finally!

Hello all, I'm sad to report that the world hasn't changed from a 24 hour day, so I'm stuck juggling with all of my pursuits (knitting, running, reading, cross-stitch) and making them fit into my spare time. But, FINALLY I have managed in the midst of running and knitting to actually come out with 2 new patterns for your knitting pleasure. White Water Rapids is a v-neck cardigan in the colours of rocks and water edged with wavy lace frills and Impressions is 3 pairs of stranded socks combining colour with twisted stitches. Both were fun patterns to design and knit and I'm looking forward to wearing them very soon as we are already in September, where did the summer go??

Chilli & Lace

Well, it's been quite a time in my Needle Beetle life, recently (okay Mar. 1) I ran my very first half marathon "The Chilli-Half" (21k/13 miles) and actually finished in a "half" decent time, 2 hours 13 minutes 58 seconds. For a runner, it's all about your time, so seconds do count. I'm now in training for Run for the Toad, a 25k held at Pinehurst Conservation. It's a 12 1/2k loop of trails, hills, rocks, roots, gravel and mud. What a combo, best parts I've heard are the incredible scenery and gourmet luncheon after the race, yum.

I've decided to complement my running with weight training, and have found that my knitting time has been drastically reduced, (where do those hours go???), so bear with me while I break into my new routine and stretch the days from 24 hours to 36 hours (I can do that, right?). I do have 3 designs percolating in my brain as well as on paper, and when things have settled down, I plan to offer them. In the meantime, here's another sneak peek.

March into Spring

It's almost spring, I can't believe it, where has the time gone?! Today I finally found some time to scan some pics. Thank goodness. I've been busy running, busy knitting, busy with everything. My son is becoming quite the photographer and when I developed my last set of pics, I was pleased to see he caught me in action. Here I am coming into the finish line at the Oktoberfest Run in Waterloo last year.

And, in the second photo you can see the getup we wore for the Santa Jingle last December. What a tough run that was, such a cold chilly day. The third photo was taken at the Resolution Run, you've got it, New Year's Day. And even though I've been running non-stop, I've also been managing to find time for knitting too.

Check out the scan of one of my latest designs to be announced this year. It's knit with Briggs and Little Regal 2 ply. Love those colours together. Stay tuned for more photos and commentary. I really have been busy!

Santas let loose in Burlington

Okay, since my photos of me in my Santa outfit before the Santa Jingle race I entered Dec.13 are not yet available (not on a digital camera), I will treat you with this mini shot of all 1500 Santas starting the race. This race was not a personal best for me, I think I will blame it on the freezing cold weather down by Lake Ontario, running in Santa pants and all those jingle bells on the shoes jingling along. It was a crazy race.

I promised to show pics of my favourite petal/flower dishcloths before wrapping them up for friends for Christmas. However, I was in such a rush that completely forgot to take the pics. Duh! So, to make up for my oversight, I will provide links to those faves instead, I love making them and hope you try them out too:

http://www.groupepp.com/dishbout/kpatterns/petal.html
http://www.groupepp.com/dishbout/kpatterns/dbldmnd.html
http://www.groupepp.com/dishbout/kpatterns/dblflower.html
http://www.groupepp.com/dishbout/kpatterns/doilycloth.html

December already?!

I know, I know, it's been awhile. I've been knitting, honest! And to prove it, here's a tidbit of a sock I'm giving as a present, soooo, shhhhhh. I'm working on washcloths too for gifts and will take a pic of all together when I'm done. They are very pretty and all are from free patterns that designers generously share on the internet.

I've also been busy training for running races. This past October 19th I clocked my best time ever for a 5k, 27min 4sec. This coming weekend, I will be in the Santa Jingle 5k race in Burlington, Ontario. I highly doubt my time will be as fast, the catch is, we all have to wear Santa Suits. Can you imagine 1500 Santas racing through the streets? I'm looking forward to the fun.

Run & Knit, Knit & Run

I've promised more pics of my latest projects, here's the back and a bit of the collar of Autumn Asters, a Michelle Rose-Orne design, in which I used Elann's Peruvian Highland wool. Love the colours and love Michelle's design. I just have to attach the other sleeve, figure out button bands and then embroider little asters (daisies) all over the shawl collar. When it's finished, I will take a proper pic of me wearing it, can't wait, it's a pretty sweater.

Besides knitting, I've also been running. Here's pics of my bib numbers from the Beamsville Bench (August 9th) and the Laurier Loop (September 21st), weird how they're both numbered 301...

I ran 5k in both, Beamsville I clocked 27 min 55 secs and in the Laurier Loop, 27 min 21 secs. I'm getting better. For my efforts this past weekend I won 1st place female in the Overall Masters category. I'm stoked!

Receiving that silly medal with a purple ribbon makes it all worth it. You know how they say runners have a love/hate relationship with their sport, well, I can certainly attest to that, especially when it's freezing outside or way too hot. But at the end of my run, I'm really happy that I made the effort. It always feels great.

Birthday Bash

It was my birthday this past Sunday, and I was the lucky recipient of love from family and friends along with tasty meals and gifts. I can't quite decide which gift is my favourite, surprisingly no knitting tools or fibery gifts were involved, but that's okay. I can live without knitting, really,...okay, maybe not, but it's still okay. My new Garmin Forerunner 405 keeps me in check with my running pace whenever I train (4x per week), and then my other gifts are pure enjoyment, not that running isn't enjoyable, sometimes it hurts, or it rains, or there's a hill. :)

I know I promised to show you my latest knitting projects, they are coming along. I've been working on 3 sweaters altogether, one from Vogue, one from Interweave Knits (Michelle Rose Orne's Autumn Asters) and my own creation which I plan to call White Water Rapids. Plus, I've added a new sock design to the mix too, and I haven't figured out yet what to call it. With so many projects on the go, I haven't had time to scan anything and will make up for that in the next few days. A blog without pics is just way too boring and I don't want you to fall asleep.

So, here are some more pics of the birthday goodies. I am a huge Tomb Raider fan and the following games have been added to my collection, as well as a new Seafood book for my cook book collection and a boxed set of Extras for my dvd collection. I suppose I have a lot of collections, at least they keep me busy and out of trouble.