WIPs

Yes! I do have some WIPs to share. Life has been a bit busy with the holidays approaching and the new job starting tomorrow.

TOMORROW?!

EGADS!

I had a lovely send-off from the last job. My going away gifts were perfect! The whole group contributed to a very generous gift card to Joann's and a friend gave me this - a perfect little project bag that I can use during my commute. Much better than the shopping bags I usually use.



The first project I'll be toting in my new bag will be these coasters. The yarn was bought during Girls Weekend back in October and the Queen and Mistress picked out a pattern they liked. So now I'm making a ton of these so we all have a matching set of coasters. I can make about 1 1/2 - 2 a day but when will they all be done? Your guess is as good as mine.



The details of the pattern and the yarn and the size will have to wait until I post about the finished project. If you're on Ravelry, here's a sneak peek.

I did make a few snowflakes as I intended to. I'm going to use the gift card to buy the materials to make a blocking board and other materials needed to make these look better. They are quite pathetic without blocking.



And finally, the WIP that is taking the most time and MUST be done as a Christmas present - the purple dream blanket for my brother-in-law's girlfriend.



Only 3 skeins are into this blanket. I'm anticipating it will take between 8 and 10 to finish. I've got 5 more skeins in my stash so I'm really hoping it will only be 8. And I'm really hoping to have it done before Christmas - but I'm realistic and I can see myself lugging it on the plane and working on it frantically well into Christmas Eve. That's just the way I roll.

With the new job, there will probably be a lag in the amount of posting I can do. I will stay busy, though. My commute will be considerably less than it was but I'll still have plenty of time to be crafty on the train.

Let It Snow!

I've got a fabulous book of snowflake patterns and a big old ball of white thread - and it about time I get my rear in gear and start cranking out some snowflakes.

My initial plan was to make enough to put in the holiday cards. But given the fact that I haven't started making any snowflakes and a dozen or so cards are already written and sealed, let's save that idea for next year, shall we?

• If I can get a few done this year, I'll be happy.


• If I can get them pinned and stiffened, I'll be very happy.


• If I can manage to get them completely finished and good enough to be given away as gifts, I'll be ecstatic!

But let's start at the beginning before I get too carried away.

First - I have the initial supplies - hook, thread and pattern. Just got to pick out a few patterns to try and get crocheting them!

Second - I'll need to make a blocking board. Foam core, wax paper and graphs need to be purchased and printed.

Third - I'll need to figure out what type of stiffening process I want to use and I need to buy some pins.

Fourth - I'll have to find the time to do all of this.

I'm optimistic that I'll at least get a few done. I hope. Here are some snowflake related links and resources:

Thread Crochet and Snowflakes Just added this under "Crochet Resources" on the side bar. All the info you need to make a blocking board and info on stiffening techniques.

Julie used the technique above - check it out here. She's also in charge of the "Snowflake Mondays" ring group. I may need to join this.

Snoflakes Group on Ravelry (sorry if you're not a member yet and can't see this group) As a current member, I'm finding that the boards have great tricks and tips and the shared projects give me lots of inspiration.