Knitting and counted cross stitch for Christmas

 Fingerless mitts for my son from Malabrigo Rios.  Loved the feel of the yarn but hated the knots and thin spots.

 Mr. Pitts socks for Dominic from Hazel Knits Chocolatier.  Easy pattern and comfy.

 Toddler keyhole scarf and fingerless mitts to match his daddy's for Rowan. 

 Rowan's Christmas stocking.  Only a couple of hundred hours of counted cross-stitch :-)

Cowl for Alex.  This is the one that was too small but I purchased a pin for it and didn't seam the ends.  Will try again with bigger needles.

Having a relaxing day watching Miracle on 34th St. and Pocket Full of Miracles with a very excited 3 year old running around.  He keeps reminding us that there are lots of presents for him.

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Dead sewing machine now?

You know appliances sense when you are in a hurry and choose that moment to break?  My sewing machine (which admittedly has been sitting for about 10 years) refused to work this week.  The motor is revving but the needle won't go up and down.  Oil, I thinks, would do the trick so I got some.and oiled where all the little arrows told me to.  Still no go.

This would not be a problem except that Rowan's Christmas stocking has to be completed and hand sewing is really not my strength.  I don't know anyone that still sews that I can call on short notice.  Was wishing Roxie was closer, as I know she could whip this right out.

I probably will need to replace my 30 year old machine, as fixing it would probably be more expensive than buying a new one.  I didn't want to rush in to choosing a machine, so punted.  I picked out a very basic, inexpensive machine and had it sent to my son's house.  With stocking pieces carefully packed away in my luggage, it will be a completed masterpiece before Christmas.

My son and daughter-in-law will have a simple machine for fixing the seam rips and tears two young boys are likely to create.  Crisis averted (at least I hope so)

Pictures will have to wait until I unpack everything.  Mega wrapping awaits me in Iowa.  I'm sure I will be cursing how easy it was to send all those boxes on their way as the countdown to Christmas begins.

One step closer

Hopefully I'll have pictures of my projects later this week before heading out for the holidays.  I finished a pair of gift socks last night and washed Rowan's stocking.  I still need to sew it to the backing (if I can remember how to use the sewing machine)  It's sad that someone who used to sew all the time hasn't touched the machine in 10 years.  Hope the bobbin doesn't need refilling!

I had a nice lunch with my business partners last week and we've decided to keep the business going for a while longer.  Our insurance is good until September of 2013, so we'll just play it by ear for the next few months.  We've had a few phone calls from families looking for services in the last week, so we'll see.

Now back to my WIP's.

I'm getting in the holiday spirit even if it is 80 degrees!

It has been an extremely mild fall and winter thus far in our corner of Arizona.  The weather is beautiful, but it doesn't even feel like an AZ Christmas.  The cats and I continue to forge ahead on the holiday spirit as best we can.  They spend most of the day sleeping under the tree, supervising online shopping and writing of the Christmas letter.  Thursday I'm off to see my daughter and spend a day baking cooking and watching Christmas movies.  Boxes are now winging their way to Iowa in preparation for a wrapping marathon once I get there. 

I'm not having a great success with my Christmas knitting projects.  I finished them some time ago, but just finished washing and blocking.  The lace cowl is too small to go over the wearers head so I'm not going to seam it. Instead I bought a pin to close it.  Ash's sweater is just weird.  I don't like the collar and I think it is already too small for him. Not sure whether it is worth salvaging. That pattern won't be used again.  Rowan's scarf isn't as soft as I hoped and I'm not thrilled with the way the sections look, but he won't care.  I'm almost done with my son's socks but had to rip the second one back and order some additional yarn to finish the toe.    Think that will be the end of my knitting projects for this year LOL

Last weekend we celebrated all of the donors in our community who helped raise over 2 million dollars to renovate a campus for Arizona State University to use here.  Hard to believe that the first class is almost done with their first semester!  I'm the president of the foundation that raised the money, coordinated the construction and provided over $100,000 in scholarships for the inaugural class.  That's me giving a speech at the dedication of the donor wall, which was followed by a brunch at a local restaurant.  I'm very proud to have been a part of this project, but am also really glad it is drawing to a close!

It has been a full day and I'm tired, so it's off to bed. Goodnight.

What will I be when I grow up?

Life is changing again.  I know it tends to do that, but somehow I'm never prepared.  Last month one of my business partners decided to take a full time job.  Our small business just never has grown beyond a part time/hobby level, despite our best efforts.  Although no decision has yet been made, by January I expect we will close our business entirely.  I'm also thinking about closing my nonprofit consulting business, as it is truly nonprofit.  With the downturn in the economy, many organizations stopped using consultants.  I have requests to donate my skills, but paying gigs are rare. 

The journey I started 5 years ago hasn't ended up where I thought it would, but I certainly have learned a lot.  My many community board responsibilities are coming to an end, with the exception of school board. Life overall is looking like less meetings and more knitting.  January may find me back in the job hunt,which would be weird after so much flexibility. 

I feel unsettled and uncertain again.  Sports teams have rebuilding years-  I think my life is having one!  Maybe some knitting and Dr. Who will put things in perspective :-) 

Have a restful and happy weekend!

I will finish this Christmas stocking!

Taking break before heading back to work on Rowan's Christmas stocking.  I'm getting down to all those tiny sections I've been avoiding.  Two stitches in dark green.  Three stitches in light pink.  One stitch I missed in white.  It is tedious but essential in getting the project done.  My goal is to start the outlining by November 1st.  It takes a long time but makes all the difference in the look of the finished item.  If you've never done counted cross stitch, think weaving in knitted ends on steroids!

In between hours squinting at charts for the stocking, I'm finishing up some knitting projects.  One pair of socks to finish, another pair of socks to start, blocking and finishing a cowl, and doing finish work on a baby sweater and toddler scarf.  It all seems doable today (but then it always does in October)

Keep a good thought.

A little more unbearable cuteness

Alex's little sleeping burrito of love

Pop would have held that baby all day

Ash's next sweater almost done.  Should have pictures soon.  Back to that darn cross stitch stocking I didn't finish last year.  Did you know we need to be ready for Christmas in 2 1/2 months?  (She says as she runs screaming in to the night!)