Let the Winter Knitting Begin!

I've decided that for 2011 one of my resolutions will be to try and finish one of the gazillion WIP (works in process) that I've started.  Another one of my resolutions - appreciate my husband more.  Seriously, where can you find someone that understands that you have fibromyalgia and that anything "soft" is a bonus?  For Christmas - 2 cashmere turtlenecks and 1500 count Egyptian Cotton thread sheets!  I didn't even know they made them that high.  And...... a knitting book.  One that I actually don't have.  Yep - he's the love of my life!  My last resolution - actually make something for me. 

So I've started (yes I know this goes against resolution number one) the Neckdown Wrap Cardigan by http://www.knittingpureandsimple.com/ in a beautiful emerald worsted weight yarn by malabrigo http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/.

It's worked from the top down so hardly any seaming needed.  I'm in love with this yarn.  I've made several hats out of it - but never a whole garment.  I don't think that this will end in the "needs to be finished" pile. 

Let me know what your resolutions are.  Maybe we can have a "WIP" party.

2 and Counting

Here it is December 23rd and I have yet to get into my usual holiday spirit.  I'm betting at this point that it's just not going to happen.  And I'm okay with that.  My decorating is done as much as I'm going to do.  Presents are wrapped and cookies all baked.  I'll get to spend a quiet Christmas day with Keith and Rina the wonder dachshund.  Hopefully Keith will make his wonderful pancakes (hint hint), we'll open gifts and watch dvd movies all day.  Sunday I'll cook all day and spend it with Amanda, her husband Patrick and Keith's Mom.  All in all, I can't think of any better way to spend the holiday weekend this year - except to add some knitting time in there somewhere.  Now that all my gifts are done I see a sweater for me in my future!  Merry Christmas everyone.  I hope you get to spend it just the way you want to!

OT - no fiber or weiner dogs in this post!

This weekend begins my long tradition of Christmas cookie baking!  I have about 8 tried and true varieties that I like to make.  Then every year I like to try a new one.  Some stay on the list - some never again.  This year the new one will be a chocolate cookie with a peanut butter filling http://www.kingarthurflour.com/.  Daughter of course expects the Peanut Butter Blossoms.  Husband likes his chocolate chip and Snickerdoodles, my friend Dora likes my sugar cookies - her husband Pat - the Peanut Butter Temptations.  I like gingersnaps. I had for a very short moment thought about not baking cookies this year.  No one really needs all that sugar, they aren't really healthy for you, blah blah blah.  Then I realized that it's not Christmas for me without them.  And maybe that's what's wrong with me.  That's what I'm missing.  I just haven't had the Christmas spirit so far this year.  So I'm going to spend the day in the kitchen with Christmas music playing (sorry Keith) baking as many cookies as I can.  And I'll even get to try out my latest cookie cutter!  It's a dachshund of course!  Can't you just see a row of dachshund gingerbread cookies with red & green sprinkled sweaters?   (so I lied - there was a wiener dog in this post).

Why I have a "day job"

I guess I should be flattered that I have been told on several occasions that I should give up working full time and "sell" my crafts.  Below are several reasons why I do not:

1.  We like to eat.
2.  My dog loves to eat.
3.  Non-crafty people do not realize the time/effort/time it takes to knit/quilt/crochet said item that they are requesting you make them.
4.  When you put a price tag on said item such as $25 for a pair of handknit socks - it takes all of my energy not to want to thwap someone when they tell me "but I can buy a pair of socks for $1.99 at Walmart!
5.  I handquilt very slow.  I like to take my time and do it right.  (thus why daughter is still waiting for wedding quilt).
6.  I am thinned skin.  I do not take criticism very well so when someone tells me about the said sock/scarf/gloves at Walmart or the quilt at Macy's that they can buy for $ compared to a "handmade" for $$ - again, wanting to thwap them comes to mind (or the very least - say not so nice things).
7.  Have I mentioned eating?
8.  I don't like deadlines.
9.  I enjoy making things for people that I hope will appreciate them.
10. When it becomes a job - then I will no longer be able to use it for relaxation/stress relief.

I think I'll keep my day job.

Hints for Christmas gifts for crazy fiber people.

I've been giving this some thought.  Maybe too much.  But I was told once that I was "hard to buy for."  Me?  Really?  I mean REALLY?  I knit, I spin, I quilt, I sew and even crochet once in a while.  And yes, I know certain family members are saying there is enough fiber in my stash to cloth a small third world country, but I like fiber.  I love yarn, I enjoy walking around a fabric store and seeing/feeling all the new fabrics, and there is always a need for accessories - i.e. knitting needles (yes I know that I have three very large vessels holding pointy sticks, but....), sewing notions - a quilt does use up a lot of thread, and there's always need for batting.  And of course in spinning - you can never have enough bobbins.  Who knows when the mood hits you to start spinning that gorgeous new angora/alpaca/silk blend.

So you see, I'm really not all that hard.  Gift cards are nice - but I even like when dear daughter surprises me with yarn - and then says - it would really look nice as a scarf for me! 

And don't forget magazine subscriptions.  That's a present that last all year.

Happy holiday shopping everyone.  I think I'll go finish those yoga socks daughter requested when she gave me yarn for my birthday!

Let the holidays begin!

I'm slightly lost this year.  In the past I've worked up til' Christmas Eve trying to finish my presents for everyone.  This year the family chose to do a Pollyanna.  I have one family member (outside the normal kids, spouse, MIL) that I need to get a present for.  I should be relieved.  I'm just not used to this.  Of course, I'm sure Manda is reading this and saying - oh good, now she can finally finish my wedding quilt!  So much for deadlines......

Thanksgiving traditions

Everyone it seems has a certain family tradition.  Mine starts usually on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but this year it was today.  I help my big brother Terry unload box after box of the most beautiful pottery for his once a year pottery sale at Wheaton Arts & Culteral Center.  I really don't know how long I've been doing this, it started at his house, then moved to Appel Farms, and finally to its current location.  I find it's like Christmas - each box having something more beautiful than the last.  Every year I come home with a new piece or two (okay 3-4) - thank you Terry - hope you have a wonderful show!

Holiday gift giving

I've decided to cut way down on my holiday gift list this year.  One reason is definitely the economy.  The other stems from my experience from last year.  I over extended my self in the homemade gift giving area last year and found myself up way too late most nights and way too tired during the day.  Not a well thought out plan.

Also, I'm sure some have had this experience, I'm not sure all of the handmade gifts were appreciated.  I know that's the risk you take when you work hours and hours on something then have it leave you, but a little thank you note, e-mail, picture of your quilt resting on the bed, hat/scarf being worn by the giftee, etc. would have gone a long way to appease my tired, aching fingers. 

Maybe it's my mother's voice in my head reminding me the day after Christmas to sit down and write Aunt Mary a thank you note for the handmade gift still ringing in my ear - but I think she had something there - Aunt Mary wherever you are - I hope you got all the thank you notes, I always loved the gifts!

Why I never knit for my dachshund!

Those that know me know that I love to knit.  I knit during my lunchbreak, sitting in traffic jams, in the evening, you name it.  I love to knit for anyone who asks for me something.  However, I will never attempt to knit a sweater for Rina.  This is why.  If pictures could talk, this would be censored.

First Post

I have wanted to start a blog for a very long time - but like many, I'm sure - just didn't know where or how to start.  I have several passions.  Mainly knitting, spinning and quilting.  My number one passion though is my long-haired dachshund Rina.  If you've ever owned (or been owned by) a dachshund you understand that statement completely. 

Through this blog I hope to keep a journal of my spinning, knitting and quilting adventures.  And hopefully, gain some new friends and acquire some encouragment from others along the way. 

And Rina will get to have her picture take from time to time.  She does love the camera!