Resolve?

Well, so much for my determination to blog daily. I am astounded at how easy it is to get out of the habit of doing things - even things I want to do. In the past 2 weeks I have fallen off the exercise, healthy eating AND blogging habit. No looking back. I am moving forward. I have been busy crocheting away on things I can't show off yet. I can, however, catch up with photo postings.




I LOVE this book! Sharon Silverman has written the book that was in my head. Oh well, that's OK, she paved the way for the rest of us to follow. Most of you know I have had a love affair with tunisian crochet for over a year. I find it fascinating and most importantly it is different. I thrive on the unique. This book has great instructions, pictures and projects. There is something for everyone. I bought a copy for me and now that I know how great it is I am going to carry it in the store. I have longed for a resource to give my Tunisian crochet students and now it is here! Thanks Sharon!


Speaking of tunisian crochet, this something I am working on for the store. I used Karen's Dragonfly Wings as inspiration. I think it still needs tweeking before I am happy and ready to write up a pattern for it. I am busy working on a tunisian project for publication and have so many ideas floating around in my head. I plan on self publishing my tunisian patterns beginning in June (May is already booked solid!). I have 3 completed projects that just need to be written and about 10 more sketched out waiting to come to life.

Now, just how do I get more hours in the day?



T.I.E., Sheryl

Swaps Rock

I haven't done a swap of any kind in a long time but when I found the Ravelry Tea and Yarn Swap I knew I had to join in on the fun.  Since the whole point is about tea as much as yarn I decided this would be a great way to try different teas.

This is what I got in the mail this week:

The yarn is a beautiful hand dyed tweed sock yarn.  There are two different teas, cookies made with tea and a rosemary/mint/tea soap.  So much fun to get goodies in the mail!

Here's a peek at Yarntopia - come see us when you are in Houston.

Flit & Float

I love knitting this project. First, it is beautiful; next it is just interesting enough to keep my attention yet not so complicated that I can't do it in public. A score on both points.

Designed by fellow Texan, Birdy Evans, this lovely scarf is from the current issue of Knitty. I am using Ella Rae Merino Lace and am loving how it is working up. I only have one lace pattern and then the ruffle to knit before it can go to the blocking board. I will be finished this week. I think this pattern would be gorgeous with beads placed in the lace. Maybe next time...

T.I.E.

Sheryl

Living the Easter Story

This day should be about one thing - the celebration of the faithful that their Lord has risen.  I survey my house - candy, stuffed rabbits, cheap toys, and I wonder, what has happened?  As I accept the responsibility, challenge, and joy of having my daughter and granddaughters live with us, so must I accept the responsibility of "training them up in the way they should go."

As the grandmother in the home I am in a unique position to help guide my grandchildren to know and love God.  I believe with all my heart that, for reasons I may never know, that God has brought the girls back home because our job as parents is not done.  The other day I read in my Bible that as a Christian I should "cheerfully open your home to those who need food or a place to stay."  I don't think it is a coincidence that every single time I begin serious redecorating of my daughter's room (without her knowing about it) something happens and we open our home to her one more time.

There is always hope because of Easter.  Jesus' resurrection is the promise of new life, new hope, a plan for good.  The values of the secular world would tell us that what we are doing is wrong; we are enabling our daughter to be lazy; we should practice tough love.  But what I believe is that God is giving us an opportunity to be a very important part of the lives of our granddaughters and that the reward is not only joy today - but in the future we will see the fruit of our labor:  two beautiful, secure, and loved young women.

Happy Easter to all.

Good Friday

It is cloudy and gloomy outside.  It seems appropriate weather for the solemnness of the day.

This is what I wish I could do today - 

ahhh, the sweet life of Munchkin.

T.I.E.

Sheryl

Morning Routine

For years I stumbled from bed and headed straight for the coffee.  Earlier this year I made the switch to tea.  Part of the reason was the ever increasing price of good coffee; also, reading about the health benefits of tea helped change my mind.

Now, this is my morning ritual:

I keep bags of loose tea in the canister, tea bags arranged on a handmade clay plate, raw sugar, my Tevana tea infuser, a timer for perfect brewing, and a beautiful leaf (made by my good friend Sony) for the used tea bags.  

I enjoy the ritual of brewing the tea, warming the milk and mixing it all together.  There is a calm and peace that comes from the process.  Rather than starting the day with a jolt, I gently, systematically wake up to the possibilities that lie ahead of me.

Try a cup of tea and have a great day.

T.I.E.

Sheryl

Minnie and Me

I am having way too much fun getting Minnie all dressed up and ready to go to work.  I love riding with her, watching as folks do a double take.  

I taught a beginning tunisian crochet class tonight.  I had a blast and the ladies caught on quickly.  As I played with the yarn and hook I had new ideas pour into my head.  Hmmm, now where do I start.  Oh, yeah, with the long list of projects due in May.  Then it will be time for new stuff.  

I think I need to start working a season ahead as much as possible.  Now that summer is near I need to be working on fall/winter projects.  This is hard for me to do as the new fall yarns won't be in the shop until August.  What a dilemma.

Meet Minnie Purl

Minnie (as she is currently known) is the newest addition to Unchained Crochet.  I have wanted a vintage mannequin head for a very long time.  While Minnie is bald and more contemporary that I originally desired, she was also available and reasonably priced.

The name was chosen by a vote at the Yarntopia retreat this past weekend.  I think it is the hat that put this name over the top.  I want her to have a name that reflects Unchained Crochet and my edgy, artistic alter ego.  She will get hair, hats and accessories.  She will be fabulous!

April is going to be a very busy month as I have several deadlines in May.  It is exciting and frightening all at the same time.  In the past when I have been presented with so many opportunities I felt I had to choose one path or the other.  This time I am not taking the fork in the road, I am boldly marching straight down the middle and working on design and art.  I have a design that has been accepted and I also have 3 art projects in the works for the summer.  

I don't ever want to look back with regret because I was too afraid to take a chance.  I'm putting myself out into the universe - who knows what will come back to me as a result.

T.I.E.,

Sheryl

Maggie Makes Me Smile

Maggie has a face that makes me smile. I can't help it. Maggie is an elderly black Scottie who lives next door and is quite fond of escaping her back yard confinement in order to survey her domain. Maggie is pure. She has no agenda and if she chooses to befriend you, you have a friend for life. Maggie is not supposed to wander the streets, so on those occasions when she escapes I get a special treat. How strange would it be for me to go next door and ask "Can Maggie come out to play?" I know my neighbors would be happy for me to entertain Maggie, but I rather like the surprise element of randomly seeing her outside.

We all need a Maggie in our lives don't we?

T.I.E.

Sheryl

The View From My Window

Thin streams of daylight broke through the gusting wind and swirling rain as night turned into day.  Sitting in a dark room, trying to wake up, I was jarred into reality by the sounds of the changing weather outside.  Even Munchkin was alarmed by all the commotion.  Momentarily however, he yawned, curled back up on my lap and returned to sleep.  Oh, how sweet is the life of a pampered cat.

As if God were conducting an orchestra, the stormy weather calmed in harmony with the emerging daylight.  I now have a day full of possibilities.  What will I do with it?

What Have I Been Doing?

I can't believe I haven't posted since January!  What have I been doing?  There are very few finished projects to show for the first 3 months of the year yet, it seems all I do is knit or crochet.  Hmmm, this is scary as I now feel that I have lost 3 months.  

One of the reasons I haven't posted here is because of the notion that nobody reads blogs anymore.  Ravelry groups seem to have swooped in and replaced blogs as the source of interaction among fiber folks.  Then there are all the social networking groups on the web.  Ahhh!  It is all too much!

Yesterday, while reading someone else's blog, I remembered the reason I started a blog was for me.  To record my fiber passion as well as my life and thoughts.  I have always wanted to write.  I love words and considering writing a beautiful sentence a work of art.  I have no formal training, do not fancy myself a writer, nor do I want to do this for any reason other than my own pleasure.  If others come along for the ride, we'll have fun together.

My goal:  One short post daily.  Like writing in a journal only online and without gut spilling details of my personal life.  Having said that I will be out of town this weekend without access to WiFi, so I will be quiet on Saturday but back on Sunday.

I currently have many irons in the fire.  While this is not surprising, I am finding it exhilarating.  I have had a proposal accepted by Interweave Crochet for Fall 2009, and I have 3 art projects in the works.  All of this and Yarntopia too.  I have actually prioritized everything and put it on my calendar; hopefully I can avoid my usual last minute rush.  Ha!  Who am I kidding?  

Finally, a little self congratulating here - I have been accepted as a professional member of CGOA (Crochet Guild of America).  This is a designation given to people who earn part or all of their income from crochet, and have done so for at least two years.  I am very excited and honored to be a member of this elite group.

Take It Easy (TIE),

Sheryl