Damselfly's Delights

The Story So Far

April 9, 2020 damselflysdelights1 Comment

I don’t know about everyone else, but not much has changed in our quiet life. I do miss sushi and fish and chips. And I’m wishing I could get rid of all the junk we still have lurking about. Most of all I really miss being able to get together with my family this Easter weekend to eat turkey and mashed potatoes and yack our heads off like we always do. Sigh. Most everyone is in the same boat I’m sure. I am eternally grateful that we have a home and enough to go on with. I know not everyone is so privileged and there are a whole lot of folks out there on the front lines keeping things together and taking care of essential services. A hearty thank you to all of you for your efforts on everyone’s behalf! You are truly appreciated from the bottom of our hearts. Along with what sounds like half the city, we go out on the front porch every evening at 7pm and clap and whistle and yell our heads off to let our carers know!

Meanwhile back in our semi-lockdown, spring seems to be appearing faster than I expected. It’s still been cold at night – just a few degrees Celsius above freezing – but the days have been sunny and getting warmer. We’ve been taking our exercise walkabout in mid-morning when it’s quiet and easier to keep our distance from others. Just around the local residential streets and occasional back alley we’re averaging about 5 or 6 kilometres. The spring flowers and shrubs and especially the cherry trees are spectacular! They’re a little late this year but worth the wait.

*Seedlings waiting to go in the garden.*

The garden is slowly being tamed. The peas and asparagus are coming up and I got the early Asian greens (bok choy, gai lan, mizuna) that I grew to little seedlings into their home bed. Next in will be the baby kale and cabbages but first I have to finish preparing their spots. I’ve been diligently repotting everything into larger flats so nobody will be in too big of a hurry to be transplanted. I have to schlep them out of the house every day, some to go on the deck and some in the greenhouse. And then back every evening. It’s a lot of work! Thank you, Past Me, for thinking ahead and getting lots of bags of seedling and potting soil as well as all my garden seeds before the pandemic hit. It was a good move! There’s lots of work we can do here before we need to order any other garden supplies. Apparently they’ve been really busy with online and phone orders for curbside pickup. Lots of people stuck at home are obviously planning gardens this year.

So what else? I wasn’t feeling like sewing. Not even masks. (Shhh…don’t tell anyone I have a secret stash of N95 masks…okay, one small box of a half dozen. They are part of our safety equipment for dyeing and woodworking.) I hate wearing a mask unless absolutely necessary because it clashes totally with my glasses and hearing aids. Ugh. There’s enough going on at the back of my ears already! And even with the good ones I feel like I can’t breathe. And my nose itches abominably. Also, have you noticed that many (most?) people are not using masks correctly. Touching their mask, pulling it down, wearing it again without cleaning it properly etc. etc. They might as well not bother. It becomes more of a polite social gesture rather than a functional protection for anyone. However that said, I might wear a mask myself the next time we need to go grocery shopping, which won’t be for a couple of weeks at least. People are NOT maintaining their distance or following the basic rules in the store. Grrrr…what is it you don’t understand about people are actually dying here? Who made you immune?

Whew. Sorry. Guess I have issues and I’m not anything resembling a germaphobe. I am definitely an elder though. Turning the Big Seven Oh this year. We’re the most vulnerable demographic. And in my experience the older people are the ones who are doing the most to be careful and considerate. Younger people seem to be the ones breezing past me, pressing the crossing light buttons with their bare hands, not conceding the sidewalk to keep their two metres/two yards apart and generally acting like it’s all fine. The good news is that families with kids at home are spending way more time than usual with them. They mostly seem to be having fun chalking exercise games on the sidewalk, riding their bikes together, taping up hearts and rainbows and posing bears in their windows. Okay, be positive. We’ll get through this.

Meanwhile, back in the studio, I’ve been weaving. Yes, folks, I’ve finally remembered how to use my loom. Amazing, huh? Not without incident though. I decided to make some new dish towels since the selection in this house is rapidly thinning (literally!) I’m not going to buy any new supplies so it’s all about using what I already have in the stash. For once I actually went to my magazine shelves and in the first Handwoven (May/June 2013) that I looked at found the perfect towel pattern! Serendipity. The structure is four-block four-shaft Summer & Winter, a variation which uses only 4 shafts and 6 treadles but manages to look much more complex than it is. I dug out 6 fruity colours of 2/8 unmercerised cotton for the warp and used those plus whatever else I thought might work for the wefts.

Unfortunately it was only after weaving 3/4 of a towel that I discovered an error in the threading.

Now of course I can’t UNsee it but it was definitely not obvious in among all those colours! So I finished weaving that towel and cut it off, fixed the error which was only 3 threads, retied on and got back to work on the next towel. I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like completely finished so I sewed up the hems on the first towel and washed and dried it in the machine.

*Love it! Still seeing the mistake though.*

You can see better how I used two colours in the weft for each two blocks of treadling. After the first block they automatically switch places so for the second block the tabby becomes the pattern and the pattern becomes the tabby. It’s surprising how different they look! I found that nearly any colour combination worked as long as there was enough value contrast. This means that I can use up a whole lot of random partial tubes of 2/8 cotton and still get beautiful towels. Win-win, I’d say! I can’t stop gazing at it. And attempting to ignore the glitch. Heh. The second towel is going much better. I think my body is getting into the rhythm now.

Carrying On

March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 damselflysdelights2 Comments

How is everyone holding up? Out in cyberspace I see lots of calming videos and images and lots of jokes and laughter too. Keep it up! We can get through this together even if we have to all stay apart. Best line I saw somewhere that stuck with me is this:

Introverts, put down your book and go check in on the poor extroverts now. They’re suffering!

I know. It’s not so funny if you’re truly lonely and isolated. But society is usually so dominated by the extroverts among us that it’s kind of interesting that we introverts actually have an advantage during the current situation. I can be alone for awhile without becoming lonely. I don’t need (or even want) constant stimulation and conversation. Plus I have lots of solo activities that I enjoy. On the other hand if this goes on too long, I’m kind of glad I’m sharing my isolation space with my spouse! Who is also an introvert.

You know, everyone talks about COVID-19 but do you personally know anyone who has it? My son picked up what we think is the dreaded virus at his shop thanks to an inconsiderate customer. It’s unconfirmed. He can’t get tested because they’re saving that for the serious cases but in consultation with the BC Health med-line and his doctor by phone, they’re pretty sure. Luckily he’s not too ill and is on the mend now. His family (wife and two teenagers) haven’t shown signs of coming down with it. Yet. Though the kids might kill each other first! They’re self-isolating in their small apartment with the golden retriever while building comes to a halt (by government order) on their new one. It’s already a year behind schedule. Are we having fun yet? Kind of happy we haven’t seen any of our kids in person for nearly a month! But I worry about them all.

So I finished a thing. When I discovered that I cut this jacket out back in November, I was amazed that it took me so long! Of course I was distracted by the Make Space Project. Even I am not that slow of a sewist. I had it half finished and hanging out on Debbie Double for months so I finally got it together and got it done. It’s dark and rainy today so I settled for a hanger shot with supplementary lighting.

It turned out a little more oversized than I prefer but it’s not really any worse than my Issey Miyake jacket. I actually used the same size as my vest version that I made last year but the jacket has more ease with that wide back pleat and drop shoulders. I did get the sleeves the right length exactly though so I don’t have to turn up the cuffs unless I want to. There was a little trouble with the drapey linen crepe fabric stretching out on the seams. They’re a little wavy especially down the front edges. I probably really should have used my walking foot but didn’t. I was too busy switching back and forth from the regular foot to the stitch-in-the-ditch foot to sew the binding. I love that foot! I never had one with my old sewing machine and it just makes getting really close to the seam so easy. Also happiness for snap-on feet too. On the other hand, the walking foot is a lot more involved to install than my old Pfaff’s IDT foot which was built in. Ya wins some; ya loses some.

I’ve been out in my garden and for plenty of walks while the sun was shining. I got my peas planted a week early this year! My wee seedlings are going to need transplanting into bigger pots very soon (like starting tomorrow). And then begins the Daily Schlep – taking them out to the greenhouse every morning and back inside every evening until they are ready to go in the garden. There’s not enough room under the lights for them all and I need space to plant the tomatoes very soon. I was realizing that it’s a very good thing that I was able to buy my seeds before all the shops shut or I would have had to resort to mail ordering them. Not sure if we’re going to get our scheduled manure order delivered in a couple of weeks or not. We’re all in a waiting game here, aren’t we?

Sending virtual hugs to everyone! Stay well and stay occupied as best you can. As my auld Scots mum used to say: “This too shall pass”.

Social Distancing

March 16, 2020 damselflysdelights4 Comments

Yep, with so many venues and businesses closed at the moment thanks to COVID-19 we can’t help but continue on with our ongoing Make Space project. At least that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it! I didn’t even get a chance to feel bad about avoiding Fibres West because it was postponed anyway. Sadly the word came right in the middle of the vendors setting up for opening the next day. And of course that was just an example of all the other cancellations going on. As an introvert I’m totally fine with the isolation though I know it’s very hard on many people, mentally, emotionally and financially. We can only do the best we can and hope that our efforts will help “flatten the curve” as they say. Crazy times, my friends! Wash your hands. And the hardest one for me, don’t touch your face! (Just saying that makes my nose itch…)

So here I am instead still sorting and cleaning and piling and trashing. Ugh. Is there no end? We have been somewhat stymied in our efforts to get rid of some of the things due to the semi-shut-down of shops and services so there are labelled stacks all over the basement. However, I’ve now completely finished the whole top floor: studio, study, closets and attics! It only took two months. Yeesh. Here’s the study.

Unfortunately I can’t get any decent photos of the closet and the attics but trust me, they have never been this clean! The hardest part was going through family memorabilia. No, I do not need old report cards and the like and the kids don’t want any of this stuff either. I think we all thought it had been chucked out long ago! I’m feeling so much lighter now and I’m sure the elderly floors are groaning their relief too. The only thing not finished is my poor old antique Morris chair which is in dire need of reupholstering (along with the two chairs from the living room) but like many things, it’s going to have to wait for awhile. I can do very simple upholstering myself as I did for the kitchen chairs but these are much more complex and far beyond my skill level. I’ll leave it to the professionals. Meanwhile I’ve piled pillows on Morris to protect my behind from the bad pokey springs! Ouch.

So now we are onto the basement and it is just a tad awkward working around the piles of excess salvage/donation stuff. I did manage to get my “grow-op” unburied and cleaned up. All the pots are sorted and today I’ve started the first of my vegetable seeds. It’s a little later than normal but since spring seems to be running a couple of weeks behind here this year anyway, it should work out just right in the end. Gardening is a bit of a crapshoot at the best of times. And this ain’t the best of times right now, is it? {insert fatalistic shrug here}

Due to all the cleaning I haven’t had either the energy or brain power to work on other crafty projects. Except for finishing my Fernwood set! I now have the cowl, hat and (tah-dah!) fingerless mitts.

The pattern is H.G. by Zhora Designs and is a free download on Ravelry. They’re nice and long and definitely warm. The whole set is an interesting exercise in knitting gauge.

The cowl (top) uses 4mm needles, the hat (centre) uses 3.25mm needles and the mitts (bottom) use 2mm. All in the same handspun NZ Corriedale yarn. The three fabrics created feel quite different: the cowl is very soft and drapey, the hat is nicely slouchy but not too floppy, and the mitts are quite dense but still elastic enough to snug the wrist. Also the changes in gauge and in diameter changes the appearance of the stripey effect: stripes are shorter on the cowl and increase to larger blocks of colour on the mitts. Fun!

I got to wear the full set for the first time a couple of days ago when we went for a walk down by the Fraser River in the cold and very windy sunshine. I was very happy for the warmth of wool! Please note that getting outside and walking if you are able is still self-isolating but also especially good for your mental and physical health. And sunshine is a natural germicide. My PSA for the day. Heh.

Stay well, everyone, and craft on.

I Need Nothing!

February 21, 2020 damselflysdelights2 Comments

Oh. My. Goodness. Do I have a lot of stuff or what?!! It’s been weeks and weeks and I’m still not quite finished going through the studio, including the two attic spaces and the closet. One last corner of yarns and books left to go. And then I get to start on the other room next door, aka The Study! Yup, there’s more. Sigh. Two more attic spaces and a very large closet as well as 6 bookcases. And then there’s the dye/surface design stuff in the basement. Ack!!! I did get rid of some of this lot a year ago but it’s past time to do a more thorough job. I still have far too much! I’m completely beyond what I could possibly use for the rest of my natural life. Fact.

So please continue to remind me that I have almost no need to purchase supplies ever again? I will just have to stay far away from suppliers’ shops, websites, thrift stores, other crafts people’s downsizing, and saddest of all, I’ve decided not to go to Fibres West this year. That’s our local spinning and weaving show on next month (sorry, for some reason I can’t put a link in right now). I know I won’t be able to control myself so I’ll just avoid temptation. Big sigh. I will miss seeing all the familiar faces and getting hugs. My credit card is happy anyhow. Even if I’m not.

I’ve sworn I will make exceptions to this no-new-stuff rule only if there’s something I really need to finish a project that I absolutely can’t substitute from the existing stash. And even then, I’ll ONLY buy that thing and nothing else! Lets see how long I can keep this up. So far I’ve only bought one PDF pattern since January 1. Yes, I consider it a necessity since I already have a plan and found the fabric for it while inventorying the fabric stash. And it’s not something I already have that’s similar or could easily sub for.

No sewing is happening right now anyway though. Cleaning and chucking only! I have to keep going while the spirit moves, right? I’m afraid that if I stop, I won’t get back to it again. Meanwhile, check out my beauteous newly polished loom!

She has no warp on her, poor thing, but I have plans. Eventually. For starters, I’m running out of handwoven tea towels that aren’t ragged! And I could use a few potholders too. I have yarns and I know how to use ’em. But cleaning…chucking…priorities…

And here’s the clean sewing area. Hope I can find things now that I’ve moved stuff around in all those drawers. You can’t see them but there’s even 8 more drawers holding up the cutting table. Oh and that vintage chest of drawers looks so much nicer now that I’ve cleared it off and polished it. There’s a lot to be said for lemon oil, isn’t there?

I’ve discovered that this kind of deep cleaning, sorting and reorganising takes a number of passes through the sequence. Each time I do it, I find more things I really have no need for and I’m finally ready to let them go. It’s hard! Really hard. I’m not anything remotely resembling a minimalist. I tend to want to hold onto supplies if I can envision a project with them. However, I need to be honest with whether or not I will ever get around to doing it. Chances are probably not. I’m nearly 70 and my body has some osteoarthritis going on which restricts how I use it. My hands in particular. Not to mention the fact that it takes time to make things. Lots and lots of time. I really do enjoy the making but how much of that increasingly precious commodity of time do I want to spend on each project? And then too, how many finished items do I actually need? So many questions to ask myself. It’s no wonder I haven’t been sleeping well. Brain is going around and around as it ponders.