A New Year

I know I have so much to catch up on... I hadn't even posted about Halloween and then I dropped off the face of the web world. It's been a busy year - busy family time - busy in general. And I had forgotten how busy the into everything - on top of everything - toddler stage was.... is! Anyway, it was a really busy and emotionally stressful time for me.... so I decided I needed to make outfits for my kids for Christmas - I hadn't made outfits for all of them in a long time. I know, I'm crazy - who in their right mind would add something like that on top of the chaos of our toddler style life? Certainly not me.... that's why I'm in my left mind.....

I knew this would mean more assistance from the rest of the family especially from the older kids in keeping Jacob away while I sewed..... that was asking a lot... but I also knew that creating things - making things - is emotionally and mentally good for me. So, after getting frustrated in trying to find the right fabric and yarn, and then getting frustrated with the shipping time, I made two dresses, three pairs of pants, and knit three vests. My outfit was cut out, but I decided it wasn't worth the extra stress to sew it up right off (and the zippers on the dresses were done by my mother in law... thanks so much - I hate doing zippers).

I can knit with little ones around, but sewing with little ones around is really asking too much. So with Beth's baptism coming right up, I've made arrangements to have Lynne sew it - I have the pattern and the fabric. I'll cut it out, making the necessary adjustments and then she'll sew it... and I'll spend the month making a sweater to go with it.

I also have wanted to learn how to knit socks for years now... Santa brought me a book to get me started, and I finished my first toddler sock yesterday... of course, I couldn't just follow the pattern, I had to change it even the first time through... something is seriously wrong with me that I seem to think everything needs to be altered. It was fun and I'll make the second one soon.... but it made me think... since there are several things that help me to keep calm and feel good, but most involve creating something, I have decided that I will do at least one project a month and post it on here. So, when I finish that other sock, I'll post how I did it and my adventures along the way. I'll do the same with the sweater for Beth.... I think February will involve another set of socks.... but who knows.... this might be a year of socks - with a few extras.

Of course, this blog is for my family and there will be posts about our comings and goings and the kids and all that, but you can look for crafty posts along with way - at least for this year.

Later on, when I have a few more minutes, I'll try to catch up some on the blog... in the mean time, I have callings to attend to, my bedroom to finish cleaning out, and a house to continue to maintain - seeing that my husband did a great job of helping everyone learn the routine (or relearn it) and get the house in a good starting position over school break!

I'll try not to be so much of a stranger!