Wipe it Clean in 2013!

I'm all about a clean slate. Starting fresh, new start Mondays, beginning afresh! Our pastor is beginning a new series this week titled Clean Slate and I adopted it as my own motto for starting the new year.

Although I didn't get every project completed before starting the new year, the yellow garter stitch baby blanket is finished and I'm ready to begin another. I really like the way they look and it makes for wonderful, mindless knitting. Plus, there is always someone having a baby and I can list them on my Etsy shop for others to enjoy!

So, I've been thinking about what I want to accomplish this year and I have come up with my 13 of 13 Knitting Goals for 2013 and they are as follows:

1. 13 hats - I think this is the first one I want to complete but we'll see what I really end up doing. I think the yarn is what makes it so pretty and I may not like it as well if I don't choose my yarn wisely. I also like this hat because it has that unisex look to it and I can decide after knitting who it may go to.
2. 13 scarves
3. 13 mittens/gloves
4. 13 socks - I have a great pattern idea for Stacy and I to work on Christmas gifts this year. I'm going to share it with her tonight and see what she thinks!
5. 13 dishcloths- mostly I like knitting these and found that several of my family members also like receiving them which makes for a perfect combination.
6. 13 ornaments - I think I want a tree with all knitted ornaments. It may just be a small tree at first but I'd like to at least begin. I think these may also be a good idea for tags on presents.
7. 13 rows in my sock blankie. There are four diagonal rows all the way across with the exception of the ends.
8. 13 baby booties
9. 13 baby hats
10. 13 charity items - these might be for GAGE or for another charity. I'm actually thinking about getting involved in the ministry at my church which may or may not involve knitting for infants.
11. 13 baskets
12. 13 cup cozies
13. 13 random items

I'll keep you posted on how things come along. What are your goals for this year? Be sure to make some that include knitting!

Fear can be paralyzing. That statement may seem like a weird way to begin my blog but I'm feeling a little nervous and apprehensive right now about school beginning in just a few weeks. During the summer I become quite optimistic about what I can accomplish and get into a routine of knitting and sewing all day. I stay in my pajamas if I want and stay up late without fear of early morning consequences. My Etsy shop is benefitting greatly from my time of leisure but today I feel my heart beating at a quicker pace. I worry that I won't be able to finish everything I have set out to accomplish and that once school begins all of my creativity will cease. Do I feel this way every year? I don't know, but I think so. For tonight, I will try not to think about the upcoming end to my summer break. I will continue to knit and quilt with a optimism and hope that the creativity will not stop just because summer break has come to an end!

I teach high school English, but let's be real. I mention the word "booty" and uncontrollable laughter and embarrassed giggles break out. I try to discuss the prizes or bounty of battle by using an appropriate word to describe these treasures but all my students envision is modern day lyrics and music videos of "booty" that have a clearly different connotation. So, as I have been knitting baby booties and deciding ways to embellish them before putting them in my Etsy shop, I find myself giggling a little and missing those students at whom I would offer a stern look if they were to do the same!