I’m still here…busy with life and book knitting. But did think you might enjoy….
Thanks Monica! I needed a laugh 
Creative Knitting special edition – Child’s Play was recently published. And in it, is my design for a cowboy hat. 
Isn’t the model adorable?
Not much time as been spent online during February…so no blogging.
Many things going on in our household including loom knitting for a new Leisure Arts publication. So hang in there with me!
There has been progress on the UFO’s and the knit-from-stash!
The crocheted scarf is finally finished! YAY!
This poor scarf has been a UFO for over 3 years. That is embarrassing – 3 year UFO sweater is acceptable but a scarf? Anyway, yarn is discontinued-but-I-do-love-the-color Moda Dea Dream. Used up all 3 skeins (whew). I think it makes a nice scarf for next fall (hopefully will have a hat to match from different stashed yarn of close-to-same-color).
I’m starting to enjoy the challenge of finding or designing a pattern for yarn in my stash. I have a bunch of those onesy/twoesy skeins. Fingerless mitts has become my fall back item for these skeins – which is actually useful as my daughter has Raynaud’s Syndrome and gloves/mitts is a necessary part of her wardrobe. Just finished Fetching for her.
I used another discontinued yarn – Main Line (Knit Picks). Turns out that this cotton/wool blend is very warm! Should have known that the wool content would have upped the warmth factor of cotton. Must remember to use wool blends for all her mitts.
Should have another UFO finished by next Friday – this one is loom knit. I’m on a roll!
I try to think of things I want to accomplish during the New Year as goals rather then resolutions. Somehow “goal” seems more forgiving…just in case I slip up. 
This year started off with no thought toward any goals. But after signing a new book contract 2 weeks ago, a high-alert-signal was generated by my brain…which, in turn, caused an overwhelming need to get organized before the boxes of book yarn arrive.
With day-to-day *real* life as organized as I can get it, I started on my little studio/office space. As I worked on it, I started to feel this flood of torment at the sight of the un-used yarn sitting in bins/shelves, and the numerous projects unfinished.
There it is…the goals for 2011 – 1) finish or frog UFO’s and 2) bust the stash (knit from stash)…’cause this is really getting out of hand. I believe I make this statement frequently. Maybe, this year….I’ll really give it a go.
Goal #1 – find and identify all UFO’s. That in itself caused a problem as I “lost” a crochet project that was started before the move. Then as I put my feet on the ottoman one evening for a little knitting….
AHA! Yep, there it is.
Really, it’s just a scarf…no idea why it’s taking so long – but it is.
Next I picked what I want to finish first. 3 UFOs top the list…one small since it’s an easy take-along while waiting at bowling and dance (the not-lost-any-longer crochet scarf). Then there is an almost done loom knit sweater design (just needs sleeves)….
Next is an easy-knit sweater for when brain is on overload…
The remaining UFO’s have been contained onto a shelf in my studio where I can see them and feel the guilt. Hopefully motivation to finish will stay strong. And perhaps with my eye on them daily, none will wander away and hide themselves in the ottoman.
Goal #2 – Knitting from stash. While it would be nice to dive into it as I have several patterns I want to do, I’m waiting until Goal #1 is well underway. Need to finish the quick and easy UFOs before starting new project….’cause if I start knitting/crocheting from stash now, it will mean more UFOs….which really defeats the purpose of #1, right? Vicious circle.
But that doesn’t keep me from looking at possible patterns for all the Sugar ‘n Cream that just had to be purchased at such a great discount, right? Or the left-over-from-other-project skeins. Possible candidates include this rug - 
Or this fridge padlock and chain (love it)
Tempting
We’re home after our holiday…rested and relaxed after an enjoyable family trip in the motor home. I’ll now bore you with pictures.
Christmas Day was at home complete with fire in the fireplace…
wine from my favorite vineyard…
yummy dessert…
and entertainment…
Oh…and presents!
“Meowth” made by me from this pattern.
We headed out the day after Christmas to visit my family in Henderson, Texas for a few days. Cagney has his seat at the “doggie window”
Then headed to San Antonio for a little fun. A visit to Morgan’s Wonderland….
…which we love!
Angela requested a visit to the Snake Farm which also includes GIANT spider-type things…
I believe the classification is something other then spider but ….. UGH….just UGH!!
Viewed the city from the Tower of America…
The thing we love about RV’ing is the family time. A great way to start the New Year! I hope your New Year started out as wonderful as ours did.
Wishing you a Joyous Holiday…..whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa….
Each Christmas, we have a tradition of making or buying a new ornament for the Christmas tree. For the past two years, we waited until the last minute for this tradition (too many other things going on)….so both years the ornaments have been purchased.
Last year, Wall-e was Gary’s pick.
This year I wandered into Hallmark store with no thoughts of what I was looking for. Then I spotted him….
Dobby is perfect! He is Angela’s favorite Harry Potter character.
BTW, we did see part 1 of Deathly Hallows the week after Thanksgiving. Love it….although I found myself filling in the blanks from the book. But since I do that with each movie, not a big deal. Looking forward to part 2 – dragons in Gringotts anyone?
Stupid heel spur made me really grumpy. Thankfully my family loves me enough to put up with me as I limped through the past two weeks. Better now…..and deadlines were met last week….so it’s time to think about Christmas!!
(Yeah, I hate those “gellin’ ” commercials too but seems appropriate )
Wishing you joy and love as you celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Please remember those men and women serving in the Armed Forces who cannot be with their families this year.
