MyLuckyChicken

Still Knitting

I am feverishly working this scarf...

super simple. Cast on 18, knit, repeat. It's a gift so there is a deadline. You know how I am with deadlines. 

I also have 2 baby blankets and 2 pocket dolls to finish. It's going to be a busy week!

Quotable Sunday

Another Quotable Sunday from Karie at Are So Happy. My contribution...

 

 

“As we sail thru life, don’t avoid rough waters, sail on because calm waters won’t make a skillful sailor”   ~ Mang Kepweng

Quotable Sunday

I thought I'd start participating in Quoteable Sunday, a mem started by Karie at Are So Happy.

 

 

"Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved."

- Saint Seraphim 

Swap-bot fun!

I needed a little something to get my creative juices flowing again so I signed up for a swap on Swap-bot.

For those of you new to swapping, basically you find a topic that interests you, say vintage buttons, and look for a swap. You are assigned one or more partners depending on the swap, and you create a little package for them and send it off. It's great because you get to send a package and receive one in return. And you know how I love snail mail!

I participated in a Vintage Button Swap. My package was sent to Australia (for only $3, isn't that amazing? the post office is way under-rated) about a week ago. I think it has reached it's destination and so it is safe to post pictures...

 

We had to send 10 or more vintage buttons, I made a little needle book to put them in...

I used one of the last pieces from my 1930s quilt top and some felt. I love these little books, they are so sweet and tiny. 

My partner's profile said she liked olive green so I went with that theme for the buttons. 

 

They are basted in with the yellow silk thread. (vintage, of course) 

I love sewing with silk, it feels so luxurious. 

 

The thing about swaps is you have a deadline so it's a nice little project that has to get done. And sometimes the pressure of a deadline is just what I need! 

I received a cute package from my partner with some lovely buttons and I will post pictures as soon as I get some good light to take them. So that would be tomorrow morning. 

WIP

A little update on my knitting projects...

This scarf is almost done. I am going to marathon knit tonight and see how far I get. 

and I've got the first three rows of this hat on circular needles. It's my first attempt at using them and I feel very fancy. I also love the idea at real Pilgrims wore a hat just like this one. Fitting for the season, don't you think? 

Sold!

There has been an uptick in sales of my sweet little monster clothespin bags. I love sending them out into the world and I am hopeful that the increase in sales means that more people are using solar clothes driers (formally known as a clothes line).  You could also use them to hold plastic bags, cleaning rags, all kinds of things! I'll be listing most of what I have left this week. 

Just keep knitting, just keep knitting...

I've been wanting to learn how to knit for a while now.

Mostly so I could knit socks. I love socks. Cozy, thick, wool socks. Like these...

And sometimes I would start, but I found it annoying to keep the yarn in my left hand. And after crocheting, having two needles made me feel clumsy. 

A friend told me I needed to knit for 3 hours straight and I would get over it. So I did. I signed up for a class, that I had to pay for. This is my motivation to go because it is at night, after a long day of work, and children, and laundry. It is also 7-10. pm. But I went and knit for 3 hours. It didn't work. I was still clumsy and hated the needles. I actually said, "I think I might hate knitting." 

But those socks were calling to me. The promise of a lifetime supply of thick, cozy, wool socks. As long as I had some needles. and a sheep. 

So I kept with it.

Knit 2 , purl2, knit 2, purl 2.

Forever.

Or maybe it was just 3 weeks.

And look...

my first scarf.

It's finished now and I can wear it.

Which I did today because it is snowing here.Yes, in October. But I am embracing that because it turns out that snowy days are really great for knitting...

another scarf, commissioned by my little guy, to be paid for with kisses. 

Snail Mail is Worth the Wait.

I've been thinking about good old fashioned letter writing lately. On my recent travels I was lucky enough to receive some real-on-paper letters. It made me realize how much I miss getting them. So here is some inspiration, send someone a letter...

 

It's worth the wait.

 

 

Hurricane WIP

We are so fortunate that Irene was downgraded to a tropical storm before it came to us and so far we've kept dry and have only lost a few branches in the back yard. 

I've been watching the news and working on my latest project.

 

Sending thoughts and prayers to everyone dealing with this storm. 

 

My Most Recent Obsession

I've been really infatuated with dolls lately. Specifically, rather small dolls, like the kind you could fit in your pocket and carry around with you. A nice portable friend. I started by looking at the Blythe photos. The are all over the internet. I got my self a mini blythe, but then I moved on. I have a few vintage dolls. (I'll post a picture tomorrow when I have good light). They are sweet but delicate. Then I started thinking about fairies. I couldn't find one I liked so I thought I'd make some. 

She's my first. I was making them in Ireland and quickly realized that I didn't have what I needed to make tops, so they all got skirts. 

I'm working (rather slowly) on some new ones now. They are about 6 inches tall and only lightly stuffed. I think they are the perfect size to put in your pocket and take on an adventure.