"Drowning In Yarn"...

... That's the name of my new piece.  This is a painting of one of the pieces I drew in the Little Pages video a few posts back. Click HERE to watch the video. This is the 2nd one I've done and may be the last that I paint on canvas. I may start painting them on paper instead.  I love painting on paper now and I used to be so afraid of it because it isn't very forgiving.  These portraits are quirky,  not as quirky as my clowns but a little quirky. I may not paint all of the pieces I drew in the video but definitely a few more. 

 "Drowning In Yarn"

I painted this one because it was one of my favorite drawings in the group. I sketched it because I recently had to remove all the huge Space Bags full of yarn out of my studio and into my guest bedroom to make room for new sewing machines & room to sew.  I have the big Spaces Bags full, one for reds & pinks, one for greens, one for blues, ... then there are the bags of "UFO's" (un-finished objects) or here's a good one "PIGS" (projects in grocery sacks) hahaha . I have bags of things that are finished, ready for packaging, or some just done to work out patterns, or just for fun, nowhere to go.  Oops I shouldn't fail to mention the human body sized basket trunk full next to my recliner.  I thought I'm drowning in yarn... hey but what a way to go! Could I go buy more yarn? Why yes, yes I could! * In my head as I just typed Why yes,  Anthony Bourdain's voice was resounding in my head as though he was questioned if he could eat more pork. haha My Mom keeps telling, just this morning in fact, of all the things she is knitting and new knitting patterns she is trying with a beautiful soft & delicate yarn.  It's so tempting to stop what I'm doing to pick up some needles, but I am resisting, I'm painting about it instead! 

In addition to painting on canvas I am experimented with paint on fabric. 

Can't wait to show you what I am doing! So stay tuned...

~God Bless & Create a great day~

*Note to self - must have de-stash sale!

Burning Down The House...

...My knitting needles could start a fire now! I am working on some new patterns was wishing I was much faster.  While on the phone with my Mom she  told me she saw the fastest knitter in the world on Knit & Crochet tv show, so as soon as we hung up I had to find her and see how she was knitting.  The 2010 fastest is Hazel Tindall just click on her name and watch her go! Another knitter to see is Miriam Tegels. They are so inspiring!  
About 2 years ago I taught myself the Continental method of knitting and got quite fast at knitting that way, however, if I was working in stockingnette pattern I was all thumbs when it came to the purl row and would revert back to the English/American style, how I initially learned to knit. So I was going back and forth between the 2 styles moving the yarn from one hand to another.  Then the other day while looking up the fastest knitter I discovered the Norwegian Purl method.  Now I can fly!  I wish I had learned about this method a lot sooner.   I came across this lovely Bee Hive Pattern on Pinterest & had it pinned on my "Hooked & Needled" Board. This was a Free Pattern from BeingSpiffy.com, just one of 52 weeks of dish cloth patterns!

I love this pattern and thought it would be a good one to try out this new purl method.  And WoW! I made this cloth in an hour using the Norwegian Purl & Continental knit stitch.   I love the scalloped edge at the beginning of the piece. The scalloped edge would be great for a scarf, bottom of a sweater or skirt.

 

The Hive Dishcloth

With US size 7 or 8 needles, co 26.

Row 1: Purl across.

Row 2: Knit across.

Row 3: Purl across.

Row 4: K1, {p3, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in front), p3} across to last st, k1.

Row 5: K1, {k3, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in back), k3} across to last st, k1.

Row 6: K1, {p3, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in front), p3} across to last st, k1.

Row 7: K1, {k3, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in back), k3} across to last st, k1.

Row 8: K1, {p3, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in front), p3} across to last st, k1.

Row 9: K1, {k3, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in back), k3} across to last st, k1.

Row 10: K1, {p3, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in front), p3} across to last st, k1.

Row 11: Purl across.

Row 12: Knit across.

Row 13: Purl across.

Row 14: K1, {slip 1 purlwise (yarn in front), p6, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in front)} across to last st, k1.

Row 15: K1, {slip 1 purlwise (yarn in back), k6, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in back)} across to last st, k1.

Row 16: K1, {slip 1 purlwise (yarn in front), p6, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in front)} across to last st, k1.

Row 17: K1, {slip 1 purlwise (yarn in back), k6, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in back)} across to last st, k1.

Row 18: K1, {slip 1 purlwise (yarn in front), p6, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in front)} across to last st, k1.

Row 19: K1, {slip 1 purlwise (yarn in back), k6, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in back)} across to last st, k1.

Row 20: K1, {slip 1 purlwise (yarn in front), p6, slip 2 purlwise (yarn in front)} across to last st, k1.

Rows 21-40 = Repeat Rows 1-20.

Row 41: Purl across.

Row 42: Knit across.

Row 43: Purl across.

Bind off knit-wise.

To edge left and right sides, crochet across on wrong side.

Finish off and weave in ends.  ( I slipped stitched around all sides to finish off.)

 

 

Yarn...

... it makes me so happy!

I love this piece by Yuko Shimizu. A tsunami of yarn, bring it on!

Ut Oh I'm Hooked

Again! I have a million things to do and I did nothing but a little housework and lots of crochet today. Last night my son & his fiancee came over and she laid down her things, turned to me holding out her purse & said "Remember this?" It was a cute black crocheted purse with a big crocheted sunflower on the front flap & lined with tiny black & white striped fabric. It took me a minute to realize I had made that! I had made it & gave it to her when she was in high school with my son about 4 yrs ago! I had forgotten it. Then she said that she wants 4 more of them! (hum...maybe Christmas) I have to admit they are really "in" now. I am touched that she still had it! I had made the sunflower with vintage yarn and had forgotten just how cute it was. So I pulled out my big bucket of yarn scrapes and started another one, maybe for myself or maybe for my Etsy store. I have the front done... I don't see anything like them on Etsy. Time is a factor so maybe I'll just write the pattern down & sell that and let those who are also "hooked" make their own. She also asked me if I could make her a scarf with pockets. Personally I thought those were sort of granny garb but what do I know, I am fashion challenged. I had planned to make a cool scarf with a hoodie attached for myself (I love hoodies) & possibly for christmas presents but now that she mentioned pockets...hum... I may have to add those to it. Might be interesting!

I love going into Thrift Stores and finding yarn from days gone by that is in good condition. I usually have to sneak it in the house to avoid my husband's eyes rolling to the back of his head and hearing about how much yarn I already have! Actually with my huge collection of craft things obtained over the years he really hasn't complained much in the scheme of things. When I pull it out to use it I always wonder what plans the person had for it, if they ever finished it, etc... I call my vintage scrap bucket my "Lost Lots". Yarn is dyed in lots and it's very disturbing to be making something, run out of yarn, go get more that says it's the same color only to get it home and realize it doesn't really match. It wasn't dyed in the same lot. I learned my lesson the hard way & now always buy a bit extra just in case. So when buying yarn make sure the "lot" number is the same on all skeins that you buy.

Working on my artist statement for the upcoming gallery shows is driving me crazy. Writing and re-writing. I am not a writer! I don't want it to read too artsy fartsy or too simple either. I am under the gun to get it done too and I sit on the computer, or have a hook or paint brush in my hand. It's the big elephant in my room or a big dark looming cloud over my head. Answering questions like why I paint what I do is hard! What compels me? What does it all mean? Ugh! I wish someone could just write it for me!