Rustic Elegant Tie

I present todays finished object:

Stats:
Pattern:  Rustic Elegant Tie from Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery
Started: 9-13-07
Completed: 12-23-07
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK, Red (about half a skein, maybe a bit more)
Needles:  US Size 3
Made for me!
I plan to wear this on Christmas and maybe New Year’s Eve at the neighbors.

Twelve Months Till Christmas

Are you thinking I am mad/crazy/loosing it?

 I have been thinking about this for a few days and decided to put it out there for you.  I would love your feedback on if a “Twelve Months Till Christmas” Craft-along (knitting, sewing, embroidery, crochet, etc) would be worth arranging.

My thoughts were: 

      1. How do we use up our stash
      2. Stop over-consumerism
      3. Feel good about what we make and give
      4. Learn from each other and gleam ideas too.
      5.  Be ready by November.

I started to knit everyone socks last summer.  That was short lived.  I managed to get four pair from my time.  I want to give gifts to my co-workers, last count was 21.  This year, not being ready, I did the “Merry Kissmas” tags and made bags of all sorts of holiday Hershey Kisses.  I was thinking mini sock ornaments next year.

Then there is always the neighbors, the kids, the close friends.

Ok, knitter and crafters, what do you think?  Should I moderate a craft-along for this?  Should we try to make a project or two each month?  Should we do swaps with in the months (cards, yarn, patterns)?

Two days to get me your thoughts….
Happy Holidays and safe shopping to you!

SSS or I will not start another project

Ah, the every nagging SSS (second sock syndrome) has been on my mind.  I will NOT let SSS get the best of me.  I have one sock completed and the second one is now a good 2 inches into the leg.  I will push forward, I WILL get this sock done, THIS WEEKEND!  I will overcome SSS.

 I know, who am I fooling? 

 Seriously, with a four day weekend for the Christmas holiday just ahead and an hour or two in the local coffee shop knitting with other knitters, this really should not be a problem.

 I have other stockings I want to get started.    A bit of yarn petting never hurt anyone, right?

Holiday Swap 2007

A package arrived today from Canada.
This is from my Holiday Swap 2007 pal, through Ravelry.
Such fun to be had…bath fizzies & salts, chocolates, teas,
a very handy and I will try to make this, Hemp Bag pattern
that will go with the hemp yarn she sent.  I can sit back, have
a cup of tea, eat my chocolates, enjoy the candle and then, dive
into the chocolate liquors. Nummy.

Thank you Kim, you sent a fantastic package. 

Book Lists from yesterday

Books I posted yesterday…hopefully you all can see them now.

Big Knitting (Sophie Britten)
Contemporary Knitting (Jo Sharp)
Louisa Harding, The Design Collection
Elsebeth Lavold, Book Seven
Rowan – A Midas Touch
RYC (Rowan) – Classic Beach
Hip Knits (BH&G)
Hollywood Knits (Suss Cousins)
Irrestistible KNits (Kirsten Cowan)
Loop-d-Loop (Teva Durham)
Tops with a Twis (from Spin-Off)
Vintage Knits (Sarah Dallas)

I think I would like to barter for 5 inch charm squares or solid colored/tweedy fingering weight yarn…we can always work something out.

Hello world!

I did it!

I made the move from Blogger to WordPress.  It also looks as if my import from my 2 1/2 years of posting came along with me.  I am very happy about this.

Why the move?

I was finding with Blogger that I was not able to reply to comments as a “no-reply” email was attached to them.  I’m sure it was my setting, so an operator-error, but it was time for a new home.

I have never been a mover (or a shaker).  I’ve lived in three houses in 43 years.  One I grew up in, one I purchased as a young adult with a growing family and one I built with my husband.  The later will be it…my five acres of freedom to do as I please, no one directly looking out their window at us, wearing my robe out to check on the chickens on a snowy day.

Now…to get use to the new place.  So far, so good. 

More books….

I have to just giggle to myself.  Between the last post, what was it, an hour or so ago, and now, I managed to clean the freezer side of the frig, make bunny bisquits, reorganize the container drawer.  I think muffins are next.

 Here’s a bit more of the books up for barter:

 Big Knitting (Sophie Britten)
Contemporary Knitting (Jo Sharp)
Louisa Harding, The Deisng Collection
Elsebeth Lavold, Book Seven
Rowan – A Midas Touch
RYC (Rowan) – Classic Beach

Knitting books to barter….

Here’s the first list (doing them in small bits as I really need to do something besides sitting in front of my laptop):

Hip Knits (BH&G)
Hollywood Knits (Suss Cousins)
Irestistible Knits (Kirsten Cowan)
Loop-d-Loop (Teva Durham)
Tops with a Twist (from Spin-Off)
Vintage Knits (Sarah Dallas)

I think I would like to barter for 5 inch charm squares or solid colored/tweedy fingering weight yarn…we can always work something out. 

Charmed, I’m sure

I’m feeling a bit loopy, having got about four hours of sleep last night. Stayed up till 1am weeding out my craft loft to make way for “simple”. The alarm went off at 5:30am to get A up for her bowling tournament. Of course, I could not go back to sleep, as I needed to make sure that A didn’t go back to sleep.

I counted over 50, yes, 50 books I pulled from my shelves this early morning. From that lot, I picked out a few to list for you. I will post the list on Sunday…I don’t think I would be able to type titles correctly at this rate.

I don’t really need anything, other than 5 inch fabric squares as I’m making a charm quilt. I have this lovely charm octagon stamp that really works well. It imprints the sewing line and the cutting line. So nice not having to trace around a piece of cardboard.

I am hand sewing this charm quilt…so check back in about 20 years to see how it’s coming along and how many grandchild I have.

I have 100 charm pieces cut…I only need 429 different more fabrics.

Interested in bartering a book for some 5 inch squares.

Check back tomorrow.

Happy holidays…..

Simple Living

What do most people do for the New Year?

Make a resolution.

Tonight I arrived home after a cardmaking evening at Elsie’s. I was going to sign up for another cardmaking class with another vendor in January, but taking a look at my craftroom set my mind into motion.

A new resolution. Keep it “simple”.

I have enough books to knit, sew, quilt, embroider, rug hook, spin and just plain, read, that would out-last any future great-great-great-great grandchildren.

Enough.

Tomorrow, I will go through the stack of books (I am wavering on actually taking a count) to place a list on the blog to barter off to a new home.

Check back this weekend to see if there is anything that strikes your fancy.