There are many times I think about trying it. Then I realize that I live in Oregon where it rains - a lot, and I commute 20 miles each way to work, over a big hill.
Socks are great knitting projects in the summer because even though the yarn is wool, the project is small, easily portable, and if the pattern isn't too difficult, pretty mindless knitting.
I've joined Summer of Socks on Ravelry for the second time. Last year I only managed to knit one and a half pair of socks during the event. I am hoping this year I can actually complete two pair. I've started off with a really simple pattern, just a basic sock. This yarn is so great that it really didn't need much of a pattern. The color variation is enough to keep me interested. I'm loving how it is self-swirling and then in some places, striping. The color is called Many Berries and doesn't it just look like a big bowl of summer berries? Well, the color I mean, not the yarn. The colors are more vibrant than the camera picked up. The yarn is a skein that I picked up at last year's Black Sheep Gathering. It is from a local yarn dyer It's a Colorful Life, who also sells on Etsy. I see that she even has a skein in this colorway available now.
I always look forward to the weekend with big plans. My weekends are normally 3 days Saturday, Sunday and Monday, since I work four 10 hour shifts at my full time job. Since I commute 45 minutes each way and then work at our antique stores Saturday and Monday, this schedule works out pretty well for he most part. I try to save Sundays for a day off, to work on art projects in between laundry and all that other stuff that needs to be done.
Like I said, big plans. . . . . Most of the time my weekends get filled with work. Estates that need to be looked at, picked up and loaded, unloaded, estate sales that need to be prepped or held, antique shows where we set up and sell.
I had taken an extra day off last Friday to attend a class at ArtFiberFest but never did hear back about the details, which was really disappointing, but I was able to fill my day with fun stuff anyway.
There is a new thrift store that has opened up near my house and I took advantage of this rare occasion when I'm home during the week to check it out. I went and picked up my mom and we spent the day running around. I found a few great things, one of which is an organizer with drawers that I have been eyeing at Costco but didn't want to pay full price for. I can never have too many organizational cabinets, drawers or boxes. I also went to a couple of craft stores in search of "found stencils" for the online Stencilry class I'm taking. Also bought a few other things I didn't know I needed.
The rest of the weekend was spent working. We looked at an estate for an upcoming estate sale. Unloaded a full truck which meant we had to rearrange things at the 2nd Street store to make room for the stuff - that store is a disaster right now. So much work to be done. We loaded the truck halfway at another estate then went to our storage where we finished filling the truck after we made the decision to sell at a local flea market this coming Sunday. We have been so lucky to get all of this great estate merchandise and since our stores are so full we really need to pass this stuff on to others to enjoy. If you are in the area, check out the Polk County Flea Market this Sunday. We will be the ones selling out of the big truck in the parking lot.
I was able to work on one of my swap projects, which I must finish in the next couple of days. A fabric quiltie to honor Frida Kahlo. I was inspired by the Stencilry class and stenciled Frida on a piece of wool felt which I will now embelish with flowers, sequins and lace. I took it all with me to work so I can work on it during lunch.
I have several swap projects that need to finish in the next couple of weeks. I keep telling myself to stop signing up for so many swaps but then these great opportunities keep coming along and I cannot resist. I need a little something to do inbetween so much work anyway. I also started knitting a pair of socks (just simple mindless pattern that I can work on in the evenings to keep my hands busy) for Summer of Socks '09, I still have the Entomology Shawl I'm knitting and the Lace Ribbon Scarf is about a third of the way completed.
My days off for the next few weeks are non-existent though. This Sunday the flea market, next weekend is the Antique Expo, then I think we'll begin prepping an estate sale that is coming up at the end of the month. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
It is always sad when someone dies. Sorrow and sadness for their friends and family, no matter who they are. But today two pop culture icons have died.
First there was Farrah Fawcett, this was a bit expected. She has been battling that horrible cancer and has fought it off for several years. Slowly deteriorating. I saw an interview with Ryan O'Neal the other night and at that time it didn't sound like she was going to be around much longer. I could jsut sense it in his voice. So a bit expected, but still so very sad. Farrah influenced a generation of women and men. I don't think there was a single teenage boy in the 1970's that didn't have this poster hanging on their wall.
And what teenage girl didn't want to be just like one of these crime fighting angels?
Then, this afternoon, the real shocker! Michael Jackson dead at 50. Just about ready to set out on what he claimed would be his final world tour. Dies of what we have yet to hear.
Michael Jackson, The King of Pop, influenced not only one generation but music, dance and fashion. As someone who grew up in the 80's, he also influenced me. Remember the release of the Thriller video? It was a world premier event. There we sat, my brother and I, watching MTV in anticipation of the greatest video of all time.
As strange as Michael Jackson became in the last decade or so, you must admit he is someone that is going to be missed. Whether for his amazing talent or his weird antics and plastic surgery attempts to make himself look, well, like not himself.
Today is a sad day indeed.
I think that on Saturday, while I'm working at the store, I'll pull out all the Michael Jackson vinyl records and listen to them . . . . all day long.
I am working on a super secret collaborative project with one of the local art groups I belong to. It is all very exciting but we are not quite ready to announce it. Soon . . . . . very soon.
In the mean time I have been terribly busy with work, both the day job and the antique stores. Every day for the past week we have either been looking at an estate, moving an estate or talking to someone about our estate sale services. Crazy in a really good way. It hasn't left much time for my knitting of the Entomology Shawl. I've completed one chart and I'm well into the next one but just haven't been able to find a single hour to sit and knit on it. If you are on Ravelry you can see my photos on my project page. If you are not on Ravelry and have any interest in knitting, crocheting or fibers, sign yourself up now! You will love it.
Speaking of Ravelry - Summer of Socks has started there and I'd really like to knit at least one pair of socks this summer. I need either more time or a second set of arms and hands.
Other art projects that are waiting for some attention include a Frida quiltie for a one on one exchange that needs to be completed this weekend. Peace and love charms for a swap and I'll be donating a couple of items to the Pink Project.
I really enjoy working on round robin collaborations, they seem to suit me just fine. Every so often I receive a little bit of artwork in the mail, get inspired, add a little more art to it and send it on it's way. By the end of the project I receive my own wonderful artwork to keep, knowing that everyone else has touched it, added to it and hopefully enjoyed it for just a little while.
The current round robin project for the Guild is a painted envelope, painted with faces and other little bits that seem fitting. Instead of an envelope I decided to go with some watercolor paper (140lb cold press) with a manilla file folder in the center to add stability. I've stapled the paper together so that when it comes back to me I'll be able to take them apart and hang them on the wall to enjoy.
I added a little bit of texture in the form a paper lace doilie, a chipboard "D", and some tissue paper, gessoed the watercolor paper to add a little more stability and then painted.
I love the way the paint slathers on and creates it's own pattern.
Another background, using the same brayer technique and then added some circles by dipping a water bottle cap into some grey paint.
Another face, I kept adding colors to her hair until I was happy with it.
Monica is at it again. Remember last year? The Pink Artist Project and the beautiful doll that was created?
This year Monica has put out the call for pieces of art to be donated for a raffle that will raise funds, 100% of which are donated to The Cure.
Not sure what I'll be making yet, ideas are swirling around, will certainly be PINK. I've also signed up my Oh So Charming group for a collaborative charm project that will be donated. Stay tuned for more details on the items as they are created. There's still plenty of time for you to participate too, either by making a piece of art to donate, donate $ and be entered to win one of the fabulous pieces of art, or both. Click on the Pink Artist Block Party button above to check it out.
I've been thinking a lot lately about serendipity and sychronicity, thanks to Kathryn over at True North Arts. The prompt this month is serendipity and sychronicity and how it relates to the creative process. I have way over thought this, I know.
I believe completely that things happen for a reason. I live my life open to that and am very aware of it. I trust that things will work out and that when something happens another will follow. Many times the reasons are not clear but I trust in it. If I think too much about it, start to find reasons for things and try to find the meaning - it completely throws me off. I get this unsettled feeling, it is so hard to try and explain. That is where I am today, a little off, not quite in sync.
It interests me greatly that each moment, each act, each movement, causes a different effect. Because I spilled my coffee this morning and took time to clean it up does that save me from being in a car accident on the way to work? Because I linger a little longer at the bookstore does that create the opportunity to run into someone I haven't seen for ages but have been thinking about? Or would these things happen anyway just in a different manner?
I've been trying to come up with some examples but they are hard to explain. I am a very logical person, things need to make sense to me - except this. I don't want it to make sense, I just want it to be and trust that it will be. It is almost too weird for explanation. A feeling that if I try to explain, it will end up like a really good episode of the X Files or Fringe. Maybe it is something that can't be explained or at least that I cannot explain. I know there are many who try to explain and have varying theories. When sychronicity and serendipity happen I feel that things are as they should be, I am in the right place, doing the right thing. All is well, even if they are not at that very moment, it is leading to something that will be right.
Things in my life just happen. Is it because I'm open to them or would they happen anyway? Am I controlling them or are they out of my control? Opportunities, chance meetings, terrible things that I always had a feeling about, unexpected good things that come my way. Is it some sort of synchronocity or is it because of they way I live my life? Do I just accept things that come out of left field and go with them or do things come out of left field because I'm not paying attention?
Is there a cosmic unconciousness?
Is it something that even needs to be explained or should we just go with it?
Is there a perfectly good explanation for this and I just haven't heard it yet?
What about Deja Vu, does that play a role in this?
If you have thought about this before or post something on this subject leave me a comment so I can read it. Or you can leave a comment that you just think this is really weird. I'm still working on my journal layout for this prompt, it is an interesting one.
The memory of my painting day remains today on my paint stained fingernails. I really need a fresh manicure. I am feeling much better after a nice weekend. My bug bite seems to have healed so no worries there.
I spent most of the day Sunday between projects, one of which was painting backgrounds in my art journals. It was fun to layer paints, papers, stamp and then scrub, dab on more paint, and just play. These are some of the backgrounds that resulted.
