blah blah blah

Three repeats and nearly a thousand stitches into this baby blanket, and I've "almost" got the hang of it...
oops, guess just because it looks pretty doesn't mean its an easy pattern. You would think the geometric shape would be a simple enough pattern... and sometimes you would be WRONG :-)
Luckily I shrank the blankie a little (hooray, successfully too) so I should make it through before the little one gets here... but when I get a little overwhelmed in the pattern I start flipping through the book, and then I just want to make MORE blankies! oops... not helpful
Hanging with the in-laws today... if only I cleaned my closet more often and could find the outfit I want to wear... oh well, only myself to blame :-P can't decide if I wanna bring a book for the car ride, or the knitting...hmmmm

The drought is over!

...but we still need rain.
I'm knitting again... thanks in part to baby season, I may or maynot have two pregnant sorority sisters, as well as two close girls that may or maynot be in the process of conceiving, and knowing my co-workers, someone is about ready to misuse their birth control and end up knocked up. So I'm getting a head start!
Had some hours to kill while waiting for the carpet cleaners to finish, and the apartment to dry out, so I spent one of the hours wandering the craft stores... and wound up buying two baby afghan books, a new circular needle, and a pound of yellow yarn (all on sale). So as the Olympics start another night, I'm casting on!!
Also I still have a few projects to finish, so I better get going before I overwhelm myself during school season. ... Here's hoping I finish something before the baby shower invites get here... or before Christmas at least :-)

hot hot hot

knitting is definitely on the back burner right now. As mild as our winter was, summer is NOT following suit. 104ish today? eww
started a new knitting book though "Knitting Under the Influence" only a chapter or so in, but I'm sure it will keep me entertained/amused, and a lot lighter than a knitting project on my lap!!
Hope everyone else is staying cool out there, and doing light weight crafting only!

"Me" Time

Haven't had much to post lately. Sorry if you are dying to see my crafty/knitty/random thoughts...
since the wedding I have done a few crafts, and taken pictures, but still need a few finishing touches. Classes are done, and I'm working on RELAXING... I have been a crazy book worm, I've read a pile of books in the last month, and I LOVE it. Work has been shifted around into a new schedule, and I'm slowly getting used to it. With the new schedule I'm able to go to a Zumba class a few times a week, which is GREAT!! I miss dancing, and these sweaty sweaty classes really help fill that void.
Hopefully I will get some crafting/cleaning/organizing motivation soon. After that you, lucky followers, will be gifted with some great blogging... but for now, I'm going to be lazy :-) and enjoy every minute of it.

wedding monogram

scrapbook paper modpodged over the letters, fun ribbon from the mom-in-law, little hot glue and a matron of honor to make the bow... craft accomplished.
Also good thing there was a brother-in-law tall enough to put them up :-)

wedding crafts

Collected my supplies... a pile of old newspapers, masking tape, 5 glass vases, frosted spray paint, and a bag of rubber bands. We are working on center pieces for the head tables. Luckily the wonderful weather made getting out on the balcony for painting an option.
After taping down the newspapers (windy day) I wrapped the vases with rubber bands. And SPRAYED like crazy, tried to get all sorts of weird angles, and just coat all nooks and crannies with the frosty-ness. Allowed them to dry, then did it again. Allowed them to dry more... then moved them inside to dry for a full 24hrs.
After drying, the rubber bands were removed, and TA-DA! Frosty vases with clear swirly areas. Now these vases will be set on the head tables, and the bridesmaids will set their bouquets in them during the reception. Instant (or 48hrs) centerpieces!
Second project... wedding monogram. Simple cardboard letters from JoAnn's and a book of black and white scrapbook papers... just some scissors and modpodge, and HOORAY! reception decorations! Completed pictures to be posted later.
Wedding is TWO weeks away!!! woah

mild winter

well, looking out the window today, it seems that winter is over. Gorgeous day for some wedding crafting too!! Taking pictures, but items are still drying, so no full post yet.

here's the rest of what has been happening while I've been blog-less

January
Lots of school, and working on a lap-sized afghan for my sister that was supposed to have been finished in 2011. Started in the fall, and therefore it is layered in fall colors. Love entre-lac but may have bitten off more than I could chew. Still an in-progress project, but slowly gaining. When I get the chance to pick up the needles.

Sister who the gift is for, requested I start on another project. And I'd agreed. It needed to be done before February when she was returning to the tour she was on (more to come in my next update) and I had planned to see her in the end of January. So I set down the lap-ghan and started a Tigers hat!
I've shown one before on this blog, so I knew I could knit it up quickly.
Took less than a week (closer to 24hrs really) with knitting nearly non-stop. Liked the end result, but still don't like working color block much.
Double knit is my favorite way to make designs, but then they are so thick! Not great for a hat, unless you are walking through a blizzard.

February
It started sinking in that the wedding was right around the corner. Invites had already gone out, and I was starting alterations on the dress. I'd had so so many diy ideas for money saving and cuteness for the wedding, but time was getting short!! I'm still hoping to get some/most of the ideas done, but I'm learning to let go a little (gotta control that stress level). Using a fabric swatch for my accent color I went shopping for flowers.

These are the bunches I found. Luckily Hobby Lobby has sales every other week, so I can shop and stock up as needed. I wasn't sure when I started how many flowers each bouquet would need. But I knew my colors.
It was tricky at first. I searched pintrest and google, and looked for do-it-yourself helpful tips. Most of the tips were for using fresh flowers. I wasn't going to be able to make these last minute. The week before the wedding is going to be BUSY enough already. Plus the school work that would be building up about the same time. Fresh flowers require completion JUST before they are used. Can't stock up and get to it when there is time.
So silk flowers it was. I have since created three bouquets. But the picture on the left is the first attempt. So far it has been the best. I'm not sure how to get myself back in that mindset, or pick out the exact right sets of flowers.
Crafting for today has to do with the flowers. I am painting vases. Rubber-bands and frosty paint. Couple other little bits and pieces too.
Thank goodness the weather is nice today, the paint needed it, and I need time in-case I hate them. (but i shouldn't)

Lets see... that should about wrap up the highs of what I didn't blog about for six-ish months. Paint drying on the balcony, paint drying in the living room, and scrapbook paper that needs cutting. Next update will have a lot of wedding craftiness!! :-D