WIP Resolution: Some UFO Blankets

One of my New Year's Resolutions this year is to clear out my stash of WIP's.  Let me tell you a horrible secret.  Truly, Truly Horrible.  Work in Progress projects take up three tubs in my closet.  

Eeep!

I've resolved that I am going to try and finish as many as I can - either for myself or to gift - or barring that, I'm going to frog some pieces and repurpose their yarn for my scrapghan (which takes up a whole separate tub, so I guess I have four tubs)  I decided to chronicle my journey through the past to projects unfinished.  I hope that I'm not the only person this insane to have these many projects, but also that I maybe inspire my readers to finish some of their projects!!!

WIP  #1

The Bernat Waverly Mystery Crochet Along

Let me start by saying, these are all finished motifs.  I did FINISH the crochet along.  In fact, I did motifs enough for TWO different blankets. But when they posted pictures of how they were supposed to go together, I tried every possible combination and I HATED them all.  I thought it looked slapped together and didn't like any configuration that anyone had posted.  I decided to box it up and come back later to see if I could make a few more motifs in different colors to make it look like something I liked better. 

Here's what the original design by Bernat looked like:

I just don't like the clusters of color in the middle of the blanket.  

Here are my motifs from the CAL:

Like I said, I was doing two blankets.  One was blues and white, and the other was black, grey, white and gold.  After this blanket had sat in a box forever, I had a request for a custom baby blanket.  I found the white motifs and stole a bunch of them for this new blanket (The Midorie Blanket)

I have yet to remake those motifs, and I don't know if I will, either.  

My plan for finishing this blanket is to first try a bunch of different combinations, to decide how I like them to be arranged, and then to make what I need to fill in on the blanket.

WIP #2

Basketweave Crochet Blanket

I hate this blanket.  If I could start it over, I'd use a gigantic crochet hook.  It's crocheted too tightly to be a comfy blanky, imho, and I am not sure what I plan on doing with this one.  I might attach the squares that I have and donate it to my children for their baby dolls.

WIP #3

Double Sided Tardis Blanket

What the finished product will look like:

So I love the look and feel of this two inches of blanket.  It is going to take me forever, especially since I'm going to need to practice the double knitting again before I begin work again, plus I think I'm going to have to go buy more yarn, as I stole all of the black while I was working on Christmas projects.  This is part of why I'm doing this though, to make sure I have what I need.

WIP #4

The Groovyghan

I've been working on this one for so long that the website has actually shut down.  I had to use the internet wayback machine in order to find the pattern again to save it for this purpose.  I gave up on this one when I worked this part:

I stopped because I was not doing it evenly and gave up.  I packed up what I had made into a box and left it for years.

I plan on trying to finish the groovyghan, and I will probably gift this come Christmas time this year!!

WIP #5

Hexi-puff Scrapghan

I have a scrapghan in crochet and one in knit.  The knit one has far less completed on it than the crochet one, but I still love these little hexipuffs.  I have designed for a bunch of them, and love that each one can be so personalized.  I also plan on letting the kids each design some. :)

So there you have it, the first 5 WIP's that I will discuss from my ridiculous stash.  Have any of you made these?  Do you have any New Years Finishing Resolutions?  Leave a comment below!!

New Year's Day and I Find Myself Unfocused...

Here I sit, at the end of the first day of 2015.  

I've had this post open and blank all day, as I knew I wanted to write something.

But I find myself unfocused. 

I have lots of goals and ambitions and dreams and desires for 2015, but when I look at them all, they seem too big.  It seems unmanageable.  

Lets face it though, most dreams seem unmanageable, since that's what they are... dreams.

We all know (or have been told) that dreams can come true.  

I sure hope so.  

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For my own posterity's sake, I'm writing my New Years "Goals" here, so I can, as I always do, pop back and remember them, work on them and maybe come one step closer to achieving them.

Run.... or maybe Walk... or merely survive a 5k.

Bike at least 500 miles.

Work through all my yarn WIP's.

Create one new item for sale each day.

Organize my garage, storage closet, and all my yarn/craft items.

Live life to the fullest with my children and family.

Organize my computer contents!

Here's to all the dreams you may have for this wonderful 2015!!!

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Countdown to Christmas: Unique Gifts for the Traveler

Sometimes when you're shopping you're not sure what to get for certain people... Which is why this year, I'm doing a countdown to Christmas full of unique gifts for all of the types of people in your life.  Today, I'm focusing on the Traveler!  Everyone knows one of these- they're a jetsetter, constantly off to look for their next big adventure, crossing the globe and seeing everything there is to see.  Here are some gifts that are unique, just like them!  Here are what I think are the perfect gifts for travelers!

Click the picture to learn more about each item!

This sweet poster isn't just a map, it's got a scratch off surface (like a lottery ticket) that allows you to scratch off each location as you visit them.  Your goal?  Scratch the whole surface.  Hang it on your wall with pride to show off to all of your friends and family where you've been--- if you're home to entertain them that is!!

This little diary is meant for just holding travel stubs.  Let your traveler keep their airplane tickets, show stubs and museum entries in a catalog to look back on!

This pretty passport cover keeps your passport safe and disguises it as a small journal.  Comes with a bag that blocks the scanning of the chip in your passport.

Every traveler needs a great travel mug!  This mug has easy one handed operation but won't leak in their carry on!

Let your traveler live in style while catching some zzz's on the plane.  This adorable sleep mask will do just the trick! They'll love you for it!

This slick little compartmentalized carry case lets your traveler tote different jewelry without it getting mixed and tangled, and without taking up too much space!

The traveler doesn't just travel to see the sights, they travel to record their travels, and relay them to others.  Give them a nice little travel journal to record their thoughts along their journeys!

Not all travelers go to warm destinations- gift your favorite explorer with a great pair of earmuff headphones so they can keep their ears warm and happily listening to tunes, even in the Tundra! 

Or why not gift your traveler with a subscription to one of the great traveling magazines, such as National Geographic or Conde Nast? 

Do you have any great gift ideas for the traveler in your life?  If so, leave a comment below!

Countdown to Christmas: The Most Unique Gifts for the Artist

I tried to post this yesterday but my internet was being all stupid and stuff.  As I myself am an artist, I can think of a million and one things that any artist would love.  These are some of the most unique gifts that I have found to give to the artist in your life!!






This coffee cup is hidden as a camera lens- ADORABLE!  What photographer wouldn't love carrying one of these around?!?!



Know a painter?  They would love this all in one brush care kit!




Almost any adult with stress in their life would love one of these expert level coloring books.  They're great for filling time and expressing your artistic innards.  :)









Everyone can use a little relaxation!






I know there's pinterest and a million other crafting sites, but sometimes there's nothing better than a book with glossy shiny pages and that lovely book smell to inspire the artist within.





How about some new brushes?  This is a great brush set, super high quality and lovely to behold!







How about a super glam camera?  This little Diana Holga camera would be the perfect unique toy for any photographer!



What other great ideas do you have to give to the artist in your life?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!!