Aftermath

There are a number of things that go through your mind when you stop working on a painting and as I hung that last one on the wall I began to wonder if I shouldn't change the tulips in the large painting next to it thinking that a set of related pieces might be more desirable to a buyer who'd trying to decorate a room.

I'm still contemplating it but took time to crochet myself a pot holder for the kitchen and started a scarf to use up the cone of white yarn left from my knitting machine days.

I've still got the machine but haven't been able to finish the studio well enough to set it up in there...at least not yet.

In the meantime I'm sorting things and cleaning off the work table so that it will be ready when we decide what we want to work on next.

Exit the Knitting Machine, bring on the Holidays

 Don't worry, it's just been packed away a while so that I can focus on other things. It was impossible for company to stop by with that much equipment filling up the room and I was getting a bit lonesome.

 It was nice to have everything out long enough to get it all sorted out again. I sold a few pattern books I didn't need anymore so it helped with my plan for organizing and downsizing around here as well.

 Doesn't this look a bit better? We made some hot, spiced cider and settled in for some holiday movies. Yes, that sofa has seen better days but then again so have we...OK, you can stop laughing now...

Yes, I made the afghan. I'll be drawing and painting the flowers soon. You'll be seeing the new work as soon as I finish each piece.

Scrap Yarn Projects by hand and machine

 Merry Christmas to me. I managed to get a pair of slippers and a spare. (yes, I have been known to wear different colored slippers on each foot when no one's looking)

 There wasn't quite enough yarn on any of these cones to make more slippers so I decided to crochet a scarf or two, we'll see how far it goes.

Finishing Slippers with Pom Poms

There are many types of pom pom makers available. The circle type come in a set of 3 sizes. For slippers I use the middle size. It's a simple matter of holding the 2 pieces together and wrapping the yarn around and through it until it's full, then you clip between the 2 pieces and tie it together before pulling the plastic pieces off.

If you can't find or afford a set of pom pom maker circles you could use a set of washers from a hardware store or salvage them from a junk yard or dump.

There's always a way to create the things you want in life, your imagination and determination are your very best tools.

Happy Crafting!

Pointless

 I looked out the window a while and tried to decide what to work on today.

 Yes, I went back to my little pointillism experiment it seems like a perfect next step from the painted furniture I was doing with dots in the 1990's.

The New Painting Settles In

 Yes, I found a bit more wall space to hang that tulip painting as I list the pattern books for the knitting machine for sale on eBay. It will be funny to see what sells first-the painting or the books but this is a busy little corner of the living room these days.

Meanwhile I'm enjoying "playing" with the painting on Zazzle and discovering how many different ways it can be used to design products. I love the idea of turning it into something useful and challenge myself to keep trying new things with it.

Moving on to other projects, knit slippers and more

 Here are a few paintings I brought in for the winter. There's no wall space available so they stand in the corner like naughty children until I find a way to make them play nice in here.

 This should be my living room but my machine has other ideas so I joke that it's my "making a living" room now. Oddly enough, company is NOT amused.

Still, the slippers are comfy and warm and everyone I know really loves them in the winter.

So Many Hobbies , So Little Time

There aren't any pictures this time. I've been busy sorting through all the knitting machine supplies and making 2 more pair of slippers. I'm also sorting art supplies and re-organizing the studio. meanwhile the house is a mess so there's been a lot of general housework to do as well.
The good news is that I'm ready to start painting again so tomorrows post should be bright and interesting. I'm still considering starting a separate blog for the craft items but am waiting for a bit of feedback from you as to whether or not it's a good idea.

The Return of the Knitting Machine

A good knitting machine never dies (or at least this one hasn't). It's  a Bother  KH-260  that I bought back in the 1980's and haven't had out in about 6 years. I was surprised to see it in perfect working order and just needing to be cleaned off. The only real evidence of age was that the colors of the plastic housing had changed.

As I've mentioned before, the weather has cooled off around here so the first thing I  wanted to do was make some slippers for the family. Of course after all these years I couldn't quite remember how or find my pattern so I was pleased to see that there are a lot of resources for machine knitters on the internet so I was back to work at it in less than an hour and happy to find that I still enjoy it. I guess some things never change.

I generally finish off my slippers with pom poms, bows or buttons to cover the area where they're all gathered together but I was so excited that I couldn't wait to tell you about it and shot this picture anyway.
Thanks for stopping by and why you're here I do have a question. "since some of my posts aren't about gardening or painting, should I start another blog for crafts and fiber art?"

Making Room for Creativity

I decided to kick the comfy chair to the cub to make room for one more work table in here. I have an old Brother Bulky Knitting Machine that I used to make mittens, hats, scarves and slippers on so I thought it would be handy to do some of that again before the really cold weather sets in. 

Amazingly my hubby decided to get rid of his recliner too and  they were gone in minutes!!!
It was nice to see people so happy to get them and we're looking forward to the changes in here.

There wasn't even time to snap a picture of both chairs. What an interesting way to start a day!

Inspiration, hope and a fresh start

What has that got to do with creativity...as it turns out EVERYTHING! I have a solar powered crystal in my window, when it gets enough sun it begins to spin and fills the room with rainbows and I find it really keeps my spirits up because even though sunny days are rare this time of year you really appreciate the ones you get and it's really hard to be cranky in a room full of rainbows.
We quit working on the studio last year because finances have been scary and we're not sure we'll be able to stay here let alone get any work done on the place. That hasn't changed but my attitude has. There was recently some interest in filming me at my studio...you know, the one I don't quite have yet and it got me to thinking that whether it's really finished or not it's warm, safe and dry and that's so much more than a lot of people in the world can hope for so the least I can do is clean it up enough to get my knitting machine in there and start making all the hats, mittens and slippers I can to bring a little warmth to everyone I can while I've got the chance and the place to do it.
Most of my painting is happening at the dining room table and down at the senior citizens center so I think I can spare the space for it until I run out of yarn then of course it will be on to the next project that I've got materials or someone has a need for.