2021

11:50 p.m. and I’m Not the Least Bit Sleepy – A Great Time to Blog


My projects are chugging right along as far as I can tell. I picked up counted cross stitch after about a 20 year hiatus and found that I love it just as much now as I did back then. The pattern I picked out is a doozy called Thistle – Cross Stitched Quilt Blocks from Carolyn Manning Designs

Almost to the halfway point. I’ll have to make a run to The Shepherd’s Needle for more DMC before we leave for spring break.
The Catnip Socks are coming along.

What worries you masters you. Haddon Robinson

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2021 · Knitting

Lowering My Standards or Giving Myself A Break


I’ll take the latter, thank you very much. 🙂

When I was a worker bee, I published a post three times a week on average, usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Since retirement, I MIGHT get a blog post in once a week or so, all the while making promises to myself that “next week I’m getting back to three times a week”. Now, if you are a regular reader, you know that three posts a week has yet to happen.

Why was I a more productive blogger back then when I worked 40 hours a week than I currently am as a happy retiree? Seems counterintuitive (am I using that word correctly?) doesn’t it?

I think I know the answer. I’m still working, but at knitting, working with clay, throwing pots, doing a bit of sewing, painting a bit and having a go at whatever catches my curiosity at any particular time.

All this leads to full happy days and these full happy days tend to squeeze out my blogging time.

So, I’m cutting myself some slack and instead of beating myself up for what I haven’t done, from now on my goal is one post a week and actually enjoying sharing thoughts and projects.

This is what I’ve been working on this past week –

I started these yesterday. Sadly, this photo doesn’t do this yarn justice and doesn’t show off its sparkle.

I rediscovered my love for counted cross stitch, which has been back burnered for about 20 years and went all in with this gargantuan project.

Go big or go home!

I can tell how long I’ve been away from cross stitch by just how much my close vision has gone downhill. My new bifocals are supposed to arrive today and none too soon. I expect they’ll make a HUGE difference! 🤓

Cookie A’s Pomatomus Socks are off my needles!

These make me particularly proud since this pattern has defeated me at least three times in the past. Yay me!!!!

Details on all these projects can be found here, and here.

For success, attitude is equally as important as ability. Harry F. Banks.

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2021 · Knitting

If You Find…


If you guys are artists/crafters and I know most of you are, a lot of the time your FOs tend to pile up faster than you can gift/donate/sell them. I mean,you can only foist gift so many things to friends and family before the eyerolls and less than enthusiastic thank yous begin. 🙄😑

With this in mind, I googled what to do with art overflow and found a great Facebook group called Art Abandonment. In a nutshell, members place their creations (with an explanatory note) in various spots for others to find, take a photo of the abandoned art and post it. I’m loving seeing other posters photos, so many amazing pieces that absolutely reinforce the idea that art is everywhere and isn’t always in a frame or on a pedestal in a museum. Check it out!

ON MY NEEDLES

Cookie A’s Pomatomus Socks

This particular pattern has defeated me several times in the past. Today, though, everything clicked and I have high hopes of seeing it through. 🤞🤞🤞

My project notes can be found here.

Mountains cannot be surmounted except by winding paths. © Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

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