what I have been doing at lunch

The Maker's Market is done for now.  I had a few good conversations.  No sales.  But it was a start.  If I do not start, how will I go on.  I have to do some work online but it probably not take place for a week or so due to plans to watch motorbikes next weekend.  Motorbikes do seem to be an obsession around here.

Many years ago I had found a white cardign sweater at a thrift store that I liked very much.  I wore it out.  Since then, I have not replaced it.  Yes, most of the time black is really the colour I wish to wear but I have to admit that on occasion white or cream would be nice.  I wanted soft.  Something with texture, not lacy but not a solid fabric either.  Like the one I found at the thrift store so many years ago in Bellingham.  

At the Maker's fair, and at lunch at work, I have been working with white cashmere roving on my drop spindle.  The spinning was definitely some of the conversation I had.  Spinning at work is a bit of calm in the chaos.  People are finding out if they have jobs the end of this week, beginning of next.  

Once I had a few balls of yarn made but not enough yet for a sweater, I looked for a pattern.  I found a pattern in an old Interweave crochet magazine I had, Summer 2008, that I am willing to give it a try.  I have the first couple inches done currently.  I have more yarn that needs to be made.  

I cannot leave well enough alone but it is close to what I wish just not what I wish.  I will put buttons on this, and I probably change both the sleeve length and neckline a bit.  Make the neckline a bit higher.  It is not as bad as the knitted sweater I am changing to crochet.  I will not talk about how many times I ripped that out just today!  Koda Bear called and while we talked to him, I kept working on that bit.  Koda Bear and my Beloved kept hearing me complain about eyelet!

I should be basting one of my picture quilts to quilt next week.  I did not make the back easy but then I rarely do that unless I need a quilt quickly.  I am excited about all of this that is happening.

as done as I can be

I spent last weekend and this week getting ready for the Maker's Market.

Audiobooks have been lovely.  Yeti cups have been keeping my tea hot so I do not have to drink cold tea.

But I got last two quilts I wanted done, done.

I am hoping interest will be shown in my work.  My feelings are full of trepidation.  I will keep my fingers crossed.

even now, change is happening

It came.  I did find a place to print my photographs on fabric.  Which means that my quilts are changing.

 I love the patchwork:  the colours, the piecing, the process, the quilting, the end result.  It is a lovely place to hide from the world when the world is going crazy around me.  It is a lovely way to use scraps from my other sewing.  And useful because it keeps us warm.  Which I was not last night but that is another story.  Quilts add colour to life in so many ways.

After making my Christmas tree quilt.  Realizing it was just a photograph on fabric.  I thought why not me?  Why not my memories?  And that is what I am doing.  Quilts have always been some type of a memory holder.  That fabric reminds  you off . . .  That quilt spoke to you at that point in life because . . .  This will be similar but the same.  I am still piecing the backs though.  More colour.  More joy.  More peace.

preparation

I finished another quilt this weekend.  I am trying to have four ready for the Maker's Market I am going to on the 2nd of April.  We will see.  I am finding that the quilting, piecing, concentration of working on a quilt is helping to take my mind off the madness of work.  Layoffs are just crap and how people react to the situation is all over the place.  I understand that but having a place to hide in a quilt is a good thing.  I hope to get some spinning done this weekend as well but I will have to see.  Even though my weekends are longer there still does not seem to be enough time!

it has been an interesting week

I will have to say it has been an interesting week and I have been hiding at my sewing machine.  As work gets more stressful, that is where I spend more time.  Soon, we will know how many people no longer work where I work.  I spend more time at my machine.  It does help for me trying to get ready for the Maker's Market in early April.

We had company because a friend called and said "can I come over?"  She did not wish to sit at home and brood.  Since it was a bad day for me as well, sure.  That was an evening full of laughter that helped.

I have been fighting having a migraine.  I could feel it on Monday but it felled me on Thursday.  My head hurt so badly that I had no balance.  Vertigo means my stomach was upset.  I got myself together enough to get to work but when I got home, I fell asleep.  I feel the effects today but my head is better.

Hiding means another quilt top was pieced.  More nine squares put together.  Not a bad way to hide.