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Brenda
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
40 something woman who thinks indulging in fiber pursuits is the best therapy out there!
Interests: crochet, i knit, spin, and am just learning to weave. During the last year and a half I've lost over 60 pounds and have embraced a more active lifestyle. I now enjoy bellydance, going for long walks, running, and my latest passion, zumba.
Recent Activity
No, definitely don;t beat yourself up! Considering how busy you are with kid stuff, getting ready for craft saleseason.....
I must say Im glad its over, but Im glad I did it.
Brenda
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Happy Halloween!
From the archives, here's our jack o lantern from five years ago. We admittedly aren't big Halloween people here, I think when you don't have kids it's just hard to get into. We do have a big light up pumpkin from Canadian Tire that we have used the last few years, however tonight, we're in...
Me too, it was lovely.
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Change of scenery
Today I was able to experience a bit of a change of scenery by working out of the office located in a nearby city (Courtenay for you locals). I expected the day to be fairly full and busy, however in the end I was able to get away for a walk at lunchtime. Another lovely autumn day, and an enjo...
Sounds like a lovely weekend, thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures!
greetings from up north
we just spent a wonderful long weekend in ely, mn. this was our first time visiting ely and the impetus for the trip was that ely is home to the international wolf center and lily loves wolves. we went there our very first day in town and lily absolutely loved it. (actually i may need to am...
Very cute, and so's the hat!!
rainbow distraction
i am diligently working away on a tip top secret project that can not be mentioned publicly until it is in the hands of the recipient. it is a big, time consuming project and i am trying hard to focus and get it done as quickly as i can, but the other day i cracked. i needed a quick distractio...
After being intrigued by homemade yogurt for a while now, your simple instructions inspired me to try it. I used 1% milk and 2% yogurt. I halved the recipe as it is just me here at the moment. I was really nervous opening the lid this morning, and admittedly squeeled with delight when I saw that it contained yogurt and not room temperature milk. Pure magic! A friend told me that she puts hers in a cooler along with jugs of boiling water. I didn't have any appropriate jugs to use, but put my towel wrapped bowl in the cooler and it worked great. Chilling in the fridge now and I can't wait to try it later.
Make it: Mickie's Yogurt
who knew it was so simple? we have a thing for (addiction to) greek yogurt, that very thick slightly sour dreamy stuff that's packed with protein. mix in some preserves and a drizzle of honey and you have instant breakfast that even the most finicky eater will devour. but that stuff is pricy...
I have a fear of colourwork as well!
Feel the Fear
Day 4-A New Skill Today's Knit and Crochet Blog Week Question: Is there a skill related to your hobby that you hope to learn one day? maybe you’re a crocheter who’d also like to knit? Maybe you’d like to learn to knit continental, knit backwards, try cables or attempt stranded colorwork. I'm st...
Lovely kit, pretty pattern, and the yarn you dyed is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!
Fortitude.
If you're a member of Woolgirl's Embrace the Lace Club, you probably have your kit already! I just got mine in the mail and I must say, wow, Jen sure does have a way of putting together really gorgeous kits. It felt like Christmas when I opened up the box! And since I had the pleasure of dyeing ...
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Mar 15, 2010
Thanks. Really wanting spring right now, its darn ugly out there today!!
Sent from my iPhone
Handspun Lacy Baktus
I have a Finished Object to show you today. May I present my Handspun Lacy Baktus. This was such an enjoyable knit, the combination of knitting with handspun (I used the Citronella Cooler I blogged about here) with a mindless yet enjoyable pattern was perfect. After six evenings of knitting,...
Definitely something lacy, will decide specifically what when I know the yardage. I think there will be a good amount.
Some spinning content
Well, I would have shown you eventually anyway (was waiting to be home during daylight hours to photograph) but by popular request (okay, just 2 readers) here's what's on my wheel at the moment: All that's left to finish spinning is the little ball shown. Just noticing that it looks bigger in...
I totally forgot to mention the mug in my post. They are from Starbucks about a year ago. I got 4 when they went on sale, we love them!
I dont have the refillable filter/cup thing yet, but plan to get one soon. They arent available locally so I will mail order it.
Coffee addict
My new favourite thing. I treated myself to this nifty appliance on sale just after Christmas, thinking it would be nice to take to my office. Well let's just say we love it so much it's staying home, and I might have to purchase another one for work. LOVE my Keurig, a fresh cup of coffee at ...
Thanks Kate!
That short row technique is awesome, I highly recommend. it.
New Techniques
I'm safely at my parents place now. I came a day early because of impending snow. Tomorrow we drive to Victoria, Dad's surgery is Wednesday. Hoping the forecast is correct and that the snow that we are waiting for (which already hit at home but not yet here 90 minutes south) turns to rain. N...
It actually reminded me a lot of noro yarn. Seemed to be a single ply, not a lot of drapeor hand to it. Just kind of sat there once it was knit, not sqooshy or anything. And doesnt stand up well to frogging either!
Much better now
Remember the socks I showed you a few weeks ago that I was knitting for my Dad? Well if the truth be known, I hated them. I ripped what I showed you in that post, and cast on with a smaller needle. Still hated them. Truthfully, I hated knitting with the Zauberball yarn (Ravelry link). Hated...
I love them too! So far Ive used a locally produced French onion mix, I have a curry dip mix I think Ill try next.
Quick dinner, no time to cook
Christmas preparations are officially in full swing now. Today I attended a couple local craft fairs, and was able to make a bit of a dent in my Christmas shopping. I've also figured out gifts for several people on my list, which is half the battle. And the knitting is continuing as well. Wi...
I never even noticed the French on the bag until you mentioned it Jo! And you might be interested to know that out here in the West, all packaged items haveboth English and French on them. Ill try to get some pics to show you some time.
Finally!
Today's cool crisp (by Vancouver Island standards) weather featured blue sky. I went out for a quick drive at coffee time today (also went for a lovely lunch time walk). Especially significant is that I believe for the first time this month, there has been not one but TWO days of blue sky an...
Brenda has shared their blog Quick Recipes
Nov 26, 2009
Brenda has shared their blog KauniKAL
Nov 26, 2009
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Hmmm, dont really know the answer to that...as far as Im concerned,the main thing is just to post a photo every day.
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What every bicycle needs
Well technically today's picture is from yesterday, however I think I can be excused for posting it today. Yesterday I was in Victoria with my parents. My Dad has not been well the last several months and he had a specialist appointment. The short story is that he requires surgery that will hop...
Thanks for the heads up Melissa, I fixed the link.
Ukrainian dinner
holubtsi, originally uploaded by Close to my Heart. I'm at my parent's place tonight. Some of you may recall that a few years ago I blogged about my Ukrainian heritage. I think I've even shown this same dish that I've made before, but can't find it now. I did find a very similar recipe here. ...
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I havent worked on that vest for months, should really pull it out so that I will be able to wear it by spring!
Its just so slow, but Im sure will be better once past the ribbing.
I adjusted my starting chain as well.
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Mmmmmalabrigo
I currently have three different projects on the needles and hook with yummy malabrigo yarn. The first was started on quite some time ago, I fell in love with the pattern immediately upon purchase of the Spring 2009 Interweave Crochet, and bought the yarn to make it the very same day. Well l...
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I was told it was aSchacht, but when I posted a picture on Ravelry found out it wasa Beka.
Im actually going to warp the Cricket today, need to finish the practice piece on the Beka before I start anything on it. And I need to get going on Christmas gifts!
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Weaving update
A few developments to show you today on the weaving front. First, I completed my first scarf using some handspun yarn: I used a commercial yarn, Berocco Comfort DK for the warp, and handspun for the weft. I learned a lot weaving this scarf, most importantly that Berocco DK is really not suit...
I didn't know that, interesting......
Hmmmmm....
So, I started with this lovely bump from my favourite fiber pusher, Crown Mountain Farms: I simply split the bump in two horizontally, spun them up the same, and then navajo plied. So why did they turn out so differently? I'm happy with how each of them turned out, but a little dissappoin...
Thanks Cheryl!
The yarn is Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett
Two weeks later.....
Wow, two weeks since I've posted, it's been a while since I've gone that long! Nothing too excting going on over at chez Close to my Heart, and that has certainly impacted the lack of posting. Additionally, I've made some lifestyle changes in terms of diet and exercise which is taking some tim...
Very scary, and a little too close for comfort. Glad you are okay.
The fire
began with a puff, it is even closer now to my backyard. Too close. At night, front row seats on my deck... We are home, we are safe; the house is safe, as are the neighbours. The wind turned and blew the fire away from us. Others just a km away were not so lucky. This video wil...
And there has never been a cuter 2 year old, happy birthday Robin!
Robin is
no longer one she is now two years old! We're having a birthday party on the East Coast.
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