Time to Catch Up

I thought it was about time I gave a bit of a catch up on what I have been up to! Time rushes by so fast its good for the soul to sit back and think about what you have achieved (or not as the case may be) over the past few months!

In terms of work life I have to say it has been pretty boring - lots of changes going on and I have become rather de-motivated. I am not at the point of changing jobs, since actually I have plans to fill my new spare time......actually technically its not spare, just now that I work the standard 8 hour day rather than the 12 hour one I was working before, so that leaves me more time to do what I want to do......in theory! In practice of course I have so many things that I want to do that its been a challenge deciding what it is that I can spend my extra 4 hours a day on.

First and foremost of course I need to dedicate some more time to the kids. My son has been through a problem time at school and so has needed support. His behaviour has certainly improved now that I am not always putting him off in favour of yet another conference call!

Secondly I have decided to work towards a Degree in Textiles in order to prepare me for a time when I don't have to work in HR, and can do something I love! So I have signed up with the Open College of Arts in the UK. Once I had pressed the 'send' button on my registration (and payment - ugh!) I panicked for about 5 minute and then decided that I have absolutely done the right thing and I am super excited about starting as soon as the course materials arrive. For years I have seen myself as someone who 'just' enjoys knitting and sewing, but now I want to take it to a new level. I have a lifelong love of historical costume so I am SOOOOO looking forward to studying that element of the degree!

Yes yes yes I know that I work full time with 2 children and a basket full of FOs but I have been thinking about this for a long time now and it was the right time to do something for me!

Anyway, more of that in a later post, and I have to create a blog for my coursework, so once that is up and running you can see my progress (that should be 'interesting'!!! :)))

So, what have I been doing in the meantime.........

Well I did go through 3 or 4 unproductive weeks and lost a bit of my knitters Mojo - but as ever a couple of smaller projects restored it!

I completed my Multnomah in the pure silk from Silkindian. The finished result is lovely, but in hindsight I think I could have gone down a needle size. Colour is stunning, beautiful bright sapphire blue, but I have nothing to wear with it at the moment - sigh!

Also completed two baby jackets for pregnant friends in London - very gratifying quick knits which look super sweet and should be off to their respective receipients this week.

Finally another Liesl, which I did intend to finish for our trip to Jordan, but sadly ended up not completed until I returned - however it does remind me of Jordan anyway, since it has the hue of Petra!

Now I have started the Geodisic cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio - the yarn is lovely and from a fellow UAE knitter Jocelyn from Dubai Knits on Etsy. The colour is a lovely Burnt Orange and since I have now decided to go with colours that actually suit me and match what I have to wear (woo hoo there is a revelation!) I think it will get a lot of use. Its not going to be a quick knit since its lace weight and stocking stitch, but I have not done anything reasonable challenging for a while so I am actually enjoying it!

So that's me for the time being.........summer is here in the UAE and its like living in a sauna....phew!