Too much!

My little pink shawl started out to be a small project. Pretty simple garter stitch body and the ruffle seemed mostly unchallenging. Well, all that is true. Except - there will be over 2000 stitches on my 3mm needles!
And this fine yarn just goes on and on. I was confident there was enough until the ruffle started looking so big. There will be enough, I think. I did decide against the beads.

Blocks

It took just one quilt block to get my imagination started again. Here is the first quilt block: Eccentric Star. I hope to do at least 6 for the swap. The photo color is as true as I could get it but the purple isn't quite right. There are two different shades which I hoped would reflect in the tweedy bits. This was great fun.

And I have learned this lesson: my style is very non-realistic and I love bright colors. A lot of primitive rugs are not so bright with earth colors which are definitely not my favorite. I have to try to remember this next time I'm trying to get too much realism in my hooking and my colors.

The snow has stopped and the last little bit has melted away. But the big foot from overnight remains. I shall just have to hook on my new enterprise this afternoon. This is a butterfly fantasy which will be auctioned off as a fundraiser. Onward!

Fashion file

The other day I was given a stack of those sewing magazines that are linked to the pattern companies. Plus a couple of recent issues of Threads - none older than summer '07. I could feel my sewing fingers itching to get at fabric and start making clothes. I haven't sewn for myself in a lot of years. Lifestyles change and I haven't needed to have a lot of clothes. So, I sewed a few things for the little girls I knew and dressed some dolls. These were small projects and helped me retain the skills I had learned.
But now, oh, wow! There are fabulous fabrics and lovely patterns. AND, so many are available in plus sizes. I always figure I'll lose weight and then I'll get some clothes. But, the stuff on the racks is never as nice (or just what you want) as those you could make yourself. Maybe, I'll get some patterns. Although fabric may have to wait a bit - that stash is pretty big. If nothing works, maybe it's time to give it away and start over LOL
The next trick would be to find the time. I could probably eliminate a couple of TV shows - not a lot worth watching at the moment. Dreaming, as usual...

I think I have definitely overdone the mug cozies. I have now done 14 and that's enough for anyone. Especially someone like me who craves variety. I did get some variations by playing around with patterns and yarns. But, the mug cozies are way too small to get a good pattern going. Tea cozies provide more scope for exploring pattern and design in a small (but useful) project. The latest batch for mugs will be sold to raise funds for seniors' programs at Mollie Nye House. February is kitchen month for craft projects sold. The Aran tea and mug cozy will eventually make its way to eBay for sale.