Simple Wisdom

There is no failure except no longer tryin’.

It’s my own thoughts that hold the key to miraculous transformation.

A new cycle begins every day.

Indeed, every moment.

Today, I recognize one thing and what it symbolizes:  What’s meant to be will always find a way.

That’s the miracle of the endlessly continuing Cycle of Life.

Amen for trying to balance in all areas of my life.

Thanks, Caitlin, for the fun photo shoot and modeling the sweater.  It sure looks better on you than it is on me

Initially, I wanted the cowl detachable in Madelinetosh Pashmina Baltic.  Once I got the cowl done, I changed my mind.  That’s okay though…now I have a cowl that goes practically with everything in my wardrobe.

Many changes to my Rhythmic Candombe aka Natasha Cowl Sweater, designed by Vera Sanon, one of my favorite designers, to suit my disproportional figure and personal liking are:

• knit partial lace neckline, hem, and cuffs.
• Main color (frame) in Malabrigo Arroyo Candombe
• Alternating main color with one of 5 Dyelot Stimulus Package Yarn, 104-yard Deborah (50% Silk 50% Fine Merino,) for striping portion.  (1 gram left unused)
• On the fourth waist increase, instead of 4-stitch increase, I increased 12 stitches to 192 stitches for matching 24-round lace hem. Added braid round after last round of increase. Used Size 6 needles for last 6 rounds of lace pattern.  1 round 1×1 rib after lace.
• Stretchy Bind-off in established rib pattern.
• Sleeves:  Started stripes after 1.5”. Decreased every 9th round 6 times to 52, then every 8th round 3 times to 48 stitches. Added an Estonian Braid round, then 8 rounds of lace in Size 5 needles, next 8 rounds of lace in Size 4 needles, and last 8 rounds of lace in Size 3 needles with stretchy bound off.

The pattern’s super fun to knit up.  You don’t need to make any change as I did.  And the yarn?  Malabrigo Arroyo is so awesome–next to skin–I had enough in my stash to knit three or four more full-on sweaters.  Just love it.  You ought to try it if you haven’t already.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Feeling Good

Somehow it’s so easy to find a reason not to…how silly.  I buried it somewhere along the way.

Now I am busy digging deep to find it under all the muck and mire.  Those feelings may hide, but, are never lost.  It’s time to allow ‘em to resurface and welcome ‘em back into my life.  There is nothing wrong with feeling good.

I am learning…I need to learn the art of having fun and being happy again!!!!

Sometimes, I find myself limiting…how much, how long can I feel good, happy…what is this all about?  Yes.  I may even feel guilty about feeling good when there are problems that have to be solved.

My mind loves to play these games.  It’s time to let go.  The source of all abundance is not outside me, it’s part of who I am.

I have everything I need.

Featured today an infinity cowl–designed by Shannon Squire–is one of Twisted’s popular shop projects Paulina Wayna in Cozette–silk and Cotton.  The pattern was originally released as a part of Twisted’s Cowl Club in December 2012, now available to the general public.

Cozette has a very slight texture and a very soft buttery feel.  It is a perfect weight for light knitted garments and wonderful for crochet.  Just heaven!  This is my new favorite summer yarn.

Beautiful pattern!  A must-have.  I’d have it deeper than specified diagram in order to wear it in more ways than shown.

Thank you for my fabulous model, Caitlin Richmond, for playing along in my whimsy pose setting.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Sunshine is Delicious

Sunshine is delicious.  Rain is refreshing.  Wind braces me up.  Snow is exhilarating. There is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.  任何人說陽光帶來快樂從來沒有在雨中跳舞。Translation:  Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. And the kids and I have danced in many rain.

It was a great day spent with COOL friends

and some sewing.  One quilt block down,

one more to go (maybe two.)

Yep…I couldn’t stop (and my best ideas are typically when I am out…with cocktail napkins in hand.)

This is a trial run for Quilts for Boston quilt blocks.  Oh–how did those purple got in there? Remember? It’s a trial run.

Anything goes so long I use Yellow, Blue, Gray, and White.  It could be 12.5″ by 12″ or 12.5″ by whatever.

Another way for me to contribute after To Boston with Love flags.  I ain’t a quilter; so if I can do it, you can too!  Details here..

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Live Fully. Love Openly

Love with my whole heart.

Laugh often.

And make a difference.

Every moment is a gift.

Enjoy the present.

There is nothing to get and everything to get rid of in my spiritual path.  I have to give myself wholeheartedly.

How do you  give?   For me…by not holding back.

Thanks to my friend‘s inspiration and encouragement, my hand-pierced/liberated-letter flags–love, hope–and heart have winged their way to Massachusetts and received by Boston-in-Love.

Quilters from around the world have created hundreds of hand-sewn squares in tribute to Boston. The “To Boston With Love” project will be on display at the Museum of Fine Arts for the free Memorial-Day Community Weekend.

Each mini quilt delivers a message of peace and hope, signed on the back by the artist with his or her country.  The project was a grass-roots effort conceived by Berene Campbell of Vancouver, Canada, and organized locally by Amy Friend of West Newbury.  Big or small–you too can contribute to the community art collage.  All onsite contributions will be donated to The One Fund Boston.

If you’d like to make a quilt to be included in the installation you can learn how to here.  Learn more about the free Boston I Love Memorial Day Community Weekend here.  I will be there in spirit.

Thanks, Kristin, for the local collective effort
and the beautiful group photo!

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Discerning Moments

As I became adult, what begins to distinguish me from childhood is the ability to know how much is too much and what is not enough.

Naturally, most kids don’t know limits.

While too much candy can make your stomach hurt, I can’t imagine daily life without the choice to fill the mind with words and images, ideas and images that are healthy and soothing to the soul.

These things can challenge thinking in a positive way.

Perhaps, challenge myself to read and gather energy from words that are more specific to my life.  Many choices…next to knitting, sewing, beading, playing with mixed media, hiking, cooking, photographing, etc. etc.

Featured Knits today are inspired by the Sellwood Bridge.  Twisted ribbing on the neck and leg/arm-warmer set mimics the meandering nature of the Willamette River, which flows under the beautiful and historic Sellwood Bridge.  The pattern was designed by Shannon Squire especially to participants of 2013 Rose City Yarn Crawl in Portland, Oregon, a few months ago.   One set was in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Victoria and the other in Socks That Rock MediumWeight–in ka-POW!, pa-TINA colorway.   I loved knitting ‘em.  The bias repeats in between the stockinette fabric are just my level of enjoyment:  engaging, easy to read/memorize, no tricky bits.  Both the pattern and yarn are available at Twisted.  However, you will have to call the shop for BMF yarn–they aren’t offered online.

There’s been no big splashy stuff here lately and I can’t seem to finish anything.  But, I’m finding great delight in the small stuff.  Like this sewing project…more on that tomorrow.  I could stare at ‘em all day.

What brings you real joy?   Do that…Be that…Share that…Spend more time with that and get more joy! ♥

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Happy Mother’s Day!

It takes someone really brave to be a mother, someone strong to raise a child, and someone special to love someone more than herself.  Thank you, Mom!

Happy Mother’s Day to all my friends.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Steer my Thoughts

Ponder these wise words:

“A man is what he thinks about all day long.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. “. Proverbs 23:7

“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” James Allen, from As a Man Thinketh

Thoughts affect how I feel emotionally, how I act, who I am today, and who I will become.

Knowing this, it is my responsibility to steer my thoughts away from what I see as wrong with folks and the world…

instead, focus on the good in people, the beauty of life, and keep a positive attitude.

Today, I work at being honest about my feeling and base my relationships on respect and integrity.

My inspiration for choosing Cashvero DK (027 Royal Plum) for today’s featured sweater was not only the luscious feel, but, it’s the deep connection I have towards the mystical royal purple tourmaline, aka receptive stone–soothing, calming, inward, and magnetic, promoting meditation, spirituality, wisdom, compassion, and mysticism. It creates peace and promotes communication between the conscious and unconscious minds, allowing psychic awareness to blossom.

Emily, designed by Vera Sanon, is knit from top down and features set-in sleeves that are knit simultaneously with the upper body–and absolutely no short-rows.  The original neckline and the bottom of the sweater is adorned with a simple to knit slip-stitch patterns, but, looks rather stunning!  My modified version has 1) Estonian braid and slip-stitch pattern on sleeve cuffs in lieu of ribbing to match the rest of pattern feature; 2) Estonian braid before folded hems; and  3) folded hems in fingering-weight yarn for neckline, body and sleeve cuffs.  The Swarovski Crystal buttons from my stash have finally found her mate.  Totally ecstatic–it’s how I feel today.    How’s your day?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)