Put Down the Duckie

I've realized something about myself.

I may be addicted to hobbies.

Case in point: Since I already blog, sew, embroider, run, bake, play guitar, fold paper, bead, scrapbook and craft, I thought I might add knitting.

On the first of December I had a new friend over for a late night sewing session over the embroidery machine and a glass of wine.

She needed to monogram a few baby blankets on Clinton the Embroidery Machine and I wanted her to teach me the basics of knitting. After all, she is the Knitting Evangelist.

Anyway, she taught me the knit and the purl stitch on needles she brought from home and I was immediately hooked.

So much so that the next day, unable to get to the craft store, I took out mechanical pencils, with the lead push in, and began to practice what she taught me.

I wish I had taken a picture. Because while I was practicing my knit/purl skillz, pencils aren't really meant to be needles.

Soon I was able to get my hands on some needles of my own. After many attmepts I finally got my kitting groove, and now I am unstoppable.

Did you know that you can find all sorts of videos on YouTube that will show you EXACTLY how to knit? It's amazing.

Anyway, last night I stayed up way too late learning a new way to cast on, called a long-tail cast on, and then I learned how to make what will eventually be a flower.

I already have my heart set on making these. In time, but hopefully in time for spring. I've always had a thing for chickens.

However, today I have to put down the needles--bunny trail: now I am singing Put Down the Ducky if You Want to Play the Saxaphone...a song I sing often to my kids (and myself) when I need to walk away from something in order to accomplish something else.

My goals for today are to do my laundry, make sure the kids fold their laundry, and the help The Girl clean out her room--from floor to closet and all places in between.

...Put down the needles! Put down the needles! Put down the needles, if you want to have a tidy hooooommmmmeeee!!!!...Put down the needles, Put! Down! The! Needles!..... put down the needles if you want to have a tidy home........(music fades out...)


Happy Wednesday!

Nostalgia

You may remember this post, where I talk about throwing out some old nostalgic items while moving into this house.  I talk on (and on) about letting go of items from the past (in this case it was my old ballet shoes).  

Well, apparently, I couldn't let go of those. I actually kept two pair. 

Yesterday, I decided I had to try them on.  For old times sake.

I laughed out loud while shoving my feet into these narrow shoes. I have the most block-square feet known to man.  They are almost as wide and they are long. They are the Freddiest of Fred Flintstone feet. How I managed to squeeze my feet into these shoes and actually dance on them is beyond me...of course that was two children, and a life-time, ago!

I put them on, and gingerly pulled up on my toes, and yikes!, my tender feet are so over those harsh dancing days. They prefer pedicures over pointe shoes.

Nowadays, I'll chooser the sensibility and comfort of my running shoes to the hard, painful, toe box of the ballet shoes. They are so beautiful, and yet there is a cost.

Ah! The memories!

What do you keep for nostalgic reasons?  

Work(s) in Progress...Sort of!

I should be cleaning up the kitchen, but why clean up after breakfast when I can blog?

I have several projects that are in the works. Actually, I have more than several, but these are the ones that have deadlines that must be met!

This is fabric that The Girl has been looking at for months. Last weekend it was 50% off so we finally bought a couple yards and I am doing my best to make the skirt she has designed in her head.  We shall see.  My only problem is that the top layer of tulle has massive amounts of glitter on it, that comes off whenever  you touch it. Being a lover of all things sparkly myself, I bought the fabric without any thought that the glitter would get everywhere, including in my machine. My sewing area looks like a glitter factory exploded. I am trying, unsuccessfully, to keep the sparkly-mess to my sewing area. It's getting tracked everywhere, causing issues throughout the house. The Mister doesn't think glitter on his uniform is within the military dress code. I'm thinking it adds a nice touch.  I, however, am not liking the glitter mess it is making my otherwise clean tile floor.  So the sooner this is finished the better.

Moving on...

This is a stack of material for baby blankets I am trying to get finished and mailed off before these precious babies graduate from college. Two of my friends have had their sweet boy and girl within a week of each other. It's always so much fun to make these blankets. Mostly because a soft, warm, blanket is on the Top Ten List of things I love the most.

This is a stack of material my mom gave me several months ago. Each piece is only 1/4 of a yard (she bought them to make a quilt), so I have been trying to think of what I could do with so many little pieces of fabric. I decided that I would start making doll outfits for our American Girl dolls.  I'd like to get this project done just so I can stop looking at the pile of fabric.  I love to have fabric, but I also hate having piles of stuff hanging around (the "clean counter queen" starts to rear her ugly head. Have I mentioned I despise clutter?)

Lastly (although not really), this fabric is soon to be a four-piece table setting set, with napkins.  In 10 short day this has to be packaged and ready to be auctioned at a charity dinner my parents are hosting. 

Yikes, what in the world am I sitting at my computer for?