The End of Spring Break

I am so sad when spring break comes to an end. It's not because I sleep in late or shop all day. Rather, I am sad because my productivity diminishes greatly when I have

to go back to work. Shocker, right! But, I will be thankful for this time and look forward to the next time I have an entire week of uninterrupted crafting. This week I

• knit 3 pairs of booties and 1 baby hat
• knit 2 coffee cup cozies
• started, ripped and started knitting again a baby sweater
  
• almost finished with my It's a Wrap KAL
• made a quilt for a baby gift
• completed the top of a T-shirt quilt
• have 15 baby quilts in various stages of completion - 5 just need binding, 5 need to be quilted and 5 have the appliqué complete
  
• made 3 meals from Pinterest

all while watching the entire 2005-20011 series of Doctor Who! Don't you see why I am sad to go back to work :(

Reminders

As a knitter, I feel as if I am ripping projects out more than I am completing them sometimes. The perfectionist in me can take over and handicap my ability to accept less than my very best. Most of the time I don't mind that part of my personality because I still produce quite a bit as a crafter. However, when the rest of my world is uncertain or lacking consistency or predictability, I get worse and strive for my knitting or quilting or whatever else I am doing at the time to be at its best because that is what I can control. This morning, I just ripped out about 35 rows in a wrap that I am doing for a KAL. I am sad but know that the imperfection would have prevented me from ultimately enjoying it. So, today I need a reminder that I produce beautiful things. Thus, the Semele.

Heirloom Knitting

Sometimes you make something that just has to be saved for when that extra special little one enters your world.

Something Special

I love sharing my crafting with people of like minds. I don't want to have to convince others that knitting has value or that quilting is not a lost art. In many ways our current economy is helping to revitalize the crafting industry and consumers are recognizing the value in handmade and homegrown items.

Another way I have noticed the trend toward handmade items is through social media. Have you been on Pinterest? There are so many people pinning items to make - or have others make for them (Jocelyn). Looking at other people's boards is a great way to find ideas or get the creative juices flowing and I don't have enough time for everything scurrying around in my brain.

However, sometimes you just want to make dishcloths. I have 10 out of the 12 for my 12 for 12 in 2012 resolution! Thank you, Stacy, for reminding me of the simple things.

Justin

Today my son, Justin, ran his first ½ marathon and I was a crazy proud mom who cheered and took pictures at several of the mile markers. I wanted him to know that regardless of how old he is that I will always be his biggest cheerleader because no matter what you do in life you need people who believe in you and cheer you on!

Tomorrow I will tell you about my marathon knitting.

My First Sweater

Jason was the recipient of the first sweater I ever crocheted before I learned to knit. It was two shades of blue RedHeart yarn and pretty hideous. Of course, at the time, it was crafted with love and I was proud of my work. He must have felt the same way because he wore it, at least once, with a smile on his face, while we were dating. At some point in the past 29 years since I crocheted it, I gave it to Goodwill. I don’t have any pictures and now I feel a little bad about the lack. Don’t get me wrong - I wouldn’t put him through the torture of wearing it but I would like a picture to show how far my talent has come! I need to do a better job of taking pictures of my work so I can celebrate the gift God has given me. However, the gift I am thankful for today is not my knitting or crocheting, but my precious husband. Today is his birthday and I am so thankful that God saw fit to put him in my life. Someday I hope to knit him a sweater and I will take pictures to share!

Confessions

Okay, this might be a good time for a confession. At the beginning of this blog I made a resolution to “cold sheep” for 2012. Meaning, I would not purchase yarn for an entire year. However, when making such a brave and bold statement, I didn’t take into account the temptation that would come my way. A couple of weeks ago, I caved and went to a local yarn shop that was going out of business. Let’s be real. Can I be expected to pass on yarn that is 70% off? Seriously, should I be held to such a strict declaration when, if you really think about it, I would be saving money in the long run? Well, at least this is the argument I made with myself as I was purchasing multiple sweaters worth of yarn. I’m too embarrassed to actually take a picture of the yarn and post it. However, I hope to display a few works in progress before too long using the discounted vow breaker and show you what I couldn’t pass up!