Achtung, Baby

Wow, did I ever learn a lesson today!  I started a kumihimo bracelet that I was really excited about because I was just in love with the beads - it's a color mix and the way the blues, blacks, browns and creams played off each other really drew me in.  But when I started to thread my beads onto the cord, I realized something.  I hadn't paid close attention to my materials list when I was buying beads and I bought 1 gauge too large, which means a smaller bead.  Ugh!  I definitely learned a lesson in patience.  I got everything threaded and completed the beaded part of the bracelet, but it took me almost twice as long as it would have had I been using a 6/0 bead.  It turned out beautiful anyway, so I'm happy.  Now I just have to find a closure bead that does the rest of this great bracelet justice.  And I'm hoping that the same bead mix is sold in 6/0 so I can make more of this particular look.

Ricochet

You ever have one of those days (or weeks, or months) when thoughts just seem to ricochet around in your head and you can't get them organized?  It seems like today is one of those days for me...I had a few things on my to do list today and I've been making a feeble attempt since about 9 this morning to get them all done, somewhat simultaneously.  I haven't completed them all, but there are a couple I can cross off.  It's definitely better than nothing.
Daniel didn't feel like napping today, and most of the time he was awake he didn't want me to put him down.  His 1st top tooth has cut and is starting to drop now, and I think his 2nd front top tooth is starting to cut, so I'm sure that's playing into it quite a bit.  I'm just hoping he sleeps good tonight.  He seemed to be pretty amused as I tried to get an ab workout in between reading books, crawling around after him, and uploading music and photos onto my computer.  Overall he had a pretty good day, despite a little extra fussiness and a lot more awake time.  But it's so rare that he has a day like today (as far as the sleeplessness and fussiness goes).  He usually naps really well.  Poor kid, I'm glad we don't remember the pain of our teeth coming in.

Schedule Schmedule

I seriously need to sit and think about at least a makeshift schedule.  It's not so easy with a 9 month old crawling around like a crazy man, but at the very least I need to get my lives organized so I know what's going on.  Yes, I said lives.  Mom life.  Work life.  Wife life.  Gym life.

I just think if maybe I had a rough outline to go by each week that I might be more productive.  I'm a list maker and serious organizer so I think it'd help. 

You might think I'm type A, but I swear to God I'm not.  I'm about half and half, actually - I share a lot of type B characteristics as well.  I promise.

Happy Scheduling!
The Posh Frog

Pinterest is the new crack

Good Lord!  Pinterest really is like crack - there's always something fun to look at, and the ideas and inspirations I find are infinite!  Every time I see something fun, it just spins my wheels even more.

I need to prioritize the thoughts ricocheting around in my head.  With a 9 month old at home, I'm already a bit scatterbrained (to say the least).  But working on projects keeps me in check.  The problem is, I'm always coming up with (or finding) something new to try!  Oh, if I only had the time to do all these things.  I was telling my husband the other day about some of the things I want to start on, and he just laughed.  Not because he doesn't think I can do it; quite the opposite, actually.  He's my biggest supporter, but he also knows how my time is spent and that I wish there were a few extra hours each day to get some things done.  One of my cousins told me she finds herself staying up late at night just to have some time to herself (she has 2 young children).  I have found myself doing the same thing lately.  My son still wakes at least once a night, so I know I should get some sleep.  But I just have so much that I want to get done, and need to get done, for the business.  Dave Ramsey said (paraphrasing) "Live like no one else would for a couple years, and you'll be able to live like no one else can for the rest of your life."  I love that.  It's inspiring, even when I'm up late at night and can barely keep my eyes open.

I did start working on a new project yesterday.  It's a corded knit necklace.  I actually used the same yarn that I used in the Thick & Pretty sunshine scarf.  I just need to get the bead caps to complete it.  I'm pretty excited about it, and looking through all my yarns to see what else I have that would look nice as a necklace or bracelet.  I'm also looking for cool bead caps.  That's always fun, looking for great stuff to use - and if I can upcycle, that's even better!  I always have to remind myself that while I can make things that I would buy for myself, what would my customers want?  It might be something I might not necessarily buy, or even consider my style, but whatever I can make that's marketable and I can price reasonably.  That's the main thing - that I can create great products that others will love.

Until next time,
The Posh Frog

Jillian Michaels is a beast

So I started the 6 week 6 pack (the aforementioned beast's ab workout) this morning.  I can already feel it in my abs.  I took photos from the front and side today, and will do so every week.  We'll see if she whips me into shape.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that I've really been amping up my running, eating well, and my gym has great classes.  And they just put in a multi-functional training system that is insane.  I can't wait to try it out.













I took photos of my completed IH (Idle Hands) projects and am ready to put them on etsy, I'm just trying to figure out how I want to package things to ship them.  I want the presentation to be nice.  I'm thinking of wrapping everything in tissue paper and then tying a nice raffia bow around it, with my business card and a thank you note/invoice.  I still have to get a printer/scanner.  I'm looking at an Epson and an HP and can't make up my mind.  I need to just pick one and go with it.

Ancient Chinese Secret

Well, the first of 2 secret projects is complete!  Now I'm just trying to figure out which scarf pattern I'm going to start next.  I have run across some great patterns lately and it's so hard to decide when I get excited about them all!  I think I'm going to post photos once a week of my completed projects for that week, and progress photos for what I'm working on.  I started a couple of bracelets last week that I need to work on also.  One is a kumihimo and the other is peyote.  I'm hoping to have them complete in the next few days.
Daniel and I lucked out yesterday with beautiful weather!  So we were able to get out to the park again.  I had a great pace, Daniel got a great nap, and I was able to get in 7.1 miles.  I'm on a good pace to reach my mileage goal for the year so that puts a little pep in my step.  My cross-training is a once a week spin class that is AWESOME!  The teacher is great, and her class is really popular - it starts at 9:30 but if you don't have your bike claimed by at least 9, then you're outta luck.  It's worth getting ready and out the door all the earlier, though.

Patricia Cornwell is an evil genius; I am the Mad Knitter

I love to read.  Mostly non-fiction - historical, true crime, etc.  But every once in a while a great fiction writer will capture my interest.  I enjoy James Patterson, Tom Clancy, that kind of stuff.  I read a couple Patricia Cornwell books a couple years ago, and I read her take on Jack The Ripper last year, and have really enjoyed her work.  I recently started reading Predator, and I had forgotten how she really gets into your head!  I'm about halfway through and it's a great book, but I have had to resign myself to reading it only in the daytime.  Good Lord!  Her books will keep you up at night.
There was an episode of Friends where Joey lets Rachel borrow The Shining.  The book scares Rachel, so Joey tells her to put it in the freezer.  I have adapted this practice, and it actually works.  Once it's in the freezer, you don't think about it anymore...until you take it out of the freezer again, anyway.  So currently I have a ham, a bunch of vegetables, some homemade tomato sauce, and a book in my freezer.  Ms. Cornwell, I hope you're proud of yourself :)

On a much lighter note, I finished 2 scarves in the last couple days and now I'm working on a secret project.  One of the scarves is a Long Skinny (see photo at left), a really pretty variegated blue ribbon-like yarn with black fun fur. 

The other is a Thick & Pretty (see photo at right), a basketweave scarf that I used nice bright yellows and reds in.  The secret project is, well, a secret.  I'll reveal after another couple of months. 
 
Also, I'm 3.8 miles closer to my 2012 goal of 1,000 miles.  I'd hoped to get 6 in today, but I lifted weights at the gym today also - plus, I got chatty with a couple of friends.  But I'll take 3.8.  My pace was good - I did some sprint work yesterday so I kept a pretty even keel today.  I'm running the Cooper River Bridge Run in March, so I'm trying to work on my pace for the race.  I'd like to come in around 50 minutes.  We'll see.  If it's nice tomorrow I'll probably take Daniel to the park.  There's a great 3 mile greenway, so Daniel can get a nap in the jog stroller and I can grab another 6.

New Year, New Frog

So...I'm finally getting Idle Hands up and running!  I only have a couple more things to get together before I can set up my etsy page, but I'm hopeful that I can make it public before the end of January.  Things have been so busy for me the last couple years - not that I'm not busy now, what with a 9 month old and all, but I've actually been able to find some time to devote to crafting and creating.

I'd hoped last year would've been the year for it, but 2011 was a whirlwind!  Busier than ever at work - as a paralegal at the Wake County DA's Office - trials, trials, and more trials!  Not to mention 2011 included the last 3 1/2 months of my pregnancy, bringing home baby as a new mom and getting into a routine.  I have since left the DA's Office and am devoting my time to my family and Idle Hands.

I feel like 2012 has already been pretty productive for me, and I am optimistic for what is to come.  I'm oh so close to getting my etsy page ready, I'm in a good (but not too strict) routine with my son, and I've already registered for my first race of 2012 (Cooper River Bridge Run)!  Needless to say, I don't like letting the grass grow under my feet.