Slow design: Done to Soon

It didn't take as long as I thought it would, but my second knitted lace project is complete. I obtained a great book from the San Antonio, TX Library titled, "Perfectly Feminine Knits: 25 Distinctive Designs" by Lene Holme Samsoe, just by choosing it for the enticing cover. The design suggested a lightweight yarn, and I choose a slightly heavier ply. The three ply yarn in a gentle baby blue has a silver novelty yarn strand intertwined, giving my scarf/stole a bit of sheen. I work on my slow project at end of workday, while the Mister is either watching a sporting event, or some other nondescript show on television.  This lace pattern gave me just the right amount of challenge, and I had to unwind and reknit several times. I really enjoyed working this pattern, the scarf is just what I need to work with my Signature Dresses, adding some unique panache. Next slow design will be a counted cross stitch kit purchased at the thrift store for $1.99. I intend to use the finished small canvas as a pillow center when complete. 

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it,but what they become by it.

                                                                                                   -John Ruskin

Making mistakes

I love taking my thrift store purchases and creating new yardage for my signature dress. Sometimes the," best laid plans of mice and men" goes array, like with my three patterns of blue dress. The original idea was like in picture #1, but it just presented me with to much visual light blue---eekk!
So the stripe shirt I had planned not to use became the saving feature of my dress.  

Original Idea

Revised Styling

Back Detailing



Don't be the same. Be Better.

OOTD Silk Upcycled Dress

I made this dress from a combination of recycled fabrics and purchased goods. The top yoke portion started out as a pair of deep greenish blue silk pants, whereas the lower dress section is a black and white print silk from my fabric stash. I love wearing this style of loose-fitting easy comfort dres, but usually make them in monochromatic tones, with very little distinct color-blocking. I set my camera up and took a dozen or more pictures of myself in this dress, because I want to know what I am visually presenting with this design combination. I feel lovely and decently alluring in the dress, totally self confident, unique and happy with just the way it wears on my body. My apprehension came from looking in the mirror at myself and seeing the color blocking balance---its not to flattering! I wore the dress adding a soft wrap in a tie dye ethnic print, that somewhat hid the bodice area, and felt quite comfortable. This dres is a keeper, but I have to definately tweek the visual presentation each time I wear it.

"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday."

Working with Yarn

The pass few weeks I’ve been frantically trying to finish a special gift for a special person. I have been working my small chrochet hook to create the lovely Chevron Lace Wrap I found on mooglyblog.com, using some gifted yarn. The mooglyblog.com included a great video, that helped me to get the pattern just right, after four failed attempts--thank you to Tamara Kelly for creating it.

“And said to the judge, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgement.”

II Chron. 19:6 

My Cyber Birth

 

I’ve made some new friends, well what I’m saying is, I joined a couple of online social communities, one for women in business and another for home-based business owners.  I took my time in choosing which groups to join, because I see this social move online as a big step forward in socialization as being outside of my comfort zone. Being sociable has never been one of my good points, since I was always the last one picked for anything. Girls considered me dull, and boys just never saw me, yes, and I never got asked to the prom either. Now this is not to say I’ve never had any friends, it’s to say they were limited. How does one get friends, but by personal social interaction, (this discounts Pen Pals---am I dating myself?) you meet people in the neighborhood---friend; you meet people at school---friend; you meet people at church, work, you get the picture.

 

Well this is how my acquaintance with friendships has gone---neighborhood, school, church, work, college, marriage, and empty-nest time.  I’ve had friendships with the parents of my children’s friends, and then as they grew (my children), friendships were garnered from people met at parent groups, LSO, PTA, and community service organizations. Anywhere I was needed in my children’s lives or at church, for these were my social outlet places I made or tried to make friends. The children grew up and as they left home, it seems my various friendships went with them.

 

So I started a business, my new child, and now I have new friends. There is the UPS man, the postal person, the office supply salesperson and of course my vendors. Believe me I know how many children my UPS delivery person has, which child rules the house and their names. But there is still something lacking---so I’ve signed up for online friends. Now it seems with each new day I get invites to be someone’s friend---I don’t know how this is going to pan out. I’ve only accepted a few invites because I don’t want to spread myself to thin; I only want a few friends.  If we really think about it, that’s all one can honestly handle.

 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Ecc. 9:10

 

Denise Reed of  “CASEY”…the Original Loc/Braid Hair Snood and “TOPAZ” a new style shower cap, check out the site at www.denisereed.com

And now there are prints, check out the site at:

“CASEY Prints: www.brownbuttons.etsy.com.