Restore!

I'm taking the day off... sorta. I'm trying to restore my yarn closet to THIS level of organization. I started last night and I think it's going to take a week. I have let my office and this closet descend into the chaos that I can't even show you, it's so shameful. My office is the "dump and run" spot for me. There are reasons that door stays CLOSED.  

Also, restoring my mind today! I found a ton of old project binders that I no longer need. I found my original manuscript for 3 books including one that I never published and proposals for 2-3 more. You know binders represent BIG projects for me. Now I have empty binders to start NEW big projects! I can't wait.  I'm going to visualize myself in 5 years finding these binders when they are full and projects are completed... what was in them? What projects did I accomplish that I was proud of?  

Who needs a bucket list when you can make a Binder List?

Extension!

I really despise asking for extensions. Sometimes life happens or projects take longer than expected. Extensions should be (and thankfully are) very rare for me.

I got two more days and it feels like a stay of execution. :)

Anyway, it will be worth it. It's a great project.

So, this is a short post so that I don't squander the gift of time I've been given. Back to work.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Looking back isn't always painful.

Today I worked on an interview piece that will be coming out in early October. (I'll link it when it's live!) The interviewer asked questions about projects that I'm proud of and it pushed me down the rabbit hole of my over 300 projects, the books, the classes, etc. I spent some time reading the reviews of my 6 (one more on the way!) Annie's Online Classes and it was like a balm to my soul. People took the time out of their day to say such nice things! You can read for yourself! So nice! Thank you!

Crochet is an amazing hobby (or career) because you can SEE the tangible result of your work. That doesn't happen for many professions. Our world is so virtual and vague that it's gratifying to work with something tangible and visual.

(Here's a look back at a favorite project sponsored by Red Heart, the Brocade Throw) A few people have even taken the challenge to create this monster and did great with it! One bite at a time, you can do it! 

For those of you who need more validation... here's a tip, see if it works for you.  For years I have kept an email folder and an actual paper folder that I call "The Smile File".  When someone sends me a compliment or a card or something meaningful, I keep it in the Smile File.  Then, on the bad days when it has become clear that a door has closed, or uncertainty hits, the Smile File is ready to reveal the truth of those moments. Kindness exists. Maybe start a smile file? Or send someone a note of kindess for them to tuck away in a smile file?

I won't spill about which projects and fibers I love the most, I should wait and let the interview reveal that. It's easy to look back so much that you run into a pole.  I can't wait to share with you the Looking Forward part.

I have some BEAUTIFUL (so pretty that I'm actually saying it out loud, not self-deprecating, not qualifying my work like I usually do, no 'if I had it to do over again...'. NO) I have some beautiful work that will be revealed in the coming months.  I'm seriously contemplating writing another book too. It's percolating.

In the meantime, I have another side project going on and I need to know what classes you would like to take and which teachers in the industry you would like to learn from IN PERSON... Comment here and let me know what is on your crochet bucket list.

An Essay in Photos

Last bits from vacation

We got to see an alligator in the wild... that was something. (I was actually kind of thrilled because we were on a bridge above and I knew we were safe).

Then we left the beach and stopped by the lake to hang out with cousins for the weekend.

 

When I disappear...

When I disappear it is usually because I have a tight deadline or family vacation. This time, it was both!

The project, in process goes into the front seat but the reinforcement yarn is accessible in the back. At every rest stop, I'd grab the next color that was needed.  

I don't mind being a passenger because then I get a great deal of stitching accomplished. 

We made it to the beach. It was so incredibly windy that I couldn't crochet on the beach. I didn't want blowing sand in my work.

But, I could crochet by the pool...

And I could crochet at the tavern...

And I could crochet in the hotel guest laundry... 

Cupcake break! 

Run break! 

The project made it through 6 states and shipped from Kentucky. Done and home!