2010 Goals...

Well, progress with my 2010 goals leave a bit to be desired... sigh. Starting with not even setting them! Somehow, that just makes me laugh, which I suppose is the best response, really.

So today I'll start with knitting goals. Although sadly, the knitting is on hold because of tendonitis. After 18 months of not knitting when I had tendonitis 5 years ago, I'm taking this seriously and have been wearing a brace for the past 2.5 weeks. This time it's my left thumb/wrist, but still incredibly inconvenient.

But optimistically, let's talk knitting!

Although not my entire 'to-do' list of knitting projects, the 3 knitting goals for the year are:

Goal #1 - Ten Shawls for 2010

This is a Ravelry group to start/complete, well, 10 shawls. Different meterage requirements and prizes each month for the FOs. I've got 3 completed...

Upstairs. A boring name, but made with Malabrigo Lace which is an absolute favorite!!

Multnomah

I made most of this during the women's retreat last month and gave it to my friend L who joined me there as a memory/prayer shawl. This was made with yarn from 3 Irish Girls Adorn sock yarn.

And this doesn't count toward the challenge since it's a scarf, but it was still a lace 2010 project and I loved the knit stitch.

I've made a third for the challenge, but haven't taken any pics yet...

Goal #2 - Sweaters!

Not sure how many I'll get thru, but I want to knit sweaters. I made 3 last year... I still need to tack the collar down on one of them. I loved knitting it because it was an unusual construction - knit on the bias, but not sure how much I'll wear it other than cool mornings when I take Bailey out for a walk. The second one - love the sweater, but not on me. The third one, I wear all the time.

So for 2010, I'm hoping to get some of these done. Patterns are queued and yarn is waiting (Ravelry links):

Shalom

Silver Belle

Angelina Vintage Jacket

Hoodie with Cables

Fence Vest (two of these in the queue...)

Pembroke Vest (obviously not for me)

Goal #3 - Alan Dart

I recently discovered Alan Dart patterns and although I've always avoided knitting toys, his are amazing. I want to knit his Christmas Wishes Nativity set and I also have the patterns for Circus Mice and Harvest Mice.

So hopefully the tendonitis won't keep me from then needles for long and I'll get to some of these projects soon.

Bailey says:

I've found a new favorite place while Momma works (smart puppy!)

Stitches 2010

Took a much-needed day off today and spent it at the annual homage to yarndom - Stitches West Market. I had contemplated signing up for classes, but turns out that my procrastination was a good thing. Not only were the interesting classes sold out, but I've developed tendonitis in my left thumb/wrist. My brace for immobilization would have made a class worthless.

I did however remain optimistic that I will heal and made a few purchases:

The marled yarn on the left is for a sweater for me. Well it was... only when I impulsively switched colors before I paid, I switched yarns and now have the wrong gauge. So will be finding a new project for this one!

The blue Vintage is for the Pembroke vest for my 18 month old nephew.

The Colrain on the right is for a vest pattern I found... green for my mom and burgundy for me!

Now just to wait 'til I can actually cast on...

-JavaNut

How to Finally Find Your Purpose!

Apparently all you need to do is watch Oprah. She sent an email and told me so.

No wonder the world is a mess... we didn't know that she held all truth and divine inspiration.

Sigh.

Helloooooo..... am I here?

Hmmm.... life got away from me and blogging.

I thought about scrapping it all, but decided to give it another shot. I love reading blogs and the amazing virtual community they create. So... here we go again! Ironically, I realized that my last post was of Stitchs 2009... and a week from today I'll be at Stitches again. So instead of belaboring a year of no posting, Stitches will be my oh-so-worthy bookends of a hiatus!

2009 was a bit nutty... after selling my house in whirlwind fashion, Bailey and I "temporarily" stayed with dear friends, who I'm grateful to still call dear friends after what turned into six months 'between houses.' But it was worth the wait for the right place and I love the new house and neighborhood... we're walking distance to a small downtown area with coffee shops, great food and cute shops.

I'll skip all the work that I've done & had done... a few small projects still to do, but Bailey and I are most happy in our new home.

And there's been lots of knitting (will save pictures for later. maybe.) many long hours of working (nothing photo-worthy!) and countless other things that may or may not have been blog-worthy, but will look foward in 2010 instead of looking back to catch up.

Happy Everything -

JavaNut

Bailey says: Momma, I know you think these are your socks and I'll pretend that I think they're yours, but just so you know, they're really mine!

Stitches Haul...

It's been such a long time since a blog update, and the accounting of my Stitches haul is a sad catalyst. But then again... it was way more fun than the endless waiting to find out if my offer on a house has been accepted.

We didn't take any classes, just went to the Market, but still more sensory overload than imaginable... and fun!

I only succumbed to unplanned temptation a little... everything else was purchase with specific patterns in mind (sadly some of those patterns are still in storage).

My Stash Enhancement:



From left:
- front - multi-color dk weight for baby sweater
- back - Noro Silk Garden Chunky on closeout and add'l discount from WEBS (this was one 'slip' but I think I'll make a wrap of some kind. I love the colors and feels wonderful!)
- Light blue Goshen to make a short sleeve sweater - evidence that enticing samples can encourage more sales!
-Back purple - to make Sofia. This might not work... I didn't like the yarn they used, but need something 'fluffy' because it's a bulky gauge but shouldn't be a heavy yarn. I'm hoping there's enough mohair in this to make it work.
- Multi-purple in front: My other project-less purchase, but it was ridiculously reduced and I think will become a cowl or scarf
- Latte colored (sounds better than beige) is intended to become Debbie Bliss' Silver Belle from Vogue (it's Valley Yarn's Deerfield)
- front handpaint sock yarn will be used in my Sock Yarn Blankie and then swapped for others
- light green is more of the Deerfield and is intended for the Angelina Vintage Jacket from White Lies Designs
- multi-coral colored hank in front is Duet from Brooks Farm and will become a simple, open garter stitch wrap
- and finally the 2 bags of Rainbow are for Hatfield Diagonal Sweater (w/ add'l green for edging)

Whew! Majority of the purchases were from WEBS. They had 10 booths worth, are incredibly nice and for the sweater quantities (which was my main intention), good prices.

I've begun my Hatfield... the blending of the 2 yarns created much different look than I was expecting, but it's a good lesson in color theory and dominant colors! I do like it though and since the yarn is held doubled, it's been going pretty quickly. I've done one front panel and half the second front already!

Bailey says:
Momma, can I play with L's yarn? Pretty please?

Almost Monday MeMe..

And because it's Almost-Christmas! YIKES!!
With all the house selling/searching/packing going on, Christmas has been a bit over-looked the past few weeks. Which is unfortunate considering how much I LOVE Christmas... Maybe Santa will bring me a new house????

So to provide a little holiday cheer... a fun MeMe (and I'm embarrassed that I forgot to link the source-blog for it). Perhaps there will be coal in my stocking with that new house.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I love wrapping presents. Seriously...and I have enough paper/ribbon to last a decade.
2. Real tree or Artificial? I haven't had a tree in several years since I travel to Florida. I'm tempted with getting an artificial tree, but it's not 'green' (ironic, isn't it!). Growing up we always had a flocked tree, but that tradition didn't continue with me.
3. When do you put up the tree? If I have one, usually the first weekend in Dec.
4. When do you take the tree down? Just after New Year's.
5. Do you like eggnog? Ick!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? So many, but I remember coming down one morning and finding an art easel all set up... and going roller-skating down the street in my bathrobe on a rare Christmas morning without snow.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My step-dad and grandmother
8. Easiest person to buy for? My goddaughters
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several... But my 'nice' scene is still at my parents until I have a proper place for it. Growing up we would unpack it, but would never 'arrange' the figurines until my grandfather was there to do it with me.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A jingle-bell necklace shaped like a turnip was definitely one of the funniest
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas TV special (NOT the movie)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm a 'gift' shopper all the time so some years it's early, but this year... well, my list is still mostly undone.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably, but can't remember.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas Cookies, and Gingerbread biscotti
16. Lights on the tree? Lots of little, white lights.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Impossible to pick... O Come, O Come Emmanuel, O Holy Night
Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel to family's
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yup.
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve
20. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Traffic and shopping lines. And trying to make Christmas policially correct (I stole this answer).
21. Favorite ornament theme or color? simple - gold, crystal, ivory.
22. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new house!
23. Angel or star on top tree? My tree has an angel, my family's tree has ugly glass bobbly thing.
24. Favorite meal: appetizers all evening on Christmas eve, followed by a bowl of homemade beef vegetable soup after we open presents.

Bailey's says: Momma, why are there so many boxes around? (cute pic trapped in camera until I find my cable)

I'm homeless...

Haven't posted in a while because it's been INSANE around here the past 2 weeks. Crazy, crazy, I tell ya'!

As the title states... I'm now homeless. Well, technically not until Dec 30th... but essentially (and definitely emotionally), I don't have a house anymore. It's both exciting and overwhelming... in this crazy market, I sold my house. Still looking for a new one... which although increases the pressure, it's definitely the right sequence. But it does make one, well... homeless.

I take some credit for the expediency of the sale... my home is wonderful. It's a great floorplan for this size house and a good sized lot with a very nicely designed patio (if I do say so myself). And all the 'little things' I've done over the last 10 years have certainly made a difference. Particularly when I compare it with all the houses I've been looking at the past few weeks (and it's been a lot!). But my realtor made it happen!

And did I say it happened quickly? I mean REALLY fast! I met with him one weekend - for him to get a sense of my house and we went to look so I could get a sense of what was out there.
- the day before Thanksgiving I signed the contract to list it
- the following Wed we had it on the MLS
- then we had open houses Sat & Sun
- I signed the contract to accept the offer on Monday (I even had more than one)

Now the insanity of the plan for moving, probable storage, etc... and of course, finding a NEW HOUSE! (not to mention the work/job thing...)

So if any of you were looking for a house in the bay area - this is what you missed (and what I will miss!)

I love the big tree in front...


and my red kitchen...


which really isn't like a dollhouse...




And the most-recently done guest room...


I'd take the swing with me if I could bring the bougainville with it...



My long-last hobby room (which was NEVER this neat)


And I would normally not post a bathroom, but there's a really funny story about this one and I don't want to forget it!


Sigh... I'll miss you, little-house.