It is a beautiful Saturday, the snow is falling, the wood stove is warm, the kids are both working, Eric teaching on the ski slopes and Bri caring for the animals at the local kennel, and my husband is safely back from Ireland. (He brought me back my favorite Irish dark chocolate this time…) I call this a puttery day, I puttered around, tidying up, reading the morning paper. I took the recycling to the dump, before the snow got started, and started the laundry. Which is always needing to be done, with two active teens. I took advantage of the quiet house, and sat by the wood stove and read, I’m almost finished the latest installment of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, this one titled Miracle at Speedy Motors. I adore this series, and I think it was a handweaver I stayed with that first told me about them, years ago, I look forward to each new addition. The gentleness and kindness of the well developed characters, and the beauty and harshness of a place on the other side of the world and the interesting mysteries that are carefully woven through each installment are always entertaining for me, and I find the book ends too soon…
And now for an update. I am making slow progress, and the dress is beginning to take shape. The main body pieces are together and pinned on the form, now I have to assemble them carefully, basting and constantly checking the fit on my body. I need a second person for that, so I’ll work on that tomorrow with my daughter home from school. It is a beautiful dress, and I am anxious to see it all finished, handwork in place, and photographed for jury. It is a long process, but it is about the process, and I’m not really in a huge hurry. I’m enjoying this.
I had a roll of 1″ wide nylon tricot bias in a Wine color in my stash, from the old Seam’s Great company which is no longer in business. I took advantage of it and used it as a seam finish which worked well on the bias edges and especially for the ravely rayon. The gathered areas are very bulky with this fabric, and I’m a little concerned how the invisible zipper I have will work with the bulk in the back. I’ll keep you posted.
Daryl; your use of colour, and your attention to detail are both extraordinary. I just joined your blog community, and am finding it inspirational, if a bit overwhelming. Thanks for the tip about the novels too, ; I took one from the library yesterday; I have been searching in vain for a pleasant escapist novel, having survived a few dreary bestsellers lately. Sometime, maybe you could tell us how you make use of your time, and your philosophies about prioritizing, etc.?? I do very simple weaving, but it seems to be at the bottom of the list, after morning yoga,… Read more »
Wow Fran, thanks so much for the kind words. Prioritizing your life is probably the most challenging part of life for a human being. The most frustrating part is it requires a flexibility that we don’t often possess. Just getting through the routine altering holidays was a challenge, on one hand, I couldn’t do what I really wanted to be doing, yet I wouldn’t have missed any opportunity to be with people I love and am connected to, so I did the best I could and tried not to have an agenda I couldn’t keep up with. First Fran, I… Read more »
Fran, I was asked this question too, by a long-time guild member who passed away just over a year ago (Ruth Baltz). I told her that although I work full time in another field and don’t have much studio space, I will start simply. I’ll pull out a few potential skeins/cones of yarn on one day. I’ll pull out a tool I’ll need the next, like the warping board. I keep going with just one thing as I pass the weaving room, until suddenly I have passed the tipping point, and most of what I need to begin the project… Read more »
You will appreciate my horoscope for today, January 13 🙂 Today’s Horoscope for Gemini Staying on track can be quite a challenge for you today, for your mind likes wandering around more than concentrating on one thing at a time. But you can feel the pressure that others are placing on you and you’re making every effort possible to do your part. Nevertheless, the tiniest distraction can be enough to take you on a detour. Don’t be hard on yourself if you lose focus and waste time; just bring your attention back to center and move on to what’s next.… Read more »
Thanks to you both for your thoughtful replies on time management! I think that Darryl’s real secret is passion…. that she probably received from family members/mentors.??
But I am doing quite similar things to Sally right now, and am planning a Bronson lace stole…..a big deal for me!
Really enjoying this site!
Cheers Fran
Yes, I’d have to agree, to be an artist you have to be so passionate that nothing else gets in the way. But for everyone else, there are still many ways to find the time. Please keep us posted on your progress on the lace stole. Send photos, at least to me, use the email contact below on the right!