playing with new toys

Surprise, I'm trying something new. I've been taking an online class, Still Pursuing Portraits, from Pam Carriker. This is my favorite drawing so far.

Finding my mojo

I know, it's been a while, but I've been busy. I hit a rough patch a while back (nothing scary, don't worry) and just haven't felt like posting. Things are better now and my knitting and crafting mojo is back!

I designed and knit a new pattern for Blue Moon Fiber Arts for the March Rockin' Sock Club. This isn't a good photo (what is up with the lumpy toe?), but you can click here to see some lovely finished projects.

Redbud Sock for BMFA Rockin' Sock Club

I took a class to keep my sanity while driving over the bumps-in-the-road-of-life. It was really fun, and combined two things I love: sewing and paper! Here's a little journal I made to learn metal embossing and how to do a coptic stitch binding.

I've been (mostly) staying positive on the above mentioned bumpy road--looking for the little things that make me smile. Here's one I saw this morning.

 I hope it brings you a smile, too!

January calendar page

I'm joining in on Kate Crane's 366 Challenge 2012 . The plan is to create a calendar journal page for each month, with a small journaling square for each day. I've been wanting to start an art journal for a long time, but I never know what to write on the pages. I thought this might be just the ticket to get me going. The journaling squares are only 1 1/2 inches -- I won't have to write much to fill each day :-)

Moleskine 8x12 Sketch Journal, Golden Acrylic paints, scrapbook papers, commercial and hand-carved stamps

Pardon the photo--my journal won't fit on my scanner, and it was dark and rainy (finally) today. I'm getting a late start on January, but am already prepping February's pages. Kate's blog is full of inspiration -- go see for yourself!

Spring in January?

Gus is making sure we take full advantage of the nice sunny weather.


We've been spending lots of time outside. I'm trying to enjoy it, but somehow it just seems wrong to be so warm and dry in January.

It's too warm to wear my handknit woolies. But, I have been knitting something new (and tiny).

Don't get any ideas...it's for a friend. I need to knit three more. Yes, she's having twins :-)