I used a calculator app this morning to figure out how much handstitching I’m doing. Yeah, sure, I could do the binding by machine, but I actually find it kind of relaxing in the evenings to hand stitch the binding, except when I forget to wear something on my finger to keep the needle from punching into it. I know there’s a name for that thing, but my brain has been forgetting a lot of things in the last few weeks, like where it is, what day it is, whether I have school duty or not and when that might be, my computer (brought the plug home but not the computer). Fun stuff like that. No, it’s not the onset of anything except the last bit of school. A bit overwhelmed. My brain rebels and refuses to remember anything but the full family history of all the characters in whatever book I’m reading. Useful stuff. Finger guard. Let’s just call it that.
Anyway, the answer is 230″ around the quilt, which is almost done as of last night, plus another 115″ or so of sewing sleeves on, which is not done.
I can’t remember where I put all my needle threaders, so I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to thread that asshole of a needle when the thread runs out, so I keep threading longer pieces of thread to try to avoid that task, because my brain will not comply and tell me where my needle threaders are, and then the thread ties up in knots and I spend more time dealing with those. Not a good plan really.
See last night? Looks a lot like Monday night…
Except closer to done. Tonight should be done. And then I can start drawing the one in my head, which is now taking on aspects of American politics that weren’t in the original drawing in my head, but I am becoming increasingly frustrated with how we think about women and BIPOC and people stuck in poverty in this country and why we don’t have the same rights as the rich white asshole men. The drawing also has the war in the Ukraine in it, but that’s unfortunately been there for a while.
Ah geez. OK, the car goes in today, knock on wood, the boychild found an extended warranty for the transmission online, so hopefully this crazy shit is covered. Second day of state testing today; yesterday went OK with my kids, so let’s continue that today. Union meeting means I can’t go to exercise class, which sucks, but it is what it is. Come home, finish stitching the sleeves on this, clean it up, email the photographer. Then draw the next one. Probably need to keep it simple (ha! do I know how to do that?). Also need to look at the other deadlines and see what I actually NEED to make and what I already have stuff for so I don’t need to rush through stuff just to enter shows. Everything is opening up, everyone wants work, and I am at a point in my job where it’s just hard to fight for the hour a night to get anything done that is not school-related. 26 days of school left. We’re not there yet. My brain might be, but it’s gonna need to keep working for a few more weeks.
Kathy Nida 