As promised I am updating my blog to reflect the past year of projects. This is the third year we have had this group and I am proud to say I have been in it since the beginning. I am not the best blogger in the group. There are some that blog 2-3 times a week. I am lucky if I blog 2-3 times a month. But I have totally enjoyed this group. I have made some fantastic blogging buddies. I have learned so much from these people. I have overcome fears of 'trying something different". It has been a learning experience that I don't think I could have gotten from 100 lessons at my LYS.
So let's look at a couple of pictures of items that have been completed that never got posted to my blog.
First up is the baby blanket I crocheted for my boss' upcoming great grandchild. I had not picked up a hook in a long time. It was fun to go back to my first yarn craft that I learned. It really didn't take too long to complete. The putting of it together is always the hardest part but I persevered and love it. The Grandma and Great Grandma were so happy with the finished project. Of course there was the "how much do I owe you" question. How can you put a price on something that could become an heirloom? They paid for the yarn and my only request for payment was a photo of the new baby in/on the blanket to put in my photos.
Next up is the Raglan Yoke sweater. This is the second one that I made and I love the outcome. The pattern calls for decreasing around the middle area to make a nice fit, but this lady (me) does not have 'middle area' that wants to be fitted. So I skipped that part and just made it straight down. It fits lovely and it made from a linen/cotton blend. Perfect for the 115 degree temps here in the deserts of Arizona.
So how did I do this year? Lets take a look at my list and see where I stand.
Doll Clothes for AG doll (uses up lots of 'scrap' yarn)
Didn't even make one item out for dolls. Sorry Josie!
Lots of socks. Hopefully at least 6 pairs made
Completed 4.5 pair. Am working on the other half right now.
Fingerless Mitts for me (one is done but needs a partner)
The partner got finished and have started another pair of mitts. One is done and the partner will be done before Christmas. (it is a gift)
Scarf for me to match the hat and mitts I am making
Not even started.
2-3 sweaters for adults
Got one done and have patterns for the others. Just not on the top of my list anymore. The sweater weather here is very short.
1-2 sweaters for children
Made one sweater for a child. It is too big for her but she will grow.
Complete GB afghan
Completed this about 3 hours before it was to be given for a gift.
dishcloths for gifts again this year
Got that done for Christmas and also made and gave more away during the year.
So now the hard part begins..................coming up with a list for year 4. I always seem to have such great plans and in my mind they all work out so nicely. In reality things don't happen that way. One thing I did this year and absolutely loved, was doing test knits. So plan on seeing that on my list for next year. So that about sums up my crafting news for today. Now onto my personal news about family and my life.
Mom is now settled in her assisted living facility. She is doing 'ok' but still not totally accepting of the situation. This may take some time but we are all trying to be patient with her. She has had some health issues in the past couple of weeks and it has really zapped her strength to the point she can no long stand up much or help in transferring herself from one place to another. We are blessed that the place she is in, is set up for all kinds of care from assisted care to total care to end of life care. So this is where she will be until the Lord calls her home to Him.
I have made the decision to retire from working outside the home. I have not picked a date for that as of yet. It will either be the end of this year or the end of June next year. It will all depend on the way taxes will hit us if I work the first half of next year. My hubby is going to meet with a tax consultant friend this month to determine when the best time for me to leave my employment would be. My boss knows of my decision to do this. She was not the happiest person to hear it but totally understood my reasoning behind it. I have determined that life is too short to sit behind a desk all day everyday. I am still young enough that I want to enjoy life before my health issues get to the point where I no longer can. Each year sees my arthritis getting worse and worse. After all..................I have a lot of yarn in my stash that needs to be used up. LOL
I have been blessed beyond measure with loving family and friends. While we were in Las Vegas last month, the flooring in our hallway and guest bedroom was laid and furniture was placed. How nice it wa to come home to an almost totally remodeled home. We still have the kitchen area to do (and it is a HUGE area). We have the tile for it but just need the time to do it.
These past two weeks hubby and I have been doing a deep cleaning of the house. After it took everything I had to clean out my mother's apartment, we decided to take it upon ourselves to start on our own home. Just to give you an idea of what it is like...................yesterday we did 3/4 of the kitchen and got 15 storage boxes of 'stuff' out of there. It is amazing how much junk you accumulated over 25 years of living in the same place. I am hoping to finish the kitchen today. That will leave only one area of the house to be done and that is our 'back room'. It has been a catch all for many years and I am not looking forward to diving in there. But dive in we must. Once this is done, we have made a pledge that we will not purchase anything that will not be used at least once a week.
That is about all for now. I appreciate all the comments I get and look forward to the next week when I put up my list for year 4 of YoP
Happy Crafting!