Q3 Challenge Countdown...

Hello GALs!

Just over 2 days to go before our month-end deadline for the Q3 Challenge. I'm so happy to see that many of you who accepted the challenge have completed your list of 3 items - more gifts for your loved ones, and something for you too, which I hope is bringing you much fiber joy :)

For those of you still pushing for the finish line, I'll accept posts and emails or PMs on Ravelry indicating your finish until Wednesday morning, Oct. 1st. I will doing a random drawing from the list of successful Challengers and announce the winner by the end of the week.

Watch this space - the Q4 Challenge will be announced very soon...I think this is one that we're all going to really get into.

Have a wonderful week!

Q3 Challenge - Easy as 1, 2, 3!

Greetings again friends! This is the official announcement of our third quarter challenge. We're closer than we realize to the end of the year (yikes!) and like me, many of you still have visions of a stress free gifting Q4 dancing around in our heads. To help us along that path, here are the rules for the Q3 Challenge. To qualify as a contender you must complete the following:

1. Make Something old - finish an in-progress or unfinished gift that has been lingering in your project pile.

2. Make Something new - start and finish a new gift

3. Make Something special just for you - many times when gifting season comes, making things for ourselves is completely forgotten, so this is your chance to knit, crochet, sew something just for you!

Additional rules:

• Please email BrownBerry at mamamarce@gmail.com to accept the challenge
• All 3 items must be completed by September 30th to qualify
• Please post pictures or a description of what you plan to complete for each of the 3 items
• Please email BrownBerry when you have finished all 3 parts of the challenge
• Please tag your finished posts with "Q3ChallengeFO"
• One Bonus entry will be given for any item that is completed for a Q4 gift

Prizes
I'm going to give you only hints this time :) Hint #1 and Hint #2

ARE YOU IN??? I just know you can bring some energy and enthusiasm to this one! We're cheering you on to a Q3 Challenge victory!

P.S. Thanks for your patience with me recently, my work priorities seem like they have tripled, and some frequent travel has meant that I can't be as quick to respond as I would like - I'm tracking your great progress though, and doing my best to keep up with each of your posts and messages!

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).

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.

Just Under the Wire

Whew... Just made it.

Here are my entries for the Quarterly Challenge.



A hat knit for my brother for Christmas 2008. The yarn is from Brooks Farm Yarn Mas Acero and the pattern is Paris-Roubaix from Knitspot.

I made a matching pair of mittens using the same yarn and pattern.


I'm also knitting the matching scarf (but it isn't an entry)


I hope I can get my computer issues fixed so I can post more regularly. I have enjoyed seeing everybody else's stuff.

Hot off the hook

After feeling pleased with myself that I finally finished one of my Christmas gifts last week, I've been hooking away all weekend, and yesterday, and hot of it's hook is another of my [7!!] lap blankets. This one is a different colour to the last one, but the screen seems to make it look almost the same. The first was two shades of blue with the odd line of cream, this one is lilac and cream.

I'll tackle something else before doing another, but feeling pleased that this is the second of my bigger hand made gifts sorted ;)

First Quarter Challenge

I finally got my act together and finished one of the two Christmas items I want to do by the end of the quarter. I decided to do lap blankets for my UBS ladies - one down, six more to go!! I've got the next one on the hook and that will be done by the end of the month

Leigh's February List

A Happy Ground Hog Day to all! We went up to see Wiarton Willie yesterday for my duaghter's birthday (she's a ground hog baby) and he didn't see his shadow and we heard Phill didn't neither. So an early spring. But what happened to winter? We really haven't had much.

My goal this month is to knit 5 more items or more. Whether its scarves or dishcloths for a craft show or to get some Christmas gifts done. I have to still catalogue one more tote of yarn than I can post how much I actually own. Its alot and I plan to knit some of it up this year.

Another goal is to knit some preemie hats for a yarn shop in town and use up some of the arcylic yarns I have. I just have to get there and get the patterns. I think I knitted one last year but it was almost at the end of the month and they were being shipped out a week later.


I also took 4 balls of yarn back to Zellers last week and Ihave frogged a sweater I started for my daughter. I wasn't that far into it so I can now use that yarn for soemthing else. Not sure what.
So..... February

5 knitted projects and some preemie hats.

At this time I have actually knitted 3 items for Feburary too. I finished a scarf on Feb 1 and I have made 2 heart dishcloths. So I know I will be able to complete the task by the end of the month. But if its a month like last.. than the knitting will be done at the start of the month and other life will take the last few weeks. January turned out to be a busy month and I think February will be too and its a short month.

Happy Knitting!

Leigh Ann

January's list is coming along!

So... I have four FOs. I'm hoping to get a pair of socks done for my admin support person who was admiring my socks that travel with me everywhere in my purse. She'll get them for admin professionals week in April.

Edgar scarf-this was a dream to knit up quickly... just a little bit more than a movie length. I used an oddball Katia Nepal sitting around the house. For one of the many girlfriends who are starting to dream about a handknit Christmas next year.

Dorothy's Revenge hat and scarf. For a girlfriend or mom at Christmas.
Heartbreakingly Cute Kimono-for pregnant friend, Kim, who is having a girl. I'm seeing her on Monday! Yeah for being done.
Marsan Watchcap for child. For Ethan for Christmas.

Newbie and 4 FO's and Quartly Challenge

Hi everyone! I saw this a few weeks ago and thought WOW! This would be a great incentive to get my Christmas knitting done. I have loved seeing everyones finishes and I will post my list shortly. I think there's around 25 things on it (not counting all the scarves I have been knitting).

Here are some photos of three of the scarves I have finished. I am half way through number 5 as well.

Happy Knitting! Leigh Ann

FO, Challenge Acceptance

I've updated my gift list a bit...

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, Booties, Washcloth, Bib) / Co-Worker / Baby Shower / Jan. 31
4) Felted Clogs / My Stepdad / Christmas 2008 / Mar. 31
5) Dublin Bay Socks / TC / Birthday (4/18/08) / Mar. 31
6) Waving Lace Socks / Mom / Birthday (9/19/08) / Aug. 31
7) Vesper Socks / Dina / Birthday (10/7/08) / Oct. 3 (In progress)
8) Rowan Tapestry Scarf / Undecided / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 1
9) Fetchings to match scarf / Undecided / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 1
10) Peacock Feathers Shawl / Mom / Christmas 2008 / Dec. 10
12) PIF Socks / Teresa / PIF gift / Dec. 23 (but hopefully sooner)
13) PIF Socks / Renee / PIF gift / Dec. 23 (but hopefully sooner)
14) Charity Item / Sue / PIF gift / Dec. 23 (but hopefully sooner)
15) PIF Socks / Lisa / PIF gift / Dec. 23 (but hopefully sooner)

I have finished the hat portion of my baby shower gift, and I expect to finish that this weekend if I don't get sidetracked by the hat I'm working on in Malabrigo, lol! :) The sweater is finished w/ the knitted portion, and I'm getting buttons tomorrow, so I'll post a picture once those are attached.



I am accepting the Q1 Challenge. I've already cast on Dina's socks, and I hope to cast on the Rowan scarf soon, which I moved back because I don't really know WHO I'm knitting it for, so it can go in the Christmas pile. Let's see if I can make this happen!! ;) SO far everything I've finished this year has been for someone else, so I'm doing pretty well. :)

I'm Finally getting a chance to come here!

I joined up just after Christmas at the suggestion of Amanda from NHKnittingMama
This is such a fabulous idea.. and a great way for me to organize my thoughts for each month.

Since I'm a bit behind in starting I have just 3 items on this months gift list:

My sister's birthday (Jan 22nd, but we'll see her the following week) - Washcloths (4)
My friend Missy's birthday (Jan 4th, but will see her the 18th)- Odessa
My Friend Molly's birthday (Jan 30th) - Odessa

I am also going to join the Quarterly Challenge. The objects I plan to knit this quarter are:

1. 1/4 of the baby socks for the Baby Sock Advent Calender (this is a gift to myself)
2. Dishcloth Afghan for my daughter

Glad to be here!

I'm accepting the Quarterly Challenge too

I'm already knitting two Christmas presents this month - the Ribbed Keyhole Scarf, and a coffee cozy also. I intend to knit another cozy next month, and another scarf - both for Christmas again. If I don't try to knit at least 1 Christmas present a month, I'll never be finished in time! (I wasn't for 2007!)

Thanks for this challenge - it'll help me keep on track! ;0)