Next on the needles will be a sweater. I purchased the yarn a few weeks ago and I've found the pattern I want to make: Afmaeli. I had better get going on it if I'm going to wear it this winter!
The first of the quilts is under way. I spent a rainy Saturday cutting squares, some of which will become triangles for a pattern called "Match-a-Patch Stars" ... interesting name! But it's pretty, a picture of the pattern can be seen here. Since last evening, I've made 5 of block A (50 will be needed) in the tidbits of time here and there throughout the day. If I could keep up this pace it would only take 10 days to make all 50. But it will be impossible to match today's productivity every day: Wednesday are full because of orchestra rehearsal, and Thursdays are full because of my lesson and cello choir class. When all of block A are made I'll need to make 49 of block B. If I push it, it could theoretically be finished by end of November. We'll see won't we?
There is nothing on any of my looms at the moment--they are all naked! I have a project for the 8-shaft in the kitchen, though. A Spring table scarf. I'm going to weave one and my neighbor is going to weave one. I have all the cotton, we simply need to start winding the warp and dressing the loom. Now that summer is over, it will be easier to find time for this. It looks like this:
This brings to mind a point about having time. I'm often asked where I find the time to do everything. It's not that complicated, really. The important thing--really important thing, is preparation and starting. For instance the quilt: I spent some hours Saturday cutting squares. Now that they are cut they welcome me to sit at the sewing machine in any spare moments I have to start or finish a block, maybe make a whole one. This couldn't happen if I didn't take the time to prepare the squares. Same with the weaving: If I can discipline myself to dress the loom, then it sits there beckoning me to throw the shuttle for 15 minutes or more whenever the time avails. Once I've cast on for the sweater, it will be the same situation: I may find myself with a spare half hour and can simply pick up the knitting and work away. It helps that I don't watch television. But that doesn't mean I don't get my fill of audio/visual entertainment. These days, I have a whole list of YouTube subscriptions which I check up on daily. Mostly gardening channels, orchid channels, and a few cooking channels. But they are not as time consuming or as passive as sitting on a couch with the remote. But bottom line is: Get the project started! I'm so greatful I have multiple projects I can turn to for my free time. One last thing: No UFOs! I just don't have any "unfinished objects". If I start a quilt, I finish it before starting another. Ditto in knitting and weaving, and all. I would not enjoy my time if I had 3 or 4 unfinished quilts going all at the same time. I think it would drive me crazy. Well, that's my method anyway and once the prep work is done, one doesn't need tons of time. Just a little bit, frequently.
On a different subject, I got the new wood stove going yesterday as it was below 40 degrees out of doors. I'm very pleased I managed to do so without filling the house with smoke. That's what happened the two times previous to now that I lit it, to "burn it in". They were both exercises in frustration. Couldn't keep the fire going but managed to make a lot of smoke which had no problem filling the house. But not yesterday, it lit well and quickly. In fact, it was too warm in here last night. The soapstone really absorbs and projects the heat for a long time. It was still going well enough when I got up this morning that I didn't have to re-light it; I just put a few more smaller logs in. I didn't burn it as hot today and it's been very comfortable all day long. It's a good stove and I'm quite pleased with it so far.
Back to projects. I still have a few yard projects to attend to before it snows; I guess I'd better get to it. All the furniture needs to be brought under cover, the dead vegetable plants pulled up and thrown on the compost heap. The deck needs to be cleared: I don't want a repeat of last winter when I tried to shovel around a bench and table. No, no, no. It will go much easier if the deck is completely cleared before snowfall. My snowblower and lawn mower are at the small engine repair guy's shop. I have him put the one to bed for the winter and prep the other to run well over the winter. I'm just not very well versed in maintaining small engine equipment and he's not too expensive. I feel better knowing they are being well maintained.
I just finished the poster (well, it's technically still a draft but I don't anticipate big changes, maybe a few tweaks here and there to clean it up a bit) for our upcoming concert on Nov. 24. I sent it off this evening to the conductor for his approval, as well as the administrative assistant at the music school. Sneak preview here!
No comments:
Post a Comment