At my limit

I haven't blogged much lately, and it is because I have been too busy with projects that I can't yet share.  In fact, I have taken on far too much work in the these past few months and have definitely learned my limit.  I thought I could delegate some of the knitting to other people and it would all turn out alright, but the quality of my patterns still took a hit and that is just not ok with me.  So now I find myself working on my final commissioned project, exhausted and ready for a break.  

Last night my husband declared, in his firm tone of voice, that I need to take a vacation.  I found that a bit hard to believe because, as someone that works from home (and most of that work is done in my pajamas), most people don't take my work seriously and think that my whole life is just one big vacation.  I can't even remember how many times people have told me 'Oh you must just sit and knit ALL DAY LONG."  Uh huh.  Well, husband knows how much I work, and I know how much I work, but it is still hard even for me to think that I still need time off considering that he works very long days, and many of them are out in the cold and wet weather.  But like any good husband, he doesn't seeing me frustrated and upset, so he insisted.  I know it will be good for me, so I'll take it.

It drives me crazy to sit and not do anything so I will definitely still be creating, but at my own pace instead of a breakneck speed.  In fact, I have a series of related projects in mind, so they might just end up being my first e-book.  Let's hope the Knitting Gods will be kind and it will all go smoothly (haha- hasn't happened yet, and probably never will).

Also, since spring is approaching I will definitely be spending more time outside in my garden.  I have quite a few sprouts already in my seed tray, which before long will (hopefully) turn into a bounty of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and cabbage.  

I decided to redo the photos for two of my shawl patterns, so despite the cold and damp weather I spent this morning out in my garage taking advantage of the bright sunlight.  

First up is my Rosana Shawl.  While I really like the original photos I took down by the lake, I needed some with a cleaner background for my advertisements.  This is one of my favorite shawls, but I hardly ever find an occasion to wear it.  Maybe I'll just have to wear it to the grocery store one of these days.

Next is my Mariposa Shawl.  I've gotten a few emails from people asking, "Doesn't mariposa mean butterfly in Spanish?  Why did you name your shawl after a butterfly?"  Yes, it does mean butterfly!  If you look at her flat, you will see has wings!

I have made this shawl 4 times, and this particular version is made from some of my handspun.  I'm not the best spinner, but the lumpy-bumpy laceweight yarn actually worked pretty well for this shawl.

Hopefully by my next post I will be feeling less scatter-brained and will have a new pattern to share.

Until then, Happy Knitting!