I will be taking a break from blogging for awhile. My personal life has become a bit overwhelming recently and, as comedian Katt Williams put it, I’ve got to get in tune with my star player. I’m going to uphold the things I’ve signed on to do this month and the daily responsibilities that I have but I have to cut a few things out and turn some offers down. I tend to forget that I cannot be everything to everyone and the importance of the word No. I’m very burned out and exhausted physically, mentally, and spiritually. I need some time to recoup and regroup. I also need some time to focus on things I want to do creatively as opposed to the things I think I’m expected to do. I somehow got off track artistically and began producing for quantity as opposed to trying to express something. My brain has been churning out some excellent ideas lately but I need time to explore and plan. I hope resume posting in November and that I’ll be refreshed and back on track.

10/16 EDIT: I have decided to extend my blogging vacation through the beginning of December. If you should need to reach me, send me an email: paperkittyblog[at]gmail[dot]com

I have a lot of in progress projects but not many finished ones. Remember the Absinthe socks? Well, I decided to frog them and reknit them into a sock that actually fits. The yarn is Pagewood Farms Yukon in Maple Leaf.

I joined Craft’s crochet along last month and although I crocheted the thing in one day, I didn’t stuff it until this past week.

I must be crazy. I just ordered the yarn to make the Sylvi coat from Twist Collective and I decided to cast on TWO sweaters this week.

The first is the Whisper Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2009. I’m making it in Malabrigo Lace in Black Forest.

The second is the Corona sweater. I’m making it in Cascade 220 which was given to me by a very kind friend.

My travel project is a simple pair of toe up socks in Great Adirondack Silky Socks.

I also have the first Hat-Heel (knitty.com fall 09) finished and need to cast on for the second. I’ll do that as soon as I free up the needles the silky socks are on. I like the pattern it is a very interesting construction and isn’t at all difficult. I’m making them in Malabrigo Sock in Archangel.

My last project is something I wouldn’t have ever imagined I would make. It’s a crochet CAMO afghan. Yes, I said CAMO. When a sweet little boy with big blue eyes tells you how much he loves Army stuff you just can’t resist. You know you have to make him an Army blankie for his birthday.

Aahhhhhh!! Attack of the Killer Tomatoes that just won’t die!! Ok, it isn’t that dramatic but the tomato plants that I had my husband mow down, came back, and started growing even more tomatoes. Technically, he only mowed over the parts that were haning out into the yard but it was the majority of the plant. Both tomato plants have sprung back and even though they gave me 50+ tomatoes between the two of them, they both have even more tomatoes growing; probably in the double digits too.

The pumpkins are growing nicely. I’ll probably pick these in a week to two and carve them up for jack-o-lanterns. I hope the two green ones will have turned orange by then.

Even though the weather is certainly fall weather, the bees are still hanging around. The oregano plant is still doing wonderfully too. I’ll be picking some to dry soon.

Oh, the little pepper that could. If you’ve been following my How Does Your Garden Grow? posts you’ll remember that I’ve posted photos about the little pepper plant that just didn’t want to give up. For a long time, I was certain that it would die just like the other plants around it, especially after the pumpkin plant sprouted up. I’m happy to say that the little pepper that could, grew a pepper. It even has blooms on it still.

The other pepper plant must be sprouting peppers of steel because every one that has grown, has broken it’s own limb off. I’m really hoping that this one will hang on long enough to start to turn. The last one that turned had a worm hole in it so I couldn’t eat it.

I was included in a post on the Bookbinding Etsy Street Team’s blog today. Click Here to see the post!

Since I’ve been unable to post my regular posts lately, I’m bringing you 10 awesome Etsy items instead of the regular 5. I hope that I’ll be back on the regularly scheduled posts for now.

You’re Not The Boss Of Her – pocomedio

Jud – Zerumpees

Sarah – thelittlefox

Miki – tiddlywinks

Ecofriendly Frida Kahlo Softie – sewsewsuckurtoe

Belchick – The Mischievous Squirrel – sleepyking

Hand Sewn Wool Felt Plush Aqua Felt Decorative Wren – bubbletime

Milu – knittingdreams

Nouma doll – bouji

Bright fawn – TheHandworkGroup