by carmen | Feb 6, 2012 | Special Projects
I don’t know how it happened. January —puff—–gone. And what do I have to show for it? Some hand spun, a few new designs, a reasonably tidy house and a terrible cold.
Okay, not as bad as I thought, it seems I did get quite a bit done, but not nearly where I hoped to be. I am still doing my last minute scrambling for show applications. Thank goodness that I have enough seniority now that I’m not rejurying for everything from scratch. That is a killer.
Birkeland is closing down at the end of the month. For those of you that follow the blog or have taken classes from me, you know that this is where I did most of my teaching. I’ll be sad to see the shop close. It has been a landmark on the Main Street strip now for 73 years. I’ve made many friendships through the shop that are irreplaceable. I’ve had so many opportunities come my way because of my affiliation with the shop. My gig with Disney is because of a referral from Cara. So ends a chapter.
February is a shorter month, but also the month where things kick into high gear. It’s when my calendar is set for the whole year. It is also the start of the new yarn project. Details to follow. I think you’ll like this one. New half pound skeins of the thick and thin BFL. Imagine, an entire project with no ends to join.
by carmen | Feb 3, 2012 | Workshops & Classes
I’ll be doing a lot more teaching at the studio this year. Yes, my schedule is organized such that I have carved out more space for classes.
Check back for some updates shortly! I also am happy to hear from anyone who has a special request or an idea for a class they would like me to teach.
Cappuccino machine…….just saying.
by carmen | Jan 6, 2012 | Spinning
Actually spinning my own base yarns has been a bit more time consuming than I planned. That’s okay though. It’s not like I don’t like the spinning. Besides, I’d rather be spinning than filling out show applications and booking hotels. John is taking over that responsibility.
While I decided that I would not have $5 take out coffees, I seem to have found another way to spend even more money by having already gone out for dinner twice this year. Note to self, do not let your alcohol bill exceed your food portion of the bill. Primos is the oldest and best Mexican restaurant in town. Thanks for keeping pace with me on the Bombas Nancy!
I had dinner for the first time at Les Faux Bourgeois last night with some crafty friends. The meal was amazing, but really, eating out twice in one week is a bit decadent for me. Full austerity measures are now back in place.
Monica will be working with me on a new cowl pattern as well as a scarf pattern for the lovely, lumpy BFL that I am spinning. If anyone has a better name for this hand spun bulky weight thick and thin BFL than lumpy, could you please let me know. I would be happy to send a skein to whoever can think of the best name.
So, it’s pretty, it’s soft, it’s lumpy and it needs a name. Help a spinner out would you?
by carmen | Dec 31, 2011 | Personal
I never do this, because there are certain things I will and will not do and resolutions or attempts at change have never worked in the past. When I woke this morning I felt this weird charge of energy that made me feel like I could do just about anything. No idea where it came from —-not going to ask.
So in your face 2012 —-this is what’s going to happen
- No yarn store purchases of yarn —sorry yarn stores. I have given you plenty of money so this year you’re going to have to get on without me.
- No new wheels. Not a Sidekick, not anything new or shiny or used or in need of attention.
- One wheel from the herd must go.
- I must not leave stock dye in the studio without putting the lid back on.
- No more $5 coffees ($2.50 Americanos are still okay and only if I haven’t any coffee at home
- No takeout food unless we are out of town for a show. If I’m eating at home it will be the food from my own fridge. Not a health concern more than budgetary. A year in review of expenses can be quite shocking
- I will not get another kitty. It was hard losing Hadiya this year. She would be impossible to replace. Not even gonna try.
- I am taking a fibre vacation this year. Most likely to Salt Spring for one of Terri’s awesome classes.
- I will learn to hug like Pearl but give it my own spin. I don’t want to be a copy cat hugger.
The punishment for breaking one of these “resolves” is that I have to clean the house. You notice that I have nothing about housework in my list of things to do/not do this year. Yep…nothing at all.
Peace.
