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~

2 More Dresses

Well, it appears that my side is indeed crunker!! lol!  I feel like I'm on a roll.  Must keep it going.  I made this between all the rest of things I do every single day!  Hope you're good!

April 13

Dear Emilie,

It looks like it's been a while since you've been around.  I do hope that things are going well for you and your family over there on your side.  I'm still in the clearing out/purging stage of this move.  I've been able to let go of a lot, thankfully.  As I sort through all my clutter, giving away the usable and throwing away what isn't usable, I'm also thinking about my personal, emotional and interpersonal clutter. The poem I read/shared earlier today is playing over and over in my head.  I'm releasing....making some choices about my life. :D

Well, I've decided.  As I sit here in my creative space (which also dubs as the classroom, library, collection room) that I'm going to pull out the fabric I kept and said I'd make things from and MAKE some things.  My first ideas are to make a few sun dresses for my pretty girl.  Since she is the eldest, she usually gets the first batch of "hand me overs" which are then past on to sweetie-pie.  She is also the one who gets the brand spanking new items.  Well, I've been wanting to make her some things for awhile.  I normally wait until I'm at my mothers and we both sew together (it's such a nice thing!).  But I don't want to wait for another trip, especially now with the move.

I'm also thinking about making some bags.  Not that I need any more bags, but I've been wanting to make some as gifts.  We'll see.  Oh, I can make myself some reusable bags for shopping.  I purchased a set of handmade produce bags last week.  They're really nice and would be easy to make myself.  Hmmm.  I'm getting some more ideas here! :D

Of course I need to think about something to make for The Boy as he'll be sure to ask me why I'm not making him something.  He's still at the stage where he WANTS me to make him something, so I'd better take advantage of this time and not miss out!  What do you think?

Hopefully by the end of the day I'll have ad least one item finished.  And if so, I'll update this note with a photo or two (or 3 or 4--you know me!)! :D

We've been busy the past few weeks.  Yesterday I spent most of the day in the kitchen--cooking mainly and cleaning, sorting, purging.  Got the pantry looking lovely.  Organized my table cloths and napkins so we can get to them quickly and easily.  I even want to do some embroidery on my cloth napkins.  See, I just have too many crafting interests! lol

I'm very interested to hear all about your daughter's sewing classes.  She should be designing and putting things together on her own now, huh?  Or am I imagining too much passage of time here?  Another question is what have you been up to, craft-wise?

Wishing you time and space to create!

=================
(8:28pm)

Well, here is what I made today.  Between cooking and encouraging the children to straighten up their rooms, and answer their questions.  I was hoping to have completed two.  But one isn't bad!