Snowflakes Viola!

One year ago today....  I decided that I would make the crocheted snowflakes.  

I had wanted to decorate with lots and lots of flakes.  Over the years I started and stopped; never getting more than a few accomplished.

Lots and lots of snowflakes....  while we are not enjoying the nature made variety in the balmy 65° weather here in New England, my collection of snowflakes did get done.  I made 35 during the year.  I had set a goal of over 50 flakes. Another batch would fill out the display in my foyer better.

I am so pleased with the flakes that I did complete.  There is magic as I look at each one of them.  Each is unique, each with a story of how a simple a hook and some thread  can capture the imagination.

Thank you to Snowcatcher , for year long inspirations.   It was a year ago today that I refound her blog.  Every Monday she presents a new snowflake pattern.  Before long, I was really looking forward to Snowflake Mondays.

To present the snowflakes themselves, here's a wee video to showcase them. Enjoy!

Now on to making more snowflakes for 2016.  I will continue with the crochet variety and will try my hand at tatting a few!


Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Living My 60th Year - Git 'r done

Has been my mantra for the last month or so.  Most of you may remember Larry the Cable Guy who said this just about every time he was seen.  He was/is so funny.  If you remember him, it dates back to the early '90s!  Twitter (2006) and Facebook (2004) were not around and we gathered around TV and some radio.  

Chat rooms were the rage in the late 1990s.  I remember connecting with an amazing group of people all over the eastern seaboard on an MSN.  We even had a couple of get-togethers out on Long Island, NY.

But I digress - Git 'r Done has been my mantra.  I've been using two methods to kick start and fire up my personal engine that seemed to be idling for too long.

Method One is to write down what you have accomplished today.  Doesn't have to be earth shattering, none of the items were.  Yet after several days you will feel a sense of accomplishment. Heck after this month I feel so much better!  I really do!  

Method Two was to take an inventory of what I want to get done.  That is always a moving target, one thing gets done and two or three more pop up out of no where!  This type of list could actually get you not to do anything.  It may be to daunting at first. 

Writing it down gets it out of your mind, relieves you to concentrate on getting something done!  I find that when I have a spot of time, and I say to self, "self, get something done off the list" and viola, my list reminds me of what I could do at the moment.  I call those spots of time, bonuses!  Now who doesn't love a bonus!

So this past week - CPE was worked on; cleared more files and extensions; pinned more lace to my Pinterest boards and surpassed 4,000 pins - yeah; been weeding on the farm; worked on the stars project - last of the starching is just about complete; wrote thank you cards; mailed a box of goodies to one of my nieces; lunch with a friend of mine; watched a movie; wrote my first bit of code in WordPress.  Oh my goodness, pretty darn good.

Happy July 1st - Happy July 4th - and choose  a Git 'r Done kind of week.  Whatever makes you feel great - friends, family, or just for you!

Living My 60th Year --- KC is on the mend

This week had me taking KC to the vet.  It isn't generally a fun event for her nor me.  Though she seemed to do pretty well.   She spent the day at the vet to test her BG curve and several other tests for kidney, sugar, etc.

News finally came and she's been feeling badly due to an UTI infection.  Back to the vet the next day to get the antibiotic that will need to be administered for the next ten days.  Her sugar is double what it should be  - some of it due to the infection.  She will have to go back for another BG curve test some time in early July.  

I Found The Beads!    Yippie - I'm not losing my mind - just putting the stuff away in a safe place!?!  

This past week, it was one month since the resignation.  I'm loving sitting in the back of the room during the meeting this past week.  I didn't lose the day preparing for the meeting nor lose a couple of  days after taking care of all the work that would have been assigned to me.  I did do one thing, posted the Meet the Candidate notice for this coming Thursday evening all over Facebook.  

Master Bedroom Suite --- Still no information about getting the room fixed from the leaks. Though it was approved to have the engineer look at it.  In the mean time, back to minimization.  

Completed!

There is a bookcase - with lots of assorted books. Also a stack of them next to it as there isn't any room for more.  Occasionally, I'm looking for a title, stuffing more books in it, yet I'm no longer using most of them. 

Ready to Donate!

Then the week before,  it came to me --- I've not touched it since moving in.  I decided that without looking - I gave myself the okay to keep ten of the books.  

So proud to say - it is cleaned out and I've got a box of books ready to donate at the library!

Okay, if you are counting ---- yes, it is a little more than ten.  

Not going to happen.

Next to tackle - Lace pillows, not the kind you put your head on, the kind that you make bobbin lace on. Many of them had WIPs and were moved into the suite area some months ago.  

It was time to look at them and find out what there is.  Some of the pillows had demo projects on them, some with projects I'm still half done, some not started.  

Question I asked myself - how much time do I have to complete any / all of these.  Several were cut off, couple left for demo purposes.  The one pictured here had some severe structural problems that I would not tolerate when I took it off the pillow.  I cut off the dozen bobbins,  unwound them, and put them back; two pillows have projects on that I want to finish and my demo stand pillow is ready for the next demonstration - possibly late summer and the fall.  The snake pillow is ready for a beginner!

In process.....

Yes, the star project is happening.  I starched two more boards of stars during the week, put a loop of fishing line through them and hung them up.  Connected with this project was making a few more snowman scarfs for a project later this year.  Those are done and put away for now.  I'll make up more stars with the remaining yarn and this project will also be completed.  

KC is feeling better - it is amazing what 48 hrs can do for her.  This coming week will have lots to do with the farm plots.  Stay tuned.........  and enjoy your week.

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Snowflakes - Look what I found!

Yes, I've been away and unfortunately not making my snowflakes.

It feels like summer here.   When I wrote last time, it was winter at the end of April.  Now the snow is melted and everything is in bloom.   Lately, I've been feeling 'blessed' as much that I am working on is coming together.  The first time in a long time.

This is one instance of my work coming together.  Back when I challenged myself to make the snowflakes, it was two fold.  One to make a snowflake and second to take the time to write about the process of making a snowflake.  Sometimes we go along without a bump, then there are those bumps that take you out of circulation.  It hit one of the later bumps.

Lucky that bump didn't last for long. This past week I was taking a part the studio.  Reclaiming old projects, cutting off projects,
and deciding what I truly wanted to complete.

This one is a reclaim project.  I found another use for this thread - I needle tat five petal flowers.

I can do them in my sleep and when I'm in a meeting or waiting, I can whip off one in about 15 minutes.  Since I started making the flowers last fall, I think I made at least 50-60 of them of which I have given most of them away.  This week alone - I made/gave away nine  of them.  It is so cool to do as the recipient is surprised and pleased and I know in my heart there is a little bit of handmade lace in another home!

Okay - back to snowflakes.  I found the snowflakes in the pictures above!  Viola!  Fifteen of them, most white (10) and five of them are in ecru.  Not too sure about the ecru ones yet.  Of course - they need to be blocked and I need (to make peace in my mind) find out which pattern book they came out of.  While I've been away since April 22nd, I need eight snowflakes complete by today to keep on track to be done by November!  Looks like the crochet spirits are with me and have rewarded me with a few spares.

Therefore...... based on the 21 completed so far..... and the white ones - I've 31 completed and a few to spare.  I'm feeling back in the saddle again and look forward to posting new snowflakes and beginning to get them starched!

Living my 60th Year - Clearing the Decks!

A good week - finding the time to complete items that will no longer have to deal with... is such a good feeling.

It has lifted burdens and silenced self-talk that can happen - heck we are human, aren't we.  That action allows for the new to spring up... those activities that give you pleasure.

This is the lavender I planted last fall.  After uncovering it from 3 ft of snow and all the leaves packed around it - it is coming back!   I've taken off the expended woody portions and I think I'll be enjoying the scent all summer long.

My friend, Terry, finished up her visit here in CT with spending the last day and half with me.  We found some time to just converse, looked up better directions to get her back to Georgia (yes she drove up here).   We watched a movie - The Kings Speech on HoopLa which I could down load from the Library!

 We took off  to the fabric store to find some cotton to make a liner for my new basket.  That was great - a violet remnant - almost a yard for about a $1!  Then she helped me find some fabric to make fabric yarn that will go into making a crocheted basket.  The one in the center is the inspiration colors and the two other will compliment the inspiration.  

We took in the last day of the Friends of the Library book sale and I found some baby books for the gift basket I'll be making.   Of course I found a book or two for me :)  Can't help myself when it is $6 / bag and you get a reusable bag.


I started the baby blanket from a pattern I found.  A few adjustments to the pattern to compensate for the type of yarn ---- and with the stash yarn I've had forEVER - Viola!   It works up pretty quickly with changing colors just about every row.  It will be about 34" wide before the fringe and about 40ish" long depending on the repeats.  What is really amazing ....  this is a big hole in the stash closet!  

Kitchen cabinets are finally done - a minimalist task I started is now complete.  My goodness when I take out unused items, there is much more room and I can see what is there.   Partial set of dishes, additional vases, and more duplicates of items that I'm wondering ... why, why, why?

By the way -- I found that the Sr Center here in town has a consignment shop.  So I may be able to turn a few of these treasurers into a couple of bucks for more yarn or thread?

Stay tuned for more Clearing the Decks.......  it is not just the stuff in your life.... it is what you are doing each day!   Permission to board Matey, and full steam ahead.

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Living My 60th Year - spring has arrived!

A week has past - once again filled to the brim.  

These little beauties were a surprise.  I forgot that I planted these in the front garden.  When they popped their heads out a few weeks ago... I asked my neighbor, whom I  share this garden with, and she didn't know.  As the blooms opened I had an ah ha moment.  I was given these daffodils  in a small container a year ago February and last fall I must have dumped them in the front garden.  What a welcome sight each morning when I go out to fetch the newspaper.

I've had a house guest for the entire past week.  Though I didn't need to much, she was in and out visiting many friends and used my place as her jumping off point.  We have had bits and pieces of time together.  That's been nice.  It has kept the common spaces well organized and a bonus was clearing off the back deck of the winter grim to be able to sit outside!  

My work week was okay, actually completed items and my desk remains okay.  My efforts to schedule in-house work was a bit ambitious.  I did complete quite a bit, though not as much as I thought I would.  Have you done that?  This week is pretty open and I have lots to complete.  

Over the weekend was the Friends of the Library BookSale.   I restrained myself as I need to cull my own collection of books and donate them back to the Friends.  I did pick up a book on paintstiks that you use to draw/paint on fabric and of course a crochet book.  We went on Sunday for the 'bag of book' part of the sale and I filled a bag with some books I'll use as an inspiration for a basket I will donate in the fall for a silent auction at CCSU's Library event.  I will be making a baby blanket - easy and quick - found a quick pattern and the yarn has been around way to long!  Add a few books and baby items to make it a great basket for a baby gift.  

She also helped me pick out some fabric to make a "cloth yarn" that I will use to crochet a basket.  I saw a pattern and didn't have any supplies in the studio.  I also picked out fabric from the store's remnant basket to make a draw string liner for my new basket.   

Here's to the spring blooms ---  take time out-of-doors and breath in the freshness of the season.

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Snowflakes - in process

Happy Spring everyone and the snow is just about melted or rained away here in Connecticut.  My 'season' is mostly over - though it is truly never over.  The last two weeks are long days and nights and very little time off.

This year was good - difficult for some of the returns that needed to be completed, some done and some on extension for the next couple of weeks.  I will be doing lots of follow up so I will make notes for the next season, who I should follow up with over the year, and make it my year.   This is a quarter month - represents work that needs to be completed for the first three months of this year.   So I'm off to the office.

This little snowflake was started and in still in formation...  think of it as the crystals are growing!

When done -->>>  22 of 50 !!

Snowflakes - True to your heart

True To Your Heart snowflake.

It is an amazing name for this beauty and great for this time of year as we transition from winter and lots and lots of snow to the spring.  Spring when all is fresh and new, especially here in New England.

Some of the trees have buds on them, the crocuses are pushing up through the last of the snow in the gardens and the birds have begun their morning and evening rituals of singing.

Spring is when I get to start my year as I spend the first four months buried in work.  The days are getting longer, the sun is shining more hours and there is that eternal hope that comes with the light.

I began this week doing seedling sitting once again.  The little guys are getting bigger - I hope we have continued success.... and the Town gets our garden plots up and ready as soon as possible!

My nephew is expected to arrive in two days.  I've a science project I would like to do with him.  It should be fun!


PS I know it needs to be starched in a big way - this is 21 out of 50!  Yeah!!

Snowflakes - Less is more

This snowflake designed by Snowcatcher is called Peewink after a mountain of the same name in Colorado.

There are a couple of stitches -- a sc picot and a dc picot.  Both are used at the points of this snowflake.  I need a bit more practice as the ones I did are not very consistent.

Each of the snowflakes are unique - such as nature intended them to be.  A couple of weeks ago I went to the "new and improved" Michaels store.  It moved from down the street to farther down the street.  I was curious as they had been offering lots of 'deals' with the improved store.  I was there for an hour or so - it must be 4x larger, though it only had more of the same of some items and less of other items.  Less there was of what little threads they carried, it is now even more scarce.

One of the sales folks, very nice man, was trying to help me - though they are not carrying the merchandise.  What less yarn and even less thread!!  I was quite disappointed.  He suggested that I write to Michaels on their website of my disappointment.  So I did.  I did get a response -- it was less than expected as it appears that no one read my letter nor could make any comment.  Sad to say - that letter said that my business and my opinion is not worthy.  They will now have one less customer.

When one  items closes.... another will open, sometimes less is more.

20 of 50 completed......... or 40% done!

Snowflakes - making progress

Yeah !!  Three More done.  Thanks Snowcatcher.

These are called from the top, Garden Snowflake 8, Garden Snowflake 9, and Garden Snowflake 10.

This week's worth were a bonus for me.  The patterns were simple and great to do a trio.  I like each of them and would consider making them again in the possible second 50?

Spring sprung last week and we were met with yet another snow storm.   Of course in New England- March snow storms don't do much other than inconvenience.

Snow is now warming up into spring showers and melting some of the piles.  We will have some snow piles till May!

Nineteen completed of the fifty!  Yeah  38% completed!  keep it up and I'll get done before the end of the summer.  Hmmm  an idea for an entry into the Creative Arts this September?  Stay tuned.

Snowflakes - ice dam inconvenience!

 Time seems to be flying by...  this past week we "welcomed" more snow... about 4 more inches of the white stuff on the first day of Spring.  You have to love New England!

The manager, Alan, from the Association finally came out to look at the third floor damage.  I've two entire ceilings that need to be re-done due to ice dam staining.  Then the carpeting that is against the wall I share with my neighbor Joan........ jeez, what a mess.  It may mean I need a new carpet for the entire room as the stains don't look like the kind you wash out.  Of course, another week goes by.

As if the news can not be getting better, Alan noticed that there seems to be one of the trusses that holds up my third floor has given away and the flooring is slanted, the walls have separated from the ceiling - not a good sign!   Not in any danger of collapsing but now this project is escalating.

With all that --- here's this week's snowflake courtesy of Snowcatcher.  It is so appropriately named JackHammer.  Like I feel this week!

This one was fun to do!  There is a rhythm in her patterns.  The points on the third round started off a bit quirky, then it was success!  I like this one and may make more of them as they are small, easy to do,   Heck my project needs a bunch of itty bitty flakes.

Here's wishing that Spring begins where ever you are living!

Snowflakes - finding more thread

 Great week, I completed two flakes #14 and #15!

The top is called SP-511 - Unfortunately I don't have the designer's name.  A friend of mine sent me a copy of the pattern.

The bottom is called Sophronia from Snowcatcher.  Her patterns are just lovely.  She puts up a new design each Monday.   This patten had lots of work on the third round.

I'm beginning to understand how the snowflake is made.  Couple yards of thread, a crochet hook, a few rounds of stitches and it happens before your eyes.  Remember snowflakes have six points!

The notebook I set up as I started this challenge - I'm respecting it and including all the patterns, credits, etc that I have worked.  Of course, we  have enjoyed the pictures.  This has been on of my best organized efforts!

My snowflake challenge falls over into other aspects of my life.  I finished up two balls of DMC  #10 in getting these snowflakes so far.  Great as that's two balls out of the open stash box - though no more white.  I began scouring my stash and could only find balls of Ecru ?  Where is my stash of white?

So there I am pulling apart items in the studio.  I found two unfinished thread crochet projects stuck away from a very long time ago.  One was almost done - though I'm not excited about it any longer. I may reclaim the thread from that project - but not right now.   A second one was really not started.  It was a multiple motif placemat - nice pattern but.....  The second project doesn't exist any longer!!  So now a hook can be placed back into the holder and I found an almost full ball of #10 DMC Cebelia!!

Yeah - studio received a few moments of my much needed attention.  I've an almost full ball of thread to continue making my snowflakes.  For the unexperienced, I've 284 yards of thread to continue on.

Snowflakes

Here's # 13 - completed..  great snowflake and worked up really well.  Thanks to Snowcatcher for the design.  It's called Dusty Snowflake.

I'm still on track to make 50 by Thanksgiving!  


Thanks to Clare for sending me some very interesting snowflake patterns.  Some will be interesting as they are comprised of long stretches of single crochets.

Will need to get the starching process set up.  I can then do them in batches.

Snowflakes - More snow coming!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow and Let it Snow..we are singing that every couple of days.  As soon as we are "cleared out" another storm drops some more and we measure the feet it drops!.  It seems that we are getting more snow in the last few years - it depends where you are and how it is being measured.

This year is the snowiest winter on record for Boston.  No doubt and we are getting a storm slated for Thursday.  By the way it is only mid February!

While I'm some two hours west of Bean Town, we have over 3.5 feet on the ground.  Lots of icicles hanging from the roofs.  My neighbor called the mgmt co to remove the "big one" that is between our homes.  It measured, before they took it down, approximately 10 ft long. There is one on the the back roof hanging from the roof past the third floor deck!

Maybe I'll use the icicles for some inspiration for this Challenge!

Keeping my snowflake book organized can be a bit challenging.  All of a sudden I find a pattern, copy it and it's now laying in several places making me crazy.  Then making sure I photograph them.  I posted a Snowcatcher's Marble Snowflake on FaceBook and many seem to enjoy the picture.  Hope they click through.

I read about using building insulation for blocking - it comes in many sizes and you can pick up some at the big box store.  It is really dense and will help hold the pins when I begin blocking these flakes.  Note to do after the "season".

Update... pictured above these are #9, #10, #11, #12 - total of  12 out of 50 done!  With seven weeks of the year gone by already ---  this is good start for my 50 Snowflakes Challenge.

Starting at the top - This is Snowcatcher's  pattern called Marble Snowflake, to the right is #3 from White Christmas in Thread,  just below it is Mystery Flake that I  found it and adding it to the collection, and lastly is #4 also from White Christmas in Thread.

Snowflakes and Stars getting started

Start of the stars I'm going to make this year.  These are crocheted using a batch of yarn I purchased to do some 'snow people' for Christmas.

Thanks to Mom who had some left over styrofoam packaging.  Of course, she saved it and now I cam begin to block them out.

These are made from acryllic yarn called Bonbons by LionBrand. mini balls of yarn - with eight different colors.  

These are blocked with only water.  I'll check to see if the water/block/iron works or I'll have to try starch.  I don't want to lose the vibrantancy of the color.  While I was traveling last week, I was able to complete more of these stars.  It's a quick and easy pattern and great to take wherever I go.

There isn't a real plan - I want to make a whole rainbow of colors and then put them together in some type of fun 3-D arrangement.  Found some great ideas and inspirations in Pintrest - you can find my boards at Patty Foley.

Snowflakes

Big Book Thread Ornaments
#53, #50, #40, #38

Here's some of the snowflakes I found that I had done earlier.  So lovely.  Yes Yes - I know I need to block them.  

This is the second set of four.  Now  the Countdown at  ----  >> 42 to go till this Thanksgiving.

Now that my cousin's event is complete for the next eight years, I can go back to paying attention to this challenge.  The house is back in order, though life keeps speeding at me.  I received notice from my brother in St. Louis that my niece/godchild will be singing at the regional a capella competition at Washington University.  I knew that was true as she texted me at the last moments of the birthday.  What subsequently happened is that she is doing a solo in this event!

Okay - I'm still futzing around with flights - and how to meet a deadline and still get out and back to St. Louis to see her perform.

Everyday is like a snow flake - not one is the same.............each day is unique.

Snowflakes

And I'm off on my challenge to make at least 50 snowflakes by Thanksgiving.  

With one a week, it should be easy enough.  I've found my pattern books and have copied with permission patterns from all over the world.

Love to read patterns in other languages - most of them - once you get the rhythm - it makes sense.  Of course if they have diagrammed their work - it is easier.  Not all patterns are written equally, there is the native language, if it is British or US terminology, it depends on when it was written, pre 1900 or now.  It is all about this challenge.

These need blocking. When I get another block to use for blocking and sufficient snowflakes made - I'll have a blocking party.

Hmmm  nice way to gather some fiber enthusiasts together and get the job done!


Credits:
Top left - by Snowcatcher
Top right - Grandma Jennie's Pattern - by Kara
Bottom left - Lacy Snowflakes by Brenda S. Greer #30
Bottom right - White Christmas in Thread #8

My Studio

Last week was like a train rushing through the night.  There was no stopping the steady stream as I readied by home for a week long guest.  I had been pulling apart the studio to get it in better shape.  It's been the last room that I've worked on and it doubles as a guest room.  Still no decorating, just needing the structure of the room in place - it doesn't feel workable yet.  I looked at the calendar, Leslie will be here in two days.

The consignment / antique place down the street closed down.  I was hoping to find a table and upholstered chairs.  Oh hum, to find another place is now back on the list. 

Give me a deadline and the creative spirit moves me.  With no shop to go to, that got me thinking about the current items in the room.  You may have seen the decorating show - redesign.  It's great as it looks around and makes a solution out of what you already have.  So I get the measuring tape, make a few more sketches, and found a new idea.  If I take the shelving unit from my former home and place it on top of the credenza, possible 3/4 of an inch to the ceiling - it will fit?

I moved all the other 'stuff' out and prepared the room for her arrival.  We had a great time even though I needed to work a good portion of her visit.  Leslie said that I better give her a project so she helped out one afternoon.  We dismantled this shelving and very carefully put it in its new place.  Oh my goodness - it was barely 1/3 inch!  Before long the shelves were refilled and the room looked bigger.  What a difference, Again, thank you Leslie!

This past Sunday after Leslie's departure, I kept looking at the space.  Got out my list, need some additional shelving - put that on Bob's list to do; move the dresser into the closet - that's me; empty and organize the scrap yarn stash - that's me again.  The other closet, it is going to wait.

Before I knew it, I had emptied the closet and moved the dresser into.  Then I got to the stashes of yarn. I was able to consolidate bags and boxes into a organized rainbow of colors.  Until I dumped it out and repack it, I didn't think I had that much!

Bob, handy man, will be back in a few days to add some shelving.  He just finished downsizing one of my kitchen cabinets so  my new microwave could be installed.  Now I feel pretty good.  The studio is taking shape, it's a bit peaceful.  Last night as I was taking in the success and I could hear the whistle of last train run by - isn't life just grand?

Got a Library??

It's not surprising that I am looking for software.  Now with more experience, I want a SaaS or software-as-a-service applications.  Forget the "I want the application stored on my computer".  I want it in the clouds.

While I was looking for various apps, I came across this company that makes an on-line library for your collection(s).  http://connect.collectorz.com/  check them out!  So no matter your collection, books, movies, and even mp3s, you can have a hosted inventory of your collection. 

Ok - it's the geeky side of me :)  When you can find a solution that will assist in keeping order in life - then this is great so far, great price!

If you'd like to see my collection so far ....   Lace Books is the link.

A Week Later - The Plan

It's been a week from writing the Plan.  How are you doing with your Plan?  Committed it to paper yet?  My Plan continues to grow as I unload from my brain and get it to paper. 

I've scored big in the way of my "studio".  The studio / 2nd bedroom is my lost child of my home.  While I haven't yet lived here two years, I walk by it at least twice a day. Other than some overnight guests, it's not working for me. 

It's a great room with two large windows that streams in lots of light.  Has the some electrical outlets, though I'd like a few more, has cable, has two large closets, and is quite generous in size - some 15' by 11'.  So over the weekend inbetween work, the Sheep and Wool show, Friends of Library stuff, I took time to measure out the room and begin to look at what I want it to be. 

What first came to mind, is that in my last home, my 'studio' was generally packed away into cabinets and closets throughout the house.  It was terribly efficient in that it was all put away, though inefficient when putting it all together.  Now I have this space and I'm not sure what I'd like to do.

I measured the room and looked around my current furnishings and what I found is that two bookcases from the office could really work well in the studio.  Actually the matching third bookcase is in the studio right now.  That means the ricky old shelving unit could be reworked into some needed shelving in one of the closets.  I know, that leaves some books in the office possibly without a shelf.

Now that I started this project, time to break it down into smaller tasks or it will become overwhelming and nothing will get done.  So first - organize the unfinished projects! 

I began to gather up and set out my unfinished projects.  Anyone that enjoys the creative process generally has more than one project on hand. LOL!!!  I'll admit to that!  I found and agreed to some 21 crochet projects that are in the midst of almost done!  I get started because I like the design, or it poses a different stitch I'd like to learn, or it is just different.  Often times these projects get put aside as an event will come up and I choose to make an item for that event. You can watch the progress at my Creative Sources blog.

By organizing these projects, I feel somewhat accomplished.  I'll be leaving for retreat in a few days and I'm packing some of my projects to take with me so they will be completed when I return.

During our demonstration of lace making at the Sheep and Wool festival, I took one of my projects and just about completed it.  Later on in the weekend I added the balance of the edging and the tassels.  KC wasn't really excited about it (she doesn't like change) though by this morning, she was enjoying her little blanket!

I encourage you, take some moments for yourself and set up your Plan!