Talk About Tuesday

 

In Which I Am Still Tired, But For A Reason

I have had quite the busy long weekend! On Friday, my boyfriend came over and we had a great time watching videos and snuggling on a pile of blankets. On Saturday I overslept and dozed but still tried to get stuff done (didn't do much productively but hey, sometimes that's life). On Sunday, my sisters came over and we had a big cookout and fire pit and that was fun. And yesterday, my dad surprised me by bringing my boyfriend by again and we got to hang out all day!

Which is why there was no blog yesterday lol.

I was busy watching Unsolved Mysteries and helping treat a really messy blackfly bite.

I put in my window fan yesterday, too!

And honestly, I've just been very busy this weekend. Even Saturday was busy despite me not really doing a heck of a lot, that I can recall.

So today I am a tired bunny.

And yet I still did more! My friend messaged my guy & me and asked if we'd like to come with on errands, so we hung out in various shops around my home town today!

We hit up a couple of clothing places, the ol Wally World, and a grocery store, and I came home with Mirin (which I had not realized would need ID to buy oops) and Stroopwafel and a Cherry Coke, and my boyfriend ended up adding a few things to his wardrobe plus some fun charcuterie stuff including jam, Spanish cheeses, and some tasty meats. Now that we've gone back to our respective homes, I've gotta admit...

I'm way more tired than I should be after such a simple little stroll in the drizzle & cool!

It was a gray morning of around 56℉/13,3℃ that cleared off and still only reached maybe 63℉/17,2℃. It's been gently breezy, but that just means that the bugs that were absent on Sunday are back en force. the blackfly population has boomed.

And of course, the June Bugs are making their appearance.

I have a love-hate relationship with June Bugs. They are God's Perfect Moron. They will concuss themselves on trees, flying with less agility than a drunken bumblebee and they stick to everything. They have always seemed attracted to hair - especially mine.

But they're kind of delightfully stupid, in a way.

They're so completely inept at everything bug-related, but they're also just big clumsy creatures trying their best in a world they literally cannot understand.

And I really, really relate to that.

As for this coming week, I think we all know I'll do my best to stick to the schedule, but life uh... finds a way.

• Thursday should involve a new piece of art out!
• Monday should (hopefully [FINALLY]) have some sort of advancement on the toadstool bag we've been plugging away on. Has anyone else had luck stabilizing the mouth of the bag? I'd love pointers.
• Next Tuesday should see me back again to blather at you!

That'll about do it for me, to be honest. I'm ready for bed and it's not even 8pm!

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Thursday Art Walk

 

Guess who forgot about blogging? I DID!

Today was... weird.

I woke up late. Showered late. Got all the bottles and cans in the house together late. Walked with a trash bag filled with returnables all the way uphill both ways to the redemption center.

It was closed.

I had to walk home with the bottles.

Ever walked around carrying 7 dollars worth of returnable cans? It's heavy.

I felt like an idiot, though in my defense, they're usually open til 4pm on Thursdays.

So I headed home, bottles on my back, circulation cut off by the ties on the bag, and luckily my mom was willing to give me a ride to the other bottle place, and even more thankfully they were open. So I dropped off the bottles, got my pocket change, and all was hunky dory as the old beans say.

And then it was time to give the cat Walkies.

And Sky showed up again.

Now, for the uninitiated, my cat goes for walks on her harness and our neighbor has a big gray barn cat named Sky. Sky is shy with people but apparently obsessed with my cat, so he'll continuously approach her making cute little kittenish meows.

And then she punches him.

Every time.

Lately, he's taken to baiting her into attacking by plopping his ample bottom onto her deck or her hollow underneath the birdfeeder. Basically, he's trying power moves on an 8lb cat who has no idea that her hot pink harness makes her look like a dingus. She is immune to his bulk, but not his sass, and he is not immune to her front paws.

Today he climbed her favorite tree.

Right in front of her.

Evie, predictably, said ABSOLUTELY NOT and chased him, causing a standoff where there were two chubby cats gripping onto the tree's trunks while my mother tried to calm them down.

"Standoff"; Watercolor on paper; 2022

Above is an artist's rendition (my own) of what I saw from my bedroom window. Evie was further up the tree, tail fat as a bottlebrush, and Sky was lower, growling with his frankly adorable kittenish voice. My mother was baby-talking them from three feet away, which is the closest any of us have really been to Sky, who is shy.

Evie has not yet attempted to throw hands with the orange boy kitty who flounces around the house at night and sings us the song of his people.

It's weird how quiet these cats are when they're calling to each other.

The dogs in this neighborhood go for it, all bellows and bays at the top of their lungs. The ducks cackles can be heard through shut windows and music. The chickens are unmatched. Even the recent addition of the sheep can be heard baaing from the end of the road.

But the cats are fairly quiet. If the window is open and I'm being quiet at midnight, I can sometimes hear Sky or the Orange Boy marrrooowwwwing their way around, but it's half-volume. I find it weirdly respectful.

Anyway, I'm pretty tired and had completely forgotten to post this blog until right before going to bed, so here ya go :)

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Talk About Tuesday

 

So Uh... It's been a while...

Not gonna spin you the whole nine yards about the last week or so. I'll just come right out and say it.

I have felt incredibly bleh for the last week or so. Haven't had any motivation, haven't been able to sleep well, haven't been myself.

It's not COVID, I'm pretty sure. I think I'm just hitting a Seasonal Transition Depression. Happens between every single season - the weather shifts and I feel like... poo.

It's usually worse right before winter and right before summer, too, so this makes sense.

And for those who insist that Summer starts halfway through June, reality begs to disagree. The seasons are shifting. summer starts in the last half of May, Spring starts on Apr 1, Fall starts on Sept 30, and Winter starts November 27. They're jagged, uneven things, and none of them are as enjoyable in my 30s as they were in my childhood.

The nicest things I did since last Tuesday were writing 250 words in one of my books, hanging out with my guy, and watching a lot of wombat videos.

I also made some really nice yakisoba for him & me. Complete with ramen eggs that were pretty tasty!

Probably the worst things that happened this week were: 

Mice made their home in the mower's engine and we found out the hard way. No survivors. Mass nausea.

My cat stepped in another cat's poop outside and I had to help my mom wash her paws. The cat was unamused and hooked her poopy claws into the inside of my arm. There's bruising. FYI, rubbing alcohol and antibiotic ointment don't feel great.

I haven't slept more than 5 hours a night for the last 7 days. It's... bad.

I wanted those ramen eggs to be soft boiled but I still don't know at what point a 6 minute egg is actually a 6 minute egg (do you measure from boil or from the moment the egg is introduced to the stovetop?!) and also we don't have any ice to make ice water with. I also left them in the marinade for about 3 hours too long. Still good, but not exactly what I wanted.

Hopefully, though, I'll be able to get my silly butt to sleep for a full 8 hours and actually do the things I want to do!

This week's tentative plans:

Thursday: Art! Hopefully I can get my act together and actually draw something!

Monday: Figure out what I'm going to do with that Mushroom... can't quite figure it out yet.

Tuesday: Show up with hopefully less excuses and more excitement!

I am really sorry that I didn't have any good progress or fun stories for you this week. I've been bleh, and I'm looking forward to not being bleh!

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Talk About Tuesday

 

I'm Older :)

It was my birthday on Friday! I'm 33. And I had half my head buzzed because I guess I had a 1/3 life crisis lol.

Not really.

I've been meaning to experiment with shorter and shorter hair over the last few years and this time was the first shot I've had at really going for it! I love it! My hair is mostly out of my face and I love the way the short prickles feel under my fingertips. It would also be easier to dye like this, I'd imagine, if I tried that. I'm a bit worried about what bleach would do, but I'd be going for colors where Platinum isn't the goal and yellow would be fine. Frankly, I just want it a shade or two lighter so that dye would appear.

But that's not a big goal right now. I'm satisfied with my cool half-shaved haircut!

I went for a trip out of town with some friends and my guy and we had a blast at a new Poke place we'd never tried in the Old Port (Crunchy Poke!!!), went shopping at some of our favorite Asian markets, and just enjoyed ourselves in general. Kind of weird that none of the gas stations we stopped at had any of the new purple Mtn Dew, but hey, that's life during the Supply Chain Crisis!

I worked on a bunch of crochet projects over the last few days, too! And during all of this we ended up getting Fiber Optic Internet, ditching cable, and dropping our landline (so if you have my old landline number, I regret to inform you it no longer works!)

Mostly, though, I've been tired. And not the usual "oh I'm sleepy lol" kind of way.

I've felt exhausted.

Pretty sure it's because I keep making bad caffeine choices, to be fair.

I shouldn't be drinking 4 massive cups of mocha before bed. I shouldn't even have 3 of the small cups. I was doing so well! I was drinking 2 cups a day!

But lately I'm just drowning myself in mocha.

I need to start replacing half those cups with tea again.

Don't worry about supply on that one, I've probably got 300 teabags, all told, of various brews, 90% of which I haven't even tried yet!

I think tomorrow will be a peppermint day. Unless it's super hot, then I might make some fridge iced tea...

Nice tomorrow will be around 66℉/18,9℃! And it shouldn't be rainy or too sunny. I'll throw some pants on, go for a walk, get some cheddar popcorn and peanut m&ms, maybe drop by the food service for a Jarritos for myself. Maybe I'll even sketch out there.

It'd be nice to feel motivated. And get out of the house for a bit lol.

I should also make myself another bowl of Mi Goreng tomorrow - the package I bought is the first one where the oil has been liquid instead of a white, squishy mess! And it's so spicy! 10/10 do recommend.

The plan for this week is:

Thursday: Art

Monday: More fiddling with the Secret Project

Tuesday: Blather

But for now, I'm going to settle into my pillows and try to fight off the likely toxic quantities of caffeine in my stupid stupid veins lol.

(I'm fine, I actually feel quite nice right now!)

But that'll be all for now!

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Fiber Monday

 

In Which Attempts Were Made

Last week, we finished the cap on our Secret Project/Mystery Project, aka the Mushroom Bag, and this week, we're left to experiment. First, I wanted to experiment with ways to hold open the bottom opening.

I decided to use some very low grade jewelry wire I have had laying around, but I'm very unhappy with the way it's turning out. I'll have to undo it and start over.

Specifically, I'm unhappy with how the wire bunches and twists

I am quite disappointed in the stiff-yet-wobbly nature of that wire, though I can see myself making a couple of rings, covering them in ribbon, and sewing them in place to hold the gill portion stiffer.

Now, it's unfortunate, but I only found two different "mushroom" stitches. One was from a YouTuber called Crochet With Samra, and the other was from Fiber Spider. I have my concerns with using the very lovely but delicate stitch from Samra as straps, but as you can see below, even a single repeat of the Mushroom stitch from Fiber Spider is a bit... broad and loud for a strap for such an oddly-shaped bag? I have dilemmas. 

She a thicc band

If anyone out there has better suggestions on a mushroom-themed strap I could whip up out of natural-colored, red, and/or white thread, please let me know!

Also I still need to wash the bag because she is a dirty dirty bag.

For now, though, I'm going to relax and try to figure out some ways to fix what I've borked, test out new designs, etc!

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Thursday Art Walk

 

In Which It Has Been A Long Day

Today was way longer than it had any right to be lol! I got up at a reasonable hour, took my shower, and got dressed - it was going to be warm so I thought I was dressing well... not so much. It got up to 76℉/24,4℃! And the wind and cloud cover we were promised? Nowhere to be found. Hot, bright, still, and 57% humidity, it was quite the unexpected scorcher. Good thing I got my hair cut!

I also ended up getting Fiber Optic internet installed today! The installation guy was super nice, played with my cat, and knew my dad from a previous project at my dad's job! Very cool!

After my haircut, my mom and I went for a mini shopping trip, which ended with me getting new sandals.

But let's rewind to the early part of the day, where I was still long-haired and cranky, waiting for the appointed hour when I'd get half my head buzzed.

At that point I was painting!

I sat down with some references (thanks Google!) and decided it'd been too long since I'd painted a cityscape!

But I didn't want to have to deal with a huge wet piece of paper that would take forever to dry, so I took a piece of the awkwardly long & thin pieces of paper that came with my first metal palette and cut it into two much smaller much less awkwardly shaped pieces. I only managed one piece today, but I think it looks shockingly good!

"Cityscape"; watercolor; 2022

This is a first for me - I've never tried to work this small with this level of opaque color, and while the buildings did end up coming out patchy, I'm really pleased with the subtle shine on the left and the mountain mirage in the back! If I were to try again, I'd lay down my yellow in the upper left corner, my red in the upper right corner and my dark blue in the bottom right. I'd pull the colors from lightest to darkest to where they belong, and then I'd patiently wait for the paint layers to dry. I have so little faith in my own ability to glaze and layer. I need to be more confident.

I'm also pretty surprised with how opaque the white paint is! look how well that signature stands out!

I hope to paint a few more cityscapes, soon. I really like the way the buildings feel as I'm painting them.

Alright, I keep getting distracted playing with my hair so I think it's time for me to go to bed.

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Talk About Tuesday

 

A Gorgeous Day, but a lazy one.

I... didn't do a whole lot today, to be honest. I had all these grand designs of maybe going on a walk or luxuriating in the sun, but uh...

I took a shower, ate some leftovers, and lazed around all day.

I'd feel more ashamed if I hadn't also spent the entire day feeling borderline exhausted. What did I even do? The most activity I did yesterday was trying to convince the cat to not eat birds!

If I had to guess, I just didn't sleep well enough. I have a ridiculously delicate constitution when it comes to sleep, so any disruption, no matter how minor, means I feel like I've barely slept. I didn't even have caffeine late last night - I had decaf!

The weather lately has been perfect - warm and sunny days with cooling breezes followed by cool evenings, but tonight feels... toasty. Seriously, I've already subconsciously kicked my socks off twice, and I am an avid socks-in-bed person!

The next couple days could feel like 68℉/20℃ with some pretty strong winds, but they'll be so sunny and lovely and I just hope that I can make myself get dressed and go for a nice walk or drag my bike out and embarrassingly practice riding again.

Anyone who tells you you can't forget how to ride a bike has never taken a two decade break.

Disjointed maundering aside, here's my plans for the next few days!

Tomorrow: Predrawing! I want to sketch some stuff for Thurdsay - maybe even get started!

Thursday: Art!

Friday: I get older, so if I think of it I'll try and post a happy birthday to me message before bed lol

Monday: Next Part of the Secret Project - will it be straps or hardware troubleshooting? Will it be stiffening the bottom of the lid? Will it be washing that filthy little thing?! We'll find out!

Next Tuesday: Back here for the blather!

That might be all I've got the energy for tonight, guys. It's just a super lazy day today.

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Fiber Monday

 

WE ARE FINALLY DONE WITH RED!
sort of...

My friends, it's finally happened. We hit the end of our interminable red section! We'll be able to start on decorations, closures, and hardware now! And I'm still working on figuring out how any of those work lol.

I have a few ideas of how the straps might work, but aside from that I think I need to just troubleshoot for a bit.

Here's how it's gone so far:

With Beige thread

Round 1: sc 6 into magic ring (6 sc)

R2: 2sc around (12 sc)

R3: [2sc, sc] around (18 sc)

R4: [sc, 2sc, sc] (24 sc)

R5: [2sc, sc in next 3 sts] (30 sc)

R6: sc around (30 sc)

R7: [sc in next 2 sts, 2sc, sc in next 2 sts] around (36 sc)

R8: [2sc, sc in next 5 sts] around (42 sc)

R9: [sc in next 3 sts, 2sc, sc in next 3 sts] around (48 sc)

R10: [2sc, sc in next 7 sts] around (54 sts)

R11: [sc in next 4 sts, 2sc, sc in next 4 sts] around (60 sc)

R12-13: sc around (60 sc)

R14: [2sc, sc in next 9 sts] around (66 sc)

R15: [sc in next 5 sts, 2sc, sc in next 5 sts] around (72 sc)

R16: [2sc, sc in next 11 sts] around (78 sc)

R17: [sc in next 6 sts, 2sc, sc in next 6 sts] around (84 sc)

R18: [2sc, sc in next 13 sts] around (90 sc)

R19-21: sc around (90 sc)

R22: [sc in next 7 sts, 2sc, sc in next 7 sts] around (96 sc)

R23: [2sc, sc in next 15 sts] around (102 sc)

R24: [sc in next 8 sts, 2sc, sc in next 8 sts] around (108 sc)

R25: [2sc, sc in next 17 sts] around (114 sc)

R26: [sc in next 9 sts, 2sc, sc in next 9 sts] around (120 sc)

R27-30: sc around (120 sc)

R31: [2sc, sc in next 19 sts] around (126 sc)

R32: [sc in next 10 sts, 2sc, sc in next 10 sts] around (132 sc)

R33: [2sc, sc in next 21 sts] around (138 sc)

R34: [sc in next 11 sts, 2sc, sc in next 11 sts] around (144 sc)

R35: [2sc, sc in next 23 sts] around (150 sc)

R36-40: sc around (150 sc)

R41: [sc 2 together, sc 23] around (144 sc)

R42-47: sc around (144 sc)

R48: [sc 11, sc 2 together, sc 11] around (138 sc)

R49-55: sc around (138 sc)

R56: [sc 2 together, sc 21] around (132 sc)

R57-64: sc around (132sc)

R65: [sc 10, sc 2 tog, sc 10] around (126 sc)

R66-74: sc around (126 sc)

R75: [sc 2 tog, sc 19] around (120 sc)

R76-84: sc around (120 sc)

R85: sc around, sl st to first sc (120 sc)

R86: ch3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in each sc around, sl st in top of ch3 (120 sc)

R87: ch3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in next 10 dc; yarn over, insert hook into next dc, pull through 1 loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (does not count as 1st foundation dc), foundation dc next 96 stitches, then (being careful not to twist) dc in the 12th dc from the end of the round, dc to the end of the round (24 dc, 96 foundation dc = 120 dc); sl st to top of ch3, fasten off.

You should now have something that looks like a hinged ring or a handle attached to an odd, pear-shaped pouch. Now we’ll begin the underside of the lid (this is going to be weird, I’m sorry).

Form a magic ring from the same color as you’ve been using. I use a double-magic-ring for added security but you can start this in the round however you like.

R1: ch3 (counts as 1st dc here and throughout), dc 11 in ring, sl st to the top of the ch3 (12dc)

R2: ch3, fpdc in same dc, (dc in next dc, fpdc in same dc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (12dc, 12fpdc = 24st)

R3: ch3, dc in next st, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 2 st, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (24dc, 12fpdc = 36st)

R4: ch3, dc in next 2 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (36dc, 12fpdc = 48st)

R5: ch3, dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 4 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (48dc, 12fpdc = 60st)

R6: ch3, dc in next 4 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 5 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (60dc, 12fpdc = 72st)

R7: ch3, dc in next 5 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 6 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (72dc, 12fpdc = 84st)

R8: ch3, dc in next 6 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 7 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (84dc, 12fpdc = 96st)

R9: ch3, dc in next 7 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 8 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (96dc, 12fpdc = 108st)

R10: ch3, dc in next 8 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 9 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (108dc, 12fpdc = 120st)

Take your hook out of the disc you formed (which we will now refer to as the “Lid”), then choose a spot to attach it to on the weird flap/hinge part of the first piece (which we’ll now refer to as the “Body”). With the ridged pattern facing downward (towards the open mouth of the Body), insert your hook back through one stitch of the Body’s hinge/flap and back into the loop of the Lid. We will be making our stitches through the hinge/flap stitches and back into the Lid for this round.

R11: ch3 (pull the first loop all the way through the hinge/flap stitch to make your 1st ch), dc in next 9 dc going through the corresponding flap/hinge stitches as you go; on the next stitch, do not go back through the hinge/flap stitch to make your fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 10 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around until the last fpdc, which is basically impossible (if you figure it out, great!) so just fake it til you make it; sl st in top of ch3. (120dc + 12fpdc = 132 sts)

You should have something that looks a bit like a sand dollar stuck in a ring.

R12: ch3, dc in next 10 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 11 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (132dc + 12fpdc = 144 sts)

R13: ch3, dc in next 11 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 12 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (144dc + 12fpdc = 156 sts)

R14: ch3, dc in next 12 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 13 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (156dc + 12fpdc = 168sts)

R15: ch3, dc in next 13 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 14 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (168dc + 12fpdc = 180sts)

R16: ch3, dc in next 14 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 15 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (180dc + 12fpdc = 192sts)

R17: ch3, dc in next 15 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 16 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (192dc + 12fpdc = 204sts)

R18: ch3, dc in next 16 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 17 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (204dc + 12fpdc = 216sts)

R19: ch3, dc in next 17 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 18 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (216dc + 12fpdc = 228sts)

R20: ch3, dc in next 18 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 19 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (228dc + 12fpdc = 240sts)

R21: ch3, dc in next 19 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 20 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (240dc + 12fpdc = 252sts)

R22: ch3, dc in next 20 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 21 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (252dc + 12fpdc = 264sts)

R23: ch3, dc in next 21 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 22 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (264dc + 12fpdc = 276sts)

R24: ch3, dc in next 22 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 23 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (276dc + 12fpdc = 288sts)

R25: ch3, dc in next 23 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 24 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (288dc + 12fpdc = 300sts)

You'll have a nice big weird ribbed disc now, but we're not done yet!

R26: ch3, insert hook through back loops of next dc - by this I mean the back loop usually used and there should be a very small wrapped section just below that loop that you can wiggle the hook onto. If you cannot find that, don't worry, just work in back loops only to the end of the round, otherwise, dc into both loops around, change to your second color in the end of the last dc, sl st in top of ch3 to join. (300 sts)

R27: ch3, dc in next 74 dc, hdc in next dc, sc in next dc, sl st in next 146 dc, sc in next dc, hdc in next dc, dc in last 75 dc, sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (150 dc, 2 hdc, 2sc, 146 sl st = 300 sts)

R28: ch3, dc in next 74 dc, foundation dc 150 stitches, skip the sc, hdc, and sl st, dc in next 75 dc, sl st in top of ch 3 to join. (300 dc)

R29-32: ch2, hdc around, sl st in top of ch2 to join. (300 hdc)

After this row, work in a spiral without joining

R33-47: sc around (300 sc)

At any point in these single crochet rounds, you should start to sew in your zipper!

R48: [sc2tog, sc in next 23 sc] around (288 sc)

R49-60: sc around (288 sc)

R61: [sc in next 11 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 11sc] around (276 sc)

R62-73: sc around (276 sc)

R74: [sc2tog, sc in next 21 sc] around (264 sc)

R75-80: sc around (264 sc)

R81: [sc in next 10 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sc] around (252 sc)

R82-87: sc around (252 sc)

R88: [sc2tog, sc in next 19 sc] (240 sc)

R89-94: sc around (240 sc)

R95: [sc in next 9 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 9 sc] around (228 sc)

R96-98: sc around (228 sc)

R99: [sc2tog, sc in next 17 sc] around (216 sc)

R100-102: sc around (216 sc)

R103: [sc in next 8 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sc] (204 sc)

R104-106: sc around (204 sc)

R107: [sc2tog, sc in next 15 sc] around (192 sc)

R108-110: sc around (192 sc)

R111: [sc in next 7 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 7 sc] (180 sc)

R112: sc around (180 sc)

R113: [sc2tog, sc in next 13 sc] around (168 sc)

R114: sc around (168 sc)

R115: [sc in next 6 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sc] around (156 sc)

R116: sc around (156 sc)

R117: [sc2tog, sc in next 11 sc] around (144 sc)

R118: sc around (144 sc)

R119: [sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 5 sc] around (132 sc)

R120: sc around (132 sc)

R121: [sc2tog, sc in next 9 sc] around (120 sc)

This Week:

R122: [sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sc] around (108 sc)

R123: [sc2tog, sc in next 7 sc] around (96 sc)

R124: [sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 3 sc] around (84 sc)

R125: [sc2tog, sc in next 5 sc] around (72 sc)

R126: [sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc] around (60 sc)

R127: [sc2tog, sc in next 3 sc] around (48 sc)

R128: [sc in next sc, sc2tog, sc in next sc] around (36 sc)

R129: [sc2tog, sc in next sc] around (24 sc)

R130: sc2tog around (12 sc)

Next Steps:

Washing!

Closure/Stabilization

Decoration

Straps (patterned?!)

Surprise! It's a mushroom purse!

We're leaving the 12 stitch hole open for now.

Let's knot the thread, clip it (leave a tail for sewing!), and we'll start up next week on some finishing touches!

I... will have to look up inspiration/ideas on how to finish this project, but I have some solid ideas!

Please use this very amateurish pattern as a jumping off point for making your own projects! Experiment with different reductions on the cap, different colors, different yarn or thread weights! I wouldn't recommend too fine a thread, since it wouldn't hold up well to overwear, but if you're using a bigger yarn, remember that using a smaller hook than the yarn maker recommends will make your project stiffer naturally, meaning you have to use less starch or other stiffening agents later!

As for me, I'm going to wind down with a cup of decaf mocha and some internet videos! Check back in tomorrow when I do a Talk About Tuesday.

And as always,

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Thursday Art Walk

 

In Which A Beautiful Day Was Also Busy!

Full disclosure, I finished today's painting yesterday and the sketch on Monday. I didn't work on anything else because I knew I'd be busy today! It was a crummy day yesterday, gray and cool and not at all inviting to head out, but today has been gorgeous. I spent most of the afternoon enjoying the sunshine and 65℉/18,3℃ breezes.

First I took a leisurely stroll down to the shops where I buy snacks and bought my guy some cheddar popcorn (if you're paying more than a dollar, you're paying too much, the weird religious Brim's popcorn is just as good as Smartfood) and candy and some Cokes. How is Coke still in business? They'll lose the public because it's about a dollar more expensive in a six-pack than Pepsi! Then I popped next door to buy myself a lime Jarritos and some Lindor truffles - two milk chocolate, two dark chocolate. You can tell that the Food Service here in town serves the Asian restaurants (two Thai places, a sushi joint, two Chinese restaurants! In a town with less than 10k people!) because they sell black vinegar, sambal, Chinese cooking wine, rose water, and more, wholesale!

After my snack run, I toddled back to my place, waving to the nice City Workers who were clearing up the brush piles by the side of the road, and got the cat ready for her walk. It took very little effort to slip her into her harness and get her out into the sun. It took more effort for her to leave the neighbor whose dog looks just like my childhood dog, Sam, alone. What a silly cat!

It's a good thing we headed back inside an hour later, because the hawk, who has had extremely poor timing lately, finally caught something! It was a starling, I'm pretty sure, but it was... brutal. The cat was enthralled.

So were the crows, so the hawk vamoosed with its prize.

After that I made myself a bowl of chicken broth with a bunch of dumplings (beef & chicken bulgogi, in fact!) and settled in to correct the edges on the painting so I could present it to you!

"Cactus Practus"; pencil & pen on sketch paper; 2022

"Dream Prickles" watercolor on watercolor paper; 2022

I'm still not 100% satisfied with the overall violet effect in the background, but I learned a lot about how to blend out colors while working on the cactus itself! I'm so happy with those transitions, too. I'm learning a lot, recently!

I think my next painting will be another abstract. We'll see!

As for me, it has gotten late. The day fled before me like scream-laughing toddlers before a mock-roaring uncle at a family reunion, and now I am sleepy and cozy and quite satisfied with my work, both predrawing and painting!

Go Enjoy Something!

FC

Talk About Tuesday

 

I had a very lazy day. No regrets.

Today was gorgeous again. Warm & breezy, clouds and sun off & on, and yes, I sat outside for a bit again, working on the Secret Crochet Project.

And that is the full extent of my activities.

I needed the sun, I needed the air, and I needed to get away from Twitter and the Roe v Wade news. Not gonna get into any of it, just super bummed.

The weather helped, and so did watching a bunch of YouTube videos and yelling at reruns of Ghost Adventures (that's clearly a cat in heat, not some ghost getting jiggy with it, man. Also dogs just stare at stuff sometimes).

But aside from that I've done very little today, and I feel pretty good about it. Sometimes that's all you need is a little downtime.

I have some ideas of what the next few days will be like on the blog, so here's the schedule:

Thursday I'll have a sketch and a painting (I hope - the sketch at least is finished, but the painting isn't even started yet, so we'll see how that goes lol).

Monday will be the End Of The Red Section (and possibly me busting into red spool #3 :| )

Next Tuesday I will be back to blather.

With tomorrow's weather leaning towards the messy and cool, I'm glad I got my outside time today. Now the peepers are peeping and the warm night air is thick with the promise of tomorrow's rain.

Wherever you are, I hope you have comfort and peace. I hope you can wiggle your shoulders into soft pillows and wiggle your toes in warm socks while listening to the night creatures carry on in their own way (and I'm not referring to the crackhead on 5th Ave who keeps asking you for a cigarette even though you have never smoked and he knows it, I'm talking about the bugs and amphibians and such).

I hope you Enjoy Something,

FC

Fiber Monday

More Secret Project Progress!

 

Goodness me, it's a gorgeous, glorious, fantabulous day, and I'm so glad I got to spend some of my time outside! It was sunny with a very light breeze and the birds were happily frolicking in the field as my mother trimmed back invasive multiflora rose vines. At about 60℉/15,5℃, it was just the perfect day to go outside and sketch. It was also the perfect day for carpenter bees to be intrigued by my sketchpad.

I didn't stay out as long as I'd have liked lol.

I did, however, get a bunch done on the Secret Project this week! It may not be a huge amount, but we'll absolutely be done with the red thread next week. Thank goodness!

The Project Thus Far:

Round 1: sc 6 into magic ring (6 sc)

R2: 2sc around (12 sc)

R3: [2sc, sc] around (18 sc)

R4: [sc, 2sc, sc] (24 sc)

R5: [2sc, sc in next 3 sts] (30 sc)

R6: sc around (30 sc)

R7: [sc in next 2 sts, 2sc, sc in next 2 sts] around (36 sc)

R8: [2sc, sc in next 5 sts] around (42 sc)

R9: [sc in next 3 sts, 2sc, sc in next 3 sts] around (48 sc)

R10: [2sc, sc in next 7 sts] around (54 sts)

R11: [sc in next 4 sts, 2sc, sc in next 4 sts] around (60 sc)

R12-13: sc around (60 sc)

R14: [2sc, sc in next 9 sts] around (66 sc)

R15: [sc in next 5 sts, 2sc, sc in next 5 sts] around (72 sc)

R16: [2sc, sc in next 11 sts] around (78 sc)

R17: [sc in next 6 sts, 2sc, sc in next 6 sts] around (84 sc)

R18: [2sc, sc in next 13 sts] around (90 sc)

R19-21: sc around (90 sc)

R22: [sc in next 7 sts, 2sc, sc in next 7 sts] around (96 sc)

R23: [2sc, sc in next 15 sts] around (102 sc)

R24: [sc in next 8 sts, 2sc, sc in next 8 sts] around (108 sc)

R25: [2sc, sc in next 17 sts] around (114 sc)

R26: [sc in next 9 sts, 2sc, sc in next 9 sts] around (120 sc)

R27-30: sc around (120 sc)

R31: [2sc, sc in next 19 sts] around (126 sc)

R32: [sc in next 10 sts, 2sc, sc in next 10 sts] around (132 sc)

R33: [2sc, sc in next 21 sts] around (138 sc)

R34: [sc in next 11 sts, 2sc, sc in next 11 sts] around (144 sc)

R35: [2sc, sc in next 23 sts] around (150 sc)

R36-40: sc around (150 sc)

R41: [sc 2 together, sc 23] around (144 sc)

R42-47: sc around (144 sc)

R48: [sc 11, sc 2 together, sc 11] around (138 sc)

R49-55: sc around (138 sc)

R56: [sc 2 together, sc 21] around (132 sc)

R57-64: sc around (132sc)

R65: [sc 10, sc 2 tog, sc 10] around (126 sc)

R66-74: sc around (126 sc)

R75: [sc 2 tog, sc 19] around (120 sc)

R76-84: sc around (120 sc)

R85: sc around, sl st to first sc (120 sc)

R86: ch3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in each sc around, sl st in top of ch3 (120 sc)

R87: ch3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in next 10 dc; yarn over, insert hook into next dc, pull through 1 loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (does not count as 1st foundation dc), foundation dc next 96 stitches, then (being careful not to twist) dc in the 12th dc from the end of the round, dc to the end of the round (24 dc, 96 foundation dc = 120 dc); sl st to top of ch3, fasten off.

You should now have something that looks like a hinged ring or a handle attached to an odd, pear-shaped pouch. Now we’ll begin the underside of the lid (this is going to be weird, I’m sorry).

Form a magic ring from the same color as you’ve been using. I use a double-magic-ring for added security but you can start this in the round however you like.

R1: ch3 (counts as 1st dc here and throughout), dc 11 in ring, sl st to the top of the ch3 (12dc)

R2: ch3, fpdc in same dc, (dc in next dc, fpdc in same dc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (12dc, 12fpdc = 24st)

R3: ch3, dc in next st, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 2 st, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (24dc, 12fpdc = 36st)

R4: ch3, dc in next 2 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (36dc, 12fpdc = 48st)

R5: ch3, dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 4 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (48dc, 12fpdc = 60st)

R6: ch3, dc in next 4 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 5 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (60dc, 12fpdc = 72st)

R7: ch3, dc in next 5 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 6 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (72dc, 12fpdc = 84st)

R8: ch3, dc in next 6 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 7 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (84dc, 12fpdc = 96st)

R9: ch3, dc in next 7 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 8 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (96dc, 12fpdc = 108st)

R10: ch3, dc in next 8 sts, fpdc in fpdc (dc in next 9 sts, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st to top of ch3 (108dc, 12fpdc = 120st)

Take your hook out of the disc you formed (which we will now refer to as the “Lid”), then choose a spot to attach it to on the weird flap/hinge part of the first piece (which we’ll now refer to as the “Body”). With the ridged pattern facing downward (towards the open mouth of the Body), insert your hook back through one stitch of the Body’s hinge/flap and back into the loop of the Lid. We will be making our stitches through the hinge/flap stitches and back into the Lid for this round.

R11: ch3 (pull the first loop all the way through the hinge/flap stitch to make your 1st ch), dc in next 9 dc going through the corresponding flap/hinge stitches as you go; on the next stitch, do not go back through the hinge/flap stitch to make your fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 10 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around until the last fpdc, which is basically impossible (if you figure it out, great!) so just fake it til you make it; sl st in top of ch3. (120dc + 12fpdc = 132 sts)

You should have something that looks a bit like a sand dollar stuck in a ring.

R12: ch3, dc in next 10 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 11 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (132dc + 12fpdc = 144 sts)

R13: ch3, dc in next 11 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 12 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (144dc + 12fpdc = 156 sts)

R14: ch3, dc in next 12 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 13 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (156dc + 12fpdc = 168sts)

R15: ch3, dc in next 13 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 14 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (168dc + 12fpdc = 180sts)

R16: ch3, dc in next 14 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 15 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (180dc + 12fpdc = 192sts)

R17: ch3, dc in next 15 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 16 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (192dc + 12fpdc = 204sts)

R18: ch3, dc in next 16 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 17 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (204dc + 12fpdc = 216sts)

R19: ch3, dc in next 17 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 18 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (216dc + 12fpdc = 228sts)

R20: ch3, dc in next 18 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 19 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (228dc + 12fpdc = 240sts)

R21: ch3, dc in next 19 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 20 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (240dc + 12fpdc = 252sts)

R22: ch3, dc in next 20 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 21 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (252dc + 12fpdc = 264sts)

R23: ch3, dc in next 21 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 22 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (264dc + 12fpdc = 276sts)

R24: ch3, dc in next 22 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 23 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (276dc + 12fpdc = 288sts)

R25: ch3, dc in next 23 dc, fpdc in fpdc; (dc in next 24 dc, fpdc in fpdc) around, sl st in top of ch3 (288dc + 12fpdc = 300sts)

You'll have a nice big weird ribbed disc now, but we're not done yet!

R26: ch3, insert hook through back loops of next dc - by this I mean the back loop usually used and there should be a very small wrapped section just below that loop that you can wiggle the hook onto. If you cannot find that, don't worry, just work in back loops only to the end of the round, otherwise, dc into both loops around, change to your second color in the end of the last dc, sl st in top of ch3 to join. (300 sts)

R27: ch3, dc in next 74 dc, hdc in next dc, sc in next dc, sl st in next 146 dc, sc in next dc, hdc in next dc, dc in last 75 dc, sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (150 dc, 2 hdc, 2sc, 146 sl st = 300 sts)

R28: ch3, dc in next 74 dc, foundation dc 150 stitches, skip the sc, hdc, and sl st, dc in next 75 dc, sl st in top of ch 3 to join. (300 dc)

R29-32: ch2, hdc around, sl st in top of ch2 to join. (300 hdc)

After this row, work in a spiral without joining

R33-47: sc around (300 sc)

At any point in these single crochet rounds, you should start to sew in your zipper!

R48: [sc2tog, sc in next 23 sc] around (288 sc)

R49-60: sc around (288 sc)

R61: [sc in next 11 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 11sc] around (276 sc)

R62-73: sc around (276 sc)

R74: [sc2tog, sc in next 21 sc] around (264 sc)

R75-80: sc around (264 sc)

R81: [sc in next 10 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sc] around (252 sc)

R82-87: sc around (252 sc)

R88: [sc2tog, sc in next 19 sc] (240 sc)

R89-94: sc around (240 sc)

R95: [sc in next 9 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 9 sc] around (228 sc)

R96-98: sc around (228 sc)

R99: [sc2tog, sc in next 17 sc] around (216 sc)

R100-102: sc around (216 sc)

R103: [sc in next 8 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sc] (204 sc)

R104-106: sc around (204 sc)

R107: [sc2tog, sc in next 15 sc] around (192 sc)

R108-110: sc around (192 sc)

R111: [sc in next 7 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 7 sc] (180 sc)

R112: sc around (180 sc)

This Week

R113: [sc2tog, sc in next 13 sc] around (168 sc)

R114: sc around (168 sc)

R115: [sc in next 6 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sc] around (156 sc)

R116: sc around (156 sc)

R117: [sc2tog, sc in next 11 sc] around (144 sc)

R118: sc around (144 sc)

R119: [sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog, sc in next 5 sc] around (132 sc)

R120: sc around (132 sc)

R121: [sc2tog, sc in next 9 sc] (120 sc)

As you can see, we're running out of red thread again :|

I am so thrilled that we're nearly done with this part of the project - we've reached the home stretch on the red thread - closing in the top! Once that's finished, it's just closures, decorations, and some straps and we'll be done! I can't wait to finish this!

And I have several other projects I'm working on right now, too, including a 90x90 block filet crochet panel, a blue-toned plush, and two tricolored vest projects that may or may not work out.

I'll talk more about the fine weather and fun art tomorrow. For now, I'm going to listen to the peeper frogs chirping along in the small ponds near me, the ducks and chickens next door bedding down for the night, and a bunch of Youtube vids to watch.

Go Enjoy Something!

FC