Back to the shuttles

I’m slowly getting back to work. I have sat down to do scales a couple of times. I’m not sure I want to, but I may have to train myself to quiet my heart rate while I play. When I’m not as engaged, I risk injury to my hands. Tough choice!!! I’ve drug out my stitching again. I hope to finish the border for the elephant in October. Again, I must take things slow.

But, the most fun and rewarding has been to pick my shuttles up again. I’m on the last repeat of the pointed edging. I’m also poking at some of the class projects from Palmettos Tat Days 2023. I’ll share pictures as I finish the tatting. Here’s step one of two from one class:

Slowly easing back into it

 I have a clear outlook for the next few weeks. Since I’ve been improving, I got the go-ahead to do a bit more. Slowly…. Sigh!! I am smiling though!

First step:  Decide what projects and activities are most important.

Then:  Figure out how much I can do each day so that I don’t over-do again.

Look out world, I’m on the mend!

Active *rest*

 A musician will tell you that a rest is an action. Music is organized sound and there must be silence for the noise to make sense. That pregnant pause at the end of the Hallelujah Chorus? Yeah. You figure out real fast that watching the conductor is crucial! Playing a rest is an action, not absence of motion.

So, I’ve been *resting* these past few weeks and have a couple more weeks to go. I knew I was going to be bored and people would be asking when I’m available again. I rehearsed my response. I learned as much as I could about how to recuperate/recover wisely. I gathered around me people who would support me.

I don’t do “invalid” well. I’m much more comfortable rolling up my sleeve and doing things. I’m still not used to claiming victory when I’ve done nothing all day. I know, I know, making sure I’m not tearing out stitches moving around is doing something! But, you know what I mean.

So, I’ll be at *rest* for a few more posts

How to *rest*

 Going into week 4 of this mandatory boredom… I mean *rest*…… I’ve been catching up on reading. I’ve read several magazines, novels, and a few sections of reference books I’d never made time to read before. It’s been…. Instructive.

I’ve also been thinking about what I should focus on when I do get back to work. Now, many of you heard how I very deliberately choose what to do each day. I do set goals (as in what could I do to make the most impact) and create task lists and project files. But this is focus. Sometimes the 15 minutes you spend talking to someone has a bigger impact than the 4 ½ hours you spend creating a piece of art.

Don’t get me wrong, ya gotta get the sweat equity in there! But, sometimes your focus needs to be getting that conversation going or writing that statement/article. That 15 minutes can create more to add to a focus than hours and hours. So, I’ve still been working in my planner/project file. Even if I’m not sliding onto the bench or picking up a shuttle or needle.

Oh, one of the articles I thoroughly enjoyed: But what’s your REAL job? In the June TAO by Sarah MacDonald.

Needs must

I find myself in grumpiness. I must take more time off. This time, I must do nothing…..

No organ playing, no tatting, no weaving…..

I must limit how much I sit at the computer also.

I’ll be bored!!!!

I hope to recover quicker than the doctors predict. We shall see. In the meantime, all are forewarned….

I’m grumpy 

What's in your toolbox

 

 Another question often heard when tatter’s get together. I tuck a lot of stuff into my tatting bag. There’s quite a few things on my shelf of supplies next to my tatting chair. These handy boxes will be keeping things more organized. They’re a bit large to just toss in for some TIP time, but some of these I don’t use but every once in a while. Like when I’m setting up my next project to tat. That reminds me…..

I’ll be getting together with the Embroidery group next week. I need to set up that motif that combines Mediterranean Knotted lace with tatting.