Karen's Muse and Musings

Lovely Day

So, I've had the loveliest day completing a course for my real estate license CE requirements. The course was Construction Details and Trends, and it was absolutely fascinating. Can you say sarcasm? I knew you could.

Now that's behind me, and it's on to more fun endeavors. I am joining a knit along sponsored by Joyce of Elliebelly. It's called the Elliebelly Knit-n-Telly. (I don't care how look at it, that's a much better name than Construction Details and Trends!) Click here for more info on the knit along. Here is the gorgeous Elliebelly yarn I'm using.

I am going to knit some soakers for my sweet grandson Patrick, almost 5 months old now. I don't usually post much about my knitting, but I will post photos as I go along. Here is a beautiful photo of Patrick and his mommy, Dana, taken recently at the beach.

This is my 399th post! In my next post, I will celebrate reaching 400 posts by giving something away. Come back!

Every Inchie Monday — Endless

Which came first the chicken or the egg? The debate on this could be endless, but I was thinking more of the continuation of life — chicken, egg, chicken, egg, chicken — or egg, chicken, if you prefer. I painted this tiny nest and eggs, and although they are not chicken eggs, you get the idea.

Winter White Kind of Mood

I'm working on two projects right now, and I realized they are both white. I'm knitting a hat to keep my head warm on my walks, and I'm making more of those Christmas cones. I decided to decorate my tree with the cones, so I need to make quite a few. (See my last post with an explanation about the cones here.) I liked the ones I did in the Christmas fabric, but I loved Nancy's that were made with batting, so I decided to use the batting. My husband suggested we put old family photos inside. I'll post another photo when I finish.

September Is Ovarian Cancer Month

Over a year ago, I joined in with almost 100 other artists to collaborate on an art doll to raise money for ovarian cancer research. Each of us made a charm or decorated a man's tie, and Jan Brown put together a gorgeous almost life-size doll that was raffled off. Later my friend Aileen Roberts created a beautiful and inspiring book about the project, and, once again, all the proceeds from the sale of the book go to ovarian cancer research. I purchased the paperback version, and I treasure it, but I wish I had bought the hardback version. You can see the book — inside and out — and find out how to buy it here on Aileen's blog. It would make a loving and meaningful gift for someone special or for yourself. After all, you're pretty special!

It's been a while!

I can't believe how much time has passed since I have added anything here on my blog. It's not like I haven't done anything to share. I have been busy making jewelry, knitting, working with fabric, oh, and of course, taking care of 22-month-old grandson Bobby three days a week. Now that keeps me busy! Tired too, some days.

Despite a busy life, I still have my swap commitments, so here are two more skinny book pages. These are for my sadly blogless friend, Trinka, a very talented artist whose work I admire greatly.

 

Pictured below are some fabric panels, or tiny pillows, for a swap with some dear online friends. I made these following the style and instructions of Teesha Moore. Click here to see her videos about these. She sews these little pillows together to make journal covers. When I receive the various pillows made by my friends, I think I will sew them together into a wall hanging.

Finally, here are some of the jewelry pieces I have made.

A French-themed necklace, which I wore to church on Independence Day, since in spite of its being French, it is very red white and blue!

A black and white necklace.

A fishy charm bracelet. I must admit that I love this bracelet.

And some swingy, dangly, copper earrings!

Time to Clean Up!

I give up! I can't stand it in my studio any longer. Yesterday I began the process of cleaning and organizing. And not just picking up and putting away either. I need to dig into drawers, files, and piles on the floor and get rid of some of this stuff I've accumulated. Honestly, I almost want to throw everything away and start over. Do you ever feel this way?

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Years ago I read Harlan Ellison's short story with this title, and although the story has faded a bit from my memory, I'll never forget the title. From what I remember, the human body had evolved into a blob with a functioning brain but no limbs ... or mouths! I felt a little mouth-less a few days ago. My cellphone died a quick and merciful death, followed closely by the demise of my modem. I was cut off from the world! Yes, it's true, I had contact with nearby family and friends, but what about my online friends? How could I survive not knowing what they were up to? Or, how could they survive not knowing what I was up to? What did we do before this world of instant communication? Yes, it has its pitfalls. Sometimes, I wish I could escape the ring of an ever-present phone. But ... when I don't have that phone, I'm nervous about driving without it. What if my car breaks down? What if I have a wreck? Thankfully, the cellphone and the modem have been replaced. Once again, I have a mouth, and I can even scream ... if I need to.

(Yikes! I've been cleaning house all day, sat down at the computer for the few available minutes I have before starting dinner, and my husband calls. "I'm on my way home. Didn't get to eat lunch. Fix me something." Hmmm ... maybe I need to rethink this need for a cellphone.)

No Witty Title

Frankly, I have become a little bored with the collage and mixed media work that I used to love. I'm not sure if this is a passing thing, but I've decided not to force it and do what I like. And, for now, that seems to be knitting and cooking. (While neither activity is particularly good for the waistline, each does wonders for the soul!) Tonight, we are having crab cakes with roasted tomato remoulade sauce. Yum! And here are some booties I just finished knitting.

These are going to our brand new great niece. Our family is booming lately. First our 2 new grandbabies, and now a great niece and also a great nephew coming in March. The booties are pretty tiny — just over 3" long. I've already started another pair with larger needles just in case these are too small.

This week we are going to Chicago so we can finally see Kathleen Elisabeth (a.k.a. Kitty) who is now 3 weeks old. I can't wait to see her. Here are some photos I just received this week. The first 2 were taken within her first 24 hours, and the last 2 are from this past week.

Hello Kitty!

Sweet dreams!

Autumn Leaves

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon Ill hear old winters song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Last night the trick or treaters came. It was the perfect night for it — cool enough to feel like fall, but still quite comfortable to be outside. Today is an absolutely gorgeous day. So gorgeous that I think I better spend as much time outside as I can. Maybe I'll take some art supplies outside and see if I can create something. The art hasn't been flowing out of me lately, but perhaps today will be the day.

I did manage to work out my design for my Christmas cards this year. For some time, I've wanted to do an ornament that could serve as a card as well, and here it is. Now on to the assembly work of making enough for friends and family.

And I finished the hat to go with the sweater I knitted for Baby G. (Baby G is what we're calling the new grandbaby due in February.) I think it is so cute with that little stem on top. It looks like the stem on a pumpkin to me.

Lastly here's a photo of six-week-old Bobby I took almost a couple of weeks ago now. Isn't he adorable? I'll see him again tomorrow and get some new snapshots. They change and grow so fast at this stage.

Autumn Leaves performed by The Bird and the Bee, lyrics by Joseph Kosma, music by Johnny Mercer

Knitting and Art

Well, it's been more knitting than art for me lately. As you know, I have a new little grandson born on September 8, but you may not know that now we're expecting a granddaughter in February. (Different daughter, in case you were concerned!) So, I knitted a sweater for the expected baby. (Now that there's a fall chill in the air, it feels so good to play with yarn.) It's my first sweater, and I know it's not perfect, but I'm still proud of it.

I still have to sew on the buttons, and I'm making a hat to go with it. Isn't the yarn beautiful? It's hand-dyed by my friend Joyce at Elliebelly. If you knit or crochet, you should check out her gorgeous yarns.

No completed art projects to show, but I have been playing with making some background papers in fall colors using stamps from Layers of Color.