know.

2006-10-23T00:18:00.000-04:00

ROAR!!!!

Go Tigers! They made the World Series and tonight was their second game against the Cardinals from St. Louis. They go to SL Tuesday with a split win 1-1. I've been a Tigers fan ever since I was a little kid. Growing up in Detroit, just miles from Tiger Stadium, that's the only sport we watched. Dad was a super fan and we often went to the ballpark, always sitting between home plate and first base. When I got older and went with friends, it was bleacher seats only. I remember the '68 Series against the Cardinals..... mom was picking us up from school and when Northrup hit that grand slam..... she almost lost control of the car as we swerved down the road..... yeah, she was a huge fan too. Those kings of baseball.... Denny McLain, Al Kaline, Jim Northrup, Gates Brown, Norm Cash, Mickey Lolich, Wille Horton and my fav Catcher Bill Freehan... bring back such sweet memories.

2006-10-11T11:29:00.000-04:00

2006-10-10T18:18:00.000-04:00

I got my new camera .. it's the newly released Olympus Stylus 750 digital camera.. it's amazing with all the tricks it does. It has a huge LCD screen and a menu that I can read without having to put on my glasses. Small enough to fit in a pocket or purse whereby my other digital, still a great camera, is too big to carry around comfortably. I'll still hold on to the Canon model... just add to the collection of cameras.
We have officially moved to the new scrapbooking clubhouse that we lovingly call the "Gluestick" because our group are the "Girls with Glue". Cute, huh? of course we have a frig to hold our adult beverages... don't you know, because all work and no play makes for boring scrapbook pages.
Got tickets to see Bob Seger... twice actually... my girlfriend and I will go to the first show on Wed., Nov.8 and then we're taking our husbands to the Sunday show. Overkill? Maybe... but it's Bob Seger and he hasn't gone out on tour in a decade.

2006-09-28T16:59:00.000-04:00

2006-09-28T16:46:00.000-04:00

This week I was participating in an online Cybercrop at Croppers Cottage.. Several challenges were put out each day and we had to do as many scrapbook pages as we could. Over the course of the week I made 20 pages (shown on a slide presentation on my main page)... that's more than I have done in some months. It was fun and challenging and made me work outside my comfort zone at times. This was the push I needed to work on the Derbyshire Album.

The printer at home konked out and we had to run out and get a new one. It's a Canon and so far it's pretty nice. Good quality photos. Now we have a stock pile of ink and paper for the HP that I should try and sell.

A friend is introducing me to her book club this week and I have to start to read the book so I know what the hell everyone will be talking about..... so I'm off to cuddle in my chair, under the afghan and read, well maybe a little nap too.

2006-07-26T12:08:00.000-04:00

Since I left my 18 year career in the advertising world, I've been looking for other avenues to make some money and support my addiction to paper. Naturally I fell upon on my creative side and began to work on developing myself in the artzy - craftzy field. So watch for me selling custom designed jewelry, decorative boxes, scrapbook pages, card sets etc. on e-bay and at renaissance faires in the near future.