Finally some finished objects

Christmas was interesting. In spite of having several projects already to work on, I decided to start a few more. Some were Christmas presents, some were just things that I thought would be fun and suddenly, I felt absolutely overwhelmed with projects, which is not good for an already busy and stressful holiday. Well, slowly, I've been getting things done.

My advent calender never quite worked out. I got the main design finished, but the idea that I had for the pockets just didn't work. So, I think I'm going to have to tear out the pockets and I'm just going to finish it to be a wall hanging. I'm pretty pleased with it though and I can't wait to hang it up next Christmas. 

I also finished a microwaveable rice bag for a Christmas present, which sadly enough, I forgot to take a picture of. I'm going to make more though because they are lovely. I added a few drops of lavender to it and it smells great and stays warm for at least 45 min.

And then, there's my neverending project. Civil War mittens. A woman I know has a shop that she sets up at reenactments and she gives us the yarn and supplies the pattern and we make mittens for her. Here's her website. She's really cool! And, I have learned so much making these mittens, and not just about kntting.

At first when I started working on these, they frustrated me so much because I felt like I never had time to do anything else. All I did was work on mittens and I felt like I wasn't getting much done. Then, I realized, the mittens didn't have to be the center of my universe. Instead, they could just be something to keep my hands busy when I was doing other things. I started taking them to work meetings in the mornings and they kept me awake after working the night shift. I would take them outside with me when my daughter just wanted to run. She loved it because she got to stay outside for so much longer since I wasn't getting bored as quickly. I worked on them when I just wanted something mindless and relaxing to do. Then, when I was ready for a challenge I could put them aside knowing that I wasn't neglecting them, I just had other things to do. Now, I love these mittens. They are an ongoing project that I am so grateful for.

I think what I love about projects is that they add spice to life. They are fun and interesting. When I think of them as seasoning they make my life brighter. They make a terrible main dish though when allowed to overwhelm every aspect of my life. Everything in moderation, right?!