gifts – Page 4

Family Photo Day

October 20, 2013 Marie Leave a Comment

Fall in Ohio. My sister, my nephew, and my niece. Perfect excuse to get outside and play with some photography. I think I came home with some good shots, and I know my sister will love them regardless. I’m far from a professional photographer, and I think Mother Nature makes all my photos 200x better, but I can’t complain too much honestly. They’re not perfect, and working with two bickering kids is a challenge. But we made it work, and I think the few hours I spent taking them and the subsequent editing are worth it because I’m giving my sister the gift of a family photo she’s never had with her children until now. ♥

Feeling festive

October 14, 2013 Marie Leave a Comment

I can’t remember the last time I decorated the house for fall. It was probably sometime around when the stepson was still living with us. Every year, when school started, it put me in the mood to decorate even though it was August. It took me a bit to find the box of decorations in the basement. I still have a collection of pumpkins I’m not sure what to do with. I don’t want to get rid of them, but at the same time I’m finding myself more and more fed-up with clutter so I don’t want them just sitting around looking all… cluttered. But, thus far, the house looks somewhat festive and I feel a tad happier coming home and seeing it decorated.

Yesterday was the day for restless project-hopping. I feel like I worked on a little of everything. Mostly, though, I’ve started working on holiday projects. I realize that this is October, and as far as holiday projects go I probably should have started knitting back in January. I also realize that I’m probably a bit delusional and have visions of completing not only gift knits but also knitting holiday stockings for the Mr and I. But in the meantime, let’s just pretend that everything I have planned is perfectly attainable at this moment and not worry about the fact that I’m biting off more than I can chew. Let’s also pretend that I don’t have a lot of mixed emotions about the holidays, because once I start acknowledging those I’m going to start down a downward spiral that I’m just not ready to deal with just yet.

UFO Wrangling

September 28, 2013 Marie Leave a Comment

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I hate to admit it, but I’m just so utterly uninspired lately. Nothing strikes my fancy. I’ve picked up and put down more knitting projects lately than I care to admit. I’ve spent countless hours trolling the internet for new projects,recipes, ideas, etc. I just want something – anything – to reignite that creativity I thrive on.

Since my inspiration is nowhere to be found, I decided maybe it was a sign to get my sh*t together and finish some projects that have been languishing in my WIP basket. I basically tried to force myself to believe that if I finished up a few projects I’d feel less overwhelmed and maybe I’d start feeling back to normal. I’m not sure it worked, but I can’t really complain about having three less projects on my plate.

First up was the Organic Guernsey knit in the Hobby Lobby version of Caron’s Simply Soft. I purchased the yarn back before I decided to stop giving them my money, and I really just got tired of seeing it in my stash so I wanted to use it up. Everyone and their brother seems to be having babies lately, so a baby sweater it was. Not sure who it will go to, yet, nor am I even sure it will fit right. The body looks a bit long and the arms too short despite following the pattern. Oh well.

Then we have the Georgia On My Mind socks in Patons Kroy FX. I had purchased a lot of this yarn when I found it on clearance but I’ve since fallen out of love with it. I really didn’t need a new pair of socks – my sock drawer is already full as it is – but I guess now I have an extra pair as back-up in case I suddenly find a hole in one of the old ones.

And then we come to my absolute favorite: The Wee Austin Hoodie. This project sat for several weeks simply because I didn’t feel like weaving in the ends and sewing things up. So Monday I forced myself to block it, and this morning I finished the whole thing up. All I need are 7 buttons and this project will be good to gift to its intended recipient (if I can bear to part with it – I don’t have a little one to use it, but it still isn’t stopping me from wanting to keep this project all to myself!)

Next up on my to-do list: the Vintage Rabbit. Quite literally, all I need to do is stuff and finish seaming the thing. I really don’t know why I’ve put it off for so long, but I have.

Stash Additions

June 23, 2013 Marie Leave a Comment

I’ve been bad. Like, really bad. It’s not entirely my fault, though. My coworker is having a baby, so that meant placing a yarn order for some baby knits. That Ella Rae lace merino? That’s for a super adorable hoodie. And I purchased two skeins of Berroco Vintage DK in Oat for Gramps. Up until recently I’ve had an aversion to buying knitting patterns, especially with the large amount of free patterns on Ravelry. But lately it seems that I’m in the buying mood. And since I’m so picky when it comes to knitting patterns, I felt the two baby knits were worth the purchase since I feel like they’re something I’ll knit over and over again for future babies.

Anyway. So yesterday I was in one of the yarn shops in the big city. All I needed was a pair of size 4 DPNs to work on my sleeves of the Grisaille cardigan. And I had those in-hand when I found the Silkpaca. The very same Malabrigo Silkpaca that I’ve been petting and drooling over every time I see it. And, in a moment of weakness, two skeins followed me home. I think I want to knit another lace cardi? But I’m still undecided. Grisaille is easy enough to modify if I want to modify it a bit more – maybe a different lace edging?