Category: Crochet and crafting

any items related to crocheting or crafting

Long List of Crafting and Writing

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

It’s a list weekend.  I have a long list of writing tasks I want to get done and a long list of crocheting / crafting things I want to get done.  I may manage to stay in my jammies all weekend just to get stuff done.

Last night I watched Blacklisted and worked on an afghan for my niece.  I’ve got about 40 rows done.  I LOVE the colors she picked and the pattern.  I can’t wait to see the final product.  In my crochet basket, I have about four projects started.  I am going to try to finish two of them this weekend and work on the other two.  Two of them are larger projects so will take longer than a weekend to complete.

I have written about four patterns which fall into the “Baskets” category.  I want to get them compiled into a document so I can publish them but before I publish, I want to print them out, follow the directions, and see if there are any adjustments I want to make.  I’m hoping to work on that this weekend.

I’ve got a short story finalized and am hoping to publish it this weekend.  Next is to do the searches on Wayfarer 10 and print for editing.

I’ve been wrapped up in marketing.  I’m trying to tweet and post on facebook regularly so I can get my work out to others.  I’m also looking at my marketing spreadsheet to see what I need to do for the things I’ve already published and not done the marketing.

I have a number of gifts to work on for crafting.  They are on my weekend lists as well.  I guess I better quit writing and get busy.

No Jammies Today

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

It was supposed to be a stay in my jammies day and do little to nothing.  That didn’t work.  I got up to an email from Joann with one of the things I wanted for a project being on sale.

After spending part of the morning on marketing, I got organized and Ken and I headed out to Joann’s.  While I was looking at things online, I got a notice to text Joann’s to get a coupon.  I did.  I got a 20% off coupon.

The items I wanted were already 50% off so we went in, found what I wanted and picked them up.  At checkout, they used my coupon and I spent nearly $10 less than I had budgeted.  I spent $42 and saved $60.  This is good shopping as far as I’m concerned.

I’ve spent the last two hours working on getting marketing stuff organized into a One Note notebook.  This is the software I just learned how to use.  I have to say, I’m finding it useful both at work and with my writing things.  I’ve created two notebooks to make my marketing tasks simpler.  I’m still gathering quotes from different books but it’s coming along nicely.

Looking to move on to the next thing – will it be more marketing, work on the project I just got the materials for, or something completely different?  I’ll have to see how the mood strikes me.

Busy, Busy, Busy

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

Yesterday I came home from work, paid bills, worked on editing, and booked a date for going to Paint Nite.  Ken and I had our normal Friday night meal of Toppers pizza and he went to bed.  I tried to settle into something but couldn’t.  I finally decided to watch some training I’m trying to knock out.  Doesn’t this sound like an overly exciting way to spend a Friday night?

Today, I went through coupons and wrote up a grocery list, made a fleece blanket with a crocheted edging, helped my mom, ran errands, watched two movies and crocheted, worked on pulling quotes

from books to use for marketing.  It’s 10:30 and I’m ready to crash for the night.

The blanket is fleece – Packer pattern – which I crocheted around with some funky yarn.  I think the edging turned out nicely and I’m pleased with the result.  Believe it or not, this is a simple single crochet around the blanket.  It’s the yarn that makes the funky pattern.

Ken’s been sick all week and taking the time to watch those two movies was good for both of us.  He got rest instead of doing yard work.  I got to crochet (and maybe take a mini nap).  The afghan I’m working in is gorgeous.  I’m loving the color combination and the pattern.  I’ve got a number of projects going with none of them making it to the final stage (until I finished Ken’s blanket today).  It’s been hard to crochet but today I just pushed through it and did the crocheting.  My mind seemed to settle and go to a place where it needed to.

I was able to settle into the marketing task I needed to work on.  It isn’t done.  I still need to do more but at least I made progress.  Normally I’m up late, working on something.  Tonight I may actually go to bed early – well for me.

Tomorrow, I plan to work publishing a short story and more of the marketing things.  I also want to watch more of the training which I believe I’ll be able to crochet while I watch.  I’ll have to see what Ken wants to get up to but I want to crochet so long as my arm isn’t hurting.

Quiet Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Three baby bibs done for my daughter to give to her friend.  One more to go.  After that, I’ve got a list of what I want to work on.  My arm is feeling a little better so hopefully I’ll be able to work on the projects without too much difficulty.

Yesterday I was unproductive.  I watched Foyle’s War (BBC show) and crocheted.  Ken wasn’t feeling well so we didn’t do much of anything other than hang out at home.

This week is looking to be hectic with all the things going on at work.  I’ve been working on a procedures book for the student workers and my position.  I edited my position description.  I’m also working on other projects like budget, advising manual for the faculty and others.  All of this is on top of distributing work to the student workers and tending to the needs of my faculty.

I’m hoping if I get some of the crochet projects which are on my mind done, I’ll be able to go back to writing.  My head seems to get stuck in “I want to work on this” and then nothing else really satisfies me.  I’ve been stuck on the I want to crochet mode but with my arm bugging me, it’s been difficult to get the crocheting done.  I’m hoping today to finish two of the projects before the arm hurts again.  I’ve got three which are nudging me.

I’m working at my desk this morning and I’ll see how much editing and other tasks I get done.  This afternoon I plan to go back to watching Foyle’s War and crocheting.  It will be a quiet Sunday.  Ken will watch football and I’ll do my own thing.  No need to wander out or even get dressed – staying in my jammies today.

I’ve talked to all the girls this weekend.  It’s always nice to hear what they are doing even if it is just stuff around the house.  Vicki called me to talk yesterday between her errands.  I called Virginia and caught her just after she got a haircut.  I talked to Stephanie as she was working around the house.  It was nice to be part of their day and to hear what was going on with them.

What Veggie Are You?

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

My arm is giving me grief again.  I’ve got three crochet projects I want to work on but every time I crochet I end up with pain in my arm.  Rest is the best medicine at this point.

I’ve gotten the editing done I wanted on the short stories.  Now I have to write summaries, make covers, submit them where I want them and move forward with publication on some of them.

Work has been chaotic.  My days are filled with projects and so many daily tasks and requests I can’t count them.  I’m happy to get the projects off my desk as it cleans up and clears out some of the backlog.

My down time has been lazy.  I’ve not been writing much or crocheting because of my arm.  I did finish watching John Adams which was a mini series put out by HBO (I think) about the second president.  It was fairly interesting and well done.  How close it came to the actual man’s life, no idea.

I came across the HBO Band of Brothers and I’m watching it.  The first episode was interesting and I love that they interviewed WWII vets to discuss the events which they made the film about.

The new seasons have hit so I got to see the first episode of Big Bang Theory and when it ended, I said, where’s the next one?  It made me laugh and go awww a few times.  After my long and busy day at work, it is nice to come home and watch something that makes me laugh.  Tonight I’ll be curling up and watching a few of the Band of Brothers episodes to see if the mini series continues to be good.  Tomorrow will be a long day of work which is why I need to be a vegetable tonight.

The Good and the Bad

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

The good and bad part about visits from the girls is they always go home.  It’s good I get back to my routine, my privacy, my quiet.  The bad part is they are gone.

Vicki was here over the weekend.  It was a busy and great weekend with her home but at the same time, I’m exhausted.  We spent Friday shopping at different places and being together.  Saturday was all about errands and being together.  Sunday was about relaxing a bit.  Today she went home.

She came home and I had some dishtowels done for her.  She left with five new blankets (fleece with crocheted edging), dishtowels (six in all), a doily, and wristers.  It was fun to finally try out the technique on the blankets and I’m glad she got the blankets she wanted.  I have one more to do – for Ken.  I’ll probably work on it next weekend.  The picture of the doily doesn’t do it justice.  The yarn is VERY sparkly and packer colors.

The dishtowels were all made with scrap yarn.  She said she wanted more and I said what colors.  She said she didn’t care.  I said scraps, she said sure.  I think she liked them.  They are all different.  There are five in the picture but I made her another one last night after we were done painting.  I was so tired it took me hours longer than it should have.

I’ve not thought about my writing (much) or done any writing, editing, or promotions.  I’ve spent the weekend with her.

I finally got to try the egg muffin technique for cooking.  Vicki fried up onions, peppers, and bacon.  I assembled.  The recipe turned out good.  Next step is to see how well they reheat.  At some point today, I have to do my yogurt for the week as well.  I’ll have to remember to do it before I settle in for the night tonight.

The busy weekend means I’ll probably spend today with my feet up so my legs are ready for work this next week.  My legs are hurting – partly because of the activity and partly because of the weather.  This means I make it a point to sit in my recliner with them up and probably under a heated blanket.

I’m tired so I think it will be a quiet day – maybe working on a project I don’t need to think about while I watch a new obsession.  Vicki wanted to watch something but we didn’t want to fuss with finding something.  She suggested Big Bang Theory so we watched nearly the full first season and part of the second season.  Maybe I’ll pull out the next project and watch several of those episodes.  They make me laugh.  Last night we were watching an episode and I was laughing so hard, I couldn’t breathe.  It was hilarious.

Labor day weekend has flown by for me.  I’m so happy Vicki was home and got to see some people.  I’m equally glad we got her here.  But now, I need a nap.  Even though it is going to be a three day week for me (I have Friday off), I have the feeling it is going to be a long week.

R&R

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

Today is going to be another rest and relax day.  Tomorrow starts another stressful week with lots of meetings, faculty, students, and people in and out of my office.  I’ll probably have more people in my office in a half a day than I did all summer.

I’m working on a crochet pattern and plan to finish it today.  I’m hoping it turns out all right but I have to do math so I’m sure the next part will be a bit frustrating.  Math and I don’t always see eye to eye.  Once that is done, I have a short list of things I want to work on.  I’m going to see if I can convince Ken to watch movies with me.

I spent last night being a bum.  Crocheting was too much effort so I read through a few different things.  The thing is I woke up this morning with a scene I want to include in Wayfarer 11.  I’m mid-scene and not sure where it’s going – though the more the scene I want to write sits in my head the more it firms up what I think will happen.  Sometimes I just have to let my characters sit and stew before they tell me what’s next.

While I am taking the needed R&R, I plan to try out a few other patterns.  This will lead to what I call my ridiculous electronics.  The other night I was crocheting a new pattern so I had my phone to take pictures, my tablet to write the pattern, and my netbook to watch a class on Craftsy.  I laughed at myself for all the electronics but didn’t shut a single one down.

If Ken doesn’t watch movies with me today, I’ll probably do the same.  Watch a Craftsy class while I work on my projects.  I’ll have the tablet and phone available so I can create new patterns.  I know it is ridiculous but it’s easier than using pen and paper because I can email it to myself and don’t have to take the extra step of typing it up.

The point of today is resting.  Tomorrow will be busy with training student workers, meetings and the first week of classes starting at my day job.  This week will be busy with more of the same.  Today is all about relaxation!

I Survived…

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

I survived the first week of faculty being back and a crazy schedule of meetings including two all day meetings.  It was good to see everyone back and to have a bit of a buzz and energy in our department.  However, I’m worn out from the hectic pace and high demand.

Refilling my tank this weekend is going to involve rest, sleep (if I can) and crocheting.  I’m in the mood to crochet.  So long as my arm doesn’t get too sore, I think I’ll work on projects.  I have a few going and a few I want to get done.  I like quick projects as they allow me to feel like I’m accomplishing things.

I’ve been making baskets and I want to try a couple more different things for patterns.  Then I will put them together into a group of patterns.  It has been fun to try out different techniques and see how they work.

There is a strange thing happening this weekend – I have no plans.  I know there are things I should or could be doing but at this point, I have NO plans.

I wrote last night for a bit.  It felt good to get a short story out of my head which had been bouncing around in there.  I worked on Wayfarer 11 for a bit but couldn’t settle into it and switched to the other story.  My intent was to just get the opening down as that was pounding at me.  Instead, I wrote the whole story before crashing for the night.  That’s just how it works sometimes.

Today I’m going to be lazy, keep my legs warm in the damp weather, and crochet.  If I make new patterns great.  If I fall back on old patterns, great.  I’ll do what I do and see what I get accomplished.  I have no agenda and I’m ignoring my to do list.  At least as of right now.  I’ll have to see what mischief I get up to and what I get done without looking at my to do list.

Right as Rain??

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

When I wake up at 5 am and can’t go back to sleep, I just know it’s going to be a blah day.  Errands are run, bills got paid yesterday, and Ken and I are back home.  He’s mowing the yard and I’m doing the grocery list.  I clipped some coupons but mostly I just want a nap.

My joints hurt today, have been hurting all week.  The damp weather is wreaking havoc on them.  The only thing I can do is keep the worst of them warm and hope the dampness will end soon.  I’ve gotten through several levels of editing both Wayfarer 8 and Wayfarer 9.  I’m hoping to put the final touches on Wayfarer 8 this week and work on production at some point in the very near future.

I finally dug out the other short stories I want to publish.  I’m going to start the edits on those and see how it goes.  A few of them are flash fiction which means they are extremely short.  I may put them into a short compilation of stories so I can make it economical for people to purchase.

I dug up a bunch of leads for marketing my crochet patterns.  I just need to figure out how to do some of them.  I’m hoping if I can get them listed in a couple of more niche oriented places sales will improve.

It’s only 10:30 but I feel like I’ve put in a full day.  I guess that comes from waking up too early.  It probably doesn’t help that sleep was nearly non-existent last night.  This is the way it goes with me.

The sky has gone from gray and gloomy to blue with a bit of white clouds.  Perhaps we won’t get the rain they said but I’m not holding my breath, my joints say rain is coming.  

Balancing Act

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

My searches in Wayfarer 8 are done.  Now I have to do a read through before I print for an edit.  I’ve also gotten about 15,000 words into Wayfarer 10.

My middle daughter sent me a blog from one of her favorite authors about how to handle being stuck in a story.  It was interesting and gave me some ideas for the Defenders series.  I’m hoping it will help me move forward with the story.  It’s ironic, I started this story in 2010 and couldn’t get it down on paper fast enough.  I saw the whole story at the time.  I still do.  My problem is getting from the point I’m at to the next step.  Once I figure out how I move forward, the scenes all but write themselves.  I think I’m just getting hung up on the transitions.

Last night Ken went to bed very early so I watched a Midsomer Murder episode and worked on another ruffle scarf.  I wasn’t quite done with it when the episode was done but I finished and moved on to writing.

Work has been busy.  I’ve gotten a lot done in this week.  It certainly makes the days go faster.  It also feels good to get stuff accomplished.  I love crossing things off my to do list.

Tonight will probably be more of the same.  Saturday I’m going to Madison with my sister to do a painting thing.  I’ll see how it turns out.  I’m not great at painting but I enjoy it so much I keep working at it.

I’m going to a place I’ve never been.  I’m concerned about being comfortable and able to get around in there.  There’s always this what if they aren’t handicap friendly or my scooter will cause more problems or…. the list goes on.  I’m taking it on faith I’ll be able to get in and be comfortable.  I’ll see how it goes.