Troll Hat

What is it about making hats? It satisfies my soul 💚

This one is for wee baby Parker! We can’t wait to meet you September this year 😍

Life is just about the best drug available!

It’s been too long. Returning is like a warm hug when you’ve been lost in the cold. 

Life, thank you. I’m not worthy but I’ll sure as hell give it all. 💗

Black Swan

What I love about Perth are the black swans. Even in the bright sunshine, the black swan emerges from the shadows dignified and majestic; mysterious.

The black doesn’t make it hideous. It makes the swan more beautiful.

A mixed watercolor and ink

Early this fall we went to Dunsborough, Margaret River and I was inspired by the many lovely boats anchored in the bay. The warm breezes and the glow of the “end of summer” was amazing! 

This was my first attempt at a mix of watercolor pigments, pencils and ink. I used white ink to help with highlights in the water. I felt very passionate about capturing the serenity and glow of life that surrounded me. In the end, I’m fairly pleased, but I learned most importantly!!

I love looking back at my paintings because they remind me of what a beautiful life I live. It’s not perfect by any means, but I’m thankful (at the end of the day) for all of it!

Enjoy!!!

  

Knitters Be-square!!!

To all you knitters out there!!! It’s time to fall in love with the Granny Square!!!!

Trust me, you will want to give crochet a GO!!!!!

I’m officially HOOKED! I never truly appreciated the making and the usefulness of the “Granny Square”. I mean, well, I like them alright, but I never thought “DAMN! I need to make granny squares”! Sooooo, that’s the truth. Appreciation of a thing doesn’t translate to the desire to make that thing.

That all changed the day I causally picked up a Noro magazine at my local news shop because I discovered Noro wool. I admire the raw and vibrant look of Noro Wool and the Noro designs/patterns are always interesting and oh-so-pretty! I’m a knitter first and foremost, so of course I knitted a beautiful Noro sweater with a gorgeous T design at the join of the body and sleeves. The colors are amazing and the body was made with a different color wool than the sleeves. However, as this post isn’t about that sweater (it now resides with my Niece in Newfoundland and of course I forgot to take a photo!) that’s enough said!

The whole point of this rambling is that I had enjoyed the Noro magazine so much, that I decided to pick up the next issue. It was then that I saw THE Tunic. In fact, everything I felt about the ole granny square changed because of this:

I fell instantly in LOVE with it and I simply had to make it! But disappointment soon followed; I had to make 60 granny squares and at a difficult level. I’m a novice at crochet and had only made some hats, booties and done some edgings around sweaters and blankets. Whatever was I going to do to make this tunic a reality?? Of course…I had to run to my woolshop ASAP and plead for help, shamelessly.

I am forever in-debited to Lesley for taking on such an impromptu teaching task that day; for over an hour too!! With good humor, and trust me I can be exasperating, she showed me how to work that square into submission! That said, even after that whirlwind lesson I had to go home and make about a thousand mistakes, tear my hair out and rip apart about a dozen squares before finally achieving a good result. Thank you Lesley for always extending your helping hand whenever I call regardless of what’s happening in your world! You are a rare and gorgeous gem and your kindness will NOT go unrewarded;

that’s a promise and you can count on it!

Here’s a closer look at the squares and let me tell you, these babies are harder than they look:

I finally wore it out yesterday and it was not only comfortable, it got plenty of looks! Now I don’t know if they were looks of “admiration” or “what is she wearing???”, but I’m hoping it’s the former! Who cares anyway!? I love it and it is me to a T 🙂 It makes me want to dance and twirl!! What’s that song? “I feel pretty, oh so pretty, I feel pretty, witty and gay, or was it wise or both…”?

Since making that Tunic, a whole new world of creativity has opened up, and crochet is way easier than knitting. Honest! So give it a try and go beyond the Granny Square norm of the pot holder, the blanket or table cloth! Make a jacket, a dress,a lamp shade or this lovely and colorful Tunic!!

Here’s a final photo of the Tunic. I had to photograph it in the sunny outdoors to bring it to life and to show off all those glorious colors!! Hummmmm, maybe it’s the silk in the Noro wool, but I never, ever thought it could feel so luxurious to wear a Granny Square Tunic! True story!!

Happy creating and knitters…….BE-SQUARE!!! 

BEWARE of the Granny Square!; It’s truly addictive!!!!

Peace and Love!

Perspective

Reality? What’s that? It’s what you want it to be.

Love it, do it, live it. No excuses. Be happy.