2 Completed Knitting Projects

In my blog post on Friday, April 19th - She Sews... And, She Knits - I told you that I learned how to knit.  Well, since then, I've completed 2 knitting projects.

Disclaimer: Before you continue reading, I need you to know that I haven't made anything.  Well, I made 2 things, but... Maybe, you should just keep reading....




1st completed knitting project

Here's my 1st completed Knitting Project....

Of course, I made it - I love it!  But, it isn't anything.  It isn't long enough to be a scarf or anything like that.  It's just rows of knit or purl stitch.  This took me approximately 12 hours to complete.  I learned the basics on this piece, but honestly - it wasn't until around the 9th or 10th hour that I really had a feel for the knitting needles and hit a groove with knitting.

This project was started in my knitting class and will be donated to the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art for this year's yarn bomb. 

 



This is my 2nd completed Knitting Project....





Baby Blanket Pattern - Test size

While working on my 1st project, I realized that I really love knitting.  It is SO relaxing!  And, a few minutes / hours - really helps me put my day (but, really my life) in perspective.



This project will be donated to the yarn bomb!

 

I was using a baby blanket pattern to try and figure out if I will be able to make a blanket.  What I learned: on the first half (the top half of the kite), it was the increasing side and my stitches were rather tight.  Tight stitches are easy to manage when you are increasing.  As, I started on the decreasing side, the tight stitches were too tight to knit two together, so I made the stitches a little loose.  If I made all of the stitches the same size, it would look more like a square than a kite.  What I know now: I could make a blanket.  And, I want to try to make one soon!

Sidebar: The topic for this post, could have been - Yes, I like colorful yarn! 

Needles Up,
Always Audrey





I make earrings!

One of the reasons that I haven't had time to sew is that I've been doing the most (typical)!  And, I started making earrings!  Oh, yeah!

Wal-Mart had earring making kits on clearance a few months ago.... So, of course a kit came home with me - and, transformed into 4 beautiful pairs of earrings.  And, in typical Audrey style - I don't have any clear pictures (of the earrings) while I'm wearing them. 

White & Silver Earrings





Silver Earrings - I probably could have taken a better picture







Pink Earrings





And, my most challenging piece - Brown Heart Earrings



Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Mission Statement

Over the course of the last few months, I felt like I was trying to do way too many things all at the same time.  Part of problem was that I was over-committing my time.  The other part, was that I was seriously underestimating the amount of time and motivation that I needed to work on things.  So, I have a lot of projects that I started (or, should I say --> half-finished) since the beginning of the year (including, V8815 top, S1906 dress, 1 crochet & 1 knit project for the yarn bomb). 

That's why I decided to revisit my Mission Statement.  I completed this exercise a few years ago, but I needed to assess where I am now and make sure that all of the things that I'm working on fit in with my ultimate mission / purpose.  I realize that I need to work on managing my commitments, and making sure I finish what I start (didn't I just go through this at the beginning of the year - OMG!), but I found that I am mostly on the right track.

If you want to create your own Mission Statement, visit Franklin Covey - Mission Statement Builder.  This is a great website that will have you answer a series of questions to come up with your personal Mission Statement.  I went through all of the questions one day, then spent a day or two thinking before I completed my answers.

Audrey's Mission Statement 2013

I am at my best when 1) I know what's expected of me; 2) I have an opportunity to be creative; and, 3) I feel comfortable communicating my thoughts. 
I will try to prevent times when 1) I'm not able to communicate my thoughts; 2) my creativity is hampered; and, 3) expectations and goals haven't been clearly communicated.
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can solve problems, think critically, think creatively, work through issues, explain problems, and work with others to find solutions.
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through dancing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, planning, organizing, re-organizing, making lists, cooking, baking, listening to music, and reading.
I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as public speaking, decision making, problem solving, cheer leading, being persuasive, and being a friend.
I can do anything I set my mind to, therefore, I will start a clothing line, make a movie, write a book, go back to school and get my degree, and volunteer teaching kids and/or adults crafts.
My life's journey is full of smaller battles that continually challenge me to evolve into the person that I have always been destined to be. I sometimes wish that I was the most courageous or the bravest, but I am not.  And yet, I continually learn that I am better than I was before the newest battle started.
I will be a person who is surrounded by friends, family and members of either the community or my local church.  I desire to be known as the epitome of a lady that is kind, generous, decisive and quick witted always speaking with power and conviction. 
My most important future contribution to others will be smiles, laughter, honesty, and compassion.
Although, I don't procrastinate - since, I always start or make an attempt - I will be mindful of the number of things that I start at one time.  I will endeavor to make realistic goals / time lines and not have more than 4 new projects (especially, crafts) going at one time. 
I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

• Courage & Strength
• Expressing myself clearly
• Believing in myself again

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

• Eating balanced, nutritious & delicious meals, working out, dancing, resting
• Praying & mediating; spending time reading (non-fiction & self-help books)
• Staying organized, writing down goals & dreams, using my planner, staying on plan financially, making sure I make time for fun/relaxation and for work/budget
• Spending time with friends, volunteering

Needles Up,
Always Audrey