Year of Projects: week 5

Holy Hot!
As I type this it is 90 degrees and only 2:00 PM. I think we are slated to hit 95 today.  Yesterday was the first time we had hit 90 in 2 years, and frankly, I have not missed it much! Give me mid-to upper 70's or low 80's and I am a happy little camper.  Seriously, it is nice to finally have summer arrive here in the northwest, and the best part of all, is that due to all our marine airflow, our heat snaps are really only that.
A snap.
By tomorrow our high will be 81 and there are no more 90's in the extended 10 day forecast.  It is like we have a natural air conditioner built right in. :)

Sadly, tomorrow I return back to work after having 2 weeks off, so my knitting time will be drastically cut back to normal--but I have been busy.

I finished one yop/ravellenic mitt and have the second one over halfway done.  I really love this pattern and don't mind doing another set for a different family member for Christmas. Normally, I don't like duplicating projects as I always seem to feel the call of a new pattern.

Yesterday, a great deal of my day was spent in my master closet, giving it a good clean out and reorganization.  While digging through my pile of tote bags, I discovered this long forgotten little beauty.

I think I purchased it at a thrift store with the intent of keeping my tatting in it.  Well...the being able to tat dream died long ago and the bag was pushed to the back of the shelf.
 Now?
I can see it is the perfect size for a small knitting project to be tucked into.  Right now it is holding my fingerless mitts.

One of my greatest joys in blogging has been to meet new people, and last year I "met" Ruth from Ruth's Little Leprechauns through this YOP group.  I wish I could just pop on over to her house for a bit of tea, but that might be a bit difficult as she lives in Ireland.  Reading her posts I am always amazed with what she accomplishes with  7 wee ones, and an 8th on the way!  She knits beautifully, but what also catches my eye is her stitching projects.   You see, back before I learned to knit, many years before, I was a cross-stitcher. I taught myself how, right after getting married 30 years ago.   I loved it, and have many beautiful pieces--many of which have never been framed.  I taught my daughter at a young age, and sweetly, she was the one that taught me to knit!

Anyway, when I returned to the workforce 7 years ago, I lost all desire to stitch. I would come home tired and it would be dark outside and it just seemed too hard to see those little holes--by this time I was only stitching on linen.
But now?  I have bifocals!  And after seeing Ruth's lovely projects over and over, I think I am feeling a bit like picking it up again!  I stopped in the middle of a project by Shepherd's Bush (my favorite company)--called Peter's Patch,

It a companion piece to one I  previously stitched called  Sophie's Roses.

So Ruth, if I have decreased knitting time, I am blaming you!  :)

Well, folks, I have another closet (this time in the dining room) which needs a little attention., so I am going to sign off.
*smiles*