Why does this always happen...

I know it is partially due to the fibromyalgia and all, but when ever I have a big push to finish something (in this case the winter guard uniforms) I end up getting sick! ugh It's like my body can no longer deal with stress and handle it as well as it used to.

I am well acquainted with stress. I'm a mom of 2 and spent over 24 years as a military wife. I used to handle stress like it was a mere ripple in the water, nothing to be concerned over. Now I just seem to either end up run down and sick or just kind of glaze over it and get by ignoring it.

So, here I am dealing with this crud that is going around and trying to get better. I am doing better than I was a few days ago. But I'm still at the stage where doing things just wears me out. I did 4 loads of laundry, ran the dish washer and wiped down the kitchen counters and I feel like I've run a marathon! What I wouldn't give to feel "normal" again. sigh

Here's hoping this week will be better and I will feel like spinning and knitting again.

Free at last!

This afternoon I finally finished all 12 Winterguard uniforms and the 12 belts that go along with the uniforms. Now, I can enjoy Valentine's Day tomorrow with my husband. :o) I plan to enjoy taking a break for a couple of days and then getting back to my normal routine. My poor spinning wheel probably feels neglected. I can't wait to get back to spinning some - especially the alpaca! mmmmmmmmmmm

Work in progress on the uniforms...

This is the uniform I am working on for the winter guard. You can see photos of the uniform on which they based this uniform here. I explain in that post what they wanted changed. Well, this is the result! I'm pleased with how they are turning out since I had to draft my own pattern form just pictures of the uniform. I got the basic pattern done and have to grade it for each girl and her measurements. So, it's slow going! I have 4 finished at the moment, one is 2/3 done and then I have 7 more to go. My goal is to have them finished and shipped off in time for them to wear them at their next competition.

Flags done!

I finished both sets of flags for the winter guard I'm working with. The first set was just plain purple organza so I did not take photos of any of them. :o) The second set I did take a photo. The design is by one of the staff members. The colors were supposed to be rose and dusty rose silk with gold lame`. The place they bought the material from did not have the rose silk, so she bought a brighter pink.

Mandi's mittens!

First of all, I had a smudge on the lens of my camera and did not realize it when taking the photos. I need to remember to retake them and repost.

So it seems that all things Twilight are the rage - and most especially Bella's Mittens! Mandi has read all the books and since she's still stuck in the "cold, white north" of Maine I decided to make a pair for her.

The next pair I make I think I will use a bulkier yarn. I also hope the next yarn I use doesn't color my hands that way this did. I used a yarn from Knit Picks and love their yarns. But this one left my hands a blue-ish green when I worked with it.

I now have the mittens soaking in water to help exhaust the dye used for this yarn. I really don't think Mandi will want to walk around with blue/green hands the rest of the winter. :o)

Ugh!

So, I was approached about making color guard uniforms. They showed me some pictures and wanted a sample made. As rough as it is I think I managed to do a decent job for my first time sewing lycra!

And yes, when you look at the actual garment and my sample I manage to reverse the top piece. LOL That will be changed if I make them for the guard. I ended up cutting the top portion away from the middle 2 times in the midst of tweaking the fit. It was also made with the largest measurements given to me for the group. My dress form doesn't go that big so it's kind of big for the form.

They didn't want the "skirt" on the back of the outfit, but wanted more of a pallazo pant for the bottom. I left them unhemmed for them to take a look and let me know where they want the hem to fall.

I'll be starting their flags tomorrow. I have all the material for one set. For the second set I'm waiting on a second color of silk from them.

As promised...

Here are some photos of the Navajo plied yarn I spun recently. I've never done a Navajo ply and have wanted to try it. I watched a few videos on You Tube and then just went for it. I actually think I did better on my first skein than my second. I had a tendency to over spin on my second skein. ugh Oh well, more practice will help that.