I {heart} my Pink iPod

I just celebrated my b-day and was lucky enough to get the new pink iPod. I'm totally lovin' it right now. (Please excuse the bad picture, but the only one I have at the time) My new iPod will not only help me track my progress with my runs for TNT, but it's also a catalyst to my knitting obsession right now. That's right, I have been introduced into the podcast knitting world!!

I have dived into the podcast world and I've found some great knitting ones that I can listen too while I knit. Which, I've enjoyed completely because I'm learning all about different yarns, stores, projects...etc. The amount of information is limitless.

The ones I've been trying to catch up on are:

http://www.stashandburn.com/

http://limenviolet.com/

http://www.cast-on.com/

I'm really enjoying the Stash and Burn at the moment (Ironically when this picture was taken I was wearing my I {Heart} SF) which is Stash and Burns home base. I totally can't wait until Womens Nike Run in SF. Hopefully I'll have some time to hit some of the local yarn stores in which Jenny and Nicole talk about in their podcasts.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!
Happy Creations

Productive Day

I love when I feel like I've had a very productive day, lately I've felt very productive. Must be because I still haven't started working, so I have all day to get things done. (Are you laughing at me?) That won't last for long so I'm going to take full advantage while I can. I have a bunch to share today...so lets get too it.

On the Stamping front...

I was able to participate in the Sketch Challenge on SCS I love these challenges because they always help me out of the design rut, if you've never participated I would highly recommend. I broke out the Always stamp set from SU, if you can believe it this is the 1st time this set has seen ink. I love it, I just never now what to use it for...to me it makes very elegant cards and that is really not my style. I decided to make this one fun with bright colors. I stamped the heart with my Glue Pad then added the Art Glitter to add some extra sparkle...isn't great? I love the Art Glitter w/ glue pad, however it takes some patience as it seems to take forever to dry...I typically give it 24hrs before I put it in an envelope. I then stamped the backgrounds with versa mark and sponged around the edges for the finished look I embossed that fantastic bird and there you have the finished card!

On the Knitting front...

I have finished a quick dish cloth project. I love having homemade dish cloths around the house as well as ready to give as quick gifts. Micheal's has their Lily Sugar'n Creams on sale for $1.00 so I stocked up. I was looking on Ravelry for some patterns and found the Modified Feather & Fan. So this is my Feather & Fan...isn't is lovely? I love the colorway it's Sunny Sky. I will make a yellow and green to go with it as a set. Not to mention a fantastic card to coordinate with it all, these have the pastel colors so they might have to go into the baby stash.

I have casted on a new project...this is the start of my new and lovely (hopefully) Clapotis. Using Shepherd Sport Lorna's Laces "Vera". I originally thought this would be a Christmas present (yes, I have to start early I'm still a newbie in the knitting world) however, I might have to keep this one to myself. I have had a little bit of a tough time with this, I think I'm just over thinking the pattern. Last night I started over and it seems to be moving along nicely. Can't wait to start ripping out the stitches to get the vertical lines in the pattern!!

On the Running front...

I've been really good about getting in my required miles in for the week, yesterday I ran 2.5 miles tomorrow I will get in another 2mils and this Saturday is the group run and I believe that will be 3mils. Luckily we are starting at 7:30am to try to beat the heat, from here on out we will running as early as 5O'clock in the morning...dang FL weather. Happy to report I'm feeling healthy and the miles haven't been too damaging. Good thing I'm only training for the 1/2 marathon.

Well that's it for now...see I told you I've been productive. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!

Happy Creations

Team In Training

I've signed up to participate in my 1st 1/2 Marathon as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society(LLS) Team in Training in October 2008. Which basically means for the next 5mths my body will never feel the same (constant pain)! My soreness is nothing compared to those who battle this cancer. I can do this !!

All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. Especially my family, we have suffered a significant loss due to this cancer. Pictured above is my Grandfather and his siblings which out of the 4 of them 3 of them battled Leukemia. We also lost my Great Grandfather due to Leukemia. I have a vested interest in this society to help find a cure for future generations and that is why I'm determined to help make a difference.

These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure! Please join me in this fight by contributing to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society , which is 100% tax deductible. I will do the physical part, but I ask for your support and encouragement in my endeavors. Every bit helps and will make a big difference!!

I know the economic situation is rough and gas prices are outrageous but if you're thinking of contributing to something this year, please consider me! And feel free to share the link with anyone who might be interested as well!

If you would like to donate please visit here: Jen's TNT for Grandpa

I'm actually joining my 1st group run tonight and meeting my coaches for the first time. I'm looking forward to meeting the coaches, however I'm a little nervous about the running. It's 3.5miles tonight and I haven't been running due to family circumstances. Please wish me luck. I'll keep you posted as I progress. Maybe have some photo's to share!

A Sad Post

If you have read any of my post in the past, you know I typically like to keep them fun and up beat. But, today is a sad post for me...so I hope you can bear with me because I can use as many willing listeners as I can get.

Last Thursday I lost a very special man in my life...my Grandpa Gary. He was diagnosed early May with CLL Leukemia during testing stage for treatment options they found Lung Cancer, Tumor on his hip and then he contracted pneumonia. Unfortunately his body just couldn't fight any longer. So needless to say it's been an emotional exhausting time for the family. I will miss him like crazy, but I'm at peace knowing he is no longer suffering in pain. I'm very thankful for the wonderful memories we do have together and I will cherish them always.

This picture was taken in March '08, as Grandpa kicked off the first ever
"Annual FAAS Golf Tournament". Of course he took home the trophy as the "Low net golfer" while I took home the "High net Golfer". Doesn't he look stylin' in his red get up. I have to say he was always active, he loved to cycle and was even crazy enough to ride his bike from Cape Coral, FL all the way to his home town of Iowa for his 50th High school reunion. He was 68yrs old at the time and made the crazy 2,400 mile journey all on his own with his bike. (Stories from that trip I won't forget). Boy if nothing else he was always determined.

Even though Grandpa is not hear with us today, I will continue to cherish the memories we did make and those moments which only we shared together. Because of him we have a wonderful family dynamic, full of love and support and for that I'm so thankful. So I leave this post with one of my all time favorite pictures with Grandpa, Chris and I hiking in TN.