Some Progress

Ah, the late nights knitting frantically while watching videos to keep me awake...

Yarn and fabric everywhere...

Looks like Christmas :)

Here's the baby hat I'm halfway done with and the adorable gift box the kit came in. This will make wrapping a snap.

Still working on the Navy Ruffle Scarf...

Ornaments...still waiting to get done

I am reminded of how  much I have and the joy I have in giving. It's just the process of getting the gifts done that forever taunt me.

And yes, I realize I haven't any pictures of the ruffle scarf or the ornaments...come back a bit later for those.

Holiday crafting overload...

Need I say more?

Here's a list of things I've done:

• Red ruffle scarf
• 2 Personalized felt ornaments

In progress:

• Navy blue ruffle scarf
• New born baby cap
• 1 personalized felt ornament
• 1 baby blanket

Then there's the "OMG I have to start these!":

• 3 Silk screened quotes on linen
• 4 personalized felt ornaments
• I don't know how many Christmas cards

I think several people will be getting their gifts a bit late this year. The ironic thing is I started in October, but business has been so good, I have had to put the crafting on the side and now I'm playing catch up. Last year business was slow, but there must be something in the air because now I can't remember when I've had a good solid 3 hours to work on the crafts. 

Last night would have been perfect, but I had forgotten to get goody bags for everyone in my small group bible study. So I ended up filling 18 goody bags which took about 2 1/2 hours to finish. I am reminded of this devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries on "An Overloaded Life", December 7, 2011. I think I really too much on this year and need to evaluate whether feeling overloaded is really worth it. This devotional really showed how I'm depriving myself and my family of God's blessings in life right now. Don't forget to give crazy love to your family this Christmas.

Stash, stash and more stash

So as an avid knitter, spinner and quilter, I need to reduce my stash. I will be adding some of my yarn and fabrics in my etsy store. Stay tuned...

Hello Winter?

Well, here's a pic with all the caps that I contributed to the cemo cap drive for Breast Cancer Awareness month with the exception of the green one. I am not good at remembering to take pictures.

On the scarf that I was knitting up for my sister's birthday, I will blocking tonight and will upload a picture as soon as it is blocked up.

I took a queue from the Yarn Harlot and decided to take inventory of all my yarn and unfinished objects (all started with good intentions). I am going to create kits for myself with a copy of the patterns that I will go with the yarn. I think organization is the key in figuring out what you have, what you can donate, sell, etc. That also gave me the idea to go through my sewing / quilting projects that still need to get finished or started. I will do inventory on all my fabric, set up kits and schedule them for completion or sell kits on my etsy site (which still needs inventory).

Why this sudden desire to sweep through everything? I need to get a sense of what I have so I don't go out and purchase more unless it's a necessity. All this to be a responsible steward of the resources the good Lord has put in my care to manage. Our church is doing a campaign to help members of our church who are really in desperate times and it make me appreciate all that I have already. I love giving because the gift of giving far out weighs receiving.

I hope anyone who reads this blog takes inventory of all that you have instead of being sad of what you don't have or want. I think you'll find you have a lot to be thankful for.

October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Sarah at Bella Knits announced that she was hosting a cemo cap / hat drive in support of breast cancer awareness month. Here is one of the hats I knit up (size 10 needles will help you fly through a hat project). Sarah had some yarn she dyed herself but hadn't been able to sold so she gave them to me to knit up the fun caps. It actually started when a buddy gave up trying to crochet a hat with the yarn Sarah had donated for the drive. I'll try to take a picture of them when I stop by Sarah's store today to drop of this lovely 100% Baby Alpaca cap. I turned them in before snapping a picture of it.

I am currently blocking the original cap I started for the cemo cap drive. Projects like these help me get rid of the yarn stash I've been accumulating.

I've started another project with a Louisa Harding pattern for the Juliet scarf for my sister's birthday (if I can knit this fast enough). Here's the kicker...my sister's name is Louisa. Another bonus, using up my stash! Trying to use what I have to conserve my cash so I can treat myself to a Victoria spinning wheel.

Ugh, I'm not being very frugal lately though. I spent some dough at White House | Black Market for some dresses to wear at a couple of weddings. I did get the dress on sale though!.

Speaking about being frugal, I have taken to storing food at work:

Trying to cut down on eating out. It was starting to get really expensive.

Pictures, what pictures?

I'm really bad about documenting my projects which is now a new resolution.

I will add photos of my projects.
I will add photos of my projects.
I will add photos of my projects.

I finally delivered the reversible quilt! Ryan and Heather were thrilled. I also unloaded a big bunch of fresh basil from my garden when I delivered the quilt after church. I don't think they knew it was coming...I was so nervous about giving them the quilt, because like every artist out there, you are your own worse critic. They loved it. Ryan's word were "Floored. I can't believe you made a quilt. YOU MADE US A QUILT." Well, now they will be the envy of every Black Hawks fan in Illinois.

On  another note. I finished plying my first yarn! It's a beautiful orange/green autumn colorway. I love it. It's so soft. 100% Suri Alpaca. Yes. I don't have a picture of it yet. I will add it. I promise.

I will add photos of my projects.
I will add photos of my projects.
I will add photos of my projects.

Knot Hysteria’s Colour Retreat!!!!

From November 4th to 8th is the fall knitting retreat at Port Ludlow...except it's not just knitting! They will be spinning, knitting and dyeing! Umf...it's $735 plus whatever your flight costs. I would love to go, but will have to choose spinning wheel or retreat?


You can read all about it on the Yarn Harlot's blog at http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2011/09/23/a_colourful_plan.html.