Learning New Things

Have you ever had someone who taught something and did such an amazing job that you were doing things you didn't think you would be ready for? Maybe it's just me and my innate ability to under-estimate myself at almost every turn.

I experienced this many times in Pilates where I had anxiety there was no way I could do Russian splits or some crazy one-arm + one-leg now do "x" moves and then was able to do it.  (I'm a long way from those days since my diet and exercise habits went on holiday and I'm not sure when they plan to return.  I should send out a search party).  Great instructors.

More recently, though, I gained a great boost in crafty confidence with my Craftsy class  Knit Lab: In the Round.  Stefanie Japel is the instructor in this class and also the beginner Knit Lab class I also took.  In fairness, I should express my surprise from the first class.  It involved lace, increases, decreases, cast-on, bind off...did I mention LACE?!  Yeah...and it was EASY.

Anyway, back to my "in the round" class.  I haven't done all the projects since I didn't have the needles at the time.  DPNs will have to wait another day to be tackled.  This meant the first project I did from the class was the Saw Tooth Hat.  Never mind this is actually worked w/o a seam (and it fits me!).  It has colorwork--something I did not anticipate doing anytime soon.   

The last project in the class was a cable and lace cowl.  I didn't anticipate having any issues with the lace.  It couldn't be that hard (said only because I did lacework in a previous class with Stefanie.)  Cables, being in the round and using "special" stash yarn...this was going to be interesting.  I did learn I should pay more attention to the written and charted pattern instructions.  I missed an element in the lace section, but I'm not upset with it.  The cable portion would be better had I read the instructions properly in the first two repeats.  A part of me wishes I'd ripped back to where it was right, but, I'm good with it. And the crazy part...I cable knit.  Yeah, crazy.  I am NOT a good knitter and that I was able to do this...If this is beginner level, I am really afraid to know what "intermediate" and "advanced" patterns are.  .  

Given my confidence in the last two projects, I opted to switch over to do my Crochet-a-Long workshop I signed up for.  It was for a "Chatsworth Cowl."  The yarn itself made me nervous.  This is a one-skein project and reading the workshop comments, I was a little worried 1) I would run out of yarn 2) I'd make a mistake and the yarn would get caught and I would lose a chunk of it and 3) this would be really hard and I would not be able to do it.  I did end up with extra yarn since I crocheted it a bit tight.  I still like how it turned out.  My first crochet lace and it's wearable.  So much so, my Mother-in-Law asked me to make her one.  What, what, WHAT???

This has me started on my next anxiety-inducing project.  A cardigan (with cap sleeves) for myself.  Oh wow...this is going to be interesting.  Here is my progress at the end of yesterday (when I started it).

So all of this "yarny" goodness from one great instructor:  Stefanie Japel.  Love her classes, love her patterns.  I don't even think twice if her name is attached to it.  That's how great, I think she is. :)

Hope you have the chance to learn something knew and see how scary it really wasn't.  

Holy Exhaustion, Batman!

Confession:  I stumbled upon old episodes of "Batman" Sunday morning before I went off to class--sorry!

This weekend started a new adventure into Pilates Teacher Training. I admit this is entirely crazy.  I mean 1) I have no ambition to open my own studio and 2) I don't see myself as the "teacher" type.  Yet....here I am.  I plunked down my cash, made the commitment and am enrolled in a totally quality training program.  (Seriously, where else would one get training from a person who is a Second Generation and a Third Generation Instructor? --no joke, look it up).  I do love Pilates, though, and it's changed me in so many ways.

• It makes me feel taller (I'm only 5'1" so every little bit helps)
• I can (finally) run more than a block
• I have better overall strength and stability
• BONUS:  I sometimes feel like a total bad-ass after doing crazy stuff

One weekend down and it is truly exhausting.  There is the physical aspect, but the mental aspect is completely not expected (yet, obvious).  There is just so much to learn and so much to remember.  Factor in having to actually "teach" to classmates.  Over-whelmed.  By midway Friday, I seriously doubted my ability to do this.  And then I stepped back and thought of things I do that I would never think I could do. 

At work, I sometimes speak with VPs, Directors.  I create policies and processes and the associated governance.  I get to tell people "no." At home, I have two little people that  I am responsible for molding into responsible big people.  There is no manual for that (sure, lots of advice and studies, but it isn't like actual instructions).  I realize these are both very different "things," but they are both challenges and both have their own set of consequences  Why exactly did (do) I think teaching would be impossible.  

By Saturday, I felt much better about it all.  Of course through Saturday and Sunday, there was so much more material to add to what I already had stuffed in my brain from Friday.  The "teaching" part started to feel a little bit more natural.  Still awkward, mind you, but not quite as nerve-wracking as Friday.  It could be confidence or beginning to have more familiarity with my classmates.  Whatever it was, it at least helped things be less uncomfortable.  

So....a couple months for me to practice what I learned and see what I can imprint to my mind before the next weekend of training.  Eeeek......Live in the moment; live in the moment; live in the moment.  Maybe all of this will help me figure out what I really want and where I belong.  Still feeling very lost. 

Lost and Alone In the Dark

At some point, I know there will be a spark, a light, a map.  Until then, I guess I'll just stumble around and see if I find myself on some path or other.

Running is note even a crawl.  I have a 10K and a 10 mile race this fall (Sept & Nov, respectively) and am nowhere near trained for it.  I'm not eating right and can't even say I have a base level of fitness--should be fun to start Teacher Training this weekend.  (What was I thinking?!?!)

I'm pretty stalled on all my projects.  We went away for the weekend.  A part of me had this little "fantasy" of being able to pack up my machine, quilt pieces and at least get the thing sandwiched together and a start on the "ditching."  Yeah, right.  My bag of yarn barely fit in the car.  My only crafting for the weekend was to finish the seem on one of the "Punky Penguins" and stuff it.  I have yet to finish even one I was asked for.  I suppose, I did do some artsy things with the girls on Saturday--we played with stickers and such. While fun and great quality time, not exactly productive.

I have a knit-along and a crochet-along that I have not made it beyond winding the yarn.  A shawl kit I purchased and just about all of my UFOs I mentioned a couple weeks ago.  To add to all of it, I started on a "Frozen Inspired Anna Cape" using some mill-end yarn my mom gave me--it's not very easy to work with and the gauge is way off.  Just the few rows of the collar, I think it would fit me.  Oh well.

I did some clean-up of my fabric stash since I have a three-drawer plastic rolling "thing" we brought back.  I used some tips from Happy Zombie.  I still have a lot to do before I can put things in the closet and get things out without practically removing everything.  When I sat down to do some crochet, my husband turned off the light.  So literally, I am in the dark and have no real motivation to go to a light.

And if any of this is not proof enough, I'm randomly watching Craftsy classes and sort of browsing.  I look at Amy Butler's site and get a bit depressed.  I mean, the creativity and the passion....I'm just in awe and amazement.  It isn't all something within my taste, but I just love what she comes up with.  Beautiful fabrics from vibrant to soothing and decor and garments.

Then there is Amy Gibson's blog over at Stitchery Dickory Dock.  Whenever I read one of her blog posts, it makes me just feel so emotional.  She just comes across as so honest and just sincere.  I read her posts and am not envious of her, but really want to know how she pulls it together and how she does it.  She led the 2012 BOM (the one I made it through March) and just creative and fun and educational.

After all that, I am still lost and it is still dark.  Tomorrow is another day.

"No, I'm an idiot"

Yes, that's right.  I'm an idiot.  I fully admit it.  Let me explain.

I ran this past Sunday for the first time since May 18th.  My local running club (whom I have grown to love very much) hosts free Sunday runs of a few varying distances.  Had I kept up with running post half marathon training, it would not be surprising for me to without question figure I could definitely do the 5.3 mile option, but maybe choose the 10 mile.  Yeah, I know that's crazy, but remember I was trained (and completed in 2:18:43) a half marathon just three weeks before the last run.  Which does remind me...that was a bit of "idiot" moment there.  I did a half marathon in Columbus, OH the weekend of April 27, then did a 5K on May 3rd and participated in the Pittsburgh relay on May 4th.  Yeah, genius.

Anyway, I digress.  Sunday's run.  Having done nothing, I really should have opted to do the 3 mile run.  Get the legs moving, see some running friends, get out of the house.  Just ease into it.  But that would be wise.  I opted to go from zero to 5.3 miles.  Oh yeah, and this spanned, if I counted correctly, six bridges (translated:  much uphill).  Mile 1 was great.  Mile 2...eh.  Miles 3-5...really regretted my decision, but it was carry on or have a long (slow) walk back to my car.  I absolutely (and unashamedly) admit I took full advantage of the friend I was running with not having water with her.  "Do you need to stop here for water?"  Yeah...there is something to be said for going past a couple hotels.  

Two days later, my legs are still a bit sore.  I am an idiot.

But, friends, it doesn't end there.  Oh no.  That just isn't enough.  Let's move onto my myriad of (and I have time, when???) projects. Specifically, quilts.

I have my jelly cakes quilt started on "sew-cation."  I really hoped to baste and start the quilting this weekend.  It's a holiday, so an opportunity to capitalize on the extra day.  A lofty idea given only the blocks were pieced together.  This didn't take into account the following still needing to be done:  

• buy solid fabric for first border,
• buy batting,
• cut, piece and attach first border,
• cut, piece and attach second border,
• piece together backing

Theoretically, that should all be possible in a weekend and a couple evenings.  Ha. Ha. HA!

Reminder--I'm an idiot.

Rather than work on the border (which I did procure the fabric on Saturday), I opted to revisit the Craftsy 2012 Block-of-the-Month.  January blocks were complete some time back, but I'd never completed the others.  So rather than work on the quilt I could put well on it's way to being complete, I opted to work on the blocks for February and March.  Brilliant.  

And if that wasn't enough to raise a "What are you thinking?'....add in my evenings.  Monday, I went out to purchase the batting and was home in time to watch "24."  This is probably the only show I watch all week, so it was a bit of an obligation.  One border done.  But...the rest of the list still needs doing.  None of that for tonight (Tuesday) since I had a bit of a dinner date (which I am ever so thankful for and had a lovely time) and no sewing.  The rest of the pre-holiday evenings are a bit tied up.  

So for the record, one last time.  I am an Idiot.