I have been on the under motivated side of the equation while on my holiday break.  I try to sit down and work on something and I find myself drifting from one thing to another, not really accomplishing very much.  This is usually an indication that my focus is too broad and that I need to limit my peripheral vision a bit.  It used to be that 5 or 6 projects banging around didn't cause too many problems, but since Z entered my world, the breadth I can keep that focus at has narrowed.   I want to make so much out of her nap times that sometimes I just can't decide how to use them best.  The other thing that gets me into this state is the simple lack of inspiration by my projects.  And, to some extent, I have to admit that that is going on here, too.  All the interesting parts of Rogue, for instance, are done.  The sewing in of sleeves and the applying of i-cord edging is just hard to get motivated for me to do, for some reason. 

However, when this kind of boredom strikes at the same time as the breadth of focus problem, starting another project, no matter how interesting or inspiring is usually the worst thing for me to do.  Instead, what usually works better is to pick one of the collection of projects and make enough project to feel some satisfaction in the process.  Since I am feeling very bad about the fact that my baby keeps looking at what I am wearing and saying "Sweater! Pretty!"  (and then she tries to pet me... it's very sweet) while she no longer has any hand knit sweaters that fit, I've decided to try to get some more accomplished on her Zebra Striper sweater.

I have to say, I think I like this two color knitting stuff.  The process is slower (making the product knitter in me squeak a bit) but the results are so much fun to look at.  There's 12" of knitting before this sweater gets to the base of the armholes, so I still have a bit to go, (about 5 more inches, in fact), but it's beginning to feel like a little sweater, so I'm also beginning to feel the energy in the project build.

This second snap is just a cross section of the two-color work.  Initially I wasn't completely sure about the whole red/pink stripe thing, but the more I look at it now, the more I like it.

On another note... it's hard to believe that this is my last post of 2008.  John and I have a quiet evening planned.  After we put Z to bed we're planning to pull out some champagne, boil some lobster (or other unlucky crustacean) and have a lovely little dinner to ring in the 2009.  I hope wherever you are, you have a lovely evening.   Happy New Year, everyone!