I was pulling my old lady grocery trolley up the hill, questioning the wisdom the the rather large watermelon I had just purchased, when out of the blue, I was rained upon. Or actually, someone threw their dirty wash water out the window without looking down below to see if the sidewalk was clear. I didn’t know how to react for a minute. I couldn’t decide if I was angry, or just ready to dismiss it as, “oh well.” In fact, I was feeling pretty grumpy, as I had just put on a clean dress this morning, and laundry isn’t my favorite thing to do.
But in the last few feet up the hill, I decided to be grateful for a few small things. The water didn’t get into my mouth, so I probably won’t get sick, and none of the soapy bits got into my eyes. And I had planned to wash my hair today anyway, so I guess, all in all, I shouldn’t think it was a big deal or that the city had suddenly reverted to the 16th century.
I recently took a short online class on free-form thread sculpture. This embroidery thread bowl is the result. It’s not wonderful, but I did learn quite a few things. For a start, if I want to do this again I need to get a different presser foot for my sewing machine, as hand stitching takes way too much time. Also, I need a better choice of forms that will allow me to leave loose threads standing up around the edge.
I used rayon embroidery thread for this one. I love the sheen. Next time, strip the individual threads out of the skein to get a more delicate outcome. I also think with such bright colors, one would be better than three.
Yes, I am still working on the test knit sweater. I did miss the deadline, and let the designer know of the issues I was having trying to move any faster. Still, I do want to finish it with the hope I might be able to wear it once the weather gets cooler. That will not be in the next 4 days when we are expecting highs in the upper 80s. With the humidity, it can get really uncomfortable.
I am planning on using the variegated lighter grey for the final block of colorwork just to keep things interesting.
I also want to get this finished so that I can start on a new project. While I wasn’t planning to do anything but finishing WIPS, it turns out my doctor is having a baby boy in December. A blanket it is! I will do my default blanket…corner to corner diagonal with an eyelet edge. They go quickly, and can be sized by the amount of yarn you have. This is one of my favorites.
I am also working on a mini-loom project as well as some felting projects that might lead to workshops for kids once we get the gallery up and going.
It is taking longer than I had hoped to get the space under contract. Right now it’s back and forth with the lawyers over wording of the lease agreement. I don’t know what the current hold up is, and probably don’t want to know. Best left to the experts.
Meanwhile, I am making batches of gazpacho from beautiful (huge) heirloom tomatoes and vowing to finish straightening up the studio. When all of the embroidery thread was out, a couple of 4-footed friends did a job scattering it everywhere, opening up skeins, and making them into major clumps of knots. I suppose it’s the least they could do to “help.”
So that’s it for today. Please keep calm (a tall order) and craft on. We all can be happy to know that at least some things resist when something/someone is trying to suck the joy out of the world! Who can’t feel joy with pretty yarn and some needles are in your hands!