Just Knitting

I didn't manage much creativity yesterday I'm afraid. After schooling, I ran errands. I did a little yard work which mostly just taught me that I have much more yard work to do than I feel like tackling. Then I went inside and started knitting and reading. That was basically my day. I made good progress on the baby blanket and finished reading on novel and started the sequel.

Today is likely to be  quite similar, well save for the yard work. I don't think I'll be doing that to myself again so soon. I might, but it's more likely that I'll try to get more of the blanket done. I love that the pattern looks so random, but it's not. It's also got some interesting texture due to the slipped stitches, that you probably can't see here. Luckily, it is also super easy so I can read while I'm knitting. It makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something with my day.

Day 2

I used my first Monday of the year to read and I read a lot. I finished up one novel and got over halfway through Leviathan Wakes, the first book in the Expanse series. I got the first three of those as Christmas gifts and since I can't read a paper book while I walk on the treadmill, I'll start another kindle book this morning as well. Reading is never a bad way to start a year, right?

I did get a photo of the doily I'm making up for my brother. I'm doing it in black because that was what was requested. I didn't work on it much because reading a paper book and knotting isn't very easy either and I promised myself I could read the day away. I'll try to get back to it more his week.

Today it's back to the routine though. There's schooling for the kids and as it's the end of the semester very soon, there's a lot of things that need doing for that. The husband is also back to work and the house really needs a bit of a kick, though that might wait until the schooling stuff has wound back down a bit. I don't really bother much with resolutions as such, but it's a new year and I'm going to try to make it better than the last one.

One Done

I had quite a weekend. I finished the enormous novel Jerusalem on Friday. It was definitely worth the read, though again it is not for everyone. I feel like I learned things and achieved something by finishing it. I get the feeling it would have meant even more had I been from Northampton, or really any other small city with real history, but here the history is awfully shallow.

Saturday, I knitted a lot because we were binge watching Luke Cage on Netflix pretty much all day. The binging spilled over into Sunday as well as the knitting. There was another fun task on Sunday though. We recently had a false alarm with all our smoke alarms going off and we learned that you're supposed to replace them all every 10 years. So, alarms were ordered and we sussed out which circuit they were all on, since they're all interconnected in our house. Sunday it was up and down ladders to get them all wired, installed and tested. Basically my legs are sore and I'm surprised that I can hear again today.

I did make significant progress on the knitted blanket, but there's more work still of course. I also got in the other shadow box frames for the doilies, so I might take some time today to get those all mounted. There were no orders in the shop over the weekend, so these are the only tasks I have to start the week with. Here's to a good one.

Knit

Another day of knitting and reading under my belt. I'm at 95% for the book and I got another whole pattern repeat on the knitting project. I was unfortunately, not interrupted by anything more interesting though. I edited the color out of this project too since it is slated to be a gift like all the doilies were. I really do doubt that the intended recipient will stumble upon it as I don't think anyone I know in real life actually reads my nonsense, save for the husband and maybe a couple of friends. Better safe than sorry though, right?

This weekend's plans involve binging a new show on Netflix with the family and likely not leaving the house, so I'm hoping to get the novel read by today and I guess I'll have tons of time to knit then. I'll keep crossing my fingers for a new idea or project to come up though. We've had a lot of unexpected expenditures lately and I could really use some sales.

Nothing Pictured

Oops, I forgot to take a picture of anything yesterday, so I've got nothing of interest to show you. I did spend much, if not all of my day, knitting and reading. I reached the 90% mark in the novel and with a book this long, that both feels great and is likely a misleading milestone. I also made some nice progress on the knitting project. I'm on the fourth repeat of the pattern so it's finally starting to embed in my head. Well, that was a weird sentence. I guess what I meant is that I'm starting to work more from memory than with the printed pattern.

I start today just like yesterday with no other projects besides the knitting and reading. I don't think that I'll finish the book today. In fact I'm pretty sure the end it's still quite a few days away, but hopefully I'll make another small dent in it and maybe another repeat of the knitting pattern. Really though, I'm hoping for something more interesting to happen to give me another lace project. Anything will do, really, pretty much anything.

Weekend Recap

Well, we had quite the busy weekend. On Saturday we headed out to the coast and went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the day. The weather was nice, but it was quite crowded. We usually go on weekdays, but we hadn't made it out at all during the summer so we made an exception. We also met up with one of my brothers who lives nearby there and had quite a lovely day. Incredibly I also got an order while we were out for a couple of necklaces; one Armenian lace one, and one tatted one.

On Sunday we got to suss out which of our circuits our smoke alarms live on because last week we had a false alarm with all 10 of them going off and further inspection informed us that they were all 10 years old and needed replacing. Just another one of the little things that makes me miss being a renter. New alarms have been ordered and then we'll have another lovely day rewiring the new ones when they arrive.

I did spend a little time tatting to remake the necklace that sold. I'm not quite done with it yet, so I've got that to finish today as well as remaking the Armenian lace one that sold. It's been quite some time since I had this much to make and I have to tell you that it makes me quite happy. Hopefully I'll get both done today, but that all depends on how complicated schooling gets today. I'm also reading a really interesting chapter in Jerusalem that's written in parlance of an insane person, that is to say that it's written in gibberish that takes an insane amount of concentration to work out, not to mention a fair amount of reading out loud. It's making me feel a bit like a crazy person, which I can only guess was part of the author's point. It is taking forever to read though, so not much progress to report there. I'm almost through it I think, so perhaps I'll be feeling a bit more successful tomorrow.

Good Morning

Well, I was right. Yesterday was pretty much a repeat of the day before except I had laundry to do as well as read. Oh, wait no I had a really interesting beginning to the day, and by interesting, I actually mean horrible. It started off with our smoke alarms going off for no good reason. No, not that annoying chirping, I mean that loud, all encompassing alarm noise that can only come from like eight hardwired alarms all sounding at once. We scrambled around the house disengaging them all because apparently that button does not shut them off. Anyway, that sort of set the tone for the day.

I did remember to take a picture, though I can't say it's terribly interesting. I spent part of my free time while reading tatting up another couple of sets of cat ears. I still have to sew them on headbands though. The rest of the time I knitted. I just finished the funnest section of the book yet and I have to say I am quite enjoying the roller coaster ride that is Jerusalem.

I also got the first frame in for the doily gifts and it looks like it's going to be perfect. I'm still trying to work out the best display method. The frame has a nice cork and cloth background so I'm going to trying pinning the doilies in first since that method is least likely to damage the doily should its' future owner want to take it out for any reason. I also thought about using a spray adhesive to stick it to the backing, but then it's mounted permanently and maybe I'm just afraid of permanently. I was hoping I might be able to sew it on, but that cork and cloth backing is sealed to the wood behind it, so that options is right out. I ordered up some short sequin pins and when they come it, I'll get to mounting. Until then it's more reading and knitting.

So Little

I accomplished so little yesterday that writing this morning seems like a very silly thing to bother doing. I am awake though and I have a little time to kill before I hit the treadclimber, so write I shall. I got to about 56% in the novel I'm reading and since I started last Tuesday I've feeling pretty good about my progress. If the book had page numbers I'm guessing I've read about 800 of them so far and that's nothing to be ashamed of.

I didn't, however, do much else. I started another pair of cat ears, but then set them aside. I knitted a few rows, but set that eventually aside as well. I watched a couple of shows I had dvr'd including that new one, The Good Place, which I think I will definitely keep watching as it's quirky and weird and I've been missing that from TV lately. Unfortunately I think today might very well be a repeat of yesterday, so I'll at least try to take a picture of something to liven up the boring post for tomorrow.

Done

I started the day, after schooling, with tatting up cat ears and sewing them to headbands. I only did two, so I might do some more today. They tend to sell in little clusters and then sit in the shop for months. I also made a few slight adjustments to the pattern and a change to how I sew them on. They still look the same though.

After those two were done I finished the last round of the Armenian lace doily. I also ordered up a frame to see if my gift idea will work out with it. So when that arrives, I get to experiment on the best way to mount them without destroying. I already have a couple of ideas and I'm hoping that the simplest one is the right one. If it works then I order more frames and a large chunk of our holiday gifts are taken care of.

I'm about halfway through the novel I'm reading now, so it will still be sometime before I have the desire to shift gears to any other big project. I do still have the knitting project though, so that should fill in for the knotting for a spell.

The Same

I fear my posts as of late are bound to be rather boring, at least until I finish this novel. I am currently averaging about 9% a day though so it's going to take me at the very least another 8 or 9 days to finish it and that's probably being generous, I've got other things that need doing in the next couple of weeks. In fact this weekend is the opening of the Renaissance Faire near us, so we'll be there much of Saturday and that means reading is right out. There's also our usual family time on Sundays, so I likely won't read much then either.

The point I was trying to make before I got distracted by my own weekend plans was that I apologize in advance for what is likely the next couple of weeks of boring blog posts about me reading and knotting, knitting, or tatting at the same time. When the book and this last doily or done I was thinking about finally trying to put together a tutorial for the Armenian knotted lace though I still feel a bit like an outsider doing so. I guess only time will tell if manage to muster up the courage to do it or not. Personally I'm still crossing my fingers for the sales to start back up in my shop to keep me busy that way. We could definitely use the money.

Multitasking

I was a bit distracted by household tasks and recorded television shows yesterday. Nothing too major, but it made me double down on my reading to see if I could make the same progress as the day before. I made it to 18%, but just barely. I think what really suffered was my knotting. At one point I was reading and peddling on the stationary bike, but I can't do that and knot. I needed to move more than I needed to knot though. I was getting pretty sedentary.

I was asked how I read and knot at the same time and this is how. I never thought I'd get into digital reading as I do love the feel and heft of a printed book, but the freedom it allows me is amazing. My hands are free to knot or tat or knit. I can get up and read while walking and put it down anywhere without losing my place. I can carry what would be an enormous 1200 page book in one hand. Page turning is a tap I can accomplish between stitches or knots. I can also have any book I want in a matter of seconds and you just can't beat that. I do still buy printed books from my favorite authors or when I find a good deal at the bookstore, but for multitasking, the kindle is king.

Read and Knot

Well, yesterday went just as I though it would. I spent much of the day with my kindle in my lap, reading while I tried to pay just enough attention to my knotting that I wouldn't mess anything up. I was actually much more successful at both endeavors than I thought I would be. There are no page numbers for the book on the kindle, so I can only tell you that I managed to get to 9% yesterday. At the same time I managed to get to 8 inches on the doily.

I don't think I can expect the same kind of progress everyday though. The kids had a light schooling day and I had little else that needed doing yesterday, save for software updates. I am quite enjoying the book, though I must say that it is definitely not for everyone. Saying it's a weird one would be a gross understatement and I'm fairly certain that I haven't even scratched the surface of the weird it has in store later in the novel.

So today is the same plan as yesterday, unless I get wonderfully distracted by a tatting order or something of that nature. Here's to a wonderful distraction sooner rather than later.

The Plan

Well, it was a fairly low key day yesterday. The oldest child had to interact with her new teacher for the first time and it appears there is definitely going to be an adjustment period. Though I don't sense it being too bad in the end, just more change to get used to. He is just really, really new to this and there is a lot to learn.

I really didn't do anything after schooling was wrapped except knot the Armenian lace doily. I actually stopped and measured it as well. It's at about 7 inches across right now, so there's about three inches to go. Id like to say it'll be done this week, but I just downloaded the new book from Alan Moore, Jerusalem, and I'm pretty sure it's going to take up a whole lot of my time and energy. The last book I read by him was definitely not an easy read and this one is 1,280 pages, so I'm anticipating a long relationship with it. So today the plan is knotting lace and reading a book.

Feet and Read

We had an online teacher meeting yesterday morning for my youngest and it lasted forever. It was also terribly frustrating as we only meet with this particular teacher online. Communication is awkward and we enter that realm where 'why say something in five words, when you can use a hundred to belabor the point', exists. I much prefer emails, but there's nothing for it. We do what we must.

Once all that was over I did get to tatting. It turns out the barefoot sandal idea may just work after all. After this photo I went ahead and gave it straps and went onto it's twin. It should have gone faster, but I was distracted. I should manage to get them finished today. I might even get them listed in the shop.

I was distracted because I decided to finally sign up with goodreads. I was having a hard time keeping track of everything I've been reading lately, so I thought I'd use it for that purpose. I then spent much of the day inputting all the books I've read recently and some on my shelves at home. I've only made a dent in the list of all the books I've ever read, but I really don't think I'll ever even try to do that. I just figured the more I listed the better the recommendations would be. I haven't even thought about reviewing anything yet. I suppose I will eventually. I can't imagine I will use much if any of the social aspects of the site, but I'm relieved to finally have a nice visual list that makes me feel like I'm actually accomplishing something when I finish yet another book.

Reading

I got in lots of reading yesterday, but just a little tatting. I didn't even manage to finish the necklace I was remaking. To be fair it is a denser design and it does take more time than many of my other pieces. Really though, I was just sucked into the novel and had a hard time focusing on doing both at once. I did take a television break at one point and sped through more tatting, but then I was back to reading when the shows were over.

Today we'll be out of town for much of the day starting at an ungodly hour this morning. This is why I'm writing at an even earlier hour than usual. I'll likely bring this necklace to work on once the sun is up, but I have no illusions about actually finishing it. I generally don't get anything done in the car, too distracting. Hopefully I'll get some sales while I'm gone so I'll have something to work on tomorrow. If not, I have four more books in the series to get through. Though reading does make for short and boring blog posts.

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So Much Reading

Well, I did it again. I spent all my free time reading. We had a little family adventure time and yes, that cleaning I mentioned took place It was more of a grand sorting though. We're trying to get rid of the kids used toys, but our pack rat nature is making it a very long, drawn out process. Most of the day though, I sat down and read. I finished Ready, Play One. This was followed by reading the entire third novel in the Origin Trilogy, Atlantis World. If that all wasn't bad enough I started reading another one, this time an older Philip K. Dick book in the evening. What I didn't do was any more tatting. I really should just call the kid's Spring break my tatting vacation and accept it. I guess well just wait and see what today brings, I could still be surprised by huge sales or inspiration. What? It's possible.

Nothing

I bet you're getting tired of seeing me write that I haven't done what I set out to do. I've just gotten so pulled into this idea of spending my days reading while the kids are reading. It's quiet and for some reason I seem to tat better when there is noise about. I've actually lost count of the number of books I've read recently. In fact I should finish yet another novel today.

I did get an order in during schooling yesterday, but I haven't sent it out yet. The customer indicated a need for it to be shipped quickly, so I responded immediately asking if they would like to upgrade shipping. No response. I didn't want to put it in the mail and then immediately hear them say, yes. Since I didn't hear back all day, the package is still waiting to go out this morning. I certainly won't wait any longer though. It should still arrive within their deadline by regular mail. I do need to remake the necklace sold though and I intend to actually do that today. It's nothing you haven't seen before, but I'm hoping just the act of tatting in the afternoon again will start to pull me out of the new reading routine. Here's hoping!

Sunshine

It was quite a lovely day yesterday. As soon as the bulk of schooling was done I got the newest bracelet finished with a clasp, took photos of it, and got it listed in the shop. I even pulled out another project to work on and then it was lunch time. During lunch we went out into the backyard and the sight of it full of winter fed weeds made me want to come out and pull weeds. I know, I know, it was a bad idea. I'm sitting here right now with an incredibly sore back and legs and after three buckets full of weeds, you probably couldn't tell that I did a thing.

After all that physical labor, I opted to read the afternoon away. The oldest is still reading her novel for school and it is taking her many hours a day to do so. The television stays off to keep it from distracting her, so I not only finished the Kindle First novel I mentioned yesterday, but a second one as well. Yep, I finished two novels in one day. Well, I was halfway through the first one, so more like one and a half novels in one day. If I can avoid the urge to do yard work today perhaps I can get back to some tatting. Damn sunshine is so nice, but I have lace work I should do.

Weekend Recap

Ah Monday, if nothing else you always seem to remind me of how much I didn't get done over the weekend. I mean, I did things, but honestly all this reading, while soothing to my soul, does not make me feel like I accomplished anything as there is nothing concrete to show for my efforts. I did finish reading Station Eleven, excellent book, and I read another comic book series all the way through. After that I started yet another novel. This time it was on of those Kindle First books that they offer for free before they release. I think I'm almost finished with that one as well. I only tell you all this because writing it out is the closest thing I have to that concrete evidence that I accomplished something like I mentioned before.

Other than reading there was the usual family adventuring and occasional movie watching with the kids. I did mange to finish one craft related project. I had been knitting a cowl for my daughter because she asked for one after I finished mine. I told her no initially, changed my mind and didn't tell her I was knitting for her. It's been a couple of weeks, but I got it finished and at least there's something to show for it. Of course I didn't bother taking any photographic proof, but it exists in the world.

Hopefully the sun will come out today and it will inspire me to finish all those half done tatting projects sitting on my table. At least then I'd have something to take a picture of to liven up tomorrow's post. Crossing my fingers for inspiration, or sales...sales would be great too.

One Book, One Twitter

It was a Spring weekend, the sun was out, the birds were singing, the urge to clean and renovate was entirely too strong to ignore. There was an impromptu out of town shopping trip that yielded $5 bookshelves, free comic book day and yard work. It was also one of those times Murphy warned you about when not one but several items were sold from my etsy store and all of them are custom meaning of course that my work is already laid out before my for the week...yes, the whole week.

So instead of talking about tatting I shall use this moment to tell you about One Book, One Twitter. You can read all about the origins of this social undertaking here on Wired. Basically it is a twitter wide book club...now I'm not usually one for book clubs for so many reasons, but when I caught wind of the event all the books in the running were ones I would actually read or re-read. So I followed @b1t2010 and started actually using the hash tag #1b1t to recruit a few people in my corner of twitter to join in. Now the book has been chosen, American Gods by Neil Gaiman which I will quite enjoy re-reading and the start date is set as 5-5-10.

So what I'm trying to say here is if you use the twitter and are fond of reading books like Gaiman's, join in. I'm not certain what sort of discourse will arise and as I haven't discussed a book with other people that wasn't found in a comic book store or the children's department in ages I'm not sure how much talking about it I'll do. It will be interesting to see how many people finally do join in and see what else this social media is good for.

As you can see from the articles I linked to, they are still hashing out all the details. It seems like it should be rather laid back and trust me the book is a fascinatingly quick read despite the sheer size. I find Gaiman's ability to weave a realistic world out of myth, reality and pure fiction to be utterly breathtaking. So that's my take on it and I'm off to tat my fingers off on these custom orders and I will start reading on Wednesday...hopefully.