Starting Over

I decided to cut my losses with the bird, and start again in the round. I got a little overzealous with increases, so even that has to be started again. I'm going to hopefully get more done on it tonight, after starting it AGAIN (third time's the charm, right?).

I've been listening to Cast On, and I have to say I'm hooked. I can't say I agree with some things on a personal level, but it's a good eye-opener to the knitting world. I know, I'm a little behind on the whole podcast thing, but hey, better late than never, right? At least I've joined the land of the listening. When I went to the LYS this past weekend, I felt like they were slightly behind the times and weren't up to speed with some of this stuff. I admit I'm not on the cutting edge, but I figure that if I know about it, surely everyone else has already plugged in. I know they have a website, and it's not too bad. I think there could be a little more as far as a website goes, but eh, it's not my project, and I didn't do it. Oh well...I guess I also don't have room to criticize; however, I'm not running a business either. A well-designed webpage in this day and age can go a long way in promoting your business. I'm just saying.

I also keep hearing about Ravelry, and I am thoroughly intrigued. I hope either I get an invite soon or it goes public. I'm dying to check it out!

Yarn Snobs

I know that there are many types of yarns available. I know that they can fit into most budgets. However, I personally think it is just WRONG to judge people by the materials they knit with. Isn't the most important thing to carry on the craft, and not let it fall by the wayside? I am guilty of using acrylic yarn - for lots of things. I make no apologies for it. I make afghans and toys, and know that they are easy to care for and won't lose their shape after being washed 30 times because your child spilled juice on it. Again. I'm not worried about it tearing to shreds when it gets tossed into the dryer, and I'm not afraid that they will felt, shrink, or become suddenly unrecognizable. Does this mean I will always use acrylic? I hope not. Does it mean I use it because 1) it's durable, and 2) it's affordable and 3) it's readily available? Of course it does. If you can spend $100 or more on yarn to make an afghan, more power to you. But just because I can't, don't look down on me. It's not about the fiber you use; it's about the use of fiber.

That being said, I did go back to Starbucks and get a picture of the bird I saw on Friday. However, in all my cleverness, I forgot the cord for my digital camera. I started on it this weekend (yes, in acrylic-get over it) and am considering a whole flock, once I get the main body down. So far, it's not too bad. I'm thinking it might be better to start it like a sock, from the toe up, but once I get done with this one, I'll think about how to reconstruct it in the round. I think it's easier that way for me...I'm still figuring out how knitting really works. It's fun though.

Too much coffee

I stopped by Starbucks this morning, and had them brew me a French pot of Verona, my favorite coffee. I don't usually have caffeine in that large of an amount, so I've been kind of bouncing off the walls this morning. Before I knew it, it was noon. I had to re-do an entry THREE TIMES this morning because my fingers and brain weren't in sync. That's just ridiculous. Lesson learned - no Starbucks during close for me.

I have major ambitions this weekend. I have cookies to bake, diapers to wash, and knitting to finish. I hope to finish the body of Sheldon #2 and the cable swatch for the sweater soon-to-be-started for myself. I also saw something this morning at Starbucks that made me want to copy it, and see if I could re-create it, instead of spending $5 for it (I know...it's only $5, but hey, $5 is $5). I saw this cute folk-art type bird knitted (and there was one that was sewn as well) with glasses and it was utterly cute. I hate that I didn't have a camera with me; otherwise I'd have taken a picture and post it for you. It was blue, and the glasses were brown, with eyes in it (in true Muppet style), and I think the legs were brown as well. We'll see if I can re-create it.

Suddenly remembered...

I have a TON of clothes that I just don't wear. Some of them I think are just going to be donated to somewhere. Some of the others will either be reincarnated or scavenged for items. There's one jacket in particular I think I'm stealing the buttons from for a sweater. The buttons are really nice, heavy, silver leaves. I'm thinking a lovely cardi needs them. I may post a pic if I get around to taking pics tonight. I'm not sure if I'll get to it tonight or not; there's a bunch of work to be done this weekend.

Little by little

Well, the craft room didn't get done this weekend. I'm doing good to get laundry done again this week, but if I can get on top of a few items this week, we'll be better. I finished one square for my baby's Baby I.Q. Afghan, and then ran into problems with the black for my friend's. Go figure. I decided to cut the yarn and start with a new end. Fortunately, we're only talking acrylic here folks. I know...shoot me now. Acrylic is horrible, it's evil, but it's also cheap and easy to care for when you have several munchkins roaming the house. If juice gets spilled on it, or someone spits up (or throws up) it's a quick toss in the washer and dryer and it's all good. I created a clever plan for using it up though. I'm making our baby an afghan, and I think I'm going to do the Baby I. Q. Afghan in multiple colors. That's right, it won't be just red, black, and white. I'm going to do a few squares in red, a few in green, a few in blue...well, you get the idea. I haven't decided how many colors to do yet. There are 16 squares, so I could do 4 squares in 4 colors, or 8 squares in 2 colors, or 2 squares in 8 colors. Or, I could enlarge the afghan and do more squares in more colors.

Pictures also didn't get taken. I did virtually nothing like I thought I would last night. I spent quite a bit of time at work, and didn't get home until late, and then I sat and watched tennis while I wrestled with the big black yarn knot from Hades.

Scattershot

Remember when I said I wanted to knit something, but didn't know what? That nothing looked right? Yeah, well, that time has passed. I now have so many projects going, I don't know what to work on next. Here's what I'm working on:

• Sheldon for a friend (for baby #1)
• Baby I.Q. Afghan for a friend (for baby #3-crochet)
• Hoover blanket (yes, this thing is still around...for my baby)
• Baby sweater (but I don't know that I'm happy with it, so it might get frogged but it's for my baby as well)
• Baby I.Q. Afghan (for my baby-crochet)
• Frog for a friend (to go with the first Baby I.Q. Afghan)
• Sweater for me

Think that's enough projects? I'm trying to use up yarn. Can you tell? I just hope I don't burn out on knitting. But then, if I get tired of it, there's always cross-stitch stuff waiting in the wings. I have so many projects to finish; at the rate I'm going, I'll never die. :) Oh well, at least I keep occupied and I'm not bored. I'm hoping to finish several projects before year end, and then finish more projects next year. I'm trying to decide if I should add in some socks for Christmas. If I do, that would be 4-6 more projects. We'll see what time allows.

Busy, busy.

I am working on the Sheldon, and it's coming along nicely. I keep thinking about making a sweater for my son, and I might crochet one, since I did find a nice pattern in a book I checked out from the library. There weren't many selections for knitting books there, but then it was a small branch, but the closest one to home. Hopefully tomorrow I'll post some pictures of what I've worked on this weekend. It's been a nice relaxing one and I'm thrilled that we got to see Diana Gabaldon. Live. In person. No, really. We did. I should have pictures of that soon as well. She signed our hardbacks, and we're looking forward to her seventh and eighth (yes, there is to be an eighth in the series) books. Not to mention the graphic novel, Master Raymond, and Lord John stories that will hopefully flow from her brain onto paper. I don't know that she could turn them out fast enough. If she had one book published each year, I don't think it would be enough. However, half the fun is anticipation. :)

Knitting Ideas

Ok, so here's the thought. I'm thinking of using the yarn from a sweater I already frogged for a new sweater. It'll be a lovely shade of lavender, and I'm thinking of a long v-neck cable sweater. I know it sounds easy and simple, but it's going to be one of the fall fashions, and hey, why can't I be fashionable?! So, I think that's what I'm going to start on this weekend. It's going to take some design work, since I don't have a pattern and even if I did, I doubt it would go up to the size I need. I'm going to customize it for me, so it should fit well. Basically, I'm going to measure the majority of my upper body, create a swatch, and pray it all works out.

I started working on Sheldon for my friend's little girl to be born later this month. I lost count of my rows, and need to start over again. At least I have a pattern for that one. I think I'm going to re-print it twice, once for a notebook and once as a working pattern. Then hopefully I can keep track of where I am. I'll keep you posted.

Ever have the feeling...

that you wanted to knit something, but nothing was what you wanted to knit? I'm there. I want to start a new project, really I do. I just can't figure out WHAT I want to start. The items I want to knit I don't have the yarn for, and the yarn I have I don't have a pattern for. I keep hoping that I'll run across an idea for an afghan that will use up all my extra yarn, giving me the perfect excuse to buy more.



I've been working on a Christmas program for children's choir. That's right...Christmas already. It won't take long and it'll be here. Presents must be started now, and I have no idea what to get/make some people. I'm just trying to figure out when I can get stuff unpacked. I need a weekend with nothing planned. This weekend isn't it, because there's a book festival in Decatur, and one of our favorite authors will be there. That's right, we get to see Diana Gabaldon in the flesh. We're loving it.

On a Quest...

So, the baby shower went well. The knitted booties were warmly received, and the mother-to-be is excited about the baby sling and knitted toy (she chose a Sheldon from Knitty for her little girl).

My latest obsession in finding a knitted soaker pattern. Of course, there are TONS out there. I don't know that I've found a knitted one with Velcro (C) though. Here's the back story on that one. We're cutting costs, due to just flat out needing to. I am over apologizing for not having money. We just don't. It happens when you only have one income. So, in order to save a little cash, we started using cloth diapers. They're much easier than expected, even with a nasty dirty diaper in the mix. My 'rents have helped out with buying a diaper pail, diaper covers, and some deodorant stuff for the pail. We had the cloth diapers and pins already, mostly given to us by request or bought with gift cards. I never knew there was so much to learn about cloth diapers, more than I knew existed. I figured with pre-folded ones, that was just it. When you don't do it on a real child, you don't know. The only experience I ever had with it before was on dolls, and you know they don't wiggle or actually wet, so it's a whole new experience for us. We got them on Sebastian, and they were ok. I found out there are at least 4 ways to fold the diaper, which is prefolded (I figured there was no need to fold it again since it was "prefolded"). That shows my ignorance. I have since educated myself about this. The easiest one I think will be the Angel Fold (at least the website I visited called it that). If you'd like to see what I'm talking about, you can go here. In any case, now I'm on to soakers/covers. We have a bunch of "plastic pants" for him, but 1) they're a 12 month size which means he'll grow out of them, and 2) they're plastic. They don't breathe and are noisy. I'm sure he's not thrilled with them, not to mention trying to get his feet through something at this age is a pain. I figure if I can make a cover that closes around him instead of pulling one on, it might be a little easier. So, now I'm on a quest. So far, it looks like I'm going to make one, or at least attempt to make one. If I get it together, I'll post it.

There's a fall festival at a local elementary school, and you can get a booth for $25 and sell stuff. I don't know how that will work. I don't really have any original creations, so I'd have to use purchased patterns for something and sell it, rather than using the free stuff (which is most of my patterns). The other possibility if I decide to get a booth is make a few items and then do the rest as a contract. I think it'd be too much to deal with now.

Speaking of dealing with things, I'm not sure about work. When I leave work recently, I ahve the urge to get a drink...and I'm not talking about sweet tea. I resist the urge as much as possible, but let's face it - that's not healthy. I think it's either because I'm sick of work and need to find a new job, or I'm coming off the stress that's been pretty constant in my life for the past year or so. At any rate, I'm going to be looking and we'll see what happens in the next week or two.

I'm bored

I'm so bored today at work, I have nothing better to do than sit here and post again. I did finish the first bootie, and even started the second at lunch. It took me about 20 minutes to get the ribbing on the second one done. I hope to get the rest of it done tonight, and maybe the edging as well. I'm heading to the library to see if they have Nicky Epstein's book Knitting on the Edge and perhaps I'll do something more interesting than just a regular picot edging. We'll see what I can find and whip up in an hour or so. So far, I'm looking at a total of 5 hours for both booties, plus whatever it takes for the edge. If I can't find anything I like in the book, I'll just stick with the picot edging, and pack it up with the clothes and certificates. I am giving her a certificate for a handmade toy (and taking the patterns I have for her to choose from) and also a certificate for a baby sling. I found some patterns online for free, and want to make one for me, and I can make one for her as well. It just requires some measurements. There is only one seam, but you sew it twice (a French seam) and it's done. I like it being that easy.

I hate Kitchener stitches.

Look what I did last night:

I whipped this baby up in about 2 hours. I think it took me that long because 1) I was distracted by the TV, 2) I was following a new pattern and 3) I was thinking about doing something special to the top. I was enticed by these to make it something cuter than it is. I'll probably add some picot edging to the top. Then they'll be adorable. I'm working on #2 tonight. I was going to try and be industrious and do them at the same time, but I only had one skein of the pink. It's a baby-palooza again, so more baby projects to come.

Oh, and I found my camera again! Woot! Here's a picture of my sweet baby, just because he's the cutest in the whole world (of course, I could be biased).

Sorry for the red eye. He's still adorable. Oh, and here's a pic of my latest FO:

It's the best picture I could get on the floor in my son's room. It was dark, and the flash is the only real light. Pretty cute, huh? I'll take pics of the booties when they're done.

MUST FIND CAMERA!!!!

I have to find my camera. I have no idea where it went in the move, but I will hopefully find it this week. In the meantime, I will hopefully be motivated to update some links around here and change some things around. Perhaps there will be lots of changes in the house, all of which I can document, provided I find the digital camera! I'm going to start the search tonight. If I find it, you will know. :)

It's done...but no pictures

I finished the project last night. Here's what it looks like from the pattern at Knitty:

Please note this is NOT my picture. This is from the Knitty website. My Sheldon looks very similar, but not quite this good (I'm sure the pattern designer had time to perfect her Sheldon whereas I did it just for the first time and it turned out not too differently). The pattern can be found here. I have so many other projects to complete. A friend of mine is pregnant with their third(!) child, another boy (their first was a girl, then a boy, and now another boy on the way). That means a green Baby IQ afghan, and another toy. I might do a Sheldon for him, or another toy that I have a pattern for. I love the free toy patterns. If you know of any others, please let me know. I have a couple of crochet toy patterns, and some knitted ones as well. A friend bought me a book of knitted toys a few years ago, and I have to sheepishly (no pun intended) admit that I've only knitted one toy out of it. That might soon change. Christmas is coming, and we really don't have much money. There's a credit card (not much, but enough to eat away at any extra we might have), mortgage, food, gas, electricity, and other monthly bills to pay. Christmas is just around the corner and will be here before you know it.

So close I can taste it...

I only have to sew a few things together to finish the latest project! Woot! However, that requires some careful placement, and time. I almost had half of the sewing done, when I realized it didn't quite look right...and took it out. After I'm done with this project, I think I'm going to try this pattern for my baby. Or else this one. Then, I have some cross-stitch patterns to work up; one of them I want to do for my brother and his wife. I think they'll really appreciate it for Christmas. It's a trellis with flowers and the center section has names and the date. I was going to do it AGES ago for a friend, and never finished it. Maybe I can finish it for Christmas for them. I also have pictures to get framed and matted for Christmas, provided I can get them developed. There is a lot to do between now and then, presents and cleaning and unpacking. Hopefully I will be able to find my digital camera soon and post pictures of the new FO, when it's finished.

Almost done...

I have all the pieces done now; it's just a matter of putting them all together. I'm hoping that tomorrow I can do that. I'm off to pick up the remaining furniture from my Grandmother's house that sold in December. There are a few pieces still at the consignment/antique store, and if we don't get them, they're going to auction and we won't see a dime. There are a couple of pieces that we wanted anyway, and didn't have space for. Now we get them. The men who run the shop are idiots; anyone with half a brain would have sold them already. I'm glad they didn't though. I'd hate to see the dry sink my grandfather built destroyed. It will look lovely in our kitchen though. Hopefully I'll have pictures soon to post regarding this mystery project. I might even post some with its recipient. Happy weekend, as I'm off tomorrow.

Success at last

I finished the body of the project I've been working on. I have one more piece to knit, and then it's time to put it all together!!!! It's exciting. I'll have to find the digital camera and take pictures of Sebastian's gift with him. Oh, I don't think I mentioned it last time, but HE'S CRAWLING!!!!! It's a fun time, and we have to clean the floors before we just let him go, but he can crawl now. It's very exciting. He's also pulling up on EVERYTHING known to man...furniture, people, thin air...or at least he's trying to. I'm as happy as can be about it. He's too cute.

Knitting News...

is slow. I did however, get some things done around the house this weekend. I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but something's better than nothing, right?

I'm also working on children's choir things, which makes any crafting progress slow. I think I'm going to sit down tonight and work on the knitting project I have currently going. I've been thinking of what to do with some yarn, and I haven't quite gotten a full picture yet, but I'm hoping sometime soon I'll know more about what to do with it. I have a whole bag of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, in a lovely shade of 605, I think. It's a periwinkle color, and is lovely. I think I might see what other colors I can get to go with it this fall. I'd love to have a beautiful cashmerino sweater. We'll see what happens.

Here's to hoping once again, I can post a little here and there for the rest of the year.

Changes all the time

Well, here's the past 2-3 weeks for us: trying to unpack, a church music conference where I got re-acquainted with my children's choir director, my grandfather passing, and my brother and sisterin-love moving to New Orleans. This is, of course, nothing compared with other tragedies happening around: the collapsed bridge, the collapsed mine. Things are just falling apart.

In brighter news, I have worked a little on a knitting project: I still haven't told you what I'm making. It's a surprise. I will tell you it has to be stuffed, and I finally found my stuffing. Unpacking is slow. This weekend promises to get at least one room situtated with furniture (only to have more coming in - another long story). I have to do a few things around the house this weekend, since we're having company next weekend. I'm not talking major company, just some friends for lunch on Saturday. I have so much to do!

I have also started working on a cross-stitch project. It was going to go to a friend about 4-5 years ago (yikes!) and I think now if I can finish it, I'll personalize it for my brother and his wife.

Isn't he adorable?! This was Sunday as we were helping my brother and his wife pack and load the truck. That's his uncle's hat. I LOVE IT!!!! Hopefully I can post more soon.

So much to catch up on...

I'm actually swamped at work, although this is the first week I've had a breather.

Knitting is not progressing, but hopefully this weekend it will, since we're taking a road-trip, and if I can get my hubby to drive at least part of the way, then maybe I can knit a little. I miss it, and hopefully tonight after I get the baby's bag packed, I can sit down and knit a little.

I've recently gotten hooked on Sudoku. I'm not really much of a numbers person, although I do work as an accountant. I'm not usually a number puzzle kind of person; I prefer word puzzles (give me a cryptogram anytime!). However, I'm slowly working through a book given to us by type-A people right after I came home with our "perfect" son (the doctor's words, not mine!). I'm now addicted.

Has it really been a month?!

I guess it's really been over a month, hasn't it?! Well, SOOOOO much has gone on, but hopefully life will slow down and get into a rhythm again. Here's the latest: we bought a house in Woodstock, and moved yesterday (and yet I'm at work today...). It's a lovely home, with a nice yard and plenty of space (for now). I get my own craft room, so expect lots of pictures. I have several of before we moved in, when the house was open to the public. I'll try and post them a little along. Here's the front yard:

There's yard work to be done, and starting in the fall, I'm sure I'll be outside digging. In front of the tree (you can't see them) are BLUEBERRY bushes. I'm all excited!!! Fresh blueberries for baking, cooking and eating! I don't have to buy any. I think the bushes need some cultivating, but they produce wonderfully.

Back to knitting...the craft room should hopefully provide me with space to utilize regularly and get all kinds of crafty-goodness done. Enjoy the beautiful day!

New stuff...and exciting news!

I just had to show you my sweet baby!!!! Now here's the exciting news...we're buying a house! Want even more exciting news? I get a CRAFT ROOM!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I will have a whole room just for my sewing machine, knitting paraphenalia, paint, craft books, and the like. I'm in the midst of getting back into the swing of things at work, and packing at home, and decorating in my head. We close on the 24th, and we're so excited. We found a great deal on a house with a huge yard, that backs up to a river in Woodstock, and we're loving it. I've been knitting some, but haven't had a whole lot of time. I can't wait to show you pictures...it'll be my work in progress, and hopefully I can get some knitting done between now and the time my finished craft room is unveiled. =)

Great Mommy, terrible knitter

Well, not only did we take pictures, I got them developed, and here's my angel on Easter:

Isn't he precious?! Not that you can tell, but he's even wearing a little tie! My brother was successfully married...here's them the week before:

Aren't they cute together? I LOVE it!

I've been a terrible knitter...I haven't completed anything, and for about 4 weeks I haven't even picked up the needles. I'm always doing something else...like cooking, cleaning, driving, or just life stuff. Work also seems to get in the way. Oh well...at least our bathrooms are clean. The knitting will probably increase after we get settled in a new place, and things settle down in general. Back to work for me...more pictures tomorrow.

My so-called Life

Well, it has happened once again. Just when I think I have it all together, it all falls apart. We (my family and I) call this an "applesauce" moment. I'm slowly getting things together, and trying to keep them that way. It doesn't always work.

So, here's an update...Easter went fabulously. My family came over for lunch on Sunday. We ate, we talked, we took pictures (hopefully I'll have some to post from Sunday soon). We all went home. My brother's getting married on Saturday, and I'm really excited. I LOVE his fiancee. She's wonderful. We think we've found a house now; all that needs to come together is the financing, and we can make an offer. Taxes are due, and I still haven't filled them out. Oh well...they should be done this week, and if not, then the extension will be filed this week. I'm working on a *secret* project. I don't get to work on it very often, but fortunately, the hard part's done.

I have a hard time finding time to knit now. Our baby's not very high maintenance, but he's still a baby. He takes a lot of attention, and he's completely worth every second! There are several other things I want to knit...and maybe one day, I'll get to them.

Life just seems to be one thing after another. We've been house-hunting on the weekends, when we don't have other things to do. In the next month, we have 2 weddings to attend, a baby dedication to plan, taxes due, loan applications to fill out, and other social events that require our attendance. It's the season for busyness. I'm hoping once this is over, and we can move, things will quiet down and I can spend some time at home. That's what I really want...time at home.

I'm back!

Well, I'm getting back into the swing of things. I have pictures!!!! Here's a couple of pics of my sweet little angel:

Here he is sleeping, and here's one of him awake:

There will be more as time goes on! I have lots to share!!! I'm one proud momma!

He's finally here!

It's been a mad week or so, but we finally have our little one home! I still haven't knit anything for him yet...it's been too crazy to even think about picking up needles! He's a precious angel, quiet and not very fussy at all. The Cesarean went as well as could be expected, but the removal of the bandage was not pleasant. That caused as much pain as the actual incision. Mom's healing, baby's growing, and there are sure to be some new knits for Sebastian in the coming years. I will post pics when I get them in electronic format. =0) As for the vitals, he was born on January 19th, at 10:41 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. He has beautiful dark blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. He truly does look like a little angel!

He's finally here!

It's been a mad week or so, but we finally have our little one home! I still haven't knit anything for him yet...it's been too crazy to even think about picking up needles! He's a precious angel, quiet and not very fussy at all. The Cesarean went as well as could be expected, but the removal of the bandage was not pleasant. That caused as much pain as the actual incision. Mom's healing, baby's growing, and there are sure to be some new knits for Sebastian in the coming years. I will post pics when I get them in electronic format. =0)

D'oh!

I have a couple of pictures of the cardigan I finished, but I keep leaving the cord at home so I can't post them while at work. Perhaps I'll remember tomorrow and grab it before walking out the door, and I can post it then. The hat I have to reknit is still being knitted. I think I'm stuck in a knitting rut and can't get out. That, and I'm slightly concerned.

We went for an ultrasound yesterday for the position of the baby. He's in what they call a "footling posterior breech" position. Basically, he's feet first, facing forward. He's healthy, which is good, but let's face it "breech" is not a word a woman in her 9th month likes to hear...especially when she's a week from her due date. It's a little on the scary side. All sorts of visions run through your head of having a Cesarean or something dreadful happening to the baby (like brain damage from the cord being wrapped around his neck during delivery). It completely blows the whole nice image of having a normal vaginal birth. There's still no reason to panic yet, but it's just disconcerting.

However, perhaps this is what I need to assure me that I will have time to make him something BEFORE he gets here. I'm thinking an extra sweater would be good, since the weather seems to be turning cold again. I might modify the cardigan sweater and just not make it have the ridges, but still knit it the same way. I'll have to get some more buttons though. Maybe this time I can find some cute little sailboats or something. I might even get some green yarn and find some frog buttons.

Almost but not quite

I ALMOST got that cardi done. I have about an inch left on the last sleeve. The hat's still not complete. So much for my plans over New Year's. I think I can finish the cardigan tonight, and then it's on to the hat. Providing nothing major happens to interrupt my plans, hopefully next week I'll be done with both. As for my little one, he's still waiting for mom to make him something. He's patient as well, even though he's got 2 weeks from tomorrow until he's supposed to show his sweet face, he's still turned the wrong way I think.

Sleep has also been illusive this week, and I think a lot of it is worry. Let's face it, delivery is a worrisome thing. I'm anxious about it, and possible complications. There's a lot that can happen between now and then, some good and some bad. I try to keep my mind off it and relax, but that's not always a possibility. I'm trying to take advantage of the last few nights of good rest I'll get before having to get up at 2, but it's not working. Maybe tonight will be a little different if I don't rest before getting ready for bed, so that when I do get ready for bed, my body and mind can slow down. Eh, we'll see how it works out.

Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad soon-to-be mom

I still haven't knit a single stitch for my son. I have 3 weeks, and nothing is knit. I am going to knit like the wind and finish a cardi and hat this weekend (I'm determined!) for a friend at work (that I'm STILL working on). Hopefully once that's done, the knitting will commence for Sebastian Alexander! I at least want to make some booties, a hat, and mitts for him. If I'm really good, and get a bunch of stuff done this weekend, I can spend my evenings knitting. I still haven't set up the nursery, and the car seat hasn't been installed either. Hubby is responsible for that this weekend. Here's the goals for this weekend: Friday night: finish the hat and cardi for the other baby; Saturday: clean and get nursery ready for the crib assembly; Sunday: start knitting like mad for my baby; Monday (no work for me!): more knitting and getting things ready for baby. The cardi's close to being done, and the hat shouldn't take me too much longer. I'm probably going to exhaust myself getting it all done, and then again, I might not. I know I can lay back in our recliner and knit and relax, and hopefully I can stay awake! I need another set of hands...or a clone!

Another Quick Update

Oh how the time flies! I have 4 weeks, just 4 WEEKS PEOPLE! before I'm supposed to give birth to my precious bundle of joy. I'm still not quite realizing it yet. I guess I will once the labor pains kick in that this is REAL.

I have to finish Christmas shopping today (I'm leaving in 5 minutes and using my lunch hour for that) and then interestingly enough, although we weren't going to have Christmas at our place, it turns out we are! Hubby's parents are scheduled to come down on Christmas Day and have lunch (which was news to me, I was just expecting them to come and chat for a little while, then go back home). My parents have asked that we meet at our place, since we're decorated and clean. It's not nearly as clean as I'd like it, or maybe clean's the wrong word...organized is better. But, it's going to get there. I have a 4 day weekend, and I'm going to pick up a few things here and there and clean some stuff out.

Merry Christmas!

Small update and big rant

There hasn't been much knitting going on, since I've been working on the baby's room. Of course, there hasn't been much progress on that either.

I did finally finish the Pea Pod set, but I didn't take pictures before it got horribly cold and I gave the sweater and hat to the mom. She promised pictures, but the hat was too small. I have to remake the hat in the larger size (I should have done that to begin with) and then hopefully pictures will ensue.

I'm almost done with the second sweater for the wee one. It will hopefully be done before Christmas, along with the booties.

I have had 2 showers now, and received a ton of clothes (I know they're cute, but we registered for a reason!) and one set of clothes was actually handmade. I thought I would be more overjoyed at getting a set of handknitted clothes for my baby, but I wasn't that thrilled. I guess because the woman who gave them to me didn't make them, so I don't feel like they're all that special. Don't get me wrong...I know that a woman made them by hand and sold them, but I guess it's the selling that's giving me problems here. If it had come from a fellow knitter, as a gift that they themselves had made, I would like to think I'd feel differently. It's like when my mom makes an article of clothing for me instead of buying it. I always look on that one item as more treasured because of her time. She could have had someone else make it, but it wouldn't be the same. That's how I feel now. I wish another knitter would make me something for my baby, because it would be a gratitude that cannot be expressed. I've had some people give me handmade things, and I love every second of them. My socks from my secret sock pal, for example...I love those socks. I am very careful with them, but LOVE wearing them. I know they were made just for me, and no one purchased them pre-made.

I wish more people would make gifts for Christmas. I try to keep lots of things for Christmas simple, by making gifts where I can, and doing old-fashioned stockings. We get fruit, nuts, cookies and peppermints in these stockings. It's meant as a reminder that there are more important things than consumerism and commercialism, and we should be thankful for the simple things in life. Family should always be more important than what the stores have, and for the past several years, we stress quality over quantity in our house. Most years we don't have a lot to spend, so all gifts must be thoughtful. I'm going to try and do a pair of socks each month for family next year, and then everyone gets handmade socks for Christmas. If we don't have anything else to give them, at least their feet will be warm, and hopefully their hearts as well.

Something accomplished...finally

I didn't get as much knitting done this weekend as I had hoped, but I did further my progress. I have over half of the Pea Pod hat done, and I finally found some buttons for the cardigan. I have to say...I'm still not thrilled with the buttons. I might go Saturday to JoAnn's and see what I can find there. I'm not about to venture out on Friday. Friday is reserved for cleaning and wrapping gifts and knitting. The more knitting the better on Friday. Today is my Thursday, and if I'm good and sneaky, I might be able to knit a little at work tomorrow. If I can finish the hat, then I can hopefully work more on the KTC project. It might take me more than one month to finish that one. I didn't think it would take that long. I'm beginning to think I should undo what I've done and go smaller. If I reduce it by 20%, it will go faster. Hopefully I can post some pictures on Friday of what's been done. =0)

Knitting on the Horizon

I haven't had time this week to knit! Can you believe it?! Monday I went to bed as soon as I could, around 8. Tuesday, a friend was supposed to come over to talk about the baby shower, but that didn't happen. While I waited for her, I cleaned up a little around the apartment. Last night, I fixed dinner and went to the store. Then I collapsed in bed around 10. Maybe tonight and this weekend I can get in some knitting time. I have lots to work on. There's another baby sweater, a hat, some booties, and my KTC project. Not to mention the other baby sweater I was going to make out of the CottonTots. I'm still not really happy with it, so I think it's going to get ripped out until I can decide what to really do with it. This weekend, we're heading out of town, and I'm hoping that I'll get some good knitting time in. There's not a whole lot to do in a suburb of Birmingham, so other than a trip to Wal-Mart, I think I'll be stuck watching movies and knitting inside, and trying to avoid the cat. Long story short, the cat's not too fond of people to start with (which means he's not friendly) and I'm allergic. It isn't a bad combination usually, but with the pregnancy, there's no telling what will happen. However, it can't be all that much worse than what's going on at work. They've started renovating our building, so dust, mold and all sorts of crap are floating in the air. I take advantage of lunch to get out and clear my lungs.

This has got to go!

It's just not working for me. I'm going to frog it, and I think I'll make the woman at work another sweater for her son. I still have to get buttons for the Pea Pod sweater, and do the hat and booties. I think another cardigan is in order. The first one turned out nicely, so #2 will be on its way.

I knit NOTHING this weekend. I just didn't feel like it, since we went to visit with my parents and grandmother, since my grandfather's in the hospital. I know that at least he knew and was excited about having a great grand-son. I am sorry he won't be able to see him. The stroke was extremely damaging, and it seems that the damage is irreparable. The doctors don't give him much chance of even being able to swallow on his own ever again, and even if he does, it seems he's blind and won't regain his speech capacity either. It's sad, but we knew it was coming.

I'm working on some patterns, and I might post one on here for free, and I think I might submit the other to Knitty. We'll have to see how it comes together, particularly while the baby's on the way. One of them is for Knit the Classics, and the other is in memory of my grandfather. I don't know why, but he seems to inspire something that needs to be created. If I can't get the pattern accepted somewhere, I'll post it here as well. I am thinking about the rest of my grandparents, and potentially creating patterns in memory of them as well. I will have one grandmother left (my mom's mother) after my grandfather passes, so I find the patterns will all be "in memory of" rather than "for" them.

Working through it

Well, I think I've worked through most of the problem I was having with my pattern for Knit the Classics. I'm going to work on it tonight and the rest of this weekend, and see how things go. If I wrote the pattern correctly, there shouldn't be a problem. If I didn't, I can hopefully fix any problems and correct the pattern. I can't believe people do this for a living.

I have decided however, to work on at least one pattern each month at work. It sounds like cheating, but since most of the month I have virtually nothing to do, the last 3 weeks are incredibly boring, and I have to create stuff for myself to do. I figure why not start with something that I enjoy, and can just do on the side, like patterns for knitting. It's better than a sharp stick in the eye.

Figuring it out

I think I figured out the pattern for the KTC project I'm going to be working on. I spent part of today working on that. I'm also writing it down...technically, I'm writing it out before I get started, at least most of it.

I also decided to write down the baby cardigan sweater I'm working on. If I decide to finish it, that is. I still haven't made up my mind.

There's lots of creativity going on in my head, and not all of it is in knitting. I remember a recipe from college that was FABULOUS...and I emailed for the recipe. They can't find it. So, I'm going to try and recreate it to the best of my memory. If you're lucky, I'll post that as well. It's a semi-original recipe. I haven't seen another like it, and believe me, I've looked. I can't say I've exhausted every resource, but most of the websites I've looked at haven't come close to this recipe. I remember watching the chef prepare it once (it was actually a vegan meal prepared fresh) and I'm hoping I have remembered all the main ingredients. I think I might bake cookies this weekend, and a cheesecake, for the office (but the cheesecake stays home). We'll see what happens.

It's been a crazy week. Tuesday morning, my grandfather had a stroke, and was hospitalized. He's stable, but they're not sure what his prognosis will be just yet. They're going to keep him sedated for a couple of days, and let his body heal as much as possible, and then see what damage has been done. On the bright side, he can't get any worse (without another stroke), and he could get up to 90% better. We're hoping for close to 90%. Thoughts and prayers are welcomed with open hearts.

Not happy

Ever have one of those years you just want to stop, before the year's over? That's this year. I'm so done with this year. Can we start the new year now?

I wasn't happy with the baby cardigan I had started with the CottonTots. So, I ripped it. I started it over, but when I started it, I thought about making a pair of mommy and son socks out of it. Cheesy, yes, but KEEE-UTE! I'm just not sure how they'd turn out. Any suggestions or ideas?

I still haven't budged on the baby blanket. I really should get cracking on that thing. It's just SO BORING now. I'd rip it out too, but I feel there's too much invested in it. Here's a shot of it so far:

It's probably about 10 inches so far. It just takes so long. I have thought about ripping it out, and then doubling the yarn and using a larger needle, and just doing the whole garter stitch thing.

Quick Update

Well, I am still not working on the baby blanket. How sad is that?! In any case, I got sidetracked with a cardi for my own little one in Bernat CottonTots (pictures soon to follow) and now I'm in to Knit the Classics, and will be working on a project for that. When I get a good start on it, I'll post more about it. =0) I have to leave something for you to come back and read. I'm in the mood to organize my knitting patterns. That doesn't happen very often, and usually indicates I have some energy. That's a good sign, since I'm at week 29. I'll post more later.

PICTURES!!!!

I found the camera this weekend, and had the batteries charged and ready to go, so yesterday I took some pictures! Woot!

Here's the blanket I made for my grandmother about 2 years ago for Christmas:

It's a huge afghan, and kind of holey. I didn't realize how holey it was, until I tried to curl up under it with a fan blowing. The pattern is nice, but lets in too much air.










Here's a close up of the pattern.













Here it is draped over a chair. It's big enough to really wrap up in, but it does let air seep in. I wish I had know that the holes would let in that much air. I would have changed the pattern for her so she wouldn't have been so cold.









Here's a picture of the baby cardigan I finished...it still needs buttons though.

Here's a close-up of the leaf pattern down the front:

More to come later!!!

Rain, rain, go away

It's pouring down rain today. It's been raining all day, and it's not stopping. I did finish sewing up the sleeves on the baby cardigan, but they still haven't made their way into the sweater. Perhaps tonight I will have enough energy and brain power to put them in CORRECTLY. It's amazing how that helps.

That blanket keeps staring at me from beside my bed. Perhaps once I finish the sleeves I will have the courage to pick that back up.

I still haven't found that digital camera. I know it's there somewhere. Of course, it would be helpful if I made a decent attempt at finding it. My hubby did find the charger, with only one battery (the other one is MIA) and it's completely charged now. Tonight promises a good movie night curled up on the couch, eating putin and perhaps knitting a little. Tomorrow boasts of errands and lots of people stopping by (friends and family). I think I prefer tonight to tomorrow. I think the rain has affected me. Shouldn't we all be under the covers taking a nap now?

Sleeves, sleeves, and sleeves again

I am having the hardest time with finishing the cardigan. For some weird reason, I can't get happy with the sleeves. I started and was actually through with one, and when I looked at the seam in the sleeve, I didn't like it, so out it went. I know I'm not keeping it, but if I'm not happy with it and I think it looks sloppy, I'm not giving it away. So, I took out the whole thing (it was one long piece of yarn to sew it together and on with), and then I seamed it terrifically. The seam now looks great. The problem? Now I can't figure which sides to put together to put the arm in the cardigan! I started putting it in backwards (wrong side facing right side I think) and it all just went downhill from there. I couldn't figure it out. Perhaps I'll have better luck at lunch today. I think I was tired and not focusing enough (trying to watch Ghost Hunters and then Lost...not a time to think about knitting). Hopefully, today will be better.

So Close...

I'm so close to finishing the cardigan. I finished the sleeves and sewed up the shoulders last night. I would have started the collar, except I couldn't figure out how to evenly space all the stitches. I think I finally figured out how to space the stitches on the cardigan, using Excel this morning at work. I'll try it at lunch (which I'm about to go to...I get hungry often being pregnant). As much of an old-fashioned person as I like to think I am, sometimes you just can't beat technology.

I also searched for the digital camera. I found the charger for the batteries, but now I can't find the camera. It's around there somewhere. I'm 98% sure it's in the bedroom, which I'll be working on a little bit tonight. I've decided that I can do 15-20 minutes worth of cleaning every night, and hopefully in 3 months, before the baby arrives, just about everything will have a place. Hopefully I can find the camera tonight and get the batteries charged, and take some pictures of stuff. Hopefully.

Baby cardigan and found projects!

I went box diving (sort of like dumpster diving, but it's in the boxes that are still in the baby's room unpacked) the other day, and ran across a few things. I found some older projects that I hadn't finished (big surprise there...I'm always starting things and not finishing them). I found a cotton blanket I had started in a neat pattern I picked up from someone in crochet, but I haven't bought any more of it, and I'm 3 skeins in to the blanket. I'm thinking if I frog it, I can reuse it for a cardigan and hat for my little one. It's in Bernat Cotton Tots Sweet Dreams, which is a nice multi-pastel colorway. I might just knit it up in a Stockinette Stitch sweater for the little one and we can layer with it in the spring.

I worked on the cardigan for my friend all weekend, and I'm almost done with the sleeves. I decided to try and take a "short-cut" by doing both sleeves at once. I'm on the last few rows, and can probably finish that up tonight. Then there's just the sewing together, collar, and blocking to do. There will be lots left over from the GIANT ball of yarn I'm using for it (Lion Brand Pound of Love) and I might recycle some of it before my own gets here. It would prevent me from having to go out and get something. It's also easy to take care of (one of the benefits of what some refer to as the "inferior" type - mostly acrylic). I go for ease of washing. If I have to specially wash it in Woolite or hang everything to dry, I'm less likely to use it. I still haven't worked on that blanket. It looks sadly at me when I pick up the sweater, and I promise myself that once I'm done with the cardi, I'll pick it back up. Although the matching hat and the booties won't take long to make, I'm thinking I might need a break in it later.

I also never dry clean anything. I have an aversion to dry cleaners. When I was little (probalby about 6-7 years old), I had a lovely red velvet dress my mother had made for me for Christmas one year. It was beautiful...it had a lovely sash and pretty collar with lace trim. Well, wearing it on Sundays only helped keep it semi-clean, until we used glue in Sunday School. Being the semi-klutz I am, I got some Elmer's glue on the sleeve. Mom assured me that the dry cleaners could get it out. So off we went on Monday to put it in. When we got the dress back, not only had they NOT gotten the glue out, but there was a HUGE black stain on it. Yep, the dry cleaners had gotten grease on the dress. I was devastated and furious. That one experience so many years ago has tainted my view of cleaners so badly I absolutely refuse to go to one. Ever. No matter what. I wash it in Woolite and hang it to dry. I'll use an iron with a old hanky over the top/pants/skirt/whatever to get out the wrinkles. I'm now forever marked and paranoid about cleaners.

Ramblings and a Meme

Ok, so for some reason, if this doesn't turn out right, it's not my fault...the page didn't load right. In any case, I just had to sing the praises of handknit socks. I love them. I wore a pair I received from a Secret Pal exchange yesterday, and they felt fantastic. Today, I'm wearing the first pair of socks I knit. Here's the Meme. I yanked it from BoogaJ.

1. FIRST NAME? Laura

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Great-grandmother

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? This past weekend, when going through my grandmother's house deciding what I wanted to keep and what could go in the estate sale.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I don't particularly care for it, but I'm always voluteered to write things because it's "neat".

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? I don't usually do a sandwich for lunches (or if I do, it's a Subway with chicken or PB from home), but if I had to pick one, probably ham or turkey. Odd note, if the sandwich isn't heated, before I finish it, it makes me gag.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'd like to think so...

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Does this and Livejournal count?

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, even though for the past 10 years I've been begging for them to be taken out. Doctors can be stupid, even when you have constant problems with something.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I have seriously considered it; the price of the places I've seen is usually my deterent, rather than the jump.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? It was Apple Jacks when I was young; now I'd have to say Smart Start, although I wouldn't mind some Apple Jacks every now and again.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope, I slide them off and on, even tennis shoes.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Well, I'd like to think I'm a lot stronger than I am physically, but I was rarely messed with in school, and if I stepped in to defend someone the other person usually backed down.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Absolute, all time favorite? No question or hesitation...Ben and Jerry's Phish Food.

14. SHOE SIZE? 10

15. RED OR PINK? Hmmm...tough question. Both for different reasons and seasons. For some things, red is exactly what's needed, but for others, pink is the better way to go.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Do I really have to answer this one? I guess so...probably weight.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandparents (deceased) and parents (still living - just not with me)

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Of course...anyone who reads it should post it!

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue, blue, and blue/gray. Notice a theme?

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Lunch - cheap chicken pot pies

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Evanescence CD

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? either a shade of blue or green (so many choices...)

23. FAVORITE SMELL? My husband after a shower

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My hubby

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes and sense of humor

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? Sure!

27. FAVORITE DRINK? It depends...I drink mostly water these days, but I'm always up for a good cup of juice, coffee, or something fizzy!

28. FAVORITE SPORT? To watch on TV, probably tennis. To go watch, probably football.

29. EYE COLOR? Blue

30. HAT SIZE? Smaller than I usually think it is.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Most of the time, but I read with glasses at night and there are days when I really don't feel like sticking my finger in my eyes.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Fruits and veggies, chocolate, baked goods, in that order.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings...I don't do scary movies.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter, since the summer is so hot and sticky here.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs from non-relations, kisses from relations (particularly hubby)

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate, no questions!

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ??

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ??

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, again

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? my mouse (mouse pad is grey at work)

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Nothing actually.

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Children laughing

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Utah

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Singing and knitting (not at the same time...although, I could...)

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? San Francisco, CA

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? See above.

Making Progress

Since I couldn't resist casting on for the baby sweater, I worked on that this weekend, and again today at lunch. It's coming right along. Actually, since it's small, it goes rather quickly, even with the pattern in it. I should be able to finish it this weekend, since we're going out of town...again. Last weekend it was to visit my dad in Augusta and spend some time with him. This weekend, it's up to my in-loves. It's nice usually when I go out of town, because I don't usually cook or clean and can spend a lot of time knitting, even in the car, provided I'm not driving. This last weekend though, I did spend quite a bit of time in the kitchen. I fixed several meals, and let my dad keep the leftovers, since it's hard to cook for one person. We ate most of the food, but he had enough of different dishes for the rest of the week. It's nice to take care of a parent sometimes like that, since they did it for so long for you.

The blanket is at a stand-still, because I feel like it's so boring. I was excited to start it, but now, it seems tedious. Maybe it's just me. I have a good 6 inches done, but I feel like I'm never going to get through with it. I guess that's why I started on the cardigan. I'll take both this weekend, and I should finish the cardigan, and maybe I'll get inspired to work on the blanket again. Hopefully I can also get some batteries (or find the rechargables) and take some pictures.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Well, I couldn't resist the urge to cast on last night, so I cast on for the baby sweater I am supposed to make for a friend who delivered a couple of weeks ago. On the bright side, I should be able to finish the hat, cardigan, booties, and blanket by the time she gets back (around Thanksgiving) and they should be big enough that her son can still wear them. I'm making them in the 6 month size, so he can grow into them. It'll stay cold for a while around here, and the baby will still be 6 months during the winter. We sometimes get a cold snap in April, so it can hopefully still be worn then.

Now, I have to plan for my own munchkin's wardrobe. I'm still on the prowl for some perfect baby patterns for a blanket, sweater, booties, hat, just about anything. I still haven't found just the right one I want yet. I'll keep searching...anyone have suggestions? I might be hitting a Borders this weekend, and I might see what I can find there. I find all kinds of cute stuff for girls, but for some reason, boys are harder to find good patterns for. Oh well...I still have a good 3 months to get everything in order, and I'm sure I can make it all in that time, with some help.

Everybody's working for the weekend...

and I'm no exception. I'm taking a half day tomorrow, and we're heading down to visit my dad. I'm hoping that hubby will drive, so I can knit on the way down. I have considered the baby blanket, and I have decided that I can and will cast on for the sweater either tonight or tomorrow. There will also be cleaning going on in Augusta. You gotta love that for the weekend...nesting instinct coming home! =0)

Organizational process

Organization always seems to be a process...never quite finished. It's like perfectionism - no matter how hard you strive for it, you always fall short, and there's always just a little more to reach that goal. Unlike perfectionism, I don't plan on driving myself or anyone else crazy. I think the nesting instinct is kicking in for me, and I'm ready to get everything done. THis next week, I'm hoping to be able to set up my craft space. That promises to be fun. If I can get a place for things, then I can slowly work on organizing the minor stuff, like patterns. There are boxes upon boxes of patterns. There are books, magazines, and lots of paper hanging about. The yarn will hopefully have its own home, and not be all over the place.

I decided to frog the Jaywalker I had almost completed. Now I have a lovely ball of Magic Stripes waiting to be re-knit. I have completed about 6 inches of the baby blanket. Just 27 inches left, right?! Then it's time to hit my baby's stuff. I have a little pocket money now from the opera I finished, and that's going to be invested in some lovely yarn for my baby. Hopefully I will find the rechargable batteries for the digital camera, and I'll be able to upload some pictures. There's so much to knit, and organize. Maybe I can teach my feet to knit and my hands to organize, or vice versa.

A new item that I think should be added to baby registeries - a computer. I would love to get a new one for all the pictures that will be taken (and trust me, this child will think they get more press space than any celebrity in this world). It's just a matter of time. If everything works out, maybe next year I can afford to get a decent one with all the right software.

Wasting Time

I had rehearsal last night for the opera, and the sucky part was that I was stuck there for at least an hour before I had to go on. The good news was it gave me knitting time. I found several others that knit in the production as well, so I was in good company. Even some of the children knit! One girl had a knitting loom that she was making a sweater on, and two others had straight needles. One of the women had just purchased some yarn for a shawl/wrap out of mostly novelty yarn, and needed some help getting it started, since she had to use a circular needle, and she's never used one before. I whipped out my Jaywalker socks, and started on them. Apparently, I'm the most experienced one in the group. No one else has attempted socks, or even gone beyond a scarf. Maybe I can encourage them to branch out and try something new...at least something beyond a simple garter stitch! There's even a little girl who wants to learn, and wants us to teach her. I'm all about the teaching. I'm taking the Hoover blanket with me next time, and hopefully I can make some real progress on that. I have to rearrange the bag I'm taking, but it should be all good.

All the knitting around me makes me want to start a new project. I'm trying to decide what to start once I finish the socks and the blanket. I still have a sweater, hat and booties to make for the woman at work. I guess I should start those afterward. I'm hoping to have it all completed by the time she gets back (in about a month or so).

Just my luck...

I started to take pictures of the afghan, socks, and various other articles to post, and I realized the batteries were dying and QUICKLY. I looked in a few places, but so little is unpacked currently, there was no way to find any replacements. Maybe some time this week I can talk my darling husband into locating at least some AA replacements for me to use until I can find the charger with the other 2 rechargable batteries.

This weekend, I think I worked a whopping 2 rows on the baby blanket, and she delivered on Saturday. If I get it done by the time she gets back, she'll still be able to use it. It's going to be slightly bigger than a regular baby blanket, so we're hoping he doesn't grow TOO fast.

In and Out

Well, there's not much going on in the knitting front, but I did pick up my Jaywalkers again. They are an easier project to transport than the baby blanket. Hopefully I'll get some pictures up soon.

I keep finding some great blogs. I love reading them, although I try to be good at work and not spend too much time reading and not working. I wish reading them was part of my job. Oh well...here's a link to the cool one I found, and the really awesome sock pattern she created. I guess maybe I'm a little behind in some areas of blogging, but sometiems I actually get ahead of the crowd. I'm sure if I spent more time devoted to it, I'd stay ahead more.

The weather's beautiful around here; fall's definitely upon us. There's the crispness in the air that makes fall spectacular, and the heat has broken. It makes you want to pick up your needles and knit all the time. Maybe I'll get more done than I think before this month is over.

I promised and forgot.

I promised pictures today, because I had found my digital camera. But, having baby brain, I forgot. I was so intent on having a night at home and spending time with my DH, I completely forgot. Well, I did remember at one point, but I think that was just before it was brownie time, and then the brownies erased all memory of pictures.

I read here that Kerrie is also pregnant, and that she's expecting in March, which is just 2 months after me (Congrats to her!). She's considering doing this pattern from Knitty as a cardigan, which made me start thinking, why not? It might work after all. I'm still waiting to hear back from Amy to see if she's thought about a pregnant issue...all things maternity and newborn related. I emailed her yesterday, so I expect to wait a good week or so before hearing back from her.

I didn't knit a single stitch yesterday, although I did feel a little guilty about it, since there's a long way to go on the blanket, and after next Friday, the lady that's due is on leave. If I knit like a mad woman during lunches and at every turn, I might get it finished.

In other news, I received a knit blanket recently. I had knit it for my grandmother, and since she passed away this year, I asked for it back. It's large and green, and very nice. It's a little holey, and if there's a fan blowing on you, you still feel it. But if there's warm air or you're just a little chilly without a breeze or the air conditioner, it works very well. I'll have to take pictures of it soon as well. I thought I had some already of it, and I might, but they're probably on the computer at home or on a disk, if I can ever find it. New pictures might be in order.

Found it!!!

I found my digital camera this weekend. I'll take some pictures of progress on the baby blanket tonight and post them tomorrow. In the meantime, you'll just have to be placated with an explanation. I've done about 4 inches on the Hoover blanket in a solid baby blue.

The new Knitty is up as well, and I have to say I'm VERY impressed. Most of the sweaters go up to a size 55" bust, and that's helpful for those of us who don't want to do the math to upsize every cute sweater we see. The only problem is that I won't be able to wear them if I make them this year, being pregnant and all. I have asked about a pregnancy issue...maybe have some tops that go up to that size as well. It never hurts to ask.

With the opera, I have to find the pair of socks I started several months ago and start taking them with me. I don't think I'll have time to work on them right now, but in a week or so, while the Maestro makes us wait through the first opera, I can sit and knit on them. I also may start on some other baby things. Socks are an easily transportable project, and don't usually take up a lot of room. The afghan takes a little more, since the ball of yarn is huge.

Still knitting...

on the blanket. I have about 3-4 inches of the center done now. This weekend is a time for memorizing words for the opera, knitting and some cooking too. There's still a LOT to be done before the baby gets here, and only half is knitting!

Crap!

I lost a post. Dang it. It was about getting stuff done on the blanket this weekend, and the hospital tour, and what I'm planning on knitting for our baby. He has to have something better than what the hospital supplies.

NEWS!!!!!

In the world of knitting, I think I finished about another inch on the blanket last night. That's encouraging.

In other news (here's the big stuff), we're having a BOY! You know what that means!!!! Knitting boy stuff...tons and TONS of it! There's blankets (big and small), sweaters, hats, booties, and all kinds of stuff that this little bundle of boyhood is going to have. Any suggestions for the first item?!

Weekend of Cleaning and Knitting...

Hopefully I can get some knitting done this weekend. I have about 2 inches of the center done for the baby blanket. I also have some cleaning and baking to do (early in the morning, since it's so hot) and hopefully I can get more than 2 more inches done. I can't believe it's taking me SOOOOO long to do this baby blanket. Of course, I haven't touched it in a few days. I've been too tired to do much of anything. I feel better though today. I'm going home and I'm going to do a few things (purging a few places around the house) before bed tonight. Hopefully that will open up the rest of the weekend for knitting. Saturday night is definitely going to be a knitting time. I love knitting while watching the British Sitcoms on public television on Saturday night. I'm excited, because according to the schedule online, they're bringing back 2 of my favorites, The Vicar of Dibley and Last of the Summer Wine. I love Dawn French. Her knitting book is awesome. =0)

Tired Progress

I'm so tired. I keep trying to push just a little, but last night I gave up and went to bed at 8:30. I have about 2 inches of the pattern completed on the blanket. I also seriously need to start reviewing and memorizing the words for the opera I'm in. I'm supposed to be memorized by Labor Day weekend.

I have a sonogram on Monday, and I'm taking a half day off work. It's in the middle of the afternoon, and it seems like a better option than trying to cram a whole day into half, and getting all stressed out before a doctor's appointment.

I posted a few comments on some lists, and got a good idea. Instead of sweaters, I could make some shawls, since I may become hot-natured in the winter, and I can still wear the shawls after the baby's born. I just need to find my Vogue knitting book, and check out some stitches. I might see about borrowing my brother's Stitchionary, and creating my own. It's always cheaper when you make it up.

Slow knitting progress

I've completed about an inch or so on the baby blanket. I don't think it's going to get done for the shower, but I'll keep working on it, and maybe before she leaves on the 22nd of September it'll be done with the hat, sweater and booties. Keep your fingers crossed.

I saw a great sweater online at www.avenue.com in a lovely shade of green. It's a wool/acrylic blend, and it made me want to knit up a storm! It would actually be a great pregnancy sweater, since it's open in the front, like a jacket but without a tie. I don't know where the yarn would come from, but it might just show up sometime. I have lots of yarn to knit with, but new projects are so tempting!!!! I must get through the baby stuff first, and do all kinds of baby stuff for our little one on the way, and then I can look at new stuff. Once I know what we're having (boy or girl), there might be a little more motivation to knit for the little tyke. Right now, it's sort of an amorphous blob. I'd like to think we're having a boy, but there are times when I think we're having a girl. Either way, the child will be loved and wrapped constantly in handmade items, but I want to know!!!!

Another post?!

I know, crazy, isn't it?! A second post this week. Well, I'm in week 17 of pregnancy, and I have an ultrasound on the 21st for growth. I think my doctor was a little concerned because I lost 4 pounds in a month, for a net gain of 1 pound so far. I'm not trying to lose weight. I swear I'm not. I'm eating healthier for the baby, and more frequently, because I'm hungry. I'm also trying to unpack, so I'm a little more active on the weekends. I could also be a little dehydrated, since I know I haven't been drinking as much water as I should.

I finally have the bottom border completed on the blanket, and I completed the set-up row for the Hoover blanket. I'm going to use tomorrow to knit a lot on it, and hopefully it'll be done for the woman's shower at work on the 21st. Maybe, but don't hold your breath. The sofa has gotten extremely uncomfortable for long periods of time to me, and I don't have a comfy chair to sit in. If someone has a nice chair and sofa set in the Atlanta area they'd like to dispose of, please post a comment and I'll contact you! I've been trying to get a new sofa for a while, and haven't found one yet that's in our price range (free is about what we can afford).

Bits and Pieces

Well, I did start on that baby blanket for a woman at work. It's about 2 inches so far, and she's due in late September! We moved though, and I'm working slowly but surely to get things settled.

Being pregnant takes a lot out of you, but other than being tired, I really can't complain too much! I'm currently at about 4 months, so I have some time to get the room ready for the baby to share with the craft stuff! =0) Actually, I just went to the doctor yesterday and I lost 4 pounds! That's good news to me, because I'm eating healthier, more frequently, and moving more, which means it's a good weight loss, and not going to hurt the baby. I'm also drinking lots of water and getting lots of rest.

Oh, and here's more good news! I auditioned for the Atlanta Opera Chorus and was accepted! I'm performing with them this fall in Carmina Burana! It's a lot of fun for me, and it works great with my schedule, since all the rehearsals are on nights on weekends. It isn't too stressful right now, since we meet about twice a week, but it's more activity and a good workout for all those lower ab muscles that will be used once it's time for the baby to arrive!

I still have a pair of socks to finish, and two sweaters to make for myself. I guess I should really get cracking on them, otherwise they won't be done in time. I first have to finish the blanket though. I'm trying to work it in with rehearsals, unpacking, and rest.

Quick Update

Here's a quick update as to what's been going on, and why I haven't been around much lately. We're moving on Saturday, so packing has been prevalent. The 4th of July brought a trip out of town to visit family (which was nice) and work's been kind of crazy with auditors flitting about like hummingbirds. Pregnancy's going great...I haven't been sick (other than normal allergy issues which are always expected). Other than that, life's just been getting in the way. I did start on the first of the baby gifts...a blanket. I think I've done about 3-4 rows. I haven't gotten very far, but after we move it should get a little further along. After I find out if we're having a boy or a girl (although I'd take either, I'd kind of like to have a boy first), I'm sure the needles will be flying. Maybe in a couple of weeks I can post some pictures. =0)

More News

Well, I haven't knit anything, and I HAVE to get started on baby things. There are lots of blankets, booties, hats, sweaters, and toys to knit up. I've been a lazy bum. I also have 3 maternity sweaters to knit for myself (since I'll be big-pregnant in the winter). I haven't started on those either.

We received some bad news not long after we had the good news. My grandmother passed away on the 2nd, and her funeral was last Tuesday. It was sad because we'll miss her, but it was also happy because she was a terrific Christian lady who really lived her faith and we know we'll see her again in heaven. In any event, the sonogram pictures went to my dad, who's now living at her house since he's an only child and he has ownership of everything. The upside to this is that with the investments my grandmother had, the baby will be well taken care of in the furniture department.

I'm going to try and start something this weekend, if I'm not too tired. I've been sleeping more this week and I think I might actually have the energy to do something other than lie around the house on Saturday.

Here's the good news!

I'm pregnant! We weren't trying, but we're being blessed anyway! I'm about 6 weeks along, so that puts me due in late January. I know, I keep getting the advice that I shouldn't tell too many people, just in case. Well, I have a big mouth. If something happens, I will let everyone know. But I had to share the good news!

Pictures!

I forgot I brought the camera with me yesterday, but realized I had it today, so here are these pictures. First, of my socks from my sockapaloooza pal:

Sorry it's not the best picture in the world, but they definitely look like the desert. They are lovely shades of teal, orange, rust, and burgundy, all muted. They are also very warm and comfy. Trust me, after a hard day, even when all you've done is sit on your bum, it's nice to have socks like these around your toes!






Next are the elephants I've done:

The red one was for a lady at work, and it's reminescent of her sorority. Their colors are red and white, and their mascot was an elephant. I also got paid $20 for this one (gotta love it when you get paid for fun!).

This pink elephant goes to my friend Kristen, who received the original grey elephant a few months back. She loved the standard elephant for her son, and decided it would be a great joke for her daughter to have a pink one. First of all, because her daughter's favorite color is pink (as much of a favorite as a two-year old can have) and secondly, because of the whole pink elephant/Dumbo/drunk thing. Go figure.

More good news coming...I promise. I'll try and post something on Saturday, after the family leaves. =0)

Good news

So, there is good news afoot. I know that there probably aren't THAT many people who read this, and yet I am SOOOO tempted to tell. I really shouldn't though, not until after Saturday. Hopefully when I get home today, I'll have enough energy to take some pics and tomorrow I can post them. We will be moving in about 2 months, which is encouraging, but we don't know where yet. Yesterday, my husband rescued a giant snapping turtle from the middle of the road. He put him back towards the creek in our neighborhood. I was proud.

In other news, there is no knitting currently, but there is some crocheting going on. I'm working on 2 more elephants, one in pink and one in red. The red one is for a woman at work (who's willing to pay-the red elephant is a mascot from her sorority) and the pink one is for a friend of mine. She thinks it'll be funny to have a pink elephant around her children. I love her like a sister, so of course she gets one.

I do have knitting to do; there is a baby blanket, sweater, booties and hat that must be accomplished by the shower in August. I'm going to go with this pattern for the blanket. I haven't decided yet for the sweater, booties and hat yet. I might just make it up as I go along. I think they'll be plain, since it's for a boy, and it's not my own child so I won't know his personality. I also think I'll work them in green, for something different. The blanket will be in blue. Everyone buys blue stuff for boys, so having something other than blue might be nice.

It seems like it's been forever.

Not since I last posted, but the past week seems like it took forever to get through. I have another week before I get a lovely 5 day weekend. I feel like there's so much to do, and I just have no energy to do anything. Maybe we'll get some answers next week when I head to the doctor. We're changing doctors and the first appointment with the new one should prove to be enlightening. The appointment is on Wednesday the 24th, and when I know more, I'll post more. But for now, it's a secret. =0)

Yay! I'm loved!

After a REALLY long day at work (we're talking 13 hours people), I got a lovely surprise when I got home. I found a package in the mail. It was my socks from a lovely lady in Arizona. I will post more later, after I've had time to take pictures. Thanks Sock Pal!

Babysitting

I'm babysitting Friday night for a friend. That should be fun. I love her kids. The little girl is 2, and her baby brother is about 3 months. She insists on seeing MI:III on opening night, so they're dropping them off at our place while they go to the theater just down the road from us. It makes it convenient. I might be able to work on the elephants while they're there.

Right now, I'm so tired. I'm too tired to even knit. I want to curl up and take a nap. I think adults should have naptime too. Anyone want to start a piece of legislation for it?

Gone!

I just got back from the post office. It was sent on time. How's that?! It's not everything I would have liked for it to be, but it's all the necessary items. I would have preferred to have picked up little things for my sockapalOOOza pal, and sent all of them as well. Oh well, who's to say I can't find little things now and send to her? I can always send more; I just couldn't send less. I also included a nice card and a letter. It's rare these days to send letters anymore; people just email. I miss handwritten letters.

I guess it's time for the next knitting project...what shall it be? Perhaps I'll post a poll and see what others think. I have a pair of Cigar gloves, a purple sweater, a mohair/wool sweater, baby items, and at least 2 crocheted elephants to do. I'm thinking I'm going to start on the baby things and elephants. I'm going to do one red and white elephant for a lady at work, and a pink and white elephant for my friend and her little girl. I think I'll just do two, one for each...I have plenty of yarn for it. I also found this pattern yesterday, and had to print it for more than the obvious reason. That's another story for another day...maybe tomorrow's storytime. =0)

Going, Going...

I blocked the socks last night. They're still a little damp, but by this afternoon when I go to the post office, they should be completely dry. They are lovely...unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of them last night, or this morning and I don't have my camera with me. You'll just have to wait to see them when my secret pal gets them!

It's finished!!!

Woot! I'm done...all but blocking and weaving in ends. I love it! Check them out:

Please forgive the fuzziness of the pictures, but at least I took them, and posted them!

The camera strap got in the shot too. I guess it was tired of always being behind the camera and wanted to be in front for once. Oh well. The socks match for the most part; something weird happened around the heel and caused the lighter pink and yellow stripe sections to be smaller. I have no idea what that is all about, but they're done! Woot! I have the address to send them, and they'll be in the mail on Tuesday! Woohoo!

Almost...

I'm almost where I wanted to be today on the second sock. I started on the heel last night. Actually, I had to frog back to where the heel started and start it. I got so caught up in watching Buffy and knitting that I passed the start of the sock. I just kept going, so I had to frog it back to where the heel needed to start, and then I started on it. I got maybe 4-5 rows in, so hopefully it'll be done today, and tomorrow I can start on the leg part.

I'm enjoying sock knitting...it's fairly quick (depending on the size needles you use), portable, and once you have the pattern down, easy. The hard part is doing your nails and knitting. =0)

Pictures!!!!

Woot! Ok, so I'm a few days late. It's the story of my life. Here's the second sock:



Here's the second and first together...I think they're lining up nicely.

Here's a shot of the first sock all on its own. It's lovely in its own right.

Hopefully I can balance knitting and working out and working around the apartment (chores). I'm counting housework as exercise...doesn't everybody?!

One down...

and one to go! I finished the first sock...I have about 2 weeks to finish the second. I'm going to spend as much time as possible on it, and have it ready by May 2nd. I have some leftover yarn, and I have a lovely idea for it (and to send it to my sock pal), but the sock comes first! I almost have the toe part done on the second sock. Tonight after church I'll take pictures and post them. Here's to hoping it all gets done in plenty of time!

Busy, busy.

I've been SO busy, and at times I've forgotten to post. The times when I haven't forgotten, I didn't have time. Isn't that always the way?!

For my Sockapaloooza update (yes, I'm still working on it, I promise!) I have one sock almost completed. I need to finish it (hopefully tonight while watching TV), and this week I should be able to start on the second one. Now it's a race against time to finish in time. Does anyone remember what the date is to send them off? I'm shooting for the second of May, but I think it's actually just the first weekend. I could be wrong, and I will check my original email again for the actual date.

Life has been turning in its kaleidoscope, making pretty colors and patterns, but not leaving much the same. There is so much to be done! I have to get started! I keep procrastinating and I procrastinate stopping! =0) Soon, I will stop. Today I will stop.

It's been too long.

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since last Friday. I swear I'll do better. I always say that. I have come SOOOO close to finishing the first sock for my SockapalOOOza pal. I've done the foot and am currently working on the leg part (it's a toe-up pattern). It looks lovely. I'll have to take some pictures (tonight!) and get them uploaded. I'm such a slacker.

However, I did finally get some pictures done last night of myself. It's for a press packet to send to Finland for a band. Long story short, I doubt I'll get it, but I'm sticking it out there anyway. The worst they can do is tell me no, and I don't have to pick up everything and move to Finland (which would have to wait until the end of summer anyway because of darling Hubby finishing his degree - he's so close!). I figure I have nothing to lose but time and energy putting this packet together and sending it off. The cash aspect is minor. It's like American Idol, but harder, since it's not a personal interview (to start with). I guess I should look at getting my passport, just in case, huh?

Ack!

I just wrote down all the projects that I am accumulating...I'm gathering at least 4 per month, but I'm not turning them out quite that fast. Here's my list from January through March:
January:

• Panta (headband)-completed
• Socks (first pair-wild stripes)-completed
• Elephant (for a friend's son)-completed
• Purple sweater
• Baby blanket (see above elephant)

February:

• SockapalOOOza socks
• Jaywalker socks
• Mohair sweater (at least I ordered the other yarn to go with this one...)
• Baby sweater (see above blanket and elephant)

March:

• Elephant (for woman at work in soroity colors)
• Cigar gloves (second pair for my brother)
• Psychotic tomatoes
• Cheez-It

I also can't forget that there's a woman at work who's pregnant, and I promised her a blanket, sweater, hat and booties for her little one. Fortunately, she's not due until late September. Ok, it's official...no one else can get pregnant or request anything from me! The request line is closed! Maybe I can get some serious knitting and crocheting done between now and the summer. I just will have to start skipping meals and showers, knitting at work, and not clean anything. Sure...this can work...maybe I won't skip the showers.

Tuesday

Well, here it is, Tuesday. I think I found the pattern I'm going to use for my Sockapaloooza pal. I think I'm going to go with this one. I like the idea of the lace and sock combined. I think I'm going to set aside all my other projects and start on all the ones for others right now. I have to start (and finish) another pair of Cigar gloves for my brother, the Sockapaloooza socks need to get started, and then there's that crocheted elephant for the woman at work who's going to actually pay me $20 for it. I'm just trying to decide what to get started on first. Nothing has been started for any of these, and my sweater keeps calling my name. Both sweaters do. They're lonely. My Jaywalker socks are also calling my name. Hmmm...ok...I need a plan. If I do one Sockapalooza sock, then a Cigar glove, then the elephant, and then another sock and the other glove, that should last me for a good 5 weeks. Each one should (in theory) only take a week. So, that puts me into April. If I'm really slick, I might be able to crank out my purple sweater by Easter. I'm not counting on it, and I wouldn't put money on it, but it's possible. I'll just have to focus more on knitting in the evenings. So, here's to the first Sockapaloooza sock!

Wonderful Weekend

I had a fan-tabulous weekend! I was treated to a class at a LYS with Annie Modesitt! She is a fabulous teacher, and I would highly recommend her classes to anyone. I got all inspired again to knit and to increase my knitting knowledge and experience. She has a terrific sense of humor, and is such a warm and wonderful person!

I still have to find a pattern that will do the sock yarn justice for my Sockapaloooza pal. While I'm scouring the 'net, I'm continuing to knit on the purple sweater and my Jaywalker socks.

In good news, I was offered MONEY for an elephant. It's a special order (she wants it red and white), but it's $20 for me! Woot!

More later...I promise!

The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad blogger

That would be me. I keep thinking I'm going to have time to post something here, and I just don't make the time. Anyway, I found some more pictures, and I thought I'd share.

This is the elusive purple sweater I keep talking about. I don't know how much you can tell from the picture, but it was the Soft Focus pattern from Big Knits, whose co-author Dawn French is one of my favorite British actresses.

This afghan is crocheted, and it's a pattern that apparently Coats and Clark don't print anymore. It went out of print almost as fast as it was in print. My mother-in-law picked the pattern for me, and I made this afghan for my mom's parents for Christmas last year (2005).

As for the podcasts, I have downloaded several. The ones currently on my iPod are About Time, KnitCast, Cast On, Knitting News Cast, For the Love of Fiber, KnitWit, Musings of a peaceful knitter, Pointy Sticks, Secret Knitting, and the Mosh Knit. I know, it sounds like a lot, and I guess maybe it is. I've only really listened to KnitCast, because I just found all the others.