WIP Wednesday - Slimer Green

Hello all, I admit that I am still in a funk over the Pens performance during the Eastern Conference Finals.  Really this was a cup or bust year and the fans expected a lot.  Overall, I enjoyed the playoffs this season and will probably watch the finals and hope for Chicago to win.

In other news, I painted my nails on Monday and the color reminds me of Slimer from the Ghostbusters.  I like the color but every now and then as I type it catches my eye and I am blinded by bright nail color.

It's really green

Since the Pens are out of the running, I have actually started to work on other WIPs for a bit of variation.

Hue Shift Afghan

Hue Shift

It's really coming along

So I am up to the solid peach block.  The end of this 25 block is in sight.  This is good TV knitting project and I am still trying to get one block done a day.  I feel like that is a good goal to get this project moving along.

The Flash Square

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. I'm the Flash

So I am sorta cheating on WIP-ogamy goal with this project.  Some would say sorta cheating is like being a little bit pregnant, but I have an explanation.

This blanket project has been going on for a year already so beginning a new square doesn't count as starting a new project.  This is like starting another square in the Hue Shift, it just isn't connected yet.

I measured the height of the first column of squares and the blanket is most likely going to measure 3' X 3'.  Which is okay, I was hoping for a bigger blanket closer to 5' long by 3' wide.  Once everything is joined I am going to try and block it a bit to make it bigger.  Also aside from joining I need to go over all of the super hero squares and mend some wholes the color work caused.

Tropical Ginger Hitchhiker
Candy Skein Leftie

I did get some work accomplished with these shawls but it was minimal and I didn't get pictures this morning.  I have 33 teeth on the hitchhiker and will probably stop at 42 and decide if I want to make more.

The Leftie is coming along and I am now in my third repeat of the colors.  Red is done and now onto pink.

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

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

<3 Heather

And the stress just plummeted....

Well, that was quick and brutal.  If you had told me last year that the Pens would have a shorten season, finished first in the East and made it to the conference finals I would have done a jig and then laughed.

One year later after a demoralizing exit from the playoffs against the Flyers, the Pens won two rounds and were primed for the conference finals. I honestly do not know what happened.  They appeared the be healthy but I think they forgot they had to play.

The Bruins swept the Pens.  The Pens which were one of the highest scoring teams were shut out twice in the same series and scored only 2 goals.

Seriously who let out the Pod Penguins?

Image from Wikipedia

Here is a series Recap:

Opponent:  Boston Bruins
Game 1: BRUINS 3 - PENS 0
Game 2: BRUINS 6 - PENS 1
Game 3: PENS 1 - BRUINS 2 (OT)
Game 4: PENS 0 - BRUINS 1

Unfortunately, I am so hollow after the series.  I did my part but the players just stopped producing and there is nothing more as a fan that I could have done.  The worst part is that I wanted a cup for Jerome Iginla, Brandon Morrow and Douglas Murray.  I wanted Duper to feel like he had an actual stake in the cup.  I just wanted a Pens tattoo with my bestie to mark the occasion.

There are only 121 days until next season.  That should fly by right?

#LetsGoPens

</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

And the stress just escalated to epic levels....Round 3

Remember that breather I asked for after round 1?  Well we got it after round 2.  Eight whole days without Pens Hockey!  The Horror!

The Pens were so much better in the second round.  I don't know if it was dusting the rust off of the playoffs or just getting that first round win, but the series against Ottawa was so much better than the series against the Islanders.

Picture from the Open Practice in 2010 Training Camp #LetsGoPens

I was personally superstitious during this series.  for the first 4 games, I worked on the same project, wore the same shirt and listened to Mike Lange call the game on my ipad.  The fifth game was a bit different but I will talk about that below.

The lucky shawl.

Image from Ottawa Senators Wikipedia page

Here is a series Recap:

Opponent:  Ottawa Senators
Game 1: SENS 1 - PENS 4
Game 2: SENS 3 - PENS 4
Game 3: PENS 1 - SENS 2 (OT)
Game 4: PENS 7 - SENS 3
Game 5: SENS 2 - PENS 6

As I mentioned before, this series showed the greatness and drive the Penguins have.  The goal tending was superb on both sides from games 2 and 3.  In game 3. the Pens out shot and outplayed the Senators but their goalie was a brick wall and wouldn't let anything in.  The start of game 4 continued like game three but the onslaught of shots could not be stopped by the defense and Craig Anderson was just broken down and the third period was a shooting gallery.

The winning spirit was still strong in game 5.  My Friday was a bit of a mess.  I was off for the holiday weekend and had some vacation days to use before I lose them at the end of May.  I was home and put my keys in the wrong place, effectively locking myself out of my apartment when I went to leave for the game. I tried to break in but the door is solid (yay for a safe building!) so I had to call the emergency number to get someone to open my apartment.  $50 later for 5 seconds worth of a key turn, I was able to grab my keys and lock up.

As soon as I got into my car, I pulled the lucky shawl out of it's project bag and turned the radio to 105.9 the X, which is the flagship station for the Pens radio broadcasts.  As I drove to my knit night, the Pens scored their first goal.

We usually meet at Panera but it was a birthday for Amy and she loves the Pens and wanted to watch and knit.  I suggested meeting at Primanti Bros since they would plenty of TVs to watch the game.

The lucky shawl.

Needless to say, I had my knitting and was listening to the radio broadcast in one ear to make sure all of my superstitions were still in effect.  The game was a good one but it was even better because it was shared with good friends.

WIP Wednesday - Superheroes

I have been hard at work this week and weekend.  I was off from work last Friday (and the rest of the weekend) and mostly spent the day doing laundry, reading and knitting.  I got all of my laundry washed and dried but I still have baskets of clothes to fold and hang.  I hate that step.

Since most of my weekend was spent knitting here is my update:

Candy Skein Leftie

Lucky Shawl at Primanti Bros for the Pens/Sens Game 5

The shawl was out and in progress during Wednesday and Friday's games.  As soon as the knitting bag was opened, they scored.  I know it sounds crazy but us superstitious fans must do their part too.

Since I am in hockey withdrawal until Saturday (when the Pens take on the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals) I decided to save the lucky shawl until the new series starts.  Those are going to be nail biters that will need the lucky shawl.

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

I did another section of Clue Two of my Juego.  Now that all of the clues are out, the shawl looks really nice completed though I wonder where I will ever wear this shawl.  It's really not to my taste.  Perhaps I will give it away to my grandmother when it's done.

Justice League Filler Squares

Just a Blue Square

Since I was set aside my Leftie until the next series, I decided to work on the filler square that has been in progress since December (oops!).  This was just a plain blue square of 60X60 stitches but they are very important for the Justice League Blanket I have planned.  As of right now, I have the Red, Orange and Blue Squares complete.

Instead of jumping straight into another solid square I started to look at my plans and decided to put some squares together and see how the join would work.

A little bit of progress really motivates you

Once I started to weave in the seams I became really pleased with the result.  This method as shown in the video above does not show the join and it just looks like I switched yarns.  There is a bit of a ridge on the back but I am going to put a back on the blanket to hide all of the yarn tails and seams.

When this was done, I decided to start and ultimately finished another super hero square which I will show on Friday.  Now all that's left of this column is one solid green square.

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

#letsgopens

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Beautiful and Bright

I often think of my blog on my way to work on Wednesdays.  As I drive across a bridge, the colors often inspire what I start my post about.  Today, the colors were just so vivid.  The trees are finally at their greenest and the pale blue sky just made the color stand out.  The bright orange of the construction sign contrasted with the blue steel of the bridge and the red car in front of me.

Anyway, these colors are great examples of why I love colorful projects.  I love using the rainbow of colors at my fingertips to make something beautiful and bright.

Candy Skein Leftie

Let's Go Pens!

Well my lucky Leftie got a bit larger this week and the Pittsburgh Penguins advanced to a 2-1 lead over the Ottawa Senators.  I did knit on it during the third game but with a minute left I put it away because I thought we were going to win.  Clearly it needs to be out and in progress during the entire game.

Juicy Hitchhiker

Pretty Pink and Purple Hitchhiker

So I have mentioned this shawl when talking about Tropical Ginger Hitchhiker but I haven't had a chance to get a good picture or much work on it.  Thankfully, I had a lot of time yesterday where I worked on at the Election Polls.  We didn't have a great turn out for our local primary but I had 15 hours where I had to occupy myself and reading and knitting were my favorite options.  I needed something easy that could be picked up and put down and this shawl fits those requirements.  I also worked on a solid Justice League Square as well.

There was a part of me that wanted to finish the other hitchhiker but it is still benched.  Honestly it had better be late June before that thing is worked on again.  (read: Stanley Cup Finals are in the middle of June)


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

I am working on the Juego Knit-A-Long with SpaceCadetCreations in Celeste base.  The colors are Endless Summer and Burnt Clay.  The Endless Summer was a Yarn Alliance exclusive from last September.  I love the green blue and orange that is weaving it's way around clue one and clue two is starting to grow on me.  I wasn't too keen on the clue at first but seeing the later clues has enabled me to keep working on it.  The burnt clay is really lovely and I just love squishing the ball I wound.

I have kept my swift and yarn winder in my car as well as my Maryland yarn to avoid the temptation to start all the projects but I really need to bring it in soon.  Anyway, I put two large Pens tumblers on the floor and stretched the yarn around it to wind the ball for this project.  It worked fairly well.  I tried it again for Leftie and it was a bit messy (Huge honking knots)!

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

#letsgopens

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wedneday - Hockey Knitting

After watching game 1 last night of the Pens/Senators series, I have calmed down a bit.  The series is still going to hard fought and gritty but I liked the Pens play last night better than anything in the first series against the Islanders.

As I mentioned in my first playoff post, I really got into crochet and knitting during the 2009-2010 season because it was just enough distraction that I could watch the game but not get so invested that the vein in my forehead would pulse.

In all seriousness, it was bound that I would knit because I really liked to crochet but wanted to learn something new, so here we are 4ish years later and I am still working on new and interesting things.  But as any knitter in the Pens Rav Group will tell you, superstition is a very tricky thing.

Tropical Ginger Hitchhiker

Ooo Stripes!

During the first series, I picked up the Hitchhiker.  I had already started it and it's turning out really pretty and the pattern is super easy.  So why switch when one project is close to being done.  I have 32 teeth done and need to get to at least 42.

As the series went on, the Pens play was mediocre but I kept knitting and watching.  During the last game, I got so exasperated  I put my knitting down and picked up my ipad and started to read a book because it could block out the screen.  It wasn't an immediate recovery, but they ended up wining.  When I then thought back to the other games the Pens won, the hitchhiker was no where near my fingers when they played well.  So into the craft bag for you dear shawl.  See you on non- game days.

Candy Skein Leftie

So last night, I picked up the Leftie to knit the last part of the green leaf.  I had worked on it a bit last Thursday but didn't finish the row.  I wanted to finish the row and then I was going to go back to the hitchhiker.  However, when I looked up at the game while my hands worked the stitches I noticed the play on the screen.  These were not the pod penguins that showed up in series 1 these were the guys I knew and loved.  So my hands kept knitting.  I worked on that shawl all night.  Back and forth I went in the grey and the team was very dominant in the offensive zone.

Here is what has been accomplished so far

As they played, I realized I just found my playoff knitting.  But there is some credence to this project.  Tami from CandySkein is a Pens fan and since she dyed the yarn there was definitely good juju on the yarn.  Seriously, these things matter!

I know to those who may not follow the sport, this account seems a little silly but as hockey fans we are very superstitious.

It's only weird if it doesn't work!  (I know it's about football but it still applies here!)

Okay that's better.

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

<3 Heather

And the stress just escalated to epic levels....Round 2

I just recovered from the first round and the second round starts tonight...way to give us fans a breather.  I have no idea what to think of with this series because the Pens did not perform the way I had hoped.

#LetsGoPens

Here is a quick series recap:

Image from Islander's Wikipedia Page

Opponent:  New York Islanders
Game 1: NYI 0 - PENS 5
Game 2: NYI 4 - PENS 3
Game 3: PENS 5 - NYI 4 (OT)
Game 4: PENS 4 - NYI 6
Game 5: NYI 0 - PENS 4
Game 6: PENS 4 - NYI 3 (OT)

The series was back and forth.  The Pens were hot and shut down the team in 2 games and did just enough to win in the two over time wins.

The Islanders came out with no expectations and that is the scariest kind of team. Many thought the series would be a sweep but the pesky and talented team came to play and gave the Eastern Conference Leaders a run for their money.

In the 2010 playoffs, the Pens were surprised by a Montreal team that steam rolled the Capitals and trapped the Pens.

In the 2011 playoffs, the Pens made the playoffs despite Malkin out with an MCL injury and Crosby sidelined with concussion symptoms.  My expectations were not high but the team couldn't close out the series and Tampa Bay moved on.

Last season in the 2012 Playoffs, the Flyers just made my blood boil.  They instigated chaos and in return got the Pens away from their game.

In comparisons to the past couple of playoffs these games felt different.  There were flashes of brilliance and then tons of mistakes.  The series was really won in the special teams.  The power play was on point and the penalty kill really kept the games close.  All in all, this series added a few more gray hairs on my head.

My dad got to watch a practice this season.  This is Dad with Matt Nisknanen and Craig Adams

I think the funniest thing that I will remember from the series was during Game 6, I was at home watching the game with my dad.  We were synchronized with our comments during the game (read: swearing at the team)  There were moments at the exact same time the same curse word would leave our mouths.  Then we yelled at the announcer to call the game rather than give us some inane fact that didn't matter the play on the ice.

Dad and i are cursing in sync.This is how we roll.#letsgopens
— Heather (@hmg_PGH) May 11, 2013

So as I gear up for the Senators in the next series tonight I am anxious and nervous but I wouldn't want it any other way.

#LetsGoPens

<3 Heather

And the stress just escalated to epic levels....

Do you feel it?  Do you feel the palpitation and excitement in the city? There is a buzz and excitement that surrounds the city and pulses to it's own beat.

I have mentioned there are times of the year that are best for a sport fan.  While March Madness is a crazy time with so much basketball it makes your head spin and the Super Bowl is a great party, the NHL Playoffs are a completely different animal.

Seriously, every single time I think about the Penguins today, I have shivered in anticipation.  I am just a big ball of nerves and I am not even playing.  Yesterday started 2 months of non stop hockey.  While this condensed season has been non-stop these games are for the cup and that changes everything

Image from Wikipedia

I can't describe this feeling.  It's amazing and wonderful, and nerve wracking and heartbreaking.  I this is reason I started to knit because I needed a mild distraction so my blood pressure wouldn't spike while watching the games.

Me watching the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals

Seriously I can lose my mind while watching a game to intensely.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  I hope to keep everyone updated on the games as well as my knitting.  I honestly have had a bit of a hiatus from knitting lately and haven't made much progress.

Video is from John Via ThePensBlog

So as we begin our game tonight, keep my sanity in mind.  #LETSGOPENS

<3 Heather

Hockey Night in Pittsburgh - 03/28/2013

I have been meaning to post this since I went to the game but you all know how busy I have been.  I am currently taking a break from my homework to do something a little fun and get this post up.

As many of you know I am a huge hockey fan and a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins.  I had commented on the Let's Go Pens forums on Ravelry that I didn't think I would get to a game this season unless work gave me a ticket.  Low and behold as soon as I typed that thought, I was given a ticket with a few other co-workers to attend the 3/28/2013 game against the Jets.

The view from our seats!

So the seats were awesome, we got to enter through the Captain Morgan Club.  This was really nice because it was all inclusive. They had a bathroom without a line during intermission   Ladies you know how awesome that is.  They had 3 concession stands and the bar.  It was lovely and you could stay in that area for the entire game unless you wanted  something specific from the other concession stands.  I thought about running to get coffee but it wasn't worth leaving the area.

Anyway, we got there early so we could check out the warm up.  It's always cool watching the guys stretch and fly around the ice.  If there are kids down by the glass, they try and flip pucks to them from the warm up.  Overall it's one of my favorite parts because they all look so relaxed and happy before the pressure of the game sets in.

Got to love shooting drills

Then before they come out on the ice, there is anticipation in the hall from the locker room before they come onto the ice for the game.

This is before the 3rd Period

The game was really good.  Thomas Vokoun was in goal for an injured Fluery.  He and the defense stood on their head for a shutout.  The offense was on fire and Dupis was a goal short of a hat trick.  It was a relatively clean game and the penalties were a minimum.  I honestly feel that's when the pens are their best.  They play clean and hard, out working the other team.

Waiting for the start of the period face off

The game was good and I had a blast.  All I can say is Let's Go Pens!

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - It's a Hockey Night In Pittsburgh!

As a reminder, there is a giveaway going on so check out my Blogiversary Post for details.  Remember, the answers are in the blog so check out my old posts for the answers to the clues :)

Hello all, what a busy two weeks I have had.  Work is kinda crazy with a project going live and my class is a bit intense, but hockey is back!  I know that I am basically answering one of the questions for my Blogiversary (see big link above!) but I am just so happy to have hockey back on the air.

For those of you who may not know, the NHL was in a lockout due to contract re-negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).  As a fan, this stoppage was annoying and frustrating but it's over an the excitement is pretty awesome.    I don't know what it about hockey.  I love the speed and precision of 6 players flying around on the ice a mile a minute.  It's intense and always can turn on you at any moment.

As a result, I love the Penguins.  They are my favorite but I love the sport.  The rivalries are great and the players and owners are amazing and generous.  Let's Go Pens!

Image from Wikipedia

But the best thing about hockey, is hockey knitting.  Seriously, a huge driver of my knitting and crocheting throughout the year is to keep my hands busy while I watch the game. While watching the playoffs in 2008 and the following year 2009 I could feel my blood pressure go up and my anxiety build as the games got more intense.  So when I started to knit, I realized how a bit of distraction kept me from throwing my TV out the window.  As a result, a ton of knitted objects are completed.

So this weekend when the season started, I made sure my knitting was handy and got so much done as a result.  Let's check out the yarny goodness!

Sun and Stars Trillian

I am so pleased with how the colors are coming together!

So this is really starting to get big.  I am about half way to the finished size before I start the final border.  I am in love with this pattern.  Seriously a great knit while watching any sporting event.  You zip across with garter stitch and then a bit of pattern and you zip back.

Really what I love is the yarn.  I had been acquiring skeins of Wollmeise over the summer but hadn't found the guts to crack open the hank and use the yarn.  Really the skeins are beautiful just to look at.  So with this pattern I knew it was time try out the yarn.

I am so happy with it.  The colors are intense and not bleed into my skin or my needles like some other saturated colored yarn I have tried.  but the colors are just popping in their own special way, I particularly love the way the color pooled in the middle there.  I feel like it's a shooting star amid a sea of sun beams and starry night.  I just keep picking it up to see what will happen next.

Hue Shift Afghan

All the pretty hues!

While this has been playing second fiddle to the Trillian Shawl above, I did manage to get two more squares done to finish the pink row.  I think finishing the row is a great driver to keep going and I know I will need to cast on for the second set of squares soon after I get done with this set.  I really love how these five colors look and can't wait to get the blues and greens.

Sweet Azalea Blanket

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend!

Although the Trillian has been the star of my crafting show lately, this one has been playing a supporting role. I suspect it's more about the character than the looks perhaps?   This blanket is made with the lovely pashmina base from Madelinetosh and it is so soft and luxurious.

But really, when you combine wool, silk and cashmere what wouldn't be soft and luxurious!   So thanks to the amazing yarn, I keep working at this shawl.  I want to finish the first skein soon so I can gauge the size of the finished shawl.

Well that's it for this week.    For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

And Remember, It's a great day for hockey!!

<3 Heather

Congratulations LA Kings!

Congratulations to the LA Kings organization on winning the Stanley Cup.  I was so excited to watch the amazing run your team has had during the playoffs.  Really anything can happen, because it's the cup!

Logo From Wikipedia

You all may know that I love hockey and to see a franchise win that has been competitive in the past but had never won before was really exciting.  In general, I felt like this playoff season was a David vs Goliath story and 2 Davids made it to the Cup finals.

Check some photos on Yahoo!  Really how happy do they look?  They may not be my Pens, but I cried when they first got to touch the cup.  As a fan, you follow the highs and lows of the season.  The intensity of the playoffs and finally the nail biting of the final series.  It's a wild ride and LA welcome to the club.

Plus it doesn't hurt that 2 of the players the Flyers traded to win a cup won a cup without the Flyers.  Karma it's a bitch!

<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

Hockey Heartache

If your visiting the site for the 2012 Blog and Crochet Week, check out my post on color!

While I don't typically post twice in one day, my  heartache for the Pens loss and series loss to the Flyers is fresh and needs airing out.

Picture of the Consol Energy Center Scoreboard from 2010 Training Camp

Last Monday, I posted about my hockey hangover but at the time there was still hope with another game to be played.  In that time, the fans picked up the team by its boot straps and BELIEVED in the 23 guys that make up the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Pens went on to Win 2 more games and yesterday afternoon, they had a chance to tie the series and push it to 7 games.  Now, let me say that winning 4 in a row either in a sweep or in a comeback is hard work but I believed.

As I have said in the past, you have to have hope when your a sports fan.  That really is the wonder of being a fan is that miraculous comeback that you can tell your kids about 20 years from now.  I believe in our team and even though they are going to play golf instead of another series, I would still rather have them than the Flyers.

Now with some time from the loss, I have this thought.  If we played another series of 7 the Pens would win, and if we played another series the Flyers would win.  These 2 teams are so evenly matched that really it's a coin flip.  Does this make the frustration and heartache any easier?  No, not at all but someone has to win and someone has to lose.

I also think that while the Flyers did win, I feel that the Pens beat themselves more.  Their defense was lacking.  Their penalty kill which was one of the top units in the league, let in to many goals.  They stopped playing Pens hockey, let their emotions rule the game for 3 games and had a slug fest.

I will still keep track of the scores and watch games here and there because I am a fan of the sport not just my team.  I hope the St. Louis Blue make it to the Cup Finals from the West and will probably be who I will  cheer for.

As far as the Flyers, Dan Bylsma said it best yesterday after the game, "I want to congratulate the Flyers and their organization on the series win, but I can't wish them luck though"

LET'S GO PENS!

</3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Method to My Madness

Hello all, it has been a particularly busy week this week but I did manage to cast on some new items and get a good progress on other projects.

Progress Picture for 4/18/2012

The following projects are what has been worked on recently.  Starting with Cabled Square, Gryffindor Scarf, LEGO Blanket, Falling Water, Gryffindor Beret, and White Centered Granny Square Blanket.  (Missing is the Hummingbird Sock)

Really looking at that picture is very intimidating and I wonder what I got myself into.  But I do have a reason for some of my madness :)

The Cabled Square was really just a test knit for cables and I was using Lily's Sugar and Cream Cotton but realized that I loathe knitting in cotton.  Crochet is perfectly fine but I just hate knitting with it.  So I went to my stash and pulled out some Vanna's Choice Lime I had in my scrap box and got to work.  That's when it hit me.  I need to make another 12 inch square to finish my Spring Forward Block Swap from the Vanna's Choice Fan Club on Ravelry, and here I am making a square!  Granted it's only going to come out at 9 inches but I can add a border and get that blanket done!  Oh happy day!  (See there are methods to my madness)

Doesn't look like much now but I think it will look great with the rest of the squares.

I didn't really make much progress on the Falling Water Scarf and the Gryffindor Scarf.  I know that scarf is going to be a labor of love but I wanted some instant gratification for the Gryffindor set I am planning (Scarf, Hat and Wrstlets) so I cast on the beret.  (See another method to my madness)

Sorry the picture is blurry.

I made a lot of progress on the Lego blocks.  I finished off the skein of Turquise and moved onto the Lime Cotton Ease during the Hockey Game on Sunday.  I was so excited to see them all laid out for once.  Don't the colors look nice together!  I just can't wait to add the Maise.  I ordered the remaining yarn I needed so that should keep me motivated to get more blocks done.

It's really coming along.

Last but not least are the White Centered Granny Squares.  I mentioned my big yarn purchase on Friday but these little guys were the start of my test crochet to see if it would work to my liking.  I am really excited to make this blanket as I have never made a colorful blanket for my self.  I think it's time don't you?  (See justification is just another method!)

These are so striking and so soft in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

I do realize that all the little bits of time that I put into all of these different items would probably equate to a finished object by now but I like my methods because while I do want to craft everyday, working on the same thing can get a bit boring. (See there in is the main reason for my madness)

Do you like variety while crafting or are you a very linear project kind of crafter?

So are you mad for WIPs?  Check out some more on Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<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

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