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!)

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!)

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!)

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!)

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!)

Shake Up

Somewhere between Central Oregon, Washington (USPS sorting center where my mail to and fro,) and Portland, these woolly wonders are flowing around.

Have you seen ‘em?  I have been losing sleeps, sick to stomach, for the past week.  The package of knitted samples was sent nearly two weeks ago…the shop still hasn’t received it.  For close up details, more pictures here, here, here, a secret knit here/here, and the leg warmer in Malabrigo Twist to be finished with buttons by the shop.  Sabrina’s arm and/or leg warmers is a super simple knit, perfect choice to add to your holiday gift list.

Sad day and tough lesson…USPS told me unless it’s shipped Express Mail and it’s insured…I am out of luck!  Even if insured, only the cost of the expensive yarn would be reimbursed. :0(  Bad news? My resolution to the shop owner should she accepts (or care to hire me again) is 1) pay for the expensive yarns out of pocket and 2) knit those again free of charge.

On the good side, someone will have an amazing warm winter.  And me?  I will get to knit ‘em again in, of course, much quicker turnaround!

Nuff said.  I will make it a great day…after all, I have my husband and children home…me bundled up with my woolly knits…and smelling the roses!

Life is good.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Do What I Am Afraid Of

Always do what I am afraid to do.

 I want to be here for a long time…

So I am going to do everything I have to do to be here. ♥¸.°´° ♥.¸¸.•°´°▪♥ღ

I will tell you more of the two finished lace work and their gorgeous yarn/fiber soon…when they are dried and modeled.  Stay tuned

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Energy Flows

“Energy flows where attention goes.”  Should I try to change my beliefs?  Replace them? Ignore them? Just pay attention to them from a higher consciousness?  And how does knitting help with any of that?  (More on the finished knit later…)

Handstitching is a way to be a witness to myself as I fumble around through my life. I use knitting, spinning, weaving, sewing et al to see, gently, my blind spots. ♥.¸¸.•°´°▪♥ღ

It’s sad to learn a few days ago my long-time idol–textile goddess, artist for the last 30 years–Judith MacKenzie’s spinning studio (along with the community theater and several businesses in downtown Forks) had been part of a fire. There was considerably more than $25,000 worth of Judith’s equipment in that studio where she taught and stored her spinning wheels and looms.

This is just what I’ve been waiting for: a mechanism to donate.  It will be so good to give back to someone who has given me (and a lot of folks in the world.)  The auction page for raising funds to rebuild Judith’s studio is live!  It looks like some great stuff is going up.  Check it out.  Besides the gorgeous fibers and spindles, I’m eyeing on that Timbertops Leicester Spinning Wheel!

Christmas is just around the corner

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

One Thing

Sometimes what seems like surrender isn’t surrender at all.

It’s about what is going on in my heart. About seeing clearly the way life is and accepting it and being true to it–whatever the pain–’cuz the pain of not being true to it is far, far greater.  ♥

Today, I choose to let the true me out…with no apologies…only then will true beauty radiate and make a difference to those around me.

I am grateful.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

A Bee-yooo-tiful day

One Bee Makes No Swamp…thousands of bees gathered outside downtown post office this afternoon. According to a lady in the building, they weren’t there two hours before I spotted a big lopsided mass of tan bark.

Spring swarms are no cause for alarm. It is a natural means of colony reproduction, propagation for honey bees. Honey bees swarm into new areas when their hives become congested due to the rapid buildup of bees and stored food as temperatures warm in the spring. Hives are splitting as new queens are hatched.

However, it’s my first encounter, up close, that isn’t in someone’s or my yard, house awning, in the wood, in a farm…Under the bees were more bees. They seemed to be at least four bees deep around the tree.

This swarm was gentle, calm, not agitated, or attacking. Understandable. The bees don’t have a hive to defend, thus, are less aggressive. Their mission? Engorged with honey, they bring as much of a food supply with them as they can to build a new home.

Honey Bee swarming season occurs roughly from March to July. If you find a swarm on your property, do not attempt to kill the bees. If you leave them alone, they’ll move on once they’ve found a home. If they decide your shed is a great new home, call the local police dept or county extension office–beekeepers love to collect swarms, it’s like getting 10 skeins of brand-new yarn FREE just for picking them up in someone’s yard.

It’s my real first-day out since suffering a serious allergy attack. A perfect day.

I can’t seem to get this tune out my head…When the dog bites, when the bee stings When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, And then I don’t feel so bad.  Both of my girls did the musical when they were 6 and 8. What a wonderful trip down memory lane. Do you have an earworm stuck in your head?

I did manage to squeeze in an hour of knitting my lacy Laika this evening. Ooooh, sleeves. It’s you and me time…How I love thee!

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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