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!!

Knitting Up a Storm | Deep Fall Edition

What an interesting autumn (or year, rather) it's been! Life is changing like the leaves that are falling everywhere I go. Thankfully I've been up to my ears in projects, whipping up hoodie-scarves, slouchy hats, gloves and embellished baby blankets like no other (picture above.) These particular blankies are probably some of the cutest I've ever made - and there's two of them, to boot! They were a custom order as a gift for a set of twin girls. The flowers are a smidge different and there are variations in the yarn. But otherwise very similar. Just like identical twins :) The yarn was originally gray, so my friend Kaysie helped me dye in the color and it turned out beautifully. I also made a blue/gray pinwheel blanket with the same kind of yarn, so I used some of the leftover yarn from that for the flower shown here.

Other than that, I am preparing my stash for an event this weekend, the Bliss Handmade Holiday Boutique Sale. I just signed up at the last minute on Monday, and I am looking forward to being surrounded by the cool things that people make with their hands. Needless to say, I am pretty excited to show off some of my skills there!

Back in Action

After a long spring/summer it's finally starting to feel like autumn here in the Northwest, and once again I find myself surprisingly enthusiastic about the upcoming season. Not that I haven't made things this summer but knitting just isn't as cozy when I'm not cuddled up in a few blankets. Now I get to hunker down and get serious about it all. I have a good stash of yarn built up and a couple of new fancy tools to acquaint myself with. And it's only mid-September! Well, almost late September now... I'll be getting back to work now! See you next time!