Sewing Mug Rugs

I've been knitting but i must share my sewing today. On Sunday January 10th I hosted a Stitch and Bitch for the GirlFriends Meetup. It went great but I had bought supplies to help someone learn how to sew. My goal was to teach the girl how to sew some coasters that used the fat quarters. When I was in home ec I learned to make a pillow in the fashion and thought it was great fun. After buying the supplies the girl canceled the hour before the meetup occured. This left me with lots of fabric and nothing to use it on. Well i bought fabric i liked anyways and some ribbon to add a touch of interest to the coasters. Instead of putting it away and forgetting about it I decided I needed some homemade decorations around the house and this was a great place to start. I had bought the oriental/metallic fat quarters pack and loved them.  To add to the back I got some fabric scrap yardage on sale. The photo above is of my second attempt.

(My first coaster attempt)

The first attempt went well but I wasn't measuring exact. I just cut one piece and cut the rest out of it not caring to be precise on my measurements. I know what would happen by doing this but was still dissapointed when it did. The coasters were not all the same size so I really wanted to love them but could not for that reason. I love the fabric combination and the ribbon I added to the center fabric. It was perfect for my decor but just not very...perfect. I'm a perfectionist so I decided to try again.

(My second attempt at making coasters)

The second time I made the coaster I was precise in my measurements and tried to sew the same distance each time (1/4th inch). This time they all came out very close to the same size except for two that were a tad larger. I liked the neatness better but not the fabric combination. It's not hideous but just not as pretty as the first and didn't really make me happy. I had paired up the two because the koi fabric had blue in it and some swirls. My thought was that it had something in common but just...wasn't my cup of tea. i have plans for these and they are already in a box ready to be shipped to hopefully someone who will love them more than me. If they don't maybe they will pass them on to someone who does.

(Not perfect but still pretty)

As you can guess I will be trying again. Third time is the charm right? i think I might stick with the same pattern as the first attempt but just be super precise and really stick to the 1/4inch seams. At least this third time they will be closer in size than the first for sure.

A Brief Look Back

I'm glad 2009 is over with. It was probably the hardest year I've had so far. There was a lot of stuff that happened and most of it really tested my inner strength. Unfortunately my inner strength isn't that strong. After all that happened I hope that it has made me stronger and not shaken when everything goes wrong.

2009 brought lots:

Leg pains for most the year with no explaination

My car crapping out on me freaquently and never getting fixed right

My dogs having one issue or another some time during the year

My husband being gone for about 5 months making dealing with issues harder for me

My friend moving away

Termites being found around our house

Acrobat ants invading the exterior of our home

Airconditioner breaking when it was over 100 degrees everyday and not being repaired until 4 days later

Graduation being delayed because last two classes i needed were cancelled

But also brought

2 pay raises (it helped when i needed it)

School almost done but now paid for

A new house which is way better than an apartment

Tova being neutered finally!!!!

Reviving of my interest in knitting again

Getting a gym membership (haven't used it as much as I should have)

2010 resolutions!!!!

Knit 12 sweaters/garments

Knit 12 little projects like scarves, mittens, hats etc.

Get more organized in the house...like bookshelf and other things to make it easier and neater

Clean some more (I did good in 2009 but i want to do better in 2010)

Start working from home part time by selling on Etsy again and doing Garden Consulting

Finish school finally!!!

Be a happier person

Work out more

Make some home decorations

Work on the front and back yards

My Joints Feel It

(Vlastas Cowl)

Oops, I have been neglecting this blog. I've been so preoccupied with knitting all these cowls and being addicted to Ravelry that i just forgot about updating my blog too. Lots of stuff has happened that includes non knitting stuff also. Like right now I'm typing on my brand spanking new iMac. Love this computer to death. My old one was a pc and it was just not up to par. My husband built it but he knows I have a love affair with macs.

(Sophia's Cowl)

There has been a total of 6 cowls finished. I was really wearing myself out with all that speed knitting for two weeks. My thumbs and knuckles were just killing me. I need to learn how to loosen up when I knit, plus it don't help that I hold scissors all day long at work either. Lately I have been taking a break and number 7 has been on my needles for far longer than it should. It's almost done though then i have 2 more left. After those two I don't feel like knitting 3 more for 3 women I hardly see.

(Beginning of Summer Funnel Sleeveless Top)

On Monday I started to knit my first garment. It is also my first sweater for IntSweMoDo2010. I'm hoping it comes out the right size. I ran into an issue with the yarn weight that I did not notice in time. There was lots of calculations to try to make it fit me...hopefully in the end. I'm not experienced with editing knitting so this might end up badly. i did notice yesterday that others of the same project that were complete had used aran weight yarn and did not mention it not fitting. This is a learning process that is for sure. If this ends up badly then maybe the next will be better.

(Yummy Latte made by me)

I almost forgot to mention that i got an espresso machine. I've been on a roll making lattes everyday and hot chocolates with espresso in them. Love to make these it's so fun.

A Gift Worth Keeping

(Jeans Cowl)

This is Jeans Cowl all nice and blocked and washed. It's packaged away but it was hard to do that. I made it as a gift to a coworker but I really love it. Jeans Cowl should be Priscilla's Cowl! There is enough yarn in this same color to make one for myself to. That wouldn't end up good having the same cowl as another coworker that I made for her. It's just so gorgeous! I'm sure I'll feel this way about all the other Cowls I'll be making for Christmas Gifts. What a dilema.

(This looks much better in person. The close up image is more the correct color)

1 FO, and 11 Presents To Go

(Winter Lace Cowl)

I finished a knitting project! This was made for me and I love it. I wish I had made it longer but I still have plenty of yarn left to make another one. The Winter Lace Cowl was a test knit and the pattern is great. I used Nashua Handknits yarn Ivy in the color camel. The yarn is super soft and has some tinsel or something it is so it sparkles.

(Betty's Cowl, the beginning)

There is one finished Christmas Cowl. Jean's cowl is finished and is currently blocking. I do have a photo of it being blocked but I'll wait to post the finished product. The cowl came out great and I'm so proud of it. I loved the pattern I used off ravelry which was Peach Petal Cowl. The color of the yarn is gorgeous but I always love blues. I might have to make one of those for myself. Knitting it went by fast, it would have been faster if I wasn't watching TV for half of it. Betty's Cowl is taking me forever and both of my hands are locking up from holding the smaller needles and doing k3tog. K3tog are the devil I tell you! I wish there was a way for me to change them to k2tog and make the pattern come out the same. Also for Betty's cowl I'm doing it on smaller needles and makes it feel like it's taking AGES. By the way I'm using the Burnished Leaves Cowl pattern. I messed up when I started and didn not do garter but stockinette stitch..I don't want to torment myself and start over.

I'm off to knit that cowl now before hubby gets home and I have to start cleaning.

Fake Christmas Cheer

Around the holidays I always find it hard to decorate. My husband and I have been married for almost 3 years but have had our house for only one. Because of this I haven't accumulated a lot of stuff yet. Every holiday I'm scrambling on money yet want to decorate. When I stopped at Michaels two days ago I saw they were having 50% off their fake flowers, gardlands, etc.  I purchased  2 small bouquets of fake red poinsettias with a pine sprig a pine cone a silver leafy thing and a berry sprig,, one of these peachy see through bouquets, and a supper glitter red bouquet. As usually I rip them all to pieces and assembled them to my liking.

I have a set for fall, and one for spring, now one for christmas. I'm getting pretty good at arranging them if I do say so myself. After setting up the red ones in the vases behind my couch I still had some of the peachy poinsettias left. Added those left over pieces to the vase on my kitchen table. It added so much more interest that I think I will keep them there even after the holidays are gone.

I'm still knitting on the test cowl. The cowl should be done today if I stop letting the internet distract me. Still waiting for my Knit Picks order so I can knit the Christmas Cowls for presents. Online tracking says it will be here on tuesday but it left Houston last night. I think it will get here today or Saturday, at least I hope it does.

Off to knit or goof off more.

Yummy Yarn and Test Knitting

Just yesterday I starting doing a test knit. This is my first test knit...but it's a cowl. Even through the rain I went to the LYS that was open to get yarn and needles for this. I found this awesome yarn that's sparkly and make of alpaca and merino. It's Nashua Handknits Ivy in camel. Lately I've had a thing for yarns that have some sparkle in them. This one is great but the little sparkle threads are hard to photograph. It doesn't help that it's cloudy today so taking these photos was hard.

(Nashua Handknits Ivy in camel)

While at the LYS I got some gorgeous super soft yarn for my swap partner in a mystery swap I am doing. I want to take the yarn for myself and make the pattern I'm including with it too! Lastly while there I got addi turbo needles. These are my first set, I wanted to stick to the Hiya Hiya needles but they did not have them at this LYS. My normal LYS is closed on Tuesdays..which is a random day and I needed that stuff NOW.

(On bottom: The Unique Sheep, Verve in fly fishing

On top: Misti Alpaca, Hand Paint Lace in Piney Woods)

On my way to the LYS I got a package in the mail. It was my yarn from Eat. Sleep. Knit. I was super excited but had to wait to open it till I got home. When I ordered these yarns I was in the Black Friday rush of things so I didn't even remeber what I had bought. I got a skein of The Unique Sheep Verve yarn in fly fishing (that's the green, blue, orange one), also a skein of Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Lace in Piney Woods. Wish I had all this time and about 24 hands so I could knit all these projects at once. Right now I'm going to go knit while I have the time. Still have to do my irrigation drawing final that is due tomorrow and all my shows come on tonight (modern family, and Eastwick).

(Misti Alpaca, Hand Paint Lace in Piney Woods)