tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56392372274109492842024-03-13T19:41:02.687-07:00knitcherplaying with wood and woolChris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-37579173614996220092023-01-14T11:29:00.001-08:002023-01-14T11:30:14.970-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYmLBiTDsueAbqDKK-W1llbontd_gdiXxl_2JIVucq4Uk-wyK0qHX5dvEnSXN2S9sup3lNepE6kQ_rHhW49mMx43omsha1qrx4B90dtQzYlsKhEDxatz0hQLSzRyS64cvzBEJ9S_VSrD51Fv_S1dw7u1fwYksoMvUuTESbpOkbmVBrhfkzpE92ra5Hg/s2016/hom4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYmLBiTDsueAbqDKK-W1llbontd_gdiXxl_2JIVucq4Uk-wyK0qHX5dvEnSXN2S9sup3lNepE6kQ_rHhW49mMx43omsha1qrx4B90dtQzYlsKhEDxatz0hQLSzRyS64cvzBEJ9S_VSrD51Fv_S1dw7u1fwYksoMvUuTESbpOkbmVBrhfkzpE92ra5Hg/w640-h480/hom4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">2023 has brought with me a time to plan and bring my love of thrifting to a formal place and name. For most of my adult life I have loved going to thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops. Partly how I was raised, partly my sustainable love of re-using, partly from having an amazing partner that also shares these values. This and so many other things led to a moment leading up to the new year when I felt inspired to name it, brand it, and share it in a very open and transparent way.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The idea of "flipping" and selling really came from what started as purging my own possessions a few years ago. I am definitely not a minimalist; definitely a maximalist but I really don't mind cycling through with a few exceptions (umm, not going to part with my macrame owls) and do not want to be a hoarder.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This was during the advent of FB marketplace seemingly replacing Craigslist and it was quite easy to find a way to move on goods from my own house without the awful headache of a garage sale and have a few extra dollars to add to the family income or redecorate. This evolved into meshing with my extreme love of going to thrifts, fleas, antique shops etc . . and finding treasures, rescuing unique items, and breathing new life into them. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Over time I realized that not everyone likes to shop in and spend time looking for treasures like I do and it started to materialize as a sweet little side hobby along with knitcher that sings to my soul. After several questions from friends and family if we were moving because of the items I was selling it seemed like time to name it.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I believe in being transparent which was part of the driving force of naming it "flip witch" it is flipping, not for large profit, but to pay myself for tracking down the item, cleaning, sometimes fixing, listing, photography, etc. . . This year I will be approaching more as a hobby business, including tracking margins, taking care of taxes, etc. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbU5KV2lpziwt5GR15nMpXCepgwxIYQQE1XW8fH5A9Nb8vA_0P0x20yJD75zrt7hFCgfSZu3gP4vSWJVjgBuWpHXlCOBJEIqotfBzgRHs0gUWMtio1qE5CfpzO8HxYIuCf-jodFW00VZ-hOd_U9Pw_9wxNn6eV1zZnU3WFn2kyIEIAeY7JZqvlTCb_A/s2016/hom3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbU5KV2lpziwt5GR15nMpXCepgwxIYQQE1XW8fH5A9Nb8vA_0P0x20yJD75zrt7hFCgfSZu3gP4vSWJVjgBuWpHXlCOBJEIqotfBzgRHs0gUWMtio1qE5CfpzO8HxYIuCf-jodFW00VZ-hOd_U9Pw_9wxNn6eV1zZnU3WFn2kyIEIAeY7JZqvlTCb_A/w400-h300/hom3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi546BnvM2eid6JdSMtyjDV5UCuELIh-KgCWv2M0A_cYFQUp9ajq0HhgRxC5r5Ivq1smvutyYrVOa9R-g8HDEjHUsvtWEXioC3YeGhkk8EGgAeehUFlFc3AEZFDwGg196Om8mkT0J1yvrslNwvQNOKmGCYEWyG0QeXtXxdk0NNjRxdAMwE24ZMAhdz2fg/s2016/hom1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi546BnvM2eid6JdSMtyjDV5UCuELIh-KgCWv2M0A_cYFQUp9ajq0HhgRxC5r5Ivq1smvutyYrVOa9R-g8HDEjHUsvtWEXioC3YeGhkk8EGgAeehUFlFc3AEZFDwGg196Om8mkT0J1yvrslNwvQNOKmGCYEWyG0QeXtXxdk0NNjRxdAMwE24ZMAhdz2fg/w300-h400/hom1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_C0LlPxciaCqSDrKnPlkMNIbySkk74Jum_7yid_20UddV2oqxvbqIpW2AFmTBrmYth2klsG0e745b49vtyNn7buqndo4MgnaJ_2emlT8WrcYdSQXlhM6Cb7pWIywMfRn8On60c0v6epOaplizmS7Q93vkkl8AqvC2DVCiXl6AxgDwfTVB3SgtU2wow/s2016/hom2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_C0LlPxciaCqSDrKnPlkMNIbySkk74Jum_7yid_20UddV2oqxvbqIpW2AFmTBrmYth2klsG0e745b49vtyNn7buqndo4MgnaJ_2emlT8WrcYdSQXlhM6Cb7pWIywMfRn8On60c0v6epOaplizmS7Q93vkkl8AqvC2DVCiXl6AxgDwfTVB3SgtU2wow/w400-h300/hom2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">I hope you will enjoy me sharing my flip witch esthetic, here are just a couple corners in my own home of thrift and/or found item. I really do walk my talk. It is not very often that I purchase new items for my house or closet. More information and links for <a href="http://knitcher.blogspot.com/p/flip-witch.html" target="_blank">the flip witch are here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Enjoy and happy new year friends!</p><p><br /></p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-15781457787414977532022-10-09T11:25:00.001-07:002022-10-09T11:25:24.379-07:00Sands of time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrI_tPN6FCfSJxHvuUc2EKuj37qesaRWlz3TxXCIUla-LP2u5mJ24GM0oRoMeX1n0TEd9mRK9vmbHqlDIwlTW9WjWWzSBE4oJ65pEjL4jBeJESted7Klt9Ys_WCqNtp_Xtv7ShRol7irqpC69g1d3EPSWUkQw39XWlZA4Th7wDyfJbLGciwI_ZKQsDQ/s2016/v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrI_tPN6FCfSJxHvuUc2EKuj37qesaRWlz3TxXCIUla-LP2u5mJ24GM0oRoMeX1n0TEd9mRK9vmbHqlDIwlTW9WjWWzSBE4oJ65pEjL4jBeJESted7Klt9Ys_WCqNtp_Xtv7ShRol7irqpC69g1d3EPSWUkQw39XWlZA4Th7wDyfJbLGciwI_ZKQsDQ/w400-h300/v3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>As is often the case, time gets away and I find myself continuing to re-evaluate time on social media in the pursuit of simplification in the evolution of ever more screen time. I do plan to still write in this space but I am making some decisions to reduce to areas of social media for knitcher; mostly right now I have removed the knitcher facebook and twitter feeds, but will continue to share my crafting, shop updates, and more on my side hobby of treasure hunting aka thrifting for others. I will be sharing more on that later. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ8akKSHhPW6q_JN-5GcZyeXq2X_v4p4d_ahp2sVf2CKWvRqLniaoiyJ32Lseq_blKW1wGXI0QB65HbwVYB1QD_vQ_Y3p7XXBYVctO6sCwkE0t6pEclVIZsb-wTaAUt2EfcJ28ADppkxyqB9dz8et5n0qkbaJPi-z3jbv1bgkRvh1sq-MqFlMH-84hw/s2016/v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ8akKSHhPW6q_JN-5GcZyeXq2X_v4p4d_ahp2sVf2CKWvRqLniaoiyJ32Lseq_blKW1wGXI0QB65HbwVYB1QD_vQ_Y3p7XXBYVctO6sCwkE0t6pEclVIZsb-wTaAUt2EfcJ28ADppkxyqB9dz8et5n0qkbaJPi-z3jbv1bgkRvh1sq-MqFlMH-84hw/w300-h400/v1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wZirTCM5FSAttTuu0EiGQINNRJ8wQ4bfhhERf5Z3khPEDBOX79sbgBVRDOIkJWBHyCsEqZHKVdhyWffb5DQ0zFYDHkz-yXxNTZFjPV0Fppz-Pcx_0IItK2BVHeq8wiNEms6MO3UDz-F4mlt_5qrEiJgZl7L2OHBq4jfZJ2IqESisnhqSmBFGU-a2ZQ/s2016/v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wZirTCM5FSAttTuu0EiGQINNRJ8wQ4bfhhERf5Z3khPEDBOX79sbgBVRDOIkJWBHyCsEqZHKVdhyWffb5DQ0zFYDHkz-yXxNTZFjPV0Fppz-Pcx_0IItK2BVHeq8wiNEms6MO3UDz-F4mlt_5qrEiJgZl7L2OHBq4jfZJ2IqESisnhqSmBFGU-a2ZQ/w400-h300/v2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I had the opportunity to step away in September to discover a part of Florida that was an area that seemed a little simple step back in time "old Florida" we ventured to Anna Maria Island and it was really a special place. I really recommend if you are looking for a smaller, not as commercial way to experience a Florida barrier island. There is actually an interesting history involving Fig Newtons; but I will let you research that.
It was a gift to be able to put my toes in the water and experience a different part of the country, eat some food from the ocean. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDs-HNFQnCdNrk-Msy5LenN8LUe6S2aPdJ50i8MHVS1KK2ktOUWe9cvd9O04CNdneDjlCN5FVHUBflpMGzCyna_qDWQGUD89WTwWist47UDx0wOoZXx5QN6GfkidgZGlv3RjovVQSBe-zLAUCleBr0V7M3rZ9He4NsnZqvJUejTOd6nlnZO25moYXC7w/s2016/y1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDs-HNFQnCdNrk-Msy5LenN8LUe6S2aPdJ50i8MHVS1KK2ktOUWe9cvd9O04CNdneDjlCN5FVHUBflpMGzCyna_qDWQGUD89WTwWist47UDx0wOoZXx5QN6GfkidgZGlv3RjovVQSBe-zLAUCleBr0V7M3rZ9He4NsnZqvJUejTOd6nlnZO25moYXC7w/w400-h300/y1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-JycCEm86Kc3m_eHlpNTtc8CuFh_rYEfLAQa9OMvQNzMmuNlfb-N6bHULzVgXnb8zrsSG7NAWMti6fMT_kY7tfItgNtkcuTs9cO5NzIgcjKNEfaByK_ENSkycclMsDBEy1WwSr5f3d9RiZ16a_tSoBw5ze2W4qtUfeliGTCkFOUMIl1Whjyy_EM22g/s2016/y2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-JycCEm86Kc3m_eHlpNTtc8CuFh_rYEfLAQa9OMvQNzMmuNlfb-N6bHULzVgXnb8zrsSG7NAWMti6fMT_kY7tfItgNtkcuTs9cO5NzIgcjKNEfaByK_ENSkycclMsDBEy1WwSr5f3d9RiZ16a_tSoBw5ze2W4qtUfeliGTCkFOUMIl1Whjyy_EM22g/w400-h300/y2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I started a knitting project for that adventure. I decided to explore the Sustainable Stitching yarn line Re-Spun which is made from 100% recycled plastic designed to keep bottles and other waste out of oceans and landfills. I thought it was appropriate for the trip.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.lionbrand.com/products/re-spun-yarn?variant=40078594211933" target="_blank">Lion Brand Re-Spun Evergreen Color</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drop-stitch-folded-poncho" target="_blank">Pattern Drop Stitch Folded Poncho</a></li></ul><div>I am enjoying find myself back in a fiber place and was very thankful to be able to experience the project on the beaches and was also very sad to hear of the damage of the hurricane. Though the island did not end up being in the straight path, my heart does hurt for the loss and destruction. At the end of this month I will be making a donation to the <a href="https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-ian-donations.html/?cid=fy23hurian&med=cpc&source=google&scode=RSG00000E017&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4omaBhDqARIsADXULuXA22SQz0aS_VhqtAOm7uDP6iW0TMobfKy8Kcv6qpmf-9FpLHMd8PIaAs1AEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">American Red Cross for the hurricane relief</a>. I have also started donating blood and platelets again to the American Red Cross. The Red Cross really helped me at a time in my life when I went through a natural disaster and I truly believe in their mission. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you always friends for joining me here and continue to be gentle with your selves and each other.</div>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-15996353509467973952022-07-07T17:41:00.003-07:002022-07-07T17:41:56.967-07:00memory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l503Vb5oPmbj0GmQTApLwxsUKq-XKFZyYw4t_snsv3244_I-3933wtPeExTidw7vAcpvDvC0sJdk_BO69ERxhL3nE60RGipqbyrLjTOz25Tvy_PTRokPr1ujdf-DnWFsnOuQy84j9oFFvkIWmojK5Eftwrr8b0kqpjjUM0k9Ju_iiUSo6amKu967dA/s2016/5_hEQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l503Vb5oPmbj0GmQTApLwxsUKq-XKFZyYw4t_snsv3244_I-3933wtPeExTidw7vAcpvDvC0sJdk_BO69ERxhL3nE60RGipqbyrLjTOz25Tvy_PTRokPr1ujdf-DnWFsnOuQy84j9oFFvkIWmojK5Eftwrr8b0kqpjjUM0k9Ju_iiUSo6amKu967dA/w400-h300/5_hEQ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Coming back into this space after taking a needed break. I function through my life through symbols and I thought I would share some symbols as I transitioned through my 50th birthday this spring and always looking through their strength as I keep hitting bumps in this road of life.</p><p>I enjoy getting new ink when I hit these transitions. This tattoo was for heritage and knowing where I come from and help guide the future.</p><p>Organic inspiration in plants:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>wheat for the Volga German heritage on my mother's side</li><li>katniss for the Appalacian Mountains where my father's family is from</li><li>meadow cosmo flowers from my childhood</li><li>poppy for memory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynOm__4yNhTOl0362W2hIbpyKlIQr6XmGx8jl62CUQkbAl3IzEn45xYvC4bneJWET3_DFIOhAW57BZ_zPIh-4tfCAIafT-VMYLVT5RYHG09FcErnu2i_84fHI6n5KdaNZA75t3NBu08XX2k0BZIm31FmAHSfpS2X42Gja1qejaORxkPsxU5SVKxghhg/s2016/6_Jug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynOm__4yNhTOl0362W2hIbpyKlIQr6XmGx8jl62CUQkbAl3IzEn45xYvC4bneJWET3_DFIOhAW57BZ_zPIh-4tfCAIafT-VMYLVT5RYHG09FcErnu2i_84fHI6n5KdaNZA75t3NBu08XX2k0BZIm31FmAHSfpS2X42Gja1qejaORxkPsxU5SVKxghhg/w300-h400/6_Jug.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></li></ul><div>It is the biggest ink I have gotten but I really like it and had been collecting some vintage pieces for inspiration. I worked with an artist on Etsy on the design and a local shop inked it on my arm. I hope to be back in this space a little more but am still doing some soul work so my Etsy shop is still on vacation and I hope to have more energy soon to open it back up.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE16EMwD1vJj6cxTTOQngadVjA1AVb3wr86uCtFLL6RoQks-8tpQCYZPtbp5-EqVXA8v9atOpQyt7s6qZc5uMs2DVagOn0n-PQmp4D0lbtL0WNvBpS6oYOtJXOg3Dh94QFYWdRGcwxLu14hDpF57KVK7KSsqi5OpUIsXvY-bLpfVXq8U1LyrCSskomjw/s2016/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE16EMwD1vJj6cxTTOQngadVjA1AVb3wr86uCtFLL6RoQks-8tpQCYZPtbp5-EqVXA8v9atOpQyt7s6qZc5uMs2DVagOn0n-PQmp4D0lbtL0WNvBpS6oYOtJXOg3Dh94QFYWdRGcwxLu14hDpF57KVK7KSsqi5OpUIsXvY-bLpfVXq8U1LyrCSskomjw/w300-h400/7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WLwuj29rmRoNR6qgcLRJNr-Sa7AyM7GDRU_t88ZjDQWdUhRVSgZQluD1nLqMaRYTi4HKLfJUqS2CocMXMgRPAMeBTxO3J9iuGtFO_dQpiHINcZ2NCyf5Ouhm97t5CIS_6e0ALF9M-NOhq2RranPcjXY0UmBC0CU2RrfbHLmyHXpxOF-ClwT04u9YYA/s2016/4_5as.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WLwuj29rmRoNR6qgcLRJNr-Sa7AyM7GDRU_t88ZjDQWdUhRVSgZQluD1nLqMaRYTi4HKLfJUqS2CocMXMgRPAMeBTxO3J9iuGtFO_dQpiHINcZ2NCyf5Ouhm97t5CIS_6e0ALF9M-NOhq2RranPcjXY0UmBC0CU2RrfbHLmyHXpxOF-ClwT04u9YYA/w400-h300/4_5as.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH2LyHLJjtISv5zJSFrERB_hOV31PRcH_dZ8abiY0hxYXoBm1Z9sW8l9-6Gp-4I5rk0zZ3YNcFn21b3-SYzq6OrCYRgBMRKYRlq4Lm1Ir4Vlrb_YQmP69SdJ8VVyuEuv2eagAXsEMB52BRlDYziy7evZN9JDfPVLswS3M135cunL_juhfr_62EF_iWA/s2016/2_I0K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH2LyHLJjtISv5zJSFrERB_hOV31PRcH_dZ8abiY0hxYXoBm1Z9sW8l9-6Gp-4I5rk0zZ3YNcFn21b3-SYzq6OrCYRgBMRKYRlq4Lm1Ir4Vlrb_YQmP69SdJ8VVyuEuv2eagAXsEMB52BRlDYziy7evZN9JDfPVLswS3M135cunL_juhfr_62EF_iWA/w300-h400/2_I0K.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be well my friends and be gentle with your selves and others during these challenging times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-78969287923656751512022-03-21T19:28:00.001-07:002022-03-21T19:34:06.569-07:00Transitions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGbWvgZTKJYPSzKmKJA2txHIMzGfzSz3ne5s7gBsQT3FWJSdj-EWvOyhKt7jmsS12OSGE5un5_ByFSNpxhztnL-rHrA-moIvLEuI2sUH9pCUzuFihF4iVxOB5VsFiuZfFX1D2Sfs_yQFcGLzwjUQV63S8LmCeN7uRyu285qxVY1WnR9lyoarodYT3k9g=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGbWvgZTKJYPSzKmKJA2txHIMzGfzSz3ne5s7gBsQT3FWJSdj-EWvOyhKt7jmsS12OSGE5un5_ByFSNpxhztnL-rHrA-moIvLEuI2sUH9pCUzuFihF4iVxOB5VsFiuZfFX1D2Sfs_yQFcGLzwjUQV63S8LmCeN7uRyu285qxVY1WnR9lyoarodYT3k9g=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Spring, yes- this magical transition from winter; waking from the winter slumber. I love spring; I like the way the airs smells and how mama earth starts showing herself in tiny little leaves opening on my elderberry bushes and tiny little flowers in my yard. I am also a little biased about spring; it is the season I came into the world along with several of my family. </p><p>This year I am transitioning into a new decade- my 50's! I really never over think these bigger birthdays and try to embrace them with things I love. This year it includes some fun things that I will enjoy sharing closer to my b-day; more to come.</p><p>In the meantime I wanted to take the time to talk about some other things about transitioning into these years. I had my annual physical last year and I asked to let me know the recommended test, etc . . . for turning 50. If you recognize this photo above; you know a colonoscopy was part of the recommended items. </p><p>Like many people, I will back up that the prep is the hardest part. A couple other aspects I needed to take in consideration is that I limit my refined sugars. So many of the recommended items for the liquid diet day are all about sugar. My golden tickets were starting to adjust diet a couple days prior, took out whole grains, seeds, veges, fruit with skin, etc . . and kept it pretty plain. Simple chicken, fish and some white breads. On the liquid diet day my golden tickets were Simply Asia Ginger Chicken broth, watered down white grape juice and homemade electrolyte. For the homemade electrolyte I mixed:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>sparkling plain water</li><li>fresh squeezed lemon and lime juice</li><li>pink sea salt</li><li>honey</li></ul><div>The best analogy I can give you for drinking the prep drink was that scene from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince when Harry has to keep Dumbledore drinking to get to the horcrux! Once I got the procedure it was all pretty quick and easy. Waiting on some biopsy results on a couple tiny polyps that were removed. Mental note is to leave out the flavor mix; it made it too artificially sweet. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq8EpwEf1OTyOgPUdWwZtdoMyrQjkZQntGejL5ylIycZtMl0N27tb2DLrbZ6NwiyeMyX34OwtUokZHwW1siww6GU_Ys8mz_HHHJCgfwaIZ8X3qKpXiudKVLUXF0hE1s-10LHh-A08-Zd18JM5r3tVpW_CdWswLlVE_EmN3ZLLh7kFsr3RkCxQ2VMcuXg=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq8EpwEf1OTyOgPUdWwZtdoMyrQjkZQntGejL5ylIycZtMl0N27tb2DLrbZ6NwiyeMyX34OwtUokZHwW1siww6GU_Ys8mz_HHHJCgfwaIZ8X3qKpXiudKVLUXF0hE1s-10LHh-A08-Zd18JM5r3tVpW_CdWswLlVE_EmN3ZLLh7kFsr3RkCxQ2VMcuXg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Not how I originally planned on celebrating spring equinox, but glad I made this decision to do this screening. I came home and rested and ate and then went out in the yard to find some signs of spring and started planning out my spring poncho that I will be starting soon. I will be using <a href="https://www.woolandcompany.com/yarn/light-dk/manos-del-uruguay-milo/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Manos</span></a> Del Uruguay Milo which is a linen and merino blend and I decided to try and fade the Petal and Jaipur colorways. </div><div><br /></div><div>More to come but just wanted to wish you all happy spring and go get that colonoscopy if it is your time!</div><p></p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-30001203349064808662022-03-13T13:42:00.000-07:002022-03-13T13:42:03.720-07:00Some help this spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqprv6vV6P3xTtZpl3pSBSsqi6Y6NQJq-o1K59tRkN5O6hQtLJaUzPPpD2-0jUKH3zCijb81R0L9tFR4Doiyy0n6ye-daV0jJlIjmlfPEcUexhdv_AtPBU5GrfF6CJVREDQw5BCvQ_w5jvhxkAujZqtVnMDnZB-qDOWdC-Nl4PUhTH3cZq0gJfZlFnoA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqprv6vV6P3xTtZpl3pSBSsqi6Y6NQJq-o1K59tRkN5O6hQtLJaUzPPpD2-0jUKH3zCijb81R0L9tFR4Doiyy0n6ye-daV0jJlIjmlfPEcUexhdv_AtPBU5GrfF6CJVREDQw5BCvQ_w5jvhxkAujZqtVnMDnZB-qDOWdC-Nl4PUhTH3cZq0gJfZlFnoA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Today the sun is shining at winter's last (we hope) snow storm that made it's way this past week. Missouri has decided Thursday was it's favorite day to snow this year! But today it is nearly 60 degrees out and there are small signs of spring in the air. </span></div><p>Even though spring is definitely one of my favorite seasons, it is hard to find that joy this year with all of the turmoil and war being waged on Ukraine right now. I wanted to do something to help and I decided to help with a small fundraiser to help another artist on Etsy that is based in Kyiv, Ukraine. </p><p>As you have seen me share, I discovered <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/IstiHome?ref=profile_header" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Istihome</span></a> wood printing blocks last year and the war is impacting so many things in their lives including their Etsy shop.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu3_h7_GKTvGydaocBwxRH97cDga86NJi-jcYAzFXj-scAzHo1DzKqd9sLqQPdd6wVlVOGPQzm1eqmW3DiqG-qdBVKyDxdBj6jo1O_pZrf3Ate6WJpcrm11u8v4M7eVZ5kz67YmCYBR5m6i7iXvd5nanDajaZJU1axQPzwR85nHm63t7TmAI1AZ5d-fQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu3_h7_GKTvGydaocBwxRH97cDga86NJi-jcYAzFXj-scAzHo1DzKqd9sLqQPdd6wVlVOGPQzm1eqmW3DiqG-qdBVKyDxdBj6jo1O_pZrf3Ate6WJpcrm11u8v4M7eVZ5kz67YmCYBR5m6i7iXvd5nanDajaZJU1axQPzwR85nHm63t7TmAI1AZ5d-fQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>This spring I am going to be making limited batches of naturally dyed cotton muslin gift bags that I am block printing with a rabbit block from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/IstiHome?ref=profile_header" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Istihome. </span></a>100% of the profits after the cost of materials will be going to this artist/maker.</p><p>I will definitely be looking into making financial contributions as well to humanitarian organizations but did not want to miss an opportunity to help another Etsy maker directly.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBE8dfeNQIGICfUXHRAOzmKGE83m49v_AIaz9GDbXonqSAm7yiYGF2FVjtbzCuV4Et7EbCYlHGm0LRcWtCxJcWzrXy8YzT7zLXW8plGdD6wIx6E-FMAAqA9vh0JHDOABu2NnQC6rhqhY2KU7kmck6KtI8PkPtsIr_owWUY-9diO8vsFVAQ1JgTHRtxuA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBE8dfeNQIGICfUXHRAOzmKGE83m49v_AIaz9GDbXonqSAm7yiYGF2FVjtbzCuV4Et7EbCYlHGm0LRcWtCxJcWzrXy8YzT7zLXW8plGdD6wIx6E-FMAAqA9vh0JHDOABu2NnQC6rhqhY2KU7kmck6KtI8PkPtsIr_owWUY-9diO8vsFVAQ1JgTHRtxuA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1196044279/fundraiser-for-ukraine-naturally-dyed?click_key=58b299105e2c4a44002b16a687a389a5807c76bb%3A1196044279&click_sum=8bfb70e6&ref=shop_home_active_1&variation0=2512157876" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">This first batch is in the shop and ready to ship.</span></a> I dyed this batch with avocado, osage orange, chlorophyllin, and purple logwood and experimented with some different colored block printing. At this time I am only shipping to US to keep the cost all down and manageable on my end.</p><p>Please take a look, support if you are able, and help envision peace and resolution soon for the Ukrainian people.</p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-72315531933583844392022-02-26T19:10:00.002-08:002022-02-27T10:37:17.178-08:00in and out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLMc5L1z4Ykb7-v1AENLVsmpeoiKqVwUGzWmNzXVJFkIN3HX2TkvRMQ_DNH9pzrzN_4v7V--LcKVmg0-RRntZUFykpVJZ17M_HyclJ-JbyqaM7f_IuTsik9hQv-ELHsEDIpx-PY5fCTOUspUfuJelkwz_xBVIwbq4SnE_mSSxRtdl8bfgrnORzcqjVAA=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLMc5L1z4Ykb7-v1AENLVsmpeoiKqVwUGzWmNzXVJFkIN3HX2TkvRMQ_DNH9pzrzN_4v7V--LcKVmg0-RRntZUFykpVJZ17M_HyclJ-JbyqaM7f_IuTsik9hQv-ELHsEDIpx-PY5fCTOUspUfuJelkwz_xBVIwbq4SnE_mSSxRtdl8bfgrnORzcqjVAA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Finishing up the poncho last week has gotten me itching for more knitting projects, and I mentioned that I was lining up another poncho for spring/summer wearing for some travel knitting. I pulled out a skein in my stash-<span style="color: #e06666;"> <a href="https://manos.uy/yarns/milo" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Manos Del Uruguay Milo- merino + linen</span></a></span> in petal. I was hoping to trying and find another complimentary pink and fade them together but I decided to go with a contrast because it was too hard to tell on the computer monitor if I could find the right pink to fade. I went with a contrasting colorway called grizzly; it has variations of pinks, browns, greens and hoping to wind it up and do a couple gauge swatches and then try and decide how to lay the color out in the poncho; stripes or color block.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxIYXU29hd-tGP5Fg-m-gdl6OoZOWHL6zsVsLqTMBGevvzciRzAnvdPf6xh1ghCBSMcPMe9qjsjQrwmadk7ceGgzu-dCosOSGXT_EULzRdrw5UzgFWfCiOsLXfZg2Mg3hHaLojXvps1AUBmGmOOGL2wS3bqBXy9sS4eSDvdUEYT-k5GkFOJNwIDu8U1A=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxIYXU29hd-tGP5Fg-m-gdl6OoZOWHL6zsVsLqTMBGevvzciRzAnvdPf6xh1ghCBSMcPMe9qjsjQrwmadk7ceGgzu-dCosOSGXT_EULzRdrw5UzgFWfCiOsLXfZg2Mg3hHaLojXvps1AUBmGmOOGL2wS3bqBXy9sS4eSDvdUEYT-k5GkFOJNwIDu8U1A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilfCbGw6YhVKDfEZYimEkZ9h4wMkXDy0pai92JRRONfFrumEgTxfEYYlGcrBu1AfchxDTEZ-cX_Q53qyXwdwfBYsQjcYihdFS8kcGnFvGgoGjDT5lhe4gxARXPv9M2GgqQ1CNb7_NqhnbnMuys9HjiBUkLNf320hJiqN47hAxvdodk_sSJLdmnSzJ8Jw=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilfCbGw6YhVKDfEZYimEkZ9h4wMkXDy0pai92JRRONfFrumEgTxfEYYlGcrBu1AfchxDTEZ-cX_Q53qyXwdwfBYsQjcYihdFS8kcGnFvGgoGjDT5lhe4gxARXPv9M2GgqQ1CNb7_NqhnbnMuys9HjiBUkLNf320hJiqN47hAxvdodk_sSJLdmnSzJ8Jw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>I want to try and work on something before that project and came across a wide cowl on Ravelry today and was smitten. It is called <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/breeze-louise" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Breeze Louise</span></a> </span>and is a free pattern if you want to check it out. I love how it looks in the yarn it was made in. I went down to my stash and was not feeling any of the yarn there was what I am wanting, so I think I am going to order the suggested yarn- <a href="https://emmasyarn.com/collections/washable-worsted-wool" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Emma's Yarn</span></a>. I like the story of the family that makes the yarn. </p><p>I was excited to see my LYS as retailer of this yarn line and hopped in car today to try and check it out. I understand that COVID has really affected hours for businesses but I was so disappointed to see that they are no longer open on the weekends. They are only open a T-F during the middle of the day. It makes it really hard for me to try and support my LYS with such limited times to go check out the yarn. For some reason our community really struggles to have a good LYS. I am going to order the yarn from the shop that is providing the free pattern. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHRP-g6uYJ9tLxtJkQyubxD-wJWsDj0_Pr4WXLeLH71uz94t1hVvEMrtpErcxc2Pz6fPfL74f3X-cYz1eKppl-cE-UKg2V8fWol-yYosiW2VtIapETiSjFrK-8nJRQmJ2dLV6wSuPYjXXr5Nz-yc4EDUmvxFGgqRMFmISQvcuvT8b6CMXrqokV-JCSuA=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHRP-g6uYJ9tLxtJkQyubxD-wJWsDj0_Pr4WXLeLH71uz94t1hVvEMrtpErcxc2Pz6fPfL74f3X-cYz1eKppl-cE-UKg2V8fWol-yYosiW2VtIapETiSjFrK-8nJRQmJ2dLV6wSuPYjXXr5Nz-yc4EDUmvxFGgqRMFmISQvcuvT8b6CMXrqokV-JCSuA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>All that being said, I figured if I was going to get a new skein of yarn, I should probably de-stash at the same time. If you are interested I just listed some yarns in my shop under the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/knitcher?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=17474457" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">yarn tools and de-stash section.</span></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9KiVjp1J8ZassjA9KEvgujFLmpllIMuxcVlR_biObvojr5EWzriG2_U3AiOJb49Go92fdaAf-v0P-uUVIb4rTaZ0f-LYpX-a7rw34huaIHoxLO59elH34bF8YMQ4voluOQa2JnGYXdh97T7kab0VFwWKo-TUM5vWUwD41uZrgZrXD_i6TsAyjNL-7qA=s940" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9KiVjp1J8ZassjA9KEvgujFLmpllIMuxcVlR_biObvojr5EWzriG2_U3AiOJb49Go92fdaAf-v0P-uUVIb4rTaZ0f-LYpX-a7rw34huaIHoxLO59elH34bF8YMQ4voluOQa2JnGYXdh97T7kab0VFwWKo-TUM5vWUwD41uZrgZrXD_i6TsAyjNL-7qA=w400-h335" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I also want to share how saddened I am regarding the Russian war on Ukraine. I struggle to understand the audacity of the government of Russian to take this action. I am still determining how my family is going to help in a small way and am compiling information. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1082992947/ukraine-support-help" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Here is a starting spot if you are interested also. </span></a></p><p>Also you may have heard me singing the praises of an amazing Ukrainian Etsy artist that I supported in the recent months who makes the most amazing wood block stamps;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/IstiHome" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #e06666;">IstiHome</span></a><span style="color: #e06666;">.</span> If you would like to support another Ukrainian artist; here is a link to a knitware designers from the Ukraine <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/designers/pelykh-natalie" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Pelykh Natalie/knitforsweet </span></a> and <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/designers/victoria-chaplina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Victoria Chaplina/mycharmingwoo</span>l</a>. </span></p><p>Supporting and visualizing peace- </p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-71626538918351740942022-02-20T16:15:00.001-08:002022-02-20T16:33:40.569-08:00Just in time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizHnGMvhX2Q7SCBx1v3Klncfve3SYMf86ZvsGXqY4EF7QkUJzkxEZqff5XgOGnPx_1WiqFtgjBgzp__wbjVPbF9vX32MZjttLGf40fgKpERWh5f5w06ARJMoPetX-RdgTGhM-IN66aoK5b_ChWyedoumwbickxe1jYTtKRicMeUcPtc0iL6uo0PwIHzQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizHnGMvhX2Q7SCBx1v3Klncfve3SYMf86ZvsGXqY4EF7QkUJzkxEZqff5XgOGnPx_1WiqFtgjBgzp__wbjVPbF9vX32MZjttLGf40fgKpERWh5f5w06ARJMoPetX-RdgTGhM-IN66aoK5b_ChWyedoumwbickxe1jYTtKRicMeUcPtc0iL6uo0PwIHzQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Katniss Poncho is all done in time for the closing ceremonies tonight. It has been fun pattern to explore during the winter games and I really enjoyed making this piece. I also really enjoyed the unexpected rabbit hole I fell down with the Hunger Games and exploring family history in the area that is the setting of the dystopian Panem. This is the place where I process all of the amazing moments and athletes across the globe that participated; I really love the games. It is a sense of completing a knitting project that I set a strong intention to complete that sparks a flame to start another poncho. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsqRd4DqvAP_fKsJYy_BG9Si3Uqwnhw1bsZ0sFMYNlMp8Jd_2fQ96hhpz7rfSkp83P6X0wqv0HbX2oxEfW4ze7-m96LXA6Z7syVBBahyFrewFbVCE-dRJVDvj4Li1NAAJlffsoqY6YfY8lRuJUsHm2PNc5HwMRoYyVGwhrZJ8DAI5XykrI_9Hf9_DPVg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsqRd4DqvAP_fKsJYy_BG9Si3Uqwnhw1bsZ0sFMYNlMp8Jd_2fQ96hhpz7rfSkp83P6X0wqv0HbX2oxEfW4ze7-m96LXA6Z7syVBBahyFrewFbVCE-dRJVDvj4Li1NAAJlffsoqY6YfY8lRuJUsHm2PNc5HwMRoYyVGwhrZJ8DAI5XykrI_9Hf9_DPVg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg347DwuCpiNTb0KCu6-MPvHYy6564Ur0E5pUl_uU43jypwTGzepHx4M20l3xB-3Fz6Rw7v02vx8kUyxygK0xBEV_UOTdGFeVB4wDJQ37aGKSwZuZRfDF-8tYoaBYMWrjtLndFBO1h_s_vpcbiw_eyI6y9otMRWLNXVw_SocuVXA7LjhK3HPkj7GGWyqw=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg347DwuCpiNTb0KCu6-MPvHYy6564Ur0E5pUl_uU43jypwTGzepHx4M20l3xB-3Fz6Rw7v02vx8kUyxygK0xBEV_UOTdGFeVB4wDJQ37aGKSwZuZRfDF-8tYoaBYMWrjtLndFBO1h_s_vpcbiw_eyI6y9otMRWLNXVw_SocuVXA7LjhK3HPkj7GGWyqw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLCv9QJoY08ODSBdFJu1XhQxIvz4fEMMF8i8ozyFoUN9RtdwXCN8v2OVtIjDRzn_lyXi_bCyXsGbM9eTy-l8cr5-3idCcgk5SwyZ3QFPjAH9LeQwrlfKXl7dXy6OD1SytHIOyd1vhlqPXrcYfsX1WY0QBhL8oixexWTJRNyUccXq3UlwJd4T6DIer3Yw=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLCv9QJoY08ODSBdFJu1XhQxIvz4fEMMF8i8ozyFoUN9RtdwXCN8v2OVtIjDRzn_lyXi_bCyXsGbM9eTy-l8cr5-3idCcgk5SwyZ3QFPjAH9LeQwrlfKXl7dXy6OD1SytHIOyd1vhlqPXrcYfsX1WY0QBhL8oixexWTJRNyUccXq3UlwJd4T6DIer3Yw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_FzuvHMM1kviWFARFwQDp7JtHUro_WueRQHJUfo8bMETf4A2T1fNKanqHW05KPHmSpk0ZMRnlfLbOxXvFQMZO_E8ffvixDdPx-7RynY5PcWfWtXwKhfeBvJ5YxXTTAjj6ICBO0o0qfKd_x15NzxeH5IQbMmCZFgQmVbIPo5fGyVIq9TT0-CN-4rMVzQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_FzuvHMM1kviWFARFwQDp7JtHUro_WueRQHJUfo8bMETf4A2T1fNKanqHW05KPHmSpk0ZMRnlfLbOxXvFQMZO_E8ffvixDdPx-7RynY5PcWfWtXwKhfeBvJ5YxXTTAjj6ICBO0o0qfKd_x15NzxeH5IQbMmCZFgQmVbIPo5fGyVIq9TT0-CN-4rMVzQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvIonYzmZVnRoKpdqQ0a8UPyTdirS-GcIcO5udKRthH0FSJt1pKsrfwz2s3H110RGtEQt23LpH30qqcVoWtYl3B4mILxd8Cx4_rv-lfWplT6-LjigsNvxiS9tgpZLiLYak_NIthqlAZEEI4q2Fbk32iq-_3L-BorsdK32-WQymZokSRKOn51f3jYot8w=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvIonYzmZVnRoKpdqQ0a8UPyTdirS-GcIcO5udKRthH0FSJt1pKsrfwz2s3H110RGtEQt23LpH30qqcVoWtYl3B4mILxd8Cx4_rv-lfWplT6-LjigsNvxiS9tgpZLiLYak_NIthqlAZEEI4q2Fbk32iq-_3L-BorsdK32-WQymZokSRKOn51f3jYot8w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>I also completing some amazing books along the way including the prequel to the Hunger Games; The Ballad on Songbirds and Snakes. I thought it would be fun to highlight some areas of the movie depictions of the Hunger Games series where yarn and over/knitware are shown. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Hunger Games is filmed at the Henry River Mill Village; a former yarn mill</li><li>Hunger Games- opening dialogue with Seneca Crane and Cesar Flickerman explaining the Hunger Fames is something that "knits us all together"</li><li>Hunger Games- early trade with Katniss at the Hob for a ball of wool yarn</li><li>Catching Fire- the amazing knit cowl/vest worn by Katniss in opening</li><li>Catching Fire- on tour Katniss; the black and gray sweater, the cap sleeve sleeping sweater, infinity style cowl in blue, reverse triangle sweater, cable sweater, Haymitch; neutral color sweater</li><li>Catching Fire- burning of contraband in District 12 there is a large ball of yarn on dresser </li><li>Catching Fire- Finnick's sweater</li><li>Mockingjay- Gale's black sweater, Tigris' cowl</li><li>Mockingjay- Katniss returns to what remains in District 12- sweater in the doorway in the rain and the woven baby blanket </li></ul><div>That is just a quick little snippets of moments I caught while re-watching the movies before the Olympics. It was unexpected to be exploring this series while I did this knitalong, but the Katniss Poncho begged to be knit and I am glad that is what I made!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to everyone that joined me on my Olympic Knitalog! I look forward to watching some of the Winter Paralympics also. I have a pot of Appalachian cider beans in the oven for the closing ceremonies dinner tonight. Cheers my friends! </div><p></p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-70995123079983310322022-02-10T16:12:00.001-08:002022-02-10T16:12:18.474-08:00Winter Olympic Knitalong 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhybQjTZATzKolKRlm3rXvs00Z1DxLbzzYT33I_96ltbWHe82lF1RWJYkqZenL8Fc7facf8_Q7YHCVGDMa4XR-y57OCMeA3bRMEHeuDYerLYt6wznYn7T8tdRKLnElNxswc9R2zj5SXHQG-1jS9nkEBjHKxWqBCAA-3FEnpB04eGdDsLo90BablRDvh-Q=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhybQjTZATzKolKRlm3rXvs00Z1DxLbzzYT33I_96ltbWHe82lF1RWJYkqZenL8Fc7facf8_Q7YHCVGDMa4XR-y57OCMeA3bRMEHeuDYerLYt6wznYn7T8tdRKLnElNxswc9R2zj5SXHQG-1jS9nkEBjHKxWqBCAA-3FEnpB04eGdDsLo90BablRDvh-Q=w320-h400" width="320" /></a></div><p>How is your 2022 Winter Olympic watching going? If you have been with me the past couple of Olympics, you may remember that I like to do a knitalong project during the games. I am doing some video chat updates along the way if you want to hear more. The most recent update I did I talked about some mills and I said I would share some links so I thought I would take the opportunity to share a round of links here.</p><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The pattern that I am knitting is the Katniss Poncho- <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/katniss-poncho" target="_blank">find it here on Ravelry</a></li><li>The yarn I am using is Lion Brand Hue + Me in saffron colorway- <a href="https://www.lionbrand.com/products/hue-me-yarn" target="_blank">find it here</a></li><li>The mills I mentioned in the recent update:</li><ul><li><a href="https://henryrivermillvillage.com/" target="_blank">Henry River Village Mill</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-snowboarding-steel-mill-9c6528c11ad5ae3fae368ae26790ae56" target="_blank">Shougang Group Steel Mill</a></li><li><a href="https://www.abandonedamerica.us/wilde-yarn-mill" target="_blank">Wilde Yarn Mill</a></li><li><a href="https://mostateparks.com/park/watkins-woolen-mill-state-historic-site" target="_blank">Watkins Woolen Mill</a></li></ul></ul><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_rCpxHaSS3Hffxsh46dcHVlGeA4kkXJlVM6fHCETnED50M2ogfQ0Lsobyi0HQ3FiUs-2Ur9A5CuA_MzLFbwZDZ55xAcruFg3yZhdD0329qT_s_urcaNqlwrv_0jH6gciUC-bg7cqhpU7gtZUBdcSvUOTcFQrGvJfgMjR947Fp53cbhZZsLjco3yznBg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_rCpxHaSS3Hffxsh46dcHVlGeA4kkXJlVM6fHCETnED50M2ogfQ0Lsobyi0HQ3FiUs-2Ur9A5CuA_MzLFbwZDZ55xAcruFg3yZhdD0329qT_s_urcaNqlwrv_0jH6gciUC-bg7cqhpU7gtZUBdcSvUOTcFQrGvJfgMjR947Fp53cbhZZsLjco3yznBg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJRDSOKTLpzOjo68OTk6I7jaPW_F12Q5IkwQQMHSMzBDPkgo3jqyUhEBeNI1AxB-AI4ZacR-Mr0p4ZWOS99IbE5kvX1S8LsesV-gVesmhyoci26VLA0mRaYypSe3C_o1i7DcyLBxidR91h2SCj8yHKK9Wo-jjqp8cxlFyGGdh2mZtxapMKMJrhTlRKCQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJRDSOKTLpzOjo68OTk6I7jaPW_F12Q5IkwQQMHSMzBDPkgo3jqyUhEBeNI1AxB-AI4ZacR-Mr0p4ZWOS99IbE5kvX1S8LsesV-gVesmhyoci26VLA0mRaYypSe3C_o1i7DcyLBxidR91h2SCj8yHKK9Wo-jjqp8cxlFyGGdh2mZtxapMKMJrhTlRKCQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I am now 7 days into the knitalong and 13 of the 47 inches done, one skein on yarn is gone and I am on the second of three. Pretty sure I am going to need to get a 4th! If are doing a knitalong let me know, I would love to follow along on your progress. If you want to keep up with me on some video chats <a href="https://knitcher.blogspot.com/p/live-chats.html" target="_blank">click here. </a>Looking forward to sharing the end result!</div><p></p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-10431621680859902812022-02-02T17:26:00.000-08:002022-02-02T17:26:24.808-08:00make it with love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdZrV7249qyb9A9J677rCY_hWVBFzvrP4GTq1lbe9oFIyQcHF5b0tvLJlF6hupg3PfTaZ8D-wQUMTJ7uyqevLlB5W5L966B7dTVx66PhWsU7d2xTmkYzuNoBGFLuS0pp19hFGoYo4Ps3iftXLxjcJes6q5-kIjbi0zljlADfbuD20zw9s2mQvf41FNw=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdZrV7249qyb9A9J677rCY_hWVBFzvrP4GTq1lbe9oFIyQcHF5b0tvLJlF6hupg3PfTaZ8D-wQUMTJ7uyqevLlB5W5L966B7dTVx66PhWsU7d2xTmkYzuNoBGFLuS0pp19hFGoYo4Ps3iftXLxjcJes6q5-kIjbi0zljlADfbuD20zw9s2mQvf41FNw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p> I did a new little <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theknitcher/videos" target="_blank">video chat</a> highlighting a fun little gift to make really anytime, but if you had a hankering to make one of Valentine's Day, this is a quick, fun, natural gift. Feel free to watch the video to hear more about it, but I wanted to list out some links for you as well. As I mentioned in the video I was trying to put together a little something with craft supplies mostly available in local box craft stores incase you wanted to avoid shipping and needed a little quick make during a snow day! We just so happen to be in the middle of a snow storm this week!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjb5_uNHDlrCsxzPV8WO6V61r_0IZOCGkvdRo5fVHEWv97XzdXURp52htK_7dgDF8l5ujp4j11gltDh-pAz8h3qiyVUtEipLtLCC0ycuHbZVPtpkFBZEMdmSWi0Gcn0_K04CpWBFbzEIGoqbQNiXbJ91ExBzVjS7qT7RRwwmmoHLfo8QIPqwaFYuNuzQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjb5_uNHDlrCsxzPV8WO6V61r_0IZOCGkvdRo5fVHEWv97XzdXURp52htK_7dgDF8l5ujp4j11gltDh-pAz8h3qiyVUtEipLtLCC0ycuHbZVPtpkFBZEMdmSWi0Gcn0_K04CpWBFbzEIGoqbQNiXbJ91ExBzVjS7qT7RRwwmmoHLfo8QIPqwaFYuNuzQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix-lQloDEza0QrFBwEMZelXyS4t85tDhP8q79Bj8HZFuxzOL0jSyK7CmUIFW2Io6jdiZCvAKVLSM0tTjxTh9sWVvSKuw2rRGjBmB_IU3Kc5dVx0XZ2OdLOf-VbMWoR3PJaQEhoRAqHZrthl1eERYuDX5m6w490mJam90Epg6kj_jogNIDkAC5tHW5vDw=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix-lQloDEza0QrFBwEMZelXyS4t85tDhP8q79Bj8HZFuxzOL0jSyK7CmUIFW2Io6jdiZCvAKVLSM0tTjxTh9sWVvSKuw2rRGjBmB_IU3Kc5dVx0XZ2OdLOf-VbMWoR3PJaQEhoRAqHZrthl1eERYuDX5m6w490mJam90Epg6kj_jogNIDkAC5tHW5vDw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I really like the idea of giving/making natural gifts that have a low carbon footprint. These check off that box and allow for some sweet smells also. In full credit, I saw this idea from<a href="https://blog.simplyearth.com/how-to-make-a-macrame-essential-oil-diffuser/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=campaign-email&utm_campaign=December%205%20-%20December%20Recipe%201%20%2B%20Oil%203%20RBS%20eng%20(2021-12-05)&_kx=NbxjivkAywFxJmv012ETW0ou78fCdoKrxQmARUTX69U%3D.h5X6XF" target="_blank"> Simply Earth site</a> last December and loved making some for gifts. I wanted to add my own twist so I used some cotton yarn that I naturally dyed with avocado for a lovely blush pink. </p><p>Almost all of these supplies came from my local box craft stores:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>cotton knitting yarn </li><li>unfinished wood rings</li><li>unfinished wood beads</li><li>essential oil</li><li>cotton gift bag</li><li>wood hearts</li><li>wood blocks</li><li>fabric paint</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlW7WbdE_Z7BQlrCZtZ5awctiu8hxTbWVoOyMnbTo-vqVA0ZYI7DO2Z600y9P62nO-h5Nsjc_ZnmWVVkQ9j8fwnJsnkY3Nqwu3fJaxLZHVJidlQaslqbNl2sFcfqnCbwxqa6fBmgov-Kjm7OVAdAXAOHMyzoJA50DjMP0bxyVFL0h4NOQLR6uZSDx8cA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlW7WbdE_Z7BQlrCZtZ5awctiu8hxTbWVoOyMnbTo-vqVA0ZYI7DO2Z600y9P62nO-h5Nsjc_ZnmWVVkQ9j8fwnJsnkY3Nqwu3fJaxLZHVJidlQaslqbNl2sFcfqnCbwxqa6fBmgov-Kjm7OVAdAXAOHMyzoJA50DjMP0bxyVFL0h4NOQLR6uZSDx8cA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I dyed the cotton yarn last year and actually had that in my stash, but seriously friends, give natural dye a shot with avocado. Bonus is that you get to eat ALL the guacamole. Well okay I did share some with family during the game last weekend. I made a fresh pot of dye for the cotton bags! Google natural dye with avocado and there are several sites and videos to peruse. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzT3QSgbIKQuDDXWVn-XEOf9C-XsafhrA94c3CP3_oix8cLe9T6uWk9X1dyt_Ch_WQsI2a50B3STwwDOfOYVaoCgdoRYfzRBNz-K8NhzmEgFqHHaQ2V97ZplDlNe36gbeR0ART7GuuZ2T3iDJNPBbYNofbzREP041wC-BRxhUNkFMfUqOefF0xPTdLLQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzT3QSgbIKQuDDXWVn-XEOf9C-XsafhrA94c3CP3_oix8cLe9T6uWk9X1dyt_Ch_WQsI2a50B3STwwDOfOYVaoCgdoRYfzRBNz-K8NhzmEgFqHHaQ2V97ZplDlNe36gbeR0ART7GuuZ2T3iDJNPBbYNofbzREP041wC-BRxhUNkFMfUqOefF0xPTdLLQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGXTYep0_q46txMdsuzH4pCtN8tcxEQgn-O03hvUc5CkYJLL2f-pf5reCHNcsrSJHsyJF-eVIjMpwkgUQxczJRj8EumW4l-YzXIWKrTiRCFIvrLgo-TlolTS6BG2GD08ik3z1csqIHUHBrR7xSVlYPm25Wz-njZgYawMIEo8A4mW7stEvNjOb-5eYDqA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGXTYep0_q46txMdsuzH4pCtN8tcxEQgn-O03hvUc5CkYJLL2f-pf5reCHNcsrSJHsyJF-eVIjMpwkgUQxczJRj8EumW4l-YzXIWKrTiRCFIvrLgo-TlolTS6BG2GD08ik3z1csqIHUHBrR7xSVlYPm25Wz-njZgYawMIEo8A4mW7stEvNjOb-5eYDqA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNimX3Y3DE1NwmbBh7Pn3d9-5AkUpkKqapGm5v7tWl4LI7SSizs51k7yVLYRlsLl6q5T5Fzrw7MFS9RqjVH7WMP_NfpxTSSWeDRfHymwra_Utp1_qrMGp-UDJBVhkrM_iiqsPULYOIloBaC97NDpv0mSelrj1wqSy37tlbksLOEZbGNHPKq47-_lbKWg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNimX3Y3DE1NwmbBh7Pn3d9-5AkUpkKqapGm5v7tWl4LI7SSizs51k7yVLYRlsLl6q5T5Fzrw7MFS9RqjVH7WMP_NfpxTSSWeDRfHymwra_Utp1_qrMGp-UDJBVhkrM_iiqsPULYOIloBaC97NDpv0mSelrj1wqSy37tlbksLOEZbGNHPKq47-_lbKWg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Simply Earth has a great tutorial for making the simple knots and putting the diffuser together. I did order the wood heart beads from an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1063764761/4-natural-wood-heart-beads?click_key=f3f49e11c82891309221f6d1f8e8a365908ac88f%3A1063764761&click_sum=26e73174&ga_search_query=heart&ref=shop_items_search_11&sca=1&sts=1" target="_blank">Etsy shop,</a> it was the only thing I could not track down in the store.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4qs5Pld4wNg93HV-05XlB1OOoJ1UbL7KGOoHLJJZUadiv9QDSayeMRT5hmoCqp96ObXdEYYH3Bqpc2M_rjYx3l6THEpd3is8rqqjgDOwJsEW3fDsxbWvvUQH0iui2NLP0rnBnLVnDaS0EZ2Ex6xYTM9hyE3Tlk-V-_KrRzgwKDM5ny9BbjRpTINZl6g=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4qs5Pld4wNg93HV-05XlB1OOoJ1UbL7KGOoHLJJZUadiv9QDSayeMRT5hmoCqp96ObXdEYYH3Bqpc2M_rjYx3l6THEpd3is8rqqjgDOwJsEW3fDsxbWvvUQH0iui2NLP0rnBnLVnDaS0EZ2Ex6xYTM9hyE3Tlk-V-_KrRzgwKDM5ny9BbjRpTINZl6g=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ59TKaOo8ts6lJvAD24o9FaW7788Pwg9SL-qmPMiYNwR5UZx63n_ddL3hecm-1t8QPzXnR7quurweX0XBOjyKUoy8YJdb0mcpB2s5Tx4PgwIZtAEw0RM3UvZxOwe-Y4UwcstsVXUNT1n22SWYBXYExl5olruk9dEofpdWQednPQiQTwza8dXXcV5iMg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ59TKaOo8ts6lJvAD24o9FaW7788Pwg9SL-qmPMiYNwR5UZx63n_ddL3hecm-1t8QPzXnR7quurweX0XBOjyKUoy8YJdb0mcpB2s5Tx4PgwIZtAEw0RM3UvZxOwe-Y4UwcstsVXUNT1n22SWYBXYExl5olruk9dEofpdWQednPQiQTwza8dXXcV5iMg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4COldr7bqboyhikJ9SVhS7KhYLbCM5v4QKH1cQZjNdhocgVfFc7RrIlSFqgXJaJ1FHt7LKELg0sFlnnu9jea0WqUc888CLdZ7FA5ZHrSUZHSm-N7Qe0UZ3okXKXk2knGj6nYWeAiUDeswCLCkPZ4qfqlRuJ9INsJyBi9-8AN1J9fvH_iCJwPBLtp3Dg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4COldr7bqboyhikJ9SVhS7KhYLbCM5v4QKH1cQZjNdhocgVfFc7RrIlSFqgXJaJ1FHt7LKELg0sFlnnu9jea0WqUc888CLdZ7FA5ZHrSUZHSm-N7Qe0UZ3okXKXk2knGj6nYWeAiUDeswCLCkPZ4qfqlRuJ9INsJyBi9-8AN1J9fvH_iCJwPBLtp3Dg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The diffusers go together super quick and if you are inclined to make your cotton bags even more "lovely" you can make a quick wood block stamp with a wood heart glued to a wood block. Easy as pie and you have a fun wood block to stamp with. I am really liking the look of block printing! I caught the fever from using the wood block that I featured earlier from this<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/IstiHome?ref=yr_purchases" target="_blank"> Etsy shop</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's it folks, simple lovely gifts to make. I did put a couple sets in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/knitcher?ref=seller-platform-mcnav" target="_blank">shop</a> in case you want to buy one that is naturally dyed and ready to ship. Enjoy!</div><p></p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-44627704908921943802022-01-30T17:46:00.003-08:002022-01-30T17:46:43.729-08:00on the book shelf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieh2A_5TmwURb3arRCToEYcycg_RRE5VkDoye7qzJl3TYxqTd632EkqCwP3MMWAlIZyWGj1D-wJka1SzMpcxDn4IGmN9aafjiekEV-u9zir89z33om2Us-gGuWe7YJJwQP8-HKzDsJYORzRXEw_4oxQzVrmoVYDkVyvbAOLOveradv04cwSbjqmkx76g=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieh2A_5TmwURb3arRCToEYcycg_RRE5VkDoye7qzJl3TYxqTd632EkqCwP3MMWAlIZyWGj1D-wJka1SzMpcxDn4IGmN9aafjiekEV-u9zir89z33om2Us-gGuWe7YJJwQP8-HKzDsJYORzRXEw_4oxQzVrmoVYDkVyvbAOLOveradv04cwSbjqmkx76g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXjPiY78M1UdyV44_ykeEX7NK7TmSwJPeMezqpLygHH_SXCVDCH3-VAN5WBQ3VDaE_RGfklsomVKazsANvKmXNVoMnG_A_NsmV0sjGwiUNXtW6pSncdgA9o11Nsmq2yg5YX5pNoRf5aknI76nE_2W74FNateYsybJ8EsPy-R3uQOsc8847k3F4KNr8_w=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXjPiY78M1UdyV44_ykeEX7NK7TmSwJPeMezqpLygHH_SXCVDCH3-VAN5WBQ3VDaE_RGfklsomVKazsANvKmXNVoMnG_A_NsmV0sjGwiUNXtW6pSncdgA9o11Nsmq2yg5YX5pNoRf5aknI76nE_2W74FNateYsybJ8EsPy-R3uQOsc8847k3F4KNr8_w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I thought I would share some my current reads. I have been enjoying reading This Long </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Long-Thread-Community-Connection/dp/1611808243" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Thread</a><span style="text-align: left;"> by Jen Hewett with its diversity of essays and interviews with women of color crafting and connection. As you may be aware there has been several important conversations happening surrounding representation in the crafter community the past couple of years and this book presents a variety of voices that has been very important to listen to. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1irmTH9m5_gU5G08HHfhucBBsS_YIz9oKs1lcjau4Zz1Kpp6bTEgAglr34BqRB-et7IsIG4nKwsJrgv4fDOdoG5UpU5z7r9FLQFdGU02uPUZ4EXRdH1EpMH3e-gVlxn8z3t9h90E48dKRnnmlPit4dRCzuCQXIuonjTB5GNrgbZ9Y3WguCYEqAheB6w=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1irmTH9m5_gU5G08HHfhucBBsS_YIz9oKs1lcjau4Zz1Kpp6bTEgAglr34BqRB-et7IsIG4nKwsJrgv4fDOdoG5UpU5z7r9FLQFdGU02uPUZ4EXRdH1EpMH3e-gVlxn8z3t9h90E48dKRnnmlPit4dRCzuCQXIuonjTB5GNrgbZ9Y3WguCYEqAheB6w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYWMIt3s-dBRmpyu0EplLGPbZNmszry-5V1SF2B9BvZsQj7mW0Mdk30rMc-b-8WYCkidgf4UuEU6T8xN2cuO46RlwVAwpbweLmQ7AWS9vIVS1AOqu6ZmRULII_Op3joNJ3b1VFwvgC4ZzSVv0fE4vFwpdpeT90Phqx7ZPlnBI21aH3mop-CHNvEbEPlg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYWMIt3s-dBRmpyu0EplLGPbZNmszry-5V1SF2B9BvZsQj7mW0Mdk30rMc-b-8WYCkidgf4UuEU6T8xN2cuO46RlwVAwpbweLmQ7AWS9vIVS1AOqu6ZmRULII_Op3joNJ3b1VFwvgC4ZzSVv0fE4vFwpdpeT90Phqx7ZPlnBI21aH3mop-CHNvEbEPlg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX0PBx6pyc6qPn8OThPYd5ojnsYwDyhdv2H7OLVsfsEyAg98DKXEKfYB-Dsjwytb1CSW5qIZ-tvELx99fGMLXLe1-MAvP4W8lXmHJbZgA-OHBMjaQC5PWqQXWYEZMl2y3UKAguJYKx36CQprJU0KS3RI2YEC_BEZaNgcP9moWAKJh-IcunZEjXiMaVzQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX0PBx6pyc6qPn8OThPYd5ojnsYwDyhdv2H7OLVsfsEyAg98DKXEKfYB-Dsjwytb1CSW5qIZ-tvELx99fGMLXLe1-MAvP4W8lXmHJbZgA-OHBMjaQC5PWqQXWYEZMl2y3UKAguJYKx36CQprJU0KS3RI2YEC_BEZaNgcP9moWAKJh-IcunZEjXiMaVzQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7n0yVfrygTnNCSSWpg_tOnKInpUix1WRSV97xnX4amw0X3YfnQvpu9kWCZUsLAmKuvsXI19xby0yWAiCAwWxXrhccPmLjxjPMtun6Mv__Zix79WbBVXBtlD0paxWKfWo7YODAOyFQ7mPjBiU1Rh1EOetr6XwIsl-erPq4GVWtjqKxarXzW_Q_rCVQtA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7n0yVfrygTnNCSSWpg_tOnKInpUix1WRSV97xnX4amw0X3YfnQvpu9kWCZUsLAmKuvsXI19xby0yWAiCAwWxXrhccPmLjxjPMtun6Mv__Zix79WbBVXBtlD0paxWKfWo7YODAOyFQ7mPjBiU1Rh1EOetr6XwIsl-erPq4GVWtjqKxarXzW_Q_rCVQtA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinrpwHuTGPjCzRUeJt43F-k4oYd0LSEbJjA2cfF_FZay387rvcWJxy7HUEmFzuHgkdQXI2CxHime5al6-tkaJGKmaOftZOkBR1-TCuWOClkYx_b5VoD5qPfst80AFS9NAZ1QkokHJ6VN5zn8cyXRKnwfa8Jy3FtAuUU2XjO2Fb71uxQi8ukJTS30zX-Q=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinrpwHuTGPjCzRUeJt43F-k4oYd0LSEbJjA2cfF_FZay387rvcWJxy7HUEmFzuHgkdQXI2CxHime5al6-tkaJGKmaOftZOkBR1-TCuWOClkYx_b5VoD5qPfst80AFS9NAZ1QkokHJ6VN5zn8cyXRKnwfa8Jy3FtAuUU2XjO2Fb71uxQi8ukJTS30zX-Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I was excited to also see that my local library has this book as well as the new book by Brandi Cheyenne Harper; </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Radical-Self-Care-Modern-Guide/dp/1419744887/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9mPBhCJARIsAHchl1w4A_qpV4g1Jvqn1wkAAIOy8XWRgnOTL7uJGIa9dcMXnbpHvSrFF5waAosBEALw_wcB&hvadid=541768543856&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1020268&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7534659152484449186&hvtargid=kwd-1410473136454&hydadcr=7637_9903248&keywords=knitting+for+radical+self+care&qid=1643592652&sr=8-1" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Knitting</a><span style="text-align: left;"> for Radical Self-Care. I could not help but just thumb through the book and take in the beautiful pictures and prose. I am going to enjoy reading this one. It strikes me as a great book for a beginner and a beautiful re-charge for knitters who have been doing this for a bit. Looking forward to diving deeper into this one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwdy-IpcpehZbiqiMt8Ac1u8pqIjjHbcbFYN9ezSMM87frkc_lNpe4u2ZKb1f9eJvcKhAKCQnPcIoBucYP5u3SpMxzSl8Kw6viyDX-1UDn7aokMVW4PoGx6kOVJjDQznH4PmJL1sQI2pgE5UaAlRL1WbyT8pmwppvyTYAXicSkLE9GQJ2xL8y2TzW-kQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwdy-IpcpehZbiqiMt8Ac1u8pqIjjHbcbFYN9ezSMM87frkc_lNpe4u2ZKb1f9eJvcKhAKCQnPcIoBucYP5u3SpMxzSl8Kw6viyDX-1UDn7aokMVW4PoGx6kOVJjDQznH4PmJL1sQI2pgE5UaAlRL1WbyT8pmwppvyTYAXicSkLE9GQJ2xL8y2TzW-kQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Lastly, I seemed to have missed that this prequel to the Hunger Games came out in 2020. Since I left the book industry in 2014 I don't have my thumb quite on the pulse of the new releases like I did before but my quest to find the right knitting project for the Olympic knitting brought me to the Hunger Games and I discovered Ballad of </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ballad-Songbirds-Snakes-Hunger-Games/dp/1338635174" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Songbirds </a><span style="text-align: left;">and Snakes so I thought I would like to start reading it as well.</span></div></div><p>I can't say enough how amazing my community library is; they had all of these books and has a great curbside pick up option as well. So appreciated while the COVID numbers are still high in my area. </p><p>What are you reading these days?</p><p><br /></p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-88999989348001973992022-01-22T21:19:00.000-08:002022-01-22T21:19:22.162-08:00pondering pink<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIRNMVWXf27n_DBIzYn5WP1w6MwzLhXx7AjmMMJqgZzwi6maGIDsGlVuqwuEMgxjCyYr7vWN2PyKOvpPjkrcx4tV9r1fUR_b2t6FdWjQQE99L1xCEhD2TMqkZ2PXacmJHvvFQ_K3AI7I2zr4-VylPZdLbER1RuEYKYu3_IWmfyRub-VYGE1ADEHoX9sg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIRNMVWXf27n_DBIzYn5WP1w6MwzLhXx7AjmMMJqgZzwi6maGIDsGlVuqwuEMgxjCyYr7vWN2PyKOvpPjkrcx4tV9r1fUR_b2t6FdWjQQE99L1xCEhD2TMqkZ2PXacmJHvvFQ_K3AI7I2zr4-VylPZdLbER1RuEYKYu3_IWmfyRub-VYGE1ADEHoX9sg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>It is odd how a color finds it's way into your favorite club without even expecting it. If you would have asked me a couple years ago what my favorite color is I would have said dark red and other earth tones. Today I still love variations of red; dark red, rust, brick red, and terra cotta, but I also really like soft pinks. It is in the same color family right? I never was one to do pink growing up but I was happy to support both of my sons enjoyment of pink at different times even to this day. But I am telling you that softest blush pink is awesome. And corals; they are awesome next to terra cottas and earthy browns! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg1NIWA9nwbgrFtawWh_M695_rJUIK90z4AYwem-cSng0ifNpht4cODGwYnuCW22pYURPuZvYt38YEEuFlV-Bxl_l8Yhzq4d3AbQcDLSHKOJOeK7wFXG6_Qg3ePgy5r-UQTEgRLvyefjQHHqoIsyMXykeCjkSE-_5NTjeDyUEJyepyd-8SJMPURjqizQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg1NIWA9nwbgrFtawWh_M695_rJUIK90z4AYwem-cSng0ifNpht4cODGwYnuCW22pYURPuZvYt38YEEuFlV-Bxl_l8Yhzq4d3AbQcDLSHKOJOeK7wFXG6_Qg3ePgy5r-UQTEgRLvyefjQHHqoIsyMXykeCjkSE-_5NTjeDyUEJyepyd-8SJMPURjqizQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjR_CchDyLP9C7z3gEKA5PlfXb_1nAoDxKSCWx2aGYC5Wl5A472CI2MMt5dHO7KYPPCRaPVtlSUIYY7oOejYvlxBdlml8vhBU7BrMoTJNYFEz-gwHvYzbcAvaM2Y4VTOIhDPOXYsa7wTr_fn2ezWCyzv85XpsKiynfLxKrfE873JG4Gen69xGgaghc8A=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjR_CchDyLP9C7z3gEKA5PlfXb_1nAoDxKSCWx2aGYC5Wl5A472CI2MMt5dHO7KYPPCRaPVtlSUIYY7oOejYvlxBdlml8vhBU7BrMoTJNYFEz-gwHvYzbcAvaM2Y4VTOIhDPOXYsa7wTr_fn2ezWCyzv85XpsKiynfLxKrfE873JG4Gen69xGgaghc8A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>I love reading about the history of the <a href="https://blog.hunterlab.com/blog/color-and-appearance-theory/the-color-pink/#:~:text=The%20color%20pink%20was%20recognized,symbol%20of%20class%20and%20luxury." target="_blank">color</a> culturally. After settling on my knitting pattern and yarn for the upcoming winter Olympics, I decided to cast on a quick scarf that is quite ridiculously long which makes it quite fantastic also. I grabbed the leftover skein of yarn from making my grand nieces' winter hat; Two of Wands Hue + Me bulky wool blend in bellini colorway. Combined that with simple garter stitch on size 35 needles and it made for a fun fast knit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnmoDUIr69eOIT8zE8sTpxFUfSif19oeeqQh8gY6wQ2IIGTb9lmXqiDMV-3DrunLvn_oSeiXgtv_dg0U48Uneh6AlEY-51p8dWpi_7CEUNWibF8dfLmbagUAUFg2AbSAhUHjVm7FndcN96ZlGP2rbAqtcx9P_BZTYfzhvVQsEo88Q9WVbVnrNw82sp-w=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnmoDUIr69eOIT8zE8sTpxFUfSif19oeeqQh8gY6wQ2IIGTb9lmXqiDMV-3DrunLvn_oSeiXgtv_dg0U48Uneh6AlEY-51p8dWpi_7CEUNWibF8dfLmbagUAUFg2AbSAhUHjVm7FndcN96ZlGP2rbAqtcx9P_BZTYfzhvVQsEo88Q9WVbVnrNw82sp-w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjci0S9ZLAk5ry3R0jZLHbFW6lkZ1CHTaNy1YcPJMkaxyrTYkUK4W_GWcPr2h17_pIoT7F_hE2IgwD9ZGplSmtvRqKjc4s0iziSxVs__RqLUabONq76YkZ-hAXzgPV7zFepQfxS4FshRtC13Nm3R6A8nX7olvz6wDNTtmQ4b1uccE-_2GjtDsfpV72Gg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjci0S9ZLAk5ry3R0jZLHbFW6lkZ1CHTaNy1YcPJMkaxyrTYkUK4W_GWcPr2h17_pIoT7F_hE2IgwD9ZGplSmtvRqKjc4s0iziSxVs__RqLUabONq76YkZ-hAXzgPV7zFepQfxS4FshRtC13Nm3R6A8nX7olvz6wDNTtmQ4b1uccE-_2GjtDsfpV72Gg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>The pattern is in a book from my knitting library; Weekend Knitting; and it has the perfect quote for this pattern. Done while watching some wildcard football last weekend, it was really fun. I think though that I am going to go back and shorten it just a bit; I am pretty short and so 96 inches including the fringe is pretty long on me. A good stash buster for a statement making scarf!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhupy8sASBcp8pr5PpeZ2Au2klbO8v0E9qSjOEiSzl2I747_WCH2iRlAwXSOXQuisie6-W1ByQQIVv1QZi2DWQUsIrerrGeSwEK15vJ7manez2xT_c4kZT5-iKtnkKIvSoa_0nAsS0ugXK_FSYiUoPXf4T6zgDlf-bqXUnpvXLE002Ezm7XKDDEoGvIYw=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhupy8sASBcp8pr5PpeZ2Au2klbO8v0E9qSjOEiSzl2I747_WCH2iRlAwXSOXQuisie6-W1ByQQIVv1QZi2DWQUsIrerrGeSwEK15vJ7manez2xT_c4kZT5-iKtnkKIvSoa_0nAsS0ugXK_FSYiUoPXf4T6zgDlf-bqXUnpvXLE002Ezm7XKDDEoGvIYw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKTEcNkJwAfw9-r1AE-1xNvCQA9V0SX1QmKEv79zHLiqYJqyCOHFjUwHSsaUYAkS08pKE19K_eoR7_CkRr3WDHbvGrtcjNaUQLRvpiMgYo6zBEOOKc_raErJ-3oHH7aG-BrDNGEdu7A63OqPfCscRhV4kbMAtShy9y0P0nQCOdJ3_46CwvKn_cvgr8QQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKTEcNkJwAfw9-r1AE-1xNvCQA9V0SX1QmKEv79zHLiqYJqyCOHFjUwHSsaUYAkS08pKE19K_eoR7_CkRr3WDHbvGrtcjNaUQLRvpiMgYo6zBEOOKc_raErJ-3oHH7aG-BrDNGEdu7A63OqPfCscRhV4kbMAtShy9y0P0nQCOdJ3_46CwvKn_cvgr8QQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaomWHrwW402LYL5MF887iKqmp6EirjQPBhqXeW6018rTx4sqDtRZ3lySZFl5AEGe3CuvRAP2slr_BZhsuCyvyDtcAe2aGLWKEr7k-gncPb49L-r0u1wf17SG6dJHbtkY288a9cboUogbGShaHdLt5x-0Wkbd1EmuZNqVYqVwnoK7LwoqCjNGrQLTvdQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaomWHrwW402LYL5MF887iKqmp6EirjQPBhqXeW6018rTx4sqDtRZ3lySZFl5AEGe3CuvRAP2slr_BZhsuCyvyDtcAe2aGLWKEr7k-gncPb49L-r0u1wf17SG6dJHbtkY288a9cboUogbGShaHdLt5x-0Wkbd1EmuZNqVYqVwnoK7LwoqCjNGrQLTvdQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>Speaking of pink I also wanted to share this super quick piece that I made at a craft gathering with some friends recently during a house warming. The idea was to take a canvas and create a backdrop and tree or other abstract image with fabrics scraps. As you can see I went straight for the pinks again. I did a quick brush stroke light pink backdrop with just random pieces pink scraps with no rhyme or reason but I love how it looks in my office window looking out my backyard full of oak trees. </p><p>Hope you are enjoying working with some color this winter. Till next time my friends!</p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-64490230653203409772022-01-15T11:22:00.004-08:002022-01-15T11:24:32.954-08:00Need a little luck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim7leSgwlIIrBLJK3oBnn78yKyaV5GKhHnfntz4uLArsCBVoPUPZTBZSP19i7zq5JAtG1Z4BlP2J1K5rnWgbTRDw2LlA9YaGu5SeUgdfSjCt3HpwqETdUgbN-zx3NCebchVtnaor4xwvT2Kw-f70Jcdmv0IEWKZCTI-m9IaBYHa4h--pPIgiN3u2lKMg=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim7leSgwlIIrBLJK3oBnn78yKyaV5GKhHnfntz4uLArsCBVoPUPZTBZSP19i7zq5JAtG1Z4BlP2J1K5rnWgbTRDw2LlA9YaGu5SeUgdfSjCt3HpwqETdUgbN-zx3NCebchVtnaor4xwvT2Kw-f70Jcdmv0IEWKZCTI-m9IaBYHa4h--pPIgiN3u2lKMg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>How has the New Year continued for you? If you have followed me for a bit you know that I tend to break out the mushrooms around the beginning of the New Year; it is an old German tradition as a symbol of good luck going into the New Year. It seems like we are all needing a little luck come our way with the recent surges in COVID. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg49QuMIN4ewqtG9Z_X4PuD3pSb6uWynW6dmMS2vbmckpxRUqDnLEJ6c6fGdlXvUpDRt74thpXm4Kpqt8KS5RIoVvfA7-cvPxV_DxG5STy2Mes086sxWsgPkhxOQPgmKRyz9h3XyLTPWQPMhyXgBEmpS8t7dqJSFA0ozFLPN-jIX8s_59vfc2_xymqLyw=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg49QuMIN4ewqtG9Z_X4PuD3pSb6uWynW6dmMS2vbmckpxRUqDnLEJ6c6fGdlXvUpDRt74thpXm4Kpqt8KS5RIoVvfA7-cvPxV_DxG5STy2Mes086sxWsgPkhxOQPgmKRyz9h3XyLTPWQPMhyXgBEmpS8t7dqJSFA0ozFLPN-jIX8s_59vfc2_xymqLyw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We have found our selves hunkering down a bit more than usual due to the increases here in our community but taking some chances with booking some trips in the spring. We are still feeling very fortunate to all be healthy in my family with the exception of the eldest and his roommates coming down with some respiratory infections.</p><p>We woke up to some snow today which I personally enjoy; if it is going to be cold at least bring me some snow! Before I bundle up and take Ursa out for a walk I thought I would expand on an earlier part of a post and visit about Springerle cookies once more. I have been receiving back some happy reports of folks who enjoyed eating them so I am encouraged to make more at different times of the year. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibUAlSPT5Da-LNWOVs08GUfdxv8VaKG8qOgj9dEegBInDGBiDWlEDlUjd9pROpcxOVy6kFAUULZofGLcTc66cH9qZQJo0dArrLX2N5qv6ZdumV8MOE3RbS_xBSXrfLzJbC9uAYCnyLzsnHZv9qRk_W63apLsnzOS_YvN8xhyqGmCI8z4Ia5g-MQmiCkQ=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibUAlSPT5Da-LNWOVs08GUfdxv8VaKG8qOgj9dEegBInDGBiDWlEDlUjd9pROpcxOVy6kFAUULZofGLcTc66cH9qZQJo0dArrLX2N5qv6ZdumV8MOE3RbS_xBSXrfLzJbC9uAYCnyLzsnHZv9qRk_W63apLsnzOS_YvN8xhyqGmCI8z4Ia5g-MQmiCkQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8cNO02-W7TO4kMVDJYk2xnOKoLd6ripTQB83GD578pujie2wLoIUlwBgk1A8eZ2BNxfrqstSAvxkevAd3guwYwmgFu30LxZvXPbe30wpb8ryNqZW72CAILOyjZzI1pxitqQgSYx7MX9ThG6sF0UIdnytLQ7HuwE9pIaWAqJPPcD4pCJgxpaGtlKJwdQ=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="631" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8cNO02-W7TO4kMVDJYk2xnOKoLd6ripTQB83GD578pujie2wLoIUlwBgk1A8eZ2BNxfrqstSAvxkevAd3guwYwmgFu30LxZvXPbe30wpb8ryNqZW72CAILOyjZzI1pxitqQgSYx7MX9ThG6sF0UIdnytLQ7HuwE9pIaWAqJPPcD4pCJgxpaGtlKJwdQ=w395-h400" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>As I mentioned I used a replica mold that I got from a company that is local to my state; <a href="https://www.houseonthehill.net/" target="_blank">House on the Hill.</a> The first mold that I got from them was from a little shop at one of our state parks that has a German home preserved in a German settled river town in my state. I think I made the springerle cookies once with that mold and I look forward to using it in the spring; the mold is called <a href="https://www.springerlecookiemold.com/product-page/m5649-ric-rac-rabbit-egg-springerle-cookie-mold-by-house-on-the-hill-m5649" target="_blank">Ric Rac Rabbit.</a> The <a href="https://www.springerlecookiemold.com/product-page/buck-reindeer-springerle-cookie-mold-by-house-on-the-hill" target="_blank">Buck mold</a> that I used for the winter holidays was perfect and now packed away till later this year. </p><p>I am on the hunt for a heart themed mold, but I am kind of picky when it comes to hearts. It really has to be a unique primitive style heart for me to use. I am just not too into hearts for decor generally.</p><p>As I mentioned earlier I tried to use the traditional hartshorn (bakers ammonia) this last time and it was a fail that it retained the smell; it did not bake out but they did puff quite a bit like they are supposed too. I think I am still going to use baking powder though. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguDuLOcJfxEfsnT5GjS_2rnj9oyhF740ls5ihTISE0KLfUYSlqbaxs0d2c5h2BM_86h9trMpYBmhIw1fq0vVvGWM7iF8juOBxSxaPffcPXtXdFCKuoHuhVaKrjq-N_x-fUtkc3Shr6Me5yTCS8GdJVsjmi9oBsoJch-zX8wlfG53ldDwm6WiZZlyfb4A=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguDuLOcJfxEfsnT5GjS_2rnj9oyhF740ls5ihTISE0KLfUYSlqbaxs0d2c5h2BM_86h9trMpYBmhIw1fq0vVvGWM7iF8juOBxSxaPffcPXtXdFCKuoHuhVaKrjq-N_x-fUtkc3Shr6Me5yTCS8GdJVsjmi9oBsoJch-zX8wlfG53ldDwm6WiZZlyfb4A=w320-h400" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0ekpQMWuDdBMQyBjZH8XIM084ir3F06YLTh7VoCrTbO6CMQoXqFyH3NARu-OUGnLYO8ktyC5CeE-5_uYXLUCdUyjtG8jVuuh8P0-1bS8BoTt7FqsVsIavhBuj3LkFZ69F7YU9rKm-lpejASn0JJt-hHAYEomdkBJ5kCHfZl47BwSGzikMneOdLZZ0uA=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0ekpQMWuDdBMQyBjZH8XIM084ir3F06YLTh7VoCrTbO6CMQoXqFyH3NARu-OUGnLYO8ktyC5CeE-5_uYXLUCdUyjtG8jVuuh8P0-1bS8BoTt7FqsVsIavhBuj3LkFZ69F7YU9rKm-lpejASn0JJt-hHAYEomdkBJ5kCHfZl47BwSGzikMneOdLZZ0uA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Wish me luck in hunting down the right mold here in the next few weeks and let me know if you have any tips or secrets yourself for making springerles. Till then the mushroom are going to hang out a bit around the house for just another dose of good luck.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay safe and healthy my friends!</div>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-32111591725326781242022-01-07T17:46:00.000-08:002022-01-07T17:46:04.547-08:00Rag and Bone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDhInu8xoHK6wsXAQiDhj5XCdY-z5jlcJ5ljBoeCCLhUNRqn0bFo3JxsYKafGhpnpEc0XwXv5y46mVZUI-vmZ6JuavPBvBuaTgxgZwmJHFfMKihImejPQidIs_0NsPgqYNTTAJ18SKE7x0EFGpcpjQfP2Lj6xPA4YczJBYNKCwX7d693REoJaChVmqWQ=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDhInu8xoHK6wsXAQiDhj5XCdY-z5jlcJ5ljBoeCCLhUNRqn0bFo3JxsYKafGhpnpEc0XwXv5y46mVZUI-vmZ6JuavPBvBuaTgxgZwmJHFfMKihImejPQidIs_0NsPgqYNTTAJ18SKE7x0EFGpcpjQfP2Lj6xPA4YczJBYNKCwX7d693REoJaChVmqWQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Do you ever hear a phrase and it sticks with you? Last year I was watching <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B082MQYZYK/ref=atv_dp_season_select_s1" target="_blank">Victorian Farm</a>; which I loved BTW and remember in passing Ruth mentioning the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rag-and-bone_man" target="_blank">Rag and Bone man</a> in reference to leaving the out the bones. I went to the notes section of my phone and wrote "research rag and bone man". I remember her talking about cooking down an animal and utilizing everything down to the last bit of bones and leaving it out for the rag and bone man to pick up. </p><p>Truth be told I did not do too much research but the phrase caught my eye again when I saw a <a href="https://gina-michele.com/2016/10/rag-bone-fringe-scarf-knitting-pattern-2.html" target="_blank">knitter feature a scarf she made inspired by Rag and Bone.</a> I think she was actually referencing and expensive clothing line but it sparked my interest again around Halloween and decided to go stash diving and pulled out a couple skeins on the undyed Fibra Natura wool yarn and make a winter scarf. Something about the name rag and bone lent itself to a good cast on for Halloween!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWUU2YsbGF25SCUgc8Wk1b1mdpB--84Gto1G6eUWecmJVE3XGKJ_zE2bOx6Mjan6WC2JjIyV10JhsCgsPnmG4ozPsv_vTAwVLQFyJuAM-4yNIp4BXUyHMhz_9VFDZ2bJT2actzfXzn8YEsFRuPno7DfaMG4FbGr-3eiug0sn6t30F-pc2P5mstuFRfhw=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWUU2YsbGF25SCUgc8Wk1b1mdpB--84Gto1G6eUWecmJVE3XGKJ_zE2bOx6Mjan6WC2JjIyV10JhsCgsPnmG4ozPsv_vTAwVLQFyJuAM-4yNIp4BXUyHMhz_9VFDZ2bJT2actzfXzn8YEsFRuPno7DfaMG4FbGr-3eiug0sn6t30F-pc2P5mstuFRfhw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Knitting time was not as often as I wanted it to be in November through mid-December thanks to some well appreciated loving support of the toymaking, so I really did not pick the scarf back up in ernest until mid-December when I shut the shop down for the season. And if you know me I am a huge Christmas Carol- Dickens fan and each holiday season I envelope myself in the book and movies. It kind of wears out my crew so I often end up watching it for the umpteenth time by myself. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7eAak4TGMGwql3nn-Uws4Ui-wqlo9LyrDeeY9ex7Mwat-tdPhnVpbszGrzTohJdxXlSqIhtud8MeOdsspx4ltNO6Nn8J2WG2bRSRalAqSk8nqDlrMggLZoog4Fp3Hsplbu8M_O0Q0AC2ejWIzR1Zda-74H8ZmN3akkvMsOFMtswKOFWUMcOQ-IpTTpg=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7eAak4TGMGwql3nn-Uws4Ui-wqlo9LyrDeeY9ex7Mwat-tdPhnVpbszGrzTohJdxXlSqIhtud8MeOdsspx4ltNO6Nn8J2WG2bRSRalAqSk8nqDlrMggLZoog4Fp3Hsplbu8M_O0Q0AC2ejWIzR1Zda-74H8ZmN3akkvMsOFMtswKOFWUMcOQ-IpTTpg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>If you watch the movies; often the knit scarves stand out, so I felt that this scarf captured that feel in the rustic wool; simple 1x1 rib pattern ending with fringe. Also I was reminded that the rag and bone man show up in the Christmas Carol; usually at the end when the maid tries to sell items from Scrooges bedchamber to the rag and bone man. In a very dark version; the <a href="fx a christmas carol" target="_blank">FX version of The Christmas Carol </a>the rag and bone man is in the beginning and counted by Scrooge with an much different element of Scrooge brought in of studying human behavior.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhq3S_1zP_o2fFU11lyl7dabdfoAetuyQ8gTCheBRljCQ0eAGtyFJ0ddt9U-XPAfvQWwSPCCBtSTHsrhhDMGn_NKDUNHlOECZEbga6alrNU0fUOxy72sHpyhHmKXZ1QycgXiDqs5jIIIgftXk1L48sXlmTL-Nywh5NWjikitq2TKoJSzZpecb0FJW8aw=s1544" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhq3S_1zP_o2fFU11lyl7dabdfoAetuyQ8gTCheBRljCQ0eAGtyFJ0ddt9U-XPAfvQWwSPCCBtSTHsrhhDMGn_NKDUNHlOECZEbga6alrNU0fUOxy72sHpyhHmKXZ1QycgXiDqs5jIIIgftXk1L48sXlmTL-Nywh5NWjikitq2TKoJSzZpecb0FJW8aw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>If it peaks your interest like mine let me know. So far I am just browsing the ethers for the historical traces of rag and bone men. This is all in the context of living in such a wasteful and disposable culture we currently live in. In all honesty; I think I live across from a modern rag and bone man. Not quite hoarding; but someone who seems to pick up discarded items to try and re-purpose. Somewhat intriguing and somewhat frustrating at the same time; but I am going to continuing down the rabbit hole of researching rags and bones!</p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-59417911389544795272021-12-31T19:10:00.000-08:002021-12-31T19:10:20.675-08:00wrap it up<p> And just like that 2021 is wrapping up and I feel like I am still struggling to find the time to write and share like I want too, so I am really really going to try and commit to writing at least once a week . . . fingers crossed! </p><p>So I shared these on Insta/Facebook spots but this was a sampling of the making I did for some small gifts this year:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMUOL7-5sAHBEBgZB0ax6ll4vIG46G81gHDqB40gA_-gcXYg0Gs5muytWiRsV9oqfk0QBXGnCTYucgG_bGrKrZOUzkVLkWZQwL7-IfXAyHWzUCNTuhU57-CsIrrQ_FBXE00xCs9eGDZvV2NXbkDdHU2bppr-uEVsmw9Idsb-jBGScnv2iaTmMhNJ2fAA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMUOL7-5sAHBEBgZB0ax6ll4vIG46G81gHDqB40gA_-gcXYg0Gs5muytWiRsV9oqfk0QBXGnCTYucgG_bGrKrZOUzkVLkWZQwL7-IfXAyHWzUCNTuhU57-CsIrrQ_FBXE00xCs9eGDZvV2NXbkDdHU2bppr-uEVsmw9Idsb-jBGScnv2iaTmMhNJ2fAA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiObBCUFUVoBg6GMvdk5GMYUXy62aGaknOcy3dQwAJlRBXiI__OzuoujxdWRkh_xcnxxQqRH3J9-tkRfEgSIKH1iLHNZTLnlo76KQ18_tjN732HL7wCzSSuVmtumq7zz-RuHneMt2SPc0tXxcBNu7jFOXRN6pHnzqbPLvQBX9ASrHz5_HAZD_DEW0WqTQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiObBCUFUVoBg6GMvdk5GMYUXy62aGaknOcy3dQwAJlRBXiI__OzuoujxdWRkh_xcnxxQqRH3J9-tkRfEgSIKH1iLHNZTLnlo76KQ18_tjN732HL7wCzSSuVmtumq7zz-RuHneMt2SPc0tXxcBNu7jFOXRN6pHnzqbPLvQBX9ASrHz5_HAZD_DEW0WqTQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I admittedly have a problem with wood bowls; seriously they are so beautiful and I often see them discarded at thrift stores and flea markets. I put a little elbow grease into them and clean them back up and oil them up and they are gorgeous! I re-sell some on Facebook Marketplace but I also kept back a stash this year and filled with fresh chestnuts, and a chestnut clip for family to roast at home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijn4K9MsF07aq8ljgggk124aI76VwNXYFwWMU5MigQzANm3AKhd4GfnqmkJNX6i3876av3PBW4UiATaAPl19x-kcGtAK_1aS_yUjgFN77tjoSO8qFbLsNTUplPjdxCqCZiXN36PnUh_MJMOD_RdFwziNZ16FRmnbx0qFo0K9uNjqQpZx0yR5lHcQiLmA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijn4K9MsF07aq8ljgggk124aI76VwNXYFwWMU5MigQzANm3AKhd4GfnqmkJNX6i3876av3PBW4UiATaAPl19x-kcGtAK_1aS_yUjgFN77tjoSO8qFbLsNTUplPjdxCqCZiXN36PnUh_MJMOD_RdFwziNZ16FRmnbx0qFo0K9uNjqQpZx0yR5lHcQiLmA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Another little small gift was putting together some tea and a funny little tea bag holder in a small reusable cloth bag that could be also used for loose tea and/or mulling spices. There is funny little story about the "solstice squirrel" but I will save that for another time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUbnhH_yLLMvyfgz4fFp9GDdShX_hLwoGuuIxve_tUBCMB-Kw77rFZgQqeotjf7gagfyPIYqRQoqBL4jqnC221mYzTqTqDOBnM1AAkzQHQUpZuZoH-JBqALJDnpE7IKMzrcxo0636FlLASWrUQscbdyzK6MJTvrguh529mhXXn5zjWmPd0JNqM-IDttw=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUbnhH_yLLMvyfgz4fFp9GDdShX_hLwoGuuIxve_tUBCMB-Kw77rFZgQqeotjf7gagfyPIYqRQoqBL4jqnC221mYzTqTqDOBnM1AAkzQHQUpZuZoH-JBqALJDnpE7IKMzrcxo0636FlLASWrUQscbdyzK6MJTvrguh529mhXXn5zjWmPd0JNqM-IDttw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoxfJC6AmjAZ_JPEmHkhzBByrOePQGZj4f3TpLDfr_XeiAERsqEm6HVhuI1w_WnnXswLTkMfyXoSdcPp1A8cFbXb-ijIK2IY-simXgjRxJrUEPwubt8nyYYt2x1ybnuW6PAcoZVGFYVKcFESV-0SMUqayyTyXTQaCBCqS6weohN47cxBjx7mH5EwL0Ag=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoxfJC6AmjAZ_JPEmHkhzBByrOePQGZj4f3TpLDfr_XeiAERsqEm6HVhuI1w_WnnXswLTkMfyXoSdcPp1A8cFbXb-ijIK2IY-simXgjRxJrUEPwubt8nyYYt2x1ybnuW6PAcoZVGFYVKcFESV-0SMUqayyTyXTQaCBCqS6weohN47cxBjx7mH5EwL0Ag=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>I absolutely fell in love with some block printing and gave it a shot on some napkins this year. I found the wood printing blocks on Etsy, the artist is from the Ukraine and the shop is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/IstiHome?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=845804993" target="_blank">IstiHome</a>. I was on the watch for cotton/linen blend napkins at Tuesday Morning and used matte soft fabric paint in natural muted colors, some in different tones of the color of the napkins. I want to start adding some fabric yarn bags in the shop that are seasonally themed!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmOBT_0ZWHaLuS28GdD0TywZ0rOJhGaUakG2dtGYAaG6f2zPwYyGrw8rCVwCppqsNH8U_ibifreRQqIyAjYhdT6upJEgMOrhTc2ac4awdhGHslPiqWgYjP8aTMzYeTr25iqW9_lpkQ-b-mJWP0THKSmo0q3pXLt7DRJI9vHQ8vO9ZxwgC4GKUKVFd4CQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmOBT_0ZWHaLuS28GdD0TywZ0rOJhGaUakG2dtGYAaG6f2zPwYyGrw8rCVwCppqsNH8U_ibifreRQqIyAjYhdT6upJEgMOrhTc2ac4awdhGHslPiqWgYjP8aTMzYeTr25iqW9_lpkQ-b-mJWP0THKSmo0q3pXLt7DRJI9vHQ8vO9ZxwgC4GKUKVFd4CQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw9Yvx9xePtj2HJutqMVbj0lrdyq0SsGzz4Gi2cjJ3HQJIbVdgxUP8Z4sjvJYW9ms3g2oD-xC_A0zzd4meCrjJj4R1yO2WZHd03XhmtDiN8GSsYVcgOzT-PPy9qkhb5IET9TSUnztbqB9q4-QUPcrMkUmikVArkflwqUYXYwTZ7P7gq9ZR-3q-QCJHWA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw9Yvx9xePtj2HJutqMVbj0lrdyq0SsGzz4Gi2cjJ3HQJIbVdgxUP8Z4sjvJYW9ms3g2oD-xC_A0zzd4meCrjJj4R1yO2WZHd03XhmtDiN8GSsYVcgOzT-PPy9qkhb5IET9TSUnztbqB9q4-QUPcrMkUmikVArkflwqUYXYwTZ7P7gq9ZR-3q-QCJHWA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO4kKetX92I4Kr3I5Vr1mliX9Mt47qvycIN_uUcjqeK2qP-M7CM6obxmfZyQIEX0EVNl73eYlqXT7JgNGOetiizwVBNXRcfC87szwRxt1p6Bv6wrlarNx1sxTOEHW4Uj2vtRRcIQNS4Hdn4AP66WsasLdD170ogN8x8MeJ8W3-FVJafBbxrJiPTOU9sg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO4kKetX92I4Kr3I5Vr1mliX9Mt47qvycIN_uUcjqeK2qP-M7CM6obxmfZyQIEX0EVNl73eYlqXT7JgNGOetiizwVBNXRcfC87szwRxt1p6Bv6wrlarNx1sxTOEHW4Uj2vtRRcIQNS4Hdn4AP66WsasLdD170ogN8x8MeJ8W3-FVJafBbxrJiPTOU9sg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Hubby and I also made a variety of cookies; he made his awesome gingerbread and biscotti while I gave my hand a shot at making <a href="https://www.houseonthehill.net/" target="_blank">springerle</a> and some <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=pfeffernusse+mushroom+recipe&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS928US928&sxsrf=AOaemvJa-tUzbKQYVulMNDQjKJiz7P_T9g%3A1641000351659&ei=n63PYfnPJ8intQaowp2ACQ&oq=pfeffernusse+mushroom&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYATIFCCEQoAEyBQghEKABOgcIIxCwAxAnOgcIABBHELADOgcIABCwAxBDOggIABDkAhCwAzoKCC4QyAMQsAMQQzoICAAQgAQQsQM6BQgAEIAEOggIABCABBDJAzoECAAQQzoKCAAQgAQQhwIQFDoGCAAQFhAeOggIABAWEAoQHkoFCDwSATVKBAhBGABKBAhGGAFQvgVYjC1gyEhoBXACeACAAYUBiAG_CJIBAzkuMpgBAKABAcgBE8ABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz" target="_blank">pfeffernusse</a> mushrooms to go with my cheater yule log cake! Both of the cookies I made were German cookies and very fun to make! The mold and recipe that I used for the springerle cookies were from Missouri company <a href="https://www.houseonthehill.net/" target="_blank">House</a> on the Hill. I did try to use the traditional hartshorn in the recipe but the ammonia did not bake out, so I had to make a second batch and stuck with baking powder!</p><p>My husband also included some deer meat to some of his family from his first deer hunt this year. Deer and mushrooms always seem to make their way into the decor, gifting, and this year, eating!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo7HJiBovL-4wxF0bVpECsJBvo8C4Pzdi2VRIo4AkrxF2kZ0O-n6U5UXCRjuhpnkCjluBIGSYoQaLLmk3Y1M4gI7k4awqssoZIYYTO4fjAr_-ygKj6EC6ki0o3auvP0EQbkoRCLj2R0zjaEmDPocZzsKEKJqsmEFVvwHgaOnYJ0DSBWWkjZJrVo-PlcQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo7HJiBovL-4wxF0bVpECsJBvo8C4Pzdi2VRIo4AkrxF2kZ0O-n6U5UXCRjuhpnkCjluBIGSYoQaLLmk3Y1M4gI7k4awqssoZIYYTO4fjAr_-ygKj6EC6ki0o3auvP0EQbkoRCLj2R0zjaEmDPocZzsKEKJqsmEFVvwHgaOnYJ0DSBWWkjZJrVo-PlcQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Lastly, I made the littlest little in the family, my grand niece a couple handmade goodies this year. Her hat was a simple moss stitch <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moss-stitch-baby-hat" target="_blank">hat</a> with pom pom made in Lion Brand Hue + Me yarn in <a href="https://www.lionbrand.com/products/hue-me-yarn?_pos=2&_sid=f003c1863&_ss=r" target="_blank">bellini</a> colorway. I also made her a little natural maple deer; see there are those deer themes coming in again! </p><p>Tonight we are hunkering down on New Year's Eve with some quiet time, yummy dinner, movie and probably some knitting. </p><p>Wishing all of you a safe, peaceful, healthy and creative 2022!</p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-47130777897396202812021-08-15T12:19:00.000-07:002021-08-15T12:19:12.963-07:00familienbuch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpMAR7rI740/YRln4dPFl2I/AAAAAAAAIvo/wU8GoHpKmzAJR9MgxLqsS82iaZZ2lJ0ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/h1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpMAR7rI740/YRln4dPFl2I/AAAAAAAAIvo/wU8GoHpKmzAJR9MgxLqsS82iaZZ2lJ0ywCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/h1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>You will often hear me refer to how the Universe works and delivers. My spirituality is deeply rooted in nature, and reading the signs that the Universe puts in my path. At the beginning of the summer a notice came out on the campus where I work about suggested books from campus authors that would be good summer reads. I picked up one of the selections from the campus library and read about half of it at the beginning of the summer. The summer started to fly by between kayak trips, soccer, work, and life and the book stayed on the coffee table whispering, and then yelling at me to please finish reading it!</p><p>This morning, I had a quiet moment to sit down and finish reading it. I am so glad that I did. It is a moving memoir that I would actually like to read again. It is call <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Siberian-Exile-Blood-Granddaughters-Reckoning/dp/1496216679/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank"><i>Siberian</i> <i>Exile</i> by Julija Sukys</a>. It is well written, deeply personal, and guttural. It is the type of story that pulls you out of your own privileged existence and try imagine what it was like to experience this as a family. It was the cover image that drew me into reading it. Julija honestly shares her family story and and research in a moving read.</p><p>The book explores the narratives of her paternal grandparents during her grandmother's exile to Siberia in 1941 and their subsequent multi-year separation. I will leave the rest to you to read with my highest recommendation. Now, here is where the Universe delivered some signs to me this morning. Throughout the book Julija does a really good job of weaving in the political and historical backdrop that is a central character to the narrative. In one of the later sections of the book she mentions the view of the cultural image of the Germans by the local Siberians and she mentions the <a href="https://www.volgagermans.org/" target="_blank">Volga Germans</a>. If you are unfamiliar, in the 1760's Catherine the Great recruited ethnic Germans to settle along the Volga River in Russia and lived there for a very long time. </p><p>This immediately caught my eye, as I may have shared; I always thought my material grandfathers parents were Russian and have come to learn in the past few years that they were actually Volga German Russians from the Saratov region. My great grandfather Jacob immigrated to the United States right before the Bolshevik Revolution when he was just a teenager. I don't know the exact age my great grandmother Amalia immigrated here but she was also Volga German and likewise came from Saratov region of Russia. I am just starting to understand and put together an understanding of my own family history. I joined a Facebook group for Volga German ancestry and plan on trying to read and understand more about this part of my ancestry. Today inspired me to read more about Volga Germans, and I learned that during the same time frame that Julija's grandmother was exiled to Siberia; there was a mass deportation of Volga Germans to Siberia as well. Though my great grandparents immigrated about 20 years prior to this event, I can only image some of my ancestors that were still in that region experienced this mass exile. </p><p>I think I was meant to read this memoir and family story. Though I don't have the letters and stories to piece together a part of family story in quite such an amazing way, I have a few maps and names of my ancestors and I feel the need to starting digging a little more and falling down the genealogy rabbit hole that seems to find people in their later years. Maybe it is that anticipation of milestone birthday next year that has me thinking about all of this. Time to find more family pictures, try to find more stories, and dive into the family history that is in my DNA. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fmo53uVi5FM/YRloJ8vSUiI/AAAAAAAAIv4/Dcm1E96iolEUP9ah7ZqCKMDHTcEYRv3dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/h2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fmo53uVi5FM/YRloJ8vSUiI/AAAAAAAAIv4/Dcm1E96iolEUP9ah7ZqCKMDHTcEYRv3dwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/h2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FPYuVfmyXM/YRloJ972yNI/AAAAAAAAIv0/9o0E7kgYIbQrpAjTzBXpvAkB9A99XQ0_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/h3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FPYuVfmyXM/YRloJ972yNI/AAAAAAAAIv0/9o0E7kgYIbQrpAjTzBXpvAkB9A99XQ0_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/h3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzVvOZcNzn4/YRloJ4qtBRI/AAAAAAAAIvw/mSfp7mCOrvoBo57qS2hTfeaGjtmm9E7FwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/h4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzVvOZcNzn4/YRloJ4qtBRI/AAAAAAAAIvw/mSfp7mCOrvoBo57qS2hTfeaGjtmm9E7FwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/h4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Till, then I will leave you with the definition of the title of this blog post, familienbuch. Sometimes it refers to a printed book, sometime a family genealogy. In German it means family book. Pretty fitting either way. I hope to read this moving book again, give a copy to my mama, and maybe even run into Julija on campus someday. </p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-14010288213981662632021-08-07T19:37:00.001-07:002021-08-07T19:37:25.152-07:00rags for Penguin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23listByiwI/YQ88eousfYI/AAAAAAAAIr0/aPP59pq5MNAvl8UZ9DkYvFawb3US9RfyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23listByiwI/YQ88eousfYI/AAAAAAAAIr0/aPP59pq5MNAvl8UZ9DkYvFawb3US9RfyQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Like so many others, I can remember the first time I discovered <a href="https://shop.jessbrowndesign.com/collections/rag-dolls" target="_blank">Jess Brown</a> and her rag dolls. It was the February 2012 Martha Stewart Living magazine. They caught my eye and I even remember talking with other maker friends in my community about them. It was love at sight with this amazing hand crafted toy. That year I had a milestone birthday as well. Turning 40 made me realize that I always wanted to approach aging and growing through the memory lens of my childhood.</p><p>I grew up with a maker mama and family in a very loving and imaginative environment. My parents raised me and my sisters in the country in rural Missouri in an amazing old two story farmhouse that they rehabbed and brought to life. Sometimes I am a broken record but it really was a great way to grow up. I had relatively few toys; but always just enough and a whole world at my fingertips between the house, barns, woods, etc . . .</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QU6wfitCS74/YQ89BSDFluI/AAAAAAAAIs8/UVzn2RWuNvUq3Os-Y5BRkgwD86S__PPEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QU6wfitCS74/YQ89BSDFluI/AAAAAAAAIs8/UVzn2RWuNvUq3Os-Y5BRkgwD86S__PPEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I don't remember being given my first doll, I think I was pretty young. I just remember her being there. The texture of the fabric on her body, the colors, the weight, and how she felt. You see she was a Raggedy Ann bean bag doll. When I researched her, she was introduced in 1972. Makes sense, that was my birth year and pretty logical that she was given to me as a wee one. I think there is even a story about her getting lost and how we were somehow reunited.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpKCwdQqaaA/YQ89UOdfgyI/AAAAAAAAItI/QKTQkyHbhhokk0CjqmacuKXr4meXVOIegCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpKCwdQqaaA/YQ89UOdfgyI/AAAAAAAAItI/QKTQkyHbhhokk0CjqmacuKXr4meXVOIegCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znM5zVHZcus/YQ89TxMpoUI/AAAAAAAAItE/gcVemKoBOcY9noWm5Cu6wEWaJimiqPl7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znM5zVHZcus/YQ89TxMpoUI/AAAAAAAAItE/gcVemKoBOcY9noWm5Cu6wEWaJimiqPl7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I grew up reading her stories with my older sister. Yes, my childhood nickname was Christi and obviously I was not a good speller and had a tendency to write inside my books! Maybe it was that love of my first rag doll that bloomed again when I saw Jess Brown's modern takes on this traditionally hand crafted doll, and I was smitten. When I also discovered the sweet book Kiki and Coco in Paris it sealed the deal. That year I purchased a birthday gift to myself of a sweet little pixie Jess Brown rag doll. I think I found her at Land of Nod at the time. Since then she has lived on a shelf in my bedroom and I continued to watch Jess Brown through social media channels as I raised my boys into the teen and young adult world. Days became years and it is still such a joy to see her creations on Instagram.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tANkQ0_E7FI/YQ89mZrHFlI/AAAAAAAAItY/gFe3zrHudJcyd6nx0qTbmLV-vfttpGclwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tANkQ0_E7FI/YQ89mZrHFlI/AAAAAAAAItY/gFe3zrHudJcyd6nx0qTbmLV-vfttpGclwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_blPFy0GbY/YQ89mSoq-iI/AAAAAAAAItU/fmDWf-wpx4s2GCx0RqSYOyj6Xv_7hJh3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_blPFy0GbY/YQ89mSoq-iI/AAAAAAAAItU/fmDWf-wpx4s2GCx0RqSYOyj6Xv_7hJh3gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kM-FSBu4qM/YQ892xbbwQI/AAAAAAAAItk/Gn3MFK3beQA08JEVttA4eC9eMeRKa59SACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kM-FSBu4qM/YQ892xbbwQI/AAAAAAAAItk/Gn3MFK3beQA08JEVttA4eC9eMeRKa59SACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Here I am 9 years later and already starting to think about how I want to celebrate another big milestone birthday next year and found myself once again thinking about the dolls. My 16 and almost 20 year old are not too interested in toys any longer but my youngest niece is about to start kindergarten and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to finally make a rag doll myself. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvf_QUhGDjg/YQ8-GjPkE5I/AAAAAAAAIts/DRz6Fw0sYi8JaVFHe82tYziiHUc0hDXSACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvf_QUhGDjg/YQ8-GjPkE5I/AAAAAAAAIts/DRz6Fw0sYi8JaVFHe82tYziiHUc0hDXSACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I started a few weeks back by checking out her book from my local library. It really is a gem and I wish I had bought it when it first came out. I relished reading it in bed at night while I worked on tracking my own copy down. It is a little hard to get, guessing the hardback is out of print. Seems like you can get an e-version but I am not sure if the patterns come with the e-version, and I am old school with my books. In the end I found a used copy online for close to the original retail, which I thought was pretty good considered some of the prices I was seeing out there. I do love a good bargain hunt!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-mKNGU6js0/YQ8-X_4b_dI/AAAAAAAAIt4/PzgIyfcRdY0giO5wUytK4FO_ioyUvoangCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-mKNGU6js0/YQ8-X_4b_dI/AAAAAAAAIt4/PzgIyfcRdY0giO5wUytK4FO_ioyUvoangCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOIh3bywAB0/YQ8-XhQqYbI/AAAAAAAAIt0/U-OVFHoyIjw3rrKnc6IOV75RonE1tOb1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOIh3bywAB0/YQ8-XhQqYbI/AAAAAAAAIt0/U-OVFHoyIjw3rrKnc6IOV75RonE1tOb1wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Next, I hit up the thrifts stores, flea markets, etc . . . on the hunt for a wool sweater to felt for hair, and textiles for clothes. I ended up finding this beautiful shirt made in India at the flea market that I thought would make the perfect dress. I also picked up some wool yarn that I could knit up in case I could not find a sweater to felt. In the end I did find a sweater and love the look of it for the hair. I understand why she uses it on her dolls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AbDzTAaqBI/YQ8-kxGGMSI/AAAAAAAAIt8/A2m3jq-NtpcnG2gFUy8kWne8G1-QnhJIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AbDzTAaqBI/YQ8-kxGGMSI/AAAAAAAAIt8/A2m3jq-NtpcnG2gFUy8kWne8G1-QnhJIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/d2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>With the materials all on hand, I dove in last weekend and was surprised that I was able to make her in just a few hours. I used tracing paper to copy the patterns and will confess that I had to make another body. Truth be told I am not a greater sewer, and in all honesty my sewing machine sucks. Somehow the super beginner, super cheap machine I bought back in my college days is on its last legs! Any case I digress. So, with the first body I actually struggled to get the arms turned out correctly so on the second body I did the arms as separate pieces and that worked better for my skill set. </p><p>I used wool stuffing and for the body and then created the dress from that thrifted shirt and made her bloomers from a beautiful embroidered material from my stash. I might need to make my rag doll some bloomers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OALFBWCyUs4/YQ8-3PcW2LI/AAAAAAAAIuU/Oy_tV7ki77EdVNdpSCbNyz1gIyNlSwnfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OALFBWCyUs4/YQ8-3PcW2LI/AAAAAAAAIuU/Oy_tV7ki77EdVNdpSCbNyz1gIyNlSwnfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/d1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNJjcOmagUQ/YQ8-2UjjHsI/AAAAAAAAIuM/dBh3WJT4p1YQjgNLf0mQXaknzYAU8FUhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1544/d6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNJjcOmagUQ/YQ8-2UjjHsI/AAAAAAAAIuM/dBh3WJT4p1YQjgNLf0mQXaknzYAU8FUhQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/d6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fCQGviW1Hg/YQ8-20kep_I/AAAAAAAAIuQ/orTH32lMWOY7xmjM8qBu8hfkU101vBViQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/d7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fCQGviW1Hg/YQ8-20kep_I/AAAAAAAAIuQ/orTH32lMWOY7xmjM8qBu8hfkU101vBViQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/d7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I was actually quite thrilled with her and could not wait to present her to my niece that happen to be sleeping over at our house a couple days later. My niece and I made her a blanket together, it of course had some unicorns from my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/heather_ross_unicorn?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search_US_DSA_GGL_Categories_Crafts_New&utm_ag=Fabric&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw3riIBhAwEiwAzD3TiWGZg_wDRdCW-g11ZU_2yeEzni9Iz7UiwVOnixwExra3fG-_mQZcAhoC7_sQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_1875485221_72693536769_473250798926_dsa-46557255784_c_&utm_custom2=1875485221&gclid=CjwKCAjw3riIBhAwEiwAzD3TiWGZg_wDRdCW-g11ZU_2yeEzni9Iz7UiwVOnixwExra3fG-_mQZcAhoC7_sQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Heather Ross fabric </a>stash! So I am pleased to present to you Penguin, named and loved by my sweet niece.</p><p>I feel like I need to make another soon, you know just to keep those sewing skills fresh. I think I will tuck the next one away for the new grand niece that will be coming into the family later this year!</p><p>In the meantime I am thinking about that approaching next milestone birthday next year and am definitely planning on gifting myself another incredible Jess Brown doll. For me, staying young at heart is always keeping my inner child at play. </p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-60665888083972913322021-03-10T11:23:00.006-08:002021-03-11T06:12:59.740-08:00simple, pink, kind<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKNZOkSCmi8/YEkYInn9_TI/AAAAAAAAHsE/PxY7eQ5O6987_rdS5evGIQb8ATZ2w3JIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/masks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKNZOkSCmi8/YEkYInn9_TI/AAAAAAAAHsE/PxY7eQ5O6987_rdS5evGIQb8ATZ2w3JIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/masks.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is really hard to believe that we are approaching the year anniversary for when the pandemic shut things down in my community. For us I have March 17 in my mind when everything changed particularly with school for my sons and my remote work.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As with other anniversaries I am spending some time reflecting on the past year. I am excited that several of my family members have been fully or started the vaccination. My sons and myself with be in the later tiers, but we are ready as soon as it is our time.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Even as the numbers are decreasing, vaccination is increasing and full in-person school is on the horizon for my youngest, masks are a part of our lives and that is a simple human-kind act that I can do. It has taken me nearly a year of really deciding what mask works the best for me. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the beginning I was making homemade masks with ties, they were just what we needed in the very beginning. Since then I have tried some from grocery stores, box department stores, etc. I happen to come across a mask from <a href="https://mykitsch.com/collections/cotton-face-masks?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-aGCBhCwARIsAHDl5x9erygFdYMHS3akjx441c1Ac9Rytp49pehrsW5xk1Xu010JCKG6B14aAmuAEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Kitsch</a> and tried it out. It has a gauze-like double layer of cotton that I have finally come to the conclusion is what I like the feel of the most. In its simplicity and comfort this is my winner.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Knowing masks are personally not going away for me for a while, I made the leap and ordered a couple sets. And yes it did not hurt that this color palette is one of my favs right now, added bonus.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Keep hanging in there, looking forward to some hugs with my extended family soon!</p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-42202185092640581412021-03-04T16:04:00.011-08:002021-03-11T06:14:12.274-08:00spring cleaning!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNdeag3lVNo/YEF20kOBNeI/AAAAAAAAHhE/iGDAkDfetJ8UTo04Pr7vQwiOR2jXPBiAACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Copy%2Bof%2BRegister%2Btoday%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="2048" height="361" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNdeag3lVNo/YEF20kOBNeI/AAAAAAAAHhE/iGDAkDfetJ8UTo04Pr7vQwiOR2jXPBiAACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h361/Copy%2Bof%2BRegister%2Btoday%2B%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Hello March! Can you feel it, can you see the hints of it? Just like that spring starts to tease us with all of her beauty! I have been some heavy household de-stashing for the past year and half and now my knitting world is getting a spring cleaning de-stash as well!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-L1if8gIK8/YEF0ZbAgkaI/AAAAAAAAHgk/1nKJMncN4ZMiZEcb5Hsv-Vb6PhZI-N8IgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/de16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-L1if8gIK8/YEF0ZbAgkaI/AAAAAAAAHgk/1nKJMncN4ZMiZEcb5Hsv-Vb6PhZI-N8IgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/de16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7FQ70nn1GE/YEF0aWXo_dI/AAAAAAAAHgw/69d-4wM-cbQ0DuWn2CDvE2XPUInHGXpmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/de4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7FQ70nn1GE/YEF0aWXo_dI/AAAAAAAAHgw/69d-4wM-cbQ0DuWn2CDvE2XPUInHGXpmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/de4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EorLcVbma8E/YEF0ZRzNEeI/AAAAAAAAHgo/rIkfkc5y83A5pp0U6dxYY0gbV3iaGsr7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/de10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EorLcVbma8E/YEF0ZRzNEeI/AAAAAAAAHgo/rIkfkc5y83A5pp0U6dxYY0gbV3iaGsr7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/de10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-jkVxcumEc/YEF0ZH52YkI/AAAAAAAAHgg/WpvauMtCDjQyvo88mG7tvUW9VAS-B3Y0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/de2%2527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-jkVxcumEc/YEF0ZH52YkI/AAAAAAAAHgg/WpvauMtCDjQyvo88mG7tvUW9VAS-B3Y0wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/de2%2527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I am trying it a couple different ways. In the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/knitcher?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">shop</a> are some weaver's bundles that I put together in a little sewn cotton bag. These are some scrappy ends and sometimes a bit more of skeins of yarn that would be perfect woven in some simple tapestries. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The second de-stash option is more of a pay what you want style. There is a photo album in my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=theknitcher&set=a.10158348922928305" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page, if you see something you like just comment on the photo and we will start a conversation. I just need a minimum of $5 to cover shipping.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I can tell you that the yarns are all natural materials in a variety of weights, textures, and colors. I also added some project bags and books as well.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Help me with my spring cleaning!</p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-45929817089943492722021-02-28T15:50:00.002-08:002021-03-11T06:14:26.375-08:00Leave it to Bernie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbPcsiB2fcI/YDwrYWvgyKI/AAAAAAAAHf4/OtSiNgR35EYtsKrxYt5whaRe4W3dwhKFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/mitts%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbPcsiB2fcI/YDwrYWvgyKI/AAAAAAAAHf4/OtSiNgR35EYtsKrxYt5whaRe4W3dwhKFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/mitts%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"> Leave it to Bernie to be my entry into trying colorwork and mittens! Earlier this month I completed by first set of mittens and colorwork to boot after being inspired by the pure joy of Bernie's mittens after the inauguration. As if I didn't have enough to be happy about already, this was the icing on the cake. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have been intimidated to do colorwork in the past because I have a strange way of holding my yarn in my right hand. By that I mean I don't really hold it or tension between my fingers. I do this little tug in between each stitch. But I found that I could still do that it was just with two yarns. I love it and look forward to more colorwork projects in the future!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvMPAMoeA2w/YDwrhuidbaI/AAAAAAAAHf8/UcPb_gsLmNoFJusC_kEUihj_Zlwq6UGIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/m1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvMPAMoeA2w/YDwrhuidbaI/AAAAAAAAHf8/UcPb_gsLmNoFJusC_kEUihj_Zlwq6UGIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/m1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>In the spirit of Bernie's mitts I added a new journal in homage. A portion of the proceeds of these journals will benefit my local food bank. </p><p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/knitcher" target="_blank">Check it out!</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-86692404757430663662020-12-30T17:10:00.000-08:002020-12-30T17:10:58.905-08:00Found light<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Nm38hNecAI/X-zzhw50ZFI/AAAAAAAAHCY/Ufv2LoXFNogchkQ23e5G9A6Jr0FVnvJ6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/h1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Nm38hNecAI/X-zzhw50ZFI/AAAAAAAAHCY/Ufv2LoXFNogchkQ23e5G9A6Jr0FVnvJ6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/h1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Like many of you, this holiday season found us at home and making the hard decision to not gather with our families to be safe for everyone during the pandemic. We really missed everyone but knew we were making the best decision for everyone. I hope that all of you were able to have safe and peaceful holiday. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4OTlMA_in0/X-0jxpirpEI/AAAAAAAAHC0/5y78oBv9ebgYrxKw7POmTXNIG6udS_b7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/c4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4OTlMA_in0/X-0jxpirpEI/AAAAAAAAHC0/5y78oBv9ebgYrxKw7POmTXNIG6udS_b7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/c4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv91SK-nVpU/X-0jxpXIsPI/AAAAAAAAHC4/vdzbptfLYMUE99VkrBLJqPkr057Qra4bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv91SK-nVpU/X-0jxpXIsPI/AAAAAAAAHC4/vdzbptfLYMUE99VkrBLJqPkr057Qra4bwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/c5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I had a huge moment of bad judgement of safety in making gifts this season. I have been doing wood work for about 12 years and have been very fortunate not to have had any accidents until a couple weeks ago. I had decided that I wanted to make some candle holders so we could light a candle together on Christmas Eve since we could not be together. I went out into the woods and gathered a cedar log and was going to make into individual holders. When I went to create the holes in the wood to hold the tealight candles, I did this unsafe hack of holding the wood with my feet while I use my forstner bit. Unfortunately it was a small piece and really hard wood that I was not use to working with and it slipped and I came down on my toes with the bit. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcDLmVh17T0/X-0kDZ75CsI/AAAAAAAAHDM/5D7z-LQExJATHQwcRDGOB68-zI0knYijACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcDLmVh17T0/X-0kDZ75CsI/AAAAAAAAHDM/5D7z-LQExJATHQwcRDGOB68-zI0knYijACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/foot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I was very lucky that my husband was home to help stop the bleeding and drive me to urgent care for irrigation and stitches. Over two weeks later, the healing is still pretty intense. I am finally wearing regular shoes and doing small walking outings. This is my public service announcement for not taking short cuts and compromising safety! I won't show you all the graphic pics; but this is where the healing is today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIYmTTlj7ko/X-0kPehLWqI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/QRfXA6C3-K4t-8YSpBkFR8siqee3DHy-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/h2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIYmTTlj7ko/X-0kPehLWqI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/QRfXA6C3-K4t-8YSpBkFR8siqee3DHy-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/h2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I was able to complete the candle holders safely, and also made some little wood fish ornaments from some found wood that we found that my father in law had in his garage. My father in law passed away last year and we have spent this past year helping my mother in law with the properties and when I saw this piece of wood I knew I wanted to make a little something for everyone to remember him by. He loved to fish, a love handed down to other family members.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWkuv54om0s/X-0ke8sU7KI/AAAAAAAAHDk/hzTvkjt9BekKx4dp1PzDRB6fGqZ2K89WgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWkuv54om0s/X-0ke8sU7KI/AAAAAAAAHDk/hzTvkjt9BekKx4dp1PzDRB6fGqZ2K89WgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/c3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNHZWNvHt9c/X-0ke6EfzqI/AAAAAAAAHDg/HjTFO_o6UkA6W61psWgqno0u4ptBlNcqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNHZWNvHt9c/X-0ke6EfzqI/AAAAAAAAHDg/HjTFO_o6UkA6W61psWgqno0u4ptBlNcqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/c2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-dtk1j9di0/X-0keWnsusI/AAAAAAAAHDY/wuK98JUhJFMhQ-1fv3plj1gMQkcpdeM1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-dtk1j9di0/X-0keWnsusI/AAAAAAAAHDY/wuK98JUhJFMhQ-1fv3plj1gMQkcpdeM1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/c1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I was inspired this week by both the candle holders and found wood pieces to make some more simple wood candle holders that will be going into the shop the help hold onto the light during the upcoming dark months. A shop update will be coming up on Saturday.</p><p>Wish you all a safe New Year!</p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-16035466827102352232020-11-03T18:23:00.007-08:002020-12-31T08:42:20.285-08:00today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWwZbPB9o-4/X6IQAw1NO-I/AAAAAAAAGz8/BwjGRA04Kkwd7DjhsguT75lcOka0-5ocACLcBGAsYHQ/s1384/v3.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1040" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWwZbPB9o-4/X6IQAw1NO-I/AAAAAAAAGz8/BwjGRA04Kkwd7DjhsguT75lcOka0-5ocACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/v3.gif" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Today, I voted for my sons, my nieces, my nephews, and for every human that I believe deserves to be treated with equity, kindness, and respect. </span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-499jb4kM8/X6IQUvMhOQI/AAAAAAAAG0E/MJ4Ng1fBRX8JT5mA7l2eS_oRcWVn4wm2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/v2.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-499jb4kM8/X6IQUvMhOQI/AAAAAAAAG0E/MJ4Ng1fBRX8JT5mA7l2eS_oRcWVn4wm2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/v2.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GL1Jw_9X_fs/X6IQa-PwiQI/AAAAAAAAG0I/TRlXpNq6s_Qr_lYTR9dH37j42Y5Oi-YkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1387/v1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1040" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GL1Jw_9X_fs/X6IQa-PwiQI/AAAAAAAAG0I/TRlXpNq6s_Qr_lYTR9dH37j42Y5Oi-YkACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/v1.gif" width="300" /></a></div><p>I believe in the power of symbolism. I wore white for the suffragists, blue as a proud democrat, and my purple cowl was a new piece that I finished just this morning as part of the an craftivism project aimed at uniting people across communities. Please check out the <a href="https://empowerpeople2020.com/" target="_blank">emPower People 2020</a> and definitely please check out the yarn. I chose very purposefully <a href="https://thefarmersdaughterfibers.com/products/sokapii-1" target="_blank">Farmers Daughter Fibers</a> and have no regrets. I loved this yarn and was proud to infuse energy into every stitch and wear it proudly to the polls. Now to make the pot of coffee to watch the results.</p>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-12546884385978912602020-07-26T11:57:00.002-07:002020-07-26T12:32:29.178-07:00wood play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yAkpL4MAyk/Xx3RHExnyMI/AAAAAAAAGTc/_LV2Ec-KA60x03wkVazRCSKPO_UT3LQlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/k5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yAkpL4MAyk/Xx3RHExnyMI/AAAAAAAAGTc/_LV2Ec-KA60x03wkVazRCSKPO_UT3LQlACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/k5.jpg" title="DIY knobs" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Vacation time has looked much different this summer than what we had anticipated earlier this year. We had originally planned on taking a trip to San Francisco with the boys this summer before Jasper started college in the fall. But like so many things we realized that this too was going to be different. We opted instead kayak on some of our local rivers this summer and I added in completing some more projects that have been on the to do list.<div><br /></div><div>We cleaned and fixed up the little patch of woods next to our house and I decided paint and refresh the hallway in our house which is the tallest part of my house BTW and a big job indeed! In between I played with some wood this past week as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>You may remember that I did a little quick re-decorate of our Scamper camper Colene some months back. I had originally decorated Colene in retro vintage reds, turquoise blue, and orange floral shabby look. It was pretty trendy at the time but I found myself going back to my original boho style. At the time I had not re-done the mismatched retro ceramic knobs that I had put inside. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjNQAfZr-Qs/Xx3RnB59LQI/AAAAAAAAGTw/mgEmJBO1qZAqcBW2HhzXtyQ9DQKGXkFhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/k2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjNQAfZr-Qs/Xx3RnB59LQI/AAAAAAAAGTw/mgEmJBO1qZAqcBW2HhzXtyQ9DQKGXkFhQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/k2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FinjLzrN5Xk/Xx3RnanrvtI/AAAAAAAAGT0/pFMGhi6fQQk4SdyCq3yACt5JwoCMsc3GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/k3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FinjLzrN5Xk/Xx3RnanrvtI/AAAAAAAAGT0/pFMGhi6fQQk4SdyCq3yACt5JwoCMsc3GQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/k3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJhi4yJuEK4/Xx3RnfZ907I/AAAAAAAAGT4/UXdlvpNFlFcP31u6Kf_7SREapL_wpyKdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/k4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJhi4yJuEK4/Xx3RnfZ907I/AAAAAAAAGT4/UXdlvpNFlFcP31u6Kf_7SREapL_wpyKdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/k4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I had my eye on some eclectic boho knobs and came across a <a href="https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/diy-designer-knobs/" target="_blank">DIY tutorial and pattern</a> from A Piece of Rainbow. I had gotten most of the materials a while back and just never got around to doing it. Breaking out Colene for a recent trip inspired me to go ahead and see if these were really as easy and beautiful as they looked.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp6TtTMbUR8/Xx3R6kqlVlI/AAAAAAAAGUI/zLohSrsC0hc3NakR1fJ2DTHoKFiqe3KfACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/k6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp6TtTMbUR8/Xx3R6kqlVlI/AAAAAAAAGUI/zLohSrsC0hc3NakR1fJ2DTHoKFiqe3KfACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/k6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I had great success and it was every bit as easy and they came out great. I had gotten the simple 2 inch wood knobs from my local hardware store. I used one pattern style, so I just printed out the number of sheets that I needed. Invest in some good mod podge and it will work like a dream.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love how they came out and it did not break the bank. All together I probably have $10 in supplies. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now that she is all pretty inside we have to do some bigger maintenance on her like raise her axle and re-hang the door with a new seal. Not too bad for a 37 year old camper! </div>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-18098945243056240742020-06-10T22:02:00.000-07:002020-06-10T22:02:30.677-07:00Stand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ho5YUmNf8Rk/XuG51z9grfI/AAAAAAAAGGs/MMJEhDPIMV0exkHUBUn-nCSNet68iw87gCK4BGAsYHg/s2016/IMG_1570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ho5YUmNf8Rk/XuG51z9grfI/AAAAAAAAGGs/MMJEhDPIMV0exkHUBUn-nCSNet68iw87gCK4BGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_1570.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Listening, witnessing, learning. A friend of mine shared this quote and I also saw it at our community Black Lives Matter protest march. <div><br /></div><div><i><font size="4">"I understand that I will never understand. But I stand." </font></i><div><br /></div><div>It captures the place of accepting and learning about my white privilege. I stand with my community, I stand for learning about myself and how I can be a better human and hopefully teach my sons to be better humans and be honest with themselves about their privilege and mistakes they are making. I am sure I have made mistakes, I am sure I will make more but I want to stand with my local community, my maker community, my world to try and do better.<div><br /></div><div>Some of the resources that I want to share for this post include:</div><div><br /></div><div>New <a href="https://bipocinfiber.com/" target="_blank">BIPOC in Fiber directory</a> that just launched. Many powerful conversations that happened in the past year in the fiber community. This is a great resources to support BIPOC fiber makers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Drunk Knitter launched a <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pecola-book-club-mkal" target="_blank">MKAL book club for The Bluest Eye</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/kirklin" target="_blank">Go Fund Me for Henry Kirklin grave marker</a>, an important African American entrepreneur and farmer in my community. Thank you to a fellow fiber friend that shared this today. I learned more about Henry and the impact he had on my community. </div></div></div>Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-15913322721806965062020-05-10T14:34:00.002-07:002020-05-10T14:51:38.549-07:00masked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPPT5EN2lLA/Xrhy_WEmkNI/AAAAAAAAF9g/ilz-Z-rTPzgtvh9g3gRWqGfhW8j9kJTcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/m8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPPT5EN2lLA/Xrhy_WEmkNI/AAAAAAAAF9g/ilz-Z-rTPzgtvh9g3gRWqGfhW8j9kJTcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/m8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This week our state started loosening the shelter in place restrictions. My county and city have a higher level of restrictions. I worked on another set of masks today for a co-worker. I know that there is much debate about whether to wear mask or not. My family has worn masks for our few trips that we have taken out. Most of our outside places besides my husband's work is grocery store and I did venture out to get some plants this week.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMYTVE4xcjM/Xrhy8D138aI/AAAAAAAAF9M/tf3WyIY2_XgewqiXVEb6gUSS-oI0oHlyQCEwYBhgL/s1600/m1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMYTVE4xcjM/Xrhy8D138aI/AAAAAAAAF9M/tf3WyIY2_XgewqiXVEb6gUSS-oI0oHlyQCEwYBhgL/s400/m1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xek-WtY3VhA/Xrh3IeHmH_I/AAAAAAAAF-Q/iQA8jEmqaKUvlHACkG5HXGUb8SPYfQg3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xek-WtY3VhA/Xrh3IeHmH_I/AAAAAAAAF-Q/iQA8jEmqaKUvlHACkG5HXGUb8SPYfQg3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1091.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6g7RerV4iao/Xrhy8DIq1PI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/NTWEF3tH6W4xqpOJmPQ8GU8j6YgUt6S2wCEwYBhgL/s1600/m2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6g7RerV4iao/Xrhy8DIq1PI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/NTWEF3tH6W4xqpOJmPQ8GU8j6YgUt6S2wCEwYBhgL/s400/m2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCplBGCt0GI/Xrhy7lkIpXI/AAAAAAAAF9I/jvadMbnXNYMZj_wfFE3Wa1IYZHNEnUy3gCEwYBhgL/s1600/m3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCplBGCt0GI/Xrhy7lkIpXI/AAAAAAAAF9I/jvadMbnXNYMZj_wfFE3Wa1IYZHNEnUy3gCEwYBhgL/s400/m3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My youngest son and I have our first orthodontic appointment since February and we will be required to wear masks. I have read about amazing efforts locally and nationally of folks making masks. I don't have a super large number under my belt but I was able to utilize my stash of fabric and vintage sheets to make right around 25 masks. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u2nTFzqpQK8/Xrhy9gksGDI/AAAAAAAAF9U/L1tFxfpKvZ4xVoXpcLQHwgW7flEdwv0FwCEwYBhgL/s1600/m4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u2nTFzqpQK8/Xrhy9gksGDI/AAAAAAAAF9U/L1tFxfpKvZ4xVoXpcLQHwgW7flEdwv0FwCEwYBhgL/s400/m4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISA9ca9fmWE/Xrhy-hZV2WI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/FjPfSD0Ge7UxOkHOMiMIqAXWtISnBkMFACEwYBhgL/s1600/m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISA9ca9fmWE/Xrhy-hZV2WI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/FjPfSD0Ge7UxOkHOMiMIqAXWtISnBkMFACEwYBhgL/s400/m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMCauT0ihXw/Xrhy_II3zJI/AAAAAAAAF9c/5h9Dw_DreBkKew3lh5gnULdnc-tHafoyQCEwYBhgL/s1600/m7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMCauT0ihXw/Xrhy_II3zJI/AAAAAAAAF9c/5h9Dw_DreBkKew3lh5gnULdnc-tHafoyQCEwYBhgL/s400/m7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I made a pretty simple rectangle with double sided cotton with plastic and metal twist tie sewn in the top for nose structure and made bias tape for the straps from vintage sheets. I was able to share these with family, friends, and a community doula. I was really happy to work through my fabric and had fun mixing and matching the patterns.<br />
<br />
My machine is a pretty old cheap sewing machine and today it was protesting pretty hard as I was finishing up a mask so I need to give it a little rest or take the time to invest in a new machine. I have a hunch that masks are going to be sticking around for a while.<br />
<br />
Be safe, be well, and the happiest of mama's days to you all!Chris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639237227410949284.post-40506205257437998382020-05-02T10:47:00.000-07:002020-05-02T10:47:04.670-07:00musings- samara seeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCHFPUI7VqY/Xq2vQkxaItI/AAAAAAAAF6I/57fZomqhvhw3wCSej6Zu-MeygxoUcyMKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ss2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCHFPUI7VqY/Xq2vQkxaItI/AAAAAAAAF6I/57fZomqhvhw3wCSej6Zu-MeygxoUcyMKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ss2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Wing nut, helicopter, whirlybird, whirligig, polynose, and spinning ginny. These are all different names the <a href="https://www.farmersalmanac.com/maple-copters-everywhere-21588" target="_blank">samara seed </a>is known by. It is essentially a tree seed with a papery fiber that develops around the ovary wall. This simple tree seed is so evocative of childhood; the pure joy of seeing these little seeds twirl down from the trees in the breeze. A completely simple nature provided toy to pick up and toss again for moment of pleasure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmMjcGJ-kf8/Xq2vRdh9SSI/AAAAAAAAF6M/xa0P_FWJHHAAlx9IaUuSRhwYcNgs6Rh5QCEwYBhgL/s1600/ss4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmMjcGJ-kf8/Xq2vRdh9SSI/AAAAAAAAF6M/xa0P_FWJHHAAlx9IaUuSRhwYcNgs6Rh5QCEwYBhgL/s400/ss4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I am a creature that is drawn to symbols and symbolism. What I wear for a necklace has been more than just jewelry to me. I often will wear the same piece of jewelry for extended periods of time. I wore a holey rock for years as a necklace. For about the past 6 years I have been wearing a spoon necklace that I got from an artist that hand stamped my boys initials into it. It was my mom's necklace. Recently I had been feeling the pulling for another symbol to help me on my parenting journey. Parenting teens is certainly no easy task but I am also entering a time when my eldest is getting ready to graduate from high school and taking his own next steps. I somehow came across this necklace while perusing <a href="https://www.etsy.com/?ref=lgo" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. I think my key word search was tree necklace. Trees have always been a part of my soul and religion. I legally changed my last name to reflect this spiritual place for me and it is carried through in parts of both of my son's names. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-zcqwnecqU/Xq2vQKlYSlI/AAAAAAAAF6A/Wc8NsdgYuXUPA-eUfgKhUdFJh7-x7R3qQCEwYBhgL/s1600/ss3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-zcqwnecqU/Xq2vQKlYSlI/AAAAAAAAF6A/Wc8NsdgYuXUPA-eUfgKhUdFJh7-x7R3qQCEwYBhgL/s400/ss3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When I saw this necklace and really thought about what samara seeds physically do I knew it was the necklace for me during these years. You see unlike other tree seeds that just drop down by the mother tree, these seeds have this paper element that allows the wind to naturally carry it a little further from the mother tree. As my eldest starts on his journey he will be moving physically away from us but I hope that he carries with him the love that we tried our best to share throughout his childhood. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhbcWgFt4xY/Xq2vSBzpFWI/AAAAAAAAF6g/u7QJYCo8tDMOAT4RTB7v1g-CL3Ffx6lowCEwYBhgL/s1600/ss5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhbcWgFt4xY/Xq2vSBzpFWI/AAAAAAAAF6g/u7QJYCo8tDMOAT4RTB7v1g-CL3Ffx6lowCEwYBhgL/s400/ss5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
During this pandemic I have had the moment to really take in on my daily walks the beauty of these little seeds. I happened to have ordered my necklace right before the shutdown. It arrived the same week that everything started to close. A time when the boys unexpectedly had to adjust to not being physically with friends, no senior events at school, no sleepovers, all of it. At that time I just started to see the first sign of samara seeds. A little cluster that might have gotten knocked down in a spring storm. This week as we are coming up on the stay at home in our state starting to lift was when I started to really see the twirling samara seeds start to come down on my walk. I would pick them up and admire the variety in shape and color. They even seem to mirror some of the colors in my current knitting project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9b25ml8Sw6A/Xq2vQcawIII/AAAAAAAAF6Y/xnB-CVwq4NI-i2i6cncM0taWq1wlVBgWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9b25ml8Sw6A/Xq2vQcawIII/AAAAAAAAF6Y/xnB-CVwq4NI-i2i6cncM0taWq1wlVBgWQCEwYBhgL/s400/ss.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hoping all of our love is enough to root both of my sons as they start to make their way towards adulthood. I am still not sure how all of this pandemic and shut down will influence them or us for that matter. So for now I will keep this symbol close to my heart. In case you are interested, I got this necklace from an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/732611391/sterling-silver-maple-seed-samara?ga_search_query=samara&ref=shop_items_search_5&sca=1" target="_blank">Etsy artist Brook in the Thicket, linked here</a> that wax cast the pendant from an actual samara seed. <br />
<br />
Here is a little video from yesterday, hope it provides some child like joy for you today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyi9PPBA6XG-Sk6-aurtQhnyrqjb9Bl-iOQSuMkT3Di0IL9MKyHL9zo4nGnivEvWRqZRC1IH3DLmBJRnoaDtw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Be well and stay safe- ChrisChris Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176777344160512580noreply@blogger.com0