by Kat | Jul 11, 2017 | General
June was the first month that the creative tension lingered most of the month and I am left feeling that it needs a bit more stitching. Will I stitch more? I don’t know – I am having a bit of an internal debate with myself about that.
My process has been to stitch one piece each month and when the month was over to begin a new month, however, I think this piece needs a bit more to feel complete.
But when I look back at the month, I see my garden: Yarrow, lavender, Impatiens, Foxglove, Verbena, Wiegela’s, and even some black Poppy seeds. And, lots and lots of growing!! It is a work in progress, and perhaps this stitching feeling “unfinished” is the best reflection of my garden. But, as I said – the internal debate rages on and I will let you know if I decide to add anything to the piece.
What I do love about the piece is how dramatically different it is from previous months with many new stitches and techniques. However, the reality is that sometimes new things requires more practice before you are proficient at them. I am certain that I will be revisiting some of these stitches again to perfect them.
I have also been contemplating the next quarter which will bring this year of stitching to a close and I have had some interesting conversations with Mary about some things in the Slow Stitch book (which if you do not have, you should! It is a fantastic starting point to stitching) and there is so much inspiration contained within the pages! It seems with needle and thread, the possibilities are endless!
There you have my June stitching. One thing I do know – I am at the point that I need a bigger embroidery hoop! Any stitchers out there have any recommendations?
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by Kat | Jul 10, 2017 | General, In This Moment
Weekend Monday’s are much better than Begin Your Week Monday’s!
This weekend did have some highs though.
- My Knit a Sweater in 4 days took 5 days. I am in total awe of all those who completed this sweater in 4 days – and there were several who did. However, I am thrilled to have a sweater in the complete column! And, even in 5 days – I am super happy with it. I made some mods which you can read about here. It just needs a soak and some ends woven in and it will be ready for sweater weather. Now, back to Stillwater #1 and catching up on KK’s MKAL.
- I binge-watched Witnesses on Netflix. Excellent and I highly recommend!
- I am almost done with South of Broad! Which is a good thing, because I have gotten a flurry of holds that have come available – so my reading/listening list just grew exponentially!
- We did a good bit of yard/garden work on Sunday. More trimming and more planting! Also, some creative adjustments to the “garden gate” because the wee bunnies can eat their weight x100 in beans! I had 10 bean plants, now I have 10 bean sticks! Sigh…
- I discovered that Broadchurch is on BBC America on Wednesday nights! Also, Prime Suspect: Tennison on PBS was excellent!
There you have my weekend but, Monday has a long list and I better get to it! How was your weekend?
by Kat | Jul 7, 2017 | General
The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success. – Bruce Feirstein
The knitting continues, despite not making my “goal” yesterday. I wanted to be done with the body and ready to pick up stitches this morning however, I did get to the ribbing. Twenty-one rows to binding off, seems like a manageable number, doesn’t it?
Today I would like to sit under the pergola but the rain will keep me (and Sherman) in the house. I do have Pat Conroy’s South of Broad to keep me company. And, perhaps indoor knitting will offer fewer distractions than the pergola.
I do have a Brown Wren update! My persistent little wren won over a mate! She finished feathering the nest and now I think there are eggs in the nest! Mr. Wren’s songs are even more ebullient, if that is at all possible!
Also…I saw my first hummingbird on Wednesday! Yep, there she was sitting on the “deer-proof” netting on the garden. And, speaking of the garden…baby tomatoes are popping up all over and it looks like we will have a bumper crop this year!
Now, how about a few links?
First up we have all manner of shawl-y things!! Starting with Avian Melody which is just gorgeous!
To satisfy your inner super hero, you just might need a Wonder Woman Wrap (or perhaps we all do!!)
Sari, not Sari… too cute. And what is not to love about anything knit with Hedgehog yarns?
Rift is simple and so beautiful.
Aurora Borealis from Svetlana… oh.my.
In the somethings other than shawls category, first up Flexi… “MAXIMUM FREEDOM! Your yarn. Your gauge. Your size.” Yes, really.
Old Shale Cardigan for ladies is very cute!
And, finally – put a mitt on it with Wood Sorrel
That’s it for me this week, I am off to work on success and avoiding insanity! See you back here on Monday with a finished sweater! (Hopefully!!)
by Kat | Jul 6, 2017 | General, Words
Our topic for this week’s Think Write Thursday is to write a post titled “Hello, July”.
For him in vain the envious seasons roll who bears eternal summer in his soul. – Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Old Player
July is the month that I’d like to bottle to open in the middle of January. Imagine it – all those smells of summer, and the sounds of the birds, and all the growing things. July should be preserved with the berries for she is sweet and heady!
And, here we are past the Fourth of July and I’d like to put the brakes on summer. You know, slow it way down and savor every finite detail. It just goes so quickly.
This month will see me complete not one, but two sweaters and perhaps will ring in a bingo or two.
Then there’s that Summer Bucket List that I need to start refocusing on – especially the walking, which has been sporadic at best!
And, maybe – just maybe, if I am lucky July won’t speed by after all!
Want to see what others have to say about July, you will find them all here. If you’d like to join Carole and me for Think Write Thursdays, you can sign up here!
by Kat | Jul 5, 2017 | General, Unraveled Wednesday
Greetings Unravelers! Yay for short weeks smack dab in the middle of summer, amirite?
Lots of knitting is happening and lots of reading!
My Bingo Card continues to look good!
I finished 2 books this week:
On the Road by Jack Kerouac: I gave this book 5 stars. I listened to it and it was fantastic! How had I never read this book is amazing to me, and I am so glad I can say I have! And, this won’t be the last book of his I read because I found him to be an amazing writer; his way with words is phenomenal. I felt as if I was a passenger along for the ride, and what a ride it was! If you need a Memoir or autobiography for your bingo card this summer, read this! It will not disappoint!
The Zookeeper’s Wife: I gave this book 4 stars. This book takes you to Warsaw in the days leading up to WWII and then through the occupation and into the end of the war. It is beautifully written and powerful. There is much sadness in this beautiful tale though, yet during the horror – goodness happens. A great story!
I had a conversation with Mary last week and made a few changes to my Bingo Card choices. I started listening to South of Broad by Pat Conroy this week and began reading Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon. Both are getting high marks in the starting pages. Wonder Boys is short and I hope to have it done this week!
I am also about half way through Spycatcher and while I’d like to have it done this week, that is doubtful.
A cover all is well in sight!
Now, how about some knitting?
Last Friday, I started my “4 day Stillwater” KAL and I have not touched it since! But, tomorrow that will all change as Steve is heading off to a work event and I will be alone for the weekend. Well, Sherman and I will be on our own might be a better way to put that! So, knitting will kick into high gear and I will have a completed sweater by Saturday, or at least that is the plan! There is an awful lot of knitting to do!
In the meantime, I did knit a bit on the MKAL shawl, but I am still not though Clue #2, so once all the knitting insanity is over, I need to be more diligent with that! And, I have also been slowly plugging away at Stillwater #1, but I really did not do much knitting this weekend. The point of the weekend was not to knit, but rather to enjoy the holiday. And, enjoy we did – lots of good food, a few drinks, and lots of outdoor time! It was the perfect long summer weekend!
How about you? Any good knits or reads this week?
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