Year of Projects Year 9 Week 2

Yay Progress!

Okay, so It's only week 2 but there is progress, I've got a finish and an update. The finish isn't yarn related but it a project that's been hanging around for a while, almost done. My Moose Welcome Cross Stitch is complete, well craft wise, it still needs to be framed but that should be heading over to do that in the next week or two.

It's just been washed so it needs to be stretched back out but Yay it's a finish!

Then I have my yarn related update, I've managed some work on the Peach Blossom Blanket. All of the squares are done, actually they have been done for a while. I decided on doing a Celtic Lace Join  by Cypress Textiles and it takes another 3 rounds on each square then a joining round, so it's not a real fast project but I'm loving the way it looks. Last fall I had decided on a layout and joined a couple of squares.

This what I started with 

Squared them off

This is with the join rounds, quite a difference in size..

And the lay out

And today's updated progress. I should have another two joined today, and if I'm really diligent I might get it finished this week! It's going to take a bit of blocking once it's ready but I think it's going to look great. 

Which would be great considering a might have bought a Jelly roll to make a pillow for my bedroom.

And I promised myself no new starts until I have a finish or two..

I stayed on my Cold Sheep ( not counting fabric) but didn't weight the skein before I started, I'll wait till next week and have an accurate number.

So I'll start year 9 with:

O yarn in - ? yarn out

1 Jelly Roll of  Fabric in- 0 Fabric out

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all of the other awesome updates in this weeks Year of Projects!

Week 1 Year of Projects -Year 9 Starting List

Last year I really thought that it would the catch up year for projects, it really didn't work out that way, best laid plans and all. I had a few set backs and unfortunately a few more starts..lol But this time Year of Projects start is falling on a bit better situation for me. I did however continue my cold sheep and I plan on keeping with that this year. My craft room is a bit out of control and has expanded to to other rooms. Hopefully being dedicated and making myself responsible to this awesome group I'll make some great head way in the 9th year of YOP. I have actually started for the last four years, but as great as I start I seem to lose steam and fall behind, which is  also why I have so many WIPs. 


Year of Projects Year 9 July 2019-2020

This is the year of finally finishing projects...and I'm still working the cold sheep plan.

Current WIP- Crochet
Falling Leaves Blanket (Baby) Spring 2019
Moss Stitch (premie size for charity)
Catherine's  Wheel Blanket Winter 2018
Honeycomb Blanket Fall 2018
Stitch Story CAL  (I actually started two in two different colors!) July 18
Peach Blossom Blanket from spring 2018
Bee Hive Blanket- Spring 2018
Unicorn Ripple- May 2018
Pom Pom Rug- April 2018
Whale Shark- Gift for E- from two years ago
Carrot Snuggle sack- 75% done- Spring 2017
Deftly Delft Mystery CAL 2016
Flower Garden Blanket- Started 2016
Cardigan for Me -Started 2016
Sidewalk Blanket- started 2015
Twilight Ribbon  Blanket before 2015- Almost done (ends maybe)


Current WIP in Cross Stitch
Moose Welcome Cross Stitch
Lizzy Kate- Be who you are
Log cabin Quilts
Lizzy Kate- Dog Lessons
Lizzy Kate- Cat Lessons

Quilt Projects WIP
Jar Quilt for E-2005
Wolf Panel- quilt 2008
Log cabin panel- quilt 2006

Old Outstanding Projects
Wool Projects -
Bags of Fleece- Wash/Process/Dye 2014
Spin roving bought from Heelside Farms 2016
Get the wheel out and do some spinning

New Projects if I can get some of the OLD done

Crochet Projects
Blankets
Patterned C2C
Wendy Blanket
4 Seasons CAL from Deramores
10 Fleece "blankets' awaiting edging
Mini Spirals of Change
Star Blanket
Angelica Afghan
Blue Mandala Throw

Shawls
Maple Leaf
Oswin
Yes Yes Shawl
Festival Shawl
Hitchin a Ride
Charleston Wrap

Amigurumi
I just bought Unicorns, Dragons and More Fantasy Amigurmi 

Other items of Interest
Nature's Best Hat
Rolling in the Deep Cowl
Cat beds for a local rescue
Leaping Stripes and Blocks Beanie
Lake Town Socks

This is a fairly good representation of what needs to be worked on and what I'd like to work on next. I have made a deal with myself that I can't start another project until at least two are finished. I'm heading to the Southeast Animal Fiber Fair in October, so I'm really hoping to have a few finished before I head out so I can bring a few more projects home!

I'm looking forward to meeting some Ravelry people while out at SAFF in Asheville this October, so if you are out that way lets get together for some yarn fun!

If you are like me and need some encouragement to help you get you UFOs turned into FO then check out the Ravelry group Year of Projects. It's a great group of  talented crafty friends who post each Sunday to talk about their progress, show off some beautiful work and encourage each other. You will have to be a member of Ravelry but if you are into fibre crafts it's the place to be.

Improper Cross Stitch by Holly Pierson Cox

Amazon                 B&N                  BAM




Like many crafts, Cross Stitch is finding it's way with a new generation and Improper Cross Stitch is exactly what many people have been looking for. I've been doing crafts since I was allowed to (not) run with scissors and I would have loved this quirky book back then as much as I do now.

It begins with a great introduction to Cross Stitch, the standard how-to for stitches and what the count on fabric means, along with how to read charts. So this book works for the very basic beginner to a crafter that has been stitching for a while. There are full color photos alongside the charts, which helps a beginner to see what a finished project should look like. There are 35 + projects so there has to be something for everyone.

I received an ARC of the book and it contained just a couple of charts, "Grammer Police" is my favorite, I'd definitely do that one for my mom and daughter, and there may be some included that aren't for all audiences but nothing that I saw would preclude me from buying it for any ages that were interested. Most projects seemed like ones that could be completed in a short amount of time, which is all most of us have for crafting lately. After all it can be fun to be a bit improper!

I'll be on the look out for this book during the holiday season. I think it would make a great stocking stuffer or quick gift for anyone looking to get into Cross Stitch or a quick craft with a bit of attitude!

Thanks to Net Galley and the author for an ARC of the book, it has just come out on August 7th so make sure to check it out on Amazon and in your local book store, If nothing else you'll get a great laugh and just maybe you'll end up with a few presents of your own. As a personal aside, this is available on Kindle, which is the version I had and I would spend a bit more and get the hardback. I have other craft books on the kindle and it can be difficult flipping back and forth to find the right pages to refer to when working a project. 

Year of Projects -Week 1 2017-2018

I admit I've fallen down a bit on the posting and on the creating but I've been trying to get back on the ball and finish up a few of those things that have been patiently waiting for me to pick them back up and finish them. As I look back I can't believe that it's been  almost 10 months since my last post. I feel like I have to get back on track since the year is already starting over again.

It was a  short busy summer and a horribly cold winter and I think it sapped my will to do anything but the heat has brought me out of my shell and I have a few finishes to start my year off with.

This is my first one that was hanging around since last May, I connected the squares and started the granny rounds and ran out of yarn and it took me about 6 months to pick it up again, then it was deciding on the small squares.

and it took me about 6 months to pick it up again, then it was deciding on the small squares. 

Once that was done it worked out quickly and will be going up for sale on my Etsy site Farm2ewe soon. All of the loose ends about drove me crazy! A bit of blocking a a camel stitch border did wonders for this blanket.

This was a variation of a dish cloth design from Drops. 

Beyond thrilled to see this monster finished!

And a Cross Stitch Finish for my Craft Room,

I need to get busy and update my Project list and start keeping myself on the cold sheep track, check back in the next few weeks for new projects, an updated craft room and reuse/recycle and vintage ideas.

If your looking for inspiration, great ideas and new bloggers, make sure you join us in a Year of Projects on Ravelry.

July Starts A Year of Projects

 I want to say thanks to a couple of bloggers on Ravelry that pointed me to this great group, A Year of Projects! It's a Blog-a-long, so feel free to jump in, and the premise is that you make a list of crafty projects that have been hanging around a while, are half finished or have been taking up space on your wish list then on Sundays you post a review of your progress of the prior week. One of my favorite points is that it runs from July to June, which is so much nicer for me since I hate the idea that I am running helter skelter towards Christmas and trying to get ALL THE PROJECTS completed by year end. It just never happens.. They don't seem to be picky and you can join at anytime on your own time frame, so just come and take part in the fun.

I spent some time thinking about what exactly really belongs on the list, things that are totally do able, things that have been awaiting their turn to be finished or a few of "I'd really Love to do these" projects. I decided to hit on a bit of each category. I might even be adventurous and add a few as the year progresses.

So my first official post should be July 5th. Be sure to stop in and see what kind of hot mess  progress I've made and help me hold my self accountable! I'm still working on the Cold Sheep ideal for 2015. And I'm almost shocked to say that I've almost done it. I did pick up a skein at a local festival but it was from Heelside Farms, which are some of my favorite people (and sheep) and I picked up some cotton for a project. BUT I have plans for it to go right back out so that shouldn't count..

So on to the list of Projects for the 2015-2016 Year of Projects Blog Along:

I'll start with the UFO's or long suffering projects if you'd rather 
Moose Welcome Cross Stitch
Jar Quilt for E
Round Pineapple Blanket for Mom
Wolf Panel- quilt
Log cabin panel- quilt

Current WIP- Crochet
Spring Granny Square blanket
Beachy Granny Square Blanket
Blue Star Baby Blanket
Mini Rings of Change Blanket

Current WIP in Cross Stitch
Lizzy Kate- Be who you are
Log cabin Quilts

New Projects
Wool Projects -
Bags of Fleece- Wash/Process/Dye
Spin roving bought from Heelside Farms
Get the wheel out and do some spinning

Crochet Projects
Cardigan for Me. I'm thinking it might be one of these three options
Midsummers Night
Ariane
Cap It Off Topper

Blankets
Mini Spirals of Change
Star Blanket
Angelica Afghan
Blue Mandala Throw
Log cabin
Grandmother's Flower Garden

Shawls
Maple Leaf
Oswin
Yes Yes Shawl
Festival Shawl
Hitchin a Ride
Charleston Wrap

Other items of Interest
I'm really loving the idea of mandalas lately just have to figure out how to use them.
Crochet Rugs.. this is happening this year.
Nature's Best Hat
Boot Cuffs and some cute boots to go with them
Rolling in the Deep Cowl
Cat beds for a local rescue
Veggie pillows for E's house
Leaping Stripes and Blocks Beanie
Lake Town Socks

And I'd love to be able to throw a bit of pottery before winter sets in this year.
So the list goes on and on but I'll use these as a guideline and get some of that stash out of the house!

I think I'll take the next couple of weeks to get patterns together with yarn and make some packages so I'll be ready to go. Feel the need to make some headway come join us!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out the Farm Blog CluckCluckBuzz for garden ideas, recipes and reviews as well as a lot of fun, too.

New on the Craft Front

I started this blog first but it never got off of the ground. Then I wanted to do something for the farm and well Everything but a Moose just didn't fit the farm idea, so I started CluckCluckBuzz. I was using it as an everything blog but it made more sense to move the crafty side back over here. So here we are.
I'll start it out with a finish and a show of a few WIPs.

This is a Corner to Corner that I did for a charity project for Premie's. E was born a  Eight weeks early and I totally understand how those parents feel. I was lucky enough to have my grandmother making all kinds of things for her name sake, so I was lucky enough to have something special for her while she was in waiting in the hospital.

To switch it up a bit I'll start with a Cross Stitch WIP "Moose Welcome" has hung around a bit too long. I picked it up a couple of weekends ago and made quite a bit of headway. I have another finished project that needs to be framed so I can take both in at once. 

I have a couple of quilt items, that are also waiting in the wings but I'll hold off on them for a bit and move back to Crochet. I've been working on a few blankets to have on hand, or to take to sales. I think my problem is that I love to start but when it comes to finishing something else comes along and catches my eye or I see a sale and I'm off to the next great project. 

Just a continuous granny. I love these since they are a simple stitch and great for travel and when I'm watching TV. Nothing to count and sturdy enough to be drug around by toddlers..lol

This is one of my favorite patterns for kids. Star Blankets are so much fun to make and for kids to use. Let kids think out side of the box and have a fun pattern. The Cowboys fan at the house is under the impression that this might just be for him. This is isn't but I should start one so he can have it by football season..

Mini Rings of Change has been my fun but thinking blanket. I started it late last year and haven't been working on it but I hope to pick it back up and have it finished before Easter. That's the deadline I'm giving myself anyway. I have a few other projects I'd like to start but these really need to get completed so I can start others.

And something a bit different to round out this list. I've signed up for a dying class on March 28th at Heelside Farms using regular dyes. I'm going to miss the one this weekend using natural dyes because my Daisy Troop is doing a last ditch effort to sell cookies on the same day. While I'd rather be feeding lambs and dying wool, I need to help make that last effort to clear out this cookies! And the fact that I haven't gotten this pound of wool cleaned and ready for dying helps that decision too. I have a month to get this  wool washed and ready to go, if I'm really ambitious I have a few more  that need it too. These need to move on to the next stage because shearing season is right around the corner and you know I'll have to get a couple of those too. Local wool just makes me happy.