A little inspiration

Between watching Julie and Julia last night and my ever-changing work situation, I feel like I am in need of a bit of inspiration. While I don't find it hard to fill my time with projects (canning, knitting, quilting, reading, carding, applying, swimming, etc), I feel like my focus has dropped by the wayside.

What am I intending to do with my time? What really makes me happy?

Every once in a while it is good to stop and think about your own personal purpose. I think the thing that keeps me questioning my world is that the things I like to do most are not the things that pay the bills. While I love to do so many things, they tend to cost money instead of make it. I do really enjoy Graphic Design, so I need to find an inspiring way to succeed. It's time for me to step up and make things happen!

Anniversary Quilt

Thanks to my renewed obsession with quilting, I decided to make a quilt for my husband and I as a first anniversary present. I had bought the fabric oh so long ago when In the Beginning closed (yep, people still remember that place even though it was about 5-6 years ago). I decided to pull out a pattern I had done for a friend's wedding, and started cutting away!

I finished the top with about a week to spare (our anniversary was May 30th), got it machine quilted by a great couple up on Camano Island. Thank you so much, mom, for having it quilted for us!!! I gave it to Josh unfinished (without the binding) with a promise to have it done soon.

Well, about a week and a half was spent hand-sewing the binding on, but it makes the quilt shine! Our bed is looking great, and even the cat likes it!

New Knitting Pattern - Lace Medallion Slipper Socks

I have added a new pattern once more to my ravelry page. These fun socks include thicker soles and circular cables. I know it's just the start of summer (at least in Seattle it is...), but these socks were inspired by cooler climates.

Here's a blurb about them:

Fall is the time of year that really starts changing my footwear style. It is a time of transition between flip-flops and slippers. Socks play a fun part of fall because they can keep feet toasty even if the weather is still nice enough for shorts.

These socks, with their thicker soles that mimic thermal undergarments, are great for evenings on the porch or out in the yard. The lace upper allows for the cool breezes to tickle the skin. The purl circles remind me of harvests and fall foliage.

Quilt Fridays

In January I joined a quilting group that my mom belongs to at University Lutheran Church in Seattle, WA. I felt like with the large amount of free time that my random work schedule allows, that I should spend some time making things for other people across the globe. Through joint efforts with Lutheran World Relief, the quilts we make get shipped to much-deserving countries all over the world. The quilts get made throughout the year and then we have a "Quilt Sunday" at the church to bless them and send them on their way. Here are a few pictures from the quilts that were sent off this week:

Rainy Day Knits

Aah, the beautiful Seattle weather means curling up on the couch under a blanket on one of March's forever rainy days. Unfortunately, I must curl up on the couch and do work. Oh, what a world ;-)

I would love to go crazy, start tons of new projects, and get my stash down a little. Something about the count on my ravelry page makes me want to start more projects. Only 30 projects... that's just not right (especially counting all of the presents that I never got pictures of or the projects that aren't worth photographing). My only problem is the inability to finish projects if I have too many started. But yet, to try and not spend all December knitting, maybe this year I will start Christmas presents early. Oh well, I can always use a good excuse to start a new project.

Reclaiming Sweaters...

This morning I attempted to start reclaiming the wool of a sweater I have had for years. The arm cuffs are shredded from use, yet something was stopping me from giving it up. The first pull of the shoulder showed a much larger issue than I expected. Not only is it going to be the most difficult sweater to take apart (seams everywhere), but it is also knit as two lace-weight threads per stitch. So far I am through the first sock's toe and onto the foot going toe-up for knee socks. Hopefully this crazy project will work! If so, I might have to look at Goodwill to reclaim and make myself a new sweater!

Knitting with Harry Potter

Aah, what a lovely day for knitting! Here I am on President's day with a full day ahead of me! I am continuing to push myself to finish the unending pair of knee-high socks. Maybe with 6 movies ahead of me, I can put a good dent into my progress! Oh, wouldn't it be nice to have self-knitting needles like Mrs. Weasley!