Budgeting time

Budgeting my time has always been a struggle for me. These days its even more of a challenge. Tax season is in full throttle, I have a 9 month old this year, and I am trying to study for am exam in April. How do we accomplish all this and not end up at the crazy farm you might ask? Well, I bought this book on time management a few months ago to not find any easy answer but to get some key tips. One of the most important things I picked up from this book as to make a list of the top three things you want to accomplish that day. You can have more than three but in reality those top three are the most important and the only guaranteed ones you will accomplish that day. So far this little trick has worked for me. Keeps me focused. . I will always have my list of long term goals and plans but this weeds it down to a manageable level. It has been working . . .I have been more productive at work and getting there on the home front.



Today's list includes: 1. Cutting out the pieces for my next bag. Another Amy Butler Birdie Sling bag out of Amy Butler fabric this time. . .just for little old me :)

check! Number one is off the list. Now on to the next.

2. Knit for an hour and just relax. I put in 9 billable hours yesterday. . I need a little break or I will crack by April 15th. I have my favorite side kick today and she likes to watch mommy knit. Especially when she is sitting in my lap with a bottle. She pets the item I am knitting as a comfort tool for going to sleep.

3. And three. . hit the books. I don't plan on taking this auditing exam until April so I have time and I am taking it slow. . actually enjoying it. I do enjoy auditing and I have so much exposure to it that this is mostly a refresher and the new things I am picking up are really helping me in the field. Becker is definitely the best out there for CPA exam review. . I enjoy and look forward to studying. . that has never happened before!

Well I better get to number 2 & 3 before the day is over :)

Easy projects to get me through my head cold

My poor brain was hit with a nasty head cold this week. With that said I really needed a break from difficult projects. I picked up an entrelac scarf I started over a year ago and began working on finishing that. . I find entrelac easy and since it is just a scarf. . it's just the right knitting project for me.

I also decided to make a quick fabric basket for my brother's girlfriend this weekend since her birthday is coming up soon and it requires mailing. Something that takes me a while to do since the post office hours do not always work with my schedule. I made her a little make-up bag for Christmas and saved the scraps. . .perfect size scraps for this cute little basket. All I need to do now is get some lotion . . make a card and off to the post office we go. See here for tutorial. . .
http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-basket.html

Of course the basket had to go through a very tough inspection. . .which I think passed. . .she seemed impressed . . .but knows this really was not a challenge for me. I think she wants those fabric rings I promised her. . .still don't know if I am ready for that yet. . .eeek!

Well off to study . . .getting that CPA exam out of the way this year. Maybe I can get Brooke to hold my flash cards??? . . second thought. . .maybe not:)

Finally a finished project!

I am sooooo excited to finally finish a project. . .and have it turn out perfect!!! Oh what a wonderful feeling!!! And I have to give some credit to my little helper. . if it wasn't for her hard work and support . . .mommy would have never made it! What a good little girl:) She even squealed with excitement and flapped her arms when I asked what she thought!

I think she might be excited just thinking of all the things I can make her later when she is big enough to make requests!

the inside large pocket of the birdie sling bag. . i will say the pattern instructions are very well written. I am very new to sewing and I was able to follow along without any trouble.

Fabric by Moda. I am not sure what pattern line. . .I happened to see it at Knits & Bolts in New Haven and thought this would be the perfect colors for a bag. Can't wait until next weekend when I can start another one. . now that I have been through all the steps and can relax knowing that I am doing it right.

The finished product. . .eeeek. . .I am just so thrilled with how it came out! Hats off to Amy Butler on this pattern!

A New Year. . .

2011 is finally here and what joy it brings. 2010 was a wonderful year because a beautiful little girl was brought into my life . . . but a tough year as well. Change, although it may be a wonderful thing. . . is not always easy. I love my little pumpkin with all my heart and I am so glad she is here . . but you couldn't pay me a million dollars to do that over again. . .no way.

And changing. . .oh is she ever! Things happen so quickly. . .like a switch being turned on. It is so amazing how one day she struggles to pull herself up onto the foot stool and then the next day its as if she has done it a million time before. What little sponges they are. . I look forward so much to her talking and teaching her things.

2011 brings more time for projects. . .with little Brooke growing and playing by herself for short periods of time I am starting to have little tiny bits of free time. I anticipate my sewing skills expanding this year. . .like knitting it just takes time to build those skills.

Planning Christmas and birthday projects early this year too. I purchased this moda fabric yesterday at knits and bolts to make my sister the Amy Butler Birdie Sling bag. . .I spent Christmas this year making little make up bags. They were simple but a little challenge since it required learning how to put in a zipper. I made about 15 of them and now I am ready for another challenge.

On the knitting front. . .I started this just after I went back to work from maternity leave in July. I have been working on it here and there for months but it is now coming along quite well. The pattern is Tallulah from the Rowan "Lima Collection". I purchased the lima yarn at webs since it is quite expensive. However, I really like the yarn and the color "Amazon" is just amazing in the natural light. . my photo does not do it justice at all. This pattern is challenging but fun. . .lots of baby cables and bobbles and I am excited about making a hood. . .I have never done this before. I really look forward to photographing it outside in good light when its finished.