Close to my Heart

The Absent Blogger

Well, despite my best intentions and even photographing my current WIP on the weekend, I just wasn't motivated to blog.  I'm stealing a few minutes before hitting the shower and getting on with my work day now though, just doesn't seem to happen in the evening these days.

I'm suffering a bit of startitis lately.  Rather than working on any of the projects already cast on, I decided to cast on for something new this past weekend.  I've had some yarn that has been trying to decide what to be for some time, it just wasn't happy with two previous cast ons.  Late Saturday night, it finally decided, and its knitter is quite pleased with the results.  I present to you Misti Alpaca Lace, in the beginning stages of becoming an Adamas Shawl:

I'm really enjoying this so far simple lace project.

I also thought I'd show you the method I use for keeping my place on a chart while knitting lace:

I learned about this method a few years ago on some now forgotten Yahoo group.  Highlighter tape that once torn off the dispenser, can be reused several times, often for the life of the project.  I was unable to find this tape locally, eventually finding at some also forgotten website.  I believe you can find this tape at educational supply stores.

In other news, I have a skating update for you.  Last Wednesday marked the end of the Spring Skating session.  I am now off the ice until September.  I had actually contemplating quitting skating, but have now decided I will continue, but will only skate one night per week rather than the two.  With the new job and other community involvement, two nights has become too much for me.  Anyhow, I'm happy to report that I FINALLY passed another level!  (Not my club but the best list of this level I could find)                               
Some things I did better than others, my coach was definitely being nice to me because my one foot back spin and three jump need a lot of work! But I came home happy and will now look forward to skating starting again in September.

Okay, better get off the computer and get ready for work before I'm late!  Hope your week is going well.

Last Week

Last week was such a busy week, I've been meaning to blog about it for ages, and am just getting around to it now.  Better late than never, right?

Despite my negative feelings about the Ice Show last week, it went really well, and I had a lot of fun in the end.  It made me re-think the whole bored with skating thing.  I had actually been planning to skip skating on Monday night, but buoyed with some enthusiasm following the show, I attended to skate just for me.  It was okay, I left early, but it did feel good to be on the ice.  Thursday night is lesson night, and since my friend with whom I have a semi-private lesson each week was sick, I ended up having a private lesson.  Well I had an awesome lesson!  Throughout this past year, I had felt that I had made no progress whatsoever and had pretty much decided that I wasn't going to continue on in this sport.  Well my coach pointed out how I had indeed progressed in the last year, and I had the most fun on the ice I've had for months.  Now I'm thinking that rather than quit, I will just skate once a week rather than the twice that I've been skating all along.  My life has just gotten busier in the last year, and I think that this will be a good compromise.

Last week was also the monthly session of the Stampin' Up Stamp Club that I belong to.  I always look forward to these evenings as there is always a new technique to learn, and I come home with an attractive new card.  This month was no exception.  First we learned how to use bleach on a stamped image.  The white that you see on the pants and the water was created with bleach in a blender pen:

And this card is one of my favourites we have made yet:

I love the simple yet vibrant colours of this card, and the unique way it is folded.  I'm planning to order the stamp set and the papers that are used in this card.

Well it is getting late here so I'd better end for now.  Believe it or not, there is some actual knitting content coming soon!

Actual Knitting Content

It's been a while since I've had any knitting content here on the ol' blog, so I figure it is about time to include said content.  I have some finished objects to show you.  First of all, the first pair of Christmas gift socks:

Excuse the crumpled up picture, I couldn't use my blockers since these socks are bigger than those I would make for myself.  Yarn is ONline Supersocke 100 City Color #923.  The matching pattern was going quite well until I encountered a knot just past the heel on one of the socks (the one on the right I think) after which one colour was repeated.  I couldn't be bothered to rip back, I don't think the recipient will mind though!

Yesterday I cast off the Autumn Leaf Shawl (Evelyn Clark's Leaf Lace Pattern), however you'll have to excuse this unblocked picture for now:

You may recall that I hurt my knee while skating last month.  Although said knee is about 95% back to normal, it still hurts to crawl around on the floor, thus crawling to pin this thing out will have to wait for a bit.

Speaking of skating....although I went back on the ice after taking about ten days off as per doctor's orders, I'm finding it rather difficult.  The knee no longer hurts on the ice, and I'm wearing a support, the problem has now turned into a psychological one.  I'm finding it really hard to push myself even slightly now for fear of re-injuring.  Except for during my lesson time, I pretty much skate around the ice not doing much.  I hope my fear will vanish soon and I'll get my mojo back!

Typepad introduced some new templates today.  Always one to enjoy playing around with the ol' blog, I've changed my template.  I reserve the right to change it several more times in the next few days!  Time to go knit now, especially since this is the only night this week without other obligations (even if they are fun ones!).

Catch Up

So did anyone even notice that I've been gone for a bit?  I knew I was going to have a busy couple weeks and was going to post about taking a blog break.  Then I thought that I would still have a few minutes to blog and wouldn't need the break.  Well that never happened.  Here's a recap of the last couple weeks:

Had a bad fall while skating, hurt my knee, and was off the ice for two weeks.  Just back this week and the knee is feeling much better now.  I was really nervous going back on Monday, and could really feel the tension in my skates.  I actually hemmed and hawed about going back, and am now really glad that I got "back on the horse" so to speak.

I've been devoting more time to my Etsy store and have been making more sales.  I have a few Christmas cards up as well as more of my Knitters Gift Tags (which are doing quite well, thank you if any of my purchasers are amongst my blog readers) including some in Christmas cards.

Busy in the evenings overall, few evenings home these days.  Am only home tonight because a meeting was thankfully postponed until next week.

Continuing to knit on the Leaf Lace Shawl I showed you in my last post, but unblocked lace on needles isn't too exciting to show.  Just picture more rows than shown in that last post.  Really enjoying this knit though.  Lace knitting is definitely about the process, because I don't have a lot of need for shawls in my everyday life (although I like to picture myself needing them).

Finished my September socks almost down to the wire.  I'm part of the

and just always have to finish at least one pair per month.  Here they are:

Apologies for the picture, there's been nothing but rain and clouds the last several days.  Yarn is Panda Cotton, top down, 3 X 1 rib on 56 stitches, standard heel, German round toe.

Bought this great boxy bag on Etsy:

It arrived today and I love it!  Highly recommend Etsy seller ZigZagStitches.  A girl can never have too many sock project bags!

So there's a quick recap for anyone still there.  Back soon, hopefully!

Weekend countdown

SO glad it's Friday, really looking forward to the weekend and in particular, to sleeping in tomorrow. Yawn.  After having last week off it's been a long and tiring week.  Add the return to skating two nights a week to that mix, contributes to the way I'm feeling this Friday morning.  Speaking of skating, after being off the ice since April, I was glad to return this week.  I'm not doing the group lessons this year, I really felt that they contributed to my stall last year.  Instead, I'm sharing a private lesson once a week with a knitting friend who skates at the same level as me.  I hope I'll be able to progress more this year as a result.

Yesterday afternoon I met up with Lisa, whose blog I've been reading for some time now.  It was nice to finally meet her.  The main reason for our meet-up was to give her some yarn she had purchased in my stash sale.  We met up at the LYS, so of course went shopping.  I came home with the following:

I've knit with this Fabel sock yarn before and really liked it.  It is a reasonably priced yarn,  and I was happy to find another colourway that I liked.  I also bought this Sweatermaker Fingering weight merino:

I bought this thinking that I might make a small Forest Canopy Shawl with it (I love that pattern!) but now that I have it home, I think the colour might be a little too similar to this one that I made myself.  I would still like to make a small shawl or maybe a scarf with it.  If anyone has any suggestions for a pattern that uses 400 meters of fingering weight yarn, please let me know.

Need to get more caffeine into my blood now.  Just need to get through the work day and my hair appointment after work, and then the weekend is all mine!

Spring Skating Wrap-Up

The Spring Skating Session was good for me.  I struggled throughout most of the earlier Winter session, mainly because the group lessons just weren't doing it for me.  I felt that I wasn't progressing, and left the rink feeling discouraged after most of the sessions.  Fortunately, Spring was another story.  There were no group lessons offered, so I took one fifteen minute private lesson each week.  Much better.  I learned that I do WAY better one to one, I am more challenged that way, and I feel that I am finally progressing again.  The focus this session was on spins (pretty wimpy ones, don't be impressed), edges, crossovers (just started to do them backwards), among other things.  Spring Session ends this week.  Unfortunately, I have to miss the final session on Thursday as I'll be out of town for work.  I was okay with that.  Until tonight that is.  I felt really sad getting off the ice tonight, I'm going to miss it.

Summer Session runs for four weeks, beginning mid July.  I've never enjoyed summer skate previously, and following my unsuccessful winter session, had decided not to participate this year.  I'm reconsidering that now though.  Perhaps I'll attend one night a week rather than my usual two.  I have a feeling I'm going to be itching to get on the ice by then.

As we unlaced our skates tonight, a few of the other women were talking about roller skating (traditional four wheel type as as opposed to inline skates), and perhaps getting together to do that over the summer.  That has really got me thinking.  Should I get myself a pair of roller skates?

I write these skating updates mostly for my own record, and they have been few and far between this year.  Many of you regular blog readers have been very encouraging about my skating though, and I thank you for that.  The saga will continue, I'm having fun on the ice again!

Peanuts Clipart Courtesy Ice Skating Clipart Galore.

Second Skate-a-versary

Last night's start of the Spring Skating Session proved to be a great way to end a perfect four day weekend.  I'm happy to say that this also is my Second Skate-a-versary; it was Spring Session 2005 that I first laced up my skates.

I didn't enjoy the Winter Session this year, mainly because I didn't feel that I progressed that much.  I participated in Group Lessons, but one coach and many skaters at different levels made it difficult.  Last night I took the first Private Lesson I've had in at least a year (no group lessons this Spring Session).  So much better!  I think that might just be the way to go.

Off to finish getting ready for work.  After such a wonderful long weekend, I'm feeling rested, re-energized, and ready to face the work week ahead.

Finally!

Some of you may have noticed that I haven't posted skating updates lately.  That's because I've felt pretty stalled out on the ice.  My speed is improving I'm told, but I've felt like I'm making little progress, so I was thrilled tonight to finally pass Canskate Level 4!  A quick look through my archives revealed that Level 3 was achieved WAY back in December 2005, so it was about time.  I kind of feel that the coach took pity on my, as I'm not overly consistent with my Three Turns, but she assures me that I've worked hard and I deserve it.  So I'll still happily take it!  A quick look here reveals that I don't have much left to accomplish to reach Level 5 so let's hope I pass that sooner than 14 months from now!

Just posted again over at Island Crafts.  Off to unwind now with a good book, maybe I'll even start posting over at Brenda Reads again soon!

Overdo Skating Update and Office Yarn

So, we're well into the skating season and I haven't yet posted about it.  I've really been struggling, feeling like I've hit a plateau and am showing little improvement.  It's been a long time since I've passed another Canskate level.  Also, it doesn't help that I it's been a while now since I had a lesson.  It was cancelled on Thanksgiving Monday, I was away this past Monday, and will be away this coming Monday as well.  Thursday session is ice time with no lesson. 

I really wasn't into going to skating last night.  I've been away this week and have hardly spent any time with my husband (he worked last weekend when I was home).  I did however manage to drag myself to the rink.  Spent a bit of time futzing with my skates, finally got them adjusted so they felt good.  And then, my skating mojo returned.  I didn't accomplish the a three turn (something that is really alluding me at the moment) but I had fun.  It helped that the music was wonderful.  I did lots of stroking, practiced crossovers, backwards skating, and edges.  Tried the illusive three turn (can do it on two feet but not one).  I really needed this, made me very happy.

Finally, on another topic, I'm happy to report that knitters are taking over my workplace!  I know of at least three other co-workers who have knit their first socks.  And one of my co-workers came back from coffee break with a yarn purchase.  Of course that makes me want to go by this yarn too, not that I need any encouragement!

Happy Friday!  I feel like I'm the only knit blogger who won't be at Rhineback this weekend.  Should be quiet on the blog front this weekend, hope those other non-attenders will be commented here and posting on their own blogs!

Reflections on Summer Ice

I'm posted this more for my own record more than anything else, so if you came here for any knitting or crocheting updates, they won't be in this post.  I am however going to post my latest sock FO shortly.

Tonight was the last session of the Summer Skate.  I think one word to describe it - "bleh."  A few reasons for this.  It's really hard to get into skating on a nice summer day, although on at least one occasion, the cool rink air was quite welcoming.  Like last summer, there were far too many people of different levels on the ice.  There were some students home for the summer, as well as some teens practicing their dance partnering.  All that jumping and dancing made the ice far too crowded for us beginners.  And the ice quality was lousy too.  There was usually power skating and/or hockey before us, and even after a flood, the ice was rather rough.  Lessons weren't that hot either this time around, she mostly had us do things that weren't new and could easily have done on our own.  Another down thing about summer skate is that it is only four weeks (one hour twice a week) and by the time you get your skating legs back, the summer session is done.  I think though that I'm just as glad to be done now until Fall/Winter session starts at the end of September anyway.

You're probably saying "enough complaining already!"  It wasn't all bad.  I finally understand how to do  an outside edge now (even if I don't always execute it properly), and maybe one day I'll even be able to do a three turn!