five (really) good things. just for me.

1) squeezing the juice of two blood oranges, one grapefruit, and two navel oranges, pouring the juice into a glass, and drinking the beautiful pink concoction for breakfast.

2) taking a break from work to crochet another row of the blanket.

3) calling my grandpa just to say "hi."

4) giving myself the present of a membership to the freespirit fat quarter club. (because, really, can one have too much fabric?)

5) sitting in the quiet. remembering the importance of love for one's self. and inhaling and exhaling compassion.

what are your five (really) good things?
think about it.
and then name them.
right now.
i dare you.

blue.2 {self-portrait challenge}

blue is (also), to me,
safety (inconsistent)
truth (truth)
warmth (distance)
clarity (aloof)
freedom (isolating)
coolness (wide)
creativity (muggy)
connection (puzzling)
music (quiet)
hope (cyclical)
blue is, to me,
home

blue.1 here
other interpretations of blue here

and so it begins (again and again and again)

Last winter, like many other bloggers who dabble in artsy+crafty things, I was quite inspired by Jane's and Alicia's ripple blankets. Those two seemed to have inspired a movement over at "the no-end-in-sight ripple along."

After reading about everyone joining in on the fun, I wanted to crochet. Like. right. now. So, when my mom and I met for a few days in Arizona, I brought along my crochet hook so she could teach/remind me how to crochet. I learned about 20 years ago from Nanny…not my grandmother but the mother of my second cousin's wife who was a bit like a grandmother to me at times…and I crocheted a few potholders that year. I loved it, but I didn't pick it up again until February of last year. As my mom and I worked on a couple of scarves, I settled into the rhythm that is knitting and crocheting. Several scarves later, the rhythm of crochet resonates deeply in me.

And, I felt ready to make an afghan. And, of course, not just any afghan…THE afghan.

So I tried one pattern and crocheted my heart out throughout the second half of the Super Bowl. By the end of a very long row three, it was apparent that I did not understand the pattern even though I kept trying.

I tried another pattern I found online…but just couldn't get into the rhythm at all. It involved a chain stitch after a few stitches several times and I kept forgetting it and wouldn't realize it until the middle of the next long row.

Then the book Vintage Crochet arrived in all its gorgeousness.

To begin the chevron pattern, I needed to chain 216 +3.

I, of course, chained 219 +3 because I kept repeating 219, 219 in my head while counting.

I didn't realize the problem until things got wonky in row three.

So, I began again…

Success! I love the rhythm of this pattern. (And, this book seems fantastic. So many brilliant patterns that have an updated vintagey feel.)

Late last night, as I was midway through row six, I paused and looked down and started cracking up. It looks like my color choices were inspired by that very moment in time. (With a bit more light this morning, I have taken a photo so you can see what I mean…)

However, the color palette was actually inspired by the sweater worn by Miss Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I saw that movie three times in the theatre (and once at home since it was a gift for Christmas). I just love that movie (and I want to one day be able to crochet some sweaters like the one Luna wears). It is my favorite so far. I think it is partly because it came out as the book series ended and I felt so sad…but the movie made it seem like the really good part had just begun. Anyway, every time I would see Hermione's sweater for the first time in the movie, I would think about how I wanted to make an afghan with those colors…

And so it begins.

It is scary that I am matching my outfits with my crochet projects? It hasn't been done on purpose…but…it happened last week too…

If you are in the midst of a ripple blanket or plan to start one soon, please let me know. We can double crochet rippled stripes together…

a question (for you)

caprese salad for one, 2.7.08

What have you done just for you today?

(If you haven't done anything just for you today, think about what you could do...just for you...then come back here and share after you do it or even after you think about doing it...)

five (really) good things...right now

self-portrait at mickey's house, january 08

(i stopped by geek inc and felt inspired to share five reasons why i am smiling in this moment...right now...)

1. hearing joy in my brother's voice as we talked from one end of this coast to the other today (and more importantly, hearing him feel proud of himself)
2. hearing happiness in my mother's voice as we talked across the many miles
3. hearing my dad's voice after his surgery today...knowing he is okay even though he is so far away
4. hearing my friend's voice when i left her a voicemail...i knew she wouldn't be home, but it always feels a bit like talking to her after i hear her voice and then proceed to go on and on because i want to share something very specific
5. hearing my own laughter...oh it feels good to fill the house with laughter

i would love to hear your five good things today...
share them, won't you?

blue.1 {self-portrait challenge}

weaving in the ends, 2.5.08

blue is, to me,
safety
truth
warmth
clarity
freedom
coolness
creativity
connection
music
hope
blue is, to me,
home

(see more interpretations of blue here)

fifteen.

pausing when i walk into the family room throughout the day and see this quilt. looking for my favorite patchwork square…then i discover a new favorite, then a new one…how the game goes on. this one-person sized quilt was quite the find at a seattle thrift shop last month. i love it.

thinking about starting my own quilt soon (from these thrifted quilt pieces).

reading amy's blog today. i've enjoyed her blog and shop for a while now...and right now, her experience fostering a baby is beautiful to read about. (go check it out)

eating up every second of miss austen regrets. it is time for me to admit it: i. am. a. jane. austen. fanatic.

watching U2 3D. (yes, you should too)

tearing up with hope when watching this video. no matter who you plan to vote for (just please vote) or what "side" you might find yourself on, i think we can all get behind this message. (via kelly – thanks girl)

dancing around the house while listening to mr. buffett sing "one particular harbor."

spending hours snuggled up on the couch with the crochet hook and soft beautiful yarn. (one scarf created for someone who needs to stay warm…i'll be sending it miles away soon, one scarflette created just for me, and one afghan started and unraveled and started again)

brainstorming with a friend via email turning into a personal brainstorm celebration friday afternoon which turned into a poem. i love poetry.

feeling so blessed as i read your comments and emails about last week's self-portrait. (thank you for getting it. thank you for reaching out. thank you.)

cutting fabric to make a few new bags (like this one) and finally realizing that i need to invest in a cutting table…which leads me to...

experiencing insomnia because i keep rearranging the little room (my studio) in my mind while i try to figure out how in the heck i can fit anything else in there...

digging daisies new digs.

smelling honey in the form of fresh (pink) tulips throughout the house.

sketching new designs and writing down the stories as they come to me. i love it when this happens (and it doesn't always, so this is a good thing).

a little excitement

Last week I mentioned that I am super excited about something.

Well, since then, I have been gathering beautiful florals and dots…

vintage linens…

and bits...

together...

I have been spending time with spring and summer colors and items with a "this pattern reminds me of weekends spent at Grandma's" feel because…

I have been accepted to vend at The Farm Chicks Show!!!

The show takes place in Spokane, WA in June! It is an antique/gorgeous "junk" show where a few folks are also selected to sell their homemade items. The show is attended by people from all over the country (I think you and you…oh and you too…should come on out for it!!) and has been featured in Country Living Magazine. The two ladies who are The Farm Chicks, Serena and Teri, seem beyond delightful. I can't wait to meet them in June.

I am filling up my "notes from the little room" moleskine with ideas and new designs. And, I look forward to sharing bits and pieces of all this brainstorming with you…

To have such a flow of ideas and to feel this excitement has been filling me up with joy. I am so blessed. Last year felt like it was all about the idea of "begin;" a word that deeply resonates within. But it is the doing that seems to be most important right now. So, I have been calling 2008 the "year of the do." It is very brave to begin, but I think it can sometimes take even more courage to move through the begin to the do.

I hope that you get to spend some time twirling with joy, sitting in the quiet, working on a project just for you, napping, and enjoying time with people who support you…I hope you get to spend time like that soon…