Summer and the knitting is good!

This summer was filled with knitting and more knitting. I took several knitting workshops in the North Carolina mountains, specifically in Blowing Rock at Unwound. Knitting was held on the wrap around deck and the weather was refreshingly cool! Yes, sweatshirt cool! Just terrific!
I learned to knit two socks at a time on two circular needles and a Fair Isle Felted tote. Knitter's know knitting shops are filled with inspiration for new projects. I came out with a doctor's bag and a fabulous poncho!!!!!

Next I am off to join a Knit-a-Long (KAL)! This is sponsored by Universal, a Ravelry group. Unwound, the knitting shop in Blowing Rock, invited me to join in and we are all on to our next adventure in knitting, a Stained Glass Shawl! I just love the camaraderie! My first KAL!

Summer is a great time to kick back and relax! What better way than to get out the knitting needles, take some knitting classes to stretch your skills, and finish some projects. If you are like me you have projects in the wings to complete! Then there is the stash just waiting for that magic moment when you find both the motivation and the perfect project to match your yarn.

I am so blessed to be able to get away from it all, home, work, etc. and go to my home away from home in the North Carolina Mountains. The air is crisp and always refreshingly cool! No need for air-conditioning! The sweet calling and chirping sounds of the birds is music to my ears as I settle into my comfortable lawn chair on my deck. The mountain overlook, just a glance away! This is my bit of heaven! I have knitted socks, totes, and many a scarf here.

Knitting is so relaxing! I know when my summer break from work comes to an end I will be longing to return, longing for another summer. Alas, I have the memories and the calm that prevails when I knit to get me through.

Summer Vacation and Knitting

I am finally on summer vacation, that really means schools out and I have 6 weeks to do as I please. Knitting of course is the number one thing that comes to mind. I have already started the "Famous Shawl' using a beautiful metallic ribbon yarn by Louisa Harding called Sari. The pattern was pictured on ravelry and knit by many others in different fibers. The sari ribbon really caught my eye.

I have also stacked several romance type novels on my night stand to be read! I am officially on my third day of vacation and have read 1 book. So, as one should not get the wrong idea, I have also been to the movies twice. I saw "Up" in 3-D, not to be missed, and the "Taking of Pelham 123"... an edge of your seat movie! I am not one of the knitters that must knit in the movie theater, at least not yet!

I have my eye on an entrelac Dr. Bag" knit by some of my friends. I am trying to find out where I can purchase the pattern locally, I am in the mountains vacationing. Well off to knit and watch some television! The sunset behind the mountain is also calling me.

Pattern Organization

Organizing all the "dream projects" (that is the projects that catch my eye and I want to make someday) so they can be easily accessed is a project in and of itself! First I have three types of organization systems:

1. An electronic file! Yes I save all of my online pattern finds usually in PDF in a folder on my desktop. I also save scanned patterns here as well for my reference, or back-up if I need a fresh copy.
   
2. A magazine file! Yes I keep my magazines! Although at some point I imagine this will be too much to handle, then after weaning I will keep my favorites and scan my favorites for latter reference. I am careful about copyright laws!
3. My favorite.... Binders that have plastic sleeves that I place my printed copies of my patterns. I sort them by categories in the binder.

I also maintain a ravelry library of books, patterns, favorites and PDF's....

Random thoughts!

I recently went on vacation and found knitting in the car for three hours was extremely productive! Just be sure to be sitting in the front seat to avoid getting car sick!

I selected assorted black yarns of different textures and weights for a shawl from my stash! With a quick trip to the local yarn shop for an additional ball or two to fill in I was on my way. This was created as a gift for my mother. She wanted black, something that can be worn casual or black tie optional! Her wish came true as evidenced in the completed project!

Knitting is my zen! It is therapeutic after a busy day, it is so relaxing. Some could liken it to a spa on the tip of knitting needles! or not!

I am already planning my next knitting project! A yarn storage solution! Yes I have an idea, finally, in mind. Now I wonder if I can get my husband to help build it?

List

"The List"

I saw this list on someone else's blog and decided it would be fun to steal it for my blog! (Thanks Dawn! and the person that found it on Dawn's blog!) You are supposed to bold the things you have done. Going along with appreciating the good things in life:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ....at school
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France ( on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art -- NY)
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Amazing! I challenge you to enjoy each moment life presents and cherish every opportunity that presents itself.. What would you add to "The List"?