My Accident - Part III

I can't believe that I am trying to get back to writing my my blog and I got sick with a virus. I felt aweful. It's hard enough walking on one leg but then when you are sick and you don't want anyone to come over because you don't want them to be sick you reach that point. But I am finally feeling better so now it is back to writing my blog.

My accident was just so unreal because here I was up and down the road for two months helping my aunt that fell and needed assistance. But that is what made it so unreal. She was at the point that she could do things on her own and then I fall. How unreal is that. So since we are both in the same situation with injuries and healing we compare notes every day. We have a bond with our injuries.

So I was operated on the next day and when I woke up I had a cast from my toes to my knee. I believe that is when it hit me. There was nothing I could do to change what happened so I would have to do what I have found the best thing to do since I got laid off – accept the situation, start adjusting to the situation, go on and start focusing on healing.

My first mistake. Things can go so fast that you don’t think. Years back if you went into the hospital you would at least be there a few days. Today if you have a hip replacement, knee replacement, broken bones where that you can get out of the bed you are up and walking by the next day. So I got operated on that Wednesday and I was up on my walker by Thursday.

Now my mistake was I told the doctor and the social worker that I was going to stay with my aunt for a couple of weeks. And at first that was what I was going to do. But then I thought about who is going to pack all my stuff. And I had stuff to pack. I had me and my work computer and the cat and litter pan. I couldn’t help to carry anything and I would have to be set up once I got there. That just made me crazy just thinking about it. I decided that I was not going to go anywhere. I packed for two months and was up and down the road for my aunt so just the thought of doing that now that I am only on one leg it ain’t happenin. So I decided to stay home. Well, if you live alone and you tell the doctor that you are going home to be by yourself usually they will not let you go home that fast.

My Passion Returned

You know how they say a person can play the piano by ear. Well, with knitting and crochet I like to see if I can figure something out just by looking at a picture. I guess you can call that knitting and crochet by sight. Whenever you are so mentally involved with something that is a passion you are always trying to increase your skill.

Since my accident different ones have said to me, "I know that you are going to get to a lot of knitting" or "We are going to see a lot of show and tell from you". To tell you the truth I picked up one thing when I first came home and I might have done a couple of rows every other day for a couple of weeks and then it was a complete stop. I don't know why but it was like I lost the desire. That's crazy since I teach and I would knit and crochet every day.

Now I didn't have as much time as you think. I was still working all day but from home. Then after work I was so tired that I went straight to bed and slept until either someone would call me or I would wake up around the 1:30am mark. That wasn't good.

I would talk with a couple of my students and my friends about their projects and I would look at the bags of unfinished projects that I could work on, but no I had to give it a rest I guess. Who can figure that one out. I found that I had to just go with the flow until the desire returned. As mysterious as it went it came back just as mysterious.

I was cleaning out my emails with, you know a site you get with patterns attached, and I came across a blanket that I liked. I had made a similar one before as a baby blanket but this one was going to be made out of my small balls of yarn. As you can see below I am well on my way with that one.

Then there was another blanket I had wanted to find a pattern for but couldn't. I saw a picture of a log cabin crochet blanket. Boy did that take me back to the days that I thought I wanted to quilt. I made one quilt and never did anymore. My mistake was I picked out a very intense blanket. You might have guessed it, the log cabin pattern. I just loved how it looked but I had all of thse small pieces to cut out and sew together. Thank goodness I was sewing it by machine and not by hand. But it just took me to a place that I didn't want to return. Now I just love to go to exhibits and enjoy the talents of others.

So when I saw the crochet log cabin blanket I said "I don't need a pattern for that" and I started to make it out of leftover balls of yarn. But one thing with this blanket I am going to tackle those yarn ends before they get way out of hand. Well, at least I say I am going to do that.

So I guess you could say I am back to my passion and I'm loving it again. Strange things happen.

My Accident - Post II

It was Super Bowl Sunday (well at least I can’t forget the date) in the morning and I was on my way to the Laundromat. A typical day with a typical task to do. The bag in hand and down the stairs I start. We take so much for granted. Little things that is a given become astronomical in an accident. It was so surreal. The fall is like slow motion in my mind still. You take a step with one leg and you take a step with the other but all of a sudden the rubber on the step and the bottom of my hiking boot just didn’t go together and I started falling down. I started to slide down the stairs and my leg went under and then came back out. I remember sitting on that bottom step as my whole body shook with disbelief. I kept rocking as I held my leg saying this just can’t be happening, no this isn’t happening, why is this happening to me.

I wanted to believe it was not as bad as it really was. I don’t even fully remember how I got back up the stairs. Thank goodness I had the bag of laundry because that prevented me from hitting my head. But I tried to break the fall. Just writing this brings a chill again. I was in disbelief. I couldn’t wrap my brain around being by myself and trying to get through this experience.

I knew that ice was good for the swelling or trying to prevent a huge swell from happening. So I started to ice it. I called a couple of my friends and told them what happened. They asked me how much pain I was in. It didn’t hurt that bad. I guess because I was icing it which numbed the pain. I thought it was a bad sprain (I wanted to believe that) so I continued to ice it and watch it.

The next day we had a snow storm so no chance to go anywhere. My ankle was puffy more. So I waited until that Tuesday and my cousin took me to the hospital. I was working from home and so I kept my computer on and things around because I just knew I was going to the hospital and they would patch me up and then I was coming back home that evening.

Not – after I had my ankle X-rayed they told me the bad news. Not only did I break my ankle on both sides I had a torn ligament in the back where the heel is. I also would have to be operated on to insert pins and plates to hold it together. Of course not what I wanted to hear so I stayed in a daze until after the operation.

My Accident

It has been a while since I have posted anything. Life just keeps me busy with things that I would rather not be busy with. I can’t believe I’m writing this because I sometimes still can’t believe it happened. I had blogged about how I was helping my aunt who fell and broke her knee and three bones in her wrist so she had to get pins and a plate which equals operation. Well now I fell. You tell yourself “How can this happen” and then you say “Who am I that accidents can’t happen to me.” Welcome to reality.

I have a lot to be thankful for but I learned some things along this journey that I thought I need to blog about to help others not to make the same errors and to share some tips on things that worked for me. This is my story but it is informational also. So you can read the full post or you can skim on what might help you or someone you know. I will talk about my story on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. It is too much to write in one post so I will break it up until I’ve told my story and shared.

I hope you personally don’t have to use it but if you can be an advocate for someone then the information will come in handy and worth me sharing.

Scrap Yarns

What would the conversation be if your scrap yarns could talk?

Scrap yarns: When will my turn be when I could show off what I can do for a project?

Full skein of yarn says: You are just scrap yarns. You are not enough to make a whole project by yourself.

Scrap yarns: I can be as beautiful as you are. It just will take team work to get the job done. But just think if we are used then the world of garbage is a little less cluttered. Also the array of colors is endless. We all come together as one. Look at the unity. And for some colors that don't think they can get along they find out that they become best of friends.

You know the creativity that comes out of using us is great and wonderful. And as you work with different stitches it can bring out the colors even more. You can go from dark to light or light to dark. You can mix all together or work within a certain color palette or color family to blend shades of color.

Narrator: As they are talking a hand comes towards them picking one of them up and putting them back down. It's hard to choose when you have so many choices.

Scrap yarns: Oh choose me, no choose me. Well, I'm not ready to go yet so I'd just rather stay behind.

Narrator: If you don't have the right shade then ask a few yarn friends for their left over balls. I'm sure they would love to share with you. This is great, for example a granny square blanket or other blankets that use color.

Scrap yarn:My owner is making a crochet granny square blanket with bobbles that she found the pattern on line.

She always has several projects going on at the same time. But because her budget is tight then our turn to be used comes up quick.

She loves color and loves to try many different variations. Take for example the Drop In The Pond blanket, another pattern she found and blended several different families of colors.

She uses the pattern for a guide but rarely uses the same colors as the pattern.

Narrator: Sometimes there is jealousy as to who should be used. Who is prettier and who would go better with the colors already chosen. But for the most part they all get along but just don't want to be ignored, discarded or underrated as to their value.

The scrap yarns were finally happy that they were chosen, remembered and used so they illuminated their colors even brighter to show their appreciation.

So what will you do or what are you doing with your scrap yarns? It is a terrific way to show your creativity.

Purging Pattern Time

Some people thrive on puzzles, quizes, challenges and that's great. It keeps the mind sharp. But for now life is enough of a quize for me to figure out. I don't need my knitting or crochet to be in that category. Also it's what each person chooses as their mental freedom.

What am I talking about? Understanding patterns. Pattern reading is a challenge sometimes with words. I just don't have the time I need to be able to work through a difficult to read pattern. I need simplicity. I want to pick up a pattern and just go for it without the challenge of 'what do they mean' or 'I'm suppose to do what'.

Time is of the essance. We just don't have enough of it to do all that we want to do and so simplyfying needs to be done with patterns. My new rule is if my brain doesn't understand the pattern it doesn't come in my pile to make. I am not out there to prove anything. My craft are for my de-stressing and enjoyment not stressing. And if a pattern is not connecting with me why am I doing it.

We all process information differently and some can process the most complex and others need help. People that can don't always understand or have patience with those that can't but my take on it is if it is more simplified then more will make it and it won't end up in the pile of I will finish it one day.

So I will be purging patterns. And I will pass them along because again there are ones that like the challenge of figuring it all out. Just because I don't want to figure it out doesn't mean someone else feels the same.

There have been projects I've had to let sit until I can take out the time to figure out the pattern. Students look at me funny when I say I make mistakes. Don't confused being an expert with being perfect. Thomas Edison was a master at his field but he had to make a lot of mistakes for his end result to be a success. He didn't mind figuring out all the details. He is one that didn't thrive on simplicity.

I've gotten comments from my students when I say I can't figure out a pattern. I tell them that we all process information differently. And even though I am an expert in my arena doesn't mean that I will understand everything. The way words are put together we all are not going to read them the same way. So we interprete them and sometimes it is the wrong way and of course that shows in our project. So my goal for next year is if I can read through it and understand it right away come to mama so she can enjoy making you. If not pass it on. Whatever way I can find to de-stress I'm there.

To become a master for each level meaning beginners, intermediate and advance you must embrace mistakes, learn from them and grow. A carpenter cuts up a good amount of wood the wrong way to become that master carpenter. A seamstress makes a good amount of cutting and sewing errors before knowing just how things work. So for those that like the challenges I commend you as long as you are having fun.

Enjoy the rest of your week and weekend.

2014 Coming Around The Corner

A new year is almost upon us yet again. And again we might say to ourselves the year went so fast I didn't get a chance to do some of the things I wanted to do. Or you might not have met those goals you set. At least not all of them.

So what do you do? Let's get going with a new list of goals. Those that you didn't accomplish slide them over for this next year.

I try to set goals every year. Ever since I lost my job it has been a little challenge to meet certain goals because they require money. Now you might say somewhere in my posts I am going to mention about me loosing my job. Well guess what, unfortunately I have lots of company and many could use some encouragement to keep fighting through these can be challenges and difficult times. I didn't talk about it before on my blog but that is what is going on with my journey and I need to include it. I've had to adjust my life and many out there also have had to do the same.

If you've never lost your job this might not be the blog to read then because my life is not just about my craft that I enjoy so much but it's about picking up the pieces of life and learning from the new normal how to make it work for me and maybe help others.

I finally saw my cousin to be able to give her the blanket I made for her. It was when I went home to grab a bag of stuff to return back to the hospital when my aunt had her accident. It is made with some of my scrap yarns including those left over half skeins that you ask yourself what will I do with them. She loved it. Well, when she got home her husband loved it also. In fact, he loved it so much he wrapped himself up in it right away. I told her I will surprise him with his own blanket because if not she will never be able to use hers.

As always have fun with your craft.

A Freak Accident

Life happens so unexpectedly. One minute you are enjoying yourself and the next minute something can turn that joy around.

I was over my aunts house because she had a long time friend over that has become my friend. She is an avid knitter so we try to get together every once in a while. We use to go to the Stitches convention together and a couple of other crafty things within the year. I couldn't come over early because I work in the morning so I came in the later afternoon. They had a wonderful day, they went to breakfast and to one of the local yarn shops. When I arrived we all sat around talking and catching up. The friend showed her latest project which was a beautiful cabled sweater that she was working on. When she left me and my aunt sat around talking and then she packed a goodie bag for me.

Another aunt lives next store and she had a few health items to give me so I was going over there to get them and to visit a bit. My aunt said she was going over there to get some cookies. Well, she puts on (as we discovered later) the worst shoes. If you have those shoes that are your favorite but they have you walking sideways and they are all beat up you need to get rid of them because they could be that accident waiting to happen.

We were only going right next store since they live side by side in garden apartments. We are outside and she was closing her storm door and I was opening my aunts storm door, I just turned for a few seconds and when I turned back my aunt was tumbling down four concrete stairs. She wasn't moving at first and panic started as I was shaking. Then she said I think I did something to my arm and knee. To make a long story short she didn't want an ambulance, the hospital was local, with my other aunt to help I got the car and she hobbled to the car and off we went. Come to find out she broke a bone in her knee and broke a few bones in her wrist. She had no other option with the wrist except to get surgery and pins put in. It is amazing what they can do today to patch you back up.

It happened so quickly she doesn't even know what happened. But after looking at the shoes and how far her storm door comes out and it was nighttime you can see how a misstep can easily happen that can turn into a fall. All that said even though she was in a lot of pain she turns to me once she found out she was not going home and I was coming back the next day - well you better go home and pack a big bag. Now she wasn't talking about clothes but my knitting and crochet. Only another knitter would say that.

She started to feel bad about us having to upset our schedule to come up and take care of her needs. I told her life can be an inconvenience. If I haven't learned anything else once I got laid off is that we have to adjust to life even when we don't want to. Once I lost my job I had to adjust from freedom to buy and go and do to cutting it all out to survive. It's not something I wanted to do but it was the adjustment I needed to make. It's an adjustment because you don't need travel, eating out or buying material possessions to live but it makes life sweeter and fun. You learn to go with the flow because "It is what it is." And it is not like she woke up in the morning and said, Oh I think I want to take a tumble today and go for a hospital stay.

It's only been since last Saturday but it seems longer. Thank goodness for a friend that is like family that works at the hospital at night, once her shift was over she was there and stayed with my aunt all night. You have got to have someone there in and out to make sure things are taken care of. Family has scattered and the others are up in age but the phone doesn't stop ringing and family and friends that can they do. It has not been a whole week yet and she has been in the hospital and now at the rehab already. But she is on to recovery. We just say thank goodness she did not hit her head and she is more mobile because it is the left side and she is a righty. So up the highway I go with my knitting and crochet projects without a thought because family is everything.

Be safe and enjoy your weekend. Have fun for me.

Cable Scarf Complete

You look at your left-over yarns and you just don't know what to do with them. This was a great project to use my half skeins of yarn. Combining colors and solids with varigated yarns worked out - I love it.

The pattern came from the Knit Simple Holiday 2012 magazine but the scarf was made with a solid color. When I looked at it almost immediately I thought of left-over yarn. Now reading my other posts you know I love mixing colors, using left-over and scrap yarn - waste not. This project is not good for scrap yarns because you are working with 518 stitches so running out of the yarn in the middle of the row would have caused a sweat. Not saying you couldn't work half a row and start another color because you can, but that was not what I wanted to do.

So a project like this takes a little thinking out what you want to do and looking at how much yarn you have before you start knitting. I used what I knew would make it across several rows and it worked. I only have a little ball of yarn left of two of the colors which will go into this granny square blanket I have been working on.The other two colors - well they will sit and wait for that next project that gives me the go-ahead to use them in.

On to the next project. Because there is always something on my needles.

Have fun with colors. Explore, you will be glad you did.

A Little Catastrophy With My Knitting Project

I'm sure I have lots of company when I say don't you just love it when you are going along so nicely and all of a sudden a loud screech comes out of your mouth - oh no look just what happened.

Well, that happened to me today. I was working on this Cable Scarf (in fact that is what it is called and I love the design), it's made up of ribbing and cabling. I am working on 518 stitches on a number US 6 circular needle. Maybe some of you might know what I am about to say. All of a sudden it happened - the coil came apart from the needle part and there started the tumbling of my stitches. This is a regular circular needle not interchangeable. Panic started up. But then I said that won't solve anything. So I took a deep breath and started thinking what is the fastest way to get those stitches back on a needle before they start running like a pair of stockings. Thank goodness I had another #6 circular needle.

As a new knitter sometimes what happens is that you are working on your project and you pull too hard and pull the stitches right off the needle. Oh no - look what I did. So it can happen on straight needles, circular needles and especially double pointed needles.

Now if this happens to you where your circular needle breaks and you don't have the same size, go down a size because you don't want to stretch the stitches out of proportion. And that would make it easier to pick the stitches up if you feel that crazy panic rising. That is if you have other sizes of circulars. Or just to get them back on a needle - use a straight. Nine times out of ten you will not be working on 500 stitches. Another thing you can do is take some extra yarn you have and a tapestry needle, thread it and run the yarn through all the stitches until you are able to either buy another size needle if you don't have the same size. Yes, there are other reasons for tapestry needles besides weaving in ends.

As for me, I used everything in sight to catch those stitches. I used the broken circular needle, a stitch holder and the cable needle. Then to pick up stitches that were undone I used my crochet hook and held the one next to it with my finger so that as I was fixing the one stitch the next one would not undo itself. Focus and try not to panic is the key. I didn't care if they were put on backwards because I knew I could fix them later. The object of this craziness was to get those stitches back on something.

I was trying to preserve my cable row I had just finished but a part of the row it was easier for me to just take it out and pick up those stitches instead of fumbling to pick them up as finished cable twists. If you haven't worked with cables yet you will understand this when you do.

As you can see from the picture most of the stitches I could pick up with cables in tack onto another circular needle. But there are those that are on that broken circular needle and a stitch holder (the stitch holder is another wonderful tool that can have multiple purposes.

So the next time you drop a stitch or two even more think of me. If I can handle over 500 stitches to get them back on track you can tackle a couple of stitches. Yes I know what I am doing but I still don't want that to happen. And don't panic because you think - I'm a new knitter and I don't know what I am doing. Just wait a minute, breath and then look at those stitches and think of how you can get them back on the needle. You can do it. And if it is a couple of stitches remember you can use a safety pin, stitch marker even a paper clip just to hold the stitches until you are able to pick it up with your needle.

Continue to have fun with your craft. Until next time.

This Week on My Talent Corner

I always look forward to see what my students are making. When they stick to the craft even though their time might be very limited. This student came to my class pregnant and then when she returned for another class the baby had safely arrived and growing. And she still wanted to save a little time here and there for her crochet.

At her baby shower someone gave her a gift of a sack with a hat to match to put the baby in. She said she uses it all the time. Wow, something else to make for a baby shower. Anyway, the baby was getting too big for that sack and she wanted to make a bigger sack. And she made it.

She is such a careful crocheter, I love how her items turn out.

(Miss Craft Diva)When did you first learn how to crochet?

(Marie) I first learned to crochet about 2 years ago. I am still learning and have a long way to go :)

(Miss Craft Diva)How did you learn? From a family member, friend or organization?

(Marie)I learned to crochet at the Sayreville Public Library in a "Introduction to Crochet for Beginners" Class they held. It was a 4 week class that met on Saturday mornings. I have taken this class two times and it was taught by you (Cheryl). Cheryl is an excellent teacher!

(Miss Craft Diva) Why do you enjoy crocheting so much?

(Marie)I enjoy Crochet because I like the sense of accomplishment I feel after I finish a project. Every crochet project for me is a "labor of love". I take my time and learn as I am going. I make tons of mistakes along the way but I pull those stitches out and try again. At the end of a project I feel so happy and proud of myself that I actually was able to make something! I am not that crafty in generally so this is a big accomplishment for me.

(Miss Craft Diva) Well you are an encouragement for all new crocheters. Not only do you want your project to look good you do that by taking out stitches that it took time to do out of your very busy schedule.

(Miss Craft Diva) What are some future projects you would like to make?

(Marie) Most of my projects are "baby" related as I have 3 small little girls: Molly - 5 years old, Lucy - 3 years old, and Emily- 7 months old. I am still a beginners level of crochet so most of my projects are basic like blankets and scarves. I would like to learn how to make my girls clothing. I love how my girls look in crochet sweaters and dresses. One day I want to make these items for them. It would bring me so much joy to see by kids wear something that I made from the heart.

(Miss Craft Diva) What benefits do you get from crochet?

(Marie) I find crochet very mind challenging which I LOVE! When I first started I was not reading patterns. I was just doing simple stitches and following instruction from others. Now I have some more confidence in my skill that I love to figure out how to read patterns. I study the whole pattern first and try to "decode it" and than get started. Most people say crochet is relaxing for them but for me it is not because I concentrate really hard and want to understand what I am doing. I have very limited time to crochet since I have 3 kids, a husband, a house, work, etc so when I actually get to sit down and crochet it is all business!

(Miss Craft Diva) What made you want to crochet?

(Marie) What made me want to crochet is my grandmother who I called "Nonna Teresa". My most fondest memories of Nonna Teresa is her sitting at the kitchen table crocheting. Nonna was amazing at crochet and she made a variety of items. Growing up all of the grand kids used to laugh because Nonna was always making a Doily. She must of had at least 50 Doilies in her home & I can not even count the number of Doilies she had given all of us thru the years! When I was younger I did not appreciate her skill and unfortunately she passed away before I had interest in learning from her. Nonna was so thoughtful that prior to her passing, without me knowing, she crocheted a bunch of baby items (both in pinks & blues) and gave them to my mother. Nonna told my mother to give them to me when I am pregnant in case she would not be around to give them to me herself. I had no idea my mother stored these items for a few years. At my baby shower my mother surprised me with all the items Nonna had made for my future kids to be born. Nonna was not physically there at my baby shower but I know she was watching over me from Heaven. It was so touching to have these gifts from her. From that day forward I told myself that I really want to learn in honor of Nonna Teresa. Although my kids never met Nonna, she has been present thru her crochet in their lives. Seeing my girls use the blankets and sweaters she left them brings tears to my eyes every time. I hope to keep this tradition alive that my grandmother started many years ago, although, I don't think I will be making Doilies anytime soon. I have enough to last a life time!!! :)

(Miss Craft Diva) What a wonderful touching story of love and talent. That labor of love was definitely passed down from your Nonna to you. I'm sure she was proud of you even though you didn't crochet at the time. Thank you for sharing and loving the craft enough to want to keep it alive.

A Cold Does Not Equal No Working on Projects

I was sick this past week with a cold. When the weather starts changing I can tell if my immune system is low because if I am around someone with a cold I catch it and I did. Rats. So the sore throat started and I worked on that and then the stuffiness came on and I couldn't breath. But I rather that then that sore throat.

It's funny that there are alot of people when they are sick equals not so much eating. I on the other had am the opposite. I want to eat more when I have a cold. Especially if I have a sore throat. For some reason it is like the food makes it feel better. So I was always chomping on something. And some stop working on their projects when they are sick, I don't. Concentrating on a prject helps me not to think so much on being sick. Gut it has to be a project that I don't have to think at all. You know one of those projects that you keep just for going to a craft group when you know there is going to be a lot of noise and talking and you won't be able to concentrate. You don't want to bring a project that requires concentration because that is a sure way of bringing it back home with errors of some sort.

So I worked on starting my crocodile triangular shawl. I purchased a bag of the yarn mill ends at ACMoore and I loved the color because it reminded me of the color of a crocodile. it's hard to see the pattern because of the color in this picture.

I had the privilege of holding a baby Alligator when I volunteered at the Turtle Back Zoo. I was there for six years so I had the privilege of handling a lot of wonderful creatures. No lions and tiger or bears - oh no. Both alligators and crocodiles are powerful animals. And holding even a baby helps you to respect their strength and not take it for granted that it is just a baby.

This project for me was mindless and just enough for me to have something to work on that required almost no thought. Have you tried this crochet stitch yet? Well what are you waiting for? There are a variety of patterns out there now to try and several videos to help instruct you.

I love shawls because I can throw it on me as I am a hot and cold person. So using an item that is fast to put on and take off is great.

Well I am feeling much better now and my shawl is coming along and it's joining several of my other projects on the road of finishing.

Be happy de-stressing with your craft.

Time Well Spent

Ever since I was laid off my whole social life changed. I had to make adjustments because of the money situation. Because I've done so much it didn't bother me for a three years. But then not being able to get with my friends as I did before was an adjustment.

I had to stop any shopping so that I could survive through the month. So when my shopping friends wanted to go do their thang I always said no. The word 'No' became a staple in my life and I got use to it. Even when it came to yarn it was only a couple times a year that I would purchase for specific projects.

But I am trying to get back with a few of my friends that I haven't seen in a while. This past Friday I hung out with one of my shopping friends. Now she can stay in ACMoore or Michael's for a couple of hours in comparison to me that I am in and out. Even though I teach at Michael's I don't shop for yarn. I have enough projects in the unfinished (UFO) pile. I told my friend I know how she is and so as long as I am prepared I could stay as long as she wants in the stores. I stood there weaving in yarn ends which I hate to do all the while that she was doing her looking and we were able to catch up with lost time. And I finished this pot holder which is mitered squares and I-cord edging.

I am very bad with not doing those yarn ends as I go. I just don't know how to stop myself from knitting or crocheting and just do it. I am not liking that part of the process. I find that because I'm that way if I take it with me and I don't have any other choice to change to another project then I'm good to go to do the finishing. I felt so accomplished.

So my suggestion to you is if you have that shopper friend or family member in your life and you want to go with them but you are not a shopper or you don't take as long to shop, bring those small projects that need finishing. You can spend that time with family and friends and still feel like you are not wasting time and you will not mind waiting.

Until hopefully next week - have a fun time with your crafts.

I'm Back

Well I'm back. It has been a long time coming. But when you go through different stresses in life it can set you back. When you don't have a teenager or computer person to help you with your computer problems it sets you back. When you don't know what you want to write about it sets you back.

Get the picture.

But life is easing up and I figured out my computer issues with uploading pictures. I needed to use Google Chrome and now it works. Go figure - You have to keep upgrading with the times and if you don't know about that stuff you won't be able to figure it out. And when it comes to what to write about - well I think I will just write what comes and someone out there will want to read it.

I won't say how often I will post but I'm aiming for once a week. I'll leave it at that.

Have an awesome week.