Bronte Along

Bronte Along was an invitation I received a week or so ago.  I thought to myself  - "don't do it.  I suck at following on these things!"  But I decided why not?  It may give me some new images and new ways to work.  Something that I always get a thrill from.  All the details can be found here.  It was all brought about by Yummy Goods.

So I have added one more thing to my list of things MaryAnn needs to do.  But somehow this feels a bit different.  I am starting to feel the bubbling of possibilities. Besides what better way to procrastinate then to read a good book.  Right now I want the books to give me images and not the films.  Silly perhaps but that is what feels right.

Looking at it Differently

I am at a point that I can start working on some things that are not mobile related.  This is a good thing.  But it also feels a bit weird.  After all I have other ideas...right??? Well I do and I had what was tons of them but some how they have magically disappeared.  I was never good at the journal/dairy/sketchbook thing.  I really do need to get better with writing and sketching stuff down.  But to get back on point I am looking at things that may give me a jumpstart and maybe in a way I hadn't thought of.

I started taking pictures and it all comes down to looking at things differently.  Here are some pictures that I may or may not use as a jumping off point.

Differences are interesting and then where to go from here?

Handwork - Knitting

I rediscovered knitting last year.  I had not knit in probably 15 years when I picked it up again.  I decided that I needed to learn how to make socks.  Socks from the toe up on circular needles two at a time so no sock orphans happen kind of knitting...phew!  So I have been knitting and looking at all of the new and wonderful things that have happened in the knitting world. Fifteen years ago the internet was not really happening for me so now that it is WOW!


There are knitting communities such as Ravelry or the Knitting Daily.   Or just plug in free knitting pattern of whatever you are looking for and voila!  instant fix.  I am still on my sock addiction kick.  However etsy has not only a plethora of  handspun yarn but handknitted goods like these pillows from Strikk . I think they are just fabulous with the ruffled effect that they have.

The term ruching is what I think is the correct verbiage.  Doesn't really matter because they are just simply wonderful.


Then I found this sock yarn from BlackSheep Dyeworks.  I have more then enough yarn for the next few projects but this will have to go on my list of what I need (yes need!) to buy for a future pair of socks. 

Of course the vest yarn from Rowan has to be made up first.  Yes it does! or I will just buy and drool and never produce.

During my quickie tour of the category knitting on etsy I came across this really cool idea.  It is for a ball bowl.  It keeps the yarn ball from running away across the table and floor.  This nifty item (handmade) can be found through Julie Knowles Pottery Shop.

Of course I have a tin one with a cover that is from the 1930s.  I love it. I don't use it for yarn though.  It has my pocket change in it.  When it gets full I empty the coins, roll them and then go buy new supplies for  creating.  This time it just may be for knitting goodies.

I also have come back and edited this post because I wrote it on the fly and when I first woke up.  Two things that do not make a coherent sentence. 

A Piece of Heaven Called Pie

 I have had a fun filled weekend full of all sorts of activity.  I worked in my studio making mobile components and fabric paper. I took pictures of items to post in the Second Life shop But the big event was that I rendered leaf lard for pies. Then today I made a half dozen blueberry turnovers and a pie.  But lets back up here.

RENDERED LARD!  Egads! are my arteries slamming close as I type.  No they aren't. Is lard something I would eat on a daily basis...mmmm..no.  But this stuff tastes so good I wouldn't mind!  It was an easy peasy process to do.  I did it because I love to cook and I had always heard that a lard based crust was the flakiest and most tender.  I gotta say its true.  I got a crust recipe from the pie authority (love the web), Kate McDermott, who has a truly wonderful blog and a fabulous life making pie. I had beforehand had always thought the shortening crust from Rose Levy Berenbaum was the ultimate.  In a pinch, meaning no lard, I would make that.  It is still good.  But this well...I have found a piece of heaven called pie.  But of course I forgot to take a picture of the pie.  It is to late now cause its gone.  BUT  here are the turnovers.  They were yummy too.

 

After making turnovers and pie we took a drive down the highway to Boothbay.  We went and visited the Maine Botanical Gardens.  It looks like it will be a really hopping place once spring gets underway.  They had some wonderful sculpture placed throughout the winding drive to the center.  I think I would like to get back there before the tourist season really heats up.