My Favorite Cardi

I love everything about this Kimono cardigan! 

It didn't take very long for me to knit, but then again, I am a speedy knitter.

I gifted this beautiful piece, and I am thrilled at the thought of her wearing it!

Another Year Gone By...

What have I accomplished this year?

Hmm... I had my very first show at the Oregon Convention Center in May and it was a success!

I have changed my job in July and absolutely loving it-
I have been spending more time dedicated to my knitting-
Reading tons-

The list goes on and on... However, I don't feel that I have accomplished as much as I'd like to have, but there is always the new year to come, right?

As always, I don't waste time and I am grateful for every minute of every day that I am given to devote to the things I love...

I have my wonderful husband to thank for that, I love you, Michael!

Silver...Silver...Hmm... More Silver...

Website Launched!!!

www.cventurini.com

YES!  I've just launched my website, officially.

I still have a long ways to go, but thought I better publish what I have been working on.  It is pretty simple and my clients are directed to my Etsy Shop when clicking on "shop" button.  Eventually, I'd like to set up shop on the website as well... but for now, this will do.

Very excited to have it up and running!

Come visit, let me know what you think.

Do You Like...???

Time Flies...

Time definitely flies when you are having fun!

Our family saw an OCT production yesterday and it was fantastic.

After that, my "boys" left me yet again...  Actually, they wanted me to join them but I had to work a bit today so I declined the invitation.  They went to Hood River for a fantabulous time with family and I went off to have some quality "girl time" with my long lost friend! 

Our visit has been VERY LONG OVERDUE and it was wonderful to see one of my long lost girl friends:)

We started out with dinner at a lovely place where she'd never been, and when she walked in, she immediately fell in love with its atmosphere and of course the food.  We took our time with dinner and then lingered for some time  longer catching up on everything and anything there is to catch up on... mostly about our husbands and children...  AND we also discussed the economy, investing, retirement, and our hobbies.  It was refreshing to hold a conversation which weren't limited to oh, say, what was the latest "brand name" item we shopped for, or how smart and well our children are doing in school and in every imaginable extra curricular activities they are overloaded with!

It was quite late, but neither of us wanted to end the great time we were having so we explored a little.  There is a wine place I've always wanted to go to which is on the way to one of my favorite "yarn" shops.  Why not venture out, right?  We did just that :)

We got ourselves situated in a corner and ordered some wine~  Before we knew it, we were the only ones in the place.  We had a quick peek at the wine cellar upstairs and I thought it would be nice to get a bottle for my husband and me to enjoy this long weekend before we have to go back to work on Tuesday.  I splurged a little and walked out with a nice bottle of Pinot Noir... let's just hope that it was a good year :)

My friend and I said our good-byes and we promised to get together more often.  Just as she was leaving, she asked me if I'd be interested in teaching a knitting class at one of the Cultural Centers she frequents.  It caught me by surprise, I told her to send me the details.

Hmm... I think my summer will be a very busy one.

Another Crazy Day...

I know... I know...  It's Oregon... Still...  It's absolutely ridiculous!  I mean, the weather-  It started out as somewhat sunny at 7 AM which enable me to look stunningly movie-star like in my fabulous sunglasses (just kidding-) driving in to work.  Then, of course, just as my husband and I were leaving for some super yummy sushi, it starts pouring buckets!!!

Seriously-  I've had it...  I need SUN, please, oh, please... SUN, WHERE ARE YOU???

So, needless to say, I am home at this very moment multi-tasking while peeking out of the window at never ending gloom :(  Yes, I am sitting here knitting, blogging, website building, uploading photos, etc...  etc...  Any of you multi-taskers out there?  Beat that- Ha!

I have a deadline to meet for two of my knitting projects, and when you don't pay attention, the time flies by that much faster-

I am looking forward to the long weekend~

I Finally Did It!!!

FINALLY!!! 

I took last Friday off from work to go to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Volunteer Orientation!

I have been wanting to participate in a volunteer opportunity for some time, but always had other pressing matters come along which prevented me from doing so in the past.  When I had to cancel my last seat in February, I promised myself that I will go to the next one in May.  Well, I almost had to cancel this one as well, but I told myself that other matters could wait a day because this is what I really want to do. 

The orientation didn't start until 9AM, but I could hardly wait... I got up at the usual time which was 5:30AM and was out the door by 7:30AM.  All the while, I couldn't help smiling all morning...  I stopped to get my coffee and started driving out to the Campus which is about 30+ miles from my house.  I didn't mind the drive, it was actually quite nice; weather was even my friend that day :)

The orientation started promptly at 9AM and it was very informative and educational.  We received a full tour of the Campus minus the kennels and in depth knowledge of what Guide Dogs for the Blind is all about. 

I cannot even begin to describe my admiration for the organization and the staff who make up this incredible Campus.  I am awaiting impatiently to be contacted by the staff to discuss my volunteer opportunity-

I will keep you all posted through my journey at the Guide Dogs for the Blind :)

NEW BLOG as C. Venturini-

Well, I just imported my SassyHana~ Blog Posts to my new blog, C. Venturini Blog-

It made more sense to me to have one blog in which I could share my life as simply C. Venturini and many roles I play...

wife to an amazing man I married...
mother to a wonderful son...
working woman...
lover of big dogs...
individual who craves to create handmade novelties...  about sums up how I view myself.  

So, one day I may have a voice of a wife who will talk of her marriage...  Another day, a knitter who will share all her excitement and crazed  fervor about her designs...

Who knows what life brings us at any given moment?  You just have to go with it, right?

Getting Ready :)

I am finally getting ready to launch my shop on Etsy, officially! 

I have set up shop for some time, but haven't had the focus nor the drive to be active with it-

Featured items will be novelty knits and handmade jewelry- I am very excited for the new year and where my dreams will lead me...

Stay tuned~

Happy New Year~!!!

Do you know that the Year 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit???  Well, that means... our son turns 12, my baby brother is in his mid-30's... Hmm... wow, that makes me old :(  Okay, not that old :)

It seems that just yesterday was the beginning of 2010-  As you age, time seems to go by faster...

Even though I haven't been writing, I HAVE been certainly knitting and beading as well.  As for beading, I have been making stitch markers for the most part and occasional earrings here and there.

Over the holidays, I gave a lot of knitted gifts and to see friends and family open my handmade knits and the look on their faces was so gratifying- 

I have a new goal for this year with my knitting-  and I am excited and scared at the same time, but that's always normal when it comes to venturing into a new territory, isn't it?

I look forward to sharing with you what I accomplish in the Year 2011~

Finally... Some quality knitting time!

Our son has started Middle School and he absolutely loves it!!!  Whew!

He comes home from school one day at the end of his first week in middle school and says at the dinner table, "You know, this is the best first week of school, ever!" 

I thought that was great :) 

With a great start of the new school year, I have gotten myself somewhat situated to focus on my passion...  Well, it's about time, don't you think???

Just because I haven't been on doesn't mean that I haven't been knitting.
I have finished a few projects here and there and even managed to round up a couple of my co-workers to join me in knitting, and slowly but surely working my magic to have them hooked :)

Actually, we had our first meeting of the Fall at my house last Saturday and of course we had a blast!  Unfortunately, one of my other friends whom I regularly knit with couldn't join us, but I am sure as we get things rolling for the colder months of the year, we will see more of her, I have my fingers crossed.

I am keeping it short today-  I have some actual knitting to do~

A new decade of life deserves a Special Vow...

It has been over a month since my last post.  I am not happy about it! but such is life, right?

Many events have happened the past month which did not allow me to spend some intimate quality time with my laptop and my blog-

Well, I just had my B-day and I am a "new woman" facing a new decade in her life... AHHHH!!!  

It was one of the best B-days I've had in my life and I am grateful for my family and close friends.

Since I am starting a fresh decade of my life, I vow to take my knitting to the next level and show what SassyHana~ is made of...

My vow is simple- 

I will make every effort to dedicate my attention and energy to my knitting and deliver great many joys to myself and those around me...

Overwhelmed with sadness...

Today is Wednesday.  It has been two days since we received the news...

Our Grandmother passed away on Monday afternoon.

She was my husband's Grandmother on the maternal side.  I called her Grandma Hana, but pretty much everyone called her Grammy- 

My husband keeps telling me that she's had a very fulfilling life... that she was just old.  She would have been 89 come this July.  I actually have only met and known her for just over the past two very short months.  Those two short months, for me, were a very special gift to me... 

She was just lovely.  I felt as though I have known her for a very long time... she made me feel so welcome and I instantly felt right at home.  Just wish I had spent more time with her and I am sure she would have liked to share a lot more with me as well.

The second visit we had was over Mother's Day weekend.  I wanted to give her something that was personal, and also wanted her to remember me by so I decided to knit a lap throw for her :)  she seemed cold all of the time even though her house is kept very warm.  I had no idea what colors she liked nor what textures she would prefer, for she also is a seasoned knitter/crocheter, but I wanted to surprise her...  So, I ventured out to find what I thought would be fitting for her and just went with it.

I worked diligently since I had a deadline to meet and just knitted my afternoons/nights away.  I do have a full-time day job, ya know?

I bound off the last stitch...  embellished some knitted flowers on it...  blocked the piece...  carefully wrapped it...  only then, I was able to relax...  however, that was short lived :( 

I started to worry about what if she doesn't care for it?  what if she hates the color?  what if?  what if?  Many "what ifs" later, I came to a realization that she will love it no matter what because it was knitted by my own two hands and made especially for her AND because she is a knitter herself, she will appreciate it. 

Guess what?

I was right. 

I noticed whenever we visited after Mother's Day, Grandma Hana had the throw over her lap whenever she sat down in her chair.  Oh, it made me feel so happy~  I am very glad that I was able to give her a gift that will keep her warm and cozy.

Ah...  I will miss you very much, Grandma Hana... 

I want you to know that you will always, always be remembered by me, Grandma Hana. 

I am so very grateful that the last time I saw you in the hospital, you were alert and that you remembered me as well.

I will remember your smile when I said, "Good Night~"

Almost finished!!!

Remember I said I was going to work on a perfectly sassy gift for my cousin?  

Alright, alright...  I will spill it...  It is a purse with adorable wooden handles in this incredible shade of purple by Dream In Color~ 

Well, I thought I had enough yarn, but ran out simply because I changed my mind at the last second to make my design a little bigger.

So, FINALLY, I made it back to the yarn shop this evening to purchase another skein... only to realize that it is, of course, hand painted and dyed so the colors may vary ever so slightly.  In which case, I am supposed to alternate between skeins of yarn to minimize any chance of my creation being noticeably different in their hue... should there be a discrepancy-  Only, I have already spent the first skein therefore I am not able to alternate... AHHH.........................

Oh, well...  I actually am not that worried about it because I just know it will be perfect!  I try to set a deadline for myself when I am working on a gift piece...  

I better get back to my needles~

  

A small gesture; a P-E-R-F-E-C-T surprise~

Well, I had a G-R-E-A-T night on Wed. :D 
It was such a pleasant surprise, really...

Every Wed. evening, my husband and my son have their "Boyz-Night-Out"-  They go off do their own thing while I'm at Yoga, usually, or doing my own thing-  Actually, I took a term off from my Yoga class so I've been pretty much left to fend for myself on Wed. nights.

Anyway, this Wed. evening, my Boyz took their night off to spend it with me.  My husband took me to one of my favorite yarn shops and my son helped me choose a perfect color to knit our favorite cousin a fantaboulous purse!!!

It was a small gesture, but nevertheless a perfect surprise for I really needed a little pick-me-up... 

Of course, I walked out of there with a perfect shade and weight of yarn to knit a perfectly sassy gift for our cousin.

Nothing like a good company to knit with~

I was just looking over a knitting book which my friend had left at my house for some time, now...


Hmm... it brings back memories as I thumb through the gorgeous patterns of vests for both men and women in all sorts of texture and colors.


Many winters ago, this friend of mine would come over every evening and we would knit and knit and knit.  We both love coffee and tea so we'd make a fresh, hot pot of coffee with our favorite mugs in front of us and we'd knit.  My family will eventually excuse themselves and go off to dream land, but we'd stay up long into the wee small hours of the morning chatting, laughing, discussing everything and anything there is to discuss under the sun... and most importantly, bonding-  Ah... those truly were some good times!  We carried on this way about 1 to 2 nights a week during the very cold winter months and never tired of it.  She and I shared many projects, designs and were each other's biggest knitting fans:)


After awhile, she complained of pain in her hands.  It worsened and she no longer was able to knit with me.  She still came over and kept me company for some time, still... but it just didn't feel the same for me anymore and I felt that I was somehow being disloyal to her because she loved knitting just as much as I did if not more.


So, I put away my needles and we would just visit...


I miss those days knitting with my friend :(

My newfound best friend~ Patterns!

Okay...  So, I've shared my secret with you last time which to this day as I look back at all those years of knitting by my "perfect" method, makes me smile :)  Why?  Because it worked so well for me!  I actually am capable of writing a perfectly sound pattern just like any other knit designers'.
Please do not confuse this statement with my being conceited and/or arrogant, I am simply stating the fact of what works for me and that I enjoy writing patterns as much as knitting them.


The reason I like writing my own patterns is that I could create the piece however I want!  Sure, I have a ton of books on knitting and also check out two tons of books from the library but when it's time for me to focus and actually knit, I almost ALWAYS tweak the pattern I am using as a reference to make it my very own.


Have you ever felt that you were at a total loss while studying a pattern?
I have...
But do not worry... you just have to practice reading them-
Also, I do not like to work from charts.  When chart reading is not your forte, make it so~ by simply writing it out!  That's what I do and it works every time.


Well... if you CAN'T read a chart... I can't help ya, there... just kidding... 


Try deciphering a simple chart using the skills of basic chart reading and always, always write down as you work your way through.  Remember, take baby steps with positive mental attitude, and soon chart reading will be a piece of cake~ oh, yeah, and you get to eat it, too-


One last thought on my newfound best friend...
As you study patterns in abundance, you will become more familiar and comfortable with them as well as you will love them as you would love your best friend; unconditionally!


So, go ahead, befriend a Pattern... you will thank me, someday...


I P-R-O-M-I-S-E   :D

Hmm... Patterns? What's that???

I have to admit...
Until a few years ago, I absolutely despised reading patterns!


What?  What was that? you may ask... for how can you call yourself a knitter if you despise reading patterns?  It's an absolutely asinine statement that it's ludicrously unfunny :)


Okay, okay... Sheesh-  there was (notice a past tense) a perfectly logical explanation for this fact.  Remember a few postings ago when I told about having to learn the terminology and reading the patterns in the Korean Language?  That has everything to do with "why" I couldn't stand to read the patterns in English.   I didn't know the terminology in English let alone muster the courage to actually learn and memorize them. 


Who has time for such things???


Knitting is about unleashing your own inner creativeness; not some chore you have to endure...


There, I've just divulged the truth that I was back then embarassed to admit, but now I openly tell my fellow knitters.


So, to get back to the subject of pattern reading, I simply did not.


Every time I knitted, I wrote my own patterns complete with my freehand design illustrations of what my creation is going to be.  I envisioned the end product and kept on knitting.


I went on to knit for a few more years with my "perfect" method :) until I was good and ready to give this... this... uh... "pattern reading in English" a try~


After that, life was A-L-L good :D

When my son was born...

The year was 1999... Wow! no wonder my boy is just an inch shy of being as tall as I am...
Actually, that is not saying much since I am only 5'1 1/2" Hee...Hee... Please, don't forget that "half-an-inch" part!!!


Anyway, when he was born, I received these A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E set of crocheted pair of newborn booties in white and blue from a woman in Utah whom I've never met-  I've only heard of this woman through my friends who live in Utah... for she is one of their friends. My friends told her that I had a baby... she just got to working her magic and voila` just a few days later arrived this incredibly adorable handmade gift.


This got me thinking...
How wonderful is that to share your talent to make someone feel special?
Of course, my son never wore those booties... it was too precious!  I have it safely stowed away in his very own keepsake box. 


I stopped thinking and put my thoughts to action... :D
About a year and some months later, one of my good friends had a baby girl.  I wanted to do something special for her so I got out my crochet hook and got to work.  All the while, I thought of the woman in Utah and my friend's baby girl.  I crocheted a baby hat and a scarf for it was winter at the time and thought it would be perfect!  After gifting the items I have created, I felt such joy at having given something that has been made by my own hands, I knew the feeling I experienced then would never have been possible had I gone to the store to purchase a gift for my friend's baby girl.


So... I crocheted a little something here for my son... a little something there for my home...etc.etc...


Well, you know?  You can't have it all...  Things got hectic with life and I once again had to put away my hook for a long, long time-