N is for Needles

Knitting Needles, of course! and on my needles right now I have these various knitting projects:

a red vest...


a pair of wool & silk socks...

a wool mitten...this pair of childrens mittens is destined for the Afghans for Afghans project...since they are currently collecting handknit items for children ages 7-14.


a "scrappy" striped scarf...thriftedly using up my yarn scraps...in a fun simple lace pattern I adapted for this scarf...


and a sweater (for Kesia) --also using up scraps...this is the back of the sweater--this sweater very close to finished...it rather randomly knit with all types of yarn--wools, angora, alpaca, mohair...

If I poked through my closets more, I probably have a few more small projects on some needles..but these are the ones I am actively working on....this week I mostly knit on the sock...

I keep my tables loaded with knitting and needlework so I don't have to dust them...if I knit fast enough does it count as aerobic exercise?

Mottoes for Life

My personal mottoes change fairly often--but this summer my motto has been the one you see here---I made this sign for the kitchen after on particularly hectic day. One member of our crew had a fairly serious accident (cut off the tip of his finger), the resident toddler was fussy and under foot, I got behind on my preps and the oven quit in the middle of baking oven fries for dinner...

the next day I sat down and painted this sign, and just having it in the kitchen has served as a great reminder....

what is your current favorite motto????

Art and Inspiration

How do you become inspired to create something? When I lived in the Alaskan bush, most of my inspiration came from the nature I was surrounded by. Now that I live in a city --- I am still inspired by nature and the urban environment which surrounds me--but I find myself turning more toward books, magazines, and the net for artistic inspiration.

So, to get my creative juices flowing--I just go through my books or get online and look at other's artwork...I love both Ravelry and Etsy for inspirational websites since they are so easily searchable.....and books...

For textile design, these 3 books area great place to start:



For knitting--I love knitting stitch dictionaries....(because I like trying out new stitches and knitting swatches):





And sometimes I just look out my windows at the blue sky and fleecy clouds....daydreaming is another way to motivate the muse within.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "I have a promiscuous muse. My muse wants to own every color, work in many media, and in numerous genre." --Mary Klotz