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?

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!

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

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!