Lost: design and knitting mojo.

Yep.

Lost.

Don't know how or why but they have either been kidnapped, murdered or left on a wonderful warm vacation with their fortune that I did not realize they had. For the last two weeks I have been wondering why it is hard for me to pick up the sticks right now and even just knit a single stitch. A. Single. Stitch.

I imagine the poster advertising their lack of hereness to state the following:

Lost

Design and knitting mojo, last seen in October and slowly faded. Last seen wearing something warm, comfortable and stylish.

Sigh.

On the flipside, before they went missing I did manage to get a bit more done on the "Gay Paris for me" socks which are now about 55% finished. I also picked out a few patterns to possibly do up as holiday stockings for a friend of mine which I have scrapped, before the mojo went missing mind you due to the fact that I don't have the patience to do a full stocking in cables.

Now I know most of you have been asking about how the new job has been going and I am loving it. It can be long weeks but I do have to say I love the hours a heck of a lot better and the fact that I am appreciated makes the world of difference. Mind you it has been crazy this week due to the fact that it is the start of the holiday shopping season and OY! Three more weeks people, three more weeks.

If any of you have seen my missing mojo could you please keep an eye on it and send it back home? It is greatly missed.

-D

Yes am still alive...

So I know it has been a very long time since I have last made an entry on the blog here but as some of you know I have been very, very busy.

To get you caught up with everything please continue to read, though I am warning you that it is a brief overview of what all has gone on.

I quit my job. After working no less than a 70 hour work week, as basically a personal assistant and not as the position I was brought in as and fulfilling the term I accepted the job under I quit.

I then got hired at a major Canadian retailer.

I have also been trying to get into freelance work as a makeup artist and wardrobe stylist and designer.

I have also kept on crocheting and knitting, though not as much as I have wanted to do.

There. A brief catch up for you all.

I promise that I will try to be more frequent but don't come down hard on me when I lag behind.

-D

Sigh...

Where to begin?

Really, where to begin?

***

I apologize for the absence lately as I haven't really felt like myself in the last 2 months, that and the added fun of having my top of the line Sony Vaio die a horrible and quick death whilst filing my taxes was not fun.

Have no fear though for I am back up and online now at home with a lovely laptop that is less than a week old for the interim until I can fully afford the oh so desired 17" 8GB MacBook Pro. (insert Homer Simpson drool here)

As you may know I was in Toronto again the first weekend of May visiting the mans (more to come in this post). It was a lovely weekend away and we had some pretty intense conversations about us and made some conclusions. We do love each other but the distance is the hardest thing for us. We both are wanting the same thing and with me locked in here in Stratford until February I can not be there for him as often as I am truly wanting to be which sucks. We had discussed while I was there that maybe we should just be very good friends and see where things go when my job starts to slow down a bit in the fall and we can get together more regularly on weekends etc.

Now that being said we have always stated to each other that if someone else comes along that is closer and more available that a connection is created with that we would support each other no matter what in that endeavor. We still are holing each other to that.

After that weekend in Toronto he had confessed to me that he had a date with someone and that there was a bit of a connection. For the following two weeks things went well for him and we made the final conclusion to just stay good friends so he can really see where this potential budding relationship/friendship will go.

We had planned on getting together this past weekend anyways when we were still together and we kept on that. Last Thursday though I was given a real shock to my system. Yes hearing him tell me that things are going well and so quickly was shocking me too but having him tell me that they are now fully monogamously dating was a real blow to me.

Was it a strained weekend? To a degree. I wanted to hear more about this guy and did find out some more but J.J. held back thankfully on telling me everything until I am completely comfortable with it.

He never wanted to hurt me intentionally and hasn't. I thank him for that. I wish him and the new guy luck.

He also knows that he still has a special place in my heart and and is always welcome to come and visit and get away for the weekend. I know I have a place still in his heart as well and am welcome when it is possible to visit him it will just be more difficult for me to visit him due to the fact the new guy in his life is basically around the corner in his neighbourhood. We will work it out though as I am wanting to go do some more shopping in September in Toronto and by then he will be done is crazy summer events and I will be less crazy with work as well and will have had more time absorbing things.

And yes who knows what will happen. The new relationship might not last, and it might. Only time will tell.

So once again I am single, still over worked, relatively underpaid, and behind in design work and knitting projects ( I have 5 pairs of socks on the needles that haven't been touched in ages, and the hemlock hasn't been touched in almost a month now).

Again I apologize for the absence but need some real me time, and unfortunately there is very little of that for me to grab right now.

I will see you all soon enough, until then be well my lovelies.

-D

Pictures

So needed a bit of fresh inspiration for design work and was the perfect day to do it. Here are the better pics taken this afternoon.

-D

Le Sigh...

Where to begin?

Well it has been a wonderful (read the sarcasm level as strongly as you want to) last few weeks.

At work I have been dealing with trying to get the hotel, and my staff, ready for the upcoming crazy busy that is Festival Seasaon. That, and dealing with the lovely problem employee. More on that in a minute as I need to think before I type anything on that.

I have also been busy trying to finish up a few back logged designs, yes the blog contest winners, fitting in family time, time with the sweetheart of a man I am involved with, time on new projects including design work, and the most important of me time which is as I am feeling lacking a bit.

back to the work thing for a bit. I love the job, I really do. It is basically what I have been doing for the last six to seven years but now with the appropriate title thankfully. I know what I am doing for the most part and am learning other things as I go, to which there is still newness trust me! I like my other managers, and the staff inclusive of my staff though few there are right now only due to the fact that we are still too slow to have any more people working for us as an entirety. Do you sense a but coming? Well there is one, and here it is. I feel comfortable, but what I am having trouble with is the fact that I am here basically every single day.

I know, I know, it is my own doing to a degree. Yes to a degree only. I, as all of the big boss man's managers, are under constant scrutiny in regards to their departments labour. Trust me to keep him happy I am having to fill in for shifts in my department, which means keeping it understaffed, something I am not completely liking but must abide by for the time being until I can hire. This means that as a manager, filling in for a shift means my own job gets put on hold to a degree. Somedays it is easier to do both my job and the shift duties than others, same as it is with whichever shift I am filling in on.

If I was able to pass things off without having to basically train my staff, most of which are great and easily taught, I would. But there is the problem employee. I, as with the other managers, see the potential that she has. She however is an individual who is young and strives to live her life as last minute as possible and wants to get things her way as often as possible.

She and I had a final sit down last week to clear the air. She has a problem with change. I know change is hard to accept by most people but with her it is more of an allergy. Since I started here she has done nothing but through up a brick wall at me and what I am trying to do here as her boss. I am not going to go into too much detail about things she has wanted to go her way and have not, especially when very last minute. Needless to say the air is clear now between us but I still get tension from her which I am hoping will subside. She is the only one that this is occurring with and I don't want to have it weigh on me.

Yes I know I can not have everyone in the world like me but I have told everyone here that I am not here to work against them, that I am here to work with them and for them as much as they are here to work with and for me.

Then there is the whole other list that seems to be eating away at time, or I should not allowing enough time for me to do things that I truly want to do.

I do spend time with the folks, usually on my day off and an evening or two after work for dinner, which suits me fine.

I do however want to be able to spend more time exploring what there is between the individual I have started seeing and I. Unfortunately I ended up having to work for most of this last Saturday while he was here visiting me for the weekend. We enjoyed our time together don't get me wrong, but we are trying to figure out exactly what we have, and with my working, it cut into that time a bit. We both care so very much for eachother, and feel that there is something there between us, but with the distance (he lives in Toronto and I here in Stratford) is hard when you want to talk in person and just snuggle up on the couch and vent about the day you know? We chat online, and truly do enjoy our time together in person, but it is going to get a fair bit limited over the next couple of months. Why? Well we are just staring to get busy here at work and therefore I will not be able to make it to Toronto that much if at all. I also have family obligations for a few dates during the summer. He has volunteer obligations and a few other things as well. Needless to say that there is not enough time!

Typically we talk every day online while at work on and off and in the evening, but we both agreed to step away from doing that this week and over the weekend while he is at his family's in Montreal, in order to take some time to figure out what we have going and where we want it to go. I can not tell you how hard it has been to not just email him everyday and tell him what has been going on.

I also would love more time to finish design projects from the past, and present. I am so very close to finishing several things but need a large portion of time to sit down and check things over and sign off on completion, but that time is not coming closer.

What, may you ask, prompted this realization that I am just comfortable with my job and that my job is causing me to not have enough extra time to do things that I need, want, and should do?

That my dearies, was brought on by the fact an old design client of mine emailed me the other day asking me to do some work for her for her redecorating job on her guest bedroom. She was vague with what she wanted me to do for it, though did tell me she wanted new everything. I called her on Monday evening to ask her what she meant by new everything and to see what she truly wanted my assistance and expertise with. She was not certain. All that she knew was that she was wanting me to make new bed linens for her but was uncertain of what direction she truly wanted to go in for the new look.

I told her to think about it a little more and to give me a call Tuesday evening and we will meet for coffee and discuss what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go style wise. I thought about it pretty heavily through the night Monday and at work Tuesday morning, and it dawned on me. Why am I wasting time thinking about helping someone, yes for money, who hasn't put in any time to think about what she wants? I can do the work yes but I can not sit around wasting what little time I can afford to work on things for her while she makes up her mind.

Coming to that realization made me aware of the insane timing of my life in totality. My work hours are crazy, though less than what they were. Any spare time for everything else is crazy as well and not plentiful enough.

My mini vacation to Toronto a few weeks back helped me realize that I need to do that more often, as well as get away for a time longer than two days. That however is going to have to wait and my mini vacations will have to change to spoiling myself on my time off work, which is minimal right now. Spring is a time of renewal yes, and I need to refresh and recharge myself, and mind, and I know the only way of doing that is for me to lay down the law, yet again with the powers that be and say I need my ME time. Once May rolls around I will hopefully be able to get away for a few days, if not just for a weekend.

On other news...

I cast on the Hemlock Ring Blanket yesterday. I was making really good head way on it as well, that is until I reached the decreases for the petals and the stitch count was getting out of whack. I am going to have no choice but to rip it back, re cast on and start again. This time doing round by round with taking breaks between. Sigh.

Ah Friday...

It was a blast... I mean an utterly great time.

Mind you the train was about 30 minutes late arriving into Toronto but that was all that was hiccupy about the weekend away.

Alynxia and I met up, wandered off and grabbed a quick cup of coffee to get that mutual need taken care of. While sipping on our coffee we exchanged gifts, of which hers to me were a wonderful handknit fairisle hat, a vintage sock pattern book, a copy of Kaffe Fasset's "Glorious Knits", and a multitude of cupcake scents that didn't work on her. Have I said how much I love this knittress? ;)

My gifts to her included a variety of handmade stitch markers, organic Alpaca laceweight in two different colours from a local breeder, organic preserves, and much more.

After coffee we started on the yarn crawl.

The first was Americo , where we both were drooling over some gorgeous handmade Walnut knitting needles, and tonnes of Alpaca in numerous blends. I think we both had a few yarngasms.

The second stop on the yarn crawl was Romni where we literally crawled through all the stacks of yarn in the shop having yarngasm after yarngasm. I got my Cascade Eco Wool and needles for my Hemlock, a skein of Noro in a gorgeous green colourway, and three skeins of Romni brand thick and thin wool for a new scarf in a gradient stormy purply-blue colour way.

We then went for a lunch of sushi, over which much laughter was had over online conversations. We talked about current and upcoming projects and the such and continued to have a grande ole time.

Our last stop on the yarn crawl was the fabulous Lettuce Knit. OMFG!! It may be a small store but was covered in yarngasm worthy yarn. I picked up my first skeins of Socks That Rock, one in Korppi and the other in Jabberwocky, which will become either a pair of socks with turndown cuff or pair of gloves... I can't decide. I also snagged a copy of "The Eclectic Sole". Too many sock patterns I want to cast on!!

Our time together was drawing to an end however as the friend, whom we have sort of been testing the waters of seeing eachother as more than friends, was on his way to pick me up. He and I headed out to do some shopping and dinner and then relax for the evening.

Saturday morning we went out for brunch and then for some shopping of which I bought too much clothing and was tempted to buy even more if I had the money. Damn you for taking me to Zara.

We then went back home and changed for an evening out, which consisted of a dinner at a cozy little French restaurant, and then a performance of "The Sound of Music". Our seats were to die for. Literally. They were the best seats apart from front row.

Sunday I had to unfortunately head home Sunday morning due to having to work that afternoon but still had a great time away.

Next time in Toronto, will go back to Zara and get an outfit or two there... hopefully not more.

Pics to come of all the yarny goodness as soon as I can find the transfer cable for the camera... now where did I put that thing?

-D

Thoughts...

Ok, so I know it has been a while since I have done a more indepth entry about stuff in general so here you go.

***

Work has been going great despite having issues with one of my staff members who is a spoiled little brat, but anywhoskies that is neither here nor there. It is going well.

***

The one good thing about the new job and the schedule I get to keep for it is that I get to slowly catch up on knitting, crochet, sewing, and other things. (insert fanfare here)

I have in the last two weeks gotten nothing knitting or crochet related done but have gotten the following items finished from my sewing backlog:

2 duvet covers (one for myself and the other for a friend)
2 euro sham covers for myself
about 20 odd cushion covers for myself and family
3 sets of curtain panels for the folks
and a whole bunch of bag designs put onto paper

***

I will get knitting and other things caught up, I know I will. I HAVE THE POOOOOOWERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! (sorry 80's cartoon flashback!)

***

I am also taking some time for me in just over a week and visting a good friend in Toronto for a few days, and whilst there will be living it up with Alynxia, that knowledgeable knitress from Plurk.

Is Toronto ready for this phenom? Tune in to find out!!!

***

One of the biggest thoughts other than the Gweninator bag I am still trying to work out, is a jacket design I am finding continues to swim in the mental pool of thought. I can chalk that up to a night of watching movies (Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Ultra Violet, Ecks vs Sever, and Van Helsing {I know, odd combo}).

***

I have also had many thoughts of cooking and baking and bbq and drinkage and the like. Someone stop me cause this might mean I am wanting to do a dinner party again.

***

Well back to sketching out this jacket to work some kinks out of it and now that I have a scanner that works I will be able to get sketches of things up quicker and hopefully not have any tech issues like spontaneously combusting SD cards for the digital camera. (What is it with me?)

***

One last thought that I have had is with the new job, I will be able to afford to get that elusive new laptop called Mac. Specifically the 17" MacBook Pro. It will be in my possession at somepoint in time this summer. Squee!

-D

A week into newness....

Well it has come to exactly a week since I have officially started the new job.

Things are going well right now with getting everything organized and settled and rewritten etc, which is always half the fun with changing positions.

Nothing much will be changed right about now but there are things that I am contemplating about changing before our busy time starts here.

A shorty post for now yes as I can't think of much else to put in this entry but I promise, over the next little while I will have more information to share.

-D

OY

So... got home from work this morning and was packing my things up at the folks fondling the yarn I didn't get to molest with pointy sticks while listening the Top 40 on Galaxy and it was Britney Spears "Womanizer" at the time... to say the least I have had "woolmeise woolmeise woolwoolmeise oh it's woolmeise..." in my head all day. All. Day.

*thwap*

Maybe I need to flesh out that little knock off a bit more for us all?

***

I have decided what I am going to do for my cousin Kelly's wedding gift. A hemlock ring. Once I order my knitpicks that is. Thinking of doing it in Alpaca that I can get locally, or an Alpaca blend. That part of the gift I haven't thought much of yet.

***

Ten more hours. Ten. One zero. Dix. *Sigh* Ten more hours and many a long year here at the hotel will be over to finally start a much overdue, long awaited promotion. I can't wait.

***

That is all for now. Might add more later, stay tuned!

-D

Clarification...

So as a few of you know I was supposed to have a visitor from down under for the month of March. I emphasis the "was" heavily here.

What you don't know is that this person and I do have a bit of a connection, that is all that you will get from me folks as I don't feel like burdening this entry with all that (if you want more info please ask me privately). This connection was supposed to be elaborated and fleshed out in person. When that discussion happened it was told to said person that I only felt comfortable with half of the time they were wanting to come for. I begrudgingly agreed to the full amount of time of four weeks due to the "get your money's worth" thing. Sad I know.

What most of you don't realize is that the amount of time this person would be alone while here is basically all the time. There is nothing to do here in Stratford in the winter. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zero. De rein. Need I go on? I will be at work, in a new job that is just about to start and will be working long days getting myself situated in said job. Add to that the fact that my place is very small (even for a one bedroom), family commitments, and other things, the only time that we would have together is when I am sleeping.

I don't see that fair to a guest, especially one that is wanting to pursue something further. I must admit that it was tempting. Deep down though I couldn't go on any longer pretending that things would get easier with it all and that there is nothing to worry about at all. I laid my feelings out to this person yet again earlier this week and said that I thought it best for him to cancel the trip as I do not see a future other than friendship with him.

Why am I writing this? Well I have been hit with harsh remarks from those that know him down under on Facebook and don't feel that they are justified. I do not like being called a user, a player, a manipulator, a jackass, a shithead and the lest goes on from there. Again I will say that if you have a problem with what I have done then message me privately and not post things publicly on my Facebook wall, be an adult.

Am I sorry for what I have done? Yes. He is a nice guy, and will make someone very happy soon however it just won't be me. We are in two different worlds and that would be one heck of a long distance relationship. I do love him yes, as a friend and friend only.

So for those that are pissed off about what I have done don't judge me and condemn me to derogatory names until you have thought long and hard yourself about it by putting yourself in my spot and coming to your own realization.

-D

The countdown and all involved with it...

Well I have only two shifts left here at the current property and then I start, after a few days of shadowing, at the new one in the new position. A lot of work. A lot. A. Lot. Ohh boy is it going to be a lot of work getting my soon to be staff up to the standards in customer service that they should be. Also it will be a lot of work as I have to learn everything about the new property entirely. Thank the gods that I am a quick study.

As far as I know I will have an office area but I will not decorate it for the time being as I don't know anything about it just yet. Thank the gods again though that I have some Chlorophytum Capense (non variegated Spider Plant babies) rooting at home as I can't stand being in an environment in general without anything living nearby. As far as decorating goes I don't feel at this time that it is important. Yes I do have things on a shopping list that need to be purchased this week though in the next few days while I am off for the new job but as far as things go for the office, nothing yet. Other than stationary supplies of course.

So wahooooo, I've been promoted!!

***

My time housesitting for my grandparents is almost at its end. They return this coming Monday, at like four in the morning. Hopefully they are well rested.

I had lofty plans of getting some socks started, finished, off the needles and blocked but the twelve hour shifts that we have had have just worn me out. I have gotten exactly one and a half repeats done on the Plaited Point socks, and have been putting off gauging for the Leyburns. Oy.

I have started and almost completed the mini 200 scarf my grandmother asked me to make for her while she is away. Let me tell you , I love the Bernat Soy yarn she got (she wanted a thinner shorter scarf), NOT. She has sensitivity to fibres and this is the only yarn that she found she can stand near her skin. I however whilst working with it can not stand the hand of the finished fabric it makes. I have worked with this yarn in both knit and crochet now and neither feels good. I also do not like the very limited colour selection that Bernat offers this yarn in, and have been fighting urges to overdye it. I above all else, can not, I repeat can not stand the fact that there is virtually no twist to the individual plys and that the yarn strand in general is unravelling.

Another day or two and the scarf will be done, then I will lightly steam block it and wash my hands of it by groping all the lovely sock yarn I have in my possession from Cables & Lace.

***

Amongst all the fun of next week, I have a few small sewing projects I need to finish. Nothing major just a few pillows I am re-sewing.

Add to that I also have to re-arrange my multi purpose room (living/dining/kitchen/studio space), re-purpose a dresser I bought from works furniture sale into an entertainment centre, and clean my place top to bottom as a friend from out of town is going to be staying with me for a month starting on the twenty seventh.

Anyone want to come over and clean?

***

I have also got to try to get it throught to Rogers that the internet is still not working at my apartment thanks to their innept techs. Still no proper converter modem, just the original home phone modem they installed nearly two years ago now, and the recently installed wireless router.

***

On a final note, I have made up my mind about replacing my cell phone. It will be the I-Phone. I was going to upgrade my I-pod to the I-touch soon anyways and the more I thought about it why not go with the I-Phone? Afterall with the new job itself I will be technically on call for my staff at all times of the day that I am not on property, which is fine by me. They will learn that they can call me but I might not always be able to get to the hotel, especially for my cousins wedding/family reunion in August. It is a six hour drive away afterall.

The other deciding factor is that I am going to be making a little more money so I will be able to afford the plan for it. Otherwise I would be sticking with this crappy phone I currently still have.

***

In regards to the "gweninator" bag design... it still is in the works and I don't know if I will be able to get much work done on it during the month of March but I will at least be able to get pictures of the sketches online for you all to see what I am thinking of for it.

Be well my friends.

-D

Outcome....

I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all.

-D

Potentially good news...

Don't you all just love it when you are still in bed half asleep, slowly waking yourself up and getting that "why didn't I set the coffee maker to brew automatically?" feeling and you get a phone call from your boss and let it go to voicemail?

*dial into voicemail* (once coffee is brewed and have downed 3 cups)

"You have ONE new message"

*play message*

"Hi darling I know it's early and I was hoping to get to talk to you about this and you are probably asleep or in the shower..." (I always get phonecalls when I am in the shower from everyone!!!)"...but I really do need to talk to you about something. No don't worry it's nothing bad, fairly good I think, but could you give me a call when you get this on my direct line, (number)?"

*groggilly dial*

"Hi sweety, it's me, and no I was not in the shower or still asleep I was waking up and chugging the coffee. So you have something GOOD to talk to me about?"

"Figures it was the coffee. You work this afternoon right?"

"Yes"

"Call me when you are ready and I will pick you up and we can talk on the way back here"

"Sure thing"

So at this point in time my mind is racing a little bit with possibilities. Have we gotten full control of the design process? Have we all been deemed seriously underpaid and are getting a drastic pay increase?

*call her back and get in the SUV when she arrives*

"So what is this about?"

"Your brain ain't freaking is it? Cause it isn't a bad thing."

"Then spill it"

Long story made short the owner had asked my boss about who on the desk might be wanting/ready for a change into something more than what they do now.

As everyone here at the hotel knows I have been trying to get into a more manager position for years and everytime it basically comes around to happening it gets yanked away from me. She automatically thought of me for whatever the owner had in mind.

One of his other properties has been without a front office manager for a while now and as the busy season approaches it is going to need to be filled, and I mean soon. I was thought of for this.

What does this mean? Well I will basically be doing more day shifts, be getting recognition through a title for all that I do, have a staff, and do all the reports that I basically know how to do from my many years here. It is at a new property in town, a little less of a walk to work for me but that doesn't mean anything big there at all, and it will also be a bit more money hopefully.

It would also mean that I would be leaving the people around here that have become close to me over the years, but I would have their continued support in everything that I need.

What else? Well I would be bringing in some much needed customer service skills to that property through the front desk staff which is currently lacking any personability whatsoever.

There are pro's and cons to it yes and I do need to think it through a bit more but at this time I can honestly say that I am thinking of saying to my boss that yes I am interested in it.

Fun isn't it?

***

On another note...

OMFG!

Could Rogers cable be more retarded? I wrote a lovely formal, yet again, complaint to them last week about services I still do not have associated with my account. They did respond saying that techs will be on their way Jan 28, and apologized for the lack of customer service on their end etc.

The techs came however they were issued several wrong work orders for my place, of which I was the one who had to get it all straightened out with customer service. What is more is that while replacing my cable line, which was one of the actual things they needed to do, they broke my television by way of a swinging 5/8" wrench hanging off one of their tool belts. I have no t.v. now. Yeah. Great. They also hooked the wireless router for my internet, of which they did not replace the phone modem with the proper one.

So... I am now still without the internet at home, have the wireless router but no adapter modem , full digital cable services attached to a now defunct television which I can't afford to replace and that is not being acknowledged by Rogers as a problem.

All I can say is thank god I am housesitting for the folks over the next two weeks.

-D

Thoughts...

To a designer thoughts can be both an asset as well as a detriment. The last two days they have been both to me.

Why?

I've been thinking more on the prospect of a future TFCD shoot and trying to come up with new designs. The problem that I am having is eveything I am thinking of and putting down on paper in sketches has been done in one way or another. Honestly, how many highwaisted Elizabethan inspired skirts with over sized quartz bead neck peices can be made? I know I can always do the construction with a different spin but honestly the overall outcome will be the same no matter how it is cut, sewn, tacked, worn, etc.

The other side of the problem is I am having an overall vision of how the shoot could be done, which is not completely up to me. Add on the fact that it isnt set in stone yet to be done and I am in a pickle.

Creative inspiration and direction is there as I have finally settled down somewhat in my design aesthetic for my work (a slight fusion of asian meets classic for my high fashion designs). Keeping my design aesthetic in mind I am not truly doing anything unique when I put thoughts down on paper. There is so much being done in the design world that is fused from different eras, countries and cultures at this time that an original vision is hard to come up with.

I also do want to try to go as green as possible in my designs as well which doesnt help things out in terms of materials for high end designs. Yes I can luck out and obtain fabulous vintage fabrics, notions, and supplies but let's face it the bulk of a peice would be new everything. That being said if I look back to my OAC final project for my visual art thesis I have done some pretty green peices already. How much more green can one get than reconstructing an Egyptian crown and neck peice from spices and glue? Or a living necklace of moss and ivy?

Ok so maybe the thoughts I am having are only a part of the real issue and maybe I have to delve into my artistic history a bit more.

Either way, the thoughts are coming which is good but not as forward as I am wanting them to be. Hopefully they will start to be what I am wanting.

A 26 hour day...

Call me crazy, but I thoroughly enjoyed this past Thursday. Yes even with it being a 26 hour day for me. 26 hours??? Yes. Why?? I was getting back into the realm of fashion by helping a good friend of mine style a TFCD (trade for cd) photoshoot starting right after finishing a night shift at work. Crazy. Yep that is me.

I just can't get over how great it is to work with people that have compatible energies, which was the case on Thursday. The model, hair and makeup, and photographer all synched well with myself and my friend the lead stylist. (I was just there more for assistance as some of the clothing pieces were rather large and heavy, as well as helping out with my perspective on things as a designer)

I also love the fact that the photographer works with only available light. And knew what he was doing! Too many times have I had the honour of working with a photographer that said they knew what they were doing when it came to available light use and the resulting images were horrible. Erwin Loewen however knows what he is doing.

The model, Kylie, was a gem to work with. A beautiful fresh face with the Ford agency, and who has done some pretty major campaign work, was a real delight to work with. Even if the shoot did include working with horses and longhorn cattle, she kept her cool.

Both Kylie and Erwin are wanting to work on some shoots more high fashion which is right up my alley. I would love to help them with this and will if it works out schedule wise, I just need to get sewing again!

Eve of change...

On this, the eve of great change in the world powers and American Politics I want to take a moment and congratulate all those that I know in the United States. You have done something that has been long overdue, not only in my eyes but in the eyes of many world wide. I myself am not one for politics but truly think that the changes occurring tomorrow are for the better and that other wold powers could learn a thing or more (not just a thing of two) from what you all have helped create.

I raise my hat, my glass, my design tools and dpn's to you all and to your president elect!

***

I will also be undergoing some change here at work as well.

In February we will be starting a cycle of twelve hour shifts so I am going back to the full time nights for the time being but it is just for the interim. This schedule change will permit me to be able to get caught up on a multitude of knitting and design items backlogged in my brain, as well as get caught up with friends.

It also allows me to get back to helping friends out with photoshoots in terms of styling. In fact I have to do just such a thing later this week.



Now... I know I promised some pictures and they are on the way, as well as sample pics of a few design ideas floating in my head. I am thinking of calling the first sample bag the "Gweninator" for my good friend and fellow Canuck Gwen, of Lime & Violet production fame. I have already begun the fundamental work for these bag designs but reworking clothing items into accessories other than pillows, etc., can be a bit of a logistical nightmare at time.

In regards to the just mentioned sample I am a bit stuck though on lining choice/colour, as well as coordinating fabric choice/colour. I guess Friday morning will be spent at Fabricland, a home away from home.

Until next time, happy everything and congratulations for the start of change.

-D

Does one still use the Urn of Osiris and doe blood for re-animating a cyber corpse?

*beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*
*beep.... beep............ beep....beep*

Alright I know, I know! It has been ages my darlings of design and I profusely apologize for it.

**awaits to have the cyber wooping of a lifetime**

Are you done yet?

Ok. Let's see.

Well when we last left this blog I had announced the winner of my contest and the names of the Norse Gods that I would be designing items for. Chris I am so sorry that your package has had a rough time of getting to you and don't know if the last time I was able to track it was the last anyone saw it. I am hoping that it makes it to you this time.

The items are still in the works people please keep in mind that this is not my full time job right now but I am trying my hardest to make these items absolutely perfect for public consumption before informing you all that they are ready for download on Ravelry.

What else?

Well the hotel I do work at for my means of employment finally did get sold near the end of September to a past owner. Much money is being invested in updating and upgrading the facilities which is a very good thing and very much needed. The last few months have been rather chaotic around here because of everything changing at ever turn one can make. More are on the way as well which I am hoping don't affect me all that much but one can never truly tell at this stage of the game.

What knit/crochet projects did I get done in the time from my last blog entry until now? A few. Not as many as what I had hoped, most got sent to Kermit in the frog pond. In amongst this time my digital camera literally melted in my hands when I was taking pictures of things to update my ravelry page and therefore all those pics of items were lost. What didn't help matters was some of them were gifts so I am going to have to get pictures sent to me! What I did manage to finish were:

200 Scarf, Crochet, for moi
War Wyvernns for moi
the year long socks for moi
a few other pairs of stockinette socks, for me and friends
a multitude of baby items

What am I still working on from 2008? Well...:

MS4
Vinnland socks
Bellatrix
Fire Wyvernns
Water Wyvernns
Pointed Plait socks
FLS
Hemlock Ring blanket in babyweight
a few pairs of mittens/gloves

There were more projects that I did start, but lost interest in/was not happy with the look of the items so off they went to visit Kermit.

I made a wonderful New Years resolution though to myself this year that I am sticking too fairly well so far. I am going to finish any and all things on the needles from 2008 first before I start into anything for 2009, of which will be Christmas items first and then personal. I know, guttsy of me isnt it?

Ok. I know some of you are going to comment about how brief I am being with the updates of things here but honestly, do you think I can remember it all? It has been over four months afterall! *giggle*

Now for the real design stuff that makes me feel a bit more complete. My designs.

"What are you working on now Dave??" you might ask. Well... I am working on a few bag designs and several other things which are going to be fixture components of my personal and home section of my design repertoire. Duvet covers, blankets, pillows, some furniture (another love of design of mine) are all being worked on. And I know I am starting to sound like Miss Violet of Lime & Violet fame but I have been like this for some my entire life when it comes to projects.

I have also done a couple of commissioned garments over the last few months and am still working on getting my clothing line designed and worked on when time permitts, which right now is not that often.

Enough of the babble and get to the bags! I know, I know. For now I am only going to say that I have the thoughts in my head as to what I want them to be like and have not actually worked on them yet in reality. One of the thoughts for them though is reclaiming materials, especially knitwear, for them. Afterall all we knitters know that it is horrible and scandalous when one can't repair their favourite sweater/blanket/scarf/hat due to too much damage and are not wishing to part with it. That bag thought is a bit of a challenge as do I put forth a call for said things for custom orders or do I scavenge at the Goodwill etc? Logistics I tell you.

And yes thoughts of opening an Etsy store are running through my head so who knows folks. The aforementioned bag idea may be a good thing. *readies to cower under pressure of orders*

Thank you all for being patient and not turning me into a puddle of gunk for not updating the last few months but I promise that things will go more smoothly now that I have revived the blog of my design loins.

I promise that once I have some prototypes started of the bags I will get pics, new camera, and post them for you all to see what I am concocting in this shaven little head of mine up here in snowy Stratford.

Toodles poodles!

D