Month: January 2011

I was speaking to a lady tonight, telling her about how I love to knit and spin – how it’s a part of who I am.  I was having a hard time explaining myself as usual.  She totally got it!  She said “Of course.  You’re an artist!”

DUH!

Why is it that I never thought of myself that way?  Why is it that knitting, spinning, crocheting, weaving and all the other fiber arts are considered HOBBIES?  Do we not create?  Instead of paint on a canvas, it’s wool on needles.

I like the sound of it.  That’s what I’m going to tell people.

“So, Mylene, what do you do?”

“I’m an artist… I just have a day job”.  (Well, if we’re going to get technical, I have a day/night job.)

“Really?  That’s interesting.  What do you do?”

“I’m a fiber artist.”

“What’s a fiber artist?”

“It’s someone who uses fiber, like wool for example, to create whatever one’s heart desires.  I knit and spin.  I can make beauty with my wool.”

I guess the we have to start acknowledging that we’re artists before we can expect “civilians” to see us that way.

Check this out:  I took that string and turned it into something – those socks – with my bare hands.  I must be a genius!  Hahaha.

ARTIST.  It makes perfect sense.

Imagine how thrilled I was to see this:

Someone finally made my POD!  79 people have it in the Favorites but no one ever made it before.  She didn’t use the same wool or anything but I’m still absolutely thrilled!!!!!

Maybe today will be a good day after all.  I get to wear jeans to work and someone knit my pattern.  It’s cause for celebration!

Let’s start by establishing the fact that I might be a little “strange”.  Not certifiable.   Just a little nutts .  I’m totally ok with that.  I think I’m happier because of it. 

So, what I’m wondering is:  Am I the only person who has entire conversations by myself when I’m mad?  I found that I was very upset and frustrated this morning.  While I was in the shower (still pissed and frustrated), I noticed that I was having a very animated “talk” (with the person I’m upset with) in my head. 

You see, in my head, I can say whatever I want.  It can be mean.  It can be hateful.  I can use whatever language I want.  And the good part is that no one will ever know what I said (or yelled… or whatever).   Sometimes I ask questions and find myself answering them out loud though.  That can’t be normal.  Right?  

Oh well!  So I’m strange.  I can live with it. 

There’s this saying by Marilyn Monroe that I absolutely adore:

“If you can’t  handle me at my worse, then you don’t deserve me at my best.”

I’ve only managed to think of one (new) thing for this year that I want to accomplish… or rather resume.

I used to work out all the time.  It made me sleep better, eat better, feel better, have more energy and everything on my body giggled less (wink).  When I quit my job at the office, I didn’t have that lunch-time-with-Sharon routine to keep me in check.  The shift work makes it really hard to be motivated to do things – especially ones that require you leaving the house.   Yes, I have videos and some equipment.  I even have a weight bench.  I only lack the drive to get off the couch or my spinning chair or away from the computer.

Maybe I’ll start next week…

Oh, and I really should put order back in my basement.  After the flood, I brought a lot of stuff up to the spare room.  It’s been there since because I don’t know what to do with it – where to put it.  I’ve been wanting to turn that room into a spare room/library.  I want a wall of books.  Problem is that it’s a relatively small room and I don’t really know which wall to use for the bookcase.  Ah, I’ll figure it out… eventually.

Here are some of the things I’ve been working on:

My sister Mel’s socks are finished.

I had enough yarn to make two scarves – one for my sister France and one for me.

The Little Sister Dress for Makenna (my friends’ new little girl).

I started my Fiddlehead Mittens.  I don’t think I like the colors though.

I started the socks I’ve been wanting to make with the sock yarn I got in San Francisco last summer.  I wanted the same pattern as the socks I made for Mel (above).  Turns out this colorful yarn makes me think of the carnival.  So, that’s what I called them:  Carnaval from San Fran.

I’ve also been working on a puppet for a lady at France’s work.  I’ve been putting off making the face and hair… not sure why.  Mostly because it’s a pain in the arse.

Last week, when my mother and I hit the Wool N’ Things in Orleans, I purchased the Berroco Peruvia I need to make my Tilted Duster.  I can’t wait to start it.  BUT, as you can see, I have my hands full for now.

PLUS, I’ve been spinning on my new wheel.

She’s really a beauty!  This thing is smoo-ooth.  I can’t help but wanting to spin super-thin on this thing.  I took 4 onces of Falkland wool and turned it into 346 yards, plied.  It’s probably a little thicker than sock weight.  I don’t have a little measuring tool.  I should make one.

Today was spinning day at Glenda’s.  I brought my Ashford for Lucie to play with until she can afford her own wheel.  This way, she can keep mine as long as she needs and save more money to get a wheel that she really wants, as opposed to just a wheel she can afford.

Well, I’m working in an hour so… make some coffee, fix myself up a little and off to work for the short night shift.