Weekly Update

Whew! its friday and the weekend is underway. There is alot happening around here especially on the homeschool and knitting fronts. I'm still excited after last night's workshop and can't wait to get started making myself some things. Louisa reminded me of all the things I learned when I sewed and how much is similar in handknits. I've considered the similarities before and even after reading my friend Robin's blog about her sewing adventures, I kept wondering how I could use the two together. Now I have the answers, thanks Louisa, and I can't wait to get started.

Regarding school ~ it has been a very productive day and nice way to end a somewhat productive week. I finally got my head on straight again about it and spent my planning time outlining our coursework. This will greatly help me in planning our books, transcripts and daily work. I am so excited ~ yes I said it again. You see, I've been working backwards to my natural organizational habits. I'm a trained organizer and I wasn't organizing anything to my own habits and skills. Therefore, I was losing ground, completely frustrated and losing things around the house. Now I've not found all the lovely books I've planned to use nor have I completely gotten myself organized but I'm on the road to both and that is the main thing. I will be working on a syllabus ~ getting them ready for college, a master booklist per term, rubrics and grading system ~ for the transcripts, and weekly outlines for myself to follow. I'm looking forward to these last few years with them and I'm going to make the best of them. I will need to plan field trips and internships too but for now we will do our schoolwork, volunteer and make use of our fitness center memberships ~ which is plenty for now.

On to the knitting ~ well I finished my Monkey peds, yeah me! I hope my best friend likes them and doesn't peek at my blog before I get them off in the mail. ;D I will cast on for my Madder socks today but not the Aurora beret ~ I am considering finding the recommended yarn since the Castello actually isn't the right yardage for the project. I think it would be very pretty with it but it would require me to spend another $12 to complete. I'm sure I could but it would have to wait til the 1st of the month. I don't know but I'll figure it out. I will also cast on for the SOTSii, the first hint was sent today and over the next 8wks we will get clues/hints to what we are making. I can't wait ~ my first stole in lace. This should be fun. I'll post progress pics by monday w/the specs.

Off to get Riley ready to leave for the weekend. I'll be back later but I leave you w/dh's plain vanilla socks.

Chow!

Pics of goodies & fo's

Dish & Wash cloths ~ the blue spinning wheel is Riley's birthday present ;D Faded Denim is done in a windowpane, you can see the pattern here.

No Sheep Pal Chan July package ~ lovely red Bamboo :D

Better pic of my June Tote Swap yarn ~ Barb said more goodies in the mail. I'll be making this ~ its a free LB pattern "All-Occasion Tote"

This is my July SPE from Michelle. Thx ;D

Thats all for now!

Doing things ~ great things....

I finished off 2 of the 4 WIPs dishcloths and that was a nice feeling. I decided to start using some of the yarn I've received in recent swaps. So on a road trip, I made one crocheted cloth, pattern that was sent with the yarn, and began another pinwheel cloth. I finished off both of them and I really like the colors ~ PnC's Jewel. I've also finished off another grandmother's cloth in PnC Ecru ~ yarn I received from my SP10 pal. ;D I also created my first "geeky thing"

using LBs Microspun. I wanted to make the "Cozy" pattern on Knitty.com but didn't get gauge so back to the drawing board and stash pile for the yarn. ;D

Now that I really want to work thru my new stash, I've started planning. My Louet linen in red, which I received from my No Sheep Pal ~ I plan to make a bath set for myself but need to find a pattern. I've decided to make a hand towel w/the Red PnC I just received in the dishcloth swap. My KnitPics Shimmer, I want to make a shawl with. The color is lovely and its lace weight. I am new to lace and I will be learning so the pattern must be for beginners. I got some help w/this last night at the knitters meeting my girls and I went to, more on that later. I will also make more cloths w/the rest of the cotton my SP gave me too ~ these are becoming a great car and waiting for web page to load projects. I'm enjoying them very much plus they work well. I've used 2 of my new ones already and love, you hear me ~ love them. Don't know how I've lived this long w/o them. ;D Hmm, I think another pair of "not peds" are in the works using my goodies from the love sock yarn swap. This would give me about 5 or so projects on the needles not including the cloths because they go so quickly. Well, K-Bober's can't say that I'm slackin' now. ;D

So let's see this in goal format:

1. Bath/Spa set ~ Louet Linen, red

2. Hand towel ~ PnC, red

3. Shawl ~ KnitPics Shimmer, Happy Dance

4. Not Peds ~ Garnstudio Fabel, 543

5. Argoyle Socks (for hubby) ~ Sport weight Sock yarn, navy/cream/remnant

6. Baby blanket ~ Caron's Simply Soft, white

* Dish/wash cloths ~ PnC/SnC/LB, various

I've sent off the last of my swap bot packages, my no sheep reveal ones and now relaxing and wondering why I got into swapping. ;D It is so much fun, so addictive but can be way more expensive than one actually bargained for. I can see how it wouldn't be if you were using stash, but for me the majority of my stash doesn't qualify ~ acrylics ~ and the others are gifts that I love too much to part w/so I end up buying in order to participate. I love the lip balm ones though, I don't have to do anything but go thru my stash, write a note, put in an envelope and send. Only costs me postage, Yeah! So I'm doing the next round on this because it was so much fun. However, I dropped several of the other swaps I was in due to time, lack of income and just plain common sense. ;D I unfortunately got some of my new friends hooked on swap-bot but they did hear my warnings and are not diving in head first. LOL Speaking of my new friends, there is a local knitting group that meets weekly at Panera's and I'd been meaning to go and visit them but never did. Last night, the girls and I went and had a blast. At first, the girls were not comfortable so we didnt' sit w/them or near them. After meeting my fellow yahoo group member, my kiddos were persuaded to join the group and they liked them alot. I learned a lot about lace shawls and myself ~ that I need to practice first, develop the skill then tackle the lovely lace shawl I would love to own. ;D Glad I went if no more than getting that bit of information. So back to the planning stage and will be learning some new things over the next few weeks.

On the homefront ~ the a/c was serviced today. It had freezed over somewhere and was all clogged up. They cleaned it out and got it running. Yeah! I'm sitting here enjoying the feeling of being almost cold. Its been so hot lately, but only in the house. It was quite frustrating to go outside and find it cooler than inside. Glad its over though and we can have a comfortable home again. Don't know if I mentioned it before, but we are looking to move though it will now be after we get a vehicle. Still no prospects but I'm hopeful, the Lord is still in control and knows our needs. My menu plans are off a day or two because of the heat and I don't even know what we ate last night but we had last night dinner today. LOL ~ creamy chicken over noodles and french bread. Delicious!

Time to go now ~ I don't think I should stay up late tonight. I went to bed after 2a but amazingly I wasn't tired and I didn't have to drive hubby to work at 5a. ;D Talk w/you all soon.

Whats up?!

man, do you ever have trouble coming up with titles? I'm going to have to get real creative in this area and soon. However, there are some new things happening around our homestead. I have started the washclothes I'm doing for the troops and I'm learning a few new things. I've got a couple of WIPs now and thats a good thing b/c the needles could get lonely.

As several swaps have come to an end as well as the SP10, which I'm going to miss, I've decided to join a couple of swaps. Yes, I know I said I was going to stop swapping for awhile but I had joined 2 of them prior to that decision and recently found a few really cool ones over on Swap Bot that I wanted to be apart of. I hope my SP10 spoilee likes her final package. Hmm, I wonder if she ever figured out who I was from my clues.

Below are the plans, progress report and WIPs for July:

SAL Progress As of today:
1. Baby Kimino done
2. No Sweat Socks Not Pedestrian Peds ~ working foot section of 2nd footie
3. Wristlets Two Tone Socks ~ 2nd pair done

4. SS ~ Baby Socks from Simply Baby book done
5. SS ~ 4 Dishcloths done
*photos later ~ July 15 is my goal finish date and I'm right on schedule though losing my sock for 3 weeks didn't help. I think I'd finish by now if I hadn't. Oh well, at least I have it now and its almost done. Yippee!

SAL July KAL n KAL

(various colors in LB and SnC cottons)

My goals for this round:
6 dishcloths
4 washcloths
* the washclothes are for a charity project/the dishclothes ~ 2 for swaps and the others for christmas presents

Now I know this doesn't seem like much but given that July will be a bit busy for me, I'm staying conservative on my goals. Plus I've got some plans for knitting myself something special too. That is after those peds are done. ;D

Swaps
~ Crochetalcoholic June: Tote/Beach Bag ~ purchased everything, need to pickup candy and will send off tomorrow. ;D
~ Yarn Addicts: Pink ~ purchased yarn; awaiting partner
~ I Love Sock Yarn ~ purchased yarn; awaiting partner
~ Dishcloth Addicts III ~ 2 clothes part of the above, have other items in stash and
will print patterns; awaiting partners
~ Chapstick/Lip Balm ~ have lip balm; awaiting partners
~ Tea Swap ~ purchased a really nice tea cup and saucer, need to gather tea and goodies; awaiting partner

WIPs
~ not peds ~ 2nd footie
~ window pane washcloth in blue/white cotton
~ fetching wristlets
~ 2 dishclothes: yellow and shades of blue cotton
total of 5 items

Time to get back to knitting and drinking splendid West Coast coffee "Merlot" ~ absolutely divine. You might need to get yourself some. Yes, do get some and you won't regret it, I promise. ;D

ps ~ Robin, thx for sharing your iced tea favs. I'm adding them to our list to try next week.

My KAL w/i a KAL

Over at SAL we are doing a KAL w/i a KAL and for the month of June we are committing to finish selected WIPs/UFOs. I've selected 2 of mine, the white baby kimono and the fingerless wristlets. I must get the wristlets done to be mailed out for my charity challenge and I've only got this month left. Where did the time go anyway?! Oh well, no need to complain, I just need to get busy.

Well, the camera is not working wonderfully at the moment so please bear w/the pics ~ they are a bit dark and blurry. Hmm, wonder if its really me.....nay, its the camera. *I'll retake them in the morning light, promise. ;D

Baby Kimono

LB Microspun ~ lily white

Size 6s

(right sleeve and front to knit then seam)

Fingerless Wristlets
LB Woolease ~ variegated blue/green

Size 10s

(originally started then frogged to stitch holder)

Off to get started. ;D

WIPs/FOs ~ camera is working ;D

Okay, since blogger is being tempermental (I lost my last post) I'm going to keep this short, well kinda. Here are some overdue pics of WIPs/FOs and an update for SAL. Enjoy!

(Charity Hat #1)

(May KAL dishcloth ~ Daffodils)





(closeups)

(April KAL dishcloth ~ 3 crosses)

(closeup)


(Apr Mid-Month KAL dishclothes)









(my first baby sock ~ the one w/missing rows ;D)

(my first pair of baby socks)

(my 1st footie just for me)

SAL update:
1. Baby Kimino done (still need to block then photo)
2. No Sweat Socks No Pedestrian Peds (see above pic)
3. Wristlets ~ had to frog and change needles (plan to cast on this week)
4. SS ~ Baby Socks from Simply Baby book done
5. SS ~ 2 Dishclothes from MDKAL done (see above pic - may)

OTNs ~ previously mentioned WIPs:
1. Baby Kimono ~ #2 70% done frogged right sleeve
2. Dishclothes ~ monthly mid-month project done (see above april pic)

I don't have much on the needles, only 3 projects and I am planning to add about 3 more. More dishclothes, socks for hubby and my No Sheep ~ Tuscany. Hmm, I'll be a bit busy. ;D

~ Considering My Ways ~

I've been mulling over my own stash accumulation especially after buying a bunch of yarn b/c it was 40% off and one of my favs or b/c it was a great deal on Ebay and I had some extra moola to spend. Hmm, most have a project planned or to be gifted but I didn't have to buy so much or any really. I really do need this SAL more than I realized. I need to take accountability for my actions ~ my dh gave me an odd look after I opened my container full of yarn. LOL My ds says I'm a "yarn addict" and he is right. I've always been this way but I had managed to suppress it for several years until I started knitting. ;D I'm okay, I realize I will always have stash but I don't have to let it take over my life or my house.

Well, I'm off to get my act together and start my stash diet, its sad that I've come to this but it will help keep things in perspective. I'll write up my goals and post later this weekend. Thanks for being here, for being a great sounding board and support.

Have a great weekend.

ps ~ I have finished up a few more things too, details later. ;D

The above is what I posted over at SAL. I really need to crack down on this yarn addiction. I hadn't been this bad off since 1996. I had several plastic totes of yarn, which got destroyed by mold. I didn't allow myself to collect any more until about 5 yrs ago when I started making baby blankets on request. But then we moved and that yarn is now in storage. Too bad too, I could really use some of those beautiful yarns right now. There are a few issues with my stash that have caused me to feel the need to buy. I list a few of them here:

1. My stash was for homeschooling purposes ~ therefore most of the yarn was practical and was not for my own use.

2. My stash was drab ~ yep! you read that right. Not much color selection because it was randomly purchased here and there.

3. My stash lacked variety ~ I only had Caron, Red Heart, Walmart and some unknown 70s or so brand most acrylics.

4. The additions were used up quickly ~ most of the yarn I purchased on my first free day has been used. Yeah!

5. My stash had no project purpose ~ there weren't any specifics that the yarn was for. It was bought simply because it was pretty, soft or mostly, it was cheap.

Now my stash has grown into something huge, IMHO. I know there are several large stashes out there but for me this is huge. Though not as big as my former stash, which was about 10 totes full ~ you know the plastic rubbermaid kind. I only have 2 now and they are full.

Good news though, I finished several projects, started some new ones and I've got plans for more. I've joined a few swaps which has potential to shake my stash up and to get some of it moved along. Here is a pic of my first Monthly Dishcloth ~ it was the one for April. I'm half done and its beautiful. I'm planning to post more soon because I'd like to have a finished list for my own record.

Talk w/you all soon. Have a great weekend.

First 30 days!

I have been SALing now for 30 days and I love it. It has been the incentive I needed to keep working even when it is warming up outside. I now take it with me. LOL Before, I only did handcrafts from fall thru winter, while snuggled indoors. Once it starts to warm up, I’d leave my projects til next fall. Most of the time, I only purchased enough yarn to finish a project or worked on a cross-stitch item that can be easily picked up again. Since I began homeschooling, I have collected more yarn than I had imagined in hopes of using it for school projects. I even had charity yarn I’d forgotten about. It was made apparent that I needed a better and more efficient plan. ; ) Thanks to SAL, I have one, plus it is a lot of fun to see what others are doing, be motivated by their progress, glean new ideas, and share my own trials and successes. It has been a wonderful experience for me.

Here is my progress report:
Goal ~ destash 24 oz
1. scarves ~ 1 done 2 oz
2. washclothes ~ 4 done 3 oz
3. afghan squares ~ 5 done 4 oz
~ gifted navy blue ball ~ 3 oz
total as of 3/12 = 12 oz (yeah! half way there)
*balance is WIPs, so I’m hoping to have it all used up by or before my finish date.

On my free day, I increased my stash by 45.5 oz:
~ bath mat - done 12 oz
~ washclothes - 2 done 2 oz
~ dishcloth WIP ~ 2.5 oz
total decrease = 16.5 oz (29 more to go)
*this does not include yarn for secret pal gift nor 16oz of cotton my daughter is now using. One thing I did manage to do was delegate all but 3.5 oz to a project which will ensure that I use it up quickly - you can read more here.

My original plan has been slow and steady. I’ve learned that I must keep variety, to include lots of color, in the stash selection so that I don’t get bored. This is all a learning process for me and I am looking forward to the next 30 days and beyond.

Happy Destashing!