Here's Annabel and a Lovely Loom

Drum roll please... ta da! The first sweater I've completed by myself! It's Annabel from Madelinetosh. Amanda at Soulemama and Beth at Tangled Sky Studio both inspired this project. I love the style of it - a bit cropped at the waist and the sleeves as well. The yarn is a bulky Lion's brand yarn... the quality is OK but, not as yummy as the nicer stuff bought in the yarn shops. I didn't want to commit to the good stuff until I was certain I could actually do this. So, it was thought of as a 'muslin' (for test-sewing)/dry-run yarn. Think I passed the test and am ready for a more posh, black one!

Dig the buttons... got 'em at Paradise Fibers - the place is a treasure trove of yarn, knitting notions, spinning wheels, looms, dyes, books, roving on and on etc.

My birthday present from hubby, (back in October!) a tapestry loom. Finally found a youtube video on how to warp it. Currently fussing with tension, spacing of the warp yarn and size of yarn. It's a whole new frontier! The learning curve is a mysterious one, I must say - but, I'm up for the challenge.

Snow's coming this afternoon, maybe 3 more inches but thankfully, the roads are pretty good and plowed. Friday was a snow day and this mama is ready for school tomorrow morning!

Robots, etc

Here are a few of the little guys I'm making for the Tinman Gallery's artist ornament show that always opens the day after Thanksgiving. I still have to stuff, sew on eyeballs and tweak a few more embellishments. Due: November 15!

Here's the sweater I've been knitting and it's such a fun, easy pattern! (inspired by Amanda at
Soulemama and Beth at Tangled Sky Studio :) They have both made this sweater and I couldn't resist... just had to have my own! If it actually looks good on me, I'm planning on knitting another.

Happy Friday... and long weekend.

Black Friday Ornaments

Well, they're not really that 'Black Friday' since they are going in a gallery with other artist made ornaments. It's a Christmas show I've participated in for years now and becoming quite a tradition. This year's ornaments are based on memories of a pair of socks I had as a kid or maybe the trim on a coat I had... probably a bit of both. (They were the folksy kind with stripes, hearts, German/alpine inspired... maybe with couples and children holding hands - and lots of busy borders) If you grew up in the 1970s this may ring a bell. Those motifs had a huge impact on me!

Anyway, I carved my calligraphy( in Mastercarve this time- easier than wood for lettering) and printed on wool felt. Then the beading and embellishing - love doing that! I think they're fun and different... it's good to do something different each year.

The bottom photo is a scarf I finally finished last night while waiting at my daughter's ballet class. Can't wait to test it out - I think snow may be coming in about a week or so. Happy hump day! (and Happy Birthday, Mom! :)

New Wool and Silk Mittens

Here are my second pair of mittens (the first was a bit wonky) made from a wonderful yarn called Grace Hand-Dyed by Lousia Harding yarns. 50% merino wool, 50% silk. Absolutely decadent... a real luxury if you want to pamper your hands this winter. (no, I don't work for their company :) I already used them yesterday on a nippy stroller ride and they were very warm. That's my son in his 'motorcycle jammies' helping the hand model.

Still working on the Xmas ornaments... the embellishments take more time than you'd ever think but, it's fun. Happy hump day! (we're supposed to awaken to the first snow in the morning. not ready for it!)

PS I added a few new things to the shop this morning... and free shipping on all cards and small prints. Stop by and say hi.

October Knitting

Still needs blocking!

super soft alpaca yarn!

I had a fabulous time going to a knitting class a few weeks ago and have made 2 hats (my very first). On the needles now: my first attempt at mittens. Hopefully I can swing the thumb 'cos I'd love to make them for all the kids (and even grown ups) in the family. It would be a great gift since we have such heavy winters in these parts. (wonderful book, Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin - highly recommend it!)

My birthday was yesterday and it was great... mom gave me some money (among many other thoughtful presents) and now it's burning a hole in my pocket - thinking about the yarn shop :) Of course all this knitting and sitting is getting in the way of making art. But, today I'm back to carving and will be printing in a few days. Happy hump day - and thanks so much to those of you who commented on the funky flower question on the last post. Very much appreciated!

October Doodles

Here are a few doodles destined to become Halloween cards. I love love love this time of year... easily my fave holiday plus 3 birthdays in our house are around the corner. Today I'm doing something very out of the ordinary... going to a knitting class on how to make a cloche hat! Never made hats before and am so excited to learn a new method. (thank you Mom for visiting and babysitting!) Happy Friday :)

Recent Summer Sightings...

Crayon rubbing of one of The Makers

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted... thought I'd give a summer update :) I've begun a new woodblock series called 'The Makers' and here are the very first two! I'm pretty excited about this series as there are so many possibilities to think about... and it could go on for - well - years :) On the crafty side, I've been working on the pink chocolates quilt... hoping to get that done by the end of summer. (all unplugged, naturally) And, to top it all off, a bit of sock knitting in the evenings when my mind is too blown to do much else.

Daddy's been rocking the kids to sleep most every night - especially our baby girl... toes seen here wearing her 'ballerina jammies'. We have some extended family staying with us for the summer... and are having a 'staycation' this week. (actually a nice way to get control of house projects!) That's me laying on the floor with Mr. Darcy perched on my midsection. He's a very affectionate pup. (he'll be 1 yr old on Dec 6) What have y'all been up to these summer months?

Feet in Front of the Fire

Our family's cold/flu has come full circle. I've got it and now the baby has it (well, she's 2). This was taken just a while ago... baby fell asleep in my arms, I'm knitting and my son's playing trains. We've got NPR's 'Golden Oldies' show on (don't know what the real name is, but it's big band, old-time singing and jazz from the 20's-40's). One can do just about anything in front of the fire and let the rest of the world melt away. Hopefully, I'll have something to share with you by the end of the weekend... have a good one.

Alchemy Scarf

Finally I've finished my fall scarf! It's made of the luxurious 'Alchemy silk yarn'... can't wait to wear it. It is so very soft and the colors are variegated olive green and a light chocolate brown. These photos don't really do it justice... plus you have to feel it for the 'full effect'! It's still too warm to wear it , but what a cozy feeling to be knitting in the cool, breezy evening, sitting on the floor with family. After I weave the 'tails' in I'll be focusing on finishing a pair of socks for my mom's birthday in November.

Loving Orange!

Here is some irresistible yarn I found in Portland. I will make a scarf out of this... I'm so loving orange lately, in painting and most other aspects of life. :) I will be starting some new drawings probably tomorrow... I did not have a moment to do it... there was lots o' crazy, loud family times which does not equal good drawing time! (I need calm and quiet... kind of like study time).

As soon as I finish some I'll post new work, but for now, it's gonna be wild card fun stuff! Stay tuned.

New Socks

I love knitting socks. These are for my mom... they are knitted 'in the round' which is so easy to do. (I've never done it the 5 double pointed needles way). The yarn is fabulous... super wash wool and so soft. It is variegated and ends up looking sort of Fair Isle. I can't remember the brand now, but I know it's from Germany. Now I just need to learn how to knit gloves!