Knitting - Gym - Housework . . .

 . . . that's all that's going on around here, and it's basically in that order too!! Hi everyone, not much going on around here at the minute so I'm slowly running out of bloggy material! At this rate I'll be lucky if I post twice a week. 

So, what have I been up to? I'm still enjoying my knitting, been putting off going to the gym some days because, well, I just haven't been in the mood for it :-/  and just doing housework as and when I feel like it too! To be honest I think I've come down with a case of the winter blahs, which I don't know how because it feels nothing like Winter here in TX. Yesterday was a high of 77!!!! Yes, I'm complaining! It's only February for crying out loud!  I know most people if asked would love 70 degree weather in January and February, but when you get triple digit days for months in the summer, I for one would like to see a couple of months of just 50 or 60 degree weather. I think next week will be back in the 60's so I'll stop complaining now ;-)

I was trying to be productive last week and changed this . . . 

 to this . . . . .

 

Remember I wanted to clear my storage room out months ago to make a craft room for myself? Well I cleared the room somewhat but never actually did anything after that. This time I've moved a desk in there and moved my yarn boxes that were in my bedroom closet to this room. It's not perfect (I'm not even thinking of painting in here yet) but it will do for now. It means I can sew whenever I want, and although I don't sit in here to knit, all my yarn is at least in one place, or it will be once I finish organizing it!

Kristen is off school again today, she's been suffering with a sore throat for a couple of days and getting headaches. I'm hoping it's just allergies but yesterday she was miserable at school so I thought I'd give her a day off to see if she feels better. Even if it is just allergies, they're no fun either, as I can attest to! She was hoping to have a couple of friends over on Friday to have a sleepover, but if she doesn't feel better we'll have to reschedule for next week instead.

I've been doing well with my eating, and getting back to the gym too after a few days off, so I'll post again tomorrow with an update and join in with Liz's Water Party :-) I managed to drink over 64oz water yesterday - Sassy Water that is!! I'll share more about that tomorrow ;-)

Knitted Creations!

Thought I'd join in with Kristen this week and show you what I've been creating. I posted these photos on my Knitting blog yesterday but wanted to share them here too. The buttons above don't actually link to my other blogs (as I would like them to do), they are just all posts that I label 'Knitting Den', 'Healthy Den' etc.

Anyway, as well as trying to knit things for family Christmas gifts this year, I sometimes see something I want to knit for myself! There's a new book coming out next month from two lovely designers, it's called Coastal Knits, and I pre-ordered a copy last week (it comes out in October, my birthday month!)  

With the pre-order you got to download two of the patterns early. One of them was a really pretty beret with a lovely leaf pattern on it. I had some yarn already so I decided to cast on for me a few days ago :-) I don't often wear hats, or berets, but I think I need to start. This one turned out really nice. . . 

Trying to take pictures with the self-timer is never easy!

 You can see the leaf pattern on the back view

The beret comes off the needles rather crumpled looking! To get the shape you simply slip the hat over a dinner plate and dampen it. Once it dries you have the perfect beret shape. I also knit a quick chunky beret this week for a friend. This has no pattern and is so quick to do, only took me a few hours . . .

 

So, that's what I've been creating this week. What have you been up to? 

Busy Busy Busy!

Is it really Wednesday already? Whaaaa! This week is going too fast, but I must say I’m really enjoying the downtime from early morning school days.

I’m still working on a whole new look for my blog (with the help of a certain someone), all will be revealed soon – I can’t wait! In the mean time I’m going to start posting as I said I would and incorporate my knitting, crafts, healthy eating etc here, because it’s all of these things that make Me who I am, and make my blog what it is all about, my ‘daily’ life.

Housework is going by the wayside this week! I am busy busy busy in my craft room coming up with new ideas for my Etsy store and to sell at craft fairs with Cheryl. And when I say ‘craft room’ I mean the guest room, with a craft table set up next to the guest bed, because Jason won’t give up the storage room to me so that I can create my own space!! So, the guest/craft room it is for now.

Something new I’m making this week . . . . shoe bags!

These are great for packing your shoes or flipflops in your suitcase when travelling, keeping them separate from your clothing. They don’t have to just carry shoes, they can also be used to keep your ‘smalls’ or socks all together in the case. I’ve made myself a similar one to carry my small knitting project with me when I take Kristen to piano lesson.

I love this chic butterfly print, and I’ve added a pretty little butterfly charm to the ribbon tie too. I’ll be making larger bags too that can be used as laundry bags. Be kind to the environment and leave those plastic 'laundry bags at the hotel!! :-) These will be in my Etsy shop soon.

I’m also working on my birdfeeders too. We think these will do really well at the next craft fair. A perfect gift for Mothers Day!

I was trying to take pictures using a ‘light box’ I made (but I need ‘natural light’ bulbs to make it work well), once I get some spring flowers planted I can probably take pictures outside again!

So, that’s what’s keeping me busy this Wednesday. I’m linking up with Kara for . . . .

It’s about time. . .

OK, so enough of this procrastination! The house work is getting done, laundry is up to date (sort of), kitchen is tidy (sort of), I have craft stuff I’ve put to one side since before Christmas and it’s about time I got it out! I have things I can list in my Etsy shop if I would only get some photos taken, I have material to sew more aprons, if I would only plug in my sewing machine – you get the idea . . . it’s TIME to get moving.

Today I started making more tea cup bird feeders. I’ll be listing them soon.

Spring is on it’s way and I think these will be a great seller as everyone starts getting out in to their garden more and clearing up flower beds (something else I need to start doing), and of course Mothers Day is just around, what great gifts these make.

I have also listed two pretty aprons in my Etsy shop . . .

I bought some cute material a few weeks ago and will finally get out my sewing machine again and start making more. The next aprons will be a little bigger , without the flower and longer ties to wrap around the front.

So, if I get on and ‘do stuff’, then I’ll have more ‘stuff’ to blog about right? RIGHT!

Sew Crafty!

Ever had a vision of something 'crafty' you want to do... and it came out exactly as you imagined it? I did just that this weekend :-) I had the urge to get my sewing machine out and I envisioned finally make the Amy Butler Lounge Pants from her In Stitches book. Not only did I envision making the pants in a classy black & white print, but I thought I could put a heart motif on a white tank/vest that I already had in my closet. I dashed out to JoAnn Fabrics on Friday afternoon, bought a few yards of material and made these on Saturday . . . . (imagine the before picture... just a piece of black and white fabric!)

I'm thrilled with how they turned out - wish I could say the same for the photos!

The pants are very comfy but I have another pattern that I made in a sewing class (nearly 2 years ago now) that I would try again, because I like that they aren't as wide in the leg. Here's a picture of those ones....

which I originally posted about on my knitting blog HERE. The possibilities are endless when it comes to using different prints. I might also make a matching 'draw-string' bag to put the pj's in, AND do some kiddie versions too ;-)

I'm linking this to Susan's Met Monday post.


I just found Kara's 'Look What I Made' Party so I thought I would link this post up to it, and go visit all the other lovely blogs to see what everyone else is making :-)

Also Linking to Sachiko at Tea Rose Home for her first Linky Party. . .