WIP Wednesday - Sick of Snow

I don't think I have ever been a person to bitch about the cold weather.  I am not a huge fan of the heat waves and humidity in the summer and I make that statement known.  So I tend to grin and bear whatever mother nature deals during the winter.  Alas, everyone has a breaking point and the snow is starting to get to me.  Over night we got 4 more inches of snow and ice and cleaning that off my car was not fun.

But even with the snow and foul weather, there is beauty in the world.  This past Christmas I finally remembered to buy an Amaryllis bulb.  I can't very well call this Amaryllis Musings and not have the actual plant.

Such a lovely splash of color on a grey day.

Rigging Up the Color Affection

Almost there...

I managed to finish my Sundry (I am super behind on FO posts) and went back to this project.  I may have mentioned this already but I did the majority of the second section while recovering from my surgery.  I got to the solid band of the third section and petered out.  This is the last slog that takes the longest time.  It's straight forward but the shear number of stitches on each pass is daunting.  I hope to get this done by the end of the weekend, the I can start on some new things to watch during the Olympics.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Err Thursday? #2

Hello again, don't you just love the start of June?  I do.  I may not be a fan of the heat and humidity but early June is one of the best times of the year.  School is getting out, summer plans are being made and the season just brings a lovely energy to the community.

The temperature in early June is warm but not oppressive.  The nights are cool or as my mom would say "Good sleeping weather."  Plus the flowers are starting to bloom and perfume the air.

My favorite smell is honeysuckle that grows wild along some roads.  Particularly on the way home from my dad's house.  There is a stretch where the hillside is just full of the flowers and the air just smells sweet and clean.

It's those smells this morning on my way to work that reminded me that I should enjoy the weather before it gets too hot or too busy during the summer.

Speaking of busy, yesterday came and went and I forgot to take pictures so this post is a bit later than I would like but I wanted to update everyone on my progress.

Candy Skein Leftie

Lucky Shawl?

So it is with a frustrated heart that I update you all on the Penguins.  You may have noticed my series of playoff recap posts.  The Pens have made it deep into the playoffs and this round decides who goes on to the play for the Stanley Cup.  It is with a sad heart that I report to you that my beloved Pens are down 3 games in the best of 7 series.  The game tomorrow faces elimination and a sweep.  I am so distraught.

During the first game, I did my pregame rituals.  I got my knitting out, the shirt on the game on the ipad and started to watch.  It was an epic fail.  The next game not much better.  Last night, double overtime and a loss.  I don't know what else I can do but I keep working on the shawl to hope the good vibes help the team make an epic comeback.

Justice League Filler Squares

Just a square but it's going in an epic blanket

Before the round started, I wanted to work on something but didn't want to finish the Leftie too quickly so I started another filler square for my Justice League Blanket.  These blocks are fairly easy and mindless stockinette that can be taken anywhere.  The image above shows the 40 rows I have so far and I should get the rest done tonight at knit night.

Juego Sin Fin en el Verano (Endless Juego in Summer)

I ended up ripping this project out.  I just couldn't justify the time to make the shawl when I wasn't excited about doing the shawl or even wearing the shawl.  I learned a lot about using beads, reading charts and there are some aspects that were worth the time I took on the piece.  Instead I am going to use the yarn to make Lunar Tide.  It has a similar cable cast off that I can add beads too like the Juego and still have something that excites me and that I would wear.

Hue Shift Afghan

The latest addition to the afghan

Glamour Shot :)

I didn't work on this blanket but I did finally get some new pictures to show you.  Enjoy :)

Anyway, that was my week.  Hope yours is going well.

#letsgopens

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

2012 - April Recap

Seriously where is the time going?!?  I am so amazed at the posts I did in April and I really hope you liked them too!  I am sad that the Pens out of the playoffs but there is still a lot of great hockey being played.  I have really progressed with getting those Lego Blocks done and bought a bunch of yarn.  Oops! :o)

Anyway, in May I plan to get that Lego blanket done and finish some of the other WIPs I have going on before starting a bunch of new ones again.  Let's see how that goes.

<3 Heather

Color Lovers - 3KCBWDAY1

Hello!  It's Knit and Crochet Blog Week 2012!  This week will feature topics related to knitting and crochet from various bloggers around the world.

Today's topic is Color!

As I looked over my stash I realized that I really like all of the colors.

I love using bright primary colors for baby blankets!

My WIP LEGO Baby Blanket 

I love crocheting blanket squares in as many colors as possible!

Vanna's Choice Spring Ahead Swap

I love buying yarn in so many colors it makes my head spin!

Look at all of the pretty colors!

While, I have only been knitting and crocheting for about 4 years,  I have noticed some trends in my yarn purchases.  I tend to buy saturated colors.  No pastels for me.  I don't look good in pastels so why make something that I can never wear?   I also noticed that I do buy a lot of green yarn.  Green is my favorite color, so why should't I buy my favorite color.

I love this yarn!

But I also love Orange!  I made my first socks in a lovely peachy orange yarn that was great to work with and the socks are so comfy.

Don't these look like a sunset?

So what does it all mean? Why do I like color so much?  I think it's because there is color everywhere.  I remember in art class our teacher telling us that the clouds are not white, in fact they are everything but white.  At that moment I really started to look at colors in a new way.  I notice the undertones, the highlights and the shades that make every color unique, that is why I like color so much.

Yes, I may like bright and saturated colors but really I am just trying to capture a bit of the world around me and bring it inside when I knit or crochet.

This was taken in Washington at a Tulip Festival

Who doesn't love a rainbow?  Or a field of flowers?  Or bright blue skies?  Or breathtaking sunsets?

So I use what I love and I love colors that make me happy.  Because there can always be a little more happiness in the world!

<3 Heather

Please visit eskimimi makes for more information about the blog week or search 3KCBWDAY1 for other great posts!

Week in a Day 2

Alas, no finished object this week but it has been an interesting week.  Work has been really busy and after work has been even busier!

I started a Photography class on Tuesdays.  I have always loved taking pictures and with blogging have really made an effort to take more pictures to share.  The amazing thing is that with a lot of luck I have taken some really visually astounding and interesting pictures.  But I want to take them all of the time, so I decided to take the class to learn about photography and learn my new camera.

Taken in April 2010, at a Tulip Festival outside of Seattle

Our first assignment is to take pictures of our house using the different camera settings.  I don't like the lighting in my apartment, so I will take the pictures at my Dad's house.  The other part of the assignment is to find pictures that just take our breath away in magazines and bring them in.  I think this is the hard part because I don't have many magazines around my apartment.

Tulip in the Yard, April 2012

In my Grad class on Wednesday, I found out that my presentation is due on 4/18/2012 and not 4/25/2012 like I thought.  (Cue the sad trombone music)  At least I didn't freak out, I will get it done this weekend and then work on my paper that is due on 4/25/2012.

On Wednesday, the Pens lost to the Flyers 3-4 in overtime.  I don't think the loss would sting as bad but they Pens were up 3-0 in the first period and just didn't show up for the remaining 2 and overtime.  There is another game tonight, so hopefully they bounced back.  I do want to mention that I think our goal tender, #29 Marc-Andre Fluery played a really good game and that score could have been a lot worse if he wasn't on top of his game.

It's a Hockey Night in Pittsburgh! And I did make and decorate this cake.

There is another game tonight, which means it's a great day for hockey!

Thursday,  I got my Knit Picks order!  I ordered a Yarn Swift and Ball Winder, plus a scarf pattern called Richmond Lace Infinity Scarf and Knit Picks Chroma Fingering in Azalea .  I was so excited that I tested out the swift and winder last night and it is really addicting.

I also made a large purchase from Deramores.  I bought 8 balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran for a blanket I want to make.  I chose some muted blues, pinks and purples for white centered granny squares. I am basing my blanket off of the one made by Jacquie at Bunny Mummy.

Here is one of the colors for the blanket that I already bought

I also got 23 skeins of Stylecraft Special DK for some unknown project.  I admit to lusting after the yarn in all of Lucy at Attic24 so I figured why not get some and I can figure out the details later.  I am thinking of a ripple but it might just end up with more white centered squares like above.

Lastly, today I got the rest of the Lion Brand Cotton Ease from Joann Fabrics online store for the Lego Blanket.  They had a sale and free shipping so that is one less thing on my to do list.  I started the green blocks last night and they turned out great.  The colors are really looking good together and I should have taken a picture but I didn't.  Sorry. But, you will see them on Wednesday!

Well, that is all for now.  I plan on working on my paper this weekend but I also plan to get some reading done for pleasure.  I have neglected my TBR pile and it's ready to topple over on top of me.  I will let you know what I think of those books.

For actual finished objects, check out Tami's Amis

<3 Heather

Spring has Sprung

There is a green that only occurs once a year,  When the trees and flowers wake up from their long winter naps and come to life.   The green that nature presents starts out almost yellow and gradually turns into a lush and prefect green as it soaks up the rain and sunshine that spring provides.

Aside from suffering from allergies, I love spring.  I love the renewal of the season and anticipatory feelings that anything is possible.  Dreams and wishes seem real and all you have to do is fulfill them.

This past weekend, I got a chance to take some pictures of the flowers around my dad's house.  I still need to do some massive weeding but the bulbs and lilacs are coming into bloom.

I love the smell of Lilacs

 I am afraid the weather got to our lilacs this year.  We have had quite a bit of warm weather earlier than usual and then a few hard frosts in between.  Our lilac bushes are usually bursting with color and smell but not this year.

I had to hang off the side of the deck to get this shot.

Another thing about spring is all of the bulb flowers that just pop out of the winter ground like little zombies and then bloom into lovely daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, and crocuses.  I may have said in the past that at some point in my life, I want to go to Holland for their tulip festival.  Riots of color and patterns that bloom in the spring.

The sun created really pretty shadows while I was taking pictures.

 
My mom loved Tulips and there are various blubs planted around the house that are so cheerful and colorful.  I think I may have to get some more bulbs this fall and pollute the front garden so next spring is just a riot of color.

I loved the inside of this tulip

Really isn't that the magic of spring, these beautiful flowers are popping out of no where but the days are warm but there is a crispness and coolness that reminds you that winter was just in the air.

What are you doing?

But then again, to Zoey it just means more birds to chase and more sun spots to snooze in.

What do you love about Spring?

<3 Heather

Month of Craft - Day 3 thru Day 7

Hello all, things are kind of slow here this week, since things are kinda busy right now at work.  Anyway I thought that I would update you all on my progress on the  Month of Craft Photo Challenge.  I realized today that I haven't been true to the challenge and have been using some pictures I took in the past rather than snapping pictures each day.  Opps!  I will try and correct it in the future but for now here is what I have.

Day 3 - An Old Finished Object

Penguin Hat

You probably recognize this from a previous post but I couldn't help but reuse it and share it again.  Plus, I no longer have it in my possession.

Day 4 - Inspiration Outdoors

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, April 2010

Again I used an older picture but I love this picture and I am so impressed when I pull something off so amazing with my little old point and shoot.  I was visiting a friend in Seattle, Wa and we made the 60 mile trip north to check it out.  It was almost the end of the season but it was still amazing and beautiful.  One of my travel goals is to get to Holland for their Tulip Festival.  Plus in finding the links to share, I also found festivals in Ottawa and Albany in May.  I may have to plan a trip.

Day 5 - Notions

Penguin Stitch Marker

Okay, so of course I love Penguins and this one was just darling.  I took this picture on my new camera and applied a few edits for brightness.  F 5.6, ISO 100 and Shutter 1/200.

Day 6 - Color

Taken at Pike Place Market, Seattle Wa, April 2010

Another old picture but it's so hard to find color during such a dreary time.  Anyway I have a ton of orange stuff queued up that really this is a huge inspiration.  Again they are tulips and I took a ton of pictures of the bouquets they had for sale because the colors were so rich and lush.

Day 7 - Materials

Yarn for Granny Square Blanket

So I bought this yarn about a year ago because it was on sale and I had just gotten back into crocheting.  I was really into it and loved the colors and planned on making a huge blanket.  That blanket still unfinished.  Love the yarn and the colors but it wasn't a captivating project.  Anyway, this is a picture from when I took pictures for my stash on ravelry.

Tomorrow's prompt is "challenging" and perhaps I will photograph my cables tonight.  Maybe there is something else that will catch me eye.

While I do feel guilty about using old pictures it still excites me that I get to share these old ones with you.  Some day I will share other pictures from my travels but  that is another blog post.


<3 Heather

What's in a Name?

So, now that you've met me you want to know more right?  For instance what is the Amaryllis that you speak of?  Is it a favorite character from a musical? Is it an anagram of my name?  Is it in memory of a beloved pet?

Really it's none of these.  Amaryllis is a type of bulb flower typically sold in the winter months because it can bloom in doors. (thanks wikipedia!) I know this for a fact because my Great Grandmother (AKA Grandma Lily) was an avid gardener and had 4-5 of these flowers in various stages of bloom all year round.  But I know what your thinking, that really doesn't explain the name; just get to the point already.

If you insist :)

While thinking about a name for a blog/journal I was sitting in my living room/dining room staring off into space when I finally focused on the poster I have framed on the wall.

TA DA!  An Amaryllis, and there the name was born.  Not only was it an object of my mindless wandering but it also has a familial connection that made it perfect.  Later on I looked up the meaning of the flower (Did you know flowers have meanings?  Fascinating but that's another blog post) and realized this was the perfect flower for me.

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF
amaryllis

Legend has it that the amaryllis - the stunning red flower we've come to associate with the holidays - began as a shy, timid nymph. Amaryllis fell deeply in love with Alteo, a shepherd with Hercules' strength and Apollo's beauty, but her affections were unrequited.  Hoping that she could win him over by bestowing upon him the thing he desired most - a flower so unique it had never existed in the world before - Amaryllis sought advice from the oracle of Delphi.

Following his instructions, Amaryllis dressed in maiden's white and appeared at Alteo's door for 30 nights, each time piercing her heart with a golden arrow.  When at last Alteo opened his door, there before him was a striking crimson flower, sprung from the blood of Amaryllis's heart.  With this romantic - albeit tragic - tale as its beginning, it's not surprising that today the amaryllis has come to symbolize pride, determination and radiant beauty. (Courtesy of teleflora.com)

 So a not only did I name this blog after a poster and my Grandma Lily's memory but the flower itself suits my personality.  Proud and determined are two of my traits that I got from all of the lovely women in my family and I can't wait to tell you more about them!

<3 Heather