Food for thought.....

It makes for a good bumper sticker, no?

Big Shoulders and the best t-shirt ever

Yesterday was the annual Big Shoulders open water swim in Lake Michigan. This was the third year I competed and I was happy to take 7 minutes off my previous time. There is something about open water swimming that is so fascinating to me. Some find it boring, or even frightening, but the lack of a black line and endless flip turns is so relaxing and even zen-like at times. Swimming was my first sport—before rowing, cycling and cross-country skiing, so there is such a back-to-basics relaxation there for me.

This year I only had time to compete in one race, but of course, it’s my favorite one. It’s deemed as the most “architecturally significant swimming race” and who is going to argue that? With every breath, you see the amazing Chicago skyline.

While I was happy with my time, there was little time to get heady about it. Shortly after I finished, not one but two guys came in having done the entire race in butterfly. Then came two amputees: a woman with one leg and amazingly, a man with one arm.

And then there’s the t-shirt—you gotta love the t-shirt!

The Good Stuff

Since I've been felting up a storm, it was time to buy a new block of olive oil soap. You can felt with just about any type of soap, but I find that this is really the best: low amount of suds (which can impede felting), supposedly the best ph level for felting and eeeeeasy on my hands. Plus, the organic look to it is kind of cool.

I picked this up in Lincoln Square ( a fun neighborhood in Chicago) at Merz's Apothecary. Very cool place to check out--an old-fashioned pharmacy, featuring homeopathic medicines and all sorts of lovely imported soaps, creams, colognes, etc. A real treat.

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In unrelated news, Joe Lieberman is a weasel...

Summer is NOT over yet!

I hold firm to the fact that summer lasts until the vernal equinox, September 21st--I'm hanging on to every last day. (But I do agree that summer starts Memorial Day weekend--I will have my proverbial cake and eat it, too)

This has been one of the best summers I've had in a long time, lots of swimming, biking, time with friends and family--hope it has been wonderful for all of you, too. Twenty-one more days to go!!!

This image is from two summers ago, kayaking in the Apostle Islands with my brother.

Bucktown ArtsFest this Weekend!

My favorite show of the year is here--the annual Bucktown Artsfest, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 - 7:00 at 22oo N. Oakley in Chicago. Great artists, food, music and atmosphere. I feel like I got my start here--six years ago (can it be that long ago?!?) I did the Bucktown winter show after years of shopping the summer and winter shows and wondering "what if?".

I'll be at the same booth as last year--#171, right by the entrance to the food/beer tent (do they know me or what?) Stop by and say hi!

I have lots of fun new scarf designs, as well as new flower pins and felted jewelry, thanks to the encouragement of my great customers!

Felt Inspired in da Haus!

Silly pun, but I couldn't help it. I had a wonderfully serendipitous (it's my blog and I'll make up words if I want to) turn of events last week that resulted in my knit silver jewelry being sold in a great boutique.

I was checking out the sidewalk sale in Andersonville (my lovely neighborhood) and stopped in Haus, a boutique that carries the work of some local artists that I really admire. I happened to be wearing one of my knit sterling necklaces and the owner noticed it immediately. One thing led to another and well, Haus now carries my work.

Friends and family are always telling me that I should wear my stuff more often and be more forward about promoting myself. Tooting my own horn is not really my style, so for this to have happened is such a compliment and I'm really thrilled.

Before - After

I'm fascinated with this kettle-dyed merino/silk roving that I picked up at the fiber festival a few weeks ago. The color gradations just melt into one another and the fiber has a subtle sheen from the silk content. Makes me want to A: buy some more, or B: get out my dyepot and give it a try. Neither is particularly practical right now since I'm in the process of moving and don't really have the time or money to spare. Definitely something for my to-do list!


Mother Nature was raging last night--it was the first time that I headed to the basement for a Chicago storm. When the radio alert mentions your neighborhood by name, the sirens go off and you live in an attic, it's time to hide!