Almost May?

Almost May?

Did the end of April sneak up on anyone else? Anyone? I know that I am surprised haha.

I don’t have a pile to report this morning. Work is getting busier and busier, so I am finding myself re-evaluating my time management and making sure that I am able to keep up with my plans. April turned out to be a bit of an engine warm rather than a take off, but hopefully that will set me off on the right foot for May.

My Behance project for this month is taking over all studio time, so the balance is a little off. But I already have an idea for May so I think that I am off to a good start. Once I get a good balance back I will be sure to post some of the sketching ideas I’ve had brewing too. Lots to come from the studio.

I am also brewing up a few more Creativity posts. These are a lot of fun to research and write, so I hope that you are enjoying them too. Anyone out there still think that they have no creativity at all? Here’s the time too look back on my posts to let you believe the compliment of creativity that is given to you. Here’s the first post, just in case.

On the yarn side of the world I have been working on a Mystery Knit-A-Long from one of my favourite designers, Ambah O’Brien. She did one back when I first started knitting and I have been eager to get started on another one ever since. So far I am loving the outcome, I do wonder if I should have gone with four colours instead of three, but something new is coming this week that I think might just change my mind. This will all make more sense when I make a post about this project later on.

I also have a KAL with friends coming up, finally getting to my sailing sweater! And I am keeping up with my original sock plans for the year, shockingly enough haha.

This one is short and sweet, but I do promise this silence is not being wasted. I am working away in the background right now, trying to get the best content for you lovely readers.

Here’s a few things that I enjoyed this month for you to explore while I write furiously in the background:

  • A Court of Thorns and Roses series
  • Rewatching Inkmaster on Prime – great sketching inspiration
  • The jaw dropping design on this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race
  • Music trades with friends – I am finding some great new studio vibes this way

February Update

February Update

This month was a bit of a creative struggle. Is anyone else really tired? I don’t feel the frustration that a lot of people are feeling that is directly pointed at COVID, but I think that I have overwhelmed my brain a little bit. This month, coming off of a “full steam ahead” January, I lost a bit of momentum. Not to worry, I recognized this pretty early on and I have been taking in some self care and relaxing, only doing projects when I am excited about them and able to take them on without frustration. Creating is my hard reset, and I have mentioned in previous posts, that I am never more frustrated than when I can’t create how I want to. I have a few tips and tricks to work past that coming here shortly. Now, the month was not a complete loss, I was still able to get almost everything done that I wanted to, just in a different way than I had originally planned.

Knitting

I kept up with the theme of socks this month. I finished some, some are waiting patiently for me to want to knit heels, and some are waiting in the wings for the 9″ circulars to be done knitting other socks. More to come on some of these projects as they are finished.

I was able to finish off a gorgeous Ambah wrap just the other day. I cast it on at the start of the year with Boxing Day purchased yarn. I am so happy with how it came out. There will definitely be a spotlight for this beauty coming soon.

Ever since I took myself off of my “no yarn” hiatus I have gone a little crazy. At least it looks that way. I have bought quite a bit of yarn, but all of it has some plans. The yarn I bought was either from a dyer I was looking to support, or for a project that I planned out during the hiatus. I think I have to go back on a diet now though haha. One of the things I did buy last weekend was my first set of sock tubes from Full Moon Fibres. I have never used a sock tube before, and the thought of cutting already knit up yarn makes me stressy haha. I am excited to try those in March and see where that new adventure will take me and my yarn plans.

The Studio

Here is where the struggle has been real. Sigh. I am still not on track for sketching everyday. At the start of the month I should have tried drawing with my non-dominant hand, something better might have come out onto the paper. Sketch after sketch came out completely different from what was planned, but not in a great way. Don’t worry, I listened to my advice and kept them all, no erasers here. No one will ever see them though, those are for me haha.

Knowing that there was something not quite working, I made a few adjustments. I listened to where I might be limiting myself. So, I changed what time of day I would sit down to create, I moved my most used tools to be more accessible, and I changed what I listened too when I was in the studio. I would also try to use any creative energy when it would hit, I don’t want to lose the stores while I am replenishing. Sometimes it’s something little that’s just not working for that minute, and I was able to work out a few of the kinks.

Despite all of that I have been able to work up to another Behance beauty. I was worried for a minute. She is in progress right now and coming together nicely (knock on wood) to be ready for Monday.

Whew. It feels like a lot of energy has gone into not a lot of output, but I know the climb. I’ve done a lot this month, just more internal than January.

Other

Here is a list of a few things that I have been enjoying this month in between knitting stitches and sketching masterpieces. Some fun ideas in case you’re in need of some inspiration.

  • Yellowstone on Prime – OBSESSED!
  • WandaVision on Disney+ – … yes, still. I am all in for this.
  • The Great on Prime (you can never go wrong with a sister recommend – different sister this time ;D)
  • The Push – Amazing story, proceed with caution though. Lots of potential triggers.
  • True Crime Obsessed Podcast