Last week was a big one: school started back up for my kids. I have a freshman and a senior. (Look at that boy! 14 and he’s already taller than both me and the girl, even in her new heels!)
HOW? How is that possible, when I can remember them both when they were tiny and silly and goofy? I’m in total denial that my girl is a senior; I haven’t cried yet. YET. But I know it’s coming. I’m bracing myself. It’ll probably hit at the marching band Senior Night, when they recognize seniors and their parents on the field. I can’t believe that will be us this year. Speaking of band, Friday was the first game of the season, which means it was the first time I got to see both kids perform in the marching band.
Yeah, it’s going to be a fun year. Emotional, but fun. I’m so excited to see the girl do amazing things this year and beyond.
I have been knitting a bit lately, just not as much as usual. I’ve got a second sock almost to the toe, which is good because I’m a little tired of this pair. It’s dragged on too long.
It’s probably dragging because I’ve been focusing on the baby blanket, the second of two I’m making for a friend who recently had twins. The good news is, I’m on the second to last skein of yarn! The bad news is, I’m tired of it.
But I love the color and the pattern and I can’t wait to gift it. Maybe I can finish this week? At least I can if I don’t get distracted by more enticing projects, like the Zuzu’s Petals I’m making in this stunning Ella Rae Lace Merino DK. Yes, it really is THAT BRIGHT!
Yum! I just love it! And I just realized the blue theme I’ve got going in my knitting. No wonder I’m itching to cast on something new; I need some variation! I’m also ready for fall knits: bulky cowls, thick merino, hats, mittens…
Yesterday we were kid-free for a bit so the husband and I went on a fun creative date. In cleaning out my craft room yesterday, I discovered a vintage Parker pen. It belonged either to my dad or my husband’s grandmother (and yes, I do feel bad not remembering). I knew it was a Parker, and a bit of research told me it was a Vector, but I couldn’t get it open to put in a refill.
Well, that required a visit to the Pen Place. The kind woman had special pliers that could loosen the body without damaging the pen, and of course she had refills available too. Despite finding two pens I really liked (both Lamy; I’m drawn to the smooth writing) I resisted and only bought some fun color ink cartridges. It was tough. And really only happened because my birthday is coming up so I know I have gifts coming my way!
After the pen store, we visited Blick Art Materials, since I’ve got this hankering to learn to draw. That, and I’ve always loved browsing through art supplies. That’s probably the only reason I want to to learn to draw: to be able to use all the pretty things!
Again, I practiced restraint and purchased just two drawing pencils instead of the nifty set of eight in the metal tin. I’ve decided to earn those; they can be my treat when I improve a bit, if I still enjoy the process. What I like about this book is the encouragement that really counters my self-doubt, and the emphasis on the process rather than the final drawing. I went through the first two lessons and then my assignment was to draw three things that are special to me. The first attempts were pretty rough and discouraging, to be honest. But I kept going, and my kind family encouraged me and gave me a few pointers, and at the end of the evening I had this:
And that pleases me! Although, looking at it now, I see a bit I can do differently to make it better. Maybe I need to try again today!
So many crafts, so little time. Sigh.
If you look at the crochet on the paper, you’ll see it’s much darker as a whole, than the paper underneath. Now, if you just put an all over shade of grey on your drawing of it, it will stick out. Then you can just darken the shades even more. And pkease if I’m a plague, tell me so, and I shall shut up 😉
Thanks, I’ll give it a shot!
A great start on your drawing – starting is the hardest part. I must confess that I am a total youtube addict and spend many happy hours watching people draw and paint.
Don’t kids grow up too fast?! Mine are only 8 (very nearly 9) and 6 but it seems like yesterday that they were babies. Compared to my new born nephew they are huge and so grown up!!!
Never thought about a YouTube as a resource! Great idea!
They grow up SO far but at least every stage is fun. I’m really enjoying them as teenagers. I just wish I’d taken more videos when they were younger.
Awesome drawing!
And the casting on itch must be calling for some purple. What’s with all the blue?!
I don’t know!! Really I’m craving some calm colors after all this bright stuff–maybe some black and white next!
I like your crochet hook drawing! One piece of advice that I got when I was learning to draw, was to think about drawing the “spirit” of the thing, not what you think you see. So, when you go to draw, you don’t think “I’m drawing a crochet hook,” but “Look at this new and strange thing, I’m going to capture it.” – Ok, it seems very touchy, feely, but it helped me. Hope it made a little sense, haha!
It does make sense, and I even like the idea! I just think I’m still too much of a newbie for that to be successful. Hopefully with a bit of practice and muscle memory, I can get to that point. 🙂
Love the drawing! That’s one thing that I would like to learn. Isn’t that the way that goes. We want to do it all.
So true! Gotta do ALL the hobbies!
I had to start limiting my hobbies as I just didn’t have enough time for them all:( Such a horrible problem to have lol.