wee #9

Not every UFO completed can be a huge accomplishment. Sometimes it's the smallest project that just eats at you. Every time you walk by it, sitting there waiting to be completed...it's almost like they can speak to you! "Finish me!" "Why are you ignoring me?"

I'm the first to admit that it's ridiculous that it took months to get around to hemming these jeans. Guilty. As I say though, the smallest projects are sometimes the biggest hurdles. 

So, they're done. Since it's an item of clothing, they qualify as fibre. Which means finishing this hemming job qualifies as #9 of #18in2018. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

What matters is that they're done. They are wearable and there's one less item in the To Be Done pile!  

The shortest UFO

Is that correct to say? The "shortest" UFO? In other words, this has been a UFO for less time than the others. Which is more correct, but awkward as heck. 

I hooked this elephant for the Smidge, and left the background for her to choose. As a result, it's quite busy and loud with colour. So much for the background taking a backseat to let the main image shine! No, not for this girl.

My upholstering skills are lacking, so I don't look too closely at the edges. No, I said not to look at them. Geez. 

Alas, it is done and Smidge is happily enjoying her new stool in her room. Though it's not being used where and how I thought it might be, that's totally up to her. 

What number am I at? Lots to do before completing #18in2018, that much I do know! Onwards....

#4 is a Wrap

Well, it could be used as a wrap...but it's a quilt! Done! Started about two years ago (my oh my how time flies) and abandoned during the quilting phase. I mentioned it in May 2016 when I was laying out the blocks for the top. 

Because of its size, I was thinking I had to hand quilt it, and had started. Barely. Almost two years later, I knew the possibility of it being hand quilted entirely and ever getting finished, was not good. So in the spirit of #18in2018, I decided to see if I could manhandle this sucker through my piddly little machine. So that's what I did. 

It's not great, but it's usable. Quilting is not my forte, by any stretch of the imagination. I wouldn't want anyone to look at it too closely. It's a Trip Around the World pattern, with SITD (stitch in the ditch) quilting. But you know what? It's done, and it's already been used. And my daughter is happy!!! 

And my daughter being happy that she finally has her new quilt on her bed, well that makes this journey of doing #18in2018 all the more worthwhile. #4 completed by January 16th, people!! That's what I'm talking about! 

#18in2018: A Twist

I may hate myself for this...or at the very least, kick myself. 

#18in2018 is a thing. Officially. And I'm adding a twist. Not only will there be 18 fibre projects completed in 2018. That's do-able, that's only one more than this year, and frankly I did far more than 17 this year. So I figured I needed a challenge. Here's where the kick comes in, literally and figuratively. I will find, with no problem, 18 UFOs (unfinished objects/projects) to dig out, figure out, and finish. Yup, I'm making 2018 the year of extreme punishment. 

What led to this insanity? I finished my Christmas projects early. I blame that. So I decided to clean my studio (fancy word for the extra bedroom where I make stuff). In doing so, I discovered quite a number of projects that I had forgotten about, ahem. 

So this pile of old tshirts on the floor? A crocheted rug waiting to happen. I best get to that one soon, since it's literally a pile on the floor! 

A basket full of yarn with patterns that haven't been knitted. What you can't see is the applique quilt in the bottom (what was I thinking?). That will be a doozy. 

Two rugs to be whipped, including a Christmas rug which was finished, um, 4 or 5 years ago (?) and hasn't ever been out for Christmas because it's not whipped. One queen size quilt to hand quilt. Pillows to be made. Oh ya, it's going to be a busy year. 

And that's just what I left out in plain sight. 

So, who thinks I can do it? Anyone up to the challenge? If not, you can follow along with my angst right here. Before and after pics will hopefully be shared throughout this joyous journey. 

Is it a leap year? Dang, it's not. 

Feeling Festive?

No, I can't say that I'm feeling festive. I'm feeling cold. Damp and cold...because it's November and that's what November is. Simply damp and cold. But I have had to jump into some festive work, because I decided to vend at two craft shows this year. Yikes! I had no idea how much to make, so I just hooked a tad bit crazily for two months. Yup, that's all. 

Oh that's not all of it, nope. What will I do with all this if it doesn't sell? Hhhhmmmm, are you on my gift list? Some poor suckers are! 

p.s. I'll be vending at Handmade Hamilton at the Staircase Cafe Theatre on December 2nd and 3rd, if you happen to be in Hamilton. Looks like a really neat venue with an exclusive group of 32 vendors! 

Having sooooo much fun

Well, I can assure you with all certainty that I have finished #17in2017. In fact,  I've probably finished #117in2017 !! In other words, much more than 17 fibre projects in 2017. For sure! 

'Tis the season to get hooking, but before I get festive (and possibly far too soon for some of you), I want to share some of the extremely fun stuff that I've worked on lately. 

Meet my meeWow and Wooftastic friends; mug rugs that is:

One day I didn't feel like hooking what I was supposed to be hooking (nothing like setting silly expectations for yourself), so I started playing with these 4" diameter landscapes. So. Much. Fun. 

I don't think that's all of them, but certainly gives you an idea. And well, then the next idea hit me. Some of you may think I've gone off the deep end with this next group. 

Meet "The Hags". No, I'm not a cruel, horrible person. You see, you have to understand that my mom (miss ya every day, Flo-Flo) called everyone she loved "Hag". It was a term of endearment! Seriously. How that evolved, I can't recall. But needless to say, it stuck. And we're now the second generation calling our nearest and dearest "hag". So I introduce to you the first in the series of 4" diameter portraits: 

From top left going clockwise: Daphne, Shirley, Eunice, Bernadette, Norma, Betty.  They each have a full history, which I was thinking about as I hooked them. Just a silly thing that was oodles of fun to do. 

So, as begin this season of craziness and busyness, remember to spread a little love.....

p.s. for any of you in the area, I'll be vending at the All Handmade Marketplace at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario on Saturday, November 18th. I think there are 120 vendors, so definitely should be a good show! 

Mea Culpa

Hi all. So sorry for my lengthy absence. I've thought of posting often, but alas haven't gotten around to it. On a happy note, I have been happily hooking and hooking more than usual. It's certainly a tonic for these cold, snowy days. A two week or more stint of fog in January was difficult, but made more enjoyable with hook in hand. 

Will you join me this year to complete #17in2017? As I did last year, I will endeavour to complete that many fibre projects in the calendar. I dare say I've already got a few to report. Let's see what I can share. 

Ah yes, first I must admit to thinking that I didn't have any blue wool in my stash. I decided that one of my storage spots was beyond embarrassing in its messiness, so I pulled everything out two days ago and re-organized. As you can see, I have some blue to use (gulp). Especially considering one of the drawers beneath this space is also full of blue. 

I certainly know people with far more than this, so I'm not thinking I have more than enough. Oh no, that thought never enters my mind. I have grand plans for dyeing in April!! 

I finished a piece to celebrate Canada's 150th bday:

I also finished this WIP in February, a design that I started a while back (brain won't tell me when!): 

And I've completed a bunch of wee little pieces, but I won't bother mentioning those. One other landscape piece is hooked, but requires whipping so I'll share that at a later time. Plus one other piece is almost finished being hooked. Yippee!

I'm hoping to be more diligent with my blogging, but feel free to follow me on Instagram, my handle is @burningthemidlifeoil. I'm also on Twitter at @hookdonlife, though admittedly I don't tweet as much as I post on IG. Finally, you can look at some of my past work at burningthemidlifeoil.com. 

Chat soon!

Christmas in the Making

Ah yes, the making for Christmas has begun! And it's about flippin' time... it's amazing how the end of November creeps up on me. 

So far I've made a Christmas runner and wreath for the door. For myself. Hhhhmmm, that's a problem. 

Now on to gifts.... wish this mitten would magically duplicate itself. It took quite a few hours but this thrummed mitten is delicious to wear I have to say (pattern and materials by Fleece Artist), because yes it's important for me to try it on repeatedly during the making process. I might even wear it around the house beacuse it's that yummy. I'll likely be making both myself and Smidge a pair as well, in the next century or two. For now though this pair, once it becomes a pair (#%#&$), will be gifted to a special family member who for now shall remain nameless because who knows if she'll read this? :)

And finally, I'm still hooking when I can carve out a few minutes. I have to say it's rather fun to do a summer scene in November. Just zone out and focus on the piece, and POOF you're right there and not really in the midst of damp, dull November. Dang, there you are November, back in your grey splendourishness. Somehow this pic didn't capture my swimmer, but you'll see more of this rug next time (designed by Deanne Fitzpatrick). I've challenged myself to use nothing but leftover strips to hook this one - I've made it so far! 

I'm also prepping materials for Smidgie's upcoming Gingerbread Party. She's invited seven friends and we'll be making Christmas crafts, playing games and decorating/eating gingerbread. Yes, I'm a lunatic. It's on the 11th - you can sit at your own comfortable, calm and cheerful home and chuckle endlessly. 

Enjoy your Christmas in the making!

#14 & #15

Not even mid-November and I've completed #15 in my quest to complete #16in2016 fibre projects! One is a rag quilt for a new wee one in the family - pics after Christmas (groan, I know....sorry). 

But I can share with you a commissioned piece which was completed yesterday! My client wanted a red canoe pulled up on shore in a typical Canadian lake setting. So I started with some sketching, and created a pattern for some of the elements, but as you'll see my patterns are not thorough or set in stone.

After tracing through my large window, I had even less detail on my linen. 

Hooked in little bits of time here and there... made some adjustments... well lots of adjustments to be honest! 

And the final product will be delivered tomorrow. Here is (insert drum roll here) "Red Canoe". The owner is a visual artist, so fingers crossed that the rug is close to what she envisioned and has wanted for her home!

Update: The rug has been delivered and the client is very happy! She even changed her mind about where the rug will live in her home. Phew!