*waves* It's been a while...

It’s been a while since I’ve written, but maybe life will slow down a bit soon, and I’ll have more time to write in my blog. January was nuts. The wedding was perfect, and then we got a few family obligations out of the way. I was even able to get a little knitting done. As a January crafting recap, these are the projects I finished:

One of the things I wanted to do this year was have some crafting goals. I would like to challenge myself with learning a couple of new techniques, and taking on some larger projects. My 2009 goals:

Complete and empty my UFO bin – by June 1st
Stranded Colorwork – completed! Feb/09 with Endpaper Mitts
Beaded knitting – by end of May
Entrelac – July goal
Attempt a fitted garment – by end of August
Complete a skein of homespun yarn – by end of April
Actually complete one of my design ideas, make sketches of others – year long
Work almost exclusively from stash – two yarn buying exceptions: honeymoon in April and birthday. Buying yarn for gift knitting is allowed. – year long
Learn to quilt – make quilted wall hanging – in May/June
Mousey cross stitch – start in May; finish by end of November

In plant news, it’s been warm enough the past couple of days, that I got to put all of the plants out from the garage. I think I’ll have to move them back in this weekend, but I think 5 or 6 days of real sunlight and fresh air will do them good. My office plants are kicking ass, as well, and my phalaenopsis is about to bless me with his first flower of the year. The largest bud started opening today =) My little christmas cactus cutting is making lots of new leaves, the cattleya has some interesting new growth, and the dendrobium is putting up new leaves. The violets aren’t thrilled with how cold it’s been in here this winter, but warmer days are coming fast. I think I’ll take the big dracaena tree home once the warmth comes to stay, and maybe bring the big leaf plant in. It’s doing well in the laundry room, though…it even put up flowers! Barton and I were given daffodils as a wedding present and they’re not enjoying the laundry room quite as much. Hopefully they’ll be able to go outside and stay there soon. I’m thinking of splitting my english ivy into 3 or 4 smaller plants. It’s just too big to take to work as it is, but I don’t think it’s getting enough light at home.

It’s getting to be about that time for me to think about what I want to do with the garden. I still have plenty of seeds from last year, and I think we could have an excellent crop of herbs and vegetables. The old owners left a ton of pots, too, so I can play with some more decorative plants, as well. It’s been such a gloomy winter, I’m really looking forward to getting outside and playing in the dirt =)

There were two other challenges I considered taking up this year, but with the way the first two months are going, I think I would be quite foolish to attempt them in 2009. I can start preparing for 2010, though ;) I would really like to attempt the Project 365 photography challenge, as well as the 52 in 52 book reading challenge. I have more than enough books to read, to fulfill the latter, and playing with the camera to get better pictures of my plants and crafts has sparked an interest in improving my photography skills.