Berlin's Whimsy

Wearing Nature.

I didn't win Margie's giveaway for one of her wonderful crocheted acorn necklaces, so I decided to make one of my own using her helpful tutorial!

I used this hemp yarn from Elann that I had in my stash and a size 2.75MM crochet hook. The hemp is an excellent yarn for crocheting!

What's even better about this necklace? It makes a perfect pouch for flowers! The stem fits through the little hole in the bottom. My daughter had a difficult time choosing between her flower, one of our wooden acorns, or a real acorn. In the end, we decided the necklace is a "nature necklace," to be filled with trinkets of the seasons...

The pouch is just single crochet but the necklace's string is made with a Solomon's Knot, or Lover's Knot----here is a tutorial on youtube.

I am very enamored with this crochet technique and I hope to take on a larger project using this knot. I thought the Solomon's Knot chain looked very nice in conjunction with the nature necklace and it also worked up very quickly. Now I'm off to make one of my own!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday thoughts and thank you.

Thank you for all of your "Good Luck" wishes yesterday! I watched the local news last night (something I very seldom do), and learned that my area is suffering the third worst job market downturn in the nation!!! Okay, no wonder...

Another thank you is long in coming:  Megan of Scent of Water sent me a wonderful surprise package last month. That beautiful hand-printed fabric pictured at the top of this post with my handspun yarn encased a fun book inside. The book is new to me and a very pleasant surprise:Knit, Handmade Style. Lots of fun projects inside... (they are pictured in this post).

How is it that Megan knew I needed a bit of a pick-me-up on the day the package arrived? It must be her wise intuition! And if you haven't experienced Megan's beautiful & thought-provoking writing and photography, you're in for a treat. 

And lastly, Cassi started a nice cap to each week by posting a thoughtful quote on Fridays. I'm going to partake today by sharing this (it is a Buddhist saying)...

"You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere."

Doilies.

Found at the thriftstore today----enough doilies to create a "pond" full of doily lily pads.

Doilies... Created by the hands of others, they are one of my favorite thriftstore treasures. Is it the memories? Visions of my Great Aunt's doilies gracing the back of her couch or cradling flower pots throughout her farmhouse... Or is it my appreciation of the patience I lack to create doilies--- all those intricate stitches, so intimidating.

I collected them even before Amanda made them so beautifully famous but she graciously opened the door for the doily's graduation from Grandma's parlor to bags, quilts, and so much more...

'Shear Spirit' & 'A Fine Fleece': Reviews

It seems April is a fortuitous month for fiber lovers. I had the opportunity to look through two gorgeous fiber books that were published recently. Both books tackle the subject of handspinning, fiber, and knitting but their approaches to the subjects differ.

Lisa Lloyd's book, 'A Fine Fleece' stunned me with not only its beautiful photographs but the knitted designs and patterns were exactly what I was craving but didn't realize it. It's a pattern book I'll keep for the duration of my knitting life.

The patterns are written with the handspinner in mind but they also allow for the understanding that not all knitters spin their own yarn nor have the availability of handspun yarns. Each pattern includes a photo of the project in both handspun and commercially available yarns.

The patterns are beautiful and timeless---absolutely exquisite. I especially loved this aspect of the book because if I take the time to handspin the yarn for a sweater, I don't want that sweater to go out of style anytime soon!

These are patterns that you will turn to over and over again for many years to come---they are works of art in texture. In addition, the resource page includes one of my longtime blogging friends, Jennifer of Spirit Trail Fiberworks!

The other book is Shear Spirit by Joan Tapper and photographed by Gale Zucker. This book differs from Lloyd's book in that it celebrates the source of fiber. Through warm and luscious photos, the reader visits farms from Maine to Oregon and cannot help but feel inspired to pick up yarn and needles or even take up handspinning! There are lovely projects within this book, as well.

I especially liked the Redwoods Earflap Hat.

This book is both coffee table treasure and pattern book. It's one to carry with you to page through in the sun, dreaming of visiting a local fiber farm or even moving to one yourself.

Both of these books are works of beauty and inspiration.

Softie Smiles.

Off my needles come little critters. They do feel like a bit of fancy---silliness, I guess---but when I see my kids carry them around in their pockets and tuck them into bed at night, they don't seem so irrelevant to our lives.

My son carries his little 'Bunny Foo Foo' around with him and he loves his newly knitted snail. He wants to knit one himself---perhaps a weekend project.

When these little projects near completion they provide me with a big smile, a spark of delight for my heart.

I don't know what the funk I've been experiencing is----perhaps another visit to that pity party I try not to participate in, although its allure seems inevitable sometimes. I think the most recent visit is over and I left the party with favors in the form of new plans and routines.

Sometimes I get too caught up in shoulds. I look around me and backtrack my life and the shoulds are not far to follow. I realize now how much of my creativity was suppressed all these years-----set aside for other things deemed more important for lack of a support system.

Now, I allow myself bits of whimsy here and there---even silly irrelevance. No, little softies sporting their own handspun and handknit sweaters won't save the world but they remind a couple sweet children that their Mom loves them; moreover, they bring a smile to the face of the Mom that made them.

***The little guy with the sweater is my own version of Margaret's Ornament Guy. The minute I saw him I knew I had to make one (or two?!) for my kids, so thank you, Margie, for sharing with me. Do check out Margie's 'Handmade by Me' Flickr set. Wonderful!

***The Snail is a pattern from Mochimochi. We'll probably have a whole "flock" of them soon...

***Have you looked at the entries for the Second Annual Softies Awards? They'll put a smile to your face...

"But we don't know how to make anything."

When I picked up my kids from school yesterday, I was presented with a permission slip for an annual overnight field trip. The parent's cost for each student is $100. I gasped a bit at that. Though I've never needed a scholarship for my kid's school activities before, this time I glanced at the scholarship portion of the form which stated that scholarship money was very limited due to the other options students could pursue...

I was pleased to find those other options. Students are encouraged to work to raise their own field trip money. Opportunities consisted of positions at the upcoming school fundraiser ($5 per hour) and students must interview for the each position, babysitting parents' children during the event ($5 per hour), writing thank you cards ($5 each------hmmm, I'll sign up for that one!!), and more...

It also included the option of making items to sell to parents and community members, as well as offering up your services for bidding. I loved all of these ideas, especially the school's aim to provide opportunities for students to work their way towards the field trip rather than just handing out scholarships.

When I mentioned the option of making items to sell, both of my kids whined in unison, "But we don't know how to make anything!" My son added for more effect, "Yeah, I don't think anyone's going to want to buy one of my doodles!"

I told them I disagreed and we went on to discuss all of the things they know how to make... I reminded my daughter of her drawing skills and that we could transfer one of her drawings onto fabric and embroider it and then use that piece to make a bag or some other item. For my son, I mentioned our handspun yarn and how well he can now knit. I also reminded him of his expert origami skills and how lovely a miniature crane looks on a handmade card. We're just starting to get into felting and I told them of all the things that can be made out of felt. We discussed painting and drawing and mini-quilts and hair accessories... and the list went on and on.

In the end, I said, "Yep, I guess you don't know how to make anything, huh?!"

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And on the topic of creativity, I know you've probably read it before, but Amanda's book The Creative Family is absolutely lovely. I highly recommend it. There are a number of reasons I personally liked it but for other readers I feel that her ability to encourage everyone's creativity is impeccable. She provides basic activities that are easily obtainable, but more than that, they are presented as a jumping off point for each family's creativity. She also describes the creative atmosphere each of us can create and nurture in our own households. Sure, I know how to sew and knit and many of the other projects within the book, but I still loved reading it because of the "atmosphere" of gentle creativity and parenting the book evokes-----it's like joining a wonderful community of mothers and families from within her words. At $10, it's a steal, too.

Getting the word out...

I want to pass this along into the blogosphere...

"Former Bend resident Tracey Thomson has been burned over 30% of her body due to domestic violence while living in Argentina. Her ex-husband is currently in jail there on charges of attempted murder for setting her on fire. Tracey and her kids have no health insurance and need to get back to the US with her family to heal and put their lives back together.

She is now hospitalized in Argentina where the incident took place. A group of friends is trying to earn enough money to fly Tracey to Utah where a burn unit will help her heal and recuperate. Her medical expenses will be over $100,000."

How you can help:

--A fund has been established at Washington Mutual Bank, where donations can be made at any branch.

--Pass this message along...

--And find out more on their blog: bringtraceyhome.blogspot.com

Woodland Easter Rabbits.

I'll admit something (are you counting airhead moments on this blog? Oh, please don't, I'd hate to hear the total!)...

I didn't realize it was Easter weekend until two days ago. I thought Easter was next weekend!

So, my confusion was probably for the best. Easter was always "our holiday," which meant that we hosted a weekend full of family---my in-laws. It was always a big to-do. You can probably imagine my ambivalence this year; another point in my life that diverges from what I knew for years. I didn't have much time to fret about it this year with my confusion of dates.

We're making the best of it in spite of our lack of planning ahead and our mixed emotions. We colored eggs, we looked at chicks (in hopes that we might bring home a few in the coming weeks to raise!), and I finished up these little woodland bunnies. They aren't much but my kids still enjoy little toys with personalities.

These bunnies are a version of Mochimochi's Woodins. I loved the little Woodins in their knitted log but with less than 48 hours and no suitable yarn, I couldn't knit two of them.

Instead, I used some felted sweaters that I've been saving for projects. This little woodland stump must suffice. For some reason my mind seemed to be thinking woodland creatures when I embroidered the little stumps, consequently they don't look very Spring/Easter-like. Ah well, I think the bunnies like hiding in them just fine.

Fun ideas.

Thank you all for your encouragement yesterday----such thoughtful comments, they all made me smile. Also, I was happy to hear from some de-lurkers, too! Welcome.

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Last weekend's discoveries of some inspirational tutorials resulted in time spent daydreaming about possibilities of color, shape, and future gifts. I received the coasters above from a drawing at Ibby Bee (notice they hang on my wall instead of their intended use---too beautiful to put a drink on). I loved their design the minute I saw them but somehow I missed her earlier tutorial on this technique. This evening, I whipped up a few blocks using the technique----so fun!

I only recently discovered the amazing quilts of Lady Harvatine---beautiful.

And lastly, SewMo's sleeping mask would make a wonderful Mother's Day present!

Ibby Bee's Inserted Strip Block tutorial (like in the pictures).

Lady Harvatine's Confetti quilt.

SewMo's Sleeping Mask Tutorial.

In Six Words.

I've been tagged by Cami of Full Circle for an interesting word Meme and I love it since I love all things word related...

Here's the story behind the meme (as copied from the original post):
As I read yet another book review of a memoir this weekend, my husband told me that I should write one. I said that my story would be much too short and rather boring so when I ran across the following book I decided it was just my speed. A six word memoir! Written by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, Not Quite What I was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure is a compilation based on the story that Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were- For Sale: baby shoes, never worn. There’s a video on Amazon with examples from the book, it sounds like a fun read! I’d like to start a six word memoir meme and here are the rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like

3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere

4 .Tag five more blogs with links

5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

Within everyday life, I find the beauty.

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And I'd love to read your biographies, if you'd like to play along:

~Megan at Scent of Water

~Stefani at Blue Yonder

~Kerstin at Gypsy Life

~Sarah at Still Life in Yarn

~Kirsten at Kirstencan