Ten on - Tuesday - Tunes

I get to mash them up again.  I like it when I can do that because there was such a dry spell where I had nothing to contribute to Carole's fun little meme - which prompted me to come up with ~

So now that we've had a bit of an impromptu history lesson, let's get to it... today's prompt was for songs that get you in a good mood.  This is going to be awesome.  Grab your coffee and get settled, I've got some doozies for you:





You can't be in an ill mood at all when you hear this because even if you aren't a "Weird Al" fan, I know you enjoy the original song and can respect the awesomeness of this tune.





The Beatles. Enough said.





Not only is the message of this song fabulous - there is no way you can possibly sit still when it's one.





This is a favorite family memory for me. My family will randomly bust out and sing this one!





I know what you're thinking -that's not a song... perhaps not but it does make me very happy every time I see it.





The positive energy that this man exudes is just mind-blowing. So full of joy, always. I love him.




The message in this song just lifts me up and fills me with peace and joy.




She always gives me goosebumps and I'll end up in tears by the end. So motivational and inspiring.




I have loved this show since it first came out - some may be offended by the colorful lyrics, be warned.




So many of my life's memories are tied to here - and it always makes me happy.

There you have it - I was able to bottle up all my happiest songs in to ten neat little videos.  I hope that you are just busting with joy now - for more songs, wander over and see who else is playing along with Carole's game... because you can never have too much of a good thing.

Grief and Mistakes

That's right, you've been warned!

Meredith had this cute post today about the stages of grief when we find mistakes in our knitting so I thought I would share mine with y'all.  This is serious business and one we should never take lightly, knitting mistakes that is... because if we don't, goodness knows that they will slowly take over the entire project, ruin our confidence and make our crafting adventures a living nightmare!  So without further ado...

1. Notice mistake.
2. Ignore mistake for several more rows.
3. Acknowledge mistake and try to strike a plea bargain.
4. Admit defeat.
5. Frog the project, all the while Flinstone cursing the mistake.
6. Get coffee, chocolate and a good movie.
7. Share news of evil mistake ambush with Ravelry friends.
8. Rewind yarn while plotting to show mistake who's boss.
9. Cast on again, determined to get all Chuck Norris on the next mistake that dares to show it's face in my project.
10. Smile at the fact that I am indeed smarter than my mistake.

There you go - 10 easy steps to mistake free and incredibly pleasurable crafting.

Motivational Monday

There was a bit of upheaval in a game that I hold dear.  It was hateful and mean and ugly.  It left a lot of hearts broken and bruised but the rebuilding has begun.  During some of our leadership conversations, this treasure came up and I wanted to share it with y'all because whether there is strife or not, it's just good to be reminded...

So here is a bit from a wonderful body of work by this man who really knows how to teach a person who knows what's important in this life...

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.

These are the things I learned:

• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
• Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
• Take a nap every afternoon.
• When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
• Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
• And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Sunday Snaps

I gave some pretties...

I tried something new...

I turned a fail into fun...

I kept on trying blindly because that's who I am...

I even explored using a new type of yarn.

This was a week full of discoveries and exploring... both crafting and non.  All in all I would say it was a successful week.  I was even called "graceful" and "elegant", granted it was in reference to my writing but still, I'll take it!

So it's been a great week and this coming week, albeit shorter with the confounded daylight savings time (did you turn your clocks up an hour yet?), will be more of the same because I am going to make it that way.  Shoot, I've even got a crochet pattern printed out that I am going to attempt to work - key word in that sentence is 'attempt'.  I'll keep you posted.

How was your week?  Fabulous and fun or frumpy and foul?

Drumroll please...

and the winner is...

I'll send you a PM via Ravelry - Congratulations!!

No worries to everyone else - there is still the fabulous 15% discount by entering the code "Peppermints" at check out so go on, shop to your hearts content at Insouciant Studios!

Roughly 2 hours

That's how much time is left before I use my "Hobbitizer" to draw a winner for these...

Just click here to learn how to enter the Give a look Giveaway... hurry!

Weekend Wonderment ~ 3/9 - 3/11

Lots of Nerdy goodness this weekend

1. This is my super secret knitting project but it is going to answer my last challenge this round for Nerd Wars... complete with Team Unity points!
2. My poor dissertation has been ignored for about a week because I have been attempting to learn how to 'actually' crochet... emphasis on attempt please.
3. I hate to sound defeatist but I do believe that this will be part of round 3 and the WiP challenge.  It's my shawl and while I love everything about it and reward myself with pattern repeats for completing unwanted tasks, I don't think it will be done this month for Julie and Cheri's KAL.

It's funny how the vast majority of my Weekend Wonderment posts are knitting related.  I mean, y'all know I liked to knit - that's a no brainer - but I had no idea exactly how much I enjoyed spending time on Ravelry too.  I learned real quick the other day when it went down for an hour.  I have to say though, Casey is a really fabulous code monkey. 

Can you imagine if your cable went out and the cable company kept and updated Twitter feed going about exactly what was going on, the steps that were being taken to correct it and then apologizing profusely for the hiccup?  Yeah, me neither but Casey sure did - and that is why Ravelry is such a fabulous community... because the people responsible for it are kind, compassionate, caring and understanding.  Sure, they may have over 2 million users but their mentality is still that of your best yarnie friend.

So if an hour of downtime since May 2007 is the worst that can happen, and I get a bazillion apologies from the family who started it all, I'm good with that - and guess what, I actually got some knitting done!

Just so space cadety

Today is the day that the scores for Round One of Tournament 4 for Nerd Wars... then the machine had a moment and Elise was at work so she couldn't spend time adjusting it.  It isn't an "Oh Emme Ghee" moment, just a hiccup that she couldn't access from home... and because I was teased with two categories and the rest is on hold until later, well it all just kind of leaves my brain something close a space cadet - look ~

I need to learn new things with crochet - like how to actually do it

Some new ideas for supper would be great - like Greek Chicken Stew

I should make myself some tops like this one.

I need to decide what weight I want to get this charity yarn in before I miss it again.

Play my game more I will... yes.

So that's my brain.  I attempted to teach myself some new crochet moves but who knows if I failed or not.  I'm digging it but I think if I really knew what was I was doing then it would be truly epic.

Time for supper, a bit of knitting and a bunch of Idol - then I'll check back to see if the scores are up again... either way, it's going to be a spacey kind of night.

Ten on Tuesday/Tunes

Carole gave us the prompt of "ten things in your purse" so here we go ~

I honestly just dumped it out and photographed it... well, I tidied the arrangement first

1. My books: A) Nerd Wars notes/ideas/timelines, B) Inspiration/Idea Journal, C) Calendar, D) Reading book (currently re-re-reading the Harry Potter series).  My pen and pencil are on there too but I figure that they go with the books, like a set.
2. My 'cheat sheet' because you never know when you'll find a great deal on some yummy yarn.
3. My hairbrush because I can't stand messy hair.
4. My camera (which was used to take this photo)
5. My 'essentials' bag which contains my inhaler, random medicine like Tylenol/Lactaid/Benadryl and girlie things.
6. My wallet which is also a wristlet so I don't have to carry my big bag in for little grocery pop-ins.
7. My hand lotion.

That's what is honestly currently in my pocketbook right now.  Yes, mine is a messenger bag with a most amazing print that I received for Christmas but it works great because normally, I have a small knitting project bag in there as well but I'm not working on anything small at the moment - all my projects require their own tote but I'm seeing a lot of smaller knits in my future because I like having a project in my bag.

For those who truly know me, you will understand this song and for those who might be wondering why I chose it, I will simply pray that you find the beauty in it for yourself.

Motivational Mondays

Because I have no words - I will use my Pinterest board and borrow the words of others ~

Being a Grown Up 101

Respect - willingness to expression consideration or appreciation.

Appreciation - recognition of the quality, value, significance or magnitude of people or things.

Value - to regard highly or to think much of.

pinterest

R.A.V.E. - to Respect, Appreciate and Value Everyone.

Give a look giveaway

Aren't these just yummy!

Hey y'all.  How are you this fine Sunday afternoon?  I'm not too shabby - actually, I'm busting to tell y'all about a new friend of mine.  Her name is Kit.  I met her when she boldly stuck out her hand and said hey to me.  Now who can resist someone like that, I know I can't.

Last Saturday I took y'all on a 'shopping trip' to visit a few of my favorite stores... and that is where Kit enters the picture.  She is the owner of Insouciant Studios... it's a really fancy version of "Hakuna Matata" because it means 'free from worry, concern or anxiety'.  Well, we sat down and had a nice little chat which I thought I'd share... here ya go:

PMM: Hey there, Kit.  Let's get the 'background bits' out of the way, okay?  You know the whole "what's your name" and "where are you from" stuff.
Kit: My name is Kirsten Bella Pratt, but everyone calls me Kit. I was born in Dallas, Tx, and I have lived in Rhode Island, Maryland, New Jersey, and California--I think that makes me more American than anything else. That said, New England and California will always have pieces of my heart.  Oh yeah, and I'm kitknits on Ravelry.

Aptly named "Desert Sunset"

PMM: Sweet, so what kinds of crafts do you do - Ravelry sanctioned and otherwise?

Kit: Wow, can I say everything? My main crafts are knitting, spinning, and jewelry work (both beading and metalsmithing). But I also regularly needlepoint, embroider, sew, and crochet. I'll be learning to work with PMC for my jewelry work this spring. I knit a lot of socks and intricate stuffed animals, and I've been churning out lots variations on the Noro 2-row stripe scarf recently!

PMM: Holy wow, you do do everything!  What would you consider your greatest strength then?
Kit: I'm good at bouncing back and trying again. Not everything always goes as planned, and life has a lot of road blocks--especially for female entrepreneurs. The trick for me is to acknowledge failures and setbacks, and then come up with a plan to work around or past them. If something is keeping me up at night, I get up and try to work towards a solution, rather than sitting around worrying--that coping tactic is the foundation of this strength.

"I think birds have an amazing view of the world"

PMM: That's a great strength to have, right there. Care to share anything truly embarrassing?

Kit: I've had so many, it's hard to choose. I guess one from back in high school still makes me laugh a bit. I was sitting in a car full of friends, and someone walked up to my window to talk to me--I though the window was down--and I turned my head and leaned forward quickly to say hello--and smacked my face into the closed window really hard. I just didn't see the glass, and everyone had a really good laugh.

PMM: Oh mylanta, I've done that too - hurts like the dickens, doesn't it. How about something less embarrassing... like the best lesson that you've learned so far.  Anything great you'd like to share there?
Kit: You have to be present in your own life--just showing up is so much of the battle, and you miss out on so much if you're not engaged. This applies to everything--classes in college, your friends lives, your work. Just putting in the time an energy to stay involved produces amazing rewards.

PMM: Now that is a great bit for today - be present in your own life.  I really like that mindset.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in the million little insignificant things that we forget to pay attention to the here and now because who knows what treasures you might be missing.  Don't just be there physically, be there mentally as well.  Nothing is more important that being an active participant in your life.

PMM: We've talked about you being an entrepreneur and having your own shop, Insouciant Studios.  It has a ton of beautiful items - from jewelry to batting to yarn and stitch markers.  There are so many gorgeous things to choose from, do you have a favorite item?

"Deadliest Catch" roving

Kit: I love everything in my shop, but I am particularly fond of my hand dyed rovings. When I get inspired by nature, and start thinking about colors, I like to explore them in both jewelry and wool, but working with wool and dye involves a certain amount of chance--so it feels like alchemy. With wool, you have to wait for the final results, until the dyes have set, the wool has been rinsed, and everything is dry before you really know what you've got--so I enjoy the element of surprise. My current favorite is "Deadliest Catch"; I was thinking about the television program Deadliest Catch, but the colors really remind me of the tropical vacation I took to Jamaica last year with my husband and a group of friends--it was so much fun, and so beautiful there.

"Roses" roving

PMM: Oh I can totally see that!  I think my favorite roving that you offer is "Roses" but I'm guessing that's not surprise since my favorite color is pink. Where do you gather your inspiration from?
Kit: Nature! Most of my inspiration comes from the natural world and my interactions with it--hiking, swimming, looking out the window and day dreaming. I'm also inspired by foreign and historical cultures and movements--like the ancient Egyptians, ancient Greece, and by the roaring 20's and Art Deco--mostly cultures with strong ties to nature or interesting interpretations of it!

PMM: I am such a fan of Art Deco as well - the gorgeous clean lines and just a touch of whimsy.  It's just got such a feeling of happiness to it.  I bet you can relate to that too since you seem like such a happy girl.
Kit: I am happy. I love my job, my husband, my cats, and my fabulous friends. While I don't have everything I want, and I do face some uncertainty about the future, I am generally happy and I feel fortunate for what I have!

Yep, these little beauties could be yours

I know I'm happy that Kit took the time to sit down and chew the fat with me... and you know what else - she is offering up some gorgeous stitch markers!  You may have noticed them at the top of the page and right over there - yeah, y'all know I'm sneaky like that.  It's real simple to enter.  All you have to do is take a wander around Kit's shop, Insouciant Studios, give a look and come back to tell me what you liked best.  I posted a few of my favorites around this post so y'all know she's got a lot of beautiful things to choose from.

So it's that simple - go give her a look, leave me a comment about what you love and you're entered.  Just one entry per person - but share all the goodies you find!  Don't forget to use the sweet discount she's extending to us as well.  That's right, just the code "Peppermints" at check out and get 15% off your purchase.

I'll announce the randomly drawn winner on Saturday, 10 March (noon ET) when we just might go 'shopping' again!

*All photos, unless noted with copyright, are from Kit's site.

Sunday Snaps

There was some super secret knitting...

Present making...

Love affair renewing...

Favorite proclaiming...

and Round 2 submission entering!

I've been a bit of a busy beaver this past week.  I fell into an amazing crafting groove which is still going strong.  I think it's because I finally have something else to do besides my dissertation project.  I admit to getting a bit bored with it since it was the only thing I could work on for a couple weeks.

Thank goodness Round 2 of Nerd Wars started this past Thursday - I cast on at midnight... I cast on two projects actually!  The first was my Three Irish Girls, which I had to work a few rows with it, and then the most obnoxious novelty yarn.  Sheer determination made me finish that one first because I knew that if I put it down, I wouldn't want to pick it back up.  I worked through a whole skein and gave myself a cookie when I was done - it was just icky... although the end result is pretty. Yesterday, I cast on my super secret knitting which I have turned into something I can use for Nerd Wars too - my team unity project even.  I should be done with it today, possibly tomorrow and I'll take a photo of it.  I'll have to check my notes to see if I can discuss it or not - I think I can but I want to be sure... you know?

So that was last week - this week, we've got vet appointments, school evaluations and Peanut is on Spring Break.  I'd like to say that she is snuggled up in her room but that would be a lie.. she's in Texas with my folks since they were able to go and get her.  It's only a week and by the time she got home, she'd have to go back so it was just easier for her to hang out there for a week.  I'm starting to think I should have said a better good-bye since I have the sinking feeling that she just isn't going to make home any time soon... but those are tears for another day.

Did y'all have a great crafting mojo week too or were you lucky to find time to eek out a row or two?  Any plans for secret crafting in your future?

Weekend Wonderment ~ 3/2 - 3/4

Nerd Wars... all weekend long... nothing but Nerd Wars!

Granny Squares, shawls and scarfs - oh my!  I've got a plate full of knitting to get cracking on and also to make sure that my dissertation doesn't fall of track.  I may or may not have company coming at some point in the next few days... but I definitely will be having a most awesome craft day with my dear friend, Mellie, on Thursday so there is that to look forward to this coming week. Now if we could just get that bullet train between our houses, life would be perfect.

Anything crafty and super fun on your agenda this weekend?

Wrapping up and starting new

Today is the last day... and at midnight, we start all over again.  Club 33 will have completed it's first official round of Nerd Wars at 11:59 p.m. tonight.  By midnight, we will have a team of veterans.  So what all have I done this month, Round 1 of Tournament 4?  Just this ~

Too Cute for Words headband was done for Geek Pride

2 3Cs ~ The brown one was for the Intellectual challenge, the blue for Technical

A Fist Full of Firsts answered the Nerd Culture challenge

You Make My Heart Sing rounded out the crafting for the Scientific category

I also donated $25 to Hats Off For Cancer as a part of my Giving Geeks submission.  Six challenges posted.  Six challenges answered.  I also was allowed to began working on my dissertation for Tournament 4 - Rapunzel's New Dream ~

2 of 5 panels completed so I'm right on track with my time schedule

So what am I going to be doing with my extra day this year - helping the rest of my teammates get their submissions in.  I'm going to cheerlead, coach, mentor and console everyone on their efforts - both successful and non... but as soon as midnight strikes, I'm getting my hot little hands on this ~

480 yards of Wexford Merino Silk in Bellini, loving crafted for me by Three Irish Girls

 ... because at midnight, we start Round 2 - and I can't wait for it to begin!

Tuesday Tunes

No words are needed. This video says it all.

Fiddle-farting around

Please pardon me while I fiddle-fart around with my blog design elements.  I need a change so if you pop in and find the header and such different, please don't worry - just working through some ideas.

I'm looking for something to welcome in Spring but yet stay true to the base foundation of the blog style... just freshened up a bit.

Sunday Snaps

We made some serious progress regarding our goofy girl...

I've spent a lot of time staring at the particular view...

Panel #2 should be constructed and joined this afternoon... fingers crossed.

It's been a most interesting week - full of trials and tribulations, laughter and tears, discoveries and realizations.  Letting go of people and things that bring you down and learning new ways to build others up.  New avenues are being explored and old streets are being bypassed.  Basically, the week can be summed up in one simple quote ~

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."