a new craft

For Christmas (already over three months ago, wow!) I got a very exciting present.  A drop spindle!  And I got started learning and practicing with it almost immediately, and I must say I've fallen in love.  The whole process is extremely relaxing and the result is, of course, thrilling, because it's yarn.  :D  And you all know my feelings for yarn.

This is my favorite fiber I've spun so far, a alpaca merino blend.  And oh is it delicious!  Plus the color is lovely, and it's soft but strong.  I dragged it everywhere while I was spinning it because I just didn't want to stop.

An up close on it's woolly goodness...

As soon as I'd finished I cast on a little scarf.  I didn't want the magic of it to end.  It's not finished because I didn't have enough yarn, which really is okay, because that means I get to get more fiber and spin more up and then knit it more.  It's a good process.

Love, Clara

I made a sweater, this is not my first one to complete, but it is the first one that I will not rip out. It's from a free pattern at Knitty, one I've been wanting to make for a very long time, it's called Thermal, if you were to look it up. For some reason blogger isn't letting me link to anything right now.

My photo plans didn't work out so well, so I hope you'll forgive the lack of a complete view of the sweater. But in other news I'm back at work! Yesterday was my first day back in the greenhouse for this year and I am thrilled to be there. There's already dirt under my nails (and my hair, and nose, and most likely ears and neck as well) from filling pots and planting a wealth of wonderful growing things. Ah yes, it's good, very good.

waves

(photos by me)

I miss the sea

Sometimes things get hard, and even when you look for it, there isn't always good to be found in every situation. Sometimes it just stinks. So, I've discovered, that it's okay to quit looking in the garbage can, so to speak, and look at things that ARE good. It's like that Oscar Wilde quote, "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." And while it hurts terribly and few things make sense, sometimes I find relief when I remove my emotions from it all and remind myself that this isn't forever. Just like things are changing now, they will change again. Beauty will come out of it, joy will follow, this is all for the best even when now it feels like the absolute worst.

So good things? More knitting and Robin McKinley, lots and lots of words, chocolate and tea, trying my hand at spinning, making slow progress on my quilt, wool sweaters and socks to keep warm, and one dance class a week.

"He will bring beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities long ago destroyed."

~Isaiah 61: 3-4

knits

My endpaper mitts and first real color work project. I decided while I was knitting them that if Violet Baudelaire had worn fingerless gloves, they would have been these.

First Tiny Owl Knits project. These slippers were for my sister for Christmas, the felting took forever and I kind of messed up the ears, but they are still really cute. And she likes them. : )

Christmas present for my other sister, it's the Sideways Grande Cloche, I changed it up quite a bit though, mainly by doing the lace up the side instead of a cable.

And these I just finished today. Mittens for myself. They're the Yellow Harvest Mittens from Vogue Knitting Fall 2008. They knit up super fast and they should be warm. I certainly hope so, seeing it's -40 Fahrenheit outside. Berrr...

Yup, too cold to model mittens outside, I say. So I'm just gonna stay inside and knit more. <3

I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

Love, Clara

My little cave is so hard to photograph, and even more impossible to photograph other things while in it. But my new twinkle lights have helped. Their bright bluish light makes me think of stars.

My own drawing, just taped to the wall for now.

Some treasures atop my make-shift bookcase. I needed more room, so I stacked two of my grandma's old cupboards after taking off their doors. It's worked really well.

Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my last post, they mean a lot too me. Happy New Year and blessings to you all!

Love, Clara

(Photo taken by me)

• sipping peppermint tea


• knitting hats


• loving Celtic Women Christmas music (and lullabys)


• writting so many words


• re-reading old favorites; Wildwood dancing, Fairest, Goose Girl, Princess Academy, Book of a Thousand days, The Blue Sword.


• secret Christmas crafting


• and homemade fudge