Things have felt rather heavy for me this week. There have been some sadnesses, some questions, some discussions, some concerns. Nothing serious but a combination of things that have weighed me down.

While I’ve been needing extra rest these last few days, it has been hard to let go of some things. Harder to be still and leave certain tasks for another time. Harder to trust. Harder to wait.

This afternoon found me at a loss. Feeling rather tender and emotional and needing to get out of my sulk. Something took me to the basement past my poor neglected sewing machine and I found myself cutting out fabric for an idea I had in mind.

Despite my touchy sewing machine, my beginner sewing skills and the extra time spent with the seam ripper, it was a wonderful refreshment. A change in attitude and thought that was just what I needed to get over myself and my frustrations. – Rather surprising as I certainly had a lot of frustration while trying to figure out how to construct my project.

After a dinner break, and a consult with my wise husband, I had a solution and soon after that a finished knitting bag out of the cut-off of a hemmed curtain and some quilting cotton I had on hand.

In the end it was one of those sewing conundrums where I thought too hard and suddenly none of it made sense.

Thank goodness for wise hubbies, the freedom of creativity and crafting successes at the end of a long day (or week).

I added a little tool case from the quilting cotton lined with a thrifted pillowcase…a little later in the evening as you can see from the change in lighting.

Just as my knitting feels a little more organized, my mind feels a little less cluttered. Some of that weight has been passed to much more capable shoulders, and some of the peace I felt I was missing has found me again.

Phew.

Wishing you all creative freedom, crafting successes and peace in abundance.

Much love, R

I’m joining Ginny’s yarn along again today sharing two of my passions: knitting and reading.

I’ve been moving rather slower this past week with some extra pregnancy pains but unfortunately the extra rest has had me laying down – at not quite the right height for knitting or reading. Despite that I’ve been searching out chances to grab my knitting bag and current read for a few minutes. I’ve got quite the little station set up on the corner of the couch…knitting bags, a basket of skeins due for the yarn winder, my book, laptop and mason jar of red raspberry leaf iced tea.

I’m almost done the second arm on my elephant. He is looking quite sweet – I can’t wait to get those giant ears on! I’m hoping to get him finished off and in the mail before we leave for vacation next week. I’ve been slacking a bit and had abandoned him in favour of the current birthday sweater. The Wonder Years sweater, which thanks to Jen I’ve name Winnie Cooper, is well under way – I’m about to divide for the underarms. With the birthday only a few weeks away and a load of stockinette ahead I’m hoping I can get it finished in time. I suspect I’m going to need to spend a little time with a few teeny baby knits by way of relief from the same stitches.

Speaking of teeny baby knits, I whipped up a tiny baby hat over the weekend using some beautiful alpaca I received in a most thoughtful gift from Taryn. The alpaca was a dream to knit with and I love the delicate honeydew green. I have a teeny bit of the alpaca left which I’m hoping to pair with a creamy alpaca I have to make a pair of baby socks…I just have to get brave about converting a pattern to work for the bulky weight wool.

On the book front I’m still enjoying The Distant Hours – taking my sweet time and enjoying it rather more slowly than some of my last reads. I don’t think I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed The Forgotten Garden – it had a more magical feel than this current read – although there is plenty of book left to tweak my interest.

I’m looking to gather a few books to take along on vacation with us – anyone have any must read books to recommend? Keeping in mind that I’m a somewhat fragile pregnant lady so I need gentle reads…

I’m looking forward to seeing what else is on the go from other yarn alongers. If you’d like to take a peek, too, visit Ginny at Small Things.

Thanks for visiting!

After a bright and sunny weekend, we’ve had a lazy rainy day. As much as I appreciate sunny days, a rainy day always puts me in mind of hot tea, cozy story times, knitting dreams and quiet afternoons. (A rainy day, that is…a rainy week is an entirely different image of insanity.)

Although the sun has brightened our late afternoon and the sun is calling us back outside there was lots of fun to be had indoors this morning.

Here’s a little peek at what we got up to on this rainy day…

It began with this…I don’t even know what to say about this other than they were clean and he was a willing participant.

Sorry for the grainy photo, it begged showing…and will probably beg showing again at his wedding.

The dress-up box was dumped and little sister was at the mercy of her older siblings.

They were proud of their work.

And then had a display of their own.

Siblings are the best.

Then we moved into strangeness.

I’d like to say they get this from this from their father.

They don’t.

Of course, little brother had to get in on the action.

And while rioting, madness and hilarity ensued downstairs I found the sweet princess enjoying a quiet book on her bed.

I love seeing all the different moods and personalities of these little people. All unique, all precious, all simply wonderful.

And now that the sun is breaking through we’re off for a little visit to our garden where all that rain is doing its best work.

Hope you’ve had a beautiful day!