I can't believe a week has gone by since I've been here. Where does the time go?

I have some fun things to share with you all and a dress to show off, but that will all have to wait. I did want to tell you that Blair asked if I would contribute to the granny square sampler this week and of course, I said yes! I even made a little video. You can see what I chose over on her blog.

And with this week's crochet work all complete, I need to go back and do last week's assignment. With that, I'm all caught up. How about you?

I'm behind on my hand stitching homework.

I finally (FINALLY) finished the start of my modern medallion today. I had planned on finishing it on Thursday and time ran out before our road trip. I even woke up early on Friday morning, determined to sew the borders on the reverse applique block only to find out that I had squared it  1/2" too small. Aargh.

After some simple math, I adjusted the measurements and I quickly cut widths of fabric for new borders, packed it all in a zip lock and continued packing clothes for the trip that we were taking in less than two hours.

Procrastinate much, Erin?

(To be fair to myself...with great effort, I've cut down on procrastinating in the last year or so. I've been mindful of it and have worked hard to change things. Really. I have. This last incident was out of the relatively recent ordinary which made it hurt just a bit more).

Luckily for me, I have a mother-in-law with sewing skills and equipment so I managed to finish this square up this afternoon. That is not to say there weren't issues. There were. I am the sole person to blame - Rachel wrote it all up beautifully. All faults are mine.

Now to embroider.

As much as I've let the hand sewing pile up, the crochet is happening.

And people, I am loving it.

Thank you, Blair. I KNOW how much time things like this take. I do not take it for granted.

Summer is busy. I thought I'd get here earlier this week, but it just did not happen.

I am managing to get my crochet homework done each week. And I have one of my hand stitching projects finished, too. I'll show and tell just as soon as I get some one to take photos of me wearing it.

Someone asked for lime cocktail recipes...I'm working on that, too. I have a new one that I'm excited to share.

Camera strap colorways have been chosen. Realistically, the shop will be restocked in July. I'm also working on another item for the shop. I'm super excited about it. Giddy, in fact.

I best go. There's a field hockey game starting in a half hour. I'll be yelling loudly for Jane and under my breath for Kate as she has forbidden me to cheer for her.  So be it.

Back soon.

I finished the latest granny square sampler assignment over the weekend.

I am really, really having fun with this project.

I was storing my yarn in a tote bag because a certain feline someone really likes wool. She likes it even more when it is in ball form and I was not going to let her get her paws (and teeth) on this. But I was having a hard time seeing what I had and was making a mess with all of the yarn ends as the balls unwound while I dug through looking for certain colors. I pulled this basket out of the sewing room where it was holding some random patterns and papers and brought it downstairs.

I put it up on a chest that Scout can't reach. I can see what I have and it's much prettier to look at this way, right? Now I just have to wait for tomorrow's assignment...

Here's my first week's homework made from my original stash of yarn.

Nine more colors arrived on Saturday and I quickly got working on this week's assignment. I'll probably keep going until I get to 14 three-round squares. I'm up to 20 colors, but I feel like the palette is cohesive if a bit crazy. And purple? Loving it these days, especially next to green.

I am really enjoying this project, especially since someone else is telling me what to do - thank you, Blair! If it were left up to me, I'd probably keep crocheting until I was burned out and then it would sit for a few months until I got the urge to work on it again. The one week at a time approach is great for me right now. It's a good lesson in patience (waiting for the next assignment) and follow through (getting a week's worth done on time). All good things.

It's not too late to join in, you know.

Hey. Long time no see.

I finally got around to almost finishing my Sullivan sweater that I started back in August. I just had to three needle bind off the shoulders and knit the applied i-cord. I got just as far as necessary so I could liberate the rosewood Lark for the granny squares. This weekend, I'll get out the tapestry needle and weave in all the ends. Then it's blocking time.

Or maybe I'll just make more granny squares. I like watching the pile grow. That sounds like more fun.

Happy weekend to you.

I couldn't wait to start so I forged ahead without a swift and ball winder. I do think that they would be excellent gifts (ahem, Fatty.). But for now, I'm doing it by hand. I wind three skeins and then I get to make 1 granny square. Rinse and repeat.

Blair's tutorial is up. Go and learn. Then get hooking. I am using a Clover size 7 hook (4.5mm). It's between a G and a H and seems to be a good size for the Lark yarn. I bought it at JoAnn's - all crochet hooks are on sale this week, in case you are in the market for one.

Sometimes I wonder how I became so compulsive about making and about needing to do things right away. Now, not later. And then I remember that the key to my happiness is making. It has taken me a very, very long time to figure this out. I need to MAKE to feel fulfilled, to be centered, to be mindful, to be present. I have to remind myself of this frequently because it is so easy to get caught up in the house cleaning, grocery shopping, kid carting, dog walking of my daily life. Without the making, I am unbalanced and crabby. I don't like that side of myself and I know that family does not appreciate that part of me either. So, get ready. This year there will be constant self-reminders in the way of blog posts about MAKING for making's sake. Just thought I'd warn you.

Ok. That said, there's a box of yarn calling my name.

I'm having one of those days. The kind where it would have been better to not get out of bed at all. It started with some less than stellar parenting and has gone downhill from there. I'm trying to turn it around by adjusting my attitude, but it was a half day of school and the ten year-old is singing Christmas carols. Loudly. Off-key. In February.

On the bright side, I did receive my rainbow of Lark yarns from Quince & Co. earlier this week. Blair is promising a granny square tutorial and I'm going to go for another afghan fully knowing it may take me three years to make it. And I'm not even counting how long it'll take to hand wind all those skeins into usable balls. Maybe it's time for a swift and ball winder. Any recommendations would be appreciated.