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!
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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?
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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!
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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!
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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
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As Creatives - at some point - each of us suffers from a Nemesis of some sort. It might be a UFO, or a commissioned project that doesn't sing to our soul. It might even be a deadline that was both long in reaching yet very short incoming. Ah ... the Nemesis!

Suffice to say - my current nemesis is the Dubblemossa. It isn't like it has just been started ... I only have 28 pattern rows left (and then, of course, the multi inch stockinette in steel grey for it's innards.)

Words of encouragement are appreciated ... as well as the proverbial kick in my knitted bloomers!
Wish me luck .... Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Spring was in the air today. I must admit - the fresh air smelled like heaven and the sunshine was a total delight.

While I love all the seasons - Spring is just energizing! Could be the longer days ... could be the fact that I can work out of doors comfortably ... could be that I love hanging laundry on the line and having it dry! The list goes on and on ... I like that.

I know Spring has greeted many over the last several weeks and while Easter is upon us - I can't help thinking that Summer isn't very far behind. That, scares me! I mean, when did it get to be the end of March?

(My mother was right - time flies as you get older ... but, I am not older .... YET!)

Yes - Spring is here ... and I thought I would share a wee bit of Springtime with you! Meet MayBelle! WhEEEE!

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I bet your dogs are as lucky as mine. If you don't have dogs - I am pretty confident that if you are reading ARTsy/knitting/spinning BloGs - any animal in your care is treated as a valued member of your family. YAY!

Over the course of the last week, I have been horrified by the way Pit Bull dogs are treated/handled/discriminated against. Actually - they are profiled. I know the horror stories too ... I find it unfair that we label a whole breed as 'bad' just because that is what the media wants us to believe. Sensationalism sells.

Well, this coming weekend - I am putting my $$ where my mouth is and I am going to meet a few. I just can't wait - seriously, I am overJOYed at the prospect! While we can not add to our present family (please read, Diesel doesn't want a sibling!) there will come a time when I would be honored if a pit bull would come to live with me!

Now Diesel being the 'good boy' that he his - does feel a wee bit upset at his inability to share his home ... so, he & his sister Motu are putting their $$ where their mouths are too - They are sponsoring "Maxwell Smart" - you can't tell me that this pup isn't the cutest thing EVER? Maxwell Smart is the top pup on the sponsorship page! Maybe he could come live with you?

While I have been enthralled with Pit Bull research - I am still getting some carding done! Take a look at Flying Cowgirl!

Giddy UP! Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! AND - please try to adopt a pet before you buy ... there are so many that need forever homes. Comments, please!

Balance is such an important thing. I am working on ways to find 'better balance.' It sounds easy - it is proving to be a challenge.

I have to much stuff. To many dishes. To many Tshirts. To many spices that have been in the cupboard for years. And I won't even begin to tell you how many bars of hotel soap are in the linen closet.

So, while I am learning to appreciate the small moments in life - I am also learning to practice 'better balance'. No *new* tshirts can enter unless some older ones are either rehomed or made into cleaning cloths. No new dishes or glassware until some overly used ones are recycled. No more hotel soap ... I just can't use it all in one lifetime - I have actually banned it from entering the house.

Traveling the road of 'better balance' is good. Of course - one usually stumbles upon a road block here & there. Luckily, some road blocks are sweeter than others. Such is the case of "Sweet Pea", a beautiful jacob fleece

She can come to play with me as I am releasing some yarn into the Universe in the form of a hat, a pair of mittens and baby sox (the other soxlette is on the needles and will be completed tonight!) I just LOVE knitting for Charity!

Isn't *Balance* the best?
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Now that our clocks have changed - I feel like I am getting more completed. I do believe that it is all imaginary. I am not doing anything differently than I was last Tuesday, but I feel more energized.

That is good ... I will take it. More time is always a gift from the Heavens. Time is one thing I know I take for granted. I am working on this as I know all time is way to short. Do we really have enough time in the day to create? To knit? To love? To do chores? I suppose we do, if we manage it wisely and don't let the 'junk' creep
into our souls. (Sorry, I really don't care that Britney is bald or that Paris hasn't been in the news for a bit and why-o-why are we still speaking about Anna Nicole's sad demise? These tidbits belong in their lives & in the lives of those who love them.) But, I digress .... time is what we make of it and I am really sure that ALL time is meant to be enjoyed.

I have been busy knitting more charity goods as well as spinning and dyEing. I have discovered that I actually have more time than I ever thought I did. I can knit an EZ PZ ribbed hat at work in the brief snippets of time that become available. While others may be able to do a more difficult pattern, K2 P1 works for me as I work with kids and have my attention diverted frequently. I don't have to concentrate on the pattern - it just flows ... the kids like to look at what I am doing & they ask questions - which is great, and someone, somewhere will appreciate the hat's warmth! I love the fact that I am also keeping sheepies very busy - producing the beautiful wools that I use. HaPpY Kary - HaPpY Universe!

Did you want to have a peek at the dyEing? I think I have captured another sunset in Celeste
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Very rarely do I post on Sundays. Weekends for me are just that - the end of a work week ... it is time to relax, recharge and spend some well earned quality time with DH & the pet kids.

I know that I am *the* luckiest girl in the world to have such a wonderful family. I really, really am!

I also know that my pups are pretty lucky too. I am ever so honored that they were entrusted to me ... tonight, I send out the call to the Universe that "Bella" needs a forever home - RIGHT NOW. All the info is HERE!

If you could pass this info on ... maybe on your BloG or maybe to your email list ... the Universe will appreciate it. I will appreciate it. "Bella" will really, really appreciate it.

Only 28 more pattern rows left in the Dubblemossa! How very cool. Of course, in the scheme of things - I still have about 9" of stockinette left to do as well - but, that should fly by once started.

I find it amazing that my attention span can be so .... minimal. Who knew?

Anyway, one thing I am loving is knitting my charity hats. These 2 babies weigh in at 9.3 oz! Does a heart good knowing that someone somewhere will be a little warmer because of a few sticks, some wool and a little effort.

Remember the Navajo Plying? Well, the hat in the background is knit from that yarn. Fun stripes, yes?? I did combine it with a handspun milk chocolate blend as I knew I would not have enough of the NP yarn. Today, I will do recon of the patterns once again .... I am in the mood for more charity knitting this weekend. The Dubblemossa will have to wait until Monday!
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I have been both feverishly working on the Dubblemossa (yes - it was supposed to be a Christmas gift for BIL - it will now hopefully be an Easter gift instead!) and charity knitting projects.

Yesterday, when going thru my handspun stash - I came upon 2 skeins of Navajo plyed yarn. I make these skeins when I have stocked piled various colors of hand carded batts.

Navajo Plying is easy - although the concept itself can be a wee bit confusing when digesting the written word. If you can visualize "crocheting a chain" - there is the concept behind NP. It really is a great way to keep colors distinct. Because the final yarn has a 3-ply thickness - my yarn is usually classified as a 'bulky weight'.

Suffice to say - I began knitting a charity hat - breaks of color add such excitement & cool striping! I miss Navajo plying as it has been a while since I had extra batts lying around for *ME* to play with. Hmmmm .... I wonder how long I can wait on the Dubblemossa? Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

My fascination with overdyeing is still going strong. There is no rhyme or reason to it - it is just spontaneous & unpredictable. I like that.

Many times, I think that we lose our sense of fun & wonder as we grow older. Thing become stagnant, mundane. Sure - I can measure dye with the best of them - but right now - I am just having way to much fun being 'spontaneous & unpredictable'!

Color elicits such emotion & attitude. One person's favorite color is another person's 'ick'. Another person's red is another person's pink. Isn't it neat that something SO simple can create such passion?

Here is a skein I overdyEd still in the pot. It might become a charity knitting project as it is a worsted weight. (BTW - I finished my 10th hat this week - it will be headed to Dulaan..... YAY!) Isn't it pretty? Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!