Yarn/Pigs/Cute Kid

1. I finished two of my classes today! Unfortunately, I still have a 15-page test and a 15-page paper due Tuesday for my other class, so no knitting or sewing yet.

2. However, I did buy a slightly out-of-focus skein of yarn:

Koigu for a secret baby gift.

3. And I do have a picture of something I knitted back when I had more time:

My daughter chose the colors for the piglet's eyes and nostrils. "Are you sure you want pink and purple, honey? Don't you think maybe you'd like black or brown? No?"

4. And one gratuitous picture of my cute kid:


5. And what we did today.

Gasp! Surprise & Delight!

I have just discovered the the fabulous Missa AKA Midnight Knitter has chosen my blog as one of her "favorite of the past few weeks." And she made me a button. Thanks Missa!

Yay!

I got this book today:



I have been pining over this one for about ever.

To Do List Update/Back-Tack/Purchases

Guess what I got done from my To Do List. I'll give you a hint: Not the papers. But I did do this:



I was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I really wanted to make one after I saw the beautiful basket bags (and this one) that Hillary made, but it gave me more trouble than I thought it would. I should have expected that, now that I think about it, because I hardly ever sew, but I didn't. My favorite part is the rick-rack that my supplier sent me:



Isn't it lovely?

I also made a zippered pouch which didn't photograph very well. That was a little challenging as well, because I never sew with zippers ("Mom, what's a zipper foot?") and I used the wrong kind of zipper; I hope my recipient forgives me. I am sending some gifts in it as well, to hopefully make up for my mediocre sewing skills, and the whole thing should go out in the mail tomorrow.

While I was working on the bag, I made three trips to fabric stores (interfacing, which I ended up taking out because it was bulky, fabric for a pocket, which I ended up taking off because it looked weird, and navy thread because I forgot on the first two trips) and I bought this beautiful Amy Butler fabric:



To make this:



Probably more like the apron on the bottom. However, when I got the fabric home, it seems like there is was way too much of it. I think I could maybe make the skirt instead:



But I think maybe I will just make the apron and if there is enough left over, I can make a matching apron for my daughter. I've found out that my sewing skills aren't what I optimistically thought they were and maybe I should stick with something easier.

I also have this pattern:



which I wanted to buy fabric for also, since my fabric store finally got it in, but I don't think I should be buying fabric at all until I get caught up with my classes and things. I finished my take-home test and parts of both of my papers. I also got most of the cleaning and laundry done. Only four more days of class!

Today

Today is my only day to get all sorts of things accomplished. I have had class all day all week, and today is my day off. My daughter comes back from her big week at her dad's house tomorrow and I would like to have enough things done to be able to give her my undivided attention. Here's what I have to do:

1. Write a book review for a book I haven't read yet.
2. Work on my research paper, which is maybe 75% finished.
3. Do all of my Back-Tack sewing.
4. Clean the house and do the laundry.
5. Work on my 14 page(!) take-home test, which is 25% finished.

It's already 10:30 am, but I slept 12 HOURS! last night (it's been about 4 or 5 hours a night all month), so I should be good to go for a while. And if need be, I'll have some time tomorrow morning, I think.

Next week is my last week of 3 classes a day. I am only taking one class in July, which should be almost fun. So, after the 30th, expect all sorts of crafting from me.

Aren't These Lovely?

Aren't these lovely:



Today there are about twice as many as there were yesterday and they are even more cheerful and beautiful.

The only thing I am knitting lately is the Jesse's Flames sweater from Stitch N Bitch Nation, but don't tell my brother that, because even though I keep asking him questions about size and color and "You like flames, right?" we are pretending it is still a surprise.

Now I have to learn all about reading assessment so I can do a presentation on it. Only eleven more days of class...

School and Knitting

June is just awful. I am taking three classes and I am in school from 7:25am until 3:30pm and it takes me an hour to get there each way. Then I pick up my daughter and spend time with her, make dinner, get her to bed and study from about 8 or 9 until 11 or 12 and wake up at 4:30am to study a little more and to get ready. Ick.

I did manage to get some knitting done at the end of May. I knitted obsessively for a couple of weeks because I knew I wouldn't be able to knit for a while. I made two Christmas presents. (Last year, two people got knitted gifts, I'm trying to up the number this year.) I also knitted a hat/mitten/scarf set for my daughter, but I haven't taken pictures of it yet and my camera batteries are charging. But I do have pictures of the bags I felted, before:



And after:



I originally thought that the one on the left (in the after picture) was ugly, but now I think I like that one best. It has the last of my wool scraps in it and I know probably everyone knows this, but Kureyon is awesome when it is felted. I think I may make a whole bag out of it, when I get to knit again.