Je suis un artist!

Oui oui!  Imagine me sitting in a Parisian cafe, laptop on a lovely wrote iron table, in a navy and white striped top, red bandanna tied around my neck and a beret perched jauntily on my head*.

Why yes, I am feeling quite French today mainly because of my recent adventures in painting.  My friend Sarah and I signed up for a Colors and Bottles night through Groupon.  Basically the premise is that you pay a fee and go and drink and be merry with 25 strangers and paint for 3 hours.  And that is just what we did.

We picked a date that worked and then realized that the painting we would make was on the calendar.

Calendar of Events

So on Wednesday, we went and painted poppies.  I do like poppies so it was a happy coincidence but none the less, poppies will putt them to sleep!  I had to include the Wizard of Oz scene in here somewhere when talking about poppies.

Anyway, the food was great, and I would definitely go back to the Modern Cafe in the future.  We sat down at easels and were given brushes and acrylic paint.  The teacher gave us some instruction but in general there were no real "rules".

When it comes to painting, I have some technique but I just don't have the vision to see something I want to paint and then make it happen.  Therefore some instruction was nice, I didn't have to stress over what to make just follow the general steps.

So we made a blue sky, and the poppies, and the ground.  There was someone who even made a whole mountain scene in the background.

But here is my painting,

Une Artiste!

So there you have the work of my own hands.  I am super proud of the shading I did and the sky is kind of awesome.  I think the bigger thing is that I am impressed at how awesome it was to paint with acrylic.  When I think of it I am reminded of banners we made in high school for band and football.  This however was really nice and dried fast so there were no messy wet painting to take home with us.

I think I will totally sign up to do this again.  It was a nice and relaxing evening and fun as you tried to recreate a pretty painting from scratch.

<3 Heather

* Reality is that I am not in Paris nor wearing any of those things.  :oP

Little Things in Life

This time of year is always a bit hard.  Friday, August 3, marked 15 years since my grandmother died from Leukemia.  Saturday, August 4, marked 6 years since my Gull Bladder Surgery.  And on Saturday, August 11, it's been 9 months since I lost my mom.

I honestly am doing better.  I am a little thankful that I blogged a lot earlier in the year because I don't remember much of it.  I was going through the motions and apart of sparks of significant events, it's all a blur.

I still mourn a bit everyday for my mom but the loss isn't as severe.  I still pause when I want to call and tell my mom something.  I want to see her smiling face and know everything is going to be okay.  But there are silver linings, my dad and I are so much closer now. I also feel so much stronger than before and I am also easier on myself.  

What can I say, I am (was?) a perfectionist.  I honestly try not take myself too seriously but it happens.  I am full of passion about work and my career that suddenly everything becomes so serious.  

So what's a girl to do to relax?  I think its all about the little things that help to put us back into perspective.

Jenn (best friend from High School) and I got together and wandered around the mall and had dinner.  

December 2010, Mom was there too.

She has been working so hard lately that we really have to plan to get to see each other.  I wanted to go for a walk but it was too hot so wandering around the mall was a good second option plus retail therapy helps fight the blues right?

So we bought clothes and got lured into a tea shop where I found this little gizmo.

It's a Tea Steaper!

Seriously how cool (or should I say hot :p ) is that?  It steeps the leaves and then like magic you put it over the cup and it dispenses.  Really it is all about the little things sometimes.

Overall, this is a busy week but I am so happy Jenn and I got some time to hang out.  She always makes me laugh and she has been one of the rocks in my life that helps me to get through the hard times.  Thanks Jenn!

---

In other news, classes are fast approaching but so is fall and that is my favorite time.  I have some plans to blog a bit more.  While I am not apologizing for my lack of posts, there is just so much more I want to share so be prepared.

I should be able to cook more and show you all my creations.  Plus it's pie season and I love making pies!

I still have to get pictures off of my camera from my DC trip with my friend Stephanie.  

Yarny goodness of course will continue

<3 Heather

Hockey Hangover

This weekend was very depressing.  I love hockey and the playoffs are a great time to be a fan.  This playoff season has been a bit of a challenge to maintain my enthusiasm.  The Pens have not been the same team they were during the regular season.  It's annoying and now we are down 3-0 in the Series to the Flyers. (yuck)

Watching the Big Screen on the Lawn at the Consol Energy Center

I did at least get to hang out with friends this weekend to watch the games.  Friday, I was at Jenna and Mike's house for the game.  The most amusing part of the night was when their dog, Stanley knocked over the tray tables that had pop and food on them.  It was a big mess but everyone was just to stunned to try and prevent it.

Sunday, I met up with Jenn and we watched the game on the lawn.  This is a tradition back to the 2008 playoffs where the Pens organization shows the game on a big screen outside of the arena so the fans can get together and watch it in a big group.  I got us decent seats but the game was still out of control.  I did manage to make 5 more green Lego blocks during the game.

Needless to say, I woke up with a hockey hangover.  Have you ever had that feeling?  In Pittsburgh, we take our sports seriously and if the home team loses the whole city feels a little blue the next day.  Seriously, you do not want to be around us after a Steelers loss.  But, in the midst of just being blue, my favorite radio morning show reminded me about hope.

We still have a chance and that my friends, sparked the hope that I have as a fan. Hope is such an important emotion.  I have always been a silver lining and glass half full kind of gal, so to give up on my Pens was more of a visceral reaction to the game rather than the team I love.

Really.without hope, why bother being a fan?  I love the Pens.  The players are good people, the organization is pretty awesome to let us fans gather and cheer on the team (for free!) now the team just has to feel our good vibes and win the next 4.  Is it possible?  Of course it is.  Do it Pens!  We believe in you, so believe in yourselves and play your game of hockey.

Let's Go Pens!  #Pensin7

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - And the Scarves Have It!

Hello again, it has been a busy week this week but I did manage to get some work done on my WIPs. Here is the compilation picture.

Progress Picture for 4/4/2012

In the picture above are the projects that I worked on last week.  Falling Water Scarf , Gryffindor Scarf, and the Hummingbird Socks.

I am really pleased with what I got accomplished this week but with Easter coming up and finals (test and paper) for my grad class coming up.  I think my crafting will have to go on hiatus, but we shall see.

This scarf has faux cables through the magic of SSK and K2tog!

I have been epically frustrated with the falling water scarf because it just didn't seem to be turning out the way I expect.  I am using Space Cadet Creations fingering yarn I got at the Knit and Crochet festival and I just wanted to show the tonal color and the sparkle to the best of it's ability.

Well, this guy went into time out and when I picked it back up this week everything just seemed to click and I was able to see the pattern emerge from the yarn.  So happy that I stuck with it, as this is going to be a beautiful scarf.

About another inch or so to go until the heel flap.

I have added a couple inches to the Hummingbird sock and can't wait to get to the heel flap but am comfortable with the pace I am keeping on this sock.

The Gryffindor scarf really is my go to project right now, particularly when watching the Penguins or any TV program.  The Pens won last night against the Boston Bruins, but I had to switch over to another program because I felt like I was jinxing the game.  I did get about 9 rows done on the scarf.

I am going to the next game on Thursday.  It's against the Rangers and I am so excited.  Not only am I going to the game, but I am volunteering through work to sell raffle tickets for the Flight 93 Memorial before the start of the game and through the first period of play.

You will also notice that I have some stitch markers in the compilation picture.  After receiving and purchasing some awesome markers, I thought that I could make some.  Really I just love how they hang from your work and are more attractive that the plain old plastic ones.

Aren't the Bumblebees and Lady Bugs adorable?

I still have some finishing work left to do on many of them but the above is just a sampling of what I was able to create. Really I know they look complicated but after about 15 minutes of work I end up with a handful of these colorful gems.

I do want to plug my own handy-work a bit, my good friend Samie at Not Your Gram's Afghan is doing a giveaway for her blog-aversary.  Not only do you win 2 skeins of King Cole Riot and a pattern for the Spring Ripple Scarf, but you get 5 stitch markers that I made!

Stitch Markers for Samie's Giveaway!

Go check it out and register to win!  *And may the odds be ever in your favor!*

Check out other WIPs at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

* First person who comments below with the source material of the starred text above will get a set of stitch markers in their color of choice!  Good Luck!

2012 - March Recap

I feel as though I just worked on getting the February mosaic done but I am really pleased with everything I got done this month.  The weather had been finicky but in general spring has come in full bloom.  I can't wait to show you pictures of flowers and spring here in Pittsburgh.

  <3 Heather

PS Check out my good friend Samie's blog for her blog-aversery giveaway!

WIP Wednesday - Socks and Scarves

Happy WIP Wednesday everyone!  I actually have some marked progress to show this week so I am excited to share.

Progress!

So in the picture above are the Gryffindor Scarf and the Hummingbird Socks.

I wanted to go back to knitting with bigger needles to give my hands some relief so this had been my night-time knit.  I am at the second set of stripes and planned to work on it during the hockey game last night (Pens lost in an epic fail to the NY Islanders) and instead I fell asleep due to a headache and didn't do much of anything.

The hummingbird socks are a new pair of socks.  I am using Silver's Sock Class again without the ribbing to show off the fabulous Knit Picks Felici in Hummingbird.  Isn't the color great!  Saturated colors of green, teal, magenta and purple make me smile.  I hadn't anticipated casting on more socks but I like working on socks while sitting in traffic on my way home and its an easy travel project to have on hand.

In other WIP news, I have another blue square done for the Lego Blanket but it really wasn't worth digging out the squares for a picture before I left for work this morning.

I haven't worked on either the Falling Water scarf or the Karina Vest because I am trying to focus on the projects that are gifts for other people.


I have finally found time to read and finished a book last week but I am behind on my goal and need to get in gear.  I have a ton of books to read but really reading and knitting are a hard combination to pull off. Pictured above is what I am currently reading.

Here are some details about those books:

• Breakaway by Deirdre Martin

Breakaway is a part of the author's Blades Hockey Series.  I mean really Romance novels and hockey, what could be a better combination.  This one also has an Ireland flair to it and so far I am really enjoying it.

• The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

The Garden Intrigue is a part of the author's Pink Carnation Series that focuses on aristocratic spies and their romances during the Napoleonic Wars.  The novels are well written and fast paced and always make me want to read them in one sitting. 

I will keep updating my progress and post a review when I finish.

Don't forget to check out what other bloggers are working on at Tami's Amis

<3 Heather

Finished Object Friday - Rubix Cube Tissue Box Holder

Hi. My name is Heather and I am a nerd.  Seriously, I think math and science is cool.  I work in a technical field and love Star Wars, Dr. Who, Harry Potter, etc.  But my favorite TV show right now is the Big Bang Theory, and I let my nerd flag fly. 

I love it that they are quirky and sweet.  I get these people and probably would be friends with them, so when I see crafty things from the show I get excited and many other do as well.  Case in point, the The Big Bang Gang on ravelry is devoted to the show.

But I digress, I noticed awhile back during the show that on the end table next to Sheldon's seat they had a covered tissue box.  Now, when I think of tissue box holders, I tend to think of the one's my grandmother had at her house.  Pastel, with flowers and small details but watching the show I saw the nerdiest of all Tissue Box  Holders

Behold the Rubix Cube Tissue Box Holder!

I couldn't find a picture of a scene but here is a link to another blog where they visited the set.

Anyway, I didn't make this for myself, in fact I have never solved a Rubix cube but one of my best friends is a fan.

Taken at my Birthday Party

Becky has several different styles and types so I started to make this box for her before Christmas but since she wasn't my Secret Santa Swappee amongst our friends,  I made it for her birthday later this month instead.

Of course, as I was making it I thought I should make a solved version so she could swap them out as I knew it would bug her that she couldn't solve the tissue box. :-P

It looks so nice now and I tried to make it as accurate as possible but there are a few mistakes luckily she can hide them in the back.  Also, I counted the square of the tissue as one of the blocks because you can only have 9 blocks of each color.

Here is the finished product on Becky's shelf at work and she was so excited that she took it to work the day after I finished it!

 So what do you think?  Do you think Sheldon would approve?

Check out other Finished Objects at Tami's Amis Blog

<3 Heather

Project Details:


Materials - Plastic Canvas in the translucent color
Patten - Free Form and made it up but the squares are 11x11 and I made angled stitches across the square. 
Needles - Tapestry/Yarn Needle
Yarn - Red Heart Super Saver in Blue, Bright Yellow, Cherry Red, Paddy Green, Orange, White and Black 
Duration - About 6 Evenings work of work though I started it in December

2012 - February Recap

Another month has passed and another Mosaic of everything that happened last month.  I am feeling really calm and relaxed which is something I haven't felt for a year.  February was full of yarny goodness, I went to the knit and crochet fest, a knitting lesson, and took lots of pictures for the month of craft project.  I can't wait for what March brings (cough basketball cough).

This week has been rough, I have had migraines and sickness but am finally starting to feel better. Hope everyone else is having a good week.

<3 Heather

PS Who else is excited for March Madness?

Sam and Heather's Most Excellent Knitting Adventure!

I feel like this intro needs some air guitar #enernenrenrnerne#.  Anyway, goofy mood aside this week in Sam and Heather's Most Excellent Knitting Adventure takes us to Knit One in Pittsburgh, PA for a knitting lesson.  We both bought Living Social deals for a 2 hour advanced beginner's class in knitting.

our table during our lesson

Now, when we bought these I had finished the Penguin Hat and Sam hadn't tried knitting before so when I went to get the yarn for myself and Samie's Christmas Gift I asked what we needed to know for the class.  She said, we need to be able to knit and purl, cast on and bind off.  I passed along this information to Sam and she went wild with dishcloths and more dishcloths to be ready for our lesson.

Anyway, after several reschedules we finally had our lesson (During an intense hockey game too.  Alas, what I do for my knitting.).  We were early so we worked on some of our other WIPs but then we were able to get started. First we had a lot of yarn to wind.

Samie and our instructor Wendy!

We got to learn how to load the Swift

And the Yarn Winder!  I got pretty good at it

Anyway, once the lesson got started we started our gauge swatch and we all learned 2 things.

1. A gauge swatch help you to do the math to make the pattern work out.  
2. I cannot knit and hold a conversation.

Exhibit A

As you can see there is a hole in my swatch and I have a ridge in the material because I knitted where I should have purled.  I can watch hockey and talk to my dad while knitting but I can't talk to other knitters.  But really I am happy to understand the importance of a gauge swatch because we had some serious edits to do on the pattern for it to fit right and the swatch helped to understand the math.

There were other beginner classes going during the time we were there and they were learning how to knit a scarf.  I am super happy we chose the advanced beginner class.

Overall, my lovely Pumpkin Berroco Vintage Chunky yarn is amazing!  It is so soft and cuddly.  I am really excited to get this pattern going but I have an exam on Wednesday and all yarn craft must come to a stand still while I study.  Never fear, I have posts in the works for everyone!

I realized today, as I wrote this that I made homemade lasagna for my dad this weekend and didn't take any pictures for the blog.  Bad Blagger!  I will try and remember for next weekend!

Until next time.  Air Guitar out #nrterenenrennenr#

<3 Heather

Finished Object Friday - Oh My Goodness, It's Done!

That is how I felt this week when I finally finished this project.  I started it back on Halloween and really everything kind of went down hill in November so I didn't get much done.  After my mom died, I really just didn't do anything until late January early February.  The bad thing is that this blanket was made for my friend Sarah's baby who was born on December 13.

As I got back into crafting and started this blog, I set a deadline for myself of February 3rd but that came and went.  I guess better late than never!

V-stitch Baby Blanket

I am so happy to share this with you as really this is the first blanket I have ever finished. I started another baby blanket and hated the pattern and didn't finish it.  The baby will be 8 months old.  Gah.

So this blanket is Little V-Stitch Blanket from Lion Brand.  It calls for cotton ease but when I took the mom to be to the store to pick out the colors we didn't like the cotton ease color pallet so I made this out of Lily's Sugar 'n Cream in the Jewel Ombre.  It has teal, light green, lavender, and dark purple all running through it and the pools of color came out great.

I love the colors in this thing.

I plan on washing it before I gift it to my friend.  I think it will soften up a bit in the wash and I have been sick so I don't want to pass along those germs to the new baby.

In other news, I thought this might be a double finished object Friday because I am so close to finishing a hat but I went to a local yarn store last night instead to do some reconnaissance for a project in the queue. I also got confirmation of a pattern for another friend's baby so there is a lot of stuff in the works in Amaryills world.  So exciting!

Check out other amazing and awesome finished objects over at Tami's Amis Blog

V-Stitch for Ella Baby Blanket:
  
Hook - US 9/I or 5.5mm
Yarn - Lily's Sugar 'n Cream in Jewel's Ombre (4.25 skeins)
Duration - 3 months but it was start and stop work during that time (probably 8 evenings worth of work all together)

For the details on Ravelry and my notes during the project check out the project page here

<3 Heather

Month of Craft - Day 8 thru Day 12

Not only did I get out the Knit and Crochet festival this past weekend but I caught up on taking some pictures for the Month of Craft Project.  I have had a great time with this challenge and am really trying to take the pictures now instead of using older pictures that I have.  Anyway, here are days 8 thru 12.

Day 8 - Challenging

Celtic Cables Dishcloth

So I found my WIP for Cables to be challenging.  Not that making the cables was challenging, just the need for concentration and paying attention is challenging.  I used cotton and it really didn't have much give but I plan to attack this pattern again and try to get it to stand out.  Also I accidentally did 2 rows twice and that was when I decided to frog the pattern.  I know now I need to make notes and journal while doing these projects.

Day 9 - Your Hands

Working on Silver's Sock Class

I got a couple new gadgets (post coming shortly!) so taking this picture was a lot easier than the "you in action" prompt from Day 1.

Anyway, I have to comment that I love nail polish.  I usually either have a manicure or at least my nails painted, but I am guilty of letting it chip away for a while (GASP!)  Anyway, I am pretty handy at painting my own nails and can even do a decent job on the dreaded right hand.  This nail polish is from Essie and the color is called Lion Around.  I love it.  I tend to gravitate toward deep colors and stay away from pastels but this one is just the right amount of color to make me happy.

As noted on the caption, I am working on Silver's Sock Class in Tequila Sunrise from Breathless by Shalimar Yarns

Also, the purple band is from the Knit and Crochet Fest.

Day 10 - Your Craft Bag

My mom made me a craft bag.  I really like it and it holds a couple of projects and my bag of needles and hooks.  I mentioned that I wanted a bag and the next weekend this was made.  I didn't quite like the bag at first but it really grew on me.

I realize now that I didn't always appreciate all of the little things that my mom did for me.  I look around my apartment and see the curtains, pillows, and blankets she made.  I see the lamps she found for me when I moved to my first apartment and the appliances I got for holidays and birthdays.  She was kind of awesome and I really did have a great mom.

Day 11 - A WIP

Noro Plaid Project

I have craft ADD and have like 6 WIPs going on but I couldn't help but grab this one for the photo because the colors are so vibrant and beautiful.

Day 12 - A Crafty Gift

I made this scarf for my Friend Jenn but never got it to her.  Now that St. Patrick's Day is coming around again, I hope to get her this scarf.

So what do you think?  I personally can't wait for my recap at the end of the month to show you all of the pictures!

Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival

We had a snowy weekend here but it was perfect for a day spent shopping for yarn and wool.  Samie from Not Your Gram's Afghan I went to the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival.

Of course, I went with a budget but really that went out the window when I saw all of the artizen hand dyed yarn.

I found a few lovely and adorable patterns.

Unwind: Yarn House Soft Owl Pillow

The Wonderful Wallaby and Cozy from the Toe Up, Crochet by Faye

Crochet by Faye had some really lovely stuff at her table.  I wanted to buy all of her books and try all of the patterns.  Really her stuff was adorable and youthful and she's from the Pittsburgh Area.

Look at some of the beautiful yarn we saw from Ball and Skein.  

Samie and I realized we really needed to get out of our color comfort zones.  I love bright greens and blues and Samie loves pinky purples so we made a decision to look for yarns we could not get in local stores in colors we don't generally gravitate toward.

So we both found some lovely yarn from SpaceCadet Creations which is also based out of the Pittsburgh Area.

 All of the yarn was beautiful and I loved all of the greens but I settled on a lovely rose color.

Overall, here is a shot of everything that I got at the festival.  I really think these are some brands that I plan on using again and again.  And really these are lovely yarns that I can't wait to make lovely things with them.

I really wished I could show the multitude of pictures from the day but visit Samie's site to check out what she had to say about the day.  Samie's Post

Also please make sure you check out the sites I listed for the yarns I bought!  Listed below is a compiled list.

• Crochet by Faye - Pattern
• SpaceCadet Creations - Sparkly Rose Fingering Yarn
• Cottage Creations - Pattern
• Claudia Hand Painted Yarns - Teal Fingering Yarn from  Fine Points Yarn Shop
• Unplanned Peacock Studio - Hand Painted Pink Fingering Yarn
• Wolf Creek Yarns - Project Bag
• Cultured Purl - Stitch Markers

<3 Heather

Change of Plans

Hello all, this post was supposed to be a FO of a baby blanket I am working on for a friend's baby.  I started before the baby was born but didn't get it done in time for the birth so now I just want to get it to the baby before their first birthday.  Truthfully, I enjoy all of my crafts but I have such ADD when it comes to projects.  I work best with clear deadlines and expectations to meet them, but having plans to write posts is a great motivator.

This is an in progress shot of the blanket.

 
I am really annoyed with myself for not finishing but I did work on something so the night was not lost.  I started to learn how to do cables and while completely scared of the things, I am realizing they are really easy.

I really got the confidence after reading this post and this post from Misadventures in Craft that I found a washcloth pattern to practice cabling.  Really she has a point that if you don't have preconceived notions about doing the "hard" things in knitting or crochet they really aren't that hard.  Challenging yes but not that hard.

It's hard to see in the white but there are the cables :)

It's definitely flawed but I am so happy that I can finally see the pattern.  One thing I was surprised about was that working with the ecru was like working with black, after awhile I was so frustrated because I couldn't see the pattern forming.  This morning it looked better though. I shall update the progress as I knit along til I get a FO.

In other news, I decided to participate in the Month of Craft Photos on Flickr.  I figured that I have a new fancy camera and would be taking pictures for the blog anyway so what could it hurt.  Below are the daily prompts and my first 2 shots.

Daily Prompts

Day 1 - You in Action

Day 2 - Craft Tools

So there you have it, 2 days down and 27 more to go.  I am really excited to work on my composition and make great exposures.

Hope you have a good weekend!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!

There are a few most wonderful times of the year.

• Christmas (Obviously) 
• Hockey Playoffs (Hello hockey is on every night for like 2.5 months)
• March Madness (I love college basketball)
• Back to School time (Schools Supplies are my kryponite)
• And...

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!

I can really care less about who is playing (that's a lie because I love the Steelers but what can I do) but I love this weekend.  Good food, good friends and lots of awesome commercials.  

Anyway, I thought I would reminse about Super Bowls past.  Back in 1995, the Steelers went to Super Bowl 30 and we had a party to celebrate.  Mom was in charge of the food and the decorations but after we lost we told her she was not allowed to watch the big games because we think she jinxed us.  She really didn't care because she hated football.

Then in college, the Steelers were doing pretty well.  Here is a picture of me watching the AFC championship game in my dorm room.  My roomie Lucy so kind took a pic while I was swearing at the Patriots.

And being caught on camera...

Then the next year, we won the Super Bowl but the playoff games leading up to the super bowl were insane.  I mean I couldn't watch I would run out of the room into the bedroom and have my roomie tell me what was going on.  Mind you, Lucy had no idea what was going on, so I would run back out.  I think I wore a hole in the carpet.

When we did win, the whole college town rioted and of course I was in the thick of it, luckily Lucy took pictures of people burning a couch on our lawn.

Of course I ran out without a coat and it was snowing

Meanwhile, I was making my way to the heart of campus with all of the screaming fans.  It was one of the best memories of my life until the groups started wrecking havic and destroying things.  I realized it was time to go.

A couple years later, the Steelers went back again and some friends had a party.  It was fine but by the end I couldn't take it and I left before it was over.  My rationale was that I listened to the entire season on the radio in my car, so I needed to get there to reverse the jinx I was creating.  As soon as I started the car, the Steelers scored.  Granted my friends still make fun of me for "peacing out" before the game was over.  I also didn't partake in any riots but it was a good time.

Last year the Steelers were in the Super Bowl again and another party was held and again I left early.  Can't really remember why now but I did.

Granted, I do watch the other one's but they are mainly low key events with some food and people but alas, there are not pictures from these later Super Bowls.  

Hope you have a good weekend and don't do anything I wouldn't do!

<3 Heather