Birthday Loot

I was planning a day of R & R today but it was not to be. I was asked to work for someone at Fabland and I couldn't say no. I got to fondle linen and twill as I put them on display. I am planning a dress with the linen for summer!

I went to my Mother's place on Saturday evening and had a small celebration with her and my sister. My Mom got me these cute little gingerbread men earrings when she was in Saskatoon.

My sister got me this lovely soft alpaca yarn in sock weight from a farm near to her place called Hollyhock Hill Alpacas. You can find the address here. Unfortunately they have no web site. She also got me the new Vogue Knitting magazine and another mag for knitting (I forget the name) but I forgot to take pictures (silly me).

My sis also gave me a great card with a pic of my teenage crush...David Cassidy. I had posters of him (and Bobby Sherman) all over my bedroom while in high school. Sigh.




When I was at my sorority meeting on Tuesday last I got a pile of fancy yarns and a pair of knitting needles. I'll be making some scarves soon or maybe adding embellishment to purses.


I love the middle ages so I was gifted with this book by my Father. Lovely pictures and sketches for inspiration. I've leafed through it a gazillion times already!


And the most exciting of all is the book I have been wanting since last fall. Knitting on the edge by Nicky Epstein. It is inspiring! I am going to do the cardigan in this book for myself! I especially love the celtic knot edgings!


Sitting on the book is the necklace my Rhea gave me and at the top left is a new charm for my bracelet from Pat. The kids also gave me the Thinkertoys book in the photo with David Cassidy.

Turning 50 is not that overwhelming to me. Just another number. I feel so much younger in heart and mind. Curiosity and creativity can keep you young. It is only my body and the aches and pains that remind me that I am no longer in my 20's.

Of course the mirror gives me a fright on occasion too.

Thanks to everybody for all the well wishes!

Twas the Night Before Fifty

Twas the night before 50

And all through the house

Not a creature was stirring

Not even my spouse

The panty hose were hung

In the bathroom with care

In hopes that my legs

Could soon go bare

My hormones were quietly biding their time

While visions of slumber ran through my mind

The old man, he was snoring in his old sleeping cap

(Yes, he managed to sleep despite all my crap!)

Down in the kitchen

There arose such a clatter

I rushed from my bed

to see what was the matter

Away to the fridge

I flew like a flash

Tore open the door

(It fell with a crash)

I sighed with relief as I stuck in my head

Then needing my sleep I went back to bed.

I know this is short but please give me a break!

I'm turning 50 tomorrow, my head is starting to ache!

Yup, that's me!

Your Winter Look Is Snowbunny

For you, snow is just another wonderful accessory!

What's Your Winter Look?

I can just see myself bunny hopping down the snowy hill with only my fear filled eyes showing and icicles hanging from my nose!

Kessie's Little Mess and Snow

All I can say is "Thank goodness this is not yarn!"

Arg!!

Yes this is Canada!!

My first Zakaa Bag,Fabric and a Painting

Well....There are improvements to be made but I learned alot making this Zakka bag. The bottom is knit out of linen yarn. Top is a linen look fabric lined with a cotton/poly.

I read the tutorial by Black Dog Knits and misread cm's for inches (duh) so my bag is much bigger. Actually it will make a good shoe bag. I am going to do another one tonight in the proper measurments! Despite my error a fun project!

I seem to be spending alot of my wages at Fabricland!.. I got flannelette for PJ's for all 4 of us. The St. Patrick's Day flannelette is for Patrick because when he was little he thought that St. Pat's was his special day! The penguins are for the birding DH. The sheep is for the 2 knitters in the family me and Rhea.

Oh No! More fabric! My stash is growing very quickly! The picture turned out very dark but there are 2 paisleys for something, a quilted cardinal fabric for a seat cover (I think) and the bottom fabric is for a blouse for me. I just remembered I also have some drapery fabric for my bedroom.

My very talented friend Eric painted this masterpiece!

I am in awe.

Creativity Continued

What is Creativity?

The definition in Wikipedia includes:
Creativity is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts or new associations between existing ideas or concepts.

George Kneller said:

"Creativity consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know."

Creativity has been attributed to divine intervention, the cognitive process, social environment, personality traits and chance.

I think that we are all creative. Every day. We awake with certain knowledge, memories etc... We then build or create our day based on that which is in our thoughts. Every day is unique.

We are a product of creativity, whether divine or biological, then we spend the rest of our lives creating our life.

Why do some people seem more creative than others? Perhaps gene combinations that allow easier access to different levels of creativity. Perhaps social training. Perhaps the knowledge of certain techniques.

Who knows.

But do know. We are all creative.

Friday Fun

You can make your own library card here!

Still Stranded!

Yes. I am still stranded on the very large and remote sleeve island. I'm 2 to 4 rows away from finishing the first! Yes! Only the first. You don't want to see!

I have been dedicating less time to knitting because, for one, I got a few extra hours at the Fabric store this week and, for another, I am really into reading a book about being a Prosperous Woman. The book is upstairs I'll get the whole title and author for you later. It is teaching me how to live my life in a more positive way. A way with self assurance and belief that I deserve exactly what I want. For now I am reading it straight through and then I am going to go back and complete a few of the exercises. Getting better every day! Better, better,better! (any one know that song?)

I am still doing alot of thinking about creativity and what it is. I'd like to hear from all of you about what your definition of creativity is. Do you think that you are creative? Why or why not? Who do you think is creative? Please delurk if you can and help me with this non-scientific survey!

Me first I guess. I spent many, many years thinking that I was not creative. I held up artists that I admired as being truly creative such as Van Gogh, O'Keefe, Odjig etc... Then there are the musicians, authors etc... But I could never attain such levels as them. I have come to accept that I am creative. I think laterally a lot of the time. Well actually it is usually all over in every direction but linear! Each day is a creative venture for me on one level or another. I don't want to bias your input with my view or definition of creativity until later. I hope that is ok!

Thanks to one and all!

Sleeve Island and Creativity

Yes. Here I am stuck on sleeve island. Hopefully I'll soon be hoping over to the other sleeve island. I honestly have been letting myself get sidetracked from this project because it is, how should I put it..., putting me to sleep!

Much more interesting are the doodles I have found on the coffee table the last few days. My DH is quite artistic don't you think? I, personally, am really impressed! Jim you need to doodle more often and doodle on bigger paper! I am getting you a sketch book soon!

A closer look at the doodles (with less of sleeve island)!

To keep my mind from going totally numb I have also been knitting some fuzzy bags for felting. Using light lopi with a novelty yarn.. Should look good when done. I also have another one done but at this moment I can't find it!


And now for some inspiration from Black Dog Knits. I just love this bag and I will be attempting one of my own very soon! Thanks Black Dog!!!


This is what I have been reading the past few days. Creativity has got me thinking. How to tap into our innate creativity. How to teach people to embrace their creativity. How to let people realize that everybody is creative in varying degrees and in various ways.


More on it later!

I will be posting some bird pictures later today!

Grey Jay and Swans

Jim has been on a couple of birding trips the past week.

On Wednesday he and some buds took a trip up to Algonquin Park.

This is a picture of a Grey Jay sitting on a Stop sign. Jim describes the Grey Jays as Chickadees on steroids. They will come right up and land on hands to take food but they are not skittish like the chickadees but bold and brave.




Then on Saturday Jim and the birding buddies went on a bird feeder tour.

On property owned by Brower's Landscaping they saw Black Necked Swans,


Black Swans and White swans.

Look open water in Ontario in January!

I Need Colour!

After more consideration I have decided that it is not the stocking stitch that I am bored with. It is more the lack of different colours!

So I have decided to join Project Spectrum this year!

February / March
Blue, White, Gray

April / May
Green, Yellow, Pink

June / July
Red, Black, Metallics

August / September
Brown, Orange, Purple

I am already knitting in blue so I will knit in white and gray in February and March. I just may do some colour studies using white and gray as a base just because I need some colour! Oh, what the heck I'll throw in blue too again!

To break the blue monotony I started black leggings and a blue and orange purse for felting.

Pics soon. I hope you are all doing well! We MIGHT be getting snow finally tonight!

Stocking Stitch and more

Stocking Stitch.

And stocking stitch.

And more stocking stitch.

...And I still have the arms to do! Sigh.



. So went to buy yarn.

The colour of the Naturally Aran Tussock is actually a beautiful rich blueish green with black and burgundy fibers.
Yum.

I fell in love and then more so when I heard 50% off. How could I pass it up?? I am planning on making a sweater for me out of it!

Also in there is Sirdar Country Style DK for a pair of leggings for Rhea.

Now back to blue stocking stitch!!

Frappacino?

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Oh, the People You'll Meet!

One of the things I am enjoying about working in retail at a Fabric store is the people I am getting to talk to.

Since starting I have helped:

1. A former magician who now has a business making props for magicians (bought 2 bolts of black felt)

2. an animator who is designing and creating her own quilts (bought multiple colours of quilting fabric)

3. A knitter (who asked me for help and bought buttons)

4. A gay biker looking man planning his wedding for next Christmas (who bought all blue, silver and white fabric and big felt snowflakes)

5. A beautiful 65 year old going away on a cruise (who bought chiffon)

6. A young man making a green sceen so he could make videos (he is entering a contest- bought 10 m of green twill)

7. A young man who wanted to get his motorcycle seat recovered (he bought vinyl and commissioned me to sew it)

8. Another young man who bought his Dad a car for Christmas and bought 10m of red vinyl to make a big bow around it!

These are the people who have stood out but I really enjoy helping all the customers! I never thought I would! Not only do I cut and sell fabric. I also get to advise, give my opinion, and just admire.

Of course my feet are still sore and the arthritis in my fingers aches at the end of a day.
Minor trade offs I'd say.

6 Wierd Things

KT tagged me with this meme!

Let me just start by saying that I found it hard to narrow the list to 6!

1.I have a birthmark the shape of an anchor.

2. Once I put things away I often forget where they are or that they even exist!

3. Because of #2, I am a piler!

4. I do not feel as if my day has started until I have my routine breakfast of berries, almonds, yogourt and granola.

5. I am not baptised.

6. I love hedgehogs!

I tag any one else who wants to play!

Into 2007

2006 is over.

Of that, I think, I am glad.

One full year of blogging is behind me. I have enjoyed my first year of blogging. I have enjoyed becoming a part of this on air community. I was going to say virtual community but I know that, even though I have never physically met most of you, you are not virtual! At least I hope none of you are!! (Not that I would discriminate.) I never realized that a caring, supportive community can be there if you dare to put yourself out there. In sharing with you I have been able to share more in my off air (or real life) community. I have started being able to open myself up and allow others in more easily.
Why?
Hmmm......
Perhaps through sharing my thoughts and accompishments in this non-threatening environment I have started to realize that I am not alone. I have found out that others go through the same types of ups and downs that I do.
Thank you all for the support you have given me in 2006. Thank you for all the inspiration you have given me too!
I feel that my knitting has improved over the year because of the influence of you all. I have become more concerned with perfection and, if this is even possible, less negative about my work. Yes, I think that can be so. I do not accept shoddy work from myself anymore but I do not berate myself if I need to frog and restart. I think that in not putting shoddy work out to the world I show the world that I think highly of myself and therefore others respect me and my work more. Make sense to you?


So we start again.
Another year.
2007
A full 12 months lay ahead of us full of potential and promise.

Is this a thing to be looked forward to or a thing to dread? I guess it depends on who you are. Me, I am going to approach it with an open attitude and curiosity.

I was forced to finally leave a very negative work situation in 2006. I find myself in much more positive work situations now. I look forward to just enjoying work in 2007, and in doing so, having a much happier personal life.

Knitting: I currently have 3 UFO's. One is the poncho I started over the summer.

I will finish it before the temperatures are such that I can wear it. The second is a sweater I am knitting for Patrick to replace the scritchy one.

Once his sweater is finished I have promised Rhea that I will knit her some leggings. The third is a pair of socks for a friend. Gotta finish those soon!

Knitting I want to do this year include:
1. a large knit tree sculpture
2. a birthday sweater for a family member (who shall remain unnamed!) 3. a cable sweater for me!
4. a cropped cardigan for Rhea .
I am sure there will be more but I think that gives me a good start.

I hope all of you have a great year of knitting and of love and laughter. Remember, as I will try to, the things that are important in life. Remember to be curious.
Remember you are cared for.

Twelve first lines

Some one did this a while ago and I thought it was a good idea. Following are the first sentences from the first post of each month of 2006.

This perfect New Year's Day I spent knitting, listening to good music, watching the birds at the feeder and drinking many cups of tea.

Behind me my daughter struggles away doing her math.. Algebra

I got gold (along with about 4,000 other knitters!)(We're all champions!)


Stay

The tulips are stretching from beds of soil
Spring is awakening deaf to my cries
Squirrels have ceased their winter toil
And birds chatter and chirp in sparkling skies.

There will be a garish rainbow of colours
Invading the field of my discontent
Joy and wonder will fill me for hours
But for bleak winter I will lament.

I want the snow, the cold, the blue
But spring is erupting way too soon
I have not yet lost the taste of you
I still need winter for my mourning croon.

Last week was not my week to be going through the drive through at Tim Horton's

Today at work I received the beautiful roses from the man I've been fortunate enough to share 21 years of my life with.

Book Meme:

I too am having problems downloading pictures with blogger!

This Labour Day weekend is as dreary as dreary can be.

Kessie had a really big day on Saturday!

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post.

I have a problem.