Happy New Year!

Just dropping by to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year!

I'm still around, but 2011 was more about work and family than free time for crafting. Years have "themes" like that, don't they? My heartfelt "thanks" to those of you who visited my blog last year and left such kind comments about the restored needlework. I'm also very thankful for those of you who continue to blog and share your life and creative work. You are such an inspiration!

A friend's first grand baby has inspired a baby afghan, so that's the only project I have to share at the moment. I'm just a "wee" bit behind, as baby arrived right on time in November. No surprise to anyone who knows me that the timing has worked this way. I'm thankful for family and friends who love me anyway. Here's just one pic for the proof that I've at least been working on something creative!

I'm enjoying the basket weave, but I've only found time to work on this one while out of town. Now that it's January, I'm going to have to learn to stay home and knit!

As for new year's resolutions, I'll make just one as far as this little corner of my world is concerned: to post twice as many times in 2012 as I did in 2011. Almost there!

Again, hugs and a "Happy New Year" to all. May 2012 bring love and peace.

Knitting and Stitching

Not too much going on during this cold, cold January except a little knitting and stitching. Not a bad way, though, to spend a cold, gray day.

First of all, thanks for all the kind comments on Jenny Bean's contributions to my MMIRR! As you can see, the church is framed and under roof, and the bricks and windows are going in. I'm really needing a lot of good light, however, for this linen. My DH has loaned me his desk lamp, so that has helped quite a bit. I'm thinking I may also need a stronger pair of reading glasses, though!


On the knitting front, I pulled out a scarf that I had started awhile ago; it's the "Flying V Scarf" by Iris Schreier in Exquisite Little Knits. The yarn is Moda Dea's Cache, a bulky 75% wool, 22% acrylic, and 3% polyester blend. I like the colorway and the pattern, but I'd select a softer and lighter weight yarn if I make another. I love having a project on the needles during the winter months.


Hope you are all staying warm and enjoying your January projects as well. Until next time, happy stitching and knitting!

Binding Off

From the title of this post, you may be able to infer there's a happy ending for my sister's Christmas scarf. Christmas day, however, began like this:

My sister's comment: "Do you remember...when you gave me my afghan...and you still had it on the needles?!?" Yes. I remember, and so does my family! In my own defense, I was in college; she was graduating from high school, and I was almost finished with a soft, beautiful, feather-stitched afghan.

Two days after Christmas, though, her new scarf was off the needles...

and around her neck....

Needless to say, she was happy that I had taken the hint and used the yarn she had fawned over. Merry Christmas sis!

Casting On (Again)

Or...why not to take knitting advice from your husband, when your husband doesn't knit. Here's why.

Last night's conversation:

Me: "What do you think?"

DH: "It's not wide enough."

Me: "Hmm. This is about how wide I've made my other scarfs. How's this?"

DH: "It's not wide enough."

Me: "You really think so?"

DH: "Yes. It's not wide enough."

Me: "OK. How's this?"

DH: "Much better."

Fast forward to this morning's conversation:

DH: "What are you doing?"

Me: "I'm starting over. This scarf is too wide."

DH: "Yeah. It looks too wide."

Me: "Humph."

DH: "I don't know why you listened to me in the first place. I don't know the first thing about knitting!"

Please meet my newest (1) afghan square, (2) table mat, or (3) head warmer for DH (sorry, no picture for that option!).

The scarf is back on the needles and will be a Christmas gift for my sister. She saw the yarn and dropped a big hint, so if you're reading sis, at least let me know you know, so I can wear it in and save myself the wrapping!

The yarn is Bernat's Soft Boucle. It's indeed soft and working up well on the larger needles. This is the first project I've posted on Ravelry. If you are a knitter or crocheter and have not gotten an account on Raverly, do so. The site recently celebrated its first year, and it's a wonderful free resource for yarns, projects, patterns, etc. and offers wonderful organizational tools for your projects. If you are already on Ravelry, I'd love to hear about your work!

And while I'm on a scarf kick tonight, I'll share a picture of the scarves I've made over the last few years. To say I like fiber is an understatement. With so much yarn out there, a quick knit is always an easy, fun, and practical way to enjoy some of the choices available!

And one last look at all that color, glorious color!

Best wishes for a warm week ahead and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Challenge Complete

This past Monday I challenged myself to do something creative every day and to document the event. Tonight I declare "challenge complete."

To those of you who blog daily or several days a week, I don't know how you do it! You are certainly more productive and creative than I am, but that's why I enjoy reading about and seeing all that you do - for the motivation and the inspiration. And to Kim, who commented through all of my not-so-interesting posts and pictures this week, a big "thank you!"

Tonight's creative endeavor is to enjoy a little down time and some knitting inspiration.

Hope you all have a happy and creative week ahead!