Library Thing

Many of you probably already know about Library Thing. I knew about it before but have only recently started really using. it. It is a wonderful reference spot for book lovers and book addicted readers like me.

The birds revisited

Blogging 365 sometimes poses content issues for me. I wish I had something new in the stitchery departments to share each and every day every day but that could get boring. Fast! Something like "...see I finished 10 more rows on this scarf" or "look at these three lines of quilting I did yesterday"... might make for worse content than some photos or mindless games now and then - so I hope that you will bear with me this year! I am also blogging everyday on my photoblog at www.photoblog.com/zquilts & on my shared photoblog with friend Kathy at www.photoblog.com/twozees. I AM almost done with those triangles (Amen!) and I will have them to share with you soon. Four more to finish unless I redo both of the smaller ones in which case it would be 6 to finish up. They are looking better than I had thought they would. I have to admit that I lost some steam for the project after I realized that the 10 I had made (which I liked quite well) were not what were called for in the simple directions. I am, therefore, pleased that I at least like this second batch well enough to send off - and by the deadline I might add !

I have also really been reconsidering what I am doing when I make something and why I am doing it. Intent has been on my mind a lot of late. I tend to fall into a trap of making something to fill a call for entry - or something like that - rather than necessarily making something because it brings me joy. I am going to be careful of this in the future. More careful at any rate. I will make things that being me pleasure. Traditional or art. Plain or fancy. Experimental or tried and true. I am not going to make things just for shows any more either. I want to finish my ongoing project of "Baltimore Beauty My Way" - and that just won't happen if I keep chasing rainbows. I need confirmation that my efforts are p[leasing and worthwhile from my family and friends. Ego strokes are always nice and always appreciated - I always seem to need reinforcement! So thanks in advance for critique and comments in the future!

The photo above is some of the "crew" that greets DH daily on his rounds. This day we had about 50 ravens (NO kidding!!), 4 bald eagles and 3 golden eagles and several varieties of hawks all vying for food bits. It's quite a grand sight!

A friend sent me one of those group emails this morning - and I really liked a part of it especially- which I am reprinting here. No author was noted unfortunately.

"...Be kinder than necessary,for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply,

Love generously,

Care deeply,

Speak kindly.......

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain..."

PS: I am still taking suggestions for a name for my beloved camera!

Eagles on the WIng

Yesterday we were greeted by a host of wildlife. Three Golden Eagles, four Bald Eagles, lots of fox. I did not have the right lens with me - but got this shot of a Bald Eagle coming in for a landing. They were really breath taking - and I was happy that I had gone along for the ride !

A New Favorite Book

I have a new favorite book on felting - to add to my other favorites! Christine White has packed so much great information into this book! The instructions are clear and well illustrated. I was especially happy to see her chapter on various wools and the felting characteristics of them all. I asked the our library to get this for me through inter-library loan, but they bought it instead after looking at it. Now I have to go and order my own copy. It's a great book and, I think, a "must have" for the library of anyone interested in felts and felting.

Just In Case You Think I have Been Idle

Sometimes it may appear that I have not been stitching at all. I have, in fact, been sidetracked recently by the wonders of my new camera & by the likes of those fabulous little Dorset Buttons. My camera & I have bonded & I am trying to come up with an appropriate name for it. Suggestions? I now find myself stopping the car more frequently to take a photo or two along the way. Despite that I have, in fact, been stitching quite a bit both with thread as well as with wool.

I finished my new scarf made from Berocco Soft Twist. It's wonderful.There is just the right amount of viscose in the yarn so that I am able to wear it next to my skin despite the wool. It's a great yarn!

Here is the new Noro sock yarn. Almost done with sock number one - using Cat Bordhi's pattern from "Socks That Soar" - my favorite book on socks because it taught a new knitter like me to knit socks ! I am still not sure what I think of the yarn. I am a die-hard fan of Noro yarns - and use them more than any other yarn. I guess I will have a better idea of what I think after I wear them a bit. It's somewhat coarse - I know -duh! that's what Kureyon yarn is like! It has some slubs - also like standard Kuryeon - that can make the stitches look more uneven than I like in a sock.I think I might like a smoother yarn. Maybe I just wish they had made the yarn from Silk Garden instead. Like all Noro yarns however, the colors are simply the best!

Also recently finished are my "Pop Up Paws". I love this convertible mitten pattern. I have never made a glove before - so there are some obvious defects in my first attempt. This is such a great pattern though - it keeps your hands so nice and warm - and flipping the 'Pop Up' is easy up & down. The directions are very detailed which is nice for a beginner like me. Next pair, I will make the ribbing & cuff longer and the Pop Up longer as well. Still not sure if I would make a closed thumb on the next pair. Might depend on how cold the winter is! I like it open for this year anyway. Makes stopping along the road and snapping a photo or two so much more easy & comfortable!

On The Way To Work

On the way in to work yesterday I was greeted by this beautiful sunrise. I had to pull off and take a photo or two. Have I mentioned how much I love where I live?! Hopefully more stitchery realted posts later this weekend

Another Obsession: Just What I Need!

Many of you may already know about the wonders of making Dorset Buttons. It was all new to me though until I read Stephanie Pettingell's blogpost about making them. I was so hooked- so fast! Stephanie sent me the link to a great little on line tutorial. I read on one historical site that an expert button maker could make a gross (that's a whopping 144!) of these buttons per day. The history is pretty interesting too if you care to have a look. I needed to take another side line creative detour like I needed another case of bronchitis - but I could not resist! The first one took a bit of time - as you might expect - but each successive button has taken a shorter timeto complete. I have tried varying weights of sashiko & embroidery threads. The blue metallic looking one is made from some fine metallic braid. I think ribbon and yarn would be great too - and yes - I AM going to try them this weekend - with beads and some different designs. They will be worked on betwixt some other projects that absolutely have to get done.

Night & Day

Above is the sight that greeted me when I left work yesterday afternoon. I had pulled away from my parking sapce only a few feet when I felt something odd. I don't think I have ever seen a flat tire like this before. Thankfully, AAA arrived in a flash & changed the tire for me. Luckily, it does not appear that the ring is damaged. Thankfully, I have a full sized spare tire & not one of those flimsy "donuts" that are so common these days. My friend told me that our cars can be a reflection of our inner selves - in that case she must mean that I am old and going flat!

To make up for that ultra small blip in life , I was given this beautiful view on the way in to work this morning! Every day I give thanks for the place I live in.

Monday Was ....

On Monday I got to go off island with two friends. We headed to a "Diva's" meeting - they are the wearable art arm of Fidalgo Island Quilters.It's a great group of talented women. We had a bit of an embroidery workshop and I was able to sit next a wonderful 'guide dog in training' named Leo. He is a very special "Labradoodle" who looks mostly like a white poodle. I fell in love! The person who has him as a helper will be very lucky!

The top photo was taken as I waited for the ferry to the mainland. The full moon shone brightly and it was a crystal clear night. This other photo was of a VERY cool installation that was in the library where we had the meeting. It was really a great piece of art in a great library!

When I got home - I went straight to the doctor ( and was actually able to get in!) for a dose of the "cadillac" of antibiotics. I am finally beginning to feel like myself again. When my routine gets upset it takes me sometime to get back on track here in blogville.

What a Day!

This photo says it all. It was a very cold, very incredibly beautiful day.

For Fallen Heros

In Memory Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Your light shines brightly still.

Can You Find The Cat

How do they do this? If you look closely you can barely discern Bart's ear at the 3 o'clock position. He was oblivious when I took this photo - flash and all.

I have little news to report. Three days in bed can do that to you! I have finished knitting my scarf, made progress on the Kuryeon socks, finished two books, and have progressed on two of the triangles. I WANT to get moving . I want my energy back!

Down For A Count

"Talking is like playing on the harp;
there is as much in laying the hand on the strings
to stop their vibration as in twanging them
to bring out their music."
Oliver Wendell Holmes

Not much happening. I have been been out of work this week with a nasty cold that I think has, once again, made it's way to the usual (for me)case of bronchitis. I'll have to consider a doctor's visit next week I guess. I have been wanting to use this time to finish my triangles, but thus far have made no progress - since the lure of a reading a good book in a prone position has had more allure than the paint pots!

Acquired Treasures

Last week's trip to mainland resulted in a few fun purchases. I tried hard to restrain myself Some great wool felt pieces, perle cottons in a few colors that screamed to be taken home, some rattail to try braiding, some beautiful hand dyed thread called "Wildflowers" thread by Caron (they have coordinating ribbons too), and,of course, some yarn !

Projects: One done; One Almost Done

I was looking for a no brainer quick to make project last week while I was in class and decided that I would make a simple scarf. Problem is that I can't wear wool around my neck ! This "Softwist" by Berroco will work I think. It's 41 percent fine wool and 59 percent viscose. It feels so soft and silky - and knits up really easily too.

While we were away I also managed to finish a pair of socks I had been working on. These were done with SoxxAppeal. The color is 9580 and is called 'Jungle'. It's a very cushy, springy, soft yarn. I really liked working with it. After these were done, I started a pair of socks using the new Noro Kuryeon sock yarn. Noro yarns are my favorites. I like using them in almost everything - so I was happy to get a chance to pick up some this newest of their products. The feel of the sock yarn is , well, different. Thus far they are looking nice - though using a size 1 needle however may mean that they will take me a long time to finish ! I'll post something when I get a bit further along with at least one of the socks !

For any of these yarns - if you are local to Anacortes Washington go to Anacrosstitch. It's a bright, friendly, fiber full place that new owner Kristi has stocked with all of the latest and greatest yarns & fibers. Previous wonderful owner, Lois, is still involved as well and teaches classes at the store. The selection is amazing! I often wander the store aimlessly - just touching all of the fibers she has to offer. Hanging out at their table is a great learning experience!

Okay - back to my fabric projects and my needles. Have a great day y'all!

Take It Further Challenge #1

Sharon Boggen's "Take It Further Challenge" in underway. We were given the option of using the pre-selected palette or doing a piece about someone you admire. I was momentarily stumped. The colors in the palette are so "not" me, but I could not really narrow down the field of the people I admire either. I thought I would be behind in this challenge from the get go until I took out some paints and started mixing them to get as close as possible to the colors I needed to use. I just started dabbling on some Lutradur & ended up liking the way the piece was coming together. Once the paint was dry I free motioned some "thread painting" to add the details I wanted and then added some beading for texture. The butterfly was added a a little 3D element & his body is beaded as well. Phew! I'll be ready for the next part of the challenge after all!

Of course -I still have all of those triangles to redo for the Banner Triangles Swap (see yesterday's post). I finished the first one in what I hope will be a more correct colorway. It is painted on raw linen (which I simply adore working with). I beaded it & then hand bound it with a coordinating yarn. I have started the preliminary work other 9 triangles- and thankfully the deadline for the project was extended - so I may make it on time yet! Lesson learned: ask more questions to clarify what you THINK you understand BEFORE you start! The back of this triangle is a collaged page from an old book. I am new to mixed media things - and it is not my forte!

Finished but Not

I am taking part in a small swap hosted by Sara Lechner. Ten people making banner triangles that will, eventually, read "creativity". These triangles are done on my hand dyed fabric with free motion embroidery and Stewart Gill paint. The backs are cotton lame & are stamped. I thought that I had managed to be done with them early ! Unfortunately though it appears that I misread the simple directions - so I have to make another 10 triangles. I finished one of the new batch yesterday and hope to get some more work done on them today. Live and learn ! I'll use these somehow though I'm sure !

From Anita's Class

These were the yarns I chose to use for the class. The idea was to have texture, contrast and a monochromatic palette. I see that I still had a hard time with the monochrome idea. My light is too light. The yarns themselves are luscious. The green is a super soft angora. Unfortunately the tags with brand and content information were inadvertently tossed after the first day. I think that I will probably use the units on a felted bag. I am still not convinced that the style of clothes would not make me look like a mushroom; as vertically challenged as I am ! That being said I was able to get two fabulous patterns that I might actually use for clothes at some point - if I can pull myself away from the siren calls of all the other obsessions I currently enjoy!

Just for Fun

I haven't done one of these for awhile - but thought this one was fun. Thanks to Sara Lechner for the idea!

Your Brain is Red

Of all the brain types, yours is the most impulsive. If you think it, you do it. And you can get the bug to pursue almost any passion. Your thoughts are big and bold. Your mind has no inhibitions. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about love, your dreams, and distant places.

What Color Is Your Brain?

An Artist's Studio

I have to say that being able to see Anita's studio was as interesting to me as her class. I could not carry on a conversation - I was too busy looking at her inspirational collection of baskets, vintage quilts, dyed clothespins, weaving equipment, yarns, cloth, threads, dyes & paints! I was at a loss for words. Anita is a world traveler - and her collections show it ! Thanks Anita for such a fabulous class and for your hospitality & inspiration!

Making a Garment from a Square

Anita Luvera Mayer explained how to make the garment shown above from square units. The basic formula calls to have someone measure you from the bony area at the base of the back of your neck to the knuckle on your ring finger. Multiply that figure by 2 and then multiply that figure by .007 to get the size if the finished SQUARE to knit! It's a little more complicated that that because you turn up the sleeves so that you don't have points and you cut off the bottom so that the garment goes over your hips. It was a magic formula though to make a beautiful garment from a simple square. Personally I think that the garment looks best on tall, thin people - but none-the-less - it was awesome.

Knit One Purl One With Anita Muvera Mayer

My friend, Janet, and I went to the mainland to take a class from Anita Luvera Mayer last Thursday and Friday. As I uploaded the photos I realized that I had not taken any photos of her amazing clothing. Partially because it would have been disruptive to the class (it was a small space) partially because of the lighting , & partially because I was busy trying to keep up! I WILL take some photos of the 'modules' that she had us make & I will explain her method (to the best of my ability!). I loved the class because this truly was about FREE FORM knitting - just the way I like it ! No rules, no counting, nothing more involved than knit and purl - and really you could do without the purl part! I broke out a crochet hook for the first time in 30 years - and glory be ! I remembered what to do with it (in a limited way of course!). Anita will be having a wonderful show at the LaConner Quilt Museum beginning on May31st. It's called . "A Celebration in Clothing:One Woman's Journey". It will be a very special exhibit- so go have look if you can.

Anita is an amazing woman. Tall and beautiful with a grace that I wish I had! She was gracious enough to invite some of us "out-of-towners" to her home before we went to dinner to celebrate Janet's birthday! I was mesmerized by the the things she showed us - and probably had to shore up my lower jaw more than once!

I have been trying to upload more photos - but Blogger seems to be having a problem today with photos - so I'll try again later.

Things Happen

I am distinctly unprepared today. Busy at work and getting ready for a wonderful two day class that begins "In America" tomorrow. All I have to offer today is this thought for the day :

"Do not ask for what happens

to happen as you desire it;

rather desire that things should happen

as they happen

and you will be happy."

Epictetus

The Whispers of Mist & Moss

We have a lot of rain at this time of year, but one thing that comes along with that are some fine "crops" of moss - and mist. I love moss. When, as a young girl, I used to read fairy tales I could so easily imagine falling asleep in the forest - making a bed of soft moss. The moss here makes that childhood dream no less compelling to me now - aching bones and all. I am blessed to be able to take a photograph such as this just on the way towards town. How lucky can one girl get anyway?!

Textile Hardeners

I have been trying out various methods of textile hardening. I am SO desirous of taking a class with Lisa Klakulak to learn some of her techniques with felts. Her felted bags just make me swoon! She uses shellac flakes in her work and I was not yet quite ready to try that out yet. The GAC400 works really well though. The photos above is a knitted, felted bowl that is now hardened sufficiently to seriously contain whatever I put in it. I made the bottom of the bowl very hard (you can knock it on a counter kind of hard) and watered the solution down a bit so that the sides are hardened but still retain the feel of knitted felt - actually a fulled knit rather than a true felt. I have been experimenting with various amounts of the solution for different effects. I really like this product. Next I will try to use it on a true felted vessel and see how it works... and I will report on the experiments here. I have applied for a scholarship for one of Lisa's workshops - so I am asking for all of your good thoughts that I will be the lucky person who gets chosen ! Then I can learn about how she uses shellac flakes for hardening - as well as all of the other things I want to know about !

Saturday With Friends

I had a lovely relaxing sew day with friends yesterday. Sometimes you just need to talk and get caught up- and that's what we did a lot of ! It's good to be with people who have known you for quite awhile - it ups the comfort level in sharing news of our lives. Our hostess with the mostest made a delectable cauliflower-cheese soup for lunch; complete with sour dough rolls and ooey gooey brownies (complements of her DH). I want the soup recipe ! Her DH and I talked about cameras & lenses & then he most generously lent me my favorite lens to play with. I seriously NEED this lens! It's perfect for what I like to photograph the most! It's on my birthday list now ! Look at all of that light in the workroom ... and space! J worked on a fabulous knitted cowl in some Oh ! So Soft ! Mountain Colors yarn. MJ worked on a vexing pillow case form. LP was sewing on a Christmas piece that highlights the spitting image of her DH. I did some FMQ on my tree study for the larger piece that is to come & JC was working on a fabulous color wheel .. what a cool idea ! It was a day of friendship& creativity.

Here is our hostess and her most recent work - she says it's taking a long time - but it's fabulous ! I especially like the shape of it - long and narrow.

Below is portion of my favorite quilt that she has made. It makes me smile broadly every time I see it. I have the pattern and I need to really get in gear and make my own version - since it seems to fit our household so well ! Maybe I need to just go more often to admire it in her house - mine will never be this good !

Thanks to ALL of my friends both near, far & farthest (cyber space) for enriching my life and always encouraging me in my own artistic endeavors. Without all of you I might have never had the determination to keep growing and trying new things ! Thank You !

"Hear No Evil"

Doesn't it look like Chance is covering his ears so he won't have to hear something bad?! Chance got his name for a reason. When I once worked for vet he was brought in suffering from some sort of poisoning. We did not expect him to last overnight, but he did. When he had recovered I felt bad for him and adopted him. He became blind in one eye not long afterwards - as a result of the poison we think. It doesn't bother him in the least and he probably one of the most agile of the bunch. He has some very bad kitty habits though and I DO prefer it when he is outside...but that's hard to make him do on these very cold nights. He may have some bad habits - but he sure can be cute!

Through A Window Lightly

This is what I see over my sewing machine - a small window on the world areound me. A microcosm of sorts. Little scraps of projects and color samples that surround my view of the tree tops and sky. At this time of year the tree tops are bending in the in the wind and the skies are terminally gray, but it's still nice to be able to look up and day dream of the sunnier skies that I'll be seeing from this window soon. In the summer I generally have to block the hot sun from coming in full force - I like the way I can change , or colorize, the light with different "shades".

This week I have been teaching myself how to do "Domino" knitting (aka modular knitting ) - so I'll have some "knitterly" posts coming up for the weekend. It has definite possibilities !Happy Friday to all ! Be well and Be creative !

Make My Day Award

Gunnel & Verbodie sent me this award. I apologize to them both for taking this long to thank them for their kind thoughts and for taking the time to always check my blog and, best of all, to send me notes! I love the notes !

It touches me because when I began this blog I never thought that anyone would really read it. Now, I am attached to it and enjoy the friends I have made through it so very much. The caveat is to pass this along to people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about being a member of the blogging community! The recommended number is ten. I'll add : Sandra,Vicki, Sue, Sarah,Kathy,Wanda,Kim, Jenclair,Waltraud, Lynn. Some of you may have had this already - and if so, please feel no pressure to participate yet again !