Bazaar Day

The first Saturday in November is Bazaar Day in my family.  It's been that way as long as I can remember.  We meet early and browse and shop and end with lunch.

My first memories of the bazaars were a bit different.  It was waking up before the sun was even peaking over the horizon and loading up the car and heading to the elementary/middle school in Eagle.   My mom & my aunt shared space by the back door so I could freely come and go to the car as I needed.  I would help bag things and run little errands until I got bored and then out the car I would go to read or sleep.  As I got older I started running the calculator and handling money and sometimes it was not pleasant, I'm sure, for my Mom to deal with my attitude.  I cherish those memories, though, they are what started and cultivated my desire to be crafty.

Later, after my Mom had stopped selling things and I was in high school & college, I didn't attend as regularly.  I'm sure sleeping was much more interesting to me. :-)

Lately though, we go every year and my Aunts & Cousins join us and it's nice to walk around and see what people can create.  Every year there is usually something new that I never would have thought of.  But more than seeing the nifty items for sale, it is a time to just be.  Not think about work, or chores, or what I need to do, but to just enjoy the time with my Mom and family and just be together.

Music & Moods

I am a music girl.  I don't know if I go a single day without listening to some sort of music.  I know I would go insane at work if I couldn't have my ipod, it seriously keeps me sane and calm.

I have a wide variety of music on my ipod, but few musicians that I will by a cd before I even listen to one song.  My most favorite band like this is 3 Doors Down, I have yet to see them in concert, but I will someday.  Each new cd they put out is my favorite, but their most recent one Time of My Life has one song that really speaks to me.

"Race For The Sun"

It's gonna rain some days I know
And things are gonna hurt sometimes that's for sure
But I won't get turned around 'cause I keep moving on
I think my mind plays tricks on me
'Cause sometimes what I get ain't what I see
I just turn it upside down and I keep moving on

I'm gonna race for the morning sun
I can't wait for the day that's on it's way
I'm gonna race for the morning sun
And it's gonna shine on me
Oh, it's gonna shine

I'm gonna take everything I want
And won't get lost in what I don't
I just hide it all inside and I keep moving on

I'm gonna race for the morning sun
I can't wait for the day that's on it's way
I gonna race for the morning sun
And it's gonna shine on me

Oh, it's gonna shine a light right down on me
And I swear I’ll find where I wanna be
And I’ll live the day like it's the only one
I'm gonna race for the sun

Shine a light right down on me
And I swear I’ll find where I wanna be
And I’ll live the day like it's the only one
I'm gonna race for the sun

Shine a light right down on me
And I swear I’ll find where I wanna be
And I’ll live the day like it's the only one
I'm gonna race
I'm gonna race for the sun
 
I love the message that I get from this song and I think it is important for me to listen to it.  I do a lot of looking back and wishing that I could change things in the past (whether it be yesterday or 15 years ago) and I don't think that is a focus that I should have.  Making the best out of what today is going to bring and looking forward to experiencing new things is my new focus.

Checking In

I've missed blogging.  Work has been consuming my time for the past month and a half.  I think maybe my head may stay above water for a while now.  I have lots to share with you.

Lets start with a picture of my 3rd project for my Camp Loopy.  I had the most difficulty getting this one completed in the time allotted, but I did and it turned out pretty.  It now lives at my Mom's house.  It seems a lot of things I knit end up at her house.  I may have to spread the love a bit more.  :-)

Ravelry Link



















 

So that's that one.  I have started on one Christmas gift, but it is slow going and I'm not sure I actually want to give it as a gift at Christmas.  I'm also working on my own pattern for an ear warmer,  I'm about 75% done so that will come along shortly.

Alaska was wonderful.  Here is the first picture.  Taken on Friday at Earthquake park. May I present my dad, the grump.  :-)

 

There were a TON of different mushrooms growing around the park.  I liked these mushrooms!

A Year and a month or two

It was a little over ayear ago that my Dad had major life changing surgery.  The change that I've seen in him is amazing.  Even before the surgery he was taking better care of himself and he's quite the inspiration to me.  I've always been a Daddy's girl, but it seems as we both grow older our relationship is improving as well.

So today is his birthday and I think a great time to celebrate his life and how grateful I am that he's going to be around for many years to come.  He doesn't agree, but I told him we celebrate birthdays in this family.  :-)

In other news I finished the third project for my Camp Loppy, it is drying as we speak (type/read whatever!).  I have lots of pictures and stories to share from a trip to Alaska in August.  So more posts to come.

FO: Knotted gloves and other things.

1. I finished the 2nd project for my Camp Loopy challenge. Ravelry Link.   I had fun with the project, I've not done a lot of cable work so this was a nice introduction. The yarn is wonderfully sparkly, but you cannot tell in the pictures!



And a close up of the cable:




Next is onto project three and it is another shawl, but with a lot more yardage.  The challenge is to use over 800 yards of yarn.  Good thing I'll have plenty of knitting time on the plane.

2.  Michael Buble has never been on my ipod, or in my music scene, but I ended up going to his concert a couple of evenings ago and I LOVED it.  I knew I'd like the music, I love big band and Sinatra and all that, but he was so stinking funny.  I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a music concert.  I would definitely pay to see him again.  His opening act was Naturally 7, a group of 7 guys that do not use any instruments, only their voices and the music they create is phenomenal.  Seriously, check them out.

3.  Soon I'll be headed to Alaska and I'm hoping to get some wonderful pictures while I'm up there to share.  If I get some good ones I want to blow them up and use them to decorate my living room and/or bedroom.  Plus I get to see one of my most wonderfulest friends while I'm there. Win-win I say.

FO: Cladonia Shawl

Instead of just having pictures of the finished object (FO), I thought I'd take you on a journey what goes into it.

First of course is the knitting (WIP):



This is right before I started on the lacey party of the shawl.  After you've finished knitting and weaving in all the loose ends you wash it.  I use a product called Soak, it is a non-rinsing detergent that you just let the item soak in for 15 minutes. 

After a quick spin in the washer to get as much of the water out you block the item.  Not all things require blocking, but items with lace work in them really pop after they've been blocked.

before:





during:



and after:





And that is the process of making a pretty FO.

I really liked this pattern and want to make it again, it went quickly.  Until I had to take out 5 rows at the end, but that was a learning experience and it made it prettier.

My next Camp Loopy project is Knotty Gloves, and the yarn is pink & cream with sparkles.  :-)

A Teaser

I have finished my first project for my summery camp.  You can have a small peak:



I have an idea of the blog for that project, coming in the next few days (cross your fingers, but don't hold your breath!)

I did want to share one more picture with you. It was taken a couple of nights ago and the sky was just lovely.  Enjoy...