A view from my sick bed. Despite my attempts to avoid being a participant in the game of crud swapping Casey and Mitch have been playing the past two months, I am officially sick. Fever, body aches, the whole nine yards. Yesterday was spent in bed. Dozing, and coughing, shivering, and sweating... all the fun stuff associated with being sick. Since I was in bed and didn't have the energy to do anything else, I pulled out my crochet/knitting bag, which by the way is a paper bag with handles from the yarn shop. You'd think I'd make myself a proper bag, but I digress. Where was I? Oh yea, I pulled out my little bag of yarn to make another stab at crocheting. I've had a lesson, purchased an instructional CD, purchased this book. I've done my research and know exactly how it is supposed to be done, getting my hands to then do it is another story. I picked up the yarn and hook, fumbled with how to hold the thread, where to put the hook, is this how it's supposed to look?!! Then I threw it down in disgust, read a little more, dozed a little more and repeated the process. I don't think I have to tell you I don't have an afghan to show and tell about today. Not a hat, not a scarf, not a little swatch. Nada. Stupid crochet!
I began the day hopeful. Hopeful that my fever was gone and I would be full of energy. At least feel like getting a little sewing done. It didn't last long. When I used to work 12 hour shifts as a nurse and had two small children to keep up with, I fantasized about entire days spent in bed. Just me and the TV, a good book, a magazine or two. Now that I am home most days, the kids are nearly grown, (notice I said nearly Alyssa) I get more rest and the idea of spending the whole day in bed doesn't have the same appeal. The day started to get a little better when I heard the mail man pull up and beep his horn. This means he has something too big to fit in the box. That made me feel a little better, then he started handing me my packages. Yes, packages, not one, but four!! Four packages. It felt like Christmas. I knew what each contained and couldn't wait to tear into them. I didn't even mind that the mail man caught me in my bathrobe with very, very bad hair. Three packages were books, maybe spending the day in bed wouldn't be so bad after all. I got a cup of tea, grabbed the pup and climbed back in bed to check out the loot. The first one I opened was my copy of The Crafter's Companion. Are those of you who don't have it yet jealous? You should be. It's wonderful. The book features seventeen talented artists (who also happen to be bloggers) Each of these crafting geniuses has contributed an original pattern and tells a little about why she crafts, what inspires her, and what her workspace is like. Get yourself a copy, you'll be glad you did.
What were the other packages? One was fabric from Superbuzzy. Delightful! And that's not all folks. About a month ago I ordered three Japanese craft books, one from Ebay, the others from Yesasia. See what I mean about inspiration overload? It's a bit of a gamble ordering books sight unseen, no description ( not one I can read anyway) with only a few pictures to go by. This time the gamble paid off.
All three are winners, full of projects I want to try. Right. This. Minute!! Oh yea, I'm sick...Sigh... Maybe after a shower and some wonton soup I'll feel a little more human. Even Toby's getting tired of this sick bed.
Oh sweetie...I hate that you are feeling sick. Take care of yourself! Being jealous of those books over here!!
Posted by: Mindy | October 30, 2006 at 05:03 PM
Autum, Sorry to hear you are sick. Hope you feel better soon! Even when you are sick, you are a fountain of info... with all those great books. I can't wait to see what is inspiring you!
Posted by: Me, Myself and Sewing | October 30, 2006 at 07:05 PM
Hope you're feeling better today.
Though a day in bed with books and crafts sounds pretty good to me....minus the aches pains and fever of course! lol
God bless!
Terri
Posted by: Terri Pollhein | October 30, 2006 at 07:33 PM
Feel better soon Autum!
Posted by: erin | October 30, 2006 at 08:12 PM
I hope you're feeling better, but if you have to be sick - staying in bed with all that lovely mail makes it a little better!! I just got Crafter's Companion today and can't wait to dive in! Those Japanese books look divine - I don't have any of those, so I'm taking note of the covers (since I can't order by title!!). Isn't Superbuzzy the best?? I really love the things they carry. Well, feel better!! (P.S. I can't crochet either!)
Posted by: Jackie | October 30, 2006 at 08:23 PM
Feel better soon!! I've got to order The Crafter's Companion. Enjoy your new books, I'm sure you'll have something exciting to show us soon.
Posted by: Patricia | October 30, 2006 at 08:46 PM
So sorry you are sick. I hope you feel better asap! :)
Posted by: Jessica Hood | October 30, 2006 at 08:54 PM
We must have the same thing. Hope you feel better really soon!
Posted by: katie | October 30, 2006 at 09:19 PM
Feel better please. :)
Posted by: Alicia A. | October 30, 2006 at 09:26 PM
Autum, I hope you are up and at your sewing machine very soon. Thank goodness for great mail days, enjoy the books and magazines.
Posted by: Lori V | October 30, 2006 at 09:56 PM
Ahh, poor thing. I hope you have a burst of health tomorrow. Toby looks so dang cute sleeping.
Posted by: scraptomylu | October 30, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Sorry you're not feeling well. Here's to good health and good mail! Can't wait to see what crafting those books inspire when you get better.
Posted by: joanna | October 31, 2006 at 01:04 AM
So sorry that you've succumbed... and even more sorry that the morning started off in a frustrating way with the crochet. (although, I do have to admit that I'm cracking up that your "knitting bag" is essentially a brown paper sack! It's kind of like the cobbler's kids running around with no shoes!)
So glad that the UPSP was so good to you, and brightened up your confinement with so many lovely books!
Feel better! (and I agree, I prefer the curative powers of wonton soup over plain old chicken noodle, too!)
Posted by: lla | October 31, 2006 at 06:29 AM
Get better soon Autum! I demand it!
Right now a day in bed sounds pretty good to me (yeah, the grass is always greener on the other side).
And shame on you for tempting me with those wonderful books! Now I'm itching to place an order.
Posted by: beki | October 31, 2006 at 08:38 AM
oh, the flu is awful. i hope you feel better soon and get back to your sewing machine. or figure out the crazy crochet.
Posted by: capello | October 31, 2006 at 09:22 AM
Hang in there! Those Japanese craft books would definitely make me feel better...ooh covet, covet. And hang in there on the crochet, too. I never thought I'd be someone who crocheted, but it's really finally clicking with me...and it will with you, too. Time and practice, like you don't know that.
Posted by: robin | October 31, 2006 at 09:28 AM
I love to see all the great things you make and giggled at your pursuit of crochet. My Gram taught me when I was very little. She started me with the basic chain stitch. I did it for an entire summer until I got it right-I realize now she was teaching me about tension. I would try this approach -there are great videos here- http://www.anniesattic.com/crochet/content.html?cat_id=3&type_id=S Try the chain stitch video and keep at it. Do it over and over until you are comfortable with the yarn and hook in your hands. You'll get it and maybe one day I'll sew a bag!
Hope you feel better soon!
Posted by: LoriB. | October 31, 2006 at 10:10 AM
Happy Spook-ee day!!! I can see you now dressing up as tinkerbell...you would be a cute tink hehehe...I hope you dont dress up as a sick stay in bed sewing blogger....hehehehe MWWAAAHHHHH good morning friend!!
Posted by: tanya nichols | October 31, 2006 at 10:11 AM
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that you feel sick! Get well soon hon!
Posted by: Chris Howard | October 31, 2006 at 10:50 AM
You poor thing! If you were a tad bit closer, I'd bring you some homemade chicken soup. What perfect timing to get 4 fun packages when you're feeling blah! God is good like that!
I read every post, but don't always comment. Praying that the school year is going well for your family!
Posted by: Wendi | October 31, 2006 at 10:51 AM
I got my copy of Crafter's Companion yesterday too and couldn't put it down! It was like looking into a friend's journal. I just loved it.
I hope you are soon on the mend, but what a great way to spend your time if you have to be in bed.
Posted by: Kelli | October 31, 2006 at 12:08 PM
Feel better! And what a haul of loot! Ya hoo! I'd have inspriation overload as well!
Happy Halloween, and if you want the chance at more goodies in the mail, check my blog between now and Thursday morning. :)
Cheers!
Posted by: laeroport | October 31, 2006 at 12:54 PM
Hope you are feeling much better now. Toby looks so sweet. He's becoming quite the little star of this blog!!! Happy Halloween from England.
Posted by: Zoe | October 31, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Thanks for pointing the way to that book, it looks wonderful. Hope you are feeling better very soon!
Posted by: rohanknitter | October 31, 2006 at 03:27 PM
You definitely should not try learn to crochet when you're sick! Read inspirational books, yes, but nothing challenging! I've been feeling cruddy over here myself. I'm making meals, and that's about it. I'm so behind on my blogging...oh well. There's an ebay seller in HK who pretty much scans the entire book on her listing. I like that. :o)
Posted by: linda | October 31, 2006 at 03:36 PM