Sometimes I feel that life gets in the way of things I want to do, like blogging. I got caught up in all of the wonderful end-of-the-year stress that included studying for my finals, taking my finals, worrying about how I did on my finals, packing up all of my belongings that I had in Austin, cleaning my room so that it will be okay for the next inhabitants, and coming home. Then, once I got home, I got to work on a take-home final that I could e-mail to my professor. But luckily all of my studying paid off - I made 4 A's and 1 B this semester, so I'm really happy, especially with my A in accounting.

However, when I think that I can finally get some rest and relaxation, my grandpa ends up having some medical problems. He's okay now, but he can't really take care of my granny at the moment, so someone has to stay with them every night. To help my mom and aunt out, I've been staying with them during the weekends. This wouldn't be so bad - I really like my grandparents and don't mind staying with them; however, I have an internship this summer, so I'm pretty much working Monday through Friday, and then instead of relaxing on the weekend, I spend it taking care of my grandparents. The grandparent thing is just really stressing out my family at the moment, especially my mom. Luckily, things should get better in a couple of weeks when we can move my grandparents out to our house.

Needless to say, with my internship and grandparent duty, I don't have time for doing much else. I'm working on a pair of Monkeys for my mom, but haven't touched them in about a week, which is a shame because I really love this pattern! I have the toe to graft on my first sock ever made, but I can't find my needle at the moment. Other than that, I don't really have anything on the needles.

Books have taken over my life again. Even when I'm super tired, I can still read a chapter or two out of a book. I finished reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also started reading Middlesex which I've enjoyed so far. I'm also thinking about starting another book, though I'm still uncertain about what's next in my queue. Hopefully, I can post some of my thoughts about the books I've recently read. For anything related to books, check out my reading blog.

Next time I hope to have pictures and a finished object.

Time Just Passes Me By

Wow, I can't believe it's been three months since my last post. I just guess I got super busy with school. But, this week is my final week of classes, and next week I have two finals to take, and then I'll be done with this semester. I'm a little sad to see it end because I liked a lot of my classes. But, I'm glad that I'm through with group projects - those almost killed me this semester.

On the knitting front, I finally finished my granny's shawl. Here's a not very good picture of it blocking.

I used almost two skeins of KnitPicks Shadow in Jewels. This was my first time blocking something, and while it isn't the greatest (I wanted the points pointier), the shawl still looks great and feels wonderful. My granny just loved it, even though I'm pretty sure she hasn't worn it yet.

I also finally decided to hop on the bandwagon and knit this little beauty. I've decided to make it smaller by using fingering weight yarn and size US 7 needles. I'm using KnitPicks Memories in the Rocky Mountain Dusk colorway. Here's a shot of my progress so far:

I love how the colors create a sort of diamond look!

These are the goodies I got from my swap partner over at Knit the Classics. I'm a little late posting this. The package arrived at my house almost two weeks ago, but I didn't get to open it until this past weekend when I went home for my birthday. The theme for the spring swap was start your swap buddy on a new series. She sent me two really great books (three if you count the two books in one) - James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small and All Things Bright and Beautiful and Colm Toibin's The Master. I can't wait for school to be finished, so I can start reading both books. I also got these cute little handmade lavender sachets that she made! Also, she sent me two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Black Purl. It may not show up well in the picture, but the color is made up of different shades of purple and is just beautiful! I've been wanting to try Lorna's Laces for awhile now and just need to find the perfect sock pattern for this yarn. I also got a postcard, some great smelling lotion, and delicious chocolate. Thanks so much Jodi!

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Wow, it's been awhile since the last time I wrote. Guess I've just been busy on my winter break. Not much on the knitting front - I didn't finish my granny's shawl in time for Christmas - in fact, the only thing I did finish was a pair of Fetching for my sister for her birthday. But, needless to say, I didn't finish them until my drive back to Austin on Sunday. So, I don't have any pictures to show. I ended up modifying the pattern a bit - I cast-on 50 instead of 45 stitches and added some knit rows for length.

Today was supposed to be my first day of classes. But, the weather had other plans - it's snowing! That's right, it's snowing in Austin, Texas! This is my third year at UT and the first time it has ever snowed here. In fact, the last time I saw snow was when it snowed several years ago on Christmas Eve in Houston. I'm amazed by the snow - but, I'm a big wuss so I'm not playing in it because it's too cold out. Besides, I enjoy looking at it from the comfort of my toasty room.

More later.

hectic days are here

Well, I finally finished my finals and managed to pull off 4 A's and 2 B's this semester. I'm pretty pleased, but in my head, I keep imagining how I would have freaked out in high school if I made those same grades. Took my last final Saturday night, and by 8 pm Sunday I was home. Monday was my sleeping day - I slept until 2 in the afternoon! Everything has been crazy since then - I've been helping my mom with all of the Christmas stuff, I went to work today, and in my spare time, I've been working on my granny's shawl. Let's just hope I can finish it by Christmas!


These are the ornaments I made for the KTC Ornament swap. They're the mitten ornaments from the Holiday 2006 IK. I seriously loved making these little guys!

Yarn: KnitPicks Palette in Red and Green

Needles: US Size 2 and 3






Speaking of ornaments, this is the package I received from my swap partner, Patty. I realize the picture is pretty crappy, but the weather hasn't been the greatest down here in Texas. Tomorrow is supposed to be a sunny day, so hopefully I can take a better picture. Until then, this will have to do. Besides these beautiful crochet snowflakes, I was gifted a very pretty photo frame ornament and five candy cane stitch markers! I remember seeing this on KTC and thinking how pretty and delicate these snowflakes were. Also, I wondered how I could make some stitch markers like that (these are the first non-plastic ones I've gotten), so imagine my surprise when I opened my package, a week after it arrived, and found out that I was the lucky recipient! Thanks so much Patty!

Besides being busy with Christmas stuff, I went with my sister to see the movie Eragon. Granted, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be, but it wasn't that great either. Personally, the book is way better.

Now, it's off to start the Christmas baking - at 10:30 at night! Yay!

lesson #1 - if you don't want to study, blog

Well, I finished my first two finals yesterday. Let me just say that I'm glad they're finished. I've got one more today, and my last one is tomorrow, and then it's home Sunday. So, instead of studying like I should be, I present to you another FO.

Pattern: Knitty's Fetching

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft - I think the color was Victorian Rose, I'll have to check later

Notes: I loved this pattern! I can already see more of these guys in the future. The only thing is I need to add another cable repeat and some length to both the mitt and the thumb (I have some pretty large hands). But, they still fit. Too bad Texas weather hasn't been cold enough for me to wear them since I finished them.

Well, that's all for now. I still have one more FO to show. Now, it's back to studying.

how to avoid studying

So, I have decided to post pictures instead of studying for my finals, which just so happen to start today.

First up, Icarus progress.

This is the fourth repeat of Chart 1. I'm now 4 rows away from being finished with the 5th repeat. It's amazing how a project I didn't pick up for two weeks becomes the thing I can't put down when it comes time to studying.

Well, that's it for now. I'll update later on the ornaments I made and my Fetching. For now, it's study time for accounting. Wish me luck!

Well, I finally have some knitting content to talk about, but this entry will once again be pictureless due to the fact that I have one of the world's sorriest internet connections ever! Yesterday I finally finished my first pair of Fetching mitts. My suitemates saw them yesterday, and they couldn't believe that I made them. Then, I've been working on the mitten ornament pattern from the Holiday 2006 Interweave Knits. Plus, after not touching it for two whole weeks, I've been working away on my granny's shawl. It's not coming along as fast as I would like it, but it's coming along. Sadly, it's probably going to be another week before I pick it up again because this coming week I have finals. Sometimes I think school gets in the way of things, but I guess that's the price I pay for education.

Besides knitting, I have been reading. I finished Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, and The Cricket on the Hearth. I rediscovered why I don't read Dickens during this reading. While I don't argue that Dickens is a great writer, I just can't get into his writing. Though, I was actually really interested in The Cricket on the Hearth - it was actually a pleasurable read. However, I truly believe that I will never again read The Chimes. I also read Jane Austen's Lady Susan, The Watsons, and Sandition. Needless to say, I enjoyed all three of these stories and really wished that Austen had finished The Watsons and Sandition - I was left wanting to find out what happened. Next up: Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. I decided that with finals coming up I needed a good old standby. Plus, I really want to read Little Men, and me being the way I am, I have to reread Little Women before I read the sequel.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I'm going to go get some sleep while I revel in the fact that my roommate isn't back yet. Yay for me! Until next time.