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Joplin-Hope and Healing

Mural of Hope-15th and Main, Joplin, MO-taken on a rainy afternoon last October with my iPhone-so not the clearest Today’s extra blog is dedicated to the people of Joplin. I know that the year anniversary of Joplin’s tornado is today. But the one thing I will always remember is that it was a Sunday. IContinue reading “Joplin-Hope and Healing”

Spinning a Yarn-The Iconic Newsboy Hat

Even Barbara, Barbie and Buster have their Newsboys The last item of my knitting trilogy* is the Newsboy hat. The Newsboy is one of the most iconic hats of the late 19th and 20th century. This hat goes by many other names: Flat Hat, Gatsby Hat, Gold Hat, Driving Cap, among others. Call it whateverContinue reading “Spinning a Yarn-The Iconic Newsboy Hat”

Can’t See The Forest For The Trees-Craft National 2012 & Thought Splatter

Can’t see the Forest For the Trees. Rachelle Gardner-2012 Two years ago, I gave my youngest daughter a $99 sewing machine so she could sew, mend, and what not. The what not has turned into some incredible stitched visions. One of them is Can’t See The Forest For the Trees. A link for the processContinue reading “Can’t See The Forest For The Trees-Craft National 2012 & Thought Splatter”

Spinning a Yarn-Borrowing From Vintage (again)

Close up of the finished scarf with it’s silk Shibori lining I have always been drawn to the below shawl in my book Vogue Knitting’s Vintage Collection. The pattern combines knitting and sewing, which probably explains the attraction. Halfway into the “Purple Scarf”, I decided it was a good candidate for the lined option. ThereContinue reading “Spinning a Yarn-Borrowing From Vintage (again)”

Willie Cole-Scorching For the Sake Of Art

Garden (Ozone Summer series). 1991-scorch marks on canvas-94 x 48 in. Last year the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City featured Pattern ID. Visually, the exhibition was incredible with a group of artists that spanned the world. For me, Willie Cole was the favorite. Willie Cole is best known for assembling and transformingContinue reading “Willie Cole-Scorching For the Sake Of Art”

Good To Go

The instructions said to CO 15 stitches with the largest needles using the thickest yarn I had. I think I am good to go. I am knitting as much as I can this weekend, dye it some bright color Sunday night, dry it on Monday, and get to the right people Tuesday. There is goingContinue reading “Good To Go”

Garden Thyme-Hostas, Mason City, and Frank Lloyd Wright

I first fell in love with Hostas in Mason City, Iowa. We were touring the Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House, a preserved Usonian house.. All around the property were beautiful huge Hostas with dark blue green leaves. For years after that, I would buy what ever Hostas Wal-Mart had on sale. Finally, I decided thatContinue reading “Garden Thyme-Hostas, Mason City, and Frank Lloyd Wright”

Spinning a Yarn-Give Those Hands Some Gloves!

I decided that after 25 years in knitting, it was time to knit gloves and knit them for my kid. Step one was to trace a hand and take all the appropriate measurements that are needed for a fitted glove. I then turned to two of my tried and true resources. My two booksContinue reading “Spinning a Yarn-Give Those Hands Some Gloves!”

What To Do With My FLOR Samples

So I probably went over board ordering FLOR samples in trying to get just the right look for my rooms. Yesterday, I was staring at all of them and decided to get out the duct tape and see if I could actually put them to more use than just taking up space. And I nowContinue reading “What To Do With My FLOR Samples”

An Old Survivor

Michael and I have been taken by this tree every time we go to Joplin. It is on 20th Street just west of RangeLine. Today, we both finally had our cameras with us. The Home Depot, WalMart and Academy are nearby. This tree is an Osage Orange. By the size of it’s trunk, Michael thinksContinue reading “An Old Survivor”