Yesterday - I managed to do a couple of things .... planted my vegetable garden, made Spanokopita (Greek Spinach pie) for the first time, blocked the "Lotus Blossom" shawl and bent my new blocking wires.

All in a day's a work I say.

It is hard for me to believe that I bent the darn things. I don't remember wrestling with the shawl or even having any difficulty in the blocking process. They are just minimally bent, and will not pose a problem in future use. Suffice to say - one knitted shawl seems to have more strength than metal wires. Who would have thought?

Here is the finished "Lotus Blossom" along with the "Hanging Garden Stole" prior to commencement. Since I am on sabbatical - I feel the need to accomplish much! As of this post - I am 30 rows into the "HGS"! WhEEEE!

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This weekend marks the official start of summer. I am overly excited about this as yesterday was my last day of work for a while (please read - school ended - YAY!)

A summer sabbatical means more spinning, knitting, carding & creating time. I hope to really get down to basics with my art work - something that I have truly been neglecting. I also want to read, read, read and learn, learn, learn. The past few weeks have shown me that life is truly short and yet abundant if we only appreciate the small things daily.

Take for instance the comments by NANnette & Chris! Personally, I never thought about edible flowers decorating the container by the side door. Nifty idea - MERCI! ... I will plant some in the garden instead. (Truth be told - DH appreciates a big, honkin' cuke on his plate a wee bit more than pansies & nasturtiums. Sigh ... I will try to work on that this summer!)

The "Lotus Blossom" shawl should be finished either today or tomorrow. YiPpEE! The next project??? Sivia Harding's Hanging Garden Stole! I purchased it from the Earth Faire and I will be using Liisu Yarn in laceweight alpaca. Want to say "YUM" with me? The 'Sunrise on the Bay' colorway is lovely ... this is going to be fun!

Hope you have a safe & WONDERfull weekend. And bless those who have left us - may we never forget their love and light!

I always fancied myself to be a Creative. I remember always doing 'something' ... drawing, knitting, embroidery, writing and even gardening! Yep - as a kid - I loved to garden. I was my mother's helper. Needs weeds pulled? - "no problem"! Compost pile turned? ... "I'm your girl"! Recon of those nasty cut worms? ... "They don't call me Big Foot for nothing"!

With food costing tons ... and gas being nothing short of a college education - I am pulling out the stops this year with creative gardening. Case in point ... dearly departed Christmas Tree:

This little guy has sat next to our side door for over 2 years. For some reason - the little lad lost it's will to live this year. I waited a few weeks in the hopes a miracle (AKA a resurrection) would happen. It just wasn't meant to be. Today, this little dead tree became compost. :(

The question became what to do with the pot. The easy fix would be flowers. I do love flowers - the bright colors, the fragrance ... even the buzz of the bumble! Yet - something said I needed to be different.

Viola ... You may not be able to tell, but I planted cucumbers! Yes - I will still plant some in the vegetable garden - but I think it just might be fun to have some growing right next to the door that we use so very much.

Well - if for some reason this wonderful idea doesn't work - there is always flowers!

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Finally - a photo of the finished scarf! YiPpEE!

Dimensions are approximately 9" x 52". I thought about making it longer as I had plenty of yarn, but this type of scarf needs to drape effortlessly - in a breezy sort of way. Is this going to look great with jeans or what????
Thanks again for the wonderful pattern, Chris!

Did you know that today is Livestrong Day? Cancer touches each of us on a daily basis. Family members, co workers, neighbors ... today is a great day to stand up and WEAR YELLOW and fight back!

Each voice, each dollar does make a difference!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Long time no post!

Life certainly has become both busy & challenging of late. No need to go into the details but suffice to say I am glad that I knit!

What an amazing stress reducer! Maybe it is because we focus on the project at hand. OR maybe it is because there is a rhythm all it's own that allows our minds to relax in an hypnotic daydream. Either way - I will take it.

The "Gift of Friendship" scarf is finis and blocking. What a fantastic design! Thanks again Chris! Of course - I had to find something ASAP, to keep my hands busy and my mind free from wandering!

Last night, I started the Fiddlesticks Lotus Blossom Shawl. I truly appreciate the way Ms. Dorothy writes/charts her designs. They are clear & concise. Her designs are intricately eye appealing but oh-so understandable! I love that!

Anywhoo ... will keep you up to date on it's progress .... I am working in a Fleece Artist "Country Silk" colorway .... Isn't it pretty?
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

My "Knit Picks"
blocking wires arrived today. If you ask me, they arrived just in time!

I have been working on Tallulah Chris' Gift of Friendship Scarf. I love the pattern ... it is so simple - but yet so elegant. I am using my hand dyed lace weight in Sweet Sea Clouds. Both the design & colorway are perfect for blue jeans! YiPpEE!

If you are looking for a wonderful lace scarf pattern .... I highly recommend Chris' design! Thanks for sharing Chris!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!