knitting, cold weather, budgets, books, kitties

{random kitty picture. who doesn't like random kitty pictures? she's a little feisty, but i don't mind.}

Lately I've been thinking a lot about budgets. I know, it's not exactly a fun topic, but I came to the realization that I really need to put one together for myself. My brother is a whiz at this sort of thing and he's always asking me about my business, so I thought I would see if he could help. I emailed him (as he's living in Russia at the moment) and he sent me a list of questions to fill out. That's one of the things I think I'll be doing this afternoon. It's the kind of task I SO dread. Money makes me ill, but it's also something I need. I've been reading The Boss of You, which is a fantastic book for anyone who is thinking of starting (or who already have started) their own business. I'm telling you, this book would have come in handy when I first started my business. As I'm reading the book I keep nodding my head "yes, yes, YES!" So much stuff in that book I can relate to. From hating money (but realizing one needs it and money isn't always a bad thing) to the whole reason for starting your own business. I never ever started a business so that I could make it "big." That has never, nor will it ever, be my intention. It was very simple. I loved sewing and I loved historical clothing a TON. I couldn't find anything else that I could see myself doing in the future, so I took it upon myself to begin a business that fit my needs and my skills. As with anything (be it college, experiences in life etc.) you gradually find what you are best at and what you enjoy the most. I think I'm still figuring this out, actually. But after all this time, I still enjoy historical sewing immensely. And the more I do it, the better I get and the more confidence I have in myself. (Confidence in oneself is always a plus.) ;-)

I think now I look at what I have done, nearing on my 5th year in business; asking myself where I want to go from here and what exactly is it that I want from my business. One thing they encourage you to do in the book is to jot down the reasons you have your own business and what exactly will make you feel that your business is a success. It could be as simple as paying rent and taking a month vacation a year or whatever. But they strongly encourage you to write it all down. I've never actually done this before, because it's easy to think you've got it stored up there in your brain, so there's no need to put it on paper. The problem is you tend to forget about these goals when times are stressful and little bit by little bit, you end up changing your goals without realizing it. So having a hard copy on a piece of paper to look over every now and then is a smart idea.

I'm not even halfway through the book yet, as I'm just taking a little bit at a time, trying to drink it all in slowly. But so far it's been very encouraging and I think it's exactly what I needed, to get "back on track" as far as the vision of my business goes. So go pick it up if you think it's something you might find helpful!

Okay, enough talk about that! Let's get onto something maybe a little bit more fun. Like...knitting! I finally took out my knitting from last year and began knitting one of the sleeves that was almost completed. I knitted two rows before I realized I made a mistake at the beginning. I ended up ripping that out and haven't started it up again. But it's one of those projects where I had to take the time to figure out where exactly I left off and how I was doing it. So now I feel like I've got a pretty tight grasp on all the directions once again. SO next time let's hope I don't make the same mistake. I've got the rest of this sleeve to do and then just one more sleeve. After that comes the blocking and assembling. I can't wait for this sweater to be done!

And because whenever I have one project to finish, I always begin another, I have been looking at a lot of different projects to start on. Here's my list so far! I'm not sure which one I want to start with, except I'm really fond of Jenny's slouch hat, so will probably begin with that. :)

• Le Slouch (pdf)
• Fingerless Mitts (pdf)
  
• 1930's Jiffy Sweater (scroll down)
• Mittens (pdf)
  
• Duchess Raglan (pdf)
  
• Leg Warmers
  

Doesn't it just make you feel so cozy? Since the weather is changing and it's starting to get a bit chilly, I feel like knitting everything at once. I'm not the greatest knitter ever, but I'd like to get better at it. Though with every hard project where I have to think a lot, it's nice to have an easy project to work on during movies or while meeting with friends over coffee. Now I need to run to the store and pick up some needles that I thought I already had. grrr. Another project: organize my knitting needles.

small town iowa

Check out these pictures of a small town in Iowa, 1939-1942 from Everett W. Kuntz. {via for me, for you}

Just had to post that. :)

music for wildflowers

Last night I made a bit of a mixed-tape for my blog. Inspired by Marjorie, yet again! :) I'll probably add to it and change it periodically. Mostly I am adding "easy-listening" selections. Enjoy.

After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, conviviality, and so on - have found that none of these finally satisfy, or permanently wear - what remains? Nature remains.
-Walt Whitman

times they are a changin'

{times they are a changin'}


{working hard on a project.}

I'm not really sure what I'm going to write about tonight, so bear with me! It's been awhile since I've actually blogged. I mean, I have blogged, just feel like I haven't really put much into my posts lately. My mind has been everywhere and I've been thinking a lot about everything at once. Do you ever get that feeling where you want to just put all of your thoughts on paper and forget about them for like...a month? And then by the time that month is over you can go look at your thoughts; they already will have worked themselves out and you can be on your merry way? Well, this is how I think. :) I feel like my mind is everywhere and sometimes I forget to think about the stuff that really matters. I'm too caught up with all the worries of the moment. They may even be legitimate worries, but sometimes you just have to put them aside, read a magazine, look at a pretty picture, take a walk, smell the fresh air. I think for me, those are the times when I really step back and look at the big picture. When I see that life really does go on, even when you feel overwhelmed with everything.

...Moment... I'm listening to Marjorie's beautiful music selection {scroll down} and right now it is Midlake "Young Bride" and it is perfect. Btw, I love Midlake. Yes, you should check them out.

Okay, back to whatever it was I was saying...

Oh yes, what was I saying again? Anyway, some random thoughts. I think too much. Lately I have been appreciating the outdoors around me. Not that I have had a whole lot of time to go outside, but I am noticing the weather is changing, leaves are beginning to change and I smell the crisp air. I have rediscovered my stockings and my leather lace-up boots. {The ones that make me feel slightly Victorian.} And they make me feel taller and maybe a little older. :) I've been thinking of stuff to make for the colder weather which is creeping up on us. I have visions of flannel shirts and plaid wool coats. I picked up a Vintage Vogue pattern at the fabric store the other day while they were on sale. Perhaps I will find time to make this coat on the weekends, among all the other projects I am envisioning to make for myself. Yes, I have way too much on my plate of things to make already, but I can't help but think of new things. Sewing things for myself really does help me take that much needed break, as strange as that sounds. I sew all the time for work, but I actually have more fun sewing things for myself and I'm not ashamed to admit it! It renews my love of sewing, because when I sew for myself I sew whatever the heck I feel like sewing. It could be a top, it could be trousers, a coat, a bag, the possibilities are endless! And if I get tired working on a particular project and want to move onto another, well there is nothing stopping me! I'm totally free to be my artistic self and it feels absolutely marvelous. I'm telling you, it really takes the stress off of me. Perhaps one day I will get to the point where I am only sewing items I feel like sewing, but I honestly doubt that will ever happen. I can dream!

I am thinking, though, that I will eventually get a little more organized in what I will and will not sew {for work}. Perhaps I will actually get around to making that line of clothing or make a run of leather bags as well. In fact, I am thinking more seriously about those leather bags. I will keep you posted, as I know several of you were interested in them back when I first made mine.

I realize this is a bit of a jumbled blog this evening {er, morning} but I felt like writing and when I get those urges, it's best I take them while I have them. I'll be back. Lots of projects ahead of me and lots and lots of work to get done. I keep telling myself not to get overloaded. I think more walks are in order to clear my mind! They help very much. Very much indeed.

P.S. I love banjos {Marjorie posted this awhile back I believe - thank you!} and I also love fiddles. Music is also a huge stress reliever for me. And these tunes sooth my soul.

old town clothing

I ran across this website awhile back, I have no idea where or when I first discovered this place (maybe in a magazine??) and completely forgot about it. Until I read Casey's post. Thanks, Casey!! I'd like one of each, please. :)

right on

"Politics consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable."

-John Kenneth Galbraith

{p.s. this is probably the only time i'll say a word about politics in this blog.}

colorado girl

Oh man he's such a hippie, but I love him just the same.

into the wild

{in the parking lot before the event started: tj, dave, jay, me and silvana.}

I'm back and getting into the swing of things once again. Going off for almost 4 days in the wilderness was exactly what I needed. So far this has been the most challenging living history event I've attended. I found out I could live on a lot less and still make it through. I discovered washing your hands is last on the list when your water supply is limited and you are left with the decision to drink it or stay somewhat clean. I'll stay hydrated over cleanliness, thanks. :) My nails were packed with dirt by the second day and it stayed like that throughout the entire event.


{trying to figure out the old flintlock.}

We scurried up sides of cliffs, ran around the woods (my skirts catching everything in our path), slept in patches of poison ivy (somehow I never got the stuff), got maaaaybe 2 hours of sleep the whole time, watched shooting stars at night, became engulfed in the nature which surrounded... and it was magnificent. The funny thing is I never really saw myself as a camping girl. But ever since I've been doing living history, I feel like I've almost got a natural connection. There are so many things we take for granted here in our convenient homes of luxury. Everything from finding water, getting enough to eat to keeping warm was a chore. But somehow we managed and now I wish I were back out there. Can't wait to do it again!

{More pictures here.}

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Okay, I realize last weekend is long gone and it's almost the weekend again, but my schedule is all off these days so give me a break. ;) It's getting chilly here again. Think maybe it's time to take out the knitting.

OH! I almost forgot! I was referencing something in a past entry about some thrifty goodness and I never posted pictures. Well, here they are. A pair of 1940s heels that I got for super cheap.



Here's a better picture.