Another knitting project complete!  This is the Garden Mice Mobile I started from Susan B. Anderson‘s book Itty-Bitty Nursery.  Elias is too big for it now, but baby #2 will be able to enjoy it from day 1.

After the mice were all complete, I thought I’d let them have some time together before I hung them in their places.  They shared some giggles in the knitting basket and then moved on to some story time.

Here is the mobile all set up on the crib.  (It has to come down before Elias takes his morning nap, or I’m afraid it will need some repair.)

It really is adorable, and it got an A+ from Tony which is a true test for any knitting project.

Last fall I caught myself softly laughing as I carried a bag of newly purchased yarn to my car.  I was overwhelmed with the pure joy of living and enjoying so many different things.  Knitting, quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, gardening, baking, reading, music…maybe even cleaning cloth diapers.

Today I finished knitting my very first sock.  Tony looked over at me at one point and asked if it was worth it.  Oh yes it is.  Maybe it is the slow pace of progress, the gentle clicking of the needles, the connection to women of the past who depended on knitting socks for their families, the sheer thrill of making something…I don’t know.  But I do know it is totally worth it.

Tonight I am knitting on another project that I started last year.  I am listening to a book on tape.  Wishing I could also listen to newly discovered knitting podcasts.  Thinking I should be able to read and knit at the same time.  Taking a break from knitting to read a little bit of Growing a Farmer: How I Learned to Live Off the Land.  Dreaming of growing my own farm.  Realizing that tomorrow I need to bake bread.  Looking up a hard roll recipe from the author of “Growing a Farmer.”  Is it too late…9:52pm…to start a batch of hard rolls??  Yes it is, but there is always tomorrow.  Bottom line–I love life.  And all the things I listed above don’t even include my champion of a husband, or the little wonder breathing deeply in his crib, or the tiny being just beginning to make his movements known to his happy mama.  I love life!  Thank you God for small details and big moments that bring a smile to my face.

I told myself that I couldn’t go to the yarn shop until all the projects on my needles were finished.  (4 projects.)  Well I modified that rule and said I could go to the yarn shop as long as I didn’t cast on any new projects until the 4 started ones were finished.  So 1 down!  I finished Elias’ sweater, and as I thought, it is a bit big, but I think it will work this coming fall/winter.

I am pleased with the result, although it is rather difficult to really tell since it doesn’t fit him well yet.

Into the hope chest it goes now to wait a few months.  It will come out smelling like cedar which is so perfect for fall.

1 down, 3 to go!  I have about 1/2 a sleeve left on my old-school sweater.  I’m almost out of yarn and I don’t think I’ll make it….oh boy.

With baby #2 approaching this summer, I am in a total “finish old projects” mood.  I pulled out this old runner top that was kind of a failed pattern idea and quilted it up.  I actually really like the finished piece, and I am soooo happy with my decision on how to quilt it.  Simple and easy.  I also didn’t want to use my basting spray since I am pregnant, so I went with the pinning method to tack my layers together.

I moved on to thinking about some of my unfinished knitting projects.  Remember Elias’ Christmas sweater?  then it turned into his birthday sweater. Now it is “better hurry up and get this done before spring” sweater.  The last couple of days we have been stuck inside with a nasty storm, so I have made some great progress on it.  Only problem is, is it is looking rather large.  Last night I checked my gauge and then I pulled some of Elias’ sweaters out that fit right now to compare.  Yes, this new sweater is BIG!  I guess better that than too small but…  So this will be his next fall/winter sweater and we will hope that it fits.  There is always baby #2 if sizing/timing doesn’t work out for Elias.  After all it is another BOY!

Just this morning I pulled out this very old project.  It is a sweater I started in college.  The yarn is not great…Walmart quality…and the color I picked…hmmmm…  It will be old-school.  I still want to finish it though.  memories.

Last week I was in a crafty mood and my hands were busy doing something many hours of the day.  I had 2 hand projects on the living room couch and any spare moment I had I picked up a needle of some sort.

I finished the top to “Bloom.” I still have to do all the machine blanket stitching around the appliques.  I’ll need to mentally pump up for that before I tackle it.  Not the greatest picture of it…should have turned the lamp off on the right side…oops.  I think if we have a little girl this would be darling on one wall of her bedroom.  We shall see in a couple weeks…

I also knitted up another “Bunny Tail” hat for a new baby.

Next item in my brain–starting to think about Valentine’s Day.  Let’s just say homemade love notes + sweet cookies + forcing bulbs!