Black Hole

Ever feel like you are in the "black hole" of knitting? That's the way I've felt lately.....I mean, I've been knitting...honestly I have....but it just seemed like nothing was getting done! I can't even remember the last FO off the top of my head....just wip's everywhere...until this week.

Finally!!! I got two things finished this past week! First one is the Handsome Devil socks from the Six-Sock-KAL. These were really fun to do! DH really liked them and requested a pair for himself. Already have some Jitterbug picked out....he actually picked it out on our trip to Austin for his. I did mine out of some Opal Uni and Vinca from the stash.

And HALLELUJAH....... I finally finished the Mystery Stole 3.....Swan Lake from last summer. You know.....the one I got 19 rows from finishing and ran out of yarn!!! It was my first big lace project and I was so proud! It was heart-breaking to have to frog it.....and I was determined I was going to finish one! Now I can start the next Mystery Stole when it starts next month without this one hanging over my head!! I can't wait to go somewhere that I can wear it!

On stash enhancement I have really slowed things down a bit. My goal is to not buy anything else until I make a "hole" in the yarn wall by finishing a project. Of course, I'm not committed to that notion to the extent that I would fill the hole with something that is stuffed in a bag in the corner......empty spots need NEW stuff to fill them up!!! Anyway...the last two things that I got....and yes.....they did fit in the wall of yarn......after a little re-organization anyway..... were some Crystal Palace Creme. I found out that it has been discontinued and found it online for something like 50% off! I'm planning to do the Cable Love sweater from More Big Girl Knits with it.

I also could not resist a kit I saw online for the Legends of the Shetland Sea Stole. It is from Blackberry-Ridge and I can't wait to cast it on!

I think I'm going to force myself to tackle a couple of wips first though. They are bugging me. I usually only have about 3 or 4 and I think I have around 8 or so going right now. I don't know why it bothers me but it does for some reason....so guess I'll try to finish at least one or two of those before starting a new one.

Outside the realm of knitting, this has been keeping me busy for the past 4 weeks!

I had Dax for 4 weeks while Amanda was recuperating from her surgery and Savy joined us for the last week after she returned from Texas and her other grandparent's house.

We have also some some renovations going on around here. We are getting new windows and siding on the house. The windows went in on Friday and I can't believe the difference! I didn't realize just how ugly those nasty old aluminum windows were until the new ones were in! They are supposed to start the siding this week. Hopefully aside from just looking nicer it will help with the utility bills some.

I've also started another kind of new project. Something I used to do and haven't done for years! Oil painting. The people who had this house before us added the den onto the back of the house. It goes all the way across the back. There used to be a window over the kitchen sink overlooking the backyard and they just walled it up when they did the addition. It looks exactly like what it is.....a walled up window and is most unattractive. I've always just propped a big platter up there and the window ledge has turned into a catch-all for medicine bottles, toothpick holders, etc. Well, I decided that I would paint a landscape scene in it and mount an old window frame so it seems like you are looking outside. I haven't touched a brush in 20 something years and I'm pretty rusty at it, but it's looking ok so far. Will post a pic of it when I get a little further along. Worst case scenario....if I hate it I can always paint over it and put the platter back...lol!