Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Returned home . . .

Well, I am back. I've been back for a few days. I spent a week in Florida and didn't see much sun. I was in St. Pete's and it was beautiful and warm, by Michigan standards, but we didn't get outside much. I was in a Leadership Development program that was amazing - but, it was inside.

I did take knitting along and got a bit done. I worked on the Marquis Gauntlets and the Noro Striped Scarf - a bit - here and there.

I didn't bring back any souveniers at all. I didn't have a rental car so I was limited to what what within walking distance. There were some wonderful restaurants and touristy places but no fiber fanatic help. I heard about a lovely shop but it was 7 miles away. While I was walking quite a bit - it was just too far.

Today, I finished the Marquis Gauntlets from elann.com. They are wonderful and, of course, photos will follow. Now, of course again, I want to start something new but, I won't. I am dedicated to working on UFOs and I must do that. I will work on the Noro Striped Scarf next. I do plan to do a beret to match - yikes! that would be new! I won't be buying any new yarn, though - so, I think that it still counts towards UFO completion.

Now, to knit.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Travel Souveniers

Well, I am, once again, on a yarn diet. Okay - not really a diet but a life style change. I may still buy yarn but, I won't use it right away. As I may have mentioned, I am trying to finish some UFOs this year. I want to get some projects done so that I can start new with a clear conscience.

Part of this is so that I can knit more for myself. It seems that I end up knitting so much for others that I don't get my projects done. So, I am going to try to avoid taking knitting requests this year. If I knit for others, it will be with Yule gifts in mind.

What does this have to do with travel, you ask? I can understand your confusion so I will explain. Because I am trying to use what I have and to pare down my projects, I probably won't be buying so much yarn that doesn't get knit right away. It seems that I use the purchase of fiber to help to fill my creative urges. When I don't have time to knit (or weave or sew), I buy materials instead. So, I am thinking that if I am actually knitting(or weaving or sewing), then the urges will be sated and I won't need to buy as much. Makes sense, right? Okay - follow me here . . . more knitting and less buying means I don't get to yarn stores much because I'll have less reason to go to my LYS. I won't get to see the new stuff and fondle the new fibers.

But, I travel for work and for play. When I travel, I like to bring back trinkets to remind me of where I was and when. Well, who needs another seashell toilet paper cover or a set of 50 state spoons? My plan is to visit local yarn stores in my travel destinations. I may, if the urge strikes, buy yarn from those foreign LYSs. But, because I will be travelling, I won't be adding to my stash. Oh, no!! Instead, I will be gathering souveniers from my travels. See? I knew you'd get it.

By the way, I am headed to Florida in a couple of weeks. I am traveling for work, really!!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

The Knitting Resolution

Well, well, well . . . another new year and the potential for more New Year's Resolutions. Yes, I could vow to do more blog posts. True, I could vow to be more organized. Right enough that I could manage my time better. All grand and potential resolutions but they aren't practical. I find that if I set my plans for such lofty ideals, I won't meet them. Then, I'll self-judge, disappoint myself and just fall off into an abyss of recrimination.

Okay, okay - it wouldn't be that bad - but, why set myself up for the possibility.
Instead, I am going to try to do something a bit different. I am going to participate in the Finishapalooza 2008 mentioned by Miss Violet (and others) of Lime and Violet fame. It has also come up on Ravelry.

So, I am going to try to avoid beginning new project and, rather, will strive to finish existing projects. We'll see how it goes. I've got a good number of them started and would like to see some results. I do have an Annie Modesitt corset that isn't started. I believe that might be the big 2008 project. I'd like to do it for myself for October (the Witches Ball). It is a goal, anyway.

Til then. . . resolution knitting commences.