Creativity Block

I have been facing a creativity block the like I had hoped was behind me. I have been searching blogs and Ravelry for patterns to ignite a spark but so far it has eluded me. I have plenty of patterns that I'd like to make, but actually starting is the issue. I have a nice stash built up from my last burst of creativity so yarn is not the problem. That said I have purchased a few skeins in hope they would help. I've actually attempted one project, an afghan for me (I never make anything for me) but I'm having such a difficult time with the pattern that I rarely pick up my hook. I'll take some pictures of my inspiration (if I can get some) and post them next time. I'll also explain the pattern I'm using, which has been adapted from a Redheart pattern.

I'm ashamed to admit that it has been so long since I've been here. Truthfully, though, I lost my creative flow for awhile. Then I was in an accident in early November in which my car was totalled and my neck and back injured. That has caused issues with my being able to do anything crafty. I'm not 100% but I am getting to a point where I am able to do something for short spurts. So I'm off for now and will try and be better about getting crafty. I have started a new project, finally, but don't have pictures yet. Once I get a new batter for my camera I will post my progress and where you can find the pattern I used.

No Excuse

It's been way too long since I've posted. No excuse really, at least for most of the days between then and now. Just nothing to talk about.

I haven't done much crocheting, which is part of the issue. I'm working on another baby blanket, same pattern as I used before, but this one is done in Deborah Norville Premiere yarn in Parrot. The nursery is going to be done in jewel tones, so it should look good with it. I like the color. There are long colorways which works well with the pattern I'm using.

I've also dragged out my sewing machine and made a dress for my granddaughter's 5th birthday, which is coming up soon. I'll post a picture of her in it.

A New Addition

I found out this past week that the 4th grandchild is going to be a boy. I don't know the proposed name, or exactly when the he will join the family, but I'm excited none the less. Both of my sons will have two children then, one girl and one boy apiece. And the older ones are the girls. I decided soon after finding out the new one was on the way that I would make the baby, regardless of sex, a Texas flag baby blanket. I won't start on it until later in the year, but you can purchase the pattern I bought on Ravelry. The name of the pattern is Lone Star Baby, by Staci Perry. It is really a great pattern done in Tunisian crochet.

I love Tunisian crochet. Just the basic TSS is great for any pattern than has embroidery on it. It makes a perfect backdrop for a cross stitch pattern. And it is easy to master the basic stitch. If you haven't tried it yet you should.

So Much For That

I said that I was going to do better about posting, and here it is, several days later, and I'm just not getting on to post. I was under the weather a bit last week, but still it isn't an excuse for the delay.

I have a friend who is getting married at the end of this month so I've been working on some love birds. I've tried several patterns but I haven't found one that I really like. I have a lot of difficulty with crocheting in rounds. It's a mental thing I guess, but I find it really difficult. If I get one finished I'll post a picture and where you can get the pattern.

I've also been working on an afghan for my best friend from high school. She remains one of my greatest supporters and the least I can do for her is make her an afghan. She has a closed in porch on her house, newly built a few years ago after her house was destroyed by Hurricane Rita. She likes to sit outside and read, and even though her porch is enclosed it still gets cold in the winter, so my goal is to make her a wrap to keep her warm. I finally settled on a pattern I found in a Crochet Today from last year. I know it was last year because I only got my subscription about a year ago. Anyway, the afghan is made by crocheting squares and just sewing them together. The completed squares are placed into a bag and sewn together in the order they are pulled out. I'm using Red Heart's Ranch Red and Claret for the main colors and with a few others made from scraps thrown in for a little more interest. I am woefully late on completing this, but as her birthday is in September I don't feel rushed to do it right now.

More on Smoke

I mentioned a few posts ago about the smoke from fires from the north of here. Its still going on, some days worse than others. Yesterday the visibility was extremely poor and the smell of smoke inside the building at work was so strong I left with a headache. Here's a picture of midday yesterday. It reminds me of the sandstorms that kicked up from time to time when I was in Iraq.

I understand that fires such as those causing the smoke can smolder for quite a while before it gets under control because it burrows down into 3-4 feet of deadfall. Thankfully today wasn't as bad.

Fathers

Today is Father's Day and I find myself surrounded by them, and missing the ones who mean a lot in my life.

My dad died in 1985, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him. I was 29 and it was a devastating blow to me. He was a brilliant man, with a photographic memory. He was also a voracious reader and many times I'd find him in his recliner with one of the books from our encyclopedia set in his hand. I don't have a lot of clear memories of the year after he died. I know that I went to work and took care of my boys and my then soldier husband. But not of events that I know had to have happened during that time.

As for that soldier husband, about four years ago two weeks after our 31st wedding anniversary, he took off like a coward after getting caught by the husband of the woman with whom he was having an affair. I miss him less each day and hate him more. He destroyed his sons with other actions related to that woman but not to what he did to me, and has no contact with his youngest. He's missing the lives of his grandchildren who are growing into such wonderfully entertaining people. I've forgiven him and that woman and the others he probably slept with while we were still living together as husband and wife. His ego is such that he can't bring himself to apologize for what he's done. I say this knowing that in those 31 years he apologized to me three times. And you know that he messed up more than 3 times in all those years. He is after all a man.

But I have two sons who are wonderful fathers and I see how involved they are with their children. I have to take credit for that because their dad wasn't involved with them like that. My grandchildren are going to remember this involvement and appreciate it when they have children of their own.

Happy Father's Day to all fathers. Earn that title!