The Q2 Challenge Winner Is - GoldieGirl!

9 Challengers completed the Q2 Challenge and gifted BIG for this quarter's Challenge prize - this lovely bag from Jordana Paige.

Barbara M, Diana T, goldiegirl, JavaNut, laughing purple goldfish, Liz, Sara W, Spiraling, and vicTORIa all rose to the occasion and created some gorgeous projects! Lucky, lucky, recipients. But according to the wonder that is www.random.org,






...it's our fellow GAL'er goldiegirl (Deborah) that takes home this sassy tote.*

Her BIG knit was the gorgeous and intricate Farmer's Market Bag from Weekend Knitting, which you can see by clicking here.

Challengers you did some excellent gift making this round!

CONGRATULATIONS DEBORAH!

*Those who made BIG gifts due in the 4th quarter were given 2 entries as stated in the original rules

OH! BABETTE!!!

so i finally finished the squares! and it looks like i might be able to finish the Q2 challenge sometime next week... weaving in ends even! "is there pics?" you might ask. of course, but they are on my camera, and i can't find the connector. oh well.

in other gift along news, as of yesterday i have a new baby niece to start knitting for! HOORAY!!!

Elizabeth's Q2 Challenge: 70%

70% complete: I am working on the last wide white panel. Very happy! The last few days, I sewed on two strips, and it’s coming along very nicely. I must say, it’s been very very hot out in Ottawa and that makes it very hard to want to knit a blanket, but progress is being made!

You're support is amazing, and I love reading about everyone else's progress. It's very motivating!

Late Checkin' In

May was a blur of family stuff and unfortunately I didn't get anything finished. So for June, I'm just going to work on finishing my afghan for the Q2 challenge.

Elizabeth's Q2 Challenge Update

I'm so excited! I finished the center panel last night and just had to show everyone ^___^ I'm now officially half-way done, and get to start the other side!

Elizabeth's June List

I'm trucking along on my christmas afghan. I started the center panel earlier in the week and have crazy plans of being able to finish this thing by the end of the month. Am I crazy? Probably ^^;;

Anyway, here's a new progress shot!

Thank you to everyone for the incredible support on this project. You guys are keeping me moving.

~ Liz

Elizabeth's May progress update

The Q2 Challenge has entirely taken over my gift-knitting, which I decided isn't an entirely bad thing, since it's a very ambitious project to begin with. This post is going be about only this project, since I've barely touched anything else (gift-wise) since I started it.

Gift Item: Q2 Challenge! Striped Chevron Afghan by Spinrite (ravelry project link)
Pattern: available through the way-back machine (ravelry link)
Source: Designs for America by Solutia
Recipient: my parents
Occasion: Christmas
Deadline: December 25, 2008

Other info: I only just finished the latest strip (sewing it together as I go) and think I'm going to start on a green strip next. I really hope I can finish this by the end of June. This project is about 35% done.



It will (hopefully) look like this in the end:

Keepin' up!

So... I finished off a Pinwheel Sweater for an adopted niece next month... great stash busting! Great for her to grow into!

Started with Q2 Challenge on a Barn Raising Quilt. I love busting through sock yarn leftovers:

This is great motivation!

Bustin' the stash for gifts

I've been inspired by the Stash and Burn discussion group on Ravelry to knit from my stash and I've enjoyed shopping in my stash:

A good friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I knit her a prayer shawl from Thrifty Knitter's Woodland Shawl. I knit with Smooshy Yarn and loved that yarn-it's so much fun to knit and the colours are fabulous. I'm so pleased with how it looked. I gave it away immediately before her third chemo treatment.

My admin got a pair of hand knit Broadripple Socks for Admin Professionals Week at the end of April. No one else got handmade gifts-the other staff got Costco flowers... My admin does so much for me, I was happy to do something significant for her:-)

I said that I wasn't going to enter the Q2 challenge but I just realized that I'm starting a significant large project. A friend and I are going to do a Barn Raising Quilt for a friend who is pregnant after a difficult eight year journey with infertility. As I don't have a toddler, I think that I'll be the one doing more... which is fine... they are so fun to use up leftover sock yarn.

One in progress... the other one is already blocked.

For the rest of the month, fix up a tank I knit for mom and she needs more room in the armholes, finish up a sock and two more barn raising squares.

Elizabeth's Q2 Challenge progress update

I've been plugging along with my Christmas Afghan that I'm knitting for my parents. According to my spreadsheet I'm 22% done, and have sewn together the first of the stripes! I'm very excited, and wanted to share it with someone, so I'm sharing it with you!

Please excuse this sad excuse for a photo. I took it with my cell phone and tried to fix it in Photoshop. Better than nothing right?



And in case you need a reminder, this is my plan for the colours:



~ Liz

Q2 Challenge - Go BIG!

The 2nd quarter of 2008 is already here and I am so pleased with how many handmade gifts you all have already put out into the world :) As you know, one of our main goals as a group is to avoid the last minute rush that comes along with trying to finish gifts for special occasions and holidays.

For the second quarter...we're going to do some BIG gifting!

To qualify for the Q2 challenge, you must:

1. Choose your biggest, most challenging, or potentially longest project endeavor for this year.
2. Post the chosen project and it's details out here.
3. Post progress photos and descriptions (and cries for help and/or support) out here.
4. Post FO photos and details by June 30 . Email mamamarce@gmail.com to let me know.
5. Dance a jig.***

***This one is optional, but you'd be surprised how tempted you'll be.

**Knit, crochet, sew BIG!**
Each person can have up to TWO entries, and you'll get a bonus entry if your item is one that you plan to give in the last quarter of the year (October through December).

Need more motivation?? Ok...here's the prize you're going for...

The new Jordana Paige knitting bag, Bella in bronze
(prize and photo courtesy of Jordana at JordanaPaige.com)

As always, PM or email me with your intention to accept the challenge, your FOs and any questions you may have(mamamarce@gmail.com).

Q2 Challenge -- Count me in!

For the Q2 challenge, I'll be crocheting an hourglass afghan for my niece for the holidays. I haven't read over the pattern completely yet, but having to crochet pieces and put them together, this is just the thing that I would tend to leave until...

So count me in. I'll be sure to post progress pics.

Going BIG - progress on Cobblestone

Last weekend (and week) was productive.  The body of Cobblestone is finished.  Starting the sleeves this weekend.  The yarn for Cable Guy and Modern Quilt Wrap should arrive next week, so I'm motivated to focus on Cobblestone. 

Sasha's Q2 Challenges!

I am SO thrilled about the Q2 challenge! It's perfect!

I've got several big doozy projects that I need some motivation in getting either off the ground or to the final stages of completion!

1. Gran's FLowerbasket Shawl
I've been working on this one since.. January? but making SUCH slow progress, I need a serious kick in the arse to get going, and the Q2 challenge is just that!!

2. Totally Autumn Throw
A belated wedding gift for close friends. They were married in March 07 and we gave a joint gift with others, but I've always wanted to give them a special heirloomy lovely knitted goodie just from us that they can snuggle under together and feel the love :)
Just waiting for them to pick which Briar Rose colour they want!! THEN I can cast on!

3. Raw Fleece Prep
I've had a lovely big raw fleece for aaages, since i was VERY new to spinning. Hence, when I picked it up I didn't realise how much WORK is involved in prepping it for the spinning I want to do with it!!
So... I need to trim, wash, dry and card the 18kg fleece!

4. Spin Fleecey Fibre!
The more enjoyable follow on from point 3 - I get to spin it all up!!
Plan to knit a jumper for my shweetie from this fleece, and he likes "tow-rope" super thick yarn, so I need to spin up a jumper's worth of tow-rope!

Wish me luck folks! These four teamed with the other knickknacks I'll be doing up feel alittle overwhelming! But at least I've got them charted out and this GAL to keep me happy and on track! :)

p.s. excuse poor quality of the photos - they were taken back in the dark ages when I didn't have my digital camera and relied on my *gasp* phone camera!

Keeping it Big

I have 4 ideas to meet the challenge to "keep it big".  The first 3 will be for holiday gifts, the last to conquer my biggest challenge and fear.

• Cobblestone Pullover    I cast on last night and plan to catch up on episodes of the Tudors this weekend and knit
• Cable Guy from Son of Stitch and Bitch
• Modern Quilt Wrap.  I'm traveling in May and hope to bring with me for my travel project, since the Kidsilk haze should squish nicely into a smallish bag.
• My first pair of socks. I know this is not a "big" project, but to me it is big, because I have been paralyzed with fear to start.

Good luck to everyone!!!

April Goals!

This will be another light listed month with the hopes of adding to the list as I see what "time" I have available *big laugh - too bad I can't turn back time! - time to put away my big Cher hat now* I have to complete a portfolio entry for my job AND I still have to do my taxes *groan*



OK, so here's my list:

1. pair of baby socks - Madelyn - just because she's so cute - April 6th

2. Floral Cami - Gabriella - Birthday - April 30th

3. Entrelac scarf - friend - Christmas - April 30th

4. either Floral Cami or leg warmers - Julianna - Birthday - April 30th


My Q2 Challenge is the lace stole. It's my first lace project

challenge accepted

A very dear friend of mine is turning 40 in a few weeks. I absolutely have to make her an afghan. It will be the perfect gift for her. Every time she visits my home, she compliments me on the afghans I have on my couches. They are very plain and simple but she adores them.

So I know she would LOVE one. Of course I know her favourite colours, and what will compliment her home beautifully. And I am more than happy to put the time and effort into making her something extra special.

Problem is... I have only just realised her fortieth is coming up. I actually thought she still had a few more years to go yet! So I am under some time pressure here...

I've started... working with two strands of yarn, and a large hook. It's going to be a large afghan... suitable to drape across a queen size bed and keep both occupants warm.

So I'm going to need some encouragement. I need to get this done. Started on it last night. Now I just need to build up momentum and go for it!

I am acceptin' the challenge!

i have been meaning to start the Babette blanket for my kiddos. now i have the incentive to do it! i figure i will make it now, and when then first real cold snap, or snow comes, i will pull it out and wrap them up! hooray!

April list

Hi all -
Well I've been working away at another Celtic Tote for my March list only to realize that it wasn't on my list! Which is ok since I haven't quite finished (hopefully by this weekend). Therefore I clearly didn't finish (or even start) the socks that WERE on the list...

Marce's prize for the Q3 challenge has me thinking hard about what to start. I swatched for a Voyager Stole a while ago, but never got going with it so that will be my lace project for the challenge.

It's a busy month ahead and I doubt I'll get thru the 5 April items, but here's a full list anyway:

1. Celtic Tote/tbd/April 10
2. Bias Bag/tbd/April 30
3. Carrie Lynn Bag/tbd/April 30
4. Carryover: Jaywalker Socks/tbd/April 30
5. Pebble Beach Socks/tbd/April 30

Q2 Challenge: Voyager Stole

Congrats to those that made it thru their lists so far and any part thereof!

March Stats/April Goals/Q2 Challenge

Wow! I won! How awesome. :) Thanks, Marce & the darling name-pickers! :)

THE LIST:

1) Coronet / Grandma / Christmas 2008 / Jan. 31 Finished 1/1/08
2) Strawberry Lime Socks / My Sister / Birthday (04/04/08) / Jan. 31 Finished 1/5/08
3) Baby Shower Gift (Baby Cardi, Hat, Washcloth) / Co-Worker / Baby Shower / Jan. 31 Finished 1/27/08
4) Blueberry Pie Socks / Me! / Just Because / Feb. 29 Finished
5) Waving Lace Socks / Mom / Mother's Day 2008 / Apr. 30
6) Nutkin Socks / Me! / Just Because/trying to finish UFOs / Mar. 31 Finished 3/19/08
7) Vesper Socks / Dina / Birthday (10/7/08) or Christmas 2008 / Oct. 3 Finished 2/24/08
8) Rowan Tapestry Scarf / Undecided / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 1 Finished 1/15/08
9) Fetchings to match scarf / Undecided / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 1
10) Peacock Feathers Shawl / Mom / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 10
11) Felted Clogs / My Stepdad / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 15
12) Dublin Bay Socks / TC / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 15 Finished 3/22/08
13) PIF Socks / Teresa / PIF gift / Dec. 23 (but hopefully sooner)
14) PIF Socks / Renee / PIF gift / Dec. 23 (but hopefully sooner)
15) Charity Item / Sue / PIF gift / Dec. 23 (but hopefully sooner)
16) PIF Socks / Lisa / PIF gift / Dec. 23 (but hopefully sooner)
17) Ripple Afghan / Joe's Dad / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 25
18) Flower Petal Shawl / Joe's Mom / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 25
19) Booga Bag or Socks / Joe's Sister / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 25
20) Hat (Pattern Undecided) / Grandpa / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 25
21) Mystic Light Shawl / ?? / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 25

I managed to finish two project in March - the Nutkins for myself and the Dublin Bay socks for TC.



I stalled once again on my mom's Waving Lace socks. These will be finished one day... just not any day SOON. lol. I put it on my list for April, but I don't know if it will happen.

My goal list for April/Q2 is this:

- Waving Lace Socks for my mom for Mother's Day (April 30)
- Peacock Feathers for my mom for Christmas (Q2)
- All three pairs of my PIF socks, plus the Charity PIF item. (Q2)

It's a lot of knitting, so we'll see how it goes.