a finished object, and rambling...

I finished both of my Marooned socks and pulled this pile of fabrics to make the pillows I was dreaming about in my last post for my living room. The couches are dark brown, not overly stuffed but I think they are casual, comfortable. I see some quilt-as-you-go in my very near future. I just need to find my sewing mojo - I am not sure where it has gone. So much I could be doing yet I keep turning back to books and knitting - not to mention keeping up on the HBO series The Game of Thrones - it's back, it's bad - I love it.

I decided when I finished my Marooned pair - I would review my old WIP's as inspired by Bunnies and Bettas - via A Caffeinated Yarn. B & B is hosting a Spring Cleaning KAL, to finish up some lingering works in progress. I picked up the second sock of a pair of Roza's I started last year around this time - I got one done and then came down with the ever predictable second sock syndrome. Well alas, bloggers inspired me yet again - I have a pair - under the buzzer quite literally. It's not the spring cleaning I dream of but it's a start.



Next up should be some true spring cleaning - I have tired old Easter decorations to part with and a storage room of junk that frankly, I don't need or even want. We are done having children, but oh, that crib is so sweet - but why? It's sentimental sure, but I am not going down to hold court with it, to remember baby days... So, I have been reading The Joy of Less - basics on how to declutter and organize - hoping I might learn a tip of two. I just have stuff that has accummlulated over the years that seems like it contributes to my crankiness, I hate tripping over stuff. Between my own crafty bits, my husband's biking equipment and my kids - every art project they have ever made - I am feeling clausterphobic. For example, I can see three pairs of bicycling shoes and a bicycle helmet from my spot ON THE COUCH. The bike finally left this very room yesterday after my nagging. The problem has always been that no one, including me at times, seems to see the value of picking up after themselves - I feel like I have to be a tyrant for anyone to notice, to find a home for bibs and bobs - so I am going to try a more zen approach with the book - we'll see. Wish me good luck!

Socks and a re-set.

Spring has toyed with us this week - I have seen the sun, and now it seems to be hiding again. I can outlast this gray and see the sun, I dare it to elude me much longer...Meanwhile at least I have a clever pile of library holds to keep me occupied til the sun comes back..



On another note, I am doing another Whole30 this April. Last year it was a great opportunity to learn how food relates to fuel, pain, stress and sleep for me. After an unprecedented winter, I have needed a re-set in a very big way. The first week went well but ended with a stressful knot, unknitting my progress. If you follow me on Instagram, you have an idea why things hit the fan. My trigger for stress is food. I admit I threw in the towel and had a mangorita, yuck, during the Badger final four game, and indulged in a couple of homemade cookies. My husband was out of town during the hoopla, which I am sure contributed to the lack of focus. Anyways, I searched from some new recipes and will restart tomorrow. The good news is that tomorrow is always another day. I really encourage anyone else thinking they need a little recharge to try this - It Starts With Food is a great book and provides a solid foundation.


Hermione's Everyday Sock in True Love

I finished a pair of socks last week. Hermione's Everyday Sock. The Socks That Rock is a little thicker than I normally like, but I wore the socks anyways. The colorway, Truelove, is a mood booster fer sure. I immediately cast on a new pair in Ms. Babs Shining City. The pattern is Marooned. I have shamelessly copied Hey Ms. Porkchop, knitting the pattern on the front 32 stitches, while stockinette the back 32. Kind of like a mullet, except party is in the front here. I have one done and have cast on the second, which is typically a good sign of a pattern/ yarn marriage - start the second with no separation, no falling into "second-sock-syndrome. I love it and the mix-up of colors include fuschia, ochre, greys, ballet pink, olive - have inspired some pillow ideas for my living room. We got new couches which have changed up the over-stuffed look to somewhat "law office"...I am hoping some quilted pillows will change the direction to what I am looking for. I am thinking putty with these little color pops - stay tuned.


Marooned - in Shining City