Busy, busy, busy

I have been working on another sampler and as of this morning I officially have 5 more rows to go and I am done!  I am so excited to give her away! The best part is that her new owner has no idea.  Don'tcha just love surprises?  I know I do, I live for them!  This is the second sampler I have made, the first one was done in 2weeks and 2days.  I started the new one within minutes of finishing the first one.  This one has taken me a little longer, 1 month and 8 days!  I love playing with colors and even more how they play out in a blanket.  I could potentially finish this girl up tonight and once I do I am back to working on my granny stripe.  

I have neglected her for sometime, I am sure I will have to do some sweet talking and I hope she comes around.  She is more than half way done and is a Christmas present!  Again I love surprises!  It seems as though everyone around me wants a blanket.  I cannot make them fast enough. Does this happen to you?  Of course I have two no-no three other blankets going aside from the granny stripe.  I have my ripple that is 3/4 of the way done (this is for me), another present possibly started and I do not like it as much as I thought. Or rather I decided it is WAY too boring for the person it was intended for.  The last is another also for me. In all the years I have been crocheting I have never made anything for myself.   Is this the same for you?  Needless to say I have to get these WIPS done!

A few years ago I had the opportunity to volunteer at an after school program. This school was in an undesirable area and the kids were off the wall crazy!  I guess I would be too if I felt like I was being locked in a cage.  The schools in Newark, NJ are very strict on who comes into the schools and they are serious about the safety of their children.  So in most cases there are some sort of bars or grated like panels on the windows.  So anyhoo, I went once or twice a week and taught a group of third to fifth graders.  They were a lot like me in the sense that they were looking for instant gratification!  They wanted that yarn to VOILA into dishrag or something!  I think one or two really got something out of it.  I then realized that even though I was there to teach them how to do something new, I got more out of the experience than they did.  I learned more about patience & listening.  

With that I was asked last night if I would like to teach an older group of girls how to crochet at a summer camp. Even though she is my bestfriend(Kelly), she still asked me if I would like to do this.  I love to crochet and think I do an okay job, but never really think that I am good enough to teach, but I was so excited!    

Kelly works for a company called PCCI, and I have also done many things with her as a volunteer and as the best friend.  I was a tutor and a coordinator of my own program.  I cannot wait and will definitely be posting pictures!

Hello...hello...hellooooo! I cannot believe it has been over two months since my last post.  Let's see that was back on May 1st and oh wow I was quite busy!  I had just finished up a visit with my mom, I was getting ready to graduate( surprise to me, I graduated Magna Cum Laude) and about to leave for my cruise.  I cannot believe I have not updated!  

My boyfriend A and I cruised to Bermuda, St. Maarten, San Juan and Labadee.  I had never cruised before and cannot believe that a year or so prior I was actually considering working on one of these monsters!  For those who have never been on a cruise, it is basically a city on water!  We ate everything in site and whenever we wanted basically.  My favorite thing to eat for breakfast was the tator-tots, an ok version of biscuits and gravy, eggs and bacon.  I was in heaven.  Every night you have the option to eat in the formal dining room or the Wind Jammer Cafe which is where you eat throughout the day and is very casual.  A and I ate in the formal dining room maybe 3x.  We did not care for the people we sat with, we tried but did not work.  I had an amazing tan as the sun out there is much stronger.  

Bermuda- The water was sooo cold, let me clarify, colder than I had anticipated.  I later found out because it is further north.  The beach was beautiful. A was reluctant to get off the ship, he was in a new place and watches too much Locked-up Abroad.  So he would have been happy to stay on the ship or be tied to it like a dog.  You see I am very adventurous, I want to see everything, be everywhere and just do it.  He knew this before we left, as a matter of fact he knew this as soon as I booked the cruise. I laid down the law and he said he was cool.  Hmph... : /  So yes, yes back to Bermuda, she was beautiful.  We did not partake in any of the excursions that the cruise line offered.  We winged it everywhere we went.  Here we bought day passes for the local bus and made our way to Horseshoe Bay.   They drive on the other side of the street here so that was great to experience.  Bermudas beaches are known for their pink sand.  This is due to the coral being tossed all over the place over the years and presto! I did bring a little home, inexpensive souvenir.  We went to the Maritime Museum and spent a couple of hours there.  The water is absolutely beautiful.   Since my favorite color is turquoise I was in heaven.  

Of course while I was on my cruise I did a lot of gazing out to sea and the water is this amazing blue.  When you are out at sea it is this deep navy blue at times, and this other color that I am sure has a name.  So while I am taking in all the colors, I am planning my vacation blanket!  I see it being a ripple or the catherines wheel stitch.  So that is a possibility here in the future.  I took countless pictures of the water and its different shades and I have the sand.  Yes I did crochet on the boat and yes I did get some looks!  

Okay, okay, okay...St. Maarten was our second stop and we did some shopping here, saw "The Yoda Guy," and ended it by getting a couple loungers, an umbrella and some beers on the beach!  $1.50 beers made A extremely happy and I just kept encouraging him to drink, especially since the alcohol was super expensive on the boat.  The Yoda Guy know as Nick Maley lives there now and has a small shop/museum.  

 He was Yodas creator.  We walked in and he was the only one in there and never even looked up and said hello or anything.  On the beach here the locals walk up and down selling their goods.  It was hot and somewhat humid there and trust me wearing jeans or carrying lots of stuff was not in the cards for me! 

Here was my view once we made camp!

 

Did not matter where we were or what new and fun food was around...this is the only thing that made A happy!

I have so much to show still and other things to talk about.  I will come back later and talk about the next two ports.  However since I have been back I have been crocheting a lot and even started sewing again.  

I made a sampler afghan for a dear old friend.  Not only was it a great feeling making something new, but the joy you get when you give a gift like that to someone who is not expecting it and hearing their reaction.  We all get so busy in our daily lives that we forget that people about those who really care about us.  So she called me screaming with JOY!!!  It is not the greatest picture but here she is...still waiting for a picture of her with her new owner! I have even started another one for someone else.  I cannot wait to be done, almost there.  I swear I have ADHD when it comes to my crafts.  I am constantly seeing butterflies.  As I mentioned prior, I started sewing again.  I love to sew and it has been years.  I use to make clothes and what nots all the time.  I got into crocheting and sadly never looked back.  I am sure that some of you have seen the handmade pillowcases with the crochet edging like this 

These are made by a wonderfully talented woman named Beata at http://www.rosehip.typepad.com/

I have been watching these for awhile and then stumbled across Cassie at http://www.yougogirl.typepad.com/.  Now both of these women are phenomenal sewers like my grandmother.  I wish I could be as good.  So anyhoo...I go to craft fairs all the time and never buy anything because I ALWAYS say "I can make that!"  I never do, as I have not sewn in over 10 years.  So I could have easily made a set of these pillow cases, but I ended up having Cassie make a custom set for me.  She is so amazing to work with and she is all about  making you happy and nothing is final until you are happy.  Let me tell you I am sooooo happy!  Here is the picture Cassie took 

Here she is in her new home and not such good light 

She is one of two and just meeting her other life long partner! I thought they looked nice together!  I asked Cassie to do this because I did not think I would ever break out my machine since I crochet ALL the time.  I felt it was my duty to support my crafty sisters out there!  I got them and I had the sudden urge to sew.  I went and bought fabric and a few tools since all of it is at my Grams house.  I am very slow and so it took me a few hours, yes I said a few maybe more to sew one complete pillowcase.  I did it and it looks great, even has a pocket so the pillow does not show and so it will not fall out.  I still have to make the other one and crochet the edges.  I have multiple patterns for these cases and Cassie even has a tutorial here where she shows you over 4 wks.  

http://yougogirl.typepad.com/you_go_girl/2010/03/lets-get-ready-to-rumble.html

Luckily you do not have to wait.  You can find the pattern for the pillowcase with the flap on the web in a few places, but she has it all set for ya!  For those of you who do not sew, just do it! Contact her or Beata!  

Til next time, I promise promise promise to post sooner than soon!

Good morning everyone!  I am back...well temporarily and I will touch on this in a second.  I have been preoccupied with school work.  Right around the time I last posted I had just started my last term for my Associates Degree.  This term kicked my A$$!  I completed my final paper last night and finished up the last couple bits of homework.  So today I am clear and free and I feel amazing.
 I do hope to go back sooon for my Bachelors, because well I have to and I cannot get a job with out it!

My mom has been here in NJ since April 21st and it has been great having her here and sadly she leaves today.  I like to think of myself as a fairly organized person.  That has not been so true for about a year now.  She luckily has helped me de-clutter a bit, clean my room and organize a few other aspects of my life.  I am so happy to of had her here, but look forward to the next time and pray that I am not in school at the same time.  It is so hard to work, concentrate on finals and entertain.  I did manage to take her to Long Island to see her grandkids/my nieces and nephews.  They were adopted by a phenomenal family over a year ago.  It was the first time she had seen them since they left Oregon.  J in the bottom left hand corner was signaling "call me" to her grandpa!  The five of them had also just finished haircuts, so they were all fresh.

 I say I am back temporarily only because next Thursday I leave for a nine day cruise with A.  It is our first time ever going on a cruise.  We are stopping in Bermuda, St. Maarten, San Juan and Labadee.  I will be on vacation with no worries and there will be no electronics or any type of technology except a camera.  I am hoping to be inspired by the colors I see for a blanket!

During the craziness of this term I did manage to crochet to keep my nerves calmed.  I started a blanket for a family member for Christmas.  I would say but not sure if that person has found my blog.   I plan to probably start another blanket while on vacation.



Stay tuned...

Crazed

I cannot believe that it is already February 8th and I am just getting to my first post of the month.  Every month I have the intent to post more, but do not want to post something senseless.  I have been extremely busy with work, finishing up this term with school, helping out a family for a week with overnights, going to the gym and I am sure there is something else!  Oh I know I have been trying to get a few crochet projects done and completed.

I am done with the the scarf I am making for my swap partner in Spain.

 I started lastnight on my 1st of 2 squares I have to make for my swap partner in England. I have since finished both since I started this post the other day!

 I have not worked on my ripple since my Mom & Gram were here a couple weeks ago.  I am waiting for yarn to be delivered for another swap project that I will be starting.  Making 20ish squares and sending one to each of the ladies all over the world.  That will be awesome to be able to put together another blanket!  It really is a brilliant idea.  Make a square send it to someone else and get enough in to make a blanket for yourself, since some of us never make anything for ourselves!  I already know which square I am making and sending out! I cannot wait! I have made about 4-5 so far.

Oh and I almost forgot that I am also working on a blanket for my niece that I have not touched in sometime. 

It's not like I have anything else to do!

Ripple update...at a stand still!

I am up to the aqua, photo is not up to date...sorry!

Gram time!

For anyone who knows me they know that my Gram means more than anything in the whole world to me.  She has always just been there in my life.  When I was a little girl she called often, she sent cards in the mail, she would often send packages of all sorts off goodies.  The packages were always filled with clothes that she had made anywhere from panties to night gowns, to skirts and sweaters.  She also always included fun stuff that she would pick up when she was out.  Whenever she traveled to the Valley for business she would come and visit.  This usually included a few overnights in a hotel and eating out and followed by a shopping trip of some sort.  Whats not to love about the best Gram in the whole world. 
I often think about our relationship and wonder how it evolved into what it is today.  Without trying to complicate or confuse anyone who is reading this, all I can come up with is that some of us are born with strong family ties and some are not.  I am the type of person who is welcoming of everyone and anyone and my motto has long been more the merrier.  I have strong family ties and always cherished my time with my aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents. 
My Gram has always been "that" person.  She has always been there for me and I know that I can go to her with whatever it may be.  Not many can say they have their own personal cheerleader.  I can and she is my cheerleader.  In all of my adventures and any place I have ended up she is the one person who has always come to visit me.  I saw her a year ago when I was home in Oregon and she is in New Jersey until next week and I am looking forward to making some more memories with her.  She has never been to Amish country and I am taking her this weekend.  We are going to take the train into NYC.  IShe is so easy going and up for anything.  She is the one who taught me how to crochet and for that I am thankful. 
I want to thank my gram for being who she is and for guiding me and at the same time letting me be me!



Happy New Year!

I cannot believe it is 2012 already.  This past year seriously flew by for me.  The start of a new year is generally a time for everyone to make their resolutions.  I personally do not make resolutions anymore, I was tired of letting myself down.  I guess in a way I still kinda do it that but do not refer to them as "resolutions."  The famous one everyone has each year is dieting.  Not this gal, I'm not dieting.  I am going to redirect my eating habits, learn to include more vegetables into my diet along with everything else.  Last night I made yummy turkey burgers.  I shredded a zucchini, red onion and chopped mushrooms, little pepper and less than a dash of salt. I mixed it altogether, cooked them, topped it with some shredded cheese and on a multi grain bun.  It was delicious!  I plan to make some zucchini gondolas next with ground turkey and other yummy stuff.  I will post recipes when I get the chance. 

Along with my eating healthier and not depriving myself of anything good I plan to volunteer more this year.  Over the past year and a half I have been unable to do anything.  Unfortunately work and bills take precedence over being a good samaritan.  I hope to do something new each month if not just stay with one or two organizations.  More details to follow... 

Another wonderful thing that will be happening this year is that I will be completing my associates degree and I cannot wait.  I will be partaking on my first cruise ever and I will be going with my boyfriend.  More details to follow...

I would like to dabble in recycling other peoples unloved furniture. 

I plan to visit my family in Michigan after the new baby is here.

I plan to finish my afghan that is for ME....almost there!

I have to make a minimum of four(goal is 12) blankets for intended christmas presents. 

I would like to plan a trip to Oregon to see the rest of the family.

I would like to participate in a 5k.

I would like to become more fluent in spanish.

I hope to purchase a bike that I will be able to ride to work when it gets warmer.

I would like to take control of the clutter that has engulfed me. 

I hope to have found a school where I can pursue my Bachelors!

I hope to make more handmade gifts.

I hope to post regularly here on my blog.

I will add to this as more things enter my mind.  Oh I would love to know how to customize the look of my blog.  I welcome anyones suggestions!

So much to do...

I really like the idea of blogging and I hope to become more involved, but time is not my friend these days.

I got through my papers and ended up with an A in both classes.  This means I have made the Presidents list for the second time and the Deans list each other time.  July cannot come fast enough.  Here are some of the things I have been up to lately.