slipping into summer

Now that it's summer I can actually focus on things I want to do. Like crafting and flute-ing. And just in general taking a vacation from stress. I started out the summer with high goals in mind, though; I wanted to be in shape for school, and I wanted to practice 3-4 hours a day on flute. It is so ridiculously hard. So, in essence, I haven't really conquered either of those goals. I have eaten healthier and exercised more, and I have been practicing every day, but only about 2 hours a day on average. It's soooo hard to practice for 3 hours. Gosh, it seemed like a do-able thing until I actually tried it. And ever since I was a kid I've loved to eat, so it's hard modifying those habits. I'm going to start fresh tomorrow. Yeah! MOTIVATION.

In other (crafty) news, I knit a GORGEOUS scarf. Oh man. It wasn't my skill, seeing that it was knit in all garter, but the yarn is simply delicious! Ironstone Yarns Colorchanges in beautiful hues of green and blue, mostly wool with acrylic so it's soft but still looks like noro kereyon. Apparently a splurge to me is to go to my lys and buy a $7 skein of yarn. But ohhhh. It's knitted vertically so that the colorways are easier to see. I knit it in a day. I love quick and satisfying knits! I just made up the pattern; On size 11 straights, loosely cast on 150 sts and knit until the knitting measures about 4 inches and LOOSELY bind off. Add tassles if you want, blah blah. A one-skein wonder! Seriously, stuff like this is the reason I love knitting. My family does NOT understand.


I also have been working on a line of "Treeparty Friends", or knit amigurumi animals, for my etsy shop. So far I have designed an owlet and a french worm. The worm really is a frenchy. He's got the curly mustachhhe to prove it! I am selling the
patterns, but I may end up selling the actual finished critters as well. Check out my shop! I love etsy.


As far as flute is going, I've been trying to practice a lot and it's gotten difficult. It was mostly because I was running out of stuff to play. You know, sick of playing the same mozart concertos or anderson etudes. But now I am really excited because I just had a lesson yesterday and got assigned some new stuff, including a sweet Bach sonata! I love J.S. Bach. I have officially mastered double tongueing. I am excessively proud of myself. And let me tell ya, If I could do it, all flutists can.

In conclusion, I am going to work to be a healthier, more hard-working individual. I will be updating every week from now on. I'll say on Thursdays. That way I can keep track of my successes or lack of them. Plus it's fun to document fun crafty expositions! Until next time,

Rach.