Repetitiousness

I have wanted to design lace for a long time.


The problem is that I am not a person who naturally adheres to repetitions. My mind starts to wander after repeating something a few times. I start planning modifications to the plan. Re planning the plan . Then adding more change to the plan. In the end I may have something that is really wonderful but completely impossible to reproduce or to document.



This is not a bad thing if I am making a custom or art piece. I want my custom pieces to be unique.


It is not a bad trait to have in life most of the time...except I cannot get down the routine of taking medications. Yup....pills are often forgotten. Thankfully missing them is not lethal! I'd better figure this out before I get much older I think!


Back to lace....no not yet...If you have read my blogs before you are aware that I tend to ramble. This propensity for rambling I attribute to the lack of a strong planning gene. I start off in one direction and that reminds me of something else ...and so on. Please forgive me.


Now..Back to lace.


So I am not a real fan of knitting lace. Not because it is difficult but because in general I do not stick to a pattern. In most items I am adding my own touches changing the basic shape etc....but with lace a huge mess can be created. There is no taking another person's hard work and randomly altering the pattern...The result is never ever ever good...to my knowledge anyways.


Time for picture.....
So...The lace designing started with the above shawlette that Tara wanted me to make for her. (Really simple. Basic neck down triangle with a spine. Using Berroco Origami and Cascade Ultra Pima). Once at the end bit I wanted to add a bit of fancy so just made up this 6 row, 6 stitch lace pattern. And, I liked it. So ideas for an all over design started forming.


Enter blue Pima. What you see in the photo is the result after about 5 or 6 times of going into the frog pond. I like it now. I like that it is a repeat design that does not look like a repeat design at first. I has to be looked at carefully to see the flow. To me it looks like the ripples wind makes on the surface of water. I was able to hide the center spine as well which adds to the all over flow.

So now the issue is... I have to finish the sample.


I know the design will work for someone who has a modicum of desire to stick to the plan and the ability to focus for long periods of time.
But I have to finish the first draft. I keep wanting to add changes and then getting unfocussed and forgetting where I am in the pattern that I have written.


Have I mentioned I am not a fan of knitting lace. I will get better at designing lace but I want my own personal knitter who will understand how my brain works and love following a plan. A very repetitious plan.

Isn't this the prettiest repetition of eggs?

The Lazy Knitter

Too lazy was I...to get up and find my cable needle.

Thankfully the pen and camera were right beside me!

And...

Aren' t you glad I wasn't too lazy to blog about it?

An Owl and 3 Bunzillys!

Some fun on another cold and snowy day!

Bunzillys!

The Bunzillys are getting all dolled up!

Tara and I are having so much fun creating the first of our Forest Morsels!

Bunny Sknit

Your Spontaneous Drivel

Is assaulting our silence

You sit there and Snivel

Seeking our alliance

And

All we can think

is

SHUT UP

SHUT UP

SHUT UP!

by: Martina Munroe

Sponteneity

“The essence of pleasure is spontaneity”

Right now I am laughing at myself because I am being so un-spontanious about writing about Sponteneity.

I am not a natural sponteneity-ite! I have had to learn how to enjoy and participate in spur of the moment activities.

I have been thinking about Sponteneity because a friend of mine who is a mother of 2 young children was lamenting at the loss of her freedom to be so. Children do change you. Much more so if you are a person who is used to making last minute decisions about things.

You can't just go out for the evening or go on a trip. Planning is an essential!

Book the time, book the babysitter, plan for the funds to both do what you want and pay for child care. Or, take the children with you. Which entails all sorts of planning and organizing!

I found that children increased my ability to be spontaneous. I learned to go with the flow and enjoy the moment. To sing and dance just because! To laugh without reserve. To be part of a game because it is there. These are things I learned from my children. In turn this ability has transferred over to my creative and, dare I say, social pursuits.

So to my friend I say "Yes sponteneity still can exist while raising children" It exists in very different ways than it can when without the encumbrance of the responsibilies of raising a family. It is smaller and more immediate. And, on so many levels, so much more fulfilling.

If the essence of pleasure is sponteneity then it is something we should plan to practice every day.

I know I do. And I enjoy a well planned day!

Christmas in Several Countries while Home Alone

I have the day alone at home today. It is a much needed respite from the hustle and bustle of pre Christmas busy-ness.

Not that I am not being busy.

So far I have done some kitchen and bathroom cleaning. There will be more general cleaning through the day. As well as getting serious about finishing some last minute gift projects.

While cleaning,crafting and calming down I am listening to CBC2's day of Christmas performances from Europe and Canada. So I have heard a concert from Finland and Norway.

AND THEN....or NOW...I will be spending a few minutes researching Christmas traditions in the featured countries. I will share the links with you along with a photo of knitting from that country.
Finland:

Norway:

England:


Czech Republic:

Seems that the Czech Republic is known more for bead than knitting.

Iceland:

Germany:

Austria:

Spain:

Canada:

The Weekend Away

Last weekend was a weekend for walking and relaxing.
Jim, Rhea, Patrick, Colin (Rhea's boyfriend) and I went to Jae and Andy's cottage on the Rideau Canal.
It was my first whole weekend off of the summer and I relaxed. Surprisingly, I did very little knitting so I have none to show off.

What did I do then?

Well, I walked up a very steep hill to Rock Dunder. The view, as you can see, was Amazing. I think that the folks of Dunder Mifflin (The Office) should do a group weekend show about climbing Rock Dunder. Don't ya think too???

In this photo is Andy and Rhea. What a view!

Then I went for a swim in the lake and a sun on the raft.

Here I show off my most graceful side! Since the water between the dock and the raft is full of seaweed and zebra mussels we usually got out to the raft first on the air mattress and then swam beyond the raft into the lake.

I took many photos.

I was sitting on the deck when this leaf wafted down to the water. It was so perfect I had to take a picture. The photo turned out much better than I thought it would and I am now using it for my desk top photo.



Ah, yes, I lounged on the dock dozing and reading and taking photos. Such an idilic spot!


For Saturday Dinner I ate Cedar Plank Salamon that Jim Bbqued. Yum..
Before cooking we had to rid the BBQ of a family of field mice. They were resistant and one ended up staying and getting toasty warm under the flames before realizing that departure was a much better option. Eviction by fire!!
After the amazing dinner I enjoyed a campfire with everyone. Patrick got an A+ in fire building!

Our dessert at the campfire? S'mores of course!!!

And that was just Saturday!

Sunday....more of the same.....except for the walk up a hill (my legs thanked me for that!)

When can I go again? Jae???? Andy???? Huh????

Grooming Day

Today Kessie got groomed. She is not a fan of the grooming but she loves

Lindsay from Furr n Purr!

Here she is before her grooming.

And
One and Half hours afterwards she is back with bows on!

Kessie is a high maintenance gal. It takes the bulk of the time to groom her head while she wiggles all over the place! Having Lindsay come to us is so much better for Kessie. Hardly any stress at all! No crating or spending hours listening to other stressed dogs bark. She calms down almost as soon as she is in the door.

While she was being groomed today I groomed as well. Not an unusual occurance for me. I actually need to groom more frequently than Kessie. I know you thought I woke up naurally beautiful!!

Before

After

I am a low maintenance gal. Wash and go sort. But I do need my mascara!

It's Cinco de Mayo Day!

The Dancing Chickens of Ventura Fabian

International Respect for Chickens Day!

May is International Chicken Month and May 4th International Respect for Chickens Day!

Doesn't that just rock your world?

Look at their agility!

Maybe I'll become an Urban Chicken Farmer!

I will choose my chickens based on agility!

99 Facts Meme

Thursday, December 18, 2008
99 things meme
Nicked from Knitters-Knitters.

Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog. (have 2 blogs)

2. Slept under the stars.

3. Played in a band.

4. Visited Hawaii.

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity. .

7. Been to Disneyland/world.

8. Climbed a mountain.

9. Held a praying mantis.

10. Sang a solo. Once at a Wedding. I will probably never do it again. Too nerve wracking

11. Bungee jumped. No freakin' way.

12. Visited Paris.

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. Paper Making, Pottery, Photography....

15. Adopted a child.

16. Had food poisoning.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

18. Grown your own vegetables.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.

20. Slept on an overnight train. Took the train from Montreal to Saskatoon when a child. 3 nights on the train.

21. Had a pillow fight.

22. Hitch hiked.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb.

26. Gone skinny dipping.

27. Run a marathon. Oh you must be joking.

28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.

29. Seen a total eclipse.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. Several. The most memorable from the 14th floor of an apartement whiole enjoying a mind altering substance. You could see the world turn. Really.

31. Hit a home run. ...Being able to hit a ball first would be good...

32. Been on a cruise.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language. Not taught myself, but have been taught French.

37.Had enough money to be truly satisfied. I am satisfied with my life as it is.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing.

40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person.

41. Sung Karaoke.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.

44. Visited Africa.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.

46. Been transported in an ambulance. Acute Appendicitis New Years Eve 30 or so years ago...
47. Had your portrait painted. As a child.

48. Gone deep sea fishing.

49. Seen the Sistene chapel in person.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling. Lots of snorkeling in pools. Once in Mexico in the Ocean. Fish freaked me out a bit. And claustrophobia.

52. Kissed in the rain.

53. Played in the mud.

54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.

55. Been in a movie.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.

62. Gone whale watching.

63. Gotten flowers for no reason.

64. Donated blood. Once. I have small veins. It was painful.

65. Gone sky diving. Never ever ever.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.

67. Bounced a cheque.

68. Flown in a helicopter. .

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. Cindy my dolly.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt.

73. Stood in Times Square.

74. Toured the Everglades.

75. Been fired from a job. Sad but true.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.

77. Broken a bone. Broken ribs a couple of times falling down stairs and a bone in my foot slipping on ice.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.

80. Published a book.

81. Visited the Vatican.

82. Bought a brand new car.

83. Walked in Jerusalem.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper.

85. Read the entire Bible.

86. Visited the White House.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

88. Had chickenpox.

89. Saved someone’s life.

90. Sat on a jury. I was up for jury selection but never got on a jury.

91. Met someone famous. Gowan (Canadian Singer)

92. Joined a book club. Started a book club no less.

93. Lost a loved one. but only if you count my pets

94. Had a baby.

95. Seen the Alamo in person.

96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.

97. Been involved in a law suit.

98. Owned a cell phone.

99. Been stung by a bee.

Sorority Night at Kniterary

I invited a group of ladies to Kniterary on Tuesday evening. I all I think there were 20 in the shop. It was crowded but fun.

We were knitting the flower of or Sorority, the Yellow Rose. Some people were very experienced knitters some were beginners. I was so pleased to see the beginners give it an honest try! We all ended up with roses to felt.

Afterwards there was fruit dipped in a chocolate fountain and cider.

Yum!

Tis the Season

Unbeknownst to me I have been living with Santa Claus all these years.

Well, he has the white(ish) beard and the rosy cheeks.


I found out what a fortunate person I have been yesterday while Santa and me were having coffee at Starbucks. Also at the coffee shop was a young mother and her children. As they were leaving the middle boy gave Jim a shy look and waved at him. Jim waved back.
I looked in wonder at Jim and all he said was "Santa Claus".

I guess every year at this time young children wave at him on a regular basis. I mean who's to say Santa can't be out having a coffee with the Missus on a Monday Morning. He needs to keep an eye on everybody while the elves are at work.

So far this year he says he has had about 3 children wave at him.

And you know what makes him truly Santa? He waves back with a smile and, so he says, he occasionally gives them a little Ho Ho HO.

Now isn't that the sweetest thing. I love my Santa man!

Monday Morning Sky

This sky just blew me away this morning. I felt like I was looking at the surface of another planet.
It was at 7:00 AM when I was letting Kessie out.

Doesn't it look sort of other worldly?

I forgot to show every one the yarn that my father and his wife brought back for me from their trip to Regina.

Beautiful hand dyed Australian wool from Hawthorne Cottage Yarns.

Hawthorne Cottage Yarns
PO Box 102
Sebastopol, Victoria 3356
+61 (53) 356 057
fax: +61 (53) 362 820
Owner: Sue Flynn
email: hawthorn@ren.bnc.com.au
Hawthorne Cottage is Sue Flynn's design and manufacturing business specialising in excellent and rare English Leicester soft spun yarns in changing ranges of colours. Sue also designs for Willabaa Wool of Ballarat. She produces knitted garments and kits in traditional knitting and indigenous Australian themes of her own development or supplied by local Koorie artist Rubina Burgoyne. Sue's agent in USA is Carrol Woolcock of The Mannings Studio, East Berlin, Pennsylvania, Phone +1 (717) 624 2223. In Australia the nearest supplier of Sue's work is Tanybrin Gallery, Skene's Creek Road, Otway Mountains, Victoria, Phone 052 376 271. Sue has built on her family farming experiences with a merino stud and fashion design studies to become an accomplished weaver, spinner, dyer and designer. She has recently bought a sock machine to add to her range of yarns and patterns. Kits of English Leicester wool and indigenous Australian design themes should be available in USA.


I am knitting a hat with it because the gift came with a pattern for one. I think that the Elsbeth Lavold Classic AL (which came with the gift) was supposed to be knit up withthe Hawthorne cottage yarn but I didn't like how it looked. So, I am knitting it solo. I like how it is looking. Pictures upon completion.

Jim and I spent all day yesterday at Patrick's soccer tournament. They did really well and won every game except the last one which means they ended up in second place. It is probably where they belong since the team they were playing never lost a game all season and Patrick's lost 2 (I think). But the game was very frustrating for a parent to watch because the ref was not calling a fair game. He was showing favoritism to the other team. He was only calling the aggressive play penalties against our team and the other team seemed to able to get away with everything. I was loud and obnoxious. I don't usually get riled up at games but I really wanted to have a good little yell at the ref. A lot of good it would do though. It was as if it had been decided that the other team was supposed to win it all because they had the best season.

Must admit though that we handed them their only loss in the previous game. In retrospect that feels good.

I feel bad because it wasn't the other teams fault and I feel mad at them too. But really it would have been better for them to win fairly. They must realize that the game was not fair and that must niggle.

Ok Soccer Mom is going away now.

Got to get ready for my morning mall walk with Jim

Take Us Out To The Ball Game!

Last night we boarded the GO Train and headed into Toronto for the Stitch N' Pitch at the Roger's Centre. (Or, as I still think of it, The Sky Dome)

It was loads of fun!

Can you tell how much fun we were having?

Wake up Rhea!

We were joined by hundred's of other knitters. Look at them all!


Just a note to wave starters.....It is extremely hard to raise your hands and do the wave when one is knitting. Despite that I thought we did really well the couple of times the wave went around the dome.


Although there were those who were very concentrated on their work.
Hi Elaine!


Guess who else was there with her family.....
Yup...
The Yarn Harlot in real life!! She was gracious enough to allow me to interrupt her for a picture. Thanks loads Stephanie!


I actually managed to mumble a few words to her. If there had been room I would have bowed down at her feet.
Come on out to Whitby Stephanie and I will!

I can think of no better way to pass the time at a ball game. I can't wait until next year!

Gray's

Hmmmm...

Jim brought this book home for me.

The pictures are good but what happened to Meredith and George?

I'm so confused.....

Ottawa Knitting Ice Sculpture

A friend of mine went to Ottawa this weekend for their Winterlude and took this picture.

Isn't it great??

I am beeootifool!

Like my new Hair do??? I worked really hard to get it this way!!


DH loves it too!

It is handknit from purple Lopi and black eyelash and will eventually be a purse I think...or should I keep it as a wig???