Flying by

I have no idea how it was so long ago that I was in this space. Everything is fine - super busy! We are almost to December already. Seriously.

There has been lots of knitting, wedding planning, stuff at work, etc. So much going on but like I said, all good.

Rather than bore you with a narrative, here are some images since I've last been in this space.

 Fall

Herbivore shawl progress

Odin and Louie

Handknit socks for my sweetie

 Baby quilt

Westies

 Forward

Less than 8 months 'til we get hitched!

 (Engagement pic by Tammy Swales)

Addicted

We may have a problem.

I'm now addicted to knitting shawls. I'm on number 3.

This might not actually be a problem because a) I am a scarf/cowl/shawl/wrap person the minute the slightest hint of fall settles in and b) I'm only allowing myself to use my stash or buy wool for one project at a time (and fortunately, shawls don't need that much wool).

Seriously folks. It's not even cold out and I'm on #3. (Evidence on Ravelry).

Who wants a shawl for the holidays? I'll start taking orders now...

 Ferrous

Ishbel

Wool, now on the needles for Traveling Woman

Hot

DC has ridiculous summers. Seriously. I'm done. It's TOO HOT. Though I must say, today is the first day in a while that I would actually not pout about. I'm sitting here with the windows open... and it only hit 89 today (ONLY?!).

Even more hilarious: I'm the crazy girl who is knitting in this heat. Sitting here in shorts/tee shirt, happy knitting and purling away on cowls and shawls. Totally nuts, I know.

I go through these phases with knitting but I think I'm officially back into it. It really was only one phase and that's because quilting has sort of taken over for the past few years...but now that I'm comfortable with my quilting, it's like I finally have room for both again! Heehee.

Come follow along with my knitting and stashing madness on Ravelry.

Inspiration

I love finding inspiration in unexpected places. My sweetie is a HUGE Olympics enthusiast (we have been staying up late every night to watch - especially the amazing Michael Phelps) and the determination, commitment, and passion that I see in the athletes definitely gives me a source of inspiration for my own passions.

I've been knitting for almost 15 years and while for the past few years quilting has taken the lead over yarn, I've recently picked up my needles again. I consider myself a solid knitter and always found it comforting as well as productive. I usually didn't knit in the summer but when we went to Maine last month, I decided to bring along some projects. I'm really glad I did because it totally kickstarted my knitting mojo. I'm determined to finish projects that have been hanging out on the needles for years, not to mention have added a few new ones. Knitting for me has - and probably always will - be an incredible comforting, fun activity. There's something so amazing about the feel of yarn, especially with so many beautiful hand-painted skeins out there. Not to mention, DC has a fantastic LYS: Looped, which is only 2 Metro stops from my apartment!

In addition to a number of knitting projects (check out my Ravelry page), I've been quilting away, mainly focusing on a baby quilt for a colleague, who is expecting her first nephew in about 2 weeks. Her brother and SIL chose a robot theme for the nursery so I made a quilt to match!

Robot quilt - all ready for quilting. Going to do simple lines so that the softness of the fabric and the fun prints are the main focus.

 Some delicious Tosh DK (purchased here - and all discontinued colors are on sale! So dangerous!)

Enjoy Sunday everyone - my sweetie is off, helping his bro move (to Colorado!) so Louie and I have the apartment to ourselves and are definitely making a mess. :-)

Ferrous shawl

I finally finished my Ferrous Shawl! This is my first completed shawl. Let me tell you - it started out shaky and then I got the hang of it...then had a bit of a blip at the end. Silly me, didn't do a gauge so I ran out of yarn with about 7 rows to go. Doh! Fortunately, the yarn isn't too expensive and I got it at my LYS. Now I just have to soak this and then block it. Oh yeah, and wait for chillier temps...

[Check out my Ravelry page for more info]

One year from today

On an non-craft related note...

One year from today is my wedding day!!! I'm so excited that I get to marry my best friend, my soul mate, and my better half. We have a bottle of bubbly waiting for us in the fridge to toast tonight.

Have a great weekend all!

Wordless vacation post

Still pining for the pine trees

Couldn't resist the "punny" title. We're back from another fabulous week in Maine and I'm in serious post-vacation depression. :-( It was glorious: lots of reading, relaxing, beaching, knitting, and quality time with my sweetie. We had so much fun and were able to really reflect on what has been a totally insane year (the last time we were there, we were signing our lease for our current apartment and planning to move a month later!). It was really important to get away and take some time to think about "bigger" stuff without the day-to-day stresses. More on that and pictures to come...


Daily routine


The quiet porch


Knitting progress

Summer and all things lovely

So yeah. I'm a bad blogger. But as my real life makes me sit in front of one of these screens for extensive periods, I find that while there is lots of crafting, cooking, playing outside, etc. I'm not really in the mood to spend more time in front of these time-sucking machines than necessary. I promise you, I think about blogging often!

But seriously, as the weather gets nicer and work truly does mean a full day in front of the computer, I'm less inclined to hang out here. I know you understand.

Life is good. Busy but good. Wedding planning continues leisurely (we're almost hitting the 1 year mark though so it'll kick into high gear soon). There are plenty of quilty and recently rediscovered knitting projects, cooking and drinking, and general warm weather enjoyment. At the end of this week, we're off to Maine, for what will be our 3rd summer trip together. Lobsters, sand, nature, books, friends, and general relaxation, even for Louie.

hope everyone is enjoying the start to summer. I've found that I obsessively document my life, regardless of how interesting others may find it...

 

(Follow me on Instagram @bighairforpeace.)