Sprouting

Spring always seems to be the time of year that I struggle the most creatively. We're usually so busy with so many different things that I feel like I can't even sit for 5 minutes and get my head together.

It's been especially bad this year, after the hellacious winter we suffered.

I've been drifting from project to project, not really finding satisfaction in anything.

Lunar Phase has been put into the basket I affectionately refer to as "The Coffin"...

Meaning that the likelihood of it seeing the light of day before the end of this century is pretty much nill.

And Elder Tree followed soon behind.

Mojito still has a pulse since I plan on wearing it to my class reunion next month. But it's been a battle to even work through it.

So I gave myself a week off, especially since I had something going on literally every day this past week.

Instead, I worked on a couple of dice bags for my D&D group.

And you know what?

It felt really good.

Like really, really good.

I also took the time to reorganize and fold all of my shawls, trying each on as I went. And that caused ALL THE FEELINGS!

I'm actually wanting to work again. Actually wanting to knit. And it feels so nice to have that spark again. That little seedling of creativity growing, sprouting, shoving its way out.

So, if you'll excuse me, I have some things to knit.

Lying, Cheating, Cold Deadbeating, Two-Timing, Double Dealing Mean Mistreating Wanderin' Heart

What? What's this that I'm working on?

No, it's not Lunar Phase.

Yes, I know. I'm a no-good, dirty, lying, cheating scoundrel. You're completely right.

I should be powering through and finishing Lunar Phase. But frankly, I just don't want to.

I saw what the finished wrap was going to look like... and I will never wear it. It's not my style in any way, shape, or form. I actually would probably hate it so much that it would never see the light of day. And that's really not fair to the gorgeous yarn.

But I like the aesthetic of it. The stripey-ness is quite charming. If that's all the shawl were, I'd probably like it more. So, I'm going to Ashtan it. I'll end up with a half-circle shawl that still pays homage to the original design.

But it's miles and miles and miles of just straight knitting with nary a yarn over or decrease in sight.

How am I supposed to survive that?!

So, we have my side chick of a shawl here. Just enough to tempt me and tease me and give me all the lacy yarn overs and decreases that Lunar Phase cannot.

A respite, the wool equivalent of a long soak in the tub.

Lunar Phase is still a beautiful thing and fulfilling a need in my life. But I'm a person of varied tastes and interests. I need more than just the same dish every night.

Does this make me polyyarnorous?

The Lyfe and Tymes of Thou Fairest Writer

Do you know how hard it is to maintain a crafting blog when the ONLY PROJECT you're working on has to be kept secret?

This is all I can really offer without spoiling things.

Like, what can I even write about? I haven't really purchased any new yarn (except for an extra skein of my night sky color for the MKAL because I thought I might be short), haven't really gone out and done anything fun. And I've already written enough about my mental health to fill a novel.

All I really have to offer are selfies, a couple of sketches I've done, and some cat pictures.

I've been wearing my Rios Lace Tam practically everywhere and have been having fun sticking various pins into the brim.

I got a really cool new galaxy dress.

And I did a kickass job on my makeup the first time I wore it out.

Like, I actually got a bunch of compliments, which never really happens.

I bought a couple of new mugs.

I'm hoping that if I buy them one at a time, John won't realize that I'm hoarding collecting them.

I also bought one for Al to throw off his suspicions more.

Speaking of Al, she did this watercolor piece and I'm SUPER EFFING PROUD OF HER!

Watercolor is not her usual medium, so it's been great seeing her branch out and try new things.

It's STILL snowing here.

I, as the Queen of Winter, apologize for this gross oversight. But unfortunately, you humans have done screwed things up enough that we're not really in control anymore...

HOW ABOUT THEM SKETCHES?!

I'm participating in the 100 Days project.

Every day for *shocker* 100 days, I'm supposed to draw/sketch/paint a little something.

I have no set theme unlike some other artists. Just been sketching whatever strikes my fancy.

Here are the first 3 days.

HAD to start things off with a tribute to my Muse.

Second was a new style of cactus that I haven't attempted before.

Third was my usual and favorite lil prickly babe.

I guess all that's left now is a flood of cat pics.

That last one is just for you, John. ;D

Guess it's back to this Secret Project of Secretness...

*sigh*