Category: Crochet and crafting

any items related to crocheting or crafting

It’s the Little Things

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Friday I asked my husband to help me with a couple of things this weekend.  He never said yes or no, because that’s how he is.  Saturday while I was chatting with my daughter and my sister, plans were made for me to go to craft shopping with my sister and mother.  It gave me two hours to get the prep done on the next set of projects I’m working on and get lunch.

Ken went in the craft room and started putting the suitcases away.  He didn’t come back out, I thought he was waiting for me while I was on the phone with our middle daughter.  I told her I had to go but she wanted to keep talking so I went in the craft room while on the phone with her.  Ken was sitting in one of the chairs in there waiting on me.  He had put away all the bins which had been out for the suitcases.  He had brought in the bins which I’d gotten from a friend.  He’d put all the books which had been on the table on the shelves for me to go through and he’d put the bags of left over projects in one place under the table.  My habit is to gather a few projects and work on them in the living room and the left overs – extra skeins or balls of yarn go in a bag.  When I’m done, I’ll take the bag back and put them away.  I’ve been so busy with making, I’ve not been putting them away.

On the table he had all the items I needed.  He spent a good half hour with me picking yarn, getting the projects organized, and carrying them all out to the living room for me.

Later in the day, he put my favorite lounge around the house jammies in the bathroom for me.  It was thoughtful and sweet.

Now today he did the grocery shopping.  When I came out to do the Ibotta and Checkout 51 stuff, he helped me get it organized.  While he was shopping he found a breakfast thing for me to try rather than going out every morning.

He’s been on the ball with all these little things.  He’s not so great at the big gestures but on a daily basis he does a lot of little things which make my life easier and better.  He’s thoughtful and sweet.  Now don’t get me wrong, there’s no one else who can annoy, frustrate and tick me off faster than my husband.  However, it’s all the small things he does which have kept us married for more than 35 years.

It’s the little things – if I’m going to be philosophical – that keep us going together.  It’s the holding hands, the help on the projects, and other little things which keep us appreciating and loving each other.

Next

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

With Ken gone, I had a couple days to myself at home.  I enjoyed the time on my own.  At one point I realized nothing had been said.  I was playing a game and cursed the game out loud.  It startled me which also made me laugh.

I’ve finished the projects for my sister and now I’m turning my attention to my own projects.  I have the student worker gifts done and now am prepping to make for the faculty.  This weekend I hope to gather the items and do any shopping I need to so I can settle into getting the items made.

At the same time, I need to finish an article and get it submitted.  I also have a crochet pattern which is going to be published which I need to make up again.  Once it’s made up, I’ll send it off to the publisher for pictures.  These are the three most urgent things on my radar.

I think the gifts will take me through most of November and then I’ll be going back to writing and crocheting in more balance I think.

I’m looking forward and thinking – it isn’t that long until we are in the holiday craziness.  My middle daughter is already talking about where we are going on Black Friday – i.e. which JoAnn’s store we will go to.

My day job will get busy – crazy busy – in November.  I’m hoping with the changes we’ve made it won’t be horrible.  Registration always is stressful with a heavy influx of emails.  I’m hoping for a lighter year as we’ve been steadily making improvements.

From now until the end of the year, I’m going to be busy both at my day job and at home working on projects.  I still have my two bigger projects I’ve been working on and I’m hoping to have those done before the end of the year as well.

Harvesting

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

It’s FALL!  I love fall!  The cooler temps, the changing weather and the harvest.  While driving over the weekend, I loved seeing the fields and farmers working hard to bring in their crops.  I know from growing up on the farm they are in a state of constant work – long hours, hard work, and worry over whether the crops will sell well.

Fall has always been about canning, freezing, and prepping food for the winter.  At this point in my life, we aren’t doing this as often.  In fact this year, we aren’t doing any canning at all.  I did get apples but we will probably eat them as apples rather than making applesauce or slicing to freeze.

This has made me wonder what I’m harvesting this year.  What have I done, created, and so on that I’m going to harvest.  There’s nothing in my life which has to be grown and harvested at a particular time.  I’ve published many things this year and still have a few to get out.

I’m in the middle of making holiday gifts.  I’ve been working on several for the past couple of weeks.  My sister asked me to work on some blankets for her – she has fleece which she wants a crocheted edging around.  I have one or two other things to finish which should be done tonight or tomorrow night.  I’ll move on to doing the crocheting for her before I work on my next group of projects.

My craft room is in chaos and in need of a good cleaning.  I’m hoping to get it organized again and move forward with all these projects.  If I get my sister’s stuff done, it gets two or three bags of things out of my craft room.  After that, I’ll be working on my own holiday gifts which will empty many things out of my closet.  Then it’s back to the skirt and afghan I’m working on.

I think for this year, this is my harvest.  Getting all these projects done before it’s too late is a good goal.  One I’m hoping will be accomplished.  On top of this harvest, I have several things which still need to be published and finished.  Now things have calmed down a little with my middle daughter, I’m hoping to spend my weekends working on projects and publishing.  However, I’m aware that the best laid plans…. generally don’t get accomplished because of life…

Surprise for Grandma

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Yesterday I took my mom and friend to Gays Mills.  The purpose was to get apples but there was an underlying purpose as well.  Vicki, my middle daughter, met us there.  We had a lovely day getting apples, having lunch, and chatting.

The fall colors this year are a bit muted.  Some trees are vibrant but mostly there are the muted greens and golds.  It was a lovely drive.  I hope everyone had a good time.

I came home with apples, cider, cookies, and salad dressing.  I got to spend time with a friend, my mom and my daughter.  It was a good day!

Today we’ve had a bit of excitement with our power going out for about an hour.  It went out and we heard a loud bang outside.  No idea what happened but we were without power.

I sat and crocheted after I notified the utility our power was out.  I saw on their web site that almost fifty people were without power so probably a transformer blew.  Now the power is back on and I’m at the computer for a little while.

Once I’m done with the computer, I’m going to work on holiday gifts.  I have a number of them done, a lot more to do, and some to do for someone else.  Next step for me, go to my craft room and gather up bags of the projects.

Back to Couponing and Crocheting and Publishing

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

Saturday afternoon I spent a chunk of time clipping coupons – for myself, my sister, and my daughters.  For the first time in nearly six weeks, I made a grocery list based on my apps and coupons.

Ken went grocery shopping early on Sunday as he usually does.  He overspent by a little but I knew he would because we haven’t really shopped while we’ve been helping our daughter move.  He used a bunch of coupons – saving over $32.  In apps, he saved over $5.

I meant to spend my Saturday working on publishing but by the time we were done with errands, I was wiped out.  I tried napping to get rid of a headache and get some energy back but spent the time talking on the phone with multiple people including some of my daughters.

Sunday I managed to get one book published – Draconian Peace.  Here’s a brief description of it:

Racial tension has destroyed the relationship between the Draconians and the humans, leaving thousands of mixed breeds disenfranchised.  Prejudice and suspicion mar the joining of Dewi Bradon, half and half, and Lord Lachlan Camdon until they learn to look passed their race and trust in each other.  As they begin to trust, changes ripple through society and expose rampant corruption and crime.

It’s available on Amazon and Smashwords for now.  It will get out to all the other options as time permits.  There is a paperback as well on Createspace.

I kept getting interrupted so only one item published.  I did work on a holiday gift and have it about three quarters done.  I’m pleased with the pattern and how it’s working out but it means I’ll have another pattern to publish.  I might submit it for publication first to see if I can get it in a magazine.

Chilling on the Weekend!

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Yesterday I met Vicki in Dubuque and we went to a craft store and shoe store before having lunch together.  We spent a bit of time chatting over lunch and in my car after lunch.  On the drive home, I talked to Virginia (when my phone wasn’t cutting out) for over an hour.  It was a good afternoon.

Last night, Ken had supper nearly ready when I got home.  We watched the last episode of Newsroom while we ate.  He went to bed and I watched How to Train Your Dragon while crocheting.  I got the first part of a holiday gift done!

One of the things I did yesterday was to pick out yarn for gifts.  I did this before I went craft shopping with Vicki so I wouldn’t buy things I didn’t need.  In picking the yarns, I got excited to work with the yarns.  The one I worked with last night was a strand of fleece – it literally looks like someone bought fleece material and cut it into thin strips.  It was a dream to work with and I finished the project late evening.

Today while Ken is watching football, I’ll be finishing up How to Train Your Dragon (it’s a series) and working on the next aspect of a holiday gift.  This means I get to pull out another exciting yarn and work with it.  Not only do I get to enjoy working with the yarn, I get to enjoy creating a pattern from scratch.  I love taking a strand of material (whatever kind) and creating something useful and pretty.

In case people don’t know, I’m a yarn geek.  I picked up yarn for a throw for another holiday gift.  I can’t wait to get my hands on it.  I’m already envisioning how it will work up and how it will feel.  Yup – yarn geek.

It was nice to be home for this weekend.  Yes I went to Dubuque but there was no pressure in that – it was go and enjoy my daughter.  It made me wish my other daughters were close enough we could meet up and do similar things.  Unfortunately, the best I can hope for there is a long weekend somewhere between Wisconsin and Georgia.

This morning, Ken helped me get breakfast and lunch for the week made up and in the fridge.  I’m going to work hard to remember in the mornings to pack my meals rather than buying them.  I’ve got fruits and veggies for snacks.  I’ve got soup for lunch two days and he’s making a pasta dish for the other days.  I’ve got a hashbrown combo for breakfast each day.  Now I need to follow through in order to not spend the money on fast food.

I’m off to put my feet up and crochet.  I am looking forward to the down time alone in my living room.  No moving stress, no must be somewhere, nothing be me, yarn, crochet hooks, and whatever I decide to watch on tv or listen to for an audio book.  Sounds like the perfect Sunday!!!

An Opportunity … but Not This Year

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting

Locally there is a vendor sale which I’ve been invited to participate in – one of the organizers has seen my crocheting and thinks I should sell my stuff.  I agree but I have nothing made up.

I’ve been struggling since I had to use a manual wheelchair because my arms bothered me when I crocheted.  They are starting to feel better but now I have several project to get done before the beginning of December.  My sister has several for me to work on and I have the gifts I give to get done.

I knew about this a year ago so I can’t complain about not having enough time.  However, I’ve been working on writing, editing, publishing, and crocheting for my own purposes.  I have a list on my phone of things I could make for the sale.  I have yarn stockpiled in my craft room.

Somehow I never got around to making the things.  There was always a project for someone to work on or writing or family stuff.  However, I’ve had one article published in a crochet magazine and will have another by the end of the year (hopefully) as well as a crochet pattern (hopefully).  So it would be nice to play with the yarn I have and create what I want.  It would be fun to play with the yarn and crocheting to see how I like the different techniques.

I’d love to see how my stuff sells but this year – I’m too crazy with things to do right now to consider having enough time to do it.  I’ll keep the list on my phone.  I will make an effort to make ahead for next year but you never know where my time will go and what I’ll get involved with.

Quiet and Calm Today?

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

Wedding present done!  Wedding was beautiful and fun.  Now today, I’m going to be a bum.  I have to go back to work tomorrow.  I’m feeling a bit worn out so today is a day of rest.

Tomorrow I have to call to find out more information on hitches.  Then I have to get quotes on receiver adapters in all likelihood.  I also have to check to see if the company I’m getting my scooter through has heard anything from the insurance company.

It will be an interesting week.  I’m getting through to the first week in August when I have a week off.  I’ve declared that a week for writing.  I’ve got a list of things I want to get done so I’m hoping for few interruptions and lots of accomplishments.

On top of the successes I’ve had in getting things accepted and published, I’ve also been getting rejections.  These are always difficult – part of me says, why don’t you like my stuff but I try to remember how publication works and let it go.  It’s when I get a lot in one day or week that it overwhelms a bit.

I’ve got two Goodreads giveaways going on right now.  One ends tomorrow and the other ends at the end of the month.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Collection of Four Scarves by Eileen Troemel

Collection of Four Scarves

by Eileen Troemel

Released March 09 2015
Giveaway ends in 1 day (July 18, 2016)
3 copies available, 380 people requesting

Enter Giveaway

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Defenders of the People by Eileen Troemel

Defenders of the People

by Eileen Troemel

Released September 17 2014
Giveaway ends in 15 days (July 31, 2016)
3 copies available, 86 people requesting

Enter Giveaway

On Smashwords, some of my books are on sale!  You should go check it out.  If you go to my page, you can look at my books to see which ones are on sale.  https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/kevvs229   It says on the right underneath where you add to the cart.  Some of my stuff is free and some is on sale.

I’m going to have a mellow day.  I’m sticking with jammies today and not thinking too much so it can be a mellow day.  I’ve been watching Madam Secretary which is pretty good.  I’m partway through the second season.

At the same time, I’ve got two stories in my head which need to come out so maybe some writing time.  It depends on my mood as I move forward with my day.  At this point, little effort sounds good but I can only do that for so long before my brain rebels.

Collection of Four Scarves – Goodreads Giveaway!

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

I’m a crochet nut.  It is one of my favorite relaxing things to do.  In the last year or so, I’ve combined my love of crocheting with my love of writing and have published a number of projects.  In one book – I’ve gathered up four patterns for scarves.  I’m giving away three copies of this on Goodreads!

If you’d like a chance to win one of these, follow the link below and sign up for one.  Good luck!!!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Collection of Four Scarves by Eileen Troemel

Collection of Four Scarves

BY EILEEN TROEMEL

Released March 09 2015
Giveaway ends in 30 days (July 18, 2016)
3 copies available, 101 people requesting

Enter Giveaway

Checked Off

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

Last night as I’m trying to go to sleep, all I can think about is the scenes which are coming up in my new novel.  In my head, I’ve mapped out the rest of the book.  It will be interesting to see if I follow what I mapped out or if my characters will derail me.

Today I’m hoping to work on the list of things I need to get done.  Ken did the grocery shopping and I did the rebates etc once I got up.  In coupons we saved over $12 and in rebates we saved over $5.

Once the coupons were done, I made fruit salad while Ken got lunch in the oven.  Vicki got me a new purse so I swapped out purses today.  Normally Vicki swaps my purses for me but I did it this time.  She’ll probably steal my purse next time and reorganize it.  But this was on my list.

I was able to get half the scarf done last night.  I’m hoping to finish it today when Ken and I watch Criminal Minds.  Then it’s a matter of taking pictures and sending them to the editor.  Then I cross my fingers and hope they want to include it in their issue.

This still leaves me a few smaller tasks.  As I was waking up this morning, I was thinking about the wedding gift I need to make.  I think I’ve figured out what, how many of each and possible design for each item.  I’m looking forward to creating these and hope I can get the materials prepped for the project today yet but time is my enemy.

From my list, I’ve managed to finish 13 items but still have 5 items on the list.  It’s already 11 in the morning so I don’t know if I’ll get them all done today.  However, I’ll keep working on them this week.  I’m trying to balance out writing with all of its deadlines with crafting which also has deadlines.