2009: The Year in Review

Well, here we are at the end of 2009. Time for a look back on the craftiness that occurred this year. First, a final tally on my my Crafty Resolutions list for 2009 - my last check of the list was back in September (and oh how optimistic I was about what I thought I could accomplish).


1) Finish the following UFOs:

• Knitted Baby Blanket - Completed - and baby Edward loves it.


• BUBBLES bubbles Wrap - I switched it to a scarf as I gave the second hank to Celtic Memory when I visited Ireland. The scarf was started and it still sits untouched in my cabinet of yarn. Is this project doomed? I'm beginning to think so. Or should I say I'm accepting the inevitable.


• Spiral Pentagram Motif Shawl - It's going to be ripped out and reused. I hate seeing it in a bag every time I open the yarn cabinet. It has a better future/pattern ahead.

2) Design more stuff and write more crochet patterns including: coasters, fingerless mittens, and pot holders.
Completed - at least the coasters part. Designed and up for sale on Ravelry are the citrus and watermelon coasters. I'm hoping to get more patterns on paper next year.

3) Try to sell a project - either on Etsy, at a craft fair, or word-of-mouth.
Completed - sold a fat bottom bag. She loves it and she's had lots of people ask her where she got it. I've got some bigger plans for 2010.

4) Learn to knit socks on double pointed and/or circular needles.
Completed - the first pair was given to KMP. I've also made some baby socks. All were made on DPNs and while I'm hoping to learn other techniques such as the magic loop method. Started a sock-a-long with "C" which is under way but has no deadline by which we have to finish. Stress-free knitting is always better.

5) Go to MS&W 2009
Completed - and it was a fantastic weekend!!!

6) Visit the new Lion Brand Yarn Studio in NYC.
Visited the studio with the Queen in October. I would highly recommend it for the experience (though you can get the yarn cheaper elsewhere).

7) Complete the following new projects:

• Make at least 1 blanket for donation (charity TBD) - no progress on this one yet


• Baby blanket for Decklin or Saoirse (due in May) - Completed for Saoirse's arrival in May.


• Baby blankets for the other babies that are sure to be announced in 2009 - The starghan was completed and I'm going to crochet like the wind today to try and finish the overdue Afghan of the Sandman before 2009 officially ends.
  
• Traditional crocheted tablecloth for future Sister-in-law - I was going to make this for her bridal shower gift but I could not find a pattern that I loved. Instead, I made the cake for her shower.
  


• A shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book - Yeah, that didn't happen. I think I'm going to take shawls off my list for awhile. They aren't inspiring me like they used to.

8) Take another class at Joann's - cake decorating, sewing or quilting.
Actually took 2 more classes in cake decorating. All that is left is fondant and gum paste flowers. I have also come to the realization that I cannot take up quilting or any other form of sewing projects until we move into a bigger home. The craft room is packed and the cabinet is full of cake making supplies. There is no room for more crafts at the moment.

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While not all items were crossed off the list, I still feel pretty good about 2009. It was a busy year outside the crafty activities, with the addition of Seamus to the family and my brother-in-law's wedding. I'm working on the list for 2010 and it's looking quite ambitious.

Many thanks to everyone for reading along with the blog this year. Wishing you all a healthy, happy and crafty New Year!!!

Checking the List

I can't believe the summer is over and it is already September! While my blogging has been infrequent, I have been quite busy with my hook and needles (and pastry bag and sewing machine). It seems like an excellent time for a review of how much progress I've made on my Crafty Resolutions list for 2009.

1) Finish the following UFOs:

• Knitted Baby Blanket - Completed - and baby Edward loves it.


• BUBBLES bubbles Wrap - I switched it to a scarf as I gave the second hank to Celtic Memory when I visited Ireland. The scarf has been started and while it has not plagued my existence like the wrap did, it has sat untouched for months.


• Spiral Pentagram Motif Shawl - Still in a bag in pieces. I'm at the point of unraveling it all and reusing the yarn with some monster needles to make a simple garter stitch shawl. I saw one at MS&W this year and loved it.

2) Design more stuff and write more crochet patterns including: coasters, fingerless mittens, and pot holders.
Completed - at least the coasters part. Designed and up for sale on Ravelry are the citrus and watermelon coasters. I have sketches of potholder designs but I haven't looked at fingerless mittens yet. There's still time, right?

3) Try to sell a project - either on Etsy, at a craft fair, or word-of-mouth.
Completed - sold a fat bottom bag. She loves it and she's had lots of people ask her where she got it. I really must get some business cards made.

4) Learn to knit socks on double pointed and/or circular needles.
Completed - the first pair was given to KMP. I've also made some baby socks. All were made on DPNs and while the magic loop method looks interesting, I'm sticking with what I know for a while. Looking forward to a sock-a-long with "C" as we both knit with the ShiBui Knits sock yarn I picked up in Portland.

5) Go to MS&W 2009
Completed - and it was a fantastic weekend!!!

6) Visit the new Lion Brand Yarn Studio in NYC.
This is slated for early October when I travel to New York for work. (Queenie - you're in, right?)

7) Complete the following new projects:

• Make at least 1 blanket for donation (charity TBD) - no progress on this one yet


• Baby blanket for Decklin or Saoirse (due in May) - Completed for Saoirse's arrival in May.


• Baby blankets for the other babies that are sure to be announced in 2009 - One is currently underway, the yarn is bought for another and there is yet another to be finished by December (yarn and pattern TBD)


• Traditional crocheted tablecloth for future Sister-in-law - I was going to make this for her bridal shower gift but I could not find a pattern that I loved. Instead, I made the cake for her shower:
  
  If and when I do find a great pattern, perhaps the tablecloth can be a housewarming gift instead of a bridal shower gift.


• A shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book - I completely forgot about this resolution until I reread the list today. Socks are way more fun right now so I'm not sure if I'll get to this one or not.

8) Take another class at Joann's - cake decorating, sewing or quilting.
Actually took 2 more classes in cake decorating. All that is left is fondant and gum paste flowers. I have also come to the realization that I cannot take up quilting or any other form of sewing projects until we move into a bigger home. The craft room is packed and the cabinet is full of cake making supplies. There is no room for more crafts at the moment.

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Wow - that's a lot of the list just 9 months in. I think I'll reevaluate what is left on the list and those projects that need to be completed (i.e. baby blankets) so I can better plan out the last few months of the year. Suggestions? Comments?

Completed Project: Evening Fat Bottom Bag

Another one crossed off my 2009 crafty resolution list...

3) Try to sell a project - either on Etsy, at a craft fair, or word-of-mouth. (I'm thinking a purse or coaster set are possible sellers.)

I sold my first bag!!! Yay!!!







The colors and handles were chosen by the client - black cotton yarn, a gorgeous red and black fabric lining and black bamboo handles.
Details on Ravelry.

I gave it to her yesterday and she loved it! And guess what ... I've got 3 more orders! And maybe more on the way!!! Yay!!!

2009 Crafty Resolutions

Here is my list of crafty New Year resolutions for 2009. You'll notice some items from 2008 made it onto the 2009 list. Oh well - it is worth another shot at finishing some things. Here we go, in no particular order:

1) Finish the following UFOs:

• Knitted Baby Blanket


• BUBBLES bubbles Wrap


• Spiral Pentagram Motif Shawl

2) Design more stuff and write more crochet patterns including: coasters, fingerless mittens, and pot holders.

3) Try to sell a project - either on Etsy, at a craft fair, or word-of-mouth. (I'm thinking a purse or coaster set are possible sellers.)

4) Learn to knit socks on double pointed and/or circular needles

5) Go to MS&W 2009 (this is a no-brainer)

6) Visit the new Lion Brand Yarn Studio in NYC.

7) Complete the following new projects:

• Make at least 1 blanket for donation (charity TBD)


• Baby blankets for Decklin or Saoirse (due in May)


• Baby blankets for the other babies that are sure to be announced in 2009


• Traditional crocheted tablecloth for future Sister-in-law


• A shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book

8) Take another class at Joann's - cake decorating, sewing or quilting.

Any other suggestions? Add a comment.

I'll update the list as items are completed. I'm sure there will be random projects that pop up now and again throughout the year. The unexpected can sometimes be fun.

Wishing a safe, prosperous and happy New Year to you all!

2008 Crafty Resolutions: A Review

As the holidays rapidly approach and a New Year is right around the corner, it's time to take a look at my 2008 Crafty Resolutions and see how I did (and what I can cram into the last couple of weeks).

Last time I checked on it, it was October.

1) Finish the following UFOs:

• Purple Dream Blanket
  
• Coasters and Coffee Cozies
  
• Eight Pocket Two-Tone Carryall Tote
  
• Spiral Pentagram Motif Shawl

Update: The infamous shawl. It's still in pieces and I can't figure out how to put it all together with some kind of edging that makes sense. Does someone want to adopt this project?

2) Make, block and stiffen 25 snowflakes (and yes, the two I've already made count toward the 25)

Update: Not gonna happen in 2008. Is it worth keeping on the list for 2009?


3) Learn to knit socks on double pointed and circular needles.

Update: So freakin' close to getting this resolution done. While I didn't learn to knit socks, I did learn to knit which in itself is a pretty great thing. Socks next year for sure - I've got oodles of sock yarn just waiting to be used!


4) Organize my yarn, books and other crafty supplies in the new craft room

Update on this one - A couple weeks ago, I reorganized all my yarn and all the other crafty stuff stored in the craft room. It's so much easier to find things now. I also created a three-ring binder with all the patterns I've printed out. It's a much better system than cramming everything into a file folder (the previous system).

5) Make a shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book

Update: If I can finish KMP's second baby blanket before Christmas, I'll try to start the shawl on the train ride up to New England. But really - it's not looking good that this will happen.


6) Go to MS&W 2008 (this is a no-brainer)


7) Complete the following new projects:

• Make at least 1 blanket for donation (charity TBD)
  
• Baby blanket for Mindy Jr.
  
• Crochet a rug from the yarn bought at the 2006 MS&W
  
• Complete A-Z pillows for baby Brodie
  
• Crochet Christmas stockings (but this one is a bit iffy)

Update:

• I'm going to mail the hat I made for charity in place of the blanket. I did order some yarn for a charity blanket - which will probably be made in 2009.
  
• The A-Z pillows have been taken off the list. The A pillow I started has been frogged. The bright acrylic yarn will be used for some other project.
• A rug and Christmas stockings? Seriously? It's not gonna happen.

Just because a lot of my resolutions went uncompleted, I did accomplish quite a bit in 2008. The aforementioned learning to knit is a big one as well as designing and selling my first crochet patterns. Given the number of unexpected pregnancies, I was also uber busy with baby blankets (especially the knitted one that I should have crocheted). I also managed to visit a bunch of local yarn stores across the country. All in all, a productive year with 21 completed projects and even more yarn added to my stash.

I've got my list of 2009 Crafty Resolutions started and while it does include a number of uncompleted 2008 resolutions, it also has some fun, new ones. Stay tuned!