2018

So I started a binder - it is holding the patterns of things I definitely want to knit this year. And on the pocket of the back side of the binder I put a table listing the items and all 12 months.......

And I have already checked off 2 items for January. I am hoping/planning/wishing to do a hat each month for http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/Little-Hats-Big-Hearts so that I will have 12 to send to them instead of just 4. And so I have made the first one - for January - and put a check mark in the box.

Every year I am determined to make a teddy bear each month for my friend to take to Ethiopia when she goes with http://www.doctorsgivingback.org/. And each year I miserably fail (just gave her 4 - a measly FOUR to take this year). Well January;s bear is in the totebag and there is a check mark on the calendar!

Do I think I will really accomplish what I have set out to do?
No.
But I am really trying this year instead of just talking the talk.....

And at some point I have to relearn how to crochet to make the little gifts I want to do for Christmas this year - which means more than 12 of them but they are not very large .....

Do Not Buy THIS Item Part 2

But for a different reason!
I am afraid if I recommend a trip to Trader Joe's for these delicious croissants - then the supply will be wiped out (which has happened for my husband's ice tea there - and the dog goodies we like!).

Got these on a whim to try - believing too good to be true - and they would be all dough and no filling - but I was wrong!

But I will warn you - it is hard to eat just one!

DO NOT BUY THESE ITEMS!

 You see that photo? Well, apparently that mug is from a dollhouse tea set. Because one pouch does NOT make a mug/tea cup full! It barely covered about 1/4 of the mug. And look at the calories and the carbs considering this is not even equal to one slice of cake - and there is NO frosting!

And check this  one out! Let me make a comparison for you.....a package of Sugar Babies - SUGAR BABIES - sugar and corn syrup etc - is 190 calories!!!!!!!! And ONLY (in comparison to these) 44 carbs!!!

Really folks - if it wasnt still hot when I was trying to eat it - it was probably MAYBE 4 spoonfuls to eat.....

2 pouchs/box and they were $2.50 at Walmart.

Can we spell RIP OFF???????????

Bit The Bullet

And took 2 items into be framed - the kitty cat which will be a Christmas present for granddaughter and the USA one since that is the holiday represented in my stitching the comes the first.

Holey Moley!

So expensive even at the supposed 70% off!!!

The person helping me was very low key and no pressure.....explained everything.....was patient as I tried different things.

I think I will be happy especially since she said of course they stitch the pieces onto the board since they are stitchery - but I could have them taped if I wanted but they do not recommend it. I remember when I first started having things framed at Michael's there were no choices.....then you had to request and pay extra for the stitching. Glad to see they have upped their expertise!

2018 - year of clearing out!

Yup, time to start clearing out. Already started when we were putting our Christmas stuff (as little as we put out) away. Went thru the 4 bins and sorted things to be thrown out and things to be donated.

Now I have found a whole lotta things that need to be finished. In most cases it is cross stitch from the 90's that needs to be framed. Some need to be finished. Found one of a pair of socks but no pattern and doesnt look like enough yarn for a 2d one.....found the pattern for a pair of sock 1/2 done - Yahoo!

Threw out an awful acrylic stocking I had started. Kept the remainder of the yarn....

Have started a binder with projects that I plan to make this year - cause I get these ideas and forget until the very last minute. And on the back I put a table which I can check off what is done. I am always saying I am going to make a teddy bear each month for Sharon to take to Ethiopia....well, that is on the table with monthly blocks to check off.....and I only made 4 hats for the Little Hats/Big Hearts campaign, so that is on the table for monthly check offs too.

Will I be 100% successful? Probably not - but it is a start at changing some habits!

 Now this doesnt look finished - but do I think I can find the pattern??? Ha! If I was invested in this enough I could add some sort of border......and I should.......and then it could be made into a picture or a pillow

 Wonder what I had in mind for this flock of ladybugs? Maybe scissor fobs?? Any suggestions?

 This was hard to photograph because it is so pale - creams, peaches...but it is lovely. I think it will be framed instead of made into a bell pull type of hanging

 I should definitely get this one framed first!!

 Cant remember which magazine this came from....and it was once framed....but the frame broke. So time to reframe it

 And look at this - who knew in 1991 that this would be perfect for a granddaughter??? I think I made this in honor of Pretty Kitty/Kat because it look like her. Anyway, will get this framed and give it to my granddaughter for Christmas or her birthday. But of course it is on white so it is dirty so it is soaking right now (already pressed everything else pictured here)

 Who knows where this pattern came from???!!! And those must be stems for something....shamrocks? Flowers? I will have to come up with something to finish it and then get it framed

 I think this - and the next two - were supposed to be Christmas ornaments. And I do have several of those little pillows that you place stitched pieces into. Just have to go out and buy some fray check for the edges.....if I had a sewing table set up (ha! referring to my Christmas 2017 list....) I could jsut whip stitch/zip zag the edges....

 I know who this was made for....but I think it was supposed to be for a picture for his office. Guess it will become a pillow instead....

I think I have the frame for this. if I can find a board for the frame I could do this one myself. If I cant find a board looks like I will be looking for a new frame.....I think this one is so sweet

I might have to get a 2d job to pay for all this framing.....

Who knows what else I will find? I did find some lovely sock yarn that will go with one of my patterns for my Sock Challenge for the year....