Crafty Room

Got the grocery shopping done today, it took just over 3 hours to accomplish. There has to be a better way than using an 8 x 10 magnifying glass, a list with inch tall letters, and saying a lot of bad words every time something is either moved or changes it's packaging. At least it's finished.

Quiet this evening. I am somewhat preoccupied.

I was using the knitting loom for the first time and realized I had not really made anything after going through a skein of yarn. Do I tie it off and call it good? Undo it, and start a knitting project for real? Perhaps start another skein of yarn and see what turns out. It's all a learning curve, right?

Hoping to get the trike out tomorrow if the weather cooperates. I need some fresh air, and a change of pace. It will let me have time to think about how I want to make the 7 lace purses without distractions, or the urge to go to the hobby room and start putting them together before working them out in my head. I have to picture it finished before I begin on this project. 10 beautiful pieces of handmade lace, each becoming a unique purse. 3 are finished except for a bit of trim, the others are waiting for the creative juices to flow. 2 will be for little girls, one for a teen, the rest for women. It challenges me to picture each one and then to backtrack through the steps it takes to make each look like the vision in my head. Luckily, I'm stocked with everything that could possibly be needed to create them. Making purses is something I'm truly enjoying. These are different than the simple sewn or crocheted purses I made over 30 years ago. I have books full of patterns, but I tend to look through them, and then just think about the fabrics and trims on hand. After that I just make what comes to me. I never have used a pattern for purse making, just let them make themselves with my hands helping to bring each one into being until they match what's in my thoughts.

The way the hobby room ( heck, I guess that's what I'll call it for now) is set up makes creating easy. There are places for all sorts of entertainment. My teeny, tiny sewing machine, a $29 shark, is set up in front of an east window. Perfect spot, I'll never touch it earlier than afternoon, the sunlight won't be an issue. Cubbies with pretty baskets hold craft materials. Others hold books, music, photos, a record player, tons of binders of info for downloaded classes, and plants. The begonias have hogged the north window and are growing large. Huge palms fill the east window on the table just past the sewing machine. The computer has its own corner, note to self, need a comfy chair. An antique settee has a place of honor. Grandma never let anyone sit on it. Since she gave it to me 14 years ago it has been used and enjoyed. The wood carvings are so lovely to touch and admire, the back and seat are perfect to sink into and stay with a book and a cup of tea for hours at a time. There are paintings and prints on all of the walls. Also Cirque de Soleil tickets thumb tacked to the wall by the computer. An antique prayer kneeler holds hats waiting to be redecorated. It's a lovely room and, while not large, is more than large enough to enjoy a number of things without feeling crowded. I like it a lot.

Enough, I'm headed to bed.