A Day in the Life of a Maker
Each and every one reading this in real time is facing a new kind of normal. Some of us are feeling stress….. (raises hand) some of us are facing job losses. Many of us are worried about loved ones. We are concerned about the future.
This post is more personal than I typically share, but I simply cannot ignore our current situation. I will for sure be sharing crocheting and knitting posts in the very near future (look for an amigurumi tutu tutorial very soon…hint, hint).
But for now I feel compelled to share a little day in the life, a little “how I’m coping with chaos” as a knitter, crocheter and amigurumi maker.
Stress
I consumed waaaaaay too much news yesterday and after a fitful night I awoke to a tightness in my chest and a weariness in my bones. I just want everything to go back to normal. But that’s not going to happen for some time.
My two boys have had their own schedules turned upside down. School has been cancelled. Activities they once enjoyed are not only closed, but in jeopardy of going out of business.
New Normal
Life has thrown us a curve ball and it’s time to get our mitts ready to catch it. I could sit around watching the news and scrolling Facebook, but all that’s going to get me is a big ole dose of anxiety and a stomach ulcer.
Or I can choose to inform myself about what I need to know and then turn it off and be productive. Cooking, crafting and time outdoors are the ways I’m coping with these abrupt changes.
Although our lives have been rearranged without our permission, not all is negative. My husband has been home for over two weeks, and folks, let me tell you, I can’t remember the last time that happened. His job requires him to travel from home a great deal and sharing life together right now is balm to my weary soul.
Crochet to the Rescue
In times of stress I reach for crochet. Sometimes it’s granny squares and sometimes it’s amigurumi, but it’s always crochet. This time I went straight to my all time favorite amigurumi book, Animal Friends of Pica Pau.
Amigurumi Excitement
It could also be that Yan Schenkel has a new book set to come out sometime this June and I absolutely cannot wait. There is a lobster pattern that is simply the cutest thing I have ever laid eyes upon, including my own children.
Animal Friends of Pica Pau 2: Gather All 20 Original Amigurumi Characters
See what just happened there? I’m already feeling better just writing about amigurumi and thinking about adorable grinning crocheted lobsters.
Daily Walks
The weather could not be nicer right now in North Carolina. Everything is in bloom, the grass is green and the skies are the perfect Carolina blue. Yes, the pollen is also thick and I’ve been sneezing like the dickens, but it’s a small price to pay for such beauty.
Every evening we take our dog Jersey-boy and our kitten Olive for a walk. You read that right, we walk our kitten. We’ve been doing it since she was itty bitty and now at almost eight months old she looks forward to it almost as much as I do.
She practically jumps out of my arms as soon as we get near her pet stroller and enjoys every minute of our forty-five minute walk. If you fancy seeing how cute she is in her stroller, check out my above video.
Everything is Going to be Alright
At the halfway mark of our walk, we turned the corner onto a familiar neighborhood street and noticed something different. The road wasn’t its typical black asphalt, but there were bright colors in childlike handwriting.
At first I thought it was just a hopscotch game and maybe a few cute portraits. But as we got closer I could see that the children had written words of hope.
They wrote in big colorful letters HAVE A GREAT DAY! GOD LOVES YOU! DANCE PARTY – YES OR NO. But my favorite one was a quote from the late, great Bob Marley.
Don’t worry about a thing. Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
My Wish for You
Dear reader, that is my wish for you. I can’t promise that everything is going to be alright, but that is what I hope for, it is my prayer, for you and for me.
Pin for Later!
From one crocheter and amigurumi maker to another, thank you for your wonderful posts! They brighten my day….something we can all use right now! Stay well!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸
Por aqui, estamos vivendo um dia de cada vez. Meu querido marido ainda sai para trabalhar e eu fico com o coração nas mãos. Estamos tomando todos os cuidados, porém msm assim, a preocupação vem. Aqui faz muito calor e moramos em pequeno apartamento, a varanda tem sido o local favorito da casa, meu e dos gatos. 🙂
Tenho tricotado mais. O tricô alivia!
Obrigada por compartilhar um pouco do seu dia, amo ver a Olive 💙
Beijos para vc, famÃlia e animais fofos â¤ï¸
É tão difÃcil para todos. Muito obrigado por suas amáveis ​​palavras. Oro para que tudo acabe em breve. Estou feliz que você tenha seu tricô e gatos para o conforto!
I wish I could send you my peace I have on the mountain . It’s soothing. I know we all have anxiety but it’s how we keep busy that’ll make a difference. You’ll channel your anxiety into something creative I’m sure. Stay well my friend. â¤ï¸
Thanks so much, Jersey! I can only imagine how peaceful that mountain is. And also staying off the news!!
It is very peaceful-girl you look amazing, must be nice to be 30! 🙂
Lol!!!! Ha!!! You’re funny, Jersey!! 😂😂😂
::heart::
I am pleased to hear you and your family are well and adjusting to the changes as positively as possible. I, too, rely on my walks and dog-dog and knitting. My 20-something son is home with us and he is colleging online. He is sole caregiver of my 93 year old mama; they are so cute together! What moved me the most was when you described the influence your husband is having on your soul. So often I read or hear about the conflicts. My husband and I, and now our son have created a calm and restorative oasis in this mad, mad world. Many blessings to you and your family. May health continue to find you! Love, Regina
Wishing you continued peace and the ability to see hope and joy in this time of change and adjustment. And I totally agree, that lobster is adorable!
I literally feel giddy when I think about crocheting that little crustacean! 🦞🦞🦞
Your son and momma do sound adorable together!! That bond between grandparent and grandchild is so special. That’s exactly what I’ve tried to do as well, create an oasis from the chaos! Thank you so much for your kind words! 😘😘😘
Love this little tour of your day :). I feel so bad for your boys, at this age their friends and activities are so important to them.
Thanks so much, Katie. My older son could literally become a hermit…. he’s more like me! Lol! But my younger son is a social butterfly. As a senior in high school he feels frustrated with everything he’s missing. I’ve spent a lot of time letting him know that it’s ok for him to feel that way, it really stinks!
Your kitty is so cute and I cannot wait to see your lobster, it looks so cute!!
I literally cannot wait to get my hands on that lobster pattern! 🦞🦞🦞
I loved this post and video! I do feel sad for the seniors who are missing out on all of the things they have looked forward to. Definitely a strange time.
It’s just hard all the way around. I already know multiple people who have lost jobs and income. It’s terrible for them to be stressed about their health and then how they are going to eat.
Thank you so much for the encouragement! Your work is beautiful!
Thanks so very much!
Such a cute and uplifting post! Love it and you’re photos are adorable.
Thanks so much, Susan!
Great encouragement for all of us! Thank you!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth!
Thia has definitely been such a crazy time, never in my life did I think I’d have to Lysol my groceries as I bring them in the house. I do appreciate your quote by Bob Marley! I have to mention, I’m so impressed by your talent, so creative!!
Thank you so very much, Laura. It’s a good reminder for all of us right now. Trying to remind myself of that fact right now.