The Start of This Madness

So I've been toying with the idea of a crafting blog while working full time as an engineer plus being a Momma to two darling boys. Today, I'm going for it!

Since I have a lunch hour that's fairly flexible, I knit over lunch. Typically I spend about 20-30 minutes eating and the remaining 30-40 minutes doing something more fun- fun for me that is. With the flexibility at my work place, I could leave the 30-40 minutes early. I choose not to! Instead I work on craft related projects because some days that's the only me time I have.

Tonight appears to be a perfect example.  Darling boys and I made it home tonight to eat some leftover pizza because Darling Husband (DH) is working tonight. After dinner there has been one situation after another. Darling Son 1 (DS1) proceeded to chase the kitty around and around and around the house. I needed to step in long enough for the cat to locate a hiding spot. Next, the trash needed to go out to the dumpster and Momma Can't Leave for 30 seconds! I stepped back inside to a hero's welcome.  Lastly, Darling Son 2 (DS2) fell and bumped his head against the end table where only the biggest of cuddles can fix it.

However, the fun and crafty stuff is going to be the main purpose of this blog. Everything else will be cheering me on from the sidelines! Today over lunch I added a few more rows to the Abotanicity sweater.  So far there are a few to several modifications I am making to the sweater.  I am unable to match the required gauge so I'll cast on the medium size and knit until I reach the appropriate length per Ann Budd's book Knitter's Handy Book of Top Down Sweaters. Then I'll divide out for the arm holes as defined by the increases and hope for the best. Wish me luck because what can go wrong? Of course all these modifications may have been unnecessary if only I had knit a gauge swatch in the first place. Such is life.

My Abotanicity

Recently I have picked up sewing too.  Never before have I shown an interest in sewing. When DH and I married years ago, I requested a sewing machine for Christmas because DH kept ripping seams out of his pants and I was tired of fixing them by hand. The machine had never been used. Roughly a month ago, I pulled the machine out of it's box, picked up some pre-cut fabric squares, and VROOOM. "Do it AGAIN Momma!" My helpers love the sewing machine noises.  I assume it sounds like their toy cars.  As a result, I've made a few bags from a fat quarter and have roughly half a coffee table's worth of a quilt top made.

My little previously un-loved sewing machine

Now, upon further review, DS2's bumped head may actually be a black eye. Anyone know of a cure for black eyes?