Year-End Inventory

Completed Projects for 2006

17 - Charity
14 - Gifts
11 - for my girls
7 - Pneumonia Prevention Vest's (these were not included in my Charity total)
3 - for me
2 - Paid Orders
---
54 - Total

I have 3 projects on the needles that will continue into 2007.

Travelin' Man Shoe Covers
Monk's Travel Satchel
Irish Cable Bag - I may be running out of yarn & this was from my stash. I know I have more of this yarn but do you think I can find it!! I seriously need to organise my stash.

I also read 39 books in the past 12 months -- I decided that it was time to catch up on some reading as well as doing my knitting -- I joined a yahoo group called Classics Reading Group so I am reading a classic book per month.

I am really pleased with what I have accomplished this year. My goals for 2007 are to continue what I am doing. I have joined Knit From Your Stash 2007 & I am also continuing with Stashalong. I have to seriously reduce my stash!

What are your Fibre Goals for 2007?

Knit From Your Stash 2007

I have come up with a combination of the "Knit From Your Stash 2007" rules & the "Stashalong" rules.

Knit From Your Stash 2007: Guidelines for ME!

1. The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through September 30, 2007 -- a period of nine months.

2. I will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

• If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that I really and truly DO NOT have the yarn for, I may buy yarn to knit that gift.
• If I am knitting something and run out of yarn, I may purchase enough to complete the project.
• I get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- I am allowed to fall off the wagon one time.

3. I am allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

4. These goals have to coincide with Stashalong -- I have decided to continue with the Original Rules as I have done so well this year!

Stashalong - Option 1: The Original Rules

(1) Choose a Stashalong time frame(1 month minimum choice), 2 months, 3 months, etc). Remember that during that time frame you will not buy any yarn (buying patterns, bags, and books are up to you)

(2) Choose some of your stash you would like to knit on during that time(maybe it's something you can finish, maybe it's for a gift or deadline or KAL).

(3) Post your start date and finish date. You could also include a picture of the yarn you'll be using and maybe some details about the pattern.

(4) Post your results at the end--did you finish it, did you crack and buy something, fill us in on your Stashalong victory!

(5) Have fun.

(6) Start and end anytime(within a one month minimum). You don't have to start at the beginning of a month just pick a date spanning 30 days and you're ready to roll!

The following rules are still in effect for EVERYONE no matter how you choose to play:

!!!The 3 strike rule will be in effect. You cheat 3 times and you are out.

!!!With OPTION 1: If you choose to Stashalong for 2 months or more, you can allow yourself ONE (1) day off per month for stash enhancement. The days off are not cumulative--use 'em or lose 'em.

Potato Chip Scarf

DD#1's Secret Santa gift is finished. The name she picked from the hat was BA's. BA loves *pink* so DD & I went 'stash diving' to see what we could come up with before we headed out the door to the LYS.

Stash diving was very productive as we came up with this yarn. It is called "Mingca" (70% acrylic, 15% wool, 15% mohair) & I used 4 - 50g skeins. This yarn was gifted to me in a bag of yarn. DD loves it and because it is pink we are sure BA will love it too.

The pattern I used is here. There is also another wider and bulkier scarf here.

I started off with 200 stitches for this scarf & with the pattern doubling the stitches on Rows 2, 4, & 6 I ended up with 1600 stitches to cast off.

What is the most stitches you have cast off?

Oops!!

"The Happy Hooker Chain Gang's" December Crochet-along is the Skull Potholder from the book "The Happy Hooker" by Debbie Stoller.

As you can see from the above picture, I have mastered the changing of colours -- even if his face is a little off -- (Waaa Hooo!!) BUT isn't a potholder supposed to be square!! LOL!! -- the picture makes the potholder look like it only needs to be blocked -- no such luck!!! I am actually about 3 stitches short, in other words I have been decreasing and it is definitely noticeable!!

I think this baby is about to be frogged!!
Must try again!

Sewing Today, No Knitting!

I am in desperate need of a new purse. Mine does not close. I have been looking for another bag for a while. I HATE shopping for a bag/purse because I can never find one that I like.

I have just joined this group

Refashion Wardrobe
& the term of my contract is 2 months.

Now how do I get another bag with buying one. Well the solution is simple. MAKE ONE!!

I started with a kids book from the library that DD had checked out called "In.jean.uity" to do some sewing. The idea behind this book is to recycle jeans & there was a cute bag in it. I really liked the bag it was simple but thats what I want. Well the bag turned out HIDEOUS!! so I took it apart and started again.

I then went in search of this book in DD's bedroom.
(Oh the horrors!!!)

DD had made a purse a while ago from the top of an old pair of jeans and I really liked it.

Here is the finished bag.
I absolutely LOVE it!!!

It is made not from the top of a pair of jeans, but a jean skirt. I just had to turn it inside out and stitch the bottom then put the flap on. The flap is a placemat. My favourite flower is the "Sunflower." (Freesia's are toooo hard to grow!!) I did not want to hassle with a zipper or other type of fastener for my purse so the placemat flap is perfect!!

Inside of my purse

Making Christmas Ornaments!!

DD & I went to a Craft Show/Christmas Sale at a Garden Centre. DD found an ornament made with chenille stems on a foam ball. She said "I can make those."

DD hard at work making Christmas Ornaments

Her version of the Chenille Stem Christmas Ornaments

A variation of the Christmas Ornaments.
Add googly eyes & a nice smile!!

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Well it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our house!
DD#1 decorated the Christmas tree today. She did a great job.
We even dug out the Christmas Train from the closet under the stairs for around the bottom of the tree, now I have to buy 6 C batteries. I wonder how long they will last. LOL!!! May have to buy rechargables.

The Happy Hooker Chain Gang

I have just joined the

I am really excited as I bought the Happy Hooker book quite a while ago because I love the patterns but I cannot crochet that well. Now I will have some encouragement.

I did make the "Stripes (& Stripes) Forever" for DD#1's friend SP. DD gave it to her for her birthday. I forgot to take a picture before it made its way out of the house. SP said she would send DD a pic for me to post. Stripes (& Stripes) Forever is for SP's "Baby" (guitar) It was made in red, white & black.

Update on Bonta Kun Anime Bag

The Bonta Kun Anime Bag was given to BW last night at a Sleepover Birthday Party.
I wonder how much sleep was had by all???

The reaction to the Bonta Kun Anime Bag was interesting. I wish I was there with a video camera to record for YouTube!!

BW opened her presents in the kitchen where they had birthday cake. Smart even for teenagers!! She opened BI's present first and that was Manga books. Then she opened DD#2's present (well it was actually from both DD's but they both wanted to take something for BW to open) It was a stained glass candle holder with a candle in it. She burned the candle for most of the night while they were downstairs.
She then opened DD#1's present. DD said the 'best' was kept for last. BW knew that it was something special but did not know what it was.

DD said her reaction was:
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head, she put it over her head (like a bib)
said, Oh My Gosh, Oh My Gosh, Oh My Gosh!! She then ran around the island in the kitchen 3 times, jumped up and down & did a little "happy dance" She then nearly squeezed both DD's to death with a hug!!

I think she liked it!!

When I picked the girls up at noon. BW had the bag around her neck again. I asked her "So you like it? She had the biggest grin you have ever seen when she said YES!!

Another Kittyville Hat Finished

DD#1 loves Gaia. She found her English teacher Mrs M on Gaia also.

DD has a Kittyville Hat that looks like a hat you can buy in Gaia for your avatar. (See the cute Kitty Hat on the avatar.)

Mrs M wants one too, so guess who made one for her! She sent the yarn home with DD on Thursday & I finished it last night. The hat is made with Bernat Berella 4, colours 'Westport Ombre' & 'Soft Taupe' I experimented and love the results. Kittyville Hat pattern is here

Mrs M: What do you think?