Eulogy to Observing

While I am looking forward to starting my new land-based job, there are some things about tagging along on commercial fishing trips I will miss. Like the irony of being out on a huge, ugly, dirty, killing vessel in the midst of the most awe- (and sometimes fear-!) inspiring landscape, teeming with millions of unknown little beings beneath its surface. Like meeting interesting new people whose friendliness and general goodness remind me that my faith in humanity isn't entirely unfounded. Like relishing a night spent in one's own bed, early in and late rising, because it might happen about once a month. And the like the opportunities to take some really cool pictures like these.

Crafticles

I think I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm all set to be decoupaging, knitting, sewing clothes and cat items, baking cat treats, painting with watercolors, and needle felting. I hate to be a "jack of all trades, master of none", but it all either is or seems to be so much fun! My computer room is filled with stacks of fabric and bags from JoAnns. I have glaze, shells, nautical charts, wooden shapes, ribbon, sand, baskets, yarns, tags, thread...and not enough time in the day. I may have enough craft supplies to amuse me for about ten years or more. But now that I have a stockpile -- is it possible to be inspired and original when you've been dancing around the same materials for months or years? Can it be just as creative to simply use what you have instead of creating your exact vision?



One of my recent ideas is perfect for taking to work with me. I work as a data collector for the government on commercial fishing boats, so the downtime is perfect for hand stitching cute cat toys. It's that or stare at the wall once you've read all your books. One can only pack so many books before the bag is too heavy to pick up. So I've been making these little birdie cat toys. I love the way the blanket stitch looks around the edges, and it's hard to keep my cats off the feathers and catnip when I'm making them at home. I'm hoping to have a decent stash to bring to my next craft fair at Liberty Hall in Marstons Mills, MA on December 6th. I took a special day off of work for it, so I hope it goes well (i.e. I make the table money back).

I also just made a really nice cat bed from my own pattern. I even lined up the plaid fabric so it's not all cockeyed. It came out really quite nice. Right now, I'm working on a fish-shaped cat bed/tent. It has some great furry fabric accents, and, well it's a fish. How cool is that?!

So I guess that while I am ahead of myself in materials, I've at least been relatively fruitful. But sometimes it's hard to stop sewing and go to the gym. I'll be sewing myself some new fat clothes if I'm not careful. EEK!

Mini-Break in Striper A-Go-Go Land

I'll be heading off to Block Island for four days starting this Sunday! I'm hoping the post-tourist, chilly, autumn atmosphere will prove relaxing and inspiring. I've bought a new SD card for my camera, and I'm going to pick up some watercolors, I think. I may end up making a kindergarten-style mess of stick figures and "Ooh, honey, that's a great - ....what is it?"s, but there's no harm in trying. I've recently found a creative bone in my body (it may be my pelvis...oo baby), so I've been trying to build it up and nurture it (with some thrusting and such). The acceptable fruits of my labors are up for sale at my Etsy shop.

In regards to de-fattening, never fear the mini-break, I keep telling myself! You will not gain back those 40 pounds you've lost, nor will you continue forever on this seemingly endless (4 months, peeps) plateau of flabby doom. The Backwoods Companion and I are packing healthy foods (read also: cheap foods, as shite on the island goes for double or more) for breakfasts and lunches whilst on holiday, and I'm pretty sure island cuisine will consist of baked seafood and vegetables for dinner most nights. I'll also be bringing multiple sets of workout clothing for varying weather and some weights and resistance band. I'm actually pretty excited to run around the island. It seems like it will be some seriously awesome atmosphere, and I'll be able to scope out some good photography spots on my way. Hopefully I will diligently forget the locations of bakeries, chocolatiers, and ice cream shops that I run by.

The BC will be spending alot of his time fishing. That was actually the impetus for the trip, and the fact that there is an ocean-view motel and nice little shops on a beautiful island is only secondary to the amount of striped bass found in the waters off the coast. That will leave me to fish until I give up in frustration and then spend hours upon hours relaxing alone in quiet solitude. Lordy, lordy, who took my forty? I can't wait!!!