2014 Its here!

This will be just a quickie, to say the least.  I just made a post on my other blog-
 8000 Steps, going over my current weight loss efforts and a few health challenges. I don't want to re-hash again here.

My Christmas was delightful with my daughter at home for almost 3 weeks.  We were busy going to the gym, decorating and shopping for the holidays.  This beauty just amazes me as she grows into an adult.  She spent a fair amount of time with her friend who is getting married next summer.  This was her last trip going back for school- 2 more semesters in England and she graduates.  Oh the insanity of looking for a job in the arts- BIG. Well, we'll deal with it when it time gets closer i'm sure.
 After struggling to organize my Woman Cave I realized I would have to change things.
I'm planning to finish off my craft room, with a definite plan to switch out to cabinets mounted on the wall with drawers on the lower half,a long desk top and cabinets above the desk top. The plan is these would be all on one wall of the room.  Careful measuring and thorough pricing etc must take place.  There's a Martha Stewart piece or two I really find quite enticing, but don't know if I will go for them.  Regardless, My Ladies Cave space will be thoroughly usable by February.  

I'm currently working on a large circle cowl with some yarn I picked up on our last trip to Lake Chelan.  I will add a better photo later on but the yarn is quite fun its very textured and bulky and I'm just doing a simple pattern of garter stitch 7 rows, and knit 7 rows on circular needles. I was planning to use bigger sized needles but couldn't find them when I started. It should be finished relatively soon.

I don't do resolution's they are just something to make you feel guilty for not completing.  But I do have a goal this year to make one gift item a month, and one item for myself.  I have decided I would like to get back to creating things for myself.

  In February, I plan on making myself a travel shawl for summer time. Its in the current issue of Knitscene   http://www.interweavestore.com/knitscene-spring-2014-grouped?cid=2500&CAPCID=36262146470&cadevice=c&gclid=CJbw6-6U87sCFTDhQgodX0QA-A&CA_6C15C=400009260000178224 Spring 2014 a pattern called "J.Watson Shawl" by Megi Burcl.  It has little openings on the shoulder and when its tied closed in front it reminds me of a light sweater tied around your shoulders.  Light weight for summer weather.
Since I will be recuperating at home, and have limited activity no push or pulling movements.  Knitting should be perfect for keeping my hands busy.Walking is OK, so I'm sure I'll be doing lots of that, no teaching for a month-sigh. I will have to get out and get the yarn in the next week or two.

I already bought myself a birthday present (my birthday is at the end of May). I found a workshop I wanted to attend in early June, and purchased it so I wouldn't forget.  I'm really excited for it, Its sewing and fitting one's self, and couldn't be at a better time.

Well wishing all of you a wonderful 2014. I hope to be here more frequently as I have many projects planned this year.
Treva

bunnies, sweaters, and hats oh my!

Easter is on its way, and when your only child is living in another country you have to think early about what to do.  My most recent experience dealing with international mail (and customs, duty & vat taxes) has not been too happy. I digress.

So thinking ahead and now ready to mail are these adorable bunny slippers.  They are made with a pink pacific yarn by cascade yarns and Alpaca Lace in peony pink also by cascade.  Before washing I was able to brush them with a scrubber lift the fluff, and throw them in the washer/dryer to finish it.  then embroidered the eyes and nose.  The bottom has 2 layers so they are quite squishy and come up the back of your heel like a scuff.  She's a dancer, and their house is quite cold so I'm sure that they will get lots of wear.  I considered putting on a bunny cottontail, but decided that it might be a nuisance. 

Here is a quick pick of the sweater I made her for Christmas.  Unfortunately it wasn't quite finished because I ran out of yarn just before she returned to England, so I had to mail it after it was completed.  The pattern was from the Contemporary Crochet 37 European designs  book, and I used  Sublime -Cashmere merino silk dk. It's a beautiful yarn to work with and has such a lovely hand.  The color is kind of a dark  taupe or clay color.  the sweater on the cover is the picture of the sweater I made her.




So I decided to try and knit again.  Having  a strong crochet background, does seem to really help.

I tried many times  years before and never could get the hang of it, the gauge, and the giant spaces on the first row were badddddddddddd.  This time, I decided to make a hat, using circular needles and then having to transfer to the double pointed needles to finish.  It was a bit frustrating- especially those double pointed needles, I would like to know who thought those up. But i did manage to make and adorable pink hat and then crocheted a big loopy flower for the top. I'm pretty impressed with myself.

so much so I thought what the heck lets make a baby sweater.  so I've been working on that now. Its in several pieces and needs to be finished.  Soon, you will see it.  I want to put a crochet edging on it, after its all sewn together.

so this is just a bit of what I've been working on.