Wednesday, April 08, 2009

16 Years Has Gone by SO Fast!

I can't believe (well, maybe I can....) that I haven't blogged in SO long! (Do I always say that???) I feel like I'm being sucked into a time warp of too-much-to-do-not-enough-time. Have you ever felt like that? Ugh. It's frustrating!

But, besides being busy, I've had a pretty productive and really nice month.

And here are the reasons why:

1. I'm up to a 63 pound weight loss on WW in the past 6 months. I'm hoping to reach my final goal by October 15th, which I when I first started. Yippeee! I'm very, very lucky because Ian is incredibly supportive of me - he gives me compliments every day and cheers me on even with the smallest of weight losses - like 0.2 or 0.4. I love you, Ian!!

2. I got a new haircut and I really like it. I wasn't sure if I was going to at first.....it's really short....but, I've gotten so many compliments on it. And - most importantly- the hubby likes it.



3. I finished the Amy Beret by Diane Mulholland - using my 2 ply worsted weight Polwarth handspun (which was AWESOME to spin, by the way) - and, although it doesn't really look that great on me - I loved knitting it and it was really fun to make. Diane is a truly talented designer. I just bought two more of her handspun patterns.



4. I've gotten ONE WHOLE PANEL of my Lizard Ridge Afghan done! I need to make at least 4 full panels before Christmas (I'm in the A Year in a Blanket group on Ravelry) and then add the trim in Cascade 220. Most of the people seem to be making only one square a month but, for this blanket, I need to make 2 a month - there are 24 pieces (at least) in all. The first panel is huge! About 10.5" wide by 72" long. Yikes! Should be sooo warm, though. And, really, I think it's gorgeous. (It's for my oldest son as a gift)



So.....the only thing that hasn't really gone my way....is.....dun dun dun.....

THE DAMN DRAGONS!!!!!

I am incredibly irritated with the Hai-Riyo knitted dragons. They were such a fun, quick knit and I was excited because the yarn was nice to knit with and all of the pieces were very easy.

BUT....(a big but)....

They are a pain in the ASS (yes, ASS!) to sew up! My boss had already made one and told me how hard they were, but it was her first knitted toy, so I thought that maybe I wouldn't have such a hard time. I was very, very wrong.



The pieces are in a bag (for both of them) and I'm trying to get together my courage to continue sewing them up again. Hopefully (for the kids' sake), it'll be before I die. (Maybe)



I was also planning on getting out a new pattern for Earth Day on the 22nd, but (alas), it was not meant to be. Maybe next week. I'm planning my oldest son's 16th Surprise Birthday party (eeeek!) for this Saturday and I'm slightly freaking out.

There is so much to do and I'm doing it all myself....balloons, ordering cake (thank goodness Jackie is picking the cake up for me!), favors, decorations for the house, banner, food (ordering pizzas and getting ice cream for the sundae bar), drinks, cleaning the house, uncluttering the house (harder than cleaning!), and trying to keep all of this from Tim. My mom is bringing some snack stuff for me (thank you!!!) and ice cream toppings. Ian and I still aren't completely sure what we're getting him for his birthday, either (it's actually on May 7th) and that's up in the air for now.

But, I can't wait to see his face when he comes in the door. He thinks I'm having my knitting friends over for lunch. He he!!!

Well, wish us luck on the party and I'll have tons of pictures to show next time. And, hopefully, the FREE pattern will be done by then.

I hope.

Have a great weekend!!!!

7 comments:

Jackie said...

OMG I love those dragon pieces. I bet they'll look awesome when they're done. (No pressure babe.)

Gigi said...

Perhaps bag the dragon pieces up, add some stuffing, and give it to the boys as a Do-It-Yourself Dragon kit? I bet they have them assembled in no time flat! LOL

Nicely done. =-)

cayli said...

Wow, Wow, Wow on the weight loss. That is so great! I also love the haircut.

That blanket is going to be great but what a huge project. I can not even imagine.
The hat is also super cute in handspun!

Heide said...

63 pounds! Hooray for you, that's an entire 2nd grade student and I'm cheering for you all the way from Washington (can you hear me?) I knit/sewed a different dragon pattern for my middle daughter a few years back and it was a nightmare. Of course the finished product was adorable but he will never have a twin. Lizard Ridge is going to be big and beautiful. Congratulations to both you and your eldest son for 16 years. You must be very proud to have such kind, good boys. Will you please post pictures of the dragons when they're together? Cheers!

Anonymous said...

1. 63 pounds - WOOHOO. Awesome job!

2. Beautiful - you look gorgeous!

3. Nice hat. I've never spun Polwart; guess I'll have to give it a try.

4. What a great gift that blanket is going to be.

Dragons- I hate piecing together toys. Have fun with that.

KSee said...

Well, you made up for being down for awhile. Life does seem to get in the way. Love your Haircut. 63 lbs, way to go. Are you doing this by your self or with a buddy. You do not look old enough to have a 16 yr old, then again I do not look like I have a 42 yr old!
Oh, all the projects you have going are great to see. Maybe, you should make a cockt ail or mock tail to sew up the dragons. B looks adorable

Lapdog Creations said...

63 lbs? WOW... congrats Gina! That's awesome -- and very inspiring to the rest of us to get back to WW. :)