They always are

I have just recently realized that I am married to a gnome! 

Why didn’t I notice this before? 

It was only after he grew a beard; a wonderfully white and gnome-ish beard, that I realized what had been hiding in plain sight all these years.  Ah, but now it all comes together.

Would a gnome be a wood carver?  Yes

Would he be on a first name basis with birds? Absolutely.  That’s a given too.

Would he be a tree whisperer? Of course, they always are.  

Gradient granny

This is the only photo I have of the kerchief I crocheted for my granddaughter.  And the only item I’ve ever crocheted out of cotton yarn. And the first time I’ve ever blocked a crocheted piece. Blocking is done with water or steam and the piece is wrangled into shape on a thick and thirsty towel whence it dries into the shape it was destined to have.  That explanation completely overlooks the magic though.  When I finished crocheting, the kerchief seemed thick and awkward.  As I dunked it up and down in water it seemed a confusing jumble.  But the moment I spread it out on the towel,  a lacy, light and lovely thing of beauty emerged.  This pattern is called Gradient Granny Kerchief and I think the gradient is so charming.  A dainty picot edge and an open lace gradually transforming into a granny square at the same time.  Flower Child meets Babushka.  

Time will tell

I have a handful of crocheted daisies; leftovers from a long ago project. Will I ever use them all up? Time will tell. 

Granny

 

In 1885, the granny square pattern was published and crochet hooks have rejoiced ever since. The pattern thrives on using a plethora of colors. Leftover lengths of yarn are elevated and celebrated.  It’s just as it should be that two world wars and the Great Depression made the granny square attain crochet 101 standing.  But it was the 1970’s that made it cool.  And if it was cool then, baby it’s cool now.  This groovy sweater has four greens, four purples and three blues, all making encore appearances.  

Little chicks

A chance

The beginning of the new year can be as inviting as a field of snow stretching into the distance with no footprints.  

Or like the first page of a sketchbook. Or the bottom of a steep hill.  Daunting. 

Or it can be like a new row of knitting.  A chance to turn and begin again. To add to a pattern or change it.  To create something warm and colorful.  

Happy new year

‘Fast away the old year passes…’

Here in the northern hemisphere with winter causing a pause in growth all around us in garden and forest, it seems exactly right to pause as well from the toiling and routine of the past year. The days will lengthen. The sun will warm our faces again. Newness and growth are gifts of New Year.  I wish you contentment and courage in equal measure. 

Shout winter

Aren't amaryllis amazing? Giant bulb, giant flowers. No yellow ones or we could clearly see that they are cousins of the daffodil. And just as daffodil say Spring, amaryllis shout Winter.  

Tea helps

Life happens. Tea helps.

Light the lamp

November days are dark and damp. Come inside and light the lamp

Utility and art

Aren’t zippered pouches the perfect blend of utility and art?

Just like the bunny

While foraging at a thrift shop I unearthed a little crewel kit, circa 1979. It seemed the perfect time to try something new.  I washed the small bundles of wool and let them air dry in case moths had wandered by and taken a bite or two.  They had but only half heartedly.  

It was so much fun to stitch!

I made a few tweaks. I replaced the pink wool supplied for the berries with navy and burgundy: blackberry colors.  And turned four flowers destined to be yellow petalled, into white trilliums.  I thought that seemed more wild and woodsy.  Just like the bunny.  

How To

Doesn’t it look like the little girl is trying to teach the chickens how to fly? I painted her in gumboots but where’s her sweater?! Must be a typical fall day.  

Buzzes

A bold bumble bee buzzes on the back of a booksleeve. 

Don’t give a hoot

Barn owls don't give a hoot. They screech and hiss and purr instead.

Just shy

Are raccoons reclusive, or just shy?

Bees of course

She drew me a picture when she was seven, of the way she wanted her ‘13’ quilt to look.  She wanted honeycomb, lots of honeycomb.  And dripping honey.  And a flower.  And bees of course.  That goes without saying.  

Two sides

Every quilt has two sides.  It’s not always clear which side is up and which is down. 

Weighty

Aren't traditions a wondrous thing? We have a Turned Thirteen tradition in our family.  As each of my grandchildren have teetered on the brink of teenage years I have upcycled denim into a quilt: a weighty gift befitting a weighty moment in time.  

Plan C

My eyes flicked over the sweater sleeves all squeezed together in a long row at the thrift store.  Natural fibre stands out doesn’t it? Especially when it’s chunky, patterned, soft cotton.  

I plucked a sweater into my arms, rushed to the till and hastened homeward. It seemed a smidge short but I wasn’t worried. Blocking after washing was plan A. I found myself tugging at the hem each time I wore it though. I pondered plan B. I could add the hem tails  of an uocycled shirt., but by now I found myself also tugging at the neck. On to plan C. Scissors! That’s what was needed.  The hem of the sweater became the top of the tote. The sleeves became pocket one, pocket two and shoulder straps.  I didn’t even ask my sewing machine how it felt about sewing the straps on.  I just added wooden buttons as though I had planned it all along.