I didn't knit as much this year as I have in years past... But life went a little off course this year too with Scott being in the hospital and my going back to work...
Three of these projects aren't completed yet either, but I have high hopes for the near future, having just recently gotten a bad case of the knitting bug again... (and no new vampire romance books to read right now...)
It's a beautiful, deep, dark red. A couple different shades of red. It's soft and warm and lacy and I love it!
My sweet mother in law made it for me for Christmas. (Thank you again, Sandy!!)
Did I mention that I love it?
I don't get to wear it much right now, because the new puppy likes it as much as I do... But soon...
It's shawl-wearing weather around here, that's for sure! The high today was 13 degrees. It's been lightly snowing all day and the wind has been brutal and non-stop. So glad to be staying home this Christmas day!
I had a really wonderful time in Vail. Spent lots of time knitting and relaxing in front of the fire.
It was wonderful and at the end of it, I was truly looking forward to getting back to everything my regular life offers: my home, taking care of my family and my pups, working. Yes, I was even looking forward to going back to work. My little preschoolers didn't let me down today either. There were lots of big hugs and "Where were you, Miss Tina?"
Got my third pair of Bella mittens done, on the trip. I gave them to Mandy yesterday, on the way to see New Moon. She loved them. I'm so happy I could make them for her.
And got started on Scotty's alligator scarf. I'm actually a few inches into the body now. I'm still hopeful that I'll have it done in time for Christmas. Wish me luck.
One more crafty thing to share:
We went to a paint-your-own-pottery place while we were on vacation. The lady who owned the shop introduced me to a new painting technique and this Christmas tree plate is the result. It was so messy and fun. You mix the paint 50-50 with water and put a drop of dish washing soap in it and then blow bubbles into the mixture until it overflows all over what you're painting. I loved the look of this as soon as I saw it. I can't wait to put Christmas cookies on this plate!
Hoping to put up the Christmas tree this Saturday. (this will be the latest I've put up our tree in years...) My mother-in-law will be here by then, coming to help out while Scott is recovering from hiatal hernia surgery, which is scheduled for December 1st. It's going to be a busy December again this year. (last December I had my hysterectomy...)
It's going to be busy, but we'll find time to fit in all the good stuff.
On your last day at home as a stay-at-home mom?
Well, I decided to finish blocking my Rosalie Hale scarf and it's completely gorgeous! And sadly, I didn't magically become Rosalie Hale when I put it on, but I hadn't been counting on that whole-heartedly... lol
And spending lots of time with my other favorite hobby too! I don't often allow myself time for fun and games, during the day. I fill my hours with mommy responsibilities. But the last couple of days, before returning to work, I decided to pamper myself and have some fun!
The boys are ready. Scott's ready and I think I'm ready. Tomorrow begins a new chapter. Wish me luck!
My Rosalie Hale scarf is blocking! I can't wait to wear this thing. I'll probably have to steam it one more time. But I CAN'T WAIT TO WEAR THIS THING!
I feel sexy and vampirey already!
I certainly have big holiday knitting plans, for a woman who's going back to work next week! I have projects sitting on my desk and more that I've just cast-on in the living room and I'm finding more patterns on Ravelry everyday... Wow, when I get in the mood to knit, I GET IN THE MOOD TO KNIT, PEOPLE! lol
This is the beginning of another pair of Bella mittens. They are so easy and fun to put together, quick and rewarding. This pair is for my Twilight buddy, Mandy.
This little project was a complete surprise and totally unplanned. But since I found perfect yarn in my stash, I'm sure it was meant to happen! This is the Socktoberfest, Mystery Sock pattern for 2009! They only give you a piece of the pattern at a time, so you don't know what it's going to be in the end. I think so far, really gorgeous! This portion is clue #1. Clue #2 has already been released, so I need to get it in gear! This is what I needed that second pair of dpns for, Marie! Thanks again for letting me borrow them. I can get both socks going now!
This originally was another mystery pattern project, but when I found out that it was going to be a knitting needle holder, I decided to make it something else.
Bee has been requesting accessories for Rainbow Bump the last few weeks. I've knit her a new, blue sweater, a pretty yellow blanket and now an orange pillow! (formerly known as the knitting needle holder.)
I'm also 6 inches shy of finishing my Rosalie Hale scarf... can't wait to wear that puppy! I'll post pictures when she's finally done!
Also got a top secret baby thing in the works for a friend of mine who is expecting in February. Don't have to start this one til after Christmas... if I can make myself wait that long.
Also making this for a boy for Christmas. I'm making one in green for Bee. Guh is making a blue one for Will. She's already started on Will's and tells me the pattern is very fun and easy. Cool! I think the boys are going to love them!
Oh... and yes. I DID mention something about going back to work. I accepted a job at the Community Preschool, otherwise known as Here Wee Grow. (nope, I didn't know it was part of the public school system either... til now.) I'll be working as a teacher's assistant, M-F, normal school hours and my work schedule will completely coincide with the boys' school schedule. (No childcare needed!!) I'm tickled to have this job! It just sounds perfect for me and our family at this stage! So wish me luck. I start on the 15th.
I decided back in February that I was going to knit a sweater for myself. The first sweater I've made for myself. And I was going to make it in a smaller size, since I was having weight loss surgery in April. The sweater would be like a reward for reaching a weight loss goal. Sounds fun, huh?
This is Mr. Greenjeans. It's a cute, easy pattern. I've loved the process so far. I'm about half way done with the body (that is knit in one piece from the top down.) But as soon as it started taking shape, it started looking really big to me.
So, I transferred it to scrap yarn yesterday and tried it on. Sadly, I was right. It's too big. I wanted to wear it this fall and it's too big already. This is a problem, however, as problems go, I can't be totally bummed about this one. I've been pretty successful with my weight loss so far and for this, I'm very happy!
I've polled all my knitting buddies and the consensus is: rip it and wait 'til you're a little closer to your ultimate goal weight to start again. I have wise friends, don't I !?!
So with all my knitting time freed up, I will meet my goal of getting Bee's Cub Scout socks done by the end of the month! Note to self: Berroco Comfort isn't the greatest yarn to use for socks. It's all I could find in the colors that I needed. But it's just too soft and stretchy and doesn't bounce back at all... Live and learn. I think maybe after a few washings, they'll be better. They turned out really cute, though... I'm sure the boys will love them.
Here is the pair that Guh made for our Dood. I just love making the heel and toe a different color. Makes them look so special. (I'm easily pleased...)
So, now I have time to work on this.
And this.
Can't complain.
I was pretty excited to see that every single one of my entries in the County Fair won a ribbon. And most of them got a purple ribbon, which is first place!! Then I looked around and realized that every open class entry won a ribbon. And my feeling about that? What's the freakin' point? I know they want to encourage everyone to participate, but really, isn't it a contest?
A summertime event just happened! The pups got the very first tomato from the garden. I had promised tootsie-pop and she's been waiting for months. They were happy puppies!
I've only done Roma tomatoes in the past and they're small enough just to give them to the pups whole. This was a big hybrid plant, so we took it inside and washed it and chopped it up.
And these are for our latest crop of baby butterflies. Soon as I'm sure they have full bellies, we're going to set them free. Maybe tonight.
Seems like it's been all about animals around here the last couple of days. Our little betta, Azul, is sick too... He's been hiding and acting sluggish for a couple of weeks before his thick-headed caretaker (that would be me) finally noticed grey spots on him (and only after part of his fin fell off during the last aquarium cleaning.) Ugh! So he's on medicine and is getting frequent house cleanings. I sure hope the little guy is going to be ok. For a fish, he's been surprisingly fun and animated. I've been very taken by the little guy.
In knitting news, here is Mr. Greenjeans. I haven't read ahead in the pattern yet, but I'm dying to start on the cable part... hoping it's next. My goal is to have this done to wear to Vail in November. I think it's a safe goal. Maybe I'll have it done even sooner. I made it two sizes smaller than I wore when I started, knowing that I was going to have weight loss surgery. But this size is the size I'm wearing currently... so the sooner I finish, the better. (Amanda, have you ever known anyone take so long to knit a sweater as me? I'm always blown away at how fast you knit!)
I haven't gotten very far on the Cub Scout socks... My goal on them is to just have them done for when scouts resumes at the end of August.
And finally here's my Rosalie scarf. It will have to be blocked, obviously. My goal for this is just to have it completed before fall, when I'll next be able to wear a scarf. It's so drapey and soft. I think I'm going to love it. (Of course, I was given a beautiful, white, hand knit scarf for Christmas last year. Thank you, Sandy, I love it! But I couldn't resist making a Twilight-inspired scarf. I know you understand.)
So that's all that's on-the-needles at my house for now... you know, unless I find another irresistable pattern out there.
Off to find more coffee. I hope you have a great Friday!
I think this is it... my county fair entries for next month. I'm entering the red skull mittens for my mother and I still have to decide between the two scrapbook pages. (you can only enter one.)
I hope this is going to be a fun process. In my current frame of mind, I'm really extending beyond my comfort zone to participate in something like this... I hope it doesn't bite me in the butt.
Wish me luck. Judging isn't until end of July. I'll keep you posted.
Happily married, mom of two, enjoying everything that life has to offer!
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