Friday, March 1, 2013

March Slice of Life Day One...Here I Go!

I know this is supposed to be a blog about reading.  But for most readers I know, reading leads to writing.  Today, I was reading a post from a blog I follow, "The Reading Zone", written by a language arts teacher named Sarah, who is participating in the Slice of Life writing challenge.  It's issued by a pair of writing teachers who blog at "Two Writing Teachers".  The challenge is to write a slice of life outside of the classroom to share each day during March.  I'm going to do my best to rise to the challenge!

I had another challenge today after work, and that was shopping for yarn.  I presently have several colleagues expecting babies in the next few months, and I really like to crochet baby blankets for them.  Our counselor has chosen a really pretty nursery pattern for her baby girl--large flowers in a palette of light butter yellow, cream, and gray.  

I'm pretty picky about choosing yarn for my baby projects.  It has to be soft, and it has to be completely machine washable and dry-able; my blankets are meant to be used, not folded up as an heirloom in a drawer!  With this particular project, I have my heart set on making these really pretty flower granny squares, using all three colors to make the blanket.

And there was the problem.  Ideally, you'd want to use the same brand and style of yarn throughout the project.  But I could not find the right yellow, cream, and gray combination in any one brand!  It took me a half hour to finally decide on the yellow from one, and the cream and gray from another.  They are all acrylic and the same weight, so I'm hoping it works out.  Fingers crossed!



14 comments:

  1. Welcome to the challenge! Good luck with your blanket as well. I'm sure it will be beautiful. What a pretty palette!

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    1. Thanks, Kari! I'm hoping this challenge will be just the ticket to get me through the March pre-test season madness here in TX. Yarn therapy helps too...and often gets in the way of my reading and writing, lol!

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  2. What a surprise to find my own name here! I just happened to click on your link today. :) I'm so glad you are joining the Slice of Life community and I hope it will inspire you!

    Also, I love the colors you chose for the blanket!

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    1. I love reading your blogposts in my email queue! Thanks for the warm welcome...and yes, I'm hoping the blanket turns out as pretty as I'm imagining it. I'm planning on floral squares in yellow, bordered by cream, and then crocheted together with the gray, gray border all around.

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  3. Best of luck in the Slice challenge. This is my fourth (fifth?) year; my favorite thing is all of the really super nice people I have met. I love your yarn "criteria," and I bet the moms who receive it also really appreciate it. Hopefully we will get to see a picture of the finished product!

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  4. Thanks, Carol! I'm looking forward to honing some writing muscles as well and sharing them with my students (who don't yet blog). I started the first square last night, didn't like how two colors were looking next to each other, and had an epiphany as I was drifting off to sleep. Will fix it and post a pic soon!

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  5. I love the colors -- very soothing. And I love you are joining us this month.
    Ruth

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    1. Thank you, Ruth! I'm already blown away by the sharing; not used to this much activity on my blog!

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  6. Welcome Chris! This month will definitely give you the chance to work out those writing muscles. What lucky friends to receive a hand crocheted blanket! It will be interesting to see the final product. Love the name of your blog, how true!

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    1. I'm already thinking about today's post, Elsie! Heading out for our school's spring carnival soon; I'm sure there will be plenty of fodder for writing there. As for the blanket, I finished the first square this morning and posted a "teaser" for the mom-to-be; waiting for the okay to proceed!

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  7. Welcome to the March slice. I really want to see the baby blanket when you are finished. Love the colors.

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    1. Thanks for the warm welcome, Pamela! I don't know what the biggest challenge will be--writing daily, or getting the blanket done in the same month. I'm loving the color combo too!

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  8. Chris,
    Love your color palette! I am sure the families of the baby who receive it will feel blessed by the beauty and comfort of the lovey!
    Welcome to the slice of life!

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    1. Thank you, Amy! Baby blankets are my favorite things to make, for just that reason. And thanks for the warm welcome!

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