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Outta Control

My stash is outta control.This isn’t even all of it. It’s a world gone mad. In one of my classes, the coaches point out that inventory is cash waiting to be converted into dollars. I have a lot of dollars sitting around.

Currently on the needles: a slouchy hat order, a cowl, a market bag and a scarf. While the first three will be done with minimal impact on the stash, the scarf is an homage to Dr. Who. It may not follow the same color scheme but it does have the same rows per color and it will be a really long scarf.

The truth is, it won’t have a HUGE impact. (Remember the stash is outta control.) But it should help clear space in one of the bags.

I have a goal of placing patterns a few times a month. Two of the WIPs have patterns attached to them and there are more to come. That will also assist in getting stash down. 
I haven’t heard if I am in the craft shows I applied to for March and April. In case I get in, I want to start on the spring and summer offerings – like the market pads and new designs for towels and skincare scrubbies. 

I know I am incredibly blessed and I didn’t go broke to feed my stash, but it really is bordering on obscene. I think it is spiritually healthy for me to create and give away as well as sell.

Its all part of the plan.

Yarn closet

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Knit and Chill

 

I can knit and chill. It’s one of the perks for knitting for a living. I can watch the t&v at the same time. Except, I don’t watch the t&v much anymore. Is Comcast still a thing? I ask because I haven’t had cable in years and I don’t miss it one bit. What I paid for in a month, I pay for in a year with everything I stream and I can watch it on my laptop and take it with me. So I can knit and chill anywhere and not be concerned because someone else in the house (or hotel room) wants to watch their own thing.

Isn’t technology wonderful? As much as it makes some folks cringe, I have to say my go to stream is here. I know, it’s part of the evil empire. But it’s already January and I can still count on Christmas movies for at least another few weeks and more if I do a search for them. 

There are rules to streaming: I only do one series at a time. So on Netflix, I am doing The First Wives Club, Discovery + is Vanity Fair Confidential and Disney+ is Andor because I am watching the Star Wars saga in order – minus the cartoon stuff. I have standards. 

There are other times when I binge quiet and silence. Every once in a while the noise of anything gets to be too much and only nothing will do. 

I know ‘they’ say we shouldn’t have too much screen time because it makes us less social and more isolated and I get that. I do have a real time, 3d life. But as far as work goes, there are worse gigs than being able to watch streaming programs as you work. I should look into whether I can write it off as a business expense.

 

 

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The Tangled Web

Tangled yarnsAh, the tangled web we weave…My friend, Melissa, loves detangling yarn. This would send her over the moon. I look at this and give myself a lecture on taking  better  care of my things. Click the links for tips on how to detangle.

I am going to have to deal with this. I need that cream yarn to finish my afghan. I also know I will breathe just that much easier when I resolve the issue of the tangled web of yarn. I now that somewhere within my freedom loving soul, I like order. I know that when I clear up the tangles and put the rest of the yarns in their prospective bins, I will look around the room, inhale and exhale deeply and love the open space that will be around me. 

I am beginning 2024 the same way I began 2023: the acknowledgment that I have too much yarn. I don’t recall – and I won’t look to see – if I had a plan to cull the herd. But I do have a plan for 2024. It is to design more and get more patterns out there. Then to sell at more live shows and to donate more finished items. The church ministry for crafts can be a vehicle for that.

All that is well and good. But I will have to deal with this entanglement. The longer I put it off, the more it will bug me. Better to end the year and start the year, unbugged.

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Prayer Blanket Ministry

blankets made by beverly bochenek for designbcb

A Prayer Blanket Ministry. Our newly formed craft circle at work has already laid the foundation for it. We just have to get the skills up enough to create the squares that will make the blanket. If you were curious about prayer shawl ministries, click and learn a little.

I believe we can make a difference in the lives of people we come in contact with and with the people they come in contact with. It is the ripple effect and that ripple can start with anyone.

One of the ways to incorporate individual prayer time with the creation of prayer blankets is to knit squares and do a prayer with each one. Perhaps one will be a prayer for peace; one for gratitude, hope, love, compassion, patience. There is nothing that can’t be prayed about and shared with in hope for others. When blankets are compiled, they will be filled with a multitude of prayer that covers just about everything. Each blanket will be different and uniquely prayed over. 

I like that thought.

In other news, I finished by third craft show. I made money at all but the first one.  There may be one more to do if I can get in at the last minute. I am also thinking about doing some in the warmer months which means making things like dish/wash cloths, scrubbies, scrunchies and market bags. Also, cup cozies. I will have to make those anyway because those are the things, along with blankets, that go into the Goimagine shop and I need to get that going or else I am just contributing to another business instead of my own.

It’s going to busy all year round and I am beginning to appreciate the gift of time and the blessings of work to do. I can see why they say youth is wasted on the young!

 

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Don’t Delete Me

Don’t delete me. 

christmas stockings from designbcb

I’ve been a member of the knit community for years; decades even. I know this is still a thing and I risk it all by saying this but it must be said: I don’t like knitting socks. 

Unless they look like these. I don’t mind these socks. And yes, these are crochet stockings. I’ve knit a pair of socks and didn’t like it. Thought they were cute but it didn’t hit me as something I need ever do again.

But the other night, when it was as cold as anything and we were out there going to my birthday dinner; I gave thought to have a big, cozy pair of socks. I quickly modified that to a pair of cozy and thick leg warmers. Look, I get the obsession: they’re quick. Instant gratification. They even have a purpose. I get it. I just don’t get it. 

But crocheting a Christmas stocking I do get. And when I make them, it does not go unnoticed that I am making a big sock and with some modifications, I could make a regular sock. I see it. Making the stocking goes faster than making the socks ever did. 

I even have sock yarn in my stash. Granted, I did not buy it with the idea of making socks but there was always the option. Truth is, I won’t use it to make socks. I’m not making socks with sock yarn. The only other thing that drives me crazy than knitting socks; knitting socks with thin sock yarn.

It’s OK, right? I mean, the world hasn’t imploded. Time hasn’t stopped. No one has ever come to me while knitting in public and asked why I wasn’t knitting socks. It’s OK. We all have our thing. We all have our not thing. Knitting socks is not a thing for me.  Crocheting Christmas stockings is. It’s like how I don’t like doing the seed stitch but I don’t mind doing the 1×1 rib.  See what I mean? No? OK.

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The Amari Beanie

The Amari Beanie is the first of my new Baby Love line! When I did craft shows, someone would always ask for kids hats and scarves and I had none. So, this time around, I made one and I was hooked. I have several baby hats and they have sold. At the last show, I had a pom-pom baby beanie and someone suggested I make matching beanies for Mommy and Me. I have learned my lesson. It took years to make the first baby beanie. I wasn’t about to wait years to do the matching one. And so here is Naomi with little Amari and the beanie I named for her. They are available from designbcb.

I may create the pattern I used for the beanie. I started it a couple of times because I didn’t like how it draped – especially the adult size. It was kind of strange because I already have a pattern for a basic beanie but it wasn’t quite what I wanted the end result to look like.

I was frustrated – not being able to design something like I used to. It wasn’t coming easily. Most people in the world neither knit or crochet. It follows that even less design patterns. There are designers with far greater talents than mine. They put in more time and effort and it pays off. The art of knit and crochet is a spiritual gift. The gift of design is a special kiss on the forehead from God. My patterns do well. It frustrates in the moment but when it’s done and it works – oh, the feeling. I’m hoping 2024 brings more patterns.

I’ve also started to write again. I think the new book club has a lot do to with that. I am currently reading this, by the way. Hopefully more writing is coming as well. I’m looking forward to this next year. Heck, I’m looking forward to the next couple of hours!
The Amari Baby Beanie by designbcb

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Prayer Shawls

Crocheted Prayer shawls from designbcbPrayer Shawls are back.

There is something wonderful about them. They each have a story. When I make them, I do say a prayer and I send a prayer with it.

Most of the time, they are given to comfort a loss. Someone purchased one because they said God told them to get a shawl to wrap around themselves when they pray.

These shawls will go to members of the same family to give comfort after the loss of a daughter, niece and sister. They are all friends and the making of these shawls was helpful in my moving through the pain of their loss.

Prayer is connective. The shawl is connective and tangible. It is a living prayer.

Did I tell you about the message I received a long time ago? When designbcb was new, I received a message from a woman who told me to take my prayer shawls out of my store because they were not to be sold.

She wasn’t from Etsy, she was someone who was on the site and saw them and decided she needed to tell me to take them out of my store. 

Immediately following that note was another note from her apologizing because she did some searching and found other shawls were indeed items that could be sold and she asked forgiveness for her note.

I forgave her but pointed out the rudeness of her message. I also suggested that she should write every bookstore and demand they not sell the Bible if she needs that kind of a cause. Never heard back.

 

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The Power of Prayer

The power of prayer is known to us all. We have all prayed. From the time when we were small wanting that bike, or glove or whatever it was that we just had to have or we would surely perish. To the time we wanted that promotion or that certain someone to say yes. We held our hands together tight, closed our eyes and put our wishes into the universe. We hoped that someone out there would hear our pleas and make it happen.

That is prayer. Highly personal and instinctual. We are all born with the capacity to ask something outside of ourselves to bring us what we need or desire.

Whether we believe it connects us with some higher power or the power within us, prayer is a form of outreach that acknowledges there is more than just us. There is a place where we can gather more strength than we have at the moment. Comfort overcomes helplessness. Joy and gratitude can be multiplied.

My outlook on prayer has grown more profound. I pray to God and to the spirit that resides in the universe. Everyone who wishes can connect with it. I pray often – more than once a day. We have said grace at our table for years but now I say it with every meal, at home or in a restaurant. 

I speak with God in the morning before I get out of bed – and before my more formal God study. I speak at night to recap the day; the good and the bad of it. My belief has been strengthened by the practice.

The connection to mind, body, spirit and earth is real for me. Prayer is now and important part of who I am. I happily embrace what it has done for me. What is your experience with prayer?

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Animals of the Bible

Did I tell you about Animals of the Bible? Animals of the Bible is my latest digital production! It’s designed to be wall art but can be used for anything like cards and invitations all the way to 24×36 wall pieces. You can find the set at Abbey & Lincoln. You can also purchase the individual animals if that works better for you.

Animals are depicted throughout the Bible and the ones in this first collection have particular meaning: 

  1. Giraffe: Symbolizes vision, foresight, and seeing the bigger picture.
  2. Eagle: Represents strength, freedom, and soaring to new heights.
  3. Cow: A symbol of provision and sustenance, reflecting God’s abundant blessings.
  4. Lion: A powerful symbol of courage, strength, and divine protection.
  5. Fish: Often associated with miracles, like the story of the loaves and fishes.
  6. Donkey: Known for its role in carrying Jesus into Jerusalem and symbolizing humility.
  7. Lamb: Signifies innocence and the sacrificial lamb of God.
  8. Camel: Reflects endurance, resilience, and the journey of life.

I smile when I look at them and it was fun creating the print around the illustration. Scaled from 4×6 to 24×36, whether you’re looking to decorate your home with meaningful art, enhance your church’s visual materials, or create engaging educational resources, these illustrations are a perfect fit. You can use them for posters, greeting cards, Sunday school materials, placemats at children’s parties. You can even make gift wrapping!

Check it out using the link above. It’s $19 for the set or $3 for each individual print. It’s a great way to decorate your kid’s nursery, playroom or classroom.

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Knitting and Netfilx

Knitting and Netflix. Tis the season. To be fair, knitting and Netflix is a year-round thing with me. But at this time of year, knitting includes endless watching of Christmas movies.

 So, that means knitting with Netflix, Hulu, Prime (Hallmark and Acorn), even YouTube. And movies. 

This season will last well into the new year. It might border Valentine’s Day. It’s hokey and formulaic but that’s part of the joy of it. I count on them when I am feeling stressed about orders and if I will get them and if I can get them out on time. 

Movie madness will ease when the orders are filled, and I can go back to calm and peaceful knitting instead of the furious pace of order fulfillment.

Having something on while I’m working is a perk of this particular job. Some would say it’s a distraction and I can see how they get there when I am so engrossed in a scene that I forget to work. But that is a rare occurrence. It is infinitely worse when there is nothing on and I am making the same hat that I made yesterday and the day before that and the day before that.

The formula movie with just enough of a plot change and a cast of non-stars or B list actors or actors who were A- list actors who are now in almost every Hallmark movie keeps interest alive. If I want a grittier kind of feel good movie, I can switch from Hallmark to Lifetime. It’s the same formula but with an evil sister, co-worker, ex or secretary. Kinda Halloween and Christmas mash up.

I am not alone in this: Christmas movies are plentiful because they are watched. Some folk don’t even have work as an excuse. Nor do they need one. It’s a little slice of peace and happiness and if that isn’t what Christmas is about then there’s no point in making a movie at all.