Tag: #Needlepoint

I Never Learned How To #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

May 22, 2023

What skill do you wish you had, either as a hobby or career builder?

As a teenager, I never got the hang of knitting. I learned how to crochet, but it wasn’t something I ever cared about. My thing was needlepoint, and I was good at it. But now that I am old, I have no desire to try knitting again.

I tried to learn how to split logs, but couldn’t aim correctly. Now I’m no longer strong enough. Besides, the new house has a gas fireplace, not a wood one.

Back in the days of singer-songwriters, I wanted to learn to play guitar and started teaching myself. That was in pre-internet days, and there were no YouTube videos to watch. It was a matter of looking at diagrams in books to figure out where to place my fingers on the strings. I mastered one chord before I had a bicycle accident and started to lose my hearing in one ear. I also had an arm in a sling and that made holding a guitar impossible. Then, I moved halfway across the country to go to college and my guitar got left behind.

But that’s what I’d like to do. Learn to play a musical instrument – even though my hearing is getting worse as I get older. I don’t know if there’d be something easier, but I’d be happy with a guitar. I’d start with “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” The chording for that is fairly simple. Even with my bad ear, I could play it. With today’s electronic tuners, i should be able to tune the strings!

Of course, the hearing loss has also made it difficult to sing in tune. So, I’d have to be content is being the backup for people who can sing.

I’m looking forward to hearing from the other authors on this hp about what skill they wish they had. You can find out by following the links below.

Until next time, please stay safe.

PS Don’t forget, The Rise of Jake Hennessey is now available! 

 

May 22, 2023

What skill do you wish you had, either as a hobby or career builder?

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

Beyond Writing: Art of Choice #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

 

March 29, 2021
If you weren’t an author, what other art would you likely pursue?

Some of you already know the answer. I’ve mentioned it here several times. I may even find time for it again once I’ve retired from my day job  and have the time.

I love doing various kinds of needlecraft. Embroidery, crewel, needlepoint. I tried knitting and crochet back in the dark ages, and never caught the urge to get good at them.

But give me a needlepoint canvas or crewel cotton fabric and let me go to work.  I’ve created some heirlooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve also embroidered baby quilts for my kids and grandkids, as well as several nieces and nephews. There are pillows and tablecloths and various other projects out in the world that I’ve given away. There was a time when I did projects for a local gift and handicraft shop. There’s no way of knowing where they ended up.

Frankly, I’ve run out of room to display additional examples of my work, and I’ve put aside doing more. But I miss it. I’m itching to find a project I can do without taking too much time away from my writing. But I tend to go for large and complex designs. Like this one. It’s one corner of a tablecloth that took about five years to complete. With the stitches I used, each flower petal took about half an hour to do.


I wonder what type of art our other authors do? Come with me as I find out my following the links below.

And, until next time, please stay safe!

March 29, 2021
If you weren’t an author, what other art would you likely pursue?

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

Living and Loving the Dream #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

December 7, 2020

If you had unlimited money to start and maintain a business, what would it be?

Nobody says the business has to be conventionally successful, correct? Because I have all the money to maintain it? Including a salary for me?

Then this question is too easy. I want a combination bookstore (new and used)  and needlepoint supplies business. The best of my addictions in one spot.

I loved when I used to shop for needlepoint yarn at this  shop that had drawer after drawer of yarn in various colors and textures. Then there was more draped from hooks on the walls. How much fun could I have recreating that feeling and sharing it with others?

And the books? I could open up the shop to the many authors I’ve met. Not only the locals or the big names, but everyone like me who is struggling to find a place in the literary community. I propose readings once a week, with a small donation requested to help cover the cost of refreshments. Maybe I could mix the middle list and big name authors with the lesser known ones. Two authors at each reading. The readers would get a favorite and a new favorite.

The shelves would also have lots of books on the art of needlepoint, along with patterns for my crafters. Big, soft chairs for the readers to enjoy as they browsed through books.  I’d love to have some shop cats, too, but that might be a problem with all the yarn. 

What else? Music playing in the background and a few CDs for sale. Native American, Celtic folk songs, local musicians, whatever struck my fancy. And I’d be open to my customers suggesting new styles to add to the mix.

I’d better not forget a small play area for the kiddos, so mamas can have a little extra time to browse books.

I think that will do it! Got any suggestions to add to my shop? I’m open to ideas! And tell me about your dream business in the comments. I’m waiting!

Don’t forget to check out the other authors on this hop by following the links below,

And, until next time, please be safe!

December 7, 2020

If you had unlimited money to start and maintain a business, what would it be?

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter