4 Weeks Later

It is the end of October already.  I don't know where the month went.  I have done absolutely nothing on any projects.  I still have several Kumihimo's to finish off, quilts to bind, and a prayer shawl only 1/8th  of the way knitted.  Christmas is coming and I can't think of anything to make for my kids.  Heck, I can't think of anything to buy them either.

It was very hard for me to get in the spirit last year after my mother's death the summer before.  I am hoping this year will be easier for me.  I used to really getting into making gifts for my family but now working long hours and long commutes take the Oomph out of me. 

Well, I am making a dent in the long neglected house work.  I got the mountain of laundry washed and dried and am not working on the mounds of paperwork that have piled up.  The only problem is that I have a small shredder and have to let it cool down from time to time.

I am trying to get myself on a schedule.  I think that if I could establish a routine I could fit in a lot more of what I want to get done.  There has to be a way to work, take care of a house and still have time to craft.  There has to be a way to keep my craft area organized and neat (especially since it is in the main room of the house).

I think a lot of this depends on getting my family on board with everything.  Kids just picking up after themselves would be a big start.  Then get them to do their chores right away would also be great.  I just know I am tired of coming home after work to no dinner, mounds of laundry, filthy kitchen, and a cluttered work area.

So as of last Thursday I am putting in at least 1 hour of house work before settling down to do anything else.  Let how well I do with this.

Inspiration Leads to Creativity (or Making It Your Own)

This week seemed longer than it really was.  I am convinced that the older I get the shorter the nights become.  I would really like it if Tired was not a way of life for me.  Oh well, At least I found some time to be creative. 

inspiration

My friend Angela was wearing a stunning necklace the other day.  Very simple and yet very elegant.  Large silver filigree beads, smaller faceted clear beads and faceted black beads, held together with eye pins and connected to a chain.  It became an inspiration piece for me.

the beads

 I had some interesting beads (6 to be exact) that were largish and ornate.  I didn't know what to do with them.  After seeing Angela's necklace I came home and started going through the beads to see what else I had.  I had clear crackle beads, blue crackle beads, silver chain, but only small silver space type beads.



After a quick trip to "Great Beadginings", (for silver beads the same size as the crackle beads), I had what I needed to make my version of the necklace.  I tried to use the clear crackle beads but they lacked the pop of the blue.  Mine, in blue and silver, is a bit more colorful and maybe not as versatile as the original.  But my daughters love it and so do I.  I have the same large bead in black and I am thinking I will mix it up with pearls



Of course I only used 5 of the large beads.  Now I had an orphan bead what will I do with that one lonely bead.  I started going through my supplies.  I found some silver chain.  So take 1 large ornate bead, 1 small blue crackle bead, a small silver bead cap, silver chain and a bit of wire and you end up with a lovely stylish necklace that my girls are willing to fight over.


Those were my new project this week.  Last week I told you I had finished 3 of the 14 Kumihimo cords.  Well I was wrong.  I had finished 3 of 15 cords.  This week I finished off 5 more of the bracelets.  Leaving me with 2 necklaces, and five bracelets to finish off this coming week.  I also got about 6 inches knitted on my second prayer shawl.