Finished Cardigan, Hat and New Pendant

Today I finished the cardigan I mentioned earlier. It ended up that I did have enough bulky cotton yarn that I could use, just needed to hold two strands together. It turned out quite nice. I still have a few things to do to it like a crocheted border so I can put a button and button hole at the top. It also needs to be lightly blocked but overall I love it and can't wait to find maybe a denim sundress to wear it with come spring.

I also finally got a picture of my slouchy hat I finished. I'm starting a new one but just haven't been as "in" to it as other projects right now. It turned out pretty cute though and I'm considering making the beanie version with a plain or ribbed band instead of the cable for the little one. He looks adorable in a hat, he must get that from me. Haha.
















I'm getting back into my jewelry making and made this amethyst pendant earlier this week.


Just got pictures and listed today in my etsy shop. I also have a new design in the works for a clay and stone shawl pin. I think I'm going to work it up tonight and see how it turns out.

Slowly getting back in the swing

This weekend I started getting back into my wire wrapping. This is the butterfly pin I did last week that has wings made out of a banded agate. I have another pair of wings coming in that should be a reddish color jasper wtih black spots. I'm just using the flower pin for now until I come up with something better for it.

Then, this weekend I wrapped these two stones and listed them in my shop. First, is a moonstone with the wire in a heart shape pattern. I must say that this last selection of moonstone that I picked up all have some wonderful flash to them.


The other is a denim lapiz stone I wrapped in gold filled wire.

Jobs and interviews and none of it for me

Yesterday Dave had an interview for a job. He has been out of work since the end of October. This is the first interview in almost 3 months and he has been applying for 2 jobs almost every day. Dave primarly works in the Telecomunications/Networking type field so that tells you how the job market is for that right now in the Orlando area. I am really hoping he gets this job though, I think it would be perfect for him and that next step job level wise. We're hoping we'll hear something next week some time as they were only interviewing yesterday and today.

As for my side work with my jewelry and pins I haven't been very active. I have a lot of ideas written down on scraps of paper as well as new wire and stones but I just haven't been feeling it to get it done once I get home at night. I did make this really cool butterfly shawl pin out of two pieces of agate that were carved into butterfly wings, then I wire wrapped the body and everything.

Speaking of shawl pins and knitting as it is, I found out today that there is a new yarn store that has opened up near me. It's kind of funny because it is right across the street from the place that I used to work at. I'm thinking about stopping by on my way home today and see what they have. I LOVE the store that is closest to me now and I don't see me changing my regular place to knit and buy my yarn but it'll be nice to pop in and see what brands this store might have that my other one doesn't carry.

My new favorite socks

These are my first try at knitting socks and I love this little pattern. For those of you interested the pattern can be found here.

For me the challenge of knitting socks was never understanding the pattern it was working with the double pointed needles in the round. I never could seem to "get" it when it came to joining in the round and not twisting the yarn or having some huge gap. Finally, I "got" it while making a pair of fingerless gloves and then the possibility of making socks came to mind.

I wanted something quick and not too intricate and came across this footie pattern and thought it would be perfect. Everyone I talk to that has knit their own socks always raves about how much better they are than store bought and I thought they couldn't be that great....could they? Yes, they could! These have become my favorite thing to change into when I'm lounging around the house