No Negative Waves, Moriarty...

In an attempt to stay positive, and also keep my head busy, I will speak to the accomplishments of the last month, and not that I have been out of work for exactly that long.

Oops.

There has been a whole lot of knitting going on.  And none of it is being worn by me. Which I think is absolutely out of this world. My people are knit worthy, and I am so grateful that they are so grateful.

Eldest took these socks that I finished on the plane on the way to see her right after I was let go. (Yep, I got a trip back east for a consolation prize...deets will follow.) Crosshatch pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks, by Charlene Schurch, out of Araucania Itata Solid.  This is a great pattern for a solid color that I will knit again.

A shop sample knitted up for a local LYS. Knit Hedgehog by Purl Soho, out of Cascade 220 and Eco Cloud.  That Eco Cloud was divine to knit up.  Too bad the project was so small!

Class examples for an upcoming class on felting/embellishing techniques. Felted Woolly Eggs, by Marie Mayhew, out of  Red Heart Wool among other things.  All that Red Heart I got from my aunt's stash in vintage colors were perfect for this.

A seamed sweater for the expressed purposed of practicing seaming. Pattern: Even Daniele Did It Again, from The Yarn Girls Guide To Kid Knits, out of Pingouin Acrylic I found at the thrift store.

Bartered felted mats for Precious Niece's new NY digs. The 40-Years Felted Platter by Katherine Vaughn (Rav link) out of Patons Classic Wool, my go-to workhorse felter. Also an above shot of the hedgehog, which was a really cute little guy.

Bartered felted slippers for Dearest Sister's cold midwestern toes. Duffers, 19-Row Felted Slippers by Mindie Tallack (Rav link) out of Bear Brand Four Seasons, another bit of Aunt Cissy's vintage haul.

And a simple hat to replace the one Only Step-Son has worn since 2008 and lost this year.  He felt very bad, but I say hey!  If you weren't wearing it, you wouldn't have lost it!  He was very impressed that I could make another EXACTLY like the one he loved.  Thank you, Ravelry, and my compulsive note keeping. My own beanie recipe out of Patons Classic Wool.

On the needles right now are 2 projects... a pair of socks, and a circular scarf out of handspun (another barter effort with Precious Niece I will speak to later), along with 'decorating' the last of Woolly Eggs.

My mother would be proud!

See, It's Like This

About a month ago, I was told, 'the company was going in a different different direction, and the 28th (of February) would be my last day.'

One would think there would be ample opportunity to write posts, wouldn't one?

One would be correct, and yet, what does one say about it and remain even-handed? It takes time.  This is the second time I have been laid off...in February...at that place...by those people.

Today, I have bread baking, and cookies dough in the fridge...ready to eat.  I will exercise later, keeping the phone close by.  I had a couple of screening phone interviews last week, and thought I had a real chance for a call back from one.  Today is probably the outside of the timeframe, so it behooves me to stay busy. Busy keeps the mind from dwelling.

In the past month, I have gotten through the unemployment maze, organized my kitchen cabinets, cleaned my  own house, cleaned out my closet, and made a run to GoodWill as well as many more things off 'The List'.  I have more things to do.  There in the neighborhood garage sale in June, and the basement is calling.  As is the home inventory.

I have tried to look at the opportunity in this.  I am going to teach a class at an LYS in May, and have offered to knit some shop samples.  I am also considering offering some of my award winning handspun skills for sale in the dormant Etsy shop, but haven't made that progress.  I have been able to demo those spinning skills for the pre-school and kindergarten classes of the grandbebe girls, which I think was awesome to do.  In addition, the Sheep To Shawl team I have been asked to participate with has ramped up their organizational duties.

I have made myself a DIY lightbox to play with my fancy camera, too.  I would really be enjoying myself if this had happened on my terms, and the financial piece wasn't an uncertainty.

Going forward and onward and trying to see that it's all going to be just like it's suppose to be.

Drum Roll, Please...

Presenting...

Grandbebe Quilt Number Four!

In Blue and Red vintage (mostly), fabric collected (mostly) by Dearest Sister.

Embroidered by DSis.

Patches cut and assembled by the both of us.

9-Patches machine pieced by me.

Handquilted by me.

Supervised every step of the way by Boy Kitty.

Quality tested by the Cousins.

Made with all the love grown-ups have for their little ones.