Keep moving forward

The worst part of having a daughter who is about to graduate is the thought of scrapbooking. Seriously, scrapbooking does not run in my family and it apparently will not begin with my generation.

My friend, Jane, answered the call to help. We get together, she gives me ideas and sends me away with 'homework'. I come home, pile the stuff in my designated scrapbook area and grab my knitting needles. Just like real homework, I panic the night before we are meeting again in realization that the homework was never even started.

With today's snow keeping the kids home today, Bugg was roused early and we managed two pages - and they are 'finished' (are scrapbook pages EVER finished?) well before my next meeting with Jane.

Spending time with Bugg was fun. A couple of things are apparent to both of us: Our first attempt is adquate enough for us, we will not win any scrapbooking awards, and the talent to scrapbook has probably not started with Bugg. The quality of photos did not help at all. The pictures from this dance were taken with an old camera and all of the shots were orange-y and blurry.



We are not panicked, though. Most of our photos are digital and my new favorite website is Picaboo. With their help, it is pretty certain that the books will be finished in time.



Let me take a moment to thank God for giving me substancially more efficient fiber skills as opposed to paper skills. Whew! That was a close one.



The Chantal cardigan is coming right along - the back is finished and now there is more Fisherman's Rib coming...



Morning Glory is progressing more quickly.

I've determined it is not so smart to knit on this baby while trying to watch something interesting on television.

What next?

It is 2AM +/-

The wind is whipping outside and my mind refuses to let me get more shut eye. Weariness will hit tomorrow as the nearly 50 degree temperatures of yesterday meander through my mind.

I hate the weather here and that will not change.

Plus, hunger is ravaging my body. Since the onset of BBS - Big Butt Syndrome, I've been watching the calories around here AND exercising daily (nearly) on the treadmill. Starving is not in the plan, but sometimes hunger just hits...like now!

A couple of knit projects are in the works. Chris sent the lovely Briar Rose Wistful (above) destined to become a Morning Glory Wrap. Anne Hanson is a genius when it comes to pattern design. Methinks everyone knows this but, if you are not familiar with Anne, take time to browse her patterns at the link - they will not disappoint!

Chantal, a Norah Gaughn pattern from Berroco has been in process as well. The yarn was frogged from Becky's ISE5 scarf attempt in favor of a softer alpaca. The stitch chosen for the scarf made the yarn feel scratchy, but it is working well in a Fisherman's Rib. This rib is a very nice stitch, but seems to go on forever. The back ribbing was finally finished last weekend and I've switched over to the Ultra Alpaca for the upper back. The armholes and decreases are all in and there are a few inches left to go. The rib seems a bit big where the seam goes in. Otherwise, I like the way it looks. Progress photos are needed.

The Brea Bag is still waiting in the wings. There was only one fat quarter of the cupcake fabric and the thought was to seam a solid at the bottom in order to have enough cupcake showing at the top. All along, a hunt was going on for the elusive fabric which was located at Crybaby's Fabric Boutique. They have cute stuff and I love the Organic Sheeps print!

The entire remaining inventory of white cupcake fabric is on it's way to me!

Other than that, the urge to cast-on has been resisted. Time is of the essence as we wait to hear of college acceptance and trudge away on the Scrapbooks. Why, oh why is scrapbooking such a chore for me? Say a little prayer, if you will, on this one because June will be here before we know it and the Scrapbooks will be unfinished.

Insomnia manifested

What is there to worry about? Maybe I'm worrying too much about not having anything to worry about?

4AM and I was wide awake; I've learned to get up, not toss and turn.

5AM blogs read, e-mail read

6AM brew the coffee and, heck, have some oatmeal

6:05AM Make THE list

The list may be the source of my insomnia...it consists of

1. schedule 4 Doctor appointments for myself

2. schedule my first mammogram

(all of which are overdue)

3. schedule Orthodontic appointment for my Favorite Youngest Son

4. take the dogs to be groomed

5. knit designs

6. scrapbook

The Dr. appointments should have been made and attended by now...I am tired of going to the Doctor - the appointments lead to more work and, ultimately, pain.

Let's just skip to #5. The directions for Lace Cable Scarf knitted for my ISE5 pal has been finished since November and Brown Tilly (shown blocking) instructions are all ready, the PDF files just need to be created

#6 is a whole different issue. Way back in July the pleading began. Fortunately, a friend answered and our first expedition last week was a success. Our second session is today and dread is knocking at my door. I am not a Scrapbooker!

(yawn...sigh) Another cup of coffee, please!

Dear Friend (you know who you are)...

Dear Friend,

I need your help.

My daughter just informed me that scrapbooks will be needed for Graduation next year. Yes, yes, I knew they would be needed, but there is a class in school - it is required, even - in which an assignment exists for the student to make their own scrapbook. Actually, there WAS a class, the administration changed it (bummer). Ok, I am SO not a scrapbooker. I could knit her a cap and gown and offered, but she won't go for it. It must be a scrapbook ..er two.

Remember all of those card-making supplies I purchased? They are still shiny and new and could be used for scrapbooking, couldn't they? Oh, the thought of spending hours upon hours on this project makes me feel ill. I just spent 2 hours going through photos and my head hurts so bad I think it will fall off.

Maybe if I had help on just ONE page...if I could finish just one...maybe I could find the confidence I muster when diving into a knit project. I know you don't love to scrapbook and we've talked about dispensing with all of the extraneous hobbies we've accumulated to focus on our beloved few -- but it's my Bugg!!!

I've looked at the shops, perused the magazines, browsed the shops trying to pick up the tips -- I am going to need your help - any suggestions?

Pray for me - this is DEFINITELY going to impact my knitting agenda!

Love,
Me