Thursday, January 28, 2010

Completed Project: Ocean Waves Blanket for Caitlin

Little Caitlin was born on January 4th - the same day I started her blanket. I had incorrectly remembered her momma's due date as being at the end of January, not the beginning. That coupled with the late completion of the afghan of the sandman resulted in the only now just finished blanket for Caitlin.

Ocean Waves 1 05

Ocean Waves 1 01
(Seamus blinked)

Full details on Ravelry

This was a free pattern from Lion Brand but I substituted the yarn (Babysoft), hook size (G), colors (violet, lavender and pale pink) and did a different border (using the afghan of the sandman pattern's border). While I love the colors and the way the border looks, the yarn isn't as soft as I would have liked and the blanket turned out a bit smaller than I had hoped (one of the reasons I changed the border to make the blanket bigger). Don't get me wrong - I still love the finished blanket and I hope that Caitlin does, too.

I have 2 more of these blankets to make, one for a baby girl (Lucia) and one for a baby boy. I'll be switching out one of the colors for Lucia's blanket as per her momma's color theme for the nursery. I've got to have that blanket done by the baby shower that is two weeks away. (Good thing I started the blanket yesterday!) For the baby boy, I'm think it will be pale blue, white and perhaps a pale green if I can find it. Luckily, that blanket doesn't need to be done until March 5. Mom and Dad don't know I'm making it so it should be a nice surprise for them.

I'm off to the Rocky Mountains for work today. Lots of time for crocheting but no time for an LYS visit.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Pssst...

Dear Queen,

The yarn for aforementioned blanket has been acquired. Good thing you sent that email about yarn on sale at Joann's!

Homespun Barley 2

No estimate yet on when you'll actually get a blanket you can use, but at least you know it'll happen sometime in 2010.

Hopefully.

Sincerely,

Sam


PS: Mistress and Perches - I'm still taking orders for 2010 so speak up with a color selection.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

LYS in Beverly Farms, MA: Yarns in the Farms

While up in Boston for Christmas, I had the opportunity to check out one of the cutest LYSs I've ever visited. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts, this uber cute store is a must see if you're in the area.

Yarns in the Farms
641 Hale Street Beverly Farms MA 01915
www.yarnsinthefarms.com

Yarns In the Farms 1

Yarns in the Farms 2

It was the day after Christmas when I went and they had used the recent snowfall in a fun and creative way with the knitting snowman.

You'll have to check out their website for photos of the shop inside. I can tell you that it is super cute. It's small but cozy and inviting. There are a couple of couches to sit and knit, yarn from the floor to high up on shelves, and tons of handmade decorations and goods (some for sale) throughout the store. The ladies working at the store were a delight. Very friendly and very helpful. One lady even stopped eating lunch to help teach my husband's aunt how to get her project started.

I had received a gift card for Christmas and had no problem spending it plus more. Here's my haul:

Yarns in the Farms Purchase 1

I was on a green kick that day. I was only going to get skein of green yarn, but when I tried to decide which one to keep and which one to put back, I couldn't decide. The green made me happy so I kept them both.

The one in the middle is Dream in Color Classy in a color called Happy Forest. The one on the right is C*Eye*Ber Fiber sock yarn in ivy.

The red skein is Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair in raspberry. local(ish) yarn having been spun and dyed in Vermont. I'm hoping to get a hat knit up rather quickly for Sean's uncle who gave me the gift card. I'm afraid that with my other current projects, it may be too warm for him to wear it by the time it is done and sent to him. It's the thought that counts, right?

Finally - the button. It's a plastic type material (not quite sure what it is) and it might be handmade or from some small producer. I paid too much for it (almost $5.00) but I loved it when I saw it as it looked like a slice from a very green sapling (I really was all about green that day). But Sean's first reaction was that it looks like a pickle slice -- and he is right. Sapling or pickle slice, I'm still happy I bought it. And I even have a plan for it! It'll grace the outside pocket of my knitting tote (which I was shocked the kit didn't include a button).

In summary - check out Yarns in the Farms. An excellent little yarn store worth the drive to visit.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Three years and counting...

Wow. Three years of this blog already???! It seems like just yesterday I gave up the blog of ranting and raving (the Shoe Box) for one devoted to crafting. And so many visitors - over 21,000! I hope that over the years readers have found the blog interesting, informative and occasionally funny. I've gotten a lot out of having the blog. It refocused me on my crafty pursuits and got me writing again. Maybe not writing well, but writing nonetheless. I'll look at it as a way to ward off dementia in my 30's.

Thanks to all for stopping by and reading about my crafty exploits. I'm hoping to keep it active through this year and I'm contemplating some changes to the blog - as in the title and blog host. Even for a Taurus, change can be good. :)

Monday, January 11, 2010

Completed Project: Afghan of the Sandman (Purple)

I FINALLY completed my third Afghan of the Sandman last week and got it in the mail in time for Siena's arrival home. She was born on New Year's Day and is cute as a button.

Sandman Afghan Purple 04

Sandman Afghan Purple 06


All project details can be found on Ravelry.


This is the third afghan of the sandman I've made - I've made one in pink and one in blue. It will be some time before I make another of these. I always love the finished product but every time I make one, it takes soooo much longer for me to complete it than I anticipate.

I'm now beginning a trio of Ocean Waves baby afghans. The first one is already working up at a pace much faster than the sandman afghan. There's hope I'll have all three completed by February.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

2010 Crafty Resolutions

Here is my list of crafty New Year resolutions for 2010. Unlike other years, this is a shorter list but many of the items require a LOT of work. Here we go, in no particular order:

1) Catalog all current UFOs from past years - decide what to frog, what to finish and what to throw out


2) Projects for 2010:


3) Get serious about starting side business, to include:


4) Join the crochet guild or knitting guild or something


5) Fiber Traveling


6) Take a crafty class - cake decorating (final class), sewing, knitting, spinning, painting, sculpture - something! Could also count if I take a class at an LYS or at a conference

I'll try to revisit the list as the year progresses and as I (hopefully) progress with the list. Comments/suggestions welcome.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Happy New Year!

I guess I should say, Happy Belated New Year! I hope I'm able to catch up with this year soon as I have many things planned for 2010. My list of crafty resolutions is still taking shape as the plan for how to accomplish my list of personal resolutions is being mapped out. So far it looks like I'm going to tackle 2010 from all angles - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Physically - Not only am I going to work on getting back in shape (my physical form) I'm also going to improve my physical surroundings, such as getting new storage for my yarn and perhaps complete a few sewing projects to decorate the house.

Mentally - I'm going to work on making lists and plans that have clear goals and milestones to accomplish what I want to do. There is too much clutter up in my noggin. This includes getting down on paper and into planning a number of patterns and possibly opening an Etsy store. This also includes trying to find a new job where I feel mentally stimulated and one that doesn't suck the life from me. Something closer to home would be great, too.

Emotionally - Emotionally, I'm good. I've got the best husband ever so no worries there. It's just getting the other things - physically, mentally and spiritually - in order to reduce unnecessary stress and keep my emotional status in check (i.e. not resort to drama-queen reactions. As I learned in October, I am NOT low-key).

Spiritually - Whatever spiritual path you follow or beliefs you hold (or don't hold), that's up to you. I was fortunate enough to find my path many years ago but I've been disconnected from it for a few years now. The daily grind can do that to you if you don't make time for yourself or for important activities. I'm hoping in 2010 to reconnect with my beliefs and my path. The spinners are still spinning and it is in my best interest to pay attention to what is going on. They have a way of giving good hints as to what they are up to so that you can be prepared for what is coming.

Hope your New Year is off to a great start! (or at least a great plan)