by Kat | Mar 4, 2016 | General
While doing some Konmari in my office last week, I found this…
It is the first thing I ever created. I was about 5 years old and my Nana (who was an amazing seamstress) was sewing and I wanted more than anything to learn. She helped me make this pin cushion. I cut out the pieces under her guidance and sewed them on her sewing machine. I was infinitely proud of this small project and a crafter was born. I used this pin cushion for a long time, and then it got packed away with the sewing machine – both sitting long forgotten for a good number of years. The sewing machine is out and back in use now, but I had entirely forgotten the pin cushion until I found it cleaning out my office.
(more…)
by Kat | Mar 3, 2016 | General, Making
I have been obsessed with the patterns by JumperCables lately, especially this and this and this! Do I think any of them would look good on me? No. But that does not stop me from thinking about them. There is one that I think I can pull off – Puddle. This seems like an excellent summer project, mindless knitting that would not fill my lap and the end result would give me a lovely warm cowl come fall.
Konmari and my office have become such great friends. Now, to figure out what to do with over 200 CD’s… Seems kind of wasteful to throw them away (not to mention not environmentally nice) and I really don’t want another box of stuff to put somewhere. Any ideas would be appreciated…
I am so proud of Daughter Number 2 – this week she donated over 500 ounces of breast milk to some in need moms. And, she has over 700 ounces more to give. She is a super mom in my book!
I have been enjoying Sonya Philip’s Periscope broadcasts each week – she has great, thought-provoking conversation. If you have not tried Periscope – you should. A great way to get quick, fun updates from a variety of sources. Ones I especially love – Ysolda, Goulet Pens, and Kay Gardiner (especially when she reads through the latest Rowan Magazine…)
Making mistakes work is something that does not always happen. However, this week I had one that worked incredibly well. Best mistake ever…bias tape on the outside FTW!
As for now I am heading to watch some Netflix and work on finishing some projects before Easter gets here!
by Kat | Mar 2, 2016 | General, Making
This week I am joining Ginny again for her Yarn Along and the knitting was moving along fairly quickly on this poor neglected WIP – that is until the pattern asked me to change to a different needle for the next section…
(more…)
by Kat | Mar 1, 2016 | General, Words
A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life. – Charles Darwin
This week Carole wants to know: 10 Things You Would Do With An Extra Hour in the Day
So, Gentle Reader, this is what I would do with my Golden Hour:
- Cut out and sew one pair of Pants No. 1 from the amazing Sonya Phillips of 100 Acts of Sewing Fame. I know this is completely possible as I timed myself yesterday! FYI – the pants are AWESOME!
- Unplug… From the computer, from the phone, from the television.
- Read. Simply read. Not the crawl into bed at the end of the day reading, but pure, unadulterated, selfish daytime reading. There is not enough of this in my life.
- Talk a walk with my camera and not my iPhone.
- Stitch. I have been a slacker on my daily stitching – which is sad, because I enjoy it.
- Do something for someone else – volunteer my time or make something for someone in need.
- Take a class to learn something new.
- And, practice it!
- Call a friend and LISTEN! So much of the time I talk more and listen less.
- Konmari the dreaded kitchen junk drawer… although this might require more than one hour!
There is what I would do with an extra hour, please tell me what you would do!
by Kat | Feb 29, 2016 | General, Making
Every four years we get an extra day and today, Gentle Reader, is that day! I am not sure that having an extra Monday is the best thing. But, what is a day – right?
And, it is certainly much more than a leap second! Even Google and Apple think so! And, perhaps it won’t be at all like a normal Monday!
I have big plans for my extra day – plans of tracing, cutting, and sewing. Okay, maybe that is a bit much for just one extra day, but at the very least, I want to get everything traced and cut out!
Hopefully, this stack of fabric will be transformed into pants, dresses, and pillows by the end of this extra day!
I hope your extra day is filled with all the extras you love and none of the usual Mondayness.
by Kat | Feb 26, 2016 | General, In This Moment
Konmari: In my office, the place I have resisted long enough. This is daunting and more than a little scary because, this will involve a realistic look at yarn and fiber – a painful task to be sure. But, I will gird my loins and face the lions today! I am determined to be a conqueror! Hopefully…
Entirely Over: Politics! When did politics become an eternal process? How many debates do we really need? Especially when the same things are said over, and over, and over, and over. And this is not something that is one-sided, both parties are guilty! In my opinion, this is the most undemocratic process ever. It feels more like we have all somehow been banished to some horrid Political Hell!
Knitting: The serious assessment of projects is taking place and today ushers in Yarn Reclamation Day – yes, that is right, Gentle Reader, some projects will be taking a trip to the FROG Pond. Thank you Kym for the tender recommendation. Things not heading to the Frog Pond are this and this which I hope to finish this weekend!
Listening: I am catching up today with Serial and Morning on the Dock, and if I am still not done with the demolition, err, KonMari activities, then Diana Krall Radio on Pandora will be my support.
Anticipating: The new season of House of Cards, which is coming out March 4 and the new season of Happy Valley which will be available mid-March. Garrison Keillor’s last broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theatre tomorrow night.
Enjoying: Periscope’s with fun and useful information – Thank you Ysolda and Sonya for these amazing little mini lessons to break up my day and inspire my creativity!
Planning: A week of sewing with plans of getting some new pillows done for the living room, also, another Dress #2 and pair number one of Pants #1!
That’s it for today, have a good weekend everyone! See you all back here on Monday!
by Kat | Feb 25, 2016 | General
I joined the Miss Bab’s Weave Along this month and I continue to work on my weaving skills. Beating evenly needs lots of work, as you can clearly see in this scarf. I really love the colors, though. I used Miss Bab’s 2-ply Yummy in Biker Chick paired with String Theory Bluestocking in Pewter.
The drape of the scarf is better (more fluid) on the area’s where the beating was not so firm. The color’s were more muted there also.
But the end result is a textile I really love, and I will wear it often.
by Kat | Feb 24, 2016 | General, Making
I discovered this lovely blog by accident last week, thanks to one of Carole’s 10 on Tuesday participants.
Wednesday’s are for Yarn Along and it never ceases to amaze me how much good stuff lives on the internet that I do not know about!
All I can say is that you will find lots of good on Ginny’s blog if you poke around a bit. Her photography is so beautiful and inspiring.
I am hoping that Yarn Along will help me to get my knitting back on track, since the BangOutASweater phenomena has apparently derailed my knitting mojo. And by derailed I mean that all my current projects are in strong consideration for the Frog Pond because I have lost that loving feeling for every last one of them. In an attempt to avoid that rash decision, I have pulled out this long forgotten WIP in a Herculean effort to get it back on track. Anne Hanson is always good for what ails you, and if anyone can revive your knitting mojo, it is her! Wish me luck as I channel Anne today!
(more…)
by Kat | Feb 23, 2016 | General, Words
In this week’s 10 on Tuesday prompt, Carole sets for us this urgent task:
List 10 of Your Favorite Things Right Now
Well, this very minute here are a few of my favorite things!
- My Bialetti Moka pot – every day this is my favorite thing, but looking back on how much money I have saved by not buying coffee because of this little pot, it deserves first place my list. Yes, it is better than Starbucks, by a LONG shot!
- Weaving – I really have my weaving groove on and I hope this continues for a good long while!
- My daily journal routine – I know I have said this before, but it really helps me focus my day and increase my productivity and creativity!
- Which sort of goes hand in hand with yoga – if I miss I day, I really can tell. I really love the quiet intensity that it brings to my life.
- Konmari, oh how I love thee! The process is slow, but steady. Thoughtful Reduction of Stuff is happening and last week, some items found a new home and were happily sent on their way!
- Garden planning – revisiting what worked well and what did not work well.
- The discovery of London Fog Tea Latte via Pinterest, me and my afternoon think they are pretty darn amazing!
- Singing in my church choir, especially with Easter coming – best music of the year, just sayin’!
- Our Sonos speakers. Best. Thing. Ever.
- And, finally – Sherman, although he is my favorite all the time, but most especially right now! From how happy he is to see me when he wakes up (which is hilarious because he sleeps in the same room!), to him moving his bed to be directly next to me when I am working. He is my comic relief – daily.
There you have it, Gentle Reader, a few of my favorite things.
by Kat | Feb 22, 2016 | General
These brave little snowdrops brought to mind the poem by Wordsworth…
To a Snowdrop
Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,
Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay
The rising sun, and on the plains descend;
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend
Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May
Shall soon behold this border thickly set
With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing
On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers;
Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,
Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
And pensive monitor of fleeting years!
It is the first thing I ever created. I was about 5 years old and my Nana (who was an amazing seamstress) was sewing and I wanted more than anything to learn. She helped me make this pin cushion. I cut out the pieces under her guidance and sewed them on her sewing machine. I was infinitely proud of this small project and a crafter was born. I used this pin cushion for a long time, and then it got packed away with the sewing machine – both sitting long forgotten for a good number of years. The sewing machine is out and back in use now, but I had entirely forgotten the pin cushion until I found it cleaning out my office.
