Procrastination and Sewing

Remember me being full of motivation and ideas for my fabric purchases? Well, if you don't...I don't blame you. I'm trying to get over the all talk, no action thing. The fabric sat on the day bed for a month (or two...) gathering dust while I mulled over what to do with it. I would look at it, feel guilty and then flake out on the computer. I'm sure none of you know what I am talking about with that one.

So today, I spent a considerable amount of time going through my various patterns, asking for advice from both my sweetie and my son...getting the fabric out, putting it back down, looking at my patterns again. Finally...I took a deep breath and made a decision. I hope its the right one. Seriously.

Here it is at present, pinned down, ready for cutting. It was a tight squeeze but doable.

Beautiful fabric, lets hope it washes well.

One view of fabric pinned down, ready for the chop

Another view, note things waiting to be pinned.
 

My biggest worry is how it will fit me. Silly things like: Will it fit me in the shoulders? Will it fit around the expansive hips? Will the buttonholes look crap? I always have issues with fabric that way. Wondering if I was careful enough with the cutting of pieces, doing my tucks and hems...making sure I match things correctly...oh you get the idea. The biggest challenge will be the button holes. I have never done them before on my sewing machine...my old one yes...this one no. Thankfully I have enough fabric to test first and get a feel for things. It should be an interesting process. A huge learning curve potentially. Wish me luck.

Knitting Therapy

I've been making a conscious effort to get more involved with my knitting. Last night, I finished the first sleeve of my cardigan so I have now completed the back, sides and one sleeve...which leaves one sleeve left, blocking and then the ribbing. I can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel.

The positive thing about knitting as it does require some of my attention so it stops me for fixating on crap like work issues, applications for Graduate School and future plans. I obviously still have to write a personal statement and that will happen in due course. The truth is I need a clear head and lately, work has been draining and I'm not in the right mind set for that this week. Next week will be different, no work and time to just focus on that. 

Of course, like most knitters, I'm already thinking about what I would like to do next when I complete this project. Last week, I went to Purl and Jane in Skipton and got this lovely pattern. 

From Purl and Jane, available on her website

 
Jane makes such wonderful patterns, so easy to follow and yet so beautiful. She is also incredibly helpful and very friendly! It requires 3 ply wool and I know I will have to do a tension square next. It leads to all sorts of problem solving for me as I tend to be a “loose knitter” and generally have to go down a size in needles. I don't really intend on knitting on much smaller needles than I already have and since its in children's size...I might have to experiment with that. The fun part will be deciding what wool I would like to use. Yup...first world problems.

Say it with me, just two more days of work then a whole week off. There, it doesn't sound that bad now, does it?

Moving Forward Inch by Inch

I made the mistake of returning to work last Monday when I still felt unwell. The days just dragged by with me feeling like I'd been dragged through a bush backwards and then had barbed wire pulled up through my throat. Not to mention the never ending feeling of overwhelming tiredness. I was beginning to think that recovery was just NOT going to happen.

Thankfully this week, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. The throat is only a little scratchy, the headache is still lingering a bit but that's mainly due to a long and noisy day at work and I no longer ache all over. Lesson learned. Next time, I get this brilliant idea of returning to work before I'm truly on the mend...hit me hard folks.

In the meantime, very little has happened. My concentration was shot to pieces...even watching television for any length of time proved difficult. But, on the plus, I somehow managed to look at some information with regards to Graduate School. Yes, I have made a decision to go onto Graduate School and do something else with my life. I can't begin the process until 1 of November but I got my references, bookmarked appropriate links and I'm ready to apply. Wish me luck...its going to be another change in my life.