Keeping House

I think this summer is an exercise in International Studies including fashion, language and field studies.

I am giving my best shot keeping house in the midst of all the preparation.  Thankfully I am motivated to complete my collection for the trip, but little things like dog hair and dishes are needing attention.  I think that if I write it out, the work will shrink from it's monster suit and be the afternoon of work I think it really is. That's the delight in self-management.  I run my own "business".  Lunch meetings are my specialty.

The thing that is most distracting is my brain.  It keeps thinking of things that make my eyes drift out of the window, looking blankly to see what's really on my mind.  Okay, I'll say it:  I'm so interesting to myself!

So the day starts out rather slowly.  Yesterday I finished two t-shirts and cut out another 3 garments.  Today I'll make the skirt and start the blouses.  I've chosen the sweater pattern I'll use from the new edition of Knitty.  Really, a good day in the works.  

The travel itinerary is coming and I may have time for Rosetta Stone next week.

Our family to Austria, my friend to Madagascar, our son to Kenya, our friends coming from Kenya and Ukraine. All in the space of 6 weeks.

Get to work.

Today

Inspiration from Victoria and Albert Museum.  Kim and I dropped our jaws a few times...

After the family visit I'm getting the latest sample finished to send Amani.  Thankful for a quiet overcast day to let my arm (tendonitis) heal and settle my brain.  

I've forgotten about being quiet and what that does for my motivation.  -Which tends to come around when I've gotten completely good and bored.  So if you are, a little history of my current interest here.

Bloom

Everything about the trip went well.  I was worried for a moment.  Well, a long moment.  But the women were amazing talented knitters.  I was very happy that they are starting their own projects that will fit the need of their community.  They are on their way!  

Amani Ya Juu took a look at the tote bag product and are letting us know by May whether they'll pick it for their line.  The Mathare knitters will be payed for the piece work and Amani will handle the marketing!  Sweet! We found a Kenyan fiber source for shillings that is already being processed and dyed by a thriving spinning co-op.

-going back in July for a full two weeks to teach.  Everyone involved are all so grateful for the open doors.

Lil' Baby

This is a sample sweater to take to Nairobi.  We'll be leaving on the 29th.  I'm on to some lace and another sweater construction sample.  This may come home with me.  I think it needs to belong to Maggie's baby girl arriving in May.  Sweetness.

Spinner's Elbow

I thought it could never happen to me.  I thought I had the right form.  The official word came down from Web MD-  I have Spinner's Elbow.  I had to give her a rest today.  Last night I went to bed feeling like my left arm had been blistered.

I worked my physical therapy.  Not exactly a Spa Treatment, but it's helping to twiddle my thumbs.