Category: Crochet and crafting

any items related to crocheting or crafting

Down for a Day

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

At 2:30 Tuesday morning I woke up with pain in my foot.  I knew it was gout pain.  I figured I’ll get more sleep and feel better in the morning. 

I didn’t sleep the rest of the night.  I got up at 7:00 thinking I gotta go to work.  Now if I’m going to work I need to be out of the shower and headed to the car by 7:15 so I knew at the very least I was going to be LATE. 

It was a rough morning for me.  Pain, lack of sleep, and just general growliness.  I opted to not inflict my orneriness on my job and stayed home.  I don’t watch a lot of TV.  I’ve been weaning myself off it since we got rid of cable. 

Instead of surfing unsuccessfully for something worthwhile, I listened to an audio book and crocheted.  I leaned back in my recliner, kept my foot up and worked on a throw for my mother.  When she was over, she told me her legs got cold when she sat in her recliner in the living room.  I made her a small throw.  It is with fleece yarn which is yummy and soft.  My sister picked out the pink and multi colored purple / pink.  Unfortunately there wasn’t enough for what I wanted to do.  Of the fleece I had left, black was the only one that went well as there is a dark gray in the purple variegated.  So I did a border in the blank.  I did a lacy pattern which was quick and easy.  Hopefully it will work for my mother and keep her legs warm. 

Now I got a box of yarn.  I resisted using anything in that box because I had four projects going.  However, I finished a project and I wanted a small project so I pulled out this soft gorgeous yarn and made a cowl.  I went to my book that has some ridiculous number of patterns and made a cowl.  It didn’t take long, sewing the buttons on took longer as I had to find them, get a needle that would work and figure out what I was using to sew them on for thread (yarn was too thick). 

In the middle of the day, I was tired so I took a nap.  I took a two hour (maybe longer) nap.  Curling up with the electric blanket on to keep me toasty warm, I just conked out.  I had the heat from the blanket wrapped around my legs and it helped reduce the pain of the gout. 

After I woke up, I went back to listening to Holiday in Death by JD Robb and worked on a shawl for Vicki.  I finished that and still had an hour left on my book so started another scarf with more new yarn.  I didn’t get far.  I’m not happy with the pattern so I’m going to pull out my book with the different patterns and see what she’s tagged – my poor vandalized books.  I finished the book but not this fourth item.  I did go in and finish listening to the chapter in Cast in Peril by Michelle Sagara.

I hate taking a day off because of my gout.  However, by the evening my foot had shape again, the red ring around my ankle was gone.  The pain level had gone from nearly unbearable to tolerable.  I got three crochet projects done.  Considering I didn’t think it would be a good day – I’d say it wasn’t all bad.  The nap was wonderful.  I’m betting Vicki will LOVE the two items I got done for her.  I’m hoping mom will enjoy her item as well. 

 

A Box of Yarn

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

I’m obsessed with yarn.  I love yarn.  I came home tonight and here was my order from Herrschners.  A friend gave me a gift card from there so I handed it to Vicki and said, I need crochet cotton, you know the colors, and whatever is on sale.

This is the result.  Now most people see just a bunch of yarn.  I see smiles, hugs, and appreciation.  I see hours of enjoyment as I listen to a book and crochet.  I see dishtowels, pot holders, dish cloths, scarves, make up pads and more.

There is so much potential in this one small box and so much happiness for me and for others.  I am sitting here saying I will not pick up the new yarn and make stuff because I already have four projects in progress and I need to finish at least one or two of them before I start new ones – right?  Maybe…

The colors are exciting.  The textures are exciting.  The hours of just enjoying myself with the goodies in this box are exciting.  One might assume I am a little excited about this box.

It’s a little box and a little thing but I know it will bring a lot of happiness.  The items made from the yarn in here will be useful and appreciated.  I can’t wait to dive in and play around with the goodies.  I have to wait … I keep telling myself I have to wait.  I have other projects to finish before I start with the new yarn.  I must resist the temptation – am I convincing anyone else?

Tonight I’m supposed to be working on a manuscript.  I have two I’m working on that are in progress.  I should work on writing and not crocheting.  I could pull up the next JD Robb book and listen to it while I work on one of the projects.  Maybe I would finish the project so I could play with the new yarn tomorrow.  But I have those two manuscripts.  Oh the war of responsibility and the desire to play with new yarn.

I’ll be good.  For now.  Maybe…..

Unplanning My Next Year’s Goals

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

My year has certainly not turned out the way I planned it.  This is one of the reasons I don’t like to make long term plans. 

It isn’t that my year has been worse – quite the contrary – it just hasn’t turned out the way I planned.  I could be disappointed in myself and the events of the year but that would be ridiculous.  I was supposed to submit to contests and publications at least four to six times each month this year.  I didn’t.  I was supposed to get my poetry books, romance book, and meditation book all published.  I did this.  I did more than this.  I got eleven books and two crochet patterns published. 

In looking back at my year, because that’s what we do at the end of December, I find myself very satisfied with what I’ve accomplished and am looking forward to the accomplishments of the coming year.  I have four books in progress that I want to get done.  I’m certain these will get done and published. 

Knowing me, there are other stories rattling around in my head that will find their way onto paper and into publication. 

I keep telling myself I need more balance in my life – equal out the time I spend crocheting, writing, working, spending with family and so on.  I’m not sure that is true.  I think having the imbalance helps me accomplish things.  When I’m so focused on one or two things, I get them done.  Very little gets in my way or stops me from accomplishing what I set out to accomplish.  Sometimes it takes me a while to figure out what I want to accomplish but once I do – it usually works out in the end – even if it isn’t the way I planned it. 

When I look forward to the next year, I know I want to write, crochet, spend time with my family.  I think I’ll leave the details of how that works out to the future and just enjoy the journey I’ll be taking in the upcoming year.

Times Awasting

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

I need a clone.  With all my responsibilities, I need a clone or a longer day or to somehow stop time so I can get more done.

This morning I spent two hours working on the business end of writing.  Mostly I compiled data about sales so I could see how that would help me for marketing.  I told Vicki yesterday that I’m getting steady sales with an average of about 45 books a month for the last three months.  This is great as I’m just getting started but at the same time I have done very little marketing.  The thing for me is to figure out how to market and where to spend my money for marketing.

This led to another analysis of sales – which books are selling the best.  By knowing which book is selling the best I can either choose to put more money into marketing that book (because it is popular) or I can choose to let it grow on it’s own (because it is popular).

When I’m done with this blog, I’ll be heading to the recliner to put my foot up because my foot is doing better and I want to keep it that way.  While in the recliner, I can write and listen to music or crochet while I watch tv or listen to a book.  I’ll probably write for a time because I have a new book going and there are scenes I want to work on.  If Ken and I opt to watch something together I’ll try to pull out my crocheting but we usually do that when we’re eating so I might be busy eating.

If only I had a second me, I could work on all of it at once.  I have three crochet projects started and several in the works.  I have a half dozen writing projects started and actively working on plus all the other ones that aren’t being actively worked on.

It promises to be a full day one way or another and that is with only the writing and crocheting demands.  Two of my daughters just bought a house so they are calling with questions.  My sister is writing a paper so she will want me to edit it for her.  I’ll slide those in because it’s family and they are important.

We’ve been watching West Wing and in their they’re always saying – “What’s next?” That is my life right now.  I’m done with this so what’s next.    

Nag, nag, nag

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

Two of my three test readers for the Wayfarer series are nagging me to finish the story.  I can’t help that there is more in the last chapter than I would have thought.  I have to tell the whole story and not leave out the good bits. 

This means they have to have patience.  I thought I’d finish it last night but I got distracted by other tasks.  One of these things was a conversation with one of the readers. 

I am hoping the ending will be good.  I have an exciting scene in my head that I want to include but I’ll see if I can make it play out. 

In the meanwhile, I’ve had requests for two hats and a few other crochet things.  I probably should work on my daughter’s afghan which I haven’t worked on in a while. 

My mother is resting comfortably if not patiently.  She wants to get up and go like she did before her stroke but the doctors are telling her to take it easy.  I understand the anxiousness to be back to regular routine but there is also the matter of taking care of yourself. 

This next weekend I’m hoping for some writing time so I can work on marketing and writing.  I need to do both so I’ll have to see how things go.  I have another crochet booklet I want to get out there for production.  I’m hoping it will be a productive weekend. 

This week I’ve been struggling with a lot of pain in my legs, partly due to stress from all the stuff over the weekend, and partly due to the overwork from driving and doing stairs on Saturday.  It slows me down and wears me out but I’ll do what I need to in order to get better.

Hopefully – fingers crossed – Virginia and Stephanie close on their house today.  They are waiting on one form and if that gets delivered they can still close today.  It is exciting for them to buy their very first house!  I’m hoping for a call saying they are owners at some point today!

To do is getting done

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

I’m nearing the end of a manuscript, I am pretty sure I’ll finish with the chapter I’m on.  The problem is there is a lot to fit into this chapter.  I have story lines to finish, plot lines to clean up, and a murder to solve. 

This book has been a little different for me as I’ve worked it in bits and pieces with the crazy schedule I’ve had in the last month.  Normally when I work on a Wayfarer book I take two weeks and zip through the story. 

I have three people (my test readers) who are begging me for the next installment for this series.  I don’t know if they are going to like this one as I delved into different storylines but I’m sure they will tell me if they don’t.

On another task on my to do list, I got all the presents ready over the weekend (with the help of Ken) and brought them into the office.  It was a nice little thing for the people to get after the long weekend. 

Friday while I was down in Indiana with Vicki, I got my hair cut and donated 12″.  I now have short hair.  I don’t hate it.  I know that sounds odd but I’m so used to the long hair that going short is quite a change. 

We had fun at JoAnn Fabrics again.  All the yarn I bought was on sale.  Between coupons and sales, I paid half price (or less) for every item.  Vicki got a bunch of flannel super inexpensive.  It was a good couple of hours in the store.  Ken and Vicki went to Menards to look at a few things and both of them came out with goodies from there. 

Thanksgiving… a lot to be thankful for…

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

This Thanksgiving I have a lot to be thankful for.  My daughters are healthy.  Two of them are buying their first house.

The weekend went as planned to a point.  We drove to Vicki’s in Indiana on Wednesday night.  I was disappointed Virginia and Stephanie couldn’t get time off to come up but understand that between new job for Virginia and the new house they couldn’t make it.

Thursday was good with cooking, hanging out with Vicki, and checking in with the girls in Georgia.  Friday Vicki and I went to JoAnn’s for their sale.  The morning was fun with yarn shopping and fabric shopping for Vicki.  Ken sat in the car waiting as we shopped.  He is a very patient man – mostly.

We went to Menards next as they had some things on sale that Ken and Vicki wanted. I wrote in my journal and listened to music.

Friday evening my sister, Alicia called.  My mother suffered a stroke Friday morning.  It was mild and didn’t do a lot of damage.  Alicia was busy running errands in the morning but when she got home she noticed mom was a little off.  She took her to urgent care who then sent them to emergency and they did their thing and ended up sending mom to the hospital.  Fortunately this is all in one building.

It is hell being three states away when someone you love is suffering and you just want to go to her.  Normally I would be ten minutes from where she was being treated and could have gone to offer support.  I’m grateful that Alicia and my niece Cristina kept me up-to-date while we were so far away.

After many phone calls apprising me of the situation, we opted to cut our visit a little short and come home about six hours earlier than we had planned.  We got back to town and immediately went to gather with the family.

One of my sister’s gave me a run down of how mom was and what the occupational therapist had to say.  It was a relief to hear the information.  We opted not to go visit mom on Saturday night because there was a line of people who all visited her.  We were concerned about taxing her when she needed rest.  Other people were taking care of her, keeping her company.

Today we went over and spent a long time with her.  The doctor came in and the physical therapist came in while I was there.  They were very encouraging and positive about mom’s condition.

Tonight I’m grateful to my husband and my daughters who offered their support to me while I was stressed and worried about my mother.  While driving back from Indiana, Ken held my hand while I cried.  I kept flashing back to when my grandmother was in the hospital before she died.  We all lined up in the waiting room for our turn to visit with her.  The comfort of his hand in mine, the strength that he gave me with just holding my hand helped me push those memories away and deal with what was going on rather than the sad memories of losing my grandmother.

My daughters have listened to long conversations about the situation up here.  They have offered their love and support for which I’m very grateful.

Most important, I’m grateful that my mother is doing well and moving towards recovery.  I know she is determined and strong enough to come back from this.  I am glad the medical professionals took good care of her and are helping her recover.

End of the Week

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

This week and last were so busy at my day job.  Registration is a stressful and busy time of the year.  This year was of course no different.  By midday yesterday I was tired and ready for the weekend. 

Last night I worked on presents while I listened to an audio book.  The projects were simple and basic which was about all my brain could handle the last two nights.  I did get quite a bit done and am pleased with my progress. 

The yarn I ordered from Herrschners is nearly all used up.  I have eight skeins left I think.  I got some different yarn I’d not worked with before and enjoyed it very much. 

My weekend will include more crocheting as well as processing of a book.  I have one more book which I think is on it’s last edits that I want to get out.  I hope to get that done this weekend but only time will tell. 

I finally finished the short story I was working on and got that submitted.  Now I’ll have to see if I win.  I’m trying to put it out of my mind until they announce. 

Virginia has asked for the fourth book in the Wayfarer series for her birthday.  This would be okay if I actually had time to write.  I’d love to finish it.  I’m about 18,000 words into it and like where it’s going. 

Presents and writing those are my two activities for the most part for the weekend.  I’m hoping to destress from two weeks of registration.  Let go of some of the tension and just enjoy the crocheting and writing. 

Too Little Sleep, Too Much To Do

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Late night calls reduced the amount of sleep I got over the weekend but it was my girls so of course I took the calls.  This meant after a long day at work, I was tired and wanted nothing more than to go home to bed. 

I know myself well enough to know that if I go to bed at six at night, I’ll be up by midnight and grumpy the entire next day.  I opted to work on a gift and listen to a book. 

Sunday while I worked on projects, I watched Finding Your Roots, Person of Interest, NCIS LA, and Elementary.  Most of which I didn’t really enjoy.  The first three shows were good but Elementary was predictable – so not a Sherlock Holmes story.  By the time I was done catching up on shows, I was grumpy and annoyed.  I felt like I hadn’t made enough progress on crocheting and that watching the shows was mostly a waste of time.

This meant that last night I opted for the book.  I look at Cast in Peril and just couldn’t get into it.  It is very slow to start and I’m a little disappointed.  I swapped over to Vengeance in Death.  While I worked on a crochet project, again writing my own patter, I listened to the new book. 

My crochet project I started about six times.  First it was too narrow.  Second I wasn’t liking the yarn I had chosen.  Once I had the right yarn and the right width it was easy enough to snap pictures as I worked.  I got about halfway through and just wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep.  However, I finished it.  I like it enough that I’ll make it into a leaflet to sell the pattern. 

Tonight I have one more of a similar style project to work on and then I’ll see where I am with gifts.  I’m making progress in getting them done.  Once they are done, I’ll be able to go back to writing more at night. 

I’ve got a manuscript I need to do last edits on, create a cover for, and go through production.  I’ve got two manuscripts I’m partway through writing, I’d love to finish at least one of them.  The other I’m not sure is going to make the cut.  I need to finish writing it and pass it on to my testers.  It is a different genre than I normally write so I’m not sure it is good enough to publish. 

New Crochet Patterns

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting

Vicki has been encouraging me to put my crochet patterns up for sale.  It makes sense.  I make up the patterns and then I forget them.  This forces me to write them down and document them so when someone says they like something I can easily (I hope) create the item again.

Dish Towel with Hanger:
This is a good one.  I’ve made countless ones and get requests from certain people for more.  It is great to make for housewarming or wedding shower gifts. I’ve made these for most of my nieces and nephews who I hope are using them.  It takes a couple of hours and is fairly easy to create.

Woven Winter Scarf:
This turned out really well.  I’m very pleased with this one.  It is a gift and I hope the person doesn’t visit my blog to see it.  It’s made from worsted weight yarn so it is warm.  Additionally I made it with Wisconsin in mind so it is wider and longer.  That way when the arctic blast hits us, the person can wrap it around her face and try to stay warm and protected.

These are available on Smashwords and Amazon for only 99 cents.  I’ve also posted them on my web site if you want to take a closer look at them.

I’m working on three or four new patterns so there may be new patterns showing up soon – it just depends on how nice they turn out.

On another note, I started organizing all the gifts I have done and I’m about half done so that is a good thing.  I still have to do the wrapping which is never my strong suit.  I have them organized, it is just a matter of getting them done.

I also got a package from Herrschners on Friday.  It had such lovely things in it.  I’m looking forward to working with the yarn I got and seeing what sort of mischief I can cause with it.  Is there anything better than a bag full of yarn?  Probably but not to a crafting addict like me.