Friday, January 07, 2011

New Year, New Projects

If you know me, you know I like to have projects going.  Mustn't be bored.  No! NO!  Not that my life has much risk of leading to boredom of any kind.  But better safe than sorry right?  So, some of my projects for the new year...
First, a crafty project.  I love, love, love crafts.  You may have picked up on that.  Did you?  One craft that I haven't done since I was little is embroidery.  I like it, it's beautiful, I just didn't feel much need to do it.  But I have been drawn to it again.  The universe aligned and I'm back to embroidery.  :-)  My kids are getting a little bigger and a little more independent.  So having a needle, thread and work with teeny stitches is becoming more realistic.  Then, Alicia Paulson came out with her new book, Embroidery Companion.  If you craft, you really should check out her books.  The other is Stitched In Time.  It is a beautiful collection of crafts.
Anyway, the amazing Annette at A Simple Breath is hosting a year long sew-along for the Embroidery Companion.  "Just the thing," I thought!  A group of crafters, all working on the same project each month, providing me with some motivation and accountability!  So, I am currently working on the first project--Tea Towels!  Fun!  I am enjoying it very much, but I am having to do it in such teeny-short bursts I fear I am going to have 12 more UFO's at the end of 2011.  Some things to work on in 2012 I guess!

Next up is a more intellectual pursuit.  I have been feeling for sometime that something is missing and that something is ritual and seasonal awareness.  Apparently I am not alone!  I have found that several of my friends were feeling the same way.  To support each other in attempting to bring this to our lives, we have started a blog called, Motherwheel: LDS Families Celebrating the Seasons.  We just launched this week!  Currently there are introductions to the families participating and some basic information.  We plan to share our experiences as we celebrate the 8 Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year.  I am also currently working on some book reviews to share as well as some informational posts. One about references to the New Moon in the Bible and one about some history of the symbol of the serpent. Aaaand, I am taking a year-long class related to this project.  The classes are once a month and sound just about perfect.  My brain is swimming I tell ya! Hopefully I get really good at the embroidery so it can allow my brain some wandering time.

Of course, later in the year, I also have the garden to keep me busy.  This will be the first  Spring I can plant super early, so I am making some plans of what to plant.  Yum!  I hope this is the year my kids magically start liking vegetables.  LOL
I talked to the kids some about their role in the planting.  They are looking forward to being a part of the garden again.  They really do enjoy it.  M and G are thinking about starting extra seeds this year to sell to people they know.  I think it would be an excellent way for them to make some extra money.

And finally, for now at least (ha!), I took the plunge and purchased the kit from LearningHerbs.com.  Hooray!  I love herbs and we use a fair bit of herbal remedies, but I get frustrated with my lack of knowledge.  I had looked into herbalist classes in the past, but couldn't figure out how to make the time and effort to do that.  But this is a kit that takes the learning through project by project.  Hopefully, by the end of my kit experience, I will have enough basic knowledge to continue to self-teach until I feel ready to take full-on classes.  Or maybe I will be satisfied for a time with my level of knowledge.  Who knows? At any rate, my kit should arrive in a few days.

So, now that I write that all out, I can say I look pretty crazy.  Good thing one of my other projects is to work on including the kids in more housework.  I apparently just scheduled my 24 hours and didn't leave room for much else!  If you see me dinking around Facebook, ask me how I'm doing and if I have time to be there.  The answer will probably be No.  At least I have guaranteed no boredom for another year.  :-)

8 comments:

Jenne said...

Cool that you bought the herb kit! I got the game Wildcraft for Willem's birthday present but I've been thinking about the elderberry syrup tutorial that comes with the kit since I placed the order. We love elderberry syrup at this house. It makes me want to grow some in my backyard.

Lindsay Z said...

Wow. Sounds fun! Make sure to update with pictures!

Anonymous said...

Im always finding something new to get started on even though I already have a full plate.

GinaG said...

Oh my goodness...we are twins! I love Learning Herbs. You'll have to tell me how you like the kit. Making herbal stuff is one of my favoritist things in life these days. I'll have to let you know if their Wildcraft game is any good. We just got it. You also might like Susun Weed. She's an herbalist on the east coast.

Was just looking at some towels to embroider yesterday. But I am trying to limit myself to felting this year. Although that group you mention sounds quite tempting. Hmmm.

And I will see you in class! I finally registered yesterday.

Your blog looks quite interesting. Yay for you!

RasJane said...

Descent, how do you like the game? I looked at it for my kids too.
Lindsay, you would want pictures! LOL I'll try. Actually, taking pictures of the projects is part of the sew-along, so maybe it will carry over into other projecty parts of my year.
Khourt, good to know I'm not the only one.
Gina, Yay! Can't wait to see you next week then! I'll be sure to let you know how much fun I have making herbal things.
And thanks, the blog has me so excited. Descent is part of it!

Shady Lady said...

Oh my! And I thought photography and learning to sew was taking on a lot. You go girl!

Maggie P. said...

Ha! I love how we are diving into the same things- herbalism, Paganism... Can we just call ourselves sisters? I'll come over and let you braid my hair and everything!

xoxo

RasJane said...

Mags! You, me and Gina are all gonna have to hang out sometime. Get your butt up here!