Leap Day

Flowers are popping up everywhere..it feels like spring!!

Bows

I have bow fever..my fingers won't stop making these cute little things. I'm making hairbows, rubberbands/bows, headband bows. Loving the inspiration they are giving me for other "little projects"...

Monday Music

Pulling from the Cds I've rediscovered :)

Starry Night

Last night John asked us to all come out front. We all wondered what could be so important at 8pm & in the middle of all the night-time going ons. I'm so glad we paused from the routine to run outside in the cool night air & look up at the sky.

Last night's sky was one of the most beautiful I have seen in a long time. The planets aligned with the bright moon staring right back at us. So many constellations twinkled as we stood there in the cold air looking up. So many I don't know the name of & a few that I've learned, like Orion that always comes around each winter in our front yard. I have no picture to show, but maybe tonight you can go out & take a look for yourself.

Bikes Rock!

Two wheels spinning behind your feet
One glance gave away your pick.
Blue paint & ribbon makes for a cool ride,
like new shoes on the pavement.
Riding into seven years feels like freedom behind the bars
Lead the way, we can't wait to see where you take us.

One Moment

OTN

I have made a tiny bit of progress on the April Showers Cowl. It's dragging a bit...I have decided to start a spring/summer sweater in hopes that I will move along faster on the cowl. I think I work faster knowing there's more than one project alive in the basket. This is the pattern:
http://blog.a-common-thread.com/2011/05/knit-pattern-striped-breathless-sweater.html
I just have to choose my yarn. I definitely want to go with cotton. I even like the two colors used in the pattern. Yarn shopping..yipee!

I also saw this adorable pattern on the same blog.. http://blog.a-common-thread.com/ How freaking cute is that bow:) Hoping it's as easy as it seems.. Purple or Pink?? It's a Maddie project.
http://blog.a-common-thread.com/2009/10/knit-pattern-moss-stitch-bow-headband.html

I Spy

Daffodils & Crocuses...hmmm, in February??

Monday Music

Painting

It's strange how you have moments when you spontaneously pick a book & are totally blown away. Or pick an interview to watch & are totally enamored with someone you never knew past a voice. Recently this happened to me, I stumbled onto an interview with Tony Bennett and was amazed by this sweet man. He had such a realness about him that is hard to describe. Such a beautiful voice & career all wrapped up into this adorable person. I had no idea he was a painter. He said he paints everyday. You can find him in Central Park early in the day. I was inspired by that.

Also, Charley Harper, another artist found his way into my library bag a few weeks ago. I felt the same fascination of him. I have spent a lot of time looking through a collection of his work. I love Charley's birds! Everything about his art just makes me happy. Maybe one day, I'll post a bird for you to see. My artistic abilities are lacking, but it doesn't stop me from trying. For now, I will show you Jack's street scene.

This Moment

OTN still

April Showers Cowl continues to grow. I have a feeling this may be a complete project around spring..April:) How perfect. I love the purple & even though it's a very slow going project, it feels good to slow down the knitting needles a bit & enjoy the brief moments of making this one come alive.

Jack's box

boxes of notes arrived yesterday that made me smile.
notes that came from a place, it's nice to feel inside.
smells, like the wrapper inside a candy box
wafted in the air
while you were all smiles,
dancing in your chair.

Valentine's

With a little help from Catherine over @ http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com, I found a simple & sweet way to make Valentines "pb&j cookies." Happy Valentines! Hope you had time to find some sweetness in your day.

Monday Music

Hearts

I've never melted crayons before today!! We had so much fun with this. Surprisingly, they turned out just like I was hoping.
Peeling the crayons with a little help from hot water was the messiest part. 225 degrees for 15 minutes on a waxed paper pan..should have used a glass pyrex dish...next time! They melted into something that looked more and more like chocolate as it cooled. Cool for 5-10 & used a cookie cutter to cut out. The underside was beautifully colored..Crayon Hearts!!

New Spaces

It always feels good to change things up every now & again. Today..I set up a small sewing nook for me & rearranged some furniture:)

OTN still

My second mitten isn't quite as friendly as the first. I've struggled a bit decreasing the end & finally settled on just letting it be done. My Virgoian-self had a hard time with how the end felt. For some reason, this last mitten feels less flexible & a bit rigid where you bend your fingers. I've begun the thumb & will be happy to send this pair along to hopefully keep someone's hands nice & warm this winter.

A Logo

Jack's homework assignment was to make a logo...with lots of geometric rules..had to have atleast 10 polygons, 10 lines, 10 angles. This is what he came up with:)

February ago..

We've had such a mild winter, I'm kind of worried...does this mean winter will be longer or shorter??? Honestly, I don't miss the icicles from last year.

Monday Music

Weekending

This Moment

OTN

Yes, I have a mitten for you to see:) My first mitten. We had a moment together when I finished it...seriously. Seeing that it was my first time attempting this, I really doubted myself, but I pulled it off. I'm making these for someone, so sadly I will have to say goodbye once the other one is done. Part 2...I ran out of the "Lopi Icelandic Wool" that I had found at a thrift store for $1. I kind panicked since I wasn't sure if I could find it anywhere. Luckily, I was able to find it on Etsy. Thank you smurfyarn over at -
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SmurfYarns
Now once I receive the yarn, I can hopefully duplicate my first mitten & finish up my first set!!

Others that I started or continued this week: wrist warmers for me..I lost one of striped gray & mustard wristwarmers, so I started making a solid mustard color pair to replace those. Hoping to add an embroidered look on top. I also continue to work on the "April Showers Cowl."

A Plan

This is John's sketch of our new "entertainment center." Plans are underway..