Happy Anniversary!

Last week, my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. I took the day off to spend with them. We just did a bit of shopping and ran some errands, but they enjoyed it since they don't get out and about as much has they used to. The highlight of the day was finding a dress for my Mom to wear at my nephew's wedding this summer. Mom was just beaming when she tried on the dress--it's just perfect for her. And Dad took one look at her and started to dance to the musak playing at the store, talking about dancing at the wedding. (I'm going to have to make sure that my nephew has a polka or two at the reception) This is a photo from their honeymoon in New York City. They're just the best!

Trunk Show this Weekend!

May 17 and 18

12:00 -5:00

3759 N. Ravenswood in Chicago, buzzer #134

at Circa Ceramics Studio

Nancy and Andy, the dymanic duo behind Circa Ceramics have graciously opened their studio for fellow Chicago artists on Etsy. A dozen of us will be there this weekend, so come out, shop early and often, Chicago Style :), and say hi.

I'm really looking forward to being there among some very talented and fun artists--I always come home inspired to create more! I'll have some fun new scarf styles, as well as pincushions, bowls and knit sterling jewelry.

A rose by any other name....

So, I've been playing around with a new scarf design that I really love. It's two-sided with cutout elements that give a peek to the other side's color. This design has been marinating in my mind for a while and I finally got around to making a few. I've only taken photos of this one so far, but I've also made a few other combinations: lime/teal, red/black and lime/black.

When I posted this one on Etsy, I needed to call it something. It's kind of a funky design and it reminds me a bit of Swiss Cheese, hence the Funky Swiss Cheese scarf. I took a look at the posting earlier today and it occurred to me that the combination of "Funky Cheese" may not be a good one for something that goes around your neck. I may need to think of something else.....

#&%#$*?!?!?

I was in DC for a few days last week attending a conference for work and managed to do something horribly embarrassing (but kinda funny) within the first two hours.

After setting up our booth, I decided to check out the other displays and see who was there. I wasn't in the mood for small talk and since there was no one around (or so I thought) it seemed like a great opportunity to check out materials without having to chit chat.

Down the row, I noticed a fairly big exhibit with a huge stack of DVDs as giveaways. I always tend to be a bit jealous when I see non profits with more stuff than us, so I had to take a look and see who it was. So I walked over and picked up a DVD and was surprised to see who it was: "The Tourettes Association--what the f*ck?!?" Unfortunately, I said this out loud to myself, and even more unfortunate was the fact that the Tourettes Association staffer was just off to the side, within earshot. It was all so fast: she shot me dagger eyes, just as I realized what I had actually said out loud. I was mortified. Well, mortified and almost on the verge of snickering because I realized how bad and how funny this was. Had I been thinking on my feet, I could have pertpetuated the whole bad medical sterotype thing and introduced myself: "Hi, I'm from the Alzheimer's Association...where am I?" I am a bad, bad person.

To continue the theme, I was disappointed that I could not find either a Pope bobble head or a Bush countdown clock while I was there. Gotta keep looking for that clock.

Happy Tax Day

I am a bona fide Crastinator at the pro level :)

Boston Bound...

Well, Cambridge, more accurately. These a just a few of the nuno felt scarves I sent off to the Cambridge Artists' Cooperative. I'm having a lot of fun playing with this new design, that I'm dubbing "Watercolors" for now. I was able to make lemonade out of lemons with two pieces of silk that were not quite the color I expected after I ordered them. While shockingly and scarrilously bright on their own, they became part of a beautiful landscape of color with the blends of merino and tussah fibers.

I really need to make more for Etsy!

Healing Power of Knitting

I’ve been knitter for years, but felting has slowly taken over to occupy my time. As much as I love felting, I have to admit that knitting is a more soothing and meditative process. I just spent the weekend in the hospital with a sick parent again. Fortunately, it was not too serious, but just required a lot of time. I spent the hours working on an afghan beside my Dad , watching the NCAA tournament, occassionally chatting and napping . Mom was also sick this weekend, but not enough to warrant a hospital visit.

Saturday was spent waiting nearly nine hours in the ER for a hospital room for Dad. A long time in a stressful, sterile environment—Mom was exhausted by the time we got home. But waiting for us at my parent’s foyer was the best gift with perfect timing. An envelope filled with handmade Easter cards (out of purple construction paper) and a hand knit prayer shawl. The fifth grade class at Notre Dame parish, where my family has gone for years, has kind of adopted my parents since they’ve been on the prayer list at church. They write handmade cards and Mom occasionally sends treats to the class and answers their letters. A group of girls in the class are learning how to knit and surprised Mom with a hand knit prayer shawl. The shawl is acrylic and made of garter stitch swatches, complete with dropped stitches and misaligned rows, but is one of the sweetest things I’ve seen. It’s hard to describe how much it lifted all our spirits after such as long day. Even thinking about it now makes me smile.