Asheville

This year is already getting away from me.  I wasn't even crazy to go off to the hills the weekend before last.  This trip, we had several uninvited guests in our well-known hotel chain room.

STINK BUG INVASION!!!

...5 of them!  ...Don't think we'll stay there again, even though we have stayed there many times in the past with no issues.  Catching and disposing of stink bugs just grossed me out.

I did enjoy a visit to Beads and Beyond.  Barry (the owner) is always so gracious and thrilled to share his knowledge of beads and jewelry making.  I am excited to know a little more about working with precious metal clay, which I have been wanting to play with.  He gave me the "OK" to torch a project.  I had read somewhere that torched clay was not as durable as kiln fired clay and I wouldn't want to mess it up.

I still need to get my studio straight so I can get to work in it!  This is taking it's own sweet time.  I have found two great plastic storage containers that I wish I had two more of.  They fit perfectly into the dresser drawers and hold so many beads in a 1-1/2 " layer with adjustable partitions.  I got a workshop grade power strip that I have attached to the bench leg.  This will facilitate plugging various tools in.  Really, ...I have had to crawl and reach low on my hands and knees to get to the outlet behind the bench and...

 I assure you it's no fun.

Hit the Ground Running

Into the New Year, there are always a list of tasks that are left-over from the past.  Being caught up all the time is a fantasy that I sometimes dream of, but ya-a-a-h that's is not going to happen here!  My brain dumps loads of ideas every day that I really really really want to make happen.  I would never get caught up even if I lived to be as old as Methuselah.   I suspect that the alternative is a good de-cluttering of the "To~Do" list that I keep.  Really, do I think that making my own potholders is necessary?  Even though I know they would be better looking, better functionally, and last longer, can't I just go buy some some and use my time in other ways?

Lately, I have been knitting up some older stash yarns (same as the cowl I showed you last time) for a scarf for my daughter-in-law.  I thought there was another ball of the foundational orange yarn.  Well, I ran out and so now what's a gal to do?