One A Day...

Keeps the doctor away?

Yes I am fighting a sore throat, but that is not what this post is about. I have been known to fill my plate to the point of overflow, but when it is such a good idea, how can I not just add one more tiny thing?

Carole at Gingerbread Girl came up with a wonderful idea for those of us who have bigger projects that we really want to tackle...but are intimidated by them. Introducing: One A Day! The goal? Work a line, row, chunk, square, segment, WHATEVER every day! This is perfect for me. I really want to complete A's Afghan before he turns one and I have yet to start it. I chose Plaid bébé P'tit riz as the pattern for his afghan. I am not sure if I will aim to do a row a day or a row of squares...guess we will see what happens??

I also want to take the same idea to work on a vest for A as well. I am thinking either the Pembroke or Pebbles (both?) one in cotton and one in a wool\acrylic blend.

I know, I'm crazy. But admit it...you find it entertaining!! Stay tuned!

Crafting Time?

When do you like to do your craft of choice?

I find that my most productive knitting time is around mid-morning. A is either playing or napping, I have my cup of coffee and my needles are sitting right next to me. I might as well pick up my current project! I also am able to knit a bit at night after A is (hopefully) down for the night or while riding in the car.

Do you have a specific time you dedicate to your craft? Or are you flexible? Or do you craft ALL day?

I also wanted to include a few pics of A in his knitted hat from my dear friend B. She is becoming quite the knitter! Still a tad big...but he will grow into it soon I am sure!


He is just too cute!

End of August Recap

I cannot believe it has been 2 months since entering the Year of Projects. This has been such a fun experience for me. I enjoy the accountability and knowing that there are other knitters\crocheters out there doing the same thing. I have LOVED going through and reading everyone's blogs and their progress. I must admit, I have a YOP 12/13 list started in the back of my brain. LOL! Oh you know you do too!!

Week 8, let's be honest, AUGUST has proved to be incredibly busy! And progress on my list has been minimal. I think part of it is due to entering a couple swaps where a homemade item was required, which is totally fine and fun! But I am swearing that off until I have made better progress on my list!

This week I made some headway on the first of at least 3 Secret Christmas Scarves...which really, all recipients know about them, and at least one reads this blog, so no more secret. They are 3 Harry Potter scarves in Gryffindor colors! The legacy must live on!


As you can see I am not very far but these should go relatively fast after I finish those swap projects. Here is my complete YOP list update:

Christmas 2011 (due dates for projects in italics)

*Yarn Swap Gift--August 1st
*Hawkeye Scarf--September 1st
*Owlie Sack for Baby Smith--November 1st
*Special Occasion Scarf for Grandma Faye--December 25th (WIP)
*Owlie Sack for Baby Ruyter--December 1st

*Jingle Bells Hat for Aiden--December 1st
*4 Secret Christmas Scarves--December 25th (only NEED to make 3) (WIP)
*1 Secret Christmas Scarf--December 25th
*Kindle Pocket--December 25th
*Mittens for Mom--December 25th
*Hats--December 25th
(For: Kyle, Joshua, Jason, Daniel)
*Hanging Dishtowel for Z--December 25th
*Leg Warmers--4 sets for my nieces...not entirely sure about this, but my husband thinks it would be neat, so I am adding it.

Top 6 Blog-A-Long Picks
*Aiden's Afghan (WIP)
*Fingerless Mitts for Me
*Pillowcase
*Socks
*Ballband Dishcloth
*Leg Warmers--inspired and motivated by a fellow blogger and Blog A Long member,

The In Case I Finish List
*Sweater for Me
*learn how to knit entrelac
*Coffee Koozie
*Breast Cancer Dishcloth
*Baby Sweater
*Windmill Bag
*Baby Feet Dishcloth

**since last update, I've completed the Baby Smith Owlie Sack, started the first Secret Xmas scarf (switched to 4 for this pattern and added the 5th under another pattern), deleted Kindle pocket as she already has one, and completed Ballband.**

5/33 completed.

Here's to another month that is hopefully more productive! Did I mention that I realllly want to re-learn crochet??

Envelope Swap!

I think I have found my next favorite thing besides knitting. I love participating in swaps! I think the best part is putting together a special package for someone I don't know! But I'd be lying if I said that was the only fun part, it is pretty fun to receive. I have learned that some swaps can be a wallet-buster...that is, until I found the Envelope Swap group. The goal? Send an envelope of goodies but you cannot exceed $5 and that includes shipping! So the basic premise is to gather from around your home! This month's theme was Christmas in July, and boy was it Christmas!

This lovely pkg included a yarn basket ornament, complete with little skeins of yarn!! HOW CUTE! Buttons, gummy bears, a wafer candy, a lion aplique for my baby, lovely lovely stitch markers! I can’t wait to cast on my next project! Some chai tea from The Coffee Bean. I loved this place when I lived in San Diego! Never tried this…looking forward to some tonight! The purple case is sooo cute!

It made my day! Thank-you to the wonderful person who put this together for me!

Year of Projects--Week 8

Week 8 is about the same as Week 7 for this gal. August has been very busy, but I have managed to make a tiny bit of progress on my YOP list...


Finished the ballband for a dishcloth swap I am in. Upon checking my YOP list, I realized I put it in my Top 6 Blog A Long picks because I wanted to try the pattern out. So this TOTALLY counts! I am hooked on this pattern and cannot wait to make a bunch for my kitchen!

I cast on for the first of 5 Harry Potter scarves.

As you can see...I started this on Sunday afternoon so I would have something else to post about, LOL! The colors I found are not perfect but they will work. The green yarn on the left is another project for a swap...I have got to take a TIMEOUT from swaps if I want to finish this YOP list!

Hope this week is better for knitting!

Year of Projects--Week 7

So I technically did not make any progress on my YOP list...but maybe getting yarn for my next project is worthy of a post? This is "I love this yarn" from Hobby Lobby. Anyone ever worked with it before?
Thanks to several helpful comments, I will be starting a HP scarf next. And possibly A's Jingle Bell Hat.

So why didn't I make any progress?

SWAPS! BIRTHDAYS!

First I knit up the Snowflake Dishcloth for a Christmas in July Swap. Has anyone ever made this? I had to wonder why the pattern asked to make the small holes in the middle...any thoughts? Maybe I did it wrong...it looks like a snowflake with nostrils!

Second, I needed to work on 2 Dishcloths for a Dishcloth Swap. I have always wanted to make the Ballband so I cast that on and let me tell you, I love it! I am now several rows further. Need to pick a second pattern still...

Third, while working on the Ballband I remembered it was my step-mom's bday earlier this month and had forgotten to grab a gift! Ack! SO! Decided to knit up a few dishcloths for her as well! The hanging dishcloth I knitted up to have on hand as a last minute gift...so glad I did that!

Have birthdays, swaps, etc kept you from your YOP list? Tell me about it and then let's get crackin' on our lists again!

Goodies!!

Just had to share these goodies!


First picture is a package I received from amchart (Rav link) through a swap I participated in. She went above and beyond the call of duty and was incredibly generous. She really spent time and found my likes and interests. It was incredible. Included:
-several books and patterns
-chocolate scented bath items (YUM!)
-scented candle
-yummy smelling coffee beans
-a t-shirt for A from her hometown and bucket hat
-a knit sweater she made for him (pic coming soon!)
-baby themed buttons
-wonderful yarn (8 skeins Stork, skein of cotton, skein of bamboo and a local skein of wool complete with Kool-Aid for my FIRST dye project!)
-tootsie rolls (can you see the wrappers? DH claimed those!)
-AND COUPONS!!
It was an amazing package and a major highlight to my week! thank-you amchart!

Next on my goodie list are these books. Found them at a half price book store this week. Had been wanting the Mason-Dixon book for awhile and was tickled to find it! Also, my MIL found the mitten book for my SIL and I grabbed one for myself as well!

And finally. It is time to post a pic of A at 2 months old and in his knitwear from dear amchart.

It was a week of goodies for sure!

Year of Projects Post--Week 6

Another week has FLOWN by! Was able to stay busy this week with a road trip to Des Moines and camping with family. Both were enjoyable!

Thanks to much encouragement, I finished the Owlie Sack! Yay! Upon completion, tying in ends, throwing away my notes, etc. I realized I did the decreases wrong. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! You know what? I left it alone and decided it was beautiful the way it was and the baby who gets to cuddle with his\her mommy is not going mind that the decreases are wrong. He will just want to cuddle his mommy.

In other news,

I had to rip out a few rows of the SOS scarf. I counted wrong on a row and proceeded to rip out that row to try again. In the process I lost a stitch and cannot find it. I think it ran away. Probably was offended that I insisted on continuing to use long metal needles instead of short wooden ones as recommended. So...I will NOT be starting it again until I get the right needles. Sad day. But I will leave you with it's progress...

I am about 75% done with Snowflake Dishcloth for a swap I am in...but I guess that isn't technically YOP related. :o)

Now that I am done with my first Owlie Sack and am putting the SOS scarf on hold for a bit, it's time to pick another project from my list! It's either a second owlie sack, the jingle bells hat or starting one of the secret Christmas scarves. (which i can reveal bc all recipients know now!), the harry potter scarf. Which do you think?