Dear Readers.....

I have been off of work for three whole days (okay, two of those were the weekend...but still) and I haven't managed to do much of anything.  I haven't gotten caught up on my laundry.  I haven't finished knitting my husband's Duffers.  I haven't finished sewing my husband's Travel Bag (that was supposed to be a Christmas gift!).  I haven't worked on the pouches, bags, etc. that I want to give to contribute to the raffle at my upcoming conference. 

We DID go on Saturday to purchase new recliners for our living room.  Currently, we only have one recliner that is on its last legs...every time we move it around we find random screws and other metal pieces underneath.  Our couch is okay, but not my favorite to sit or take a nap on....but there's no chance of getting a new one since this one is a sleeper sofa (which is very nice with an added built in air mattress...and we need it for when we have guests).  We did buy two recliners so that we will both be able to use one.  Originally, we had thought to get a reclining love seat...but they didn't have any that also rock that were in the store to try out...and I really didn't want to have to go to a million stores to find one. (Plus, we decided that two chairs are more versatile)

I DID go to a scrapbook store with my friend and then out to lunch.  Always a nice time.

I DID manage to go into JoAnn Fabrics and leave while only spending less than $10. 

I DID get a box of giveaways out of my house and to the local Goodwill Store.  Of course, I went in to look around...and I DID manage to leave there spending only about $3. 

I DID manage to get some information into the computer for some work meetings at a reasonable hour normally I end up waking up at the crack of dawn to do this).

I am hoping that after tomorrow, I will be able to get a bunch of crafty things accomplished.  I have had about 8 or 9 meetings in the month of February, plus the student teacher, and keep in mind that there were two days off of school for the students, too...  This all makes for a very busy, crammed up month!  The good news to all of this is that there shouldn't be too many more meetings left for me to attend this year.  Whew!  

Things to look forward to:  Spring Break (and a small trip to Las Vegas), Summer Break (a trip to California), 5 year Anniversary with my husband 



Duffers

The last few days, I spent some time knitting.  This is probably the first time in a loooooong time that I have knit anything besides a dishcloth!

This pattern is called "Duffers, 19 Row Felted Slippers".  I think I first read about it these slippers on Betz White's blog.  Anyway, I searched followed the link to the listing on Ravelry and away I went. 

These slippers knit up remarkably quickly (and I'm a slow knitter!)  For a fast knitter, you could easily finish a pair in an afternoon or evening.

I did knit with a double strand of yarn throughout, just because I wanted them to be a little heavier.  I made the largest size that is listed in the pattern, which is supposed to end up being for US size 81/2.   I also used a 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needle...because that's what I have...I don't have the 8mm needles that the pattern suggests... (I haven't been knitting long enough to go to the effort of checking gauge, either).

After knitting, but before felting, these slippers were HUGE.  It took some very hot water and lots of time in the wash to get them felted to the state that made them small enough for my feet!  I was thinking that I was going to have to give them to my mom or my husband.  They did finally shrink up, though. 

I've been wearing them around the house this evening and they are definitely keeping my feet warm.  I think that if I would have gone with the single strand of yarn, they would not have been heavy enough for me for the winter.

I don't know if you can really tell in the second photo, but you may notice that one slipper looks fuzzier than the other.  That's because one of them got turned inside out during the felting process.  I had to flip it back the other way when I noticed it after they were partially dry.  The one that was inside out is the one that is less fuzzy. 

If you are looking for a quick knit or an easy gift, I would definitely recommend this slipper pattern.  Plus, I realized as I was felting them...I could make some that are bigger sizes just by not felting them as much.  I've already started a pair for my husband. 

A Sort-of Quilt

Today, I finished up this quilt of sorts.  It is just one piece of fabric for the front, a different fabric for the back, batting in the middle and a third fabric for the binding.  I got lucky and managed to purchase all of the fabrics for $5.00 or $5.50  a yard.  I thought that was a great deal.  It  means I only spent about $15 on the materials. 

I quilted around the flower medallions in a circle-ish pattern.  At first, I was going to try to go around each one in an equalish smooth pattern.  That wasn't going so well, I have having a hard time keeping the lines from squiggling, so I just decided to go with the flow.  I wouldn't want any quilters to look to closely at the stitching because some of it got kind-of wonky...but it works for this blanket. 

I stitched the binding on by machine.  I figured that would make it more durable for a baby.  I think the finished size is about 35in x 42 in.  I didn't wash it, so I'm sure it will shrink a bit when it goes through the wash the first time.  I think the quilting will stand out more after washing, also.

This quilted blanket (?) is destined to belong to my step-brother's baby.  He and his long-time girlfriend are having a baby in March.  I meant to have this ready to give as a gift at the baby shower (which was last week), but that didn't happen.  I gave them some other gifts that I already had made, instead.  Now, I'll just give them this gift when the baby actually arrives.

Birdie Stitches Block #1....Finished!

Today, during my second snow day, I managed to finish the embroidery on Block #1 for the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month.  My poor little hands (well, my right hand) was getting so tired from stitching on the scarf.  I wanted it to look like it had been knitted.

Anyway, I'm glad I had one finish today.  Granted, I now have a mountain of laundry to fold because I've been washing off and on all day...and stitching away, instead of folding....

Snowpocalypse 2011

Luckily, the dog doesn't mind all of this snow! 


School was cancelled today and it is already cancelled for tomorrow.  That's a good thing, because I haven't accomplished anything today except cleaning the shower, taking a shower, eating lunch, and taking a nap :-)  Of course, I still have the evening.

P.S. I forgot to say that we got about 15 or 16 inches of snow, I think.  Definitely the most snow that we have had at one time in ages!  They even closed Chicago Public Schools for the day, which they almost never do.  I think I heard that the last time they took a snow day was 1998!