See What Me And My Peeps Are Up To This Weekend

What is your Weekend craft project?
(Click any of the photos to see them bigger)

These are my "Girls" from Ewephoria
Everyone is wearing a handknit sweater or vest.
The Entrelac Vests and the Mitred Square Sweater are current projects!
The Entrelac vests and the Mitred Square Sweater are done with Noro Yarns

Now the Vests are done the girls are working on a Knit Along Lace Shall/Scarf Project

This is the pattern we are using

We had the Bunny Class
This is what it is like when I do Needle-Felting workshops.
Tables full of fluff beverages and lots of giggles

On Thursday I had a draw at the TWEETUP for Mocha the Bunny
Sandra Won!

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/04/see-what-me-and-my-peeps-are-up-to-this.html

I Want To Show You Something Amazing!

I was really disappointed when Scott MacIntyre was voted off American Idol. I had predicted in the Tucker Family Idol Debate that Scott would finish 5th.
Alas Scott's final performance was this week.
I think Scott's personality and quirky upbeat humour made him a favorite of the fans. It was also very noticable that he was able to hold up accompaniment duties for the Idol 12 when other contestants did not have to do that. He was often at a keyboard playing along with the band.
I have a sneaking suspician that Scott was probably able to offer some really good advice to the other contestants about score, so it will be interesting how it all goes for the other contestants now the Classically trained pianist is out of the mansion....

In my search to find some web sites on him I found these great videos.
If you have been watching Idol you have noticed the cheering section for him that is his family. I am sure, like me, you wanted to know who they were.....
Well do I have a treat for you!
They are the McIntyre Family Singers!
Scott is not the only talent in the family.
He is accredited with doing the arrangement for his brother and Sister's duet, and he is in the harmony piece with his siblings.
I am so blown away by the stuff they have done as a troupe, I am kinda glad now that Scott got the Idol recognition so it would lead us all to these videos!

I would like to present to you: Katelyn , Todd , Scott , and Carole
(for those of you that may have missed American Idol-Scott is Blind, and I believe Katelyn is too)
*

*


*Todd Singing and Scott accompanying



*Todd as the Scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-want-to-show-you-something-amazing-i.html

TweetUP and Spring Workshops














I am doing workshops this Spring!

I am also having a TWEETUP at Ewephoria Yarn Shop.
Curious about Needle-Felting or Knitting classes with me? The TWEETUP is a great way to see one of the knitting shops you can find me at, and to see some Needle-Felting Demos. Plus there will be a draw for a Needle Felted Rabbit!





TWEETUP at EWEphoria Yarn Shop.
This Thursday April 9th, 2009 1-4PM
13085 Yonge Street, unit 17 (Oak Ridges MarketPlace)
Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3S8
I will be having my first ever TWEETUP! If you print off your TWEETUP invitation, or this blog post or RSS feed, or the facebook event page, and bring it with you to Ewephoria you will have your name put in a draw for a Needle-Felted Rabbit. Draw will be at 4:00PM.
Join me for Coffee/Tea and Chocolate!



Knitters Help Clinic!
(Every Thurs Evening for 6wks)
Thursday April 9, 2009 6:30-9PM

13085 Yonge Street, unit 17 (Oak Ridges MarketPlace)
Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3S8


Are you a beginner or intermediate knitter who needs help with project work, or you want to try a new project but you are looking for some one-on-one help to help progress?
Then this is for you.
You pick your own project yarn and pattern from Ewephoria Yarn Shop.
Come in on Thursdays and Lynn Tucker will help you progress with your project.

You need to pre-register one day ahead.
(This class will become perpetual in the future so you will be able to buy 6 wk blocks as you need.)
call Ewephoria at: 905-773-9300



Needle-Felted Rose Class
Saturday April 18th, and Saturday May 2nd 1-4PM
(This two day class requires homework)

13085 Yonge Street, unit 17 (Oak Ridges MarketPlace)
Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3S8


This two day class instructs you on how create rose petals, a long-stem, and leaf.
Learn how to make a sturdy piece with NO wire or fillers.
You must pre-register by April 17th:
call Ewephoria at: 905-773-9300



Ruffled Cravat Scarf Class
(easy-intermediate skill)
(this two day class requires homework)
Saturday May 16, and Saturday, May 30 1-4PM

13085 Yonge Street, unit 17 (Oak Ridges MarketPlace)
Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3S8

This two day class helps you create this fantastic scarf with ruffled ends and smooth sides!

It is DK weight yarn and you can choose any DK yarn in the shop to do the scarf in.
You need to buy the DKyarn at Ewephoria.

You must pre-register by May 15th:
call Ewephoria at: 905-773-9300

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/04/tweetup-and-spring-workshops-i-am-doing.html

Fleecy Fibre And Bustin' Out Bunny Classes This Weekend


I got some awesome face wool from Gemini Fibres. The top one is dark and the bottom one is called badger face...



I got my kits ready early for this weekend's workshops. The kits contain Roving, felting needles, a sponge and beads to make two bunnies, plus I have a manual for each kit. All bunny designs created and designed by me.


I will be at Ewephoria in Richmond Hill (Oak Ridges), on Yonge St. The workshop is 11-5 Saturday.
I will be at Unwind Yarn House in Newmarket, on Main St. The workshop is 10-4 on Sunday.
Come by and visit...



These are the bunnies we are making.....



Come on Down To the Shops and you might just get "Felt-UP" (get your mind out of the gutter!)

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/04/fleecy-fibre-and-bustin-out-bunny.html

I Miss Trucking Today


This morning I was driving as the sun came up.
As I drove along the rural highway and the morning sky turned grey then pink then blue and orange, my mind was drawn back to the many years of sunrises I saw driving the truck through North America.

When I would drive all night to get to a destination, and I would be looking for my drop as the sun rose up in the sky I really appreciated the morning.

Today I was half asleep driving everyone who needed to be driven to transit or school...to where they wanted to go; my mind was in another time:

When I drove the open road and I discovered new places, and saw land where no human was ever meant to walk upon...

Today the nomad in me is missing trucking very much.......

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-miss-trucking-today-this-morning-i.html

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-post.html

Oh!! The Most Awesome Nerdy Sheep Video Ever!

This morning Alex sent me this video. I think it is really cool!
I love anything sheep!
(judge me if you must!)

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/03/oh-most-awesome-nerdy-sheep-video-ever.html

I Have Been Awarded The Superior Scribbler Award by Sue of

Sue Darroch and Matthew Didier's Paranormal Blog

It was through blogging that I became friends with Sue and Matt. We do lots of work together with PSICAN. Sue is one of my close friends.

Thanks Sue!

As with all things in life here are the rules of acceptance.

Rules:

1.) Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

2.) Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3.) Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

4.) Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

5.) Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

I am choosing for the first person, who is a new blogger to me:

Shannon P Murree: she blogs about real estate, but her her piece on volunteering is the piece I want to award her for..

My Second choice is :

Lindsay who writes Storm Moon Knits: she is an innovative knit and crochet designer who is also a spinner. When I feel like I am struggling with my knitting work I read her past posts so I can be stimulated by something really cool to look at!

My Third choice is:

RennyBA who writes RennyBA's Terrella: I have been reading his blog the longest. He shares about his life in Norway. Renny is one of the first bloggers I became friends with.


My Fourth Choice is:

John Wilder who writes Wilder By Far :
His is the funniest blog I read. I have been reading him since his days up in Alaska. Now he is down in Texas, and his point of view on life is very entertaining....


My Fifth Choice is:

Canadutch:
I have been reading Breigh's blog for a long time too.
It is about an East Coast Canadian Gal who now lives in The Netherlands.
It is interesting to read about her coping with homesickness. It is really interesting reading about their pets. And most interesting is her view of the life in The Netherlands.

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-have-been-awarded-superior-scribbler.html

Jeremy Hotz and Perry Perlmuter posted pics of us on their web sites today.

Their Fan Club PR girl was so busy!

Cam and Carl With Perry Perlmuter

Jeremy Hotz, Sam The Dog Miniature, and Me

Jeremy Hotz, Me, and Carl

Perry Perlmuter and Jeremy looking at the Card I sent with the miniature of Sam

Jeremy Hotz with his Sam The Dog miniature by me!

We are in the front row. You can see Cam's shaved head and we are all to his left.

Carl and I dying laughing!

Cam, Mishelle, Carl and Me

Here is a compilation video of some of Jeremy Hotz's material.
Lots of this material is on the new CD!

Comedy Central Presents | Jeremy Hotz
Vezi mai multe video din Divertisment »

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/03/jeremy-hotz-and-perry-perlmuter-posted.html

We Had A Blast Seeing Jeremy Hotz Last Night!



Saturday we drove to Kitchener to see Jeremy Hotz perform.
Perry Perlmutar opened for Jeremy. He is a really funny guy! When he opens for Jeremy it means your ticket is worth a double show! Two great comics for the price of one!

Jeremy stayed about an hour after the show signing an autograph for everyone who wanted one.
Perry stuck around too and took the time to talk to folks. They remember faces if they have seen you more than once in the season.....shows they really notice their fans.


Cam and Mishelle had a great time at the show!
I think they would agree that Jeremy Hotz is a great date!




Carl had a blast at the show!
He was killing himself laughing when Jeremy looked right at him and started in about the Canadian Army.
Carl was killing himself over the winter gear comments........


Jeremy asked for a photo of us with the miniature to be taken. That was pretty cool!
Jeremy signed all the matts I brought from last show's photos, and our CDs. He was so kind to take the time to sign them all.
I made up two photo matts with Mary Ann's photos in them too, so she could have an autographed copy of her pics too.


Thanks Jeremy Hotz.

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/03/we-had-blast-seeing-jeremy-hotz-last.html

Sam Is Going To A New Home,





Tonight is the Jeremy Hotz show in Kitchener.
We have front row tickets!

Jeremy always does a "meet-in-greet" for the fans after the show.
I have some photos from the last show I have matted for him to sign, and I am going to give him a miniature of his Dog Sam.

Don't tell him! LOL


It took me 30 hours to complete Sam. I had a couple of small photos that showed me his shape and colours. It was interesting making a long-haired dog. I have to basically affix every long hair on its own then when all the hairs are in place I have to groom him! I didn't know grooming was so difficult! I now appreciate the work my friend Pauline does....

I can just imagine the weirdness of it all......Jeremy Hotz's Canadian fan gives him a miniature of his dog made of.......matted hair wool! I am sure I have just given him a new line for his show LOL

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/02/sam-is-going-to-new-home-tonight-is.html

Jane Fonda Is Writing A Blog, and she is on Twitter!


I have a strange list of folks who are famous who I think are quite interesting.
One of the women who has always interested me is Jane Fonda.
She was the activist actress who could piss of my Dad the easiest, so in my secret delight I have always thought she was awesome! I know Mom likes her too.

So I was watching TV the other morning and she was in an interview about a new play she is doing in New York called "33 Variations". My ears perked up even more when I heard her talking about her blog and using Twitter.

Jane's website is http://www.janefonda.com

Her Bog web address is http://janefonda.com/category/my-blog

Perhaps she will notice us and come read our blogs....

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/02/jane-fonda-is-writing-blog-and-she-is.html

I Started Another Blog Today

It is not under my normal profile, as I have restricted it a lot.
It is one of pointers and tips to prepare for your Ontario Drivers License G2 and G road tests.

If you want to see it you can go to Keep It Between The Lines

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-started-another-blog-today-it-is-not.html

I Will Have No System For A While......

Well it seems that my RAM lite issue was not the only issue I have to deal with.
There is a motherboard issue with my laptop that I use for all my publishing and A/V.
So the baby is going back to HP to have the motherboard replaced.

My shipping box arrived today from HP, so I will be sending her back before the week ends.
Alex and I are just finishing up some video formatting and uploading for my virtual classroom, and my future classes, and when I am done, I will remove the battery from my laptop and pack her up and send her back to HP.

They told me it will take 15 days to get it back.

So if my posts are a bit boring these next few weeks you know why...
My Son Alex has updated his blog and is promising open source release for some code he developed for part of the 4000 Project before the end of the week as well! See what he has going at http://automaticpixel.com/blog/

I will be able to do some work from one of the satellite units in the house.
I have spent the last few days jigging some of my apps so I can access them from my terabyte of external hard drive backup for my system and my 500 G external for my A/V. Yes, I am over backed-up. But boy am I glad I am......

I had to beef up my back up when I changed to my new camera. My new camera shoots in RAW format, and each file is quite huge. And, of course, I also have two copies of each photo. One in original format and one in JPEG that has been sized for the web through Adobe. I upgraded to the terabyte for my system backup because the 500G size filled up and I was having trouble backing up some of my stuff. Vista uses the majority of the 500G just backing up Vista. There isn't a whole lot of room for personal stuff. So it is easy to max out the back up.

I figure that possibly some other layman on the net may be having some troubles and might want to know what other regular ole folks use to combat the limitations of laptop use, so I figured I would share.....

Now I will tell you what happened to the laptop which was a clue the motherboard is going:
First the Wireless LAN device stopped working suddenly. My computer could not even find the wireless network to connect to and the wireless device indicator light glows orange instead of blue. I could still use a hard wire to hook up to the net, so I can still use the computer for the time being, but with no guarantees I can keep using it... Then the screen on the laptop was losing an array of colours and began to look extremely pixelated, yet my external monitor was fine. HP flashed the BIOS for me and I got my screen colour back temporarily but it began to deteriorate again and within hours - back to worst case.....
I run a Compac Presario that I purchased in 2007.

Carl did a lot of research on help from HP and on forums to see the symptoms, then we called HP...

The computer has been limping along all week while I finish up stuff and do some extra manual backups on some little things like email and games etc.....just in case.....

I Beta test games through Pogo and I have kept a few I really like, and I don't want to lose them.

I think I have to describe myself as the middle-aged not so tech geek. I am only Geek by osmosis. My Husband is one of the Original Geeks (he still has a working AppleIIPlus). He graduated from Computer Sciences at Seneca College in Toronto in the mid '70s and has been a very technical guy all through the years, even when he moved up the executive ladder he stayed true to his Geek heritage-LOL. My Son Alex is an Uber Geek! I think he will be someone to watch and follow for the next few yrs. At 19 he opened his own successful Web Development Company called Automatic Pixel Productions. He has contracted for big Canadian and American companies over the past few years while attending University, studying Computer Science. He is the only "kid" I know that worked 40hrs a week in 7 days while attending University full time. And the only "kid" I know who misses University to attend business and IT conferences and symposiums, instead of missing because of hangovers LOL. He is now 22, and a Computer Sciences student at Trent University.....


Now how did I get all my A/V knowledge? Well that is the other Son. My Son Cam is at Seneca College. He is just finishing his degree in Corporate Media Production. The first step for him. His second step will be TV production, and then film school. He has aspirations to be the next Kevin Smith....
Personally I think he will be a good screenplay writer and director. He has a gift for writing.
He is also a performer, and comedian. He studied standup at Humber College at 15. That's right...15!
I really got into photography while following his band around for a few years, and my early blogs were about that experience of shooting PR videos and photos as he was the Lead Singer for a Progressive Metal band. He is 20 now....

I think I am really really lucky that I live with some of the most Nerdy, Geeky guys on the planet. Without their influence I don't think I would have ever gotten into blogging, which ended up my own therapy for my recovery from my brain injury in 2005. And of course, now my other therapy for recovery was knitting and I walked into Needle Felting with that, and now I have my own web gallery and I teach knitting and needle felting from the virtual classroom and run my little life from my home in countryside north of Toronto (which is quickly becoming urban). Who'd of thunk that I would have left the trucking industry and then become a driving instructor and then become a web-based uber blogger and crafter.....not me! Perhaps one day I will have the guts to post a timeline of my career path. I think you would all be surprised where my education started, where it turned to new paths, and what I have gotten to do in my life.

Here are a few tidbits on the path (just for Bill my Loyal reader LOL)

I was a Junior Forest Ranger in 1980 in Thunder Bay.
ESL instructor
Bartender
I graduated high school in 1982 with an OSSHGD which is the highest of high school education in Canada. Which is a University bound qualification. I studied Arts and Sciences.
My first post secondary Degree is in Dental Technology...Basically I was a dental scientist.(my degree skills include health science degree, and engineering education in Metalurgy and Studies in ceramic and polymer technology
I had a family
Competitive Fiddle player and house band and studio violinist
I went back to University and studied at OBC/OTS (Ontario Bible College and Theological Semenary) How's that for a shock! Now all the witches are going "What?!" (It is easier to argue a theological point when you battle on common ground. Gotta become an expert some how.....)
I also went to Seneca College and studied part of a Computer Sciences degree.
Teacher and library assistant, and ESL assistant
Then there were the yrs as an online editor.... (ahah bet you didn't see that one coming LOL)
Sex Shop crusador!(that needs a whole other blog!)
Trangender Transformation specialist(yep, an interesting part of my life where I instructed Men who were Women inside to understand what it is like to be a woman, and to help them understand a woman's thought process so they had information from a real live woman that they could relate to and ask questions to)
Then trucker gal
YD instructor
And now what you get today.... middle-aged, retired, and finding her inner knitter and needle felter. Who writes about her weirdness for the world at large, or at small.....LOL...."Superstar!"


So now I have talked-up my family, and made you laugh with my CV, I will leave you to go back to work on my back-ups..... :)

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-will-have-no-system-for-while.html

Tomorrow We Say Goodbye To A Friend,


I sit here tonight in a surreal mood. Something that feels like I have just been on a creepy amusement park ride, and I am waiting in line for another weird thrill. It is sad and scared and lost all at the same time.

It isn't that often a person has to say the next words about one of their friends, at our age.....anyway.....but.......

On Monday night one of our friends died suddenly and tragically. The shock of the news on Tuesday morning was enough to make our hearts stop.

Our friend Paul Bruton was the husband of my friend Norma. In late 2005 or early 2006 Norma and I became fast friends as we worked on our recoveries from neurological injury. Paul and Norma and Carl and I have hung out ever since. (well as much as Norma and I have been able to hang out anyhow).

It was because of Norma's yarn shop that I recovered as well as I did. Knitting was part of my physical therapy and rehabilitation, and I spent many many days at the shop.

Paul was an Ontario Yarn rep, so most every yarn shop in Ontario has had him pass through their front door. He really knew his fibre!

Paul was a very nice guy. I know that all the yarn people I know thought the world of him, and I know Norma really counted on him a lot these last years as she has not been so well. Norma would always joke that she really needed him around cuz she can't cook to save her life, but I know it was more than that. He treated her Mom like a queen and really respected her friends, and was easy to get along with. I think he helped her balance most of the time.

I know what that is like. Cuz I tend to be all over the place and Carl pulls me back to reality when my mind swoops me into the obcessive weirdness of my artsyism where time stands still and my world is caught up in my imagination.

Carl and I have been stuck in a rut all week. Feeling quiet and dull while thinking about Paul. It is hard to believe I won't watch him walk into the shop with his ear-to-ear smile and a story. It is hard to believe we won't go over to the house and sit around the kitchen table for hours gabbing about nothing in particular........

One of our buddies is gone.

You don't really prepare yourself for the death of a friend. It is just a little too close to the home age where we all have to think about it but never really want to....Reminding us that we have to live for the now and not keep putting off stuff with excuses of next time or next year, or next week.

So with this promise to Paul before we say goodbye tomorrow....that we will live for NOW....and no longer wait...

http://motivated-motion.blogspot.com/2009/02/tomorrow-we-say-goodbye-to-friend-i-sit.html