Time Management

Lately, I've had a lot of trouble finding the balance between knitting, spinning, dying, sewing, (etc...) and life.  I work a full time job (probably like most of you), so when I get home, I'm tired.  Generally, I don't feel like doing much.  So when it comes time to choose between knitting and cleaning or cooking, guess which one wins out....yup knitting (or spinning, or sewing).  If you add on the fact that I have two crazy shedders, Sidney the Lab and Rutherford the bunny, you can probably imagine just what my house looks like. 

 I debated long and hard whether I would post a super embarrassing cluttered up house picture...but, hey, isn't that what a blog is for?  Over sharing, haha!

Check out the crazy clutter (and the waaaay too long curtains, not to mention the missing one)...ugh, so embarrassing!

For as long as I remember, I have always had this problem.  This year, I've decided to give a calendar book a shot.  I scored the internet long and hard for the PERFECT planner.  I don't want just any planner...not one of those boring ones you can go and pick up from the store, or the ones that don't really help to organize. 

Enter the Laurel Denise planner.

 

First off, it has a pretty cover (I got the green cover).  Second, check out the inside!  All in one glance, you can see the month view, week view, to do, and notes...seriously, it's revolutionary!  

Mine is coming in the mail today.  I can't wait to book it (no pun intended, well maybe it was, haha) outta work and check the mail!  I'll tell you this, the first item on my to-do list should probably be hem those dang curtains.

How do you manage your time?  Do you have serious time management/organization issues like me?

*Please note, I was not paid to talk about this planner.  I just found it and thought it was CRAZY COOL!

Dog Bed

My latest sewing adventure has been making my pup, Sidney, a dog bed.  She is slowly growing out of eating the comforter we give her to lay on.  Slowly being the operative word.  She still eats it when we are at work, but as for when we are home, the thing is pretty much safe.

Joann Fabrics had a President's Day sale this weekend and the high density foam was 50% off!  We ended up getting a pretty large piece, over a yard, for only about 26 bucks.  I made a cover for the foam out of a thrifted bed sheet I had lying around and plan to make a prettier cover for the cover soon.

Without further ado, Sidney modeling the bed...

I'm pretty sure Amvets has a 50% off President's Day sale going on today.  So I plan to go and pick up some thrifted table cloths for the prettier cover!

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Back in July, you may remember me blogging about knitting a sweater for my husband.  I ended up deciding on knitting him a raglan sweater.  I'm using Elizabeth Zimmerman's Seamless Raglan Sweater for a pattern since I can customize it the way my husband wants it.  I started knitting the sweater back in July(?), maybe August (?), with the hopes of finishing it for this winter so he can wear it.  HA!  Fat chance!  I should have known myself.  Here is my progress so far:

(Sorry about the pic, for some reason I can't get it to upload the flipped version)

Check out my gorgeous sleeve increases!

My new goal with this sweater is to finish it by next fall.  That's totally doable... My new goal gives me wiggle room for another WIP!  Yay!  What should I start?  Socks?  A spring sweater for myself?  Maybe a baby sweater?  Choices, choices, choices...

Tonight

Tonight, I think I'm going to dabble in dyeing yarn.  Actual yarn, and not just fiber, how exciting!  I have a bunch of undyed yarn in my studio just begging to be dyed.  I've been feeling solid colors lately and since the weather has started to get warmer (30's feels so much warmer than the teens!) I want to dye some spring colors.  Maybe I'll dye the yarn a nice spring-y yellow...  

 

Or ladybug red...

I'm actually super afraid of ladybugs!  Haha, imagine that, someone being afraid of something so cute. 

What colors have you been loving lately?

I'm Loving...

Some of you may have noticed that I go through phases of different obsessions.  I'm constantly obsessed with something new and it generally revolves around something to do with fiber.  Lately, I've been on a sewing kick...specifically sewing clothes.  Well, not actually.  I've been obsessed with reading blogs about other people who sew clothes.  I'm gaining my confidence.

Anyways, I am starting a new regularly occurring post called "I'm Loving..."  These posts will feature things/blogs/patterns that I'm loving at the time.  I hope you guys enjoy it!

Right now I'm loving the blog Madalynne. It is a blog on pattern making, fashion, and diy's.  She just released a new pattern and instructions on how to make your own underwear!  I know, it might sound a little odd to some of you, but seriously, they are SOOOO cute!

 

Here is the link to the post.

She also has an adorable DIY for a valentine card.

 

Does any one else enjoy sewing (or in my case looking at blogs of people who sew)?

Fingerless Mitts

Another FO!

 

I knit myself a pair of fingerless mitts out of some of my own handspun.  Believe it or not, this is the first thing I have EVER knit out of my own handspun...GASP!  I know, crazy isn't it?  I've been spinning for years and have never actually used the handspun.  I generally like to hoard it.  This way when I'm having a bad day I can just go and smoosh my face in it, haha.  I mean comon...you have to admit yarn makes everything better.

The pattern I used is Siren Sleeves.

Sneak Peak

A sneak peak of my latest project!

Little Stitches

I have stumbled upon a new fiber related adventure....embroidery!  I've realized that as long as it involves fiber in some way, ( yarn, wool, thread, fabric, whatever!) I totally dig it.  One of the professors at the college that I work at was talking about her newest craze, embroidery...specifically the book called Little Stitches, by Aneela Hoey.  Naturally, I zoned into the conversation.  I bought the book and an embroidery hoop that night.  Impulsive, who?  Me?  Never!



This sums up my Super Bowl Sunday:

Did you watch the Super Bowl?  What projects did you work on?