WIP Wednesday - Mojo

Hey there!  I am so excited to post today.  For the past few weeks, I have not been inclined to really knit or crochet.  And when I have made some progress my stupid phone was not cooperating.  Finally the stars are aligning and I am happy to craft and can take gorgeous pictures with my new phone.  Yippy.

In other news, even though it is rainy and grey today the bright colors of spring are starting to appear.  The trees are blossoming and turning that lovely shade of bight green.  The air is also fragrant with spring flowers and wet earth.  Love that smell.  The only downside is my allergies are starting to kick up.  Lots of meds for me to breathe.  Guess it's a good thing I like to stay in and craft!

Wandering Hobbit

Love the springy blues, greens and purples :)

Sadly, it has been almost 2 months since I wrote an update on my crafting.  In that time, I have really only worked on this project.  I was really more focused with reading than knitting so this has been my sole project during my Thursday Knit Nights.  This is a great project to plug away on since its a little interesting with the short rows to make the stripes.

I am using Blue Moon Fiber Arts - Socks That Rock in Hobbit Garden.  I fell so in love with the colors and the skein just called to me while digging through my stash this it winter.

I have decided to deviate from the pattern and do German Short Rows instead of wraps and turns.  Overall I am super happy with my progress.

Willow Square Blanket

Pretty Flowery Squares

It's funny where inspiration comes from.  I was scrolling through the We Love Lucy group on Facebook and was captivated by a gorgeous photo of solid floral crochet squares.  After reading in the caption that they were Willow squares, I quickly opened ravelry to look up the pattern.

Low and behold, this square was a part of Jan Eaton's 200 Crocket Blocks.  A book that has been in my possession for years.  In that instant I decided that I would use my oodles of Stylecraft to make a colorful blanket using these blocks.  

Since I have approximately 30 colors in my stash from this brand, I decided to limit myself to 2 per color to start.  I can go back and make more but wanted to see all the pretty colors together.  So I pulled out my tote of Stylecraft from my stash and pulled the Lipstick (red) from the top and got to work. Then I grabbed the Copper (reddish-brown) and the Plum (reddish-purple)

About mid way through the I realized that I was done with the Violet (light purple) from my Hue Shift Afghan and should use that next and finish up one skein before I open another.  After finishing that set I realized that if I just finished the last three squares on my Hue Shift that I could make Willow Squares from the Pomegranate (pink) yarn.  So of course I started to knit on that project. 

Hue Shift Afghan

It's Back!

As mentioned above, I started working on this project because I have ulterior motives.  I want to use up these colors in my new blanket before I start a new skein of the color.  Call me OCD but I like finishing skeins before I start new ones.  

So having the motivation, I plan on finsihing a row of this and then jumping back to my crochet squares.  I do have a bunch of colors that have never been opened that will tide me over while I am knitting on Shrimp (peachy orange).  All in all, I hope to get the main sections done before the end of June. 

Does anyone else think I have a problem that I tend to make blankets in the summer?  Who knows but stay tuned.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis

<3 Heather

#Selfies and #TBT

Hey there, I know I have been gone for almost a month but let me tell you that I missed all of you.  I know some of my family who reads this wondered if everything was okay (I'm looking at you Aunt Francy :) ) but really life just got in the way for a bit.

In general my mojo for knitting was at an all time low.  I cranked out a bunch of projects that I am proud of but my lust for the next project decreased.  It also doesn't help that my phone was on the fritz and I was two weeks away from a new one.  Alas, as much as I want to use my nice camera for all of my photos of my projects I usually remember about 10 minutes before I leave for work on Wednesdays to take a picture.

So armed with a new phone I have good intentions to post regularly again but my habits are beginning to change.  Since February, I have been going to the gym regularly after work.  The weight loss combined with the physical changes to my body have been awesome but I am tired when I get home now and really don't have much more motivation than to read a book.  And read I have, seriously I have read 50 books already this year and it's only April.

So my knitting and crochet has stalled but I know it will return.  In the meantime, let's get back into the swing of things with a few pictures that have been floating around recently.

First the #selfies.  I admit, that I like taking them on occasion and even used to take them back in the day with disposable cameras, hoping the picture would come out. Anyway, here are a few that I have taken recently.

Taken in February...Bored on a Friday

Just got my teeth cleaned at the dentist!

At the end of March, I went out to Philadephia to visit Lucy.  She's getting married next June and this was the only time her Bridesmaids could get together to look at dresses.  Anyway I had some extra time planned and visited Becky while I was out there.  Of course we took a Selfie :)

Becky and I :)

Honestly, I had a great time and am so happy that Lucy found a gorgeous dress when we were out there.  Granted she had to get the final mom seal of approval but the dress she purchased was one that was picked out when we were there.  Perhaps a post soon with all of the upcoming wedding plans for 3 awesome ladies in my life.

Speaking of awesome ladies, one of my mom's cousins has been posting a ton of old pictures on Facbook.  Some of the best ones come out on Thursdays and I reblog them for #tbt or Throwback Thursday.  Let me share a few with you.

Mom's Senior Picture

I really had to re-blog this picture because this is my mom's senior picture (circa 1972).  The thing that I am beginning to realize is that she and I look so incredibly similar.  Many people online thought this was black and white picture of me.  In fact, I showed people at work this picture and the double takes and triple takes were kind of amusing.  

Baby Heather and Mom

So I think this is from late 1986, because I look to only be about a year old.  Seriously, how cute was I but really I love the look on my mom's face.  I know I say this a lot but she was an awesome mom.  She was strong and kind.  She gave me space to be myself but was always there when I needed her and even when I thought I didn't need her.  She and I argued and fought about chores and curfews but really I always knew that I was loved by her and my dad.

Jenn and I after a football game, Senior Year

So this photo fits into two catagories.  This was a #selfie I took way back in the day after a football game.  We all went out to get food after marching for the game.  At the time, on our cell phones didn't have cameras (gasp the horror!) so I think I took this with a disposable film camera.  

The actual picture is hanging on my wall in my cube at work but thanks to a large scanner I can share it with you.  I couldn't ask for a better friend in Jenn and am so happy that we found each other freshman year.

So there you have it, a glimpse into the present and gander into the past.  I think I might do #selfie and #tbt posts more regularly so stay tuned.

<3 Heather