Friday, May 22, 2015

A gift from Amy and getting real with myself....................

Before I get all crazy I want you all to see what my lovely friend Amy sent me in the mail this week.  She had a little giveaway and I was the very fortunate and excited winner.  
Have a look.


Look at the wonderful things that landed in my mailbox.  These adorable cards, each featuring a dog or two, well you know how much I love my Max.  And this incredible cherry broach that she made and designed.


Isn't this broach the best?  Amy made some for fellow blogging friends she met up with a few weeks back, then she had a giveaway so we could all be included and have one too!  I am sorry for all of you who entered and did not win, but I have to say I am thrilled for myself!  I want you all to visit Amy at Love Made My Home, she is warm, caring and oh so funny.  She is also the creator of Five on Friday.  Pop in and say Hello!


Now for my reality check.  This love of yarn of mine has gotten out of hand.  I think I have a real problem here and I haven't even bought any yarn this year.  I decided to write down all the yarn I have, well all the yarn that in a singular amount could make a project.  I came up with 53 different types of yarn, with different amounts of yardage in each type ranging from enough to make a sweater all the way down to a nice scarf.  That amount does not included anything in the flat brown basket on the right side of the third shelf that is filled with all different amounts of cotton yarn.


It does include all of this, but not the bins of leftovers or odd balls I have in my closet.  This reality check also included messy shelves that need to be dusted and organized.


And it does not include these mini balls of yarn left over from lots of things I have made.  I knew I would be surprised by the sheer amount of yarn I own, but boy was I really surprised.  There is no way I am adding up the yardage, I might choke if I realized how many miles of yarn I actually have.  But writing it down has made me realize even more that I need to stick to my guns and not buy anymore yarn for a while.  I might even make it a whole year without a yarn purchase, wouldn't that be amazing!  I am going to try and pick projects for the yarn I have, not a project that is going to increase my stash.  Now to be honest, a lot of this yarn was on sale or was a gift, but still I need to get a handle on this before more is allowed in my house.  

This weekend I also plan to get a handle on my patterns.  Before Pinterest and Ravelry hit it big I was a huge printer of patterns.  I still love to do that but I need to be better about printing only those that I really, really think I am going to make.  I think it would be better for my house and the environment.  I have four days off this weekend including today, now you know I can't sit still for very long so I will be attempting to clear some things out of my house and off my list.  Today was spent running errands and getting clothes for my son to wear to his graduation and senior breakfast.  He is not one to dress up at all so he is hard to shop for and will not go out to shop for anything.  I managed two trips out and two trips back to return certain items.  He looks so handsome in nice pants and a nice shirt, don't tell him I told you that!


My container garden is looking great.  I have a huge cucumber plant growing on the right and a cantaloupe on the left.  The leaves look surprisingly similar.  The plants love the new spot I moved them to, they like having a little bit more time in the sun.


This is the remainder of my one surviving tomato plant.  We have already eaten several ripe tomatoes and there are a few more ripening right now.  Yum!  I can't wait to eat some more with a little basil and balsamic vinegar. 

I hear Little Buddy waking up from his late nap so I am going to sign off.  Hope you all enjoy your weekend.

28 comments:

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I have quite a bit of yarn as well but not as much as you. I have a few new skeins from my bloggy friends. I need to tell them not to always give me purple though. For some reason I like variegated yarns as well. My daughter in working on our garden this year. We've not planted it yet. Friends of mine already have lettuce! I am dragging my feet on a lot of things. Your prizes look nice...glad you won!! That is always fun to win from another blog. I've won a few things as well. Take care and have a good weekend. I am working Mon,....sigh!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I think we all need a reality check sometimes, especially if we collect things or have a hobby. My spare room is once again a HUGE mess and I have got to get it under control. I know you can resist buying more yarn!
hugs,
Linda

Teresa Kasner said...

Congrats on your win! You deserve it as you're such a good positive friend. As for your yarn stash? You ain't seen nuthin. My DIL tried to organize mine and now I can't find anything! :-) I need to do something about my "office" but to be honest, I'm overwhelmed by it. I guess I need a professional organizer to help me out. Glad you have a handle on yours. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Debby said...

I have a ton of scrapbooking supplies including many Stampin Up stamps. Our habits have a way of getting out of control.
Hope you have a restful holiday.

Anonymous said...

I love how you just let your plants spread out.

Looks like you are on your way to some good eating this summer. :-)

Shirley said...

We all seem to accumulate a lot of things that we probably don't need. Have you ever thought about making a crazy afghan with your bits and pieces. I still have one that my husband's aunt made me. I love all of the colors that she put into it.
I know you have been enjoying your tomatoes. I have had a couple but they are store bought. I am catching up with friends tonight. Enjoy your long weekend with your family. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend Shirley

kristieinbc said...

Another thing you can do to decrease your stash is have an honesty round with it. I did this before we moved from Kamloops two years ago. I looked at every skein and asked myself if realistically I was ever going to use it. If the answer was no I either offered it to a friend who is a knitter or took it to the thrift store. I really should have another honesty round. I think there's even more stuff i could get rid of. I love having a stash, but have decided that life is too short to have it filled with stuff I'm not all that thrilled with.

My Garden Diaries said...

Congrats on winning the giveaway pal!! And what a cool challenge to not buy yarn for the year and use up your stash! I look forward to hearing how it goes! And your veggies....they are bursting!!! Yep...I would say they like their spot there! Wishing you an awesome long weekend!!! Happy DAY!!! Nicole xo

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for letting me see more of your flock, and your pretty purple yarn Meredith [I am certain you can not have too much purple yarn!] Cheers for your win of Amy's generous giveaway! I hope you and yours have a happy weekend. xx

Summer said...

Love all the great gifts you won! I had to smile at the stash of yarn :)) I'm sure you'll find a use for it all, isn't that what we all say lol :)
Happy weekend to you.

mamasmercantile said...

I am not far behind you, if you remember my new year resolution was not to buy anymore until I had used the stash, I am still going strong. Love the cherry brooch from Amy, beautiful. Have a great weekend.

CJ said...

What a lovely parcel from Amy, I love her blog too, and I was so pleased when I saw you'd won. I bought some yarn for mittens a while back and printed off a pattern. Then I bought some yarn for a cardigan and printed off two patterns. Then I bought some yarn for a blanket. So far they're all sitting on the shelf. No time! So I can see how a stash evolves. It's a slippery slope! But well done on your plan to not buy any for a while. CJ xx

linda said...

I think it's great that you have got that far with your organising Meredith well done for being able to pinpoint all the yarns you have right down to their yardage. I think we all have the same problem hence my stash-busting challenge, I have lots of multicolour balls too and I have an idea forming about what I could do with them. Congratulations on winning Amy's giveaway the brooch is lovely. Have a great weekend. xx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Meredith, congrats to you for organizing your stash as best you can. I'm with Teresa, it is too overwhelming for me!!!! Someday I will have to tackle it. My problem is I have yarns and fabric and journaling etc.........
But back to you, love your gardens and hearing about your son's events.
Have a great long weekend, xoRobin

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

Congrats on your win, I enjoy Amy's blog too & she does come across as a lovely lady. Ahh yarn stash I hear you there, I added my yarn up & have bought 683 balls in just over 18 months!! It's so addictive xx

Anonymous said...

Ho, I don't even know where to begin! First, you call that a yarn stash - seriously girlfriend!!! Wait until I post a photo of my yarn stash... I know I should be ashamed of myself but I'm NOT!!! LOL! I just love the squishy soft feel of a nice skein of yarn in my hand! And oh the colors... how could one let all those colors remain homeless? LOL! And then, remember, I also have unspun fleece, hmmm come to think of it some of it still unwashed straight off the back of the fluffy creature that makes all that luscious wool for us!!! LOL!

I am jealous with a capital "J" over your container plants! Clearly you have a very green thumb! We just had a frost last night, hopefully the last for the season but that means I have probably another week before I can safely plant in my soon to be raised garden beds.

Wow, son graduating! I'm assuming this is number two and from highschool?! They grow so fast! Like plants in a garden really! :D

Hugs for now and do have fun with your four whole days off!!!
Beth

Stins said...

Ha, that's inspiring, I am also organizing my craft room :-) (read: dumping ground)
I couldn't even open the door anymore, oops... because of all the stuff that was in there! I'm getting there, and it looks much better already :-)
Lots of love from Mirjam.

Clare said...

So brave my friend, I'm not confessing the size of my yarn stash, but I really do need to have a sort out. Have a lovely weekend
Clare x

Caffeine Girl said...

I would like to make you feel better about your stash by telling you how many types of yarn I have, but then I'd have to total up my stash and there is no way I'm up to that huge task! I'm sure it dwarfs yours.

Reading the comments, though, I do think I'll try to thin it out this weekend when the rainy weather hits!

kathy b said...

Taking stock is such a good thing. Having a long weekend...even the better.
Planning is always part of our knit process and it is a fun part.
Happy Summery weekend. Glad the graduation clothing search is over. Class of 2015....wahoo!!
What wil Lil Buddy be? Class of?????

Betsy said...

Congratulations on winning such a cute gift Meredith. Good for you! And you don't have too much yarn. I need to post a photo of my yarn. Loser. It will make you feel much, much better. :-). I hope you're having a lovely weekend.
Blessings,
Betsy

Amy at love made my home said...

Yay, so glad it arrived and that you liked it. I thought you might like some doggy things too! Gosh, that will be quite a challenge for you with the yarn not to buy any, but it looks as though you have some lovely things to choose from in your stash so I hope that you will enjoy making lots of lovely things with your stash! xx

Babajeza said...

My yarn and fabric stash are my life belts for times I will not be able to leave the house. :-) I think your yarn stash is okay. I like the jar with the mini balls. :-)

Hugs, Regula

handmade by amalia said...

A wonderful treat! Good for you.
Amalia
xo

Suzan said...

The knitted cherries are great!! And your garden is WONDERFUL!!
Videalia Onions and fresh tomatoes are the BEST summer sandwich!!

Sandy said...

Nice stash of yarn. I have two filled banker boxes of printed crochet patterns. There is no way I will ever crochet all of them. And they are not organized. I finally put my yarn out on my book shelves. I love to look at all the yarn to decide which colors to use.

elns said...

"This love of yarn of mine has gotten out of hand."

Yeah, I'm feelin' you on this one, Mere. But really. It's a good love to have a little out of hand. You do so much with it, it's not decoration. The amount you are able to create with such a full active life with kids of all ages and intense work. I just want you to enjoy it. :) Knit Happy, Mere.

Between Me and You said...

I've had to come way back to here to catch up! I CANNOT understand why you don't show up on my bloglist and thought I'd solved the problem last time by 'following' you on Google Friends but nope, had to add myself to that too! Anyhoot,Mer, I'm sorry you've had such a time between one thing and another, especially that awful situation with Little Buddy's photo being misused. How distressing for you all. I'm so glad everything's fixed now. Congrats to your Handsome Boy too and 4 hours away isn't so bad. At least it's not another country away! Happy Weekend to you and your stash, Meredith! xxx