Project Spectrum is a great way to work themed colors into my crafts, but ironically, the administration of this Project has taken a great deal of time, and actually has kept me away from crafting! So, when I do get those few moments, I take full advantage. My great friend, Anjo, has sent me another package, full of green goodies!
Not only is this the May soundtrack (I am listening to it now!) but, also a trove of great supplies! A green Chibi, some great cards, spools, buttons, and ribbons, green circular needles, a very “mod” notions bag, and she made me a little pin (see? I am wearing it in this picture) And the quick craft I whipped up? I used the green glass beads she sent over to make these:
Green beaded anklet and bracelet
I used an elastic thread for the connection, and finished both the anklet and the bracelet in about 20 minutes, prêt à porter! Thank you so much, Anjo!
Before the festival, I had the great opportunity to spend last Friday with Zarah, who was in DC for vacation from Missouri. We had beautiful weather, and decided to cross off another museum on her list of places to visit: The National Building Museum (and one of my favorites to stop by!). After the museum, we agreed that it was time to knit, so we headed to Teaism, a lovely local spot, and set up to knit on our respective tank tops. (She just finished her Orangina lace tank, and it is beautiful!)
And across the table, I worked on my Emerald Tank.
This is the front of the tank, with the deep U-neck.
Zarah and I had a very nice day in DC! She was so kind, and actually brought me a little gift for showing her around some parts of the city. Zarah started the Project Spectrum Hand Dyed Sock Yarn Swap, and has made some lovely yarns. She gave me two lovely dyed hanks of springy colors! The colors remind me of a hydrangea. Thank you!
Also pictured is the great yarn I won from Sarah. Last month, I won a little contest on Sarah’s blog – how many packets of KoolAid did she buy to dye yarn? I guessed randomly, and got the right number spot-on: 204! She dyed some green yarn for me, and gave it to me this past weekend at the Festival. It has a little stripe of light purple in it too – beautiful!
Last month, I commented on Debi’s site about the lovely yarn she was using for a pair of socks. The yarn was very similar to my favorite sock yarn, Trekking XXL. She identified it as the now-discontinued GGH Marathon. Before I knew it, we worked out a little trade, and not one but TWO skeins arrived on my doorstep.
I love these colors! For the trade, I picked up some Tess sock yarn for Debi this past weekend – it will be in the mail soon, D! Thank you for the great trade!
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Speaking of sock yarns – most specifically about Trekking XXL - did you see the new sock knitalong, Trek Along With Me created by Norma and Margene? |
I just so happen to have some amazing blue Trekking in my stash, that I was planning to use for Project Spectrum June. Perfect timing! Knit a sock and take a hike! 
I love having new knitalongs to work in with the Project Spectrum color themes!
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I also joined Kimberly’s group “I’m Fit and I Knit” last month. The group offers inspiration, excitement, and a little accountability to get on track and be healthy! |
My “lifestyle change” has continued strong for 3 months now – I officially started on February 11th, and to this date, I have shed 39 lbs. of weight. After three months, these changes have become a habit – I go to the gym 5 or 6 times a week, and enjoy various cardio exercises (elliptical, step aerobics, water aerobics, and swimming) and different yoga classes. I am studying Anusara mainly, but am also enjoying a fast-paced morning Vinyasa class.
Finally, I have to share my mom’s new FO! She is in love with felting! (it made shopping for a Mother’s Day present pretty easy!) She finished knitting her Sophie purse, and felted it this week. For this one, she used about 1 and one eighth skeins of Patons Classic Merino. She immediately started on another felted pattern with some Cascade 220 Quattro, and bought some yarn and a Noni pattern this past weekend at the Festival. I love sharing this with you, Mom!
Have a good weekend!
I love GGH Marathon – I’m very sad that I’ve used up the last of my stash, so enjoy!
Teaism… I dream about their salmon bento box. I miss the salmon bento box. I used to go to the one on Lafayette Square quite a bit, because I worked in an office at the Willard Office Building (adjacent to the hotel).
I have all sorts of Cascade 220 in my stash. I think I need a purse like your mom’s!
All the green is good. But the weight loss? Fabulous! I’ve lost 4 pounds so far and I’m feeling great.
Green! I love Green! I’ve been staring at my Tess yarn (I have it displayed in the living room where I can stare at it while I knit on my other sock)….I joined the Trek along too! I picked up #100 this weekend (though I almost grabbed the same blue as you have!).
Great job with the weight loss. I know how hard it is and how much dedication and disclipline it takes.
wow 39lbs in 4 months? that’s amazing. congratulations. but, it’s a lot in a short amount of time. i don’t mean to be a wet blanket (and one could argue that it’s jealousy talking since i’ve been doing horribly) but just be careful. ok?
Yum, Teaism. That was a favorite when I was in DC. Your emerald tank is looking lovely. And congrats on reaching three months of “lifestyle changing”. I am always impressed by how dedicated you seem to be to exercizing, and how much fun you are having with what is sometimes seen as a chore. Go you!
Glad you made it to the National Building Museum–that building is spectacular! They do wonderful exhibitions there and I’m really looking forward to the Green House exhibition opening next week.
L, so many wonderful things to comment on, but mostly I just wanted to give a quick high five on your amazing progress with fitness. You look fabulous and I just know — since I’ve been there! — that you feel great, too, which is more important than anything. xoxo to you…
39 lbs – Woo Hoo!!! Amazing.
That’s some yarny goodness – I especially love that light blue hand-dyed!
that green tank is going to look fantastic. and you already have jewelry to match. i’m not so great with the beading.
going to the gym five to six times a week? i’m totally impressed. you must feel great.
Good for you!! Thanks for such a motivating post!
Yay for the weight loss! You are looking amazing! And I’m very jealous of all your new yarn and craft goodies. Not that I need any more yarn or anything!
Man, this post is bulging at the seams with goodness! Speaking of a bulge, congratualtions on fighting the battle of it! Your commitment to your lifestyle change is really amazing and you look fantastic for it. Be so, so proud of yourself.
Your mama’s sohpie purse came out teeny but the color os beautiful. Matches both her and your eyes!
Wow, I have a hard time finding time for crafting even without being the Project Spectrum Group Mom, and look how much you’ve got going on there! Busy girl!
Congrats on the weight loss, Lollygirl! Great job! I am definitely in your cheering squad!
I spotted you right outside The Fold on Saturday….I was going to say hello but didn’t want to interrupt you AND I was getting towards the end of my 20 minute lunch break from class. You are the ONLY blogger, other than Judy of Smatterings on Friday evening, that I saw the entire weekend!
I love the tank you are working on so much that I purchased it from Saun too! However, I went to my LYS yesterday and I was told it is a little too challenging for me right now.
(
But, the great gals there suggested Blue Sky Alpaca’s fitted tank pattern and I purchased it!! It is beautiful! I purchased the yarn in Poppy (which is the one its pictured in) and I started the gauge swatch. Wow!! It works up so nice. This will be my first “garmet” (not a scarf, wrap or hat). Thanks to you Lauren, you inspire me. I love to read your blog!!! I feel like I know you!! Thanks!
Kudos on the amazing weight loss!! You are one determined lady! Your mom is too cute! I tried to teach my mom to crochet (her choice) but we haven’t met with much success yet. My grandmother was a prolific afghan crocheter and always had yarn and hook in hand. Have a super-fantastic weekend, Lauren!
Lolly – just finished some green sitich markers. Perfect for Project Specturm! Check them out on my blog!
what a great and inspiring collection of greens in that package! looks like it belong in march, though.. all that st paddy’s day influence
Beautiful greens! You’ll become a beader yet.
I hadn’t seen the Trek with me KAL. Uh-Oh, not another KAL…
You may not be crafting, but you sure have been busy!
Great job on the weightloss (I so have to get motivated) and love all the green goodness!!
I might have to start laying off the green (yes you’ve inspired me!) and start hitting the trails. I think all the weight you lost somehow landed on me!
congrats on loosing 39 lbs! that’s awesome! lookn’ good
congrats on all the new yarn purchases too! i’m sorry i missed msw this year!
YEAH for you and the amazing weight loss! So very motivating to hear … keep up the fabulous work.
And I love how you and your mom are bonding over knitting. Such a great way to connect.
I hope to meet you one of these days at one of the Panera meetups. Or maybe I’ll run in to you at CUA one of these days!
Wow! Congrats on your amazing weight loss – you are super dedicated and it is paying off!
Your green goodies are great too!
Super cool package. I love green.
Oh and that GGH yarn, Lollyyy…ARgh. It’s beautiful, to say the least.
39lbs! That is amazing. I wish I had half your dedication when it comes to hitting the gym.
Your mom is the cutest.
How pretty is that green box?! I really did read the whole post – I just keep scrolling back up to look at the green picture…
Wow, 39 pounds Lolly. That is awesome! Congratulations. You look great!
Lots of lovely greens! And your recent yarn gifts/swaps all look great – can’t wait to see how you knit them up. Congrats on the new you!
What a nice green package! Congrats on the weight loss your doing so great. You should be very proud.
There’s so much to comment on in this post! Congrats on losing 39 pounds! That’s fantastic and you should be so proud of yourself! I love this month, by the way. I’m sure I’ve mentioned it, but green is my favorite!
Green Chibi!!!! Lovely green treasures:)
I’m so glad you like the yarn Lolly! It was a pleasure sending it to you! All your new yarn looks lovely, you have lotsof nice new stash!
Best wishes for continued success on your fitness program, you look amazing! And your Mom’s adorable too!
Congratulations on the weight loss!!! I’m in this with you.
Holy Cats! 39 lbs! That’s a lot, Lolly. You’re really doing great!
That GGH sock yarn… whooo man. I saw that yesterday and headed straight to eBay to try to find my own with no luck. Yet another thing for my ever-growing ‘must find’ list.
Your Mom’s purse is so cute! How fun to have a Mom who knits and shares in your craft.
Congratulations on your “Fit To Knit” success! I just joined in and I’m feeling very inspired to recover from an injury and return to my former (pretty) good workout schedule. If only knitting were an aerobic activity – most of us would be slender enough to model in Rowan magazine
! BTW, the koolaid dyed purple streaked green is absolutely beautiful – wish that one was available in quantity.
Wow, Lauren… you’ve been busy!
Love the green jewelry!
Congratulations on getting fit. It feels really good to know you’re making yourself healthier!
And the Emerald Tank is moving right along!
WOW. Your lifestyle changes are very inspirational. I’m hoping to get back to the gym and start yoga classes this summer. Go you!
Wow, 39 pounds is impressive. Congratulations on sticking with it. You’re an inspiration.
Love those greens!!
Congrats!! 39lbs! yay!! I’m loven all the green! Especially the yarn that Sarah dyed up for you! Beautiful! The blue does look like hydrangea’s! I really like the green with bits of pink! Very pretty! Your emerald tank is moving right along! : D
so much to comment on! I may have to go check out that trek sock yarn knit along..I bought some awhile back and would love an excuse to knit it up!
Congrats on losing 39 pounds! That’s fantastic! I am trying to lose weight right now and I know how hard it can be sometimes.
I’ve used that GGH Marathon several times for socks, baby leggings, and even an entire sweater. It’s very soft and the colors knit up BEAUTIFULLY! It’s fun to watch the colors change as you knit. I wish I could find some more, too. I got some of mine from Knitpicks before they started carrying only their own line of yarns.
I am just admiring all the great gifts you got! Love the hand-dyed sock yarns. Your mom’s Sophie purse came out fantastic and she is such a cutie. Thanks for showing the tank top progress! I love seeing the process of a knitted item. Bravo on losing 39lbs! Green Rocks!
You got so many great gifts! I especially love the green glass beads. I always forget how easy making jewelry can be.
Teaism makes the best knitting spot doesn’t it. Rosanna and I used to meet there for lunch all the time for knitting. Wow, you were such the social butterfly at MSWF! I was too busy grabbing all I could before I had to head out!
Great yarns! Your emerald is coming along nicely and congrats on the weight loss – 39 pounds is very impressive – you rock!!
That is so wonderful that you are keeping up with the lifestyle changes! You look fabulous, and you really are an inspiration — I recently decided I needed to make some lifestyle changes and what’s a better time than the beginning of a new semester? (summer term just started here) I’m starting out with some conscious decisions about what I eat (as I’m sitting here with a blueberry muffin… you can tell that’s really working for me!) and I’m going to try to hit the gym a couple times a week too… but 5-6 times a week!? you go girl! You’re in school too, right? How do you keep it up? I feel like a slacker — keep us updated because you are really an inspiration for me to bring my butt over to the gym!
Woo hoo – I’m famous! I think I’m going to join the Knit & Fit group too (must fit into bridesmaids dress!) – I’ve been forcing myself to work out at least 30 minutes a day, my reward is listening to knitting podcasts!
Congrats to you on your weight loss, that is fabulous. I do agree with Maryse though to be safe and not lose too much too fast, but I am definitely not trying to put a damper on your healthy habits, that is awesome. Loving all the sock yarn you’re getting too, so cute. I bet I have the same colorway in Trekking in blue. I’ve been seeming to accumulate loads of it lately.