Life is just a chair full of bowlies

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. But you know what? My life is great, so lately I feel more like living life than blogging about it.

Here are the top 5 things I did since I posted last, in no particular order:

1. Celebrated my birthday on the 19th by having dinner with my husband and two other couples. It's rare that I have couple friends where I like both halves of the couple equally, and that's how it is with the four friends I celebrated my birthday with. It was just lovely.

2. The birthday festivities continued when Scott took me out to dinner on Tuesday, then to the Metropolitan Opera! We saw Carmen. It was good.

3. I took a calligraphy class at The Learning Annex. I've played around with calligraphy for years, but it was good getting some actual instruction. I've been diligently practicing all week, in preparation for the second (and last) session.

I plan to take more calligraphy classes, probably at the Society of Scribes. Unfortunately, most of their classes seem to be on Sundays, which doesn't work for me since I work at a church. But that brings me to...

4. I still really love my new job. I think it's the best job I've ever had. And I'm good at it! (Most of my job entails being friendly and making newcomers feel welcome, and I'm a pretty friendly person, so it's a good fit.)

5. This weekend I finished the Interlocking Rings top from the Interweave crochet issue. I like it a lot, and here I am modeling the sweater:

Gotta crash now... it's been a busy day (week, month)...

Comments

[Deb]

The sweater looks beautiful on you-and it shows that you are really having a grand time!Way to go!

[Dympna]

That is a great sweater.

[Lynnette]

What a pretty sweater! And I'm SO glad to hear you are loving your job :)

[Stacey]

Great sweater. Glad things are going so well. I know since I work for the publisher this will seem like a shameless plug--We released a book last season by Anne Cicale called the art and craft of hand lettering. Your samples are beautiful.

http://www.larkbooks.com/book/CategoryBookDisplay.asp?BookKey=173868

[Alison]

Thanks to all for the comments on the sweater. The crocheting part was fun, and I'd like to do more.

Stacey - thanks for the link to the book, I'll keep my eye out for it in the bookstore. I certainly don't mind the shameless plug!

[PattiG]

Hey Alison, I do calligraphy and the best tip my teacher ever gave me is this: When you're learning, work on it a little bit every single day, even if it's just for 10 minutes. It'll get your hand used to the motion, and you'll pick it up in no time. I'm at a point with calligraphy where I just don't use it enough to take it to the next level. A great way to improve is to do some wedding invitations, but most of my friends are married off by now. Since you work at a church, maybe you could offer your services for free to couples planning to marry while you're learning. I did that for about three weddings, when I didn't think I was good enough to charge. Then I started charging a bit and got a lot of referrals from those original freebies. There is so much creative, fun stuff to do with calligraphy, I just do the invitations to keep up the skill and make a little $$$...

Patti

[Michelle]

Sweater's beautiful! Glad you're enjoying life. :)

[athena]

looks great!

[Kay]

The interlocking rings top is amazing. Beautifully made and the neckline is so flattering on you. The calligraphy looks great too.

xoxoxox Kay

[Ann]

Wow, what a cool design! I hardly ever take a second glance at something that involves crochet (at least until I learn how) but that is really nice. Elegant yet fun at the same time. Lovely!

[Sharon]

What an elegant sweater, Alison. And belated birthday greetings. I'm not making it around the blogs often enough!!

[maryse]

that came out really nicely. i may have to try my hand at it too.

[Lolly]

Your sweater is beautiful! I really love the detail work.