Inspired

Ever have those moments when life seems to be perfectly clear, and time seems to stand still?  I get that a lot.  It usually happens when I'm delusional and think that I can accomplish way more in a certain amount of time than I really can.  For example, I figure that by this time next week, I can finish the test knit I'm working on, finish the first pair of Christmas socks, do two swatches for patterns, knit a pair of socks for myself, clean the house, make a skirt pattern from scratch - and sew up the skirt, muslin and all, cook fabulous meals over the weekend, and still get fully rested over the Memorial Day weekend.

So....yeah.  I'll probably be doing good to get half of that done, and I may not even make that.  I know I'm delusional though, which is a step ahead of where I was about 10 years ago.  Maybe wisdom does come with age.  I am thinking however, that I will get some really great things done this summer.  I'm already taking a Craftsy course about making an A-line skirt.  So far, I'm learning a good bit, especially since it takes you from start to finish on making one - from measurements to pattern to actual skirt.  The next couple of items will be to finish up some sewing projects, make at least one skirt for myself, make some pants for the kiddos, and a couple of dresses for the Princess.  That being said, I don't know that it will go quite as quickly as I'd like, as there's a bunch of knitting that needs to get done as well - like Christmas socks.  However, plans are important, and I've figured out that you can accomplish a lot just by making plans and abiding by them.  It doesn't mean things don't happen to change them ("why no, officer, I wasn't aware that the speed limit was 35" or "sure, we can order Chinese tonight" or "you need this done by when?"), but if you plan things out, you have a direction and can make progress towards it.  A new mom in my office recently commented that she didn't understand how her mother did it - worked full-time, kept an immaculate house, took the kids everywhere, and still made a home-cooked meal every night.  I hate to break it to her, but it all comes down to having a plan.  It's a lot of work, no doubt, but it's not difficult.  It's a matter of setting yourself a schedule, and even though you have a few bumps along the way, staying the course and getting done what needs to be done, despite what you feel at the moment.  You may not feel like setting up the coffee pot for in the morning, but it's better to do it now so that the morning goes smoother.  You may not feel like prepping some food for tomorrow night now, but it will make cooking that meal a lot easier after you're stuck in traffic for an hour and a half because someone decided to try and break the laws of physics by putting two objects in the same place at the same time.  It takes planning, and that's what I'm doing - planning.  

Updates

It looks like there's been a lot going on, and yet, not really.  I blocked my Koguchi Shawl:

It was really late when I blocked it.  And, instead of wrapping up and loving it, I let my mother-in-law have it.

Sorry that the picture is a little dark - the light was fading, but she did a great job of modeling it for me.  Here are some of the pictures from Toccoa Falls last weekend:

Little Man took those pictures - he's quite the photographer.  I've been working on the test knit, and the Hermione socks.  I have one sock done, and I'm down to the collar on the cardigan.

It's knitting up beautifully.  Oh, I haven't shown you Christmas yarn yet.  Here's what I've got so far:

Let's see if I can remember all of it.  Clockwise from the top: Numma Numma in Cup of Joe, Squoosh in Cowboy Dreams, MadelineTosh in Home, Shibui Knits in Graphite, Sweet Georgia in Charcoal, and Numma Numma in Cupcake.  The center is of course, MadelineTosh in Rhubarb.  There are a couple that didn't make it in the picture: Tanis Fiber Arts in Chestnut, and MadelineTosh in Fathom.  Needless to say, I now have a lot of sock yarn sitting around.  It should all be gone by Christmas, but that's not the point.  I have stash - that's not stash. *grins*  That center sock in the picture above is complete, and #2 is cast on, and I'm working on it, albeit slowly.  Next up, socks for me.  I have 3 skeins for me.  One is destined for a pair of Monkey socks, one is destined for one of the lovely patterns my swap partner sent me, and I'm not sure about the third yet.  Perhaps a pair of Jaywalkers.  

I'm going to embark on another adventure: it's going to be back to the weight loss for me.  Due to some recent developments, hubby and I need to get back on track.  I found another gym to try, and it's time to start eating healthy again.  Those who know me, know that a couple of years ago, I lost a good bit of weight, just through diet and exercise.  Through all the rough times we've had over the past couple of years, it's all crept back on.  I've started walking at work 2-3 times a week, and I think I'm ready to pump it up a bit.  So, hopefully, I can start working out in the early mornings again, and then knit in the evenings.  I'll let you know the progress.  Or maybe, you'll be able to see it.

Busyness

It's been slightly insane around here.  After blog week, work was crazy.  Like working an 11 and a 12 hour day in the middle of a work week crazy.  Then, I had to stop.  This past weekend was Mother's Day, and I hope all you mothers out there had a wonderful one.  I know I did.  I did finally get to block my shawl, and I completed a sleeve on my test knit.  I also completed a sock (don't worry - I just finished that one today).  I took loads of pictures over the weekend.  We went to Toccoa Falls with the kiddos.

This is not my picture - I haven't loaded those yet, but you can see how pretty it is.  It's not Niagara, but it's very pretty.  It's a nice short walk, and the children had fun.  Then we went for ice cream, and hubby and I went to an antiques mall (the normal one we always go to up there) and I got a steal of a deal - I found a Rowan iron for $15.  No, really - it's a nice Rowan iron, it's in great condition.  I haven't tried it yet, but come on - only $15?!  You can hardly go wrong for that price.  Unless it doesn't work at all, which I doubt, it's worth it.   Alright, I'm back to knitting on my test knit.  I'll post pictures soon, including those from our fun weekend.

Kick-off

Well, I made it through Blog Week, sort of.  Now, back to our regularly scheduled nonsense...

I'm still working on the Test Knit Cardigan, and the Hermione sock.  I'm not sure how I feel about the foot, as it is no longer in stripes like the leg.  If I were a better blogger with more time, I would have taken a picture of the foot for you.

In the end, I really rather like the swirl pattern of the stripes with the faint stitch pattern.  The foot is more pooled with the yellow and green on top, and the pink and purple coming up from around the bottom.  Oh, and FYI, the modified partridge heel on these socks looks really cool.

As for the cardigan, I'm trying to be really respectful to the designer and not post a bunch of pictures or talk about it too much.  I have a deadline of May 31st for it, and I've completed the waist shaping bit, so  now I have some straight knitting, then hip shaping, then bottom to complete, plus the sleeves, button bands and collar.  Then comes the fun of selecting the buttons.

I find myself growing weary of work.  Ever have those days?  All you really want to do is work on a project, sip a cuppa, curl up with your kids or hubby, and just relax?  I think I need a vacation, or a staycation.  I don't know that I want to go anywhere necessarily, but I just want to stay still for a bit.  Maybe some meditation today would be a good idea.

4KCBWDay 5, 6 & 7

I had technical difficulties over the weekend, so I have to make up for lost time.  Here's Day 5: something different.

It's time to knit,

Don't have a fit.

I really need to do it,

So just let me sit.

That is for my kids, who always want me to play with them, rather than knit.  I usually try to wait until they're in bed or busy doing something else before I pick up my needles.

Day 6: Something to covet

What I've been coveting lately (or really, just wanting - the Sunday School teacher lessons about not coveting run rampant in my head) are these:

It's the Dreamz Interchangeable Deluxe Needle Set.  I love wooden needles, and I have one set of interchangeables that are nickel plated.  They're nice, but I find that I lean toward wooden ones more if I have a choice.

Day 7: Looking Forward

I had planned on doing some selfish knitting this year, and I still plan on it.  When this week rolls around next year, I hope to have several sweaters for myself made.  I'd like to make it through Christmas this year, and not keel over from lack of time.  I hope to get several other items crafted as well.

How about you?  What are your plans for the coming year?

4KCBWDay4

Today is about color.  So, the first item on the list is my favorite colors for knitted or crocheted items.  I guess this depends on who the items are for.  I prefer basics for my son, dark colors for my hubby, bright girly colors for my daughter, and neutrals for myself.  At least, this is what I tend to lean towards when planning projects.  I like patterns for myself that are softer or neutral in color, which fits, since I wear mostly blacks and greys.  I do occasionally throw in a bright color, but at least 50% of my closet is black.  It never fails.  When I shop, I generally look for neutral colors: black, grey, white, cream.

My stash is extremely varied these days: it actually leans more towards winter shades, as almost everyone in my immediate family is a winter, with the possible exception of my daughter.  I think she's a little too young to have a season.  But not for much longer.  I find a lot of bright jewel-tones in my stash.  Here's an example:

Little Man's Birthday Sweater

My first attempt at Gemini

My Miss Babs Test Knit Yarn

Skelf

This is a sample of what I have.  I have been given yarn that is bright as well; one year for Christmas my brother and sister-in-law gave me some gold and some dark pink yarn.  I've picked up a couple of skeins of sock yarn - mostly in dark jewel tones or neutrals (like black).  These are for me.  If the project is for someone else, I usually try to find something that reminds me of that person.  Like this project for Christmas:

This yarn actually has too much yellow for me personally (I'm not a yellow/orange kind of person), but for the intended recipient, it's perfect.  I do use colors I like for others' projects, even if I wouldn't necessarily wear it myself.  I could possibly wear these socks, as they would be socks, but I don't know that I would pick this for myself.

As this relates to my house, the house of the Monkey, color can be a challenge.  Sometimes a color and a pattern clash.  Take that lovely MadelineTosh sock yarn above: the yarn is loud.  It has a voice of its own.  To put too much of a pattern in it would be an atrocity, and the yarn would tell you.  So would everyone else.  Color is definitely my challenge: sometimes I look for only shades of grey.  I get caught up in the lovely subtleties of neutrals.  I have branched out in recent months, and surprisingly, I like it.  Colorwork is one of my challenges too - I attempted twice to knit some colorwork gloves, and my tension is way too tight.  I think it has to do with my stress level.  In any case, maybe if I can get to it this year, I'll attempt some more colorwork.

4KCBWDAY3

I'm really tired today - I didn't sleep well last night, woke up with a headache, and it's just all gone downhill.  The best thing about today was at lunch, when I cleaned out the car, went to a yarn shop, got lunch, and found my keys.  I apparently dropped them Monday at work in the parking lot, and had to use Hubby's for the past couple of days.  I figured they'd turn up; I didn't realize I had dropped them until this afternoon.  Good thing I asked.  So, today is day 3 in the Blog Week, and I'm supposed to make an infographic.

Here it is.  This is an estimate of the number of projects I have that I want to accomplish.  This was easy and not extremely accurate, but you can see the large part of my crafting is to be knitting, followed by crochet...this is just the proportions in estimate.  Simple enough - the hardest thing was saving it as the right type of file.  All I had to do was open the right program - Paint - and save it.  Duh.  I told you I was tired.

I'm still slowly working on the sock and the test knit.  The sock is going to stay I think.  The longer I work on it, the more I like it.  So, the pattern stays.  How's your week looking?