Weight loss and grandbaby pic

This is our beautiful little grandbaby Kelly...she is just too adorable in this photo! =) (of course, I'm incredibly partial lol) She's 7 months old now and I'm pretty sure she realizes that she has Grandma wrapped around her tiny little finger. =) She is such a good-natured baby, she smiles ALL the time!

Over the past 7 weeks I have been working hard, trying to whip this old body into shape. I've lost 12 pounds and several inches so far! =) I'm seeing more muscle definition and a noticeable increase in energy. I used to be in tremendous shape ~ I was a runner and rarely went a day without running. But with the leg injuries I've had over the years, running is no longer an option for me. My knee just couldn't take it ~ I know because I tried....I tried like you wouldn't believe. But it just isn't worth the pain or possible re-injury. The good thing is that I've found the motivation to get back in shape and have stuck with it for almost 2 months. They say that anything you do for 3 weeks becomes a habit........ =)

Got Coffee??

Progress

This is the lower right portion of the front. The cardigan has gotten too big for me to scan, so I guess I'll have to get myself motivated and master hubby's camera now. Also it's really hard to hold the lace pattern open on a scanner, but I think you get the idea of how it shall look. I only have 2 repeats left, then it's time to separate for the front and back.















This is one of the scallops on the bottom of the shawl. I didn't bother with a full pic since there is one just like it posted below. But I figured I'd at least scan the scallop so you can see the color I used. It's a beautiful color ~ this Homespun in Baroque. The one thing I really like about Homespun is the variations in color, I think it keeps the yarn interesting.

The good, the bad, and the knitted

My trip to Cindy's was over before I knew it!! We had a great time together ~ knitting, crocheting, pouring over new pattern books, yarn shopping, going out for Thai food or lunch at Olive Garden (my two absolute favorites!!) Cindy got me this basket as a belated birthday gift. I chose the on the lower right ~ a deep eggplant color. I keep my projects in it (it's the large basket and is deep enough to hold several projects...trust me, I know lol) and I take it everywhere with me. She also got me 2 balls of Crystal Palace Kid Merino (lace weight) If you scroll down about 1/2 way you can see the color I chose ~ Fern Mix. I'm going to make a shawl with it. The store owner gives a copy of her 2 ball shawl pattern with every purchase of that yarn. It's so pretty! But I must finish a couple other projects first.

Okay, so that was the good, here's the bad: I just found out today that the store I work at will be closing at the end of the month. I should say that I've suspected this was coming....after all, I do work here and I know how slow it's been. But it's still sad. And did I mention that I have never lost a job before? I've quit, but never been "let go". My hubby says "downsizing" sounds a bit more positive. Me? Either way I look at it I am out of a job. Sheesh! How's a girl to pay for her yarn purchases and more Lantern Moon needles?? I have a set of these (in Rosewood) and I absolutely love them!

I've made quite a bit of progress on the Sweet Mary Jane cardi....I'll post a picture later. (I'm actually at work right now, shhhhhh) I have finished 16 repeats of the lace pattern ~ only 3 more to go!!!! I'll also post a pic of the poncho I made while at Cindy's. I used Homespun in the color Baroque for this one. I think that's enough ponchos for me at the moment.

Snowman from recycled bags

Coming Home Poncho

Shrug photos as promised =)

My Knitting and Crocheting Bud and Other Stuff

My friend Cindy and I love to get together to knit. Unfortunately, we live about 3 1/2 hours apart. So last year we decided that I would visit her for a few days of knitting, coffee, yarn shopping, chatting, and of course, pouring over new knitting books that we'd each gotten.

I am planning a trip down to see her next Thursday. Wahoo!! I am SO ready to spend some quality knitting (or crocheting) and just catching up. We also have picked out a project to do while I am there. This year we have chosen the crochet version of the Coming Home poncho found at Lion Brand's website. Last year we each knit a flower washcloth that we found in one of our knitting books (the name of which is escaping me right now) The washcloth was made with cotton chenille and that has got to be the yummiest yarn for a facial cloth! I made mine in a bright green ~ my favorite color. =)

I have also finished my Shrug-a-licious and a practice version of the Coming Home poncho. Pictures coming soon. As soon as I can get Audra (that's my mannequin) to get her scrawny hiney into the studio. lol I am about 95% done with my stitching assignment ~ a large needlepoint featuring many dragonflies in different colors. Not quite my style, but still very pretty.

For those of you who have been praying for Justin (my Marine son) I spoke to him last week and he is doing well. He says it's pretty hot there, around 135 degrees. He says to thank everyone for their prayers and support. So, THANK YOU!!! =)