Life’s Fragile

What happened today in Oklahoma, the devastation, the lives lost, the children…yes, it’s heartbreaking.  Yet times like these, events like this are intriguing in a way. Suddenly, my issues, my pain, my problems in life vanish.  My instincts take over.  I’m a human being.  Regardless of my difference, whether it’s race, color, religion, or what have I, all of that vanishes too.

I care for others on a basic and instinctive level.  It’s called love in its purest form.  That’s priceless.  Any time young children–or their parents are taken–it is heart breaking~ Life is fragile~-handle it with prayer.

This kind of weather pattern, this time of year, has always been a part of life for folks who live in the Plains states.  They’re survivors.  They’ll come back.  They always have and always will.

May God bless my friends in Oklahoma! As my thoughts of hope and prayers for safety and recovery go out to everyone affected by these storms in Oklahoma City and other areas impacted by today’s tornadoes, I have an even greater appreciation for the brave EMS providers and first responders who are there, and all throughout our country, each and every day.  THANK YOU.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Big Love Comes in the Smallest Package

Love sometimes comes softly in a small package.

It really does.

It may be tiny–10 grams’ worth of Loops & Threads Luxury Sock in Balloon colorway–but, it took my 17-year-old teen 3 hours plus to knit just one bootie of the seamless pair in 2.25 mm circular needles and light fingering-weight yarn, all by herself.

She kinda followed Susan Glinert Stevens‘ seamless version of Saartje pattern and improvised as the zen-knitting journey took her to make it complete.  I wasn’t able to see the final finish with some adorable ribbons for closure instead of buttons (as I did with my pair below.)  Just imagine the cuteness…

Though it was the smallest, dainty little package among humongous gifts at the party, these hand-knit booties was the only one apparently being passed around 3 or 4 times at the baby shower.  My teen is the happiest girl in town…now she wants to knit more of these in different sizes for the growing baby-to-be.  Sometimes, someone can say or do something so small that can fit into a big empty space in one’s heart.

I was aspired…and this is my well-traveled pair.  Can you name the place…or the monumental art installation?

It’s a lovely, sunny, summer-like day.

Being a rare day, I don’t have much on the schedule other than taking the boy to archery practice,..and refreshing on the unruly quilter Tanya Ricucci‘s  Word Play Quilts.

It turned into a lazy, beautiful, sunshine day (the day after fantastic Pole Pedal Paddle)…live it!  I’m grateful for small things, big things, and everything in between. Today, I choose to count my blessings, not my problems.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Power Within

There’s a power within that can change my world. It’s all mine.

I own it. Whether I use it is simple.  I choose to.  It’s that easy.

All that “stuff” going on around me, the noise, the confusion, the chaos.  I can tune it out. Doesn’t mean I ignore those things as if they don’t exist?

The difference is in perception.  What I see in the world is a reflection of me.  Change the way I see myself changes the way I see the world.

I choose to make each day count.  There’s a power that allows me to pick up the paint brush each day and paint it how I choose.  A clean slate. Fresh start. Each day.

Though I stumble, rumble, and fumble a lot, it’s the only way to live.  So I’ll just keep going.  Always progress, not perfection.

Featured handmade today isn’t about knitting or sewing.

Last special–Sellwood Crocheted Cowl–Twisted had for 2013 Rose City Yarn Crawl a few months ago.

This wonder is designed by Megan Dalrympleo in Blue Moon Socks That Rock MediumWeight, colorway Ka-Pow!, pa-Tina!  The special-dyed yarn is available at Twisted, but, you’ll have to call or stop by in person.

It’s absolutely fabulous.

Beautifully textured, in perfect weight and drape.

I run into troubles hooking this up mainly because I didn’t have a sample picture to compare the stitches with. Once I conversed with sweet Megan in person and close-up picture received, it was much easier to comprehend. I had some own trials with missing a dc here and there and ended up to unravel the rounds over and over. Plus, this is a shop sample and new, I counted each loop, each round to insure correctness, thus, the reason why this project take a few days to finish.

On the repeat rounds, it moved along quickly and swiftly as the pattern’s set and embossed in my brain.  It flew intuitively and swiftly. The crocheted fabric felt fabulous, squishy on the neck double wrapped…sad to take it off and send off to the shop.

Be sure to “test drive” it while you are in the Portland area. ♥

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!)

This Awesome Day

Be myself.

Be grateful for this AWESOME day.

 And go with the flow of life…

It is like a camera.   Just focus on what’s important and capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t work out, just take another shot.

The Sartoria Cowl designed by Star Athena–in Blue Moon Fiber Arts’ de-Vine (jabberwocky)–makes the ideal, last-minute gift knit.   Who could have thought de-Vine is 100% wool!  It behaves somewhat like a synthetic ribbon, but, each single thread reveals after wash.  It feels wonderful, toasty warm, and squishy.  Personally, I would shorten the length by 2” to 3”.  Double the length in order to wrap it twice is out of the question as it would be very weighty for my personal liking.  All-in-all, it’s a fabulous design pairing with super duper dyed yarn.  It served me well during the photo shoot on the chilly day in February.

I find the herringbone stitch is hard to knit at times, so I use a crochet hook when needed.

The cowl, originally released as a mystery knit-along, is now available to the general public at the shop as a complete pattern.  Be sure to test drive the sample if and/or when you are in the Portland, Oregon area.  By the way, you may purchase the sample cowl (included five beautiful buttons) for $121.00–in person or online.

Happy weekend, my friend!  Go for whatever makes you happy!  ♥

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

This is Life!

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.

COOL Park Day at Hillside Park, Bend, Oregon
April 24, 2013

Climb the mountain, follow my path, listen to my drumbeat.

Mr. Thunder Bad Boyz Pageant, Fundraiser for local Sparrow Club
at Summer High School, Bend, Oregon

The struggles I face on my way up will look so small when I am standing on the summit and looking back at where I have been.

Camping at Paulina Lake, Oregon with COOL friends
on September 29, 2012no

Today I want to share a poem Charlie Chaplin wrote for the occasion of his 70th birthday so we may meditate upon it:

When I started loving myself
I understood that I’m always and at any given opportunity
in the right place at the right time.
And I understood that all that happens is right –
from then on I could be calm.
Today I know: It’s called TRUST.

When I started to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody
When I tried to force my desires on this person,
even though I knew the time is not right and the person was not ready for it,
and even though this person was me.
Today I know: It’s called LETTING GO

When I started loving myself
I could recognize that emotional pain and grief
are just warnings for me to not live against my own truth.
Today I know: It’s called AUTHENTICALLY BEING.

When I started loving myself
I stopped longing for another life
and could see that everything around me was a request to grow.
Today I know: It’s called MATURITY.

When I started loving myself
I stopped depriving myself of my free time
and stopped sketching further magnificent projects for the future.
Today I only do what’s fun and joy for me,
what I love and what makes my heart laugh,
in my own way and in my tempo.
Today I know: it’s called HONESTY.

When I started loving myself
I escaped from all what wasn’t healthy for me,
from dishes, people, things, situations
and from everything pulling me down and away from myself.
In the beginning I called it the “healthy egoism”,
but today I know: it’s called SELF-LOVE.

When I started loving myself
I stopped wanting to be always right
thus I’ve been less wrong.
Today I’ve recognized: it’s called HUMBLENESS.

When I started loving myself
I refused to live further in the past
and worry about my future.
Now I live only at this moment where EVERYTHING takes place,
like this I live every day and I call it CONSCIOUSNESS.

When I started loving myself
I recognized, that my thinking
can make me miserable and sick.
When I requested for my heart forces,
my mind got an important partner.
Today I call this connection HEART WISDOM.

We do not need to fear further discussions,
conflicts and problems with ourselves and others
since even stars sometimes bang on each other
and create new worlds.
Today I know: THIS IS LIFE!

Noah and his competitor, end of their 800m
to wrap up 2013 Swim MFcaeet Kick-off in Bend, Oregon
at Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, May 6, 2013

Luckily, I can start applying some of its utterly truth before my 70th anniversary by simply beginning to love the core of it, the Self.  What I love, I know…that love will bring the peace of integration that delivers the consensus within.   A woman needs just four things:  a black dress, a black sweater, a pair of black mittens, and, on her arm, a man she loves.

Casino Royale in black Premier Serenity Sock Yarn is another elegant lace design by Hungarian Eszter Sarkadi Nagy, aka wondrlanding.

The cuffs are the best part of the fun to knit up.  Very stylish and practical.  I would like a pair in every color of the color wheel for my wardrobe.  How about you?  What is/are your closet must-have(s)?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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