Time seems to run sooooooo fast thesse days. I had planned to use August to catch up on my stitching projects. Instead it became recover from A&S. I'm finally feeling like being creative and work, which has been little to non-exisitent for the last couple years seems to be on a large up-swing. Soooo I've had to be "professional". While I'd like to think that I'm professional in the way I think and do things, having to put on the outward trappings is another thing altogether. Getting up early - putting on a full face of makeup - putting on panty hose - putting on the "suit" - putting on real shoes (pumps versus clogs) - getting in the car and driving through traffic... Then being there in the room 110% to hear the case. Most of the time I multi-task. It is something I'm good at. However, when I'm hearing a case - the others in the room wouldn't understand if I brought my needlework along. Oh- well. 2 cases later...
Did a little more weaving. Good relaxation on the evenings when I'm home from working. I promise pics soon. Did some research into a lacis project. I may take the test project with me on vacation. It is a lot of set up which is suitable for sitting around in the evenings that we aren't out and about or when we are staying with friends. Did a bit of prep for a set of blackwork collar and cuffs for me. I will take the frontispiece for the German with me to do, but will probably also take the collar and cuffs - repetition is good and relatively mindless work.
When I return I need to prep for the 3 classes I'm teaching in October, finish my surface embroidery project (the radish book) and do the next installment for my column. The first issue with my column should be hitting the stands about now - Sept/Oct issue of Needlepoint Now. Hope they made all the last minute fixes on the citations. Yes it is REAL (big grin).
PS my phone now has the email and phone numbers from my computers address book - now to do the final updates to my Palm. It works!
Friday, September 10, 2004
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Coping with the Modern World
"Toys" are supposed to make life easier. I suppose in the long run they will, but for now I'm doing a lot of weaving to combat the frustration of trying to make my toys work together. Strange how all the creative energy gets eaten when dealing with picky little details.
Tonight was a big break through - my phone and my computer communicated. Yes Bluetooth technology really works. Some day I'll have my phone and a portion of my email address book on my phone. Yes I'll still have the Palm/Treo, but since the email and phone both are through the phone...
Part of this is trying to get ready to go on vacation. We have 2 weeks in DC-Alexandria-Colonial Williamsburg - Virgina coming up fast. Meanwhile I have "real" work coming fast too. Sigh -- not a lot of time or energy to play with my needlework.
It always seems that you have to do so much to get ready to go on vacation and then catch up on the return side. I sometimes wonder if vacation is really worth all the trouble. Most of the time my needlework is my mental vacation.
Need to think about what project to take with me on this vacation. I have no doubt that if I don't take a project, I'll wish I had, but if I do, I won't get a lot of time to stitch.
Tonight was a big break through - my phone and my computer communicated. Yes Bluetooth technology really works. Some day I'll have my phone and a portion of my email address book on my phone. Yes I'll still have the Palm/Treo, but since the email and phone both are through the phone...
Part of this is trying to get ready to go on vacation. We have 2 weeks in DC-Alexandria-Colonial Williamsburg - Virgina coming up fast. Meanwhile I have "real" work coming fast too. Sigh -- not a lot of time or energy to play with my needlework.
It always seems that you have to do so much to get ready to go on vacation and then catch up on the return side. I sometimes wonder if vacation is really worth all the trouble. Most of the time my needlework is my mental vacation.
Need to think about what project to take with me on this vacation. I have no doubt that if I don't take a project, I'll wish I had, but if I do, I won't get a lot of time to stitch.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
I am not a Techie!!!! Frustration Abounds
I really hate it when my computer and other related gadgets eat up all my patience and energy. I know it will be worth all the work in the long run, but in the short run, frustration is the nature of the day(s).
I finally finished moving into my Mac G5 with OSX. It really is another animal. Not the old Mac although it will run OS9 (thankfully). Not a PC. The new Unix base means that the husband understands most of the computer better than I do (sigh), but he still can't answer the Mac specific questions.
It hasn't been an easy move although it could have been harder. I was able to transfer over all the old files. I can even read them either with new software or under OS9 and old software. The wierder bit has been moving into an updated and revised calendar program and NEW email program.
In theory at some point I will have my cell phone, PDA and computer all talking to each other. BUT I need to go through certain gyrations first. The most seamless was the Palm PDA stuff. Then moved over all the email stuff. It is all there, even the Address Book (hurrah) - just not organized -- all 300+ addresses. So more work in the weeks to come, reorganizing everything.
It is hard to believe that it was 20 years ago that I got my first MAC. They were cutting back at work and I was only to have 1/6 of a secretary. I said okay, but I want a MAC and training -- which I received. Now my cell phone is more complicated and more powerful than my first computer.
Okay - I'm coping. But it really is an energy and time sink -- not to mention the tendonitis; so no stitching. Maybe I'll warp the loom and weave a bit more and watch the Olympics tonight. Need to give the brain a break.
I finally finished moving into my Mac G5 with OSX. It really is another animal. Not the old Mac although it will run OS9 (thankfully). Not a PC. The new Unix base means that the husband understands most of the computer better than I do (sigh), but he still can't answer the Mac specific questions.
It hasn't been an easy move although it could have been harder. I was able to transfer over all the old files. I can even read them either with new software or under OS9 and old software. The wierder bit has been moving into an updated and revised calendar program and NEW email program.
In theory at some point I will have my cell phone, PDA and computer all talking to each other. BUT I need to go through certain gyrations first. The most seamless was the Palm PDA stuff. Then moved over all the email stuff. It is all there, even the Address Book (hurrah) - just not organized -- all 300+ addresses. So more work in the weeks to come, reorganizing everything.
It is hard to believe that it was 20 years ago that I got my first MAC. They were cutting back at work and I was only to have 1/6 of a secretary. I said okay, but I want a MAC and training -- which I received. Now my cell phone is more complicated and more powerful than my first computer.
Okay - I'm coping. But it really is an energy and time sink -- not to mention the tendonitis; so no stitching. Maybe I'll warp the loom and weave a bit more and watch the Olympics tonight. Need to give the brain a break.
Friday, August 06, 2004
Tired but pleased
The weekend went well. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Nothing went quite as planned, but it all worked anyway. About 10% of the classes failed to materialize but I was able to replace about half of them even last minute. People were incredibly generous with their time. We actually had almost enough people to help put things up and get them taken down in reasonable order. Yes the husband was weary, but he had help this time.
Got my new garb done in time. Vikings are very comfortable and linen always is a joy to wear. Since I was very busy and running around lots, comfortable was good. Yes I'll do pics soon.
Friday was set up. Had all but 1 classroom pavilion up by dark. Dinner was easy -- premarinated chicken wings on a disposable barbecue - 8 x 11" approximately. Managed to cook all the pieces and still had good coals left. Jicima, carrots and snap peas are good snacks as well as made for a good healthy dinner. Husband then went off to stand guard, in his new tunic, for the vigil. I went along to visit. We really didn't need to eat dinner since they had a wonderful medieval food feast for the vigil.
Saturday - up at the crack of dawn, well almost. We opened the class registration at 8 am and the line was long. We did manage to get most people through the line in the hour before classes started. My deputy is VERY good. Court went well. About half the demos cancelled so having court take part of the demo time worked out. The day ran fast, but people were happy - laughing - and lots of positive energy. We had LOTS of entries in the competitions - hurrah! It was hard to find 3 judges for 8 competitions, but some of the judges really gave of their time and did multiples. I was very grateful.
The evening was the feast put on by and for the new Laurel - a Hawaiian feast complete with entertainment. It was a real mind bender to see medieval style garb done in Hawaiian prints. Good food, wonderful entertainment, fun people. I was tired but got to sit back and enjoy. There was a glitch in the evening competitions, but we got it handled.
Sunday dawned clear which is good. There is nothing like packing up wet canvas. The morning classes went off well and they were well attended. Court was well attended and reasonably short. Several people received awards and we recognized all the competitions entries. We managed to get everyone packed up and off site by 5 pm. Then home. Husband unpacked half of the moving van Sunday night (yes we borrow a 25' van for the event - 3 pavilions, 10 tables, 20 gallons of water, ...). I collapsed after a shower.
Spent the better part of Monday finishing the unpacking and cleaning up. The rest of the week has been catchup. Yes I warped the loom again and am working on more trim. Will probably pick up a needle tonight - it is mystery night on PBS - good stitching time.
Got my new garb done in time. Vikings are very comfortable and linen always is a joy to wear. Since I was very busy and running around lots, comfortable was good. Yes I'll do pics soon.
Friday was set up. Had all but 1 classroom pavilion up by dark. Dinner was easy -- premarinated chicken wings on a disposable barbecue - 8 x 11" approximately. Managed to cook all the pieces and still had good coals left. Jicima, carrots and snap peas are good snacks as well as made for a good healthy dinner. Husband then went off to stand guard, in his new tunic, for the vigil. I went along to visit. We really didn't need to eat dinner since they had a wonderful medieval food feast for the vigil.
Saturday - up at the crack of dawn, well almost. We opened the class registration at 8 am and the line was long. We did manage to get most people through the line in the hour before classes started. My deputy is VERY good. Court went well. About half the demos cancelled so having court take part of the demo time worked out. The day ran fast, but people were happy - laughing - and lots of positive energy. We had LOTS of entries in the competitions - hurrah! It was hard to find 3 judges for 8 competitions, but some of the judges really gave of their time and did multiples. I was very grateful.
The evening was the feast put on by and for the new Laurel - a Hawaiian feast complete with entertainment. It was a real mind bender to see medieval style garb done in Hawaiian prints. Good food, wonderful entertainment, fun people. I was tired but got to sit back and enjoy. There was a glitch in the evening competitions, but we got it handled.
Sunday dawned clear which is good. There is nothing like packing up wet canvas. The morning classes went off well and they were well attended. Court was well attended and reasonably short. Several people received awards and we recognized all the competitions entries. We managed to get everyone packed up and off site by 5 pm. Then home. Husband unpacked half of the moving van Sunday night (yes we borrow a 25' van for the event - 3 pavilions, 10 tables, 20 gallons of water, ...). I collapsed after a shower.
Spent the better part of Monday finishing the unpacking and cleaning up. The rest of the week has been catchup. Yes I warped the loom again and am working on more trim. Will probably pick up a needle tonight - it is mystery night on PBS - good stitching time.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Running Fast Again - Weaving Soothes the Way
It is time for that last minute rush toward Arts and Sciences weekend. As mentioned before I am in charge of this large event with 100 classes, 8 competitions, 12+ demos, plus entertainment and a whole lot more this coming weekend in Monterey California. We expect over 300 people and lots of hoopa. We borrow a moving van to get all the pavilions, tables and stuff to the site. Spend all of Friday setting up for it and the first wave of people with pavilions for classrooms and and and... Then Saturday 8 am is class registration and 9 am starts the classes.
I am teaching as well. Yes I'm crazy!!! The class is one I've done before on shading, but will be lots better since I've done a class with Linn since then. We will do a bit with split, long and short, and couching. Talk about defining edges with split stitch or back stitch under and stem stitch and couching over. We will talk about angle and flow to accent. Then if we have time we may experiment with multiple threads - twisting 2 together to make one of an in between color.
Spent the weekend making new garb. Husband wants to do some early period stuff so I was making a Viking outfit and he was making his "colors". He is part of a war unit and one of the members will be elevated to the highest arts level (Laurel). The unit willl be standing guard during the lady's vigil and all the unit members will be in their colors. He only has a ratty over tunic for his armor so... he made himself a nice tunic for the event (yes he sews :)
As mentioned I've been doing some inkle weaving to relieve the stress of doing all the mind numbing detail work to make the event happen. I've woven 4 - approximately 3 yard pieces so far - black, green, cream for a new wool Viking for me, blue & red for husband's new early period tunic, blue & gold -- my first piece, but too yellow for what I had in mind so will need to do another (sigh) in a more goldy tone, and wine, peach, cream for my new linen Viking.
Will spend most of the rest of the week attending to details and juggling all the little last minute bits that make for a super event. Hope I remember everthing. It seems people like my events - "they are well planned, run well, people have handouts so they know what to expect - where & when, and they are fun". So now I have a reputation to live up too (drat!!! :)
Next week collapse and catch up on embroidery.
I am teaching as well. Yes I'm crazy!!! The class is one I've done before on shading, but will be lots better since I've done a class with Linn since then. We will do a bit with split, long and short, and couching. Talk about defining edges with split stitch or back stitch under and stem stitch and couching over. We will talk about angle and flow to accent. Then if we have time we may experiment with multiple threads - twisting 2 together to make one of an in between color.
Spent the weekend making new garb. Husband wants to do some early period stuff so I was making a Viking outfit and he was making his "colors". He is part of a war unit and one of the members will be elevated to the highest arts level (Laurel). The unit willl be standing guard during the lady's vigil and all the unit members will be in their colors. He only has a ratty over tunic for his armor so... he made himself a nice tunic for the event (yes he sews :)
As mentioned I've been doing some inkle weaving to relieve the stress of doing all the mind numbing detail work to make the event happen. I've woven 4 - approximately 3 yard pieces so far - black, green, cream for a new wool Viking for me, blue & red for husband's new early period tunic, blue & gold -- my first piece, but too yellow for what I had in mind so will need to do another (sigh) in a more goldy tone, and wine, peach, cream for my new linen Viking.
Will spend most of the rest of the week attending to details and juggling all the little last minute bits that make for a super event. Hope I remember everthing. It seems people like my events - "they are well planned, run well, people have handouts so they know what to expect - where & when, and they are fun". So now I have a reputation to live up too (drat!!! :)
Next week collapse and catch up on embroidery.
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