Impractical and practical projects

Here's what I made the other night when I was up until 1:45 a.m. Like I said, it's totally impratical, but it was fun to make.



I have made some practical items recently though. This is sock #1 to the Crusoe socks from Knitty. I realize that this project, too, is totally impractical if I never finish the second one. If only I could find that second skein of yarn . . .

I also made a Scribble Lace scarf for my friend's birthday. This is the first time I've used mohair and it is just heaven on the skin! I can't believe how warm this stuff is.



Then, here's a scarf I made for myself a few weeks ago using Liesel as a guide. I didn't want such a wide scarf, so I did just one pattern instead of the 2 repeats it called for. I just love leaves, don't you?

Finally, I hit a bit of knitting disaster tonight. I was chugging along on my Go Big Blue baby sweater for my nephew when I realized I had totally screwed up about 4 rows back. I just didn't have the patience to frog it tonight, so into the timeout bag it went. Grrr!



I have to finish it, though. Won't he just be adorable in it, with those big blue eyes?

Fireproof

I reluctantly went to see this movie tonight with 2 girlfriends. While I am a Christian, I often shy away from "Christian" entertainment, finding much of it a little cheesy and contrived. But I have to say that this movie was a nice surprise. It took me about 10-15 minutes to get into the story, but then it really pulled me in. The characters weren't the goody two shoes I had expected. They struggled with some very nasty problems and were not magically transformed overnight. I would recommend this movie to just about anyone.

It's 1:30 a.m. - Do you know where your felted project is?

Mine is in the washer, hopefully felting to perfection. I have become truly obsessed with this craft we call knitting. I sat down around 9:00 tonight with a project in my head - no pattern - just some inspiration. Here I am 4 1/2 hours later, waiting to see if it felts to become anything close to what I had in mind. Now, I have to be up at 6:00 a.m. to get myself ready for work and the kids off to school. Any sane person would have put the needles down and tucked herself in at least by 11:00, but NOOOOOOOOOO - not I.

In my defense, part of my nightowledness tonight was due to a movie I have been wanting to see - The Other Boleyn Girl - that I knew H would not want to see. So I indulged in some late night movie watching while I knit. But the movie has been over for a couple of hours now, so I will admit, it has been creative genius (madness) that has kept me up into the wee hours.

Yawn! The felting is done. The project is a little cutie pie, if I say so myself. It is extremely impractical, which makes it all the cuter. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. Right now, I've got to get a little shuteye. Or maybe cast on that second sock that's been haunting me . . .

Waxing nostalgic

Two weekends ago, I had the pleasure of reuniting with my 2 best friends from college, Tracey and Debbie. We had not been together as a threesome in 13 years, and even then, it was for Tracey's wedding, so there wasn't time for much chit chat. The last time we were together just to vist was in 1987 (wow!) just after I married and moved to Nashville.

Even after so many years, we were able to pretty much just pick up where we left off. We had plans to shop and eat and play, but we mostly just talked . . . and talked . . . and talked . . .

We talked about kids, husbands, exes, parents, old friends, old enemies, crazy things we did, how stupid we were about some things, how life has knocked us around a bit, but how good life is still.

Imagine my delight when I learned that Tracey had picked up knitting and crocheting. That opened up a whole new world for us to talk about. Debbie, who just doesn't get the whole "fiber" thing, thought we had joined the ranks of the elderly. I told her that she just didn't know how "cool" knitting and then promptly reminded her that she is the SAME AGE as us - in fact a few months OLDER. :) Then I pointed out the Jolly Roger (I have on the back of my Pacifica and asked if that looked like something an old lady would have. We'll just have to work on converting her.

As I drove away on Sunday, I was keenly aware of the passage of time. Where did it go? I remember those days with such clarity that it's hard to grasp how much life has happened to each of us since. I was letting myself slip into sadness, wondering how long it would be before we would see each other again. But then I realized how lucky we were to have had this weekend and to have shared our memories.

Thanks, guys, for being friends through the years, over the many miles, and despite my complete lack of communication. Next time, we won't wait another 13 years. And next time, we'll bring extra yarn and knitting needles for you, Debbie!