It's My Blogiversary!

Hello all, I didn't mean to have an extended hiatus but this Holidays were a busy 2 weeks.  In the coming days I plan on catching up and finishing out the blog posts I had planned for December.

One year ago today, I took the plunge and started this blog.  I really had no idea what tone it was going to take but I wanted to start something.  I was still reeling from losing my mother and just wanted something positive in my life.

So with all new things, I posted a lot, trying to find my voice and what this blog was going to become.  As time passed, I knew the yarn updates were going to probably drive the blog but was surprised at how much of my life I shared.

As the seasons changed I reflected on life and the world, I reflected on my mother and family and just became thankful for finding myself.

You all were a salvation in that you were interested in me and drove me to keep writing.  To tell stories of my family, my mom and my weekends and everything in between.

So in honor of my 1 year blog anniversary I have a quest for you to complete for a chance to win the giveaway.

But what is in this giveaway?

1 Skein of Madelinetosh Sock Yarn in Magenta

 I would have guessed a berry red but it's purple

5 Stitch markers of your color choice that I make

These are examples

And a pattern of your choice from Ravelry as a gift ($6.00 Max)

So here is the quest, by completing each step you will get an entry for the giveaway.

• one entry for commenting on this post
• one entry if you are a follower of my blog
• one entry if you answer, "Who is the blog named after?" in email or Rav message
• two entries if you can answer, "What did I bake the most of and what type were they?" in email or Rav message
• two entries if you can answer, "What is my favorite sport and team?" in email or Rav message (hint: they just came off of strike)
• finally three entries if you can answer, "What are the names of the dogs in my life?" in email or Rav message

The contest will go through February 6th where I will draw a winner!

Good luck!

<3 Heather

As a reminder, here is my email and Rav ID

Email: amaryllismusings@gmail.com
Rav ID: Junebug2285

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

Photography Challenge - 3KCBWDAY2

Welcome again to the Knit and Crochet Blog Week, Day 2! Here are the details about today's topic.

Details and image care of eskimimi makes

So without further ado, I present the Yarn Loving Penguins!

Meet the Penguins!

Now these guys decided to take over my blog today.  I really had no choice because look at how much fun they are having swimming in yarn.

It all started on an expedition to find the lost mojo of the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Alas, I met these fellas a little to late for my beloved hockey team but they did endear me to their native habitat.

Welcome to our home!

The snow covered earth was cool and bright but these guys would not be deterred.  They reassured me that my Penguins while amazing were not meant to win the Stanley Cup this year but with a healthy lineup next year the sky was the limit.  Funny how the sky is the limit for a flock of flightless birds, but I digress.

After a brief reprieve, I sat down to observe the penguins and pulled out my WIP.  They loved my yarn and proceeded to steal it to nest.  They jump and dove through it as if they were in the ocean.

I've got my Eye on you!

Some of the penguins got embarrassed of others actions and proceeded to give the exuberant bunch the evil eye.  I reassure the penguins that it was okay and soon found out that they were born as stitch markers but were released to the wild.  Finding yarn is a rare occurrence and some were just more excited than others.

Since I didn't like the blue boucle yarn, I decided to leave it with the penguins.  They were so happy that everyone soon was in the yarn pool.

Think my crazy penguins are neat, consider nominating me for the Photography Challenge!

<3 Heather

Check out other great pictures by searching for 3KCBWDAY2

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!