Leftover

Yarn.   What do you do with ‘em?  In a jar?

On a stick?

In a bowl?

Another great way to use up the leftovers is to create an eye-catchy fashion statement.  Would you wear this hair piece??  I certainly would.

Yarnball ornament?

Yarn-filled ornaments?

But wait…how about a cool window display?  It’s so easy and whimsy too, with just some styrofoam balls and fishing line!

If you make one, where would you hang yours?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Life’s Three Choices

I only have three choices in life.

Give up.

Give in.

Or give it all I have got.

Today, I dare to be brave.  I am on the brink of my breakthrough.

Featured knit is Princess Lace Beret designed by Vera Sanon of SunfunlivingKnits.  It’s super easy, fun, and fast knit.  I ended up with two…this modeled one in Zitron Trekking XXL Duett went to my teen’s school fundraiser for her music programs.

The second one is in my superfine merino 2-ply handspun and Wilton’s cake dye.

 I cranked both out in three days.  Only change I made to the design was extended 1-cord tip to 1.5”; in knot, it’s 1” long.  Also, I switched the t2b and t2f symbols to reflect respective visual slants (while the key legends are written correctly.)

This makes a beautiful gift.  I highly recommend it.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Power of Positivity

At the start of a day and before bed, I adjust my attitude towards the light and myself, leading a life of gratitude along with affirmations.  I stop and thank the Lord for the blessings in my life.

I would read affirmation that speaks to me in my head while feeling absolute gratitude and say thank-you three or four times upon affirmation.

I don’t know how else to put it.  Life is simply amazing!

Affirmation is like planting seed in the ground.  It takes some time to go from a seed to a full-grown plant.  And so it is with affirmation   It takes some time and nurturing from first declaration to final demonstration.  Hence, be patient.

Daily affirmation has significantly impacted my life.   I’m beyond blessed, grateful, and honored for all that has passed through my life.

An affirmation opens the door.  It’s a beginning point on the path to change.  I choose to keep my mind’s eye open… everything is blissful

Featured knit today is Paper Runner aka Papaver, another clever design by Anne Lernout of atelier alfa.  Merriment…one word to describe my latest color play–fairisle aka stranding, intarsia, and duplicate stitches–in one tunic.  Another enticing element was replacing my own motifs in lieu of flowers or spirals per pattern.

Fabric knit with Ella Rae Lace Merino–contrast colors in Loops & Threads Luxury Sock Balloons and Premier Yarns Serenity Sock Weight Deep Brown–is alluring, svelte.  It has taken a bit longer than any of my recent sweaters, but, every embroidery, intarsia–even ripping back fair-isle details to the beginning of the yoke band–adding vikkel braid before 1×1 ribbing, ribbing held double strands, sewing bind-off, weaving in ends from intarsia work…makes this a very special knit of the year.

As would in fingering yarn knitted garment, the tunic grew tremendously after wash, I had to be careful with handling it and laying it to dry. I love both the length, fit, and drape and would wear it as it was–without the pocket placement.  So, I tossed it in the dryer for 20 minutes in the last “leg” of drying. It sprung back to “shape” and “size“…perfect fitting on my beautiful–tall and slender–model.

Strength does not come from winning. My struggles develop my strengths. When I go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.  Today, I opt to not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.

Older teen performing with her Symphonic Band
at Summit High School this evening

All is well in my world.  How’s yours?

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!)

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!)

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 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!)

Honoring my Intuition

…I accept my path.

I am healing the body, mind, and spirit.

Start where I am.

Use what I have.

Do what I can.

Sometimes, I’ve got to be able to listen to myself and be okay with no one else understanding.  Oh yeah!

Linde pullover –featuring large heart-shape leaves with pronounced stem and vein–is a very original pattern with unusual construction.  You won’t see anything else like this.  It is worked top down, in the round with a circular yoke.  The increases are invisibly worked in the leaves.  The body is worked in garter stitch.

At the waist, 2 stems emerge that form the I-cord buttonholes and the stem of the pocket leaves.

The lined pocket feature is my favorite part of this design.  I want to showcase it so much that I commissioned special fused glass buttons by my dear friend’s glass-artist sister. The tint of frosty pink was just a perfect match!  I am a happy camper. Check out Cheryl‘s high-quality offerings here.  (I still need to take an update photo with these beautiful buttons on.)

The aran-weight cashmere blend yarn was harder to work with.  However, it provides a nice, deliciously squishy, dense fabric with a little retro touch.  I love my layering top.    Once again, test-knitting for Anne Lernout (aka atelier alfa) is thrilling and satisfying.

Do you have a favorite knitwear designer?  What do you look for in a design/pattern? 

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Quiet the Mind

and the soul will speak.

Become aware of the importance of positive feelings and how they can improve my life.

I refuse to be involved with negative thoughts and feelings.

Upon waking up in the morning, i choose to smile and say to myself silently or audibly: “I am gonna have a wonderful day today. It is going to be a happy and successful day. I am going to stay patient and positive in every situation.”

During the day, I visualize for a few moments some life’s happy recollections and situations, a place I enjoyed visiting or being with genuine folks I adore.

When things make me angry, I wait a few seconds before reacting.

When feeling some despair, anger, unhappiness, or frustration, I try not to succumb to these feelings and let them grow.  Visualize something happy, read something that makes me happy, repeat a positive affirmation, or just try to create some happy feeling inside me.  This might not be easy as the negative feeling might be too strong; yet, I do my best…no matter how many times I might fail evoking a positive feeling.  If I persist, I will be able to change my attitude and feelings.

I may not always control the situations in my life, but, I can control and change my attitude and reactions.  Negative attitude and anger will bring negative conditions.  Positive attitude and positive feelings will improve the situation.  You bet they will.

These days, I do try to show some positive feelings toward people that I don’t like.  Granted.  I don’t need to be their friend, but I can stop being negative and allow some feelings of warmth and understanding.  Strangely, I have been surprised at their attitude and reaction toward me.

I read inspiring quotes early in the morning and repeat affirmations throughout the day such as “I am feeling happy and confident.”  ”It is so pleasant to enjoy positive feelings.”  ”I am getting happier and more positive every day.”

Keep away from negative people is the key for me.  If  I must be with them,  I don’t let their state of mind affect me. Try to be somewhat detached toward them. There is no place for their negativity if I keep filling my mind with positive feelings and thoughts.

When I am feeling down, knitting, spinning, and listening to music is great pick-me-up.

Let myself smile more often, even in difficult situations.  The act of smiling tends to clear the mind of worries, even if temporarily, and wins me the sympathy and support of folks around me.

Watching comedies, reading, and watching happy news work magics too.

Find time for meditation. Among its benefits is the ability to filter the feelings and thoughts that enter my mind. It helps me avoid negative feelings and let in positive ones.

After getting into bed at night, I tell myself silently or audibly: “I am going to have a wonderful day tomorrow. It is going to be a happy and successful day. I am going to stay patient and positive in every situation.”

Now that I kinda know how to create positive feelings, I can get creative and find more ideas to create positive feelings in my life.  How do you create positive feelings?

No Fear Shakespeare.  Nymphadora is another close-fitting sweater blouse, designed by Kessanlin, one of a handful designers I test-knit for with frequency.   The gentle gathers, an empire waist, and slightly bell-shaped sleeves are flattering enough for this plump figure.

I love the fun, clever construction.

The yarn isn’t perfect (relating to gauge) but it’s best I managed to meet deadline in a rush, a week before Christmas.  Most disappointing is the shortage of yarn!  Yep, another pet peeve I encountered: Less weight/yardage than labeled. 9 hanks/50g each, I should have 450 grams in all. Yet, I started out 384 grams with 10 grams left in the last hank. This is the worst amount of shortage I’ve ever had–66 grams–a whole hank plus shortage!!!!

I have a couple more of Louise Hardings’ yarn in my stash; after that, I vow never to buy yarn from this company again!  But, then, I love that yarn…maybe I should bring the scale with me and weigh each one of ‘em before buying.  How about that?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

A Knitting Fast

Day one of my dietary fast was good.  Yes, I had to sneak in a few celery, cucumber, and extra maple syrup intakes throughout the day.   What can I say.  I love food and the hunger pangs is a bear to fan off!

While on the fasting topic, it made me realize–every once in a while–I need to go on a knitting fast too. Some of you may be horrified to hear this.  I did not come to this conclusion easily.  It is certainly not the path of least resistance!

I am a terrible procrastinator and would sit down and knit before I clean or take the dogs and kids out to play.

I put my head into a different space and find stimulation and relaxation in other interests.

It is a shake up of priorities and how I spend my time.

When I see that knitting is becoming more important than my responsibilities and things are going undone, then I ‘ground’ myself for a couple of days so I may re-prioritize.

I have to do the same thing with Facebook, blogs, and Ravelry…though as I write this, the house is a wreck.  I fall into the trap of allowing knitting to be more important than other things I am interested in such as good reading, writing, painting, beading, sewing, etc.

I may be in a unique category…needing to wean off of my attachment to knitting.  It is like a cleansing. I get away from the mindset of my next project, thinking about yarns, etc. etc.

When I come back to knitting, I appreciate it in a whole different way.

I believe it is also good for my body.  Knitting can, overtime, be a source of strain and poor postural habits as so many of us know.

This fasting is not easy…it does take discipline.  A cold turkey fast?  No knitting.  No yarn touching.  No looking at knitted things.  No talking about knitting.  No reading knitting books.  No Ravelry.  No spinning.  No, no, no…I just can’t bare the thought. I am going nuts just thinking about it.  Excuse me, I have to go stroke some cashmere fiber to calm moi down.

Knowing when to stop, look around, and shift gears is part of being well-balanced.  Knitting is such a compulsion. Once developed the obsession, it can absolutely push everything else out of whack.  Yet, it is completely worth it.

With scheduled field trips to Stitchin Post on Thursday and Twisted on Saturday, yarn fasting will have to be delayed…

The seamless, top-down purple sweater Galaxia–shown above–is my latest sweater #12 for this year, another fun design by Vera Sanon.  If you recall, I had to rip 18″ of it out to start over due to gauge misadventure.

I have modified it to a tunic, extended length to neckline and hem in back piece using short-row technique.  The single motif on a sleeve cap and on my hiney–another modification–gives it a playful touch to my lace top.

I couldn’t be happier…Silky Mirasol Nuna is fabulous to handle and wear next to skin.  You will see more of that in my knitwear, for sure.  What’s your favorite yarn for summer knits?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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