My New Mantra

Okay, I'm a couple of days late, but I'm back.  And I don't really have a game plan for all these seasonal crafty projects--just one rule and a new mantra.  The rule?  Don't start any new projects.  The mantra? (With apologies to Alec Baldwin's character in Glengarry Glen Ross) Always Be Knitting.

I finished the second pair of mittens. And the only way to take a picture seems to be with the flash.  This picture was taken before I finished the thumb.

I'm working on another pair of mittens (another pair where I had to merge two patterns--so the writing out of the pattern has been time-consuming and there has been some trial-and-error).  And I started a hat for one of my nephews.  Yes, I started a project, but this one was already planned.  I am trying to avoid starting any unplanned gifts.  I am also working on Caroline's sweater at night (those secret knitting projects are tough to fit in, I tell you!).  I'm almost finished with the back.  My sweater?  Is on hold (see my one rule above).  I'm okay with it. For now.

And as a corollary to "don't start anything new," I decided to find a stopping point on other projects.  So these little decorations are done--I finished stuffing them and sewed them closed.

 And these unsewn ones will go into storage for another year.

Just this morning I realized that my parents will be arriving here next Tuesday.  And while this is super-exciting, that also means that it's time to start preparing the house for guests.  I am hosting Thanksgiving again this year, and I am super-tickled about this because it is also my fortieth birthday!

Friday again

I'm finding that having a camera on the blink just kills my blogging mojo.    My 365 project is now going to be more like "283".  Oh well.  Last week I found a book at the library that was full of red, white and pink Christmas decorations.

I went to Joann's, and for a couple of days this week, my dining room table looked like this:

 And this:

 And this.

I love that red-and-white homespun in a way that probably isn't normal. . .

Other than that, I've been slowly knitting.  And I'm in a funk about my own Christmas sweater.  Actually, it was going to be my Birthday sweater, but that is not going to happen.  Last January, I bought the pattern for this.  In August, I purchased the yarn (it's Deep Red).  I was going to knit this sweater for Christmas, maybe my birthday if I finished it early enough.  Now I'm running out of time and am looking at other patterns.  I truly love this (in much the same way as I love that homespun fabric), but I don't think I'll be able to complete it in time for Christmas.  So now I'm contemplating this.  And I'm thinking that it could become a Valentine's project if I really run out of time. 

What I need to do is stop taking on new projects!  Those Christmas decorations are not finished.  The nieces' mittens are not finished.  The nephews' hat and mittens are not even started, and I'm contemplating knitting a scarf and a throw blanket as Christmas gifts.  Those Christmas lights I started a month ago?  I have three of them.  Do you see a pattern here?  I think I have Seasonal ADD.  It's time to get realistic.  How about I come back on Monday with a realistic game plan?  What are you doing for your holiday crafting?  Are you on schedule, or are you (like me) easily distracted?   

Hey!

Did you miss me?  I missed last Friday's post!  Oh well, nothing like a Monday Five or Six to make up for it!

1.  I call this "What is going on with my camera?"

 This was taken in my kitchen during the day--it's not super-bright in there.  I was checking the white balance and pressing all sorts of exposure compensation buttons.  No idea what the problem is.  But it does work later in the day (and in lower light).

2. See here--the flash came on, which I don't love (but it was night), and now you can see that I've finished the first mitten for this set!

These mittens...are tough.  There are some mistakes.  I can live with it.  The next one will be better.

3.  Here's a completed set!  I finally finished the last thumb--and it didn't turn out right because I should have reversed the pattern (not that the book tells you that).  Anyway, it's done.  These mittens have been so challenging for me.  The hats were an absolute breeze, so the difference is surprising.

4.  Soccer season is almost over.  But we have to get through a tournament first--a "two games in one day" tournament!  And there are two days of "two games in one day"! 

This picture is of Bobby at a soccer game.  He sure looks funny, doesn't he?  He's stooped over and reading the first Harry Potter book!  Each child is reading a Harry Potter book!  They are all so into it, I'm just tickled!    

5.  I finished that scarf for Hermione just in time.  And then Bobby said he wanted a scarf! 

Happy First of November!