Aloha Granddaughter

I've put off the first Granddaughter Project all month. If you haven't heard, I decided to make something for a granddaughter every month all year, starting with Lydia. This is her skirt. I'm not fond of the hem. I think I may. Be ripping it out, but it's going to be best to sleep on it.

Better late than never

Some days the bright shinies win. Today was not one of those days. The fact that I'm posting Wednesday's blog after 1 AM on Thursday is your first clue. I, however, realized it when I set an hour long playlist so I could have a timed block of writing and ended up never hearing the whole list because I was on the phone that much.

All this to say that yesterday, Tuesday, for the calendarly challenged, I conquered my knitting knojo with a little bit of crochet. I made a delightful sock monkey inspired baby hat, that coincidentally resembles something decidedly Buckeye.

Making the hat, and a new day, helped. I have recovered my mojo and knitting has recommenced

The Standstill

Well, this is awkward. I finished the Link hat and got it in the mail to my son and picked up my scarf to knit, but it felt uncomfortable. I'm not sure if it was switching from worsted to sock yarn or switching from Continental to English, but my hands didn't seem to want to do what I needed them to do. I set down my needles and perused my patterns and yarn, knowing I still need to get my 1st Granddaughter Project underway (looks at the calendar), but the idea of casting on 104 stitches seems like a terrible idea. My knitting mojo has hit a nojo.

I'm sure this is a temporary condition. Meanwhile, take a look at the link hat. It's crazy long.

Link hat is done and in the mail.

Out of a fog

I won't deny the events of earlier this week left me in a fog. I'm coming out of it now and realizing that January is almost over, but I don't have my January projects done. I'm nowhere near. I did get two of the Pay it Forward 2012 gifts done and sent out, and I have learned to knit both the linen stitch and the herringbone stitch. Let 's not talk about the number of times I frogged, shall we?

Getting the hang of herringbone - Willamette scarf

I had plans for today to sew something for my Granddaughters Project but, like after Christmas, I'm having a twinge of startitis and I want to start everything.

Like this sock monkey hat for a cyberfriend's baby due next month.

Where's my magic ocarina? - Link hat

And how could I have forgotten about the Link hat that I'm supposed to have to my son before Groundhog Day? I cast it on last night in a moment of panic. If I were Bill Murray, I'd have plenty of time to get it done again and again and again and again....

Meanwhile, I'm completely distracted by the Lanesplitter skirt. It's been in my queue forever. Can't I  just cast on right this minute? *sigh*

A tale of two Hannah's

This is a tale of two Hannah's and how their lives impacted my week.

One Hannah is musical. One of my earliest memories of her is as a toddler, holding her violin and asking her mother, her teacher, "Please teach me." She is a couple years older than our youngest, but they grew up together. They were in the same class at church. We spent Thanksgivings at her home. Our families would get together for dinners and haircuts. Our sons wore her brothers' hand-me-downs. Hannah stayed home, studied music at Ohio State, and met a nice boy.

The other Hannah is literary. Her dad is the youth group leader and the worship leader, and our younger sons and I served on the worship team with him for several years. As gregarious as her father is, Hannah is quiet. She retreats to the world of words and would love nothing more than to spend a chilly afternoon with a cup of tea, a book, and a fire. My youngest son and she were part of the same kind of nerdy crowd who went to the midnight premier of LOTR in costume, and again, they were in the same class in church. This Hannah went off to college in Texas where our two younger sons are, and met a nice boy.

This week their lives mingle with ours in different ways. Their stories will bookend next week. For the last 5 years, our musical Hannah has been battling cancer. She lost her battle Tuesday night and she is now complete and whole in Heaven. We will bury this Hannah on Monday. I'm honored to be choosing music to play during the calling hours and the celebration of her life following internment.

The week ends with a celebration of another kind. Hannah, the wordsmith, will be getting married the following Saturday. She's marrying our youngest son's former room mate. While I'm busy knitting a gift and sewing a dress for this Hannah's wedding, I'm also picking out music for the other Hannah's farewell--one Hannah's soundtrack forever coloring the wedding memories of the other, but in a good way. For me, tying these projects of love together celebrates the lives of both Hannah's.

Ecclesiates 3:4 describes this week the best:

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn and a time to dance.

Cold on the outside. Warm on the Inside.

This is what it looks like outside:

This is what it looks like inside:

This is what I'm working on this morning:

Ready for the sister of the bride:

That was fast part deux

How did I not post since Sunday? Things were going so well posting reasonably regularly. Oh, right. My queue exploded. Well, that and life.

I've set aside my Willamette scarf while I work on two projects for a wedding next week. One is a gift for the bride, gleaned from stalking her Pinterest.

I'm using the same wool that I used for my cousins leggings to make this gift. Can you guess what it is?

This is the same wedding that I'm altering a dress for. I had hoped to have it delivered yesterday. Did I mention that life exploded. I'll share details on that tomorrow. Meanwhile, I will drop it off to them either Saturday or Sunday, along with this finished project and and the rest of the gift.

That was fast.

I think I'm out of control. It sure didn't take long to get my queue overloaded. After posting the pay it forward post on Facebook, I've gotten 5 projects lined up. One is time sensitive, it's also a gift for a wedding. I'll be making this tea cosy. I'd noticed it in the bride's Pinterest boards before Christmas, so it will be perfect for paying it forward.

Today I brought home a dress for this same wedding. The bride's sister's dress needs some alterations. It needs to be done by Wednesday. It's just making the shoulder straps a little longer. Shouldn't take too long.

Next, I just got a text from my son, the same one who requested the Team Zissou hats. He's asked me to make him this Link hat from Zelda for his roommate's birthday, which is 2 days before my son's. Mental note, I need to make something for my son.

Meanwhile, I have yet to start my Granddaughter Project for January and I'm working on my Willamette scarf. I had to frog it a few times. It's taken a long time for me to get the hang of linen stitch. I finally got it.

Linen stitch on the Willamette Scarf

I've got a lot planned and in progress. Let's see how much I can finish this week.

Pay it forward

I saw this post on Facebook and even though it was posted by a friend of my sons in Texas and I don't really know her, I couldn't resist.

Pay it Forward 2012. I will make something handmade for the first 5 people who comment. They must in return post this as their status and make something for the first 5 who comment. Rules: it must be homemade by you and received before the end of 2012

In a moment, I added a comment and was committed to posting the message on my on Facebook. At this point I have 3 people on my list. I'm very excited about this and I know what I'm making for 2 of the 3 people. Once I drop them in the mail, I'll post pics.

What about you? You want to pay it forward in 2012? Put the offer out and see what happens.

Happy 12th Day of Christmas

No post yesterday because I was busy celebrating Twelfth Night with my family. It wasn't a planned 12th Night celebration, but it was when we finally could get together to open Christmas gifts with the visiting Texas crowd. It did give my son an interesting idea, however. Their youngest daughter turned one on Christmas Day, and they have been deliberating how to keep Christmas and her birthday. Celebrating Epiphany may be one solution. Another would be to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with a big 12th Night Celebration for Jesus' birthday and save Christmas for Moriah's. Maybe this is why I've been fascinated with the Twelve Days of Christmas this year.

Meanwhile, watching the girls play and catching up with their parents was the highlight of my week. Having it hit Twelfth Night was coincidental and appropriate. My son and I are Shakespeare people. I used to assistant direct and costume for a Shakespeare company. He once played Sir Toby in Twelfth Night. Putting it together with the celebration of Christmas was fun for us. Oh, and some trivia: for those of us bothered by the rampant consumerism of starting Christmas at Halloween, there is a tradition of the Christmas season starting at All Hallow's Eve and going through Candlemas (February 2). Maybe we should just embrace it.

Meanwhile, I'm channeling some of The Yarn Harlot's "Startitis".  I've already finished leggings for my cousin. I'm itching to cast on the Willamette Scarf, but first I need to make one of these for a cyber friend whose baby is due next month. This on top of the lists I've already posted.

It's taken 12 days, but I'm ready to put Christmas 2011 behind me and start working on new and wonderful things.

Happy Twelfth Day of Christmas. God bless us every one.

Ps. As I finished this, R2 provided this link. My list continues to grow.

First project done

...well almost. The Easy Peasy legwarmers are nearly finished. I had to crack open a new skein of yarn for the last inch of ribbing. I was also severely distracted by last night's return of NCIS (what we on Twitter call #NCIS day) and then today's corresponding NCIS hangover. I'm staying up tonight to finish. It's only an inch. How long can that take? Meanwhile, this is what they look like:

I was hoping to start the Willamette Scarf tonight. Now, tomorrow doesn't look good either. Besides it being 12th Night, our middle son, his wife, and their daughters are coming over to finally celebrate Christmas--just in time. Since I'm also hoping to do some sewing before we celebrate the youngest's Christmas birthday on Saturday, I suspect that it will be next week before I start that scarf. If I can hold out that long.

More January Craftiness

The links I posted yesterday aren't the only things I'm up to this month. I didn't list the knittery things. You know me. There are always knittery things.

Most notable at this point are these Easy Peasy Legwarmers for my cousin. She lives in the hinterland of Missouri where legwarmers aren't a new trend, but still an old fad. It's also already very cold and her legs get chilled. I know the feeling. I already made a pair of these for me last year--in acrylic. Hers are nice, warm umber-colored natural wool.

The other is the Willamette Scarf from the Stumptown Knits KAL. I'm using some stash sock yarn for this one. I'd run across a good buy for some Serenity by Deborah Norville. The colorway is Tanzanite, and I think it will do this project justice.

Of course, none of this has gotten much done today because I gave the blog a face lift. Hope you like the new look. There will undoubtedly be some tweaking for a few days, but the new fresh look is here to stay. 

Kicking off the New Year craftwise.

I'm not sure if it's the new year or the influx of crafty ideas from blogs, Pinterest and Tumblr, but there are so many things catching my eye. I also have some friends and family who have asked to learn to sew (and I have granddaughters) so I'm seeing fun things to sew, too.  Here are some of the things on my radar:

1. Wrap bracelets. This beaded one using the ladder stitch is the one I'm starting with.
2. I want to crochet some beads using my old, unneeded embroidery floss, to make a necklace like this.
3. I bought this pattern to make the long shirt for Lydia for the January Granddaughter project. Her mommy doesn't like her to wear leggings if her shirt doesn't cover her bum. I feel the same way. This shirt is perfect.
4. I bought this pattern to make a couple skirts for Moriah's birthday for the same reason. Her little sausage legs put her little 12 month body in 3T capris. Skirts and leggings are easier.
5. And this is one of the best solutions to cover the bum that I've seen. Just add ruffles to some tees.

Thinking about thinking

Things I've been thinking about this holiday season:

1. Get my to craft list done much earlier next year if only because other people have things they want me to do (make a stack of hats, play the piano for Christmas Eve) and they may not think to ask me sooner. Some have said I should just say no, but it gives me joy to say yes. The answer, then, is to be prepared for surprises.
2. Craft more. I still bought more than I feel comfortable with. Stalking Pinterest and Tumblr have given me all kinds of ideas for crafty things beyond knitting, crocheting, and sewing.
3. Ship early. Having the shipping dates on my calendar was a plus. This was probably the first year in nearly 30 where I haven't been up late wrapping, cooking, crafting on Christmas Eve. This needs to be a new tradition.
4. Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. Our culture likes to start celebrating Christmas at Thanksgiving and then pack it away before the New Year. Start Christmas with Christmas Eve and end it at Epiphany as it the tradition and enjoy something each day. We've gotten away from understanding the holiday. I want to get back to it.

I don't do Black Friday

It's not because I'm nobly fighting the urge to acquire more stuff. I don't do Black Friday because I don't do crowds. I once sent the hubs to Walmart for a Nintendo 64 on the darkest day. He came back with said item before I was even out of bed.

I'm spending today getting ready for some guests who are coming in on Tuesday. I may even get some Christmas up before they get here. I'm also doing a little bit of Christmas knitting; I'm on the last of the blasted Team Zissou hats. I will be very happy to have these finished.

Monkeying around

I know. I know. It's not a very original title, but I couldn't resist.

I also couldn't resist making this hat for my friend, Susan, when she posted a version of this on her FB and said she'd wear it.

It's winging its way to Canada as we speak. I guess one could say it's a flying monkey. :-(|)

I've had monkeys on the brain lately. It's not like I don't use the word in one context or another on a daily basis. You did notice the monkey background in the picture above right? That would be my shower curtain. But I'm considering a rework of this blog and moving my craftiness to another blog, solely because I like the name I have in mind. We'll see. We'll see.

WIP Wednesday - Team Zissou edition

Still working on those hats for the college gang. I knit 2, then took a break to knit some owlish fetchings. Wise of me, huh? Now, I'm working on hat number three. The best news is I can knit these hats while watching NCIS or reading.

Merry Christmas and Buy American!

My cousin, the eclectic one who used to build straw bale homes and lived on a self-sufficient farm (as opposed to my other eclectic cousins), shared this text she received in an email. I think the message is so very important that I'm sharing it on every outlet I can. This year I've been determined more than ever to not just give "stuff" for Christmas. The piece below hits me right where I live.

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year can be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. When we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

This is a revolution of caring about each other, remembering why we have Christmas This year, make it a priority to honor HIM first. Then look for ways to show your love for your family & friends by supporting Americans at the local level.

May you have a very blessed Christmas this year!

Today's Flash Fic: Swimming in Air

Elle plunged her face into the air, felt the dryness wash over her skin. She exhaled through her nose and heard the bubbles rise to the surface. For a few seconds, Elle pretended she could swim immersed in air for hours, but soon her lungs cried out for water. She grudgingly returned to the sea.

Based on Danielle Tunstall's photo.

It's Just a Rope

In lieu of NaNoWriMo this year, I've opted to participate in some flash fiction on G+. The prompts are photographs posted daily by the organizer. This prompt was Evelyn Lamprey's pic of a B/W of sweet rottweiler with a rope toy. Cute picture. Tough prompt. I ended up tossing Rory's Story Cubes in the mix to help me along. Without further ado, today's submission:

It's just a rope.

But at times like these nothing else will do. Not the squeaky rubber bee or the soft turtle toy Murray snuggled with when his real litter mates had been adopted. It had to be the rope. He locked his teeth into it and held it candy-apple firm—he wasn't letting go. If you could hold on tightly enough, you could swing Murray around by that rope. If you could hold on tightly enough. There was no doubt about Murray. He held a fortress-like grip, until he chose to let go, usually when you were off balance. If you didn't know better, you'd think he got a perverse pleasure in watching you teetering. Was that a glint in his eye?

It's just a rope: so much energy, and drama, and pleasure, tied into two slobbery knots.

It's just a rope.