I’ve been pretty busy lately. Besides finally fighting off a cold and cough that I’ve had for the last week (my little guy has been dealing with it too) I’ve been cleaning out the closets like crazy! We are planning an out-of-state move by this summer so I have been trying to de-clutter so as to move the least amount of junk possible. Unfortunately I can’t throw anything away without first deciding if I can make something out of it instead. So, now there are miscellaneous piles all over the house: rag pile, cool fabric/old clothes pile, trash pile and the unsure pile. My favorite pile is the cool fabric/old clothes pile. It’s all of my old clothes that don’t fit me or just too out of style . It consists mostly of 100% cotton and 100% wool items (for felting). From this pile I have plans to make maybe a couple of potholders, a pillow or a few bags/purses. We’ll see. I did find an old pink wool sweater that didn’t fit right plus had a big hole under the arm. I tried felting it, but didn’t quite turn out right. I used it anyway and made this cute little purse. Its about 12×6 inches including the handle. Since it was still a little too stretchy after felting, I lined it and quilted it. I like it a lot. I don’t like the button as much but it was the biggest one I had. I guess it gives it a valentines kind of feel.

I did felt another old sweater and it turned out much better. I’m going to make a bag out of that. I will post it whenever it gets started and completed (whenever that will be).

I’m still working on knitting. I had 1/3 of my scarf done and decided to start over because of missed stitches and uneven tension. I just have the hardest time with the first few rows. I feel like I’m concentrating so hard that my hands are tense and my jaw clenched. But when I finally feel the rhythm and clicks of the needles and I loosen up and it just flows. Thank goodness too. For a while there, I thought I might stab someone with a needle. ( My poor husband better watch out. He’s usually the only one around when I knit.) It might work better for me if I had a real live knitting buddy. Maybe there is a knitting group in my area. I’ll have to check. I have had a lot of support from my cyber buddies. Thanks!

Finally, I’ve just joined a ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap. I’m super excited. It will be my first ever swap. The theme is “My ______ Valentine”. Oh, I just love getting valentines! No mean ones though. I used to get a few of those in grade school. If you’d like to check it out or join go to Life at the Lyons Den. Amy is hosting the swap.