So. I got ill! Nothing serious, just a season cold thing, but it’s been malingering for a couple of weeks now (I’m still not 100% but the horrible ‘well enough to be bored, not well enough to be able to focus on anything’ days seem to have passed, thankfully).

I did get some knitting done though, witness:

Tomten: almost a waistcoat

This photo was from a few days ago, I have finished the sleeves. I was bothered I wasn’t going to have enough yarn, and I won’t for a hood, but I should have enough for a collar without skimping.

I was also going to show you my other WIP, which is Venus, a Tunisian crochet shawl by Aiobhe Ni. However, as I went to take a photo, my camera battery died *shakes fist at own*. So, more on this in next week’s WIP post.

In true “I’ll go to turn this light on even though I know there’s a power cut-oh-no-wait” style, I thought, “ooh, I’ll take a photo of my home-made sockblockers instead-oh-no-wait”. So, photos of that in a future post as well!

(I would say cleaner mind, but as my knitting group knows, there is little chance of my mind becoming less smutty.)

Tidier desk, tider mind

Ahh, lovely clear desk. (Believe me, this is clear!). It’s been buried under swatches and yarn and paper for the past couple of weeks and as it clutters up, so does my mind. I spent some time yesterday getting it (and my mind) a bit clearer. I’ve definitely not been able to see the wood for the trees for the past couple of months, and it’s nice to get some clarity. Freshness! Optimism!

I’ve got a focus for April (and May and June) – create more patterns, submit to more magazines – and to-do lists for the week, in a format that I might just stick to (we’ll see). Why am I telling you, and submitting you to a photo of my oh-so-unstylish desk? Accountability! And maybe it’ll inspire you too? Clear your desk off!

It’s bizarre, the effects of taking a photo of something and analysing it. I thought my desk was clear – but really, those pots of stuff in the top left simply don’t get used enough to earn their place on my main workspace. Off they go! Banished! Go clutter up a shelf! *adds “clear off shelves” to to-do lists*

I’m getting back on the wagon of sorting out my work-room, I got stalled after the big painting project (lovely white walls!) of the New Year. The spare room is still stuffed with my stash, and the mess is creeping back around the edges of the work room. Oh who am I kidding, it’s past the edges and tripping me up when I try to get to the door. Almost back to square one!

Ok, honesty… accountability (and combatting the internets propensity for only showing the pretty stylised parts of ‘life’). Here’s what I see when I look to the left of my desk.

Workroom-o-shame

BLEARGH THE SHAME!! I’ve always been able to put blinkers on when it comes to my environs, but this is ridiculous! No wonder my work output has gone down the drain these past few months. It wouldn’t be so bad if I was using this stuff regularly.. but I’m not. Time to put my big-girl pants on and clean up my act. Let me know if you’re joining me – I love seeing before and after photos of REAL work-places, not those photo-shopped dream studios! Envious, moi?

I’ve been working on my stash a little too, just dipping into it so I don’t get overwhelmed. I’ve almost done with a Miraval tunic, and I’ve started a Tomten jacket, by Elizabeth Zimmerman. A nice stretch of mindless garter stitch for in front of the tv or when I need no-thinky knitting so I can ponder other things.

Tomten Jacket – the beginning

So stitch on, fellow Magpies! I hope your desks and workrooms clearer, and cleaner than mine. If not, get cracking. You’ll feel better, and you deserve that. Pass the duster…