not having to think

Yesterday, I was under the weather.  That may be an understatement but that is what I am going to say.  I needed to work on a prototype for a larger knife roll yesterday but that did not happen.  Thinking was not working very well.  So I pieced a quilt back.  

I do not have to think much about that.  Hope the colours work.  I have to figure out the configuration I need to get enough fabric.  Most of the time, a solid piece of fabric is not the most interesting.

I think it turned out well but it is always a guess.  There are green fabrics that are so dark they feel almost black.  The larger pieces of blue are quite bright in their own fashion even though I do believe they are an old thrifted bit of fabric.  Vintage does not always mean dull or faded colours!

I am going to work going to work on that prototype today.  I may be off to help with an event tomorrow depending on how I feel.  And of course, Koda Bear comes back from his Dad's.  I miss him.  I will not say any of this is easier when he is around but I can say there is much more joy.  Much more time for books and walks.  He is good about saying he is hungry and it is time to eat.  Which I am not.  I do have much to learn from the small bear.

single knife chef rolls

This week is still wild.  I am having a hard time finding balance I will have to admit that what seems to be giving is computer time.  I just stopped moving after dinner last night.  There was nothing left.  Today is probably not going to be much better!

Between Koda Bear and I going to libraries, playgrounds, and walks, and then working on maths.  I have been putting prototype single knife chef rolls together for Serenity Knives.  The boyos are looking at them as an upgrade to their packaging.  They have not found a box solution that satifies them yet.

Photo by Koda Bear.

We had found some very inexpensive canvas at Ragfinery in Bellingham.  And then stopped at a canvas shop.  It makes canvas coverings of all kinds for boats.  They also have inexpensive remnants.  All of that came home with me with some pretty Asian cottons.

The prototype work began!  This was the first prototype and it should have fit a Chef's knife.  It did not but it is a good size for a utility knife or a paring knife.  It is also the one that I do not like the finishings as well for.  I was able to use a piece of fabric that Koda Bear picked out that I was not sure how was going to fit in my quilts!

This is the second one I made.  I used the last of the chili pepper fabric on this one.  The finishings are much better and it does fit a long Chef's knife.  My Japanese sewing scissors are here as scale.

It just rolls up so nicely and neatly.  I like this idea for most of my camping knives.  They get wrapped in towels with string around them.  The string has come in handy but I do not really like that idea.

This is the last one I made.  It is even larger then the other two.  I got asked to try.  Every one of these chef rolls was made using thrifted fabric that was supposed to end up in a landfill.  That is what Ragfinery does.  Keep textiles out of landfills.

The boyos are happy.  I need to make more for them.  I am going to put some in my shop as well but right now there are not enough hours in any day.  I can really tell due to energy and inflammation.  That bit is a bummer.  Being outside with Koda Bear has been lovely.  I am hoping there will be time for driveway skateboard time today or tomorrow.  Probably not though.  I am working on the computer.  And I have a prototype for a larger chef roll to make!

A wild week!

Last week was crazy!  It is the big Thanksgiving year at my Mom and Dad's.  Which means lots of people, kids, cooking.  It is good to see everyone and talk but there is no quiet.  There is just not other way to put that.  There are six cousins running wild.  Twenty-one people to cook for on Thanksgiving day.  A varied number of people to cook for or feed on any other given day.  It is just family.  A lot of fun.  A lot of work. 

I am tired.

But I am thankful.  Koda Bear went to the mountain with us.  We spent a night there in the machine shed, in a tent.  It was cold and rainy but it was our mountain.  I walked to Canada and looked over the valley.  Okay, so it is not quite Canada.  About 800 meters away but it is a beautiful view.  The coughs started so we went back to my parents to sleep in the warm. 

The Tall Short Person was there for dinner on Thursday.  I and my Beloved did all the dishes.  I was talked out so that was a good place for me.  My family can talk.  I am definitely the quiet one.  I am better with a task.  Let me feed people.  Let me clean up.  I go for long walks with my Mom in the mornings.  We are "training" for Wales.

Yesterday was just trying to get caught up.  We usually have a rest the day we get back but not this time.  There was a wedding to go to.  The bride loved her dress.  But I could tell I had missed the very slow day on the way back.

I am still trying to figure out my life with Koda Bear.  It is very different then when I went to the office.  But yesterday was very successful except for computer work.  I never got here and did not get much help getting here.  I am going to have to figure out adjustments.  I have shop updates to do.  Maybe later today?  Plus more pictures to take, more walks and digging, more creating, maths!  I was awesome because I figured out how to get library books to his Kindle.  He is enjoying Fly Guy and the library has more then we were given.

I am very thankful for that small hand.  There is more joy in life with it.  Obviously, because there was a very high corkscrew slide, one of the old metal ones, that I went down.  In a dress.  Because I was asked.  It was a lot of fun!  Large smiles on both our faces.

being thankful

I am being thankful for today.  And the week to come.  I am still in a lot of pain.  But I am thankful that I can move.  That my hands can shape dough to make bread, to feed people.  To just be able to make.

I need a rest and break.  At least that is what my body is saying.  I can barely sit, let alone stand today.  But I am still walking.  There will be much family next week and a small bear for hugs.  That brings me joy.  I actually thought about not writing until I get back but I am.  I have computer work to do but no concentration.  The computer work will not get done until later. 

I keep getting fussed at to take time, rest.  It is that time.  I will be back in this space after Thanksgiving.  Hopefully rested and in much less pain.  But it is just the curve ball life threw and I need rest.  Fresh air.  Mountain air.  Family.  It will all help.

Happy Thanksgiving!

trying to catch up and take care

The dress is done and delivered.  I spent about 50 hours on it with probably a quarter of that time hand stitching.  My hands feel it.  My whole body feels it and I am still tired.  But the bride was very pleased.  She said she liked it better and it fit better then the one she bought.  It was also softer.  Nicer fabric had been found.  What almost brought the tears though was that I embroidered her and her Beloved's initials on the inside of the bodice in a blue thread.  I knew what blue she liked so it was in that blue.

I am not a hugger.  I got hugged hard.  I am not a hugger except for small bears.  Koda Bear gives the best hugs.

Today I am trying life slowly and take care.  The is bread to bake for traveling.  And just eating!  When I have gone down a rabbit hole like a wedding dress, it is a good thing when there is bread in the house.

Koda Bear has decided his favourite colour is orange again.  I am making him an orange Christmas quilt.  The backing will be the soft orange fabric he picked out from Ragfinery.  A physical hug for the small bear for when I am not there!

And I am going to work on some dresses for me next week.  I also have a grey and black piece of fabric but I am thinking the browns first.  Being machine washable is a huge plus currently.  I might make them just a tad longer then the royal blue one.  My friend the instigator told me I should make a jacket or coat to match the royal blue dress.  I am considering.  

After the wedding dress, most people would run from their machine.  I do find it relaxing.  And I might even get a chance to spin more yellow yarn now for the sweater I am creating.  Just slow down a bit and take care.  I am so horrible at slow.