Project Create & Use or Be Destashed!

After going through my blog, I realized that there are many projects that did not have an updated picture. So, here is a special update post for them. I don't have all of the pictures because honestly there are some projects that I either did not complete or have already donated the item. But, if I find them in the future, I will definitely share them! The first "project" that I'd like to share are the two plants that I got in December (or was it January?). The Holiday cactus grew like crazy this past growing season; however, the Norfolk Island Pine did not do so well...when I got it there were three individual plants potted together, but now there's only one! Before Picture - Norfolk Island Pine (L) and Holiday Cactus (R) (some time back in December 2019 or January 2020) Currently - Holiday Cactus (L) and Norfolk Island Pine (R) (October 2020) Back in January I wanted to make two qi paos for Lunar New Year and our Chinese New Year assembly, which I unfortunately ...

Here is the second update for October! Unfortunately for this past weekend, I only got four more rows of the blanket completed. I also noticed that I would need a lot more of the medium blue color yarn, so I went out to buy more; however, I used coupons so I could save some money in the process. 4 more rows completed. Hopefully this will be enough for the blanket! Although I only worked on the blanket and not the sweater, I was able to get the reading completed. The book, "Ripper", was so entertaining that I finished in 4 nights! The next book that I am reading is one in a series of two called "The Archived". I've had these books for a while now and would like to read them so that I can eventually donate, sell, or give away to free up some space. I definitely plan to work on the sweater this weekend and a little bit more on the blanket. I will need to turn Halloween into an all-out craft day!

 This past week I was able to work a bit more on the blanket and start on the sweater, which I was able to find some unused yarn from storage: Hopefully this will be enough to make the sweater. As for the blanket, I was able to crochet three more blocks of rows and start on another. I'm thinking this blanket may need two months to complete since I will mostly work on it over the weekends. Starting to look very good! Seems like it will fit the width of the bed. I also started on the long-sleeve sweater with the heather gray yarn. I restitched the collar portion three times in order to get a cleaner look. I am excited to create the rest of the sweater! The top collar was redone twice. I decided to try for a third time by making the collar at the bottom. (Took about two hours to make one collar!) Added the bottom portion of the collar. After stitching the collar ends together. (Front) After stitching the collar ends together. (Back) Finally, I decided to add a fourth project since I w...

      For this month's plans, I will be working on a few projects that I thought are really cool. They all turn out to be crocheting projects, but it's worth it, especially as the weather turns colder.     The first project is a gingham blanket, which I have always wanted to try, but never got around to it until now. I was amazed by the pattern that Daisy Farm Crafts, on YouTube, shared last year. I plan to use my three sets of Caron Simply Soft yarn to create it. I have 3 of each shade of blue and actually started it last week:   4 rows completed     I definitely need to work on the tension since this is my first time making this pattern, and I could already see some parts of the blanket as being looser than the beginning part. (I just placed it nicely in the picture so it wouldn't look so wonky.) I know I should have created a swatch first, but I couldn't wait to start. Here is the video to the tutorial: Crochet Griddle Stitch Gingham Blanket by...

     I didn't realize that I had stopped adding to my blog, and some time after, I forgot about my blog. Back in March of this year, I resigned from teaching in determination to become a software engineer. I was able to get accepted into the immersive program that I have been eyeing for a while, and I made it through! Now, I've been focusing on creating full-stack applications and trying to learn more about the technologies used in the industry. It definitely is a lot of work.     I also got into plants this past March (which may or may not have been a good thing). I once wanted to declutter so that I could free up space, but now that space has been occupied with plants. They're not as bad as materialistic items, but it's probably time to stop buying and really focus on the important issue: stop buying plants to relieve stress. Stop buying anything in general. I admit that I have a tendency to take my stress out on my wallet. I get a thrill from being able to fi...