april showers? how about march showers? we're having a very rainy march here in central texas. now don't get me wrong, there is a certain beauty in the waterlogged grass and gray skies. they seem to bring a sense of comfort and nourishment to the earth. but oh, i am looking forward to some sunshine and blue skies.
in the meantime, let me assure you, we are glimpsing some delightful promises of spring through the drizzle!
looking toward spring as we approach the equinox...
shelley
** a big thank you to everyone for all of the wonderful birthday wishes you sent me on friday. i had a truly magical and very special birthday - one that i will always remember. thank you again! **
this weekend, i found myself observing beauty in some of the handmade art that adorns our home...
:: a watercolor heart made by maya, for valentine's day
:: a custom made tapestry by crazy momma productions
:: a wool roving fairy mobile
:: a ceramic angel made by a waldorf student
:: a forest girl tapestry, made by orit dotan
each piece, special in it's own way. each imbued with the spirit and skill of the maker. each celebrating the beauty of handmade.
what beauty are you seeing in your home?
shelley
this week, i am grateful for...
being on this earth for 48 years today. for my sweet husband. for my amazing children. for my identical twin sister. for my beloved family and friends. for health and happiness. for the extraordinary journey of my life. for this incredible, awe-inspiring online community. for joy. and peace. and gratitude. and abundance. and love!
shelley
i have one ongoing and one brand new work-in-progress projects to share. first up is a reversible cable scarf i'm knitting for wesley (which was my chosen ravelympics project, but i was not able to get even close to finishing before closing ceremonies - sigh). i began this project exactly as the pattern suggested, but after about 10 cable rows decided it was a bit too narrow. i also felt the side borders might look a bit more symmetrical if i used seed stitch (as opposed to rib stitch), so i ripped the entire thing out and started again. this time with a 4 cable pattern and seed stitch borders...
my second wip project today is a rainbow kauni shawl/wrap, which i've had in the queue for quite some time...but only just now cast on for. i was inspired by this beautiful shawl...and my oh my, i'm excited about this one!
happy creative wednesday!
shelley
along with fingerknitting and spool knitting, maya has also recently learned to fingerweave in her kindergarten class. which, as you can imagine, she is now beginning to include in her repertoire of handwork skills here at home. and with a vengeance, i might add. all it took was a stash of rainbow wool yarn and she's been as busy as a bee...
after being created, these fingerweavings are then used for just about everything imaginable - think necklaces, bracelets, belts, leashes, crowns, bookmarks, gifts, etc. ahh, the true joy and beauty of handmade!
shelley
p.s. for anyone interested, here is a simple fingerweaving tutorial video that i just found online.
last week, a friend and co-worker of wesley's was headed for maryland to attend a class at the national fire academy. he doesn't like the cold. so i made him a merino wool neckwarmer (modeled by wesley in the photos below) to match his fire service uniform, similar to the one i made for wesley back in november. along with using a different yarn than i did for wesley's (this navy debbie bliss rialto worked out well, although it's a bit lighter in color), i made two other minor changes - i used a K1P1 rib stitch on the first and last five rows, and i made this neckwarmer considerably longer (so it could be pulled up over the mouth and nose , if desired). i like the way it turned out and i hope it will help to keep scott warm up there in emmitsburg...
wishing everyone warmth on these still wintery days,
shelley
this week, i am grateful for...
:: a beautiful 'walk through the grades' presentation at our waldorf school and visualizing maya's future.
:: feeling the beauty of intention and the joy of abundance with my husband.
:: the deep connection i feel with all the other waldorf mamas in our kindergarten knitting circle.
:: amanda's post on 'this moment' (which i am inspired to now incorporate into my friday gratitude posts).
join me in sharing what you are grateful for today, won't you?
shelley
to answer a few curious readers regarding my knitting photo from monday's post, these are the ten squares our family pledged to knit for our waldorf school's annual knit-a-thon (rainbow colors, of course!). these will be used to make scarves and blankets for homeless folks. and raise some money for our school in the process. it's not too late to sponsor our family's efforts, if you have the desire or inclination to do so (even the smallest of contributions is humbly and gratefully accepted and we thank you for your support).
shelley
we've had an unprecedented amount of snow here in texas over the last couple of weeks...and i must say, we're all thoroughly enjoying this distinct, and usually elusive (here in texas), signpost of the season! naturally, knitting mama that i am, this meant some new and bigger mittens were in order for my girl. i first began (and quickly completed) this pink pair...
and very soon after that, per a very energetic request, i was encouraged to cast on for...let me see, i wonder if you can guess? but, of course, a rainbow pair!
she's certainly set for more cold weather and snow now - bring it on, king winter!
shelley
as evidenced by some earlier work-in-progress posts, i've been on a mitt making roll. here are three more sets of fingerless mitts i've been working on for some of my beloved family members, each matching the handmade goodies i made them for christmas...
who doesn't like matching sets? and what fast and easy knits these mitts were - perfect for impromptu gifting. :)
shelley
