Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all!  Besides eating a very nice dinner, I got to spend some time crocheting.  My sister-in-laws knit and we all usually spend some time when we're together at holidays knitting.  I was working on a crocheted summer hat for girls out of colorful sock yarn.  I think it will turn out nicely.

I've been busy the past few weeks with work (Commencement is only 3 weeks away) and trying to get things ready for a craft show on May 7 at the VFW in Forest Lake, MN.  I also made some Easter baskets for a co-worker (see below).



Some of the things I'll have at the show include some e-reader covers, trellis necklaces and dish towels and dishcloths.  I still have much more to make though, so I'd better get busy!


Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Dear Blog: My first exercise class ever!

Dear Blog:
Tonight I took my first exercise class ever, and I don't think I made a fool of myself! I actually rather liked it and I think it might work out.

I've never been interested in organized exercise or going to a gym. Mainly because I don't want anyone to see me exercising. Too embarrassing. But after years of working in offices with phones and computers and then spending more hours knitting and crocheting and cleaning house and doing laundry, I've become stiff and not very flexible. It's not that I don't exercise. We walk every evening (weather permitting) and I have an exercise bike (which I should use more regularly). I do a lot of outdoor work in the summer and shoveling in the winter. But apparently I need to do something different.

So I thought about yoga. I thought about Pilates. But still a little too worried that I would look completely foolish and out of shape. Then the community Ed catalog came in the mail. It listed Tai Chi and talked about stretching and flexibility and approved by the arthritis foundation. Sounded like right up my alley. Maybe it would be a class of older people and I wouldn't feel outclassed. So I signed up.

The class had a mix of ages and I think my 50 year old self fell right in the middle. I didn't think it was too hard and I actually followed most of the moves. And I actually felt good afterward! My back, neck and arms have hurt lately and this evening my arms feel good and the back isn't so bad. So I'm going to go again next week!

Now it's time for any readers out there to chime in--what kind of exercise helps you avoid neck, back and arm pain? Does massage help? I do a massage once a month and I love it! But it's expensive!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Some More New Items

I did a knitted version of the preemie baby hat and listed it at my Etsy store.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/brendascraftstore  I think I like the knitted version better than the crochet version.





And I listed another necklace at Artfire http://BrendasCraftStore.artfire.com  I really like the colors on this one.  The yellow really stands out.  This is one of my favorite colors so far.

I spent part of the evening working on a crocheted dish towel.  I had tried one a week ago with this pattern but didn't like how it came out, so I'm trying again with some modifications.  We'll see how it goes.  I watched the Academy of Country Music Awards while I crocheted.  They had some good performances.  All the women looked gorgeous in their fancy dresses.  I wish I were that skinny!  I'm going to start an exercise class tomorrow night through our community ed program, so maybe I'll get a start on fitting into one of those dresses!