No words...

Just sharing a beautiful view.

(and some beautiful shadows)

Happy Monday!

Silly dogs

I haven't been feeling well today. Nate has been dog sitting and I have been helping him by letting them out on in the middle of the day while he is at work. Today was actually really nice, so when I went over I just sat outside with them and knit while they sniffed around. It was great getting some sunshine.
Now I just want to take a nap, though.
Being sick is lame... But maybe I will try to venture out to knit night if I start to feel better soon. We'll see. Fingers crossed!
I hope you are all enjoying your day!

Re-discovering... Part 2

Enjoying the quiet.
(Well, minus the two women who walked by me twice chatting up a storm)



Have a lovely day!

'Tis the season for knitting! (My first sweater!!!!)

I forgot to show you the sweater that I knit.

My first one ever!!!

I used a pattern for a hooded sweater by Knitting Pure & Simple.

I used all Noro yarn, random skeins that I had been (shall we say) collecting for years.

It is colorful and comfy (I used a men's pattern that I slightly adjusted, so it is loose) and definitely

one-of-a-kind!

I am working on my second sweater, now...

And a skirt...

A hat, another hat, leg warmers, and a cowl.

I also have other projects I am getting ready to put on needles.

It sounds like a lot, but I am quickly making progress!

I have come to the conclusion that I prefer the simpler styles that I can add my own detail to, such as stripes or blocks of color.

I also finished my first pair of socks, which I am pretty proud of.

WOO HOO!!!

They are definitely unique, let's call it character.

They also may or may not be slightly different in length,

but they are wonderful none the less!

Do you knit?

What projects are you working on?

Re-discovering... Part 1

Exploring during a walk in Ravenswood Park which is part of the Greenbelt.

I have been feeling a little uninspired, even when I was taking photos I wasn't sure I was really seeing.

But now, looking back at them, I am realizing all of the beauty and texture captured that day.

Even when all the leaves have fallen,

the color hasn't faded...

I adore texture.

Everything I do has some sort of contrast of color or texture... Or both!

Do you ever feel like you want to just wrap yourself in the colors of nature,

the colors of the season,

the colors of the environment you are surrounded by?

I know I do.

I feel like I want to layer on the elements like how the leaves layer on the ground.

*****

Now I can't wait for snow!

I need the quiet, calm, serene blanket of white to slow down my mind.

Do you get snow where you live?

Do you like winter?

Be well this evening!

xo

This is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before.
~Maya Angelou

I love the quote above.

So sincere and so true.

*****

It has been grey and rainy for the past few days, but I don't really mind.

It is a good time to be quiet, to work on or contemplate my next project...

Lately, rooibos tea with raw milk,

accompanied by a homemade banana or pumpkin ginger bread starts my morning.

Along with stretching and a snuggle with the furry and feathered ones.

I have been having some crazy dreams (not very good ones, I might add) and feel like they have been leaving me in a funk for the whole day.

Does this ever happen to you?

*****

Below are a couple of newer necklaces I have made.

This summer I started playing around with some recycled leather and really like the combination with the metal and stones.

They lend nicely to each other.

The second necklace, which I call the abacus necklace, seems to be pretty popular.

Simplicity in the shape, accented with bold color.

I hope you are having a bright and energized day!

Knitting Up A Storm

What I've been working on...

LOTS AND LOTS OF KNITTING!

Let's say I am trying to develop my skills.

I used this pattern that was free.
The color of the hat is somewhere between the first and second photos.
(not sure why the last one came out looking grey)
I have to admit, it is very difficult to find a hat that fits well over my dreads.
But I love this yarn, it is Coliumo by Araucania.
Super soft (wool and silk), chunky and very easy to knit with!

I have a bunch of other completed projects to share and a bunch more still on needles, too.
Do you knit?
Or crochet?
What are you working on right now?

A day dyeing...

I ventured on over to my friend iris's house to take advantage of the beautiful, balmy weather and do some natural dyeing. I feel the results were stunning! Mostly indigo, but there was also a pot of yellowroot and brazilwood on the stove. I didn't get much out of the yellowroot, but the brazil wood was lovely (there was another piece of silk not photoed here, but the color was fantastic), now I just need to post mordant the it with some alum to try and set the color a little more (brazilwood is not color/lightfast)...

My main focus, however, was indigo. I have become enchanted with it. I find it fascinating to watch it come out of the pot green and when the oxygen hits it, the color changes. It is amazing. Also, I think I am going through my own "blue phase", like Picasso.

So, with homemade peppermint medley herbal tea in hand we ventured outside to check on the indigo vats (they need to sit for an hour once prepared). We tried reviving an old one from our last adventure and started a new one as well. I am beyond pleased with the results, and must admit I quite like the dusty blue stain on my hands as a result!

Iris did some over-dyeing and played around with some different techniques, while I eagerly dip-dyed, as well as completely submerged some clothing and fabrics I brought. In my bag of things to dye were: clothes (linen pants, cotton tops... I am COMPLETELY in love with the striped shirt, I wish I had a before photo, but it was black and white striped), a canvas tote, silk to be over-dyed, since they were the end of our last indigo experiment and not very blue, and some cotton jersey, again to be over-dyed again with the indigo. The jersey fabric came out really nice, but I should have opened/refolded and dipped in the pot one more time. I will try to get a photo of the designs that came out on it soon!

Oh dear. I think I am addicted to dyeing with indigo.