Words and Wool

I think it's been a few weeks since I posted any project updates. Strangely, I have been lacking motivation in the creative arena. Even sewing flowers is failing to pick me up like it usually does. Perhaps I am in need of a little summer therapy. :)

But I am working on flowers nevertheless, and from time to time stitching together another row on my crochet afghan, as well as putting in the last rows on another little knitted neckerchief. Have you seen the new Mandala Craze that is hitting the crochet world thanks to Lucy at Attic24? I really do love the mandalas and want to try my hand at some this summer. I think I could use them on my tea trolley, or in the center of my table!

I did another little flower workshop for a few friends a week or two ago. We had a lot of fun, and plenty of good food to keep us going!

The results were beautiful!!!!! These ladies did so well!

 And can you see the hand knitted cardigan behind this flower?

 My friend brought along several pairs of mittens she had knitted -- just love the intricate work!!!! I'm still not tempted to try color work like this. It seems way too hard! Maybe someday!

Remember the bunny egg cozies I made for Easter? Well, another friend hunted out an antique one she had from when she was a child. Isn't it adorable?!!!

As for books:

The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family's Life with Art and Creativity--Includes over 60 Art Projects for Children Ages 1 to 8 by Jean Van'T Hul is an amazing new book bent on encouraging parents to give their children the chance to exercise their creative muscles as much as possible. The author discusses how to make art happen in your busy life, what kinds of supplies to have on hand and then gives 60 great art project ideas. Even better, she's got a terrific bibliography in the back -- books for adults/parents, books for kids, blogs, etc. I would highly recommend this book to parents of younger children.


Gluten-Free Pasta: More than 100 Fast and Flavorful Recipes with Low- and No-Carb Options by Robin Asbell gave me hope that maybe I could enjoy fresh pasta again! Her recipes sound easy enough -- I just need to buy some guar gum and I will be off and running! I can't wait! Not only does she have recipes to make pastas, but much of the book contains recipes for sauces, etc. to go with the pasta which could work for many diets.

Knit Your Own Zoo: Easy-to-Follow Patterns for 24 Animals is a book I ran across at the library today. Too cute!!!! But then I discovered there are also the following books!!!:


Knit Your Own Cat: Easy-to-Follow Patterns for 16 FriskyFelines


Knit Your Own Dog: Easy-to-Follow Patterns for 25 Pedigree Pooches
(and there is a second dog book in case your pedigree isn't in the first one!)

Knitted Nursery Rhymes: Recreate the traditional tales with toys is another book I saw at the library which has some great ideas for knitting for kids!


Stillmeadow Seasons is the most recent book by Gladys Taber that I have finished. Her writing is so calming and relaxing. I'm so glad she wrote 59 books!

Good Morning, Miss Dove by Frances Gray Patton was a delightful, vintage novel about a spinster school teacher in a classic American town many years ago. "To teach is to touch a life forever" is really the theme of the book.


Betsy and the Emperor by Staton Rabin was a clever way to study the last years of Napoleon Bonaparte's life on St. Helena. It is told through the eyes of a 13 year old girl who befriends him. Much of the story is based on true facts! It certainly kept our attention and hopefully will serve to keep Napoleon in the children's mind over the years. There were one or two references that I felt were more for adults than children, but otherwise I thought the book was well done.

And now for more ideas on knitting and reading, visit Ginny's Yarn A Long.

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