Category: inspiration

My Brain Hurts

Posted on Posted in inspiration, life7 Comments

I am planning to take today off and spend some time in my craft corner with my new sewing machine and serger. I would also like to start my fourth Tread hat for Hans.

Work has been so busy that my brain has been on duty every moment of the day, it seems. For this reason, and in honor of Terry Jones who has shuffled off his mortal coil, I have named this post “My Brain Hurts.”

Do you try to catch snow sparkles with your camera? This is the best I could do. These photos were taken while I was in Wisconsin.

I hope we get some snow this winter!

20 in 2020

Posted on Posted in fiber love, inspiration, knitting, sewing, shawls and haps, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , , , 17 Comments

I hear there’s a “20 in 2020” thing going around. 20 what? I don’t know, but I’ve decided for me, it will be things to make. Here is my list.

Knitting

  1. Twilight Toujours (95% there!) I am loving how my gradient dyeing turned out and it is exciting whenever I switch to a new cake of yarn. Charis Walker of Tarheelbilly Farm is in the latest issue of Vogue Knitting! Sometimes I want to call this Tunis Toujours. It is so soft! And sometimes I call it Hollis, which is the sheep’s name.img_7432
  2. Celtic Myths (90% there!)
  3. Shetland Tweed Throw
  4. Farmhouse Cardigan
  5. The Oa
  6. Peerie Flooers
  7. Arranmore Staghorn
  8. Midnight Merino Raglan
  9. Bousta Beanie
  10. Winter Ferns Hat in Gryffindor colors
  11. Toe Up Socks (I think I am going to frog it and start over with a more exciting yarn from my stash, especially since I really don’t want to make the same pair of socks twice)
  12. Jessica Jones Cowl from my Hogsmeade Forbidden Fibers (because it brings out my hair and my eyes!)

Only 4 sweaters! That’s progress!

Sewing

  1. Billie Jumpsuit (pattern is pieced and cut, fabric is washed)
  2. Ace (I picked up a remnant for this at Sew to Speak)
  3. Jill Coat in Black Roses Bonded Knit
  4. Rachel blouse
  5. I want to make a tailored coat out of my navy wool flannel, but I haven’t found a pattern yet.
  6. Something out of this amazing cotton flannel I picked up on sale at Sew to Speak. img_7431I think I would like to make a jacket, but again, I haven’t seen a pattern that is quite right. Since I accidentally automatically got resubscribed to Ottobre, maybe there will be a jacket pattern in one of their magazines I like.

I guess I like jackets as much as I like sweaters!

Fiber Art

I am part of a group show in November, so I will need to figure out my pieces for that. I will probably continue with the wet and needle felted paintings. I do not have a subject yet. Even though I will probably make 2-4 pieces, I will count this as one make.

Weaving

I’m going to weave a couple of placemats out of my turmeric dyed Cotswold. That’s 20!

Sunshine Blogger Award

Posted on Posted in field trips, finished objects, inspiration, lifeTagged 5 Comments

Karen nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award! To be fair, she nominated every one who reads her blog. But I need blogspiration, so I’ll take it! There is also something about nominating 11 people so I will nominate the first 11 bloggers who read this (which is probably everyone)!

1. Dog or cat?

I like both. I’m more of a cat person but I aspire to also be a dog person.

2. What is your least favorite food that other people love?

Halva, pears, do people love those?

3. Where on Earth would you like to go but you know you never will? Why do you want to go there? Why will you not?

I would like to go to Egypt to see the pyramids but I probably never will. There are other places I would rather go, and Egypt feels a little scary.

4. What is your favorite household chore? Why? Make me love it too because I detest all of them.

I like doing the dishes. It’s rewarding to finish the job.

5. Your house is on fire. All living creatures will get out safely but you can only grab one sentimental item. What do you grab and why?

I’m assuming I’m wearing my wedding ring so I will grab the cd case that has all the cds full of pics of my boys when they were little.

6. Would you rather eat a slug or a spider?

No.

7. Do you prefer houseplants or cut flowers?

Houseplants. I love flowers but they always wilt and die and make me sad.

8. What is the absolute hardest thing you have ever had to do for another person?

When my Grandfather had dementia I had to hold him down to keep him from harming my mother and grandmother. I couldn’t let him up until the paramedics came. It was hard both physically and emotionally, but I knew if he had been in his right mind it’s what he would have wanted.

9. What was your favorite food as a child?

Black olives

10. Be honest, do you exercise as much as you should?

No.

11. . Have you ever met someone and you felt like you knew them? Did the relationship continue and did the feeling continue?

Yes and yes

Two hats down! Christmas knitting accomplished! Although I have three more Treads in the queue.

Hans and I volunteered at Global Gifts yesterday. We had fun!

Thankful Thursday… on Friday

Posted on Posted in inspiration, knittingTagged , , 13 Comments

Well my week got away from me and I missed my Thankful Thursday post. I am thankful for so much in my life. I am truly lucky.

But today I’d like to express my gratitude for this online knitting community. It has really meant so much to me to get to know each of you via your blog. And there have been some days when it has kept me knitting and making, which brings me joy. So thank you.

I went to my LYS today for an hour or so of Open Stitch. It was well-attended by a lovely group of regulars. I am hoping I might become a regular, too.

Do you have a regular knitting group you attend? I would love to hear about it.

Artist Date Sunday

Posted on Posted in art, design, inspiration, knitting, sewing, tools, what makes me tickTagged , , 4 Comments

Today I took myself on an artist date to a couple of galleries in the Short North, an arts district in Columbus. It was a special day – Sunday Bazaar- when artists are working or talking about their work in the galleries and shops.

At Studios on High, an artists’ cooperative, I met Jennifer Jolley Brown, a printmaker. She was trying a new medium for her, woodcut.

We enjoyed chatting about art and life, and I love this image she is working on. She gave me some woodcutting tips in case I should ever try it. I must look like a serial enthusiast. (Is it that obvious?)

Then I came back to my studio and stewed in my juices a bit. After a long leisurely stare out the window, I opened my new planner/journal.

I had this binder made on Zazzle. This is a Carl Larsson painting. The knitting on the table and the textile on the chair, which must be Karin’s, inspire me. Really, the whole thing inspires me. It’s a home scene but so light and colorful — how I would like for my home to be.

I worked a little in my wardrobe planner. My aspirations are so modest here. Surely this is possible!

I was inspired enough to trace and cut out the Ottobre jeans.

The plaid is for the pocket bags.

I missed a few days blogging, but I did catch up on your blogs today!

Sock It To Me Monday

Posted on Posted in finished objects, inspiration, knitting, socks, yarnTagged , , , , , , 12 Comments

In the spirit of blogaraderie, I started knitting a sock just so I could blog about it today. “Sock It To Me Monday” was started by mildlygranola, and picked up by quiteayarnblog. Of course I wanted to join in! (I also wanted to start on a sock, since I’ve been talking about it for such a long time.)

This is Purl Soho’s toe up sock pattern in Moondrake Yarn Co‘s Silky Fingering in Autumn Jewel. I picked up this yarn when I was in Oklahoma City. It has a lovely sheen, and the silk gives the merino some hardiness the way nylon does in other sock yarns. After I took these photos, I had to rip the whole thing out because I overlooked the part of the pattern where you are supposed to knit the yarn over increases through the back loop to close the hole. I don’t want socks with a bunch of holes at the toes!

I will restart them tonight, the correct way, and I’ll share more later (next Monday of course) once I have it really going.

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Here’s me in my Marauder’s Map York. It’s not as comfortable as I want it to be, which has less to do with the pattern and more to do with the fabric I chose. I have noticed my sewing tends toward costume. I think the Seamwork collection planner will be good for me. It will help me think about what I really like to wear versus concepts that aren’t super wearable. I like the idea of this shirt. I think this pattern is better suited to a fabric with more drape. I also don’t like the neckline. I don’t see why you should use bias tape when you could make a facing. The sleeves are cool. I turned the cuff fabric around so I could read that part when I’m wearing it.

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This is a photo from an advertisement that showed up in one of my social media feeds. I don’t remember the company. I saved it because I liked the look of it. I like the soft palette and three different patterns in similar colors. I’m going to print it out and put it in my collection planner for inspiration.

My First Vlog!

Posted on Posted in inspiration, knitting, sewing, vlogging, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , , , , , ,

Inspired by Compassionknit, I vlogged today!

This is so fun. Maybe next time I’ll put on makeup and NOT hit the table making it vibrate. Sorry! (Not sorry.)

This would be a great format for The Just Craft, which I have been procrastinating on because I feel overwhelmed about how to get started. I keep thinking I need to get equipment but maybe I could start out vlogging?

I forgot to tell you I found the Marauder’s Map fabric at Crimson Tate when I was in Indianapolis last week.

ETA: Well, sadface, I don’t have enough Marauder’s Map fabric to make the Lily blouse. I’m on the hunt for a simpler top pattern or there’s always PJ pants.

Phew! Bizzzzzy

Posted on Posted in field trips, inspiration, knitting, lofty thoughts, sewing, sweaters, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , 3 Comments

Last week was a travel week for work, but I still managed to accomplish some things.

I finished my PJ pants.

I started a dress. You can tell I was in an Eastery mood. I’ve had this material for ages – a gift from my friend Laurel – and today I decided I need a spring dress. (I’ll probably wear it over jeans though.)

I sold “Meditations on Wholeness” today to my friend Harvest, someone I know will treasure it as much as I do.

I pulled this little dude out of storage and fluffed him. He’s still in pretty good shape!

I went to Craftin’ Outlaws and had a lovely time. I saw someone selling her hand block printed textiles and it got me thinking about fair trade textiles from India that are block printed by hand, like my pillowcase, and how the desire to make beautiful things by hand spans all cultures.

I also bought these earrings.

I drank wine and talked with old friends and shared my plans to start a podcast, which will hopefully bear some fruit soon.

I am plugging away on Hitofude!

It will look so pretty with my new dress. Must! Knit! Faster!