Lists on a Tuesday

My resolve to post twice a week kind of got thrown into a tizzy. Last week was a bit of a whirlwind. So many things happened, good things, that if I were to write them all up properly, my post would be a mile long.

So, let's list this shite.

1.) First and foremost, I became the Social Media Coordinator for Kevin and Renee's lovely honey company! I mostly help out with things like the facebook page, twitter, and instagram feeds, as well as helping them figure out how to get things to work in certain ways on various sites.

I'm not going to lie, it's a cushy job. I get to work with people I love, hang out with them and their lovely dogs on my work days, and learn all kinds of stuff about bees and the bee keeping process! I actually get excited to go to work, which is what everyone strives for.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to join their company and am looking forward to so many fun-filled work days.

If you'd like, check out all of our social media links below.

• BeeVana Honey Company Website
• BeeVana on Twitter
• BeeVana on Facebook
• BeeVana on Instagram
• BeeVana on YouTube

2.) Great Trails kind of snuck up on us. I took a few pictures of us setting up for this year that I thought some of you would like to see.

3.) I haven't done much in the way of knitting here recently. Instead, I've been working on some embroidery. Specifically, a flag for camp.

That's right! We got us a logo! I still have to add the yarn balls and trailing tails up the goat's legs. Then I get to turn the whole mess into a pretty nifty little flag. I'll make sure to take a picture next weekend of it hanging in camp.

4.) This is my new godpup, and I love him. I can't wait to play doting godmother. 

 

5.) Very good and very happy things are happening in my romantic life. I want to talk about them here, but am slightly hesitant to do so. There's a blog post forming in my head regarding all of this that I may post later this week.

6.) The kid is back in school. By this time next year, she'll be a high schooler. #FeelsBadMan

7.) And to round out and close this post, I leave you with some internet tax.

Where the Streets are Paved with Gold and We Walk in Pretty Socks

As the Olympics drew to a close last night, so did our Ravellenic Games.

First off, thanks to everyone who competed under the Black Goat name. I appreciate all of you! Prize info will be dealt with in a couple of weeks. Gotta give me some time to get back in to the school routine!

As most of you saw, I did manage to get my shawl, Love Street, done yesterday. I blocked it last night and did the last little bit of finishing work this morning. The rain even held out and I managed to get a photo shoot in of it.

Made with Malabrigo Silkpaca in Damask, this beauty only took me a little over one skein to do. I think I started the second skein with only four rows and bind-off left.

There are beads throughout the whole body. I added extra to the edging, because who doesn't love more pretty shiny things? I'm so glad I chose to use a bead that would stand out rather than blending in.

And true to form, it came out nice and big. 72-inch wingspan and a 20 inch spine. Perfect for short little people like me!

But this one isn't for me. My dear Renee is the new owner of this lovely shawl. When showing her the yarn, she sat there and kept petting it, so I knew I just had to make her something with it.

As for my other project...

That's right. Got my first pair of socks done.

Yarn is Malabrigo Sock in colorway Turner, which is a lot more green than any photo has managed to capture. Vanilla-Latte pattern from ravelry.

They're far from perfect. Plenty of mistakes, but dang it, I did it. I challenged myself and learned something new. And they fit me. As a plus sized person, finding socks that actually fit is a nightmare. But now, I can make them to suit my needs.

Guess that means I need to go start another dozen pairs. Especially because I don't have anything interesting on my needles. I feel a debilitating case of start-itis coming on... 

Wooly gods help me.

Glimpse of the Gold

It's a terrible picture.

I haven't blocked it or woven in the ends.

But, by the FSM, Love Street is off my needles a whole day early.

Now, am I crazy enough to try and get my socks done as a last minute WIP entry?

You already know the answer.

Get It Out

How are your Ravellenic games projects coming along?

I must admit that I haven't gotten very far.

To be fair, though, I had a rather busy weekend that didn't really avail itself to delicate lace knitting and bead work.

Friday, we went to the Harps and Thistles pj party. John hung around rather than going to see a movie as he usually does. I knit a couple more rounds on the damnable void that is my second sock, but mostly just enjoyed hanging out with Vi.

This is from Thursday.

Now I have about an inch and a half left before the toe, but it seems like no matter how many rounds I knit, it's always an inch and a half left. At this point, the damn thing is in timeout. I'll pick it back up after the Oly- sorry, Ravellenic games. (Don't want to get sued!)

Saturday, John and I met up with Bethany and FINALLY went to the ren faire. There was a nice breeze blowing, so we didn't absolutely melt. I picked myself up a pair of pretty nifty tiefling horns. I'm starting to work on my D&D character costume and these things are perfect for it.

I also got to see Caitlin run around in her fairy garb. She volunteered for the Fairy Forest this year.

Here she is trapping Gluteus Maximus, who was forced to recite something from Sir Disney.

Sunday, Vi and Emmy came over for a damning (and damn funny) round of Cards Against Humanity. We didn't actually keep score, just played until we ran out of black cards. Just saying, though, I had more black cards than anyone else. But who's keeping track?

On Monday, I ended up going out to lunch with both my sisters and my grandpa. It was fun, if exhausting for me and my anxiety, but I ended up coming home with a few new books and a Sherlock Holmes graphic novel. I'm also starting the Legend of Drizzt and it's really, really good. Like, I powered through the entire first book in a couple of hours.

I came home to an absolutely lovely surprise on my front porch. Kevin and Renee (check out their shiny new website!) had went to the 127 sale and brought me back some absolutely delightful skeins of yarn!

Which I'm just now realizing that I haven't taken a picture of yet. Remind me to do so for next time, would you?

For now, here's a picture of some of their beeswax they so kindly gave me. I needed it for waxing my cord for book binding.

Speaking of my love-bee (heh) neighbors and binding, I recently finished this journal for Renee.

It's leather that I (somewhat badly) embroidered. And this puppy is big. The pages are 8.5 by 11.

Well, I heard that Kevin kept walking by and petting it, so I spent yesterday putting together a little something just for him.

I'm not going to lie, this thing almost stayed here with me. The buckle and hinges are functional. And the leather is just beautiful.

Alas, I am a kind person and I did give it to him. And it was much appreciated.

The idea of this journal has been stuck in my head and I just felt the overwhelming need to get it out and get it done. It's pretty good for a prototype. And my brain seems to have emptied itself out enough that I think I can finally work on my shawl.

Which brings us to today. I've got my knitting beside me and some podcasts loaded up, so I think I'm going to dive right in and get some proper work done on this thing. Assuming I can resist the temptation to read the other two Drizzt novels I have...

How to Say Thanks

I am not the best at expressing my appreciation for people in person. I always end up feeling awkward about it. I don't want to make them feel embarrassed or put them in an uncomfortable position.

It doesn't help that I have a habit of fumbling over my words and not properly conveying my gratitude. When I speak, I try to say ALL OF THE WORDS and end up turning into a complete, bumbling mess. 

My family is also not one for open affection. Sure, we'll hug goodbye occasionally, but there are no open declarations of love or cards given with long, meaningful notes in them. We seem to be a family with a love language of doing. 

This is definitely the case with my grandparents. Helping out with home repairs, giving advice on how best to complete various projects, putting the time in to help research before making a large purchase or investment, slipping you a bit of spending money... 

The amount of stuff they both do for me and my family is tremendous. But today, I really want to talk about my grandma.

My grandma has worked for our school district for nearly 40 years, almost completely behind the scenes. She does the work of a dozen people. She genuinely cares that the kids get the help that they need.

She's also an amazing crafter. Growing up, she taught me the foundations that turned me into the creative force I am today. And I still turn to her for help and advice when I get over my head. Which, let's be honest, is quite often.

She has been my rock. No matter how chaotic or  upsetting my world has become, I know that she is just a phone call away. If I need advice. If I need help. If I just need someone to talk to, she is there.

She does her best to understand my depression and anxiety. That in itself is a huge comfort. Knowing that at least one family member will understand why I needed to go walk away from the group for a while. Or why I have to have John beside me most of the time at family functions. She gets it. And she never really pushes me more than she needs to.

She has bailed us out so many times. I've lost count by this point. We would be utterly lost without her.

It hits me often just how much I owe to her. If I had an infinite amount of time and words, I still wouldn't be able to properly explain to you just how much she has done for us and just how grateful we are.

And I always feel overwhelmed trying to think of some way to pay her back. But knowing her, that's not what she wants at all. She just wants to make sure that we're doing okay.

Nevertheless, thank you grandma, truly, deeply, from the bottom of my heart. I am so thankful and so damn lucky to have someone as amazing you for a grandma. Thank you for everything you've done for us.

I promise to try and live my life with the same sense of care and generosity that you lead yours with.

Going for the Gold-en Fleece

As most of you know, the Olympics start this Friday in Rio. What some of you may not know is that Ravelry (the yarn smith's favorite place) also hosts it's own set of games.

And this year, we've got us a team.

That's right, this is your official welcome to join Team Black Goat and bring home some golden fleecy glory.

Why bother, you ask?

Because anyone who participates, even if you don't finish, will be entered in to a prize drawing for some scha-weet prizes.

We have an Official Chatter Thread to hang out in and talk amongst ourselves.

Now, there are rules to the whole shebang, and Ravelry has set up some great FAQ's to help you along.

For those of you new to the games entirely, check out A Good Place to Start.

When you're ready, create your project page or pages. That's right! You can do more than one project! For help on making sure the project is properly set up for the games check out Ravelry's Guide to Project Creation.

Not sure what event you want to join? Check out the Event List.

This year, laurels are being awarded by team captains. These are elements that your project may contain, like beads or cables. That list is also included on the Event List link right above. You may also want to take a glance at the Events FAQ if you have any questions.

Now, your project page is going to need some fancy tags to make sure it's put in the right category. DON'T PANIC! All of your tagging questions will be answered in the helpful Tagging Tutorial.

JUST A NOTE! TO MAKE SURE YOUR PROJECT IS PART OF OUR TEAM, IT NEEDS TO BE TAGGED WITH OUR TEAM NAME!

Use the tag teamblackgoat (all one word, all lowercase) when adding the rest of your tags to your project.

As you can see from my project page, I am entered into the Shawl Sailing EVENT. I have added the bead and lace LAURELS as well. I've joined Team Black Goat and my project is an official part of the games.

I have used the Official Ravellenic Games graphic as my placeholder image. If you'd like to do so as well, the image can be found HERE.

I plan on making an official Team Black Goat avatar soon. When I do, it will be posted in our Chatter Thread.

Now, prize info. What you're really interested in.

My plan is to have two giveaways. One is for everyone who participates under the Black Goat team. Join the team and become an official "athelete" to be entered. This means that you'll have to have a properly tagged project page.

The other is for everyone who COMPLETES their project. It will have a little extra umph to it, too.

So, I think that pretty much wraps it up. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the Chatter Thread or ask them here.

This is going to be so much fun, people.

For Gold! For Glory! FOR THE YARN!!!