Getting Crafty Again

Things are finally settling down with the new diet. I am not spending the entire day in the kitchen anymore, Praise God. It is much more "normal" now. A few hours here and there to make meals and prep for the next day. So much nicer. And the food is so yummy. That's one thing about the GAPS diet, the food is really good!  Although, even my nutritionist commented when I told her what I was doing: "That's a hard one to follow!"  Yes, it is, but we are doing it, and it is proving to be worth it.

Anyway, with the reduced time in the kitchen, I am finding time to do more fun things! Like sewing. And knitting. And playing Monopoly with my kids!  Daisy got a Monopoly game for her birthday a couple weeks ago (I now have an 11 year old!!! As well as a 9 year old, 7 year old, and 3 year old. Time flys....), and it is now set up on the card table in the Family Room and left there for when we have time 1 or 2 evenings per week to play together. It is so fun!

And as for knitting, well, I am frantically trying to finish my final book contract. I have one more pattern to knit, and 3 more to write up. (I've been slacking on the writing part- it takes time and privacy, both of which have been in short supply in recent months.)  I'm knitting the last sweater- and loving it.

While I am doing this in cotton/linen/bamboo blends, I think it would be more fun to knit in wool. Unfortunately, I have issues with animal fibers next to my skin, and since I would like to wear this sweater at some point, cotton/linen/bamboo it is. It just means I can't knit for long periods at a time, as my hands start to ache with the color work. When I get to the single color section, it will go faster, as it won't strain my hands so much. But this is where I am now. :)

And in the meantime, since I have to take breaks from the knitting, and I don't HAVE to be in the kitchen every minute- I have started doing something I haven't done in years!!
I actually started using my sewing machine to sew patterns.

Honestly, I don't think I've done this since I was 6.

I've done mending. A few years ago I free-handed a purse for myself- but I don't think I've sewn complete garments from a pattern since I was 6 years old.

And it turned out alright! I know I messed up in a few places, but no one can see it but me...
Certainly, the recipient was pleased with how her nightgown turned out:

And I am so happy to be able to be crafty again. :)