Down on the Farm with ChiknGirl

Catching Up

Thank you ~L~ for reminding me that it has been ages since I've blogged.  This has been my least productive crafting year since before I had kids.  I've started quite a few projects, but haven't completed much.  I made 4 nightgowns a few months back, 2 for Anneliese and 2 for her friend Mila, from thrifted top sheets.  Mila's were too long and needed to be re-hemmed and they've been sitting on my sewing table for months waiting for me.  I started a Tomten for Trevor in August, according to Ravelry, and it has been collecting dust on my bookshelf since I realized that he really has enough sweaters for this winter and I don't have that old yearning for knitting.  I got ambitious and planned to sew Anneliese's Halloween costume for her.  It's cut and partially sewn and will be great for the dress-up box whenever I get it finished.  Instead of crafting I have been spending a lot more time reading this year.  I'm hoping to finish the year having read 52 books, not counting children's books, cookbooks or parenting books.  I'm a few books behind, from when I went on a Netflix movie binge, but I think I will come close to my goal.  I forgot how much I used to enjoy reading in bed until my eyes wouldn't focus anymore and then falling swiftly to sleep.  It's been nice revisiting that.

Up next, a post on something I did complete.  :)

2007 Wrap Up, 2008 Set Up

The goals I wrote down for 2007-

Personal Goals:

• Be healthier.  Make healthier choices. - I did this, but there is still more to do.
• Be kinder and gentler. - I still working on this one.
• Have less, do more. - We enjoyed many more memories this year, but still ended the year with a bunch of stuff.
• Post a monthly to do list. - Started strong, finished weak.

Household goals:

• Contribute financially. - I contributed for about half the year.
• Less screen time for everyone. - We improved a little bit.
• Garden. - I didn't do any of this.

Knitting Goals:

• 4 pairs of socks. - 2 pairs finished, many other pairs started and frogged.
• Something for me. - I made myself some fingerless mitts and a pair of socks.
• Finish sweaters for kids. - Anneliese's sweater is done, Trevor's is not yet begun.
• Lace shawl.  (Doesn't count as the something for me knit, although it is for me) - I finished the Swallowtail Shawl for my Grandmother.

Crafting Goals:

• Sew fleece pants for family. - This didn't happen, but I did do lots of sewing for the family.
• Finish Gary's quilt. - This didn't happen either.  Putting it back on the list.
• Craft with kids every week. - This one didn't either.

Goals for 2008

Personal Goals:

• Find more time to enjoy crafting.
• Nurture close friendships and make them closer.
• Get mental health help.
• Be more active and get fit.
• Communicate my emotions more honestly with those I love.

Household Goals:

• Become more financially responsible and find more financial security.
• Garden.
• Organize the laundry room.

Knitting Goals:

• A sweater for Trevor, a Tomten.
• A lace shawl for myself.
• An intarsia project.

Crafting  Goals:

• Finish Gary's quilt.
• Learn to sew knit fabrics.
• Make at least half of the cards I give during the year.

Happy New Year

  Holiday outfits 
  Originally uploaded by Chikn Girl

I had a very enjoyable blogging break, in fact, I wasn't sure if I was going to return to blogging.  I finished a few projects, had a lovely Christmas and I'm looking forward to a terrific 2008.

Anneliese's dress is a simple summer dress (Butterick 3772 size 6) made from a heavyweight cotton flannel and trimmed with a velvet ribbon.  The top is lined with a fabulous black and white striped print and Anneliese picked out some gorgeous flowered vintage-style buttons.  I picked an easy, comfortable dress for her knowing she would want to wear it everyday.

Trevor's shirt and pants are from the Winter 2007 issue of Ottobre design.  I made the 98 cm size since Trevor measures 95 cm tall and I found both the pants and shirt to be WAY too big.  I love all the design details in the Oliver pants.  You can see the pants (and shirt) in a lighter color corduroy on the Ottobre site if you click on the "view magazine 6/2007" and then on "Neo Romantic Meets Practical and Charming."  This outfit is the most "finished" of any garments I have ever made.  I am very pleased with the way it turned out and will definitely be making more patterns from Ottobre.

I finished a pair of Dashing fingerless gloves for myself.  I used a super-soft wool from 100purewool in a gorgeous and subtly variegated grey/blue/purple.  I've had trouble photographing them, but have enjoyed wearing them everywhere.

The mailing date for the Loopy Ewe Swap that I'm involved in is coming up.  I've got my yarn and my pattern ready and will be getting started in the next day or two.

Coming soon - a post about 2008 goals and a blog birthday contest.

Happy New Year!

Huffing and Puffing

Today has been full of re-tellings of the Three Little Pigs story, with much focus on the huffing and puffing.

The Hands on the Clock Go Tick-Tick-Tock All Through the Day

Here I was thinking that I would have wonderful post for you today.  A post full of pictures of craft projects I did with the kids and goodies we baked together.  Instead we spent the day in our pajama-jams just hanging out.

My current knitting projects are in stasis.  I haven't knit a stitch in a week.  My current sewing projects are stagnating also.  No sewing happening here.  I haven't made my Christmas/Winter Holidays cards yet.  In a week and a half we go to my mom's house to do our holiday thing.  I have gifts to finish, cards and goodies to make, two holiday outfits for my kids to sew.  Deadlines and pressure.  Sometime I step up to the plate when I'm feeling pressure and blast through my jobs, and other times, like right now, I fold and do nothing.

*dark ramblings deleted*

See you tomorrow!

To-day's To Do

• Target
• Bank
• Library
• Home Depot
• Grocery Store
• Wash wipes
• Farm
• Make hummus

I think that covers all the chores.  There will, of course, be lots of stories, nursing, cuddles, snacks, train track building and pony playing during the day, too.

If It Isn't One Thing It's Another

After a weekend without email, I spent all day today without a phone.  I hate waiting around all day for a repairman to come fix something.  I had so much to do today.  Arrrrgh!

Hurray!

A HUGE thank you to Wildcard for repairing my internets and email.  Now we are sitting side by side surfing. It's so darn cute.  :)

Technical Difficulties

We've been having trouble getting the new computer and the old computer to network and we don't have a router (yet) to allow them to both be connected to the internet.  If you've recently emailed me, I haven't checked my email since Wednesday.  I'm not ignoring you, just not able to check it right now.  Microsoft Outlook doesn't allow for different identities in it's newest version and Gary and I don't want our email accounts merged, so I'm stuck without email until we can resolve our technical issues.  Part of the problem has been being busy with holiday stuff and not having time to fix it.  Cross your fingers we'll be back up and running tomorrow.

I spent last night decorating for the winter holidays after the kids were asleep and Gary was out for the evening.  It was enjoyable.  I might be totally lame, but I love window clings.  They are so easy to do, can't be broken by kids and add a nice bit of decoration without being overwhelming or cluttery.

Black Friday

For the second time ever I participated in shopping on Black Friday.  I didn't get up at any crazy hour, but I did stand in line for 40 minutes (10 extra because the store opened late) and bought Gary his Winter Holidays present.  A new computer.  He is on cloud 9.  It was totally worth it.  He's out at a dinner with friends tonight, so I'm enjoying playing with his new toy.  It is purrrrrty!