It’s coming along! Playing with ideas. I haven’t tied it off yet and it’s not sewn, but this is the frame I think I’ll use. Still need to line it. I have a slate blue velvet for that.
You can read more about this purse here: https://aberrantcrochet.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/beaded-flapper-purse-in-silk/.
You can read more about my other silk purse in rust here: https://aberrantcrochet.wordpress.com/2010/12/27/my-next-flapper-purse-in-silk/
Filed under Artist Information & Notes
I regularly talk about how we need little successes in life. I believe it. And yet sometimes when things get really intense for me, I find myself guilty of ignoring those little successes, not taking the time to acknowledge them as I should and their importance to me, to my family, to my causes. Sometimes I can get so focused on the end goal that I do not always let myself celebrate the micro-moments. You’ve heard me talk about these before, and how those little successes are blessings. But I’ve been guilty of missing them too. And if I’m to practice gratitude, it means I need to be grateful for everything. I’m ashamed to say I’m not always. And of late, it’s been my family who has had to deal with it.
It was spring break last week and we had two narrow misses with my kids and the ER. True blessings. But admittedly, when the plumbing decided to go too, and during our efforts to fix it I ended up sprayed with raw sewage, I could not think of anything but the fact that the week was turning out awful. And my mind was focused on the resulting failure to hit the marks I had planned for the week or catch up on the things I needed to. Everything was wrong.
However, the week wasn’t truly awful. In spite of work plans and goals not being reached during this break, a lot of (albeit unplanned) good things happened. Still, for a while I was pretty much only conscious of the excrement that had uprooted everything, and the final physical reality of it punctuated the feelings that had been growing all week. That nothing was going right and everything had gone to ____. It wasn’t true.
The plumbing is fixed now, the fridge has been replaced, my son didn’t lose an eye and my daughter didn’t have appendicitis. Oh, and on the appendicitis after all the tests – it was merely something harmless that 10 years ago they didn’t have the technology to see. And thank goodness for modern medicine not being 10 years behind, because the doc said otherwise they would have taken her appendix.
Wow.
As I look ahead to the damage control I see on my plate as a result of the schedule going haywire, these are blessings staring at me that I need to stop, embrace and celebrate – even though my tendency in the moment is to try to ignore the stress and stay focused on what did not get done, what I did not accomplish and how to try to rectify it.
I handled three major crises, which all resolved into blessed outcomes. The week wasn’t one of failure; it was one of success. I need to take time to be more grateful and celebrate that.
Thanks for the reminder.
(written a week ago, just uploaded now thanks to computer twitches…. sigh, such is life…)
Filed under Editorial, Friends and Family
Anyone who knows me, knows I have 20+ unfinished crochet projects going at a time. And that’s just the crochet.
What you see photographed here is a pattern I’m working on for St. Patty’s Day. I actually started it last year during some of my language studies (hobby), but didn’t finish it in time and set it aside. I’ve rotated through several types of crochet to get this far on this pattern. A hybrid fair isle approach is what I’m trying out now, with a right and a wrong side.
I think when I release the chart, I’ll release it as two types. One for a simple chart approach, one for a more detailed and complicated approach.
When it is complete, it will read “Ireland” in Ogham, an ancient (and educated) bardic language with much of its roots in Ireland. Only the initiated of the bards could read it. Stay tuned for more about this one!
Filed under Artist Information & Notes
Sometimes You’ve Got to Say NO
I lead a rather busy life. Seems I’m one of those people. The ones who wear a sign that says – “Ask Julia,” or “Follow me.” And people do, for all kinds of things. The old saying, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it,” certainly applies. The thing is, it catches up to you after awhile. And if you’re like me, then what I’m analyzing could probably apply for you too.
Being able to say no graciously is a very important skill to me, on a personal as well as professional level. It’s the heart of successful delegation and mediation. And as near and dear to my heart as mediation and communication is, I still struggle to say no to someone really in need. Since I’m known for organizational skills, charity work and friendly information, I receive a lot of requests. However, there’s only so much I can personally take on.
I am passionate, but not infinite. And I feel people’s desperation and disappointment deeply.
"Talk to the Hand" Crochet Cabled -Evergreen Gloves- designed by Kim Driggs of Maru Designs. Click the photo above to purchase this pattern on Kim's website.
To help me strengthen my communication skills to be able to gracefully and compassionately say no and yet not leave someone feeling devalued or neglected, I’ve ramped up my studies on a variety of communication skills. This is as much for my benefit as for others, as I also seek solutions to still help, without “helping,” if you get what I mean.
Along the lines of how to say NO, I’ve been listening to the audio book, “The Power of a Positive No: Save the Deal, Save the Relationship and Still Say No,” by William Ury.
Mr. Ury’s method is essentially what I was striving to learn better on my own. He takes you through a variety of scenarios from parenthood and divorce to hostage negotiations and international relations and promotes a framework of a clean and simple Yes-No-Yes framework. Yes to your foundational needs, no to the request, yes to the person (not the action) or another way. It is simple in nature, though there’s more to applying the principles in a variety of ways. The fact that this book presents so many scenarios of applying these principles is really helpful. I do recommend Mr. Ury’s book as an effective communications resource.
What If “No” Isn’t Really The Answer You Seek… What If It’s Cloning?
My business coach is having me lay out all the things that I am involved with, as well as those I could be involved with (including those things that I am contacted for and asked to be a part of and haven’t made a decision on yet). I am to prioritize and allocate hours a day or week that they require. And I’m finding it helpful to take that to the extreme of allowing for every single activity, no matter how small – even brushing my teeth. We take things like that for granted at times, but it requires part of our schedule. To truly see how much time you are spending and where, you’ve got to get to all the details. Not too unlike analyzing a financial budget, this is analyzing a time budget. Time is the one non-renewable commodity we really have. We are all equally allotted the same amount of it each day and once spent, it is gone. Spending it wisely is truly important.
My findings so far? Ummm…. Let’s just say I’m living on the wrong planet for all of it to truly work, even if I didn’t have a family. So I’m in the process of sorting through.
This exercise is helping me to prioritize and say “no” where I need to. But I’ve found it’s doing something more. It’s also helping me define what’s important to me, but instead of hanging on to it or letting it completely go, what I’d like to delegate to an enthusiastic colleague instead. And if needed, in a sense, I’m in the process of training others to replace me, so the gap for a need will be filled (making it less likely I’ll be sucked back in). This is in part due to requests from others who will say things like, “Do you have a clone? I don’t know anyone else like you,” when I do have to turn them down.
Similarly, I recently met someone moving to my area who is an old hat at social and online marketing since before it’s beginning. He’s also taking the time to train others to have them then turn around and take on a whole segment of his business needs – so he can then become their client! That, I think, is brilliant. Talk about being the solution you seek.
When people turn to and rely on you because you have the vision or expertise they seek (or maybe it’s just the force of will), and yet it’s not physically possible for you to “do it all,” sometimes the answer is no. However, I think sometimes the answer is to “replicate yourself.” To teach a man to fish. After all, we all wish we had clones! Spear-head the project, lay the foundation for the organization, so you can then turn it over to someone else to run.
I’m seeking to do this in many areas of my life, including areas as simple as what I do for my kids’ school. The main elements that competent people often lack besides experience are confidence and coaching/training. I am aware that I can help others find a foundation to then soar ahead on their own. Advising is not near the amount of time commitment as the actual driving. And the more of us to go around, the better.
So that’s food for thought for the day. See where it might apply for you!
“Chicken Poodle Soup!” My son says as I ladle out homemade chicken noodle soup for tonight’s dinner.
“Brings a whole new mean to “hot dog.” His voice is playing a smart alec-y tone.
“Yeah, but the fur would get in the way,” dear hubby chimes in. Always looking for the final word that one is, father of the puns.
Without skipping a beat, dear son lands the punch. “That’s because you’re supposed to shave it first, duh….!”
#myquirkylife
Filed under Humor
Crochet Jellyfish designed by Rachelle Smith. You can purchase this pattern through her blog at http://yahrrrnpirate.blogspot.com
My son pauses in thought in the back seat. “They look so cool floating in the water.”
On the way home in the car is where a great many of my now 11 year old son’s greatest ideas and our ensuing conversations take place. Many of them lend to the rather extra-ordinary or even surreal vs. your average, run of the mill kind of small talk between kids and parents.
Subjects range anywhere from “I wonder what the biggest splinter in the world would be?” to “What if the biggest rainstorm was a drizzle,” to “What if we had a time machine but no one else could have one,” “What if there were zombie crickets,” or “I wonder what would happen if you microwaved gun powder?”
And sometimes more ordinary vocal expulsions escape his cranium, like how he’s pretty sure that every time he’s hungry he sees a Burger King. (I don’t know why – we don’t eat there, and I don’t like fast food.)
“Germaine’s Bestie” crochet jellyfish created by VintageNettles using Sarah Ohern’s “Jacob the Jellyfish Amigurumi Pattern.” You can find VintageNettles’ blog at http://nettness.net. Click on the photo above to purchase Sarah’s pattern at http://www.esshaych.blogspot.com
Anyway, I’ve gotten (mostly) used to his sudden outbursts of thought (or song) from the passenger seat and try to follow along. I’m beginning to think I should write a book titled, “Viewpoints From the Passenger Seat,” or something like that. Maybe help pay for some of the grey hairs it’s earned me too.
“Hmmmm…” I start to reply thoughtfully. He doesn’t always start out with a subject I have much comment on, but this time he did.
“I wonder if jellyfish are legal to own as pets?” I start out. “You know… I always wanted to have a big salt water tank with sea anemones and such. The kind of tank that’s built into a wall. You know – like the one we saw at that hospital? Only thing is, I know they are expensive to maintain. I’ll have to be a lot wealthier before I can do that.” A little sigh escapes my lips.
“You know, Mommy?” my son starts again. “What if a whole house was made up of a fish tank? Like the whole house is a fish tank? THAT would be REALLY cool!”
Raising my eyebrows, I look quizzically into the rear view mirror. 
“Sounds like an aquarium to me,” I say.
“Noooo,” my son quickly corrects me.
“No, like the walls are all built with fish tanks instead of regular walls. And even the plumbing would be covered in glass and if there’s a problem with the pipes, you could just see it. And fish would be swimming all over your house through all the places there would normally be walls! And you could see right through the walls to the fish swimming in the other room!”
Quietly, oddball mental images form in my mind from his descriptions. All the while, I simultaneously focus on not losing physical sight of the road I’m driving either.
Ever try to both imagine a mental picture and see to maneuver something physical at the same time? Not really the easiest combo. And my son’s descriptions are so vivid and off-the-wall at times that it really can be a challenge to listen and yet not lose sight of the physical world while I try to follow his conversation. (Honestly, there are times when I’m tired that I just have to shut off the ears while I drive.)
“So how would that work?” I ask. “What happens if someone throws a rock, or there’s a hail storm or a tree falls over on it? What then,” my wicked little smile playing in the rear view.
“MOMmy,” he says. “I said it would be cool, not practical…! What do you take me for?”
I bust out laughing!
I don’t know son. I guess I don’t really know! 
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Filed under Artist Information & Notes
Cones of stuff I won’t be using and I don’t know how many yards are on each. An estate find sent my direction to sell. $10 + shipping (each) for the yellow and light pink cones. $8 + shipping for the pink rose (smallest) cone.
Here’s what I know for now:
According to our bathroom scale (I’m not sure how accurate this is, but it’s a ball park at least), the yellow one weighs around 3.5 to 4.5 pounds, the medium sized cone is around 2 pounds and the smaller cone is about 1.5 pounds. The yellow cone is 8 inches wide at the bottom, 6 inches wide at the top, 7 inches high and hefty. These are estate finds and the outer thread layer appears worn or slightly dusty from sitting on a shelf. I’d take that top outer layer off before using.
As far as yarn weights:
It’s probably difficult to see the labels well enough to read in the photos. The light pink and rose are both 20/2, marl rayon/cotton blend and are from Phoenix Dye Works in Cleveland, OH. These blends seem obviously 1 ply being the cotton and 1 ply being the rayon, with the rayon twist providing a bit of sheen.
The yellow is 10/1, 60% cotton, 20% acrylic, 20% viscose, from Hohenberg Co. and made in Italy. Soft and squishy on the cone.
Also, see the close up photos for the best representation of the colors. The official colors are “yellow,” “light pink,” and “pink.” The yellow is an ice yellow, not a golden yellow. The light pink is baby pink and the “pink” is more what I’d call a more of a rose, but not too dusty in color. I know the rose cone looks a little salmon, but that’s the camera, not the actual color.
Within the US, I can ship in a flat-rate box for $10.95. I’ll find out exact postal weights and shipping and update this post.
UPDATE: OK, here are the official USPS postal rates.
Domestic:
UPDATE III:
Canada:
Filed under Artist Information & Notes
John and I both had splitting headaches all day.
Kids seemed fine, but we felt awful. I was worried we’d been exposed to something and were coming down sick.
On top of that, the last two days I just haven’t been able to get going in the morning as well. John felt the same. I kept thinking today, what’s wrong with me? I can’t get focused like usual.
Well, with a howl from John tonight, we discovered why.
My emergency run to the store for coffee Saturday night (because there was no way I wanted to do without coffee Sunday morning) was not as fruitful as I thought. I accidentally grabbed decaf……!
Filed under Friends and Family, Humor
I’ve been wondering about crochet covers for cars that didn’t look like a parade float. Came across this awesome crochet photo on Flickr today. It was done by local Austin artist Magda Sayeg, for a Roman Arts Festival in May of 2010. You can read more about Magda in the Statesman here.
Kinda cool!
Filed under Artist Information & Notes
I still have to find the right purse frames and clasps for the flapper purses I’m working on. But here’s the latest “Mr. Right Now” project I’m working on. This particular fringe is harder to work with and more elaborate than the last and the construction is very slow going. It’s a lovely rust made in India.
The purse is constructed of the same brand of silk fiber in this purse as the previous purse, except in an amazingly matched (to the fringe) rust. This is more of that 70% silk/30% nylon yarn called Contrasto (made in Italy) that I’d been trying to figure out what to do with. It’s a yarn that is actually a knit tube in design. Yarn descriptions have described this yarn as woven, but it is truly a knit tube. Refer to my post on Dec 8th here for more details and back story: https://aberrantcrochet.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/beaded-flapper-purse-in-silk/.
This purse will be larger however, and I’ve already had to begin a 2nd ball of silk in the construction so far. I am hoping that this purse will be deep enough to hide away a small book as well as a wallet. This particular beaded fringe, as mentioned previously, is a beauty made in India and sports ribbon covered beads in the tassel design. About 8 yards of it will finish this purse at $8/yd (my cost). This fringe is called Jhalar, meaning “tassel and trimmings,” and is a type of interlaced, braided and fringed trimmings that traditionally have been used to enhance window decor. They were quite popular in the Victorian era and of course are making a refined come back today in a variety of ways, including as elements in our beloved steam punk genre. And worked into this purse, well… it’s just awesome!
Remember that golden rod satin I thought about lining the other purse with? It’s going to line this rust one instead. Which is rather appropriate since the tassel and trimmings are from India as well! The rust and the rich goldenrod play beautifully together. Though unfortunately, my new camera phone tends to cheat the yellows of their glory. I also found in my stash of goodies from my grandmother just the perfect shade of slate blue velvet for the lining of the other flapper purse (which I can’t finish until I find just the right clasp). So I’m thrilled to have found all this and been able to put it together out of my own sewing and yarn stash, no longer lurking in the back recesses of my cabinets and closets and ready to not just come out into the daylight, but in the end, ready to go out for a party! I have a third one to give a try after I get this one done as well. Photos pending once under way.
So right now for this purse, my material costs are already about $100. I expect my material cost to increase another $25-30 by the completion. And it’s a larger purse than the other one as well. Definitely swanky for special occasions! I’m really rather proud!
Filed under Artist Information & Notes, crochet
Photos from my visit to Peaceful Prairie Ranch an alpaca ranch in Prescott Valley, AZ.
I met Emily at Debra’s Christmas party at A Good Yarn and she invited me to tag along with the Prescott Knitters (Ravelry group) on Sunday to visit the alpaca farm. As I mentioned to folks along the way during my visit that I had new plans to visit an alpaca farm Sunday, I received a lot of incredulous replies along the line of: “There’s an alpaca farm in Prescott?! I didn’t know that!” Well, so I made a point of spreading the news. 😀
The Prescott Knitters Ravelry group was real friendly and an all round awesome group of folks. If you’re in the area, you can drop by and join their knit-ins (whether you knit or not) confident that you will have a great time! Trust me, whenever we go back, I’ll be checking to see what the Prescott Knitters are up to and working it into my schedule! Big hugs and thanks to Emily, Capi and the others who made sure I felt welcome. More about Capi and the gorgeous crochet hook she gave me later.
Wendy, the awesome owner of Peaceful Prairie ranch, carries roving for felting as well as spinning, as well as a lovely variety of spun fibers for knitting, crochet and whatever other crafts you might need yarn for. I’ve ordered what turned out to be bad baby alpaca before, which has left me shy to order any online ever again. In fact I still have a whole box of lace weight “baby” alpaca that feels like super thick rug yarn, and not at all something you’d want against your skin. I haven’t yet decided what to do with it, though I imagine I’ll get creative and come up with something.
But let me tell you, Peaceful Prairie’s alpaca products are top notch and after being able to listen to Wendy talk about her passion, see and feel the fibers, even in various stages, not to mention experience her top notch customer service, I’m convinced whole-heartedly in ordering from her online anytime! Her husband Dave was also cordial and helped make us all feel at home even while Wendy was busy.
Wendy also helped me purchase a gorgeous green baby alpaca with my credit card since I was there for a trip and not local. A little awkward since it needed to be done through Paypal, but she made it work so I could shop and I really wanted that green baby alpaca hank. It’s soooo super soft! I’ve included a photo of it here too. Whatever I make with it, I expect to be mine this time. I haven’t settled on what just yet. Leaning toward a cowl though. I’m really grateful and my experience with these lovely people only added to the pile of amazing things that became a part of my trip to Prescott.
Thanks y’all, from the bottom of my heart. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Filed under Artist Information & Notes, Community, crochet
Debra’s hosting a Christmas party at her store, A Good Yarn, in Prescott, AZ. We’re all enjoying knitting and crocheting together.
Here’s a photo of what I’m working on at the moment and you can see more photos of the shop and group below.
Debra has a new partner this year who carries weaving fibers and supplies. Carma runs the weaving portion. Her prices are awesome and the quality is fantastic. I’ve purchased some wonderful fibers from her by the ounce.
I just have to say that between my two trips to Prescott, AZ, my visits to A Good Yarn are among my favorites amongst the yarn stores that I have visited in my travels. Not only is everyone friendly, and I mean customers, staff and all, but she has an incredibly nice selection in my opinion of less than common fibers. And high quality fibers. And more fibers per foot of store space that I want to work with than most places I’ve walked into. And I love that she carries uncommon buttons too!
I have also overheard her on the phone with customers for private orders and such and just have to say, her and her partners’ customer service is just awesome. She’s really helpful, professional in all her dealings, obviously goes the extra mile and yet, her “knit pit” has the feel of visiting the comfort of someone’s home. There’s no fireplace, but I easily imagined one nearby while sitting on her couch and working along with everyone else. Cozy indeed!
If you’re in the area, definitely stop in and see Debra at A Good Yarn. Tell her you read about her on my blog and extend a healthy howdy from me.
A Good Yarn in Prescott, AZ
Filed under Artist Information & Notes, Community, crochet
Here’s what I came up with to block a couple of scarves overnight that I made on the road and am taking to AZ for gifts. We’ll see how they turn out.
Filed under Artist Information & Notes, crochet
My current project. I’m still deciding how I want to do the closure. I thought about using a goldenrod yellow satin made in India for the lining.
However after looking at it, I’m thinking a matching blue satin would be better. I’m also shopping around for a purse clasp in gold tones, though I’m also considering Czech glass buttons for closure.
This is a 70% silk/30% nylon yarn called Contrasto (made in Italy) that I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with. It’s a yarn that is actually a knit tube in design.
Yarn descriptions have described this yarn as woven, but it is truly a knit tube.
The yarn is soft enough, but the structure of the yarn does not lend to the textures I usually work with. AND, though soft-ish on the ball, once worked up into stitches, this yarn becomes not only much less soft, but stiff. It is a durable silk, not a fluffy soft silk. I’m thinking more along the lines of the kind of silk structure that was used as armor, personally.
Additionally, it’s a (darker) dessert tan color, which in this kind of yarn texture does not blend well with very many things.
ANYWAY…. I also had 5 yards of this $7/yd beading. Which I also knew I wanted to do something with, but wasn’t sure what. As I was contemplating colors, suddenly this vision came to mind and I’m loving the outcome. The beaded fringe is playful like a flapper dress! And the silk makes for a very strong bag.
I’m not sure how I want to do the closure yet. I’m not a fan of zippers that show. But I don’t have a vision of another other closure that would work better and look nice with this dressy combo.
Though I am at this point considering a simple button closure if I can find perhaps a glass button to match the light blue cat’s eye beading.
.
Anyway, material costs are already $50. I expect my material cost to increase at least another $45-50 by the completion. Definitely a luxury piece for its size!
Filed under Artist Information & Notes
These are the latest of crochet hook designs I’m experimenting with. If you have not taken a class from Jimbo, I highly recommend it. He really helped remove apprehension and helped me take my very intent views on hook shape to the next level. Not to mention repair split hooks I haven’t been able to use in years.
In these examples, you can see the difference in throat lengths, point of the tips, length of the lips, etc. I made one with a flattened edge for picking up stitches as well.
Also, one of the hooks is carved from a Pei-Wei chop stick. This kind of chop stick is unique because instead of being round in diameter, they are oval. I have a theory that this flattened style may be comfortable to both saber hold as well as pencil or chop stick hold crocheters.
And side note, yes chop stick and pencil hold are different. Chop stick hold is loose and just like using a chopstick, control is gained via almost a floating partial rotation on the pads of the three middle fingers. Pencil hold is a clamp style hold and does not allow the hook to float in the fingers.
Anyway, comments on the shapes welcome!
Filed under Artist Information & Notes, crochet
Here are some hat pins I made at the show today. One is made from a vintage button, the other from a scarf pin from West Germany.
Freebies I donated to the goody boxes.
Great Crowd!
Some items that have sold.
Filed under 'Tis the Season, Doing the Show Circuit
You will find me here teaching crochet and talking about crochet hook design. Might even demo making crochet hooks out of chop sticks.
Filed under crochet, Crochet News, Events
The Mud Show - Texas Renaissance Festival
Filed under Wordless Weekend
I'm a writer, crochet designer, crochet hook expert and a serial social media consultant. I like useful but not too serious. This theme is reflected in my life, my crochet and my writing. Life's too interesting and short to be uptight. Carpe Equito!
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