Cleaning out and cleaning up!

I am almost there! I have used up most of my yarn stash. I will leave the sock yarn, the bamboo yarn and the crochet thread (unopened) alone for now. I did clear out most of the stuff and in the process I did a felted doorknob hanger for my keys, a duster cover for my big push duster, and a bookmark. So I ended up using my Cascade 220, my dishcloth yarn, and the remains of some open thread. As I said I never had a big stash to begin with - but I certainly don't want it to get big. I have enough problems keeping my glass organized......until now!

Now for the really exciting news. I clean up my glass area! I wasn't going to do it, but it was starting to grate on my nerves. In fact I couldn't stand looking at the stuff. So I took off all the glass, molds, and boxes of tools and dusted everything off. I went through the scrap glass and used up what was in there for some small projects and put the pieces that weren't used back in the correct marked box. I didn't want to mix up the COE's. Everything is now spotless and in it's place. Of course I found a few pieces of glass I didn't know I had - so now I don't need to buy any more for a while. I did order a couple of bags of 90 COE millifiori and was playing with that yesterday after all the work was done. I should have a picture of it as soon as everything is done.

Glass plate and matching coasters.....

Finally I have finished this plate and set of matching coasters. This has been in the process for a while, but between the heat and a really bad week of storms, I just wasn't able to get it completed.

I used the System 96 pebbles and placed them on the edges of the glass, tack fused and then slumped. What was so nice, was that the pebbles didn't stretch or lose their shape during the slumping process. The coasters are one layer of clear and the bottom is covered in pebbles. They lay nice and flat - I was worried about that in the beginning. I didn't want them to be wobbly, then they wouldn't hold a glass or cup nice and steady.

As much as I love these, I will be selling this set. Hopefully it will go to a nice home!

More socks.....

Crocheted another pair of socks! These are also done toe up. Merino wool, brand Happy Feet, color blue! And yes, my footsies are quite happy in these. They actually feel silky. I am very pleased and hope I can get to the store to get more yarn for another pair. So far I am done three pairs in the month of July. It is not a bad project to do during the summer. Easy and lightweight. Great to carry with you and it fits in a small bag.

Another pair of socks......

I finished another pair of socks last week sometime but it has been busy here and I never found the time to post them. I actually finished them while camping - most of the work was done when the kids were swimming. Before we left the campground I started a new pair made with Happy Feet yarn. It is possibly the YUMMIEST stuff I have ever used. Of course I over bought 2 skeins of it so I guess I will be making another pair of socks. Maybe I will find another home for it - cost me $8.50 each. The socks in the picture are crocheted with OnLine Hiking - color 972.

Of course there hasn't been any pictures of finished glass projects. Why? Most are half done, fused but not slumped. We have been getting some nasty thunder storms and instead of taking a risk and possibly breaking a plate during the annealling cycle because of a power outage, I decided not to do it. When the weather clears up I will be back to my glass. I do have a few stained glass projects on the way (yeah, more half done stuff)- I am taking a small break from that until August. Even I need a break sometimes. Granted if it was for someone who needed it, they would have been done long ago.

Warm socks for winter....

I am into socks. Especially when it is winter and my toes get cold. Since the prices of fuel have gone up, we try to keep our heating costs down and that means lots of layers. So here are my warm wooly socks. I joined a KAL-CAL and one of the choices is socks. Perfect for me. I will hopefully start another pair sometime this weekend. Just have to find a good pattern.

I bought the wool at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival the past May (reminder to self - get more yarn next time because this yarn is sooo nice. It was going to be used for mittens and a hat, but I changed my mind. I am happy with them but I wish my legs didn't look so darn fat in this picture. :)

Worden Lamp - Apple Blossoms...

Yay! It is finally done. I actually finished it a while ago but became frustrated when the vase cap wasn't sitting on it right. After working on it from time to time I got it so I was happy with the results and once again put it to the side. Today I purchased more patina (I ran out) and went right home to put it on the soldered parts. Looks wonderful to me. In fact I am quite happy with it. I still need to get the right size lamp for it, but for now it will sit. I am hoping that in the next year I can start another lampshade.

Doily (still needs to be blocked)...and destashing...

Hey, here it is! My first doily. Pretty darn proud of myself - in all my years I never thought I could crochet a doily. Now I am on a thread and string finding mission. Still having an issue with color choices. When I buy the thread, I really like the color, as I am working on it I start to despise the color. Even though I did crochet it, I really am too lazy to block it. What I just might do is finish a few more doilies and then block them all at the same time.

Now for the destashing. I made a promise to myself when I first started to crochet. Never ever have too much yarn and never ever have more than more project going at the same time. I have collected some yarns over the past few months but nothing major. I want to have something in my basket. But what I really don't like is the odds and ends of leftover skeins. I will use them all up by August. That is my promise to myself.

I don't want my yarn habit to get out of control like my glass habit. I just hoard glass. Maybe I should make promises to myself about the glass collecting. Hmmmm.