Mamazen

A stroke of luck...

got me in and out of a doctor's appointment in 20 minutes (when I'd planned for 90) so I ran home and dyed Ruby's new sweater. And. It's. Perfect.

 

I used two packets of dye, and dipped the whole sweater in for a few minutes, then gradually pulled it out. I'd wring it out and dip the bottom in again and again. Finally I rinsed it and tossed it in the spin cycle and when it came out... it was exactly what I was hoping for. Swoon. It still needs buttons and it's going to take 40 years to dry in this wet weather, but as soon as it is I'll ask coerce force Ruby to try it on for a photo shoot. 

I love it when things turn out just as I picture them! 

Sometimes it's better to not work

So this morning, I had a window of time before my first patient arrived, after I'd dropped Ruby at preschool. I could have used that time to search for my ever elusive desk. Or I could have slogged through some paperwork or run an errand or two.

Nope. Instead I opted to finish a sweater I've been knitting for Ruby. I bound off the last stitch while my first patient was lying under a hot pack (cheering me on to finish the sweater). Once I'd weaved in the ends I chased Ruby around to get her to try it on. 

I am planning on dyeing it later this week, probably a deep blue or reddish plum. I want to dip dye it so it's darker on the bottom. We'll see if I have the skills.

She tired of the photo shoot within seconds of wearing it. Can you blame her? who wears white after Labor Day?

ALL DONE SWEATER???? ALL DONE!

And that was that. Next up buttons and dye!

Knitting ADD

I have this problem. Every so often I get knitters ADD. I want to start every project I see, and every  skein of yarn tempts me to pick it up and cast on for something. It's a completely different thing since i recently went thru a spate of finishing project, or being monogamous to one... but now, I have three things on the needles and so many more begging to be started. 

This is for my friend Lisa's wee one who has yet to arrive. soon tho, so I need to get cracking. It's a brilliant sweater that zips up the back.

I'm still working on my February lady sweater, and just cast on for a sweet little dress for another friends newborn sweetie.

However, in the queue, I have several things I want to start...

My sweet friend Leslie sent me some consolation yarn after my pregnant/not pregnant fiasco and it's going to be turned into these lovely socks. I also purchased some Intention yarn from lime and violet, and it's going to turn into this lovely shawl. Nothing like yarn infused with fertility to make a shawl to wear to a frozen embryo transfer, no? I also have a burning desire to knit quick and easy things. Things I can finish in a night ( or two ) so this cute tea cozy is in line soon too. I switched from coffee to tea a few weeks back and I really need a new tea pot, and what teapot doesn't need a cozy?

I want to knit Ruby a couple of springy sweaters, but haven't settled on what just yet. I also want to knit Ruby (and myself!) a kleen kanteen cozy because park weather is coming, and it's nice to have cool water to drink! Again, just need to choose the yarn! My mom has asked for a cowl, and I have yarn to knit one for another friend also... so there is that. 

Hmm. I guess I'd better get busy, no?

Grace from today.

1. Sleeping in. All praise the guest room spa night. 

2. Spending the morning de-cluttering the kitchen with Ruby. She was enthralled with some glass stones I found in a vase, and a bowl of water, but we had a lovely 2 hours together. 

3. 90 mins of quiet time, in which I cast on a new project.

4. Cookies.

5. A 4 block walk to a friends house, to deliver cookie dough, cause everyone needs a house that smells like cookies. 

Happy endings

Some knitting projects are full of frustration, and some are quick, easy and perfect. I needed one of these this week!

I give you the crofter's cowl knit in cascade eco+ left over from some other project. I cast on one night, and finished it 2 nights later. Probably would have finished in two nights instead of three, if I hadn't realized at the end of night one that I'd twisted the first row, and it was a bit of a mobius. 

I've also begun working on my February lady sweater.  I love this pattern. It's simple, sweet and just exciting enough to keep me from falling asleep.  yes, it's february, but you all know, I ain't no lady. ;)

I'm about 1/3 of the way through it, and already wishing I'd used nicer yarn. Lion brand wool ease was in the stash, and I'm on a yarn diet... so this is what it will be. 

 

I also finished a hat a while back. It's a nice enough hat, but strangely, I've not been that into hats this winter. Felicity... i just think I'mnot hip enough for a hat like this. I'm too dorky. See photos to agree.

Once I finish the Feb lady sweater, I'll move on to a sweater for a friends baby, but i may cast on the baby sweater sooner... we'll see. I just found the perfect yarn for it, and now i just need to choose the pattern!

And so it begins…

Well it's the first of November, and it's time for NaKnitSweMo to begin. I'm doing something relatively easy project the Fairly Easy Fair Isle from SnB Nation. Now before you call me a cheater or a slacker... remember that I have a kid that sometimes doesn't nap, and a part time chiropractic practice, and, and, and. (yeah I'm sure 90% of the people participating have stuff going on, but hey this is MY blog. ;) ) I chose this sweater because...1) I've never done fair isle, so that will be a challenge. ((yeah yeah yeah, it's easy, whatevs!)) and 2) I need a comfy bulky sweater! besides, I had all the yarn in my stash, so not only am I knitting a sweater in a month (or less, since we're traveling to MI for T-day and I'd rather not knit a big bulky sweater while traveling... I prefer to wear it!) I'm using all (i think, I may need an accent yarn) stash yarn (some of which was purchased at the craft thrift store)! go me!! Anyway, it may not be 50K stitches, but it will still be a challenge for me to finish it. I have several other things on the needles (knitting ADD has struck again) and xmas pressies to make, AND am participating in a craft swap mid month... so yeah, it's a challenge.
My friend Adina is doing this also.. and is also participating in NaNoWriMo. She's attempting to write a novel in the month of November. Maybe someday I'll think about trying that.. but quite frankly I'm no where near capable of that right now. However... in a stand of solidarity I am going to try to write more this month also. I don't know if I'll blog everyday, but I'm hoping to actually post more of the things that go through my crazy head during the week. We'll see. My true pledge is to try and finish my blurb book from my pregnancy, and (if I'm really productive) Ruby's first year. I figure if I spend 30 mins a day, I can finish one of them this month, right? I mean, I was only pregnant for 10 months. Ha. ha. ha.
Well... So the sweater has been cast on, and the latest version of blurb has been downloaded. I'm going to go knit for half an hour and then if I'm not asleep, maybe spend some time on the book. I hope November is productive and fun for you too!

Decluttering the crafts

I have been enjoying the excitement that is Ravelry. Oh how I love a little organization. I'm a virgo rising so organization is in my blood (but only sometimes). I have found myself desperately wanting to enter my stash into Ravelry so that I have a clear idea about what i have, and what I can do with it.
So this weekend I had lovely friends visiting, and at the tail end of our visit, I sat down in my craft room with my last crafty buddy and started decluttering my yarn into her suitcase. Gone was some odds and ends of stuff that either I wasn't interested in working with anymore, or just didn't have any ideas what to do with it.
Then.. I decided to frog several half finished items that were driving me insane. Gone is the cuff of a lovely sock in kiogu that I know I'll never finish. Gone is the half finished sweater for Ryan that will shortly become a fairly easy fair isle for me. Gone is the rebecca 29 wrap that I got tired of after half of the front. So... now there are few things on my stalled list, and more yarn that need plans.
I still have to finish Ruby's Briar Rose. It's been stalled for a week as I just knit some simple cotton string bags for holiday gifts. I know I should finish that sweater first.. but I feel a quick clapotis cap calling my name as the days have seemed cool enough for a hat, and I need something to match my Clapotis.
Now, if only my baby would go to sleep, so I could cast on!

Good lord…

When did I become such a bad blogger? Oh yeah... when I went and had a baby. ;) I also used to think about interesting things, knit and read books. hmmm... I still think interesting things, but most of the time I get distracted and start playing peek-a-boo instead. I still knit, but only about 3 stitches a night instead of 3 hours. Books? well I just went back to the library for the first time in over a YEAR... and then I picked up my new copy of Harry Potter! So some reading has happened during naps and after bedtime. Ah, reading till my eyes are heavy is one of my favorite ways to fall asleep!

So... compacting... let's just say I'm off the wagon. I haven't cleared any clutter in MONTHS. And just yesterday I looked around and felt like I needed to. (I'm not saying my house/office didn't need it, but I just started feeling it closing in again yesterday). I haven't had much time or need to go thrifting. I have bought a few new objects, but not many. I had a slew of birthdays last month, and while I usually make gifts, I didn't have time or energy, so I did do some birthday shopping. I shopped locally, and tried to buy gifts that were renewable/reuseable. Camping gear, books, gardening stuff.

My baby girl had a birthday. We had a fun little party and gifts were kept to a minimum. I made her a secret bunny. It's a softie with a pocket so that each year on her birthday, i can put a note/treat/gift inside for her to find. Just thinking about her future birthdays fills me with glee and tears all at once. Imagining her as a 4 year old, giddy with excitement for her birthday morning... it's things like that, that I live for. Her daddy made her a ride on toy (also in the pix) that she has yet to ride. I think she's still a bit afraid of it.

So June was taken up by birthdays and camping and just being... not a bad way to spend a month, eh? July has been more of the same, including lots of berry picking, jams, pies and cobblers, a trip to the beach and many afternoons in the sun in the back yard. Another good month. I'm sure August will bring more of the same, and who knows when you'll see another post here!

I don't know about compacting goals... I'm not feeling any desires to shop, as I've never been a huge shopper. I need to clear more clutter, but don't have a burning desire to clear it. so... who knows where that will go from here.

Crafting... I've finally gotten back to the sewing machine, and have finished a few more pairs of shoes. I have decided that I need to craft to feel balanced, and why not make a little $$ at the same time? If I can make enough to feed my craft habits (or the habits I used to have!) it will be worth it. So... in the near future I'll be opening up a little etsy shop for shirts, shoes and other baby trinkets. Stay tuned.
I've gotten some knitting done also, but nothing to show just yet. I have cast on a new dress for Ruby, similar to the anouk, but a dress, not a pinafore, and I'm changing a few things. We'll see how it turns out. I also have a soaker on the needles and a soaker skirt/pants that needs to be finished. I'll get some shots soon, hopefully.

As far as balance in my life... I've realized how i need to swing more balance back toward my family, and I'm taking steps to get there. I decided at the end of may that leaving my baby three times a week to go to work and see patients sucks. I miss her. I want to hear her squealing with delight over the cats tail, and snuggle her when she falls. Since I can't quit working (unless we win the lottery) I'm doing the next best thing. We're going to renovate our basement (yes, I'll try to give a blow by blow, complete with pictures) and I'm moving my office home. The plan is that I'll have a nanny with Ruby during my treatment hours, and I'll be able to work just as much as I do now, but since I won't have any overhead, I'll actually make money instead of just break even. I can pay my student loans and even put money in the savings account. Most of all, I'll spend less time away from my precious nugget. I dont' think this will be any less stressful than what I'm doing now. In some ways it may be more stressful... but I think in the long run, it will make more sense for my family. And isn't that all that really matters?

April, already?

Dang. How did I miss March? Um maybe because I either travelling, preparing for travel or recovering from it... Never the less, March has come and gone, and what did I do?

1. did some great thrifting. (see prev post)
2. did some decluttering - 10 bras, 20 pairs of underware, at least 20 pairs of socks and 30 clothes items.
3. decluttered and organized the craft room. OMG did that feel good. I got rid of 75 (yes Seventy-FIVE!) items, and one huge bag of fabric/yarn. One of the overall goals I have for this year is to find more time (and space) to craft, and re-organizing my craft/guest room is key to that. Since I got it mostly done, I bought a used storage unit (rubermaid with drawers! for $20) and need to clear some space in the closet for it, and fill it up with all of the stuff that has no place to be. I could easily spend an entire weekend working in there, and I should... but alas, we got home from vacation and I have a little (albeit icky) cold. So I will not be shuffling through craft supplies.
4. I had some FUN in March, a trip to SF/Sac, a trip to Eugene to see my parents and a trip to Florida. But man I 'm tired of travel. And, I'm done with it for a while, thank g-d.

So... over all - march goals - decluttered 155/500 items. Not bad. :) None of these items have actually made it OUT of the house though... that's the goal between now and the 17th.
What's happening on the 17th you ask? why it's TREASURE MAP TIME!

This is my first year doing a treasure map but not my first experience with the concept. Basically it's a good time astrologically and energetically to ask the universe for what you want in your life for the next year. For 3 days you put together your 'map'... some people do a collage, some just write words, some paint, etc... The energies shift in just the right day during those three days... you just need to be clear and put it out there. Part of getting clear, is clearing your clutter... physically, mentally, energetically, etc. So... i've got some work to do.

The physical clutter is mostly in the basement. I box things up, and somehow, some one (RYAN) shoves it all in the basement. He has agreed to help me get it (as much as we can) out of there.

The mental and energetic clutter, well, that's in my basement too, and Ryan isn't the one who shoves it in there. I'll take the blame on that one, Bob... and I know it's hard to NOT do that also. I am really good at taking my feelings out every once in a while and looking at them... then I just shove it back down there. I have trouble actually getting RID of the clutter. I'm not a grudge holder by any means. Actually, just the opposite with most people in my life. Most of the time, when I'm hurt or annoyed, I talk about it (either to the person, or with my confidants) and get over it. There have been a few times where someone hurt me (or annoyed me) one too many times and I just kicked them to the curb. Not really holding a grudge, but getting rid of their presence in my life. (Clearing the friendship clutter, no?) No I don't hold a grudge against other people, just myself.
Right now the biggest piece of clutter in my heart is recovering from the trauma of Ruby's birth. I'm not going to write about it here, as I have a private journal that I keep all my deeper, more personal thoughts in and that is a more appropriate place to put those things. I don't have any illusions of working through all of it before the 17th, but I'm trying to clear some of it out and forgive myself for what I view as my own failure (when my logical mind knows it wasn't). TOday is the day that Ruby has been OUT of me longer than she was IN. It's a big day. And it's high time I looked at my grief and guilt around how she came into this world. I also carry the emotional clutter of infertility. Since that hasn't cleared out even WITH the arrival of miss Ruby, I know that there is some work to do around that too.

So... lots of clutter clearing to come. This morning Ryan went through all of his drawers and closet, and I got half way through my closet before someone needed milk and a nap. And currently she'll only nap ON someone, so she's asleep on my chest, and quite frankly, I love it.

In like a lion

February is behind me - the long (although short) dragging month that it is. March has begun, and it's time to evaluate what's happened in those 28 short days...
Decluttering - Well after my last post, I went through a huge box of clothes that had been put away when i was pregnant, and got rid of 45 items of clothing. I gave a lot of it to a friends semi foster daughter who is getting her life in order. It felt great to give them to her.
A big pile of kitchen stuff that should have been taken to Value Village - Ryan ended up schlepping it down to the basement while I was in San Diego last weekend. So it's not out of the house... but it's in a pile of things that need to get OUT anyway. Anyway it brings the total to just over a hundred for the month. Not the best, but not the worst. We had a lot of travel, and sick... so I didn't have a ton of time. Unfortunately, we have a lot of travel in March also.. so I doubt I'll meet my goal of 500 in march, but I'm gonna try.

Buying stuff - I haven't bought anything new that wasn't on my list. When we went to the coast for 3 days a couple of weeks ago, I forgot to pack underwear and socks. Ha. Ha. Ha. I actually needed new underware anyway, so it wasn't a complete waste. Ryan did buy new jeans, but the guy hasn't found jeans that fit in 5 years, so I don't blame him. Thrifting has gone well and has been fun. I find myself wanting to go to the thrift store often, especially as I clear out my closet, and find that so much of my clothes just don't fit well anymore. Once I finish de-cluttering it all, I will reward myself with a few 'new' things (ie: thrifted). The thrill of the chase is fantastic, especially when you find something awesome.

Keeping a clean house - Not so perfect in Feb. The travel and the sick knocked some of that down... but in general, house has been pretty clean, clean enough for visitors, at least.

Sooooooo My goals for March remain the same. More decluttering and organizing. I'd like to finish the kitchen, and get through my closet/drawers, and move on to the guest room. Jo and her family are coming to visit mid march and I'd like to be able to find the floor in the guest room before then. However... we're heading to SF/Sac for 5 days and then are gone for the end of March/beg of April for a little fun in the sun, So I won't beat myself up if I don't get a ton done.

Overall, I'm having a lot of fun decluttering, I haven't removed a lot from the house, but it feels cleaner and clearer. Not buying new hasn't seemed like a chore at all. I guess I'm realizing that I didn't shop a lot to begin with, which is a nice revelation.

As far as enjoying life has gone... I am trying to eek out time to knit/craft when I can, but baby has been needy, so not much has gotten done. I did knit a gorgeous merino wool hat/scarf for a patient of mine who is dying, but I gifted it before I took a picture (of course) and I made a head band for myself, just need to find time to take a pix. Speaking of which.. I'm going to take this time to knit, as Ryan is upstairs snuggling the nugget to sleep.