One of the things I love about being a high school librarian is summers off, but I didn’t feel that way in the beginning. At first I didn’t know what to do with all that time and honestly it was kinda lonely.
When me and Da Hubs moved to Connecticut in 2008, I didn’t have friends who shared my interests right away. So, I made plans – travel plans, crafting plans, meal plans, all kinds of plans.
Now that I am teaching, my plans include creating future classes, writing lesson plans and finding new places to teach. This last one got me wondering how many towns have I taught in Connecticut? I printed a map and started coloring the places where I have taught in a library (aqua color) then I outlined the ones where I taught at a shop in a darker blue. How many towns have I taught in? Drumroll please …
I have taught in 46 out of 169 towns!
My adult coloring moment led to my next plan, well maybe you could call it a bucket list, to teach in every Connecticut town. I reached out to the closest four libraries to me, but I’m thinking summers are the perfect time to propose classes to towns in the farthest corners of the state.
My next summer plan involves decluttering and getting rid of things I’m holding onto. I started with my drawer of UnFinished Objects (UFOs), which I have written about previously. I found lots of threads that needed to be organized and put back in their storage boxes. So far I have three plastic grocery bags of craft supplies to be donated to a local craft swap.
I also picked three embroidery UFOs (photos below) that I really want to see to the finish line and have given myself an hour a day to work on each one until they are done.
Then I looked through my class samples drawer and have organized it into two categories – what to keep for future classes and what to finish for holiday or birthday gifts. So far I have pulled two linings ready for pouches, a zippered welt pocket for a bag lining, two pocket purses that are 80% done and a newborn sweater that just needs the tails woven in. I finished a small drawstring bag and a mini Halloween quilt.
I even took a class at Thistle Needleworks with Starke Art Design to learn how to finish some UFOs as round ornaments. I’m gonna be an ornament making machine this summer!
It wouldn’t be summer without travel plans, right? Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to find local shops to buy a souvenir. I figure, if I plan to buy vacation yarn this year (which I do) I need to make something with a skien that is sitting in my yarn drawer. I pulled a skein I bought in Canada two years ago and now I’m looking for the perfect sock pattern to use with it. Suggestions? Leave me a note in the comments.
What plans are you making this summer? My summer hours have started and openings are available. Leave a comment about your oldest UFO or your summer crafting plans.
Keep stitching,
Dawn, The Stitching Coach
