a few thoughts...

… as I'm nearing a milestone birthday, I've been wanting to look at life a bit differently. Sort of trying to slow things down, but not really physically slow things down, because I thrive on the schedule I keep. But I have been neglecting the importance of looking around and appreciating what's right in front of me.

And also the importance of taking time just for me.
So I started running again back near the end of  summer. It had been a while for sure. (4 years since I last did any races).  And it was a bit of a rough start. BUT my body remembers. And sure enough I was reaching the distances that I was running years ago.

I've noticed that I run a lot differently. I no longer want music with me. I like the silence. I like listening to my breath, and really being in tune with how my body is performing.
I like appreciating what my body can do, and I'm proud of it!
I'm not in any way super fast, or anything like that.. But that's ok. I just like enjoying the moment of running in the quiet.

So not quite two weeks ago now. (During our Thanksgiving weekend) I ran another race! I did another half marathon. And I did a personal best! One of the things I really wanted to do before my  birthday was to run another half marathon. And I'm glad that I did it! There is even another one coming up on my birthday that I'm seriously considering registering for! (it's less than 2 weeks away!)

Nearing this new milestone is not such a bad thing. I'm enjoying what I have, where I live... and what I'm able to do.
I'm really realizing the importance of this new way of thinking (for me). Of slowing my thoughts down sometimes.. .even if it's just during my run.
I'm looking forward to the future.
Especially being more fit and healthy so that I can stay around a long time :) My husband and I have a lot to look forward to! .. And hopefully keep up to my growing, fast boy.

xo
Rebecca

Blogging again.

Well hello!
Remember me? It's been well over a year since I've last posted in this space. Crazy to think of how much time has passed! I've thought a lot recently about revisiting the blog, and just jotting down thoughts and whatnot.. so now seems as good a time as any.

I'm still my busy knitterly self :) Always lots going on the needles (and flying off the needles). Goodnight Baby By Nook has been happily accepting lots of orders, and I feel so lucky to have such support!
One thing that has changed since I've last written here is that I now work for Gauge Dye Works! I absolutely love it! I'm Catherine's studio manager. She dyes the wool, and then brings it to me, and I look after it from there. I'm also her shipping department, and online help. (like Ravelry etc). It's such a treat to work with her, and I'm really really enjoying it!
Sample knitting still keeps me busy... as well as custom orders.
We are still living in Beautiful British Columbia and I couldn't be happier about that. I love living here.
Next week is Thanksgiving, and I really am feeling quite thankful these days. I'll be running another half marathon, and I'm sure I'll earn that turkey dinner.

All in all, I'm feeling very happy and thankful to have this life. I certainly am busy, but I seem to thrive in being so. I hope to devote more time to the blog. Just to keep you readers informed of what's going on, and updated on the samples I'm working on.

I hope there are still a few readers out there who follow this space! It's time we chatted again!
xoxo
Rebecca

Still here....

photo from (Jeremy Koreski /The Globe and Mail)

It has been a bit of an emotional time for us. My husband has left for a 5 month deployment and we are just trying to find that routine.

There are so many other families going through the same feelings that we are, but sometimes it still feels pretty overwhelming.

Clearly, the blogging has taken a back seat but I am ok with that. The knitting is still keeping my fingers really busy, and I've been feeling so supported in my venture into Goodnight Baby By Nook.

I am so incredibly proud of my little man. He has shown such strength and acceptance of this big life change. So all in all, we are doing ok. We are blessed with good health, and are doing our best to stay organized.


I was spoiled by my husband with a generous pre-deployment gift... a set of interchangeable addi's!

So I think I'll need to get some selfish knitting on those needles soon.
xo

Thank you, sweet friends for always popping in on me and making sure I'm still smiling. I truly appreciate you. xo

Sock yarn for life? Yes please!!!

woah. and just like that, guys almost 3 months have passed, and I haven't even been on here once! wow. BUT I'm here now! So, HELLO!! Did you miss me?

There are good reasons for my hiatus. I promise. I've been knitting. I have a market coming up in just a couple of weeks, and I've been really putting it all out there! That, and trying to balance the baby photography knits business as well keeps me a busy mama. But more on that in another post...

However, wouldn't  it be great to celebrate my emerging back into the blogging world with say, a giveaway?! yeah. I think so. Well, Yarn Canada is putting on a pretty big giveaway. You could win a crapton of sock yarn! The prize is worth $1000 worth of yarn, and let me tell you, THAT could keep me happily busy for a while :) What about you?

The prize will go to whomever can show how their life will most be changed by winning and what you will do with the prize.

Sounds simple enough! All you have to do is enter HERE on Yarn Canada's site. There is even a list included of all of the yarns you would win. (so you can pre - plan your projects, obviously. hah)

The deadline for the entry is Dec 7, 2016 and the winner will be announced on Dec 14. Now wouldn't that make an amazing early Christmas present! I think so!!  Contest open to Residents of USA and Canada only.

Good luck to all of you entering! Sending good vibes your way. And speedy sock knitting skills. :) xo

Easing into it...

Did you check the calendar? How is September seriously only 3 days away?! That snuck up fast on me, I'm not going to lie. :) Are you ready for a new routine? I only sort of am. We had such a lovely summer! I know Owen had a lot of fun, and we were able to have a lot of family time, which is so important, as often my hubby has to be gone for much of the time.

But it is what it is, and we have to start preparing for the fall. Of course, I love the fall. And I'm really quite looking forward to roasted butternut squash soups, warm mugs of tea, and heaps of knitting!

Market season will be here before we know it. In fact a lot of venues have already put out their applications? I've applied to two. Fingers crossed that I'll be in! I'll know by September 10.

How about you? Have you embraced the change that's about to come? Are you excitedly preparing for fall and winter? Are your needles clicking away. or are you clinging on to summer, and partially in denial that school is about to start up again.

I'm a bit of both. :)

Wishing you a fantastic Monday! I hope you have a lovely week!

xoxo becca.

New Shop!

I know I've been extremely quiet on this blog as of late, but I promise you, I've been a very busy bee. 

I'm beyond excited to have opened up a new shop! Nook will still be running as I always have been, offering private lessons and sample knitting... but I've also branched out to own Goodnight Baby By Nook! 

 Over the years I've often posted about work knitting, though I've never mentioned more than that. What I had been doing was knitting for Goodnight Mouse Baby Knits. I've had the joy of knitting for Jessica, and I've made such a great friend in her. As life would have it, Jessica has also become a successful photographer, and has a business doing so. Painted Barn Photography.  As you can see from the photos above, she's very talented! And so, as life with 3 boys keeps her on her toes, running both businesses just wasn't in the cards. And so I've taken the opportunity to take on the knitting shop. I am so excited to continue on in this venture and to keep knitting high quality, beautiful baby items for you all. I am looking forward to adding new items and designs to accompany these classic staples. 


This is an extremely exciting adventure, and I hope you'll come on by my new facebook page and etsy shop! As I mentioned before, Nook will still remain very much the same. That facebook page will still include fun knitterly thoughts and advice, as well as an update on any upcoming events (ahem christmas markets already!?!?), Goodnight Baby is simply an extension :) 

Thank you all so much for your support over the years! It gives me confidence to continue on with my dreams :) I'm so happy to be able to share this one with you. 

Facebook | Etsy 

xo - becca

Happy Rainbows

A good rainbow'd knit is just the ticket some days :)

This shawl happened a little while ago, and it's now in the loving arms of it's new owner :) I honestly loved knitting it. It was a very quick, potato ship knit. 

And the yarn? Caterpillargreen never disappoints, even her seconds skeins, which this one is. I basically wanted to create a crescent shawl in garter. Though I wanted to be sure that the color changes remained crisp and clean, so whenever there was a color change, I simply did that row in stockinette. It created a lovely, squishy shawl! 

The pattern I based this on is TGV ( High Speed Knitting) by Susan Ashcroft. It's such a fantastic pattern! I highly recommend. I didn't do the ribbed edging as I didn't want to draw away from the yarn, however I think the next time I knit this shawl, I'll try it as written, and with a single color) just for kicks. That being said, I've seen it with self striping yarns, and it looks fantastic! So you know, maybe I'll make a few more. ;) Also, I used a 3.75mm/US 5 needle. It ended up being a pretty massive shawl! 

This ended up being a shawl that was paid partially in trades. I scored a beautiful terrarium, and a much needed lesson on painting. I had never painted any rooms before, and I wanted to do Owen's room for him. I learned lots of great tips, and I'll definitely feel more confident and excited for my next painting adventure! 

Tell me, what's on your needles? xo