Why is it so.....

Why is it that when I have a full load of pieces to work on and most of them have deadlines, that is the time my brain kicks into overdrive, and I come up with one idea after another. I think it’s like forbidden fruit for me.

You can’t do it or have it , so you want to even more.

Ever have that happen to you?

I just added three more ideas to my stash of possibilities and want to do’s 

One thing it assures me of is I will never, ever, be bored.

I haven't been bored since I seriously decided to try my hand at designing.

And since I don't ever see me quitting this as long as my hands and my brains are able, then I am assured of something that will need my time and energy to make will occupy my time.

 

My brain does dart around though like a drop of water on a hot frying pan. Each of the ideas I have put on the post today are totally unrelated to each other. Where they come from? who knows. I have never tried to totally analyze how my brain processes ideas. I just accept that it does, file away the ideas as they come to me and move on to what I am working on already.  

I have always been most productive though when under pressure.

I gathered it all together yesterday to see where I was and make plans for the next couple months. Without trying I will be occupied well into the next year at this rate. I didn't need to add three more ideas to the mix. One which is seriously calling my name. Those type of ideas normally go to the short list. Since I keep three projects going at all times, and one of those has to be a creative, just because I want to make it type project, then it stands a chance of going on the hook within the next 3 months. That truly isn't too bad since some ideas have been on the post for over 3 years now. As I said I will never be bored. There will always be something that jumps out of my brain that needs me to make it. Always.....

 

I am not whining, complaining or looking for sympathy. Just stating a fact. It's the way my life is these days.

 

And Yes I Love it.

Most of the projects and ready to go projects gathered together.

If they are on a clip board they are either ready to go or in the works.

I have 12 clip boards at the moment with projects that are screaming at me. Do me Please!

Three that are in the works  

Oops, missed one. This one was waiting for thread to arrive.

Which it did ten minutes after I took the shot. So it moves to the head of the line.

It won't have too wait long.  

So as my morning arrives you know what I will be doing.

Today

Tomorrow

and the day after that.

What  a life.

Process and progress

One of the most common questions a designer gets asked is how do you come up with ideas?

And how do you make it work?

It's truly a process. It doesn't just happen. At least not for me.

Ideas are easy for me.

They jump on me when I least expect them to.

In bed,

In the car;

Reading a book,

Talking to people,

While working on another design.

Any time, any place an idea can happen.

That part I can't tell you how it truly happens, it just happens.

 

But the process once an idea jumps into my brain I can explain a little.

First I do a rough sketch.

and I do mean rough.

Just enough to get my idea down on paper before it drifts away or is over ridden by a new idea.

At this point it will most likely go on my post of ideas until I have time to develop it.

If I think I will be pursuing it shortly it goes onto a clipboard.

Each project gets a project clipboard. So I don't lose my notes.

Once I decide I am going to see what I can do with the idea,

then it's grab my hook, some yarn or thread and I play with it.

There can be a half dozen attempts before I get it where I think it is workable.

Sometime the whole idea morphs and it becomes something else than what I originally envisioned. That doesn't bother me in the least. It's going to be what it's meant to be in the long run.

But I am still not ready to make the piece.

There can be diagrams of motif placements.

Trials of different threads or yarns.

Will it require beads?

If so what sizes, and where.

Then if  I don't have the thread on hand I have to order and wait.

Oh this part is hard......

I hate waiting.

Now when I have everything in hand and all notes on my clipboard I can begin.

Notes include

The date started.

Size hook,

Thread used.

Beads needed

Starting ch #  if required

All information I will need to write the pattern.

Then I finally begin.

Normally it's pretty straight forward at this point.

The thinking part is done.

If I feel confident I have what I want I will write the pattern as I go. If I think there might be a lot of revisions than I will do sketches of my stitches and stitch placement in my notes.

For me it's less likely I will make a mistake on my pattern if I do this, rather than constantly revise the pattern. It's too easy to forget to change something in the pattern that way.

Even with all this it can still go south and never become something worth sharing with the world.

Then it's just move on to the next idea.

So when you use a pattern.

Think about what has gone into making it happen.

The more complicated the design the more time and effort to make it work is required.

Designers don't just sit around an crochet all day. There is lots of math, thinking, trials, errors, and energy that goes into the creative process.

And this is just getting the piece made.

There is even more to bring said pattern to you.

But I won't get into that today.
I need to get to work here
This idea is ready to crochet.
 

 

 

 



Elsie's saga and it's not over yet.

They creep into our hearts and souls.

How does it happen that we give so much of our hearts to our pets. And you don't even realize it until something happens to one of them.

 I had a heart stopping moment on Sunday evening when I received a text from my husband.

Your cat just broke her leg. Compound fracture.

Now I am up in Spokane visiting my mother and wasn't scheduled to go home until the next evening. You can imagine how rattled I was.

Marv took her to the vet and they X-rayed, splinted the leg and sent her home. They did mention surgery to Marv but didn't press it so he figured she would heal.

 Not be perfect, but heal enough to go on.

I was so glad when I did get home finally late Monday. To see and snuggle with my girl.

She and I both slept better. 

She has been so good through it all so far. She has already figured out that you have only to ask and the food comes down off the dryer or you are lifted up onto the bed.

I took her in today to get the bandage changed and the doctor showed me her X-rays. Seems like her odds of healing up okay weren't all the good. Like slim to none. So now we are talking surgery or amputation. I have an appointment on Monday to discuss the options.

Talk about heart wrenching.  

You may ask how she did herself under. We are only guessing as she isn't talking. Marv thought he would give them a treat and turn them out into the pet yard.Which hasn't been used since the bobcat showed up and we realized a 6 ft chain link fence might discourage the coyotes, but it wouldn't slow down a bob cat much. So the trees have become over grown. ( they are on my list to trim up now that the weather has started to cool. But they were down on the list, not on the top, so were still waiting )  She climbed up onto the garage and apparently couldn't get back down.

At least without trying to kill herself.

We do have Pip to thank for alerting Marv to her plight. He realized she wasn't where she belonged and insisted Marv go out side now. You know the jump on the person sort of warning, And jump and jump until you get the answer you want. He led Marv straight to her. So Pip is sort of a hero here.

As I said Elsie is handling things well.
Me? well not as well as the cat.

Drove home in tears today.Trying to imagine Elsie on three legs. Which is a real option as surgery may be so expensive it will be our only viable option.

One way or another though we will see that she doesn't have to live with pain of a poorly healed break. I can relate to that since my finger still pains me at times and compared to hers mine is nothing.

So that is where we stand in the cat saga. Elsie hanging in there, Me, hanging in there by the proverbial string. Marv making sure it happens as needed. and the budget is going to be screaming but we will deal with it as always.

Elsie in her splint

 

My favorite shot of Elsie.

 

I need something mom.

 

Smug smile when I listen to her.

Pip the first alert dog.  

 Thank you Pipper dog

And Bilbo, Elsie's brother, you can see how concerned he is.

 

 

 

 

 

Wnderful People, Wonderful times, Wonderful memories!

You know it's funny, but when I am out hiking I take a gazillion pictures. When I get among friends at events, or when with family I rarely take pictures. Such was the case at the CGOA convention last week. Half the time I didn't have my camera with me, the other half I was too busy having a good time to remember I had it with me.

So there fore I only came away with 3 shots of people.

I have everyone stamped on my memories. But you can't see into to my mind to see what I see, so I can't share.

The people were all so wonderful. The Crochet Rock stars,( you know the ones that you hug hoping some of their talent rubs off on you )  the Kindred spirits ( the ones I connect with anytime we get together)  my fellow attendees, ( my class mates, and everyone I spent time chatting with )  all the wonderful newbies ( the future of our industry ) and the gracious staff that put this all together, I wish I had a picture of each and everyone of you to share here. Some of these categories cross over into each other. But everyone that I talked to, shared time with, or crocheted with were such a large part of why I go to these events. I couldn't even begin to name them all to you. Wish I could so you would know how much you all mean to me. but heck by the end of the week I had to keep referring to my name tag to know who I was.

So here are the few pictures I have. I vow each time I come home I will do better. Alas I never listen to myself.

Everyone knows and loves Doris. She is such a joy to be near.

 

 

Susan Lowman, My good friend.

Sharing class time with me.  

 

Vashti Braha

She is a great designer and teacher.

 I took 2 of her classes and she was nice enough to put up with me and my motor mouth.

 

As I said I wish I had taken pictures of everyone to share.

My Bad.

My loss.

But I will always have the memories.

  
 

My 2013 Design comptetion results and pics

Before I share the results of how I did in the
CGOA Design contest.

I thought I would tell you why I enter and what truly gives me satisfaction.



People keep trying to give me the title of Thread Queen.
I keep correcting them.

I am the THREAD ADVOCATE!

I don't really want to be called the Thread Queen as that makes it sound like I am above everyone else. I am not, I don't want to be.

 But I do have a passion for thread and my goal in my designing is to promote the use of, the acceptance of thread, and remove the old lady stigmatism attached to thread crochet.

I try really hard to be Threads number one advocate. If you have to call me anything, call me

The Thread Advocate

 and I will know I am on the right track.

I am a thread enabler.

So when I enter these competitions it will normally be in thread.

Whether I win anything doesn't matter truly to me.

It is represented!

 But when I do win I know I am just adding to the respectability and a better image for thread crochet.

This year I challenged myself to represent thread in the fashion category.

 I decided to design a blouse in size 20 thread.

 My Afternoon Tea was the results.

I am proud to say the design took 1st place.

See it's official it has it's ribbon.

I always have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming my design did well.

My Calcutta Doily also done in size 20 thread and embellished with cut crystal beads.

 The doily took 2nd place in the Thread division

The Calcutta Doily with it's ribbon.

Guess I don't have to keep pinching my self.

And my Rendezvous Draw string purse took an honorable mention  in the Thread Division.

 

I am very pleased with how they pieces did this year. Just means I have to raise the bar again and find something even more striking to catch the judges eyes next year.

Don't worry I already have a few ideas.

 

If you want to see the rest of the winning entries, and  all the other entries as well go check them out

here

Doris Chan and her crew of hard workers made it all come off smoothly and beautifully.

I have to thank them all from the bottom of my heart for giving me the chance to challenge myself each year. The contest truly does help me grow in my designing.

 

Tomorrow I am going to try and post what few pictures I got of people. But I kept forgetting to pull out my camera, and the smallest one I took decided to die so I lost some pictures there. I will just have to rely on my memories to hold most of the people I met close until next we meet.

Motor Mouth

I just got back yesterday from the CGOA Crochet Convention.

 

I had such a wonderful time as always.

But I realized this time that I am earning a reputation of being a bit of a motor mouth, extrovert, wild lady.

You know it's only at this sort of event I am like that.

See I am not denying it.

I do get to be a bit over the top when I go. I can't seem to help myself. I am like a kid in a candy store or toy store. I get so excited that I almost get to be more like the proverbial bull in the china shop. I want to see it all, do it all, talk to everyone. But it is so wonderful to be able to go and connect with people that the eyes don't glaze over the moment you mention what you do. That understand the joy of finding just the right thread or yarn to make something with. To discuss the pros and cons of different ways to do things. To just share your passion with others that share it is a heady experience.

 

To me it is more intoxicating that liquor, and it does seem to have the same effects on me. I lose my restraints. I speak up in front of others, I strut out and show off my crocheting. I talk where I normally just listen. I giggle uncontrollably at times. I talk a mile a minute.

It's sad but true I am a motor mouth at these events.

Would I change it.

No!

It just shows how right this sort of show is. A place to come and share, learn, teach, inspire and be inspired. The fact that I do let myself let go and really enjoy the experience and feel safe doing it says a lot for what the show represents.  

I am terrible about taking pictures at this type of affair. So I will post a picture of what I feel like I am when I am flitting about during the event. Maybe not so pretty, But I am soaking up something from all the people I talk to, the things I see and the opportunities to learn.  But I have to fly from one to the other so I don't miss any of it.

So many things to do, people to talk to, places to be I can't hold still.

 

Tomorrow I promise I will talk about how I did in the design competition.

Lots to share.

 

TGIF

You would think that being self employed Fridays wouldn't mean all that much to the one self employed.

But I still cherish Fridays and base my weeks work around the weekend. Mostly because Marv still works the 5 day week. It also helps me keep my job from totally taking over my life. Something a person in my position is prone to do.

So Friday evening I try and release myself from the push. Oh I will still work on the weekend, just not with the same determination and dedication that I demand of myself Monday - Friday. In fact I have been allowing my Sundays to be my play day. That's when I pick up something I really want to work on and play with it. I try out new motifs, ideas that have been flirting with me all week. A new stitch pattern. Whatever tickles my fancy. It helps to satisfy my creative side.

I am hoping this will help keep me sane, energized about what I do the rest of the week and in general help me stay in love with what I do.

 

Oh yes what I do is creative.

But once the idea is figured out. The numbers worked out, and you start the piece, it can become a challenge to finish it. Why because the sense of will it work, can I make it happen is over. The treasure has been found so to speak. Then it's stick with it until it is almost complete. Once it hits that point where you can hardly wait to see it done, all the ends worked in, and blocked then the sense of excitement kicks in once more. I think that is why quick projects are so popular.

But I do still love the sense of accomplishment when I make a larger piece work. It's just I have to push myself a bit more on them.

 

Well I have a few flower pictures from last weekend.

And one of someone we met on the trail.

We did a drive near Mt Lemmon this last weekend and hiked around a bit.

With the rains the cactus as blooming

Love the colors and composition of this shot.

Beauty among the thorns.

With the blooms you get butterflies.

And another Butterfly

I loved the soft colors of this bud.

who will open up into this type of flower.

If you look closely you will see the face of a Havalina, The wild pig that roam this area.

I had never seen one until Saturday.

The pair we saw were bashful and I couldn't get a clear shot.

But then I didn't try and get close either as I hear they can be pretty fierce if pushed.

But they didn't want anything to do with us and left quickly.

But I can now say I have seen on.

I love looking at natures designs. Makes my little brain start clicking.

Catching up

I wish I was good about posting more often. I keep apologizing for being so lax on my blog performance. I do find it hard to sit down on a regular basis and write about what I am up to. I have good intentions. I even have ideas about what I am going to write about.

 

 But then I pick up my hook and I am lost.

 



I don't know if it's my creative mind that is so unorganized or if it's because I get caught up in my passion. I would like to think it's the later. But who can say for certain.

 

I have been trying to be more organized in my endeavors. It just hasn't hit my blogging yet.

 

But in my designing world I have taken steps to be more organized so I am not searching through stacks of notes to find the one piece of paper that has the notes for any given pattern.

What I did is, while they had the back to school sales on, I bought me a dozen clip boards. Now each project gets a clip board assigned to it. While I am working on that project that clip board sits on my desk of on the table next to me while I work. Any notes I make are attached to that clip board. All thread bands, all packaging from any thing I am using is attached to that clipboard also. Each project with it's clip board has a basket it goes in.

I have a basket that holds all the clipboards that have the projects that are in the wings. See I am not silly enough to think I can balance 12 projects at one time. I have 4 going at the moment and 8 that are waiting for me to finish up what I have on the hook now. It is easy to move projects into line this way and prioritize my designs waiting for me to get to them.

So far it is working well.

No ask me in 6 months how it's working out. By that time it will be routine for me or it will have gone by the wayside as a good idea gone bad......

  Do have a few pictures I can share

Thistles at sunset

We went hiking just below the Mogollon Rim 2  weeks ago. The area was so lovely. I was enjoying breathing in the pines. We did get caught in a rain squall and poor Pip did not like the thunder so close to us. We beat feet out of there in a hurry when the lightening and thunder started.

Bright spot in our day

 

and a few shooting stars. At least that is what these make me think of.

 

old skill becomes new skill

 

I haven't knitted in years and years.

But recently a friend wanted to learn to knit with needles after teaching herself to knook.

Hi Susan

Well I dusted off my knitting needles and helped her to learn the basics while traveling to and from the CGOA Convention.

Unfortunately for her my skills were very, very rusty.

But lucky for her we shared out seats on the way home with Nancy Nehring and she filled in the gaps for Susan that I hadn't remembered.

But once the needles were dusted off I decided I needed a brush up on my skills and decided to play around with it a bit.

Besides it doesn't hurt to be bi-stitchual

Been playing with lace knitting as that's what would pull me back into knitting if anything.

 

This is what I am playing with at the moment.

Far from perfect, but I am having fun with it.

Pick it up when I need a break and do a few rows.

With time my tension will get better.

 

I am working steadily on a project for the CGOA design contest.

This one has been a real challenge for me. But that is what I love about the contest. It makes me grow with my skills and ideas.  The challenge to out do myself from previous entries.

Can't post pictures so I will post a few from out last outing the weekend before I left for convention.

 

Marv and Pip on the ridge on our last trip.

The weather was stormy and I caught this Sunflower in the wind.

I love how this one turned out.

Tree silhouetted  against the stormy sky.

And another thistle posed for me.

Memories

Marv encourages me to go to the CGOA crochet conventions

 so I can make the right connections.

I won't say I don't make good contacts there.

I do.

But you want the truth.

I go for the memories.

I walk away from each and everyone of these events with a million memories of great discussions, wonderful times of sharing, and a wealth of new friends.

That is my prime motivation.

From the moment I hit the airport this time my trip was special, as I got to travel with a dear crochet friend of my Susan Lowman.

I have never had a flight pass a quickly or as easily.

We talked and talked and talked.

Upon arrival it didn't stop. I won't go into everything that happened it would take too long to write about it all. Just suffice to say it was all wonderful and I am so looking forward to the next one.

So if you can swing it I recommend  going to at least one of these events.

If you should make it and I am there do not hesitate to walk up and introduce yourself. I love making new friends in my crochet circle. Each and everyone adds a special element to the circle that is makes up my crochet friends. It's always growing and changing with each event.

A motif of Joy.

 

Michele Maks focused on Professional development day.

She launched Mainly Crochet at this event.

http://mainlycrochet.com/

Pam was in my buddy group at my first convention. We have been good friends ever since.

Susanna, My roomie and good friend with Sue the afghan queen.

Check out her afghans on Mainly Crochet.

Poor Jenny is probably wondering what she did to deserve me.

But I make a point of getting a hug from her everyday at these events.

She is a joy and bright spot in the crochet world.

I think she deserves a hug!

Susan my travel partner

Concentrating on learning a new skill

Knitting with 2 needles.

And Margaret Hubert.

You won't find a nicer person anywhere.

I feel blessed to know her.

 

 

 

 

Foot prints

While at convention I talked to many people about many things. Okay I was a real chatterbox while there. But my brain was whirling with ideas and thoughts too.

 

One question that came up in a conversation was,

why do we do what we do?

That got my little brain cells a turning.

I changed the question to, 

Why do I do what I do?

 

What is my motivation?

For me it is to leave a foot print behind that might truly last.

We all make foot prints in time everyday. But our normal activities are foot prints in the sand. They disappear easily with a gentle rain or a light breeze.

They are still important and valid, just not lasting.

So when I design and publish I am trying to create

 foot prints in stone.

 More lasting.

Fifty years from now, when I am long gone, I would like to think someone will pick up one of my patterns. Admire my work and maybe just maybe, wonder what it would be like to have met me.

I know there are some designers in my collection of antique patterns I would dearly loved to have sat down to lunch with and had a gab fest about our passion.

I want to touch someone like that.

Just like the person who chipped a picture on a rock long ago, I want to be remembered, wondered about, and maybe get my ideas across not just distance, but across time.

So yes it is nice to make money at what I do. It allows me to continue creating my art.

But the true reason I am creating my designs is for the joy.

The true reason I bother with the hassles of being published is I want to reach out and be remembered.

I want my foot prints to be etched in stone.

At least one or two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning After

The morning after the end of a conference is a bittersweet time. You are glad to be home with your loved ones and sleeping in your own bed. But you are also wishing the sharing and camaraderie  with others who share your same passion could have gone on and on.

I had such a good time at the CGOA crochet conference that even though it feels so good to be curled up in my work space with all my things around me, I am definitely missing the companionship of all my fellow crocheters. Discussing, Sharing, Inspiring each other. Those things are so empowering. 

Today will be spent organizing my thoughts and ideas. Getting ready to meet the new challenges and

opportunities the show has brought me.

 

I wish I could list the name of all the wonderful people that made the conference so memorable and enjoyable. But I do need to get something done today. That list would be incredibly long.

 

I have already added two more great new ideas to the OH MY! I wish I had more time or 2 more hands so I can work on this and everything else I need to do list. Actually make that 3 great new ideas I just haven't added the last one to the post yet...... Do you have list like that?  I have so much on that list that I truly didn't need to add any more. But I guess it would be worse if there was nothing on my new ideas list and ran out of ideas. Don't worry I am safe on that account at this moment, my stack of sketches and ideas keeps growing and growing and growing.

 

I am posting a picture of one of the items I got to show off at the fashion show on Friday night.

Professional model I will never be, but it was fun.  Andee Graves and her crew did a fantastic job making us feel good about ourselves and showing off our creations. Thank you.

This is my Filet's Night Out Shrug

Back view 

It is so fun to get to share my passion for thread, my love affair with filet and the beauty of beads in this piece.

 

Good intentions

 

After stating my good intentions of posting more often, what happens but I need to take time to move to a new computer. Actually 2 new computers. It wasn't planned that way it just sort of happened.

I had promised myself a new more powerful tablet when I finished the large project that has dominated my work for over a year.

So when I mailed it off we went and found me a nice tablet that I think will last me a long time.

No sooner did we get it all set up and going strong then my primary computer started doing some really weird stuff. Marv tried several things to try and forestall it's demise. But to no avail. I was having to reboot at least 4 times a day and it was getting worse.

So off we go again to pick out a new computer.

I must admit I love what I got.

Going to be spoiled by the large touchscreen.

Windows 8 and I are getting along well so far.

I was able to get all but one of the programs I love off of my old machine.

Several that wouldn't run on Windows 7, which made me stick with my antiquated system as long as I did. So I am thrilled.

  

Crochet wise I have been a busy girl and finished the shrug I wanted to get done before convention mid July. I am really pleased with how it turned out. Can hardly wait to wear it.

Now I have only two things I want to finish before time to leave. Both very doable. In fact if I get off my new toy here and get busy I will have one of them done by tomorrow night.

Just wanted to share this lovely sunrise over the Superstitions I got to enjoy the other morning.

Some days it just takes my breath away

My garden cages are working and I actually have a baby eggplant to share with you.

Well actually there are now about 7 or 8 of them out there on the vine.

Hope you are ready for eggplant parmesan  my dear!

The clouds against the superstitions. A little closer view

And only because I can't resist a flower.

Isn't nature wonderful!!!