It's a Wrap!

Just had to share a few pics....more to follow once the eagle has landed!
:D

Lovely, huh?!

via 5 Orange Potatoes

5 Orange Potatoes

Frogging

I remember when I first started (or re-started knitting) about 5 years ago now. One of the first things I read was, "remember to never be afraid to pull out your work, and start over from the beginning." This particular author called it "the Zen of knitting." I remember promising myself I would boldly embrace pulling out my hard work, my investment of time and myself, to get a new, fresh start---mostly likely, embracing in the process, something better! I remember how enlightened I felt, how free---knowing I could knit and knit and knit, and then pull it out if necessary and start completely over (and no one would be the wiser!). It was like a freedom to create something beautiful came deep in my spirit, and the knowledge that I could have unlimited fresh starts empowered me to create without condemnation!

Well, knitters know the term for this is called "frogging" and frogging can be a knitter's best friend.

And...sometimes not! Somehow, between my awakening to ripping my work out, and the practical application of that action---(you know, the actual ripping my work out part?)---some weird, well---feeling came over me. All that Zen stuff was gone, that bold me was nowhere to be found, and now it was just me and "my work that I have spent so much time doing so far, and, well, it does not really look that bad, the small mistake part, and after all, nothing made by man's hands should be perfect anyway, right...don't the AmishJewishCatholicNativeAmericans or somebody believe that? I agree with them...." and on and on I droned....including some creative attempt with a crochet hook to cover the spot, and weave in the mistake, the tiny flaw seamlessly---or so I wanted to believe. But the flaw was there, and it was noticeable, and it took away from the rest of the work and so, regretfully, painfully and with moist eyes....I started ripping it out....

And it was okay.....eventually. I did start over, and I got some support from a knitting mentor on the part of the pattern I did not understand, and it worked out beautifully! I created a lovely new baby dedication blanket because I was not afraid to rip it out, and then, to try again.

Well, if only I could embrace that frogging thing in my relationships. You know, the ones that were going along just fine until that person did/said/acted on something that HURT me! And I have been left here with this gaping hole, stitch or flaw of some kind, that I do not know what to do about? Can I put on expensive enough clothes, or enough make-up, or keep busy enough doing good things, so that my character flaw, the pain and hurt does not show? Maybe I can ignore it away? But unfortunately, like my terrible attempts with that crochet hook, the disappointment, pain, anger, hurt still stick out, and take away from my overall beauty.

I remember one of my Friends saying how He loves me, and gives me mercies that are new every morning. I wonder how He does that? I wonder if He can teach me how?

So, here I am. Trying to learn how to apply that frogging concept to my life and not just my knitting.

Wish me luck!
Emilie

Look What I Made!

So I've made some fingerless gloves before but never with a thumb.  I finally worked up my nerve to try it.  So here are my first pair.  I need to weave in the ends but other than that--they're completed!  I LOVE them and have already starting tweeking this pattern so the next pair will match (a bit more).  I went on and let this pair be the trial pair.  [And who knows, I may frog the one I like the least and do it again.]

Well, just wanted to share it with you (and anyone else reading our blog)!

xoxo!
~leslie

What's NOT on Your Needles?

(Shared with permission from Knot Sew Much)

I usually see posts about "What's ON your Needles?"  When I browse crafting/knitting/crocheting sites, this is a frequent question.

Well, I've been taking time [in this blazing heat] to knit.  Yep. Knitting.  I'm determined to complete my started projects BEFORE starting new ones (and boy do I have some new ones I want to start on)!

So here's the completion to a winter set for me:

(I made the scarf previously--it was crocheted.)

So, what's NOT on your needles?? (or in your sewing machine?)

Your Sign

I've been meaning to share this photo with you!!

Growth takes time or bloom where you are planted

So it has been a long time since I have posted anything. For a while (the month of March) I did a technology fast. My goal was to have more time with the Lord, and to address some of the areas of my life I have been avoiding.....I think about posting, I plan to post, I mentally rehearse my posts---but alas. Unfortunately, I am in an unusual place now---and since I feel I can only post when I am happy, upbeat and excited about life...well, I have not been feeling those things consistently, so....

Today, however, I am in a good place. It is still an in-between place---planting, watering, being rained upon, reaping, and then the darn pruning! I am learning to wait patiently for the Lord to lead me, guide me, and nurture me. I do a lot of nurturing of others---and I need someone to help me nurture ME. Sure, I do it, and it would be nice if there were someone regularly tending to my needs and, my weeds.

The children and I worked in the yard today--we planted several things geraniums, tomato plants, jasmine among them, and watered. We had a lovely time.

Now comes the waiting. Because growth takes time.

And so it is with me---I am needing some things in my life to change, yet I feel they will not. Is it pruning time? Or weeding time? Lord how do I know?

My mother always would tell me when we moved, "Em, bloom where you are planted." And so, I try.....

Growing and/or blooming,
Em~