Finding Balance

I feel like I have written about this before and if I did, it was under different circumstances. I can't believe it's been three weeks since I have posted and honestly, I haven't even turned on my computer much in that time. The balance of my time is weighted heavily towards my job. There is some light, however, as I will be (finally) training someone to take over my old job duties. Yes, I have been doing the work of two people the past month.

Instead of feel completely frustrated though, I have been trying to look at this break as a good thing. There are days where I am crabby because I do nothing but work, sleep, and eat, but they have been few. I have been thinking about direction, listening to my heart about the things I want to do, as well as sketch and write out ideas when I can. The time will come when I can bring these ideas to life. Until then, I will continue to evaluate and edit.

The focus of my free time has been finishing my last project for Camp Loopy. The deadline to finish is Monday and I have under 20 long rows left to knit. It is doable but I will be relish the freedom to work on multiple things instead of be monogamous to a project. (It is a pride thing for me to finish, not that I am feeling pressure from anyone else. Also, a free skein of yarn as a bonus for finishing in time.)

I went to our local Fiber Fest a couple weeks ago. I put myself on a budget but found it wasn't really necessary. I bought a few things and looked at all the exhibits but was disappointed in it. I was hoping for more independent sellers and instead found more LYSs selling goods that I could buy anytime.

My haul is a skein of wool (purple/red skein), 100% alpaca (brown), corn fiber (white/blue), and a needle felting kit put together by a local artist I admire. I have projects lined up for these yarns already so they will not linger too long in my stash. The alpaca is a dream to touch and the corn fiber intrigues me. Both are produced locally.

Next weekend is my favorite of the year and one I look forward to weeks in advance: the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher's Reunion in Rollag, MN. (For my posts last year click here.) The feature this year is Farmall/International Harvester, which is what we own. Chad has been working on getting the tractor running so we can have it in the parade in addition to bringing it to the grounds to show.

I'm excited to spend a weekend with Chad surrounded by steam engines and "slow work". I will be bringing my camera to capture images as well as my sketchbook. The only thing that would make it better is if I could bring Jameson and Angus with. I am, however, planning on a few weekends this fall spent at various state parks. It's too hot and humid to have them out walking all day right now.

Speaking of next weekend, that reminds me that I still have work to share from my summer drawing class. I used images from last year as references for some pieces.

Aside from knitting I did manage to sew up a box pouch using Kaelin's tutorial, which I have had bookmarked ever since she posted it. It's the perfect size to fit my knitting notions and was very easy to put together.

How easy it was for a post intended to be about balance to turn into a random mish-mash of thoughts. I hope all is going well with you and yours and until next time, enjoy the ebb and flow of live.

xo

What I've Been Up To

Mostly working, but a little bit of creative output here and there. This is probably going to be the case until someone is hired and trained in to do my previous job duties so in the meantime, I am putting in at least 12 hours at day at work. Most days I don't even turn on my computer and I have to say that I miss the connections I have made here. I hope to get caught up with what you have been doing and will share some images of my makings over the past couple weeks.

I finished my Line Break shawl for Camp Loopy just in time. I still need to block this though and once I do that, I will write up a post on it.

I also started my third project for camp, the Orion's Belt shawl. It's slow going right now (the cast on was 300 stitches) but I have confidence I will make it. I am hoping to reach the half way point by the end of the weekend.

On the topic of knitting, when I popped into my LYS to check out the bamboo needles they had on clearence, this shawl pin jumped into my hands. I am in love and looking forward to the fall when I can put it to use outside of a photo shoot.

I treated myself to some yarn as a gift to myself for my promotion. Probably more than I needed to but I was feeling generous. I don't have a photo because it really is quite a lot and I don't have all of it yet. Also coming up next weekend is our local Fiber Fest and I am setting aside some money for purchases there. I will also be treating myself to some new fabric purchases with my next paycheck.

I finished up the needlebook for my secret partner in the RATZ swap. I haven't mailed it yet because getting to the post office was near impossible last week but it will go out Monday. I am probably going to make one of these for myself too as I love the combination of the owls with the gray print (which I think is from the Washi line if I remember right).

And finally, I received the needlebook from my swap partner. It came all the way from Ireland and is so perfect for me! I love the fabrics she used as well as the embroidery. The extras bits are great as well and I cannot wait to put this to constant use.

That about sums up my creative time. I may not post again until next weekend unless I somehow am able to work less this week. I hope everything is going well with you and will be checking in at your spaces soon!