Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Kerchief Completed
This is how the Noro Silk Garden kerchief looks curling around my neck. I purposely eliminated the view that shows the neck itself with the wrinkles and sagging flesh hanging out. I adore the colors.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
New Pincushion
I finally got around to making a new pincushion as my puny old one was driving me nuts. I made it from 19th c wool paisley (top) and French metis on the bottom. But the crowning glory is the vintage button on top, a Christmas stocking gift this year from my favorite antique toy store in Los Gatos. Look closely to see the birds and tree.
Friday, March 28, 2008
First Spring Dinner
This is my ideal dinner; fresh asparagus, miso soup and salad. Oh Heaven! I didn't have to make it myself, either, as Tom is the head chef at our house.
Mifflette Cat and Mme Pousiquette
These little buggers are getting a bit annoying but I can't stop thinking about them. "maybe if I try THIS," and maybe "that." I wish I could settle on one pattern idea so that I could just play with fun fabrics, but it hasn't happened so far and I only get to use the smallest bits of fabric. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Color Against Snowy Landscape
It's snowing again this morning. It's almost APRIL! I have been knitting an ICE BLUE scarf with sleeves since Christmas and have only interspersed that project with natural cotton dishcloths. WHY?? Imagine the choice of ICE BLUE for winter knitting! There is more than one reason Scandinavians choose bright colors for fabric and yarn. Think Marimekko.Yesterday I treated myself to some Noro (from Japan) yarn in the most delicious colors to make a kerchief for a friend. I am as delighted to see these colors each time I pass them as I would be to see Snow Drops or Daddodils outside my window. Well.....almost.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
HOW do people open annoying containers?
I put off opening this heat sealed plastic container for days because I never know how to attack them. I certainly don't like using my scissors meant for cloth or paper, nor did I want to use my exacto knife that looked rather flimsy in the face of this daunting heavy plastic. Somehow I'm always determined that if I just get the right hold, between layers of plastic, the pack will magically open up. Nope. Mistake. See my cherished BROKEN ivory paper-folder within the package?? So, tell me, How do YOU open these babies?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Sunday
This was our Easter:
I went to church, not because I am a believer, but because I love being there with other humans, because I love our pastor who is brilliant and loving and because I am always challenged to try a little harder to accept my human qualities and those of others. It works every time, thanks to Kyung-hee.
T went to his weekly sauna with the friends he has been seeing each week for more than thirty years. They sauna, watch a little sports on t.v. and sometimes have Sunday dinner, but not this week.
The rest of our day was quiet and calm. We did those things we love doing inside, separate things. We took a five mile walk on the heights overlooking the lake and the distant White mountains.
I have to say it stands as one of my favorite Easters, without any of the traditional accoutrements or celebratory functions. It was a day to celebrate daily renewal.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Pink Pussy Willows
Aren't pussy willows usually silvery? Or have I seen snow so long, my mind has erased the colors of spring? These pink/purple/lavendar ones look good enough to eat for dessert.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Daffodil Shoots (ll) Close Up
This is that bare-ground spot to which I referred in the more distant photo. It makes my heart beat faster to just see these valiant greens trying their darnedest to feel the sun's warmth and grow to maturity.
Daffodil Shoots (l) in Perspective
Note the black elliptical spot in the approximate center of the photo. THAT is where the daffodil shoots are popping up, the only bare spot of ground on our entire property. Everywhere else is still under literally FEET of snow.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Another Knitting Failure
I maintain that my main skills for knitting are patience and persistence. This time, I made many mistakes on this simple project of knitting a dishcloth, and though I was patient, my persistence did not result in a successful outcome. I must admit failure.
I was inspired by Rachel, of www.knitsbyrachel.com. She makes clever dishcloths and creates her own graphics, like bats for Halloween, and my favorite, a vacuum cleaner with the text, "housework sucks." I tried to create a birthday message for a friend on a dishcloth ala Rachel. I have more respect than ever for her.
I graphed it out, not quickly. The illustration above was my at least my third attempt at centering, spacing, decisions on what to place where, wording according to available space.
I made several false starts on the knitting end, by failing to remember that I wasn't knitting in the round as I was when I inserted the names of my grandchildren on their Christmas stockings.
Finally I recreated the graphics from pen and pencil to the knitted object. Many a row was torn out and restarted too.
The result?? TOTALLY ILLEGIBLE! Not only does my poor friend get a dishcloth as a birthday gift, but one with a garbled message.
The balance is between a) sticking with instructions worked out by someone else for less frustration and b) continuing to be patient and persistent in order to keep the hemispheres of the brain lighting up in different areas, and to insert my own ideas. I nearly always select the latter and wish I would choose the former.
I was inspired by Rachel, of www.knitsbyrachel.com. She makes clever dishcloths and creates her own graphics, like bats for Halloween, and my favorite, a vacuum cleaner with the text, "housework sucks." I tried to create a birthday message for a friend on a dishcloth ala Rachel. I have more respect than ever for her.
I graphed it out, not quickly. The illustration above was my at least my third attempt at centering, spacing, decisions on what to place where, wording according to available space.
I made several false starts on the knitting end, by failing to remember that I wasn't knitting in the round as I was when I inserted the names of my grandchildren on their Christmas stockings.
Finally I recreated the graphics from pen and pencil to the knitted object. Many a row was torn out and restarted too.
The result?? TOTALLY ILLEGIBLE! Not only does my poor friend get a dishcloth as a birthday gift, but one with a garbled message.
The balance is between a) sticking with instructions worked out by someone else for less frustration and b) continuing to be patient and persistent in order to keep the hemispheres of the brain lighting up in different areas, and to insert my own ideas. I nearly always select the latter and wish I would choose the former.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Rosa Pomar Doll Welcomed!
The mifflettes surround their Rosa Pomar doll with love. She just arrived from Portugal today. ISN'T SHE WONDERFUL?
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Mifflette Cousins Dress Warmly
The Mifflette Cousins who came to visit last week have found just the right clothes to keep them toasty in ME. A handknit fair isle sweater is just right for Bleubunny and Rosie is stylish in her pleated grey flannel skirt and cape lined in pink paisley.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
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