blue poncho --- finished 

projects getting out of hand

I have way to much to finish in short amount of time. Poncho -- by tomorrow. Jean's bag --- ASAP or last week as she says, although she is trying to be patient. And on Tuesday evening we are having a combined baby shower for 4 ladies in my knit group. I am beyound getting things done in a hurry. I will be going sleepless in order to get it all done. May have to resort to who knows what. Well, off to pay the piper. At least knitting in car is option for today.
DH and I are going into the mountains. There is both a literary festival and and craft festival we wish to attend. Will be fun and I have recently discovered that car knitting does not make me ill like reading. It does have to be a simple project. Poncho should qualify and I only have about 10 more rows and am done. After that I am hoping I can follow directions and do one of the 5 hr baby sweaters. I will be pushing it, but have 2 angel hats held in reserve and will see what gives for rest. I am really hoping this will work. Would be nice to get 4 done but .........

Blue poncho -- big mass 

book tote for felting 

my blue handspun --- Cotswold 

Fun crafty day

I sure had a very good day yesterday. (DH would of preferred I helped withih cleaning up yard of pine cones from tree removal). Spent the day making beaded stitch markers. Really had a good time and got to playing a bit. I actually have an order for 20 pairs for LYS. she sells them for $4 pair. Nice and fun.

Also, I got to teach a newbie how to knit. She knows how to crochet and has been wanting to learn so off we went. Pulled a skein of LB Microspun from stash and went at it. Knit stitch only so far and she has done about three rows, but we are off and running.

Right after that, my DS's GF wanted some help with her crochet. She knows how to do sc and dc but not how to follow a pattern and doesn't understand the concept of putting them together to make patterns so we started a scarf with pattern combinations (about 6) so she could play a bit. I also got out a basic stitch and beginner book for her to look at. She will be back later this week and wants to start a simple basic baby something that she can gift for her brothers upcoming baby. I think a simple hat and then booties and sweater. By then she should have enough pattern confidence to do a few things and not be scared. I know what it is like when one gets confused over their patterns and such.

Then DD came by and admired the new felted tote I am working on. She really likes colors and pattern, etc. I took her about 2 hours before she realized that I when I felted it, meant it would come out like the other bag she took. Then another hour before she realized it was same colors and style as the bag also. I really think she could not get the concept between the knitting stitches and mass of felted furry bliss. She really likes the felted look and saysx she has been stopped constantly over her other tote. Everyone seems to really love it. I think she secretly likes being in that circle of attention no matter how much she protests.

Beaded stitch markers 

tree is down 

Project Status Reports

I haven't updated since Christmas. Wonder where my life really stands...
Time to take a look at the list and see what I have added and deleted.
Current project list. * means started # means deadline

*Mittens for Jeannie (Only one left, have already done cuff)
Tea Cozy for Jean
Hand Warmers for Trina
# Blue Poncho
#4 pair booties/baby socks for girls at work having babies Completed
3 Blankets for Dorm before winter (sewn from fleece)
*#Chris's Quilt Graduation- already 4 yrs late
*Cottage Socks for me, my own design
*Coaster Sets for Christmas (craft -- Hopefully by next year -- if I have time)
Thistle Sweater for me
*Red, White, Blue Afghan (will I finish or frog, RH yuck yarn)
*Booga Bag purple, teal, gray and pink stripe -- ( I need something quick to work on and break up the monotony of pink ponchos) Completed -- taken by DD
DNA Scarf
Weasley Sweater
# Baby set in Tennessee colors
# Hat for Bill Completed
# Teaching sock for class Completed
Blue Jean Socks for little Joseph Completed.
# Pink Poncho
Felted book carry bag for Jean
Gift project for gtg -- Surprise Surprise

After felting 

Before felting 

Felted Bag

On the knitting front, I have been working on my felted bag. Started out as a slightly larger 'booga bag' and now you could not see any difference. The only thing similiar now is I started with a rectangular bottom (albeit a different size) and it will end up felted. I made it much bigger. Also the handle has been modified to match the shaping on a bag I have here at the house that I like. It has a single shoulder handle that is real nice. If it works like I hope, I will line bag, although I may give DD option as she has already claimed to want it. I was just making it as an 'in between' easy project to get my mind off ponchos. Will post a pic later today. Hopefully a before and after felting pic.
On the other side, my staples are out, I am allowed to drive and test results say tumor,, but benign. Was attached to everything, but looks like they got it all. I figure, if they got it all and it was benign then I don't have anything to worry about, just heal and keep on knitting.
DH brought me new luggage for my anniversary gift. I am real happy with it. He apologizes for such and impractical gift but figured I could use it for going to Canada. Glad I am not canceling the trip. Really looking forward to being with my knitting buddies.

Pretty but ... 

tree branch on powerline