And the results are in

No not really. I'm feeling overwhelmed by everything I'm involved in.... School, to work, to businesses, to mom and wife, and feeling like a really shitty friend to a couple people. Not to mention that I somehow ended up caught in the middle of hearing to many sides of the same story and getting told 'don't tell them I said this, but'......really? why me? I'm still doing research for the lastest business venture... and we may have an investor.... maybe.

Finished another baby blanket. I call it Sour Apple .And have now turned a UFO into a WIP. So we'll see how that goes. Trying to get things organized at home since The Death of Small Business is having great sales on storage totes.

I've decided...

I say that a lot. Anyway, my  newest decision is to improve my sewing skills so I can work with knit fabrics and then I want to make the designs in my head for clothing. I want to focus on tops, skirts and dresses for now. I want to include maternity, because I passionately hated all the maternity clothes I had bought of been given... so I said screw it all and just bought bigger sizes. Or wore my hubby's shirts.

I also have this great idea for a tote bag line, that I'm not ready to get into yet. Just trust me it's awesome.

Alpaca made me do it...

I've always avoided wools.... itchy, coarse, amd sometimes oily. But in wandering my local yarn shop (The Needlepoint Joint) I touched my first Alpaca yarn... (insert short sweet angel chorus and clouds parting)... it was soft squishy bulky baby alpaca blend from Plymouth Yarns... I fell in love. I didn't know an animal fiber yarn could feel like the soft part of a puppy's ear. I had read the review on it in a past issue of Interweave Crochet, but remained skeptical. Long story short: I bought some and will make myself a lovely winter wrap/shawl. I also found something else surprising. An array of wool blends that may convert me further. Don't get me wrong I am first and foremost a plant fiber and synthetic fan. That won't change, but there is now room in my stash for alpaca and possibly some wool blends.

Changes

I was going to write about something else entirely but I got to thinking not so long ago (approximately an hour ago) about how some people fall into life easily and others struggle with every concept. I've fallen in life as wife and mother very easily and at a young age, but career wise I consider my self a late bloomer... even a resistant one. I'm reflecting on the because several girlsin my age group I know are going thru divorces (and I see one in the future) and it's funny to me that thay say that they are 'finally happy' or 'coming into their own'. Why hasn't this happened to me.... am I really that different? Did I really grow up that fast? Don't get me wrong... I am incredibly happy to be married and be a mother, and won't change that. I don't long to be a mid-twenties divorcee running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It just makes me curious that so much of the best things to ever happen to me have fallen into my lap so to speak.

Pullip

I have recently become fascinated by the Pullip Dolls. They are beautiful, expressive, and I just bought my first one. I can't wait to get her. She's beautiful.. and I'm going to make clothing and accessories for her. But I think I'll buy her shoes instead of making them. I think I'm using it as escapism. Which I need. I'd like to build (or have my husband build) a doll house for my pullips and a seperate one for my Barbies... didn't I tell you I collect those too... but I'm very picky.. I only get the Irish ones or angels. Don't ask why, I don't have an answer.

At this moment

I'm trying to go back to school, fix my car, get a different job and follow dreams...  someone (it feels like everyone) has to throw a wrench in my happy... why.... I ask for help and what to I get.. lectures, bad omens.... all manners of foreboding. I know I've been a pain... I am a pain, but why can't 'they' see that I'm doing my best. I'm not amazing but dammit I'm doing my best. I'm trying really I am.

I'm working on another idea to help my work... don't hold your breath though these are MAJOR long shots.

Farmer's Market and Gardening

So I pulled my stuff out of Reenie's House, not because of any hard feelings, but because I'd put in almost $200 with nothing to show. I fully support local business (i'm working on it myself) but $200 is a lot of money and the location is not fabulous. The show could be somewhere better.

But speaking of local business. I am obsessed and fascinate by my local farmers market here in Ogden. I love everything about it. The fresh food, walking outside, being right on 25th St, all the crafters and artists. it's amazing. Hopefully next year I'll there selling my one-of-a-kind shawls, bags, beanies, and something I call "the tube"... more on that last thing later. I'm really thrilled to see how many people show up to support the whole deal. Have I mentioned how amazing 25th St is? Everyone should go.

Here are some pics from arounf my house and garden: