project 52: week 38

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Two more Wiksten Tanks, this time in linen.

Garden beds ready for planting.

What's New?
I finished two more Wiksten Tanks, bringing my total to 4: the two newest are neutral colors, while the other two are bold colors. I'm very excited about these handmade pieces and I've worn them a few times already. One thing I noticed after finishing the last two is that the back of the tank is low enough that I can wear them to the DIG School without getting sunburned. We spend so much time at the DIG School bent over on our hands and knees looking for fossils on the ground. Last year I noticed that all of my shirts, while seeming long when standing straight up, rode up just enough to expose a thin sliver of skin to the beating sun creating a thin and awkward sunburn.

Last weekend I bought some plants for my garden, but I didn't have enough time to get them in the ground. This week was far too busy to accomplish that in my evening hours, but I hope to do some gardening this weekend. I started my garden plans way too late for seeds this year, so I went with what was available at the nursery. I came home with snap peas, tomatoes, rosemary, lavender, and a few other small herbs.

Currently Reading
I'm in the middle of The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I am enjoying greatly.

Looking Forward To

1. picking strawberries?

project 52: week 37

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I attended a walk-out with my colleagues across the city in protest of our state's lack of funding for basic education and follow-through on voter-backed legislation (smaller class-sizes & a COLA).

With a long three-day weekend ahead of me, I've made a list of things I hope to do in order to fill my bucket. This time of year is extremely stressful for educators, and anything I can do to keep myself centered is definitely worth the effort. With that in mind, this weekend I hope to...

:: plant something (anything) in my long-neglected raised beds
:: sew one or more Wiksten tanks to add to my collection (I have two fabrics ready to go)
:: walk with Kristi
:: knit at the coffee house
:: visit EMP's Star Wars exhibit

Of course there are plenty more things that I need to do that will fill my time this weekend, but I find it helps me to focus on the things that bring me joy. There are now only sixteen more days of school. While that number seems quite small (and it is) it nevertheless feels very long. There are just so many things that need to fit into those sixteen days!

Currently Reading
I finished Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and am now on to The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

On the Needles
Once school is out, I'm planning on starting another shawl. This one will be Earth and Sky by Stephen West made from my newly acquired Madeline Tosh pashmina yarn in warm denim, astrid grey, and victorian gothic.

Looking Forward To

1. time to re-charge

project 52: week 36

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

My second Wiksten Tank in a magenta chambray.

What's New?
I finished my second Wiksten Tanks in a magenta chambray fabric. I wore the blue linen/cotton tank on my walk last week, but I haven't had a chance to wear the magenta one yet. I have plans to make a couple more, but first I have to pick out fabric. These tanks have really motivated me to work on my sewing skills, and inspired me to create a handmade wardrobe (something I've dreamed of for some time now, but never thought was realistic).

Currently Reading
I'm almost finished with Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

On the Needles
I've completed probably two rows on my honey cowl this week.

Looking Forward To

1. Memorial Day
2. planning summer camping trips

project 52: week 35

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I've been sorting sediment at the university with the DIG team. The photo above is from last week's sort. Basically the team collects bags of sediment from sites out in Montana and brings them back to be sifted and sorted during the year when fieldwork is not possible. Usually undergrads work on it as part of their laboratory experience. Former DIG School participants have also been recruited to help with the task. When I first heard about the opportunity, I was a bit skeptical. Spend 3 hours staring into a microscope, painstakingly sorting rocks from fossils? In truth those 3 hours go by in a flash, and looking under the scope at fossils is very interesting.

The other interesting thing in my life lately involves sewing. I've been admiring many blogger's Wiksten Tanks lately, and two weeks ago I decided to take the plunge. I bought the pattern PDF, printed it out, and tried it out using some quilting cotton I had in my stash. I had to tweak the pattern a bit to get the perfect fit for my body, but once I'd done that I headed to the fabric store to buy some chambray and linen. I'm proud to say that I completed my first "real" Wiksten Tank in a blue linen/cotton fabric and I love it! I have a magenta chambray fabric waiting for another tank as soon as I have time. I think these tanks will make a great layering piece in my wardrobe, and I might even do some embroidery on them.

Currently Reading
I'm on Part 2 of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and so far I love this book!

On the Needles
I've worked on my current Honey Cowl a bit here and there, but most of my crafting time has been spent sewing.

Looking Forward To

1. my weekly walk with Kristi
2. going out to the movies!

project 52: week 34

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
Last week, while taking our normal walking path through the ravine, Kristi and I were greeted by two big changes. A neighbor has been cleaning up the path for months. Last week, however, we were delighted to find that the beginning of the path had been covered in wood chips. It looks so nice now, and the wood chips help with the inevitable mud puddles we get here in rainy Seattle. The other surprise was that sign saying "all dopers, you're being watched." Ha! I wish I knew who was responsible for all the work along that path - I'd love to help them take care of it. It's a relatively unknown path that cuts through a short ravine connecting two residential streets. The path starts at the end of my dead-end street and lets out on a narrow, hilly street that winds down to the beach.

Currently Reading

• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

On the Needles
Working slowly, but steadily, on my newest honey cowl. I took it to my knitting group last week, and inspired another knitter there to add that pattern to her queue.

Looking Forward To

1. Swedish springtime party
2. more fossil sorting