No new years resolutions for this girl!

Traditional resolutions have never worked for me so, this year I'm just making a super jumbo and ever changing To-Do list. Every time I think of something I want to do or really need to do I will add it to the list. As I accomplish things on the list or decide that they are no longer important enough to belong on the list they will be removed.

1) Finish the "Not really freeform...But totally not from a pattern" afghan I have been working on for the last 3 years.
2) Workout for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for one month. Thinking I need a chart or something to track this...maybe something with cute stickers like what people use to potty train their kids.
3) Get myself a good pocket sized camera. The D3000 will have to wait.
4) Learn to drive a stick. Why I suddenly feel the need at my age is beyond me but I do.
5) Finally knit a sweater for myself. Why is it that we crafters never make things for ourselves?
6) Try one new vegan recipe per week. I'm nearly there but I have to say I'm having real trouble with cheese....I like cheese Gromit.

Okay so right now it's not so jumbo but it is going to be changing.....

Gearing up for Christmas

So it's that time....
Having decided that everyone on my Christmas list is getting handmade gifts this year I have been crafting my little fingers off. I have completed a shawl for a friend using this pattern Stella Shawl, As Seen on Knitting Daily TV Episode 201 - Knitting Daily. Of course I used up some yarn I had stashed in my closet, it's a lovely blue with a bit of shine to it. It's a great pattern, easy to follow and not mentally taxing once you realized what the repeats are. I know (name withheld to protect the holiday surprise) will love it.

Now I'm working on a pair of hats in this pattern http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/tympany/tympany.html again using some sock yarn I had left from my numerous failed attempts at knitting socks for myself. They are for a brother and sister team who can totally work the color combos I've picked out for them.

I'm also working on a couple of scarves using a great pattern from Lionbrand for some of the guys that I know. I am using up some yarn from my stash.

Now I'm getting ready to start making ornaments. A few years ago there was a show on PBS called The Creative Life with Cheryl Falls. I enjoyed the show and now it's gone. At any rate she made some very cool felt ornaments one year and my girls and I have been making them ever since.

I've also made several stencils in order to make a couple of t-shirts (also for gifts). decided to try my hand at cutting my own stencils when someone had a couple of boxes of the type of tranperency films that are used for overhead projectors. Cutting them is very labor intensive! I hope they work well. (fingers are crossed).

In addition I have been working on making my closet less of a wasteland. But the catch is I have taken a pledge not to buy anything new for FOUR MONTHS. So I have been altering stuff I already have. And all was going well until , horror of horrors, I washed a pair of jeans with my lip balm in the pocket. So (since I didn't notice until it was too late) they went into the dryer and voila instant grease stains on 3 shirts, one camisole and my favorite sweat jacket. Now I am on the verge of a shopping spree. I hope I can hold out......cross your fingers for me!