My Tangled Threads

Blending In

2012-01-20T23:54:00.001+01:00

This post will be about something I rarely ever talk about, mainly because it sounds unbelievable. You would think this came from a sci-fi fantasy book. But it happened, and I know, because I was there. And, I was the one that did it.

Many years ago, I was more in touch with myself, and Nature, than I am now. I sadly admit that. I would read very much, I would meditate frequently with a crystal, and spend time outside, admiring, and talking, to nature. I Love Her so very much. Well, there was this time, I was reading about invisibility. I concentrated on it. I also carried around Bloodstone., (one of my favorite stones!). I wanted to try becoming invisible,,,, which meant, becoming one with my surroundings. I wanted to be unseen in public places, I don't know why. It was not an obsession, to be unseen like that. I am a quiet person, and liked doing things by myself most of the time. I was just like that, I was happy with myself this way. I didn't mind doing things with other people, but they did not like doing things I liked. Does that make any sense, that I preferred being alone?

The first experience I had,,, I was walking down a hospital corridor with my family, and several other people. My father was in the front, I was trailing, in the back. My hands in my pockets, and in deep thought. I was thinking about what I have been reading,, becoming one with my surroundings,, absentmindedly caressing my stones. (I love caressing my stones). After several moments, my father stops, turns around, and says loudly, "Where is Angela! I don't see Angela!" (I know I was trailing, but he is pretty tall, and could see over everyone easily). I just looked at him, raising my hand, and answered, "I am here, Pa.". Then he says, "I'm sorry, I did not see you."

Another instance,, I was waiting outside of the factory I worked at. My father was coming to give me a ride home. I waited,,, and watched them drive by me, make a circle, then come back. When I got in the truck, I asked what happened, and all they said was, "Where were you?" They did not see me. of course, I told them that I was standing on that spot the whole time. They never really have talked to me about my practices,,, but I feel that was because they disapproved.

One more instance I will describe,, I was shopping with a friend one evening, and the store was packed. We were half way through our shopping, and decided to get another cart, so we could separate our things before checking out. The place was packed. She waited for me beside a register,,, as I took a deep breath, and walked briskly through all of the people and their carts. As I was headed towards the empty carts, I saw a woman coming at me from the corner of my eye. Without slowing down, I somehow avoided a collision with her cart, by turning my body at just the right time. It all happened so fast, I never thought about onlookers. When I got back to where my friend was, she had told me that it looked like that woman and her cart went right through me. She asked how I avoided getting hit, I was walking so fast.

Anyway, I have had people walk right by me and not see me, on many occasions. I have scared people, because they would not see or hear me.

Blending in with your surroundings.

I wouldn't really know how to explain that in words. I am not good with words. It is easy to tell someone to just sit and concentrate, meditate, and breathe deeply and slowly. But there is more to it, more, that I can not find the words for.

Airborn

2012-01-14T03:39:00.001+01:00

Before beginning my post for the night, I want to apologize,, for I am not feeling very creative tonight.

All I could think about, when concentrating tonight's post with my second "A" post,,, was being airborne.

Back in my very early 20's, during my first marriage, I was basically a prisoner. My husband and I lived with his mother. he was free to come and go as he pleased, but me, I had to sit there, in her vision, all of the time. I couldn't go outside without her watching me constantly, from a window.

Anyway, that is a whole other story. But, one beautiful Summer day, I walked out, and went around to the back side of the house, and sat on the edge of a hill. I was almost completely surrounded by a forest. I had nothing in particular on my mind, I just wanted to get some fresh air, and away from my ever watching eyes. I will never forget the day.

The sky was clear, bright and beautiful. I sat there, and took a deep breath, and just closed my eyes. Suddenly, I heard a Falcon's cry, and I opened my eyes. just taking the experience, and view, in. I was flying! I was gliding among the treetops, then higher, swooping down. I then turned, as I admired the view from above, looking down upon all of the trees, then I headed back. I approached myself quickly, and barley swooped when I neared my body. I could see me sitting there on the edge of the hill, with my eyes closed, in my blue clothing. After I saw my body on the ground, things went black again,,, then I opened my eyes, only to be sitting on the edge of the hill. I hear a Falcon's cry,,,, look up, and watch it glide away from me, in the same direction I was flying from. I sat there in that spot for a long time before going back inside.

This happened many years before my Path had found me. I never understood this,, but I kept wanting to fly again. That was the most peaceful sensation I had ever felt.

That is really all of it, and, my apologies again, for not being creative. it was the thought of my spirit being airborne, that kept whispering to me this week, for my second "A" post.

An Altar

2012-01-07T04:38:00.000+01:00

When my Path found me, one of the first things I wanted was an altar. I had a fetish for small tables, and even more so of they were vintage. I had come upon an old coffee table which was given to me around the same time I started looking for a small table, to use as my own personal altar. Oh, how I loved that old table, I had great plans for it, after getting my own place. I was wanting to restore it as best as I could. Anyway, after getting the table into my room, I cleansed a special part of my room for this table, making sure to keep any and all clutter away from it. For a while, I was undecided on an altar cloth, to cover and protect the wood. I decided on going with something white, but I could not find a white scarf. So, I went on a search, for several yards of white material. As much as I would have loved to have one with a silver/black pentacle in the center, I had to try keeping it as plain as I could, since I did live with another family, plus the fact that I lived in a "Bible belt", I had to lay low, and try my best to be inconspicuous.

Well, I went t Walmart, looking through the fabrics. Each week, would bring a different type of white material home, to give it a "test drive" on my altar. Although the material was white, it still did not feel right. After a couple of months, I finally found the material. It was something, if I remember correctly, called "peach cloth". it was so very soft and silky to the touch, and drapes beautifully. I loved it!

I had a Goddess Statue on the left side of the altar, and the right side, I had a brass Buddha statue. My candles, most of the time white, were, of course, in the center, between the deities.My altar table was the perfect size, I could sit there, before the altar, with my feet folded under me comfortably.

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There is a part of me that misses that altar. But, there is nothing I can do about it now,, the table is long gone, if not destroyed. See, when I moved to Italy, I had to leave the table, but I did keep my statues. during my 5 years in Italy, I had no altar. I really couldn't openly practice much at all, since we did live with my mother in law, and she is a devout Catholic. Every time she saw me wearing one of my stones, she would lecture me on how I needed to go to church.

Well, during those 5 years, I found an altar, inside me, one that no one can disturb. I would sit quietly, meditating, envisioning my candles burning. I just love the presence of a candle flame.

Since being back in America, I have not yet built a physical altar for myself. But I do plan on it, once I finally find a home for my son and I. Until then, I will visit my altar within.

I look for the day that I can once again freely assemble an altar, and place my deities upon it, and gaze upon them, whilst my candles are burning brightly.

A new project

2012-01-01T01:47:00.000+01:00

Although my blog is mainly about my crafting and such, I have chosen to participate in a project for 2012. I will be making posts, specifically for this project, on Fridays.

Some of you may remember, several years ago, my participating in another project, trying to blog once a day, every day for the year. I burnt myself out on that pretty much, and my blog postings slowed down.

My posts have increased, sporadically, and I go for weeks with not one post. What is the point of my even having a blog now, if I never use it? So, when I read about this project on Face book, I immediately signed up. I feel like I need to do this, and I feel like I want to do this, and I am raring to get started.

I will be posting once a week, about my Spirituality, and references to my Spirituality. I will talk about my feelings and thoughts on the subject.

This is one of many things that I am looking forward to in 2012.

I am here

2011-12-19T19:57:00.000+01:00

I am in Ohio now, and I have been here for a little while. No crafting f any kind has been done, since all of my supplies are being stored at another address, hence, no blog updates.

I have been putting in applications, and trying to make progress with my online job. But, alas, due to the time of the year, the online job is still creeping along. I am hoping that things will improve with it after the holidays.

E' Finito

2011-11-19T22:20:00.000+01:00

My Broadway coat, finished in 13 days.

LOL, never mind the hair do. I would have finished it sooner, but I have been going through a LOT of stress, lately. As you can see in the pics, I added 4 buttons, instead of the called for 3, and I spread them out further apart, than what was originally called for in the pattern. I didn't like the idea of having half of my coat freely swinging open. Also, I added shells to the foundation chains of the sleeves, to add length. My preference for a coat is to have full length sleeves.

Now, just in case I miss blogging between now and then, I will be moving in a week, (The 26TH), to Ohio. Maybe I will feel motivated to blog more often, once I change environments.

Now, since finishing the coat, I still had the urge to hook, so, I started back up on my blanket. That there will definitely be a slow process in finishing, since I am doing the whole blanket in single crochets. Maybe, I might try adding shells or ruffle to the edging, when that is finished. Oh, and, I am strongly considering sewing flannel material to the back side of the blanket.

Knit Picks

2011-11-13T04:11:00.000+01:00

Here is my wish list at Knit Picks.

http://www.knitpicks.com/cfCart/viewWishlist.cfm?wishlistid=9AE42319-EB07-BDA2-36B09B9928C5BC15&media=WLBL

More on the Broadway Coat

2011-11-09T23:03:00.000+01:00

The main body, and a full sleeve, with the starting of the second sleeve. I just noticed how the first full sleeve looks a bit odd. I went by the pattern, maybe it just needs to be blocked, since I JUST unfolded this and threw it on the floor.

Broadway Coat Update

2011-11-05T02:16:00.000+01:00

I really enjoy working this pattern! This is what I have done, so far, on the Broadway Coat.

This completes the back, and first front side. I will start on the second front side tomorrow.

This is what it looks like, folded over. I truly hope I can find black buttons for this by the time I am ready to attach them. oh, and I plan on making the sleeves normal length. They LOOK to be 3/4 sleeves, in the sample picture.

A Coat

2011-11-03T01:55:00.000+01:00

For myself. Today, I officially started crocheting a Broadway Coat! (You will need to scroll just a tad to see the pic of it here).WOOT!

Sorry, no direct link to the pattern, as it is inside the Crochet Today magazine. This link is for the corrections in the pattern. I COULD have linked to Ravelry, where there are great pics of it, but I am not sure which of my readers have a Ravelry account. Without a free Ravelry account, you can't see the links from there.

Anyway, here is a pic of my swatch, which came out right on my first try! YAY!

Yea, I am using Burgundy yarn, Red Heart, and a "K" hook. I am making the coat size large, because I want it that way. Here is as far as I had gotten, so far.

So far, I am liking this!

Pocketphants

2011-10-24T22:20:00.000+02:00

Hello again, Lenni! I do enjoy having readers frequent my blog, it has been so loing since that has happened. LOL, maybe if I blogged more often, it might!

Thank you for your comment, I do try to keep pushing at selling my things. I have my Pocketphants, AND a sock monkey, on Yardsellr . And, I DID sell 2 of my tiny creatures, that is all I had sold. I think my discouragement comes from the fact that every thing else seems gloomy as crap. I can't find a job, and I need to move, ASAP, and can't get assistance with that. I have experienced more stress than anything, from the moving ordeal, because I live here still, and am reminded of the situation on a daily basis, and, there is nothing I can do about it. Yet.

Something has to give soon, I tell ya, I will be silver haired before too long. it won't be any more of that salt and peppered look, just all salt, LOL! But, yea, I am trying to have hope that I will sell my items, and that things will get better. Actually, I don't have a choice, thing HAVE to get better.

I need to find my motivation to crochet again, create new designs, or even write. But, I have been spending all of my free time researching, trying to find resources from where I could gather information I need for housing assistance, and even welfare, since I can't get a job. I have also been trying to find housing grants. I have been looking for ways to make money online, and even crafting at home jobs. Stress,. stress, stress.

I Am waiting for one company to get back in touch with me ab out a part time job. But, I will not hold my breath. if any of you know of any legitimate work at home jobs that I wouldn't need to invest money in, please let me know

Hey, Y'all!

2011-10-23T02:06:00.000+02:00

Lenni!! I had considered doing the same here, on this blog. But, currently, I am a bit discouraged at trying to sell anything. I have tried selling Scentsy, with no success, as well as Tupperware, and I also, (for now), have an Amazon shop, which I feel I will be closing within the next week. I feel like such a freaging failure. Well, hello, Andy!! What a pleasant surprise, to see you both after such a long, long time! Andy, you are STILL as handsome as ever!

yea, since I can't seem to gt a real job, I had been trying to find something I could do at least part time, from home. That is why I have the Amazon shop. My business coach called me last week, for our first session, and told me that if I had any questions to leave him a message. he also told me that he would do a follow up call. This was on Thursday of last week. here is it, Saturday, it has been OVER a week since he had called back. Since our first phone session, I called on 3 different occasions, leaving messages to call me back, because I had questions. of course, I never heard back from him.

So, I will have to cancel my membership by Nov. 4TH, but I plan on doing it sooner after I file a complaint.

I can't get a job, and when I THINK I can start a small business, I don't get help.

Also, I need to move, as soon as possible, and can't find help there either. I went last week to sign up for section 8, housing assistance. I was informed that my position on the list is, like, at the bottom, because I have no income. Great! So, by the time my turn comes around, they will want to know if I can pay rent or not.

I am stressed as hell. This is the main reason I have barely been posting, I am under a LOT of stress. I breathe it, on a daily basis.I don't know what to do. I don't know where to turn now. I have been trying every day, researching and searching for housing grants. but, if I understand correctly, I am not even eligible for those unless I have been discriminated against. (Isn't that discrimination in it's self?)

My apologies for the gloomy post.

Meh.

2011-10-19T19:48:00.000+02:00

Title says it all for my current mood. Also, I got rid of the Etsy shop, I dislike having to pay fees when I don't make any sales.

Etsy

2011-09-21T03:05:00.001+02:00

I just opened an Etsy shop, you can find it in the right side column here. I named it Frayed Knot. That is all. Thank you. Bacon.

Progress

2011-09-18T20:58:00.000+02:00

I figured I would share a pic of the blanket, where I left off at. Someone on Face book had mentioned that this looks like a crocheted quilt!

You can see in the pic that there are some loose ends still needing worked in. I just hadn't taken time to weave them in yet. Now, some of the joining on the back side look horrid, and when I was told that this looked like a crocheted quilt, I thought about maybe sewing on fabric, to the back side, and trying to ad little ties at the corners of each square, like on an old quilt. What do you think about that idea?

As for the new design I am working on, after I did get it finished yesterday, it looked nothing like I had originally wanted, so, back to the drawing board on that. I am hoping to have that complete within the week.

In other updates, I am still unemployed. I went last Wednesday, to a nearby rehabilitation center, to apply for a job. I am hoping they call me in for an interview, and that I get a job there. I could practically walk there, it is so close to the house! I could also invest back in a bike, but then, I definitely would need to get my legs back into shape, to ride the bike up this hill I live on!

oh, that reminds me of when I was in my early 20's, my job was a bit over 5 miles from where I lived, plus, there was a VERY steep hill, and I had a 10 speed bike, which I rode every day, back and forth to work.

Oh, and I have an AWESOME idea for another Listia auction, if I can ever get enough scrap yarn built up. Some have called it a magic ball, others call it a mystery ball, but it is basically a ball of scraps wound in a ball, with a prize in the center!

Which reminds me, after I do get the blanket done, I still need to buy more yarn just to make an edging, and hopefully, that ill take care of the curling.

A Plain Ole Update

2011-09-17T03:37:00.000+02:00

I am still hooking on the blanket, but it is going slow. I have been using most of my time trying to find a job, and spending time with my son. Next week, I SHOULD be able to open an Etsy shop, so I can sell my items, and hopefully generate some type of income from that. It may not be much, but every little bit will help. So, the blanket projects are slowing down a lot, now that the Etsy opening is coming closer to a reality for me. I am trying to design new items, and I have loads of ideas of what I would like to crochet for the shop.

My new design will be sort of kinda like in a way related to the Pocketphants, and I WILL need a name for the creature. So, I will definitely be holding another contest in the next few days, and there will be a prize. This is just a heads up for those of you that may still read my blog. If there are loyal readers still with me here, I do truly appreciate it, thank you SO much for putting up with my absenteeism's. I have been going through a lot, and am now trying to get things back in order.

Purse strap lenght

2011-09-10T21:59:00.000+02:00

How long is the average shoulder strap? I will be starting soon on the shoulder strap for the crazy pouch I am trying to design, and, since I don't carry a purse, I have no idea of the length of the average shoulder strap.

2 Rows Complete

2011-09-08T01:34:00.000+02:00

LOL, check out that bright pink square. OK. I will be repeating this color sequence now, starting with the pink in the lower left there, only placing it on the right end of the 3rd row. Hope I explained that right. Anyway, I will repeat these sequences, alternating the colors with each sequence, (I think I just repeated myself there), until I run out of colors. if you can see, there are already 3 squares that are "patched", with scraps I had. That bright pink square was done with scraps, as the 2 next to it, on it's left.

Other than this, I have only been making Kumihimo braided key chains.

I am planning on opening an Etsy shop within the next week or so.

Blankie Update

2011-09-03T01:38:00.000+02:00

Here it is, what I have done so far on the blankie. It is wide enough to drape (1 square's worth) over the edges of a full sized bed.

I still have another color or 2, and quite a few scraps I will piece together. I am just going to repeat the colors as I do them, whether they make a pattern or not. But, with the scraps, I will add that square, (or 2) near the middle rows somewhere. And, I will probably do a single row in black around the edges once the blankie is completed. I am not sure what kind of stitch I will use for the border, yet.

A Quickie

2011-09-02T01:58:00.000+02:00

I hooked for a while last night on the blankie I am making with the Red Heart yarn. As I hooked, I contemplated on the Etsy shop I have been dreaming about, about what items I want and need to make for the shop, and things I need to order to create more things I have wanted to make. I am considering using all of that peach colored tassel thread that I have, to crochet a light scarf or shawl, for the shop.

I think a lot about that, be4cause it will be the ONLY source of income until I find a job.

Anyway, I will post a pic tomorrow of the blankie.

Nothing

2011-08-27T02:20:00.000+02:00

No updates to really talk about, with my crafting. I have been trying to spend my time looking for a job. It may be a few more days before I hook anything, I am concentrating, right now, on opening a bank account within the next week, and trying to open the Etsy shop I have mentioned several times, in previous posts. I am really hoping that I can bring in a little extra cash, that would be better than what I have right now, which is nothing.

I DID pick up an application for a nearby Dollar Tree, and I will be returning that tomorrow, along with a cover letter. The woman did mention that she will be accepting applications soon, I have a feeling, myself, that they will be hiring for the Christmas season. As long as I get some type of income, I will not complain.

I would talk more about my plans, but, from experience, I am keeping quiet. In the past, I would discuss my dreams, only to have them fall apart right before my eyes.

After I see that my dreams, will in fact, become a reality, then I will reveal them. Until then, I hold my breath.

Monk's Cord

2011-08-24T18:37:00.000+02:00

This is all of the crafting that I did yesterday, that I am willing to share at this point. I made a Monk's cord.

This will be the drawstring for the crazy pouch I am making/designing. I used tassel material, as you can see. I have LOTS of this stuff, if anyone wants to barter for it. This cord will be threaded through the top row on my pouch, then once again tied in a knot, THEN cut again, letting the material form a tassel. This is long enough so that the drawstring may be used on the wrist, (a wristlet), if chosen to do so. I had mentioned it in previous posts, but I will say it again. I will use more of this tassel material to make a shoulder strap, making a Kumihimo braid. This purse will be a while in the designing process, because I still had not decided on a color/texture for the lining, a contrasting yarn, OR fabric, for the outside pocket, and the findings I need for the shoulder strap.

If you follow me on Facebook, I have a few sneak peeks of this pouch.

More Blankie

2011-08-23T18:15:00.000+02:00

I have worked a little more on the blankie. I took what I have here, and laid it across Momma's bed, (she has a full sized bed), and it only hangs a couple inches down on either side. Well, after someone is under the blanket, these few inches would become obsolete. So, I think I will add one more square for the width.

The blanket might turn out too big in the end, but, I would rather have a blankie too big, than too small.

I have also been working slowly on a crazy pouch, as I cal it. I have the main body shell complete. Today, I am wanting to make a Monk's cord, to use as a drawstring, then maybe start on a long Kumihimo braid for a shoulder strap. I still want to add an outside pocket to this pouch, then line the pouch. IF I can figure out how to make the shoulder strap detachable, I would prefer it that way. Some people have already seen a sneak peek of the purse on Facebook. I am looking forward to unveiling the finished product.

Squares

2011-08-21T17:08:00.000+02:00

I added another square to the blanket, last night.

I still hadn't decided on which color to start on next. I will do another on this one tomorrow, I need to rest today. My fingers are still sore from working on the crazy pouch, I am hoping to have made more progress on that as well, within the next few days.

Also, I had made my first square for the bedspread I have been wanting.

This one is being done with a size 6 hook, and size 3 thread. Both projects will take a while to complete, but this bedspread will take longer to do than the blanket. The squares here are smaller, and, I am designing as I go. Of course, you really can't tell that on this square, it is only a ch 41, with 40 rows of 40 single crochet. There will be quite a few squares like this in the bed spread, and different shaped ones as well.

YARNZ!

2011-08-20T19:06:00.000+02:00

I had went shopping yesterday, and gotten a few more skeins of Red Heart yarn for the blanket I am making.

The black looking one is actually a dark brown. Anyway, you think I will have enough yarn to finish the blanket, now? I am wanting to make it full sized.

The other blackish looking partial skein is a dark maroon. IO am hoping that the 4 new colors I had gotten yesterday will help blend together all that pink with the variegated. Oh, I also found some Caron Rhapsody, I think is the spelling, in hunter green, and a small scrap ball in blue. I am not sure if the gauges are the same as the Red Heart, they looked like they were, so I will give them a try.

Also, I had dug out 12 skeins of rug yarn I would like to use.

I still not had made up my mind on what to make with all of this, yet. I have several things in mind, but wish to wait until this one blanket is at least a tad larger than it is right now. I don't know of this is enough for an actual rug, because, all of the rug patterns I did find called for WW yarn,,,.

Well, that is it for now.