I can't remember the last time I posted on a Saturday. Rain will do that ... I not just talking about wee drops - I am talking something just shy of a monsoon. I am talking windswept leaves - complete with branches attached.

It is one of those days to stay in snuggled next to a loved one, sipping coffee, hot cocoa or some libation watching college ball on the tube. That is of course, unless said windswept branches pull down your power lines.

I like days like this. It forces me to slow down and to catch up. To organize and get familar with the things that I have. Sometimes, 'Life' infiltrates to the point of madness and it becomes a challenge just to climb over the clutter. Some seek to tame Everest ... I seek to implode the clutter pile.

The studio is getting an over haul ... it is long over due. I am feeling like the FlyLady on steriods. Wool, yarn, patterns, pastels, acrylics, canvas and various papers - all are in a flux. Things will get better - the sun will come out tomorrow!

Days like today also afford me the opportunity to catch up on some serious BloG reading. Alicia has written a great piece for 10/27! I urge you to read it - it is very eloquent and thought provoking.

But, back to the over haul ... here are the few tidbits of knittedness that were finally completed. The beaded scarf is soaking - so that will be posted later in the week. It is the Dubblemossa & one fair isle mitten. (Not to worry - I casted on for its mate last night!) Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

I am hopeful by this week's end you will see some knitting photos!

The beaded scarf needs blocking, the Dubblemossa still needs pom-poming and a fair isle mitten needs 12 more rows and a thumb.

Today, I want to inventory my Dale of Norway patterns and do a little fiber carding. Of course, I also need to catch up on my BloG reading .... did you know that Donna Druchunas is starting a blog book tour to talk about
Artic Lace?

It starts Here!. WhEEEE!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

No knitting /spinning content today. ( I will admit to finishing the beaded scarf and starting a pair of nordic mittens. Photos of the scarf as soon as I block it. )

Today - I feel the need to voice a few opinions.

As we approach winter, here in New England - I ask these questions for your kind considerations: "Are you doing everything you can to conserve heat/energy"? "Are you concerning yourself with the environment and taking steps to reduce global warming"? "Are you helping to reduce your need for petroleum based products"? (To which, it seems, everthing is petro based!)

There are so many things that are out of our control on a day to day basis. We do forget, in the calamity of life, that we can make a difference. Be a voice. Be an example.

Our knitting/spinning can take us far to turn down our thermostats! Don't turn the heat up - turn it down and pull out a sweater! Make some funky colored wool sox for your family. Send a pair to a local shelter, VA hospital or nursing home! (Of course, there is Dulaan & CIC too!)

One of the issues I am concerned about is an LNG facility that *just might* be built ON SHORE in Fall River MA. They would need to dredge a bay, and the ships carrying the LNG would only have a 5ft clearance under the Mt. Hope Bridge, during a 'proper' low tide. Seems strange that those who we have placed in power would even begin to think that this is Ok. Terror aside - this is just plain stupid.

Thank you Congressman Barney Frank for being a strong voice. But, then again, even collective whispers can be heard.

Be an activist! Life is to short NOT to care. Comments, please!

Have you climbed aboard The Dulaan, 10k or Bust Knitting Train yet??

If not - you must! The requirement? ... Knit 5 items and send them along to their proper destination by July 1, 2007. (Info may be found HERE. EZ PZ, right??

Personally, I just love to knit! But, I can only keep so much and the DH is just not interested. (Hey, can mittens & sweaters really compete with power tools?) Most items for my Christmas basket will be small as there is just enough distance between family members that proper sizing is a challenge.

So ... knit a bit for Dulaan!

I *just* received some additonal colorways of Peace Fleece! (Shameless Plug! Shameless Plug!) Wouldn't these colors (Volgasippi Blue, Latvian Lavender & Mir-Atlantis Periwinkle) make a wonderful fair isle project??

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

It finally happened! I am learning to appreciate the small stuff. A life made of simple things and simple times is a life that has moments that one can remember.

This weekend, my DH gave me flowers! Not a bazillion roses nor a fancy FTD delivery. Just a fist full of hand picked mums slouching effortlessly in a Nortel coffee mug on my knitting table.

Beautiful? ... totally. Unexpected? ... delightfully so! It was a very sparkly and twinkly moment.

Suffice to say, Diesel wasn't motivated by the sparkles & twinkles! But, simplicity is about moments ... especially if that moment is reflected in a dream.

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Is it really October?? Is Columbus Day this coming Monday? Holey Moley!!

The problem with taking a vacation the last week of any month - is that it totally distorts time. You leave your house one month - return the next. While I am just tickled that it is now FALL - I can not believe how quickly the month of September passed.

Can Christmas really be just around the corner?? YiKes!!

The Dubblemossa is finis. It is sans tassle so I will post a photo when I tie that baby on. I found it any interesting process and will probably make another in the future. I doubt that I would use the unspun Icelandic though ... methinks my tension is just to tight for fiber which is 'unspun'.

I did manage to complete another Bea Ellis hat for my Christmas Basket. I just love knitting these - and if you are looking to try fair isle - Bea's Originals are very well written for the beginner. This hat came out larger than the first one I did. Why?? Well, I didn't carry one of the colors in my left hand. I just used my right and while more time consuming - the finished product is more relaxed. Note to self: knit fair isle right handed only.

Also - you have got to love a good knitting "score"! Dale of Norway "Nagano" anyone?? YiPpEE!!!

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!