Ice, Rain, Thunder, Lightening! Oh My!!!

What a day today has been. It started out cold and windy and has ended up with ice, rain, thunder and lightening! Strange but true. Should be better tomorrow and then we get 60 degrees on Wednesday! Crazy!

As promised, I have posted a picture of the 3 am Hat which I completed earlier this week. I knit it in Lorna's Laces worsted and checked it in with Brigitte last Thursday at Woolly Lamb Yarn Studio. Here is a picture of the finished product. I am very happy with it. I know I'll be making more of these because they were so fun. I really love making cables; some people think they're difficult but I love them. I took the suggestions on the pattern and increased the number of stitches cast on and did one more repeat of the cable. I would like to make another one for my sister Kathy but do it in a washable yarn. 








I also finished the February project; boot toppers. They were very easy to do and I finished them both this weekend. Here is a picture of them. I think they'll be great for Joanne for Christmas!

Now on to the next project for March!

My 3 Seconds of Fame

Well, I had my 3 seconds of fame today! I was interviewed on ABC News this morning. I was on my way to catch the train to work and a reporter was there covering a story about the track problems on the Blue Line. She asked me how I was enduring this cold weather. I was on TV for about 3 seconds, if that much! It made for an exciting day! Luckily most of my face was covered up so you didn't see all my fat. Check it out on my Facebook page. I don't know how to insert it in here!

BRRRR!
Our weather really turned cold! It was so cold yesterday and even colder this morning. I think it was zero degrees with a wind chill of 15 below zero!

Even though it was cold, we still had a great time at Ro's house yesterday. Ro, Liz, Gladys and I met about 11:30 and started cutting sewing our pillow cases. Ro had a delicious lunch and dessert; all Weight Watchers! Such a great meal! Then we went back to sewing. Everyone but me made two pillowcases each. I was helping so I decided not to work on one. Gladys and Ro each made a 10 Minute Table Runner. They are very quick and easy! We really worked hard and got a lot accomplished. Ro even managed to hem a pair of pants for herself! Of course, I didn't take pics so I've nothing to show you! I do have one picture of a pillow case I'm working on. It's not completed of course, but the colors are pretty.

Weight Watchers has been doing OK for me. I lost .6 pounds last week - at least I didn't gain! I didn't have as much activity as I did last week so I didn't lose that much. I need to be more active!!! I've been extremely hungry that last few days so I'm afraid of the scale on Thursday!

I did do a bit of crafting over the weekend. I made 4 Pennie Pockets for Valentine's Day. I gave one to Ro for having us all over yesterday. I put sugar free candy inside! I still need to finish the other 3. I just need to put a YoYo on each one. I improvised with Ro's since I don't have an official YoYo maker. (One is on its way to me from Amazon.com!)

They were so easy to make and fun to develop the designs. They looked challenging but I figured them out quite easily. I found these little pretties on Pinterest, went to the website and printed out the pattern. Pinterest is a great way to find so much information. It's also fun to just put "boards" together of your favorite things. I have boards for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Shamrocks, Candy Corn - you name it, you can find something about it on Pinterest!

I also found another Valentine's Day project on Pinterest and made them over the weekend. This reminded me of being in Kindergarten but it was fun to make. You just take 1 inch strips of paper and stable them together! I also glued some ribbon on each streamer and there you go! Valentine's Day is one of my favorite decorating holidays. But, aren't they all my favorite for decorating?!

I made several of these but gave them away because I miss doing that

I watched a movie Saturday night, My Sister's Keeper. I read the book written by Jodi Picoult and loved it! It was truly a page turner and I couldn't put it down! The movie was TOTALLY different from the book. There was no comparison. I couldn't believe how much they changed it. You should definitely read the book before seeing the movie if you're interested in it.

Well, off to relax and, hopefully finish my January Woolly Lamb project of the month, the 3am hat. I'm almost done and will post a picture of it on my next blog. Have a great week and stay warm!!!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Good evening all!
Haven't had a chance to blog, according to my schedule, since I was working overtime all last week! It was end of month and end of year! Lots of overtime for me!

I lost 4 pounds this past week! Yeah! Nine pounds closer to my first goal weight! I feel so much better now that I'm eating properly. We went to a co-workers house on Saturday - someone my DH works with. I decided to eat something before we went so I wouldn't be ravenous and eat everything in sight. I had some home made guacamole and chips which was out of this world! I did manage to control myself and only had 3 or 4 chips with dip on them. I didn't eat too much of the food; just a small sample of a few things. I passed up the brownies, cheesecake, flan, etc. but did have some of the Costco apple pie we brought. I just had a tablespoon of the pie so I could taste it and it was great!

I can't believe how in control I feel with Weight Watchers. My activity tracker has been a great help. I tend to do more and track how much activity I engage in so I get more points. This has really helped me. I now walk up the "L" steps instead of taking the escalator. I am panting and breathing heavy when I get to the top, outside, but I feel it's helping tone up my legs! I'm actually wearing jeans that are 2 sizes smaller not and not baggy! I hope I can keep up this new attitude!

My knitting friends and I are planning to do some sewing on January 21. We'll get together at one house and have a sewing bee! I'm going to show them how to make pillow cases and possibly some 10 minute table runners. I cut two pillowcases out and put one together so I could be sure I knew what I was talking about! It's very simple once you know how to do it!

My pillowcase almost put together.

This is the material I'm using for my 10 minute table runner

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!

Hi Friends!

Can't tell you what a great day I had today! Started with a trip to my favorite quilt shop; Quilters Destination in Arlington Heights. Ro and Julie, two of my knitting friends, and I left from Woolly Lamb and I drove there. We had such a great time shopping and picking out fabric to make pillow cases and 10 minute table runners. It was so nice to introduce them to the shop I love! We're planning to get together soon and work on the pillows and table runners. I can't wait to do that! I just wish I had taken some pictures of us at the shop! I can't even show you pictures of what I bought because I left it in the car. Oh well, next time.

After we went shopping, we stopped at McDonald's for lunch. We were all so hungry!

We finally made it to Woolly Lamb at about 3:00 to knit for a while. Then Ro, Gladys and I decided to go to the show to see Parental Guidance. It was such a funny movie. I recommend it to everyone! we laughed so hard! We had a great time.

After the movie, we went to dinner! Such a fun time!

Now to the next subject; exercise. I'm planning to start exercising! I bought a new yoga and holder to just lay on when I start doing my sit-ups! It's very nice and I'm looking forward to starting tomorrow. I'm also planning to try to walk more. I would like to start out slowly and do 10 sit-ups the first week, and then add 5 more each week until I do 50 every night. I'll probably we sore but I need to do something. Walking is my favorite exercise so I would like do more of that too!




My new yoga mat and cover!

Stay happy and enjoy life!



Thank God It's Friday!

[Unfortunately I worked 4 hours overtime today and have to go in and work tomorrow - Saturday...oh well, more yarn $$$$ : )] I have to work on the dreaded monthly report because I have a massive book to work on next week. That's why I'm working all this overtime.

Hello friends,
I'm so excited because I received an email from Woolly Lamb Yarn Studio detailing the First Christmas Club 2013 Project. It is the hat shown below. I started mine with a Lorna's Laces red worsted. As you can see, I've only completed the ribbing and will be starting the cable pattern. More to come!

My hat

Woolly Lamb Sample Hat

I'm also starting a new project from one of my old books. This is a scarf that can be used as a hat too. I haven't started it yet but plan to do so soon.  This is the book I got it from; the one Joanne gave me.
















An update to my weight loss - I lost .5 pounds! At least I didn't gain anything! I'm happy!

I also want to share a picture of a current project I'm working one (one of MANY!) This is more of a scarf/cowl. The yarn is so soft. I'm about halfway done.


Well, after much frustration with the blog, I finally got what I wanted to get done! Phew...this computer almost made it's way out the window - the hard way!!!

Until the next time....

Happy New Year 2013!

Hello and Happy 2013 to everyone!
I actually managed to stay up until 12:00 this morning and watched the "ball drop!" Not that exciting when you're sitting by yourself! My DH was in bed, along with the dog, at 10:30...Mr. Excitement. Oh well, it is 2013!

I don't usually make resolutions because I can never follow through with them. This year, I'm actually going to make some resolutions and follow through with them! They are:

1.  Post on my Blog at least 3 times a week!
2.  Lose weight!
     - I have currently lost 11.8 lbs!
     - I will post a picture of myself monthly so you can see the transformation and so I stay on task!
3.  Knit one project per month from the knitting books I currently own
     - I will post a picture of each project and post status updates and the final completed project
4.  Finish some of my current projects
     - And there are A LOT!!!
     - Hope to post pictures and status updates too
5.  Exercise more!
     - Will set up an exercise schedule and update my progress

I spent a fantastic afternoon at Woolly Lamb Yarn Studio today with many of my knitting friends. It was our annual New Years Day party - we love to party! We ate chili, kruggle (sp?) and lots of other great things. It's so nice to be able to spend time with my friends, knit, chat and laugh! Brigitte offered many special sales and we all took advantage of them! No one wanted to go home we were having such a great time!

This is a picture of me (on the left - with my eyes closed) with Sharon, Julia and Sue. You'll notice the cowl I have around my neck - one of my newer projects.

January 3, 2013 is the one year anniversary of my job. This first year went by so fast and I've learned a lot about accounting. I've also learned a lot about PDFs and Outlook which pleases me to no end because I love to learn!

I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! I also wish Thomas a speedy recuperation!