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July 22, 2006
Looking Forward
Wow! My new life is really taking shape. I just signed on to teach beginning quilting classes at the soon-to-open, and oh-so-wonderfully-close, Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop. My only regret is that I won’t be around for opening day. We’ll still be vacationing in Presque Isle Wisconsin, a north woods paradise if ever there was one. Last year I just about finished an entire sweater.
Considering how many things I missed while I focused on this lovely – otters, bald eagles, hummingbirds – me thinks this year I need to give my projects a bit more thought. Mind you, I haven’t given the rest of our luggage the slightest consideration. With two boys, two dogs and an incredibly wonderful but minimalist husband, it usually falls on me to fill in the blank. Did we bring ______? By any chance do you have any ______? Where’s the ______, hurry! And I overdo. I do! In addition to my sewing machine, which I never used, and several Rubbermaid containers of fabrics, and alright I bought some yarn in Boulder Junction, I worked on one thing only, the sweater.
So I’m thinking knitting, only knitting. Only projects I can work on outdoors by the lake. And maybe the spinning wheel, on the dock. Now there’s a picture to look forward to.
In the meantime I rejoined NSQG Thursday, visited the Friday Night knit gathering at The Gifted Purl and on Monday, the Harlot is coming to town. Hallelujah!
You know, these days, the purse, she is parched. Way parched. But my spirit is so light I just can't stop smiling.
Posted by Jacqueline at 05:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)July 16, 2006
Making Do
One of the funnier misconceptions of fiber related obsessions is that it saves you money. If you're in the habit of buying $400 sweaters and $100 scarves and $25 socks, you might be right. Those prices do not include labor of course. And no I'm not kidding. Have I mentioned how much I love alpaca? And have you checked out the price of great sock yarn lately? How many of your budgets have dissolved at the sight of hand painted laceweight?
I thought so.
With sewing you have a bit more of chance. But even then. Trims, buttons, zippers, etc. oh blessed etc. Still the joy, the joy of being able to clothe yourself, is pretty damn awesome. It is especially awesome if your circumstances have become more modest.
When I traded in money for time, I was motivated by a great, no fierce, desire to live the life I've always wanted - now. For decades, my wishes started with the words, if I had more time.
If I had more time, I could make my own clothes. Clothes that fit me and my personality. Clothes that fit the roles I wanted to perform. No more heels, no more designer suits, no more makeup. I want to walk to town on a blistering hot summer day wearing sandles, a t-shirt and a breezy cotton draw string skirt.
Posted by Jacqueline at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (60)July 12, 2006
Making Beauty
I'm in graduate school now learning how to be a teacher. This past Saturday was good practice. Rachel and Emily came over for a sewing lesson. We went to a local fabric stop where the girls chose their own fabrics. They have a highly developed sense of color. I don't have a fraction of the fashion saavy these two have. Rachel's shirt is reversible, her idea, and Emily's mod mod fabric coordinated beautifully with her top. She also beaded the necklace she's wearing.
It's amazing how much work goes into these kinds of learning activities. And how incredibly fun! I have visions of setting up a little red school house in the backyard, where I would teach girls and boys to quilt and sew and knit and weave. Rachel was so blue when she left that I gave her my two knitted babes to keep hers company. Poor babes, they weren't getting much attention here.
There's something about kids that makes me want to give them my best self. And somehow knitting and quilting and reading, all the things I love to do, is part of that.
I hope I'm a good teacher. I really want to be.
Posted by Jacqueline at 08:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)