Time for a list!

How sad! I should be kicked off of the knitting rings I'm in because I haven't posted in months! Oh well. How do I get back into the swing of things in the blogging world? A list maybe? Ok. How bout a list of WIPs:

1. Many, many Mary Jane Slippers. I've been commissioned by a friend to knit up 5 pairs of said slippers. Oh they are cute! Here's a pict.

2. The log cabin blanket for my hubby. Yeah...haven't picked that up for longer than I've been absent from blogging.

3. Mitered square blanket...sigh...blankets do not keep my attention I guess. Oh but I love imagining it on the yet-to-be-bought bed for our yet-to-be-guest room that is serving as my "project" room for now.

4. Tiny socks for an emergency baby gift knit on size 1 needles. Size 1 needles...need I say more?

I think that's about it. I really don't like to have too many projects going at one time. I get too overwhelmed.

Have I bragged about my new house yet?? Oh let me...ok. We moved in August. It's in an oh so cute, small (only 200 houses), township on the West - way West -side of the Salt Lake Valley. If you are familiar with the SL Valley, we live just under the copper mines. Our house was built in 1928 by Kennecott as a home for some lucky, well paid miner and his family. It's just what we wanted--a charming, cottage bungalow on a quite street in a small town. But not too far away from civilization.

Oh the charm of this town is incredible! I never knew it existed in all the 18 years I've lived here. People actually sit on their porches in the summertime and wave to you as you drive by. Yes, it's true folks! In our busy society today, places like this still do exist. Kids play outside and I'm not afraid to walk my dog at night.

Is it really July? Really? Are you sure??

Seriously, is it really July? I'm mean really! What happened to June?? And where did May go? So I thought that I'd have more time to lolly gag (a grandpa H term) around blogs and what-not when I'm part-time. But noooo! I'm busy cooking and cleaning and going to the gym (yes folks, I'm serious, a gym -with cardio machines and things that make your muscles sore!) and meeting friends for lunch and painting and and and anything but blogging! I have however finished a wonderful baby item that I cannot show you because it wont be presented to the recipient until a week from tomorrow. She's one smart cookie so I'm not posting it because it's a surprise!!

We are also moving soon to a quaint little town on the other side of the valley. The house is amazing! A-freakin-mazing!! A cottage/bungalow from 1928 that has been completely restored and updated. We have a pond in the backyard!! I am so excited! A dream house. A retreat. Away from the city. Perfect! However... I am dreading - I mean dreading with a capital D - the packing. (See April 11th's post - "My Boxes Exposed".) I think I may have had a childhood trauma with a cardboard box or was trapped in a room with severe clutter and un-organization or something because I seriously have a problem with packing things. And since I'm part-time now guess who has to pack everything? Yup. I'm having trouble breathing now. My emotional state is much better lately so hopefully I won't cry out of paralyzing anxiety. I'll keep you updated.

Oooo and my next post will have the long awaited baby item!! I can't wait to show you all!

Itty Bitty Socks

Awww... look how cute these tiny socks turned out! I've had one sock done for months and decided to finally finish the other this week. These will go in the "baby items for my prego friends" stash.
Get this, I ALMOST ran out of yarn. EEEK! Seriously! I only has a mere 32" left. Whew... that would have so sucked if I would have ran out because I bought this yarn at a yarn store down town years ago. I don't even know if they carry the brand anymore. Over the years, I've knitted 2 baby hats (including this one from February) and these socks. I probably would have found it online somewhere, but what a pain that would have been. Anyway, back to the miters for a sec. My dear pseudo-English best friend is finding out the sex of her baby next week. Hurray! So I'll be able to start on something cheeky for her.

Oooo we're going to the canyons today to a picnic with a friend. I'll try to snap some photos and post them. Our Utah canyons are so beautiful and today is a perfect day for camera-ing!

Loving my camera

Here are a few picts of the miters I've finished. 5 down and about 7 million to go. No, seriously I think I have about 60 or so for the blanket I want to make. The Tahki Cotton Classic yarn is the yarn I'm so loving right now. The colors give me the "feel-goods." As you can see, I'm really enjoying my new (well sort of new) camera--especially the macro option. Enjoy!

Just for fun

This was a fun little quiz...

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer. You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!

I'm mitering! I'm mitering!

Oh boy, yes a new obsession...mitering!! (Really I should admit that I'm obsessed with anything from Mason Dixon- thanks ladies! If the MDKAL is open I'd join in a heartbeat!) I just really can't get enough of all the color combos and how they take a few short hours! Here's my first one blocking as I type. Must get back to mitering...

My boxes exposed

Yes, I know it's been over a month since I've posted, but geez! I'm new to this whole blog thing! To my faithful readers (hi dad!) I must apologize. I will try to get better at this. Especially when I go part-time at my job--which hopefully will be a few short weeks!

So even though I haven't done much knitting, I have been thinking a lot about it. And yes, thinking about knitting does count! Especially when they are overwhelming thoughts about all your close friends who are pregnant and they'll be expecting something hand knit from their knitter friend. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll come up with something, but I'm a girl who gets overwhelmed easily. Just ask my James how many times he had to rescue me from the pit of junk, moving boxes and tears when I was moving out of my place and into his.

Oh the stress disorganization causes me! It's completely paralyzing. Get this though, (confession time) my room and office are usually a mess. My kitchen drawers are disorganized. Peek into my sock drawer, anything but matching socks can be found. On the bizzar flip side I love, love, love gadgets and organizational office products. Tupperware products send me in a tizzy. Purses with 30+ compartments make me drool. And oh, a closet with all those cubbies for shoes and sweaters?? Don't even ask how I feel about that.

Yesterday, I came to the realization that my life is reflecting those days just over six short months ago of when I was literally drowning in the sea of overflowing moving boxes. It's a weird feeling really. I'm at the highest point of my life to date. I have the most amazing husband (really he is a superhero/psychiatrist/organizer freak--no lie), a great job, wonderful family and friends, a vehicle that now more than runs, my health, a spiritual life that is beyond any compare, need I go on? But for some reason I'm feeling paralyzed. A bit numb.

Lately, that's how I feel when I wake up in the morning. I awake thinking of all my life boxes. And they seem so disorganized and unlabeled and unending and sometime bring me to tears. Please, I know that life is not always neat and tidy. But I'm not wishing for the moon here people. Just some life management.

Maybe that's why I like knitting so much. It's manageable for me. And when there's a mistake there's no clean up or apology needed. Either rip it out and fix it, cut it off and move on, or just set it down in the hopes of someday finishing it. Even when it's in the unfinished state, it's still an organized piece of fiber bliss.

My James pointed out to me that when he rescued me from drowning in that sea of boxes all he had to do was point me to a box and say, "Here. Just pack this one box. Just this one. That's all." And it was like the world began to spin again and I was able to breathe and do just that. Pack that one box. It was crazy. So simple. But for some reason I couldn't see beyond the abyss of chaos.

That all said, I journey on to find that one box. Yes, I'm on a quest for that one box. That one box that will refocus me and give me a sense of accomplishment and courage to move on to the next one. Hmmm maybe it will be the box of "gifts-for-my-expecting-friends." I'll keep you posted.

Modern log cabin

So I've started on yet another project! A modern log cabin blanket for my hubby. Quite the easy project! I'm already looking forward to making one with some cushy yarn in wild colors. I got a nice chunky bonus today (pat on back here) so I just may be headed to my fave yarn haven.

Argosy scarf still sits unfinished...sigh...

Weekend of sneezing and sniffling

Sick this weekend...I hate being sick. I hate the kind of sick when you're not sick enough to be in bed all day, but sick enough to feel like you want to be in bed all day.

On the up side I made some cute baby hats. It seems like all of my girlfriends are prego so baby items are always good to have on hand. I think I'll make some matching socks to go with them...

The Argosy scarf is almost done, but I got a bit distracted by the hats. And I'll probably acquire more distractions as the day unfolds because today is President's Day... which means I have the day off ...which means I'm going shopping ...which means I'll most likely hit a yarn shop... which means...you guessed it! More yarn. (shhhh don't tell the hubby)

Quote for President's Day: "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." - Andrew Jackson

Argosy scarf

This is my latest project. It's the Argosy scarf from knitty.com in Noro silk garden yarn. Ahh the joy of Noro! Can't wait to block it!!

10 Reason Why I Knit

1. It keeps me from snacking during movies. Not many people enjoy a hand knit scarf with orange flakes of Cheeto goodness knit into it.

2. Knitting is a great ice-breaker in public places - especially where teenager boys hang out. "Dude my grandma used to knit!! heehehe..." while they're slugging their buddies around. "Hey, is that a beanie you're knitting? That's actually pretty cool! I'll give you $5 for it!" With a funny smile and a decrepit voice I say, "Sure, Sonny."

3. It keeps my reading skills sharp! Yes, I am fascinated with reading the next new knitting book. Quite often you can find me at the local Barnes and Noble surround by stacks of knitting books and a Carmel Macchiato.

4. I always have a gift for that distant third cousin or to take to a baby shower for someone I barely know. "OMG! You knit this?? By hand?? How thoughtful!" (Don't get me wrong...I do put thought into my pieces, but sometimes you just need that emergency gift!)

5. It keeps my baby hunger at bay. I just know that when my husband of only 3 months and I have kids I'll be wanting to knit up a storm of hand knit items for my babes. But how many booties, hats, and sweaters do I really wanna knit only to have them wear it for a few week cuz they grow so darn fast or have that lovely eyelet sweater covered in baby barf? Whew, that will be an adventure to deal with later. For now my friends, whom have all received those hand knit items from me, can deal with it.

6. I'm never bored. I always have at least 3 projects going all at once. Yep. I've been working on that darn baby blanket for my friend Heidi for oh... about, how old is her son now?? Yeah, about 2 years.

7. It's therapy. I learned to knit during a time in my life where everything was out of control. Knitting brought that balance to me. I had one thing to control- a ball of yarn with two sticks.

8. I have a good excuse to get a digital camera. I've knitted and given away most of my favorite pieces and have nothing to show for it. Guess what I'm getting for my birthday this year?

9. There's nothing like the feeling of conquering a complicated sock pattern and them actually fitting perfectly! Or seeing your friend from across the room wearing the scarf you knitted for them last year.

10. I have a reason to jump on the blogging band wagon.