From Dad's Sweater

Although the cat seems to think it's his,



I made a pillow for the dog.



Out of my Dad's old sweater (I was trying to make a vest for myself, but I didn't like it.), an old pair of mom jeans, and bits of other projects (saved for stuffing).



I also made two dog sweaters from the sleeves.

I'm dreading my Mom seeing them, because she will get all grumpy and say, "I paid good money for that sweater!" Even though that was 30 years ago, and my Dad's been gone almost 11 years.

Making Space

We have a big old house with a lot of rooms. When my daughter moved out, my boy moved into her room, leaving this room empty. My plan is to make it my sewing room. It's going to take lots of paint. I will post updates as I make progress.

I Love A Challenge

I have decided to join the Creative Everyday Challenge.

January's theme is Body.

That's a particularly apt theme for me, as I am training for a long bike tour. This summer Joe and I plan on biking from our house in upstate NY to Key West. We've never done anything like this; we have never even been to the Keys. But I have always wanted to go on adventures during my summers and never have. And I'm not getting any younger. So when Joe came up with this idea, it took me less than 2 seconds to agree.

So back to the theme. I want to creatively encourage my body to be stronger, leaner, and healthier everyday (more then just the month of January) so that I can enjoy our trip (without being a trembling collection of wimpy, sore muscles for the first little while).

Each week during the winter, I'm planning on doing the weight circuit (cybex), spinning (+core and stretch), yoga, and swimming. That's exercising 4 times, a week to begin. I'll add more as the weather improves and our departure date nears. I know the tour will end up training me, and that to begin with my distances will be shorter than I hope for, and I will be more sore and tired than I can imagine right now. But at least I'm preparing.

Along with exercise, I am going to become more diligent with self care, like flossing, vitamins, good nutrition, massage, and skin care.

And what does all this have to do with being creative? I hope, with a stronger, healthier, and better maintained body, there will be more energy for creativity.