Orange Moebius Cowl done!

That was fast! It's been a while since I've done any moebius projects (I went crazy with them for a while last year), so it was nice to do one and have it come out so perfect. I can't wait to wear this with some of my sweaters. I love orange!

And now onto the baby sweater. It's not that I don't love to do it, it's that the project is a bit tedious. So I plan to reward myself - after I complete the back I can do my Drops headband, then I have to do front. I'll have to come up with another reward after I do it. So far I've done the first 10 rows, so that's progress!

And today I signed up for the National Body Challenge. In the past year, I've lost 35 lbs and gained 5 back. My goal for the next 6 months is to lose another 20. After the National Body Challenge I'm going to join Weight Watchers online - I just need something to keep me on track. It's so exciting - I've seen myself change a lot in the last year, it will be fun to see the changes this year!

New Year

Woo hoo 2007 is finally over! That was a tough year. I think ending it by having to bring my 3 cats to a shelter probably was fitting given everything else that happened. Anyway, 2008 had better be better than 2007. So what are the plans for 2008? We're getting our house ready to sell, so we can move to NC. Then hopefully I'll do well on my LSATs and get into a great law school for fall 2009 or 2010. Really, just being out of New England for a while will be great! The winters are too much for me and I prefer hot and humid weather. I just feel better when it's 85 out.

On the needles this year are a few musts - first I had to finish my mom's birthday present. It's the Irish Hiking Scarf from Hello Yarn. Super-popular on Ravelry and this is actually the second one I've made since the first went to Liz for Christmas. The yarn is interesting. I hope she likes it... who am I kidding? she likes it, she doesn't... at least I made it and I like it.

Then there's the baby sweater for Noah and Shelley's little guy due in February. I can't wait - they'll make great parents. And finally some projects for me! I'm working on a Moebius Cowl in an orange silk boucle. Once that's done I'm going to do this headband - I've got some left over yarns that might work well for it. That's enough for now... although I swear my ravelry queue grows weekly! Happy Knitting in 2008!

Pinwheel Baby Blanket

I made this Pinwheel Baby Blanket for a friend at work. She's pregnant with her second child and doesn't know if she's having a boy or girl so I used a boring color (Rococo). It's made from the recycled Lion Brand Homespun that Mom gave me. She had started a crocheted afghan and got sick of it, so she gave it to me to frog and now I've reused the first skein. There were 6 skeins, so I've got plenty left. Hopefully I can find some other projects or someone who would like a bunch of tan yarn!

Empress Waist Top

Done, worn, photographed! So it was way too big and the ribbon looked ridiculous. There was just too much yarn bunched up - especially in the front. I ended up measuring it and taking it in on both sides by pulling it together in the back along the eyelet row and sewing it together. I think it's very cute, but is also obviously homemade. :( oh well.

And we survived Christmas! Thank goodness it's over - I'm so exhausted!

Snow day!

Snow, sleet, ice... boy do I love Maine. Seriously, I've had enough of this weather. I didn't go outside all day. I did make 4 dozen cookies and candy. This week I'm going to two cookie swaps, so it had to be done. For the cookie swaps I made my "White Chocolate Peppermint Bark" - not exactly a cookie, but then no one else will bring the same one!

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
12oz package white chocolate chips
15 mini-candy canes or 5 regular candy canes
1. Crush candy canes into very small pieces.
2. Place white chocolate in microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 1 minute. Stir. Heat again for 30 seconds. Stir. This may take more intervals – just don’t let it go too long in microwave without stirring.
3. Pour candy cane pieces in melted white chocolate and stir.
4. Pour mixture on wax paper and smooth out so it’s about ¼” thick. Let cool.

5. Break into 1-2” pieces.

I did manage to get some knitting done this weekend. Since I have some left over homespun I couldn't help myself and made a headband. It's very Christmasy and cute! I did an easy cable - 6 by 6 (3 red, 3 white). I love easy projects like this.

I'm still working on my sweater. The ribbon is not going to work - it's just too bid to sinch. So now I'm going to leave it loose and add a hood. Should be cute and comfortable just like that. As soon as it's done I'll post the pictures!

Plugging along

We're still looking for homes for our other 3 cats. If we can't find homes ourselves for them by this weekend we're going to bring them over to HART. It's so sad. On top of this I'm sick, so I know I'm not quite as strong as usual.

In knitting world, I finished my sweater and it's way too big. I guess I'm not an XL anymore. I'm trying to figure out a way to make it more fitted without ripping it out. I'm sure I'll think of something soon. I've also done a bunch of scarves for friends. Next to get on Ravelry and update. There's so much to put on there and I'm loving just wandering around. And the needles list is so convenient - I need to print mine out.

Time to knit and get some sleep!

Sad Cat Day

Yesterday was sad cat day. We found out the my youngest son is very allergic to the cats. The doctor has said we need to find new homes for all of them. These are my babies from before I had babies... it's so hard! About two hours ago I found out that one of my friends will take one of them - it's great to know at least Angel will have a warm and loving home. I'm going to take her over on Thursday. That's going to be so hard. Here's some pics of my girl!

And on a happier note - I'm finally on Ravelry! check me out - feistyjen!