Trout and Salmon and Perch .... Oh My

Here is the state of the sewing box sampler when I finally stopped stitching last night.  I had actually done part of the tree on the right side, but stupid me used the wrong color, so I had to take it out.  I'm thinking that this might be finished next weekend based on how much I got done yesterday.  Starting to set aside the funds to get the shaker boxes to finish this set up.

Tomorrow I really need to get to work on the Sock Yarn Blanket.  I did some math and figure that I need to knit 8 squares per week to get this to the size I want by the end of the year.  I'll decide later if I'm going to border it or not.  Although it would be beautiful, the thought of an i-cord edging around a nearly 6' x 6' blanket is already making me cringe.  Considering the amount of time I'm putting into getting this done though, I really should invest the time and effort into the finishing.

Today I spent the better part of the afternoon down in my sewing area listening to A Discovery of Witches, and finishing up the blanket stitch around the letters for Paul's quilt.  Tonight I'll start working on the blanket stitch on the fish appliques while I watch the season opener of Downton Abbey.  Once the appliques are finished, the rest of the quilt top will go together quickly.  Then I'll need to decide if I'm going to hand quilt this or pay to have it machine quilted at the quilt shop here in town.  Having someone else do the quilting just seems like cheating to me, but I might change my mind when it comes down to getting it done.

My sewing machine is too small to machine quilt anything bigger than a wall hanging.  I've tried, with varying degrees of horrible results.  I really want to get one of these.  With a little practice on that bad boy, I could be finishing quilts as quickly as I piece the tops!  One of these days.

Along with working on the Sock Yarn Blanket, I'm planning to work on the Beekeeper's Quilt, and will be starting on some swap gifts.  Although I didn't think I would actually get anything done on it today, I really did get some organizing done in the craft area.  There were two boxes, filled with books, magazines, and various craft supplies, that had been sitting since we moved in, and I got them emptied out and the contents put away.  Of course, as usually happens when I start this kind of thing, I got a good look at all the craft supplies and my fingers are itching to create something with them all.  I have a list a mile long of things I want to make to add to my swap package this month.  It is really going to have to be pared down to make postage affordable lol.

Stitchin' Saturday

I've spent my crafting time today working on the Shaker Sewing Set.  Snapped this photo earlier this afternoon, but have more done now, and will have even more done before I pack it in for the night.  I was really hoping to have this set done in January, but I don't think that's going to happen.  Oh, the stitching will be done, but the sewing box and pin cushion won't be put together.  The needle book and scissor fob can be completed without pricey supplies, but when I checked the site that carries the shaker sewing and pin cushion boxes, it is going to cost just over $200 for those.  Ain't happenin' this month.  Might add those to my wish list and see if I can't sweet talk hubby into getting them for me for my birthday in March.

In trying to meet my goals, I've come to a realization.  Doing this much on this project, and that much on that project, and another bit on another project, every day just isn't working for me.  I feel like I'm spending all my time putting things away and getting things out and getting very little completed on the projects, let alone getting any housework or laundry done.  Some more revisions to the rules need to be made, but these revisions shouldn't affect the amount of work I get done in a week in a negative way ... they should increase the amount I get done.

I'm planning to spend Saturdays working on my needlework projects exclusively.  I will get more done stitching for 5 or 6 hours (or more) than I will by dragging everything out and working an hour per day on it.

Sundays will be dedicated to quilting and/or sewing projects exclusively.  While I'm down in the sewing area, I can work on organizing the crafts .... lol yeah, right ;-)

Monday through Friday I will work on the knitting/crocheting projects, and any gifts or swap goodies that need to be completed.

Tomorrow, update on the sock yarn blanket and Paul's man cave quilt.

Impulse Buys and Changed Plans

One of my goals is to organize my craft area and get rid of items that will never be used.  Yesterday, I was down there digging around and sorting through things and came across quite a lot of jewelry making supplies.  There are supplies down there I remember buying at least 7 years ago.  None of the planned pieces have been made.  Now, mind you, I've made some jewelry pieces and love them.  I think the trick is I need to make an item right after buying the supplies or I'll never get back to it.

I spent the better part of the afternoon yesterday flip flopping between keeping the supplies and getting rid of them.  So, what do you think I did when I went to the store today?  Why, I bought a bunch of jewelry making supplies, that's what!  Tomorrow afternoon will need to be set aside to make these pieces up.  If I get them done, and enjoy the process, maybe I'll keep all those supplies I dug out yesterday.  One day per month making jewelry?  Sounds feasible to me.  These would make great gifts to add to swap packages, and since I already have the supplies, they'd be inexpensive additions :-)

Last night I worked on the Ann Marie stockings.  Got the heel turned on the first one, then did about 2 inches of the leg and tried them on.  Yuck!  They felt loose and sloppy.  Frogged it this morning, and re-cast on with a smaller needle during knit group at the local quilt shop.  Since I know I will never wear these as stockings (especially in this loud pink color), and I really don't like doing short row toes/heels, I've decided to make these as yoga leg warmers.  No toes, no heels.  Just lots of pink lacy frivolousness to make me feel all girly while I get my morning workout in.  If I knit about 3" per day on these, I should be able to complete them in January as planned.

I completed my 7 hexipuffs for this week.  Did some browsing on Ravelry to see how many puffs others had used for their quilts, and now have my first revision to my 2014 goals.  I really want a fairly large quilt, and based on what I've seen, I am going to need about 1000 puffs.  That's not going to happen if I only knit one for each day of the week.  Since I don't think I can handle knitting 3 or more of these per day, I am revising my goal for this.  Instead of completing it this year, I will make sure I have 365 puffs by year's end.  Perhaps next year I can concentrate on getting this done.

Spoiler Alert!!  If you are knitting the Torirot Mystery Mittens and don't want to see pictures, close this blog now.  You have been warned :-)

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Clue 1 was released yesterday.  I only knit the first repeat of the first cuff.  Need to spend a day this weekend just knitting on these so I don't get behind in the KAL.  I'd really like these to be finished by end of January (provided all clues have been released by then), so I don't feel guilty starting something new in February for my Olympic knitting.  I've joined one Ravelry team, and may join another if I get enough completed in January.  Both patterns I would be knitting start with a B, so meet the criteria for the Stash Down group.

January 2014 Goals

Projects have now been chosen for January 2014 completion.  My goals are to:

1.  Complete Paul's Man Cave quilt.  I've already cut out all the pieces, and sewn together the 9 patch squares and 3rd row modules.

All of the appliques have been prepared, and the only ones left to iron on are the pieces to the fishing rod, which will be attached after the rest of the quilt top is sewn together.

All of the appliques are ironed on, then an embroidered blanket stitch is added.  So far I've blanked stitched the Salmon and Bait squares.  It doesn't take long to complete each square so I  believe I can have most of these finished the first week in January.

2.  For my needlework project, I have chosen the Shaker Sewing Kit project I started last year about this time.  I stalled on this, probably because another new shiny project caught my eye and I couldn't resist starting it.

The pieces for the scissor fob, pincushion, and needle book are completed and are ready for me to pick out fabric, ribbon, and embellishments.

And, the sampler for the top of the sewing box, which I still need to purchase, is well on its way.

3.  My knit/crochet projects for the Stash Down A to Z group are ...

A Zombie Named Skip - he works up quickly and should be completed in just a few evenings.  When complete, he will be a marionette!  So cute.

Austin Boot Liners and Mitts - A few pieces for the boot liners have been completed.  With all the pieces, this project is a bit fiddly, but I really want the finished product so will make a concerted effort to get them done before boot weather is over.

Ann Marie:  Pink Ribbon Stockings for Breast Cancer Awareness - These are thigh high stockings and are quite the frivolous knit for me.  No way am I going to wear pink striped thigh highs out in public.  Not at my age or thigh size lol.  But I adore these and will definitely wear them around the house with my jammies on chilly evenings.  Even though these appear to be quite an undertaking, all of the sizing/shaping is done by changing needle sizes and not by increasing/decreasing stitch count, and the pattern is a simple 4 row repeat so I think they will knit up fairly quickly once I get past the heel turn.

All in all, quite an ambitious list for January completion, but I am determined.  I have plans to join 2 teams for Ravellenics in February, and need to finish a couple of projects to make room for the new ones to be started.  There are also a couple of swap goodies that need to be completed in January too, but of course, those won't be making an appearance on the blog until they have been received.

Resurrected Blog

It has been 18 months since I posted anything on this blog, but with the new year dawning, I thought I'd resurrect it.  In years past it has helped me keep track of my goals and progress against them.

A lot has happened since I last blogged.  First and foremost, we've relocated to Wisconsin where the winters are blustery (but the skies are sunny, unlike Ohio that had such dreary winter months), and since moving, I have become a full time homemaker.  I'm thoroughly enjoying this role and don't miss working outside the home in the least.  The problem with this new setup is that I went a bit crazy and started a ton of new projects (of varying types), and have finished very little.

Goals need to be set.  Structure and rules need to be put in place.  I know myself.  Without these, put into writing so I can review them, I will continue on the path of "start everything, finish nothing".

Without further ado, my "craft" goals for 2014 are:

1. To complete or frog the following knit/crochet projects (which have been in progress for more than a year) - Mermaid Jacket, Mary Tudor Cardigan, Chain Reaction Afghan, Sock Yarn Blanket, Beekeeper's Quilt, Great American Afghan
2. Complete one knit/crochet project per month that meets the criteria for the Stashdown A to Z group on Ravelry
3. Spend more time quilting, cross-stitching, and weaving, and less time knitting/crocheting
4. Plant a vegetable garden and can what I harvest
5. Be picky about what knit/crochet projects I start - VERY picky (I've culled my queue, and frogged a lot of projects that I know will not be used if finished)
6. Organize my craft area and get rid of items that will never be used.

Okay, now on to the structure and rules.

1. Each month I will choose a knit/crochet project to complete for the Stashdown A to Z group.  A new project can only be started if I do not have a WIP that meets the criteria for the month. (Chain Reaction Afghan, Sock Yarn Blanket, Beekeeper's Quilt, and Great American Afghan are excluded as there is a plan to complete each in 2014)
2. Each month I will choose a quilting WIP and needlework WIP to work on.  I will spend one hour each day on one of these projects.
3. I will knit one hexipuff for the Beekeeper's Quilt, and one module for the Sock Yarn Blanket for each day of the week.
4. Each month I will complete one square for the Chain Reaction Afghan and one square for the Great American Afghan.
5. A new project (of any type) can only be started if 2 WIPs of that type have been completed. (The exceptions to this rule are a knit/crochet project can be started for rule 1 if no WIP meets the criteria for the month, and gifts and swap items can be started if need be)

Well, that's that.  Next is to compile a list of all the projects I have in progress so I can track what gets finished and what new things get started.  I'm sure this list will grow as I discover projects while organizing my craft area.  Now to see if I can get my craft buddy, Amanda, to join me in my quest.

New Toy

It's June ... and what better project to photograph than a scarf made out of Noro Kureyon!  Gotta love a hubster who is so accomodating as to dress in wool so you can blog :-)

This is the second of three Noro scarves I am making as Christmas gifts for the sons.  The daughter will be receiving a doubleknit scarf in pink and tan with a silhouette of Marilyn Monroe on each end.  Can't wait to get the last Noro scarf finished so I can start on the doubleknit one.  The stripes, no matter how pretty, are getting a bit monotonous now.

Daughter is also receiving this little guy in a couple weeks.  After the infestation we had in our garage last year, she is obsessed with squirrels.  She even named the "ringleader" of the pack that took up residence Patrick.  So this little overall wearing guy is dubbed Patrick also.

I just love his tail!

Another little critter I completed recently is this bright and cheery zebra.  He is going to the prayer shawl group I am part of.  Little ones don't want shawls, they want toys!  I've cast on a pink elephant for my next offering.  And, the rhinocerous that is included in this pattern pack will be done up in purples.  So far, this zebra is the only item on my "must finish" list that I've completed.

I have been doing some work on the days of the week kitchen towels though.  I've finished 4 of them so far, and am about halfway through the 5th. Another couple of weekends watching back to back episodes on one series or another and they should be finished.

 

I put together a quilt top over Memorial Day weekend.  This was a quick and easy project, but will be put away with some other quilt tops until I've finished quilting 3 others before it gets finished.

I love the fabric patterns and colors.  This is the perfect size to cuddle under while watching TV in the cold months.

And now on to my newest toy and obsession.  I finally bought a loom!  I decided on a 24" Kromski Harp with a stand, and it was delivered this week.  I made all kinds of goofy mistakes trying to get it warped, but I finally got it done.  And, the yarn is a bit too big for the heddle I have so I am fighting with it some.  I'll know better for my next project.  I will continue fighting with it as long as the warp doesn't break.  This is going to be a wrap that will be given to the prayer shawl group.  It was mentioned that we needed some wraps that were more manly, since not only women were in need.  My plaid isn't perfect, but it is definitely manly.  I really like the pattern, and the process.

I see a lot more weaving in my future!

Must Finish Lists

I have trying to be good and not start a ton of new projects, no matter how tempted I am.  My friend Amanda and I are trying to hold each other accountable to our "must finish" lists.  The idea is we have a project in mind that we want to start, and a list of projects we need to finish before we're allowed to start that new one.

Today marks a day that we are able to start a new project.  We've both chosen to start embroidered kitchen towels.  Before I am allowed to start another new project I will need to finish:

• the embroidered towels (days of the week so there are 7 of them)
• the crocheted afghan pictured later in this post
• the quilt I am making for my MIL
• the Nook cover I am cross stitching
• a knit zebra for prayer shawl group (little ones don't want shawls!)

 Big list!  But I am determined, and I'm sure Amanda will keep me honest.

On my list is a quilt that I put together last fall and set aside.  Of course now that it's getting warm out I decide it's time to finish it up.  Go figure.

I love the backing fabric I found for this quilt.  It just seemed to fit.

All of the squares are flowers, and quite a few of them are applique.  I definitely need to work on my applique skills. 

I found pieces to a quilt that I had started back around 1998 when we had a little flood in our basement due to the sump pump acting up.  I couldn't believe it when I found them all stuffed into a bag.  I remember cutting out the pieces for this little lap quilt.  I cut some of them wrong and that's why it wound up in a time out.  Several moves and lots more projects and that poor thing was completely forgotten.

Well when we had that little flood, the pieces all got wet so I put them in a lingerie bag, washed, and dried them.  Then they all had to be ironed, the triangles needed to be sewn into squares, and the squares that had been cut the wrong size had to be cut down.  Then I had to remember how to put the dang thing together into the pattern I had intended.  I'm quite pleased with the results.

Now I just need to decide what I want to border and back it with and this little quilt can get added to my next "must finish" list.

The bavarian crochet afghan is coming along nicely.  It seems to take a million hour to finish a round now, but I knew that was going to happen.  I've finished the first repeat of all the colors and think it will be big enough when I've finished the second repeat.  I don't want something huge.  Just big enough to cuddle with on the couch while watching TV.

The Nook cover is making progress too.  The width is perfect, but the length is going to be a bit short.  I think I'm going to extend the border and maybe put my name on it to lengthen it some.  With the right lettering that should do the trick.