All the Summer Vibes // hiking, writing, reading, and that glorious sunburn

Posted on by evelyn

I’m a very crafty person.

No, no. Not that kind of crafty.

Despite what gossip my character have been spreading, I am not a crafty villain scheming up plans of horror and pain. Maybe.

I mean ‘crafty’ as in, I like to take little string and sit for a couple hours looping it on sticks to try to make hats and scarves.

However, during the school year with school. And school. And more school. I only have time for sitting and translating Latin sentences and learning that the Romans defeated the Gauls.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Oh and that the sailors refuse to pray.

So when I finally finished that last math test and ‘summer’ was here, I pulled out my supplies and dove into the world of waking earlier, living at my desk in the basement, and having my family point out the paint stains on my hands I had missed or the bits of thread I had forgotten to brush off my shirt.

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

cause I am obsessed with bullet points

#1. Quilting

I’ve always been interested in quilting, but it wasn’t until a couple years ago I made my first quilt.

Okay, actually it was about five years ago and it was so tiny my doll would even have trouble using it.

Not that she got the chance because I didn’t finish that quilt until two months ago when I pulled it out again.

In the meantime, somewhere in the past five years I did patriciate in a crazy quilt day workshop and came out with a finished mini quilt, but, while I learned a lot, in the end, it was still mini.

Well after pulling the first quilt out and finishing the binding at the beginning of this summer, I took in the stack of scrap fabric in our craft closest and the bundle of batting and, remembering a book I had once read at the library, decided to try my hand at making a bigger quilt.

I picked the Log Cabin pattern, because I really loved the examples in the book and it seemed perfect for left-over fabric, since really all I needed was two-inch wide strips.

Originally I sorted out these little stacks of fabric: one blue themed, one pink themed, brown, green, yellow, etc., thinking I might be able to squeeze out three or four squares out of each.

Out of the blue stack of fabric, I was able to make twenty 11 inch(ish) squares: perfect for a baby blanket size.

Shows you how much I know about estimating.

I’m that person who always scoops left-over food in a container that is way too big.

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I sewed the squares over three days, trimmed them and pieced them together another, and then, after a trip to Hobby Lobby to buy some backing and edging, began the actual quilting process (which I should hopefully finish today.)

It was a lot of fun piecing together, and I’m starting to now eye the stack of pink fabric in the closet. (:

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#2. Jewelry Making

I began making earrings about a year ago when my sister and a friend organized a craft day at our house.

They’re really fun and fairly easy to make. The hardest part is looping the wire. Especially since I was trying to use the wrong kind of pliers to do it.

Imagine my joy when my grandmother gave me the right type (and more beads!)

To illustrate the immediate affect:

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So I’ve been making tons of earrings lately.

My homeschool co-op community has a craft fair each December so I’ll probably bring my growing stash of earrings.

Or I might decide to keep them all muahahaha

If only I had more ears. 😉

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It’s really cool being able to make things that I know will be used. Gone are the days of braiding hundreds of random strands of rainbow colored craft yarn I found.

It’s doubly neat to be able to make those things I’ve always wanted. Whatever style of earrings such as ones with beads partially wrapped in wire.

Then last week my mother was out running errands when she noticed a small artisan shop in our downtown that is opened only a couple times a month.

She stopped and looked around and decided to take me that afternoon for inspiration and ideas.

Such as quilled paper earrings:

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setting them out to dry

#3. Writing

Yes!

Despite what this post has so far implied I have been writing this summer. I’ve been continuing my attempts to capture everyday, little things in a fresh new way, and have been plowing away at 51 usually late in the evening or early in the morning. I’ve found over the past year that those are the most productive times for me.

When people ask whether I’m a night owl or morning bird, me: “Um…both?”

Who said owls aren’t birds… 😉

51 has been going well though.

A week or so a writing friend mentioned during a conversation about names how they once read somewhere about a writer using elephant in all caps as a place holder in the rough draft stage.

So of course I had to steal borrow the idea.

ELEPHANT in the Room

Who knew Zeb had such big pockets?

Or that he was that strong. 😉

As a technical update: 51 is at 21,651 words and maybe through one fourth of the story written.

The good news is, I have the ending planned! and written shh don’t tell anyone.

Now I just have to fill in the rest of the middle… 😛

#4. Reading

I’ve been reading a nice amount of books too. A lot of revisiting for old favorites, but also some new ones.

Current book I’m reading?

The Mollhill, Vol 3!

It’s my first one to read and I’m really enjoying it.

Basically, for those who don’t know, it’s a collection of poetry, art, essays, stories, and recipes from The Rabbit Room, a community of Christian artists.

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Also! I was forced to join joined a local book club started by a writer-friend.

The first get-together that I have been able to attend yet will be tomorrow. Book for that meeting?

The Book Thief!

I’m excited. (:

#5. Hiking & Swimming

Summer did not feel truly feel like summer until last week when we finally went swimming.

It had been a full year for me because of the craziness of moving and settling in and life.

But after spending a day splashing in the sun, and I came home and collapsed on my floor, limbs aching and with raisins for fingers, and my shoulder burning with the most glorious sunburn, it was suddenly summer.

I had never realized how nostalgic that feeling is…

I’ve also gone on a couple hiking trips. The most notable one was with my Dad a couple Saturdays ago. We packed some water, books, and hammocks and hiked up to a private little overlook. There we spent a couple hours swinging lazily in a mossy clearing, swatting flies, and (for me) reading Canterbury Tales.

When I said it was mossy, I meant it was mossy.

This gorgeous clearing gave an entirely new meaning to the common phrase “the forest was carpeted with moss.”

#6. Sketching and Painting

And one of the other things I’ve been doing quite a lot is experimenting with is mixing ink sketching with watercolor.

As you can see, I’ve only been doing little simple projects of things I’m familiar with. (i.e. plants, elephants, and my school drawers)

And finally…

#7. Prepping for school

And here we are at the end.

My first day of class with my weekly homeschool co-op is three weeks away, so I’ve pulled out the brick of biology flashcards, put tabs in my math book, and sped up in my reading of the literature books I will be writing papers on through the year. (Right now it’s Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. And I thought the first part of the book was weird…)

I’m surprising excited for the school year as a whole. This year focuses on British literature, I’ll be studying paintings, music, and art in general, more Team Policy debates, and more Algebra and Trigonometry.

Which finally brings me to a quick note about one last thing that’s been going on around here: my brother’s wedding!

I am suuuper excited about my (soon-to-be) new sister! She is just soooo amazing and fun! And just… well I probably could write another five paragraphs about it but I better not. (:

I must say it’s weird growing up though. (Any one else agree out there? *raises hand* Anyone?)

Well, because of this joyous occasion of amazingness but also the busyness that comes with it (did I mention it will be held in our backyard?), I am not going to promise a post next Friday.

Maybe I’ll throw out a poem or something, but we’ll see. (:

What time of day is best for writing for you? How has your summer been? Are you prepping for school yet? What will you be studying?

~ evelyn ~

Published by evelyn

heyo! my name is evelyn and i like things like stories, people, elephants, hot tea, chocolate, dancing in the rain and reading poetry out loud in the dark and also driving with the windows down and music up. i name my plants weird names.

29 thoughts on “All the Summer Vibes // hiking, writing, reading, and that glorious sunburn”

  2. I love the quilt and earrings and paintings, too! Very beautiful.
    YES, learning about the Romans defeating the Gauls got old after a while. Do you do CC?? I’ve read a simple version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and now I want to read the version translated by Tolkien which my mom just bought.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you!
      YES
      Someone who gets me!
      Yep. Done CC all my life. You are CC-er? *gasp* 😮 Which level are you in? I’m going into Challenge II.
      Ooh that sounds good. I really wanted to read his translation of Beowulf but didn’t get the opportunity. I didn’t know he translated that one too. You’ll have to let me know how it compares to the CC suggested version!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I did CC for…6 years (including last year). I just did Challenge 1 last year, but we’re not doing it this year.
        I know, I’m super excited to read it! Love Tolkien so much. 🙂 Will do

        Like

        1. Nice! Someone who will understand any CC references I will make. 😉
          I guess you’re going into your Sophomore year too then! Kudos to us. 😂
          Yeah a lot of people I know are switching this year. 😛 I kinda wanted to as well because I had a really… tough class situation that was really depressing. Rough year man. *sigh*
          But! This year my class will have some new additions, plus a different teacher and I’ll be more prepared to deal with it soo
          Let’s go Challenge II! 😜🎉

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Oh, I’m sorry that your year was rough. 😦 I’m glad, though, that you’re feeling better about this coming year. Hope it’s a great one!!! 🙂

          Like

  5. Evelyn, your so talented and artsy!! I loved everything about this post! 😍 (The quilts, and the paintings, and everything! gahhh! it’s all so beautiful! And I love those elephant earrings…so cute. 😊)
    Girl, you’re having such a productive summer! That’s awesome…but also your making me feel self-conscious. 🤦 Ahh, well perhaps this post will motivate me to do something with my life. 😜
    And congrats on your brother’s wedding! I bet your so excited!
    *raises hand* yes, growing up is weird. I completely understand.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Awww thanks Eden! Sometimes I think you’re too sweet and supportive. ❤ ❤
      Ha. Productive. 😛 It could be a lot more, and hey! I'm sure if you sat down and started making a list of what you've been doing it would be longer! You went to camps for goodness's sake! XD
      YAY
      Someone who understands.
      *high-fives*

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Not really… should I be? XD
      But then, I guess I’m not in charge of any of it. My contribution was some calligraphy work for wedding favors and that was it. The service is going to be pretty low-key. Just family and a handful of friends adding up to about 50 people and no groomsmen or bridesmaids.
      But then the meal… well my brother and his fiancé are planning to cook all the food the day before.
      That is *coughs* Greek food.
      That they’ve never done that before. O.o
      Honestly though I’m not worried about it, just expecting that not to work out as everyone else is. XD We already have some local Greek catering places in mind if it goes down hill… ;P

      Like

  7. No, no! If you arn’t, that’s awesome! I was just curious…because I know I was nervous at my siblings weddings. 🙃
    Honestly, I think that’s really cool! Greek food sounds amazing…I’m sure it will all turn out. Although it’s probably smart that you guys have a back up plan. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I loved reading this post! It’s filled with all sorts of summery things. 🙂 I also wanted to be crafty and productive (creatively, of course!) over the summer but the summer class that I’m taking is keeping me from being able to do that. 😦

    Tell your brother and sister-in-law congrats from me! Have fun at the wedding!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well to me that sounds a lot more productive than what I’ve been up to! But I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. 😉
      I’m hoping to have to figure out how to incorporate little bits of craftiness into my school schedule once it starts, but we’ll see how that actually turns out. 😛
      Thank you Hanne! 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  9. So my guess was right! (About you also being in CC, and I can tell you’re in the same Challenge level as me.) I’m super excited for the art and music study, British Literature, (Can you believe we get to read the Hobbit and it counts as school?!) and biology, minus the vocab words. The first module has 27 it says to memorize. :/ I have a love-hate relationship with debate, because I tend to over-research and get really stressed about it, but I am excited to try a Lincoln Douglas one.
    Your quilt, earrings, and art are beautiful! But especially the quilt, because it looks so neat and cozy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes! Eeey cool! *high-fives*
      Yep! It’s going to be fun! I’m really looking forward Te Hobbit but also CS Lewis’ books and Jane Erye and Pride and Prejudice…. basically a ton of favorites. 😁
      Yeah…. the vocabulary…. and I had enough trouble trying to memorize seven or so for each module last year, so it’s certainly gonna be a challenge (har har har) 😜
      Yes, debate and I didn’t get along as well as I was hoping last our paths crossed but I’m really looking forward to LD since it’s one on one and our class might not have the problems it had last year.
      I’m not expecting to like it better than Mock Trial though. 🙃
      Thank you! Do you do any crafts?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh no, nothing could beat Mock Trial, that was probably the funnest thing I’ve done through CC.
        I like painting some, (usually with acrylic paints.) hand lettering, and sometimes coloring in detailed coloring books, but those are more art than craft.. I do make rainbow loom bracelets sometimes though. 😆

        Liked by 1 person

        1. YESSSS MOCK TRIAL (I’m kinda obsessed haha 😂) What role(s) did you get for the Challenge B case? I got prosecution closer and Dana McGuire. (:
          Oooh! Nice! I love lettering and well. Painting and I are trying to learn to get along. 😂
          Man, those rainbow bracelets can actually get complicated. 😛 I remember spending hours on one one time…

          Liked by 1 person

        2. My class had enough people that everyone only had one role. I was a prosecution attorney, but didn’t do opening or closing, because we had two others.:)
          Yess, and then sometimes a band would break at the end, and I’d have to start over. 😝

          Liked by 1 person

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