around and around

When I began the first sock, almost two weeks ago, I had high hopes of them being done by now.  I wanted to give them to my husband for his birthday; but that has come and gone, and I am still knitting away.

I never thought I was one to suffer from the dreaded ‘second sock syndrome,’ but it is becoming apparent that I am suffering from it.  The signs are as follows:

• I have my morning chores done.  The children are still busy with theirs, it is a perfect time to knit, so I…start on my afternoon list.
• The kids are doing their copy-work assignment.  It is a perfect time to knit, so I…catch up on paper-work and record keeping, then organize the school cupboard, again.
• The kids are reading to me…it is a perfect time…I knit three rounds, and put it away as soon as they are done.  It is time to move onto something else!
• Rest time has started, and I have just made my afternoon cup of tea.  I can hear my needles calling, so I…go put another coat of finish on our new front door.

Yup, I’ve apparently gotten it pretty bad, and worst of all, I find myself contemplating (you’d better sit down for this one): new sock patterns! 

To which my answer is no, No, NO!

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one done, another begun

As I work to finish projects that have already begun, I am happy to say that one has been completed…half-way.  What good is just one sock?  …So I race against time, to complete the second.  I hope to have them done before this weekend, when my husband will be going hunting.  After all, they are no good, left at home.  (Not that they won’t get lots of wear in the months to come.) 

I was a bit anxious as to how they would turn out since I had to write my own pattern…but they fit him perfectly.  I could not find a one that was thick enough in the ankle for my husband.  This one is highly customizable; I tried it out on the baby first. 😉  I hope to share it soon; I am still working the details out.

This morning I baked bread…  I love the feel of smooth dough in my hands; and the aroma baking leaves in my home.  The repiticious work of kneading is soothing.  It reminds me to slow down and enjoy life.  The grins, on little faces, rewarding.  …I think I made enough to last the week. 

Normally, I bake all the loaves plain, to eat with lunch, but as we are changing some things in our diet, I spiced things up today.  There are loaves of orange-rosemary, loaves of lemon-oat-poppy seed, flat bread (plain, but dense), to be eaten with soup or dipped in oil, and a pizza crust.  Technically, the flavored loaves are sweet breads, or ‘cakes’, since eggs and butter were added.  The flat bread and pizza crust are both ‘french’ breads: water, flour(s) and yeast.

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the NOvember challenge

No new projects, in the month of November! 

I plan to use this month to finish many of the projects I have already started.  Should I run out of projects, before the end of the month…I think I will take a job, outside of the home.  Something upper level management; after all, I will have proved myself more than qualified.

This is my list of unfinished projects (that I can think of…):

• Afghan for Tyger
• 3 wood carriers
• Table runner for Mother-in-law (made at the children’s request)
• Fisherman’s Sweater for Husband
• Sweater for Daniel 12/2008
• LBD for Me
• Crazy Quilt for Caleb
• 4 quilts, mostly pieced, but far from finished
• Organize Pantry, including make storage sacks for grains, dried fruit and nuts
• Turn storage room into a usable Crafting Room  [began de-cluttering.]
• Paint Nursery  12/2008
• Crib sheet for Gideon
• Turn Fireplace Room into School Room: Paint, install flooring, trim, organize, sell extra books…
• Mend bassinet
• Learn to tan hides, so I have high quality leather…my husband just brought home a deer skin
• Learn to Tat (I have been experimenting with this craft for years, but still have trouble making even flowers)
• Write my knitting patterns in a usable fashion (to someone besides me)
• Make patterns and products for my crafting business
• Sand, finish, and install new front door  12/06/2008
• Complete sign for front door [the lettering has been drawn on]
• Thanks Giving recipe book
• 7 10 scrap books, all one to thirty-some years behind…Grandma’s is closer to 80 years behind…
• Suit Coat for Me
• Wool socks for Husband [one done!  11/2/2008] 11/11/2008

Well, at least I have the Christmas sewing completed.

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done

This is the last of my Christmas sewing, for friends and extended family! 

Thanx for cheering for me.

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painting with thread

From the first moment that I stamped this little tea towel with the violet, it called out to be delicatessen.  I pondered, as my plan had been to simply outline it in cheerful colors, using a backstitch; however, it was very apparent that that would not do. 

This little one demanded to be so much more.  The longer I looked at it, the more apparent it became that I had seen this flower before.  Not just the stamp, but the flower itself.  Then I realized that it is very similar to the design on my mother’s best china.  Wow!

When picking this design for my mom, I never thought about her china.  I simply picked something that reminded me of her, though I knew not why.  I guess somethings are deeply buried, and it takes a sassy towel, to bring them out.   

Once I knew the reason it had to be worked in satin stitch, I also knew the colors.  Amazingly, I had the threads and the ribbon, in the exact colors I invisioned using.

Working this up was so much fun.  When I looked at it initially, I was wary.  It had been years since I had pursued anything of the sort, and I was not sure my skills were up to it.  Happily, I was wrong. 

While it is not perfect, there are some changes I would make if I were to do it again, I am satisfied.  Most of all, I know mom will love it.

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piling up

My goal for the month of October has been to complete all my Christmas shopping and crafting.

October is one week from over, and I am doing well on meeting my gaol.  This is a stack of finished projects.  Completely Finished.  These items have been washed, blocked, and/or ironed.  They are ready to package and give.  This afternoon, or sometime this weekend, I hope to get out my sewing machine to hem some towels, make a pillowcase, and do some mending.

I think the mending is what has been holding me back.  I feel obligated to do it, but wonder if it is really worth the time it takes…oh well…it makes my husband happy. 

When I finish sewing, I will be left with two wash clothes and one dish cloth to knit, two hot-pads to crochet, bread, muffin and cookie mixes to assemble, and candy to make.  I may wait on making the candy until I am ready to mail things out, so that it does not get old; besides, candy making ingredients are usually on sale after Thanks Giving.  I also have a sweaters for my husband and boys under construction… 

I have realized that getting all of my Christmas sewing done this month is a little too much.  The things for my family, that I need to keep hidden are going to take more time.  Another thing I did not account for, when I made this goal, was the two birthdays in November.  I am currently trying to squeeze in some knitting for those, as well.  

I am happy with the progress I have made, but I have a ways to go.  This next week is crunch time…I love a deadline!  …now, to not make it exclusive: to keep up with my chores and duties…  I’ll show the gifts as they are assembled, and packaged to give.

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black work

This little towel, which needs to be hemmed, is my first adventure in black work.  I have always used a variety of colors when embroidering, but this design seemed to beg for simplicity.  I think I will combine this with a black towel, and give it to my mother-in-law.   It will go well with her dish clothes.

Ironically, another linen towel, that I stamped from the same set of transfers, simply calls out for color and trimming.  The colors I envision using on it should make it perfect for my mom…it will go with her best china.  Now, off to find matching ribbon.  There should be some in my stash.

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