May Check-In

Wow, May was busy! I spent almost a week in London vending at a fibre festival and spending time with my good friend Sam. I did get tons of knitting done this month. It didn't feel like it, but looking back today at everything, I am shocked how much I got done.

Things are really picking up now as we are deep in the planning and organizing for the Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza which is a knitting retreat I'm co-hosting with Damrais and my friend Sam here in Edinburgh at the end of October. We're are so excited and grateful for the support of so many in the fibre community as we work to make this retreat very special! If you are interested in participating, go sign up now. Spaces are limited.

At the beginning of the year, I wrote a blog post, The Post In Which I Look Ahead At 2015. I want to just check in on a couple aspects of this each month (and then I'll check in on everything at the end of the year). So here we go:

~Read at least one non-fiction book each month of 2015.
1 ~ The Accidental Anglican: The Surprising Appeal of the Liturgical Church by Todd Hunter ~ completed 21-1-15
2 ~ The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning ~ completed 7-2-15
3 ~ Soulful Spirituality: Becoming Fully Alive and Deeply Human by David G. Benner ~ completed 31-3-15
4 ~ Cross-Shattered Christ: Meditations on the Seven Last Words by Stanley Hauerwas ~ completed 4-4-15
5 ~ Found: A Story of Questions, Grace & Everyday Prayer by Micha Boyett ~ completed 4-5-15
6 ~ Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown ~ currently reading

~I plan to continue sharing about the creative part of my life which includes knitting, spinning, and designing patterns on a month to month basis here on my blog. Hopefully that will include releasing 12 new patterns, knitting 3 sweaters/tops for myself, knitting 1 preemie hat per week, knit 7 stockings for family, finish at least 100 projects, and who knows what else!



Projects Finished this Month:
~2015 Top Down Preemie Hat #18, #19, #20, #21, + #22 - continuing on with the 1 preemie hat each week goal
~Mamma Vertebrae - I worked on this sweater for myself for 5 months, but I finally finished it. Wasn't totally thrilled with the sleeves when I finished, so I ended up having my friend Sam help me do surgery on it. It was a gruelling undertaking, but I'm so happy with how this fits now.
~Christmas Stocking 2 of 6 for Sister - my sister Carrie asked me knit Christmas stockings for her family, this makes 2 of the needed 6
~Russ' 41st Birthday Socks and 2015 Birthday Socks for Jeremy - birthday socks for the Hubs and birthday socks for a dear friend
~My new design, Super super super super super super secret project IBYC15 Socks Pair 2 - a new pattern designed for the Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl which happens here in Edinburgh on 13-June and 14-June
~Oh, Oh, We're Halfway There, Oh, Oh, Livin' On A Prayer Shawl - a shawl for me with better pics coming soon, I was gifted this luxurious alpaca, silk, and cashmere blend yarn and I wanted something super squishy to go around my neck, I'm in love!

So the total thus far:
Christmas Stockings - 2
Cowl - 1
Preemie Hats - 22
Shawl - 1
Socks - 3 single socks and 10 pairs of socks
Sweater - 2
Misc - 2
Total - 43 projects complete

Design-wise -

~Nice to Meet You Rose (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) ~ this pattern came out of exclusivity and is available for purchase via Ravelry

~Oi! Watch It Spaceman! (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) - this pattern released on Monday, 25-May-2015, to the members of the Doctor Who Companions Sock Club ~ 3rd Edition (Summer 2015). The pattern is exclusive to the sock club members at this time, but it will be available on Wednesday, 18-November-2015 to everyone.
~So that puts me at 10 patterns released thus far this year.

On the Needles -
~A new design project - Super super super super super super secret project IBYC15 Socks - The official display pair is done, but this pair will be for me. 1 sock is done and 1 sock is left to knit.
~Christmas Stocking 3 of 6 for my Sister Carrie - I'm about 54% done with this one.
~Mamma Mia - I've revamped my goals a smidge, instead of 3 sweaters for me, I've changed it to 3 sweater/tops for me. Mia is a gorgeous flowy tank that'll be fab for summer on it's on but also will be fab for the rest of the year with a short sleeve or long sleeve tee under it. I'm at about 13% done with this one.
+ in my insanity, I'm working on a sock yarn blanket which I'll most likely be working on for the next several YEARS!, When you think I'll zig, I'll zag. Then when you think I'm gonna zag, I do zag, just to mess you up for the next time, when I might zig Blanket (bonus points if you know that the name of this blanket is a Gilmore Girls reference)

As always, find all my completed projects plus what's currently on my needles on Ravelry:


And you can also find all my knitting pattern designs (those available for purchase and some freebies as well) on Ravelry:


Thanks for journeying with me this year. Talk to you next month.

A Prayer for Today The Sixth Sunday of Easter (10-May-2015)

God our redeemer,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:
grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,
so by his continual presence in us he may raise us
to eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

A Prayer for Today The Fifth Sunday of Easter (3-May-2015)

Almighty God,
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help
we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

April Check-In

April is done! April was a time of recovery after the Edinburgh Yarn Festival in March, plus a time of prepping for vending at I Knit Fandango on Friday 15-May-2015 + Saturday 16-May-2015 at Royal Horticultural Halls, Lindley Hall, Westminster, London. If you're in the area or are travelling there, make sure and stop by the JavaPurl Designs / KnitRundig booth.

At the beginning of the year, I wrote a blog post, The Post In Which I Look Ahead At 2015. I want to just check in on a couple aspects of this each month (and then I'll check in on everything at the end of the year). So here we go:

~Read at least one non-fiction book each month of 2015.
1 ~ The Accidental Anglican: The Surprising Appeal of the Liturgical Church by Todd Hunter ~ completed 21-1-15
2 ~ The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning ~ completed 7-2-15
3 ~ Soulful Spirituality: Becoming Fully Alive and Deeply Human by David G. Benner ~ completed 31-3-15
4 ~ Cross-Shattered Christ: Meditations on the Seven Last Words by Stanley Hauerwas ~ completed 4-4-15
5 ~ Found: A Story of Questions, Grace & Everyday Prayer by Micha Boyett ~ currently reading

~I plan to continue sharing about the creative part of my life which includes knitting, spinning, and designing patterns on a month to month basis here on my blog. Hopefully that will include releasing 12 new patterns, knitting 3 sweaters for myself, knitting 1 preemie hat per week, knit 7 stockings for family, finish at least 100 projects, and who knows what else!


Projects Finished this Month:
~2015 Top Down Preemie Hat #14, #15, #16, + #17
~Christmas Stocking 1 of 6 for Sister - my sister Carrie asked me knit Christmas stockings for her family, this makes 1 of the needed 6
~Bubble-y Socks and Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitten Socks - 2 new pairs of socks for me
~Super Secret Blanket Square - for a collaborative gift
~My new design - Super super super super super super secret project Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - Third Edition - 2nd sock pattern which is on sale now at http://www.pandiasjewels.com/, memberships for this club close tomorrow, Saturday, 2-May-2015

So the total thus far:
Christmas Stockings - 2
Cowl - 1
Preemie Hats - 17
Socks - 3 single socks and 7 pairs of socks
Sweater - 1
Misc - 2
Total - 33 projects complete

Design-wise -
~Stripey Sleeves of Warmth - I released this free pattern last week. All the details on how to get the pattern for free is on the pattern page on Ravelry.
~So that puts me at 7 new patterns released thus far this year.

On the Needles -
~A new design project - Super super super super super super secret project IBYC15 Socks + Super super super super super super secret project IBYC15 Socks Pair 2 - This is the the official sock pattern for the 2015 Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl which happens in June.
~Sweater 1 of 3 for me - Mamma Vertebrae - I only have about 1/2 of the 2nd sleeve left and this will be complete! My goal is to finish it before I leave for London in about a week and a half.
~a shawl for me, Oh, Oh, We're Halfway There, Oh, Oh, Livin' On A Prayer
~Christmas Stocking 2 of 6 for my Sister Carrie
~Secret Socks for Someone Special
+ in my insanity, I have cast on a sock yarn blanket which I'll most likely be working on for the next several YEARS!, When you think I'll zig, I'll zag. Then when you think I'm gonna zag, I do zag, just to mess you up for the next time, when I might zig Blanket (bonus points if you know that the name of this blanket is a Gilmore Girls reference)

As always, find all my completed projects plus what's currently on my needles on Ravelry:


And you can also find all my knitting pattern designs (those available for purchase and some freebies as well) on Ravelry:


Thanks for journeying with me this year. Talk to you next month.

A Prayer for Today The Fourth Sunday of Easter (26-April-2015)

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him,
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

A Prayer for Today The Third Sunday of Easter (19-April-2015)

Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

#TheAlmonsTakeNottingham

It's been a wee bit since we've travelled in our new neck of the woods. Our travels this time took us to Nottingham, England. The Hubs had been selected to present a paper at the Society for the Study of Theology's annual conference, so Damaris and I tagged along for a wee family holiday. His paper was titled "Perichoresis, postmodernism, and pietism: the peril and promise of Stanley J. Grenz’s Trinitarian revisioning of evangelical ecclesiology". I'm sure if you're interested in this, he'd be happy to discuss it with you. ;-)

The Hubs spent most of his time at the conference, but he did sneak away for a visit to Nottingham Castle. Meanwhile, Damaris and I found a local yarn shop (we needed souvenir yarn of course!) and had pedicures. We enjoyed our leisurely walks through city centre, played loads of games, and drank lots and lots of coffee.

Who would have imagined a year ago that I'd be able to go on a trip like this and actually walk around the city? I'm so thankful and grateful for how my health has improved in the almost 2 years that we've been living in Scotland. I'm even venturing out on my own for a trip to London in May (I'm vending with my JavaPurl Designs patterns at a yarn festival with my dear friend Sam who lives in London). Pics of that coming after the trip.

So now, on to the photos of Nottingham:

A Prayer for Today The Second Sunday of Easter (12-April-2015)

Almighty Father,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness
that we may always serve you
in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

A Prayer for Today Easter Sunday (5-April-2015)

Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity.
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

March Check-In

March is done and it was a HUGE month for my knitting design business. I shared a booth with my friend Sam of KnitRunDig project bags to sell my knitting patterns at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival on the 14th and 15th of March. The crowd was amazing, met lots of online knitting friends in person, met new knitting friends, bought a few fun things, and sold quite a few of my knitting patterns. And I'll be vending again! I'm very excited to be vending at I Knit Fandango - Friday 15-May-2015 + Saturday 16-May-2015 at Royal Horticultural Halls, Lindley Hall, Westminster, London. If you're in the area or are travelling there, make sure and stop by the JavaPurl Designs / KnitRundig booth.

At the beginning of the year, I wrote a blog post, The Post In Which I Look Ahead At 2015. I want to just check in on a couple aspects of this each month (and then I'll check in on everything at the end of the year). So here we go:

~Read at least one non-fiction book each month of 2015.
1 ~ The Accidental Anglican: The Surprising Appeal of the Liturgical Church by Todd Hunter ~ completed 21-1-15
2 ~ The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning ~ completed 7-2-15
3 ~ Soulful Spirituality: Becoming Fully Alive and Deeply Human by David G. Benner ~ completed 31-3-15
4 ~ Cross-Shattered Christ: Meditations on the Seven Last Words by Stanley Hauerwas ~ currently reading

~I plan to continue sharing about the creative part of my life which includes knitting, spinning, and designing patterns on a month to month basis here on my blog. Hopefully that will include releasing 12 new patterns, knitting 3 sweaters for myself, knitting 1 preemie hat per week, knit 7 stockings for family, finish at least 100 projects, and who knows what else!


Projects Finished this Month:
~2015 Top Down Preemie Hat #9, #10, #11, #12, + #13
~My new design - Super super super super super super secret project Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - Third Edition - 1st sock pattern which goes on sale 18-April-2015 at http://www.pandiasjewels.com/
~ + a project a year in the making, BFF Cowl - This pattern is reminiscent of the BFF necklaces that were popular when I was younger. Damaris knit the 2 pieces in a lavender colourway. She finished over a year ago. And I finally knit my 2 pieces in a pink colourway this month. Then we each got two pieces that were looped together to make a mix matched cowl.

So the total thus far:
Christmas Stocking - 1
Cowl - 1
Preemie Hats - 13
Socks - 3 single socks and 4 pairs of socks
Sweater - 1
Misc - 1
Total - 24 projects complete

Design-wise -
~Another pattern that I designed for a club came out of exclusivity: Soufflé Girl Socks (Doctor Who Inspired). You can purchase it by clicking on the link.
~My Can Missy Say Something Nice? (Doctor Who Socks) released as part of the Doctor Who Villains Kit - Part 1. You can buy the pattern separately by clicking on the link.
~So that puts me at 6 new patterns released thus far this year.

On the Needles -
~A new design project - Super super super super super super secret project Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - Third Edition - 2nd sock pattern
~Sweater 1 of 3 for me - Mamma Vertebrae
~A pair of socks for me - Bubble-y Socks
~Christmas Stocking 1 of 6 for my Sister Carrie
~ + a shawl for me, Oh, Oh, We're Halfway There, Oh, Oh, Livin' On A Prayer

As always, find all my completed projects plus what's currently on my needles on Ravelry:


And you can also find all my knitting pattern designs (those available for purchase and some freebies as well) on Ravelry:


Thanks for journeying with me this year. Talk to you next month.

A Prayer for Today Palm Sunday (29-March-2015)

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

A Prayer for Today The Fifth Sunday of Lent (22-March-2015)

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

A Prayer for Today The Third Sunday of Lent (8-March-2015)

Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
one God, now and for ever
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

February Check-In

I can't believe February passed so quickly. I've been super busy prepping to have a booth at my first fibre festival. I'll be sharing a booth with my friend Sam of KnitRunDig project bags to sell my knitting patterns at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival on the 14th and 15th of March. If you're in the area, you should definitely come see us in our booth.

At the beginning of the year, I wrote a blog post, The Post In Which I Look Ahead At 2015. I want to just check in on a couple aspects of this each month (and then I'll check in on everything at the end of the year). So here we go:

~Read at least one non-fiction book each month of 2015.
1 ~ The Accidental Anglican: The Surprising Appeal of the Liturgical Church by Todd Hunter ~ completed 21-1-15
2 ~ The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning ~ completed 7-2-15
3 ~ Soulful Spirituality: Becoming Fully Alive and Deeply Human by David G. Benner ~ currently reading
4 ~ Cross-Shattered Christ: Meditations on the Seven Last Words by Stanley Hauerwas ~ currently reading

~I plan to continue sharing about the creative part of my life which includes knitting, spinning, and designing patterns on a month to month basis here on my blog. Hopefully that will include releasing 12 new patterns, knitting 3 sweaters for myself, knitting 1 preemie hat per week, knit 7 stockings for family, finish at least 100 projects, and who knows what else!


Projects Finished this Month:
~2015 Top Down Preemie Hat #5, #6, #7, + #8
~My own design, The Lady of Lallybroch (Outlander Inspired Socks)
~Christmas Stocking for Waylon
~Gramps Sweater for Isaac
~Some Pleasant Pheasant Socks from my new Vanilla Cappuccino Socks recipe
~ + another of my designs, Super super super super super super secret project Doctor Who Kit 1 Socks (it'll release in late March or early April), it's inspired by a Doctor Who Villian

So the total thus far:
Christmas Stocking - 1
Preemie Hats - 8
Socks - 3 single socks and 3 pairs of socks
Sweater - 1
Misc - 1
Total - 17 projects complete

Design-wise -
~Another pattern that I designed for a club came out of exclusivity: Come Along Pond Socks (Doctor Who Inspired)
~My The Lady of Lallybroch (Outlander Inspired Socks) came out this month and has done extremely well. Click the link to purchase it.
~And my free pattern C.C.'s Vanilla Cappuccino Socks released. It is a free pattern you receive for subscribing to my newsletter. Because of this promotion, my newsletter subscription list has grown by over 8 times!!!!! And it's not too late, you can receive it too by subscribing to my newsletter.
~So that puts me at 4 new patterns released thus far this year.

On the Needles -
~A new design project - Super super super super super super secret project Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - Third Edition - 1st sock pattern
~Sweater 1 of 3 for me - Mamma Vertebrae
~A pair of socks for me - Bubble-y Socks
~ + a project that has been on my to do list for over a year (and Damaris actually finished her part of the project a year ago, oops! It's a really cool concept that is reminiscent of the BFF necklaces from my childhood years) - BFF Cowl

As always, find all my completed projects plus what's currently on my needles on Ravelry:


And you can also find all my knitting pattern designs (those available for purchase and some freebies as well) on Ravelry:


Thanks for journeying with me this year. Talk to you next month.

A Prayer for Today The Second Sunday of Lent (1-March-2015)

Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant to all those who are admitted
into the fellowship of Christ’s religion,
that they may reject those things
that are contrary to their profession,
and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

A Prayer for Today The First Sunday of Lent (22-February-2015)

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

A Prayer for Today The Sunday next before Lent (15-February-2015)

Almighty Father,
whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross:
give us grace to perceive his glory,
that we may be strengthened to suffer with him
and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

A Prayer for Today The Second Sunday Before Lent (8-February-2015)

Almighty God,
by whose grace alone we are accepted
and called to your service:
strengthen us by your Holy Spirit
and make us worthy of our calling;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

January Check-In

How are we already through the first month of 2015? The days just continue to pass so quickly. At the beginning of the year, I wrote a blog post, The Post In Which I Look Ahead At 2015. I want to just check in on a couple aspects of this each month (and then I'll check in on everything at the end of the year). So here we go:

~Read at least one non-fiction book each month of 2015.
1 ~ The Accidental Anglican: The Surprising Appeal of the Liturgical Church by Todd Hunter ~ completed 21-1-15
2 ~ The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning ~ currently reading

~I plan to continue sharing about the creative part of my life which includes knitting, spinning, and designing patterns on a month to month basis here on my blog. Hopefully that will include releasing 12 new patterns, knitting 3 sweaters for myself, knitting 1 preemie hat per week, knit 7 stockings for family, finish at least 100 projects, and who knows what else!


Projects Finished this Month:
~2015 Top Down Preemie Hat #1, #2, #3, + #4
~Single Socks that are my design patterns for display at fibre festivals - Mind the Gap While You Try to Catch the Rainbow Socks, Sock For Ten Because Two's Too Many, + Rescue Me, Chin Boy, and Show Me the Stars (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) - The Redux
~ + Stripey Sleeves of Warmth

So the total thus far:
Preemie Hats - 4
Socks - 3 single socks
Misc - 1
Total - 8 projects complete

Design-wise -
~I re-released my Rescue Me, Chin Boy, & Show Me the Stars Socks pattern. It's been updated to be more in line with my other sock patterns.
~Patterns that I've designed for clubs are starting to come out of exclusivity: Spoilers Socks (Doctor Who Inspired) is the first.
~I also released 2 eBooks in January: Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - First Edition and The Ultimate Doctor Who Inspired Sock Collection - Volume 1.
~So that puts me at 1 new pattern released thus far this year.

On the Needles -
~A new design project - Super super super super super super secret project Outlander Socks
~Sweater 1 of 3 for me - Mamma Vertebrae
~A pair of socks for me - Some Pleasant Pheasant Socks
~ + stocking 1 of 7 for family - Christmas Stocking for Waylon at Momma's House

As always, find all my completed projects plus what's currently on my needles on Ravelry:


And you can also find all my knitting pattern designs (those available for purchase and some freebies as well) on Ravelry:


Thanks for journeying with me this year. Talk to you next month.

A Prayer for Today The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany (1-February-2015)

God our creator,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit