Hey a F.O.

I finally finished my Hey Teach! This project took entirely too long because it languished in the U.F.O basket for months at a time but it's finally done. I'm fairly happy with it. I have a waist and this sweater makes it look like I don't so if I had to make it again I'd use less stitches on the middle ribbing section or go down another  needle size. 

Also, the buttonholes aren't too great. I did the one row buttonhole method but the buttons were only 2 stitches wide and I read that that method works best if your button is at least 3 stitches wide.They work but it takes some effort to get the buttons through the hole and I'm not sure how well they'll hold up in the long run. I have 1 skein of yarn leftover so I could re-knit them some day if that happened. Maybe.

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Work-in-Progress Wednesday: Joining In

As an incentive to finish the many U.F.O I have going, I'm joining the WIPW blogging group. Not that I'll be posting every Wed but hopefully every so often.

I started Something Blue last November as I was planning my wedding and had hoped to wear it on my wedding day as I was running around getting ready, but I didn't get it done in time. The wedding was February 18th and happily it was a warm day! Now that things have settled down somewhat I have started working on it again. I have just a few more rows left on the body.

The yarn on the side is what I'm planning to use for the underside of the hem.

Newlywed Bliss

Since it's been a while since I posted here's a quick update:

LIFE

- I've been married for 3 weeks and 4 days and so far it's been great. The wedding day was beautiful (warm!) and full of joy. As promised, here are my something new, blue etc:

Something Old: I carried a handkerchief that belonged to my grandmother

Something Borrowed: I wore the garter my aunt and sister wore in their weddings

Something Blue: I carried a blue earring that belonged to my groom's late mother in a small pocket on the garter

Something New: my dress and veil

BLOG

- I added my knitting projects with progress bars in hopes they will inspire me to finish the many projects I have going!

KNITTING

- I'll post a photo of a F.O. soon. Hey Teach just needs the ends woven in and the buttons sewn on! And an update on a new project that I had no business starting. . .

something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

something old:

I made this quilt for my boss's daughter ~8 years ago, and when I was at their house for Thanksgiving to my delight she still has it on her bed! She's in 8th grade now and I thought for sure she would have re-done her room in some trendy style but nope it's still there. And even better it looks worn and well-loved.

something new:

I decided to make a lap quilt for my friend that was recently diagnosed with cancer so I emailed her daughter to find out her favorite colors (peach, dark reds and greens) and these are the fabrics I came home with:

I'm making a triple irish chain quilt with the floral in the center similar to my blue and white quilt. Over the weekend I cut the first set of strips so I'm ready to start sewing:

something borrowed:

This is the best I can come up with. . . it's a photo of the my boss's wife's Thanksgiving table arrangement. Her table is always beautiful and this year I finally remembered to take my camera.

something blue:

Inspired by a friend's Vodka Gimlet sweater, I decided to make one too with yarn I already had in my stash. I'm getting married in February 2012 and while I won't be wearing it with my wedding dress, I thought it would be fun to wear around on my wedding day as I get my hair and make-up done. I made a lot of progress on it over Thanksgiving so am hoping I can get it done before the wedding. Working on it also so helps relieve some of the wedding planning stress :) The color in this shot is terrible because I waited until last night to take it so had to use the flash. In real life it's a very pretty pale blue.

And after the wedding, I'll post what I wore for my something old, blue etc :)

Thankful

As Thanksgiving approaches I have so much to be thankful for:

1. I'm 44 today

I was thinking "oh man 44, that sounds so old" but then a really good friend got diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer and that knocked some sense into me. I'm so thankful to be celebrating another year and I aim to appreciate that every day.

2. Finding the love of my life!

I waited 43.5 years for this sweet man and he waited 46 for me. Neither one of us has ever been married but after dating for only 3 weeks we both knew it was the real deal :) He was definitely worth the wait and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him!

3. My family

Here is a photo of my sweet family (minus my dad and brother-in-law) taken at my recent bridal shower. They have been so excited and supportive in helping me plan the wedding. I'd never have be able to do it without them! I love them all dearly.

4. My health

I'm extremely lucky in that I get to swim in this beautiful pool 3 times a week.

5. My friends

I have awesome friends that make me laugh, cry and who love me unconditionally. And they are the ones with whom I share my love of knitting and all things Carolina. I am blessed.

6. My job

I am so grateful that I get to do something that some day might make a difference in someone's life.

Back to School Giveaway

No knitting photos today because the Hey Teach sleeve I made over the weekend is a tad too small so I'm re-doing it but at least I figured that out before I knit the 2nd :)

Caffeinegirlknits has a great giveaway going on - check it out to win some really great stuff!

Hey Blocking!

After languishing in the U.F.O. pile for nearly 2 years, I finally finished the left front of Hey Teach and a mere 2 weeks later I finished the right front. Now it's on to the sleeves, seaming, then the button and neck bands. I'm not sure I'll get this sweater done before it's officially fall but at least I'll have another F.O soon!