About Me

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Illinois, United States
I am a band director at five private schools in Kankakee. Music is a big part of my life, but knitting and crafting are right up there too. I own a ridiculous stash of yarn, which I am slowly using... and replacing with better yarn... I tend to knit and crochet a lot, in class, out of class, while watching tv, while driving, pretty much constantly. I have been involved with crochet romantically for 15 years, and involved with knitting for 11 years. They sometimes get jealous of each other. I think its funny. Along with knitting and crocheting, I quilt, spin (drop spindle) and design patterns!!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

I'MMMM BAACCCCKKKK!!!!!!

Guess Where I went?



Guess???


Guess???

I'll give you a hint!



You probably guessed it if you follow my blog.

SO CONGRATS!!!

Yes I just got back from Florida, and it was the best student teaching experience that I could have ever asked for! I had such a blast, even if it was alot of work. Which it was. but it was still amazing!

GIRAFFE!!!


Medieval Times!

Dinos!

And beach day!

I just had so much fun, the students did great marching in Disney. It was such an amazing time. During the parade, I got to walk along side of the band, and this Disney character, with giant long fingers, (some dressed up doll) who was standing on the side leaned over to me and said "Welcome to Main Street" it made me smile so big!!!

I could not have asked for anything else when it comes to where I was placed for student teaching. This trip was something I am never going to forget. Never.



Before I left, I finished spinning a skein of yarn. I have posted some pictures before, but I really really wanted to post some of it finished. So here it is!



Its the best yearn that I have spun so far. I am starting to understand how to use a drop spindle, and I am trying to get better every time. I would love a spinning wheel though. Absolutely would love it.

But for now I have to go apply for some more band teaching jobs... sigh... such a bad time to apply for education... especially the fine arts...

Until later...

Monday, April 11, 2011

I swear I still exist!

Student teaching is kicking my butt.

At least during the day.

When I get home I either head off to the gym, go for a long run/jog/walk, head into work (recording studio), spin, knit, work on some lesson plans, head into work (catering), or over to steves for dinner.

Some days its all of the above.

I have been lagging in all my crafting. Mostly because I have until the end of this week before I am heading to Florida with the high school band I am student teaching with (squee). And only 4? weeks until graduation. I have really been pushing myself to lose these extra ten pounds.

I don't have a ton of weight to lose... thats the thing. I'm not overweight. I am actually at 22 BMI, which is healthy. But these extra pounds are just something I have told myself I would like to lose. Start college at 145, end college at 145.

Just a goal I have for graduation.



Now. I do want to say I have tried something new. Bikram Yoga.

It's... interesting.... and exhausting... and freaking hot...

It's yoga. plain and simple. Some of the positions are different though. For example, its 26 positions in a row. Which takes about 90 minutes. In a room that is 105-115 degrees.... ours was topping at 111...

The heat helps loosen your muscles. But I have never once in my life been that sweaty. Hated myself for agreeing to go to the yoga session during it, but after I felt great. and tired.

I would say try it out, if you are somewhat fit, and have done yoga before. And heat is not a huge issue. cause I swear... you will want to die during....




Now for crafting, I have finished spinning that rainbow yarn. But I do not currently have any pictures. I will though. I will.

Knitting wise? also not much. I have been working on multiple projects, slowly. Nothing spectacular, but I have some ideas of what I am going to start up working on in the next couple weeks.

I promise by Saturday I will have some great pics up of what I have gotten done!

I leave you with me after my run!

Friday, April 01, 2011

And now for something completely different: 2011 Knitting and crochet blog week (Day 5)

Knitting jokes.

Because I cannot write poetry.

My camera sucks (I get to use moms old *new* one as of next week! So I will finally have good pictures!)

I am too tired to write with yarn.

But I need a laugh, and I hope you get one out of these jokes!

A piece of yarn walks into a bar and orders a beer, but the bartender snarls, "We don't serve your kind here!". The yarn is forced to leave.

While sitting on the curb feeling sorry for himself, the yarn is suddenly hit with a brilliant idea. Working quickly, he ties himself into a knot and unravels his ends. Taking a deep breath, the yarn marches back into the bar and orders a beer.

"Hey!" says the bartender. "Ain't you that piece of yarn I just threw outta here?"

"Nope," replies the yarn, "I'm a frayed knot."



HAHAHAHAHAHA

Next.

A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see the blonde behind the wheel was knitting.

Realizing she was oblivious to his flashing light and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled, "Pull over!"

"No!" the blonde yelled back, "It's a scarf!"



:)



I swear I will be more creative when I get my "New" camera!

Day Four: 31st March. Where are they now?

I am a day late. Sue me. It was my 23rd birthday yesterday and I was literally busy all day! I was teaching all morning, and then as soon as I got home I went to the gym for an hour or so. Yes. I went to the gym on my birthday.

Then the boyfriend made me dinner, and presented me with birthday presents!


Let me explain, so you don't think I am an ax murderer.

A week or so ago, I was trying to cut up a pineapple. with a steak knife.

Lets just say all the sawing in the world did not get me past that rind. I gave up. And in my tiny apartment, it was the only sharp knife I had... I had to borrow a neighbors to eat that delicious fruit. But I complained for days...

So he bought me a set of knives. And then donated some that he had laying around to my cause. (I felt bad for taking them, but he assumed me when we move in together, he will get them back anyways)

He also bought me a pan, since the pan I have.... well it burns everything.

But now that its not my birthday, I am going to catch on on the Knitting and Crochet Week!

I want to talk about some of the toys I have made, and who they went to. I do not know how they are doing recently, but I know they were my most favorite to make up!


First up. My soph. year roomie and I were obsessed with those beef jerky big foot commercials. And it was Christmas. So I wanted to make her something to remember the good times we had. I crocheted/knitted her up a big foot.

She loved it. It was hard to give up!
She was dating a guy named Trevor, who was always a great guy to me. I decided since he liked turtles to knit him up a Shelden. I am sure he still has it laying around!


If you have not caught on with the big foot, I will randomly make something up. This is a camel I was dared to make. Is it perfect? heck no. But the guy that dared me had such a great laugh when he got it, that my week was made.

This is Rupert. I made it for a guy I was dating Soph, year of college. We named it Rupert after the Family Guy teddy. I absolutely love how cute this pattern turned out. I even used older looking yarn to give it a... used look. I have not talked to this guy for a while now, but I am sure he still has it laying around somewhere!

A lobster. Long story short, Rock Lobster is my besties and my fav song. So I knit her a lobster. She laughed. I laughed. She still has it. But I am sure in the mess of her room she will never find it! :)


Lastly, was the duck I knit up for my brother. He was dating a girl who wanted a duck. I knit it, he handed it over, they broke up, He wanted it back. Of course once he got it back, he didnt want to keep it. So I got it back. It now sits on my bed at the rents house. I love it. I put so much work into this little guy. It will stay with me until I die.

That is if I can get it away from my cat!