Week 1 Year 8 of a Year of Projects

So it looks like a new laptop will be in my future, it's conked out on my again this weekend. No warning, just poof, it turns off. I bought a battery the last time and it seemed to be fixed but no luck. So I'm a bit late again this week but I had to get the list up for year 8 week 1 of the Year of Projects.

I've had some finishes but I've had a lot of startitis too. So I've decided the best way to clear some of those bags that are hanging on my craft room door and to bust some of the stash too, I'm going to concentrate on working on some of the old outstanding projects I have literally hanging around.

I think this is a fairly good representation of the items. I did manage to finish up two last year and I'm hoping to see all of these this year. If I run across some others I'll add them to the list.

While I need to see the end of these, I know I have a hard time NOT starting something else. So I'm going to limit the new starts to one at a time and only if a project gets marked off of the list first. Hopefully I'll have some special orders or requests too.

Also I know me and I'll never be able to work on one project until it's done so I'll try to do a bit on each each week, or at least a few.. Thankfully it will help the cold sheep process too, since I have a majority of the yarn bought already for these projects!

Ya'll have to keep me on track, I am already thinking about what the new projects should be!

Sigh that quilt down there, yes the "jar quilt" the top is done and it was supposed to be a going to college gift, well she graduated in 2008.. The top is almost complete, she even brings it up every now and then, her birthday has passed for the year but maybe I should shoot for 2020, she'll be 30..lol

Year of Projects Year 8 July 2018-2019

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

Current WIP- Crochet
Peach Blossom Blanket from this spring 2018
Bee Hive Blanket- Spring 2018
Unicorn Ripple- May 2018
Pom Pom Rug- April 2018
Wood Land Animal hats- November 2017
Whale Shark- Gift for E- from only a year ago
Carrot Snuggle sack- 75% done- Spring 2017
Flower Garden Blanket- Started 2016
Cardigan for Me -Started 2016
Sidewalk Blanket- started 2015

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

Sewing Projects WIP
Soot Pillows for E
Project bags
Animal applique pillows

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

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

Thanks for stopping by! We're just starting a new year so it's a great time to join the Year of Projects! You can find us here on Ravelry!

Year of Project week 52

Goodness this year has flown, I mean both the calendar and the year of projects too!
I'm struggling to keep up, is it really going to be July this weekend?!

I'm a bit late, did I mention I'm a bit behind, this post was supposed to be a Sunday post but Sunday ended up being berry picking/ jam canning day and I was just too out of it afterwards to get a post together. But I had to make sure that I had a end of the year post on the books. I checked back and I did manage to post for the first week of this year and a few in between so I had to make sure that I had one for the ending too!

I've managed a bunch of starts, and a few finishes this year.
Here's a couple that I managed to take pictures of before they were sent off.

Some of these have been around a while some started and finished in relatively quick turnarounds.

I think that the first and last picture were the oldest projects that finally get finished up and boy was I glad to see the end of the ribbon stitch blanket. It was most definitely a UFO..

I've started way too many blankets this year so that is going to be my main focus for next year. I reviewed  my 2017-2018 list and decided that  I need to take a long serious look at it and see if I'm still in love with any of those projects..

I did some pruning of my other crafts, cross stitch and quilting, while I'm not ready to give all of it up some things just don't interest me anymore and they were moved on to make room for projects I really hope to finish at some point.

Hopefully I'll be able to add some of these to the finishes column during year 8!

If nothing else I can say it's been a colorful year..

Thanks for letting me fall in and out of the year of projects and I'm hoping to stay on a better track for year 9! If you'd like to be a Yopper too check us out on Ravelry!

Year of Projects Week 51..

Week 51! Oh my goodness, I started out on track, fell off, got started back good and then the battery dies in my laptop, got it replaced, then the internet dies.. It's a been a rough couple of weeks on the computer front!


Can't say I've gotten a lot of craft done either, but it has been a busy time.

My daughter's best friend has opened a Vegan specialty store on the coast and I've been busy canning and creating items for her. Over the last month I've managed to can a s bushel of pickles in various flavors, make two kinds of strawberry jams, Squash pickles, a bushel of pickled beets, 1/2 bushel of dilly beans, Brussels Sprouts, taco radishes, and other pickled vegetables. Whew.. it's been a bit crazy..lol

But they are so pretty!! Pickles Beets.. so glad to be done with these for the year..

On the crafty side, I sent down a set of small vegetables, and a couple of pillow size veggies.

Some of the smaller veggies.. which I have been told are all sold already..

Pillow sized first order.

After these disappeared so quickly I got another order for Broccoli..Yes Broccoli

So I did one along the lines as the little one shown above..

That was a serious amount of yarn for those "ruffles" lol. But it will be on it's way to a new home next weekend. I hope she loves it! These have been a lot of fun but I'm ready to get started back on some normal sized items. I have more than I'd like to admit waiting for me to get back and finish them up! 

My WIP is a bit longer than I realized when I started working on the list for the upcoming year! It's time to move some of these things into the DONE pile, before I pull out any new projects. Although it was nice to do the small project and move on to something new so quickly. I'm also trying to not to over load my list with lots of new ideas, which is way harder than it sounds! I spend way too much time on Ravelry and Pintrest. But in my defense I have a serious yarn problem and why does it seem I never have what I need for a new project?

That's me for the week, and it is a bit late but it's here. I need to get started on a year of project round up and a list for the new "year" this week, wish me luck that I don't fall down the rabbit hole of new patterns an ideas before I get it wrapped up..

If you love yarn and projects, Ravelry is for you and it's almost time for a new Year of Projects. You'll find us here on Ravelry, we post every Sunday with an update on projects new and old and the year starts in July, so It's a great time to jump on board!

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Crafting!

Americana Rag Wreath DIY

Summer is almost here and while it is time for all kinds of celebrations it is also time for remembrances too. This Americana Rag Wreath is a great way to show off your Patriotism from your front door! It's simple, fun and brings lots of charm to all of your outside (or inside) get togethers this summer.

What you'll need:

1 14 Inch Foam Wreath

3/4 a yard of 6 different fabrics* (Mine were 44 inches wide) 

*You can pick more or less depending on your design groupings, but take into account how the colors and patterns look together. Complementary colors are best, I went with a Star theme and added a few stripes to give it more interest.

Start by cutting the fabric into 1.5 inch strips 14 inches long. Strips can be wider or longer, but this is the size that worked best for me. I liked the fullness of the longer strips, and a 1.5 of a inch width made a substantial knot. 

Once you have all of your strips cut you'll start tying them on to your wreath, by sliding the strips  under the wreath and tie on top using a double knot.  I alternated colors randomly and the location of the knots for aesthetic purposes as well as the way it "filled in" the wreath.

As you are tying the strips on, be sure to push them together so that it gives it a bunched appearance and ensures that the wreath is completely covered.

You can trim the lengths to make them more uniform or leave them as they are. I snipped a couple that were a bit out of hand..

The back is just as pretty as the front! 

You can see how I pushed  the strips them together for a fuller look. 

You could also add a short piece of ribbon or wire for hanging.

 This a great summer craft, it is even kid friendly. 

This would work for any season or holiday with a corresponding fabric.

Thanks for stopping by and I wish you and your's a very happy Memorial Day and a wonderful Summer full of Crafts and Sunshine.

If you love this idea but just don't have the time to make one for your home, This wreath or a version of it is available in my Etsy Shop, Farm2Ewe.

  

Bookish Tuesday- Sky in the Deep

I'll start with saying that I will pick up a young adult book not really knowing what to expect, some are really good and some are okay. This one while short was a truly great read. I admit, I'm a viking fan, I watch the shows and I enjoy the storyline. When I saw this on goodreads getting up and down ratings I figured I should check it out. I seriously read it one day. And can I say as much as I loved it, I'm sorry that's its a stand alone novel. I'd love to see more of the Aska and Riki clans.

The story line follows traditional viking processes; family being very important, battles to the death and sacrifices to their gods. The Aska and the Riki are two clans that share an area, one in the mountains and one on the coast, and a history of a god fueled war. Every five years they meet in battle  and everyone fights. Men, women and young teens are trained in the warrior lifestyle and honor to your clan is everything.

In Eelyn's first battle season her brother, Iri is wounded and left for dead, however he is rescued by his adversary's family and nursed back to health. Five years later, Eelyn again back in battle sees her brother and is captured by Fiske, the person who caused her brothers injuries and also saved his life.  As a captive she learns much more about herself, her brother and the war that has plagued the clans for centuries.

The interactions between characters is well written and feels true. Eelyn's feelings of betrayal from her brother, the animosity between the clans, the shame of being caught and losing honor. The world building makes you feel like you could visit this spot and see the beauty and simplicity of the way they lived. Day to day tasks involve you in the life of the clan, it's battles yes but it's also the coming home and building lives after the battles.

Over all it's a fast read that moves along smoothly, while it starts with a battle and ends with a battle, there is so much more in between. I give four stars only because I wanted more, of the story line towards the end. Wonderful building of the process and then the addition of another enemy but the change to fighting together was a bit sudden. 

Bookish Tuesday- Lola by Melissa Scrivner

For a debut novel, crime with a strong female protagonist non the less, this book was more than I expected and I'm hoping for a series.



While this isn't a book I would have normally gravitated towards, it was recommended to me by a friend, It was well worth the recommendation and I hope you'll give it a try too.

Lola, is a twenty six year old girlfriend of Garcia the leader of the Crenshaw Six, or is he? The rough and violent gang is up an coming one on the streets of south central LA. For a small group they have managed to build quite a reputation in the area, and are working to expand their territory. But it's not Garcia with all of the ideas and drive it's Lola.

She's a brilliant strategist with a passion to succeed, but due to her situation she would never be taken serious, so she plays the part of the submissive girlfriend while protecting the gang from betrayals and violence. She's torn between helping herself, and doing whats best for her neighborhood and family. She is responsible for a younger brother ,who tests her at every turn and endangers himself and others.

The Crenshaw Six becomes involved in a drug transaction that isn't at all what it seems and then they are pressured into making it right, when it wasn't right to begin with, It's a series of cat and mouse transactions between big players with this small gang in the middle. The situation spins out of control and while Lola is trying to keep the gang alive she is also protecting a neighbors child from the realities of her own childhood.

I'd warn readers that there is violence, quite bloody violence, and language but don't let that keep you from picking up this book. It's gritty and not a feel good read but it is worth your time.

Bookish Tuesday -Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Amazon B&N Kobo

I am of a generation before Beauty and the Beast was a Disney Fairy Tale, the version was I given as a child had the snarling dangerous beast, even the pictures scared me, let along the story. However it was one I wanted to read even if it caused nightmares and made hide under the covers at every strange noise outside my window.

This story is of the older version of the tale with a Russian influence. The details are gritty and very true to the time frame. While it does have a romantic flair but closer to the original tale than the watered down version we are giving our children today. I had picked a rainy cool day to read this book and it was the perfect setting for this tale. I almost read it one sitting and hated that I had other things that had to be done, I was so wrapped up in the storyline.

It is a young adult novel but it reads like a fairy tale. Beauty is a strong female character and not so winsome as Belle. She's been allowed by her father to break out of the stereotypical female role, by being allowed to hunt, think for herself and expect a sutor that will treat her as an equal.  Yeva, who's nickname from her father is Beauty, is faced with a the dilemma of staying with her sisters, who aren't the typical evil sister of Disney, or venturing into the woods for her missing father. She chooses the woods to find her father and he fathers killer. She find not exactly what she is looking for but more than she would have expected.

The storyline is filled with duality, Man or Beast, Woman or Hunter, Dragon or Lady, what is expected to make you happy or what will really make you happy. If you are interested in folklore, fairy tales or strong female leads, I'd recommend you add this to your list!

It's good for all ages, some blood and gore but nothing exaggerated and no "adult content", totally suitable for younger readers.