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Wednesday, 29 July 2015

...work for idle hands

There was a time, eons ago, when I was able to sit around doing nothing. That was back in the 80's... Since I've been all growed up - and more specifically, since my dad passed, I've had this inability to sit still doing nothing. I just can't. I can't watch TV either. I absolutely have to be doing something productive. I feel like I'm wasting time if I'm not doing something. I don't recommend this as a life plan though... my dad used to say I should try to stop and 'smell the roses'.

Normally I'm working and that's grand, I don't think about it. I'm busy all the time between WMS and the children and the house. I don't have hobbies or free time because my work has evolved from my hobby and while I love stamping, running a stamp company is way more involved than I ever imagined and there just are not enough hours in the day to allow for hobbies, or even casual stamping. There's not a chance I can wind down to a break, I find I just have to pull the plug and go cold turkey on it.

If I'm at home, I cannot resist the temptation to pop on the web for a mo' and see what's happening. So away we went - nearly two full weeks in County Kerry - and yep, if you are interested, I will get to the travel shots over the next couple of days.

I just wanted to show you what I do when I can't do anything else - when there's no computer, no wifi for the phone, no web at all... anywhere, and when the kids have gone to bed - I crochet.

I throw a few balls of yarn in a ziplock baggie and make stuff - I'm drawn to pretty household accessories. Last year's vacation was all baby booties as we were expecting a new family member, my niece, but this year I took a liking to a pretty doily pattern and set about making up a bunch of those. (The pattern is from the 'Crochet Living' Book by Nicki Trench)

Nope, I have no idea what I'm going to use them for, nope they do not even slightly match my home decor (such as it is, but that's another story) and no,  we're not really the sort of folks who use doilies as doilies, but I just really, really needed to make something pretty that didn't involve a deadline.... I'm nearly there... :)

Store News

I'm all caught up with orders and I am tackling the email mountain - I've only another 3000 odd emails to look through, so please bear with me if you are expecting a reply to any emails you've sent me. The next thing on my list after that is to start the new look PJ party and then get the nextrelease items whipped into shape - and ohhh - you should see some of the guest designer samples that I looked at this morning...ah but you will...all in good time... chat soon.
Posted by Unknown at 4:39 pm
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24 comments:

  1. Lynn Mercurio29 July 2015 at 16:58

    These are beautiful Claire. My grandmother and great-grandmother both crocheted beautiful doilies and tablecloths, in addition to other lovelies that I treasure. This kind of work is a lost art, and I always admire those who keep this kind of artwork alive.

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    1. Unknown29 July 2015 at 23:40

      Cheers Lynn, I'm doing my best, I keep hearing "and what are you going to do with those?" lol, but I nurse a thought that my kids will appreciate these wee bits and bobs some day.

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  2. Julee (Vervegirl)29 July 2015 at 17:32

    These are so pretty, Claire! So glad you got a vacation from it all.

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    1. Unknown29 July 2015 at 23:41

      Thanks Julee, yep, sooo needed it, but you know how it goes, catching up is so hard! hugs!

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  3. Julia Aston29 July 2015 at 17:51

    Love the colors you used on these pretty doilies - glad you got some time to just sit and relax while you were away - Welcome back - we missed you!!!

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    1. Unknown29 July 2015 at 23:42

      och thanks Julia, yep it was heaven to be able to footer, but I did miss being connected! Hugs!

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  4. Enigma Artist29 July 2015 at 18:45

    Gorgeous! I used to crochet, but haven't touched it in over 30 years. As Lynn mentioned, this is a lost art. Keep it going! BTW... I see CARD designs in those doiles! LOL

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    1. Unknown29 July 2015 at 23:42

      Thanks for popping in! I appreciate the kind words! :)

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  5. Helen L29 July 2015 at 20:10

    Beautiful doilies Claire! Your stitches are so uniform (I notice because I took up crocheting a bit ago go finish some pillowcases that my grandmother or Mom started many years ago. It's hard to get a consistent stitch with the crochet thread!) I'm glad you had the time to unplug and get away with your family: bet there were some great memories made! :-) Hugs, H

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    1. Unknown29 July 2015 at 23:45

      Oh yes - we did have a wonderful time Helen! Lots of laughs and memories! Yep I am grand with the tension in one item, but I don't seem to be able to get consistent tension across a set...but I guess I'll be able to tell how stressed I was when I was making each doily - the looser ones will obviously represent less stressful days...lol

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  6. Nancy Penir 29 July 2015 at 20:47

    These are so pretty! Envisioning them worked up into an afghan cozied up by an autumn fire! I still crochet! Never been able to be idle for some reason. Hope your trip was full of memories. Look forward to those shots you promised. Love Irish countryside. Rather vicarious living for us in a dry state!

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    1. Unknown29 July 2015 at 23:46

      Thanks for calling over Nancy - and yep I think I took over 2000 photos - I sure hope some of them will be blogworthy!!! :) It was a spectacular region!

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  7. ionabunny29 July 2015 at 23:35

    These are pretty. It's good to be doing something useful. Hugz

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    1. Unknown29 July 2015 at 23:46

      Yep - great feeling!! :) thanks for popping in to the blog ionabunny!

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  8. Jill Norwood30 July 2015 at 00:36

    Beautiful crocheting Claire! I love to crochet and enjoy doing so in front of the TV especially in the winter. I cannot just watch tv - I have to be folding laundry, stamping and coloring or crocheting. I am glad you got a break and made pretty things just for fun! Look forward to the photos of your trip! :) Jill

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    1. Unknown1 August 2015 at 01:05

      cheers Jill, yep it's been a while since I was in Kerry proper - stunning, just stunning, sorting the pics now! :)

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  9. Lisa Silver30 July 2015 at 02:24

    How lovely! I wish I could manage crochet... I mastered the chain and nothing else. ;)

    When things are particularly busy for me, I like to knit. I learned a few years ago when my grandmother was in the hospital and now I find it a great way to spend an evening, when I have free time.

    Thanks for sharing and glad to hear you had a lovely holiday. Cheers!

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    1. Unknown1 August 2015 at 01:06

      lol, I crochet because knitting is tooo complicated, can't be doing with two needles!! lol - go you! - I envy knitters those fabulous nordic patterns!

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  10. suezie30 July 2015 at 13:39

    Beautiful crochet Claire and such a pretty colour combo - even your crochet hook is fancy! I find it hard to sit still and do nothing too and crochet is my 'go to' something to do especially when we're in the car - I don't drive so it's easy to crochet on long journeys. Hubby laughs at me and says I'm like an old women but I've made some lovely colourful Granny blankets this way LOL! It has to be simple projects cos I'm self taught and not very good at following patterns.
    You're making me wonder about how much internet access I might have in another week - I hate to think I might miss all the WMS fun :-(

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    1. Unknown1 August 2015 at 01:07

      oh I fell in love with that hook Suezie - it's so pretty! yep crocheting in the car is such a good way to use that time - did a bit of that also - we'll be here when you get back to the web! :)

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  11. Marybeth31 July 2015 at 03:54

    Claire , what a gift of writing you have the words just flow off the page. My goodness these are gorgeous! I love to crochet too. I get what you mean how they don't really go with the decor but they are beautiful and I am sure you will find some way of using them . Everyone always need a coaster. Can't wait to see some of your beautiful photos.

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    1. Unknown1 August 2015 at 01:08

      You are too kind Marybeth! yep they will be good for somewhere tho'! Pretty is never wasted. Yep, must get the pcs up over the weekend. :)

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  12. Kate31 July 2015 at 07:24

    So glad you're back Claire. Looking forward to those photos. I envy your talent with a crochet hook and yarn. I haven't crocheted since I was a kid. Someone had to start me off then and there's no one to start me off now.

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    1. Unknown1 August 2015 at 01:09

      LOL, Kate, yep I know what you mean, I'm like that with knitting - the only bit I can do is cast on... I was really rusty but I watched a bit of crochet you tube last year and it all came back - slightly addicted now....

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