the month of may

this month, if you don't find me editing with my laptop on my lap

then you will find me sewing

gathering

cutting and piecing

finishing

brainstorming

and making what once was only an idea a reality

as i get ready for the farm chicks show

the next few weeks will probably bring more photos and less words here...

a quieter may on the surface

a bustling inspired-filled may in reality

do.

Somewhere
among
wanting,
hoping,
hiding,
breathing,
resting,
healing,
dancing,
realizing,
giggling,
sighing,
believing,
and
knowing,
I sit
quietly
doing.

Over the weekend, we tackled organizing the little room, my studio. It has been an 18-month on again, off again attempt to find what works for me.

Three trips to IKEA in 30 hours and lots of patience from Jon later I had a project table.

One wisdom tooth extraction and many mugs of tea and several bowls of cottage cheese and cups of pudding and a couple days later, I began to play.

The year of the do.
This is what this is.

and so it begins (again and again and again)

Last winter, like many other bloggers who dabble in artsy+crafty things, I was quite inspired by Jane's and Alicia's ripple blankets. Those two seemed to have inspired a movement over at "the no-end-in-sight ripple along."

After reading about everyone joining in on the fun, I wanted to crochet. Like. right. now. So, when my mom and I met for a few days in Arizona, I brought along my crochet hook so she could teach/remind me how to crochet. I learned about 20 years ago from Nanny…not my grandmother but the mother of my second cousin's wife who was a bit like a grandmother to me at times…and I crocheted a few potholders that year. I loved it, but I didn't pick it up again until February of last year. As my mom and I worked on a couple of scarves, I settled into the rhythm that is knitting and crocheting. Several scarves later, the rhythm of crochet resonates deeply in me.

And, I felt ready to make an afghan. And, of course, not just any afghan…THE afghan.

So I tried one pattern and crocheted my heart out throughout the second half of the Super Bowl. By the end of a very long row three, it was apparent that I did not understand the pattern even though I kept trying.

I tried another pattern I found online…but just couldn't get into the rhythm at all. It involved a chain stitch after a few stitches several times and I kept forgetting it and wouldn't realize it until the middle of the next long row.

Then the book Vintage Crochet arrived in all its gorgeousness.

To begin the chevron pattern, I needed to chain 216 +3.

I, of course, chained 219 +3 because I kept repeating 219, 219 in my head while counting.

I didn't realize the problem until things got wonky in row three.

So, I began again…

Success! I love the rhythm of this pattern. (And, this book seems fantastic. So many brilliant patterns that have an updated vintagey feel.)

Late last night, as I was midway through row six, I paused and looked down and started cracking up. It looks like my color choices were inspired by that very moment in time. (With a bit more light this morning, I have taken a photo so you can see what I mean…)

However, the color palette was actually inspired by the sweater worn by Miss Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I saw that movie three times in the theatre (and once at home since it was a gift for Christmas). I just love that movie (and I want to one day be able to crochet some sweaters like the one Luna wears). It is my favorite so far. I think it is partly because it came out as the book series ended and I felt so sad…but the movie made it seem like the really good part had just begun. Anyway, every time I would see Hermione's sweater for the first time in the movie, I would think about how I wanted to make an afghan with those colors…

And so it begins.

It is scary that I am matching my outfits with my crochet projects? It hasn't been done on purpose…but…it happened last week too…

If you are in the midst of a ripple blanket or plan to start one soon, please let me know. We can double crochet rippled stripes together…

a little excitement

Last week I mentioned that I am super excited about something.

Well, since then, I have been gathering beautiful florals and dots…

vintage linens…

and bits...

together...

I have been spending time with spring and summer colors and items with a "this pattern reminds me of weekends spent at Grandma's" feel because…

I have been accepted to vend at The Farm Chicks Show!!!

The show takes place in Spokane, WA in June! It is an antique/gorgeous "junk" show where a few folks are also selected to sell their homemade items. The show is attended by people from all over the country (I think you and you…oh and you too…should come on out for it!!) and has been featured in Country Living Magazine. The two ladies who are The Farm Chicks, Serena and Teri, seem beyond delightful. I can't wait to meet them in June.

I am filling up my "notes from the little room" moleskine with ideas and new designs. And, I look forward to sharing bits and pieces of all this brainstorming with you…

To have such a flow of ideas and to feel this excitement has been filling me up with joy. I am so blessed. Last year felt like it was all about the idea of "begin;" a word that deeply resonates within. But it is the doing that seems to be most important right now. So, I have been calling 2008 the "year of the do." It is very brave to begin, but I think it can sometimes take even more courage to move through the begin to the do.

I hope that you get to spend some time twirling with joy, sitting in the quiet, working on a project just for you, napping, and enjoying time with people who support you…I hope you get to spend time like that soon…

the weekend

*******

thank you so much for your kind comments about my video post. it was such fun! i felt like i really was having a conversation with you all. if you do make the garland, i hope you will let me know...
in the midst of filling a really big custom order of scarves and tote bags, i managed to make a few scarves for the shop. items ordered/shipped by tuesday should get there in time if you still need a handmade holiday gift.
blessings to you all on this late autumn night...