Anticipation

Ever have projects that you just anticipate the end?  The ones you can’t wait to be finished with and hang on the wall, or wear, or whathaveyou?  Mostly for me, I can’t wait to finish so I can start the next one.  I try to keep projects lined up, especially if I have yarn or other supplies lying around.

I’m not quite actively anticipating any projects at the moment.  There are a couple I have in the back of my mind that I’m thinking about.  I have my yarn that I got in Alaska that I want to start working with, but that’s the only one I can really name off the bat what I want to work with right now.

I’m going to make a Traveling Woman Shawl from it.  I think it’s very fitting since I did get the yarn while I was traveling in Alaska.

What are you anticipating?

Looking Forward

Yesterday was like an early Christmas.  Even though I had to go back to work after my lovely long weekend, I was positive because I remembered that things were coming in the mail.  My project bag arrived, some knitting and spinning items that Dylan ordered for me (isn’t he an awesome boyfriend?) also arrived, and a pre-ordered music album was released yesterday.  It’s kind of amazing to me how much faster my day goes when I have things to look forward to. Kind of like when I’m at the end of a project, it seems to go faster when I know I have something else lined up.  So after work, I was able to go home and collect my gifts.

Here’s my new project bag from Slipped Stitch Studios!  No mermaids, which I’m a little sad about, but that’s okay.  I can buy the fabric and make more of my own project bags and have as many mermaids as I’d like.  I have two projects in there right now, and I plan on bringing it with me to the San Diego Yarn Crawl!  The handle (which I inconveniently put on the other side of the bag to take the above photo) is perfect for hanging the bag on the arm of my chair at work.  Also, it came with the pin I attached reading “Knit Nerd.”

I finished the Laughingbird Scarf on the way back from Tombstone and started on my Ishbel shawl by Ysolda Teague.  I had heard about this shawl from the Electric Sheep podcast.  I love it so much already!

I’ve also been doing the Soak Photo Challenge.  The above photo was today’s post for “Stitches.”

Last, but not least, check out this haul.

This came from ShopGoodwill for $40!  And the fiber in the bag is probably around 2 pounds of Alpaca fiber.  ShopGoodwill is an auction site operated by Goodwill, so there’s lots of stuff on there for low prices.  I’ve found so much fibers related stuff on there, like the above haul.  Dylan got this one for me, but he said that after this I have to do it myself…this could be dangerous.

And since I’ve been talking about Tombstone the past few posts, I suppose I ought to show some evidence that I did go and get dressed up.

Last weekend was so much fun.  Seeing people dressed up, being dressed up, and watching the shows was like stepping back in time.  It was funny thinking and realizing that we were the attraction, I wasn’t just a tourist.  Lots of people asked us if they could take our picture, others just snapped away while we were browsing in stores.  It was amusing to me.  But alas, Sunday evening it was back to reality.

Until tomorrow, dear readers!

Drawings and Drizzles

On Monday I discovered that Spoonflower was doing something called the Spoon Challenge.  It’s a tool to create the habit of making art every day.  What’s nice is they choose a theme for the week and then prompts to draw.  I started this Monday and the theme is animals with the first prompt being Platypus.

Essentially, because I’m working when I do this, I’m planning to use whatever I have at the desk I’m using.  (I don’t know if I mentioned this before, but doing temp jobs is interesting in that you’re working at someone else’s desk with someone else’s pictures and things.) Also, while I do have access to a scanner here, I just wanted to take snapshots and upload the doodles quickly. The quality isn’t the best, but it’s not suppose to be a grand work of art, just exercises for me to work on. Anyway, I haven’t done much drawing in a long time, so I hope to hone a little bit of skill.  Yesterday’s prompt was Hedgehog.

It’s nice to have something like that to work on during the day in addition to knitting when I don’t have anything else going on.  Especially since I’m not able to make bigger things like my felted taxidermy or printing fabric.  I’m looking forward to knowing what I’ll be drawing today.

Yesterday we had some serious downpours.  While I was getting plenty of warnings for flash floods in the area, I was sitting behind my desk watching the rain begin to fall.  It was around lunchtime when it all began.  The even darker clouds started replacing the ones in the already overcast sky.  And then the rain came.  And then the phone calls started.  I think over the course of 30 minutes, I had received about 11 calls about things leaking within the mall.  Crazy!  And I was the only one in the office, so there wasn’t much I could do since all the maintenance people were working on other leaks or making sure water wasn’t flooding into other areas.  So yes, it was a crazy afternoon and I wasn’t able to take a break until an hour after my normal lunch time.  So, while I would have liked to be home with coffee and knitting and watching the rain, instead I worked hard to make sure I kept everyone happy.

On the plus side to all the rain, however, I’ve been seeing a lot of dragonflies today.

 

Do What You Love Follow Up

Because I don’t have much to show you project-wise, I’d like to address some other topics regarding progress.  In last Thursday’s post, I was throwing out the “Do what you love” line and discussing that a bit. I had totally forgotten some wise words from one of my favorite authors and artist, Austin Kleon.  (Seriously, I need to just carry his books around with me everywhere so when I’m feeling off track I can just read something out of it and – BOOM – back on track.)

In this particular post, Kleon answers a question from someone regarding keeping your day job, even if it’s not what you want to be doing.  He also addressed it today during his Office Hours.  While I based my college career off of “Do what you love” I totally understand his point about it not being able to pay the bills.  And I understand it’s pretty cliche nowadays.

I get that if everyone did what they loved, not much would get done depending on what it is so-and-so loved…I know people who love numbers and business who do it all the time.  And they’re lucky.  That’s something the world needs all the time, business people and accountants and whathaveyou.

BUT!  I do think the world needs Fibers.  Obviously we wear them every day.  But that’s a job for fashion designers…right?  I’m more art based…but wouldn’t you like to have a unique piece of art in your home?  That’s the real struggle for me.  What if there isn’t a demand for art like mine?  Wouldn’t I be right back to doing something for the money instead of for the love of it?  I’d also like to teach workshops someday, spreading my love of Fibers.

For now, I’m job hunting with keywords that would possibly satisfy my need to work in an environment working with fibers.  I had a perfect one that I applied to, followed up and followed up, and was finally told that the position was filled.  I was disappointed because I felt that I was perfect for the position.  Back to the drawing board.

I think I meant for this post to go somewhere else, but this is where I’ll be leaving it for now.  Basically, I really want to keep doing what I love and figure out how I can survive by doing it.

Knitting Plans

After the last couple of weeks, I feel as if I haven’t made a whole lot this week.  I was thinking about it last night and I average about one knitted item a week and am usually working on some other project at the same time (usually unrelated to knitting).  Typically I’m not a one project knitter.  I have a scrap blanket in the works, and plans for another blanket.  When I was working on my Embrace Sweater, I kept that one at home and took another project (I think it was my Doctor Who shawl) out and about with me.

Right now I’m solely working on a Sea Foam Cowl that I’m using up some stash yarn with.  Last week I was moving (*gasp!*) all of my stash into my new storage unit, because, you know, I’m moving.  But, I made sure to pull out some yarn I totally forgot I had so that I had something to use this summer.  This is due to me realizing I was almost done with my list of projects I had planned for last year.  I think, also, that’s why I started working on one thing at a time.

I was also a bit bad, and bought some new yarn last week.  I couldn’t resist it.  It’s Wanton Fiber’s Tart in the Koi colorway.  It’s Alpaca and Silk…so soft and heavenly!  It came all wrapped up like this:

And when I opened it….ERRMERGERD.  I love it so much.  It’s sitting next to my knitting spot as motivation for me to finish the Sea Foam Cowl and start knitting with the Tart yarn.

I’ve already planned what project I’m going to make with it.  I’ve been wanting to make Purl Bee’s Bandana Cowl.  With a little math, I was able to adapt the bulky gauge pattern to comply with my new sport weight.  I hope to finish it before my trip to Alaska, because it’s going to be super warm and soft up against my neck.

I also made more project bags on Monday.

I made a total of 7, two are the foxes.  I made a second one for a coworker who also knits.  I really hope she likes it because it’s a total surprise.  The two on the far right are for Den because I gave her a refresher on knitting.

So, there’s really no excuse why I shouldn’t have a tutorial for these.  I was good a took pictures to make a tutorial for tomorrow’s blog post.  That’s all I have for you today, so please stop back tomorrow for the project bag tutorial!

Lots of Knits

As if I don’t already knit quickly, I finished my Glam Shells shawl this week. I really like how it came out. I was afraid the pattern might be a little cliché, but I really enjoyed it! The body was an easy repeat to remember and the lace went quickly.

I just finished another Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief. This one is for Damian for his graduation! He had some Plymouth Yarn Company Gina that he got from The Grove a few months ago and asked if I’d make it for him. Two day (probably less if I really put my mind to it) project!

And finally, something that I’m even more excited about…I made my own stitch markers!

I used charms and split rings from Michael’s.  Damian, Den and I were browsing the charms when we came up with the idea.  I can’t wait to start using some of them soon!

I also found some yarn in my stash that I can use for more knitting in the coming months.  I’m traveling a bit

Goals Past and Present

Last Friday, I mentioned I was going to work on goals.  I decided that it might be best for me to revisit a post I had made two years ago when I made this blog for my Marketing for Artists class.  It was really interesting to me, mostly because there was a section about two years from the point I wrote the post.  And now, it’s been two years later…

-Short Term Goals (Now-2014 [2 yrs])
1. Be selected to have work in 3 or more juried art shows.
2. Internship (preferably in San Diego).
3. Move in with two of my classmates who are also Fibers Majors.
4. Graduate in May of 2013.
5. Overcome my fear of what my parents think (regarding what I want to do and where I want to live).
6. Move to San Diego.
7. Work at a yarn/fiber store.

Now, it’s kind of amazing to me that I have done about 5 out of those 7 things, and am still working on the other two.  The ones I completed are as follows:

1. I sort of lost interest in showing my work after I graduated, but I almost made my goal of 3.  During my undergrad, I was in 2 juried shows!

2. I did my internship in San Diego during the summer of 2012.

3. I moved in with one of the two Fibers classmates, and I’ve been living with him for almost 2 years!

4.  Yes, I graduated.

7. Besides my internship, I got a job at another yarn shop for a short period of time.

So, what am I still working on? 5 and 6.  I’m still working on getting over my fear of what my parents think regarding my life choices.  Friday after my meeting, I went to their house, and I just started crying because I was scared that they wouldn’t support my decision to move.  In reality, they just didn’t know how serious I was about moving to San Diego.  I think they’d support me no matter what, they’re just worried about if I’ll be able to find a job to afford living out there.  And of course, I’m working to get to San Diego.

So, I’m now going to make a list of current goals, but in shorter intervals, and then longer ones.

-In the next 3 months (Now-June)

1. Begin packing (April)
2. Extend lease to end of June (April)
3. Locate storage space (June)
4. Take the family cruise to Alaska and RELAX (May)
5. Move back to my parents’ house (June)
6. Continue working on felted animals and knitting projects

-In the next 6 months (Now-September)

1. Continue working temp/contract jobs
2. Continue searching for job in San Diego
3. Search for housing in San Diego
4. Take a trip to San Diego to physically be there while I search (July or August?)
5. Move………………..?

So I guess those are my goals with a smaller time frame.  If I can’t move by October, I at least want to be out by the end of the year.  The other thing is, I don’t want to be living at my parents’ for forever.  I’m so used to living on my own with friends and having that freedom.  Also, the boyfriend has been talking about moving in together, so we’ll see where he is in September with his own job hunt.  After October, it gets kind of fuzzy in my head.  I can’t quite see that far…but let’s try.

-In the next 2 years (Now-2016)

1. Living and working in San Diego
2. Continue with felted animals and begin selling them
3. Teach knitting classes
4. Design knitting patterns to sell
5. Go to the beach at least once a week (Sunday mornings?)
6. Visit home 4-5 times a year (especially for Easter and Christmas)
7. Travel (because the boyfriend probably wouldn’t let me get away with not traveling, but also because I’d like to see a little more of the world)

So, that’s where I am with all of that at this point.  I feel so much better now that I’ve written all of that down.  Hopefully it wasn’t too boring.  And I know I have time.  I just have to put my mind to it.  And, even better, I know that the sky is the limit when I put my mind to it.

Project Progress: What I’m Knitting Right Now

Good morning!

I thought I might show you what’s on my needles right now.

After finishing my Doctor Who shawl, I decided to dig in my planned projects bag.  I pulled out my Zitron Filigran yarn to be used with The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief pattern.  I had been wanting to make it ever since I saw it at The Grove during my internship.  As the pattern calls for DK weight, and Filigran is fingering to lace weight yarn, I’m going to have to add a lot more repeats to get it to the size I want.  Honestly, it’s going pretty quick for being such a small gauge of yarn.  Also, the colorway is perfect for me.  Of course, it’s called Ocean, and it keeps me pretty engaged, wondering when the next color will show up!

Also on my needles is something I picked back up.  I had an itch to work with Ewe Ewe’s Wooly Worsted again.  I remembered that my friend Amanda had asked me to make a Puzzle Pieces changing mat for her future children.  I had kind of set it aside for a while to focus on other things, since she doesn’t plan on having kids right this second.  But I needed something with instant gratification yesterday.  I can make each piece in about 30 minutes.  I probably made about 6 or 7 yesterday alone.

So, that’s what I’ve been working on this week.  I need to do a little more work on my felted deer, which is sitting neglected in the corner by the kitchen table.  Whoops.

See you tomorrow!

Catch Up Progress

Happy New Year!

Alright, it’s a little late, I know, but still.  I haven’t been good at fitting in blogging into my schedule lately.  I think about it all the time, don’t get me wrong.  But sitting down and writing something has been a struggle.

Anyway, enough of my pity party.  What have I been working on?!

All my Christmas knitting was completed way before Christmas.  It was a huge weight off my shoulders.  I’ve got one or two other little things that didn’t have to be quite done by Christmas, so I’ve still got those on my plate.  Everyone really enjoyed their knitted gifts.  Arlyn and Jenn got their Lucy hats, Shannon, Grandma and Aunt Cricket got arm knitted cowls, my nieces got their slippers and a caterpillar toy, co-worker Kate got her coffee mug cozy, Chelsea got a slouchy hat.  I felt like I was on a roll as far as making things this Christmas!  I also sewed a Schoodie for best friend Andrew to give to another friend.  And I made Dylan a sailor bracelet, and I’m working on a friendship bracelet for co-worker Nick.

As for things knitted for me, I’m still working on my Doctor Who shawl.  I finally figured out the lace pattern the other night.  I hardly have to look at the pattern anymore!  As a result, it’s going much faster, and all I want to do is work on it.  I’ve also pulled out my TV Knitting Blanket again and was working on that (before I figured out the lace pattern in the shawl).  One of Dylan’s friends has asked me to make him a hat, so I need to go out and get yarn for that…and Arlyn needs to give me back my US 8 DPNs she borrowed to make her first hat.  I tell you, knitting monsters over here!

I still have plans for that one silhouette embroidery project.  Someday I’ll get back to it.  I also have more plans for other projects that I just need to get supplies for…and a better workspace.  Soon!

I got a book titled The Creative Entrepreneur for Christmas from my sister.  I’m starting to work in it a little more diligently than I have in any other creative business book.  I will, of course, go back and put things into my creative journal that I’ve read about before in other books, but The Creative Entrepreneur has been the kickstart to it all.  Finally!

I have plans to maybe revamp the blog schedule to see if I’ll pay a little more attention to it in the coming months.  I’d like to work more on the Facebook page, too, as well as get a logo going for myself and whatnot.  Step by step, it’ll all happen.

How to be Productive when You’re Sick

Hello world.  I lost another week due to being sick.  It’s a shame, really, since I had already been sick once in the past month’s time.  It came on last Monday and by Tuesday, I was miserable.  It was just a head cold/sinus thing, but even though I was confining myself to the apartment, I was still able to work on projects.

I remained in my bed all morning last Tuesday before finally getting up.  I promptly made a nest on the couch with blankets, pillows, my laptop and my knitting.  I finished another Christmas hat, and settled in to start on one of my niece’s slippers.  I managed to finish an entire slipper before the day was over while watching Casablanca, Play It Again, Sam, a few episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and Once Upon a Time.  I’m rather impressed with myself because I’ve never really been able to complete one sock or slipper in a day’s time.  However, because I was confining myself to one spot to try and recover with tea and medicines and rest, I was giving myself the creative environment to start and finish an entire piece.  The second slipper took a bit longer because I didn’t have that force driving me to sit in one spot for as long as I did during my sick day.

So here’s my productive sick day checklist.

1. Be sick (optional)
I’m not sure why I got sick again.  I blame work due to being around so many people, namely children.  I constantly wash my hands at work, but you never know…someone might have coughed on me while I was putting an apron on them.  Ew.

2. Find a comfy spot
I have developed a spot on the couch that I’ve designated as mine.  I can, of course, sit in other spots; I’m not Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory after all.  But the spot I’ve named as mine is ideal for knitting.  I have the side table to my right where I can set my patterns, notions, and coffee/tea (mostly coffee, but because I was sick, it was tea).  Also on the table I keep my OttLight and my essential oils diffuser.  The couch I have doesn’t have armrests, so I usually place a pillow to my right to support my arm.  I also keep a pillow behind me (also designated as “Megan’s Pillow” due to the fact that it has shamrocks on it) for extra back support.  Add a blanket, and the comfy spot/nest is complete.

3. Gather Viewing Material and Supplies
I always find it nice to be able to be watching or listening to something when I’m knitting.  It almost keeps me more focused and motivated to work on a project if I’m watching a movie or tv show or listening to a podcast.  For instance, my Aidez sweater was knitted almost completely when I was watching The Walking Dead with Damian and Arlyn.  On this particular sick day, I chose to watch Casablanca and Play It Again, Sam because I had not seen those movies before (if I had a dollar for every time someone asked if I’ve seen a certain movie and I say no, I’d be rich).  Due to the “new” nature of them to me, I was able to stay focused on both my project and the movies.  The same goes for watching tv shows I want to get caught up on, etc.

As for supplies, I tend to keep my knitting in my sitting area.  I have the stand up knitting bag that my Grandma gave me where I keep everything I could possibly need for my knitting projects.

4. Have Time
I had absolutely nothing else to be doing on that particular day.  This made it super easy to just relax, rest, watch movies and tv shows, and knit.

So, there’s the basic checklist on how to be productive when you’re sick.  I hope it was at least entertaining if not useful.

I plan to write about Canal Convergence on Friday, so stay tuned for that!