Year of Projects: Week 17

So updating my goals from the past couple of weeks: Yeah, I didn't do any of those things.  I pretty much had no mojo this past week...there was a lot going on at work and it was a stressful week (I'm feeling overwhelmed and just over this school year right now)....and I wasn't feeling the best (my allergies have kicked in)...several days, I just came home and slept....I didn't go to knit night on Thursday because I just couldn't "people" anymore. I did get my infusion on Tuesday, so I shouldn't have too much pain for the next couple of weeks...

This week, we start one of our state tests....the next three weeks are absolutely crazy at school!  I am not going to add any new goals, until I get some of these cleaned up.

On Saturday, I went to the Connecticut Sheep and Wool, I'll do a post later in the week...
On Sunday, I did work on some stash stuff....I updated my Ravelry Stash and some of my projects...I like to do that when my mojo is gone, it makes me want to work on things...

I did carry my Kiss Me, I'm Irish socks around with me, but only put a couple of rows on them...they are almost to the heels...so have to decide on the heels I want...

April 8-14 goals:
This week, my goals are:
- to finish the Zombie Valentines
- finish or close to finish the Kiss Me, I'm Irish
- Finish the first sock on Hudson Bay
- figure out and work the Fish Kiss Lips heel on Keep Swimming
- wind the yarn for the two sweaters planned
- possible start moving yarn totes up to attic room, after logging what's in each tote

April 15-21 goals:
- work on Kiss Me, I'm Irish and get to heels (at least)
- do that FLK heel on my Keep Swimming socks
- swatch for the Waves Tank
- pull out The Meandering Top and see where I'm at (it's been hibernating)

April 22-29 goals:
- complete the previous lists
- swatch for the Tegna top, the Vintersol sweater and the Rainbow Cardi  

So here is my list, although nothing has changed...

2018 Finished Projects:
Millennial Slytherin Mitts - Jan 6, 2018 
KG AMi - Jan 10, 2018
Shamrock Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Snowflake Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Elephant Reserve - February 11, 2018
Bunny Hat - February 12, 2018
Blue Wave - February 12, 2018
Folding Chairs - March 4, 2018
Jessica Jones 2 - March 7, 2018
Chicken Scratch Sock (test knit) - March 8, 2018 (only one sock)
Zombie Latte Socks (Zombie Valentine) - April 8. 2018
Fortune's Shawlette - April 11, 2018
Hudson Bay Socks - April 12, 2018
Chemo Hat for Deirdre - April 16, 2018 

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)-not sure he'd want this anymore, being a high school freshman and all, but I think I'll finish it for him. He is now a sophomore.
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I looked at this recently and I'm still liking it, so I'll keep it...maybe make it a baby blanket instead.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.
Throwback Poncho 2/19/17
 
Knit: 
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done, I put this in the giveaway yarn bags..not thrilled with colors....will use squares at school for water bottles..
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Think I'm going to frog and do different mitts or crochet them.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- why I may crochet the others...have these and still working on them, again cabling
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much!  Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Totally forgot about this...could get it done to wear in spring...I think I was debating whether to do the bottom ruffle...it's not a good placement for me...
Multnomah (8/21/16)- stuck on feather and fan edging, have too many stitches, in timeout. Stitch count continues to be off.
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, mitered blanket
Selbu Mitts - 3/26/18

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Carlos and Arne socks (July 3 2015)- using a 9" needle...keep losing stitches. 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...
Just Keep Swimming - (6/16/16) 
Muertos - 8/13/17
Games Socks- 2/15/18
I'm Irish - 3/3/18

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out.. 
Willow Fields (9/6/14) - ran out of yarn, waiting on yarn 
My Shelly Valentine (2/10/16) - should finish for this year's Valentine's Day, yeah, that did not happen


Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in, I used it this year without the lining...so may just call it a day on this.... 

 KAL/CALs: 
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

So that is it for now....oh I did see Avengers: Infinity War on Friday....so AWESOME!!

Stitch Along: Week 16

Good evening or morning.....I really have nothing today.....I have not worked on anything...I have acquired yarn, but haven't done any crafting....I've thought about it, even carried a project around...but just haven't actually worked on anything....

Just because:

Today was my infusion, so hopefully I'll be more or less pain-free for the next eight weeks....

So what have you worked on this past week?

Monday, What Am I Reading?

Good morning!  So I gave up on a book this week...the second Sadie Hartwell book, A Knit Before Dying. It was a slog to get through and I just couldn't anymore....I got about halfway through before giving up....and we had already renewed it from the library a couple of times...maybe I'll get back to it at some point...

Do you ever give up on books? I don't do it too often, but I will....

This is the new book I am reading with my high group.  The main characters are two fourth grade girls, Drita, a refugee from Kosovo and Maxie, an African-American girl who lost her mother in a car accident.  It's a great book showcasing friendship, even if you think someone is so different from you that you have nothing in common.  Maxie reminds me of some of the students I have had and one girl that I do have this year.  I have had many immigrant students, but none that I knew were actual refugees.  It was a very interesting read. It is told in both of their voices, alternating their point-of-view chapters.

Also, VERY EXCITING!!!  I met Patricia Polacco!!!!!  It was a little over an hour drive for me, but so worth it!  She brought me to tears.  She talked about her love for teachers and how she will always have our backs.  She talked about her Mr. Falker and she credits him with saving her life! It was just fabulous! If you have not read her books, I highly recommend her...my favorites are Pink and Say, An Orange for Frankie, Thundercake, and one of her holiday books, A Tree of Dancing Goats. Most people know The Keeping Quilt, which I think was her first big seller, but she has so many wonderful books, it really is hard to chose favorites.  I bought a couple for some friends, and then I bought a copy of Bully for her to sign for me.

Not the original, which is now in a museum.

It was such a great day!

We got an email from Barnes and Noble saying we had a credit for our nook and we had to use it by a certain date...so I bought John Scalzi's Lock In  I've only read a couple of his books, Old Man's War and Redshirts. I loved them both...he just came out with a sequel to this one, so I figured I'd get it...

So I'll be reading that this week...

If you'd like to join in...here are the people hosting:
Kathryn at The Book Date
Jen at Teachmentortexts
Kellee of Unleashingreaders

Year of Projects: Week 16

April 8-14 goals:
This week, my goals are:
- to finish the Zombie Valentines
- finish or close to finish the Kiss Me, I'm Irish
- Finish the first sock on Hudson Bay
- figure out and work the Fish Kiss Lips heel on Keep Swimming
- wind the yarn for the two sweaters planned
- possible start moving yarn totes up to attic room, after logging what's in each tote

April 15-21 goals:
- work on Kiss Me, I'm Irish and get to heels (at least)
- do that FLK heel on my Keep Swimming socks
- swatch for the Waves Tank
- pull out The Meandering Top and see where I'm at (it's been hibernating)

April 22-29 goals:
- complete the previous lists
- swatch for the Tegna top, the Vintersol sweater and the Rainbow Cardi 

Well not doing so great on those goals!  This week has not been a good week for crafting.  If you hadn't read my Wednesday's post...I was rear-ended on Monday and have been dealing with whiplash this week.  I was out of work on Monday and on Thursday.  Thursday I was having back spasms and was flat on my back for seven hours....so couldn't really crochet or knit in that position. 

I did get the yarn wound for the two sweaters...and yesterday at LYS day I bought yarn for a spring tee-shirt...The Tegna by Boyland Knitworks 

The color is just beautiful, grey, soft lilac, blue, some green

The colorway is Magician....

I also received some yarn from a friend who was in Finland over spring break.  I mentioned they had nice yarn and she found a yarn store....and was texting me at 4 in the morning to ask what I wanted!  She sent pictures of yarn...I picked the one on the left and she surprised me with the other skein...although her puppy thought it was for her..hence the chewed up ball band..

I love my friends!  I've gotten yarn from Ireland and Italy too....

So my list remains unchanged this week, except I had a finish of the chemo hat for my friend, Deirdre

I had also gotten her a signed copy of Thundercake from Patricia Polacco...

Today we walked in a marathon for her

That's most of us.....

2018 Finished Projects:
Millennial Slytherin Mitts - Jan 6, 2018 
KG AMi - Jan 10, 2018
Shamrock Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Snowflake Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Elephant Reserve - February 11, 2018
Bunny Hat - February 12, 2018
Blue Wave - February 12, 2018
Folding Chairs - March 4, 2018
Jessica Jones 2 - March 7, 2018
Chicken Scratch Sock (test knit) - March 8, 2018 (only one sock)
Zombie Latte Socks (Zombie Valentine) - April 8. 2018
Fortune's Shawlette - April 11, 2018
Hudson Bay Socks - April 12, 2018
Chemo Hat for Deirdre - April 16, 2018

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)-not sure he'd want this anymore, being a high school freshman and all, but I think I'll finish it for him. He is now a sophomore.
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I looked at this recently and I'm still liking it, so I'll keep it...maybe make it a baby blanket instead.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.
Throwback Poncho 2/19/17
 
Knit: 
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done, I put this in the giveaway yarn bags..not thrilled with colors....will use squares at school for water bottles..
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Think I'm going to frog and do different mitts or crochet them.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- why I may crochet the others...have these and still working on them, again cabling
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much!  Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Totally forgot about this...could get it done to wear in spring...I think I was debating whether to do the bottom ruffle...it's not a good placement for me...
Multnomah (8/21/16)- stuck on feather and fan edging, have too many stitches, in timeout. Stitch count continues to be off.
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, mitered blanket
Selbu Mitts - 3/26/18

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Carlos and Arne socks (July 3 2015)- using a 9" needle...keep losing stitches. 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...
Just Keep Swimming - (6/16/16) 
Muertos - 8/13/17
Games Socks- 2/15/18
I'm Irish - 3/3/18

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out.. 
Willow Fields (9/6/14) - ran out of yarn, waiting on yarn 
My Shelly Valentine (2/10/16) - should finish for this year's Valentine's Day, yeah, that did not happen


Bags:

Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in, I used it this year without the lining...so may just call it a day on this.... 

 KAL/CALs: 
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy
 

Stitch Along: Week 15

Damn!  Had the post almost done and it disappeared...and even though I saved it,  but it was gone....

So, mostly I've worked on the three projects that were completed last week.....but have also made a chemo hat for my friend...she requested a green hat with a big flower on it...

I also worked a bit on my Irish socks.....

but I was also like this for part of the day on Monday

I'm a little doped up on a muscle relaxer....I have whiplash from being rear-ended on the way to work yesterday morning!  The weather was all kinds of crappy, as were the roads....

He hit me so hard, he cracked the frame of my car.....I was stopped at a red light, he said he had stopped, but slid into me....This is the third time this car will need body work....I was rear-ended a few years ago (again because of crappy weather) and then when the garage fell on my car (again, weather related!)....I love my little Mazda...zoom-zoom!!!

Oh and I also wound most of the yarn for those two sweaters......

How about your week?  Please post and link back....not sure I'll keep this up, as I have so few people linking up...

Year of Projects: Week 15

Last week's goals:
This week, my goals are:
- to finish the Zombie Valentines
- finish or close to finish the Kiss Me, I'm Irish
- Finish the first sock on Hudson Bay
- figure out and work the Fish Kiss Lips heel on Keep Swimming
- wind the yarn for the two sweaters planned
- possible start moving yarn totes up to attic room, after logging what's in each tote

In addition, I have to make a poster for my friend, do the taxes (last year I can do the simple form on my own), clean the house.

I really liked having a weekly goals list, so think I might keep it up....So I finished the Zombie Valentines, and not only finished the first Hudson Bay, BUT finished the pair of Hudson Bays!  So I completed TWO pair of socks this week.  In addition, I also finished my Fortune's Shawlette...so a total of THREE projects this week!

I will be doing the taxes later today (remember that whole procrastinator thing I mentioned?) I also spent some time with friends (and got that poster finished) and spent time with the Hubs...was sick for about a day and a half....marathoned the tv show The Arrangement, did some shopping, yarn and other varieties....AND met Patricia Polacco!!!!!!!!

My finished post with the socks and shawlette is here, if interested...

Patricia Polacco has been my favorite children's author for years.  Meeting her was on my bucket list!! It was amazing hearing her speak and then meeting her....

I also stopped by Westport Yarns to browse...and picked up the new Knitscene and some yarn to make the Waves Tank..

So I am back to school tomorrow for the end of the year push...right now our final day is June 15 (was supposed to be June 6, damn snow days!) We have two state mandated tests coming up...one my students are used to taking, one is brand new....so I am brainstorming some ideas for behavior and this final push...

So this week's goals:
- work on Kiss Me, I'm Irish and get to heels (at least)
- do that FLK heel on my Keep Swimming socks
- swatch for the Waves Tank
- pull out The Meandering Top and see where I'm at (it's been hibernating)

I think that will be enough for the week.....and I still have the items from last week's goals

So my updated list:

2018 Finished Projects:
Millennial Slytherin Mitts - Jan 6, 2018 
KG AMi - Jan 10, 2018
Shamrock Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Snowflake Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Elephant Reserve - February 11, 2018
Bunny Hat - February 12, 2018
Blue Wave - February 12, 2018
Folding Chairs - March 4, 2018
Jessica Jones 2 - March 7, 2018
Chicken Scratch Sock (test knit) - March 8, 2018 (only one sock)
Zombie Latte Socks (Zombie Valentine) - April 8. 2018
Fortune's Shawlette - April 11, 2018
Hudson Bay Socks - April 12, 2018

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)-not sure he'd want this anymore, being a high school freshman and all, but I think I'll finish it for him. He is now a sophomore.
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I looked at this recently and I'm still liking it, so I'll keep it...maybe make it a baby blanket instead.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.
Throwback Poncho 2/19/17


Knit: 
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done, I put this in the giveaway yarn bags..not thrilled with colors....will use squares at school for water bottles..
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Think I'm going to frog and do different mitts or crochet them.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- why I may crochet the others...have these and still working on them, again cabling
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much!  Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Totally forgot about this...could get it done to wear in spring...I think I was debating whether to do the bottom ruffle...it's not a good placement for me...
Multnomah (8/21/16)- stuck on feather and fan edging, have too many stitches, in timeout. Stitch count continues to be off.
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, mitered blanket
Selbu Mitts - 3/26/18

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Carlos and Arne socks (July 3 2015)- using a 9" needle...keep losing stitches. 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...
Just Keep Swimming - (6/16/16) 
Muertos - 8/13/17
Games Socks- 2/15/18
I'm Irish - 3/3/18

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out.. 
Willow Fields (9/6/14) - ran out of yarn, waiting on yarn 
My Shelly Valentine (2/10/16) - should finish for this year's Valentine's Day, yeah, that did not happen


Bags:

Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in, I used it this year without the lining...so may just call it a day on this.... 

 KAL/CALs: 
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

Sock Yarn Swap

So this new group I found is having a sock yarn swap.....I have received my swappee and have done some stalking....so now I need to give some ideas about myself....

I post a Saturday Stash Acquisition post many Saturdays, so by looking back on those posts, you get an idea of what I buy....also my stash page is pretty up to date on Ravelry, just the acquisitions in the past month are not up to date....

1. I love self striping....I'm on a huge self striping kick right now....
2. I do have acrylic, but would not want it for socks.
3.  I do buy "commercial yarn," but most of my sock yarn is from indie dyers. I really try to support the small and local when I can...so an indie dyer local to you would be all kinds of awesome.
4. My favorite colors are greens, all kinds, but particularly chartreuse.  I have been trying to collect all the shades of chartreuse.   Purples would be next, and I've actually been keeping my eyes out for a nice self striping purple or gradient for socks...Then autumn colors.....The only color I really don't wear is peach.  If I do pink, it tends to be either a rose pink or a fuchsia type pink....and I don't do pastels...I like brights....
5. Gradients and varigates are great too....I have plenty of them, just on a self-stripe kick right now...I'm seduced by those Gobstopper balls....I don't have much solid or semi-solid in sock yarn, not against it, just don't tend to buy it for socks.
6. I am a SUCKER for any yarn that is themed to one of my many nerddoms....just to list a few...Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, HUNGER GAMES, Harry Potter, there are so many!!!  Jane Austen, Little Women, The Secret Garden (favorite book of ALL time) Anne of Green Gables (there has been a lot of these lately and I've gotten none - scratch that...did get some at Stitches United for a shawl), ET, Stranger Things, Travelers,...I could go on..and on...Wizard of Oz was my first love....I'd love any A Wrinkle in Time color or Patricia Polacco...(I've not seen any, but I'm going to meet her tomorrow - Screeeeeeeee!!!!)
7. I am Graceysgoodies on Instagram, but TammyG on Ravelry.....
8. My blog pretty much lets you know about me and my likes and dislikes....

I think that is a lot....and should give you a good idea of what I like.....happy stalking!!!