Tag: crochet

Craft Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting

Tonight I’m running away from home.  Okay I’m driving to my middle daughter’s apartment and spending the next four days with her.  My task – take all the yarn with me she has claimed, organize what she wants done with it and start getting some of the stuff done. 

This weekend we plan to watch movies – like the Jane Austin movies – and work on crocheting for me and knitting for her.  I’m looking forward to it.  Ken has opted out of the crafting weekend.  He didn’t seem overly interested in hanging out while we watched these movies or while we crafted. 

I think my gout has backed off enough I’ll be able to make the drive.  I may have to take things easy tomorrow but I’m hoping no ill effects from the trip. 

My schedule is crazy busy over the next few weeks.  I have a bridal shower and wedding reception to go to for my niece.  The girls are all coming home for the reception.  This will be WONDERFUL!!!  I can’t wait to have them all in my house for a few days.

I have three books I want to publish which will be a weekend of work at the computer desk in my office and then planning and plotting how I’m going to promote each of them. 

It is going to be hectic and crazy but wonderful.  I can’t wait.  I made gifts for my niece and I hope she will like them.  I’m pretty sure she will. 

Once I’m back from the middle daughter’s I’ll be turning my attention to my oldest daughter’s afghan that I promised her.  I would like to have it done before she visits or at the very least before we go visit her later this year.  It will be my focus.  I also have to schedule time with a friend to whom I promised a gift.

Plus I’ve got two novels I’m working on.  I’m going to have to schedule my time.  Once I’m back I think I’ll spend a week (provided writing doesn’t insist on being done) listening to books and crocheting.  Hopefully that will get me through a chunk of the afghan.  Then I’ll be able to determine how much time the afghan will take me. 

More Crochet Patterns Published

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing
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Lacy Length, Light and Lacy, Fiesta Throw and Drunken Doubles are all individual crochet patterns I created and published yesterday.  To create a hard copy, I put Woven Winter Scarf with Drunken Doubles, Lacy Length, and Light and Lacy to create Collection of Four Scarves.

There are links to all of them on my website:  http://eileentroemel.weebly.com/publications.html

The collection is available in hardcopy on Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Collection-Four-Scarves-Eileen-Troemel/dp/1505410495/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1426554574&sr=8-6&keywords=eileen+troemel
Light and Lacy and Lacy Length were made for my daughters in Georgia.  They are made from baby yarn which is light weight so the girls can wear them on their cooler days and still get use of them in the warmer climates.



Drunken Doubles – love this name – was made from Caron Simply Soft yarn which is one of my absolute favorites.  I ADORE the yarn, it is always good quality and great color combos.  The pattern was fun and easy to work up.  The simplicity of the pattern allowed the pattern of the yarn to come through and be amazing.

Fiesta throw was made for one of my student workers as a graduation gift.  Her face on seeing it was worth every second of the time I put into it.  She loved it.  It is fun with bright fun colors.  It is a throw to flip over you on the chilly spring nights.

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Booooring!

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Last Sunday I came down with the flu.  It knocked me on my bum for a few days before I went back to work.  Wednesday I went to work and came home feeling wrung out.  My normal schedule is busy.  I work my day job and come home and do either crocheting while listening to audio books or writing.  This last week I’ve done nothing.

Ken goes to bed early, normally I pick up something and work on it.  This week, I’ve done nothing more than watch HGTV.  Now I’ve enjoyed Property Brothers and Income Property and a couple of other shows.  Last night I realized how bored I was just sitting in my recliner and watching tv.  Friday night I called different people to chat but they were busy.  I realized the reason I was reaching out was because I’d accomplished NOTHING all week.

Yesterday was a busy day with grocery shopping and taxes.  It was a frustrating day working on taxes but they are done and hopefully I won’t have to think about them for another year.  Ken and I were wiped out after doing our taxes.  We watched Babylon 5 and the new Librarians show.  Both were enjoyable but by the time he went to bed I was restless.

This morning my plan was to get up and hit the computer with production of a short story.  Unfortunately, I woke up with a leg that decided it wanted to be cranky.  I’ve spent the last hour and half checking emails, playing on pinterest, and now writing this blog.  In that time, the Tylenol has had a chance to go to work and ease some of the issues I was having.  I’ll be hitting the other computer to work on production today.

I’ve got a long list of things I want to get done today – production of short story, three manuscripts to edit, crocheting to do, and more.  I know I won’t get through all of it but I will make a start on it.

It hasn’t been a completely unproductive week.  I upgraded my cell phone to a smart phone and this week I’ve gotten to know something of what the thing can do – I like some of it and most of it I don’t care about.  I’ve rested and recuperated which I obviously needed.  Now though my brain is crying out for more to do than watch tv.  It’s time for progress to be made on other things than the recovery from the flu.

A Return to Normal?

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

I hesitate to use the word normal because I don’t consider myself normal but I guess I could qualify it as normal for me.

This week has been busy with work and writing.  I’m neck deep in a manuscript (Wayfarer 7) and working towards finishing it.  I’m also attempting to get some editing done which thinking of all the aspects of all the novels related to whatever I’m editing.  Since one is a prequel to Wayfarer, this means I have to keep in mind all the things that have happened in the books since and how they relate to the prequel.  I’ve also got a murder mystery novel to edit and the first edits (search and replace) for the sixth Wayfarer novel. 

Edits inevitably lead to the need for a cover.  I have the prequel one done and will be doing an event to share the cover.  I worked with TJ Jahns to get the cover going on the murder mystery.  I’m hoping she will come back with a cover for me to use.  It still leaves me with a cover to make for Wayfarer 6 which I still don’t have a title for yet but I’m working on it.  I have one in my head, I just have to think it over and decide if I like it.

I started one of the crochet projects I need to get done.  I’ve got the new JD Robb book Obsession in Death to listen to so I may take a break (once I’m done with 7) and listen to that while I work on the crochet project. 

This weekend I’m working on taxes for people and helping my uncle with some paperwork.  It promises to be busy and possibly frustrating.  I was going to work on my own taxes but then I got notified that two or three of the forms I got were wrong.  I believe I will get the corrected forms next week – I hope so at least.

To do list – marketing of Wayfarer (on sale)
                   finish writing Wayfarer 7
                   Editing three manuscripts
                   Crochet gifts – student workers, wedding, baby, Virginia’s afghan
                   Read new JD Robb
                   Taxes for people and paperwork for my uncle.

These are just the things I need to do by Saturday or Sunday.  I hope I can get them all done.  Ken’s back home so I’m less productive though he is very understanding and gives me lots of time and space to do what I need to.  Still I sort of like spending time with my husband.  Seems like if he’s around and in the house, I could maybe spend some time with him. 

Oh and I have season 5 of Downton Abbey.  I wanted to watch it this next weekend but I don’t think that’s going to happen.  If I get all of my to do list done maybe I can do it next weekend.  I can work on crocheting while I watch. 

Craft Focused Day

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

After meeting my mom and sister to get our paperwork signed and notarized, I contacted my niece.  While waiting on her to arrive, I worked on all sorts of writing administrative things.  I got a lot done and then she showed up.

We played in my craft room for a little bit before we wandered off to Michaels.  I enjoyed – very much enjoyed – our time shopping at Michaels and the other stores.  Both of us needed stuff from Staples.  Since it’s two doors down from Michaels we hit there first and then Michaels.

I love sales.  I love yarn sales and I love wandering up and down aisles and touching different yarn.  I didn’t buy a single full priced item at Michaels.  It was all sale items.  I found pretty yarn both crochet cotton and regular yarn.  I filled in colors for my crochet cotton I didn’t have and even found some blues to make Stephanie happy for the items she requested.

  
We found good stuff for an afghan for my niece.  Her old one fell apart (it’s only about 20 years old) so rather than fixing it, I’ll be making her a new one.  Don’t worry people who are in line ahead of her – she isn’t butting in line.

While at Michaels we wandered the bead aisle so my niece could get some beads for some of her projects.  I’m hoping this means I will get the stuff she promised to make me.  It is always fun to wander through the bead aisles.  I like beads, I just don’t have a lot of skills when it comes to making the jewelry.

JoAnns was our next stop.  We wandered around quite a bit.  I actually didn’t spend a lot there.  Got a small package of yarn and a single skein.  My niece however spent a lot more there and got lots of goodies.

Picking up lunch, we came back and chatted the afternoon away.  After she left and Ken went to bed, I worked on daisies for the girls in Georgia.  Virginia requested purple and gray.  I was tired after all the shopping but I still tackled some more of her daisies.  I listened to Witness in Death and started working.  I was tired to begin with and after two I just wanted to go to sleep but I stuck with it and got the last six done for her.  Now I have to move on to Stephanie’s color choices.  I have a list and will be tackling them today.

Ken and I are watching Justified, since there is no football he plans to watch today, we may finish off season 5 and switch to Babylon 5.  At least that is my hope.  While we do that, I will work on the daisies for Stephanie.  I also have two infinity scarves to make so if I get bored with daisies, I can switch over and see what I come up with for the infinity scarves.

It was a good day yesterday.  I enjoyed the time with my niece.  I enjoyed making the daisies and listening to an audio book.  Today will hopefully be as productive and as enjoyable.

Bad Book

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

I barrelled through the bad book.  It’s done.  I’m annoyed and will never read the author again.  I posted a review on Goodreads and Amazon.  When I was on Amazon, I discovered she’s continued to write in that same town but with new characters. 

I read some of the reviews of the first one and it reaffirmed my belief that I wouldn’t be reading her again.  She took a character from the last book – the bad book – who stood by while the main character was raped and tortured and made him into the love interest in the new book.  How is he supposed to be romantic and loving? 

At the end of the last book, she put in a bit about how it was the brother of one of the sister’s love interest.  He said his brother was undercover.  The whole spiel was you do things that are wrong while you’re undercover.  Can you just imagine the meeting – hey bodyguard, you stood by while I was raped and torture but come have Sunday dinner with your brother, sister-in-law and the rest of our family.  I don’t think so.

Of course, realism was not anywhere near this book with the rape victim having sex, lots of sex, within a few days of being rescued.  Of all the things in this book, that is what bugged me the most.  There’s just no way, no matter how much healing – magical or otherwise – that a woman would be ready in that short of time. 

It’s behind me now.  I’ll stop complaining – maybe.  I won’t be reading anymore of the author.  I’m going back to JD Robb tonight.  I’m going to try to finish the scarf and the book I’m listening to.  I’m going to work out a schedule for all the things I want to get done including the writing.  I also want to look at yarn to see what I will need to buy (there’s always room for more yarn – it’s squishy!)

Sleep, blessed sleep

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

Sleep was the order of the day yesterday.  I dozed until after 11 in the morning.  I worked on the computer for a short period of time updating the checkbook and such.  We had lunch (or breakfast for me) and watched West Wing.

He put up the Christmas tree while we watched.  I meant to crochet but I didn’t.  After the tree was up he did other things and I napped.  With supper, we watched Diners, Driveins, and Dives and then West Wing again.

He went to bed and I thought about going to bed.  Instead I worked on editing a manuscript.  Once I started editing, the night slipped away from me.  Still I made it to bed before midnight.  Apparently I needed sleep yesterday but not today.  I woke up early this morning and am up, showered, dressed, and ready to face the day all by 8:00 am (or 8:20 as it is right now).

Ken’s wrapping gifts and I’m going to crochet today I think.  I have a few things I want to get done but we will see.  I’ve not written in a week it may be time for my brain to kick back into gear and work on writing.  I edited the fourth and fifth books of the Wayfarer series over the last few days.  They aren’t done.  I need to swipe through them again once I get the edits in the computer.

Before his game starts, I may see if he wants to watch Babylon 5 or West Wing but if he doesn’t I might just decide to make it a writing day.  I’m feeling ambivalent about it which could be good or bad for the writing.  I could open the file and the words could just flow or I could putz around and not accomplish anything.  I’ll have to see how the morning goes.

If I’m not knee deep in writing, this afternoon while he watches football I’ll work on getting the edits on the computer.  After that it is a matter of getting all the pieces together.  Wayfarer Negotiator and Wayfarer Wedding are the next two in the series.  I have the cover for the one but need other pieces in order to publish.

As much as I slept yesterday, I wouldn’t mind a nap at some point today but I’ll have to see how the day goes and how involved I get with what I’m doing.

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!

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.

Falling in Love – again – With Crochet

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting

Crocheting is amazing and beautiful.  I love it when I set out with a plan and it works out.  I’m working on a project (gift for a student worker) and I don’t have a pattern.  It is coming from somewhere in my odd little brain. 

After several false starts, I got a pattern worked out that I liked.  This is going to be a two-step project but I had the colors on hand for the project and I am loving how it is turning out.  Granted I’m done with the first step and I’m pleased with the initial results.  Now hopefully the rest goes as smoothly and as easily.  I’m going to try a couple of different techniques to see how I feel about the look of it. 

I’m using Herrschners Worsted 8 that I got this year for my birthday.  The yarn has a beautiful texture.  It’s soft and warm.  Additionally the colors are vibrant and striking. 

Since I’ve been writing so much, I’ve not had yarn in my hands.  It has been good to feel the yarn slide through my fingers as I crochet.  The indentation on my index finger is back as well.  I wrap the yarn around that finger.  I never notice the indentation being made but I’ll look at my hand and there it is. 

While I crochet, I’ve been listening to audio books.  This is a matter of killing two birds with one stone – or more to the point getting two things done in the space of the same amount of time.  I can listen to a book for hours while I make gifts.  The audio book allows me to get lost in the story while I’m crafting.  I can keep my eyes on my work while I listen.  I love it.