Lacy Turtleneck I WAS working on until I broke my wrist. It's sitting in my living room taunting me day after day. I tried to knit with my cast on, but it obviously did not work. The cast dug into the palm of my hand, so that was no good. Now that my cast is off, my wrist is still a bit swollen andany wrist movement for a long period of time hurts like the dickens. I continue working on my counted cross stitch and, hopefully, sewing my MOD dress, a red jacket and a black and white dress I have cut out to go together. I've really been procrastinating - no reason - just haven't gotten my rear end upstairs into the sewing room.
Smash, fortunately, is feeling better, and it looks as if I will get a riding lesson on November 11 only because there are horse shows this week and next week at Waredaca. Sara and I are going to volunteer so we can earn some Waredaca Bucks, which will tremendously help with paying for lessons and board.
That is all. Over and Out.
Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Update to Update
Herring Bone Coat - Finished, but not happy with the hem; it was crooked when I sewed the lining and coat together so the wool is sagging; have to undo all that and re-pin.
Christmas Stocking - One done; second one on the needles. This one is going well, too.
NEW PROJECT!!!!!Shawl for the Wedding - I found a wonderful beach-inspired shawl to make and wear at Sara's wedding next year. The yarn I found is a silk/sea cell (Kelp) mix; no wool in this; it's going to be way too hot for any type of wool in this shawl. Order the yarn last week; awaiting the delivery of it -maybe today, but probably tomorrow.
Jumper - Fabric still sitting in the Mood bag.
Slacks - Still waiting to be sewn.
Exercise - Continuing; My left foot gave me some problems last week but it seems to be ok now. I did do strength training last week, but nothing that would have any weight put on my foot. However, I'm going to do elliptical and weights today - just to be safe!
Riding - Rode Smash on Saturday and a lesson on Sunday; the more I ride her, the better I am at getting balanced with her big stride. And a milestone! Actually got her to canter without bucking me off or totally ignorming me! See? I told you it would get better.
Christmas Stocking - One done; second one on the needles. This one is going well, too.
NEW PROJECT!!!!!Shawl for the Wedding - I found a wonderful beach-inspired shawl to make and wear at Sara's wedding next year. The yarn I found is a silk/sea cell (Kelp) mix; no wool in this; it's going to be way too hot for any type of wool in this shawl. Order the yarn last week; awaiting the delivery of it -maybe today, but probably tomorrow.
Jumper - Fabric still sitting in the Mood bag.
Slacks - Still waiting to be sewn.
Exercise - Continuing; My left foot gave me some problems last week but it seems to be ok now. I did do strength training last week, but nothing that would have any weight put on my foot. However, I'm going to do elliptical and weights today - just to be safe!
Riding - Rode Smash on Saturday and a lesson on Sunday; the more I ride her, the better I am at getting balanced with her big stride. And a milestone! Actually got her to canter without bucking me off or totally ignorming me! See? I told you it would get better.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Update on Projects
Short Tweed Jacket: COMPLETE! Just in time for the warm weather.
Long Herringbone Coat: IN PROGRESS. Outside of coat and pockets complete; need to put cuffs on the sleeves; sew lining and put together.
Jumper: Still sitting as one large piece of fabric.
Slacks: IN PROGRESS. Cut out, but queued up to be sewn together.
Our Fix-A-Test show still hasn't occurred; we have another week and a half before that happens. In May I am planning on taking Smash to a dressage show and ride the Intro A and Intro B tests. I'm not so great at getting her to canter, so I'm doing what I do best - walk and trot that horse!
I joined Planet Fitness near Sara's house so I can go to the gym on weekends, but mostly on Saturday mornings. Dave and I are going to a friend's house for dinner on St. Patrick's Day (which reminds me, I need to find something orange), and I know I eat too much, so I plan to do some cardio and weight work on Saturday morning to do some damage control.
Running - It's not been pretty, but I'm giving it the ol' college try, but what would I know about that? (Inside joke)
Knitting: Almost finished with one of the Christmas stockings; I had to change to DPNs, but they are too short for the amount of stitches on each one, and I almost lost quite a few of them on the train this morning. I have to get my longer DPNs so as not to have to worry about all my stitches falling off and then having to start this part of the stocking all over and I don't really relish having to rip out anything and re-knit on size 0 needles and lace-type yarn. Do you know how difficult that would be?
Guess that's about it; all projects are updated.
Long Herringbone Coat: IN PROGRESS. Outside of coat and pockets complete; need to put cuffs on the sleeves; sew lining and put together.
Jumper: Still sitting as one large piece of fabric.
Slacks: IN PROGRESS. Cut out, but queued up to be sewn together.
Our Fix-A-Test show still hasn't occurred; we have another week and a half before that happens. In May I am planning on taking Smash to a dressage show and ride the Intro A and Intro B tests. I'm not so great at getting her to canter, so I'm doing what I do best - walk and trot that horse!
I joined Planet Fitness near Sara's house so I can go to the gym on weekends, but mostly on Saturday mornings. Dave and I are going to a friend's house for dinner on St. Patrick's Day (which reminds me, I need to find something orange), and I know I eat too much, so I plan to do some cardio and weight work on Saturday morning to do some damage control.
Running - It's not been pretty, but I'm giving it the ol' college try, but what would I know about that? (Inside joke)
Knitting: Almost finished with one of the Christmas stockings; I had to change to DPNs, but they are too short for the amount of stitches on each one, and I almost lost quite a few of them on the train this morning. I have to get my longer DPNs so as not to have to worry about all my stitches falling off and then having to start this part of the stocking all over and I don't really relish having to rip out anything and re-knit on size 0 needles and lace-type yarn. Do you know how difficult that would be?
Guess that's about it; all projects are updated.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Completed Knitting Project - I said Project, Not Projects
Lo and behold, I finished a sweater from yarn and a pattern I bought in New York last month. Started on it right away, and as of yesterday, it is complete. COMPLETE, I TELL YOU. Gave it to Sara last night, and it does look very nice if I do say so myself.
Next on the knitting project list are the four Christmas stockings I am attempting to make for Christmas 2012. We'll see how far I get and if I should lose interest, which is a strong possibility.
My sewing projects: Tweed jacket still in progress; tweed coat - not cut out; plaid jumper - not cut out. Hmmm. Serious scheduling problems here.
Nick and Sara have decided they would like to do a destination wedding instead of a formal one here in Maryland. We discussed it, and it seems as if Dave and I will do a "send off" party before we go to the wedding destination, and they have asked or will ask Nick's parents to do a "coming home" party in Georgia. No concrete plans, yet, but with this scenario, we have lots of time to get detailed plans made.
Horse show season is coming up quickly. Sara and I are planning on doing a "Fix-A-Test" event on March 24. What happens is we ride a test, the judge critiques us, then we re-ride the test after hearing the judge's comments. It will be nice to have another set of eyes see what I'm doing.
Again, on the riding, I have attempted to memorize a Musical Freestyle to perform some time this season. The test is not difficult; I have the music, but Cathy's boom box does not work; must be too much dust, hay, in the CD player. My friend, Sallie, said she had one I could borrow, so just need to remind her to bring it to the barn. Then, it's onward with getting the music and the test movements coordinated.
Next on the knitting project list are the four Christmas stockings I am attempting to make for Christmas 2012. We'll see how far I get and if I should lose interest, which is a strong possibility.
My sewing projects: Tweed jacket still in progress; tweed coat - not cut out; plaid jumper - not cut out. Hmmm. Serious scheduling problems here.
Nick and Sara have decided they would like to do a destination wedding instead of a formal one here in Maryland. We discussed it, and it seems as if Dave and I will do a "send off" party before we go to the wedding destination, and they have asked or will ask Nick's parents to do a "coming home" party in Georgia. No concrete plans, yet, but with this scenario, we have lots of time to get detailed plans made.
Horse show season is coming up quickly. Sara and I are planning on doing a "Fix-A-Test" event on March 24. What happens is we ride a test, the judge critiques us, then we re-ride the test after hearing the judge's comments. It will be nice to have another set of eyes see what I'm doing.
Again, on the riding, I have attempted to memorize a Musical Freestyle to perform some time this season. The test is not difficult; I have the music, but Cathy's boom box does not work; must be too much dust, hay, in the CD player. My friend, Sallie, said she had one I could borrow, so just need to remind her to bring it to the barn. Then, it's onward with getting the music and the test movements coordinated.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
On the Home Stretch
Today is the day! Dave will be taking his mother home from the rehab center. They have hired a 24-hour nurse who will be living with them and will take care of the cooking, some cleaning, helping Dave's mother in and out of the wheelchair, etc.
Sara is back from her vacation, which she enjoyed very much. Her birthday was yesterday.
Dave's birthday is today.
What timing. Sara was born 12:10 a.m., July 11, and Dave had the nerve to say, Can you wait until tomorrow? I think not.
Not much else to report except I've gotten back to WW since the scale says I've put on a few pounds. I don't really believe it, but what can one do?
Running on the TM lately or working on the elliptical. Just too darned hot to go outside these days. Today is going up to 98 and with the humidity, will be over 100 degrees. No, thank you. I'll stay inside.
I'm still plugging away on the Peggy Straker cardigan, but I'm now on the left front. It's a beautiful sweater, but definitely a lot of work. My blue "plain" sweater is waiting for me to sew it all up. I am not looking forward to that, so I look at it and keep going.
Sunday played around with the fabric I have with the leopard motif on it. Yet another challenge I have put to myself. Why? oh why?
Sara is back from her vacation, which she enjoyed very much. Her birthday was yesterday.
Dave's birthday is today.
What timing. Sara was born 12:10 a.m., July 11, and Dave had the nerve to say, Can you wait until tomorrow? I think not.
Not much else to report except I've gotten back to WW since the scale says I've put on a few pounds. I don't really believe it, but what can one do?
Running on the TM lately or working on the elliptical. Just too darned hot to go outside these days. Today is going up to 98 and with the humidity, will be over 100 degrees. No, thank you. I'll stay inside.
I'm still plugging away on the Peggy Straker cardigan, but I'm now on the left front. It's a beautiful sweater, but definitely a lot of work. My blue "plain" sweater is waiting for me to sew it all up. I am not looking forward to that, so I look at it and keep going.
Sunday played around with the fabric I have with the leopard motif on it. Yet another challenge I have put to myself. Why? oh why?
Friday, April 22, 2011
List of My Projects Either In Progress or Waiting to Be Started and then Left In Progress for a Very Long Time
I've made a list of projects: (either in progress, not yet started, to be frogged and ones that are faint images far, far away)
1. Penny Straker - Galway Sweater, Back finished, working on first sleeve (still.
2. Ohio Knitting Mills - Father Knows Best Cardigan, Back finished, Left front finished; right front in progress (this is a very plain vanilla sweater, so it goes quickly) Best to knit while watching the TV. No pattern to follow (really), so no worries that the pattern goes awry.
3. Kit of 6 Mittens (shows the seasons of the year; From Knit Picks)- Yarn has been rolled into balls; Patterns have been photocopied; All I have to do is start knitting
4. I have fabric that I bought to make a jacket that has African-type designs, including three leopard panels and a panel with a variety of animals on it. I have the pattern, but the challenging part is piecing all of these panels together to make it all flow. So far, I have cut several strips of fabric to add to the leopard panels, but nothing sewn. I have done a lot of creative thinking on this so far, which is the hardest part of the entire project. Ha!
5. Cardigan with Dancing Ladies on it. I've started this project several times, and every time the design does not work out. I've tried following the pattern from right to left, which works on the right side, then left to right on the wrong side, and it does not work. I've started in different parts of the design, but still is not looking right. This project is getting very close to being frogged.
6. When (not If and I'm being optimistic here) I finish the Penny Straker cardigan, I want to make another one.
I have a quote in my sewing room: It's a long way from creation to completion.
Ain't that the truth?
Since I was not able to exercise for two days, my body is revolting. Well, not revolting in the sense it's disgusting (but that too), but in the sense that it is craving those endorphins. I'm sure I'll feel better, too, once I come back from the gym. Cardio sounds like a plan today, but it will have to be on the TM. I went out earlier to the post office, and it is cold out there!
Another thing I haven't done in awhile (because of the rain last week) is riding. The forecast doesn't look to wonderful for this Sunday, either.
1. Penny Straker - Galway Sweater, Back finished, working on first sleeve (still.
2. Ohio Knitting Mills - Father Knows Best Cardigan, Back finished, Left front finished; right front in progress (this is a very plain vanilla sweater, so it goes quickly) Best to knit while watching the TV. No pattern to follow (really), so no worries that the pattern goes awry.
3. Kit of 6 Mittens (shows the seasons of the year; From Knit Picks)- Yarn has been rolled into balls; Patterns have been photocopied; All I have to do is start knitting
4. I have fabric that I bought to make a jacket that has African-type designs, including three leopard panels and a panel with a variety of animals on it. I have the pattern, but the challenging part is piecing all of these panels together to make it all flow. So far, I have cut several strips of fabric to add to the leopard panels, but nothing sewn. I have done a lot of creative thinking on this so far, which is the hardest part of the entire project. Ha!
5. Cardigan with Dancing Ladies on it. I've started this project several times, and every time the design does not work out. I've tried following the pattern from right to left, which works on the right side, then left to right on the wrong side, and it does not work. I've started in different parts of the design, but still is not looking right. This project is getting very close to being frogged.
6. When (not If and I'm being optimistic here) I finish the Penny Straker cardigan, I want to make another one.
I have a quote in my sewing room: It's a long way from creation to completion.
Ain't that the truth?
Since I was not able to exercise for two days, my body is revolting. Well, not revolting in the sense it's disgusting (but that too), but in the sense that it is craving those endorphins. I'm sure I'll feel better, too, once I come back from the gym. Cardio sounds like a plan today, but it will have to be on the TM. I went out earlier to the post office, and it is cold out there!
Another thing I haven't done in awhile (because of the rain last week) is riding. The forecast doesn't look to wonderful for this Sunday, either.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
So......
Finally did some Christmas shopping (online, of course!). The good news is everything has arrived; the bad news is I have to wrap it all up. Oh, well. Much of it is already done.
Sara and I had a riding lesson on Sunday; the temp was a high of 32! so it was only 27 when we went riding. The secret to riding in this weather? Layers, layers and more layers - long johns, riding pants, 2 pairs of socks; long john top, Under Armour, and a nice warm sweater, topped off with a windbreaker jacket; Earmuffs and nice and warm winter riding gloves set off the ensemble. Bella and Smash were not happy to see us coming towards them with halters and lead ropes. As a matter of fact, they took off to the farthest corner of the field as fast as they could find. Sheesh! Bella stared me down, but it did no good. I still took her away. The wind took pity upon us and went somewhere else for the day.
After the lesson I worked on my black and red jacket for some time; got bored with it, and finally did some gift wrapping. Amazingly, by that time it was 5:00. How time flies.
Dave came to my office last week and a woman who does jewelry came for a really mini-craft fair. Dave brought pictures, calendars and some note cards to sell. Peggy had her usual inventory of jewelry. I don't know how well Peggy did, but Dave sold about 6 of his pictures and many calendars and boxes of notecards. The next day several people came by and ordered more pictures from Dave.
Knitting continues on the grey, light pink and dark pink sweater. Fortunately, it's an easy pattern and will be done soon. But, then I have to block it before I can sew it together. Made that mistake before and the sweater was not quite the right size. Grrr! Blocking takes away the urgency of putting the sweater together, but I don't want to make that mistake again.
Finished Cathy's mittens and gave them to her on Sunday. She really liked them. At first she didn't see that I had knit "Rizzo" into each mitten. Then, she got really excited! Glad she likes them.
Sara and I had a riding lesson on Sunday; the temp was a high of 32! so it was only 27 when we went riding. The secret to riding in this weather? Layers, layers and more layers - long johns, riding pants, 2 pairs of socks; long john top, Under Armour, and a nice warm sweater, topped off with a windbreaker jacket; Earmuffs and nice and warm winter riding gloves set off the ensemble. Bella and Smash were not happy to see us coming towards them with halters and lead ropes. As a matter of fact, they took off to the farthest corner of the field as fast as they could find. Sheesh! Bella stared me down, but it did no good. I still took her away. The wind took pity upon us and went somewhere else for the day.
After the lesson I worked on my black and red jacket for some time; got bored with it, and finally did some gift wrapping. Amazingly, by that time it was 5:00. How time flies.
Dave came to my office last week and a woman who does jewelry came for a really mini-craft fair. Dave brought pictures, calendars and some note cards to sell. Peggy had her usual inventory of jewelry. I don't know how well Peggy did, but Dave sold about 6 of his pictures and many calendars and boxes of notecards. The next day several people came by and ordered more pictures from Dave.
Knitting continues on the grey, light pink and dark pink sweater. Fortunately, it's an easy pattern and will be done soon. But, then I have to block it before I can sew it together. Made that mistake before and the sweater was not quite the right size. Grrr! Blocking takes away the urgency of putting the sweater together, but I don't want to make that mistake again.
Finished Cathy's mittens and gave them to her on Sunday. She really liked them. At first she didn't see that I had knit "Rizzo" into each mitten. Then, she got really excited! Glad she likes them.
Top side of Mitten with "Rizzo".
Palm side of Mitten.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Another Race Finished
Well, got up early on Saturday; drove to Hains Point in DC (took us bout an hour to get there); got my number, chatted with a few people and it was time to run! The course was the flattest course I have ever run! Apparently, my hill training on the TM has paid off! I was able to run for a quite a long time before I even thought about being tired. I ran and ran and ran; came in at 33:22; still haven't made the 30-minute 5K, but getting closer! To my surprise, I got a second place in my age age group! Dave and I met a really nice lady from OK, who was in DC with her kid's class who was sightseeing in DC. She got up on Saturday, googled if there wee any races going on, took the metro and cab to Hains Point to run while everyone else was still asleep. Kudos to her for getting up and running while on vacation.
Sunday was another early morning as Sara and I had our riding lesson. I struggled with my left bend for most of the lesson. I think I need to tie my left shoulder back so it doesn't keep moving forward! The good news is, my halts are really looking nice.
Spent the rest of the day working on my skull/roses jacket for a Halloween horse show. There is a vest that needs to be finished, but it should not take very long. Then, I'm done. After tht, back to a sweater coat I'm working on and having problems with. Oh, well, never a dull moment.
No MARC trains are running to day, so I took advantage of that and took the day off; beats having to drive to Greenbelt, catch the Green Line, transfer to the Red Line, then coming home and having to drive back up 95 to get home. Why should I pay extra to go to work? My sentiments exactly.
Friday, July 16, 2010
5K Run, Dave's Knee Surgery, Post-Op
I ran the 5K on Sunday, which wasn't too bad considering the heat we've been having lately. The race started at 8:00 a.m., and believe it or not, there was a breeze and the temp wasn't too, too bad. Of course, once we got moving, it did get just a tad warm! As I came running into the finish line, I was ready to pass the woman in front of me when another woman came whizzing from behind me blocking me behind the first woman. I was hoping to shave a few seconds off the run time, but nooOOoo, I was stuck. It reminded me of being in traffic and there is one really slow car on the road. Everyone behind me is passing me AND the slow car, and I can't get a break to pass the slow car even though I'm right behind it. What aggravation! No matter; I finished, and these days that is all I hope for.
Well, Dave had knee surgery on Monday, his birthday, too, no less. We anticipated a short surgery and he would be out of the hospital and home. The surgery lasted for 2 hours; the doctor ended up doing a Micro Fracture procedure, which entailed - too gross - to go into detail, but Dave ended up with a 6.5" incision on his knee into his shin. Ack! Recovery time is a lot longer and harder than anticipated. I stayed home Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to help him get around. Went back to work yesterday and today.
Sara's birthday was Sunday, Dave's birthday was Monday. She came over to the house on Tuesday and we had a combined birthday celebration with funfetti cake - Sara's favorite! Of course, we still have leftover cake, and it seems to be calling me every time I go back into the house. It may get thrown out very soon.
I was all ready to go to the gym yesterday when I realized I left my running shoes at home! Drat! I brought them in today, but it is a hard battle I'm having with myself to get my rear end in the gym today. Amazing how fast one can lose incentive to do -- well, anything!
Knitting: Still plugging away at the Christmas shawl; started a pair of socks while I was waiting for Dave at the hospital; got new yarn for Christmas mittens. This weekend I can sew one sleeve into my cabled sweater and block the second sleeve. No more dreaming that the Finishing Fairies will come and do this for me. I also cut out a dress which needs to be put together.
P.S. Ran 3.1 miles on the tread or dread mill today even though I was thiiiiis close to saying, Why run when I haven't done anything all week? Fortunately, I saved myself from feeling guilty for the rest of the afternoon and sucked it up and just did it! {pats self on back}
Well, Dave had knee surgery on Monday, his birthday, too, no less. We anticipated a short surgery and he would be out of the hospital and home. The surgery lasted for 2 hours; the doctor ended up doing a Micro Fracture procedure, which entailed - too gross - to go into detail, but Dave ended up with a 6.5" incision on his knee into his shin. Ack! Recovery time is a lot longer and harder than anticipated. I stayed home Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to help him get around. Went back to work yesterday and today.
Sara's birthday was Sunday, Dave's birthday was Monday. She came over to the house on Tuesday and we had a combined birthday celebration with funfetti cake - Sara's favorite! Of course, we still have leftover cake, and it seems to be calling me every time I go back into the house. It may get thrown out very soon.
I was all ready to go to the gym yesterday when I realized I left my running shoes at home! Drat! I brought them in today, but it is a hard battle I'm having with myself to get my rear end in the gym today. Amazing how fast one can lose incentive to do -- well, anything!
Knitting: Still plugging away at the Christmas shawl; started a pair of socks while I was waiting for Dave at the hospital; got new yarn for Christmas mittens. This weekend I can sew one sleeve into my cabled sweater and block the second sleeve. No more dreaming that the Finishing Fairies will come and do this for me. I also cut out a dress which needs to be put together.
P.S. Ran 3.1 miles on the tread or dread mill today even though I was thiiiiis close to saying, Why run when I haven't done anything all week? Fortunately, I saved myself from feeling guilty for the rest of the afternoon and sucked it up and just did it! {pats self on back}
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What I Accompllished
The things I accomplished this weekend: 1) blocked back and front of the blue cabled sweater; 2) blocked one sleeve of the blue cabled sweater; 3) cut out all the pieces of my Halloween costume (not an easy task) for the horse show in October (I know it's early, but the way I procrastinate, it will be October by the time this is all finished); 4) started to cut out pieces to a new dress, but alas did not have enough fabric (not an uncommon event); 5) went to Appalachian Spring and exchanged the earrings I received for my birthday (recceived a duplicate pair of earrings from Heinz and Vera); 6) continued knitting on the Christmas shawl. I also messed around with looking at another mitten pattern as I found some yarn in my stash. I found a great ball of white yarn (sock yarn) and leftover varigated yarn (greys, blacks, whites). The colors aren't as vibrant as my other mittens I made with varigated yarn, but more mellow.
The next thing on my list is to start sewing the Halloween costume, but before I can do that I have to purchase a few items: elastic, ribbon, and stitch witchery to make an applique for the vest. I bought the fabric so long ago that I could not remember what fabric was going to be what. I did know what fabric was going to be the dress, but the vest, jacket, and lining were still a mystery to me. So, what did I do? I improvised and made it all up. Everything worked out perfectly even if not the originally intended purpose. Many of the items are to be interfaced, but I'm not dealing with that. The collar I will interface so it stands up properly, but everything else will just have to be without interfacing. Not necessary since I've already put a lot of work into this project.
My riding lesson was good, but it was hot outside and I was riding at 9:30 a.m.! Worked on upward and downward transitions from walk to trot; trot to walk; trot to canter; canter to trot. My arms seem to keep getting in the way, and it is a real task for me to keep my arms and hands down and quiet and not up in the air. Whoever said that I'm "just sitting" on the horse, is woefully mistaken! There's a reason my legs and core and sore after every lesson.
Now is the time to start work on dressage as the dressage show season is coming up. I'm thinking of going to a show on August 1 for a change in venue. Maybe Sara will go so she can do her dressage test before the event on August 13.
Back to work and four days to go. I must work on my running endurance this week as I am running in the Howard County Women's Distance Festival 5K on Sunday. This is the first race I ran, so I go back every year to celebrate every year I've been running. This is year number 3!
It is also Sara's birthday, but she will be on her way home from her rock climbing vacation. In this heat, I wonder if she will survive especially since they are camping and no A/C.
The next thing on my list is to start sewing the Halloween costume, but before I can do that I have to purchase a few items: elastic, ribbon, and stitch witchery to make an applique for the vest. I bought the fabric so long ago that I could not remember what fabric was going to be what. I did know what fabric was going to be the dress, but the vest, jacket, and lining were still a mystery to me. So, what did I do? I improvised and made it all up. Everything worked out perfectly even if not the originally intended purpose. Many of the items are to be interfaced, but I'm not dealing with that. The collar I will interface so it stands up properly, but everything else will just have to be without interfacing. Not necessary since I've already put a lot of work into this project.
My riding lesson was good, but it was hot outside and I was riding at 9:30 a.m.! Worked on upward and downward transitions from walk to trot; trot to walk; trot to canter; canter to trot. My arms seem to keep getting in the way, and it is a real task for me to keep my arms and hands down and quiet and not up in the air. Whoever said that I'm "just sitting" on the horse, is woefully mistaken! There's a reason my legs and core and sore after every lesson.
Now is the time to start work on dressage as the dressage show season is coming up. I'm thinking of going to a show on August 1 for a change in venue. Maybe Sara will go so she can do her dressage test before the event on August 13.
Back to work and four days to go. I must work on my running endurance this week as I am running in the Howard County Women's Distance Festival 5K on Sunday. This is the first race I ran, so I go back every year to celebrate every year I've been running. This is year number 3!
It is also Sara's birthday, but she will be on her way home from her rock climbing vacation. In this heat, I wonder if she will survive especially since they are camping and no A/C.
Monday, June 7, 2010
When Going Over Jumps, It Helps To Stay ON the Horse!
The weekend started out as an uneventful weekend. Saturday a.m. Romeo and I went for an hour walk. As humid as it was, it was a good thing we went early. Actually, we should have gone even earlier as Romeo tends to dart out at other dogs on the path. Going earlier would have been easier for me, anyway.
I started work on a new dress, and I found that it went much faster than I anticipated. I got to the point of the zipper, decided it was time to stop for awhile, and picked up my long-lost sweater. By the way, I'm doing quite well with the sleeves. About 32 rows done. That means really 64 rows since I'm doing double the rows. Yay me.
Sunday Sara and I had a riding lesson, and we went to Waredaca for a cross country schooling lesson. Bella is so in love with Satchmo, that I have discovered that I have to ride her much more agressively when he's around because all she does is follow him around. We went over a few jumps, some with multiple approaches, but over nonetheless.
The next jump I approached (uphill) and Bella refused. I wasn't ready, so it was my fault. The next approach was more aggressive, but as I got closer, I got too far ahead of her, she stopped and I didn't. I fell splat onto my chest on the edge of the jump. My watchband cut my wrist up, and the band was twisted into a non-recognizable item. Fortunately, for me, I was wearing my jump vest or I might have broken a rib since I landed on my left side.
Sara jumped Satchmo over a fence (or attempted to) and he put on the brakes and actually slid on all four feet to the jump. After several slips Sara finally got him over the fence. Off we trotted to the next jumps, and I went over a few more. They were good jumps; we got over them; might not have been pretty, but we did get over.
Then Sara did a jump over a small log into a shallow pond. It was a great leap, she really felt the air on that jump. After she jumped she said she heard her thumb go "pop". Fortunately, it went back into place, but started to swell up quickly. Between the two of us we really made the day exciting. I won with the injuries because I was bleeding! Ha!
Needless to say, I spent the day with a cold compress and Aleve. I didn't injure my arms so I could knit in between bouts of short naps. I did go upstairs to work on my dress, but after sewing in the zipper, my side hurt, so back downstairs I went to the couch and lots of pillows.
Back to work; another week to look forward to. Yeah, right.
I started work on a new dress, and I found that it went much faster than I anticipated. I got to the point of the zipper, decided it was time to stop for awhile, and picked up my long-lost sweater. By the way, I'm doing quite well with the sleeves. About 32 rows done. That means really 64 rows since I'm doing double the rows. Yay me.
Sunday Sara and I had a riding lesson, and we went to Waredaca for a cross country schooling lesson. Bella is so in love with Satchmo, that I have discovered that I have to ride her much more agressively when he's around because all she does is follow him around. We went over a few jumps, some with multiple approaches, but over nonetheless.
The next jump I approached (uphill) and Bella refused. I wasn't ready, so it was my fault. The next approach was more aggressive, but as I got closer, I got too far ahead of her, she stopped and I didn't. I fell splat onto my chest on the edge of the jump. My watchband cut my wrist up, and the band was twisted into a non-recognizable item. Fortunately, for me, I was wearing my jump vest or I might have broken a rib since I landed on my left side.
Sara jumped Satchmo over a fence (or attempted to) and he put on the brakes and actually slid on all four feet to the jump. After several slips Sara finally got him over the fence. Off we trotted to the next jumps, and I went over a few more. They were good jumps; we got over them; might not have been pretty, but we did get over.
Then Sara did a jump over a small log into a shallow pond. It was a great leap, she really felt the air on that jump. After she jumped she said she heard her thumb go "pop". Fortunately, it went back into place, but started to swell up quickly. Between the two of us we really made the day exciting. I won with the injuries because I was bleeding! Ha!
Needless to say, I spent the day with a cold compress and Aleve. I didn't injure my arms so I could knit in between bouts of short naps. I did go upstairs to work on my dress, but after sewing in the zipper, my side hurt, so back downstairs I went to the couch and lots of pillows.
Back to work; another week to look forward to. Yeah, right.
Monday, May 24, 2010
It's Monday..
Dave surprised me with a very nice Seiko watch as an anniversary present. It's a small face, the kind I like. Very nice.
Saturday we drove to Alexandria, and we kept seeing signs that warned us of road work beyond the Woodrow Wilson bridge and major delays. We didn't have much choice, so we kept driving. As we got closer, we saw signs for "local" to the right and took a chance on that. It's a good thing we did because as we drove off that ramp, we saw the major delay! We found a place to park, walked around, saw a farmers' market, walked around some more. We found a jeweler, who took some links out of the watchband, and now it fits better.
On the way back, we couldn't decide what to do for lunch, and we ended up going to Pasta Plus for panini sandwiches. They were good, but not great! We were so full from that dinner was Chinese soup with some beef/broccoli and some fried rice. Didn't eat too much of that.
Sunday was a bust for riding. We were going to to XC schooling, but with the rain and the ground being wet, we didn't go. So, I re-scheduled in what order I was going to do some things. We went to Joanne's so I could get some buttons for my blouse (which I finished, thank you very much) and I did buy some more fabric for a dress.
We went to COSTCO and Food Lion and spent a lot of money on food, laundry detergent, etc., but we will have a good supply of food for awhile now.
Oh, my Friday list:
Took Romeo for a 50-minute walk; worked on my blouse; ripped out the remaining stitches; did some knitting on my second half-glove. So, all in all, I did accomplish some things. I got a new wallet, too. Tired of using a rubber band to keep it together after the zipper broke. It was classy looking, that rubber band.
Sara's coming over for dinner - salmon, rice, and some side dish of vegs. Not sure what, yet. With a salad.
That's it. Exciting, eh?
Saturday we drove to Alexandria, and we kept seeing signs that warned us of road work beyond the Woodrow Wilson bridge and major delays. We didn't have much choice, so we kept driving. As we got closer, we saw signs for "local" to the right and took a chance on that. It's a good thing we did because as we drove off that ramp, we saw the major delay! We found a place to park, walked around, saw a farmers' market, walked around some more. We found a jeweler, who took some links out of the watchband, and now it fits better.
On the way back, we couldn't decide what to do for lunch, and we ended up going to Pasta Plus for panini sandwiches. They were good, but not great! We were so full from that dinner was Chinese soup with some beef/broccoli and some fried rice. Didn't eat too much of that.
Sunday was a bust for riding. We were going to to XC schooling, but with the rain and the ground being wet, we didn't go. So, I re-scheduled in what order I was going to do some things. We went to Joanne's so I could get some buttons for my blouse (which I finished, thank you very much) and I did buy some more fabric for a dress.
We went to COSTCO and Food Lion and spent a lot of money on food, laundry detergent, etc., but we will have a good supply of food for awhile now.
Oh, my Friday list:
Took Romeo for a 50-minute walk; worked on my blouse; ripped out the remaining stitches; did some knitting on my second half-glove. So, all in all, I did accomplish some things. I got a new wallet, too. Tired of using a rubber band to keep it together after the zipper broke. It was classy looking, that rubber band.
Sara's coming over for dinner - salmon, rice, and some side dish of vegs. Not sure what, yet. With a salad.
That's it. Exciting, eh?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Back to Work in the Rain
The only saving grace about today is that it's raining today and didn't rain over the weekend.
Dave and I went to the Turf Valley Resort to see the hot-air balloons ascend at 6:30 a.m. We woke up really early, drove to Turf Valley (only a few minutes away), and waited around for the balloonists to show up. While we were waiting, we were informed that the balloons would not go up because the winds in the higher altitudes were too fast. They usually fly with a maximumof 20 Knots, but the wind was up to 35 Knots AND the direction of the wind was into the City of Baltimore. Not where they wanted to end up. But, some of the balloons were blown up so we were able to see how big these balloons really are. More and more people showed up, and some had made reservations to take a ride, but no one could go up. A shame, but we did see something.
After that we went to the Double T Diner on Route 40, had a nice breakfast; then I went to get my hair cut and colored, then sushi lunch with Sara. By the time I got home, I was exhausted, but couldn't sleep. Not sure what I really did Saturday afternoon, but it went by quickly.
Sunday Sara and I went to our riding lesson. We went early so we could set up an eventing course in one of the empty fields. The guys (horses) weren't sure what we were doing, but all of a sudden we heard this pounding of hooves, with a sudden stop at the fence. They were all looking at us, and we could just hear the conversation going on with them. What are those two-legged things doing out there? Why are they dragging those poles behind them? What is that orange and white thing they have? What's going on? Needles to say, Satchmo was the only one out of that crowd who needed to worry. And worry he did. He tried to hide behind the others, but they weren't going to protect him. Sara found him anyway, and got him ready for the lesson.
Bella, on the other hand, was sooOOooo excited to get out of the paddock (and Smash) and into the field to jump. What she lacks in her physical condition, she more than makes up for in her great attitude! She had a ball out in the field and took me along as her student.
I slowly cut out my blouse pattern, slowly because I kept getting distracted by the TV, not that the shows were anything wonderful, but there ya go. Amzing how the mind gets sucked in by crap. Also wound two balls of yarn for a new knitting project. The excitement never ends at my house! Oh, and I did some wash! Stop, stop!
Dave attended a photo workshop, which was supposed to be a fashion workshop. He said it was a bit disappointing, but he did get some good photos of the models.
We had a late dinner of hamburgers and pasta salad, then we watched the Miss USA Pagent. Sheesh!
Dave and I went to the Turf Valley Resort to see the hot-air balloons ascend at 6:30 a.m. We woke up really early, drove to Turf Valley (only a few minutes away), and waited around for the balloonists to show up. While we were waiting, we were informed that the balloons would not go up because the winds in the higher altitudes were too fast. They usually fly with a maximumof 20 Knots, but the wind was up to 35 Knots AND the direction of the wind was into the City of Baltimore. Not where they wanted to end up. But, some of the balloons were blown up so we were able to see how big these balloons really are. More and more people showed up, and some had made reservations to take a ride, but no one could go up. A shame, but we did see something.
After that we went to the Double T Diner on Route 40, had a nice breakfast; then I went to get my hair cut and colored, then sushi lunch with Sara. By the time I got home, I was exhausted, but couldn't sleep. Not sure what I really did Saturday afternoon, but it went by quickly.
Sunday Sara and I went to our riding lesson. We went early so we could set up an eventing course in one of the empty fields. The guys (horses) weren't sure what we were doing, but all of a sudden we heard this pounding of hooves, with a sudden stop at the fence. They were all looking at us, and we could just hear the conversation going on with them. What are those two-legged things doing out there? Why are they dragging those poles behind them? What is that orange and white thing they have? What's going on? Needles to say, Satchmo was the only one out of that crowd who needed to worry. And worry he did. He tried to hide behind the others, but they weren't going to protect him. Sara found him anyway, and got him ready for the lesson.
Bella, on the other hand, was sooOOooo excited to get out of the paddock (and Smash) and into the field to jump. What she lacks in her physical condition, she more than makes up for in her great attitude! She had a ball out in the field and took me along as her student.
I slowly cut out my blouse pattern, slowly because I kept getting distracted by the TV, not that the shows were anything wonderful, but there ya go. Amzing how the mind gets sucked in by crap. Also wound two balls of yarn for a new knitting project. The excitement never ends at my house! Oh, and I did some wash! Stop, stop!
Dave attended a photo workshop, which was supposed to be a fashion workshop. He said it was a bit disappointing, but he did get some good photos of the models.
We had a late dinner of hamburgers and pasta salad, then we watched the Miss USA Pagent. Sheesh!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Success! I finished one mitten for Sara! It is being blocked as we speak. I have run out of yarn, but not to worry, I have lots of projects to work on - sewing or knitting.
Not much else except that we are still shoveling out from under all the snow we've gotten in the past week. I'm slowly getting very tired of being in the house. Even if I went outside, I couldn't go far and not much is open, anyway.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Snow, snow, snow....
Wednesday evening Sara came over for a quick refresher course in knitting. She was able to start a scarf, which will be striped and is coming along very nicely. With the snow expected this weekend, she may have more time that she thought to make some headway on it.
I started on a pair of mittens for Sara - black and white - different than the ones I made for myself. The yarn in a worsted wight and I'm down to number 1 DPNs! At first I thought it was going to be way to big, but once I started the stranding, it naturally closed up. So, the mittens will be the right size after all!
Today I have to get off my rear end and cut out the skirt that's been sitting on the dining room table for at least 2 weeks. How in the world can I wear it if it isn't done? After watching last night's Project Runway, I'm now inspired to get going on it! Unfortunately, when I get stuck on a certain type of craft, I just can't get away. I've been looking at more mittens to make. I've become a mitten junkie. Worse things I can be addicted to, I'm sure.
Got on the scale today; was pleasantly surprised; now all I have to do is continue to tone all the fat I have on me! Low weight doesn't always mean healthy! Since turning 60, my body shape has changed, and not necessarily for the better. So, toning, it is. Cardio, too.
Have to get back to cutting our my skirt patten. It just won't get done by itself, darn.
I started on a pair of mittens for Sara - black and white - different than the ones I made for myself. The yarn in a worsted wight and I'm down to number 1 DPNs! At first I thought it was going to be way to big, but once I started the stranding, it naturally closed up. So, the mittens will be the right size after all!
Today I have to get off my rear end and cut out the skirt that's been sitting on the dining room table for at least 2 weeks. How in the world can I wear it if it isn't done? After watching last night's Project Runway, I'm now inspired to get going on it! Unfortunately, when I get stuck on a certain type of craft, I just can't get away. I've been looking at more mittens to make. I've become a mitten junkie. Worse things I can be addicted to, I'm sure.
Got on the scale today; was pleasantly surprised; now all I have to do is continue to tone all the fat I have on me! Low weight doesn't always mean healthy! Since turning 60, my body shape has changed, and not necessarily for the better. So, toning, it is. Cardio, too.
Have to get back to cutting our my skirt patten. It just won't get done by itself, darn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)