Creative stimulation

While I know I'm going to miss not going to church this morning, I just don't think I want to go out in the downpour we're having. It's not too terribly cold, but it's windy and wet, not to mention I feel a tickle in my throat. I'm sure it's probably nothing, as I'm feeling particularly healthy these days. As of November 1st, I'm down 29 pounds today!!! I have an incredible amount of energy, and just want to exercise all the time now. Even my sleeping habits have changed and I'm getting at least seven hours of sleep a night now, whereas in the past, I was lucky to get 4-5 hours. What a difference it makes in your overall well-being, not to mention that taking the excess weight off and getting proper sleep...well, it's just heart healthy!! I'm down two sizes, but refuse to buy new clothes yet, as I want to wait and put together a fun spring/summer wardrobe. Yesterday, I went to the fabric store and it was so much fun looking at all the patterns and the beautiful fabrics. I can't hardly wait to begin sewing for myself again! I just didn't ever have the motivation to do it with the weight gain. I didn't buy any patterns or fabric for that yet, but I did get fabric for a quilt I'm going to make....weeeeeee!!! A girlfriend and I, with the help of another girlfriend, are going to make a quilt. For me, there is no better way of bonding with friends...sharing what brings us joy! I haven't made a quilt in a very long time, with the exception of the tablerunner I did last spring. We are very excited, and I'm even already planning my next one...haha. The pattern we've chosen for this one is called 'Hit the Bricks', which requires six light fat quarters, six medium fat quarters, and four dark fat quarters. While at the fabric store yesterday, I met two very experienced quilters who were in town from Reno for a quilt show, and they wanted to help me put together my colors. I was going for a more cottage vibe and I'm pretty pleased, although I'm not too sure about a couple of my darks, but we'll see what happens. And if I don't like it, guess what? I can make another one!

 

Before I go any further, I need to apologize for not posting the winner of the contest I had a couple of weeks ago. I used the random number generator and got the number four. I had to eliminate the first comment as it was incomplete and almost a duplicate of the second one. So, the winner was MariJane, and I think I'm going to gift her this infinity loop that I crocheted but never wore. I have been in touch with her, and she will receive it this next week. Thank you so much for all who took the time to play along and for all of your book recommendations!

 

(Tooting my horn...notice how big my shirt is? haha)

 

This past week, I was a spinning fiend! Not only did I finish spinning all of that brown alpaca, but I also got it plied. I did a chain ply, or Navajo as some call it, which gives it a nice strong 3 ply yarn. I still need to get it skeined, washed/dried, and it will be ready to become something lovely. I have also started spinning a 4 ounce braid of a 65% merino, 35% nylon sparkle blend from Frabjous Fibers, in colorway #119 Cabbage Rose. I'm not sure where to buy this fiber at online, as I picked it up at my LYS. I am just loving it, it's so beautiful! It's spinning up rather thin, and I'm not going to discourage it. I'm hoping I get enough yardage to use it for a knit-a-long I'll be participating in with my local guild.  We are going to knit the Nymphalidea Shawl (a free download on Ravelry), and it requires a fingering weight yarn if you follow the pattern instructions. However, I think my next yarn I spin up, I'm going to try to do something a little thicker, maybe at least a worsted weight. I won't use that on my shawl, but I'm just saying I would like to try for something a little heavier after that.

                                            Brown Alpaca



 

                                                             The Cabbage Rose

Can you see the little bits of green poking through? It's so beautiful in real life! I'm also going to try to spin this fractal and see what I come up with.

 

I did manage to get the heel done on both of my socks I've shown you this past week, as well as turned the heels. We have received our next clue and I need to hurry up and get it knitted! The same with my Downton Abbey mystery shawl. Thankfully, clue 5 isn't very long and I should be able to move right along on clue 6 this evening. I'll post pictures of both those projects as soon as I become current with the clues.

 

Also on my agenda for today is a project I need to get finished and ready to be mailed off tomorrow. It's a long overdue birthday present for my dearest, longest friend (since kindergarten over 55 years ago!!!). I won't post anything more about that until after she receives it, so that the surprise isn't ruined if she reads this post.

 

I'll be posting progress pics of my quilt as they happen...I hope the colors and patterns make you as happy as they do me and that they will inspire you to add something bright to your life!