WIP Wednesday - Flowery Espionage

Hello again!

My how time flies throughout the week.  I really didn't get much done this week and after the marathon scarf, I was craving a break so I read a book.

I am not quite done but here is book the official synopsis from Goodreads:

In the ninth installment of Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series, an atrocious poet teams up with an American widow to prevent Napoleon's invasion of England. 

Since I have read the other 8 books, I have continued to follow the series.  It has been a great book so far and an interesting view from a character who was sympathetic to Napoleon during that time.  Quite fascinating really.

One crazy thing that happens when I read a lot of regency era books is that my manner of speech and vocabulary tend to reflect the books.  Really it would be a jolly good show if it wasn't deuce annoying.  :)

So there you have it, a WIP of a book about spies during the Napoleonic era.

How was your week?

<3 Heather

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

Week in a Day

Hello all, I know for many it is Finished Object Friday (check out Tami's Amis Blog for wonderful finished objects) but I was sick all week.

Tuesday started with the headache that wouldn't go away and Wednesday and Thursday was the stomach flu.  I didn't have a fever but I was not a happy camper.  Luckily I took my work laptop home and was able to work from home.  The good news is that my project is rolling out this weekend but that means I had a ton to do this week and being sick was not a motivating factor to get that and my blogging done.

I usually don't mention work here but I have to crow a bit because I have been working on this project for 2 years and am so happy to finally see it come to light.  I am really happy and nervous for the system to turn on.

Anyway, now that I am feeling better I figured I would condense a week of posts in a day and update everyone what's been going on.  This past weekend was so much fun,  I attended the Section 65/66 Alpha Phi Omega Conference. Alpha Phi Omega is a national co-ed Service Fraternity that I pledged in college and am now an alumni volunteer.  Really the conference was great, students got to network and learn how to make their chapters great.

Sunday, I didn't do much.  I didn't make it home but was able get some laundry and house cleaning done as well as crochet 5 more Lego Blocks! I mentioned them here and got a bunch more done plus all of my yarn has arrived.  I hope to get 20 done this weekend.  Wish me luck!

Monday I went out to dinner with a friend and Tuesday my headache prevented me from looking at monitors, screens, lights, sunshine so I became a vampire and hid in the dark.  My flu hit on Wednesday morning and I had all of these plans for WIP Wednesday but I didn't get around to it.

Aside from working on the bobbles, I was able to get some work done on my socks.  The ankle portion is about 3 inches and really I don't cuff or like tall socks so I think I am going to start on the heel. I admit this is a little scary but I think it will be okay.  Hopefully I will have more to show next week.

I love this yarn, the colorway is awesome and so soft

I started the next project after last WIP Wednesday but I found the pattern and couldn't wait to use the yarn.

It Sparkles!

  I bought Space Cadet Creations - Lucinda Yarn in the Mars Colorway at The Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival in February.  This is hand dyed locally and I love supporting local artisans plus really its gorgeous yarn.  I could not wait to get it on my needles the trick was finding the right pattern.

I found the Falling Water pattern on Ravelry and knew this would show the yarn well.  Okay, I needed a bit of encouragement today from Samie but as I look at the picture I can really see it coming together.  The picture doesn't show the color to it's fullest potential but it does show off the pattern and the sparkle.

Lastly, I started on a scarf for Katherine.  Katherine is a huge Harry Potter fan and is graduating this fall and I wanted to make her a Hogwarts Scarf as a present.  I got the yarn in this week and had to start.

It doesn't look like much but Gryffindor colors will shine through once I start adding the rows of Gold Stripes.  I am using the pattern from Year's 3 and 4 from Charmed Knits.  I got the book from my friend Amy but hadn't started to knit yet.  I am so happy I am able to use it now.

I haven't been reading as much as I like but have the following books in my queue:

• The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen
• Unclaimed by Courtney Milan
• Highlander for the Holidays by Janet Chapman
• So Shelly by Ty Roth
• Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas
• The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

I have a proclivity towards romances but I have still read 17 books so far this year.  The aim is always 100 so I need to remember to put down the knitting needles and pick up a book every so often.  Perhaps, I need a timer to have equal reading and yarn time.  Thoughts?

Well, hope you all have a good weekend and I hope to have some good pictures of recipes on Monday!  I am thinking of baking a pie this weekend.  Yummy!

<3 Heather