Textures...

Latest Sewing & Knitting Treasures...

Welt pockets!!!
(click! to enlarge...)

Over the winter holidays I started several Craftsy classes. One was the 'Sew Better, Sew Faster' class led by Janet Pray from Islander Sewing Systems. We made this jacket! {smile}

I must say that it took me a looong time to finish it, but this was right in my 'dark cloud' period so it was good to take some extra time and not get too frustrated with things. (I was already frustrated enough with myself...)

You cannot tell in the pictures above, but every seam was top-stitched with a mossy green thread. Not with a twin-needle but with a normal needle so that meant twice the work. I must say I was very proud of myself of keeping my cool while doing this, because the top-stitching thread (which is much thicker than a normal thread) kept on disappearing into the bobbin housing below which made for terrible noises coming out of my machine. This of course happened several times, but I persevered!

I am also extra proud of the welt pockets (!!!) that came out beautifully, first time ever! (see uppermost picture in the middle) and the fun fabric breast pockets which I think are just fab! (can I use any more exclamation marks?)

I am so glad I persevered because it fits me so well and already yesterday, the first day I wore it, someone came up to me and complimented me on my jacket: that made my day!!!

Olive was also very excited by the jacket!  <wink>

Another Craftsy class I just finished was the 'Knit Lab in the Round' class with Stefanie Japel. I've already shown you the hat and the finger less gloves that I made a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday I finished the Cabled Lace Cowl:

Cables & Lace, what a combination! And my first cables no less. I am a happy momma!  {smile}

Now off I go to Little Bit for my two lessons of the day. Our first rider will be new and she is an adult (I usally work with very young children) so that will be interesting. I am contemplating wearing some long underwear because it is a tad frosty out...

First Stroll Through The Garden....

How lucky are we? After two days of fog coming down to our noses (really, it was like living in pea soup), the sun came out today and we were blessed with bright blue skies. I even did my first weeding and garden clean-up of the year!  {smile}

I even spotted a teeny tiny little Viola in a container from last year...

After the first weeding frenzy I sat myself down on my sunbathing recliner and did a little reading in "The Goldfinch" (by Donna Tart):  now my cheeks actually feel a little rosy!

Fifty Shades of Pink & Orange...

Yesterday afternoon in The Valley, just before five o'clock...

Some photo-editing fun: (the first one below is the original)

Click! to enlarge...

And some more...

 (getting sick of this picture yet?)  <wink>

Once we were almost home I had to stop the car on the wrong side of the road to take this picture of Mount Rainier: isn't it just fabulous?  {smile}

A good thing I took all these pictures yesterday, because today we were socked in with fog the whole day...

Signs Of Lighter Times...

The weather over here has been rather mild lately. Not quite Spring-like yet, but mild nevertheless. I'm even seeing some Daffodil heads peeking out of the ground!

Well Hello there!

Last weekend was quite stormy and I think around 70.000 households lost power. We only lost it for 10 minutes or so in the middle of the night which was a good thing, since the big Seahawks game (American Football) was on that afternoon!  <wink> 

Anyway, Mr. G. went outside after the storm and found this little fella outside on our driveway, blown in from who knows where. So creepy!!!

In the meantime I've started a knitted lace & cable cowl which is keeping me busy and I'm also still sewing a jacket through a Craftsy class. Photos will follow, but not quite yet. Still taking my time...

Off I go to Little Bit, out in the open air: Breathe!

And Then There Were Two!

I cannot tell you how very pleased  I am about this knitting project! They came out even better than I had anticipated and are so snug and warm. When I had finished the first glove I had put it on my nightstand and when I woke up the next morning I had to smile, that is how much I love my new 'friends'... {smile} 

Well, the day has come (tomorrow to be more exact) that we have to say goodbye to Master C. once again. He was home for the past three weeks which was just wonderful. It is time however, for both him and for us, that he starts his second semester at uni. This is how it is meant to be. Very strange though that he will be celebrating his 19th birthday in a few days without us! We will see him again in 7 1/2 weeks... (not that I am counting down the weeks or anything)

Upwards and onwards!  I think it is safe to say that 'the cloud' that has been hanging over me for the past several weeks has finally started to dissipate. This past Thursday afternoon I suddenly felt a lot lighter and I'm still feeling that way now this Saturday evening. Still taking my time.... 

Knit Two, Purl Two...

Although 'the cloud' in my head is still lingering and the clouds outside are depositing their loads on our roof,  things are certainly starting the feel a bit lighter again... 

I am taking my time, re-watching all episodes from 'Fringe' on my new tablet (i.e. in bed) and in between I'm continuing on the knit, knit, purl journey. Last week I made this little beanie hat and today I've starting finger-less gloves. In this picture I have just reached the point where the thumb part will be inserted. 'Scary' stuff so time for a little break!  <wink>

Fog...

I am taking my time...

(Every so often the 'black cloud' comes and visits me. These dark moods are difficult to handle, thank goodness the visits seems to be declining in frequency,  I'm working on it. Just to show you that not all things in my life are bright and shiny...)