Putting my hands in a bit of everything right now

I have been extremely thankful the past few weeks to have a space of my own to work, unapologetically making messes and LEAVING them until the next time I return. I have been so motivated to work on new things, knowing I wouldn't have to clear the table off and pack up before supper!!!

Right now my craft room is in a total uproar, with projects thrown this way and that, all at different stages in completion. It is exciting to have my hands in a bit of everything right now. Perhaps because I know the time I can devote to crafty things is whittling away as the days pass. Soon enough I will set aside the busyness of my 'inside joys' to work on my 'outside joys'.

Here is a rundown of some of my projects and some updates on their progress:

* Remember the afghan I am making for Mattie? Well, I had only 3 skeins of yarn that I purchased LONG ago-which is not NEARLY enough to finish the job. Yesterday, I found the same color and bought LOTS...and a few dark blues to make strips with perhaps, or an outline. Not sure. It is nearly four times the size of this photograph.

* I finally began a poncho for Corynn! I had to change the yarn to more spring-ish colors... The dark fallish colors just weren't fitting for spring. I will save them for later and maybe make one from those lovely colors for fall. The new color scheme includes buttercup and lavender-one of my favorite combinations!

I started it last night and if I work on it as long tonight-I can get it done! Wa-hoo! If I have extra yarn, I may make a small one with matching yarn for Corynn's doll. My friend Nancy has been sewing handmade dresses for the American Girl dolls to sell, and she does such a fabulous job that she has inspired me to make a few things for my Little Miss and her doll. Of course, hers is just her Christmas DOLL, not American girl-but just as precious to Corynn.

*Well...er, I have to make another BLUE bootie to match my singleton but that is on hold until the poncho is complete.

*A breadcloth...yeah. THAT has the pieces cut...and that is IT. Thankfully, I have a few more days!

And two SUPER-DE-DUPER Confidential and HIGHLY secretive projects...

One using a certain crochet hook and the other, partners in crime with the sewing macine.

As the weather warms I was feeling a mite-bit guilty since I hadn't completed a VERY important annual winter task. That is, to tackle the mending pile. I always have to do that in winter (and often once in summer, too!) and I had not yet done it. well, I can now officially say GOOD RIDDANCE, Old Man Winter! Yesterday I did some serious and some not-so-serious mending to half a dozen garments. NICE!

Oh yes-and I nearly forgot! The fabric above I purchased at Surplus City. Any guesses what I might create from it? These fabrics are being lovingly set aside to make myself an apron that goes around the shoulders instead of the neck. I am thinking something vintage-looking. The neck straps give me migraines. I know. Weird. But...won't it be just LOVELY?!?

If I don't manage to screw it up, that is! ;-)

Oh-and the biggest, bestest project of all is the preparation's for my Panda's birthday. He is going to be ONE YEAR OLD on April 2nd...just a few short days away. I decided it only fitting to make him a Panda cake. Now-just to figure out how! ;-)

The little stinkpot has not yet said "Mama" so I am seriously considering withholding all birthday presents from him. The little buggar deserves it...