Busy knitting... not typing....

Hello out there! Yes, I'm still here. Been so busy lately I haven't had much time for typing. Whole family (including myself) have gotten hit with colds lately that just seem to hang on forever. It's been hard to get anything accomplished.

But during my rest times and in the peace and quiet of the evenings, my needles have been hard at work. I've got a bunch of different projects on the go. My Saroyan got finished and I started another one. (lol) I've started another KAL that is for Steelers fans. :) That one has really taken over. It's a bunch of different squares for an afghan. I've really enjoyed the creativity and diversity of the project. Also have a secret project on the go that I'll post about soon. ;)

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and wishing you many blessings for a fabulous, knit-ful new year!

Bones KAL: Episode 2

Well another 3 leaves are done. :) That's the end of the increase section. It took me a little over an hour to do it. I started before Bones started and finished a little after it ended. It sure is fun to be working on it with other knitters. :) I really am enjoying my first KAL and I'm sure to do more. If only someone else was working on a queen sized afghan like me. lol

I'll also have to try something else for the first time - blocking. Apparently it's pretty easy. This scarf will definitely need it. One of the leaves already looks a little off. Blocking should make the whole thing nice. :)

Anyways, still love the show. Bones and Booth are such an interesting couple. And I'm thrilled that we found out they are having a girl. Can't wait to find out what happens next week.

Bones KAL: Episode 1

I'm so excited to be working on my Bones KAL! The first night went fantastic. I am only knitting this project on Thursday nights so that I can get other knits done too. Here is the progress from the start. And I got both skeins rolled into balls the day before. Took about 1/2 hour to roll each one. Not bad. Better than waiting at the store with a fussy 2 year old. ;)

I'm planning to try to remember to post my progress each week. I am probably working on it about 2 hours each week. It wasn't too bad after I figured out the pattern. Made a mistake on the first leaf and had to frog it to the beginning. Next time, I need to READ the pattern not just think I know what I'm doing. LOL

Bones KAL: The Saroyan

One of my favourite TV shows is Bones and a new season of episodes starts tonight. :) It's been a long few months waiting for new episodes. You know how you get into a show and then the season is over? Sometimes the re-runs are helpful to stay "tuned in" to the characters but I really miss what's coming up next.

I recently joined a group on Ravelry that loves Bones too. One of the members asked if anyone wanted to join her in a KAL (knit-a-long). She's casting on "Saroyan" tonight (a pattern based on one of the characters from the show). Thought I'd try it. I've never done a KAL before (or this pattern). It's exciting to know that other people will be knitting the same project as I am at the same time. I know who to ask if I'm having problems. ;) I picked up some new yarn and needles at my LYS yesterday and am all set to cast on tonight. Can't wait!

Another new project for me....

So I found this knitting website called Ravelry. It is fantastic! There are so many groups to join. I found some that are local and others that like similar things to me other than knitting. One group loves the "Bones" show like I do. They're starting a knit-a-long (KAL) on Thursday during the season premier. Decided I would try out my first KAL. I'm so thrilled!!! I think it will be neat to be knitting the same thing as other people. Going to pick up yarn this week so I can cast on with the show. :)

And done!

Nothing is better than getting a knitting project completed. Can you see the big smile on my face?

I finished all of the kids hats. It takes a few hours to knit one. I was able to usually get one knitted a day although I did plow through two in one day. Here's a picture of my little darlings wearing their new hats. They were both home sick and were playing around. Nice to be able to grab a pic of them wearing something I've knit for them even if they are just hanging out in their pajamas. 

And now for the project I really wanted to finish - my scarf. I was so thrilled to have finished it last night. I tucked in the end and ran out to the garage to show my hubby. I'm sure he wasn't nearly as thrilled as I was but who cares?!? If I have to be excited about his bikes, then he can be excited about my knitting. lol (Actually he was pleased to see the smile on my face.) It sure felt good to knit something for myself for a change. I often find myself knitting projects for other people. Anyways, here is my scarf. The second one is a close up of the pattern I did. I love how it turned out and can't wait to wear the scarf. If only it would get cold enough to need it. lol

Now back to the afghan....

Two projects on one circular needle

Yep, that's right - one circular needle, two knitting projects. So here's the story....

Took the kids shopping with me on Wednesday (daughter's been home sick all week). I didn't realize how cold it was until I did my best to bundle the little monkeys up. Obviously I don't have our winter stuff all out yet, but I figured we were good. We were not!

Thought it would be best to finish the last hat I had to knit (my son's) even though I wanted to work on my scarf. Didn't realize until I was ready to start that my scarf was on the needles I wanted for making the hat. There was no way I was going to finish the scarf in the next day or two, so I just cast on the hat. Actually wasn't that bad for knitting the hat with the scarf still on the needles. I just had to be careful that I didn't get stuff tangled up. Finished the hat in about a day so it's already done. Yeah! Finished hats for this year. I think anyways....

It's here!!! :)

My yarn arrived on Thursday. Been so busy I haven't had a chance to post till now. Anyways, there it is, sitting on my kitchen table. Can you see the gorgeous colour? I love it!!! It's a little lighter weight than I was thinking but I've already started using it. I wound it up and am knitting the two strands together. The pattern I've written is called "The Raspberry Splash Scarf." I was thinking of knitting something that would ruffle around my neck but couldn't work out anything I like. So I've developed a wavy pattern that will give me a "splash" of colour around my neck with my back coat. Can't wait to get the scarf done. Already have about 10 inches knitted and I only start last night after doing a few test swatches.

On another note, I've been knitting away on those hats for the kids. Ended up doing two extra ones. I got my two nephews' ones done in black, waiting for them to come up to get them. I got my daughter's one done too. I did one for my new niece and her big brother too. Still have to do the one for my son but I have to find his snowsuit yet and decide what colour(s) to use for his. I even got two done in one day. It's a fast, easy pattern that's easily adjustable for different size heads. I call it "Kids Ribbed Winter Hat". I could be doing it in different colours too but most people request only one colour each year.

A New Project - Hats, hats and more hats

Taking a break from knitting my nephew's afghan to knit hats for the kiddies. Picked up some fabulous yarn when I finally visited the LYS. (What a fantastic little place!) Already started Hat #1. Not sure who it's going to fit. The pink yarn will be for my daughter's hat to go with her new black winter coats. Not sure what colour my son's will be. My sister-in-law wants black hats for her boys. Since our kids are the same sizes, I measured my kids and just got started with the black. Going to have my kids try it on and work from there. It's nice to do something different that doesn't take too long. Great to see something get accomplished completely. :)

A new project

Can't wait!!!! :D I was thinking the other day that I needed a new scarf. I bought a new winter coat at the end of the season last year. Thought it would be nice to add a splash of colour. Then I got a note on Facebook the other day about a sale on some gorgeous raspberry coloured yarn. I couldn't resist, ordered the stuff right away and am now trying to patiently wait for it to arrive. As the time passes, I'm trying to hunt down a pattern to knit. It's Cascade Heritage Silk Yarn.

Still knitting....

Hello! Yes I'm still here. I've had some extended family drama/issues lately and just not in the mood to "talk". But I have still been knitting away on my nephew's afghan. Square after square after square.... Will be glad to get it done. I figured out that it takes about 2 hours to complete one square. Crazy! Guess I'm not the fastest knitter but that's okay. :) It will be great when it's finished.

The LYS

There's a little yarn shop (LYS) on the way to my WalMart (as if I own one lol). I pass it every Wednesday, twice, and still haven't ventured inside. I really want to but I'm afraid I'll spend too much money, or find something new to work on instead of my nephew's afghan, or that my son will make too much of a mess (as I always take him shopping with me). One of these days though, I will work up the courage to venture inside and find some gorgeous yarn and a pattern to knit something up just for me. One day.

As for my nephew's afghan, I don't think I can get it finished in time for Christmas. I seem to knit about one square a day but still have around 120 to do, plus sewing the whole thing together. Oi! Will press on, at least till I get some new yarn. ;)

I'm becoming a knitting maniac

I got on a role yesterday.... knitted till 1:20AM. Yes that's right. 1:20AM! Good grief! What was I thinking??? I got wrapped up knitting and catching up on some blogs. It was fun reading but I can't believe I stayed up that late. Only realized it was that late as Hubby came in from the garage.

So the knitting craze continues. Took my knitting to my in-laws' house today and knitted while I visited. And I did a bunch more after coming home, in fact, been knitting most of the day. Don't know how I managed to complete three loads of laundry all the dishes, and cook and eat supper.

Tonight's beverage is another birthday present. It's an enjoyable light choice. Won't be drinking the whole bottle tonight though. ;) Must save more for other nights of enjoyable peace and quiet with the little ones tucked in their beds. It really is my favourite time of day. I can concentrate on whatever I want and not mess up my knitting. There are no interruptions of "Mommy..." or listening to fighting over the toys. It's been a long summer with no afternoon break but school starts again in a couple days and I'll have some time in the afternoon too. Bliss!

I'm a wino and I don't care who knows it!

Well, that's not totally true. ;) lol

Hubby got this bag as part of a gift from work last year. I've got a pile of "cloth" bags and haven't known what to do with them all. One day I was looking for something to put my knitting in - too many projects and they each need their own bag. While going through my cloth bags, I came across the LCBO bag. Did you know it's perfect for a knitting project that has a few skeins? It will hold 6 perfectly in it's bottle dividers. The bag is also stiff so it's easier to get the yarn out of it with no part of the bag flopping over the skeins. FABULOUS!

As well, I have been looking for more opportunities to knit. I have lots of projects I want to get finished and new ones I would like to try (got inspired by other knitters' blogs). So this morning I took my LCBO bag with me to the pool and knitted while my daughter had her lesson. Was nice to sit there and be productive while I don't have my son to keep me busy. Guess it will be traveling with me from now on.

Big Ass Beer Glass and my thoughts

I've been in a funk all day. Started out with a whirlwind to get out the door on time with two kids, one to drop off at my DILs' (dear in-laws') and one to the doctor's for a check up, followed by grocery shopping and lunch at the DILs'. The afternoon draaaagggged along with getting stuff accomplished but a lot of "lost" time. Just not in the mood to do anything. Wasn't even hungry for supper. Evening has gone the same, not knowing what to do and not feeling like doing things I could do.

So out came the "Big Ass Beer" glass (that my darling husband has gotten me a whole set from his golf trips), filled with one can of Pepsi, a good shot of Capitan Morgan's Dark Rum (whatever was left in the bottle), and a few ice cubes. It's freaking huge! Thought I should enjoy it while doing some knitting. Too bad it was the end of the rum..... Better look at working on a new dishcloth. ;)

Cake and wine and all things blogging....

So I'm getting back into this "blog" thing. At least I think I am. I added "Blogs" to my Weekly-To-Do-List and attempting to fit it in. Last night and today, I've spent oodles of time looking at blogs, signing up for new ones, trying to catch up on some, researching stuff to do and post on mine, etc. I have realized that I could get sidelined just doing that. What good is read-ing if there is no do-ing?

Now here I sit with a piece of my fantastic chocolate birthday cake and a glass of red wine so I can write a little bit. What can be better than that? Knitting for sure, but that will have to wait a few minutes. At least till after my cake. ;) It's so nice here right now. The kids are in bed, my husband is out in the garage working on his own hobby (motorcycles), and I sit here in the quiet. I have full control of the remote (not that there's anything on [insert eye-rolling here]). I can hear my own thoughts. I can concentrate and not be interrupted by little voices. How lovely!

Still cruising along on my nephew's afghan. Man, I can't wait to be done! With all the perusing I've done today, I'm jealous of all the fabulous knits that others have been doing. Wish I had more time to do that. Guess that's the life when you've got little kids and trying to work out running your own house. Soon I'll have to be knitting hats and scarves for all the little darlings I know, then maybe a project will be for me. What to make, what to make?!? Time to start a Possible-Project File I think....

Squares for my nephew's afghan (light blue, medium blue, and chocolate brown)

Another day... how I'm FLYing

I've been doing pretty good with FLYing even though I haven't been posting it for a while. :) I changed things around lately as I hate getting up in the morning. I have a FLYcleaning time in the afternoon and then I don't worry about too much stuff in the morning. Over the summer I made progress with sorting through stuff and decluttering. I didn't get as much done as I was hoping but at least it's a start and progress.

As part of my volunteering, I do publications for our Women's Ministries (WoMin) group at church. One of the publications I work on is our newsletter. This year, instead of just publishing it, I'm writing a column: Domestic Diva. Exciting eh?!?! I wrote my first one for our Fall Edition which is just coming out now. I'll be posting the articles here (edited for us) in case you all want to read it. Maybe I'll have to start a second blog.... ;)

Yes I actually do knit.

I haven't posted much about anything but I actually do knit. :) I've done lots of afghans, hats, scarves, baby blankets,socks, dishcloths and towels, and chair feet to name a few. Right now though I'm working on the second part of my nephew's afghan. I completed the first half and gave it to him 2 Christmases ago. With a new baby though, I wasn't able to get much else completed. So lately I've gotten back into it. I'm charging away one square at a time. It would be great to get it completed for this Christmas but we'll see. I also have a couple other things on the go too. Working on dishcloths and chair feet as I've got lots of chairs. Will post pictures after I take some. ;)

Hello! Where did you go?!?

OMG! I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted on here. Where did I go?!?! Life gets busy and when you've got nothing to say.... LOL

So I'm going to try to get better at this. And post a little more often. Going to add it to my Weekly To Do List and hopefully I'll show up here a little more often.

Today is my birthday. How exciting! It's really just like every other day and I don't feel any older. Guess it's a gradual thing. Wish I hadn't stayed up so late last night. Thanks Hunny!