Christmas....less than 2 months away!Yikes!!

k, so I am starting to feel the Christmas crunch with all the knitting I was 'planning' on doing. My knitter friends warned me.... This is my first full year as a knitter, and last Christmas I had basically just finished my first project...garter stitch scarf. I was planning on making pretty much everyone something for Christmas this year. I am not sure I have completely changed my mind... well... I think I will stick with homemade gifts, but maybe not all knit. I have already decided that my sister is getting the shawl for her b-day in March instead of for Christmas. I do have to finish a few things I had on the go...2 gifts for Christmas. And I want to make a nice cozy pair of socks for my mom's Husband as I have been promising him a pair for Christmas since July. I also have a cowl to make for my bf's mom and a hat to make for his dad. I think I may knit my sister a scarf to go with the hat and mitts I made her this year for her b-day. I have some left over yarn(on purpose) just for that.

I also have to make a pair of mitts for the woman at work I have been knitting for...and I want to knit some afghan squares for afghans for afghans. I also have some baby knits to do by January. A few friends are having babies around the same time! So, yeah, I feel I have alot to knit... at least I don't procrastinate with my knitting like I used to for school projects! :)

Tree of Life!

Okay, so, I used to always look through the Mary Maxim booklets my mom used to get when I was a kid...I loved looking at the cross stitch patterns and dream of someday actually being good/brave enough to do them. I always loved the 'Tree of Life' afghan(that was also featured in the Mary Maxim books) but always thought it looked crazy hard...and at that time I didn't know how to knit. I love the meaning of the tree of life...Life is cyclical...ashes to ashes.... etc. I also think the blanket is beautiful. So, I think I will make it my challenge to start the Nicky Epstein 'Tree of Life" afghan in January providing I get the yarn by then... I can buy the yarn from Mary Maxim...I need 11 balls and I think the site said it would be $3.49(its an acrylic blend, but best for washing and keeping shape) a ball providing I buy more than 8... So, it seems it won't be as expensive as I thought at first.

I think I will do it in either a taupe or a light green...I want to keep it light so that you can see all the pattern and detail. I am really excited about starting this since I have always been in love with it... I may end up cursing it by the end... but I am sure I will love the finished product!

umm...hmmm

Hmm... I just got asked by a co-worker to make her a hat-mitt-scarf set...she gave me no idea as to what she wants...I have been probing with questions to get an idea... She's kind of sporty so I think I have some ideas. I am tossing lots of things around in my head. There are just soo many options of things to do. Anyway, I got some yarn, now I have to see what I can come up with!

I asked my sis again! what she wants me to knit her for Christmas since I can't make up my mind on one things and I can't possible make her(or afford) everything that I am thinking of. She is so vague..."like make one of those things.... to wear.... over my shoulders.... not a shawl though.... not a blanket.... um... a hoood thing.... " There is no definition here!! She keeps saying she will come over and she can see pics of options... Its already October...it hasn't happened yet and I've got knitting to do!

I've decided to make a nice pair of socks for my mom for Christmas since she was saying the other day when she was looking through my knit mags(she has ones from the 80's) that there are alot of nice socks out now and she would love to make some fancy socks...she has arthritis in her thumbs and is still working on the same sock she started last winter.... I got the pattern for the parting ways socks and it looks nice and simple but still fancy....i got a nice solid dark purple to make them... I also have committed to another pair of socks...probably worsted weight in a mens size 10 for my mom's husband...he wants cozy slipper socks! I'm gonna be a sock making machine....I sure hope there is enough time!

I was assigned a new swap partner yesterday for the Treasure Swap! I got another American partner! This swap is great! Everyone seems soo creative and giving... I love what this swap is about. My partner and I have already started conversation... she has 4 cats too! crazy!

My step dad came into town tonight(he lives about 2 hours away) and took my sister and I, and our boyfriends out for dinner tonight...visits are always short but sweet. He is allergic to cats and both my sis and I have cats. We had a nice visit though. Time to go knit for a bit before bed! working on my Cecile hat with baby alpaca...love this yarn!!

Anyway, I am tired but I just thought it was time to write something.... It's been quite a while.