Knitting Up Warm Fuzzies

Something about this time of year has me exceptionally thrilled to be doing what I'm doing --  the Willamette Valley has finally given into autumn and everywhere I look people are donning scarves, gloves, hats... which is essentially, the essence of inspiration for me! After much deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that as much as I love the sun, I'm happier in a moderate climate where I can find (cold-weather) knitted goodness all around me, for a good chunk of the year.

I'm getting more and more proficient on my very handy knitting machine, which has made life a little easier this last year. There was definitely a learning curve, and I've got a lot to learn yet, but it has made a world of difference. Don't get me wrong; I still adore hand-knitting and there's nothing like the feeling of soft, snuggly fibers on my fingers that re-kindles my love for yarn again and again. But the beauty of a knitting machine is that it allows me more time to embellish (by hand) the pieces that come off of my needles. It's a beautiful thing! I liken it to snapping pictures on 35mm film versus on a digital camera... there's something special about making the most of each shot when you know that you can't go back and edit/delete/photoshop it (very easily, anyway). The energy and time and love put into something hand-knit has always been one of my favorite things about knitting.

On the subject of handcrafted love, my favorite sale is happening here in just one short week -- the Bliss Handmade 2012 Holiday Boutique Sale is always a hit and I'm excited that I've been invited to participate as a vendor again this fall! I've still got lots of loose ends to weave in this week... so it's back to work for me! Hope to see you there! :)

It's that Time of Year Again!

I'm a self-admitted lizard when it comes to sunshine; I feel like living in the Northwest has trained me that way. But I couldn't be happier that I no longer feel a pang of guilt if I'm not out soaking up the vitamin D while it's around. Daylight savings time for 2012 will be no more here in a few weeks, but hopefully I can either a) figure out idea lighting in this place or b) get a better camera so I can snap better pictures than the one at left! Every corner of my little studio seems to be consumed by crafting stuff everywhere I look, but it's absolutely perfect that way... and a month-to-month rental agreement suits me just fine.

the Month of May, Episode No. 32

The Temptations sang about it... the perfect time of year that lends blue skies and flowers to those who have missed it... I've said it before and I'll say it again -- May is such a  beautiful, beautiful month. This year it brought 3 weeks of sunshine that was much needed in these parts. There was no time to complain about the weather; I had some of the best weekends I have had all year, including the Bliss Handmade Sale I posted about last time. I had my wonderful lovely mother to help me and sold a good-sized bowl full of these very cute washcloths:

The next weekend, I spent a weekend in Portland catching up with the Holloway crew there, which is always a fantastic time. Aside from the good quality family fun, I attended a machine knitting and hand knitting seminar where I learned some amazing tips from the knitting master, Lily Chin herself. Her contribution to knitting and incredible talent is my newest inspiration for my own endeavors. I'm so very glad that I took the opportunity to learn alongside such an amazing instructor; I even won about $70 of super-luxe Cascade Lana D'Oro and a couple of new patterns to play around with on my machine.

A trip to the rhododendron park at Hendrick's Park had been on my list of things to do for a very long time, and the following weekend I took along some wonderful company and checked out tree after tree of gorgeous blooms. This was our favorite view (even if it wasn't quite as sunny that afternoon):

Memorial Day (aka our birthday) weekend was a crazy good time -- Mom and Dad rented a 4-bed, 3-bath house for their 40th anniversary overlooking the ocean in Lincoln City and we had a blast, from 10pm on Friday night when we arrived, to Monday around high noon, when we finally hit the road back to Eugene. We even made a detour to Mary's Peak, and although we didn't hike to the top this time, it was a small preview of some of the outdoorsy-ness I'd like to re-visit this summer. I could write a blue streak about everything that went on those three days at the beach house, but I'll spare you the journal entry and instead post a sampling of photos that depict some of the madness that ensued, including this modern remake of an old-school Polaroid:

I didn't get much knitting done over that weekend, even on the car ride there and back... but I spent an equally-good amount of time laughing, eating, hot tubbing and just enjoying all the good company that was around :)

In light of the warm fuzziness I feel when I look over these pictures, I would like to end this very long entry with a nod to this video by the Beatles in my late cousin Cary's honor, because I think of him a lot this time of the year, and just hearing one line of Yellow Submarine puts a huge smile on my face each time I hear it. It's perfect music to knit to!

Oh, Spring, Where Have You Been All My Life?

I'm not sure how else to describe this last knitting season. In a nutshell, it's been interesting. to say the least. Full of ups, downs and all-around wintry winter-ness. Serious thoughts of design school, knitting seminars and pretty things to make have been swimming through my head the past few months and all of a sudden it's almost summer again -- sure to be different than any summer I've had in a really long time. Once again, knitting proves to be my steadfast fascination through it all, along with the good company of good friends and a little tabby cat, too :)

On the machine knitting front, I'm all signed up for the knitting seminar that is being offered by Angelika's Knit Shop over Mother's Day weekend and pretty darn excited about it. I may not be really for a full-on education in machine knitting just yet, but it will be good to fill my head with some newly found knowledge of how to knit things better.

I'll be joining lots of other craftistas at the Bliss Handmade Spring Boutique Sale this Saturday May 5th, about which I'm also very excited! There won't be too many warm & cozy things on my table, but nevertheless I've had a ton of fun dreaming up cute cotton-y items on the lighter side that will be for sale. I really ought to be working on items to sell instead of procrastinating, so I'll leave you with this flyer that's got all the details:

Moebius Mania

Last spring I was saying how much I adore the moebius loop - it's beautiful, versatile and looks good on just about anyone. This one, in particular, embodies everything I love about knitting. I couldn't have said it better myself! :)

I [heart] 2012

I have to admit, up until a few weeks ago I was a little wary of 2012. With all the hub-bub about the world ending etc, etc, it hasn't got the best reputation, but it's really grown on me so far. Granted only 4.5 days have gone by :D

I couldn't be happier that it's January - it may be that December kept me happy and busy knitting up Christmas orders, balancing these with the various weekend trips along the West Coast that had me on the go each weekend. But more than likely it's because I have always loved the new year holiday; it's non-secular and politically correct to just about everyone, and there's even a Chinese new year holiday that includes another interesting take on astrology, by which I am forever fascinated.

All of these things make me grateful for the time of year to hunker down and get cozy. So welcome, Twenty-Twelve - I'm excited that you're finally here!!