Monday, May 31, 2010

The mother at McDonalds..

You brought your child, perhaps 4 years old into the play area. Then went back into the dining area, to the very back and pulled our your computer. You sat down, with your back to the play area. And this situation continued for almost 45 minutes.

During this time, your son... bullied other kids. Stole food off other peoples tables and was not behaving. For quite a while, no one even knew he belonged to. I was tempted to call the police.

It was not my job, nor was it the job of the other parents to "watch" "control" or otherwise maintain the safety of your kid. So when I finally asked inside the dining area who the child belonged to... for you to claim he "was fine" was not only frustrating but ridiculous.

Yes, the room is enclosed. The doors are emergency, so bells will sound. But have you really considered, how long it takes to grab a child and bolt out one of those doors? I am frustrated, upset and bothered that a parent could be so unaware about their child.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

10 Rules of Basic Etiquette for the non-Crafty:

10 Rules of Basic Etiquette for the non-Crafty:
-Just because I am crafting in a public place does NOT mean I am fishing for compliments, comments, advice. etc…. I am minding my own business, how about you minding yours. Plus, before you decide to help yourself to my personal private space, from my crafting supplies, equipment etc. please pass me your wallet. If your gonna snoop in my personal belongings I get to snoop in yours.

-Do not rubberneck my crafting project from two tables away or over my shoulder for 10 - 15 minutes watching me, then have the audacity to ask me “Did you do that?” You will get the “Nope. My invisible friend Matilda did it, but doesn’t like to feel like a freak so I fake it for her.” Plus do NOT crowd me, most crafts have sharp ended tools and I am not adverse to jabbing you with one so you get my point.

-When gushing “I could never do that” be honest with yourself and the crafter in question, finish the sentence with “because I do not have the patience and I am a abject moron.”

-All Family & friends, if I ever chose to create something for you it is an honor. It is NOT like going to the store and just picking something up. Creating the gift takes time, forethought, pre-planning, and time management. Keep in mind socks are NOT simple, neither is a scarf or a hat, they are basics where we learn and try new design and pattern ideas. Be very honored when we feel a practice piece is worthy of gifting to you.

-NEVER EVER gift yarn, notions, patterns expecting it to be used for you. Do not hint that I make you something. Ask me simply and straightforward. I may or may not make it for free if you buy the yarn, or may charge you for my time… either way be proud and humble to think I would even consider doing it for you since you are too lazy to learn to do it for yourself.

-If gifted with a handmade crafting item, thank the creator profusely even if you never want a hand made gift from them ever again, then state its beautiful and I’ll cherish it but handmade is really not your thing. This gets the giftee and the creator off the hook for more gifts that can be appreciated better by someone else on the creators list.

-If you are the recipient of a handcrafted item and decide within 2 years its not the thing for you, offer it back to its creator before selling it or regifting it to someone else. Its insulting to ask about a piece made for you to find out you donated it to goodwill, I got $5 at my garage sale for it, or hear from you “oh, that grey sweater. I gave it to my ex-boyfriends girlfriends best friend because it just wasn’t me.”

-If the hand crafted item is wearable then WEAR it, if it is decorative USE it. If you are so overwhelmed that you want to take care of it so it won’t get destroyed FRAME it. If you choose to do none of these things give it back to the person that made the item because you do not deserve it.

-Do not blame the creator if a thing you have bullied them into making for you does NOT turn out the way you want it. If you are so damned picky take the time to learn the craft and make it for yourself.

-We craft because it relaxes us, we enjoy it, we can take our time and be proud of what we are doing. Selling our creativity for profit will stress us out, put us under deadlines, and generally make us want scream. That is why it is a hobby and not our JOB so quit pestering us by how much money we could make yadda yadda yadda.

(borrowed from selfish knitters on ravelry)

Original thoughts.. random moment

It seems in life, there are people who regardless of how hard they try, they cannot have an original thought. They will copy and mimic people, and utilize their creativity as their own. Sometimes, it is the small things, that really seem to matter the least that will drive you completely insane. I am being vague. I know.. but there is a person, she is a acquaintance.. not a "friend" who it seems, copies a lot of other people. It could be a comment, a pattern used or something basic.
It was not till recently that I discovered, she had copied something of mine. Claimed it as her own and I don't know, in a way, knowing this has been done, taints what was special to me. I know, most people would say.. who cares. Move on. But this person is like nails on a chalkboard to me and this just adds to the frustration I feel.
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On to other things:

Been working on my Goddess Knits Anniversary Shawl (2010) for the past 3 weeks. I am so excited how it is coming along.
I am about 1/2 way through the 3rd clue and feel great about the progress I am making. 1 year ago, I started my first lace shawl and it was by the same designer I felt insecure in the pattern and using yarn that thin. Now, it has become pretty easy.
Here is after the 2nd clue:






I had hoped to have it completed faster, but hey it is lace.. a fickle and frustrating lover. lol

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School is almost out for the 2 oldest kids. I cannot believe that my oldest will be in 3rd grade and my sweet girl will be starting Kindergarten. Where does the time go? How are they growing up so fast?? I am going to miss this stage, feels like it went by way too fast!