Today I finally did something outside the in-office-day routine and spontaneously walked to the library, sat and enjoyed browsing through some lovely magazines.
It was less than 30 minutes, but it was peaceful and nourishing and I will definitely do again.
This evening I played about with tiny alphabets on graph paper – plotting out letters then stitching tiny words on very (very) tiny Aida.
It was quite fun and I was completely absorbed in it for a good few hours. Looking back – definitely a flow state – which of course we all want when undertaking our craftly activities.
Ultimately I’ll not use what I was working on – didn’t realise the vision – but that doesn’t really matter. I experimented! I tried something out!
It’s one creative idea out of my head and into my hands. Less over-thinking and more doing!
I want more evenings like this, ideally with occasional successful outcomes.
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Absolutely needs blocking, but a fairly quick and fun knit.
Though I knit to pattern, it’s possibly (definitely) a little too long – but it will be very toasty!
I am so pleased to have my knitting mojo back. I sat and knit for a long time yesterday and it was peaceful and lovely.
Next I’ll jump back on the even more giant blue one.
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Tiny knitting helper with a summer haircut.
BabyKitty was struggling a lot with the recent heat, and her poor grooming issues meant her very furry fur was a mess.
We’ve not had her in for grooming for over 6 years. She hasn’t really needed it and to do it they neede to put her under general anaesthetic, which we’re not keen to do that unnecessarily.
But it was definitely time. The shorter fur has made a huge difference already, she’s much more lively and has even permitted (occasional) pats!
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Sitting down to write very first thing in the morning was an apparent invitation to my brain to bounce about like a mad thing. Not in the good, creative, brimming with ideas and energy way, more a I’ve-just-downed-5-espressos-and-done-4-lines-of-speed way.
There was very little writing and quite a lot of staring into middle distance, mind racing. And this was before any actual coffee was consumed.
This was really not conducive to a smooth, slow and peaceful start to the day, which is something I value quite highly!
So my morning pages have evolved into before-bed journalling. Not quite in line with The Way, but serving me better.
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109th consecutive daily sky photo.
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An extremely rare moment of harmony and togetherness.
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It’s possible the plants are getting a little out of control.
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Obviously all I needed to do to regain knitting mojo was divest myself of that unfinished jumper which was sitting in the cupboard for way too long making me feel guilty for not working on it.
My completely unoriginal new philosophy is that life is way too short to work on projects you aren’t loving – out they go!
I’ve been slowly re-organising the NotCraft room and today tackled the knitting bag. I rarely have any wool on hand and absolutely no stash to speak of, but there was a single ball of white(ish) 10ply Rowan kid classic in the bag^^. So I thought I’d knit the same cowl in the yarn size it was designed for alongside the giant blue one and compare.
It’s been just lovely to sit and knit a bit in the evening. As The Universe is my witness, I will never ever attempt another jumper – but scarves and cowls and hats are something I think I’ll enjoy picking up again.
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^^ I believe this might have been a test ball for the jumper I frogged.
I love candles, but have quite terrible candle burning hygiene and so had a mix of beeswax candle leavings – a few tea lights, a small chunk I used as thread conditioner and some gorgeous ones from PollenArts on Etsy^^ – that I was hoping to reincarnate as a new candle.
Sure, I could have thrown the scraps away – but that felt like doing a disservice to the lovely, industrious wee bees.
After dithering for WAY too long, I decided I was just going to suck it up and use a jar for my first effort, and so pillaged my candle kit for the wick and other bits and pieces. I didn’t colour or scent – natural all the way!
I could have researched the process ahead of time but I like to live on the edge. With the edge comes learnings:
Learnings:
1. chop the wax into smaller bits
2. remove any residual wicks from the wax before melting
3. it gets very hot standing over that boiling water, stirring, stirring, stirring – endlessly stirring
But it was extremely satisfying and I’m very pleased with the outcome. And finally something out of my head and into the world.
I would definitely repeat and perhaps will even acquire a hideously expensive mould.
On with the (many, many) pix …
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Materials: gathered and ready to go!
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Highly technical equipment: salsa jar, wick stuck down with a wick sticker (which are a thing, who knew?) and held in place with a paddle-pop stick with a hole in it.
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All the bits ready to melt!
I am crazy about the shape of that jug (from the kit).
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Into the boiling water bath!
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What seems like hours pass.
This is where I realised I should really have chopped the wax into smaller bits.
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Finally! Melted
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All the bits of wick I fished out.
This is where I realised it would have been infinitely simpler to remove the wicks before melting.
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And we have a candle! And it’s a pretty decent-sized one.
Behold all that wax that would have been wasted. Thanks bees!
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Hardening, hardening
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Fully set – I really adore that caramel colour.
WE HAVE A CANDLE!
I’ll let it sit for a couple of weeks to fully harden before I start the burning.
And the circle continues.
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^^ Sadly PollenArts no longer ship to Australia. I bought these for Joan years and years ago and she recently told me I could burn them. They’d definitely seen better days from being in storage – burn your candles, kids!