Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Felted Flowers Knitting Bag

I've been wanting to make myself a new knitting bag for quite awhile.  I was wandering around inside ETSY one day and discovered a crocheted and felted bag that knocked me off my feet. I ordered the downloadable (pdf) pattern and started to crochet flowers.  They're really odd looking in their natural state.  Here you can see leaves on the left and roses on the right.
It takes a little bit of felting to get them to look and act like leaves and flowers though.  Hot water, soap and elbow grease always do the trick.  Here you can see them unfelted and felted as well.
        It was great watching the transformation.


From there it was time to figure out the design layout I wanted. 
I fiddled with the flowers and leaves until I was happy with the design and stitched them into place.

I must say I'm really happy with the result!  Can't wait to show it off!   What do you think?

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

I Meant To Do My Work Today

by Richard LeGallienne

I meant to do my work today,
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling me.
And the wind went sighing over the land,
Tossing the grasses to and fro,
And a rainbow held out its shining hand,
So what could I do but laugh and go?

I've lived in this house for 10 years.  It's set deep in the woods and I've often looked out in the winter months and noticed the "deer runs" that crisscross all the hills and valleys there.  Where there isn't a high hill or meandering valley path there is a kettle hole.

All, in all, it's a beautiful spot and today I just couldn't let the mild weather pass me by.  How often does a February day linger well into the 50s and fill the sky with sunlight?  I really did mean to do my work today but somehow all those paths called to me.


As to be expected, Browndog led the way.  It was as if I'd set her free.  Nose to the ground, tail wagging, she set off on our grand adventure.


That says it all, doesn't it?


Deer runs are the paths made as our local white tail deer forage and bed down for the night.  They make it very easy to tramp the woods.


There's plenty for them to eat out here, but of course, they prefer my Rhododendrons and daylillies.


We finished our walk pond side. Lot's of deep breathes and smiles from both of us. And then my work ethic kicked in.....well, better a little than naught!

Do yourself a favor and take just a few minutes for yourself today....

Friday, February 3, 2012

From the "Song of the Sky Loom"

In the words of Tewa
A Native American Prayer

O, our mother the earth
O, our father the sky
your children are we 
And we bring you gifts you love
Then leave us a garment of brightness
May the warp be the white light of morning
May the weft be the red light of evening
May the fringes be the falling rain
May the border be the standing rainbow
Thus weave for us a garment of brightness
That we may walk fittingly where birds sing
That we may walk fittingly where grass is green
O, our mother the earth
O, our father the sky