Taking Stock and Making Plans

2016...what can I say. It seems like it was an overall crappy year for so many. We were not spared from our dose of crappy either, but there were some really good things as well.

~We lost my father in law in March. That really is what blanketed our entire year. It still affects us and always will, not only because we lost such a great man, our daughter's rock, possibly my husbands best friend, but also because this means that my mother in law needs extra help. However, through all this, my hubby and I also got a lot closer, our relationship really has never been better and I am so thankful for that.

~This year had both my hubby and I needing minor surgeries, but both turned out well with no foreseeable ongoing problems (I will probably need thyroid meds in the future, but with my families med history, I probably would have anyway).

~Our dog is really getting up there in years. I thought she was turning 14 this year, but after finding her original paperwork I realized she will be turning 16 in March. She is slowing down and we thought we were going to have to put her down just before Christmas. The vet decided to try a chiropractic adjustment and acupuncture along with different pain pills. This seems to have helped and we are so very thankful to still have her with us. We will continue this treatment as long as it keeps working for her.

~The election - I won't go into details of my political views as that is not what my blog is about, just to say that they don't fit in with either side 100%. I wouldn't have been happy either way, so I felt there was no win, but I really was shocked that it turned out the way it did (as in having to read the reports 4-5 times, sitting down with my mouth open:/). I really don't know what to expect and so I won't speculate. My hope is that it won't be as drastic as some fear, and that some good comes out of it (whatever that might be). We will see...

As for 2017...This will be a year of transition and big milestones.

~Our daughter got her full drivers licence a couple days ago. This is pretty huge for me as it will drastically cut down on how much I need to leave the house. She will also be turning 18 this year, graduating high school and starting some college classes!! No for-sure plans on the future, just taking it slow.

~My hubby and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in April!!

~I will be turning 40 and will be needing to find a job at some point.

I've decided not to make a big New Year's Resolution, but instead make a few small goals for the year that I think will benefit our little family. Things like visiting extended family a bit more, writing to those that are further away, possibly a family vacation to celebrate dd's graduation/birthday. Things like that. I am working on a list, because I'm a list person:), but I'm not wanting this to be a 'HAVE TO DO THESE THINGS' stressful kind of list. This is more of a 'follow your heart/do what feels like needs doing kind of thing. More of a building relationships/clearing clutter/making things feel lighter and easier kind of list.

As for my crafting, I think for now I will just go with the flow. No big plans at this point, I didn't even join in any 'challenges' or new SALs :0) I'm sure that will change, but for now I think a quiet entry into the new year is in order. Don't get me wrong, I have lots of projects on the needles/hooks/hoops/waiting for the sewing machine, and I am actively working on them, I just am not ready to put any kind of deadlines on my projects. Just for pure pleasure right now:)

Many wishes for a quiet, easy entry into this New Year for you as well. :)

Yarn Along

After a couple week's break, I'm going to join in again with Ginny at Small Things on her Yarn Along. Here's what I've been up to..

Reading - You *might* have a hard time telling what the book I'm listening to is:) I couldn't get the picture to show up - I think the screen was too bright in the semi dark room. It is 'The Rent Collector' by Camron Wright. I've just got started on it, but so far, so good.

Crocheting - I'm slowly making progress on my lab blanket. It's getting too big to take anywhere to work on, but I'm doing a little work on it here and there at home. No pattern for this one, just a basic bobble stitch.

Knitting - Sockhead Slouch Hat - this is really coming along. I'm just a few rows from starting the decreases. Should have this one done by next week.

Tidal Sands Cowl - this one is proving to be never ending. I made another mistake, I dropped a stitch in the middle of a lace repeat and couldn't figure out how to fix it. After ripping the whole thing out I decided that I wanted to do the longest option for this pattern anyway, so I guess it's okay:) I'm just about back to where I was when I ripped it out. 

Going to see what everyone else is working on:) 

Final '12 Projects of Christmas'

Sorry for the lateness of this post, we have both the stomach bug and the upper respiratory crud going on in my household (thankfully I haven't caught either - how long do you supose that will last? 😷). I've been busy cleaning, sterilizing and trying to only breath in non-infected air!! :) 

 As expected, I got a few of the projects completed, made some progress on others and a couple didn't get any attention at all. *Here* is what I had done before Christmas and below is what I've accomplished since.

This was the mess of stitching projects I had going the week before Christmas. Do you see the paper chart, yeah - that was one I hadn't even started but...

'She Feeds Them Well' by The Scarlett House was #11 on my list and I got done and framed in time to give to my mother in law. It was my first time framing my stitching and I think it turned out really good.

Stitch/Finish Ornaments was #8 on my list. I started and finished the stocking (the name of which escapes me - I'll update once I can get to the magazine it is in. I know it's by Blackbird Designs and that it is in one of the Just Cross Stitch Ornament issues.) This was a last min gift idea that my daughter gave to her boss's family. The Santa was one I stitched up the year before, but never finished it into an ornament. This one was a gift to my sister in law. I didn't finish the other stocking from the first photo yet.

Knitting/Crocheting pictures will be updated tomorrow for the Yarn Along, but here is a rundown on what did/didn't get done...

#1. Crochet Stars - Didn't even touch these. But I do still have them out so *maybe* I will still work on them as a quick project?

#2. Project Peace - Well, I was coming along on this, not that I was keeping up with it, but it was starting to look pretty good. Then I realized that I had the cowl twisted. I really did check my work and I thought it was good, but I must of missed it, and then in a fit of frustration (or resignation), I ripped it out. Now that I'm thinking of it more clearly I'm not sure I needed to rip it out. It wouldn't have interferred with the knitting of it and as it is a longish cowl and I will be wrapping it around me twice, you really never would have noticed it. Oh, well. I will start again soon. 

#3. Make hat for me - I am almost done with this getting ready to start the decreases - updated photo in tomorrow's post. 

#5. Make Cowl for me. Take what I wrote in #2 and repeat that:/ Well, not exactly. This happened right before the Project Peace problem. I didn't twist it, but did drop a stitch right in the middle of a lace section. I could not for the life of me figure out how to fix it, not even good enough to blend in, so I ripped it out. When I started this project I bought enough yarn to make the longest length, but then decided to knit the medium length. Now I'm back to really wanting it long (it got really cold here!!), so I guess it's not the end of the world that I'm starting it again.

#6. Crochet Lap Blanket - this is slowly coming along. It's getting too big to take with me to places so I'm only able to work on it at home. Hope to get this one done this winter.

Other projects...

#7 'JOY' Decor... I like how this turned out but it isn't a professional job. I think it would have turned out better if I had used fabric. You can't see it very well in this picture, but some of the edges aren't covered very well. You really can't tell unless you look closely so I don't think it'll matter any, I'll keep it the way it is and call it good:) 

#12. Wall Decor - this one didn't get touched and that doesn't surprise me at all. I had wanted hubby to make a wall hanging that had a basket, hooks and some kind of way to attach a stitched piece to it so I could change it out with the seasons. This is still high on my priority list of honey-dos, but as we ran out of 'play' money and then he was feeling puny the last half of break, it just didn't get done...yet!! 

So only 2 projects didn't get touched, and two went backwards, the rest either got done or make good progress. I say that is a win!! 

I'm going to take a break on challenges/bucket lists for the winter. So no new list for now, maybe I'll do it again for Spring:) 

FNSI - December

Last night was Friday Night Sew In hosted by Wendy over at Sugarlane Designs. I had big plans for this month. And I am happy with what I did get done, but it had nothing to do with the plans that I had :) I had planned on finishing up the zipper bags I started last month and sewing up a couple ornaments that I need to get done for Christmas. Instead I dug through my fabric stash and found some cute fabric...

The fabric wanted to become a project bag!! This bag is about 13x11 inch and is bigger than the drawstring bag I made last month. It's just about perfect for a shawl sized project. This is actually the second one of these I made in the last two days. You see, I started my sewing on Thursday because I knew Friday was going to be a bit busy. But I used heavyweight interfacing and that made it too stiff to be able to close with the drawstring:( Never fear, I had plenty of fabric. So while I was in town on Friday I bought some medium weight interfacing and used that. It is a little stiff, but it closes and I think with some use it will loosen up. I like the durability that using the interfacing gives the bag. I already have my Project Peace cowl sitting pretty in it:) 

AND while I was at the store getting interfacing I found some more pretty fabrics that think they'd like to become project bags as well. We will see next month what I get around to!!

Heading off to see what everyone else working on last night (and then straight to finishing up the Christmas gifts - I promise!!!).

Yarn Along

It's been a couple of weeks since I've participated in Ginny's from Small Things' Yarn Along. This is a yarn and read-a-long where we post what's on our needles (or hooks) and what we've been reading.

For the past couple of weeks I've been working on Christmas gifts and I got both of the hats I was working on for my daughter done!!!

The black one is KitKat Hat by Andre Sue. It doesn't look like much just sitting there, but when you put it on the corners stand up and it looks like cat ears:) 

The gray one is another In Bloom Beret by Brittney Waterhouse. I think this one will fit dd a bit better than the last one.

I have lots of other projects on the needles and hooks, but these have been my primary focus. 

I hope audio books work for the reading portion of this KAL, because that's all I have time for right now:) I really liked The Help, and this audio version was really well done. 

Off to see what everyone else has been working on!! 

12 Projects of Christmas Update

I've kept my hands busy-busy trying to at least work on the projects that will become Christmas gifts. I just finished both of my daughter's hats (pictures of these on Wednesday's post), and am coming along with the stitching project. I have decided that at least one of the ornaments that I finish stitching will become a gift as well. Friday Night Sew In is this Friday, so that will be perfect for finishing off some things:)

So here is where I am with what will be my mother-in-law's gift...

She Feeds Them Well by The Scarlett House. I am hoping to frame this myself, but if that doesn't work out I will make it into either a wall hanging or a pillow.

I also finished stitching a stocking ornament...

Winter Snow by Heartstrings Samplery  was a Ladies Prim Society club kit. Love this design and I can see doing this in many different color combinations.

And I spruced up my wreath. Not exactly how I had envisioned it, but I think I really like it.

Lastly, I bought, but haven't put together, the items I will need to do the 'JOY' addition to our Christmas decor. I am planning on decoupaging the letters with the papers and then adding beads and such.

I'm super excited at how well these projects are all coming along!! Hoping to get several more finished up soon!!

12 Projects of Christmas

On Tuesday I posted the results of my Autumn Bucket List. I think I did pretty well considering that I knew I put way too much on that list:) Today I have another list that will bring me into the Christmas/Holiday season.

1. Crochet Stars: I started these stars several years ago and I still love them, just haven't found the time to get more finished. I really like the colors of this yarn and it is sooo soft. If you haven't noticed already, I use this particular yarn quite a bit. I haven't decided if these will become ornaments or a garland.

2. Project Peace: This is a KAL hosted by Christina Campbell of The Healthy Knitter. This is a free cowl KAL designed to promote peace around the world. Lots of fun, the Ravelry Group can be found HERE. Also, Christina will be blogging daily tips for making your life just a little more peaceful.

The very beginnings of my Project Peace cowl

3. Make a hat for me: I started this one a couple weeks ago. I'm not a hat wearing person, mostly because I have a LOT of hair and always have it pulled back in a ponytail or messy bun. Since this is a slouchy hat, I'm thinking that my messy bun might fit in it so I don't have to wear my hair down. We will see. It is the Sockhead Slouch hat.

4. Spruce up wreath: I made this wreath maybe 15 years ago or so. It's made by shaping 3 wire hangers in circles, each just a bit smaller than the next and then my hubby took short pieces of the wire and soldered them together. Then take short strips of any color fabric and tie in knots. In years past I have just left the berries on it and called it good, but I think I want to add to it this year and make it a bit more festive. This will hang on my front door. 

5. Make a cowl for me: This one I also started a couple weeks ago. I'm really loving the yarn and the pattern is just started to show for me. It is the Tidal Sands cowl. 

6. Crochet Lap Blanket: I started this one a few weeks ago as well. There is no way I could get all this done if I hadn't started a bit early. As it is, I'm going to be lucky to get half of it done:) This one doesn't really have a pattern. Just a basic bobble stitch, going in groups of 3 stitches. I didn't even count how many stitches I 'cast on', I just counted by 3's. This one is going to take some time to finish!!

7. Christmas Decor 'JOY': I don't have a picture for this one. Basically this will be taking the paper/cardboard letters you can find at craft stores and painting and/or decoupaging with decorative papers and setting them up. I found this idea in an old magazine.

8. Stitch/Finish Ornaments: Also no picture for this one either. I haven't picked out what I want to stitch yet, but will be going through stitching stash soon to get it started:) FUN!! I also want to 'finish' off a couple of stitched pieces I already have done into ornaments. I will need to be selective with this as we down-sized our Christmas tree this year and so only favorite ornaments are allowed on it now:)

9. Make knitted hat for daughter: I found this 'cat' hat a couple weeks ago and just knew my daughter would love it - yes, she's 17. yes, she is a bit silly!! :) She just loves cats and she has a kitten right now that is black, so the hat will match the kitty. It's is a super simple - and FREE, pattern. I've only worked on it for a couple days and it is just about done already. This will be a Christmas gift for her.

10. Make a crochet hat for daughter: Above I spoke of how I am not a hat person. Well, my daughter on the other hand, is. This is In Bloom Beret and I have already made her one in another colorway. I will make this one just a little bigger as the last one needed just a bit more body to it to hide all her hair:) This will also be a Christmas gift for her.

11. Finish stitching 'She Feeds Them Well' by The Scarlette House and 'finish' into a wall hanging: This is the piece I've been working on FOREVER now that will be a Christmas present for my mother in law. She is a crazy bird lady - well, not really crazy, but she sure loves her birds, and flowers too:) This is the most recent photo I have of this...

12. Wall Decor to be changed out with the seasons: Not sure how to explain this one. Really it's just a concept in my head for now. It started out as wanting a way to hang our stockings - our 2 stockings as we lost one years ago;) I had thought a box that I could paint and decorate with hangers on it. Something like THIS. But we really don't have a good place to put it. SO I thought maybe a wall hanging of some sort. Then I remembered a project my daughter did for 4-H fair this summer. It was a rustic board that she attached a wire basket and hangers to. PERFECT. Except it is all the wrong colors for Christmas and it is a little too 'rustic' for my hubby's taste. ***Note: my hubby works in tooling and has worked in the wood shop for years and years. Their wood tooling has to be exact to within 3/100ths of an inch, so he is REALLY picky when it comes to wood projects:)

So then I decided that yes, I want something very similar to what dd had made, but I want to be able to also hang a stitched piece to the top of it so it can be changed out with each season. I really do have a pretty good idea of what I want it to look like and have shared these ideas with hubby since he will likely be the one to build a good part of it. Of all the projects on this list that I personally want, this one is a favorite, but it will depend on if hubby has time/patience to work on it:)

That is it for the 12 Projects of Christmas. There are a few that I'm pretty sure won't get completely done by the end of the month, but even if I can just get the Christmas gift items done and make a good dent in the rest, I will be happy.

On a side note... My daughter was looking over the things I didn't get done for my Autumn Bucket list and she remembered that I *promised* to watch a scary movie. UGG!!! She says I'm not going to get away with not watching one with her. 😖 I should have hid the list from her!!! :)