Wednesday 19 October 2011

I Need to Slow Down

I found myself on the side of the highway today, plucking another dead porcupine, while a guy who had pulled over with his cell phone watched. He was obviously there for a while and there is only so long I can look inocent in the middle of nowhere in boots, rubber gloves and carrying a bucket, so I went for it.  I can't imagine it was someone I know. Right? OMG, I just realized that phone probably had a camera! Darn that social media thing!

I have almost finished my angora coat. It's cut on the bias and has an uneven plaid. I think it's turned out well, and I took it to my sewing group last night for some last finishing advice. They were most helpful. Social groups sorted by skill and interest levels are really great! We get a lot done, laugh at obscure jokes no one else gets and really care about the weird things we come together to discuss and share. I had basketry in the morning and got a double dose of pleasure as a bag of amazing doilies were there to be admired. I love fancy work. Now in this situation I have determined that basket weavers are not all that much into doilies, but they did give me a few minutes of attention before going back to their projects. I am working on finishing baskets right now. Yes, Little Urchin, I do have a lot of pictures to post soon.

J of basketry advised me to slow down a bit as I was offering to check the doily provenance, try 3 new different types of baskets and finish that coat, while promising to start underwear and a little black dress in November. She may be right. I am feeling the need to stay home and nest for a day or two. I need to keep things in check. I am off to see a friend tomorrow. That will be excellent.

On Saturday I went off to Nocturne. This event goes from 6 to midnight and see lots of art events and installations all over the place. You could roller skate with old skates, tango, take yourself through a people wash and of course build a berry box lantern with the basketry guild. The cities were packed and it was a beautiful night. It's amazing what happens out there when you pay attention. Now that I have time to notice I need to pass on the info to the family. They don't pay attention because they work, have kids, dogs and stuff happens. I'd make a good social coordinator.

So the lace guild meets at the end of the month. I think I'll find a way to fit them in. Sounds fascinating!

Monday 10 October 2011

I hurt all over

The sisters and I went to the Breast Cancer Walk as we do each year. Our mother used to make us go, and we carry on the tradition because we are still fearful of that woman and she's watching from above with an eagle eye. This year it poured and we were soaked, even though we followed the other family tradition of arriving 2 minutes before the start and throwing a cheque at registration as we bolted for the start line. For some bizarre reason I still cannot fathom we decided to run a bit. Well it felt quite nice to run. I used to run a lot and was quite speedy at one time. Ran real races and everything! We ran/walked the course and it got me thinking. I stopped running because I kept getting nasty injuries that hung around forever. The next day I was sore, but not fatally so.

You see where this is going, don't ya. Today I strapped on the sneaks and went for a walk/run. Took my tunes and felt quite perky. It lasted about 1 km. Then my Achilles tendon reminded me that Pilates several weeks ago had been a bit stressful. I used to run through pain but I have learned that lesson well, after repeated practice. So I limped home, stretched and stretched, and now I'm going off to find someone to massage all my sore parts. The ankle seems to have friends.

Will I ever be a runner again? I really did like it once upon a time. It's easy and powerful. In my mind, in my mind only perhaps. Sneakers, I don't think we've finished with this yet. Pass the ice, please.

Thursday 6 October 2011

UFO's

I am realizing how many unfinished projects I have stashed in every drawer and corner of this house. With the sad passing of 3 of my 5 cats over the past year I no longer need to hide things away. The 2 remaining cats don't eat or shred, bless them! It seems every time I go to get out a project I find a few others forgotten and stashed a few levels down. Somewhat like an archeological dig of my life to date. Of course anything shiny or new distracts me and there I am, off on another tangent. I have to get more focussed. I like the idea of finding and finishing these oldies but goodies but I have all these new ideas as well! Balance. Crafting Fung shui?

Tell me, if the ring in the toilet bowl is barely visible, does it really need to be cleaned?

I'm making a coat with this gorgeous 100% angora coating fabric I got for $15 at Value Village. It's an uneven plaid, the coat is a swing coat on the bias with a center back seam and 2 piece sleeves and the layout has been a nightmare. When I got down to the last 2 pieces to place on the fabric for cutting I lost faith in the method I was using to get some semblance of order to matching the paid at the seams. Dh to the rescue! I called him up to confirm that I really needed to try a different pattern. Instead he gets out the tape measure and places the pieces as if they were floor tile and needed to be mitred. he nailed the bias seaming and convinced me it all would work with carpentry logic. Another opinion from a different point of view is so useful. So now I need to sew the coat, and ignore all the other projects that keep yelling out for attention. My sewing group has a sinners group and I signed up. SIN stands for Sew It Now. We meet in a church basement. The coat is my commitment for this month so that is helping to keep me focussed. I need the pressure as I have a lot of fabric calling my name.