It's official! I quit my job! It has become increasingly clear that I am not interested in the rewards of the corporate world, so I am stepping down from my position to focus on my creative and homelife goals. I gave my boss 4 weeks' notice about 3 weeks ago, so I only have 5 work days left after today!
I have already started my list of things to do once I'm blissfully unemployed, but I have to avoid thinking too much about it in order to get all my work projects wrapped up in time. We're headed through Charlottesville on our way to DC in a couple weeks, so I'm having a hard time not losing myself in daydreams of dancing through the aisles of my favorite bulk food store in Stuarts Draft. Flour for 50 cents a pound, people!!! Oh, the glory!!!!! *cue Sound of Music theme*
More details to come later, but I had to share the news! I'm almost free!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Oh, this is bad...
I witnessed spinning for the first time today, and it was GLORIOUS! I walked in to Stitch 'N Bitch today at Hank's, and was greeted by a lovely young lady spinning some gorgeous chocolate & strawberry colored roving. I'm pretty sure my eyes got as wide as dinner plates, and I know my jaw dropped. Watching people make things stops me dead in my tracks every time. Yeah, I was that kid nose-printing the plexiglass so I could watch the grocery store cake decorators. I think I stopped breathing for while when I saw glass blowing for the first time, too. But the spinning?
It.
Was.
Awesome.
Spinning appeals to the same instinct that made me pick up knitting/crochet to begin with: the driving need to do things myself. It's a natural progression:
1) I start knitting because I can't find the Perfect Scarf in the store.
2) As I discover I can't find the Perfect Pattern for the scarf I want to knit, I design my own.
3) When I am unable to find the Perfect Yarn yarn in the store, I decide to make my own.
As soft as my kitties are, I don't think they'd take kindly to shearing or drafting, so the next step of raising my own fiberific animals will have to wait. Ah, but spinning fiber from other people's animals? That I can do now.
The conversation turned to using a drop spindle, as a full-on spinning wheel is a bit of an investment to make based on impulse curiosity. A spindle was dug up, and the demo proceeded. I was absolutely gobsmacked to see someone use a couple of tinkertoys & a mug hook to turn this puffy nebula of fiber into a thin, beautiful ply. I must do this. I must.
I tried to explain to my husband the glory that had been revealed to me today, but he got that look on his face that says, "I can tell you're excited because you're hopping around and using the squirell voice again; however, I don't understand a word." He will understand one day. Or he will at least learn to fake it.
So yes, another crafty ambition has officially hit me. I don't know when I'll get a chance to actually try spinning, as I'm going to use it as a proverbial carrot to get me to finish the million projects I have planned already. I just know that I'm gonna do it, doggonit! I think I'm mostly excited by the prospect of a new class of fiber goods being accessible to me. Yay for roving!
It.
Was.
Awesome.
Spinning appeals to the same instinct that made me pick up knitting/crochet to begin with: the driving need to do things myself. It's a natural progression:
1) I start knitting because I can't find the Perfect Scarf in the store.
2) As I discover I can't find the Perfect Pattern for the scarf I want to knit, I design my own.
3) When I am unable to find the Perfect Yarn yarn in the store, I decide to make my own.
As soft as my kitties are, I don't think they'd take kindly to shearing or drafting, so the next step of raising my own fiberific animals will have to wait. Ah, but spinning fiber from other people's animals? That I can do now.
The conversation turned to using a drop spindle, as a full-on spinning wheel is a bit of an investment to make based on impulse curiosity. A spindle was dug up, and the demo proceeded. I was absolutely gobsmacked to see someone use a couple of tinkertoys & a mug hook to turn this puffy nebula of fiber into a thin, beautiful ply. I must do this. I must.
I tried to explain to my husband the glory that had been revealed to me today, but he got that look on his face that says, "I can tell you're excited because you're hopping around and using the squirell voice again; however, I don't understand a word." He will understand one day. Or he will at least learn to fake it.
So yes, another crafty ambition has officially hit me. I don't know when I'll get a chance to actually try spinning, as I'm going to use it as a proverbial carrot to get me to finish the million projects I have planned already. I just know that I'm gonna do it, doggonit! I think I'm mostly excited by the prospect of a new class of fiber goods being accessible to me. Yay for roving!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Prodigal Blogger
I'm back! I decided I was tired of feeling guilty about not posting. It's much less stress to just go ahead and write the damn post!
So, what have I been up to in the million years since I posted? I have:
-finished 1 of 2 scarves I promised as Christmas 2007 gifts
-moved to Florida
-almost completed 2nd of 2 Christmas scarves
-gotten a new job
-discovered new job is a different kind of high-stress than last job was
-frogged 2nd scarf
-watched a lot of football
-crocheted at tailgate parties and in the stadium
-restarted scarf
-frogged scarf again
-cried a little about new high-stress job & Christmas scarf
-found a rawesome local yarn store
-petted enough yarn that I'm suprised LYS owner didn't kick me out
-went to my first Stitch and Bitch!
-plotted yarn purchases
... Yep, that's about it. I've got a bunch of projects either in progress or in my mind, but they're pretty much all gifts, so I can't post about any of them yet! I can post a picture of my new project bag, though. This project gave me more hand cramps than I care to relate, but I think it was worth it.
Project bag,
originally uploaded by Darth Martha.
I couldn't figure out a good way to block it, but it wouldn't hold its shape without some reinforcement at the bottom, anyway. I may need to MacGyver something. I was pretty happy with the stitch I ended up using for the body of the bag (crocheted moss stitch), though the diagonal effect was a happy mistake due to my relative inexperience with crocheting in the round. It's a big, honkin' bag that is CLEARLY intended to carry lots of crafty bits.
More posting as gifts are completed or yarn is acquired...
Monday, April 21, 2008
A big yay, a big boo, and a little more boo mixed in with some yay
Well, the last few days have been a bit of a rollercoaster. I guess the best way to get through all of it is in chronological order.
Big yay: I've got a phone interview! I knew it was coming, but that office finally got in touch with me on Thursday to arrange a time. It's not for any particular position, but a family friend connected me to a higher up in FL, so I've got an interview set up for this coming Wednesday. I have no clue what we'll talk about, so I have no idea what to prepare. I guess I'll just have to be quick on my feet then. Wish me luck!
Big boo: My grandmother passed away rather suddenly on Friday. She went into the hospital for simple back surgery and was going to be discharged pretty much immediately after, but it seems like the stress of the surgery was just too much for her 86 year old body. She'd been really sick for a long time, so it's best that she's at peace now. She was a pretty funny lady on her good days, so while I'm glad that she's no longer in pain, I'm sad that her spunkiness is no longer in the world. I'm not really able to talk much about it just yet, but I'm doing alright as long as I can remember that she was really sick. It's actually not very comforting to me to remember the fun times yet, because that's what really makes me miss her.
A little boo mixed with a little yay: I'm going to be going back home for Grandma's service at the end of the week, and it looks like I'll be driving all the way there without the hubby (stupid call schedule). Things are scheduled for Friday, so I'll be gone from work for a couple days. The yay part is that I'll be coming in to town just in time for the twins' birthday party, so I'll FINALLY be at somebody's party! I offered to bake the cake/cupcakes, so that'll be fun for me. I think I'll try to weigh out my ingredients before I go out there so I can just dump & mix, but I'll probably bring an extra batch and my scale as a backup. I'm also bringing some of my yarny projects with me, as I suspect there will be some quiet time this weekend, too.
Oh, there's actually a little more boo/yay: We dropped the price on our house a little (boo), but we immediately got a flurry of interest (yay). We had to skedaddle for a little bit on Sunday for someone to look (yay), but as we pulled back into the driveway, we saw-- to our horror-- that one of the cats had pulled down our sheers from the big bay window while we were gone (boo). We just pray that the cats got the rips and destroyed our curtains after the couple left. God forbid that someone surprised Simon with a stealth petting and got a tension rod pulled down on their head!
Let's hope this coming week is not so action-packed as this last one has been. I don't think I have that much Pepto.
Big yay: I've got a phone interview! I knew it was coming, but that office finally got in touch with me on Thursday to arrange a time. It's not for any particular position, but a family friend connected me to a higher up in FL, so I've got an interview set up for this coming Wednesday. I have no clue what we'll talk about, so I have no idea what to prepare. I guess I'll just have to be quick on my feet then. Wish me luck!
Big boo: My grandmother passed away rather suddenly on Friday. She went into the hospital for simple back surgery and was going to be discharged pretty much immediately after, but it seems like the stress of the surgery was just too much for her 86 year old body. She'd been really sick for a long time, so it's best that she's at peace now. She was a pretty funny lady on her good days, so while I'm glad that she's no longer in pain, I'm sad that her spunkiness is no longer in the world. I'm not really able to talk much about it just yet, but I'm doing alright as long as I can remember that she was really sick. It's actually not very comforting to me to remember the fun times yet, because that's what really makes me miss her.
A little boo mixed with a little yay: I'm going to be going back home for Grandma's service at the end of the week, and it looks like I'll be driving all the way there without the hubby (stupid call schedule). Things are scheduled for Friday, so I'll be gone from work for a couple days. The yay part is that I'll be coming in to town just in time for the twins' birthday party, so I'll FINALLY be at somebody's party! I offered to bake the cake/cupcakes, so that'll be fun for me. I think I'll try to weigh out my ingredients before I go out there so I can just dump & mix, but I'll probably bring an extra batch and my scale as a backup. I'm also bringing some of my yarny projects with me, as I suspect there will be some quiet time this weekend, too.
Oh, there's actually a little more boo/yay: We dropped the price on our house a little (boo), but we immediately got a flurry of interest (yay). We had to skedaddle for a little bit on Sunday for someone to look (yay), but as we pulled back into the driveway, we saw-- to our horror-- that one of the cats had pulled down our sheers from the big bay window while we were gone (boo). We just pray that the cats got the rips and destroyed our curtains after the couple left. God forbid that someone surprised Simon with a stealth petting and got a tension rod pulled down on their head!
Let's hope this coming week is not so action-packed as this last one has been. I don't think I have that much Pepto.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
It just seems so... final.
It is official: I will no longer be in my current job as of May 16. I'll be training the new person starting May 5, and then I'll be free two weeks later! I have mixed feelings about leaving that early before we move, but I think it'll be good. We are supposed to leave to go house hunting the next day, so the timing is nice... I guess.
What makes me uncomfortable is that I still haven't found a new job in FL. Not like I could keep this one, but still. It's nice to know you'll have a soft landing.
I guess if all else fails, I can stay home and craft all day... You know, that's not such a horrible thought. I'd probably finish a few projects for a change!
Wait.
If I finish my projects, then I'll need to start new ones, which means I'll have to buy more supplies for my new projects, which means I'll be spending money, which means I'll need to have a job so that I can earn money to buy more supplies to do the projects I'll start because I finished my old projects when I stayed home and crafted all day because I have no job.
*blinkblink*
I think I need a job.
What makes me uncomfortable is that I still haven't found a new job in FL. Not like I could keep this one, but still. It's nice to know you'll have a soft landing.
I guess if all else fails, I can stay home and craft all day... You know, that's not such a horrible thought. I'd probably finish a few projects for a change!
Wait.
If I finish my projects, then I'll need to start new ones, which means I'll have to buy more supplies for my new projects, which means I'll be spending money, which means I'll need to have a job so that I can earn money to buy more supplies to do the projects I'll start because I finished my old projects when I stayed home and crafted all day because I have no job.
*blinkblink*
I think I need a job.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
After a short and bloodless battle, I admit defeat
I like to think of myself as an optimistic person, someone who believes in the power of an individual with a mission. My mission was to spread handmade goodness to the masses, starting with my niece and nephew. Alas, after crocheting my little hands off yesterday, I ended up with only 3 finished play food cookies. 3. Now, that's pretty admirable, considering that they are completely finished, ends woven in and everything; but there's still only 3. Had I thought about making play food last week, I probably could have finished in time. Yet, I have a plan.
That's right! I have lost this battle, but I have not lost the war!! I'm going to work on a complete play food set for Christmas! *cue inspirational music, preferably something with a snare drum and a fife and/or trumpet* It will be the single most gloriously adorable present in my family's history, possibly in all of human history. Do you hear me, crochet gods? *shakes fist* IN HISTORY! As long as I can hold yarn in my hand, there will be joy in this world. Small, fake pieces of play joy shaped like food.
With this, faithful readers, I leave you to dream optimistic dreams involving an overestimation of your abilities and no concept of time. Godspeed, dear friends. Godspeed.
That's right! I have lost this battle, but I have not lost the war!! I'm going to work on a complete play food set for Christmas! *cue inspirational music, preferably something with a snare drum and a fife and/or trumpet* It will be the single most gloriously adorable present in my family's history, possibly in all of human history. Do you hear me, crochet gods? *shakes fist* IN HISTORY! As long as I can hold yarn in my hand, there will be joy in this world. Small, fake pieces of play joy shaped like food.
With this, faithful readers, I leave you to dream optimistic dreams involving an overestimation of your abilities and no concept of time. Godspeed, dear friends. Godspeed.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Unreasonably cute
My sister's twins will be turning 3 in 8 days, which means it's crunch time for crafty presents. I have been desperate for an excuse to make play food, so I decided to take the amigurumi bull by the horns and crochet some! I found insanely cute patterns on Etsy.com from several sellers, and ended up buying:
Classic Cookies and Classic Muffins patterns from CandyPopCreations
Veggie tray and Breakfast patterns from NeedleNoodles
Beaut Fruit and Cute Fruit patterns from Crochet Roo
I made a test cookie (chocolate chip, of course) last night, and it's ADORABLE!!! It's just the right size for little hands, and I know they'll love them. Today's task is to make some sugar cookies. I figure if I can make a dozen cookies fairly quickly, I'll move on to the breakfast pattern. There's no way I can finish all these in time to ship them, but I asked my sister to prioritize them for me, so I'm aiming to finish cookies & breakfast. After that, I think I'll go for the veggie platter (It even has a bowl of dip!!!)
I can't stand the cuteness. I have to go.
Classic Cookies and Classic Muffins patterns from CandyPopCreations
Veggie tray and Breakfast patterns from NeedleNoodles
Beaut Fruit and Cute Fruit patterns from Crochet Roo
I made a test cookie (chocolate chip, of course) last night, and it's ADORABLE!!! It's just the right size for little hands, and I know they'll love them. Today's task is to make some sugar cookies. I figure if I can make a dozen cookies fairly quickly, I'll move on to the breakfast pattern. There's no way I can finish all these in time to ship them, but I asked my sister to prioritize them for me, so I'm aiming to finish cookies & breakfast. After that, I think I'll go for the veggie platter (It even has a bowl of dip!!!)
I can't stand the cuteness. I have to go.
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