WIPs

It's been a rough week of the little lady not taking naps unless she is on me… so I haven't gotten a ton done like is like too. But here is an update on some things I'm working on:

Paper piecing for my sewing machine cover:

 

The running joke with my good pal Robin is that I cant start a new-to-me craft like a normal person who picks a pattern and follows directions.  I don't tip-toe, I run full speed into it by making my own patterns and ignoring any and all directions! Lucky for me it usually isn't a total disaster (usually). This is definitely wasn't one of my disasters! I am pretty proud of myself. While I cannot claim these as my own ideas/patterns, I didn't use the patterns available and drafted my own instead! I used Pinterest to gather ideas and use what others had done to make it myself! (I used this, this, this and this as my inspiration/spring board for my own patterns) There has been a bit of hand sewing involved due to my lack of forethought in some instances, but overall I'm pretty pleased! I can't wait to get it all put together and sewn up for I can leave my new sewing machine out full time!

Mystery Sock KAL:

 

So I kinda messed this one up. I didn't switch to the smaller needles like the pattern says 

because they're being used on another project and I'm too lazy to make notes to remember what I'm using) So I haven't decided if I like them enough to rip it and re-knit it to the cuff and do them properly, knit the second sock the same and deal with it or just frog it all together and use the yarn for a different pattern (because I LOVE this yarn color! Glorious!!!) So we'll see what ends up happening.

And something I'm working out that will eventually make it into my shop:

Can you guess what it is? :)

Scarf Update

I finally caught up! In case your wondering, I started my scarf several weeks after the date I decided to use as my starting point. I also had to go get some yarn which pushed me back even more, but here she is:

The needle shows where February starts. What do you think? Accomplishing anything these days?

Hey!

Guess what I did? I technically finished my sweater!! Neat huh?

Except for what you say? That button band is making the sweater all cinchy where it shouldn't? Yup, pretty much. So I ripped the whole band out and than I remembered, I was going to add a little length once I finished the sleeves, so I undid that edge and will continue the rib a little farther and try a swing at that band again. And believe me, there was no amount of blocking that would fix that problem. It is an easy fix and she will be done before I know it!

What have you been working on? :)

Zelda Project

So I've embarked on my first actual cross stitch project. I'm going to make a Zelda Clock because a) we don't have a clock and b) Zelda is awesome. I've already finished 12 o'clock! Whaddya think?

I decided to change her dress from white to pink so it looks less bridal-y, and anyway were all OOT fans so it works out!

The pattern I'm using is from a designer named  Gatchacaz and I found her designs through the Sprite Stitch forums. She has some really neat ones, so if your a nerd who wants to cross stitch like me go take a gander!!

June Up-date: Resolutions!!!

Updates!
 (PST! Don't forget I would love to hear from you about your own goals (resolution or not) and your progress as well, so that we can help each other stick to it!)
So here it is, my list of things I want to accomplish this year and how I am going about it. Here is how I'm doing so far:

• Knit a sweater

Soooo...... I'm trying. I really am. But I am into that part of a project where you just can't stand it any more! The rows take forever!! (no not really, but with my attention span lately it seems like it...) I am getting a bit in here and there, I just cant seem to sit down and plow through it like I was when I started. 

• Get this blog consistent traffic

HA! This seems like a joke to me now.... with all the things going on in my life at the moment this blog just isn't a priority. I really want it to be, but alas, I have a lot of wants. I'm not looking at it as giving up just quite yet, but putting it on hold until other things are smoothed out.

• Sell 6 projects on Esty or elsewhere  DONE!

Yay! And I managed another sale! And with what little effort I've put in it makes me happy that the store is doing fine without my constant supervision. (Although it would probably do better if I ever introduced the new items I keep promising myself I will make...)

• Learn to cross stitch

Sooo.... that stitch-a-long turned out to be uninteresting. Boo. Not to despair! That friend I mentioned last month is still trying to wine and dine me into her fold. So we shall see.

• Buy a car

Instead we're going to play musical chairs with my parents. The chairs being the drivers seat in our cars. And no, we don't know how it's going to play out yet because the music hasn't started.

• Help patrons in Spanish

FAIL. I haven't touched it in months.... but now that I am back in a predominantly Spanish speaking area again (did I mention I got quasi-promoted?) I have a renewed sense of urgency in this department.

• Schedule my time effectively 

Hilarious! I wish I could laugh in my face when I wrote that in February!

• Get back in "working order"

Not in my future. We can't even seem to keep on our dishes let alone in 'working order.' Alas, this has been relegated to me 'wants' list.

Not so impressive. It seems the year is catching up to me... I haven't given up on any of them yet, I'm going to call it 'prioritizing' that way it sounds like I'm being efficient. :)

How are you doing on your goals? Are you 'prioritizing' like me?

Lazy Sunday

Prototype

Who is this little guy? He'll eventually be put in the shop, but there are some kinks I need to work out. You can't tell (since I took the photos with my phone) but he is far to small to hold an iPhone, which is what he will eventually hold. What do you think?

WIP

Look familiar? They are done! Well, mostly. I need to control those strings there.

 

Annnnd a new project too! This is also almost done, and a b-day gift, so the big reveal will be next week after the recipients receives him! Hope she likes it! 

WIP- Done!(-ish)

Sorry for the terrible photos… it's been one of those days!

Here's number one of my mystery project! I'm debating whether or not to write up a pattern for these suckas... There's one more to go, and a month until I can fully 'unleash' them to the interwebs.

 

However, this thang is done and delivered. This is a Plastic bag Holder based on In Color Orders tutorial. I didn't quilt it('cuz I don't quilt), and I am happy with how it turned out! (So's my mother-in-law, it was her birthday present)

Hope your week going well!

WIP- Done!

Here's that yellow thing that I posted here last week. I made a headband using a stitch pattern I found in my book 400 Knitting Stitches. They call it 'wreaths' but I think I"m going to call this headband itself Barnacles, as that is what it look liked to me!

 I made it in Nature's Choice Organic Cotton- Mustard #158 (Lion Brand) and I am in love with the color! This dark yellow has been real popular the last few years, and I cannot get enough of it.

I've been wearing it since this photo shoot an hour or so ago, and it is quite comfortable, and I think it will serve me well on my trip next month! (It's a secret, but I'll let you know about it when it happens :)

WIP

Finished!

I figured it out! The week break did me well! I finished this sucka last thursday, but I figured better than late than never:

Yup, I resorted to good ol' fashioned hand sewing! Who does that? Me. When I just can't take it anymore!

Here she is finished, beautiful and lovely. But I don't think I will be making this version again anytime soon.

 

And the inside of course, a beautiful shade of gray!

New Years Resolutions

Yes I know it's a while since we all made (or didn't make) our resolutions for the New Year. But I want to start a little feature here where I update you as to my progress on all the resolutions I make (which don't necessarily coincide with the new year.) Every month or so I will update you to my progress and thus hopefully make me accountable! I would love to hear from you about your own goals (resolution or not) and your progress as well, so that we can help each other stick to it! So here it is, my list of things I want to accomplish this year and how I am planning to do it:

• Knit a sweater

I do indeed plan on knitting my first ever sweater! I've put it off for years, but I am determined that this is the one in which it will happen! I have already chosen & bought the pattern I will use and am currently decided what colorway I will use in what type of yarn! Feel free to share your thoughts, I am super excited to get going and plan to purchase the yarn and any extras I need after my birthday! (next monday :)

• Get this blog consistent traffic

Easier said than done, yes? I haven't quite figured out how, so my current step for this one is to scheme and map out my plan of attack!

• Sell 6 projects on Esty or elsewhere 

Last year I sold 3 projects I made! All to friends and co-workers, but sales they were! I've already made 1 sale this year, so doubling last years business doesn't sound too farfetched, in fact I may be underachieving this goal. We'll see, and I'll adjust as needed. :)

• Learn to cross stitch

Simple, right? It is also something I've wanted to do for years, and I plan to wait no more! I have a few patterns in mind... But I keep looking at them and thinking embroidery! Time to shift some paradigms I suppose.

• Buy a car

This is a must have. Both my hubs and I have to upgrade before smog again. We currently have a savings plan I concocted using Suze Ormans book: The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke! ( I LOVED it by the way)

• Help patrons in Spanish

Already bought Rosetta Stone, all I have to do now is load it on my lappy and follow instructions! ( also on hold until post-birthday)

• Schedule my time effectively

As must as I read how to do it right, it still eludes me. I feel this is something that I will be working on well past the next New Year.

• Get back in working order

This is in line with scheduling my time effectively. I am not good at being my own boss. But I still remember my college days when I seemed to have my week planned before me with not a moment unfilled. I am working on getting back to that, since living with so many different people have thrown me WAY off course in those terms, if I just lived alone all my problems would be solved. Alas, that is not for me (being married and all, it might be weird if I lived by my self)

• Start saving for a home

Lastly, and unfortunately kind of leastly. Although we do want to own our own home, we have other monetary goals we want to meet first, and we're kind of picky about where we want to live. So that means this is a long, long term goal (several years) but we want to start saving now so that we are ready for it.

Quite a list yes? I think there are 9 resolutions in total. Those near the top are ones I want to do badly or think I can do realistically. Whew. So there you have it, I'll let know you my progress in a month or so. What about you?

Sunday Funday... sort of.

Well, it started well enough, but I quickly found that putting the finishing touches on my purse was going to be difficult. Notice it's monday now? Yeah, I worked for a good 3 hours yesterday before heading over to my padres for dinner and the Oscars and still didn't finish.

 

I've used this pattern before, and opted for a different version this time (I went for the upper right as circled in red above.)

 

I started this purse last weekend as a leisurely pursuit, and it's turning into a ball of stress I want to hurl out the window! For starters, it's very difficult to find fold-over braid, because they don't sell it like that and it goes by names like "poly fold over" and what have you.  So after deciding to buy regular braid and iron a fold in my self I discovered that the gusset whats noting to do with it. (joy)

 

 Oy vey, I'm taking a break for the rest of the week from it and will resume work after my birthday next monday! Hopefully I will have an epiphany before then and it will be a slice of cake! Until then I guess I will continue to work on projects to sell in my shop...

WIP

Here's what I'm working on now:

WIP