LIJEWSKI

My friend, Joani, told me about some friends of hers that did their own architectural  letter name picture with shots taken around their cabin.  Duh.  Why didn't I think of that?  What a great idea!  I have looked at those internet sites several times and wanted to get our name done, but was put off by the bottom line.  Well, within about 30 minutes I had the photos taken, changed to black and white, and printed.  Now I need to dash down to our local framing shop that is very reasonable and get them matted and framed.  I am very excited about this!  Since the letters are from our cabin stuff, it means so much more.  Kay is here sewing with us and a suggestion was made to use her picture for the "K".  That would be fun.  Patrick has a friend named Jay.  I could find a picture of Ellen for the "L".  Everyone has an eyeball I could shoot.  (ouch)  E and S?  Jerilynn   P.S.  CDB book - check it out!

The Honey Cowl

If you follow the Masondixonknitting.com blog, you know about the Honey Cowls that Kay has been cranking out.  I have been on a cowl kick, too.  They are easier to wear, I think, than a long scarf:  you don't have to figure out a fancy way to tie it.  You just throw it over your head a time or two and you're good to go.  You can look on Ravelry at all the Honey Cowls out there.  I used just one skein of yarn, thus, my cowl is a bit narrow.  You use circular knitting needles and just keep going and going.  I lost track of the yarn-overs and the knit-two-togethers now and then so it took me longer than it should have due to the ripping back I had to do.  I might make another one and make it just a bit wider.  I am sure there is a ball and a half around here that would like to be made into something pretty.  Jerilynn  P.S.  The little sweater was liked.  An adult said she wanted one like it so all I have to do is make a 2T size and I am sure it will be plenty big.  What?  Check my gauge?  Oh.

Done, But a Bit Big

This little sweater is knit from Sublime yarn, a baby cashmere merino silk dk yarn, from The Second Little Sublime Hand Knit Book.  I wouldn't even close call me an expert knitter, so when this little "3-6 months" cardigan turned out big enough for a "1-2 year old", I shouldn't have been surprised.  I guess it is better big than small.  Those little babies seem to grow bigger right before our eyes.  I hope the new little granddaughter-to-be will like her sweater and it will keep the chills at bay.  Jerilynn

Chased By the Mess

Chased By the Light  by Jim Brandenburg (1998) :  "Renowned nature photographer Jim Brandenburg gave himself a challenge: for ninety days between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, he would make only one photograph a day. As his shutter opened and closed on that first day, his 90-day journey began. This exquisite book is the result of that bold and immensely personal project."  Jim used FILM, and allowed himself only one shot a day.  Can you imagine being a professional photographer, used to taking shot after shot to get just the right image, but only allowing yourself just one chance to get it right?  These shots were taken in the Northern Minnesota Boundary Waters and the resulting photos and Jim's reflections are not to be missed.  Go to his website and look at the slide show of the photos, but, better yet, buy the book.  You won't be sorry.  I have pondered many times about the sheer abundance of materials I have to work with...fabrics, yarns, beads, paints, photos...I am constantly torn from one project to another, just touching the surface of creativity.  Even in the sewing side of my life...Cottons?  Quilts?  Bags?  Woolfelt?  Embroidery?  What if I took the Jim Brandenburg challenge and limited myself to one craft, one medium, one project a day?  No frogging allowed halfway if the good idea in my brain doesn't translate well into reality.  As you can see from the above photo, I am knee deep in taking the ideas I have and making them work, or in most cases, not work.  Paper cut-outs after paper-cutouts, sample after sample...not right yet,  must be easy enough to explain in a pattern, but still clever enough to ring creative bells.  I have been sewing, thinking, cutting, frogging.  Repeat.  If I DID set up narrow guidelines, would it result in opening up the flow of creative juices and production?  Would it be even more frustrating to learn something from a failed idea and not be able to try again until the next day?  Unfortunately I have some deadlines looming for new patterns, and I must continue to make a mess until something bubbles to the top.  I will come out of the wilderness now and then to tell you how I am doing.  Jerilynn

Dead Fish Hat in Action

Seems like the Dead Fish Hat isn't so scary! Once it was washed in one cycle, it shrunk down and seems like it will be nice warm headgear. Fun! Jerilynn



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Alpine Mess Hall Clean-up Aid

As you can see, I am not over the whole blanket thing yet.  I decided to try to knit a Swiss Army Blanket dishcloth, using the intarsia method for the white cross.  I wasn't exactly sure on how to do it - I have only inserted designs with other colors in something that is knitted in stockinette.  I just twisted and turned the threads so that it looked good, at least on one side.  I haven't washed this yet, which is what I usually do with washcloths to shrink them a bit and make sure I have all the threads secured.  I was just in such a hurry to show you the new cloth.  I bet no one else in the whole world has made one of these.  I know.  You are shocked at that.  Jerilynn

'Tis the Season...

..of love.  Just don't get me an Open Heart necklace.  Don't know why, I just don't like them.  You may say the same for the new heart coasters.  I made the top one first, and after it was embroidered out, I decided the swirl looked a wee bit like an "O", so I digitized an "L", "V" and "E".  I am not quite sure what style this is...Aztec?  Art Deco?  Cave Man?  You can't see the lettering clearly in the picture, but in person it sparkles a bit - I used silver thread.  The interesting thing about these coasters is that the scalloped edge is stitched with a straight stitch through both the red and black Woolfelt.  Then I cut on the lines (memories of paper doll days!), and then trim the top red layer close to the inner heart stitching.  I used the Bernina V6 software, of course.  I have been sewing lots, getting patterns ready for the spring market.  I will show you just as soon as I can.  Jerilynn

Through The Needle

Check out the article in the latest Through The Needle online magazine (free) here. I wrote an article on the Bernina V6 software and it is just hot off the press!  I am sure you will find it fascinating reading! Jerilynn  (It is the link to the BerninaUSA website and my design is the red circle design by the Through The Needle Issue Ten article>)