A Crafty Yarn

............................... Merry Christmas!!! ..................................... “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~Hamilton Wright Mabi

It's been getting below freezing here for the past several days. I really needed to get some work done outside and today was the day...I cleaned up the yard, cleaned out the chiminea and worked in the garden. My plan is to give the lasagna gardening method a try. I raked this year's soil and mulch smooth and sprinkled 2 huge bags of coffee grounds over the top. For anyone who isn't already aware - Starbucks gives away free bags of their spent espresso grounds! I covered that with several inches of fallen leaves and topped that off with wet newspaper. I poured liquid compost over the whole thing and put down several sheets of cardboard. We'll see how all that works! As I was shifting things around found this little guy: I also harvested a bunch of Rosemary and tried to insulate my herbs so they'll survive winter...fingers crossed!

We found out a few weeks ago that Jake has cancer. We went through some sad days where he was feeling really poorly but he seems to have bounced back for the time being. This picture is so great because Lola has no tolerance for Jake...doesn't like him to be in her space AT ALL. But since he's been sick she is much more patient with him...I just think that's really special.

I needed a cover to put a Kindle in and I had the idea to make one with felt…now that I’ve tried it I’m hooked! I first knit a big stretchy piece on circular needles. You can see how large it is: Then I threw it in the washer for 3 cycles and like magic...it felted! It shrunk, got really thick and isn't stretchy at all: It was pretty cool to see the total change in texture… here is an up close look at the knitting: and here it is felted: Once it was dry I cut off a small part to make a side flap and sewed some velcro onto the inside of it and on the outer edge. Then I added some vintage buttons and finally I needle felted a design onto it:

I cannot believe how long it's been since I've posted here!  To catch up...I'm still working as a Police/Fire Dispatcher and 9-1-1 Callltaker... The garden did pretty well for me this year although I didn't get many tomatoes because the squirrels beat me to the punch!   I've kept myself out of trouble by working on some projects:     I've acquired a few more drop spindles this year and I really wanted to make something to keep them safe so I came up with these tubes. Believe it or not these started out as USPS one rate boxes....

This morning we thought it would be nice to drive over to Lake Conway and watch the sun come up...it was a beautiful sight!

Today we went for a long drive and ended up at the Natural Bridge. From the Arkansas State Parks Website: Hidden away in the scenic beauty of the Ozarks, this 100-ft. sandstone formation was millions of years in the making. The stone archway was actually used as a bridge during pioneer days. Facilities include a log cabin museum and gift shop.   It really was fun... I adore that area! Every time I drive up there, I hit Damascus and feel this huge sense of relief and happiness...Someday I want a little cabin somewhere between Damascus and Leslie. We've driven past the entrance to the bridge at least a half dozen times and never pulled in...I'm so glad that we finally did! The drive down the hill was incredibly steep with several very sharp curves and made me thankful that we just had the car in the shop!        

This is SO stinking cool!!!

Today I volunteered with the Special Olympics.  It was so much fun and it really served as a reminder to quit whining about why you can't do something and just go do it!!! The people I met today face tremendous obstacles and yet still come out to compete with a smile on their face!

  A picture to share...   This is what it looks like when I blog...Jake loves to lay his head on my computer anytime it's open...actually he likes to lay on top of the computer...but ya gotta draw the line somewhere! Ummm....so yeah...awkward....that is indeed Duct Tape holding my computer together....I've been looking for a new one....I just get so attached...

2009 was a crazy roller coaster ride that left me weak kneed and ready for terra firma! I didn't blog, I didn't cook, I didn't stay in touch with friends, I didn't exercise, I didn't read, I didn't do anything.....EXCEPT got a new job. '09 was a rough one for me... learning the new job and treading water in my personal took all I had in me.... BUT...it's 2010 and things are looking up :o)