The Eagle Has Landed!!!

The Frugalhaus bag is done! And despite the ugly RH yarn, it is adorable. I got home from work this morning and just flat out decided I was not going to bed until I sewed the bottom on. This afternoon (after what seemed like a mere 5 hours of sleep) I brought my overdue library books back in my new bag (yay!) to pay my (gasp) $15 fine - and that was after a break from the library lady. (I hate to put a squash on reading but we're going to have to limit the number of books checked out at the Gary household.)

Back to the bag. I am definitely making more of these. I think these will become little project bags. It took either 6 or 8 ounces to make this bag and it's quite tall. I think the subsequent bags will be squattier (is that a word?) with a nice cable down the center. That would be cute, cute, cute!

Bag Almost Done, Videocast, Not...

I've almost got the Frugalhaus bag done. All I have left is a few more rows on the bottom and then sew it on. I sized the bag up a little so naturally, I don't have quite enough yarn. Somewhere is a hat I made with this yarn which will probably be frogged (once I find it) since I don't really like it very much. I do like the looks of this bag, tho'. This will become my library book bag.

The video podcast is another story. I'm working nightshift, 6 days a week for 12 hours a day and just can't seem to find the time to get to it. I am sooooo tired everyday; my work is very physical and the hours are heinous. I get the kids ready and off to school in the morning after work and try to spend a few minutes before I go to sleep to knit or read. I guess the podcast will have to wait. Sorry.

Loom Podcast in the Future?

Well, I just about have a loom knitting video podcast ready. I used my little instructional videos, pictures from my gallery, a few splash screens and voila! video podcast. I'm doing the voice over now and hope to have it up on iTunes next week.

Stitches Midwest

I went to Stitches Midwest earlier this month. I was going to have all these pictures and information to add to my blog but such is not the case. WTF! No cameras?! I was completely disappointed and will probably not attend another Stitches ever. I have attended loads of scrapbooking and rubber stamping conventions and never once did they prohibit taking pictures. I won't buy the pattern now nor the yarn because I can't remember what it friggin' looks like! Me thinks they are idiots.

World's Worst Blogger

I have to admit, I am the world's worst blogger. I just cannot seem to find the time to blog. I spend plenty of time reading other's blogs so you'd think I would be inspired to write in my own, but alas, such is not the case.

I have been knitting. I just finished knitting a baby bib and two wash cloths. Pretty boring, huh? I'm now knitting this shopping tote found on Frugal Knitting Haus.
I plan to knit projects like these to use up my acrylic yarn stash. At one time, I acquired a huge amount of acrylic yarn as payment for helping a blind women organize her knitting stash. She was an incredible knitter and an incredible yarn horder. Initially I thought this was a great thing. I have young kids and knitting things in acrylic yarn just made sense for the durability and washability factor.

But I have become a yarn snob. To tell you the truth, I thought this would never happen because I am CHEAP but it seems that all my frugal sense escapes me when I get in a real yarn store.

I Have Been Knitting, Really...

OK, so I haven't been posting so much. I really have been knitting but with the holidays and work, I haven't had any time to report on my latest activities. I even have trouble popping off an email or two to my mom in florida.

Let's see, what have I done lately (or in the middle of doing):

I did finish a hat and mitten set for myself. finally, something for me.

I've picked up the mitten and sock bug recently. so much fun and so quick to make. I've also fallen in love with knitting in the round on (gasp) double pointed needles. I've knit several pairs of mittens and a pair of socks.

When I was in Florida in December I picked up a bunch of super bulky yarn from Joann's. It was in the clearance bin for $1.50! I've decided to knit a nice bulky vest to wear around the house when the days are cold. I have one front side done and I just can't believe how fast this stuff knits up!

Oh, and the best thing! My husband coaches my daughter's basketball team and this past weekend we had a pizza party for the team at our home. Picture this, I'm trapped in the house with seven loud, out-of-control preteen girls. Now, this may sound weird from a mother of three but I don't like kids too much. Especially loud ones. So, needless to say, my nerves were getting just a little frazzled after about an hour. So, I pull out my trusty knitting to grasp a few minutes of sanity. Next thing I know, I have 4 girls sitting around wanting to knit. Several of them already knew how to knit so I just directed them toward the needles and yarn. A couple of them wanted to learn so I did my best to get them started. I don't think they were successful but at least they were quiet for a little while. My daughter also taught one of them how to knit on a loom. But the best thing is that later on my daughter came to me and asked me to teach her how to needle knit. She has always turned me down before when I would offer to show her so I was absolutely ecstatic when she asked me. Of course, I didn't let my happiness show. I made sure she thought she was bothering me lest I scare her off.

Oh yeah, my daughter picked up the needle knitting right away. I'm so proud.

Loomknit One Skein Wonder

I've been working on the loom knit OSW for myself. I tried it on last night...doesn't quite fit. Matter of fact, I just about gave myself a panic attack when I tried it on and sort of got it stuck on my shoulders. Jeez, it must have been a comical sight from a distance...overweight, middle-aged woman, half-naked with this knitted "monkey" stuck on her back. I was afraid I was going to have to call my husband to remove it. I think I need to add another oh, maybe a hundred rows or so.

Here it is so far: