September 05, 2010

Hanging Out at the BOA

I carpool to work with someone who starts work half an hour before I do; she was worried I'd mind and wouldn't want to carpool with her since I'd have to leave earlier and would have an extra half hour to kill once we got into Richmond. Put your hands up if you think I have a problem killing time! This is the cafe at the Bank of America building. You don't have to buy food to sit here, although generally I at least buy something to drink and a bagel in the morning. I love this room--it's like a glassed-in patio and the stitching light is the best. There's also an outdoor patio that has lots of trees and flowers and good views of the city. Generally I have the cafe to myself in the morning, and when I am not working out at the Y across the street, I have lunch here too. It's never crowded and no one even casts a glance my way when I pull out my needlework. I love this space so much and I'm so grateful to the Bank of America (my own office is too crowded to find a nook for stitching) that I'm thinking of switching my bank account over to them.

Here's a little more on Ann Smith. I have to admit my attention is wandering. That's just about right--it's been about 4 weeks. Time to move on to something else for a while.

So I picked up Catharine O'Neal and worked on the thistles on the top right.

I have signed up for a three-week knitting class at the Yarn Lounge in October. The project will be a Fair Isle hat by Mission Falls. Here's the project I've chosen. As a knitter I'm an advanced beginner or an intermediate. I'm good at some things--knitting, purling, cabling, increasing, decreasing--but not others, including changing colors. This class will teach me to do that. The following month is a three week class in mitten-knitting which I will sign up for if I like the hat class.

I do adore my handicrafts. For years I have wanted to learn woodworking, and Richmond has a place where I can indulge my curiosity and take classes. I am going to be investigating that also. One beginner class teaches the students to make a small shaker table. Other classes teach wooden bowl making or pictures frames.
Peaches: "I like crafts too; I deconstructed this timothy tunnel in no time at all!"

I'm off to steam some crabs for dinner. Happy week ahead!

21 comments:

Barb said...

Both your WIP's are beautiful. I look forward to seeing more of them.

The Fab Furs said...

It's nice to have a little space for yourself before and after work. Learning new things is always interesting and probably Peaches would be willing to help you with any projects that needed to be deconstructed.

Berit said...

I'd love to be stitching with that vista and light--awesome. :D

Laurie in Iowa said...

You've found the perfect spot for your prework morning stitching. Your making great progress on your
WIPs. Both look fabulous.

Margaret said...

I love your Ann! And your Catharine. I need to take that knitting class with you -- I'm like you. I can do cables but not 2 color knitting. Ah well. Maybe you can teach me? :D

Hef's Mom said...

Lucky you! I get to work early (3 hours early!) and people often say things to me, even though I have heeadphones on!

Unknown said...

Hi Glenna!

I am so far behind in my blogging. I was in Richmond last weekend and went to a delightful little restaurant - Strawberry Street Cafe. I loved it and highly recommend it. Have you tried it yet?

The Bunns said...

Steamed crab!!!! Yummmm .... our people luvs those!

Peaches is the ultimate in re-purposing! Wait until you see what the bunns have in mind for a shaker table!

Now look - don't forget some morning to get up from your private lounge there and go to work and then get in the slammer for loitering!!!

Deborah said...

Your WIP's are both lovely. What a beautiful and what seems like a restful place to spend some time.

Caroline said...

What a wonderful stitching spot!! I know what you mean about the 4 week project blues. That is certainly one of the downsides of working on BAP's. My ink circles has seem some love lately, so I hope to make it to the 4 week point!

Katrina said...

Cute, cute bunny :-).

You know I love CM so I am happy to see her out again. Ann is gorgeous too. Glad you've found a spot to relax in Richmond. Have fun in your knitting class.

Melissa said...

Crab for dinner? Yum. (You see where my attention goes to!)

Love your Ann Smith. The colours are just gorgeous! And Catherine is looking very pretty.

As to knitting, that looks like a cool hat! That's a great idea to take a new class.

MyLifesAStitch said...

LOL re: changing your account to BOA out of gratitude. I'm sure they'd appreciate it. :)

Your WIPs are looking great! Can't wait to see the knitted hat. And woodworking, how cool!

Have a great week!

Alice said...

How nice to have an extra time and place to stitch!

mainely stitching said...

Wow, that BoA space is gorgeous - I'd want to spend my free time there, too! :D Wonderful progress on your projects!

Giovanna said...

Your sampler are coming along so beautifully - wow!

Siobhán said...

That BoA spot looks ideal for doing hand work! Great find. Love the WIPs. Good for you on doing the knitting class. I'd love to be able to do something like that. I'm looking forward to WIP pics!

Daffycat said...

Oooo, look at all that lovely sun to sit and stitch by! A lovely cafe.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

You may want to check out BOAs various political stances before putting your $$$ there, I know years ago they were, err, very uncool. OTOH Peaches is cool. Too bad rabbit crafts tend to involve making very very tiny things that we can't appreciate as much as they do.

Brigitte said...

It must be fun to wander between Ann and Catharine, as the colour schemes are so different on both. Great progress!
That's anice little corner where you can sit and have a cup of coffee or lunch and stitch. Much better than any office, lol.

Roni said...

I bought a woven burrow in the pet store last Christmas and I place it in the rabbit hutches and replaced the boxes. I think the prefer the the new one better. Nice project as always. Keep it up buddy.