Yarn-Along - A cute lacy beret!

Today, for Yarn-Along which I haven't linked up with in AGES, I am going to post the knitting project I have been working on lately - my lacy beret/slouchy hat!

I have been experimenting lately with making up my own patterns, starting with another beret that I knit a few months ago (I'll post pictures some other time). The reason I have been making my own patterns is because when I start my Etsy shop, I don't want to be selling a bunch of stuff from other people's patterns. I feel too guilty about it, especially if I don't see anything in the pattern about a copyright or if I'm not sure that copyright includes selling items made with the pattern. There's a lot less guilt in making something completely of my own design, and a lot more satisfaction!

Although I don't know if it's COMPLETELY of my own design. I get my patterns from a nifty little book called 400 Knitting Stitches - A complete dictionary of essential stitch patterns. I love this book! It has cable stitch patterns, lace stitch patterns, twisted stitch patterns.... it's awesome. All of the stitch patterns are written as if to knit flat, so I adapt them to be knit in the round. I also adapt them (for hats, anyways) to decrease near the top while still trying to keep a little bit of the pattern.

So, I've been knitting this hat for a few weeks now. I started with the band, which is a cable pattern that I got from the knitting stitch book. I knit 200 rows of this pattern - enough to fit my 22" circumference head. Then I picked up 240 stitches and began the lace pattern.

A close-up of the cable pattern I used for the band. It looks more creamy-yellowish
here but that's not the color it is in real life! I took the picture with bright sunlight
shining on it which I guess distorted the color. :P

I could have finished yesterday. But as I was decreasing happily - my decreasing was fitting with the lace pattern! - I discovered when I tried on the hat to see how it looked, that it was WAY TOO SLOUCHY.

(It's a kind of bad picture - my sister took it on her new camera with a "Posterized" setting
 which I tried to edit out, to no avail.)

Actually, in this picture it doesn't look as bad as it does in real life (except for not showing the lace pattern and looking like I cropped the beret out of the picture, leaving a beret-shaped white spot). But trust me. As I said to my mom, "It looks like a mushroom took over my head!" And even she agreed that it was too huge. And she's usually the one who says that my projects aren't as bad as I think they are!

Luckily, I won't have to rip out the stitches ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE BEGINNING. I think that I'll be able to "only" rip out 20 rows or so and go back to when it looked less slouchy and really really cute! It would have been really painful to have to go back all the way to the beginning - but it's also a really slow painfulness to have to rip carefully, stitch by stitch, making sure that I don't drop any. Considering that it's about 250 stitches on the needles - the pattern calls for increases every other round. I had been hoping to have it finished before we left on vacation, and I had thought I was going to finish it yesterday, but that obviously didn't happen.

I WAS NEARLY FINISHED!!!!

Here's a close-up of the stitch pattern. The lace and the slipped stitches kind of
make diamond shapes!

Sooo yeah. Yesterday evening I began the slow, painful process of ripping out stitches, stitch by stitch. Luckily, when I FINALLY get to the point where I can stop ripping, I'll be able to start decreasing again right away. Maybe I'll finish it ON vacation....?

As for books I'm reading..... well, does my French textbook count? :P Well, I'm kind of reading a randomness of books. Lately I've been re-reading old favorites, such as The Scarlet Pimpernel. But mostly I've been reading my school textbooks. :P

Thanks to Ginny at Small Things for hosting Yarn-Along!

My past few months in a nutshell!

Wow! I'm actually posting WITHIN A WEEK of my last post! That hasn't happened in a year... possibly even longer. :P

So, what's going on lately with me? Well, first of all, I would like to ask your prayers for our family, as my grandma died on March 1st. It was REALLY sudden - we had all gone out to a fish fry (we had to get at least ONE in during Lent!). My grandma lived with us, along with my uncle who still lives with us, in a separate part of the house built for them. Before we left, my grandma was all chipper and happy - my sister and I were getting ready and my grandma threatened to leave without us! We had a great time at the fish fry, which wasn't very far from us, and then we all came home, my grandma went into her apartment, sat in her comfy red rocking chair, and basically just fell asleep. There were no signs of her being sick or anything, although she has had health problems. The funeral was this past Friday and so now we're trying to get into a new rhythm. And it is hard because we're so used to seeing her around all the time. So anyways, please keep us in your prayers.

In October I auditioned for our homeschool theatre production of "Oklahoma" and I got in! I played a farmer's wife. It was fun! And since I was an elderly lady, I had my hair sprayed grey/silver for the shows!!! Haha, it was definitely an interesting experience! The performances were a weekend in mid-January. I'm sad it's over. I made a few new friends (although me being the shy person that I am, I didn't make as many friends as I would have liked) and we had a lot of fun times. And since I'm a senior this year, it was the last homeschool theatre production I was able to perform in - and it was the first one I'd ever been in. I really wish I had been able to do more shows. But I can still play in the pit orchestra for any future shows, which is good.

I have been taking classes at the local state university through PSEO this spring semester - French, English, and Introduction to Mass Communications (which is an online course). My ratings for the classes?

French = :)
English = :)
Intro to Mass Comm = :-/

I like the French class because it is really fun learning the language. Someday I want to go to France and I want to be able to understand what people will be saying there - and not look so much like a typical American tourist with a French phrasebook in hand. :P English is cool because the instructor goes to our church so I'm not as scared of him. :P Although it's also hard because since we know each other from church, I feel like I've got to be really good because he'll be paying attention to my work! As for Intro to Mass Comm..... well, the class is really interesting. But being an online class, it's really easy for me to forget that I have deadlines, and with all the stuff that's been going on lately I've been forgetting to do my homework until the last minute - sometimes literally the LAST MINUTE before something's due. And finals are in the beginning of May. AAAAGGGGGHHHHH. I hate feeling behind!!!!! Thank goodness this week is spring break. But still. AAAAGGGGGHHHHH.

So, this week is spring break at the college, but NEXT week (actually, this Friday) is our family vacation!! We are going to Branson, Missouri and spending a week there, going to the Titanic museum, possibly Silver Dollar City, and we're going to the Sight and Sound Theater to see their production of "Joseph", which is opening.... this weekend? Anyways, we're gonna see it! It'll be interesting seeing Joseph without disco dancing and and Elvis Presley-type Pharaoh. :P And my cousins are coming with us!! :D And my aunt and uncle! They're the ones that I don't get to see a whole lot normally, but we invited them along on our vacation and they were able to come! Which is SUPER exciting. That just makes the vacation so much better!

Well, that's pretty much all for now, so.... bye! Or... adieu! A bientot!

I won an award!!! :D

Ya know what, I'm not even going to comment about how pathetic I am about posting on my blog.

And yes, I know that that was technically a comment about how pathetic I am about posting on my blog. But I don't care! BUAHAHAHA!

Anyways. SO, I was tagged in a blog award so I figured now was as good a time as any to post something again!

I was given this award by "Aaliyah" over at Ramblings Of A Writer, and it is called the Liebster award. As I am going to quote for Aaliyah's blog, "The Liebster Award is given to up - and - coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is German for "sweetest," "kindest," "nicest," "dearest," "beloved," "valued," "endearing," and "welcoming." "

And now for the rules:

1. List 11 things about yourself.

2. Answer the questions that the nominator has posed for you.

3. Nominate 11 up and coming bloggers who have  less than 200 followers.

4. Create 11 questions to ask the nominees.

5. Go to the page of each nominee  and tell her about her award.

11 Things About Me

1. I can be extremely shy, but all you have to do is say "hi" to me and I'll perk right up!

2. My favorite color is blue. But it's more of a turquoise/aqua blue. But I also really like dusty rose, bright red, and deep purple. Actually, I think that all of the above listed colors are tied for my favorite. ;)

3. I play the piano, the flute, and now I PLAY THE ORGAN!!!!!

4. I PLAYED THE ORGAN IN MASS TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THE WORLD DIDN'T EXPLODE!!!!! :D :D :D

5. I love dressing feminine, and really wish I had a cute, flowy, summer-y, flower-y dress to wear casually.... but alas, I do not. 

6. I love to read. I'll read just about anything with a good storyline, but my favorite stories are medieval stories. And fairy-tales! But my all-time favorite books are Regina Doman's Fairy Tale Novels (You can find them HERE!! <---).

7. I have done NaNoWriMo! And finished it!!! Now I just need to start editing my book.... and finish the book....

8. My sister is five years younger than me and our hands are the same size. :P

9. I have been saying that I want to start an Etsy shop for a year now. I've created an account, but I HAVEN'T OPENED THE SHOP YET! I'm close though! HOPEFULLY this spring!! So keep an eye out!

10. I knit. And make jewelry. And have even picked up crochet recently. I should post a picture of the crochet owl hat I made for my cousin's baby shower! :)

11. I'm going to be EIGHTEEN this summer! EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD!!! *runs around screaming like a crazy woman*

11 Questions I Must Answer

1. What is your favourite pastime? Hmmmm.... knitting, probably. At least, that's my favorite PRODUCTIVE past-time. :P Otherwise it would probably be reading or getting on the computer. :P
2. How many wonderful people follow your blog? A grand total of 8!! I'm so popular!! ;)
3. Do you have a special place where you love to spend time by yourself? Not in particular.... I spend a lot of time by myself in my room, but I wouldn't say it's my FAVORITE spot.
4. What is your favourite prayer? The Memorare. "Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided...."
5. Do you enjoy swimming? Yes, I do! I mean, not professionally or anything, but I enjoy it. :)
6. What is your favourite season, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter? Why? I believe, the springtime. Everything is beginning to grow, the grass is becoming green, the snow is melting away and it's starting to be warm again, but it's not too hot!
7. What is your favourite pastime? Hey! This question was listed twice! Tsk, tsk, Aaliyah.... ;) :P
8. Have you ever gone bowling, skiing(water or snow)? I have gone bowling, but I've never gone skiing, water OR snow. ;)
9. Is there a singer that you enjoy listening to when you are down? I guess it depends on the particular down-ness of my mood. I like listening to Taylor Swift. I LOVE Britt Nicole... and I also like Jack Johnson and Nickel Creek. :)
10. Who is your favourite saint? St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Has been ever since I was little! I also like St. Maria Goretti.
11. Which do you like better horses, cats, or dogs? Why? I like cats cuz they're cute and cuddly and they purr!

Nominations for the Liebster Award

Kathleen at The Messy Desk of Me

Raewyn at My Spare Oom

Una at Petticoats and Muckboots

Mae at Imaginations of a Princess

(Yes, I know that's not 11.... but it's SOME, right?!?)

1. What is your favorite color and why?

2. If you could choose between a flying monkey and a singing hippo, which would you choose? And why?

3. Where do you go when you want to be alone?

4. Are you a creative person?

5. Why did you start a blog?

6. Do you post on your blog very often?

7. What is your personality? 

8. Do you like fairy-tales?

9. Are you girly or a tomboy?

10. Do you have a large family? (Immediate or extended family)

11. Would you rather travel to Oz, Narnia, or Middle-earth?

Sometime this week I shall post a picture of the knit beret I'm working on! And tell you a bunch of stuff! Maybe if I say I'll do it I'll really do it! :D

Yarn Along

Yeah, I haven't done this in a while. What with summer and warm weather, I haven't really felt like knitting. But now I've gotten back to it, thanks to the reminder of the fact that I've still got dozens of projects to complete before Christmas, not to mention the fact that I'm going to start up my Etsy shop in August (hopefully!)

So here is what I've been working on lately: Fingerless gloves!

I've almost finished the second fingerless glove - or hand warmer, or whatever you want to call it. I just love how they fit - it's snug enough to fit my younger sister perfectly, but it also fits me perfectly, and my mom perfectly! I'm planning on selling this pair.

I just love the bold colors. These were knit with a self-striping yarn (thank goodness - I can't imagine all the ends I'd have to weave in by the time they were finished! The horror!) and they are so soft, but not too soft and wintery, perfect for any time of the year, really. But the colors make me think of fall the most.

                                        Fits like a glove! ;) (ignore the weird look on my face. :P)

Lately I've been reading, well, a bunch of different things, really. I started re-reading The Hobbit, what with the movie coming in December and all, and I want to actually make it through that plus the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The last time I tried, I only made it through The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, and made it maybe an eighth of the way through Two Towers, if that (I don't remember) before I got busy and stopped reading it and never picked it up. And that was two years ago! So I figure it's about time I try again. :)

Thanks to Ginny over at Small Things for hosting the Yarn-Along!

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day - also known as the Fourth of July!

Well, today was a pretty full day. We had friends over for the afternoon, so the morning was spent in preparing for them - cleaning, mainly, and my dad set my sister and I to work filling up water balloons. Nearly 150 in all, but when our friends came the balloons were gone in five minutes!

So, in the afternoon we had a lunch of grilled pork chops, chicken, watermelon, chips, and other such summer-y picnic type foods.

My mom, doing her 3 1/2-years-old goddaughter's hair in a ponytail and "hair pretty."

She likes it! Very festive for the fourth of July.

(Sorry it's blurry!) The kids practicing for their "circus".

Later in the evening, we all drove to a park to go see the fireworks. While we were waiting the kids played on the playground and the adults chatted.

My godsister seemed to think that the phrase "If she gets a juice box she'll have to go to the bathroom" meant that if she went to the bathroom, she could get a juice box. So as she begged anyone to take her to the bathroom so she could get a juice box, my mom just HAD to take pictures!

"Pleeeeeeease?"

The lucky person who ended up taking her (in the end we got her distracted enough from juice boxes to go to the playground and not have to go to the porta-potties yet) was me. :P

When it got darker, some other friends of ours joined us for the fireworks.

When it got dark enough, the fireworks started! I, equipped with my camera and the "fireworks" setting on it, began to take pictures.

After the fireworks, we headed home. There was lightning outside that we could see in the distance, and as I looked out the window I watched God's "fireworks"!

I hope everyone has had a blessed, wonderful Independence Day!

Colorado Reunion

 WARNING: BIG LONG POST WITH A LARGE PHOTO DUMP. PROCEED ONLY IF YOU HAVE TIME ON YOUR HANDS AND DON'T NEED TO LEAVE WITHIN THE NEXT 5 MINUTES.


Well, we're back from the Colorado family reunion! And this is my fourth post of this month! YES!

Anyways, we left last Wednesday after my dad came home from work, though we were an hour or two later than we had wanted to be. We just got supper at McDonalds (we pretty much lived on McDonalds while driving to and from Colorado :P) and drove for a few hours and then we found a hotel to stay at for the night.

The next morning we had breakfast and we drove all day, getting to my aunt and uncle's house at about 9 PM, I believe.... it was SUCH a relief to get out of the truck, which wasn't all that spacious for a family of five. I wasn't feeling the best, either, because if I do much of anything while driving (knitting, reading, playing video games, stuff like that) I start feeling... icky. Not totally sick or anything, just kind of blehhh. Definitely a relief to stop driving!

Friday was a day of relaxation and recuperation from all the driving. We hung out around the house all day watching TV and (in my sister's and my case) sucking on coffee-flavored caramels. YUMMY. We also went through things that my aunt was giving us (actually, to be perfectly honest, it was mostly my dad) because she and my uncle are considering moving and they want to get rid of a bunch of stuff. I got a bedroom set which consists of a queen-sized bed with a headboard, a dresser, and one of those things that's like a low dresser/desk and it has a large mirror on it? I forget what it's called. :P I also got a typewriter!! It's awesome and black and I love it. My dad teases me that although I have a laptop and we have the TV and stuff like that, I like an old-fashioned typewriter. But I love it! It's so... 1930's. We had just seen Captain America a week or two before Father's Day so I am now very hung up on anything from that time period. :D (We also went and saw The Avengers on Father's Day as a present from my dad to the rest of us, which was amazing, but that's off-topic.)

 In the evening my mom, aunt, sister and I went to a graduation party that my aunt had said she'd go to. There were a few relatives there who would be at the reunion the next day. It was pretty interesting.


On Saturday was the reunion. In the morning, though, my dad rented a U-Haul trailer and loaded mostly everything into it, all the big stuff anyway. At around noon or a little before, we drove to the reunion, which was at a reservoir. As we were driving up, all we could see was dry grass and we were all like "Where is the beach? The water?! Are we in the right place?" but we kept driving and then we saw the water and it was amazing - so huge, we wondered how on earth we could miss it! The land rose just right, I guess... but it was really strange.

Well, that's most of what I have to say for now, so I will let these next few pictures do some explaining. A picture's worth a thousand words, after all.

My sister, not wanting to get her picture taken. :P

As I was out in the water, I noticed a family of geese swimming by!

So adorable!

A few of the ladies were giving girls face paintings and paint tattoos - the kit included glitter, which involved getting glue put on your face. :P

The end result was very pretty, though!

One of the little girls got this gorgeous butterfly on her arm. :)

My mom got a pretty nasty sunburn on the back of her neck. This was only the beginning of it - it got worse!

My older brother and, I think my dad's cousin? I don't remember how she's related to us... anyways, this is them building a sand castle.

On Sunday we went to church, at this gorgeous church near Denver. Sadly, we didn't get any pictures.  That was another day of relaxation and recuperation.

The next day came the good-byes...

           

We drove all that day. We took a route that would bring us to the Badlands where we drove around for a few hours the next day, but we didn't spend as much time at the Badlands as we usually do. We were in a hurry to get home. :P

Prairie dogs! ^_^

And, well, that was our trip!

I don't think I'll add a random photo at the end. You've gotten enough photos for one post. :P

Monday Musings - June 18th, 2012

Right now... I am at the computer. Pretty obvious, huh? Well, that's all I can think of at the moment. :P

This weekend was... Great! On Friday we drove three hours (actually, we carpooled with some friends) to Priest Ordinations. We always just call it Ordinations. Anyways, that was really cool. And yesterday we had a bake sale at our church to raise money for our church theater group play "Arsenic and Old Lace". I brought some things for after second mass, and I was the only one who had brought food for after second mass! So it was gone in a hurry. *rolls eyes* :P

Some plans for this week... Well, later this week my family is going to drive down to Colorado for a family reunion on my dad's side! We've never done anything like that before, so it'll definitely be interesting. I'm going to see a bunch of relatives that I barely ever see, and meet a bunch of relatives that I've never really met before. I think it'll be pretty exciting! We're staying at my aunt's house, and it'll be nice to see her and my uncle and my Grandpa again.

I am grateful for... My Catholic faith. I can't even imagine where I would be right now if our family wasn't Catholic! I've made so many good friends through the Catholic homeschool group and through church who I can't imagine life without, that I never would have met if we weren't Catholic. I've gotten to experience things like barn dances and the ordinations of priests and volunteer for quite a few years at the Catholic Vacation Bible School held at a friend's barn, which is always loads of fun. Now I know that I've got to work on showing I'm grateful, by trying to live up to my faith, increasing my spiritual life (I don't pray as much as I should or make as many sacrifices I know I could!) and learn to defend my faith.

Some prayer intentions for this week... For Nadja, who hosts Monday Musings at her blog (link at the bottom). Her father just died recently and I'm sure she could use all the prayers she could get.

Also, that we have a safe drive to and from Colorado and have a good time with my aunt and Grandpa and all my other relatives at the reunion. :)

Something that always makes me smile... This picture. :D

Thanks to Nadja at Patch O' Dirt Farm for hosting!