Scotland Bound!

This blog seems to be a little bit all over the place....but so is life around here....so for your reading pleasure.  WE'RE GOING TO SCOTLAND! 

Shane and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in 2020!  And since we've been dreaming of going to Scotland for a few years, we've decided that 2020 is the year to do it.  Of course, we got married in December and December isn't a great time to go to Scotland....so we're going in May.

This is how its gonna go....roughly...

We will land in Glasgow and spend 2 nights there.  After picking up a rental car we'll drive to Stirling on our way to stay in Glencoe for 2 nights to do some "munroe bagging." (or not quite munroe bagging depending on our training till then and the weather)  Then another drive to the Isle of Skye for a 2 night stay.  When we leave Skye, we'll visit Loch Ness (and take the next infamous picture of Nessie I'm sure) and Urquhart Castle on our way to 3 nights in Inverness.  We're making a quick overnight stop in Pitlochry on our way to Edinburgh where we'll have 2 nights before we fly out.

Yes is a whirlwind trip.  But its also important to remember that Scotland is just a little smaller than Maine.

Why Scotland?  Well first "Why not?"  We love 17th-19th century history.  I particularly enjoy British history.  Shane likes castles and swords and all that goes with them.  We love Outlander and Harry Potter and can visit scenes from the movies and tv show.  There are cities to explore and countryside to hike.  And views to get lost in.  There is good food, whiskey, tea shops and music. They speak a version of English we hope to be able to understand.  I think it will be an amazing place to see and a great place to make new friends.

We have a countdown....and as of today we have just under 9  months.  I think this is going to feel just as long as 9 months of pregnancy!  :D

Yarn Crawl 2019 and Knitting Bags

Last week, my mom and I took Lyrick, Abby (Lyrick's friend), and Delaney and Dannae (my neices) to an overnight yarn crawl.  Whats a yarn crawl you say?  Well, its like a bar crawl, but with more yarn and no beer (seriously, not one drink even outnumbered 2 to 1 by little girls).  It was not supposed to be that way but life happens and we decided 1) we could help dear friends and family out AND 2) have a good time AND 3) take our little beginner knitters to check out some yarn shops.  And you know what...we did all those things.  And it was awesome! 

Its our yarn crawl crew at breakfast on the second day.  :D  Still smiling!

We went on a walk along the Ohio River....but it was HOT so the walk was short and we found an ice cream shop instead.  (No photos of ice cream-we had to eat fast)

Supper time after a day of yarn shopping.  :D

Because I knew we were going to several shops.  And the girls were on a limited budget and I wasn't buying them all.  the.  things, I made them a scavenger hunt.  They had things to find at each shop.  This is the photo from when they found "Sheep" and could check it off the list.  They also found extra soft yarn.  Knitting needles. Crochet Hooks, yarn that matched thier outfit....and so much more.  It was so much fun!  In 3 of the 4 shops the owners/employees/other knitters were encouraging and helpful.  It made for a great experience.

I made each of the girls a knitting bag....but for the trip I filled it with snacks.  Cause snacks make every roadtrip better.
I made all 4 bags with a yard of the floral fabric and a 5 pack of fat quarters.  And I have enough floral for another-but I"m out of fat quarters.  Wait for it and I'll do a tutorial...gotta find one more fat quarter.  :

Sewing Studio!

This summer I decided to take over the bonus room above our detached garage.  I cleaned, we got a window air conditioner, and I painted the subfloor.  I wanted a usable space on the cheap! And now I have a sewing studio.

It has made all the difference and I'm sewing more.  INstead of having to spread everything all over my kitchen and dining room....and quit and clean up even if a project is unfinished. I can go out, listen to an audiobook, and sew while I have time.  And either finish or not finish. 

"Sew-phia" is my bust.  Unfortunately, we are not the same size but I can at least use her for hemming and displaying.  I also am excited to use the mood board to plan out possible projects and plans.  

My sewing desk is HUGE.  12 feet long.  and I love every inch of it!  :D

This cabinet came out of an old house....and then out of the boys bathroom where it just collected crap.  It is perfect for notions and random things.  And it matches.  I want to make the sewing machine in the corner for twin needles but I can't find the power cord so its in time out for the moment.  

My cutting mat is sad but I'm saving up for a big one....or 2 big ones to put together.  :D

Since my room is finished, I've sorted through all my fabric and am working on finding the perfect "t-shirt."  I have some "Outlander" fabric that I plan to do shirts with but am totally stressed about cutting into....it NEEEEEEDS to be perfect.  I think I have enough for 2 tshirts, a skirt/bottoms, and a cardigan. (tshirt panels, coordinates, and a "Jamie's tartan).I'm probably going to be running a lot of "muslins" through to find the perfect thing for all of them. Cause seriously PERFECTION is my goal!  HA!  But first narrowing down to the perfect t-shirt.  I've got at least one more to try.  I'm getting closer every time. 

A friend encouraged me to blog about my projects and travel plans and things.  So I'm gonna try.  I am not a photographer.  I am awkward in pictures.  And sometimes its hard to write well.  I feel like what I do isn't all that special but apparently, at least one person is interested.  (I'm not asking for compliments or followers or whatever but it just feels weird to write about things that are just what I do). 

So, that's my studio.  I love the quiet space to create that it gives me.  I hope to spend an afternoon or two out there each week during the school year....I have so many plans.  So.  many.  plans.