W.I.P.(Work In Progress) Wednesday - Christmas in July

Because of my busy schedule lately, projects that I had hoped to work on have been put aside due to necessity. I have decided to pick up only those projects that I want to have complete by Christmas. For once I have decided to start these projects well ahead of time instead of unrealistically beginning them in November. ~smile~



While "Skyping" with my granddaughter the other day, she was proudly showing me all of her favorite toys. I am telling you - for those of you who are far from your loved ones - Skyping, or talking via webcam over the internet is the most wonderful invention! It is like sitting across the table chatting with your loved one! Thankfully I can enjoy my sweet Granddaughter and see her precious little face even though I am far from her. It is such a blessing!

"R" loves to show grandma all of her toys and we have long conversations about her beloved dolly that she got from her Auntie. I am going to make her a dolly dress from the pattern shown above. "R" has told me her favorite color is green.



Here are the fabrics I found to make the dress and apron with. The apron will be in the white with pink polka dots. I found some cute little pink heart buttons to use as well. It should be so cute!




I want to complete this stocking for my son "A" this year. He has been patiently waiting for one - I think it is about time I finish it while the poor boy is at home to enjoy it! He has a stocking - just not a homemade one. He has expressed that he would really like one made by me this year so that is what I will do! Really - I have the best of intentions - I just get so sidetracked! With seven children and a grandchild - it has been easy to do. There is always something pulling me in a different direction. I am showing this on my blog to hold my feet to the fire so I will get it done! :-)



It is going to be a cross stitch stocking. I haven't worked on counted cross stitch in years and I forgot how much fun it is! It takes SO long though - this may look like a meager beginning, but this is several hours worth of work. There are many colors in here already. Some of them blended together. My poor eyes are getting a work out! This is tiny!

Here is a close up. Because it is SO small, I can only work on this during daylight hours. I love to sit in the evenings and work on something while watching television with my hubby. He doesn't like many lights on while he is watching T.V. so I have only one lamp that is near my chair lit while I sew. With all of these slight variations in color that I have to work with, I usually have to put this project aside and pick up something else that doesn't require much light.

This is a fast and easy project and I LOVE the way they turn out! There is nothing like a cotton crocheted or knitted dishcloth for washing your dishes! They are SO absorbent and it is so satisfying to use them knowing that you have made them by hand. I have decided to make some for my daughters for Christmas. I am hoping to make a lot of my gifts this year. With the economy being what it is these days, we ALL need to scale back and look at what is REALLY important. My kids know that when I make something for them - it is made from my heart with all of my love put in every stitch! Because I am unable to be close to them at this time, I want Christmas this year to mean something more to them then something purchased from a store.

On the school front, I had my first day of class on Monday. My teacher is a practising Medical Doctor who teaches Anatomy/Physiology for future nursing students and doctors! He is so great at helping you to understand a concept. The class will be challenging, but looks so far to be fun. I have already had SO much reading to do and a test will be given every Monday. So far I am ahead of the game - but today I will start back to work after a glorious week off. I have been able to get so much done around my house this week. It is SO hard for me to go back to work!

Thanks so much to all of you who leave me such sweet and loving comments. Please know that I read and cherish them all and I will try to give you all a personal reply as soon as I am able. Even though I am not always able to comment as much as I would like to, I continue to read all of your blogs and hold each and every one of you in my thoughts and prayers everyday.

Blessings on your creative day today!

Kymber

W.I.P.(Work In Progress) Wednesday

I had such a nice day today. I had an unexpected day off from work. Absolute Bliss!

I have been able to accomplished so much! It has been truly needed around here. It feels good to have the day to do those things that get left undone until the weekend. It gives me more time on the weekend to relax and do some crafting!

Here is what I have managed to accomplish this week on my Works In Progress.

What I haven't had time to do today is look into photo editing/sizing as suggested by Susan. I think I need a week off to be able to wrap my little pea brain around that issue, so we will just have to look at pictures that are a little bit wonky until then :-)

As you can see, I have manged to get two more blocks done and one cut out ready to work on. I am a tad bit behind schedule so I need to finish two more blocks by Sunday to catch up. I need to finish my grandbaby's Alphabet book by April 12th in order to get it in the mail in time for her birthday. I long for more time to complete all of the gifts I want to send her for her big day - but alas, I work until 4:00 pm - 5 days out of the week so it doesn't give me much down time to work on things.

I have finally finished the edging on one of my pillowcases that I cross-stitched and showed you earlier. When I get tired of working on blanket stitches, I take a break and pick something else up. It has taken me awhile to finish this because being fairly new at crochet and self taught, I sometimes find the patterns overwhelming. I had to take out two rows and start over - I found an easier pattern online and I can call this one done! I am currently in the process of completing the cross stitch on the other pillowcase to make it a matching set. I won't completely call this project done until they are both finished!

During my blof surfing one morning I happened across Dawn's blog. She has been making the cutest little valentine hearts - as you will see if you look at her header and this post. I now realize that if I start my spring craft projects in the winter, and my winter projects in the Spring, that I just may have something to show for it with my work schedule the way it is! Nevertheless, I just couldn't resist trying to make one to tie onto my granddaughter's valentine gift. It is my first attempt, but I am hooked - and hope to make more next year when I have more time.

Lorrie has done a great tutorial on making these too! They are very easy to put together and as you can see - you can put little touches on them to make them all look different.

The Yo Yo that you see on my little heart was made with this neat device.

This is the cheater way to make Yo Yo's. I can't remember what blog I read about these on, but this tool is so easy even a five year old could use it! I am planning eventually to make a Yo Yo quilt (one of my many dreams - I have so many- it would take three lifetimes to finish them all)This is a craft that you could sit and do while watching television. Great little tool!

I have thought about possible creating a new blog that contains just the crafting part of my life, but since I am not able to work as much as I would like to on my crafts, I wouldn't be able to update regularly so I have decided to just keep things "as is" for the time being. I would love to hear from other crafters - if there are any out there who read this!

I am hoping to write a post tomorrow - I am dying to share a secret I have been keeping!

Until then....

Blessings,

Kymber

W.I.P.(Work In Progress) Wednesday

Another Wednesday is upon us and it's time again to show what I have been working on. I can't express enough how the act of showing all of you my progress has helped me stay on task! I have been trying to finish up some of my craft projects that have been sitting idle in my sewing room. I am so happy to say that since I have been posting my progress, I have managed to finish one of them!

Here it is - the first finished project of 2009! I have started a list on my sidebar and as I finish items, I will add them to my list. How motivating this is for me! I can't tell you how good it feels to get this done!

As I have said before - I started this blanket when my daughter was pregnant with my grandbaby. I was going to school at the time and it became clear that it wasn't going to get done by the time the baby was born. I had already made her one - so I put this one away - to be made for the NEXT grandchild one day.

Do you ever feel like you have so many projects started that you don't want to pick up a new one? Well, since I started this W.I.P.Wednesday post, I have given myself permission to start new projects - as long as I also finish the ones that are in the back of my mind - bothering me!

I have included a picture of the booklet that I used for this blanket. It has been a fun project. I love the lacy look. There are 6 delicate patterns - I may need to make more - they are so addicting!

I apologize in advance for these next pictures - I need to remember not to take them in the morning when the light is bad. They are fuzzy and dark. I need photography lessons!

Here are the latest pictures of my Alphabet blocks for the book I am making for my grandbaby's birthday in April. Yes, I do know that I am missing the "I" Block. I need to go to the fabric store to find a brown check fabric for the cone - it will be an icecream cone for the letter "I".

Here are the finished details on my Gingerbread man - oohh - such a fuzzy picture! You get the idea though - I didn't think I would like this one before I made it - but now I think it is my favorite one! I loved adding the little bow and buttons - such a fun touch!

I finished this one last night, I still need to add the french knots all around the block.

As always, when I start a new block (as the "J" one that you see here) I am not sure if the colors are right - but as I add in some personality, I grow to love them. It is fun to see the end results - each one so different!

When I tire of a project I pick something else up to work on for awhile. I am presently finishing the crocheted edging for my pillowcase that I showed you in this post. I will show the end results when it is completed.

What are you working on? I hope these posts have motivated you to pick up some of your unfinished projects. And if so- please show me- I will link to it so that we all can enjoy!

Blessings on your creative spirit today!

Kymber

W.I.P.(Work In Progress) Wednesday

Another Wednesday is upon us and it's time to show the progress I am making on my handcrafts this week. Posting my progress every week has really helped me stay on task. Even if I am the only one it motivates - it is helping me to get these projects finished - and that is all that matters - right?

I am up to the "F" and "G" Blocks now as you can see. If I keep going, I should be able to have this alphabet book done by my granddaughter's birthday. I have other things that I want to make her as well - so time is of the essence!

I have also been adding to the baby blanket when I need a break from all of those tiny stitches. I have come a long way on the blanket and am now completing the edging - there is an end in sight! I'm not making this blanket for anyone in particular - just finishing a project that has been sitting around unfinished. Of course - if there should be an occasion in the near future for this blanket to be used (hint, hint - to my daughters out there!) it will be ready and waiting. Not that I am being pushy or anything! ~smile~
It has been fun to see how much I have been able to accomplish - just by picking up my sewing when I have a spare moment here and there. All of the moments that I have taken advantage of have really paid off. When I sit and watch televison in the evenings and when my babies that I "nanny" for are napping, I can get quite a bit done.

Just a few more finishing touches needed for each piece. I need to add buttons to this charming gingerbread man and maybe a ribbon bowtie. Some french knots all around each block and they will be done! A few precious moments relaxing in front of the television - will turn into a fun finished creation!

Check out this inspiring gal! She really motivates me because she is SO productive with her time. She is extremely talented with a needle and thread. Whenever I need a burst of fresh inspiration I visit her and my creative juices flow with new ideas!

What unfinished projects are you working on this week?

Blessings for a creative week ahead!

Kymber

W.I.P.(Work(s) In Progress) Wednesday and a Thank You

I could sum my life up in one simple word right now - CHAOTIC! I am sure all of you can relate to the feeling this time of year. My hat is off to you women who work full time outside of the home. I have only been working outside my home for a few years now and this is the first time that I have worked a 9 to 5 job. It is so hard to get anything done around the house when you get back home at 5:00 in the evening! When I was a stay-at-home mom, my life was always busy too, but I just can't seem to get a handle on things when I get in so late. By the time I get done with dinner and dishes, sweeping, trash out and take the dog outside, I finally get a moment to myself at about 8:30 - 9:00!

My housecleaning gets done lately with a swipe and a smile on the weekends. This last Saturday I worked for 12 hours - so Sunday was my only day to get things done before the week started up again. I really enjoy being busy though - I truly wouldn't have it any other way. I seem to thrive on chaos and am able to accomplish more when I have a lot on my plate.

I have many "Work In Progress" projects going this week. The picture at the beginning of my post is of a baby blanket I am working on. I don't have anyone in particular that I am making it for - just trying to finish up projects that I have started and never got around to finishing. I am still working on my pillowcase that I showed you last week, but when I get bored of one thing I move on to another project - I have two projects going at the same time - with plans to start another one as soon as I can for my grandbaby.

I desperately need to finish up on my Christmas decorating so that I can show you my house before the holidays are over :) I have been trying to do a little bit each day. Why am I sitting here typing out a post - you may ask? I had planned on sending one out this morning, but I was trying to get caught up on my neverending pile of ironing for my husband (another work in progress) Here is my tree so far.

Now mind you, it isn't done yet. I have more poinsettia blooms to put on it and some gold bows to add. I have been working on this since the day after Thanksgiving when my son helped me put it up! Granted, my hubby just put the lights on it on Sunday - I told him that it was in the fine print on our marriage license that he had to put the lights on the tree. I hate that job - and apparently - he does too! I really have no more excuses now though.

Here is another project I am working on:

I love to bake cookies for the holidays and my children always have their favorites that they want me to make them. I need to get these done so that I can send them out in the mail. I have been trying to get a batch done in the morning, so that I can make a few batches in the evenings. These cookies are my Peanut Butter Balls. I will roll them into balls tonight and dip them in chocolate - yummy!

I would love to hear what You are all working on. Let's inspire each other shall we? Now I better get started on dinner - or I will be up all night!

Many thanks to all of you for stopping by here and for taking the time to comment. I am enjoying this new outlet so much and getting to know all of you is such a treat. Blessings to you as you work towards making your homes cozy for the holidays!

Kymber