Snippets

Dandelions for Mama

A gift from the lovely Rie

Home made soup 

There were four in the bed

Emerson's vintage style

Cherished classics

Dried four leaf clover

Picture perfect puss cat

Yarn Along

This past week I continued knitting and reading what I began last week. I have found that reading 'Walden' is akin to placing recognisable quotes in their original context, if you know what I mean? I seems I have read more fragments of the book that I had thought, through those widely used quotations. And detecting those famous quotes gives me a strange sense of having already read the book, though I have not. A strange way to read indeed.

"In any weather, at any hour of the day or night, I have been anxious to improve the nick of time, and notch it on my stick too; to stand on the meeting of two eternities, the past and future, which is precisely the present moment; to toe that line." Henry David Thoreau 

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

'Gretchenmist' Giveaway - CLOSED

There is something so evocative about Belinda Kemp's work. Something which draws you in and inspires an emotional response. Belinda has developed a discernible personal aesthetic that is imbued with organic motifs and layers of visual texture. From her skillful handling of abstract collage and stitching, to her use of a distinctly recognisable colour palate, Belinda's pieces soothe, create moods or inspire. If you've seen photos of my studio you will know that my Gretchenmist prints take pride of place. Belinda is a true inspiration to me.

With thanks to Belinda, today's giveaway gives one lucky reader the chance to win the two 7x5 inch Gretchenmist prints seen above. To enter the giveaway please leave a comment below. For extra entries 'like' Gretchenmist on Facebook, or follow Belinda's blog, and leave an extra comment. The winner will be drawn randomly on Tuesday, 12th June. Open to Australian and International readers. 

(You don't need to have a blog to enter, just ensure you leave an email address so that I can contact you if you win!)

You can find more of Belinda's work for sale in her etsy store.

Many thanks again Belinda!

Knitted cozy

My first knitted cozy, for the approaching cold nights of Winter. It looked much too small as I knit it. I persevered somewhat nervously, hoping it was just the cables making it appear so. Thankfully, once blocked on a full hot water bottle, the cables relaxed and the cozy took shape. The colour change was unintentional. The navy yarn, had been a remnant of a previous project. When I ran out I picked out another left over yarn. I quite like the colour blocking though.

Next time I would knit the bottom band in 3x3 ribbing, or else use a size smaller needle, as I think the band ended up being a little too big.

Needles: 5 x 3.25mm dpn's

Yarn: Left over Bendigo Woolen Mills 8 ply Wool

Thrifted: vintage snaps and leather buttons

Pattern: Seamless Hot Water Bottle Cozy, free Ravelry download

Ravelry.

Weekending

Rain changes the feel of the City. Those hurrying seem more hurried. The concrete and glass colours of City life seem muted further still. The scents of the City are heightened by damp. The sounds of hustle and bustle are accompanied by drips, by gutters running with water, by feet tapping and splashing along the pavement. I too walk a little faster, as Emerson wiggles in the sling, protesting the rain drops that reach her small head.

Down an ally, a hidden bar is full of poets and admirers. Rich pickings for people watching. Velvet coats, leather pants, Fedora's at jaunty angles, screen printed T-shirts carefully chosen to offer insight into the wearers passions, bright coats, expanses of tattooed skin. Sheish Money croons; deep, gravelly and emotion filled. Twin sister's sit with friends, peppermint tea and cider. Emerson gives in to sleep. Then poets take the stage to read their writings and I'm reminded again that poetry is so much more than words on a page.

Eventually

I once discovered a bag of crochet squares while op-shopping. (My blog informs this was in 2009. Surely not!) They were sweet and colourful, all made of wool, and it seemed sad to leave them there. I couldn't help but wonder about the maker and her plans for them. I decided to give them a new life, though I had no idea what that new life might look like. Over the years I have laid them out and rearranged them, trying to think of a use for them - scarf? dolls blanket? - before being reminded that each one varies slightly in size and many don't sit flat. Still at a loss as to what to do, they would go back in to the bag.

Funny how things come together. Kate's month of motifs reminded me of that little bag and Kylie's gifted bunting decided their fate. With only the ends to weave in now, I believe they do make the most charming bunting. And I'm sure they won't mind being put away again until a certain little girl turns one. First birthday's come so quickly after all.

I'm so pleased to have given these lost squares a new life. Eventually.

Discovering

On Monday Dave surprised me with my first iphone. He slipped into the house after work while I was taking the washing off the line. We greeted each other in the kitchen with smiles; he still on his work phone, I with basket in arms. As I started folding the clothes I noticed a curious paper bag on my bedside table. A surprising paper bag, containing said phone. I do so love it when he surprises me.

I am becoming accustomed to my new phone. The only app I have downloaded as yet is Instagram. Quite late to the party, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. I'm littlebirdlowry on Instagram, if you would care to find me. Should you have any app suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. I surely need some guidance!

It's a rainy, rainy day today. I feel as if we have been moving as slowly as traffic does in wet weather. Or at least, the traffic we found ourselves in on the way home from a friends house today. I'm looking forward to a weekend of poetry readings, coffee catch ups and more puddle stomping. Hope you have a lovely weekend planned too.