Work

Plans Derailed

by CZeitler

On Thursday I went to work with a slightly scratchy throat. I had been moving books an dusting shelves so I thought that was it. One of my supervisors let me know that there were throat problems going around, so after the meeting I decided to go home early sick. I’m so happy I did. I then slept through with few waking moments until Saturday. My throat was feeling better by then, I had ordered Walmart delivery of garlic pills, oregano pills, immune support pills, diet soda, and oatmeal. These purchases took up most of my cousin visit fund, but oh well. On Saturday I was feeling much better, I was able to get some dishes done and a quick shower so I could stink a little less.

On Sunday I was able to get a few projects worked on. I finished the beaded bracelet, made a kumihimo piece and finished another. I was planning on using this weekend to make progress on the big quilt project I was working on, however I do not want to get my germs on it. I hope that I am not coughing in the morning so I can make progress on that.

The final thing that I am working on is some small weavings for holiday cards. I’m not sure if it will happen or not, I’m just happy I made progress on this.

Remember to Live Life a Little More Abstract.

Time Flies

by CZeitler

I took the bottom off of my sewing machine since I was having trouble with the bobbin thread catching and the top thread shredding. This took me quite a bit to clean out using an eyelash brush, it worked amazingly well. My machine is sewing like new. I also did a clean of my embroidery machine which has decided that it will not work about 50% of the time unless the hoop is slightly elevated on the side it is not anchored to, so it probably needs to go to the shop to be fixed. Since we are over half way through the library being closed to the public I brought my embroidery machine in for my colleagues to personalize whatever they would like, a few people have taken advantage of my offer which makes me feel good about bringing it in.

It is so hard for me to believe that we will be reopening to the public in two weeks. I have not completed many of the projects I intended to get done. My area is clean which is one of my main goals, I have a rhythm to my weeding and inventory project so I am pretty happy about my progress there, now that I have my ADHD medications I’m better able to concentrate and will make significant progress this week if I do not finish it.

I am trying to destash products that I do not use and have had some success in that endeavor, this will leave me with just the items that I actually use for storage and surfaces. There have been some projects that I have been meaning to get to so I am working on getting some of those completed and out the door. There is a decent amount of fleece I purchased on clearance that I planned to use for blankets. Then when I asked many of my family members stated that they preferred real backing rather than fleece on a quilt. Because of this I have cut it into a size that can be used for sensory mats and I will donate the fleece to my library for future use on the new ‘kindness cart’.

It has been my plan to create my own dress for our ‘Haunted Library’ murder mystery thing that we have going on in November when we are fully reopened. I have the pieces cut out for an initial sample so I hope to get that sewn in the next two weeks so when I go to a clearance sale with my cousin in October I know what kind of fabric might work and whether I can stand the pattern or not.

I have been working on getting some spinning done, though the fiber I first started with is a bit stickier than I thought it would be, I’m considering pitching it to spin something I enjoy. I also warped up my table loom with a fun pattern that I am doing in reds and greens for my Weaving Guild’s holiday cards, no one else is volunteering so I think I will end up doing it. I am also trying to get my Saori Loom re-warped with the cotton warp in a way that the threads may actually stay on and not slip or snap.

All of this in addition to being about a month later than when I told my aunt I would have her Quilt done, oops.

I also decided that I wanted to try to make a fall cloak with felt leaves, so I cut them out and laid them on another piece of felt. This led me to discover that I do not have enough leaves, and that unless I have some veins sewn into the leaves they look really stupid. I did manage to sew in the center vein in these leaves though I still do not have enough, and I think I want to use something other than felt for the base.

I think that’s enough for right now, I hope to get back to you in less than a Month! LOL. Until next, remember to Live Life a Little More Abstract!

A Little Crafting

by CZeitler

My library, where I work, is closing our doors for a month while new doors are being installed. This will really only effect the presence of the public in our building, we will still be working however patrons will not be allowed in. This is going to be a great time for me to get my personal space organized, and a lot of work done on projects that tend to fall by the wayside while focusing on patrons and other things. I just came off of a vacation where I mostly spent my time trying to rest and recharge my social batteries. This worked out really well. Prepping for the closure is going to take a ton of time, energy, and social battery next week. Next Saturday I will also be holding a spinning class, this again is going to take a ton of my social battery.

The second to last day of my vacation was spent with the Weaver’s Guild I belong to making cord wraps with handwoven fabric, these will be given out during a fiber conference in October. I found out that the type of buttons I have been buying, with the little teeth, is not going to work with any of my presses (despite the fact that some came with one of my presses.)

I also found out that I needed to add some extra width to my shirt pieces, I cut out a triangle of fabric to add to the seams on the sides. I have them pinned together and hope to finish sewing them soon.

These small crafting projects have been great for me to dip my toe back in. I have also been doing a lot of cleaning, organizing, and getting rid of items that I do not need/use.

I hope that the weather continues to be good, and that you remember to Live Life a Little More Abstract!

Best Laid Plans

by CZeitler

No crafting content in this, unless you count gardening as crafting.

At the beginning of April I asked the utilities companies to come out and mark where I can and cannot use a rototiller so that I can turn my yard into a natural garden. Then I had 2 funerals to attend, work picked up, my mood plummeted, and I had a bad invasion of flies. They filled up 2 long fly strips as well as a Zevo pad, and that is after Orkin came. The temperatures have also been fluctuating between 80-100, which for my area is very hot. All of that to say that my lawn has not gotten the attention that it should probably have.

I do have a couple of native plants that have decided to grow in my front yard, of course they are leggy and so look like weeds. There was a couple of days near garbage pickup when I had some of my shelving units out for anyone to pick up or to be recycled. This was when the city decided to respond to a complaint about my yard. I actually do not blame whomever reported me, the yard really does look a mess right now. There was not a date filled in for when I need to have it fixed up, only that I need to tell the inspector when I am done. At present I have purchased a cultivator online and it should arrive Monday. Since I am not working next weekend I will have time to get my yard completely dug up so I can begin to reseed it the way I would like it to be.

This is likely not what the person complaining had intended, however it will ensure that there cannot be an complaints of my grass being too long, lol. After the grass has been dug up with the cultivator I intend to lay down clover seed until Fall arrives. In the fall I plan to plant spring blooming bulbs, in the meantime there are apparently a few vegetables that thrive in the heat so I may be planting some squash and the like.

There is someone arriving at my home early tomorrow morning to scrub down my kitchen floor, and clean around the appliances, which involves moving the appliances. After this is done I will feel much better about ensuring that my home is as clean as I can get it. There is a wide swath of selling off items that I do not use or no longer need, so that is helping my ‘decluttering’ quite a bit as well.

Until next time please remember to Live Life a Little More Abstract!

Side-Questing

by CZeitler

The world is full of amazing opportunities for crafts and self expression. Sometimes there are so many opportunities I start five things at once…okay, often I start five things at once. I have made some progress on my aunt’s quilt, right now I am using clear thread to ensure that her applique is solid on the first set of flowers. I think that the center looks good, I’ll see if I can ask my cousin when I see her at the Funeral.

I am trying to find a pattern with Celtic meaning and a lovely phrase to commemorate my Uncle that passed, I’ll make three (one for each of his kids and one for his widow…maybe one for his ex?). Mostly that is adding the elements for the design and getting them stitched out.

My library is kicking off their summer reading program in two weeks and I found out last week that we will be having ‘spirit days’ that week. I will not be at work for two of them, however I will be at the library to volunteer at a booth for one of the guilds I belong to. This means that I need at least ideas, if not projects, for each of the other five days. One of them is for a piece of art or inspiration by an artist. I am currently working on an applique design for a t-shirt I purchased. Hopefully that turns out.

I am still low-key working on my Fey piece, it is currently percolating in the back of my mind as I sort through my fabrics, tulle, lace, etc.

There have been some great sales on embroidery patterns, I sort of need to lay off of purchasing those until I have made some products and sales.

In addition to all of that I have started playing around with Notion as a way to keep my projects organized and my inventory/purchases recorded. All of this is on top of my work stuff, a class I’m teaching this weekend, the funeral, and preparing for summer reading. I’ve bitten off a lot to chew, I hope I can keep up with it.

I did take time one morning before work for an artists date to the beach. Even though it means waking up super early I love going to the beach for sunrise, I got a great photo of the moon before it set.

Remember to live life A Little More Abstract!

Messing With a New (to me) Technique

by CZeitler

For a couple of years now I have been seeing layered paper creations, the layers add depth and the paper makes them easy to cut out using something like a Cricut. Then, right before H&H Americas I saw that Snuggly Monkey was selling patterns for felt creations, some where animals with beautiful layers, while others were Hobbit Doors. I fell in love and picked up two patterns and some felt. I was lucky enough to encounter more felt when I stopped at a JoAnns on my way to H&H. I tried to cut one set out, and found the pieces small and fiddly. This is entirely a me thing, with my larger fingers I’m not great at tiny detail work. I hope to get back to it in the near future. This did get me wondering how people managed to create the separate layers however. I could see creating several copies of an image, getting an Xacto knife to cut out different elements for the layers and working with them from there hoping that you did it correctly and things would work together. Then a colleague of mine decided that they were going to go through our filing cabinet of older office supplies and dropped off some Carbon Paper to see if I can do anything with them.

I believe that I wrote earlier about making some reverse applique work and an art quilt, I plan on using some inspiration images to get different elements to create a whole. Well as I was looking for inspiration, something struck me. I can use a printout of an inspiration image and then use the carbon paper and a mechanical pencil, without lead, to trace the elements I would like in each layer. This also allows me to embellish them and make notes to myself. I did find out that the carbon does not rub off of fabric, so the Fey image I traced on white quilting cotton is not going anywhere, but I can use that to my advantage to make sure it is completely covered. Fortunately, the carbon does not ‘bleed’ through the weave either. I realize that this is just the very first step on my journey with these new creations, however I am very excited to see where it might go. Hopefully I can create a small sample soon. If I plan on doing this out of quilting cotton I will need to make sure that I properly applique the edges.

Until Next Time Remember to Live Life a Little More Abstract!

Un-Medicated Me

by CZeitler

It is fascinating to remember that without my ADHD Medication (it is on backorder due to manufacturing and regulations) I am still capable of being creative. I’m not as capable of completing tasks, however I hope to look on the bright side and get tasks started/thought of/planned until my medication arrives. I am very lucky that since I was diagnosed in my early 40s I have well developed coping mechanisms to employ that allow me to still get my work done, and come up with crafting ideas. There is, of course, a downside. I’m attempting to get ready to attend H&H Americas and will be leaving on Tuesday. This means that if my medication has not arrived by then I will be attending my first Craft Industry Trade Show…un-medicated. I’m sure I will get through it, I already have notebooks prepared and my cell phone brick charger ready so I can take digital notes as well. There was a rabbit hole that I fell down, I was thinking of getting a mini fridge that would plug into my car’s lighter/12v charging port…however when I spoke with my sister she let me know that the functionality was not great so it would be a waste of money.

Speaking of Rabbit Holes, Dollar Tree has new (to me) gel pens in a wide variety of colors and some even have glitter. I purchased a set of the ones I had not seen before and after testing all of them I was pleasantly surprised that there was only 1 dud out of 6 packages (of various quantities).

I have not made much progress on my pencil rolls, first because I will not be able to make as many as I would like to use as giveaways, second because I am at a tough part where I need to figure out the best way to create the pockets and what material I would like to use for the backs. Of course, this did not stop me from going down another rabbit hole.

I decided that I wanted to make a bag, not just a bag but a duffel bag with my ‘brand’ on it. Frankly, it did not go too badly at first. I was able to cut the panels out, quilt them, figure out the embroidery, make the pockets, add the zipper, all with minimal problems. Then came the assembly, and the fact that I completely forgot to add handles. As far as I can tell the pattern required the completed sides and bottom to be sewn together…this made for some very bulky sewing. I really think I did something wrong, or I need to read the pattern more carefully next time I attempt this. Since I am leaving in a few days I am not going to take the time to remake the piece, however as I learned during the Quilter’s Summit, no one gets everything right on the first try.

I am looking forward to my first industry event, seeing what is upcoming as well as what goodies I might obtain. It will be a ton of fun to meet people with a passion for craft. Spending 7 hours spinning will also be a ton of fun. My wheel needs a tune up this weekend and I need to make sure that there is enough spinning fiber. I should also look into packing clothes and making sure that I have the toiletries I need.

Until next time remember to Live Life a Little More Abstract!

Progress Counts

by CZeitler

I am working on auditioning patterns to quilt my Aunts quilt with. A cousin suggested a couple of styles that hold sentimental significance for our family so I am going with those. I’m going to let the patterns ruminate for a little bit while I decide if I like them there or not.

This is not the only project I have going on at this time. I’m also still working on getting my craft room organized. It does not look like I have made a lot of progress, however I am considering every step a small win.

I have many of my fabrics, threads, and other crafts on the shelves, labeled, and mostly organized. In attempting to use up some of the smaller fabrics and pieces I am trying to make small projects. This should free up some of the space and help my organization as I see how I am using materials. This type of organizing is already helping me feel more motivated and willing to do some crafting.

I have been experimenting with making mug rugs using some basic quilting patterns on my embroidery machine, this also doubled as a good way to see how the pink thread was going to show up on white fabric. I have also been using some of my scrap fabric to play around with fusible applique on squares to see how I like them and what kind of applique I can do/enjoy.

Of course I cannot be happy with just one type of project, though I guess this could also be considered sewing.

There is some, very slow, progress being made on creating a beaded cord necklace. This craft takes a lot of beads, a lot of time, and patience to ensure that the white cord is completely covered and that the beads a laying where I would like them to be. I am enjoying this as my slow craft.

Other things are going on in the background, my local library had a book sale so I need to weed out some of the books I am no longer using to make room for the ones I just bought. I am attempting to coordinate programming for one of the guilds I belong to. There is some minor medical stuff going on in the background. Work has some exciting things going on as some construction is going to get started and we are ramping up for summer reading, which can add some stress.

All in all it looks like this year is going to be fascinating. I’m hoping to continue adding fun stuff, and hopefully add some items to my storefront again in the near future.

Until next time, remember to Live Life a Little More Abstract!

Sorry About Sporadic Posting

by CZeitler

I’m sorry I have not posted in a while. I have been trying to get some things related to my business accomplished, however, I have also recognized where all of my emotional and physical energy has been going.

To begin with, I am the type of person that if I surround myself (on purpose or accident) with negativity it completely drains me of energy, increases my anxiety, depresses me, and causes my IBS to get out of control. I recognize this about myself. According to my therapist I also have a hard time letting people in and when I do then I do whatever I can for them. Recently I have realized that someone that is undergoing their own mental health problems has been utilizing my compassion and friendship as a dumping ground for their negativity. At one point I had asserted that I could not take a ton of negative energy that day, their response was if I cannot talk about anything negative then I have nothing to talk about. Subconsciously, this triggered me to realize that if I want them to feel free to talk to me at all I HAD to absorb their negativity. This means that anytime that person asks me, “Are you okay to hear about this?” I felt that I had to respond yes, I was okay or they would shut down. Again, my attachment causes me to be blind toward these things until I am run down and messing my health up.

I had come to this realization before my trip. I was dreading the trip, my therapist did say that I could only provide the framework for a good experience and everything else is up to the guest. I am sorry about the car ride, they say that they forgave me, but they are also being very passive-aggressive.

If you come away from spending time with someone drained, and you dread seeing someone, then they are not the right person for you to be spending time with.

My energy for the next three months is going to be focused elsewhere. This is the last of my focused attention that person gets.

In terms of the crafts I have been working on:

One of my Aunts asked me to do some embroidering (on my embroidery machine) for her. This caused me to look at other websites that have embroidery files available, and it is amazing some of the artwork out there! There is some chatter about restrictions being placed on patterns, what I have seen is most of the retailers are trying to restrict large businesses from taking their artwork and doing major production with it. I’m not going to do that, though I do question whether they are able to restrict access that way. I’m not planning on doing any major production, however I am hoping to create some book covers for notebooks having to do with Pride right now. After that is done, and I have sent my Aunt all of the pieces she requested (and more of course), I am going to play a lot more with my Embroidery Machine and some of the amazing patterns available out there.

My garden is coming along pretty well, though I did thoroughly drown my carrots. I am going to take some time this week, since I took time off of work for another friends wedding that is not happening now (long story not mine to tell but the couple is still happily together), to work on my garden and figure out how I can mow around all of my planters. I might also just work on making paths/planting into the ground, so that I don’t have any grass growing in my front yard. I already put down landscaping fabric so that a lot of the grass is killed in the medium between the sidewalk and the road. After the grass dies down I plan on planting tons of bulbs to create beauty.

Okay, I have to get back to my full-time job now. Remember that no one is worth your health and happiness, Live Life A Little More Abstract!

All Work and No Play

by CZeitler

I’ll be the first to admit, I have been having a hard time drawing a line between time to work and time to play. Even during my time to play, I discovered I like playing alone. There is a Mine that has Quartz about 5 hours from my home. I decided to take a day trip there with a friend. I wish I could say it was a great time, unfortunately, I did not have a lot of fun. I spent more time worrying about whether my friend was having fun, and trying to entertain them, than I did enjoying myself. The whole trip got cut short due to grit in an eye then we took a detour to go shopping for something they wanted, and then they don’t like my driving (I drive defensively and had to stop short a few times). This proved to me, if I want to take a trip I’m just going on my own or with family that I know enjoy this type of adventure (or at least are willing to fake it for my sake).

In that vein I took a trip out to a local lake and enjoyed myself immensely. Dangling my feet in the water, having a personal picnic, taking time to watch how the refraction of light on the water made the stones look like they were rippling instead of the water, as well as getting some stitching done. I had so much fun, that I decided to make a promise to myself this summer. I am going to take the time to work on myself. No guilds, as little time with negative people as possible, visiting with friends and family, as well as enjoying my vacations.

I hope that you remember to have fun, and don’t let work/negative people consume you. Live Life A Little More Abstract!