A Year Long Challenge

Just saw this blog badge while I was making my blog rounds, followed it's link to a group on RAV, so I could see what it was all about. It's purpose, as I understand it is to challenge yourself with a list of things you want to make throughout the year. It officially started on July 1st, so I'm already behind and runs through the end of June of next year 2012. The list can be things you want to make, specific patterns etc. It's a way to encourage each other, and meet new blogging friends. I love blogging, visiting reading and commenting and this is a way to encourage that.

I tend not to have a list of things I want to make, apparently lots of folks do. I find yarn I like and that prompts me. If you've been to my blog before you probably know most of my knitting and or crocheting is for charity. I have a personal blog, Bridge and Beyond dedicated to that purpose, helping the homeless. However, I do still think I can put together a working list. I suspect though my list may change as time goes on; while the others may not?

Cotton Challenge, this cotton stash needs to be turned into Cotton Wash Cloths. My DD asked for lots (in my mind I thought about a cloth a month, seasonal, but in my stash I don't think I have every month well represented, so probably need more), AND wash cloths for my charity Bridge and Beyond. I need some more male colors also, which I didn't find in my last shopping venture.

Wedding Ghan, I've been working on this for a while certainly getting it finished (my first multi-stitch knitted ghan) is a big challenge for me. Getting it done on time is an additional knitting challenge for me. I don't knit nearly as fast as I crochet.

Longest ever work in progress. I need and want to finish this Candy Corn Ghan. I'm not sure how long ago I started it...but well before the post (it was sometime in 2008) Here. It was initially started for Victory Camp Junction, and when finished might still go there; then again I didn't have own charity when I started it; so it might go to Bridge and Beyond. Depends how many have been donated by the time I get it finished.

This Buckeye Scarf was started last Christmas, never finished and I lost my spot in the pattern. Someone told me how to figure out where I was, (hope I can find her helpful advice). So this needs to be finished. Christmas will be here again, maybe it will be a gift this year round?

I want to learn how to knit socks, so am adding a pair of socks for myself to the challenge list.

I want to learn how to knit a cable, so adding that too my list also. Whether it will end up in a hat, or a scarf I've not decided. The challenge is to learn how to do it.

I started an awesome wool scarf (barely), with a rather tedious pattern (it's been frogged 3 times), while vacationing several months ago. I want to get comfortable with the pattern and get the scarf finished in time for fall. This is a selfish goal...I want this scarf, the blue is WOW. And because it's been frogged so many times, you can see I now have markers every...I think 10 stitches. I kept loosing my count with the tedious pattern.

Need to finish this corner to corner knitted ghan, believe it will go to Missouri, Joplin for the Tornado victims. Titled Poodle Ghan

I'm in a group called Oddball Baby Blankets and am currently committed to two more. I've done many others, but haven't added anymore on, so...when it's my turn on these blankets, my challenge is to get my section and or Border done in the allotted amount of time, which is 2 wks. I currently have one needing a border, titled Mardi Gras. Haven't yet photographed it to link up here. Will add it.

With my charity, Bridge and Beyond I assemble afghans from donated squares and currently have a list of those I've designed (many others already donated), needing edges and joining. Challenging myself to get them done by Christmas. I don't know how many I have designed and bagged at the ready. Need to count and list them here.

Designing challenge. This month, July's focus for Bridge and Beyond is in fact squares, through the Give a Square Program. Whatever squares are donated (knitted and crocheted 7-10 inches), need to be put with others squares here and afghans designed. Challenging myself to design and bag 3 ghans from those.

Good luck to all participating in this challenge of self, have fun visiting and encouraging each other. I'm looking forward to meeting and blogging with you all.

I'm DONE!

I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmm Dooooooooooonnnnnnnnnne! With shopping for cotton that is. I still didn't see any of the other cottons people have been telling me about (related to their cotton washcloths for the homeless), but I did find some pretty colors this time out. Far prettier then what I've seen in the past with just pink, blue, yellow, and green solids. Look at this variety.

Now, some might say, hey...this is FO Friday (FO=finished object), and where's yours? Well, if you knew me, and knew how much I hate to shop.......this really would count as a finished object. lol Given the number of skeins above, it should represents quite a few finished objects for Friday's to come. And since this is written and scheduled ahead, who knows...maybe I'll get one done in time to show you that. The cotton was on sale at JoAnne's, that was a nice bonus.

Storing Yarn Stash and Donations

Work in progress, Wednesday
Right to left, you see large metal shelves with wheels. The shelves are awesome. They are sturdy and can be put together in a variety of ways. With the wheels they can easily be moved around. You see the first shelf unit with a variety of tote bags, large zip lock bags, and rubbermaid plastic boxes. They're filled with yarn/ and projects. Some for my personal use, but most of it related to my charity, Bridge and Beyond. The tote bags tend to have projects in them. Needed more storage, hubby bought and put together the 2nd unit where you see more of the same. The smaller white bags are squares separated for already designed ghans for our folks at Faith Mission/and other places in need.

Drum roll please. See the table beside the empty shelves? That has boxes and bags of yarn, mostly donated yarn, squares, and recent donations next up for delivery. AND on a work table not in the picture are several trash bags of other donated yarn. Hubby wants his work space back, and he needs the white table....thus he purchased and put together the 3rd shelf unit.
Look! Almost 4 full shelves already in use. He now has his white table and work table back.

Bridge and Beyond provides hats, scarves, mittens, and slippers for men, women and children who are homeless, spend a night or two in a shelter, or who live in a variety of temporary housing. Donations are delivered to multiple locations with need. Additionally personal care items, knit/crocheted washcloths, and squares are collected. Each month a different item needed is highlighted. If you'd like to read more about what we do, and the fabulous crafters who make it all happen....Please check out the blog Bridge and Beyond. We'd love to have you join us.

A bit of a different post for WIPW, as this work is always in progress. Additionally, work continues on The Wedding Ghan and The Poddle Ghan.

America's Independence Day

Happy Birthday America


















While many of us had family time, picnics and cook outs, let's not forget what the true meaning of this special day is. I was applaud when I viewed a u-tube video posted on facebook with a dozen or so beach lovers being interviewed who were pathetically clueless about the meaning of the day. Didn't know we fought a war, The Revolution, didn't know whom we gained our Independence from, England. It took blood and much sacrifice on the part of ancestors. Take time and tell you children the true meaning of the day.

We had the company of most of our family in our gathering, good food was served, games were played. We proudly wore our red, white and blue and flew our Flags. DD and nephew Jeff couldn't be with us, though we wish they could have. Special memory of Mom, who always loved the 4th of July and I know her spirit was with us all yesterday.

Menu:
Italian marinated grilled chicken
Lemon pepper pork chops (HUGE hit)
Pork chops with salt and pepper (ordinary)
Grilled veggies (olive oil and seasonings)
baked beans
deviled eggs
salad
potato salad
beer, wine, water, pop
Flag cake

Hubby did a fabulous job at the grill, he always does! PLEASE, see my special post regarding Veterans CLICK HERE

LOVE Girl Time with DARLING DAUGHTER

After picking up DD at the airport and dropping off bags at home, we heading out for brunch at First Watch. Sorry, no pictures there, but it was yummy. We chatted and enjoyed ourselves, then walked over to get our pretty toes and fingers taken care of. We both LOVE a good pedicure. We even went for the deluxe, was only 4 dollars more then the regular, so hey....why not. Our skin colors are so very different. We always laugh when we get pedicures...I always go for coral toes and she goes for the deeper colors. We rarely do a manicure, but this time we did! I just did clear and she did a light color. Here we are, all tangled up trying to get a picture as we were laughing.















I'm totally clueless about Indian food, but DD is adventurous in her eating and loves it. So after our massages the 2nd day, we headed to lunch with an area Indian Buffet. It was a bit spicy for me, though she thought it a bit bland compared to where she normally eats. She eats Indian enough at a favorite spot in St. Louis they know her name. I can't even tell you what we ate, she was going to write it down for me and forgot so I could tell you. lol The rice was good, much lighter then what I'm used to. The things that look like french fries are veggies of some sort. The yellowish stuff on the left is potatoes and cauliflower, and to it's right a spinach something. Probably not something I would do again, certainly not on my own. She said it was ok, but not as good as what she normally has.




No visit here at home is complete without a trip to The Half Price Book Store. She loves to read, she consumes books and they don't have Half Price Book Stores in St. Louis. We both found some good deals. The Debbie Macomber and Knitters Bible are mine, and the other books got packed up for her return trip to St. Louis.





Always interested in saving money, getting good deals, so wanted to pass along this tip. Are you up to speed about when Restaurant Week is in your area? If not, do yourself a favor and find out about it. Most of the good restaurants participate and you can save yourself some money. It's a great way to go someplace new too. AND...on that same note. Are you registered with Groupon? If not, why not? It's free, it changes daily. Sign up is easy, free, and worthwhile. You can get deals for going out, food, movies, concerts, clothes, even groceries. Fill out your profile. You don't have a minimum so if you get a deal in your email that doesn't appeal to you, simply delete it and see what comes through the following day. You can also do this from your smart phone if you have one. ( I don't, but hubby does.) Anyway...I highly recommend it. Click HERE to check it out. I just purchased my 3rd since joining about a week ago. Purchased a tour of historic homes, 50% at an Italian Restaurant, and Beer Tasting at a Pub (hubby will love that last one).

**edited to add this: Thanks! DD you're the best.
Christine (The DD) said...Yellow/Cauliflower dish = Aloo Gobi

Spinach dish = Saag Paneer

Orange & rice = Chicken Tikka Masala

'French fries' = Vegetable Pakoras

Bread = Naan

It was by no means my favorite Indian place, too mild, not enough spices to really be like my buddies at Rasoi. Oh well, you try something new every once and again!

Work in Progress Wednesday Post HERE

Wedding Ghan, opinions needed Please and Thanks

Work in Progress, Wed.

I have two strips for the wedding ghan currently done and am working on the 3rd (of 5 ?). My question for you all is this (click to enlarge)

How do I want to put this together? That is whip stitch vs crocheting an edge around each strip and then either crocheting together or whip stitching it together. If I had done all the separate squares, I would have edge them all in one color and joined them in the same color, probably whip stitch, which would have looked window pane like. However, by doing the strips I've eliminating the extra time for casting on and binding off over and over and over. The edges are a bit curled, but not badly as often happens with knitting vs crocheting. The pattern you now can see is the traditionally diagonal. So, crocheting an edge will flatten the curled edge which is good, but then does it detract from the diagonal pattern? Whip stitching the strips together and blocking will also take care of the slight curl. Or at least I think it should. Adding a crocheted edge increasing the size, but then which color? And that probably means I need to go buy more yarn (which would be the 3rd time I've purchased yarn for this ghan...the disadvantage of not going with a "real" pattern and guesstimating how much yarn is needed.

Then again, I might have enough yarn to make 6 strips if after doing 5 it looks like it needs to be larger? Sometimes when ghans are too large they're awkward, so I'm really thinking.

Would love some thoughts on over all design regarding edging or not. Please weight in. Thanks!

Groupon a work in progress also. lol, seriously I just purchased my 2nd groupon a short while ago and am therefore still learning how to do things on the webpage etc. Looking forward to saving more money, and trying out new places. My first groupon is for a historical homes tour which I'm really excited about. The 2nd one is for an Italian Restaurant nearby, that I didn't even know existed for 50% off! How cool is that? Do you Groupon? Give it a try by clicking here
**it's not just for young cool hip folks, old farts like me can have fun and save money with it too!