Thursday 27 December 2007

New Wrist warmers

Quick knit done in the last couple days. White Elann Esprit cotton and peach whip Schachenmayr Only Stretch (wool.) I love these! They feel really good and they have four cables on each. I'm enjoying my beginner cabling. I knit them flat and could have done a better job of arranging my seam in relation to the pattern, but it's all a learning process and I'll certainly wear them without embarrassment. Thought about doing short rows for a partial thumb, but I think I prefer them without that.

Saturday 22 December 2007

Last stocking plus

Below is the last Christmas stocking and perhaps my favorite. I thought that about several of the others when I finished them too though. Taking a picture of this one proved the biggest challenge. The first photo shows the color pretty well, but doesn't show up the cables. The second sort of shows the cables, but I'd have liked to get a much better picture! Didn't try scanning, since my scanner is too much of a Prima Donna to work while I have too much else open on my computer.
Below are the initial tags I made to hang on them. I which stocking to give to who, so I'm going to make them pick, then they can put their own tags on. That way if they want to switch around every year they can do that too.
I cut these out of old leather from a coat and used paint pens to embellish them. the upside down candy cane is a J. :) I had fun making them! I'll have three stockings left from which to pick my own, after everyone else chooses theirs. I made the extra two for my other niece living down here and her boyfriend, but they ran off to spend Christmas with his family, so they'll get what's left..... or I might make another if there isn't one suitable for him left.

Wednesday 19 December 2007

Christmas knitting

(click pics to see larger)
I think this is safe here, because I haven't given this blog address out to anyone I've made these for. I was at my wit's end trying to think what to do for Christmas when I got the inspiration for these. Thank God! I used mostly acrylic yarns that I got when I first started knitting a couple years ago. The red and white above is in TLC Amore and Yarn Bee "frosting" from Hobby Lobby.
Another TLC Amore (burgundy) with blue "Boa" and a ladder lace I can't recall the name of added into the cable, which the photo doesn't show very well. But! I got basic cables figured out while working on these!

Trim in Yarn Bee "thistle," body a wool blend that I'd have to dig for to remember exactly.
Homespun with a novelty yarn I don't recall.
Ok, I'm giving up on remembering the yarns. I can look them up if anyone wants to know the specs. I love this one, though the foot part looks kind of bubbly... lol
The only one with a cable all the way to the toe.

This one has fringes to make it look sort of western/cowboyish. Made it 'specially for the niece who's into cowboy stuff, then found out she'd bought a cowboy boot stocking a few weeks ago... ahh well.
CAMO! Hoping the cable strip down the side doesn't make it too girly. I mean, there have to be a few of these for the guys, but then again, they're Christmas stockings, so hopefully no one will be too worried about that?? I'm sure hoping... lol
I have one more on the needles, just so everyone who Might be here is covered, including myself. I don't know how to pick which for who, so I'll probably make them pick their own, or just pick different each year, if they want. I'm experiencing knitter's anxiety and Really Hoping these go over well and get used year after year! The ones they have are just felt and getting old.

Tuesday 18 December 2007

Oops

I forgot to mention that I started another blog for memory stories.

It's cowgirlmemories.blogspot.com

It'll hopefully be lighter fare than over here on the dark side... lol At least I forgot the rant I had all worked out in my head the other night as I was going to sleep.... be glad... be very glad... unless I remember it again... LOL

The anxiety mentioned in the last post is doing a number on my continued cut-back on smoking. I've been praying about it, but also getting very distracted from my resolve.

Memory and Anxiety

(click for larger image)
I did this turtle on a napkin with an ink pen when I was 17.

I just realized I'm having some serious anxiety over forgetting things. I also realized that it's been a big cause of anxiety for a long time now. Because of this anxiety and the fact that it makes my memory even worse and also my pain, it's a vicious circle.

I have so many things I want to do right now, or to remember to do as I'm able, and I'm so afraid that I'll forget any/all of them, that I am in a state of high anxiety. I need to pray, but even that is hard to do when I'm wound so tight. I could make a list, and probably will, but I'm very good at losing lists along with my mind... lol

I want/need to draw and draw and draw.
I want to write stories on my new memories blog.
I want to scan all my old art from way back and archive it on a CD.
I also think I might want to make an album of said art to share.
I need to finish my Christmas stuff.
I need to figure out just what it'll take if I try sell my art prints on Etsy.
I need to keep up on email, because keeping up with friends is an important part of not being so isolated.
I want to keep up on my blog reading and each of the pages I visit regularly.
I want to talk more on Elann and post a few pictures, but I haven't worked up the nerve yet.
I need to show M the etching I have and ask if he wants to look at my scrapbook.
I need to get bank stuff straightened out.
I'm quite certain that's not the full list and I've forgotten things already, or maybe that's the anxiety speaking. How do I know when I forget so easily?!?
I need to take time to relax too, for the sake of pain management and this anxiety is making that difficult.

I for sure and certain need to pray about all this more than anything else! God help me and you too in whatever you're struggling with!

Saturday 15 December 2007

December...

This seems like a slow blogging month for many. I have a long list of blogs on google reader and some that usually blog a lot are pretty quiet. I haven't been saying much either, but only mostly because I've been communicating more with folks elsewhere. For some reason, the pictures under my header aren't showing up... not sure if I need to fix it, or if it'll work itself out. I need to keep track of what pictures I've posted here somehow, so I don't get confused and re post them, or think I've already posted what I haven't. Here's one I don't think I posted before though. It's a Star Thistle. Click if you want to see it bigger.




I think I'm about ready for Christmas. I need to figure out some way to package stuff, since I'm pretty sure I used all my wrapping paper last year and I will make a couple more things, just to cover the possibilities. I actually got to send some of my own art prints to my parents, that's pretty cool and I can't wait to know their response! I wasn't able to make the prints at UPS where I wanted to and where I hope to make more at some point, because I've been told they (or at least this store) make excellent prints. I've actually seen the results from there myself and they really are good. Hard to tell from the original without looking very close, or touching.


I sent some of my knit and crocheted hats and scarves to a bazaar with M&L, but only one scarf sold. I didn't really expect much from it, but was still a little disappointed. I actually went there for a while last night for a while and I enjoyed it. M&L made salsa to sell and most of that went and the girls made some bead jewelry. I don't know how much of that sold, but at least a few pieces. One of my friends had her art displayed there too. She had framed a lot of it and it's amazing what a difference a frame makes. I love her stuff anyway, but seeing it framed was like seeing it all new. I also don't know if she sold any of it, but I do know she got a few custom orders. Sometimes I wish I could draw, or paint, things on request, but that has never been my gift.


It's been quite a week. I've been knocked flat by pain frequently, because of trying to do more than usual and also due to the weather, but there's been a lot of positive stuff that's happened to. Just getting to the bazaar for a while was good for me, but also managing to send those prints and more. I've had some good conversations that helped clear some things up and hopefully made for smoother sailing and better understanding. Two of my nieces joined me on my trip to get groceries and we had great fun. They were such a big help! I was able to use my wheelchair and have them handle a cart. It's amazing what a difference extra hands make and also simply the company!


Anyway, my mind just jumped the track again, so if I had more to write, it's forgotten for now... lol


May you have a blessed Christmas and New Year filled with the peace and joy of the Savior Jesus Christ!