yarn along: more hats

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

Knitting

Two weeks ago I mentioned the hat project I'm working on and I've been touched by the response I've gotten from some of you out there. Thank you for offering to contribute! For those of you who don't know, my congregation has committed to making 500 hats for the oncology ward of Children's Hospital here in DC and our deadline is mid-March. They especially need hats for 8-13 year-old boys and girls that are brand new and preferably handmade (because these very sick kids enjoy seeing something made especially for them). Any type of yarn or pattern is okay (there are lots of free hat patterns on Ravelry). I finished the little slouchy hat (the purplish one above) and now I'm casting on for a cute cabled hat from Vogue Knitting Chunky Hats and Scarves.

If you are interested in contributing a handmade hat to the project, please let me know!

Books

I finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See and I enjoyed it; it was quite an interesting story about the power of female relationships.  The narrator and her "old same" had such a dear, close friendship that was crushed by pride and misunderstanding - a warning as to how delicate relationships can be. The background of the story was absolutely fascinating to me, too, from the description of Chinese foot binding to the hierarchal structure of Chinese families (and society). Excellent read, I highly recommend it. Now I'm delving into The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation by Jon Gertner as some reading for our upcoming play creation with dog and pony dc. I'm also reading Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World by H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelson which has been encouraging and eye-opening. More on that later...

yarn along: hats for hope

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

Knitting

Though it pains me to put aside the sweater I've been working on forever, I want to get involved in a new project close to my heart. My congregation has committed to making 500 hats for the oncology ward of Children's Hospital here in DC and our deadline is mid-March. They especially need hats for 8-13 year-old boys and girls, so I chose a fun slouchy hat pattern from Coco Knits. I've just cast on, but I think I can finish it in the next few days. Making 500 hats is a daunting task... perhaps you knitters/crocheters out there would like to help out? I've found that yarn lovers are a warm-hearted, giving bunch and I was hoping I could enlist you to contribute a few hats to our collection. There aren't many guidelines except that hats must be brand new, never worn, and preferably handmade. The hospital prefers handmade because these very sick kids enjoy seeing something made especially for them! Any type of yarn or pattern is okay (there are lots of free hat patterns on Ravelry). I can't really imagine what it must be like for these kids to have to face something as scary as cancer, but I hope that having a hat made with love just for them will help in some little way.

If you have the time and would like to contribute, please, please please do! Let me know if you're interested or have questions—I can pick up hats from locals and I can provide my mailing address for people far away. What a sweet way for our community to come together for a special cause!

Books

Mayumi is really into chapter books now, so we've been reading the American Girl, Little House and Betsy-Tacy books - whatever we can get our hands on through the library or thrift store. It's been wonderful revisiting the Little House series. As for me, I've started reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See.  Her description of Chinese foot binding starting at six years old was heartbreaking. I understand there was an inspired-by-the-book movie made a few years ago and I just requested it from the library... we'll see how that is. I know I'm painfully slow at finishing anything nowadays, so it may be a while before I make it through this book. Making hats is my creative priority right now!

yarn along: McCullough and little baby pants!

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

I'm still plugging away at David Mcullough's The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris. Truth is, I don't devote much time to reading these days. But what I have read I am loving. I know so little about 19th century history and the American figures who influenced what direction this country went... and it is fascinating! Knitting happens sporadically on short Metro rides and while sitting in church, but I finished two little vests and am currently working on some matching pants. Slow and steady is my motto these days!

Yarn Along: beach knitting

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

Few things are lovelier than beach knitting. Upon learning that our two developing in utero are of the male variety, I put aside that very feminine Christening dress and started on some handsome baby sweater vests. Pattern is by Bley Hack and I found it for free on Ravelry. Used up my two skeins of Berlini Ling in a pretty tan color. One down, one to go! My second vest is knitting up quite nicely with a pretty blue cotton yarn from Louisa Harding Yarns. I figure I better get my knitting in now because I surely won't have much free time after the twins arrive.

There hasn't been much time set aside for reading, but I am still making my way through David McCullough's The Greater Journey. I keep meaning to read at night, but on evenings when I'm not in rehearsals I'm usually falling asleep with Mayumi around 8pm. I've always needed a lot of sleep, but gestating twins requires so much rest! And calories! But at least they will be well-dressed!

avocado and lime

A few weeks ago Mayumi decided to name her two siblings in utero. Avocado and Lime.

A few days later this hand "family" made an appearance amongst her artwork.

My apologies - I know it is so obnoxious when parents are so tickled and amused by their own offspring, but I couldn't help but absolutely fall in love with the entire scenario. I love this kid. I have great hopes that her siblings will be just as adorable and entertaining.

yarn along: Christening dress and ...

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

Knitting

A while ago I came upon this little gem of a book at a thrift store: The Family Knitting Book by James Norbury, copyright 1969, London. And I fell in love with the darling Christening Robe featured on page 166. I finally got to use a stash of creamy antique Patons 3 Ply baby wool that I picked up at a yard sale. I dutifully followed the directions and cast on with size 13 needles... and thought oh dear, this doesn't look quite right. My dear friend Ginger was on hand to let me know that British sizes are definitely NOT American sizes. Thank you handy dandy conversion chart for letting me know that I actually wanted to use American size 1 needles. Makes a huge difference! And I realize that this will take me some time, considering the rate I'm going. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be finished in time...

Reading

I recently read The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz, recommended by my dear friend, Nancy. He is funny and observant and fills my need to hoard information about beautiful France. And yet, there is something about his sense of humor that reminds me a bit of my dad... not that it's necessarily a bad thing. But still.

Truthfully, for the past few weeks I haven't been reading at all (somehow seems to take too much energy) and have been indulging in a little discovery: Downton Abbey. I know I'm a bit late hopping on the bandwagon; it seems every woman I know has watched the past two seasons. But thanks to Amazon I was able to catch up. A fluffy historical soap opera with good writing and excellent acting? What's not to love? And I admit that there were a couple afternoons that found me too exhausted to do anything by watch a couple episodes on the computer using headphones while I let Miss Maya watch an episode or two of Diego on the TV. Admirable mothering, I know.

hope grows in the garden

My basket of seeds has been taunting me these past few weeks. Those little seeds are longing to burrow down into the dark earth and begin their growing process. I've been putting it off... after all, February is too early to begin spring planting, right?

But I, too, have been feeling the same stirrings as those little seeds. Let's hurry up and grow already! But before I could jump into my raised beds with my seed packets, I had a little project I needed to complete first. Inspired by these from Pinterest:

via

I decided to make my own:

a few stones from our collection and some acrylic paints that we had on hand...

voila! (I gave them a little coating of Modge Podge just in case...)

So yes, they are already hard at work in the garden... let's hope I didn't jump the gun by getting those snap peas in the ground. But it's March now, after all. I expect happy, little shoots to make an appearance any day now...

Yarn Along: sweaters, cowls, and a little mystery

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

Knitting

I'm back to knitting another Gap-tastic Cowl because it is such mindless work (all in the round, the same pattern over and over) so I can do it while listening to a book on CD or watching the Oscars or sitting in church... very meditative and soothing. I've also started on the Broadway Coat, a little project from the September/October 2011 Crochet Today magazine. Well, "started" may be an optimistic word to use; I've crocheted a sizing swatch and am gearing up to dive into the real deal. I'm generally not a fan of crocheted clothing, but this little number captivated me and made me think maybe I could pull it off. I'm using a lovely cobalt blue Cascade wool which I hope to line in a modern vintage fabric. I'm excited and nervous to really delve into it since it is a bigger project and requires exact sizing and I'm so inexperienced in the world of making sweaters and clothes, but here's to overcoming fear!

via

Reading

Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear, was a fun, quick little read. It is the 6th in the British Maisie Dobbs Mystery series, which I've quite enjoyed. Fascinating time period, interesting, strong female character, engaging mysteries - makes for a good, empowering, happy read. I mostly listened to it on CD and I loved the narrator, Orlagh Cassidy, who I learned is an American actress but is absolutely amazing with dialects. A nice, light read for spring.
And I'm still chipping away at Nicholas and Alexandra. 

yarn along

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

Knitting Project
various little animal toys that have been waiting to get finished up (see Monday's post!). And some new cobalt blue yarn for a new project...

Books
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. I mostly listened to this one on CD and I will be straightforward about this: I didn't like the narrator, the characters or the story for that matter. The writing was tepid and unsophisticated and it had an element of trashiness that annoyed me. But I finished it, partly because I had no other book-on-CD to listen to while I worked and partly because, yes, I was a bit curious about how the story would pan out. But at the end of it all, I was left completely unfulfilled. Such a disappointment to have invested time in this one!
I'm still working my way through One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (which I am actually enjoying and finding inspiring) as well as Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert Massie (which is wonderful but long!).

Explosion

Does anyone else out there have a pile of mending and works-in-progress that have been sitting around FOREVER, taking up occupancy in coveted corners of the room? The other day Mike asked if I knew where his grey suit pants were because he hadn't seen them in ages. I had a vague recollection of seeing them before... and sure enough they were at the bottom of my I'll-get-to-it-at-some-point pile, still unhemmed. So for the past few weeks I have been trying to diligently tackle that pile(s). 

My work room has been a disaster - fabric, yarn, paper, clothes, thread all over the place. But little by little the piles are getting smaller. Pants are getting hemmed, tears are getting fixed, straps are being added, projects are getting finished! I've forbidden myself from starting on any new projects until this pile gets significantly diminished. And though much of it is not fun work, it is gratifying to finally get it done! And it is so lovely to regain some space and organization in this little work room of mine.

sweet valentine

The past few weeks we've found moments here and there to work on our Valentine cards and gifts. Besides the lovely little card creations that Mayumi has been making, we came up with this little project that seemed to fit perfectly with her little pre-school co-op called The Honeybee Hive.

Amongst my crafty bits I found an old stamp that read "Bee Mine." Maya stamped them onto little rectangles of pink card stock.

I punched holes along the bee's "tail" and at the top. I clipped the corners to give it a taggy look. Then we sewed yarn through the holes, inspired by this idea I found on Pinterest.

After Maya personalized them, we tied them to honey sticks (get it, honey... "bee" mine?) with an origami flower on top.

A special little bouquet for her to share with her buzzy little friends!

{this moment}

A Friday ritual (inspired by Soulemama).
A single photo--no words--capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your "moment" in the comments for all to find and see.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Pinterest Comes Through!

It seems like everyone I know is addicted to Pinterest these days (okay, I don't know that many people - my world is small!). I include myself among the addicted. Definitely too much time has been spent browsing through other people's boards and justifying it by saying that I'm organizing bits of inspiration for future projects...

But occasionally there is follow-through. I actually make something that I found on Pinterest. 

Like brussels sprouts with bacon, avocado and lime. And it was DELICIOUS. We were devouring it at dinner. I like brussels sprouts, but this was beyond my normal powers of simply roasting them with a little coconut oil (another yummy way to serve them, though!). If you'd like to try the recipe, visit The Little Red House.

Now I feel a bit more justified by my obsession. 

February Second

Last year we added a new tradition to our calendar: Candlemas! At the time, I didn't realize it was a holiday of Christian significance, but since learning more about it, I'm drawn to this old-fashioned holy-day even more. Marking the midpoint of winter, it is a celebration of light. Half the winter is over and spring is right around the corner, right?! During the Victorian age it was the day when households would take stock of their candles and determine whether or not they had enough to carry them through the rest of the winter. If more were needed, this is the day you would make them.

Candlemas is also observed in the Waldorf community and at Maya's little co-op they celebrated by rolling beeswax candles.

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright

Winter will have another fight.

If Candlemas Day brings clouds and rain

Winter won't come again.

If Candlemas Day be dry and fair

The half o the winter's to come and mair;

If Candlemas Day be wet and foul

The half o the winter's gane at Yule.

Sound familiar? Today is also Groundhog Day. Not sure what ol' Punxsutawney Phil was thinking when he decided there would be 6 more weeks of winter... if the weather round these parts is any indicator, spring has already sprung. 

Daffodils and tulips peeping through in the front yard!

But that little groundhog is a cute thing. We enjoyed reading about him in A Garden for Groundhog by Lorna Balian.

Hope your Candlemas/Groundhog Day was warm and bright too!

Yarn Along: Cuddling up with a cowl and the Russians

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

Knitting Project: GAP-tastic Cowl by Jan Geigley
Inspired by PomegranateGrl I also picked up this sweet, free pattern off of Ravelry. Though I'm not a fan of acrylic, I went ahead and used the suggested Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky yarn in Bluebell. It is coming along quickly (I've gotten a few more rows in since this photo was taken!) and I'm hoping to have it done in time for my sister-in-law's birthday this weekend. If it comes out well I may try making one for myself as well... I love the silver gray one in the pattern photo!

Books: Nicholas and Alexandra  by Robert K. Massie, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh

I know it is crazy to be working on three books at once, but it all depends on my mood and how much time I have to devote to reading. I'm enjoying Nicholas and Alexandra very much - it was originally a book club read a year or two ago but I was never able to start it, so I'm happy to be getting in to it now. I know so little about Russian history and culture and this story is absolutely fascinating and enlightening. Afterwards I may even pick up Massie's new book, Catherine the Great. 

Cousin Love - Happy Birthday O!

Happy Birthday to MamaM's little girl, Olive. Two years old today! My, how the time flies. Mayumi wanted to make something special for her little cousin. Knowing that she loves all things that go, particularly airplanes, we created a little topsy-turvy doll. I made one for Maya earlier in the year and she loves it. Now, Olive will have her own, too.

Olive in her aviator suit on the left, Maya's doll on the right.

When you flip them upside down, their skirt goes inside out and reveals another doll! 

Cute no? I followed the pattern from Hilary Lang's Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love.

Hopefully Olive gets lots of good, cuddly use out of it. Happy Birthday O!

The Year of the Dragon

Tomorrow is New Year's Day according to the Chinese calendar, and this is the Year of the Dragon!
What does that mean? Actually, determining the forecast of the year is a complicated process and is different for each person depending on their animal and element signs... but I'm grasping onto the idea of the auspicious dragon bringing a year of prosperity and overcoming of challenges!

In celebration and hopes of channeling some of that lucky dragon mojo, I've added this beauty to my To-Make list:

Photo courtesy of craftster.org 

Enjoying the Bounty

A morning at the berry patch yielded many happy memories and 12 pounds of strawberries!

After eating as much fresh fruit as we can stomach, we made some strawberry shortcake. Why is this the first time I've ever made the biscuits myself from scratch? If I'd known how easy and delicious it could be I would've done this so much sooner!

 

Even bunny got to benefit from all the hulled tops - she was in heaven!

I still have a few berries left, but I don't think it's enough for a batch of jam (I want to try the strawberry lavender jam from Canning for a New Generation by Liana Krissoff). Hmmm... this may require another outing to the orchard!

Yarn Along: Eggs, Birds, and the Great American Novel

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us!

~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things

Knitting Project: "Egg to Bluebird and a Little Nest, too" from itty-bitty toys by Susan B. Anderson
I wanted a little something to help usher in spring and when I saw this reversable little gem I thought I'd try it out. I'm just using some random yarn scraps from my stash since it is such a small project. The egg knit up pretty quickly and I hope to start the bird soon (I love that there is a bluebird on the cover of the book, too!). I want to make a nest, but I don't care for the one she has, so I may try my hand at the darling felted nests on Betz White's blog.

Book: Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
A few weeks ago I attended a reading by Franzen as part of the PEN Faulkner series and it was fabulous. Got my book signed and chatted with the drole author - now I just have to finish reading the book. It's gotten a lot of hype and in addition to Franzen being lauded as one of THE great American writers (and featured on the cover of Time magazine no less), my friend Kimberly insists that this is THE great American novel of our generation. THE great American novel? Well, the jury is still out, but we'll see...

Yarn Along: Clean and Checkers

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for my current Yarn Along project:

Book: Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger

I'd been looking for a detox in my desperate attempts to nurture myself and jumpstart my fertility efforts (more on that in another post) and my acupuncturist recommended I check out the Clean Program. I ordered the book off Amazon and though I skipped most of the introductory explanation for the cleanse, I've found it to be an extension of my overall food and health philosophy; essentially, avoiding toxins, eating more alkali-forming foods, drinking excessive amounts of water and allowing your body to heal itself. I'm on week two of my cleanse and though it has been enormously challenging I am already noticing many positive effects. I've become much more mindful about what I put into my body and I'm paying more attention to what and how my body is communicating with me. The book is easy to read with lots of bullet points and helpful planning guides and recipes.

Knitting: Checkerboard from Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick

Using some extra cotton yarn from my stash (one brand is Japanese and the other I lost the label to) I've been working on this cute little checkerboard. It's my first experience with double knitting and I find it easy to do, at least in the checkerboard pattern with two contrasting colors (soft pink and mossy green). Mayumi learned how to play checkers over Christmas holiday and I wanted to give her a unique board. Originally I planned to try sewing one in a quilty-type way, but then I came across this and it has been the perfect project because I can work on it while sitting in church or watching a movie. Now I just have to find some unique playing pieces and knit or sew up a little drawstring bag to carry it all around in!

What are you working on and reading these days?