2024 Second Quarter Recap

I’ve accomplished a lot this year, and here are the projects I’ve blogged about this quarter or previously:

• Fitting Workflow for the Sage Tee by Elbe Textiles (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4)
• Sage Tee by Elbe Textile
• Crossback aprons

I’ve completed several projects this quarter that I probably won’t blog about:

• Pillow protectors using PUL fabric from Wazoodle
• Trigg short by Elbe Textiles (I have written several reviews on PatternReview.com)

Projects I have yet to blog about:

• Strathcona Henley by Thread Theory Designs
• Arrowsmith Undershirt by Thread Theory Designs

Works in progress that I’m taking with me into next quarter:

• Sunday Zip Jacket by Style Arc
• Sun Hoodie (pattern to be determined)
• Updated Median knickers from Sophie Hines and Tate top from Caramiya

Totals

So far this year, I’ve completed 46 projects, some of which consist of multiple items/patterns. I think I’ve sewn 55 separate items. My average is much higher this year, but that’s because I needed to replace all my old t-shirts that no longer fit.

I have spent $2,171 this year, with my spending tapering off in June because I want to be outside as much as possible. I don’t like buying fabric during this lull in crafting because that means it’ll just sit in my stash too long. I should have more time to sew when school starts again in August. I say that was as much optimism as possible because I’m still waiting to see how I feel in August. I have always been one to suffer during the summer. The heat eventually triggers a lot of inflammation, and I’m completely spent by the time August hits. I’ve always said I had reverse seasonal depression. Hot and sunny weather always made me feel bad. And I’d normally only be motivated to lay in a cold, dark room until October. However, I am coping with summer much better this year (knock on wood). I know it’s due to the much-improved blood flow I have now that I’m taking anticoagulants.

I really haven’t done much sewing in the second quarter. My April and May projects were fast, and I’ve only worked on a few things in June. Now is when I let ideas percolate and don’t pressure myself to create.

Health Update

Because I just don’t have the time and energy to show a breakdown of everything this last quarter, I’m going to skip straight to my health update, which has been the main focus of my life. Please check out my first quarter update to learn about my blood clot experience. Things I’ve learned since February, my PE and DVT, are absolutely inherited and will be something I have to plan for and address for the rest of my life. I’ve been focusing on two goals: getting my max resting heart rate below 60 and increasing my overall hiking, walking, and running mileage. So far, I’m nailing my goals!

Since April, my resting heart rate has never been above 60. My averages for April, May, and June are 52, 53, and 51, respectively. Now, I may be arbitrarily driving my numbers low with all the time I spend resting in the hammock, but that’s sort of the point of sewing the hammocks. I need to learn to rest.

I know we’re only halfway through 2024. However, I’ve essentially hit the maximum mileage I’ve ever had in previous years. In 2022, I did about 720 miles. In 2023, I did only 708 miles. I’m already at 715 miles for 2024. I have 6 more months and hope to make it to 1,400 miles this year. That would be amazing!

Merlin App Life List

Because most of my time is spent outside, I’ve been doing a lot of bird watching and have been able to see and hear the following birds:

• American Crow
• American Kestrel
• American Robin
• Bald Eagle
• Barn Swallow
• Belted Kingfisher
• Black-billed Magpie
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Black-chinned Hummingbird
• Black-headed Grosbeak
• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
• Bohemian Waxwing
• Brewer’s Sparrow
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Bullock’s Oriole
• California Quail
• Canada Goose
• Cassin’s Finch
• Cedar Waxwing
• Chipping Sparrow
• Chukar
• Clark’s Nutcracker
• Common Raven
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Double-crested Cormorant
• Downy Woodpecker
• Dusky Flycatcher
• Dusky Grouse
• European Starling
• Fox Sparrow
• Golden Eagle
• Gray Catbird
• Great Blue Heron
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Green-tailed Towhee
• Hermit Thrush
• House Finch
• House Sparrow
• House Wren
• Killdeer
• Lazuli Bunting
• Lesser Goldfinch
• Loggerhead Shrike
• MacGillivray’s Warbler
• Mallard
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Flicker
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Pine Siskin
• Plumbeous Vireo
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• Red-naped Sapsucker
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Rock Wren
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• Sandhill Crane
• Say’s Phoebe
• Snowy Egret
• Song Sparrow
• Spotted Towhee
• Steller’s Jay
• Swainson’s Thrush
• Townsend’s Solitaire
• Virginia’s Warbler
• Warbling Vireo
• Western Kingbird
• Western Meadowlark
• Western Tanager
• Western Wood-Pewee
• White-crowned Sparrow
• White-faced Ibis
• Wild Turkey
• Yellow Warbler
• Yellow-rumped Warbler

And please don’t ask me to pick a favorite because I can’t!

Book Recap

I haven’t read any new books this quarter. I re-read North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, and I’m currently re-reading Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

Conclusions

I’m just going to continue enjoying summer and spending time outside!