WIPs (Works in Progress)

CRAFT: I'm still working my way through my stash and actually feeling inspired to do all the shelved knitting projects that i never got around to. So I've been making a lot of little projects, a couple hats, two pairs of fingerless mitts, some new knitting class projects for my classes at Top Drawer Yarn Studio.
I'm continuing with this and have started on an alternative felted slipper project so that my class will have intermediate and beginner plus versions. Wahoo! I'm working on improving Ella Rae's Persian Slipper pattern and working it in Cascade Ecological. I'm hoping that students will share yarn and swap colours to get truly unique projects!

The next big projects I'm planning right now are a coffee table for my living room made out of an old basement window and a patchwork wall hanging.

Mel is having a baby so I'm dreaming of all the fantastic knitted gifts I'll make for her little bean. I already gifted a two-colour baby version (4 increases instead of 6) of Stemwinder and so am going to update the pattern with both versions. I've decided that I like her partner because she said he would put a baby boy in a magenta sweater. That's perfect because that is what I want to make them. In my thrift  haul from the other day I snagged a vintage pattern book with the sweetest sweater. It's got a lace flower pattern around the neck, wow. I want to update the pattern and use Sweet Georgia Worsted. It's beautiful but Superwash wool is kind of icky but useful for baby knits. I think I'll just go ahead and do it.

OH! And one of the most exciting things that I'm working on is a photo shoot with a Asia. I'm going to shoot a bunch of my new and old projects and re-publish or publish them and have them printed on thicker card stock ala ChurchMouse. Love!

I'm also having a bunch of my old ink cartridges refilled (70% savings!) at a local print shop and am going to play around making stationary by copying images from old books that I've collected.

I've been planning a tattoo from Handsome Cabin Boy Tattoo soon (I should book, now?). It's been  a while since I've had work done so I've almost forgotten how much it hurts. I'm thinking about a design for the other arm or should I leave that one alone and finish my forearm and do my other leg? I can't decide which to do. I also want to add to the background of my right arm so I should do that now?  Robyn says I need to take it easy or I'll be covered head to toe before I'm 40. So what? hmmm.

COMMUNITY: We had a derby game on Saturday (my first of the season) and yesterday I felt like I was hit by a truck, the feeling is fading though I have no voice left. We've got a bout debrief meeting set for Thursday before practice and then we'll be welcoming our new recruits! Can't wait. I love to meet new skaters who watched the bout and want to join immediately. It's awesome!

My KAL is starting a new project on Friday night. We'll be doing Amiga from Knitty's Spring/Summer issue from last year in Noro Kureyon sock. I'm going to do a short sleeve version out of the Silk Garden Sock. I only have one ball of my colourway and Dar used 2 balls of Kureyon (more yardage per ball too). Wish me luck! I've got to do a little work to figure out my plan of attack. Oh and I should think of something to make for the group to snack on while we are there...

KITCHEN: I suck in the kitchen lately. The only reason I've stayed alive over the last few days is because of my granola and milk diet. I've been soaking the granola for 1/2hour in milk or so then devouring it. Whoa yum. 

I did make a couple batches of Martha's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from her Baking Handbook the other day! WOW. These are the best oatmeal cookies I have ever had. Salty, sweet, butter free, uses maple syrup and brown sugar. I think that spelt (gluten free) flour could be substituted no problem, you'd just have to find wheat-free oats to make them gluten-free. I'll be making more soon, maybe for the KAL?