Alex's New Place

My oldest son, Alex, just moved out.  He moved to the dorms at Georgia Tech and is taking a couple of summer classes there.  It's a little hard for me, but I'm very excited for him.  He's already settled in and is having a great time.  The guys who live on his floor at the dorms have all formed a band and enjoy playing songs for the girls on the floor below.  The guys also get out of their rooms to go play soccer, basketball and frisbee after dinner.  Alex is meeting a lot of new people and is learning his way all around campus.  I think this is a great way for him to get started on his college life before the frenzy of freshmen start in the fall semester.  We're very glad that he's doing so well!

Tyler is enjoying a fun summer of hanging out and playing video games.  He got to move into his brother's old room in the basement so he's been keeping cool even in the 100+ degree temperatures.

I've been very busy, as usual, with my crafting.  I just finished a short-sleeved cardigan and am working on a pair of beaded socks right now.  And lots of spinning the past few days!  Over on Ravelry, there is an event called "The Tour de Fleece", and the dates coincide with the Tour de France.  You set goals for yourself and try to see if you can make or exceed those goals.  My goals are to spin some new fibers, spin at least 15-20 minutes a day, and spin at least one of my Loop bumps.  The Tour started on June 30th, so I finished up what was on my wheel and yesterday I started on my first Loop bump.






I love the Loop bump!  It drafts so easily and thinly, and the colors are wonderful.  I'm planning on Navajo plying it when I'm done spinning the singles.

I started with the center of the bump, which is a mossy green, and today I finished spinning that color and moved onto a light green and then a pale blue-purple color.  It's so much fun!

Happy crafting, everyone!

Graduation Time!

Mother's Day is tomorrow!  Happy Mother's Day to my mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.  They have all inspired me in one way or another.  I hope to enjoy a quiet Mother's Day at home with my boys.

Speaking of my boys, it's hard to believe, but my oldest baby boy is graduating from high school this year.  He will be attending Georgia Tech, and we're very proud of him.  He wants to study computer science, and there are several areas within computer science that he will also study.  On top of that, my youngest baby boy will be starting high school in the fall.

It's been a busy crafting time as well!  I've been spinning quite a bit, and still feel like I'm learning a lot.  Mostly I've just been practicing getting fiber to the thickness that I would like.  I've also been knitting and crocheting, making everything from a cardigan sweater to a shawl to socks to dishcloths.  I'm currently working on a pair of socks, some coasters and a dishcloth for my mom, and another cardigan sweater.

Happy Crafting, everyone!

Happy Birthday to Me!

It's my 43rd birthday today!  It's been an awesome birthday day/weekend.  My mom was here visiting over the long weekend, and she bought me something that I've been wanting for quite a while now...A SPINNING WHEEL!  I had decided on the Lendrum DT Complete, and mom very unexpectedly ordered it for me!  We ordered it on Friday afternoon, it shipped later on Friday, and it's due to arrive any time now.  This is so exciting!  I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to spinning wheels, so there will be a very steep learning curve.  The website that we ordered the wheel from, ParadiseFibers.net, is sending along a free DVD that shows how to put the Lendrum together, and I've also downloaded a basic how-to-spin video.  I don't know that I will show pictures of my first handspun, but hopefully I will quickly get better with some practice!

I'm still working on my Lexi cardigan, I just finished both of the front button bands and I'm about to start on the sleeves.  Also still on the needles is the Lacy Cocoon Sweater, which is my car knitting, so it's coming along slowly.

Happy crafting, everyone!

February Crafty Fun

It's February already!  Time just seems to go by so quickly.  I went to my first Atlanta Knitting Guild meeting!  Their meetings are generally on the first Thursday of the month, so I went to the February meeting, which was last Thursday, February 2nd.  I met lots of new people, made a new friend (hi Diana!) and just had a really good time.  I plan on going to more meetings as much as I can! 

I got my Ribbed Ribbon Socks finished by the end of January, and they turned out great!  I really like them.  I used Malabrigo Sock Yarn in the Persia colorway, and I like how they striped/pooled.

I've also still been working hard on my Lexi cardigan, and I've made great progress on that.  I made it to the halfway point on February 1st, and my goal is to finish it by the end of March at the very latest.

The other big project on my needles right now is my Lacy Cocoon Sweater. This is the 3rd time I've made this sweater, the 1st one was for my sister and the 2nd one was for my mom.  This one is for me, so it's a little bit larger than the other two, but it's coming along pretty well.  I'm still working the stockinette section, but it's a nice break from the moss stitch of the Lexi cardigan.  I like the fabric of the sweater, it's made by alternating rows of a worsted weight yarn with a lace weight yarn.

 One more thing on the needles is a pair of fingerless gloves for my youngest son.  I'm using Knit Picks Brava yarn, which is 100% acrylic, but it's sooo soft!  I'm really enjoying using it.

I've been a busy crafter!  Lots of in progress pics this week.  I also have spinning!  I've been working on spinning some yarn on my spindle as a gift for a chickie friend of mine.  I'm more than halfway done with the spinning, but then I will need to ply the yarn as well, since this will be my first plied yarn it will be a two-ply.  No pics yet since it's a surprise for her!
Hope everyone is having a productive and crafty month!