Contest Number Three Extension: keep on Paying it Forward!

Good Mornin', Campanula!

Well, I must say it's good to be back here in Blogland. I've missed you guys, though I have peaked in on occasion to see some lovely new Campanulas completed! I apologize for my prolonged absence, but it's been a heck of a ride here at casa MezzoDiva for the last three weeks.

Because I have been out of commission and I haven't seen very much action here for Contest Number Three, I am extending the deadline for Pay it Forward postings to October 15th.

Come on, Campanula Campers! Let's see more of your great plans to make our world a better place! Just think of three ways you can contribute to your own community. There are NO other rules than this: Get involved. Think small or think big. Do something for your family, your neighbours, your school, your country, the world. It's up to you. Pledge to make your best effort to engage in an activity or make a plan to support a cause that you consider important. And please remember to cross-post here so we can all see them. Also, while I do try to keep up with each and every one of you, it makes my record-keeping so much easier if I see it here!

And in case you need some inspiration, here's a terrific site I came across recently: My Good Deed.

Drumroll please....

TA DA! The finished Campanulas:




I LOVE this pattern. Thanks Ramona for coming up with it. Just to recap, the wool I used was Claudia Handpainted in the Baby Doll colourway

Thanks, Ramona!

I'd like to express my appreciation for my lovely prize for finishing the first Campanulas. The postal service tried to eat the package, but as far as I can tell, all the contents made it.

I got Dream in Color yarn in pale fire, the same colorway I made my Campanulas in, so I think I will use it to make my sister a lovely pair of socks for the holidays. It will be her first time to get two pairs of socks! I know she will like them. I also got a beautiful stitch marker from one of the sponsors--it was very kind of all the sponsors to provide prize material!

I'll keep on reading about people's socks!

I am now SunaSAK on Ravelry if you'd like to be my "friend."

Wa-hoo! Campanula is done!

Wonderful pattern and a great cause! If you are still knitting your Campanula and have extra yarn consider taking them up to knee high. If I hadn't been so impatient I would have kept going!

And, no, that isn't a white sock underneath that is just how pale my legs are! I guess I should have worn shorts more this summer.

Alice
Ravelry: Justafew

Hello Campanula

I just started my Campanulas. I've always knit my socks top-down and this is my first time knitting toe-up socks and I'm really excited about it. I did a little research before I started and I've used short rows with wrapped stitches in other garments before so it was pretty straightforward.

I've had this Bernat cool cotton in my stash for a while and wanted something light and lacy for it - I think this pattern will be perfect.

It sure does make a nice roomy toe box - that should be really comfortable...

Pirk's socks

Sept. 25, 2007:
I changed the picture from yesterday. The socks are now getting the leg part.

Hi,
I am so far behind with my socks, but started working again on them on the weekend.
I had the first one done to the heel turning and now I have the second one as well to the heel (increases).

I am still not sure how to do the heel, unless it's done the same way as the toe part. There are quite a few instructions in the web, and I have printed several of them.

Here is a picture of my second sock.

C'est Fini!

My Campanula Socks are finished! And they feel great! And on a nice note, I finished them last week just as I was finishing up my last radiation treatment - YAY! Many thanks to Ramona for creating this beautiful pattern and setting up this wonderful KAL!

Still Knitting...

I realise I've been rather remiss in posting pics of my Campanula's (still in progress). I am going to knit up the leg until I run out of wool.



I love how this pattern knits up, but it's a little hard to do on the bus since I can't seem to memorize the pattern.

I received my prize wool today! It came with a cool stitch marker and I love the name of the colourway: singed tomato...It was the name that sold me:



I think I might turn this wool into a pair of Campanula's as well. If I am able to do the Walk for Breast Cancer here in Ottawa next year, you can be sure I will be wearing the Campanulas!

Finished!

I finished the Campanula socks tonight! They turned out ok. I made some mistakes but I like 'em. :) And here they are!



Whaddya think?

Robyn

pay it forward

hey all,

unfortunately i don't have a sock to show off (i've been up to my ears in wedding garments), but i've got a "pay it forward" cross-post!

The fight continues: 60 more in 2008!

Congratulations! You did it! WOW! You stepped up and out on the street and made a real difference in the fight to end breast cancer. You were an invaluable part of the family of 5,521 participants who raised $17.3 million to support breast cancer research, clinical enhancements and continuation of the Survivorship program at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer was a huge success for the fifth year in a row - thanks to dedicated people just like you. On behalf of the doctors, researchers, Board of Directors and other staff of Princess Margaret Hospital and The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, we deeply appreciate YOU for making The Weekend such a spectacular success. Because you committed to supporting breast cancer research, thousands of women and men throughout Toronto and Ontario will directly benefit from advancements like the rapid diagnosis pilot program, interoperative radiation clinical trial, the Breast Cancer Survivorship program and leading edge research done at The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at PMH lead by Dr. Tak Mak and his research team.

Of course, the fight does not end here. The funds our participants have helped raise over the last five years are phenomenal, but cancer is not a five-year problem. Research and cancer breakthroughs take time and money to support and realize The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation has long term goals that require long term funding so we hope you've signed up to keep fighting cancer in 2008! If you have friends who'd like to join you, please invite them to come on out for this amazing journey.

For a limited time, everyone can register for just $25. Make next year the next leg of this wonderful tradition in our community. Tell your friends and family to register for The 2008 Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital!

Congratulations and thank you so very much for your important contribution to this record-breaking walk! You've made our community very proud.

Visit here for the news release about The Weekend.

Sincerely,

Paul Alofs
President & CEO
Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

What a world we could make!

DH posted at I Think: It is time to put aside a few minutes to remember the innocents who were executed on this day in 2001 for the crime of being American, without trial or evidence or representation by counsel. My condolences to the families and friends of these victims, and to the world that has suffered the ongoing consequences of these crimes against humanity.

I couldn't say it any better.

At 5:30 am on Sunday, on my way to Day Two of the recent WEBC, I had the most amazing conversation with a cab driver. He asked me what all these people were doing and why and I explained to him that we were raising money and awareness to combat this scourge that is cancer. We discussed the Weekend and the PMH foundation and recent/imminent breakthroughs in research and treatment. We discussed the sad state of the world, the ubiquitous wars official and unofficial, and our society's all too pervasive culture of impotence, the prevailing impression cultivated by our conglomerate driven economic-political machine, that as individuals most of us are unable to make a difference, so we might as well just slog along as cogs in the system and try to buy ourselves as much consumer-happiness as we can grab to soothe our frustration, but without rocking the boat too much, and please - leave the world-altering decisions and actions to the big boys.

The driver asked many questions about what I was doing and after I told him how deeply moved I was to be a part of this endeavour, how incredibly empowering it was to contribute in even my small way to making this world a better place, he responded in the most profoundly thoughtful, and uncannily appropriate way. He said: "What a world could we make if instead of violence and hatred, all that anger and passion could be channelled into healing and helpful directions, to curing diseases and feeding the hungry and consoling the desolate."

Please remember - this KAL is continuing, and so is Contest Number Three: Pay it Forward. Please let me know when you have posted about your initiatives to make the world a better place. Better yet, cross-post them here so we all can share our ideas and our energy.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
(16 December 1901 – 15 November 1978)

"If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room." - Dame Anita Perella Roddick,DBE
(23 October 1942 – 10 September 2007)

You are MY heroes!

Thank you for supporting me and the 2007 Toronto Weekend to End Breast Cancer. When the going got tough, your support kept me going.

This was an amazing experience! I am overwhelmed with emotion, spiritually soaring high and I really don't care that I hurt like hell, though I am hysterically amused by my attempts to climb 14 stairs to shower the previous two nights. DH threatened to video-cam my pathetic crawl up the stairs, but I said that if he did I would leave him - once I could move again.

Despite a brutal hill climb in High Park early on day one (staying there 2/3 of the way up was tempting, but not an option), minor heat stroke and sunburn (you know you’re too hot when the Gatorade actually tastes good!), and walking in the cold rain with a minor chest cold (got some hot herbal tea with honey from Starbucks en route), surprisingly few and minor blisters with potential imminent loss of one toenail (there's a blister under it), other body parts chaffing in places I cannot speak of, and every single muscle and joint aching and stiff with possible exception of one beside my right eyebrow… I am so incredibly glad that I did this I cannot describe the depth of my feelings.

I definitely did NOT do the whole 60km.

Some people do the whole 60km. Many people don't, and even experienced veterans of several previous years sometimes call a halt. I don't know precisely how far I went, but I estimate a total of about 45km. On day one I probably covered about 25km. We started with opening ceremonies shortly after dawn, leaving the CNE grounds by 7:15am. I was feeling pretty good until around 3:30pm I was overcome by extreme heat and my blood pressure was spiking (it crept up through the day, was up to 132/89 mid-day, 138/96 mid-afternoon…), so discretion being the better part of valour, I called it a day shortly before 4pm and got swept to the camp.

There are numerous bike patrols and sweep vans with crews that travel back and forth along the route cheering on the walkers and offering support and water refills and blister care, and if you need a break (or if you fall to far back at the end of either day), they will take you to the next pit-stop (or all the way to camp) where there are snacks and/or meals and water and Gatorade and toilets (incredibly good portables) as well as medical personnel, and all kinds of assistance and support.

On day two I probably did another 20km. I woke up around 4:30am with a cough and fighting a chest cold (but surprisingly limber after the first day, though tired). I suspect the extreme exertion of day one undermined my immunity, as I have noticed that in the past after some extreme bike rides or overdoing other workouts. Nevertheless, I was doing okay once I got warmed up and moving. I twisted my right knee mid-morning and went about another 5km unable to keep it in alignment, then I decided not to risk damaging it further and got swept about 2km to the lunch stop.

After lunch it was hard to get moving, but some bandages and stretching banished the blisters and stiffness and I started to feel pretty good. I actually surprised myself by almost finishing the last 14km, but I completely lost it at the last pit stop just south of the CN tower with 3km to go. I was suddenly unable to even cross about a one block distance to the refreshments tent to replenish my water bottle and I just sank onto the bench and wept. I got swept over to outside the Exhibition grounds and walked one last km in from the Princess Gates and through the closing site and the ceremonies.

Day one is over. Please shoot me now.

Just crawled in the door fresh as day old fish.
Must now attempt to climb 14 stairs to shower.
Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow …

Vow that next house will have full bath on main floor.
Too tired to write more now.
Love to you all.

XO – MezzoDiva

P.S. I have already registered for NEXT year :0
And I am starting a team: Knitters for Knockers!
If you want to join us in 2008, let me know!

Walking my socks off!

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer 60-km walk is this weekend.

My training sucks lately. Really - I did a grand total of 15 miles in August. Ugh! That’s less than half of my mileage from way back in January, when we had snow and wind-chill feeling like -30C. But the extreme heat waves and humidity absolutely derailed my summer training plans. And in this last week we’re supposed to cut back and not do much. Hmmm... how do you cut back from zero?

I was really starting to panic about it last week, but after several days of growing apprehension, I examined the anxiety and realized it was simply fear of pain. Once I accepted the fact that I will experience some pain, probably during and definitely after the event, and that's okay, I will get through it, my anxiety level dropped significantly.

At least I can be happy that I covered well over 200 miles since mid-winter! I figure that I walked all day several days in a row when I was singing & traveling in Italy (1999) and I didn't train for all that walking. This can't be a lot worse.

Whatever happens to me this weekend, it's nothing compared to what hundreds of thousands of women face every year. And increasing numbers of men are being diagnosed with this disease as well. I am walking to show my solidarity with these men and women, to help raise awareness and to support the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.

So I am going for it. I'm just going to go and have fun sharing this experience with a few thousand like-minded persons. What's not to love?

I'll be in touch early next week - once I can move again. Meanwhile, keep those Campanula pix and good wishes coming. They will inspire me when the going gets tough!

Toronto WEBC Route and Cheering Stations

If you will be in the GTA September 8-9, please come out to cheer me along the way. I would love to see some Campanula for the Cure representation!

Though the location of Opening Ceremonies, Camp, and Closing Ceremonies will be announced well in advance of The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, the route will not be pre-announced. This is strictly a safety precaution as the route may have to change at the last minute due to traffic signal failures, broken water mains, or any other unforseen issues. Therefore, we do not announce the route.

There are however several cheering stations along the way where your friends and family can come and support you along the route of The Weekend to End Breast Cancer® benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital! Tell them to bring their BIG signs, smiling faces and happy cheers to the following sites:

DAY ONE: Saturday, September 8, 2007
Lambton Park: 9 am - 12 pm
4100 Dundas Street West. Street parking.

Rosethorn Junior School: 11 am - 2 pm
2 Remington Drive, SW corner at Rathburn Road.

Elm Park: 1 - 5 pm
SW corner of King and Elm Streets. Street parking.

CAMP: 4:30 pm - Downsview Park, 75 Carl Hall Road.

DAY TWO: Sunday, September 9, 2007
John Ross Robertson Elementary School: 9:30 - 11:30 am
130 Glengrove Avenue West, NE corner at Rosewell Ave.

Nesbitt Park: 12 - 3 pm
just south of Bayview Avenue. Street parking.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Halls A & B, Direct Energy Centre Exhibition Grounds 4:30 pm
The ceremonies start at 4:30 pm, but feel free to come cheer the Walkers at anytime between 1:30 pm and 4 pm.

Note: These locations may change without notice if the route changes due to last minute detours.

WIP in Worcestershire UK

This is my first sock done toe up, second attempt at short row heel ( getting it right this time after downloading some great help!)and I love the pattern! I have to confess I made the toe longer as I have long toes & was frightened of snagging the lace or my little toe poking through a gap. Thank you Ramona for your generosity.

Contest 3- Pay it Forward Blog Post

Come to my Blog and check out my pay it forward ideas!



~Carol~

Unfortunately I can't make it to the starting line, but in my place please accept the donation of 5 'Fuck Cancer' Subversive Crossstitch Kits to the KAL contest-o-rama.

xox H

Contest Number Three: Pay It Forward!

As I prepare myself to walk 60 kilometers this coming weekend for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer (gulp!), I've also been pondering what might be another appropriate contest for this knitalong. Inspired by our own Lisa L (scroll to the end of that post), and by the movie (which I have yet to see - but I know the gist of it), I am throwing our collective hats in the ring to share something of ourselves, effect some change and do some good.

For contest Number Three here at Camp Campanula, I am inviting all of you to think of three ways you can pay it forward: specifically, I want you to put on your thinking caps and come up with three ways YOU can contribute to your own community. There are NO other rules than this: Get involved. Think small or think big. Do something for your family, your neighbours, your school, your country, the world. It's up to you.

It doesn't have to be an original idea (I'm rather hoping we can inspire each other), and you are certainly not limited to only three. But please pick three ideas to implement, begin planning now and follow through during the next year.

This contest will remain open until the end of the month - September 30th. After midnight on September 30, I will pick one name randomly form among all the eligible participants and you will receive the lovely prize donated by Mama Llama. But I hope some of you will start sharing your ideas as they come to you, and please post them in a blog entry (instead of the comments) so we can all share the positive energy and inspiration.

And of course, pictures of all your beautiful Campanulas in progress are always welcome.

Update on Robyn's socks

Here are my socks after doing the heels. he he I had no clue what I was doing! LOL I had never done short row heels before - in fact this is my 2nd pair of socks EVER! he he So for the sock on the left, I followed the written instructions I found online without pictures. I didn't know what it meant about double wraps and knitting 3 together so I ended up decreasing a huge amount! LOL I don't like frogging and I figured, these are for me and it's the heel..eh! So for the 2nd sock on the right, I went to find pictures. OH! THAT's how you do it huh? tee hee So the second one came out right and now I have one sock that needs decreasing and one that needs increasing on teh back side.

But hey! At least the front looks pretty good. :)

One down, one to go

Yarn: Knitpicks Essential in pumpkin.
Needles: Size 2

I'm off now to get sock two going. But I wanted to say knitting wool socks on a very hot day is fine. Wearing socks on a very hot day to pose for a photo is funny/horrible.

Joining the fray

I've finally solved my quandry on the yarn to use, thanks to many of you, and have cast on my botanically correct campanulas in Fleece Artist Somoko in Blueberry Mist.

I've done 1.5 pattern repeats and happy so far. I had wanted to have the first sock done in time for Mezzodiva's big walk this weekend, but alas, I have a knitting related injury and have to sit out a few days!

Patience is a Virtue. Forgiveness is Divine.

Edit: In keeping with my original title above, I have decided to remove the content of this post. Thank you to everyone who commented so kindly. I appreciate all your support more than I can say. You should know that this story did have a positive resolution. Further developments are posted at my blog.