by carmen | Jan 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
16. Habib…My oldest cat and sweetest couch pal. Although, I wish he wouldn’t have to sit on my lap while I was knitting, I’d spend a lot of lonely hours if he didn’t. I need him to outlive me by at least one day. He’s the only one of my animals that would let me do something silly like this.
17. Press. This year was the year that my work caught attention in the press. Canadian Family, the Georgia Straight and 2 pieces of my work for Circle Craft. It was thrilling to see my work “out there” and to have people recognize it.
18. Our home. Before we moved to Vancouver, my brother did a lot of footwork to find us this place and we’ve been here for 5 years now, with no intention of moving any time soon. It is just enough for us and our furry family, the knitwear biz and contains all that we need. Last night in front of the fireplace, bringing in the new year confirmed that for me.
19. Relative Good Health…. I had a bit of a scare last May when I thought my eyesight might be gone, or altered for good. A misdiagnosis of temporary double vision and loss of depth perception frightened me more than I was willing to admit. Not being able to see my yarn, or the colours and textures…..well, I’m sure you can imagine. I look at things in a different way now, almost drinking in everything around me.
20. Peace, calm and enjoying every moment that I can. Recognizing that some things can’t be changed, to forgive myself for mistakes made as long as I am willing to learn from them.
Well, it was a long list, but something I really needed to commit to recording. I have taken the grand step of making absolutely no resolutions for the new year. I am happy to continue on the wiggly path I’ve chosen, tripping up along the way, but always dusting myself off, looking ahead to new challenges and appreciating the gifts I have been given.
Enjoy each moment of your new year and beyond.
by carmen | Dec 25, 2008 | Uncategorized
6. Living on the West Coast of Canada. It is a move that 5 years ago changed my life in ways I would never image. This includes Whistler in the summer, Comox Valley in the Fall, Grouse Mountain in the Winter and Vancouver proper in the Spring.
7. The Drum Carder. Infinite fibre possibilities are now in my grasp, due to a simple tool that prepares fibre for spinning.
8. John. When your better half really inspires you to be better and can take the journey with you. This is something rare indeed.
9. Not taking things too seriously. I laugh at myself at least once a day. I laugh with John and least once a day and share a laugh with a friend as well. It’s working the facial muscles, keeping the wrinkles to a minimum, and giving my soul an equally youthful workout. This crocheted ham designed by my friend Leanne says it all.
10. The people who have been so kind to comment on my blog. Who have taken time out of their busy days to read my ramblings, share a bit of themselves as well. It helps me feel connected to others on the days I am drowning in fibre with no hope of escape.
Enjoy the rest of your day. It is my Christmas Trekathon, emergency scarf finishing day and let’s see how much tea you can actually drink in a day type of day. Lazy and wonderful.
by carmen | Dec 25, 2008 | Uncategorized
1. A Christmas Tree that comes in a small box and looks so good that you don’t take it out of the box.
2. How white Hadiya’s white fur is. (and that she is no longer allergic to the raw fleeces)
3. Really good friends whether they knit or not. This was hand knit by Toni..You’ve already seen the clogs from Pearl.
4. Wonderful, wet snow in Vancouver.
5. People who appreciate hand made and make it possible for my free form thoughts to take physical shape(and pay a few bills).
Stay tuned for part 2. Enjoy the holidays with those you care about most and I will be doing the same.
by carmen | Dec 24, 2008 | Uncategorized
When I started this sweater,
I should have known better.
Time was getting shorter
To take on this custom order
The sizing was off.
The wool not enough
And where were those buttons
I huffed and I puffed
The more I knit
The more I felt choked
It was almost Christmas eve.
Was this a joke.
Some young little lad
Was waiting for this
His perfect Christmas sweater
Eyes filled with bliss.
Could I make it in time
Could I finish the work
Yes, and only because of
my cool friends on Plurk.
Thanks to my plurkie friends who talked me off the ledge with this one. Seriously. Thanks. Mission accomplished – sweater picked up at 10:30opm December 23/08.
by carmen | Dec 22, 2008 | Uncategorized
Home sweet home, and in this weather, where else would you want to be? Vancouver seemed more gray today than ever.
And this was the best place to stay nice and cozy, but alas, I ran out of decaf and had to make the trek. Being only 5 ft tall is a definite disadvantage in this weather(as well as short boots). Thank God for high quality knit accessories. This is directly in front of the house.
The snow was so heavy that it took down some pretty serious tree branches and landed them right in the road. As if the snow wasn’t obstacle enough for the challenged Vancouver drivers today.
I’ve been getting a bit tired from the custom knitting. They are some pretty late hours and I felt like I was starting to lose steam. I went for a much longer walk than I needed to and realized that the weather was actually refreshing and it was nice to step away. I stayed out until I was just too tired and wet and then turned back.
The best part about coming home soaking wet……..putting on your new felt clogs from your good friend Pearl, plopping yourself in front of the fire and getting back to the job at hand. Knitting in house seems that much cozier after the morning outside. The clogs definitely changed the day from gray to yeah…
Stay safe and warm today. Knit lots.
by carmen | Dec 21, 2008 | Uncategorized
Okay, so things haven’t slowed down yet like I was hoping they might. Full throttle, needles and spinning wheel at the ready, I answered the call of the last farmer’s market of the season.
This was my first time at Wise Hall. What an amazing venue. And what hustle and bustle for the season. Since this market is really intended only for consumable goods, I brought yarn instead of my usual collection of finished goods (and the finished goods I brought, I wore in layers and lent to vendors) It was freeze the t..ts off a bull cold.
So here is some of the seasonal bounty….
The market went really well and I was pleased with how well received the yarn was. It was hard to believe that the hall was as cold inside as it was outside. And the advantage to outside was that they had heaters….
My favourite spin on the season, because I always like to have some weird little holiday thing was this yarn which I call “Santa in a Blender”……oh get over it, it’s funny and I’m sure Santa has a sense of humour.
It started with this batt and morphed into this…
Please notice the wensleydale beard bits and the sparkly goodness that it santa (slightly rearranged).
To add insult to injury, I decided to hang his doppleganger by the fireplace along with the stocking which will certainly now only be filled with coal.
There is a sister yarn called Peppermint Twist which is only the red and white. Both yarns are silk, kid mohair, BFL and merino….Oh the drum carder has truly made my year this year and I can’t imagine spinning anything less than these wonderful custom batts.
Just a few more views of yarns…
I promised John a fancy breakfast today for all the snowy driving and set up at the market yesterday before checking the refrigerator for food…..so I am out to forage on food. Oh what a $$ Meinhardt’s breakfast it will be…I’m thinking buckwheat pancakes and some nice Canadian Maple syrup. If I’m not back in an hour send out patrols. I will be the short woman in a puffy coat with the ridiculous hat on…
