If I Had My Life To Live Over

85-year-old Nadine Stair’s writing makes me wonder how differently I would live my life

if I had a chance to live it over again.

I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.
I’d relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles,
but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I’m one of those people who live
sensibly and sanely hour after hour,
day after day.

Oh, I’ve had my moments,
And if I had it to do over again,
I’d have more of them.
In fact, I’d try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another,
instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I’ve been one of those people who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

How about you? What would you do differently?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Ooh, Look at the Litt’l Flutterby!

After shaping the latest creation with my steam iron (over a quilter’s press cloth) and taking photographs…I just discover a glorious butterfly. Don’t you? (The colors are more muted jewel tones, not as light and bright as pictured here.)

I haven’t gotten a chance to set up a model shoot session on the soaring wing(span)…just ‘cuz my private photographer has been super busy and is on the road!

I must confess…it’s my new favorite and I am totally mesmerized by its randomly placed colors,

organic, free-flow structure

the comfort and warmth it brings me each time I wrapped myself in it. (Hey…my boy shot this head pose–his second time using my DSR.  Not bad, huh!)

It’s my kinda of quickie, knit up in an evening. Third time the charm. Just as fun–more intuitive swinging and jazz-knitting–and as swiftly as the first (linked) and second (linked) times.  You can’t go wrong with using Size-10 needles and aran-weight Lion Brand Amazing yarn–a ball of each Strawberry Fields and Joshua Tree, some Cobblestones for a wing tip and finishing border/i-cord bind-off, plus small leftover of Regetta towards the end of the wing. This time, I cast on 68 stitches initially and 24, 20, 18, and 18 stitches for subsequent triangles. The i-cord 4-stitch bind off is the same as I’ve done in most of my projects: Back-loop Cast on 4 stitches, **KTB K2 K2togTBL with 1 stitch off the shawl. Slide knitted stitches back to left needles** and repeat from ** to **.

It’s been fun watching how everyone is taking this design and making it their own with modifications. If nothing else, online resources such as Ravelry helps give us, fiber-artists, the freedom to do so, knowing others are venturing out too.  As I continue in my cleaning/de-cluttering path, I have been itchin’ for some low water-immersion dyeing play to replicate some of MadelineTosh kettle-dye effect.

What are some of the things you are craving for? Fresh air and/or May showers?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Three Times the Charm

or a lady.   Here is another fun canvas to paint freely with short-strokes (aka short-row), hot off the needles:

Wingspan (first and second versions here) is quite addictive…so much that I use it as a relief from another crazy day of spring cleaning. (I will show you the whole piece another day once it’s dried and shaped.)

One of the universal laws is that I may choose what feelings I want to experience. When I choose negative feelings, my life become infinitely more stressful and complex ‘cuz I loose the inner connection with the Infinite. When I choose to be optimistic, cooperative and enthusiastic rather than being a victim of my negative emotions, I remain in control of myself and maintain inner happiness. ♥

How do I make the choice to be positive if I have no experience with it?  It is hard to choose to feel a way I have no experience feeling. How do I know when I am succeeding? It’s even more challenging after feeling/being negative…but is worth constantly reminding myself every second. Practice makes perfect. I can tell you it’s worth every bit of trying.

What do you do to help make the positive choice?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Great Antidote

for stress.

One more deadline crossed off.  The teen’s extensive scholarship application was duly executed and  dropped off at the Sunriver Music Festival office. ♡^.^♥

Sunriver is a delightful family spot, especially at this time of the year–a terrific soul searching, thinking place!  When I am feeling a bit wound up, I let nature unwind my stress.  It works its restorative wonders for me every time!  Nature has the amazing ability to restore my sense of inner peace. When was the last time you immersed yourself in the natural world away from the stress and pressure of your everyday life?

My secret knit is finally off the needles. I know many knitters love the knitting but not the finishing. They enjoy all the fun parts and escape the tedium. In a small way, I don’t care much either for sewing pieces together after they were completed. But for some, it’s a necessity–it’s what makes the design element whole. Oddly, I look forward to tomorrow.  The final finishing phrase is awaiting…washing, conditioning, blocking, shaping, steam-pressing, and photographing.  I get such fulfillment.

With that, I’m off to spend rest of my evening lounging around, eating my favorite desert, and vegetate instead of tackling my next shop sample.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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