Did you guys have a good Easter? We don't celebrate in the Christian sense, just the "all the stuff borrowed from the Pagans" sense. After my parents divorced my dad started taking us to the tiny Episcopal church (it was much like the Vicar of Dibley, even down to the fat, lady vicar). I didn't understand religion though. No one told me that people *believed* and I assumed it was just a traditional thing that had hung around (yet was treated like the study of ancient mythology).
In any case, it usually meant a new dress and an Easter hat, which I both enjoyed and disliked, somehow. I didn't wear dresses much, but I enjoyed, particularly if I could find a Shirley Temple element therein, and I loved the hats.
This year was a bit of a downer. I didn't get to dye eggs with the kids, and I was so tired on the day, from helping Madre tidy her new house for brunch. I did make Benjamin and Evie each an Easter hat, with this yarn which I felt looked Easter egg-ish in color.
As a child Easter was my favorite holiday, because it meant my birthday was no more than a month away. Now I think I like it more than my birthday, because of the focus, because of not having to make any decisions, and being able to opt out if I don't feel well.
Just finished this piece, and the pattern is now for sale in my shop! The quote is attributed to Mark Twain.
I might do something really boring and remake my roman mosaic piece. I'd like to start selling the pattern, but I may want to change some colors, or just be doubly sure of them. I kept track of what colors I used for the most part, but probably changed some along the way without keeping good notes. Way to go, me.
Or I might work on some other random stuff. I don't know. I am feeling a bit burnt out, primarily due to focusing on making patterns for the shop rather than just because I like them. We'll see though.
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I made a new friend yesterday and completely used up every scrap of energy I would have had for the next three days. I can not describe how awful my legs feel. It was worth it, but ugh, my body.
Despite a very long and tiring week in general, I did get back to work on my wisteria project (aka the piece from hell). It's nice seeing so much completely filled in space. I've been simplifying as I go along, so when it wants three different purples for a span of 14 stitches I just use the middle shade. Maybe it won't be quite as lovely at the finish, but without the simplification I would never finish this.
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At this point, I'm really trying to work from left to right. It's still a difficult project that I won't finish any time soon, but I think I'll be happier to pick it up now. I'd like to fill in the remaining bits that are mostly surrounded by other stitching and then I'll go to work on something else for my store.
The last three or four weeks have just been... UGH. I got a really bad flu in combination with a bad fibromyalgia flare. I felt so terrible I wrote down all my online passwords in case I should croak.
Then, which I was just feeling well Madre and I went to the beach for our timeshare week. I felt fine but still hacked up phlegm all week. Got zero crafting done, and spent quite a lot of time in thrift stores (which is generally what Madre and I do, in addition to sitting on the beach with cocktails/food). I found this pretty awesome cross-stitch themed mug (if you want one and live near Morehead City, NC and want one, there's another at the thrift store run by the animal shelter).
I've been back home since Saturday, but my normal recovery time is further hampered by having to *do* things. Madre's moving house so I'm trying to be helpful there but I am beyond exhausted and aching now. I just want to curl up with a never-ending mug of tea and watch Rocky and Bullwinkle all day.
I did manage to finish a cross-stitch project yesterday and get the pattern posted in my shop. When I saw the quote (which it proves impossible to find an attribution for, though I have a feeling that it's a much older line which just suddenly gained new favor), I thought, as the Quakers do, "Friend speaks my mind."
I have had a horrible flu, the first day of which I also had a *really* bad fibromyalgia flare.
It's been eight years since I've had the flu. I've gotten weird all-sinus things which involve the nose and throat and lots of phlegm, but not a proper, feverish, achey flu. I blame the niece and nephew.
Until they moved here I'd only gotten sick once in six years. So now I'm thinking perhaps I should reconsider my opposition to flu shots, what with all the school germs they bring around and how I wanted to die with this flu and would have gone to the emergency room if there'd been anyone on hand to take me.
Through parts of it I tried to stitch on black Aida. This was so foolish. I hate black Aida, I hate it SO much. Only I keep buying it and using it, because damn it, it looks so cool!
Anyway, just the lower border to do and then she's done. Hoping to finish it before I go to the beach on Saturday. I might start the wisteria project up again and work at that during beach week.
I started knitting this hat prior to see this adorable picture of my niece in her all-apple outfit (while eating an apple, of course). After that I just had to make it an apple hat. I think it's turned out quite cute and I hope it fits her.
If it's a bit small for her there are always other kiddos around. I think I have endless supply of baby hats in my possession, all ready for whoever I know who's having a baby.
I'm dragging my feet about starting another cross-stitch pattern for some reason. I guess I'm still a bit burnt out on that. I just need to work out the best way to paint the background on Frida and do that. Definitely not burnt out on non-counted embroidery yet!
Well, here's the piece I couldn't show you yesterday. Now I have full permission. The design comes from the Tumblr Fuck Yeah Subversive Kawaii. I totally want to stitch all of those things and hang them above my niece's bed.
You can find the pattern for frees right here, and I hope lots of other people make it!
Now I'm working on a red cotton hat for my niece's birthday (not until April). I wanted to do a pointy gnome hat for her, but with this yarn the needles would have to be too small for me to use (to achieve the right stiffness). Now I'm thinking I'll turn it into an apple hat, with a happy little face.
I'm quite lucky that she and my nephew both adore the hats I make them. Also, how cute are they?!
