Monday, January 9, 2012

Getting Back to My Routine???

The kids are all back to school (DS went back yesterday - YAHOO) and maybe now I can get back to my routine!!  Okay, you probably think I'm a horrible mother.  I love my son!!  But I don't love all the extra laundry, constant piles of dishes in the sink and the basement looking like a frat house and him thinking that noon is too early to get up!  But I'll be missing him.  A lot!  He's always so much fun.   But now that everyone is back to their respective routines, I can get back to mine and the more crafty things in life - like stitching.  I haven't done a lot of that.

But as each new year arrives, I think we all think about starting something new.  That was my first thought as we all know that I love starting new things.  But I decided that after my severely lackluster performance in the January Challenge last year (starting 15 projects) - of which I completed a big fat goose egg - I decided to go a different route, and make 2012 the year of the WIPS.  Why not - there are all those projects started from last year.  Makes sense, right?  So I joined Measi's WIPocalypse.  Get those WIPS all off my plate (well, maybe not all - that would take about 10 years!!!).

So I picked up AAWFAA.  When we last left this sampler at the beginning of last year, this was where I was - did I happen to mention that I HATED this cloud?

And this is where I am now (I'm loving the colors):

Not a huge amount finished, but not too bad for the first week of the new year.  There's a lot of backstitching on this puppy, and on 40 ct. fabric no less.  My eyes are having a hard time adjusting, but since I'm about to get a new pair of glasses, I think that it will be a lot easier to see and I won't get out of my chair cross-eyed.

Then, as usual, within a few days I was dreaming about starting something new.  Figures, right?  Well, a solution presented itself.  I happened to be reading blogs one day and saw Becky's challenge for the year - start something new, post updates during the year, and win a prize!  Okay, I'm all in for that!!  What's ONE new project?  Just one little project?  Well, it has to be 10 x 12, so not that little, but absolutely doable!!  So I've got my project picked out, but can't decide on the fabric - I've had two false starts as I didn't like my fabric choices, so I'll reveal it in my next post.  But I'm giddy about starting something new.

On other needles, I've been doing knitting.  After I finished the Guernsey shawl, I proceed to start a scarf for my daughter.  Could I get the pattern?  Could I make the yarn overs right?  NO!!!!  I sat there pulling out my hair wondering why I couldn't do it.  It's not like I haven't knit before.  But the correct way of yarn overs eluded me.  Even with YouTube videos.  I kept telling myself I've done this before, but it just wasn't working.  To prove my point that I can knit, I pulled a couple out of my son's drawer that I made for him when he was a little boy:



So there's your proof.  I once knew how to knit.  But those skills have flown out the window it seems.  So I have been knitting, but simple things - no yarn overs.

Gathered Scarf
Crazy Zauberball yarn

Combined Patterns
Boneyard Shawl and So Easy I Can't Even Stand it Triangular Scarf

The Gathered Shawl is my "take with" project when I take my daughter to dance because there isn't too much you can mess up on something that is just stockinette stitch.  Well, I shouldn't say that.  I was a lot further along on that scarf and did mess it up and had to take a good portion of it out, but I think that I'm back on track now!

Oh, and I have to mention that a couple nights ago I was laying in bed and it came to me how to do those yarn overs the right way!!  Figures.  So once one of these projects is finished, I can get on with something a little more elaborate.  

So that's my first week of January.  Not tons, but a good start.  Now I need to get some quilting in!!!

How are you doing on your goals so far?  Do you have any?  Did you join a Challenge or WIPocalypse?


37 comments:

Jenny said...

Deb, looks like you did some serious headway with your XS project. I can totally see why you hated working on that cloud, but you are done with it, it looks great btw, and get to stitch fun stuff now! Way to go!
I joined the WIPocalypse too and I am looking forward to posting my update tonight!

Loraine said...

Oh sweet! Do I get to be the first to comment on your wonderful post? Great starts for the new year! I hear you on wanting to start something new. I want to do that as well. Can't wait to see what you have picked. I love your progress on your 40 count sampler. Fabulous job, and your knitting...so pretty. One of my goals will be to do that someday.
Hugs to you dear friend. Hope your creative bug makes you feel a sense of accomplishment this week. :)

staci said...

Your projects look wonderful! I'm sure those YO's will come back to someday!!!

Siobhán said...

Sweet progress on your AAWFAA!! It is intensive stitching, so pat yourself on the back, gf!! Love the knitting, too! I keep hoping my daughter will crank out some knitting finishes for me but she's not taking my Pinterest knitting board hints too seriously. LOL

My rugrats are all back to school as of today, too, and of course I have a bad sore throat. :P I also have mounds of laundry and some deep cleaning to do--typical! I also have the latest Sue Grafton downloaded from Audible so am anxious for some stitching time!

I'll be emailing soon (really!)! xox

Quiltingranny said...

I am finishing up projects I pushed to the back burner for family to help take care of Tsunami victims, flood victims, etc. This is my year to do family quilting before I start something new!

Laurie in Iowa said...

I hope you enjoy stitching AAWFAA as much as I did deb. Your knitting is wonderful.

Susan said...

Looks like good progress to me - especially as you hated that cloud! Your knitting is beautiful.

Marion said...

Great start Deb!!!
Your projects are always amazing...can't wait to see what your new start is!!!
I have not made any resolutions about stitching this year....just work away on what I have in my stash (while ordering more as I see it!! shhhh)......
I used to knit a lot more than I do now...cute sweaters you made!!!!
I have a few of those I made for my oldest DD.
Take care
Marion
PS...yes, I love my kids too, but thankful they are back in school!!!! Your DS would fit in nicely with mine!

Diane (di) said...

Yay, you're stitchin' and knittin' and doing all kinds of stuff. Love that zauberball... been meaning to get one of those. Love the colors in AAWFAA and you got quite a bit done. My DS went back to school yesterday, too. I miss him so much... LET THE STITCHING BEGIN!! ;)

Stitch/Knit til it hurts Deb! :)

valerie said...

Great projects! I can understand the "forgot how to knit" dilemna. I think I've forgotten. On the rare time I try, youtube saves me!

Can't wait to see what you started for your BAP challenge!

Nancy M said...

I could never do the crazy challenge myself. I did see Becky's challenge which works better for me, but I don't have a big start I'd like to get going yet...I know, impossible right??

Kate said...

Great progress, hopefully wipocalypse will help you get through all your UFO's.
Lovely knitting.

doris said...

I now want to do everything you've shown here. But I'll try to control myself. AAWFAA is in my wanna-start-it-straight-away pile, but who knows when that'll happen? Enjoy the stitching and knitting.

Margaret said...

Great knitting and stitching! Isn't it awful when you have to reteach yourself how to knit? I have to do it every time. lol! Your AAWFAA -- I had the same problem with that darned cloud. I just can't get into this piece for some reason. At all. I skipped over to the flower too, but it's not helping. lol! So you're doing better than me!

Nancy said...

The colors are so bright and pretty in your WIP, can't wait to see more! Love your scarf projects especially the gathered scarf! Glad you remembered how to do yo! Isn't it funny how things come to mind while in bed all relaxed and ready for sleep?!

marly said...

Everyone is leaving me in the dust. Maybe I'm spending too much time looking at everyone else's starts!

Stephanie M. said...

It is ironic you are posting about knitting. Your knitting is amazing! My daughter is getting married in October, so I thought I should finally learn to knit...for future grandchild.lol In fact I found a local knitting group off of Ravelry that meets tonight. I so wish there was a site like Ravelry for xs.

On the stitching front I am trying to finish Our Wedding by L&L..very hard for me to stick with, but I have a deadline..October, so I guess that comes first. I really commend you with sticking with the one project it looks great!!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
What you accomplish is amazing. You don't give yourself nearly enough credit. What beautiful sweaters!!!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Sherry :o) said...

Doing a great job, Deb!! I love the little sweaters...so cute and can you even remember when he was that small? I can't remember that with my son - unless I hurt my brain doing so.

Good to see you yesterday...looking forward to more visiting with you.

And I am checking out teh WIPocalypse...not sure yet

Me and My Stitches said...

I think you're making great progress! I love your scarf - the yarn is really pretty. You are a woman of many talents!

Mouse said...

ooo well done on your WIP progress and I've joined the crazy challenge again as I did actually finish all fifteen last year ...lol .. well done on remembering how to do that knitting ... way better than me I can't knit ... and good luck with choosing your BAP for Becky's challenge :) love mouse xxxx

Gabi said...

Gorgeous knitting. And Stitching.
I never do any of those projects. I go with my own flow and make sure that I keep the fun in it. Be it knitting, stitching or sewing. Although stitching always reels me back in when I go astray. Because my mind of what I consider to be fun can change as easy as the wind, I avoid Challenges. Being "forced" into anything, even it's myself doing it, gets my free spirit revolting in no time whatsoever...lol.
That being said, I will cheer you on with your Wipocalypse...or knitting, or whatever fancies your moment :)

Cathy Lloyd said...

Always love reading your blog Deb! You will love AAWFAA! Simply Fabulous Cari is working on that one too. So wonderful! Enjoy your time alone with the kids in school! They leave the nest so quickly!

Mindi said...

Great job getting past that cloud in And All Was for an Appil. I joined both Measi and Becky's challenges, but haven't started my project for the BAP yet - still waiting on the chart to show up in the mail. If its not soon, I might break down and pick something I already have fully kitted up.

Giovanna said...

Great stitching and knitting! Glad you got over the cloud :-)

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I think that's awesome progress on AAWFAA! You're right, the colors are fantastic! Can't wait to see your newest project, too.

Pretty knitting - love both but the Combined patterns scarf is especially gorgeous.

Penny said...

AAWFAA is such a pretty sampler, so I'm glad you made it through that cloud! :)
Lovely knitting too!

Dona said...

Deb, you are right - the colors in AAWFAA are gorgeous! Nice to work with especially in the winter. Congratulations on finishing the hated cloud!

Love your knitting!

Ziggyeor said...

Gorgeous knitting. I don't even want to start that! I have too many hobbies between the cross-stitch and the paper crafting.

Good Luck with finishing your projects.

Sally said...

Your sampler is looking beautiful! Those colours are so pretty.

Lovely knitting too. I love that shawl.

JOLENE said...

Love AAWFAA...and your knitting is beautiful! I still love my pretty scarf you made for me. I am looking forward to seeing your new start finished. Have an enjoyable day.....smiles always!

L.O. said...

I think you made some great progress on your AAWFAA. Did you say 40 ct? Hurts my eyes just thinking about that. Love the colors. So bright and vibrant. Can't wait for the next update.

Karoline said...

Great progress on AAWFAA, it's looking gorgeous.

Your knitting wips are looking lovely

Kellie said...

Great progress on AAWFAA. That is one that I really want to start this year. Love, love, love your knitting!! My goals are to work on WIPs. I did join the 2012 Year of Smalls challenge that Laura is hosting. I am really enjoying it so far and loving the projects that her stitching group selected.

Mary said...

Love the stitching progress and the knitting projects!

I'm doing Becky's BAP challenge and I have a "2012 stitch from stash" personal challenge going on here.

Brigitte said...

Definitely a good start of January. Now, you made me a bit curious to see what you started for Becky's challenge, lol. The WIPocalypse is a great idea, I also joined and will stitch on some WIPs this year. But I also joined the Crazy Challenge - can't keep my hands off the new starts.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Beautiful knitting finishes, Deb!
And your progress on the sampler is pretty as well.

I'm glad you are feeling better and I can't believe January is almost over already.

Take care,
Jennifer