Monday, January 23, 2012

Project ADD, Emergency room visits, and teaching

Whew! What a crazy week I've had.  Due to ongoing back issues, I ended up in the emergency room on Wednesday.

While I'm recovering, I'm getting back to work on a project I've been working on for quite a while, my pretty patchwork blanket! I've revamped it and I'm liking the look of it a lot better. Here is a very skilled drawing of the pattern:

I'm excited to get this underway. It will look lovely on our bed. It's just the jazzing up our bedroom needs. I still have about three other projects in the works, but my attention span is short.


I'm also going to be teaching a beginner's knitting class! I'm really excited about that. I sat down and wrote out my little lesson plan today.  I'm nervous, but I'm sure it will go just fine. Since I can't work right now, this is a perfect gig that won't be too hard on my back.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Inspiration Vs. Determination

 Instead of doing something productive

I wanted to take a moment to talk about inspiration.  I'm not just talking the inspiration to create, but also the determination in takes to sit down and complete a project.  I'm the first to admit that I LOVE starting a project. But finishing? Not so much.

It helps when I have a deadline, Christmas for example. I decide what projects I'm going to do, I buy yarn, and I get started. But sometimes, I just don't feel like doing it. Even if I've just been watching Netflix all day.  I know I should get some knitting in, or at the very least something creative.  I'll even pull out my knitting and put it next to me, only to ignore it for the rest of the night.

Do you guys struggle with this? How do you find the inspiration/determination to get through it and get back to work?

Friday, January 13, 2012

Little hearts

Hello, my name is Casey and I'm a procrastinator. I'm supposed to be working on finishing my grandma's Christmas gift, (a cowl based on this pattern from the PurlBee) but instead I am addicted to crocheting little hearts.

They are so cute and easy to make. The perfect little project to work on while watching Arrested Development on Netflix.

The pattern can be found here. I am an absolute newbie to crochet, but the video breaks it down and teaches you all the stitches for this project. Perfect for Valentine's Day decor, gifts, or embellishments.

Next time, I'll *fingers crossed* be able to show you the finished cowl and a few more Valentine's related crafts.


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

So wow! That was a long break, oops!

I have lots of things to share that have been going on over the past months, including how to's on the crafts that I did for my wedding!

I managed to hand make most of my Christmas presents this year, but I'll admit that time did get away from me and I wasn't able to finish everything I set out to.  To be honest, I'm still working on my husband and grandma's gifts, oops again!

I made the cowl my sister is wearing (far right) the gray yarn has sequins in it. I used a pattern from the Purl Bee: Striped cotton cowl but much shorter and a bit wider.

I learned how to crochet so I could whip up a hat for my step-dad. He wore it all Christmas day.

Anyway, I have lots more to share here over the next few weeks!