Wednesday, February 29, 2012

improved??

 i 'messed' around with Blogger(early this morning!) to try to make it easier to read.  i put a transparency over the 3 Kings.  hopefully that will help.  sorry for any inconvenience in reading my blog.  i will keep this one for my gifting.

i also started a new blog 'BLACK sheep by the Rock' .   i have an obsession to search for black sheep pics!! i found this one on Google pics and immediately loved it! it also shows my love of the Colorado Rockies where my husband & i vacationed for many years.  come over to the 'black sheep' for my sentiments on black sheep, rocky mountains, knitting, lace and stone, St.Francis of Assisi, travels to Europe, our new home!

~NOW, WHERE ARE MY 'STICKS' & 'STRING' ??!!!

 ^)^ hawknitr

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

neglected...

i am so sorry...i have neglected my 'simple gifts' for so long!!  i am enjoying knitting my Echo Flower Shawl in Madelinetosh sock 'glazed pecan'.  it's a golden brown ... a little darker color than the pattern picture below: ~



i'm going to make the larger shawl-size. i have 2 wound balls of 395yds each so i hope i don't run out of this pecan! it's the most complicated pattern i've attempted. the little bumps you see are 'nupps'(pronounced 'noops')...these are prevalent in Estonian lacework i've read about by Nancy Bush. this pattern also has '2 into 9' and '3 into 9' stitches increasing the stitches on your needle from 2 into 9 by yarn overs.  it gets a little tight unless you hold the yarn very loosely.  as i work these they keep getting better.  (aside: i asked a yarn shop owner for help on this pattern & she didn't know what these two techniques were!) there are so many stitches/techniques involved in the world of knitting, my knowledge/skill level doesn't even scratch the surface!! lol  but what i've learned about knitting is all self-taught and i'm very proud of that!! (the only knitting class i've ever taken was a Fairisle Christmas stocking class where we designed our own Christmas stockings!)
   
i just found out my two nieces are both have baby girls in May and July! back to my binder of baby sweaters/dresses!! i love knitting baby girl items! this will be FUN!! the july baby's mom requested a purple baby blanket...i picture light lavender...LYS here i come!!!

i know my blog background makes it more difficult to read, but i LOVE the 3 Kings bringing Gifts to the Baby Jesus!!  thus, my title.  i follow the Shaker Simple Gifts philosophy and St.Francis of Assissi is my patron saint!! SIMPLICITY...


NOW, WHERE ARE MY 'STICKS' & 'STRING' ??!!!
 ^)^ hawknitr

Monday, February 20, 2012

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Good Morning!!

it is another BLESSED morning with frost covering the trees and ground. it crunched under Wrigley's paws as she searched for the spot on the way to the new fire station down the street to do her 'thing'! when she has to go, she pulls hard at her leash, in a hurry to get there! i bundle up as if there is a terrific blizzard...i never know exactly how cold i will get, how far she will want to trot down the street or how long it will take us every morning! i know when we come in i will have my java waiting by my recliner and fireplace, if needed! i sometimes sit in dim lights sipping my java, slowly waking up fully so i can either read emails/blogs/facebook/ravelry or pick up my latest knitting project to knit in the quiet of the morning while my husband slumbers.  Wrigley has gobbled her a.m. 'treat', taken a drink of water and nestled at my feet to fall back asleep.  only that i could go back to get my full 8hrs of slumber!  i keep my laptop on a little stand beside my chair, opened up to THE BLESSED HEARTH where i have found an excellent playlist of Christian music! i keep it playing while i  compute or knit or just sit and appreciate God, my family, my friends and my life.  my husband's daughter built our new home, helped me choose cabinets, granite, tile, etc. i'm proud to say i recycled some items(kitchen sink,glass-paned office,etc).  a little 'character' helps save the earth! my theme is a touch of Italian, with lace(my favorite knitting element) and stone(my love of Colorado mountains).  Italian decor reminds me of our 3 trips to Europe(Italy & Switzerland being my favorite countries) -  the Vatican and Collesium my favorites.  i thank God that my husband has been so good to me to provide for my needs & this 'retirement' home! i sincerely try to please people, always being flexible to help whenever needed. and now i can begin to practice my 'gardening' again...daylilies(Walnut Hill), iris(Schreiners), perennials/shrubs/herbs(Pleasant Valley).  i have my favorite nurseries, you see! and my St.Fransic of Assissi statue by the front door to welecome me home! and, oh, the gorgeous sunrises that i can watch each morning as the dark peach at the horizon blends lighter into the blue sky! from my recliner i can watch that transformation as i knit!! so, you see, my mornings are my favored part of my day!!

~NOW, WHERE ARE MY 'STICKS' & 'STRING' ??!!!
^)^ hawknitr
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