My year in Kilometers...

Thanks for your indulgence:

What will you prove in 2015? Everyone is different. What will your journey be?

Happy Holidays!

When someone asks, "How are you?" our Priest challenged us to reply, "I am Blessed". And though I have forgotten to say it, it is true.

We made it through Christmas! We are steam-rolling ahead onto New Year's quickly followed by Chief's 12th birthday.  Here are a few Christmas highlights with the Gormleys.

Mr. Grumpy man got caught petting Grumpy cat. The Captain has never been overtly fond of pets but occasionally we catch him playing with them despite his protests. (HA!)

 Chickee at Grandpa Dave's and Grandma Glenda's house.

 Chief at our house Christmas morning.

 The Captain and me at his Mom's on Christmas Eve.

 The four of us on Christmas Eve.

 Chickee with a few of her girl cousins.

Chickee and me.

Fun photo of glowing cat, Charlie, who is clearly mesmerized by the camera.

Crochet Pattern Writing Tips

* Give clear information, extra even, just in case.  You can always delete information but tech editors can't manufacture information that you don't give them.  Add notes to yourself in the pattern. I even put in math problems so the TE can see how I arrived at a certain number or stitch count.

* Insert a photo WITH your attempt at a written description.  You can't just put in a photo and not write anything, but I DO sometimes include a photo to help enhance what I have written. The TE or buyer can take out the photo when it is no longer needed. 

* Give stitch counts for the first row or round then on every row/round that has changed.

* If you are doing something different from the norm, write it in your Pattern Notes section (and again within the pattern at the logical spot if it is really weird and needs extra help)

* Never say, "reverse shaping".  That just doesn't fly.  Matter of fact, patterns are getting more and more detailed rather than more intuitive.

Project Reveal: Crocheting Clothes Kids Love

Look! I found an old post that I apparently never published!

 Coming in February, AVAILABLE NOW, the book Shelby Allaho and I wrote, Crocheting Clothes Kids Love! will be hitting Amazon. It's available for pre-order now. 

This Backpack was so much fun to make.  The bottom photo is of the backpack Open.  In the flap, secured with buttons, would be a great place to put a little sketchbook.

Here's the original sketch... my designs always evolve a bit.  I'll be revealing more patterns as time goes on.

Here's the link for your holiday shopping! Get a closer look on Amazon.

Motivation

I just thought I'd share a bit about motivation that I have learned in the few years I've been running.

You find motivation on the road and at the gym, not on the couch. That is if you wait for motivation to come to you spontaneously it may not happen. BUT... if you just get started, get dressed, go outside, move for 20 steps, motivation will meet you there.

Also, music helps.  If I turn on my music while I'm getting dressed and getting laced up it's easier to actually go.  I can't tell you how many times I have put on my running clothes then sat in them for hours before missing my window of opportunity. I have not yet regretted going out for a run (even a slow, bad run) but I have regretted NOT going for a run.

Whether you want to get fit, accomplish a goal, complete a task... just get started. A year from now you will be wishing you had started a year ago. Why wait until January 1 to start?

Glorious rare sunshine and warmth in November two weeks ago.