Gratitude List #8

I can't think of a better way to mark the ending of this year.  In all honesty, it has been a crummy 2011, but at the same time, I have so much to be grateful for.

66. Celebrating a wonderful Christmas holiday with my family and friends.

67.  A good movie can be such a happy distraction.  I saw Girl with A Dragon Tattoo this week and it was excellent.  If you haven't seen Crazy, Stupid, Love rent it right now.  It just made me smile last night.  And Ryan Gosling is so adorable in it too.

68.  Taking time to relax this week.  I feel like I've caught up on sleep, organized a bit, made time for fun, and finished reading the Hunger Games series.  Oh Peeta, how I love you!  I read the last two books in a day for each of them.  So good!!

69.  Being blessed with an awesome group of knitting friends!  I heart you guys and couldn't have gotten through this year without you.  I started my IGK group on Ravelry this year and I'm so glad I did!  It is such a fun group :) and I especially love our knit-alongs!  Next up is a Cotty KAL, so come join us.  And Cotty is on sale for $4.50 from now until Jan. 8!  

70. I have four new designs that will be released in January and (sh!!!) no deadlines in the next month or so! I need a little time to breathe and create.  Plus I have a gorgeous design on my needles right now that I'm enjoying.  My first design will be released later tonight...I'm designing for the Sock knitters Anonymous Mystery KAL in January! The pattern will be released in 4 different clues! Come join us here.  I'm going to pretend that I am not nervous about releasing a mystery sock pattern, especially when there are already 122 projects for it on Ravelry! EEEK!



71. Finishing a pair of socks before the end of the year.  Lil' Snowboarder requested socks for Christmas (love that kid!) and she has been coveting this STR colorway all year.



She was so excited to receive one on Christmas, I know she'll be thrilled to now have a pair!

72. I hope to celebrate the new year tomorrow by finishing another pair of socks.  Pa will be so happy to finally have a new pair of socks.  Well, not as happy as if I just mended his old ones, but I'll be happy knowing a new pair of socks are done.

73. Although I'm not yet 100%, the past two weeks I have felt the healthiest I've been in the past four months.  That is a lot to be grateful for.

74.  The music of the Nutcracker.  I've fallen asleep to it probably every night since we saw it last week.  Such a happy memory!

75. 2011 is done in less than 6 hours.....woohooo!  I am grateful to have survived this year.

Wishing you and yours a very happy and healthy new year!!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknit

P.S.  I'm also offering a new year's sale in my Ravelry Shop.  Just use the coupon code happynewyear between now and Jan. 8, and you'll receive 20% off any of my individual IGK patterns here.

Gratitude List #6

Time to bring back my gratitude journal.  I'm really trying to focus on the positive things in my life right now, which means letting go of some of that negative energy.  And that isn't always the easiest thing to do, if you know what I mean.

Things I am grateful for today:

56. Feeling better today, and that includes NOT needing a nap or pain medication for the first time in over a week!

57. Yummy treats at the farmer's market. I bought healthy food too, but these were prettier :)



58. Fresh-baked pumpkin bread.

59. Watching Notre Dame football with my family!  A victory made it even sweeter.

60. Time to actually knit, and to knit in my favorite knitting spot.



What are you grateful for this week?

Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Gratitude List #5

Before the new week begins, thought I would take a moment to be grateful for a few things this week.  Here goes...

Things I am grateful for...

51.  Pa.  My Dad is pretty awesome and I'm grateful for the great Father's Day that we had today.  As requested, lots of scones were made and his favorite chicken casserole too.  I hope you all had a happy father's day too!

52. The fact that my dad loves the handknit socks I make for him.  He loves them to death.  Literally. I told him I would mend some for him today, and when I asked him to get the socks that needed mending, he dropped this pile in front of me.



53. The sock mending class I took from Stephanie at Sock Camp.  Thank goodness.  To be honest, I only mended two pairs today.



54.  My sister.  Yesterday I was grateful that she stepped in and helped with sock modeling :)

55.  Second chances.  And third chances.  And people who love you enough to give them to you.

What are you grateful for this week?  Please share (you know I love the gratitude lists!) or leave a link to your gratitude post.

Here's to a fabulous week ahead!
Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Gratitude List #4

I hope you all had a great week.  I had a very, very busy one at work, a very exciting one for IGK, and an awesome, although too short, weekend.   A perfect way to wind down this weekend is to share my gratitude list for the week.

Things I am grateful for....

36. Days where I can sleep in.

37. Cherries from the farmer's market.



38. Having three healthy salads made for the week ahead.

39. Having my gym bag packed and all ready to go for tomorrow after work.

40. Knitting time at the carnival Friday night.  That's a ferris wheel in the background.  No way was I going on that thing.  Those traveling carnivals are a bit questionable to me...



41. Sunny, sunny days!  Yay! Finally.  Even if it was only 71 degrees, it sure was nice to have a sunny day today in the bay area.

42. Doggies that jump right up on the chair waiting for doggie scritches when I come home.



43. Crazy work week being done.  Just one more IEP this week!! Schedules for staff and kiddos for the summer are done!  Late nights of report writing are done..well, at least until September.

44. Releasing 4 new patterns this week!  Some were done months ago, but it definitely was a fun IGK week!

45. Finishing another project.  Soaking and blocking is the fun part!



46. Bones. I've now caught up on Seasons 1-5! Shh!!! Don't spoil this season..I haven't seen it yet.

47.  Summer Wind being selected for our next Irishgirlieknits Group KAL!  Which means I'm extending the 20% off pattern with the coupon: happysummer until Wed., June 15.

48. Disco. She is an amazing super speedy test knitter and bestest knitting sister ever! Love you Disco and so grateful for you this week!

49. Being able to cast on a new project this week!

50. Cupcakes.  Specifically, Oreo Chocolate, Lemon Basil Blueberry, and Peanut Butter Banana. Yum!



What have you been grateful for this week?  I'm looking forward to reading.  I think this has become one of my favorite topics to blog about and to read the comments on.

Thanks everyone!
Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Gratitude List #3

In the knitting world, lots of people are buzzing this week about the upcoming TNNA trade show.  If you remember, I officially became a member in January and was able to go to the show in Long Beach earlier this year. 

As much as I wanted to go to the upcoming show in Columbus, I just knew I wouldn't be able to make it work this year.  And so instead of pouting that I can't be there, I thought today's post would be a perfect time to reflect on the many things I'm grateful for in my budding designing career since TNNA in January.

26. I have a new gorgeous logo that I'm still tickled with!  So much so that I've even put it on totebags (psst! totebags are back in stock btw)!

27. I've published 5 new designs, one of which will be released tomorrow through Sunshine Yarns.

28. I have 2 more designs for Kollage that will be released this week and at TNNA.  Hopefully Erica will take some pictures of the Kollage Yarns' booth for me :)  I can't wait to see the final pictures!  Here is a sneak peek at Keegan, the baby hat and booties set!


Seriously need to pinch those cheeks!!  Too cute. 

29. Both of these patterns, and ANOTHER one, will be featured in Kollage's upcoming Feed Your Creativity program.  That is 3 of the 10 projects featured!  I was hoping that maybe one of my patterns would be picked, but 3?!  So excited!!  And to be paired up with other fabulous patterns and designers, it is an honor. 



30.  I've opened two wholesale accounts with both Miss Babs and Sunshine Yarns and as I continue to reformat my patterns, I'm looking forward to opening more wholesale accounts. 

31.  I'm teaching at Sock Summit!!!  And my class sold out in less than an hour!!  I'm beyond honored to be among one of 60 fantastic teachers.  Seriously, so grateful for this opportunity!

32. I have another design that will be released on Wednesday!  (that makes 8 designs in 5 months....no wonder I'm tired!). 

33. I'm grateful for all that I have learned the past few months, and for recognizing that I have so much more to learn.

34.  I have been blessed with an amazing group of people who have been so supportive of this journey, from my test knitters, to other designers both new and experienced, and to indie dyers and yarn companies for their support!

35.  Most importantly, I am grateful for all of you for continuing to inspire me, support me, laugh with me, and tink with me!  Which reminds me, I have a pile of UFOs that need to be dealt with...I may need your help with that!

Well, I hope this doesn't sound just like a list of things I've done since TNNA.  I really am incredibly grateful for all of these things because I still just can't believe all of the awesome things that are happening!  Thank you!

See, it'll be ok that I won't be at TNNA this weekend. 

What are you grateful for this week?  I loved reading what you guys were grateful for last week.  I really think this positive attitude may be the way to go...

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Gratitude List #2

I heart 3-day weekends.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I have a lot to be grateful for this past week (I know, technically it is Monday, but the long weekend is making me think the week is just wrapping up).

Here is my Things I'm Grateful For List #2

11. 3-day weekends.

12. Freshly groomed doggies.





13. Fresh lettuce at the Farmer's Market, which translates to yummy salads all week long.



14. Hearing La Vie En Rose on a Saturday morning.



15. Reading what other people are grateful for...here, here,  and here.

16. Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam cheese.  I intended to take a picture, but um...

17.  Raspberry Buttermilk Cake.




18. That my mom is willing to walk around on rocks and sand for a sock photo shoot. Thanks mom.


Capitola Socks, coming soon from Sunshine Yarns

19. Celia's speedy test knitting skills to make this photo shoot possible.

20. New project bags that were not only on sale, but match my new project perfectly!



21. Snuggles with my best friend's 7-month old baby, who was home visiting this weekend.

22. Catching up with old friends.

23. Learning to lever knit. Thank you Steph! Most of last year I really, really tried to stick it out and switch over to lever knitting. I had taken Stephanie's Knitting for Speed and Efficiency class twice and wanted to put in a good effort try!  I still don't have it down perfectly, but I do think I knit more efficiently and I also don't despise the purl stitch anymore.  Which is how this on Saturday afternoon, turned into a finished scarf today.



24.  Tosh Merino Light. I bought this last month at Jimmy Beans Wool, and love it!!

25. Uber-talented friends.  I am so blessed.



What are you grateful for this week? Please share!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Gratitude

Happy almost just about Friday!  Thank you guys for your super supportive comments on Tuesday's post.  I've been doing a bit of thinking lately, and I think I'm going to try a bit more to focus on the positive things in my life.  As Stacey suggested, maybe starting a gratitude journal.  I really enjoy reading Tammy's 1300 things to be grateful for list, and it led me to Violet's blog, who inspired Tammy.  Although I'm not quite ready to jump right in and commit to a list of 25 things each week, I think I'm going to do some modified version.  I'll give it a try.

Things I am grateful for this week

1. Being able to stop by the farmer's market today after work.  I bought Ranier cherries! Yum!

2. My friends suggesting we see Bridesmaids after knit nite on Tuesday (our knit nite meets at a restaurant a few doors down from the movie theater).

3. Going to see Bridesmaids and laughing so much for two hours.  Pretty fabulous movie.  Go see it with your girlfriends this weekend.

4.  Casting on a sock project with a sock yarn I haven't tried before, and loving every second of it.

5. Sunny days. Today was one of those!  Especially delightful since it was raining??!?!  a few days ago.

6.  Having enough daylight when I came home from work to take a picture of that sock project I'm loving.

7.  Raising $420 for this weekend's Walk Now for Autism Event!  Thank you all for purchasing my Walk Now pattern and showing your support.

8. That tomorrow is Friday and I have a fabulous weekend planned.

9. The ability to give away pattern prizes!!  Some awesome blog suggestions....thank you!! Five lucky winners of a copy of Sweet Home are....

Melanie
Dianne 
Megan
Siobhan
Renee Ann

Shoot me an email at irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com and I'll email you the pattern pdf.  Congrats!!

10.  Making the time to blog tonight. 

Anyone want to join me?  What are you grateful for this week?

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits