The giant sucking sound...

... of time just d.i.s.a.p.p.e.a.r.i.n.g.
Pinterest who'd a thunk you would bring such joy... and such pain.
All I did was type in "knitting"....


You need to sign up and wait and wait and wait for an invite to this beta site. Once in you can keep photo records of all the things that inspire you on the web. Knitting, food, home decor, travel... anything that your heart desires! You can peek into the pinnings of others and they can be inspired by yours!!
Little hint--- if you know someone already "pinning" they can invite you immediately! Hey, I'm already pinning... hmmmm.
Just share with me your addie and I'll send you an invite.
Now, just don't blame me if the dishes are piling up; laundry is waiting; lawn is not mowed; cupboards are bare....
;-D

postscript 01/30/2011
I wish to share what some very clever readers are doing.
If you do not want to broadcast your email addie
but wish an invite...
simply do the following:

Step 1- Add your comment to this post with your email addie.
Step 2- Delete your comment.

I will get an email with your comment and address
but the rest of the world will be none the wiser...
you all are such smarties!

Don't you love it...

... when you happen upon something that makes you smile?
I'm a big keeper of ticket stubs, matchbook covers, cardboard coasters, cafe receipts. I tuck them into t-shirt drawers and yarn baskets and into books. I love that instant when one of those treasures shows itself. It is a priceless treat to be transported back to a lovely moment.
I've also kept many pretty postcards and lots and lots of snapshots...

I recently tripped across this photo from a pattern booklet I worked on years ago.
This fantastic face belongs to my great nephew. Yes... my great nephew! If you do the math... I know, it is impossible!!
Simon is now twice as big.
As soon as I could, I popped it up on Facebook and tagged him in the image.
I thought for certain it would cause grumbles of embarrassment.
BOY, WAS I WRONG!
Within a minute of it appearing he made it his profile picture. And, it has remained his picture for over a week now.
I look forward to his posts so I can see that wonderful smirk under that fishy little cap. And, ooohhh those freckles.




I dug through some of my working files of the various fish motifs I worked on while developing the design.
You can use it to come up with your own cap. Or use it on a bag... or a pocket... or a patch on a blanket... or turn it on it's tail and make it into socks...
Enjoy the full moon!

Back in the "dark ages" of the internet......

... about.com always seemed to be the place I ended up when I was searching for stuff I was interested in.


Best Cheap Eats in New York City? about.com
Is that a tick on my dog? about.com

How do I make this $5 yard sale find look like a million bucks? about.com
How do I make a sourdough starter? about.com
You get the idea.


This internet resource is still one of the best ones out there.
Well, every year they hold a Reader's Choice Awards. This year they have expanded the award categories... and now knitting is included!!

You can nominate your favourite wool yarn, cotton yarn, sock yarn, knitting needles and...


... best book of 2010!


If you'd like.... you can vote for "Gifted".
That would make my publisher happy and that would make me happy... :-D
I am a wee bit uncomfortable with blatant self promotion... it might show.
Click here to do all of your voting!

12...

...Rules to Live By

I posted these words by Robert Louis Stevenson back in July 2008.
I know I needed to hear them again today...

• Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
• Make the best of circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously.
• Don’t let criticism worry you. You can’t please everybody.
• Don’t let your neighbors set your standards; be yourself.
• Do things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.

• Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.
• Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities and grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
• Have many interests. If you can’t travel, read about places.

• Don’t spend time brooding over sorrows and mistakes.
• Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
• Keep busy at something. A very busy person never has time to be unhappy.

When you read the words it seems so simple.

It's all in the application... don't forget to breathe!

Be still...

... my heart.


These four, simple words fully capture the way I felt the first time I stepped through the door of Americo Original.
It was all I could do to keep from not forgetting to breathe in and breathe out....

Warning!
Gratuitous and wantonly tempting yarn shop/nirvana photos ahead

This Queen Street West location, a few doors down from Bathurst, has become a Toronto yarn lovers mecca of all things lush and lovely.

Tempting baskets filled with fantastic pima cotton in a thick and thin fingering weight...

... snuggled next to bodaciously, bulky butter-soft wools.


There are loose, calling reelings of smooth, cool cottons in the most lovely shades...


... and gently twisted skeins of warm wools.


Ooooh... and lookie at what we have here! A whole wall of Winter Flame--- that seductive alpaca/wool of Mothed fame!
If I were asked, "if you could only knit with one yarn for the rest of your life, what would that one yarn be?" I would not hesitate on an answer. Americo Winter Flame!
The colours... the hand... the drape!
Sometimes I think it is fortunate I live about two hours away. Any closer and I could easily become The Crazy Yarn Lady because of my potential daily "fix".


Such lucky kniterati Toronto has!
Such a gem of a shop!!



Oh, and not to worry if you swoon and faint from fibre overload....

...even the copper ceiling is something to inspire.

A brand new year...

... and a wonderful new chapter!
Today I say goodbye to a wonderful era that spanned 18 years.
Today I open my arms to all the wonderful opportunities a fantastic change always brings.
As of today, January 1st, 2011, I and my partner have ended a licensing agreement with a company that made our Mission Falls yarns available to yarn shops for the past five years.
In a nut shell...

Many of you may not be aware that I was creative director of Mission Falls for 13 years and chief designer for 15. Even less of you may know that almost half a lifetime ago I co-founded and created Mission Falls yarns. All of the building and creating and learning.... what fun that was! What a gift!!
Being removed from the day to day of the business operations at Mission Falls for the past five years and not contributing creatively for three years has made the good-bye to this "baby" fairly easy.
I have authored books, contributed designs, overseen projects, made all sorts of "stuff" and traveled the world independent of Mission Falls and I am loving it.
I am sad, however, that Mission Falls yarns and patterns will do longer be available to you, the knitter, crocheter and maker.
Every time I read or hear mention of Mission Falls yarns it is almost always focused on the colours that defined them. I ADORE colour and it has always warmed me to know that my love of colour brought joy to others. Thank you!
Well, I am off to create more lovely colours.... fresh and fabulous colours... what a gift!