Goodbye 2009

Well here it is almost the end of another year and I am doing what I usually do just a few days before Christmas…trying to finish off some projects in time for Christmas. Something I keep saying I will avoid by starting earlier…and never do. *sigh* Well maybe next year?

I did plan on knitting a bag for my mothers’ wheelchair and did start it. But then she went out and bought herself 2 bags for her chair even though she knew I was going to make one so plans changed. It’s good in one way because it takes some pressure off to get it done on time for Christmas so I will finish it for her birthday instead which is in June. Knitted a hat for my son and just have to put the Goomba (a Mario brothers game character) face on it and it’s done. Now I am working on a plastic canvas envelope for my father to keep his lottery tickets in. Should be able to do that before Christmas gets here…hopefully.

Looking back on this past year I think I have accomplished quite a bit. Actually finished many projects…crocheted 2 vests and almost done with another. Crocheted a bag, a tank top and most of a cardigan. Knitted a pullover, a pair of slippers and a hat. I’ll count the plastic canvas envelope in here too because it will be done soon. Of course I have MANY, many projects lined up for 2010 already as well as some to finish up from last year. Must work on depleting my stash. Working in a yarn shop where new yarns are constantly coming in does not help with my stash addiction. But I love it!

This coming year I look forward to moving. Santa, I want a new apartment in 2010! Of course I am also looking forward to losing weight. HEY, what is a New Years resolution without that one? As usual, I hope that this coming year is a big improvement over previous years for all of us.

Merry Christmas!

Sneaking It In

Oh I know I said I had a list of things to get done before going on to other projects, BUT I just can not refrain from starting new things. Found a fabulous pattern on Crochet Soiree web site and started working on that. It's called Spring Garden Cardigan and I am working it up in a pink Mary Maxim Mellowspun DK yarn. You can take a peak at in on my ravelry projects pages. Of course other projects are starting to line up in my stash again.

Spent this past month reorganizing my yarn stash and patterns again and finding things I forgot I had. Separated yarns according to project types such as cotton yarns over here for summer tops and acrylic yarns over there for cardigans and bulky yarns over in that corner for heavy sweaters or afghans. Oh geez, found a stash of Christmas yarns for a table cloth and some place mats and maybe some ornaments and stockings. Oops, here is some more Christmas yarn I bought...for a table cloth...because I forgot about the first said Christmas yarn being in my stash already. Can I blame it on senility?? I need vacation time just to sit and use up yarn! Maybe it's time to give my knitting machine a real good workout. Did I mention I have NO STORAGE space in my apartment?? Just pull up a bag of yarn and have a seat.

Finish or Frog It in 2009

I joined a group on ravelry.com that I hope will motivate me to complete the WIPs I started last year. The idea is that every Friday you go through your UFO pile and decide if you want to finish or frog a project. You don't have to do it every Friday, but as often as you want to. For me it just depends on how soon I can complete each project. Click on the link to see the rules and join the group. If you are not a member of ravelry.com then you may have to sign up to join the group.

This is my list of UFO's that I hope to complete this year. I may end up adding the the list as I find more projects hiding in my stash.

1. Knit Red Chunky Tweed Pullover ***completed Jan. 5, 2009
2. Crocheted Mesh Cover-up ***Totally frogged *sigh*
3. Crocheted Mauve tank top***completed May 2009
4. Lion Brand Crochet-A-Long Afghan***completed.
5. Comfortghans for Crochet Guild (as many as I can make of the squares I have)***completed 3 and passed them to the guild.

Christmas Gifts and decor to do this year or next:

6. Round tablecloth **crocheted for me
7. Oval Cross Stitched table cloth **12 Days of Christmas**not sure this will ever be finished.
8. Placemats **crocheted for me

Okay, time to get to work!

New Year, New Me!

It's now January 2009 and my goals for this year are to lose weight and finish the projects I started before the new year arrived. So far, so good!

I gained a few pounds over the Christmas holiday, which was to be expected but the really good thing is they dropped right back off easily once I stopped indulging in the cookies and chocolates. The main goal this month is to lose at least another 4 lbs which will put me at my short term goal. When that happens I will try to remember to step off the scale before jumping up and down with excitement. Don't want to do serious damage to that scale ya know.

As for finishing projects, I have completed the Shetland tweed pullover I started last September. Yahoo! Photos to be posted soon. On to the next project. There is quite a list and it is really, really hard not to touch any new yarn in my stash right now. I must not touch until I have completed all other projects. I'll let you know how long I manage to hold on to that thought. LOL

New things have been added to my repertoire at the shop this year. The crochet classes that I teach will now alternate between Mondays one month and Fridays another month...depending on which day a holiday falls in that month. I will also be running the intermediate help classes on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons now. First class was fine except that I had a moment of panic when someone presented a Tunisian crochet project to me. I haven't done that in a very long time but after fiddling with it a bit, it all came back to me and I had her on the go with her project again in no time. Phew!

Look for me on raverly.com . Just click the icon on the left side of this page. Fabulous site for anyone who loves needle arts and wants to keep track of their projects and find more to get into.

I hope your New Year is off to a great start like mine is and I wish you all the best to come in 2009.

Oldies but Goodies

Gee, it has been a while since I posted something. My brother came across an old photo of me and my son. It brought back memories of when I first actually started knitting clothes. Started small by knitting things like the vest in the photo for my son. Then worked my way up to adult sizes. The Christmas vest in the photo was a Mary Maxim kit from 1990 or 91. No longer available of course. People still come into the store looking for old favourites like the ones my mother made for us when my brothers and I were little. The big cardigans with the reign deer on it or snowmen or the skater. Why do they always get rid of these oldies that were so good? People still want them.

Exciting New Crochet Patterns!

I recently received the Autumn issue of Interweave Crochet and I just LOVE the Northern Dreams Pullover. Had to look twice at it because I thought it was knitted. But the pattern is for crochet and I want to make it! Will certainly add it to my list of "MUST do's ". I still have to finish my Lion Brand crochet a long afghan and the summer top I have been working on. It's time to post some photos of some of the blocks I have finished for the afghan. Just wanted to have at least one of each of the colours I am using for it done.

My first post!

Hi everyone! I love to knit, crochet, cross stitch, sew, quilt and do a lot more crafts. Because of my hobby addictions my stash is huge and the WIPs and WIMs are endless. There are other hobbies on my list too that have nothing to do with crafts, such as genealogy and health/fitness. There is always something to do.

I live in the big city and work in a yarn/craft store. My 21 year old son lives with me and our 5 parakeets.