Now accepting Revolution Money Exchange!
In my etsy shop :)
Revolution Money Exchange (or RME) is an alternative to paypal that allows buyers and sellers to send and transfer money for free (Yes, no fees!) RME is FDIC insured, a real bank, so be prepared to give your SSN (it is a banking rule) and unfortunately, only open to those of us in the US. For a limited time, RME is giving all new account holders $25 and if you link through me, I get a referral bonus (in the interest of full disclosure). This $25 bonus is supposed to go until May 15. Let's see if this button works:
Stash update
So I have not have much time to do anything lately... It seems I fell down on my stash posting too... The cards (used for tracking skeins and projects yarn was used for) are handy. For March I used 9 skeins and acquired one as a gift. In April, I have only used 3 skeins and it is not likely I will use more in the next 3 days although anything is possible. So that is -12 skeins for two months.
Most of the yarn used was wool. Turned into blankets for charity (animal shelter size)
I did a better job of patterning and color matching on the second one.
Of course, there were a bunch of cotton cloths (even more than these!)
My latest works are these modified ballband style swiffer-esque covers. I'm in love with the ball band :) Easy to use and wash, ready for next time!
Labels: knitting
Leap day blooms
Why the photo is not rotated correctly, I have no idea... but this is what I came home to on Friday :)
Knitting progress for February... I only finished three skeins of yarn. Two for the lily cardigan and one cotton skein. My time was apparently spent some place else... studying? at least in part... The upside, I did not purchase any new skeins on February! I have alot to use up!
First Monday and updates
ETSY Sale!
Etsy Texas Crafters First Monday
25% off list price of any items at
2muchstuff2dayUpdate: I failed miserably on my knitting progress in January. I purchased 34!! skeins and only knit 5... Most of the yarn was for three sweaters, so once I finish those, the quantity will be reduced :)
Labels: etc first monday
Baby hats and bibs
Baby hats and bibs... cute and knit from super soft 100% cotton for baby's sensitive skin :)
Check them out at my
etsy shop!
Labels: baby, etsy, knitting
Etsy Texas Crafters First Monday Sale
Today, take 25% off the current list price in my etsy shop (
2muchstuff2day.etsy.com)
Lots of other great specials by other Etsy Texas Crafters
See this thread for some of the links: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5402123
Labels: etc first monday
Knitting resolutions
Knitting resolutions1) Continue with stash reduction
2) Finish a pair of socks
3) Finish Central Park Hoodie (or similar)
4) Continue charity knitting
5) Knit more for me
6) Knit more projects that I have purchased patterns for, or have patterns "waiting"
Stash Rules:
a) Restrict purchases to those needed for a project or to finish something (or as requested), not impulse purchase "because its pretty or soft"
b) Knit at least as many skeins as purchased in a month by the end of the next month (trying not to increase stash, although large purchases such as for sweaters may be extended for the time to complete the project for the sake of dye lot) This is a modification of my old rule of one skein for each 5 used.
c) Specific requests (i.e., gifts or customers) may be exempt, but should be knit in a timely manner.
Per my count I should have about 122 skeins in my stash. When I entered my collection on ravelry, I do not think these numbers quite match... but at least it is a starting place... I hope to have fewer skeins at the end of 2008.
Labels: knitting
Knitting Progress -- updated from April list
Back in April I decided to go on a Yarn diet and complete a few projects... The list I made at that time was as follows:
1)
Chic Knits Ribby Shell2)
Knitty's Isabella3) Shawl... I know this one is vague... I have several picked out, but I keep changing my mind - there is yarn for at least two...
4) Baby hats... I have been buying some soft acrylic that will be easy to wash in bright colors and have several ideas in my head
5) Charity afghan squares... maybe one in-between each of the other projects?
6) Socks... now that I have several skeins of sock yarn, it is time to make progress in this area too.
7)
Fake-a-gamo in lovely bamboo yarn
8)
Isabeau in Rowan summer tweed that I have ripped out about 20 times.
9) Dishcloth squares in various patterns that I have been accumulating
So how did I do:
1) Finished Ribby Shell
5) Finished knitting a charity animal shelter blanket (not afghan squares, but this works for me)
7) Started (yesterday) the fake-a-gamo
8) Started the Isabeau (it is blocking) needs assembly, a strap and a lining
9) Finished tons of dishcloths!
Finished several bowls that were felted and a pair of slippers for my mom.
I bought yarn (especially for dishcloths) and last week for a new sweater... Most of what I purchased I have used up, or purchased with a specific project in mind.
Since Starting the first stash diet (when I did the inventory although I don't think I posted the total then) I have 86 skeins remaining in my stash...
+ 15 purchased in June
+ 5 purchased in September
+ 6 purchased in November
+ 10 purchased in December
Grand total: 122 skeins (or partials) hanging around my stash currently
This is not to say no progress has been made:
9 skeins finished May
13 skeins finished June
14 skeins finished July
10 skeins finished August
9 skeins finished September
8 skeins finished October
15 skeins finished November
11 skeins finished December
OR 89 skeins used since I started keeping track. I feel pretty good about that.
I have plenty of yarn to keep me occupied for awhile, so no new purchases are necessary. I want to use up what I have, but I don't think I will join a stash along again in 2008. I did sign up for a clean plate in 2008 -- achieved that goal, but then I started the isabeau and fake-a-gamo, so... The biggest lesson: don't let projects linger! The ribby shell was an excellent example of lingering. It was not hard, there are no mistakes (that I remember) and it fits. The yarn is nice to work with, so why did I wait so long to finish? I let other things take priority... I'll do another post with the next set of projects -- or just look at my list in ravelry :)
Labels: knitting, stashalong
Finished Ribby Shell
The front (above) and the back (below)
Although I started this project in May (EEPP!) it was not a hard knit... I just knit so many other things in the mean time... It will look fantastic under my new black suit!
Labels: knitting
Progress on Ribby Shell
Yes, this is the ribby shell that I started back in May. It is not a hard knit, I just got distracted by all the cloths I knit and bowls for felting... But, I joined the "Clean slate by 2008" group on Ravelry with the explicit goal of finishing all projects by the end of the year. I only have this shell and a charity animal shelter "blanket" that I just started on Saturday.
Since I took this photo, I have finished the back and worked on the front. I am at the point to split the front (it is a v-neck) so I think I can make it...
Labels: ribby_shell
small progress
Holiday cloths
Super soft long scarft in bernat bamboo with matching ear warmer
And, so far, I have used 8 skeins for December... more photos to follow later in the week of other creations. Of course, some of these skeins were purchased for specific projects, but I am slowly using my yarn and making more strategic purchases which makes me happy!
Labels: knitting
Etsy Texas Crafters First Monday Sale
Visit
this link for a list of all the Etsy Texas Crafters shops participating this month! Come by
2muchstuff2day for 30% off the list price of any items in the shop! Lots of great stocking stuffers! Buy now for best selection and to reduce the potential for holiday shipping delays!
Labels: etc first monday
New for November 2
I can't believe how fast November went! I did make a little progress on my knitting and even wrote a few pages on my dissertation. I believe I finished 14 skeins in November, purchased 8 (mostly for gifts and all on sale), but that is ok as I still came out ahead with fewer in the collection than at the beginning of the month. I will keep knitting... In December I will be buying some more yarn for a sweater, so I already know I will be bad.
Labels: knitting
New for November
In the past week or so I finished four dragonflies, four small hearts and two other cloths -- Plus I made some small progress on my ribby shell (sorry, no photo). Unfortunately, I only finished two skeins of yarn (towards my goal of 5 for the month). I had to purchase another in Robins egg blue to finish one of the cloths. I was about 80% done and it just did not look right when attempted to bind off early. Technically not a strike because I needed it to finish the project. And I kept using it for more cloths although there is a little left.
I need to come up with a small project to use up the little remainders - not enough for another cloth, sometimes not enough for a stripe on a ball band, but too much to throw away... Of course, the colors do not always go very well together either :)
Labels: knitting
Quick update
No photo this time... Because I have been spending so much time at school, my knitting has suffered! For October I finished 8 skeins and purchased 1 (which is already used!) This satisfied my goal of using 5 skeins during the month. I took my reward as one skein purchased for each 5 used. I also made several inches progress on my ribby shell which has been languishing for a few months. It will look great under my new black suit! I just have to keep working on it... My goal for November is to use another 5 skeins.
Labels: stashalong
Its been awhile
I know... I've been quiet lately... School is keeping me really busy! Since the beginning of October I knit 17 cloths! I only used 6 skeins of yarn :( Per my stash reduction reward I can purchase one skein for each 5 skeins used. I purchased that skein and already knit it up in this photo!
Since I met my goal, I am going to work on my UFOs next (yes, these have been there for months!!)
1. the slipper for felting
2. the ribby sweater
I also have 2 partially completed cloths, but need to match the yarn for completion. One is like 8 rows from completion, but apparently I can't match that cornflower blue anymore. I hate to frog, but I may not have a choice if I want to finish... However, I want to work on these other projects before continuing with the partial cloths because the will both require additional yarn purchases :)
see, sticking with my goal!
Labels: knitting
Etsy Texas Crafters First Monday Sale
Can you believe it? September is already over! October 1 (until midnight central time) take 20% off the list price of any items in my etsy shop. I'll send a new invoice. Please visit
http://2muchstuff2day.etsy.com for new items :)
Thanks, 2much
Labels: ETC trunk show
September Week 4
5 cloths completed!
Two skeins finished in this photo, but I made some rug mugs/small face cloths out of some other scraps for a total of nine skeins used so far this month. I met my goal of 5 skeins used, but I still purchased too much.
Next month, my goal will once again be 5 skeins used. It will be really hard. I have lots on my calendar... Plus the three evening classes...
September Week 3
The bottom three cloths are made from Cotton Tots and are super soft!
The top three are regular sugar n cream cotton...
Three skeins used this week. Eight skeins purchased. Oopps!
September Week 2
Three cloths and two baby bibs :)
The baby bibs are made from Cotton Tots and are super soft
One cloth is also Cotton tots, the other two are just regular ol' Sugar n cream - one uses the new denim twists though :)
These are all intended for the ETC Trunk show the last weekend on September!!
Fun with Felting
Just adding a few more felted bowls to my collection :) Some of these bowls will go to the ETC Trunk Show... some I suspect will be sold before hand and some will eventually find their way to etsy... I started a set in flickr with things I am considering sending to the trunk show. I so wish I could go to EtsyLabs, but classes... darn classes just get in the way :)
Check out my "ETC Trunk Show" flickr set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2muchstuff2day/sets/72157601669394968/I'll set up a special listing on etsy for any items you are interested in, just send me a conversation through etsy. You may find other photos of the same item in the set called "things I made". Of course, there are lots of other great items at
http://2muchstuff2day.etsy.com :)
Labels: etsy
ETC First Monday Sale
That's right! It is time again for the Etsy Texas Crafters First Monday sale!
Until Midnight tonight (central time), take 25% off the list price of any items!
Please visit
http://2muchstuff2day.etsy.com
Labels: etc first monday
Week of Wool
Skeins used this week: 4, total for August 10... However, I purchased 4 skeins yesterday on sale at Michaels... This is a total usage for the month of 10 skeins or a net use of -3 for August and -17 for the past two months. With my purchase of 7 during August, I exceeded my allocation of 1 skein for every 5 used, however, 1) there was a sale and 2) I now have enough to finish a project designated for Christmas...
The question I have to answer for myself is if I want to continue on the stash busting since my knitting time is so restricted. What will be really feasible for the next month with my class schedule? Obviously, no more purchases are really needed... even when the yarn is on sale...
Labels: knitting
Preparing for the ETC Trunk Show
The Etsy Texas Crafters have been invited to put on a Trunk Show at the Etsy Labs September 28-29, 2007. Without some dedicated knitting I would never be ready... so over the past couple of weeks, I started creating items specifically for this event. I fully expect some of these items to go to other homes before I send the box to the trunk show and I will add some other finished items from my collection. There are lots of little details to think of in the mean time :)
As far as my stash progress goes, I have finished an additional three skeins over the past couple weeks, so a total of 7 skeins used in August so far.
Labels: cloths, ETC trunk show, knitting
Finally felted
I know, it is quite a collection. Check out my flickr for closeups :)
Labels: felted bowls
More Bowls???
Yes, that is correct... more bowls for felting :)
As far as meeting my goal of 5 skeins a month goes, I never officially declared what my reward would be under the checkbook option of the stashalong. I decided that for each 5 skeins of yarn I finished, I could buy 1. Sugar n cream was on sale at Hobby Lobby last week and I picked up three skeins :)
All is not lost though... This knitting photo covers the end of July through August 11. In July, I finished a total of 14 skeins. So far in August, I have finished four skeins. Once dry, I'll post photos of the finished products :)
Stash update: 3 new - 14 July - 4 August = -15 skeins in about 45 days. Yippee!
For those of you wondering, my trip went well last week. I was busy, busy, busy -- learned a few things, saw some old friends, went to the Mutter Museum and to see the King Tut exhibit at the Franklin Institute (I was in Philadelphia). By benefit of my evening social activities I also went to the Art Museum and the Natural History Museum. Very nice.
Labels: prefelting
bowls for felting
Eight bowls completed
Three skeins used
Total usage for July so far: 13 skeins
No purchases :)
Colors include: tulip, daffodil, violet, hush, artic pool heather, firecraker heather, lost ice heather, and blue bonnet
Labels: knitting
yarn usage
My goal for the stashalong this month was five skeins. This week I finished five skeins... making nine used so far for the month. I finished nine cloths:
Plus there is this "bowl" for felting:
I am curious how much the bowl will shrink because I used much larger needles than normal since my normal felting needles are in use. I still have not started the mystery stole 3. Oh well. Someday...
I have not decided what my "prize" will be for finishing the set number of skeins... I am waiting for inspiration I suppose...
Labels: knitting
progress
One skein used for 5 cloths... how is that possible? There is just a tiny bit left of skein #2 and a bit more a skein #3, but still... shouldn't there have been more used? My goal was 5 skeins used this month, so with 4 down I am almost there. Good thing.
Labels: knitting
Week of cloths and a tiny bit more
Finished 8 cloths! Three skeins used. No purchases :)
I worked a tiny bit on the ribby shell, finished sole #2 on slipper for felting, started body #1 on slipper for felting. Additionally, I cast on for the mystery stole 3. My beads finally arrived (it took kind of a long time) and the triangle ones look great. I just think it will look better using the #4 needles instead of #5, so I am going to start over. In reality, either would be fine, but the #5 seem a bit too open (and I do not have any #3, yet)...
Labels: knitting
Etsy Texas Crafters First Monday Sale
Labels: etc first monday
I was bad, very very bad
In April, I decided to go on a yarn diet with just a couple rules...
1) purchases to finish a project (it would be no good to have a sweater with 1.5 arms...)
2) purchases for special requests are ok (knitting for others)
I was doing pretty good, May was cotton cloth month and June started as wool month... great. Then I got a special request for lots of cloths... since I had already used lots of cotton and did not have the requested colors, well... I slipped... (I am not complaining, I like knitting cloths!) Next I got a request for more felted bowls (and designed to coordinate with the cloths), so I slipped again... Proof:
My lovely wool! (yes, two skeins of cotton and one skein for the mystery stole 3 since I would not have enough otherwise)
It is not my fault that both Joanns and Hobby Lobby had cotton yarn on sale this week :)
While I was not counting completed projects, yards used, dollars saved or hours spent knitting, I was counting number of skeins used... According to my card system, I purchased 45 skeins in June, used 14, so actually enhanced by collection by 31 skeins. This is what I will have added to my collection in June:
This was a busy week, so I only got two cloths finished: (from last week, you may recall that one of these was half finished - I really did not have time to knit this week!)
and this is what they look like with the cloth from last week, all coordinating:
In July, I am going to continue to work on cotton cloths, felted bowls, the ribby shell (that I have not knitted on in weeks) and start the mystery stole 3. I am just waiting on beads for that stole and then I am off. That is my plan and I am sticking to it :)
Labels: knitting, yarn
Knitting suprevisor
Yes, not only is the siamese on the table (a bad place), she is obscuring the view of my cloths... This week I finished three modified ball bands, two coordinating cloths out of potpouri and started on another in country sage.
Yarn Usage:
Purchased 3
Returned 1
Used 3
= -1
so, better than last week... (pending the arrival of the wool order, that is...)
I can't decide which modified ballband I like better and keep changing my "favorite":
Here are all the cloths knit to coordinate with the fiesta theme:
I also figured out that the beads I have are 11/0 and the tiny #14 crochet hook is too large to go through the hole in the bead... So, I purchased two different colors for the mystery stole 3, so will have to see which ones coordinate better with my yarn when they arrive...
Labels: knitting, ms3, siamese
