All is Quiet on New Year's Eve...

How hip are you? Do you know where the title comes from? (The real words are "All is Quiet on New Year's Day") It is the end of the month and the year and what a year it has been. I was on a sabbatical from teaching from February to July (that's how long my salary was reduced!), took some incredible courses, my father had a heart attack, a friend of mine died from malignant melanoma and left 2 kids the same ages as mine, my mother's friend's husband died suddenly, my Aunt Ruthie died, I had my bat mitzvah, my fake Aunt Bernice died, Ben went to sleep away camp, Elijah had a wonderful time being the only child at home during the summer, we're planning Ben's bar mitzvah, I transitioned back to school in September without any problem, DH has gout, and I know there were a lot more things but I can't think of them right now (and I'm sure you are all saying, "Thank God!")

And then there was the knitting...socks, scarves, some baby things, knitting for Iris Schreir (that was fun and exciting), selling my knitting in The Lily Pad (a big deal for this girl!), and winding up with charity knitting (preemie caps and a blanket).

The only thoughts that come to mind for the new year is that there will be peace in the world. No more killing, no more genocide. I also wish for good health for my family and friends, financial security, a 30 lb. weight loss for me, a larger one for DH, and that my children will always love me no matter how much we annoy each other!

I wish for everyone a very happy and healthy and safe new year. We're off to go to our friends across the street (basically because they have a big screen TV) but we have some delicious vittles to share. We don't like to drive on this night so this has become a wonderful tradition. Happy New Year, everyone! See you in 2007!

Confidence in My Blog!

I just had to write this. I was so nervous about opening my blog up to the world and the 2 comments I received have really made me feel great! Thanks! I know that not all comments in my blog future will be positive, they may be nasty and critical but thanks for the great start! I'm grinning from ear to ear!

Confidence in My Knitting

Why is is that knitters seem to downplay their talents? When someone would compliment something I made, I would respond with, "Oh, it was nothin!" Is it because I can't take a compliment? Attention being paid to something I made in my house may not merit the same attention to a "real" object of art? I was feeling this way for a long time. Then I realized that it was spreading to my family. When my husband's co-worker had a son, I told him that I would knit 3 fruit caps for the baby in 3 different sizes. "Is that enough of a gift?" he asked. Hmmm, maybe he was right. I ran to the store and got a cute photo album/frame thing. Then it dawned on me that those hats could be worth a lot of money in a store. Why did I cave and get something else? It made it seem that my hats weren't good enough.

I ran into a woman I know from my temple in AC Moore. She was buying different types of yarn because she knits scarves and sells them for $40 - $60 each! My mouth hung open. I came home somewhat agitated because I could do something like that and I know I'm a better knitter than her. (Okay, a little competition here but I don't think she knows how to make anything but a scarf!) My husband told me to make something and sell it. Naah, I couldn't do it until...

The wife of my husband's co-worker called me. She's opening a children's store that features handmade item. Could I knit up some hats for her to sell? I felt that old voice in my head say, "Who's going to pay for them? They're just hats I could whip up in a matter of hours?" I shut the voice up and said, "I'll do it!" I knitted 10 hats for her, had them delivered via the husbands, and lo and behold, seven sold! I became a "professional"! My whole attitude changed. My knitting is worth something. Even though those hats were simple, there are many people out there who CAN'T knit and are willing to buy my knitting! I even sold 2 to a friend of mine at school however I did give her a special discount. She told me the hats were so well received. It made my day!

Now I'm working on some stuff to send to her to see if she would like it for her store. In the past, I would hem and haw about it. Now I feel as if I grew a set of, well, you know...nothing can stop me now! When I get compliments on my stuff, I don't downplay my talent. I say thank you and smile!

Awake and Alone on Christmas Morning

Everyone is asleep. We went to bed very late last night after a fun time with our friends who must visit the Jewish deli every year. Gifts were exchanged, we all ordered in moderation and then home for tea and coffee. DS#2 wanted me to watch and Austin Power's movie with him. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I will probably fall asleep while watching it but I tried. For some strange reason I was able to pop out of bed, make myself my English Breakfast tea, watch the Today Show and check e-mails. I'm now thinking about my knitting.

I have to finish a preemie cap. I made a little kit with some cool yarn that I used to make my niece a sweater with when she was born. It's stretchy and bright. I plan on trying to make a few to give to my guild. My kids were born full term, big and healthy. I can't imaging what these parents go through when they have a premature baby. I just hope my little hats keep those little heads warm so they can thrive and grow.

Now...my square holes sweater. This project was put on hold so I can frantically knit the Hebrew teachers' scarves and the 3rd grade secular teacher one, too. I must have mentioned dozens of times on Knit Talk that I was such an idiot! I'm just glad it's over. Now to get back to my stuff however, I really enjoyed those quickie projects.

So, on Christmas morning, I am relishing the quietness of the house, I feel the need for another cup of tea, and the need to finish that little preemie hat that was interrupted by other things. Peace.

P.S. I finished 2 hats. Here's a picture of them. Yes, that is an acorn squash and a clementine!

Grand Re-Opening

I read in a previous entry that I opened this up to the public. That was news to me. Why have I been so shy? I don't care what people see. It's another side of me, that's all. What have I been doing with my knitting? First, I made a little pocket money selling 7 hats in a store. Not bad. I'm not going to get rich from it but it was very flattering to know that people will pay money for my knitting! It definitely boosted my confidence! I gave the store owner some holiday hats to look over. I have to call her tomorrow to see if she is interested in them. I made 2 newborn sizes: one was a Christmas hat and the other was a Chanukah one. That one was done in navy blue with silver fun fur around it!

I am working on Iris Schrier's Square Holes Sweater from her Modular Knitting book. I'm getting close to finishing the left front. I'm really enjoying this project. The yarn is gorgeous and the pattern is fun. Some of my students today told me that I was in a gang called the Ladies Knitting Gang. I told them that the name of my gang was the Hipknittas. They thought that was the funniest thing they ever heard. I've got jokes!