Zombie Projects

It's been a fantastic football season for those of us from Wisconsin! Packers are going to the Super Bowl!! So while the games have been on, I've been knitting some frivilous zombie projects. Sugar'n Cream was on sale for 1$ a ball, so I bought a bunch and knit up some new washclothes and handtowels form my bathroom. I really like the new colors they've come out with.

Next, is more of the same for the kitchen!!

My Gift from Twilight

This Louet spinning wheel first came into our lives a couple of years ago when our good friend Meredith set out to buy herself a new wheel. She passed on this wheel to Twilight, no charge. Twilight has used this great gift to spin many many skeins of yummy yarn, and develope her amazing spinning skills. Now she's hoping it will do the same for me!! She is paying forward Meredith's gift, and passing the wheel on to me!! Twilight saved up and got herself a great new wheel that can be seen on here. Thank you Twi, I will do my best!! It's much appreciated and so are you!

Yoga Socks

Okay, these ended up being my first CO project of 2011. Yoga Socks! Necessity won out over cashmere! Much needed for someone with Lupus who's feet are always cold. Great project for leftover sock yarn too!

I've got another pair on the needles already!

Looking Back 2010: Seed Show: Part 2

More images from the 2nd annual Seed Art Show, Oct. 8th, 2010. These artists have come together with a common inspiration and passion. Seeds. The mediums vary, from ceramics and painting to jewelry and collage... and more. Regretfully, I misplaced my notebook containing the information about the works titles and artists names. Pray they forgive that I'm sharing the images anyway, with the hopes that I can come back and fill in the missing information later.

These amazing little turtles, made from recycled soup cans, each one carrying it's own little seed.

Beautifully glazed/painted ceramic tiles.

Wonderful collage.

Delicate hanging flags.

More amazing delicate hanings with seed ink prints.

Framed sculptures.

Gorgeous paintings.

and more endearing sculpture/installation work.

I was moved and blown away by all of the artwork, and each artist. It was a truly worthwhile show!!

Happy Birthday Twilight!!

No one will ever convince me that my Besty is sane. My besty is a goof who keeps me laughing til I cry.

My Besty is always there supporting me.

My Besty has a fascination with wearing funky head gear. Or anything else unusual.

My Besty won't hesitate to set aside dignity if it means we're having a good time.

I couldn't have this much fun without her! I love you Twilight!! Happy Birthday Besty!!!

Looking Back 2010: The Seed Show: Part 1

This is from the 2nd annual Seed Art Show, Oct.8th, 2010. My good friend and fellow artist, Merce Mitchell was in this wonderful show. Now, regretfully, I have misplaced my notebook that lists each piece's name. So Merce, forgive me, I'm going to share the images anyway and hopefully come back and fill in the missing information.

These are my very good friends Laura and Meredith. Part of the fiber fiend group of Taos.

Laura with here handsome hubby Paul.

The follow images are beautiful hand felted sculptures made by Merce Mitchell.

Looking Back 2010: Twilight's Art Show

This was the show known as The Taos Open. I had really high hopes of having a finished piece in time to enter, but alas... for reasons I can't even remember now, I didn't make the deadline. BUT the wonderful and talented Twilight DID!! Here are the pics from the shows Open on Sept. 24th, 2010. Twilight, celebrating with excitement!!

Twilight with one of her best friends, Grant. Her husband Thebes was unable to attend, so Grant was the "stand in" husband for the evening, LOL.

Twilight and I in the courtyard, outside the show.

Awwwww! Feel the Love!!

Twilight with her incredible, mind blowing, beautiful Fiber Art Piece: The Portal. This work was inspired by a day trip that she took with our friend Helen, into the mountain wilderness where she experienced the awe of giant ice falls coming down the rock faces. This one inparticle had a cave behind it, and she felt the power of the Goddess in the space. So this is the recreation of that moment in that place.

There is a small woman figure climbing the ice fall into the cave behind it. For more close up pictures of her amazing fiber work, visit Twilight's blog.

2010 Carry Over Projects

These are green and purple entralac legwarmers for my workout partner, Olivia...who's birthday is today. But she understands that my best gifts are most often late!! This is the little sweater dress that I started for myself on 9/22/10. But you know how it goes, I had the woolfest, and birthday gifts to knit, and holiday gifts to knit, and anniversary gifts to knit...so my project was on the back burner for awhile.

This lovely little pattern came out of the Fall 2009 Knitscene issue. I knew immediately I had to have it in my wardrobe!! I'm using Knitpicks worsted washable wool.

I had a little trouble starting out...all due to reading errors. So after knitting 4 skiens worth, this was ripped out and started over, but no worries....it's going great now, and I'm almost done!

And of course, I'm still working on winter curtain panels for my yurt windows!! I've lost track now on how many are left, but I think I have at least 2 more after this one is done. But it's worth it! They are beautiful!!

I'm working on these 3 projects with a frenzy, and dreaming about which project I will CO for as my first project of 2011. I have 3 balls of yellow cashmere waiting for me....Cashmere is a good way to start out a year I think!!

Looking Back 2010

I'm really happy about how I finished out 2010.
It began with a nasty Lupus Flare; and we had to face the fact the treatment I had been on through 2008 and 2009 wasn't working anymore. We struggled with reoccurring flares for the following 7 months, kept under semi-control with high doses of prednisone and plaquenil. I suffered through brain inflamation that terrified me and my whole family. And finally in August, I was approved for the Genentech program that paid for me to begin the CellCept treatment. The 3 month adjustment period was also nasty. 3 months of depression, extreme mood swings, and insomnia; coupled with diarrhea and vomiting.

But all of that seems to have subsided, and I came to the end of 2010 feeling really really good! I've been able to maintain my weight between 140 and 150 lbs. I became, and have successfully stayed, a Non-Smoker. ( not even a single puff from a cigerette, I'm so proud) I have maintained my Yoga and exercise programs, and have increased my flexibility, and strength... and decreased the amount of pain I have in my joints. And I've been fairly good about keeping my diet healthy with organic foods and supplements.

It was a great year artistically, and a great year for forward progress on the home front. It was a great year for strengthing friendships, and family. My husband and I are still madly in love and loving our life together. My children are all moving forward in their lives and doing their very best. I'm so proud of them all.

I look forward to what 2011 brings us, no matter how tough. Here's to another year of loving, comforting, and supporting one another through it all. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!