Tuesday, December 31, 2013

rising 60 - quantification


As 2014 shall see our plucky heroine rising sixty, it occurred to me that would be a good matrix to hang change upon, and also a way to hold self to noting progress and scheduling time for needful activities. While there are a lot of aspects of life I've no idea how to shift, these three are ones already within my skillset, and like any other part in need of strengthening, repetition should make a difference...

60 projects made
a combination of needful clothing sewing and increased studio metalwork/enameling; I need some new everyday clothing to replace worn/threadbare garments, and I need a coat and a jacket. By also focusing on my creative work, new income opportunities will become possible.

60 hours of home refurbishment
there's already fair amount of useful supplies for some needed projects around the homeplace, now to focus on doing the work, asking for help where required, and figuring out how to repair and create better infrastructure.

60 grocery sacks decluttered
I've no idea if this is far more or far less than is needed. I function better in an orderly environment where the supplies and tools are ready to hand, so creating that kind of environment is a priority for 2014



This might be enough. This does feel doable, in that I am looking at maybe an hour or two out of every day, to make these goals a reality.  And so it begins...

some good in the year past


in which our plucky heroine reflects that despite how it feels, 2013 did see quite a bit in the way of things accomplished:


I managed a fair amount of minor travelling

Stitched up rather quite a bit of wardrobe refurbishment

made things for other people
in enamel
and in textiles

and an assortment of random crafts and repairs


Looking over what actually happened is somewhat encouraging; looking ahead the intention is to find ways to increase productivity and enjoyment concurrently, and to make increasing progress on various home improvements that will feed directly into that goal. 'Tis a feedback loop that needs input to start moving...






Monday, December 30, 2013

knit knot, knit knot flat


our plucky heroine has not really done much knitting in 2013, compared to previous years. The saying "when you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in the end and hang on" has surfaced repeatedly, and this wee bit of needlework seemed a fitting representation, somehow...


found this design for a 3-D knitted knot on Ravelry...


after the first one, could not resist making another, slightly different one...


if flattened, it becomes a wonderful interlaced disc,
eminently suited to become a pincushion!