DIY Home Decorating

So lately I've been kinda thinking about different DIY decorating ideas and such for when I move into my new apartment. =) There's so much stuff on the internet for it, that it's insane! I've been getting so many ideas that I really want to try out. =) Anyway, I was looking on Urban Outfitters' website (which is not DIY I realize, but still relevant!) and I found the cutest thing ever! In my opinion. =P

It's a garland for your wall, made out of tiny bottles that you can use as vases! I dunno... maybe not everyone will be as excited about this as me... but I think it's amazing. >< I think I'll probably try to make it though, seeing as I don't think it would be super difficult, and I already have a BUNCH of wire in my house, and I don't think tiny bottles will be too hard to find. =) I just think it's a really cute way to cheer up a room. =) Also, I realized that it would also make a really amazing inspiration wire. =) This could be something to hang above your desk or work space so that once you get an idea or a piece of inspiration for a project you're working on, you can grab some super cute clothes pins and hang your picture or note between the little flower jars! I really am so excited about this. >< I can't wait to try to make it!

Where I'm At

Hey Everyone! =D

Oh my gosh. >< Where did May go?! As if it's almost June. >< In a way? I'm so excited, it means more sun and summer, and going to the beach! On the other hand? I'm still waist deep in wedding planning with a deadline staring me down. >< On another 'nother hand? (I have several, don't you worry =P) My wedding is coming up! Which, stressful though planning may be, can't help but be exciting. =) Currently I'm trying to muscle through the very difficult process of trying to find pew decorations and centerpieces that I like, and trying even harder to stick to the budget. >< (something I'm not proving to be very good at) but I know it'll work out in the end, as everything always does. =)

Other than that, I've been working a crazy amount lately. >< Being that I'm a university student, I'm not really used to going to work full time, so every summer I always get a little burnt out. =) But I'm getting used to it, and I'm happy that I get to pay down my student loan a bit before next year. =)

Also, I've really been trying to get back into writing books. =) I used to write pretty much every day all day, and I loved it! I knew, for a fact, that I wanted to become a published fiction author one day. =) *note: I'm under no delusion that I'll become rich and famous, it would just make me so happy!* So lately I've been reading books like "Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott" (which was amazing!) and others like it to help me along my little way to hopefully write a book!

One thing that a lot of "How to Write" books and such like that mention a LOT is that if you're going to write, you must read. Which, may seem like a pretty simple conclusion to come to, but it just never came to me. =P I used to read. It was like, my only hobby other than writing. >< And then when I started University, it seemed like I didn't have time for frivolous things like that anymore... Well no more! I decided to grab a book off my shelf that I've been wanting to get to for a while, but just never quite got to it, and started reading. I was such a more pleasant person to be around. As it turns out, when you take a few minutes for yourself every now and again, and stop doing anything productive, and just relax? You can laugh about all the little things again. And appreciate how nice it is to just go for a really long walk with your dog. I dunno. It just seems like I stopped doing a lot of things that I loved, and things that made me happy in order to cram in a few more productive moments into my day, and I'm realizing now just how unhealthy that was, and how unhappy it made me. Even if it's just a few minutes here and there, I'm happy that I can actually work towards being happy again. =) (No more anxiety gum for me!) and I mean really, isn't just trying to be happy, and just being myself the most productive thing I could do in a day? I think so. =)

Card Making

Okay, So I know Mother's Day isn't until tomorrow, but I just finished making my mom's card, and I'm so happy with it! =D

Usually I don't do too too much for Mother's Day cards. =) I like making them, but they're usually simple. =) I mean, I guess this one is pretty simple too... I'm kinda new to card making... But this is good compared to what I usually do. =) This year I cared a lot more about the card than usual because when I asked my mom what she wanted this year for mother's day she said "Nothing! Don't spend your money. =) I just want a handmade card. That's all." Now, I completely ignored the "don't spend money" part but I figured I should still make her a nice card. =)

Again, it's not super pro or anything, but I think she'll like it. =) I'm looking forward to spending a nice day with my whole family tomorrow. =) We're gonna have a huge family BBQ. =) It's going to be fun. =)

Other than Mother's Day coming up I've been really focused on Wedding Planning lately, and pretty much just been trying to get stuff done for that when I'm not working. =) I'm hoping to be able to start writing more consistently once I'm more caught up with the planning though. =) That would be nice. =)

Have a Great Mother's Day Everyone!

May 1st

There's something really reassuring about the first of May. I mean, in April, you're pretty sure that warm weather is on the way. The snow is gone and people are considering what kinds of flowers to fill there gardens in, and even lazy people like me have finally decided to take their poor dog for a run finally. Putting away all the winter gear and digging out your summer clothes is the best feeling! So then I wake up this morning to this out my bedroom window

Which is really disappointing. =P I mean, I'm getting all excited for things like camping and bonfires, and I wake up to what looks like Christmas morning. =P So I decided instead of taking my dog for a very slippery and likely painful run, I just played with her in the back yard.

She was NOT very excited about the snow at first. =P She had gotten pretty used to all the pretty grass outside, and getting to lay in the sun. Being back to the wet and the cold was not the way she planned to wake up this morning. =P But, in the end, she really can't help herself. =P She loves playing in every environment, and it really cheered me up to see her running around and having fun. =)

Other than trying to get used to having snow again (I gotta say, I'm not exactly crying that it'll be gone in a few days. =P) I have been finalizing the look of my wedding invitations and picking out what I want the cake to look like, which has been super exciting! =D I can't believe the wedding is coming up so fast!

Sonic's Birthday!

Hey Everyone!

So, This is actually going up a little late (I just finished my last two exams, so now I finally have time to blog!) but I wanted to show you what I made up for my sister's hedgehog's birthday. =D His birthday was actually on the 10th, but I gave him his present on time, so at least for that. =) Anyway, Sonic is pretty much the cutest, sweetest hedgehog in all the world. He's super loving, and he gets all excited when you come in the room, and he's just perfect!

It's funny. When my sister got Sonic four years ago (I can't believe he's four!) the breeder actually warned her to maybe pick out a different hedgehog, as this one was kinda moody. =P And I mean, everything you read online, in books, and just anywhere will tell you that Hedgehogs don't really like... anyone. So getting one that's a little extra mean? Probably not your best bet. =P But! This was the one she wanted, and she was not going to leave him there, so she took him home with her. =) Now... the breeder wasn't wrong. =P He was pretty mean. He was in a ball hissing and popping for like... 6 months. It was a LONG time before she could hold him without pulling her sweater sleeves over her hands. =P But she really put in the time and love, and now he can't get enough of her! =D He really is the perfect pet. =)

Anyway, Sonic likes to have a blanket/ t-shirt/ something in his cage to hide under while he sleeps just to be extra warm and comfy. ^-^ Anyway, I was trying to think of something I could make for his him for his birthday and I decided I would make him a blanket that he could cuddle in. =) I got the idea because I was knitting the back to my sweater, and I looked, and he had cuddled up in it, as he was sitting next to me on the couch. =P

Here's a Picture of the Blanket! =D

I Just used two colors at once to make it extra comfy, did an inch of ribbing at the bottom, like 8 inches of moss stitch, and then another inch of ribbing. =) It was super quick to knit up and I'm pretty happy with it. =)

And Here's a picture of Sonic Sleeping. =) So Cute! =D

Thanks for Reading!

School's Out! And Book Review

Hey Everyone!

I am so glad that school is FINALLY winding up. I've pretty much been buried in school work since Christmas. =P I'm going to be so happy to get this spring and summer off. =) All I have to do now is get through my exams and I'm gold! =D

Not that I'm going to be relaxing and slacking off all summer. =P I have lots of big plans. ^-^ One of which actually includes writing a first draft of a novel. Now, this is kind of a crazy goal for me, seeing as I've never ever actually finished writing an entire draft of a novel before... but I don't think I've every properly applied myself. =) (and I always end up not liking what I've written and scrapping the whole thing to start over. =P) I actually decided a while ago that I might need a little extra help with my writing, so I started looking into buying a book that might help give me a little insight on the novel writing process. I started reading a "For Dummies" book, which really didn't help that much at all... and I didn't end up finishing. It was a long time after that Dummies book when I just happened to come across someone mentioning the book Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott on their blog. =) I read some more reviews, and it looked really good! So I bought it. =)

I just recently finished reading Bird by Bird and I loved it! =D It's funny. It barely felt like learning, accept that I was! I have learned more in this 237 paged $15 paper back book than any other book on "How to Write" that I've ever read. The book is Actually called Bird by Bird: Some instructions on Writing and Life. And there's just no better way to describe this book! =D It's amazing. She has a really present way of writing that really makes you feel like she's there to help you. She references back to her creative writing class a lot too which kind of makes you feel as though you're taking a class. It's funny. I'm pretty sure I was more dedicated to this book, than I was to my classes, and I had to keep reminding myself it could wait. =P

The way she writes is so witty and sarcastic I found myself laughing right out load while I was reading (only sometimes in public. =P) and I think I read most of the first chapter to my poor unsuspecting sister before I realized that maybe she had things to do. =P The way that she has broken up the chapters for this book is really helpful also. There's a really detailed introduction that goes on about her life and goes into why she started writing. She talks about how her first short stories and pieces of writing never got published for a reason, and she makes you feel like it really is better to try and fail, than to never try. =) Her chapters are laid out in a way that almost takes you through the process of writing a novel. She has a "Getting Started Chapter" that's followed with "Short Assignments" - Which reminds you that you really CAN'T write a whole book in one sitting. Followed with "S****y First Drafts", which reminds you that it doesn't have to be, and really is not going to be perfect the first time around. You just have to get something down!

She's really down to earth about the whole writing and publishing process and at no point makes you feel as though only a select few people are gifted enough to join the elite club of published authors. Also, she lets you know that getting published is not the answer to all of your problems, and that you will not be rich after writing a book - or probably- even several. She says that publishing will not get you rich and famous, however, it might eventually make it so that you can work from home doing something that you love. Over all this book was everything I was hoping for and then some. I will be reading it again. It was amazing and I'm so glad to have found it!

Coffee Cake and Carpal Tunnel

Hey Everyone!

I think sleeping in is one of those bitter sweet things... I always sleep in on Tuesdays because I don't work and I don't have school, so it makes sense to get sleep where you can get it I guess... but it still kinda sucks loosing out on your day off.

Either way, it was still a good day. I was really really excited to try a new tea I bought from David's Tea called "Pink Flamingo" which is one I've been really really excited about. I love pink grapefruit juice, and all the citrus fruits used in this tea really smelled like Pink Grapefruit juice. When I got to try the tea I was also excited because it turned a bright pink color, which was super cool. The flavor of the tea was pretty good. I tried it both hot and iced and it was good, but didn't have as strong of a flavor as I thought it would have, and didn't taste very much like Grapefruit after all. Either way, it was a pretty good tea. I'm not sure if I'll buy more, but I'll certainly use what I bought.

Other than that, my Fiance and I decided to celebrate "Mardi Gras" or "Fat Tuesday" with an amazing coffee cake that we picked up while getting some groceries which I had with some green tea, and it made for a pretty awesome night. And now, no more cheating on my diet 'till Easter! =P

Lastly, I don't actually know a lot about carpal tunnel, or how to get it, or really anything like that... but I'm pretty sure that I'm a hypochondriac because the minute someone describes an illness or just anything, I'm positive that I have it. (Watching Grey's Anatomy is an emotional adventure =P) Anyways, I've been knitting more than usual lately (somehow) and my hand started aching to the point that I had to stop knitting, but didn't think too much of it. Well I did this for three days in a row and my Fiance said that I might be developing carpal tunnel... which frightens me. >< Could I really be developing carpal tunnel at 21 years old?! If anyone knows anything about this please comment below... and if anyone maybe knows how to prevent it, that would be amazing!

Loose Tea

Hey Everyone! =D

So today was actually a pretty good day for me. I made it to class on time (despite the fact that I slept in) and it actually wasn't that boring! Which is always a bonus.

After class I went to the mall with my sister, which is always fun, and I picked up some new loose teas!

Lately I've really been having fun trying all kinds of new loose teas from this store called "David's Tea" (which I think is only in Canada... but if you order online they ship to the United States also) Anyway, they have like, I think they said over 100 different kinds of teas which is very cool, and they not only try to make different flavors that taste good, but they stick to really pure and traditional styles of making tea, which is awesome, and they really let you know all of the health benefits of all the different kinds of teas.

I really wanted to start getting into different kinds of teas mostly because I've been trying to snack less and had a hard time keeping away from the sweets, but I noticed that after having a tea I was super full, and didn't want any snacks! Unfortunately, I only had Tetley Orange Pekoe... and then I got bored of that... And then I discovered David's Tea! So now I'll pretty much never get sick of tea. =P I may never even be able to try them all. =P

This is the first tea I bought from David's Tea. It's called Long Life Tea and it's really light and peachy. I have so many more still to try! I'm sure I'll be talking about a lot more soon. =)

A Day for the Guages.

Hey Everyone! Okay, so the other day I was searching the internet for all kinds of new knitting patterns to try and I came across this really really nice cabled sweater pattern that I wanted to try. For a little while now I've really wanted to try making some kind of a sweater, probably mostly because, for all the things I've ever made I've never knitted a sweater.

Now, I tend to usually be the person to collect patterns, look at them meaningfully, consider how much of what kinds of yarn I'd need to buy, MAYBE start... and then get interested with something new and start all over again.

This is an unfortunate cycle that I've been trying to get out of for a while now, but I really think I can do it with this sweater. I went out, got the materials I needed, and set to work immediately.

Now, as I've never knitted a sweater (or any other piece of clothing for that matter) I really didn't know where to start, but I know you always see "save time: check your gauge" or some other cryptic, semi-threatening message, so I figured I should start there. (I never really worried about it too much with the scarves, and stuffed toys that I usually made previously). This took SO much work than I had first anticipated. I grabbed the pair of needles it suggested, and set to work with the number of stitches and rows, and hoped for a 4" square. =) ... This did not happen. I ended up trying three different sizes of needles (I even tried one size twice with different tensions) and I never got it quite right. =P Not honestly sure what to do.... I think maybe I'll just kinda go with the closest one? We'll see how this goes. =P

Who Am I?

Hey Everyone! Welcome to my new blog, Much Ado about Knitting. I guess I'm going to get started with a bit of background. I'm a University Student, as well as an aspiring author who loves to knit and crochet. I also love doing photography, and recently bought a Canon Rebel Xsi which is so much fun to use. When I'm not writing or working on making a new knitting pattern I'm probably trying to learn a new technique on photoshop or else looking at all the wonderful handmade products on etsy.com which is an online handmade market place where individuals run their own small business by creating a "shop". It's really a wonderful community and a great opportunity for so many people who want to make some money off of their talents and skills.

One of my Goals for the near future is actually to start up a shop on etsy. I plan on selling some of the Knitting and Crochet patterns that I make up. =) I think it'll be a lot of fun! A more long term goal for me is to write a novel. I think it would be absolutely amazing if I could actually publish a book one day!

So that's me anyways. I hope this blog is interesting enough. I'm planning on talking a lot about knitting and crochet techniques, writing, photography and photoshop techniques, and all the random stuff in between. =)

Thanks for checking out my blog!

- Diana