Leap Day 2012

Who could resist posting on Leap Day?  Apparently, not me.  After a day and a half of rain, this happened early this morning. ICK!

I'm not looking forward to my drive and I would much rather be working on my newest project, but it could be worse... far worse!  I just wish the 40 mph winds would die down.

I've been reading in blogland that a few people took today to work on projects and I'm a little jealous of their ability to do so.  Being midterm, I have obligations that are weighing on me and prevent me from slacking in school work in order to play with hobby "work." Speaking of which, I'm holding steady at taking a little time each day to work on a fun project. YEAH!

Happy Leap Day everyone!!  Make the most of it.

See? I Have Not Been Slacking!

While classes are in session, it is typical for me to become overwhelmed with homework, research, and studies.  The semester almost always weighs on me until I "break."  Not in the sense that most people do, but I get to the point where I'm just not happy and frustrated with never doing anything I want to do because all the things I have to do take up all my time - sometimes even more time than I have to give and I lose sleep because I'm up late doing work and get up early to make sure everything is done on time.

I hit this point week before last.  I've been feeling alone and missing my friends (from my foodie friends to my best gfs who are always so supportive).  I really needed to nurture my soul.  My subtle signs were not getting the desired results so I took things into my own hands.  I organized a much needed "stitch-n-bitch" then I committed to spending some time on crafts throughout the week.  You would think this would be an easy commitment as I haven't been spending any time on crafts since classes started this semester.  But finding even five spare minutes is a challenge.  However, I know I need to take a break (however small) from school work and teaching to nurture my soul.  

So, that's what I'm making a conscious effort to do so.  This week I finished one of the projects on my 2012 "to-do" list.  This little blankie will be mailed off to my DB1 and SIL4 for their new baby (due in a few weeks).

So cute!  I'm happy with it.

And I started another "to-do" project.

This one is going quickly (which is good because this is for another baby due soon).  I can't wait to show it to you!

Finding time for me is always a problem.  I'm sure it is for some of you, too.  So, my question to you is: how do you find the time to nurture your soul?  How do you do it?

Giddy

A couple of weeks ago, I read on one of the quilting blogs I follow that Hancock's of Paducah was having a serious sale on a recent collection by one of my favorite fabric designers, Fig Tree & Co.   I seriously love her stuff!  Anyway, the fabric was on sale for 53% off or $5.98/yard!!!  I bought 13.5 yards worth and 2 charm packs for $5.98 each (since the charm packs are normally $10 each this was a steal). What a bargain!

I did not buy any of the blue fabric.  I'm not sure why, but it just did not fit in my vision of this quilt. I'm planning on making the Elizabeth quilt from Miss Rosie Quilt Co. It's an older quilt pattern - coming out in the spring of 2005, but I love it and I think this collection will be perfect for it! I just love the colors.

Obviously, I won't have time to make this until this summer when I'm not in classes, but I want to work on it now.  I'm that happy with the fabric.  I think it will make a perfect quilt for the back of the couch this winter.

What do you think?

Learning to Knit...

Two weeks ago, my friend and fellow faculty wife (Sara) and I took a beginner's knitting class.  Sara' grandmother passed away last year and Sara had inherited a lot of knitting needles and a couple bags of yarn.  She thought it would be fun to take a class to learn to knit.  When she contacted me, we were both on break still (she teaches 8th grade science) and I could certainly fit it in.  It turns out Michael's has classes!

We signed up for a Saturday afternoon class and we were the only two there.  It took some time to adjust to the process, but we were making major progress by the end.  Here's Sara working on her project (a pair of fingerless mittens).

She finished the one that night.

This is how far I got during class.  I'm making a scarf to start with.  I love the color of this yarn and it's super soft and cushy!

A couple nights later I was having difficulty sleeping so I got up for some tea and worked on my scarf a little more. 

School has definitely taken up a lot of my time (even now I should be working on school work instead of finishing this blogpost).  So, I haven't done much with it in a couple weeks.  To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about knitting yet.  I like the concept, but it's very awkward for a long time crocheter to make the change to knitting.  I have a bag of this gorgeous plum yarn that I bought specifically for a sweater many years ago (at least 15 years).  I had hoped my mom would do it, but given that it took her 25 years to complete a quilt for me and more than a year to complete a scarf for Dr BB, my expectations are low.  Given that, I would like to learn at least a basic cardigan pattern so I can make the sweater I've always wanted, but I hesitate to make any claims beyond that.  

As always, I will keep you posted. (No pun intended.)