Saturday, February 11, 2012

A Free Day and A Sale!!!

My husband went to visit his Mother in Wisconsin this weekend.  I know I am not supposed to be overly excited, but I am.  That left me yesterday with a whole evening to myself .  I watched an episode of House Hunters International, I just love that show and then Sleepless in Seattle, one of my all time favorites.  All the while working on my blue crochet vest, trying to figure out why I can not keep 237 stitches for each row.  I think I have a severe counting problem.  I was so relaxed that ripping out several rows didn't even bother me.

My youngest son was upstairs playing his game box with friends and my oldest was in Orlando at a swim meet.  Which is exactly where I should be today, watching him swim.  Apparently he re-injured his ankle pushing off the wall in warm-ups and couldn't swim last night.  He stayed over to see if it was better this morning,  but it wasn't, so he came home.  Can I tell you I am secretly glad he is home?  This was his first trip driving that far from home and staying with two other boys.  There were other parents at the hotel, just not me!  This was a bit of a stretch for me, but I had to let him go.  Now he is home safe and sound and I have a free day!

So what do most of us women do on a free day?  I started off with tea and blogs, perfect.  I read the paper and tried once again to do yoga.  Boy am I inflexible ( in almost every way you can imagine). While my nose was tucked in close to the floor I realized my carpet had the lovely odor of Golden Retriever, so I pulled out the carpet cleaner and got to work.  Okay, really!!!!  This is my free day!!!  When men have a free day, which I find is frequently, they just hang out and feel perfectly fine not accomplishing a thing.  They can watch 14 hours of Super Bowl coverage before the game even begins and not blink an eye.  Me on the other hand, I feel like I have to have some cleaning/household project going all the time.  Enough I say!  I showered, fussed over my boy when he walked in the door safely and marched myself over to Joann's for a little yarn.
 You see I have been a bit obsessed with these beautiful tulips on my kitchen table.  The colors are so intense.  I thought maybe I might want to have a bit of tulip color fun.
 Some cotton yarn, some beads......hmmmm I wonder what will happen?  I plan on working on this, this afternoon.  That is right after I vacuum.
 On a totally different note I have sold my first shawl.  I am just tickled pink that someone, somewhere thinks that my work is worthy of a purchase.  I was so elated when my sister and I talked this morning and she told me the green shawl had been purchased.  I was elated then of course I became nervous.  Is it good enough?  Will the buyer think that it is as soft and yummy as I do?  Oh how those doubts seem to settle in so quickly. 
I think people who make things often think that their projects are not up to the standards of everyone else.  I don't think it is just me.  But when I look at the picture of this shawl and remember that the picture did not do it justice, I feel better.  My first sale, WOW!

17 comments:

Between Me and You said...

Congratulations to you! You have no need to doubt your work - it's beautiful! I've been admiring the shawl too. It's very Scottish if you don't mind me saying so!I think Flora McDonald (Google's your friend)would have been very proud to wear it. The only criticism I would have is that you are selling your work TOO CHEAPLY!Your shawls are comparable,if not better made, with anything with a 'designer' label. You are, after all, a designer in your own right now!Good Luck to you and your sister with the shop and if postage wasn't a problem, I'd buy something myself!

Claudia said...

Congratulations, sister!

xoxo
Claudia

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Fabulous; you go girl!

Sue
xo

Rizzi said...

OH MEREDITH....HOW WONDERFUL....YOUR FIRST SALE.....BE PROUD YOU DO LOVELY WORK.......NANA GO GO IS RIGHT GET YOUR OWN LABEL MADE AND ATTACH TO SHAWL OR ANYTHING YOU MAKE....YOUR WORK IS SO NICE........ENJOY YOUR DAY......RIZZI

Unknown said...

Forget the vaccum. Remember, it's your free day. I know the feeling of a quiet Saturday house. Celebrate on. Let's see what that yarn will bring us to cheer about.

Grateful4Crochet said...

OK Meredith- Step Away From the Housework!!! Now!!
Of course it sold, it's beautiful. Actually when I looked at your shop yesterday, that was the one I loved the most divine colours!!
You will just keep on selling because they are beautiful. And I agree with Nana

Toni said...

Yay!!!!!!!!! It's so lovely, I'm sure the new owner is going to ADORE it!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the first sale. I think you are right --- we do so worry that others will think our work is good. I did a sample knit for TNNA and I had those VERY SAME thoughts. Of course, they loved the socks just as your buyer will LOVE her new, gorgeous shawl.

That tulip is beautiful and I love how you found yarn to match. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Rose said...

Congratulations! The tulips, yarn, and shawl are gorgeous!!

Rose said...

PS. Enjoy your free time, I love it when I get it too!

Karen said...

Meredith, I loved hearing about your 'day to yourself'. I feel the same way, a bit guilty, but love it when I can just do my own thing. Which, oddly enough, usually involves some kind of cleaning at first! I think it's because then I can sit and enjoy it. Very strange, I know.

Congratulations on your first sale! Your work is beautiful and I'm sure the buyer will be thrilled.

Sending good thoughts that your son's foot will heal quickly.

Liz said...

Oh... the tulips are so striking. You're right about the men. I feel like a lazy butt if I am not up and doing something during the day. But men, they will nod off in front of the tv, get up and eat, then go back and nod off again.
Congrats on your first sale. So exciting...I hope you have lots more.

Sorry to hear about your son's ankle. Has Max started limping yet? hehe...not funny, but I remember what you said last time there was a foot/ankle injury
Have a great weekend,
Liz

Teresa Kasner said...

*C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S*!* on the sale! You must feel wonderful! I'm very proud of you! I am with the others... you need to learn to relax! :-) I look forward to seeing what you make with the red and black yarn. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Rose Red said...

Congratulations on your first sale! How exciting!

I look forward to seeing where your tulip inspiration takes you!

Leah said...

Hi hon, I have been sitting here nodding along to each and every comment! I absolutely love that doing yoga then made you clean your carpet - hilarious!! Huge congats on selling your first shawl - that's brilliant news. And I'm so glad you said how nervous you then got about it, because I feel exactly that way which is why I have never quite ventured into selling things. Instead I have tea cosies and jewellery stockpiling under my craft table! It's silly isn't it. Your work is stunning so be totally confident that it will be loved by its new owner. Have a fabulous week hon. Leah xx

kathy b said...

Great thoughts......
Great job on your sale
and yes we knit up things and think someone else's knit ups are more perfect....

TIMe as we wish it is such a treat!

Sue Pinner said...

Congratulations on the sale..beautiful
Funny l was looking at the tulips on my window sill too and thinking woolly thoughts..look forward to seeing your tulip
We women always find something that needs doing before we can enjoy our selves hey! x