More Self-Portraits

Self-Portrait Tuesday

I took these in my office this afternoon.





They look very different from some of the first self-portrait Tuesday pictures I took, and might I just say the the afternoon light in my office is spectacular. These are untouched photos in terms of color.


Here's an update on what I'm knitting.

This is my almost-finished, organic cotton Francis sweater.









This is the very start of my Hemlock ring lap throw done in cotton as well (but not organic).





Hopefully I'll be able to update in a few days with a finished object and a larger Hemlock Ring.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know...I'm a day late and a dollar short. At least I'm getting it posted.
I'm getting ready to do something at which most women would shudder. These pictures show exactly what women do to make themselves "presentable" to the world each day, because, as we all know, the natural beauty God has given us is not enough, and we need to "perfect" it. Dripping sarcasm, anyone? Most women would rather boil their feet than have anyone see them first thing in the morning. Well, here goes.

The before:

And the after:

Not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, but more presentable. I suppose that is what women, deep down, realize they are doing. Not perfecting, but working the best they can with their flaws.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

Yes, that is a Boomwhacker in my hand!



Pictures of my Classroom:

Sub Days

Sorry I didn't get to do a Self-Portrait Tuesday yesterday. I had the computer unplugged because of the storms.

I did, however, get pictures of my classroom yesterday.
Things with which to create:

Things created:

No wonder my sinuses hate me:

And now for creations of my own:

I finally got this bag finished. I sewed in the wool lining and the strap last night. The bag itself is knitted out of 20% wool 80% acrylic.

I got this coat done a while ago, but just got around to taking pictures of it. I would like to put some dark brown wooden toggle buttons on it, but I don't have any right now. The only thing I don't like about this pattern is the lack of pockets. It was really easy to stitch up.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

Yes, I did wear my Crocs to work today with my pin-stripes. I was very comfortable, thank you.

With the massive amounts of pouring down rain today, both outside AND in my classroom, all lesson plans were quickly abandoned. We did two rounds of Sitting Next to Me and then proceeded to sing all the winter songs from Story Hour (Sabrina would be proud) while sitting in a circle on the floor. I then played a piece of music on the piano and then went around the circle and had each child tell me what came to mind during the song. That went over about as well as extra Christmas presents...they absolutely loved it! Then I read a story to them called "Nanna Hannah's Piano" which took up enough of the left-over time so that we didn't have any down "do what-ever-you-like-run-around-crazy-hey-I'm-in-kindergarten" time. So, tomorrow, all lesson plans will be abandoned, we are all taking a piece of paper, dividing it into fourths, and drawing while listening to music. Can't stinkin' wait!

Self-Portrait Tuesday: Of the Inward Variety

The question has been posed: Why create and buy handmade?

I am a creative individual. There is no reason for me to think act eat learn look like every other American of this generation.

The question has been posed: Why spend two hours two day two weeks two months creating something that can be bought and made mine in five minutes?

When you create you learn something about yourself. You become part of a tradition that so many before you made a reality. You depend on yourself to determine who you become rather than depending on Ralph Lauren Banana Republic Wonder Bread Target. You teach yourself how to be you instead of allowing Brad Pitt Lindsay Lohan Julia Roberts to dictate who what how you should be.

The question has been posed: Why create?

'Why not?' is my response.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

Just relaxin'

Self-Portrait Tuesday

I've done some baking today. I made a massive pot of chili for supper and I'm working on some bread. I made this apron several years ago and it still makes me happy.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

This is my eye...slightly crinkly...slightly hazel...slightly bad (ok, really bad)vision. This is my entrance to the world!!

Self-Portrait Tuesday

It is not only once again Self-Portrait Tuesday, but also CHRISTMAS!! So Happy Christmas to all of you and yours.

Yes, I am still unashamedly taking pictures of my hair...my naturally untidy hair. Actually, it looks pretty good today, so I thought I'd make it my SPT pic.

Here are some of the things that have been going on around here.

I made this hat for Blair for Christmas ( I also made another one in green for M). The pattern came from Knitty.

This little guy's name is Sheldon. I found this pattern on Knitty and decided to make it for Karen. He's so cute (he also now has embroidered eyes).

This is my FAVORITE gift from Blair this year. A sewing machine! I now longer have to drive to my mom's house to sew and hope that I have everything when I get there. I have already made a few small projects as I get to know my new friend.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

Now that our internet is back up, I can go ahead with Self-Portrait Tuesday.

It's been a long time since my hair was long enough to do this. I think the last time my hair was braided was when I was in Hansel and Gretel. Very exciting!

Self-Portrait Tuesday

This is my hand engaging in one of my (current) favorite activities. Knitting. It's so relaxing and rewarding, not to mention the joy people feel when they receive a hand-made gift. Go make something today!

Self-Portrait Tuesday and other musings

I've borrowed the idea from one of the blogs I read daily to do a "self-portrait Tuesday." These are pictures of me, either old or new, that provide some insight into my world. Today's self-portrait is of me in my pj's (yes, still, at 8:20 on a Tuesday morning). I love these pj pants. They're so warm, so soft, so cozy. I slip into these as soon as possible most evenings and just enjoy being home in them.

In unrelated thoughts, I have been feeling rather crafty of late. A feeling which has been hampered, sadly, by the lack of a sewing machine. So many ideas and designs floating around my already too-cramped brain. I'm afraid I'll lose them forever to forgetfulness. I have so many lovely plans for my dear little Etsy shop. My little shop with its many admirers and compliments and no purchases. I don't quite know how to handle this seemingly failed brain-child of mine. It's hard for someone who has a do-it-yourself-and-get-it-done-right type personality to put out a project whose success is completely independent of said person's actions. The success of my little store is in the hands of others (and in my mind, a dangerous place to be, indeed!). I don't do well with failure (very few people do, I imagine). All I can do is wait patiently on that one person whose fancy is struck by my imagination...