Almost there....kinda.

I thought it was about time that I did a "BEFORE" and "AFTER" picture - just to motivate myself. This month has been good and not so good, very difficult and exhausting, but also sometimes pretty smooth. I'm up to 83 pounds lost since October 15 and I'm hoping to reach my goal, if not by October 15th of this year, then definitely by December 31st. I have about 20 or so pounds to go.

Can I do it??? I sincerely hope so!!

So, here is a picture of me while knitting on my Swallowtail Shawl in Kauni around about the beginning of October. (This is the closest I could get to a truthful picture...the rest have been de-let-ed!)

BEFORE:


Now, here is the most recent picture of me from Monday at Hampton Beach. (Oh, the boobs!!! Why can't I get better support??)

ALMOST AFTER:


Also, a few other pics of me and Ian while on our anniversary vacation to Mystic, CT - we had such a relaxing and wonderful time! (and no kiddies - just us!)

Ian and I at the Stonington Lighthouse Museum "beach" area:



Just me with my knitting bag (see the purple Namaste bag with blue knitting in it on the left???):



And, now, I'll share some of my newest FOs and progress on the Lizard Ridge Afghan -which is close to halfway done!!

1. Quant from the newest Spin-Off Magazine and also Knitty.com:



Super quick and fun to knit with my own Rambouillet handspun!
(See details and more pictures on my Ravelry page here.)

2. Mousie from Ysolda Teague's "Whimsical Little Knits":



and, Mousie loves Ben...and Ben loves Mousie....



Ben loves this toy and it only took me a few hours - it's extremely fun and quick to knit using just a little bit of yarn (Katia Mississippi 3 Solids in gray and bright pink).
(See details and more pictures on my Ravelry page here.)

3. Icing Swirl Hat from Ysolda's book, "Whimsical Little Knits" (I've almost done half of the projects in the book!)



Super, super fast and very soft and warm. I loved using the Misti Alpaca Chunky for this- gorgeous. I wish the store had the Lipstick colorway, though...that one is awesome!
(See details and more pictures on my Ravelry page here.)

4. Sea Urchin from Ilga Leja Designs:



This top didn't take long at all and was enjoyable from start to finish. Very light, very airy and so comfortable to wear. I used the Katia Mississippi 3 Solids again in the bright pink and I was really happy with how it came out.
(See details and more pictures on my Ravelry page here.)

5. Lizard Ridge Afghan from Knitty.com:



I've got 2 full panels done now and will be knitting at least 2 more, probably 3. I love using the Noro Kureyon - the colors just make this blanket so impressive and stunning. Plus, it's not that scratchy and will be soo warm!
(See details and more pictures on my Ravelry page here.)

Whew! That's a LOT of damn knitting...LOL!

I'm also working on my October Frost Cardigan, my mom's Fudge Swirl Mock Cable Pullover and the Buttercup knitted top in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in a bright blue, which is coming out awesome.

Do you think I'm slacking???

(Hugs to all....thank you so much for your comments and constant support!)

Busy, Busy, Busy Bee (meaning ME!)

Yay! Another successful couple of weeks (or few?)...I've been trying to get many things (especially knitted items) finished and it's been going well so far (except I keep procrastinating about those damn dragons!).

Before I go into my fun, finished creations, I want to share some pictures from a trip Jackie and I took to go and see Julie/Noolie in Maine. First, we visited the Yarn Basket in Portmouth (where I got some gorgeous Cascade 220 Paints for the amigurumi knits) and then off to see (and hug and squish and hope for more hugs) Clover and Julie.

We had a good hour to play with Clover and I brought her a light-up ball, which seemed to be a hit. Here are some really cute pictures of her with her ball. Though, the first one is a bit more crazy than cute...but I liked the effect that the camera made when I took the picture.



and



After playing (coloring, watching the adorable one dance...), we went over to the Yarn Sellar and shopped for yarn (I got enough yarn to make Ben a new Wallaby and also more Cotton Chenille to make a facecloth), knit on our projects, laughed our heads off and also met up with Heather, who happened to be making a stop there for another errand. Yay! What a super fun day....I had such a great time and can't wait to visit again!



Now...onto the KNITTED STUFF (oh, and one sewing project):

1. A Kitchen Apron that I made using a "Cut, Sew and Go" Reversible Apron kit from Jo-Ann Fabrics. Now, we all know how horrible I am at using a sewing machine (must-take-lessons!), so this entire apron was handsewn by my own little fingers. And, instead of the promised "Make in 1 hour!" slogan, it took me one week. But, that's okay. It came out sooo cute and I love wearing it. It's 100% cotton and washable with pockets on BOTH sides and...the best part...fits me perfectly!



Here is a look on the other side:



2. The Kraken that I made for Tim from the new book that I bought, "Amigurumi Knits", which I have to say is one of the BEST and MOST FUN (and brilliantly designed) pattern book that I've come across in a long time. Not only is every single thing in it adorable, but it's using bits and scraps of Cascade 220 (which I have a lot of) and there is hardly ANY sewing up....everything is either picked up or very quickly and easily sewed. I had so much fun making the Kraken that I'm dying to make more toys.



You can also read more and see more pictures of my Kraken project here on Ravelry.



3. The Hap Blanket from Ysolda Teague's book, "Whimsical Little Knits", which is another fantastic and really fun pattern book...and I have plans to knit everything from it! (Well, at some point!) Here is my version of her Hap Blanket, which was knit up in only 2 weeks....and also while I was knitting on other things. I made some changes because I was going to run out of yarn, but I love how it came out - it is SO squishy soft and beautiful. This would make a truly nice gift for someone's new home or new baby. I was lucky enough to have 3 skeins of Cormo/Silk to use for this (with Heather dyeing up a portion of one skein in her colorway, "Escape" for me!). YUMMMY!



and, you can read more about this project (and see more pictures) on my Ravelry page here.



4. Gaye's Socks are finally done! She's only been waiting for these for 9 months! (ugh!) But, they fit perfectly and she even has some extra Sereknity sock yarn left over for something else. This Berries colorway came out very pretty and I'm so glad that she likes them!



More details on this project on Ravelry here.

Finally, a few more pictures (jeez, this post has too many pictures!!) of the kids and the fireworks we set off on Saturday and Sunday night. I am loving the "fireworks" setting on my Canon camera!



and Ben:



and Tim:



P.S. I'm up to 78 pounds lost and I'm hoping to make 80 by the end of the month or sooner. Yay!!!!!