Just when you think you're ahead

I have an issue - fear of finishing. Even worse, I have a fear of not having enough projects in the works. The two combined explain why I have at least 10 projects, all of which are within hours of being FOs, yet am compelled to cast on at least 3 new projects.

Case in point: My formerly-known-as American Idol summer cotton cardigan, now known as the So You Think You Can Dance cardigan, needs only one sleeve and a button band. Probably 2 nights of knitting, less than 4 hours total - I even have the buttons ready. It's been in this condition for more than 3 weeks. Some people might rush to finish this so that they could wear it lots of times before it starts snowing again in Michigan. But not someone with a fear-of-finishing/fear-of-not-enough-WIPs complex. Oh no. THAT person would cast on an alpaca sweater and insist to herself that she finish the sleeve before she touch the summer cardigan. In June. And she would shop for more wool. And she would work on the steeks for her Dale of Norway cardigan. The one that was abandoned 2 years ago and only needs sleeves. Somehow that sweater was in desperate need of steeking. Sewing and cutting up that sweater helped me avoid finishing the Swallowtail shawl, which is within 10 rows of being finished.



I know I get sad when I finish beloved projects and beloved books. But finishing those things frees me to work on other projects and to read other books. I need to get control of myself!

In other news, I'm almost finished with the absolutely perfect beaded bridal bag. I added the Swarovski crystal fringe and attached the frame. I do need to sew the lining, but it is otherwise ready to accompany my brother's fiancee on her wedding day!

Gleaners Campaign

If you read my recent post about feeding the hungry, or if you read about my mom's campaign back at Tinky McFrog'splace, then I hope you've summoned up a few dollars to send to Gleaners of southeast Michigan.

If you have, please send an e-mail to tdoell -at- gmail -dot- com. I'm going to raffle off my new Fleece Artist yarn to one of the donors. Thanks for giving!

What $155 of silk looks like

Just a few days ago, Yarnmarket.com unveiled their Impressionist series of yarns that will be produced by wonderful yarnists (hah! that's yarn artists!) to replicate paintings by such artists as Monet, Renoir, etc. I could not resist (despite being broke on a rather tight budget at the moment) ordering a gorgeous kit to make this silk side-to-side jacket with a hem that uses beaded silk.

The unopened box was about the size of a Lands' End catalog. I almost didn't open the box - I couldn't believe that a) my order arrived so quickly or b) that my order would fit in that small box. But it did and it did.

Still, I was stunned by the beauty of this yarn. Of course, it's silk so I wasn't surprised that it was beautiful but the colorway is just so gorgeous. It really replicates Van Gogh's Irises. Please click the picture to make it bigger so you can see several things:
1)I unpacked 100% silk yarn and threw it on the ground to take its picture
2)The left-most skein is the beaded silk. Stunning!
3)The colors are true (on my monitor anyway) and worth the look



Now that I look on their web site (went there to get the picture) I see that most of the colorways are sold out. I'm so glad that I ordered this when I did and I really look forward to starting this project. I am going to delay starting it until I've got a few items off the needles. I want to fully focus on this project and not be needled by the unfinished buggers. Plus we are hosting a bridal shower here in 2 weeks and I really need to get my house in order (and paint the dining room) so I think this project will be a fitting reward for hosting a fabulous shower for my future sister-in-law!

In other knitting, I did cast off the cotton cardigan. Not sure if it is long enough. I'm going to decide after I finish the sleeves and try it on with something more fitting. Can you see my little visitor who popped in to see what mommy was doing in the bathroom?

Feeding the Hungry

Hello friends -

My mother, Darlene, has been raising funds to feed the hungry of Livingston County and southeast Michigan for over 15 years. The unemployment rate and economy of Michigan, coupled with disasters in other areas of our country (which diverts donations outside of our region), have left Gleaners in a difficult position; they are in danger of not meeting their budgetary needs. Many of the people they feed are children.

My mom has taught me that being a good citizen means helping others and being good to our planet. Because I can feed my children and meet their most basic needs for nutritious food and a clean bed, I am richer than many of my neighbors. I hope you will join me in supporting her current fund raising effort, detailed in the below e-mail.

"Paulauski, Darlene" wrote:

Subject: My campaign for Gleaners
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 09:40:16 -0400
From: "Paulauski, Darlene"

Dear Friends and Family Members,

As you probably know, I have the honor of working in the development department at Gleaners to raise funds on behalf of our hungry neighbors in southeast Michigan . I am usually writing grants or corporate solicitations, but everyone in the development department has been asked to come up with creative ideas to help raise funds so we can meet our budget for our fiscal year ending June 30. I decided to do a friends and family campaign via e-mail.

I hope you will help make it successful with a generous gift or pledge! My goal is to raise $10,000. I ask that after you make your gift that you also ask one or more of your friends or family members to contribute by forwarding my email to them along with your personal note. If you haven’t participated in a “viral” campaign before, you will be surprised at how generously people respond. I need your help to reach my goal, so please consider asking a friend or family member.

Our entire region in southeast Michigan is really struggling, and I would be grateful for your help.

Please click on the Donate Now button or link below to make a gift by credit card or call 866-GLEANERS, ext 241. You may also mail your gift to Gleaners, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit MI 48207. And if you can’t donate right now, your pledge will count toward our current budget.

Please mention Darlene’s Campaign in the comment section if you donate online or on your check in the memo section.

Many thanks in advance for your help!

Darlene
313-923-3535, ext 242
www.gcfb.org