2008 Creative Projects List

I love January! I love the idea of a clean slate, a new year and some space after the holidays. Now that my Christmas craziness is behind me (don't get me wrong, I love it but I also know it's a bit nutty) I can come up with a list of things to do for my family and maybe even myself. I have to write it all down so I can prioritize and keep things straight. And, I confess, since I just bought bags and bags of yarn on sale (rarely can you get it all 30% off so I thought it made sense to stock up--telling myself I won't need to buy any yarn the rest of the year!) I need to make a plan for using all of it. So here it goes, and not necessarily in priority order:

KNIT AND CROCHET PROJECTS

• Barcelona Bolero Sweater for my mother-in-law (knit) FINISHED

I wanted to hand make something for David's family since I made something for everyone in my family for Christmas. It's a bit dangerous to try knitting something for his mother because she has such elegant style, but if it doesn't turn out for her I can always keep it or give it to someone else. I saw the pattern here on Lion Brand (Pattern #: 60353A) and I think it looks beautiful. I chose a Homespun yarn that is shades of beige since that seems to be my mother-in-law's preferred hue.

• Sailor Collar Cardigan for me (knit and crochet) FINISHED

Another pattern (Number: 60705A) from Lion Brand (I had a bunch of pages tabbed from their Fall catalog--I loved it). This is in Wool-Ease Thick&Quick yarn and I thought it would be quick, which it was, as I already finished it! Got started while in Phoenix for New Year's.

• Ribbed Cowl Sweater for me (crochet)

I think this sweater looks so cute, at least on the model! I love cowl neck sweaters. I ordered a great avocado colored yarn from Knit Picks for this. Another Lion Brand pattern (70210A). If it turns out well I may duplicate it and give it to my husband's sister. I know she'd love the color.

• Debbie Bliss Ribbed Cardigan for Audrey (knit) FINISHED

From her Special Knits book. I am going to do this in a dusty shade of purple, Audrey's favorite color.

• Yoked cardigan sweater (knit)

I found this Seamless Yoked Baby sweater pattern on Knitting on the Net and the cardigan looks like something my grandmother would have knit for me--so old fashioned. I bought Bernat Alpaca yarn in the color "Sky" to do this. So gorgeous. I hope it is soft enough for baby. I also bought more of the yarn to do....

• Yoked "Leaf" Sweater for me (knit)

Found this in a Bernat pamphlet and it looks so pretty... Is it too lame to wear a sweater that coordinates with my baby's or is it too fun? I guess I'll have to see.

• Striped Cardi for Audrey (knit)

I can thank Lion Brand for this pattern too. I love that they make all these free patterns available to promote their yarns. I picked up some red, orange and purple Paton's Classic Wool on sale to do this for Fall 2008. I love to plan ahead!

• 8-color granny square Afghan (crochet)

In a twist, I have an afghan on my list. I've never done one before and I think it would be fun to try. I really love the comeback the granny square is making and thought the colors in this Vanna's Choice pattern (# 70139AD) were really cute, so I thought "why not?" I am highly motivated by a yarn sale.

So believe it or not,m the yarn bargain buying stopped there. But, not so with the list of projects. I also want to get to the following knit/crochet:

• Debbie Bliss Pinafore dress for Audrey (knit)
• Debbie Bliss Smock coat in brown for Audrey (knit)
• Debbie Bliss Lace Edge Dress for Audrey (knit) (I LOVE Debbie Bliss!)
• Icelandic Jacket for Audrey (crochet) from Adorable Crochet for Babies and Toddlers
• Fisherman's Cabled Vest for me (Knit)

I want to sew:

• Finish the brown and turquoise jacket I started before I was pregnant with Audrey
• Kimono set for Audrey FINISHED

I want to paint:

• A portrait of Audrey FINISHED
• The Carob tree at my in-law's in Phoenix FINISHED
• Portraits of all my nieces and nephews with my mother (who knows how and when...)

I also need to tackle:

• Organizing the disaster in the basement!
• Audrey's 1st year photo book
• Christmas pageant costumes for the nieces and nephews to play with next year
• Family Night packets about getting to know my grandparents (do extra for my siblings to have)
  

Nothing like a great list to get me motivated for the new year!