Knittingdragonflies

A short post before I leave for work…..
This pattern is easy and looks more complicated that it is. I was looking for a fairly simple project to occupy me and while blog reading, (because if you can’t knit, crochet or spin you can still read about it), I ran across this on the Knitting Up A Storm blog, from Anna Peck.
Give it a look! This is a great step by step tutorial, enjoy and thanks Anna!!
In the process of going through my stash, I started dyeing up some yarn to work with for this pattern, I had the idea of making the skeins painted in random light to dark mix. I started with two skeins and decided to dye 4.
Hey, new rule, if I work two jobs, I get to wear my PJs when I’m off.



I’m using a larger needle size 13 to get a lacy effect, and relaxing in the process. Everything is better with knitting. (I think this could be a beer commercial *grin*)
Ravelry link below and photos http://www.ravelry.com/projects/knittyknitter/the-dummy-clap-shawl-scarf—shrug


May your knitting needles fly as fast as dragonflies….

My absence here is due to my life being in transition. At certain times in life a path comes and we step off of our current one and start another.
Change is good but scary, especially in this time of uncertainty. But a great career opportunity came my way that I couldn’t turn down and had to take advantage of it. Although the new job has no benefits and is uncertain and (of course) I love it. I have had keep my old job and work them both. So I’m just taking this a day at a time and seeing what happens.
Until then, I’m trying to fit some knitting into my schedule!! As it is MUCH needed!!
Life with no knitting (or spinning) = hot mess!
Keep knitting

Photo by Husing see more amazing photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32791130@N08

I believe this is Er-Liao, Taiwan ,a fantastic place between Tainan and Kaohsiung.Rapid & unexpected change of fog and cloud attracts many tourists

Now go get your knitting!

I know everyone’s life is crazy anymore! It is hard to find a balance. I’ve been super stressed lately and have forgotten to do the things that I enjoy doing.

When life is busy, or all your energy is focused on a special project, it's all too easy to find yourself "off balance," not paying enough attention to important areas of your life. While you need to have drive and focus if you're going to get things done, taking this too far can lead to frustration and intense stress.

That's when it's time to bring things back into balance.

How about a mantra?

A mantra is the main focus of meditation, a word or a phrase that you use to center your mind. Repeat your word or phrase throughout the day to gain more control and feel calmer.* For example K1, P2, slip 1, ktog, psso*

Keep a routine

Keeping a routine can make a hectic or stressful time in your life an anchor, like drinking a cup of coffee in the morning or sit quietly in your favorite chair or writing in your journal. How about knitting several rows a day or 15 min a day.

Do One Thing at a Time

We become experts with multi-tasking these days, people think more is better. Try to do just one thing at a time. Carefully pay attention to what you are doing, and where you are at the moment. This is also known as mindfulness meditation. Instead of doing lots of things not very well, just do one. *Concentrate on a lace pattern *grin**

Practice Acceptance

Acceptance as a concept appears in Eastern religious concepts such as Buddhist mindfulness, and in human psychology. Religions and psychological treatments often suggest the path of acceptance when a situation is both disliked and unchangeable, or when change may be possible only at great cost or risk. *I finally decide to frog that #%#ing sweater!*

Random Acts of Kindness

Kindness acts give us a deep feeling of purpose. When you do something nice for other, you have a sense of connecting to that person, and it does wonder for the mind. *Teach someone to knit or spin*.

Be Kind to Yourself

You will not be able to take care of anyone or anything else in your life if you’re burned out or run down. Have at least 15 minutes every day to do something pleasurable just for yourself. *go buy yourself that yarn you really want*

It Is OK to Say No

It is challenging to say no on the spot. If you have a hard time saying no, hey blame it on your husband/partner etc.…, *I’m knitting my DH a sweater that he must wear to the game Fri. night*

Simplify your home

Simplify your desk, kitchen counters, or any other spot in the house that collect clutters. You will have more time to do what you love, less stress if you are not overwhelmed with your environment.*yarn excluded*

Happy Knitting!

First off, don’t forget to check out the Spring/Summer 2012 Knitty Issue! Lots of tempting patterns from talented knitters!

I’ve fallen in love with this quilt!! Thanks to Film in the Fridge, a quilt tutorial on a quilt called Converging Blocks. One of those “OOOO I’ve fallen in love with this scrappy, colorful, free spirited pattern”. It looks easy and fun. There is also a list of mostly quilting tutorials on her blog!

I was captured by the simple yet different look of this easy to make lamp!

From MoreDesignPlease a DIY light cloud!

How cool would it be to knit a swifter cover? And knit up your stash. Well I found a list of bloggers at Tipnut that did just that.

Happy Creating!!

I had a container of foot salt scrub, after using it all up, instead of buying more, I decided to try making it myself. (and improving on it)

Do you or your man have the funky feet? Working out and working all in the same day sometimes leads to foot funk. The gym floor is loaded with foot fungus, I decided to add something to battle this.

My result? Easy, cheap and my feet and my DH are soft and good smelling. Suitable for a gift also.

Items you need:

A container, plastic type is good, A Ball jar looks great also, especially if you are making this for a gift.

Ingredients

Tea tree oil, (you can add additional essential oils), sugar (I used white but you can use brown also), oil of your choice (Jojoba, olive, almond, sesame seed, peanut, even baby oil if you don’t object to adding mineral oil), and a couple of squirts of antibacterial soap.

Take your clean container, add the sugar (I like this better than salt), to about 3/4 inch from the top. Now add several pumps of antibacterial soap. I add about 10 drops of tea tree oil, you can add more if you have really funky feet. Now stir your sugar mix all up with a stick/spoon. After mixing well, pour in your choice of oil(s), to cover the mix. Mix this all up thoroughly. Yay! Now you are ready to pamper your feet, Scrub away and you will be amazed at how soft your feet are afterwards. Also all foot fungus be gone!

Tea tree oil-Tea tree oil has been scientifically investigated only recently. Some sources suggest beneficial medical properties when applied topically, including antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic qualities It also has beneficial cosmetic properties. Read more here.

Sugar-Sugar is the perfect thing to use to exfoliate and repair dry skin. Not as rough as salt, sugar is a great exfoliate, if white sugar seems too harsh, try brown sugar, it is finer and gentle to your skin.There is also some evidence that sugar helps to heal skin.

Oils-You probably already have your favorite oil(s). I love almond oil and have read it is especially soothing to skin. Olive oil to Jojoba give one a try. Need some help?

Interested in making more scrubs? I found this how to from the TipJunkie filled full of Sugar scrub recipes!

I received some roving from a friend of a friend to spin up.

She had traveled to a B&B in KY, MapleHillManor, which is also an Alpaca Farm. A knitter but not a spinner, she found me and wanted me to spin up her 4 oz. of very nice alpaca.

I spun up two bobbins, and S plied it. It was nice to spin with and has gotten me back into using my wheel.

Below is the plied yarn.

She wanted to knit a scarf with the yarn. The result is 190 yds. of nice alpaca yarn. I hope this is enough for her to make what she had in mind. I did weigh the fiber and it was actually 3.6 oz. of fiber. There was 4 oz. if you include the weight of the bag and labels it was packaged with, or maybe she had removed some. I have found when I spin up 4 oz. my yield is an ave of 220-240 yds. of two ply yarn.

It takes quite a bit of fluff to make yarn. LOL

Below is a rough estimate I found online of amount of fiber to get the yards you desire.

Lace = 2600+ yards per pound
Fingering = 1900 to 2400 yards per pound
Sport = 1200 to 1800 yards per pound
Worsted = 900 to 1200 yards per pound
Bulky = 600 to 800 yards per pound
Very Bulky = 400 to 500 yards per pound

Happy Spinning!

From the blog Nocturnal Knits! Thanks Laura! Check out the finished product and pattern!

Everyone is happy spring is here!

Kick up your heels and enjoy it!

Time to spin for me!!

I know, long time for a break…..

But I’m back…..missed you guys! Have to catch up on what everyone is doing!

To sum up…

-I think summer is here! Yay!! Sun!

photo by Denis Collette, check out his beautiful photo stream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/deniscollette/

-Synthroid, sometimes tricky to get the dose right. I’m feeling pretty good, but experience some serious brain fog. I can forget what I’m saying in the middle of a sentence. On the bright side I can’t remember what I’m stressing about. LOL

-Still committed to not coloring my hair, as it grows in…..kind of used to looking at the lighter color now. Need lots of conditioning for grey hair, lots of moisture needed to tame the wild and crazy, course feel of it. I’ll have a list of products that I’ve settled on for now. Or I’d love to know any that work for you. I found that having grey/white hair allows me to talk to any women with the same. I pass a women showing her greys and smile. Love the freedom it has given me. Hey, lots of extra cash and time, (no more appointment's every 2-3 weeks for touchups), more for yarn!

-Just because I let my hair go grey doesn't mean I’m letting the rest of it go!  Keep up the Yoga! What is your favorite Yoga? Anyone tried Bikram Yoga / Hot Yoga? I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on it.

-No knitting, but I’ve been buying knitting books! Many reviews to come….I mean “lots” of knitting books!

-Still cleaning with natural and home made cleaners! Yes, I’m a total convert! see post here. Updates to come.

-Still searching for great things to help my dry skin and hair, I’ll have a list of what I love, thanks to everyone who has let me know what works for them! I’ve always been oily/normal, so this new territory for me.

-Totally committed to natural deodorant! Love, love, love it! see post here. Seriously now it is warm out, does a better job than Secret (which was my regular, pre home made)

-Knitting and spinning help stress! Memo to myself, don’t forget!!

-I’m so close to finishing up numerous projects! Of course sweaters are great when it is 80 degrees!

-Got crazy one afternoon and bought quite a bit of yarn, (still packed up) but I’ll show you that and my plans for it.

Happy Knitting!