Life, Craft and Kids.

Many of my posts recently have been either finished objects, in-progress projects that I don’t talk about on the podcast because they aren’t handspun, my new weaving adventures or Patreon updates. Since beginning this wild journey last Spring, I feel as if time has taken on a whole other meaning – it whirls past at astonishing rates and I am left wondering … well, where the time went! Time seemed to already be flying past as I watch our kids growing up. I leave for a couple of shifts at work, not seeing them for about 48 hours each weekend and I come back to these two very grown-up people. They seem to have grown an inch and gained about 200 words since the time I left 2 days prior. Of course, this isn’t really the case but it always seems that way! In an effort to reset and begin the transition into the second year of Wool n’ Spinning, I thought it was time for a catch-up post. Something a bit more like my older posts when I would just write about what was happening in the moment here at home with my crafting and family. Often these moment seem to be lost in the foray of daily life but I do try to pay attention to as many as I can, even if they seem fleeting.

In terms of crafting and making, things have been ticking along with a life of their own. Sometimes I wonder if I am really choosing the projects myself or if they in fact are choosing me. I have a pile of projects as long as my arm to complete for various things. Some are for our colour studies in the group, some are for projects with my friend Katrina and most are for pleasure. The joy of creating can be taken away when the list of ‘doing for others’ (here, projects and deadlines associated with things I’ve taken on by choice) but in this case, I am enjoying most of them – learning new things, working with new ideas and hoping to have a large swatch collection at the end! Little perks, you know? Sometimes I wish for more time at my wheel but then I remember that part of having that time will be because the kids are away at school and I am home without them.

Then there are those moments when I feel like my stash and projects are going to overtake me! It’s a funny feeling but the crafting materials get spread out through the house on every surface and suddenly, everywhere I look, I have To Do piles: The sleeve on that sweater, those bobbins to be plied, that weaving to be warped. The list goes on and on! But I don’t think I am alone in that – and once I’ve cleaned up, cleared out the mess and put things away, I feel immediately calmer. Although, I have realised that is a great way to forget about what I have going for projects and start something new!

I have some ideas about how to stash down these projects and materials. I think I may take a page out of my friend Rebecca’s book based on how she’s doing it – and I think I may put some slightly stricter rules in place for myself since the amount that comes into our house now is sometimes a bit overwhelming.

Then, there’s the kids. Ever growing. Ever laughing and fighting with one another. They are good friends and play well together most of the time. I am constantly amazed at James’ patience with his little sister who tries to keep up with him at every turn but sometimes just doesn’t understand what he’s trying to explain. He will often reply to her, “Yes, No-wah, but we can do this too .” And she will inevitably say, “Okay.” And off they go in their play. Until one gets too tired and then, of course, all h*** breaks loose. It is again, inevitable in children’s play.

Norah has always tried to keep up with James – walking and running early. On Friday, she rode her 2-wheeler bike without training wheels for the first time [sorry for my thumb in the video – I was pretty excited!]. She wants to be just like her older brother but with a fairy princess crown on rather than a baseball hat. It is hard to believe that come September, we will be crossing another huge bridge and starting kindergarten. The daily schedule of school is not something I am looking forward to but I know James is so ready for it and will enjoy it once the time comes.

And so, here we are. I have the podcast to record today and look forward to sharing some really cool yarn I made on the weekend. I also have some ideas about upcoming yarn designs I’d like to try and some weaving to showcase them. Soon, I hope to amass a small stash of woven samples to show of these yarns but until then, I will keep plugging away and creating these yarns, ever learning!

I hope you have a wonderful week!