Times Are A Changin'

I really didn't want to turn into one of those bloggers that posts sporadically because of life events, but I have. As I posted before, Rick and I separated a few months ago, and we're just finishing the relationship now. We tried to work on things, but it just isn't going to happen. At least not in the present. Maybe the future, it could work out well, but neither of us is holding our breath. We are still friends, and we will still talk occasionally, but not see each other regularly, as we have been since I moved out.
I am diving into the deep end of rebranding, and I will be busting my ass to make it awesome. I have a whole bunch of new items made, and supplies ordered for other new stuff. I found a couple great suppliers that I am dealing with, and I'm really looking forward to receiving all of it. And of course, creating with it, then sharing it with all of you.
I haven't been knitting much of anything lately. I finished that pile of new mystery items, which I still need to sew up and put the buttons on. Now I'm a bit apathetic about everything. I think I just need to take another step, and actually register my business, or start building the site, or start photographing items, or SOMETHING to get the fire lit under my ass so I can get busy. I'm a huge procrastinator, and I keep telling myself I have till October, but that's only 35 days away. I don't necessarily want to launch for the beginning of October, but definitely before the 15th.
Anyway, I don't really know where I'm going with this. I guess I just need to let some emotions out, and this is helping. I hope you forgive me for being absent, and absent-minded.

Wednesdays Are For Gratitude: August 21, 2013

It's been quite some time since I've posted a Wendesdays Are For Gratitude post, and a lot has happened lately. Lots of good, some not so good, but I'm here to talk about the former. Nobody likes a bum out blog post, am I right?
Here is what I am grateful for lately:
My brother (whose 20th birthday was yesterday!)  /  My yarn stash  /  New hair (more on this in a minute!)  /  Poutines  /  Old friends  /  New friends  /  Transit Windsor  /  The annual town festival this weekend  /  Finishing up three balls of yarn recently.

More about new hair! Yesterday, I went to see my friend Christine, where she worked her magic on my hairs, and I came out looking brand spanking new. I'm not as blonde as I'd like, I prefer it to be closer to a white blonde than a golden colour, but we're getting there! I got awesome feedback from the people I saw afterwards. I love being blonde!
In addition to all this fun hair stuff, I went all over Windsor yesterday, hence the thankfulness to Transit Windsor. I had an amazing breakfast poutine at The Twisted Apron, and a regular dinner poutine at Phog. Not the healthiest, especially when you add in all the beer I consumed. I think I deserved a fun day after all the junk I've been through lately. I ran into a few people I knew, and overall had an awesome day.
I have finished three balls of yarn lately. All on the same secret projects I've been on a bender for. I just have to sew the rest of them up, and I'll be done with them. Then, it's time to figure out a new project. I have a bunch of ideas of stuff to make, just a matter of figuring out which yarns to use. These three balls bring me to +54. I'm starting to get a little more realistic with my goal, and I don't know if I'll actually make it. But I will still keep track of everything.
What is going on in your lives lately? Are you trying to get as much summer fun in as possible, too?

Sometimes, Life Gets in The Way

For the longest time, I was updating three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the occasional post on the weekend. Lately, I just haven't been able to keep up with that. I have quotas I want to meet for new items for the rebrand, which means I am knitting even more than usual. I've even been knitting on my breaks at work! Last week, I took the bus to go for dinner with a friend, and even got some knitting done on the bus. (more on this later) I'm trying really hard to get my stash eliminated as much as possible. I managed to get three balls of yarn used up this week, if you count the tiny balls I am donating. This brings me to +57. I'm getting there!
I'm starting to go through my yarn and finding more yarns that I thought I really liked, but after more consideration, they're just not what I want. I don't know what to do with them now. Part of me wants to donate to a group that can use it, but the rest of me says "hey, you put a lot of money out for this, don't just give it away." Does that make me a bad person? I hope not. It will still take me some time to decide what I want to do with all this extra yarn.
Now, about dinner! There is a new place in Windsor that opened, called The Nacho Suite that I heard about on Windsorite. I have a friend that loves to try new foods, so we made arrangements on Twitter to meet up there and try some food. Totally delicious, and I can't wait to go back. I'm planning on trying the seafood option next time.
Have you tried any new restaurants lately?

More Stash Down Progress

This past week, I've been busy knitting away. A lot of knitting is happening, but not much can be shared, as it's all stuff for the rebrand. I can share this one sneak peek picture, which gives nothing away.

Those are my Pymatuning Crafts buttons I got a little while back. This is the first project I've used them on, and seriously, I am in love!!! I initially got them for the baby photo props I made, but I had no luck selling those, and kind of gave up.

I've knit eight of these mystery items, and used up FOUR balls of yarn in the process. Well, almost, I guess. The balls left over were too small to do anything with, so I am donating them to LeeLee hats to use to make stripes on their hats. Anyway,  this brings me to +60. This puts me back at 5.5 skeins to be eliminated per week. I'm confident I can make some progress soon! I have quite a few half finished projects on the needles that I am going to get finished soon!

How are your projects going?

Working on the Rebrand

As you may know, in October, I will no longer be creating under the Knit, Nicole, Knit! name. I won't be disappearing, though, so don't worry! I can't share what my new name is, but it is not knitting specific. Here is a sneak peek at what some of the branding will look like.

I am LOVING how everything is turning out. My friend Christine is doing my branding, and is doing an amazing job. I am going to be ordering business cards, earring cards, and tags for the knitwear this week. I am getting so excited.

I've been working on creating new items for the new brand, which is so much fun. I'm trying to have a more consistent line, by using the same yarns in many of my projects. This means that a lot of my stash is no longer suited to what I need. I will not be getting rid of it though! I'll still continue to knit with them, and sell the finished objects at a discount. I've thought about giving the yarn away, and even selling it, but I would never get the money back that I paid for it. Plus, nearly everything I have now is stuff that I really like. The only reason I am not planning on using it for the new business is that it is vintage, or otherwise impossible to find.

Not much longer till the launch. October is coming up fast!