Where Did February Go?

Even though there was an extra day this month, February blew by. And ending with a snowstorm in the Midwest. I have some really cool news that I'm waiting for the go-ahead to tell everyone. Something I can cross off my Bucket List. Lent is now on and I will be working it. Not necessarily a religious thing for me but a time of reflection, get back to eating healthy, get back to exercising on the regular, get old projects done, new projects started... basically, work on me.

The first two months of the year and new decade have been okay. A few downs but mostly ups and I'm feeling fine. Haven't been able to say that in awhile. Going out on the limb to try new things. Getting back to enjoying the process of creating. Realizing that some projects just won't see the light of day. And that's okay. I've got a cargo ship load of ideas. But so far, the year is on an even keel.

Kept up with my 29 Faces art challenge. Have one more face to do. Maybe. Previous years it's been 28 faces but this is Leap Year so I guess I'll do one more. For the heck of it.

I'm thinking about turning some of these into dolls. Working on a size and what to make them out of. Air dry clay, polymer clay... not sure just yet. And all are from the same basic face I started with. Not bad I'd say. The next 40+ days might be a challenge. My plan is to complete 20 pieces of work. We'll see how that goes. Stay tuned.

Still February

Working hard to get back in the groove of blogging. It's a way to get my feelings, ideas, and dreams out of my head and into the world. I think I will attempt a post every Monday. See how that goes. Waiting to hear back on a job but if nothing happens by March 1, the search will commence. Starting to look for another place to stay. That's so difficult when what you get paid, doesn't afford a one bedroom apartment in a decent area. Praying that my truck stays well for another year. It turned 20 almost two years ago and has over 220 + thousand miles. Love that truck. Praying that my laptop keeps working for another year. He's old and cannot take any new programs. Old programs are having a hard time updating and some have stopped.

I am not a patient person. I'm working on that. Now that I know what I want to do with myself, it is sometimes hard to just keep working on what makes me happy and feel content. It's been a struggle to get back to being creative after my knee surgery and all it entailed the end of last year.

I am back to working on dolls that were started some time ago. I have a doll show in April I would like to attend. I have new ideas for dolls, if I can just stay out of my way and play. Play with new materials and just see what happens. I have several ideas for big projects too. I have started learning new things such as weaving on a pin loom, and working on embroidery and applique.

Still working on the 29 Faces art challenge for the month.

Doll skirts for some dolls that have been sitting around forever.

A pin loom I got myself for Christmas. I have a project in mind for the weaving but needed to know how this thing worked. So fat so good. I practiced with yarn I had on hand and now I need to find what I think will really work for what I want to do.

My first woven pieces. The top are the latest ones. From left to right: The two lilac ones are worsted yarn. The pink, red, and dark purple are cotton. Bottom row were the first ones I made. From left to right: The two dark red and blue are 100% wool and the green ones are a wool, silk, and alpaca blend. I can also say I've started Christmas gifts.

I also did a thing last month that I can't talk about right now but it's exciting, and as soon as I can tell you about it, I will. Have a great week.

February 2020

Yes, it's been awhile since my last post. Working on finding some kind of balance in this one life I have has been daunting to say the least. Anyway, lots on the table this year. This decade. My knee is getting better from surgery last year. I'm back at the job and I'm looking for a new one. Which is another job. Wish me luck. Working on more exercising and eating better. That will work out when Lent comes. I will be able to focus on what I put in my body. I have finished up some projects and still working on others from last year. The last decade was full of heartache, turmoil, and frustration. So here's to the new decade and year.

So far:

• Submitted two short stories for possible online publication
• Finally tacked down the binding of my Double Irish Chain quilt that I started in 2016
• I've been doing little sketches on a regular basis, will turn some into better drawings
• I've been writing on a regular basis, working on editing a pile of stories
• Got a pin loom and I'm learning how to weave on it. I have other plans for the finished pieces. Don't know if it will work or not for what I have in mind but I've got to start somewhere
• Learning more ways to applique and embroider, also for future projects
• Participating in the art challenge 29 Faces for the month of February

From last year been working on some Frida Kahlo dolls.

Also from last year, Christmas ornaments for co-workers.

I bought myself a Wattle & Loop (out of Australia) embroidery/applique kit. I have lots of ideas but wanted to see their process.

Yes, it's the Year of the Rat. These two were commissioned after I drew and showed one for the front page of my Bullet Journal for January.

The mending of my favorite pair of pants that I've had since forever. Like almost 30 years. Cotton twill and they don't make pants like this anymore. Mending the holes, then covering them with hexies. I will stitch hexies all over the pants. I'm also going to work on one of my favorite sweaters that has seen better days. Going to try not to buy more clothes but get back to making my own.

First four of my 29 Faces.

And my Double Irish Chain quilt.

I have missed blogging. If only to keep my wits about myself. I don't know if anyone will read this. Or if they get anything useful out of this but I will keep going. Life is truly a journey if not a very wacky trip. Have a good rest of the week.

Now it's November

Yes sirree, it's November. Second to the last month of the year. What happened? Don't know but I'm still hanging around. Still working on getting the knee better. Back to working on a limited basis because of said knee. Had a wonderful fall this year, so there's that. Beautiful colors, walking in the neighborhood on clear mornings where the air is crisp and clean. Sometimes walking in the early morning fog, and crunching leaves underfoot. I can't remember the last time I had an actual fall that lasted more than two days. It did snow Halloween night and I did work but that's okay.

The snow didn't stay long but I guess this next season is here. The temperatures haven't been getting any higher than high 40s and in the morning it's been quite chilly. I started my 365 Days of Halloween by doing small drawings on a calendar. Not the greatest but I did it everyday. I may take some of the drawings and do more detailed ones.

There won't be a big Christmas this year. There usually isn't. My niece will get doll clothes. And there are a few things for my mom. Will be working on saving money for a big trip in the near future. But for now, I'm working on projects already started and participating in NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month. 50,000 words during the month of November. I didn't finish last year but I'm planning on finishing this year. So far I have 2631 words written. That's my update. Have a great day.

October

October is zooming by and not going according to plan. I am working on dealing with it. Still getting the knee better, back to work on a limited basis, and trying to get back to creating things. Anything on the regular. It's been hard but I tell myself it's only been about two months since my surgery and to cut myself some slack. Working on it. But it has turned out to be a wonderful fall. Cool temps, gusting winds, rain, colorful leaves... it's been a true fall. Going for walks and crunching leaves; I can't remember the last time that happened.

The colors have been great. I'm enjoying everything and filing it in my head and I think I will have to get some of these pics printed off. Now if we can have a decent Halloween night. No rain or snow or freezing temps. That would be perfect.

Below are some more Frida dolls finally painted and ready for clothes. I guess I should take another pic because their faces are done. I will be painting other dolls today. I have been doing tiny sketches on a calendar all month long and will show those soon. At least I'll get 31 days of Halloween.

It' Fall Y'all!

The knee is getting better and I was able to take a longer walk this morning. Boy was it nice and brisk. The wind slightly blowing, the sun was out, there was the crunching of leaves underfoot. I even had my new gloves on. And I got some pretty pics.

My little niece in North Carolina, well, she's not that little anymore but she's way into dolls right now and I am so very happy about that. She has an 18" doll in need of a wardrobe. So I borrowed one from my mom as a model and I got her cleaned up, her hair washed and a little trim. I also repaired her backside. Now she's ready for some clothes. I think I will make an old-fashioned Halloween outfit. That's about all I have time for but there's still Christmas coming up and more clothes.

I was also able to get some Halloween stamps. Yes, I still do snail mail and I'm so excited I was able to get some. When I got there, to the Post Office, I was told I was the fourth person to ask for them. This was a little after opening. Who knew there were other loonies like me out there? I was shocked that the PO put them out so late but that's okay. Usually they are sold out by the time I get stamps.

Last week wasn't the greatest with getting a single project done. But the new week starts today. I've got my list and I'm ready. I've got to be especially since I'm back on limited time at the job. And the holidays are coming up. Until next time, take care of yourselves.

The Best Laid Plans...

Yes, indeed. The best laid plans don't always get you laid the way you planned. Love that quote. Can't remember the lady's name who said it. But that seems to be the way life goes. Anyhoo...

October, my favorite month is well underway. My creativity is inching along. Last week was spent going back and forth to my mom's. She fell again, and I went with her to her doctor. A few X-rays later and nothing is broken. Thanks goodness. I made a big pot of veggie soup for her so she wouldn't have to stand a cook. Went and picked up some breakfast things for her to eat when she gets up. Yep, she wasn't eating in the morning while she took her medication. Which made her dizzy and why she fell. Ugh! Two doctors got on her case. Thank you doctors. Did six loads of her laundry and we continued to clear out stuff in the house. Two more trash bags.

Today I'm feeling pretty good. Got my exercise in and even went for a walk. A little farther than the previous walk. It was a beautiful morning, a small wind, brisk temps, the sun shining, just great. I will have to pull out my gloves for the next walk. I got in and did a small drawing for National Octopus Day. October 8th, get it?

I also was able to finally, finally finish a doll. My first Frida Kahlo doll. I couldn't believe it. It's been so long since I completed a project.

And I started some larger hexies to mend my favorite pair of pants that I've had for 20 years. I love those pants and they don't make them like that anymore. I was going to just patch them but I don't like store bought patches, they don't always stay put. Then I saw on Facebook where they were talking about mending items of clothing. So that's what I will do. Mend my pants and stitch on lots of hexies to make my pants fancy. Maybe I'll get another couple of years wear out of them.

I'll be making some green ones today. The pants are a khaki green color. That's my update. Yes, still a little behind but I'm feeling so much better and I'm going to just ride with it.