week thirty-one

This week I focused on my photography skills. And yes, I am in need of some assistance... can anyone show me how to use my camera? The booklet it came with didn't explain anything! Oh well, it looks like trial and error is going to be my teacher.



This weekend we were able to go camping in the Anza-Borego Desert. IT WAS COLD!! Oh my gosh! We woke up one morning to the baby wipes being a solid ice brick! By the time I got up and out of bed it was close to 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Whew!



We took many hikes while out there and I [of course] took a gazillion photos. I love being out in nature and capturing it on film is the best thing ! I love looking at the pictures I took later and not only remembering the amazing time I had but admiring the amazing beauty that is around us.



If you are an avid hiker you will be familiar with the subject of this week's blog entry. It is a trail marker. In some regions, piles of rocks are called "ducks" or "duckies". These are typically smaller cairns, so named because they would typically have a "beak" pointing the way of the path. An expression "to rocks don't make a duck" reminds hikers that just one rock resting upon another could be an accident or nature rather than an intentional trail marker.



I have seen so many of the cairns throughout my hiking/backpacking/rock climbing adventures. The sight of these, no matter how big or small, are a source of comfort for me. I'm not sure why except I know that I'm on the right path and I have nothing to worry about. Whenever we're out hiking I always look for them and if it is a hike we've done before I look for familiar cairns- especially the ones I have either started or added to. It's really fun to see new ones and be welcomed back by old friends.

If you haven't seen one, added to one, or started one..... go out on a hike! Your body and mind will thank you!



week 31: complete
# projects: 1
weeks to go: 5
cumulative project count: 46

week thirty

Harry Potter Scarf & Head Band

A friend of mine was attending the midnight showing of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1". {whew!} So she asked me to make her a scarf for the occasion. I took to it right away {of course after an intense shopping trip to Micheal's - in which i had to avoid purchasing everything on sale! It did take me longer than anticipated [bummer because I wanted to get something else done too....] But it turned out very well and I even made her a head band.. every girl needs a head band to accessorize!

week 30: complete
# projects: 1
weeks to go:6
cumulative project count: 45

week twenty-nine

Sock Monkey Hat for Xander & a new born Santa Hat

This week I finished Xander's Sock Monkey Hat to match his Sock Monkey. We were supposed to make a run to Home Depot... but xander INSISTED that I finish his hat. Now normally I don't give into the whims.. or demands of a 2 year old.. but let's be honest, I wanted to show off what I had been working soo hard on this week. And wouldn't ya know it.......... people noticed it!! I even got a few orders for one! It pays to have your kids advertise for you, right?! I was just too pleased with how it came out. Xander even let me photograph him. Most times he's up for pictures of Xander... but lately who knows.. the changing times of a 2 year old....

This time HE reminded ME that I had to take pictures.. apparently I've been making a lot of things and photographing them- I usually ask for his help so the process goes faster [instead of trying to keep him away]. This "photo session" was a blast! Xander is such a silly and inventive kid! love it!!

{I asked him to show me his hat and this is what I got}

{I have no clue what he was doing here, but kept moving his has back and forth like this LOL!}

{This is his "show me your smile!"}

Cameron also phoned me this week while at work an had an order for me. It was a RUSH order and had to be done within a few days.... so I JUMPED on it! I have a few other orders that I was working on so I really felt the pressure to crank this out and get it delivered. [esp since this week was his last at work until after the new year!]

A co-worker wanted a Santa Hat as a gift for a newborn baby. I single crocheted it and {MAN}! that took a long time! half doubles for me next time! Here is the little hat:

week 29: complete

# projects: 2

weeks to go: 3

cumulative project count: 44

Hey Sharky! on etsy

So I finally have my etsy shop open. I did have another shop, under a different name but then recently decided to switch my brand logo, which was LONG over-due and when you change a name etc you can't do it on etsy so i had to open a new shop. Gesh! But well worth it. I've been crocheting like a mad woman so it's nice to be posting my stuff!! Please go and check it out!! TELL A FRIEND!! Thank you so much!!

http://www.etsy.com/people/HeySharky

week twenty-eight

More crochet hats!!! A friend of mine asked if I wanted to make and display some of my hat sin her cradt booth at a craft fair. So I got to work! I even added them to my etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeySharky?ref=pr_profile

Here's what I came up with this week:

Scarlet:

Blanco

Monkey business:

week 28: complete

# projects: 3

weeks to go: 4

cumulative project count: 41