Can I tell you a secret? I am not into "American Idol".

I have put it on maybe 5 times since it first appeared on the tube. I know that I am in the minority and I am 'ok' with that. But, last night - I watched.

It started out innocently - the remote could find nothing that held my interest. When I happened upon "American Idol" - I noticed that they were doing something unique - something different - something worthwhile for all humanity.

I was hooked. "Idol Gives Back" was one of those shows that made me shed a tear and sob a bit. It made me stop and think how very, very lucky I am.

DH & I don't have kids. We have our dogs and the parrot that rules the roost but we try to always do the right thing. In my mind, if I ever get interviewed and someone asks what my 'one wish' is ... I would say "I wish we would learn to share."

We teach children to do it all the time, expect it even ... but, as we grow into adult hood we forget. Sure, we all throw a buck here & there to various interests ... but do we really share, from our hearts? Even before last night ... I had been thinking of this for a while.

Today, I want to share something with you. One of the charities who will benefit from the $30 million + raised last night is Save the Children. Their website goes into detail about sponsorships, donations, programs, where they work, etc. They do wonderful work! So, what is it that I want to share with you? "Shaina"! She is my sponsored 'child' & has been for a while.

We send letters and/or emails! I smile when I think of her AND I glow inside knowing that for a few skeins of yarn or a few bottles of wine a month - I am helping her, her family, her community & basically the whole planet.

Sharing - it is a good thing! Here is my beautiful "Shaina"!

I admire those fellow fiber artists who can create the most intricate of designs in seemingly effortless fashion. These are the people who can take a complex Nordic sweater or a lacey shawl and have it completed within a week.

Yes - I do admire them ... but I am also jealous.

I know my time management skills are a little, shall we say, nonexistent - but I tend to work around this fact by knitting my little heart out when need be.

Take make socks for instance: I had them completed in 10 days.

The Roses on My Pillow colorway is just perfect and the k3 x p1 rib showcases the yarn nicely.

Suffice to say ... I have already started a scarf. After that is done, I am thinking shawl or sweater. I have yet to try a Nordic Olympic design .... but I don't know if summer is a great time to start. (To uncomfortable to knit in the heat?) I must think on that.

Of course, I don't mind spinning in the warm weather. My 'Fraid Knot skeins are back. This is #4 in an on going series. I LOVE to Navajo pLy! Can you tell?

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Sometimes I just can't believe how long it takes me in between posts! There are times when I type like wild-fire - other times, I am as slow as molasses flowing uphill. Don't you just love visuals??

This post lies in between. :)

I have been busy knitting a pair of sox (hopefully they will be finis this week ... as well as doing a wee bit of dyEing and carding! Check out the goodies!

Camilla is quite captivating, yes?

And What A Pumpkin Head! just screams fun!!

Who knows what I will be doing next .... all I know is that it will be FUN!
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It is pouring rain this afternoon. I am sure some folks are getting snow ... others thunder & lightning. It is a good day to stay huddled by the woodstove - knitting on my sox. (Yes ... it is *my* own hand painted yarn in the "Roses on My Pillow" colorway!)

I feel self indulgent knitting for myself. But, while the charity knitting is on the 'back burner' at the moment - I am grateful that there are other ways to help the world heal.

Every Easter - DH & I always host. It has been that way since we were married. Nothing is spared ... my dinners are complete with games & prizes! (How many BLACK jelly beans in the pot? The male / female who came closest won a fair isle hat & fair isle mittens as prizes!)

I take it upon myself to beg on this occasion. My family is pretty cool about it - they are used to bringing canned goods for the local food pantry OR dollars for a collection near and dear to my heart.

This year - it was the later and after the Easter Bonnet was passed funds raised are being sent to PittieLOVE! I have met these folks and some of their available Bullys - can you tell I am in love with this breed? It was thru "PittieLOVE" that I met a lab named "BO". And right now - he needs all of us. Read his info HERE.
Please make a donation to his FUNd and pass the word. Thanks and WOOF!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

I have finally decided what my next project will be: Sox for ME!

It has been a while since I have knit an adult pair - I wanted something relatively quick & painless. While I enjoy knitting socks - I will admit to not being overly persnickety over elaborate designs. That being said, in multicolored yarns, I like the yarn itself take control and do it's own kind of dance.

I found a pattern over at Spun Magazine that seemed to be perfect. A K3 x P1 rib. No 'slouchy' socks. No infamous 'ladders' that DPNs love to create. (Naturally, it is never the knitter's fault - 'ladders' are always caused by the DPNs!)

VOILA!! Basic Ribbed Socks! I only started them yesterday, I am hoping they only take me a week to complete as I see so many things that I crave to knit! Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

I know that it has been a few days since I posted. The last 10 days have been a flash of knitting needles and a whirl wind of cleaning. DH & I hosted the Easter Holiday - therefore BIL's Christmas gift (the dubblemossa) just 'begged' to be completed.
I am happy to say that the hat is finis! (No photos though - truth be told, I was kind of sick of looking at it!)
But - it is completed ... I am thrilled! ... BIL is thrilled! And now, I feel like I am ready to do something/anything for me. I haven't decided what *IT* will be ... Sox? Shawl? Summery top? I don't know ... At this time - I am just estatic to declare myself UFO Free!

Now - I feel like I can catch up on stuff that I have 'let slide'. Nothing major you understand - just stuff that requires a wee bit of time and attention. Something like ordering new dog collars.

Dog collars are vital as they do contain pertinent information about the dog, it's vaccines & hopefully it's human parents. My dogs wear their collars all the time ... I would rather be safe, then sorry.

Given the fact that my dogs like to "look good" - I was so very grateful to my dear friend Stas when she informed me that "Hugs for Homeless Animals" get the proceeds whenever they sell "Lupine Collars/Leads". I love Lupine ... they last forever - are even guaranteed by the company AND come in "the best & brightest" prints ever!

Now that it is Spring .... it is time to fancy up your dog or cat. If you need a new collar - please purchase one that will help save a life!

Motu will be stylin' in "Doggie Dreams" - look how pretty the red is against that beautiful blue! Diesel will be looking mighty dapper in his new "Brooktrout!"

And yes - just because these collars last forever - what is so bad about changing them with the seasons? ggg
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!