Doing It In Public...

Knitting, that is!

...what did you think I meant?  Get your mind outta the gutter!

Today was Worldwide Knit In Public Day, and we braved the 110 degree heat to take part in the event at The Knit Addiction.  As I had mentioned before, the only things I've knit so far are hexipuffs so I consider myself more of a crocheter than a knitter.  One of these days I hope to add socks to my crafting resume.

There were several of us out on the sidewalk in front of the shop today working on all kinds of different projects: sweaters, socks, blankets, hats, adorable little mice, and even crocheted tacos!  Miss Jellybean was there with me as well, working on bead bracelets.  Trips inside the shop for the air conditioning and the water cooler kept us from melting into the pavement, along with a stop at the ice cream shop across the street.  (Hooray for Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet!)

Oh, by the way - we even yarn-bombed Festus. (Ken Curtis, the actor who played Deputy Festus Haggen in Gunsmoke lived his later years in Clovis - in case you were wondering why there is a random cowboy statue in the middle of Old Town Clovis)

The hexipuffs are still coming along slowly.  Since I'm not really knitting at home recently, I only work on them on my lunch breaks or during long car trips.  I'm focusing more on my miniatures lately.  I was able to find some great supplies at a local bead store, and I'm going to be making several more of those adorable little hurricane lamps that I am currently in love with.  I also found a different style of glass shade, and I'm going to work on making holiday (and everyday) candle centerpieces.

But I do have something new to learn in the world of knitting!  I won one of the doorprizes today.  It's a kit to make a beautiful knitted bracelet with beads.  It will be a challenge, but I think I'm up for it!

Tweet

This Little Light of Mine

One of the best things about making dollhouse miniatures is the variety of materials that can be used to make them. As much as I love my polymer clay, I also really enjoy making lamps such as these from beautiful art glass beads, cloisonne beads, and jewelry findings.
On the subject of jewelry supplies, I am very sad to say that my favorite local jewelry suppy store, JewelArt, is going out of business at the end of the month after almost 39 years :( The combination of competition with online suppliers, other local businesses and a deteriorating neighborhood has made it impossible for them to stay in business. JewelArt, you will be missed! I will have to see what the other local stores have to offer- I've never had a reason to check them out before.
I hope the new venues will carry some of what I need, and maybe some new inspiration?  Miniaturists are nothing if not resourceful.  I hold on to so many tiny bits and pieces because I just know they can be used to make something awesome.  And it never fails, as soon as I finally decide to throw something out, I think of the perfect use for it a couple days later.  Hello, my name is Katherine and I'm a Craft Hoarder.

Ok, fess up - what's the most ridiculous craft supply that you hoard?  I know I'm not alone!

By the way, those cute lamps up there are now available for purchase in my miniatures shop on Etsy.

Tweet

Fords, Fruits, Fiber, Fitness, and Fun!

(or... I really hate having to think up a post title)

It's Mother's Day afternoon, and while The Mr. is manning the grill and Miss Jellybean is out collecting rocks and roly-polys, I thought I'd take a minute to share some pictures from our weekend so far.

 

We spent our Friday night at the opening night for the Old Town Clovis Farmer's Market.  You can find us there often on Friday nights from May through September.  We love to browse through all the vendor booths and farm fresh produce.  Miss Jellybean loves to join in with all the other kids and dance to the live music.  We always have a great time.  And I just can't resist taking pictures of old cars.  Love these Model A's!

No trip to the Farmer's Market is complete without a stop at my favorite yarn shop, The Knit Addiction.  The Mr. even encouraged me to add to my yarn stash.  Geek Chic yarn rocks!

We didn't buy a whole bunch of veggies this week, but we did get some cucumbers for pickling, cherries and apriums, Dairy Goddess chocolate milk, Smiling Oranges orange juice (the BEST orange juice ever!), Fagundes Santa Fe jack cheese, and hummus and pita from Baba Foods.  Yummy!

Saturday morning started early.  The Mr. signed up to run a 5K with a group of friends.  The race was an obstacle course based on the show Wipeout. Costumes were encouraged, and his team decided to dress up like superheroes.  They won first place in the group costume contest.  Don't they look great?  Miss Jellybean was most excited about throwing water balloons at daddy and Mr. Chad (the assistant director from her preschool).  Running is really not my "thing" but this whole race looked like fun and I would have loved to do it as well.  (Although I'm glad I didn't sign up for it because all day yesterday I was fighting bad allergies/cold/sore throat...something)

In the past year, The Mr. and I have both worked on getting healthier.  We both lost over 60 lbs (although I have fallen off the wagon a bit and have gained back about 15 since the holidays).  I need to work on getting back on track, but the hubs has been very committed, and I just want to say that I am super proud of him!

I had hoped to have more time for crafting this weekend, since my Etsy shops are looking bare and my head is full of new ideas, but I wouldn't change a thing because I had a great time with my little family and friends.  :)  On a side note, I really don't know how all you mommy bloggers do it!  I've had to come back and work on this post about half a dozen times and it's taken me almost 3 hours to post it!  I really hope to be able to keep up with this blogging thing, as well as crafting, and work, and keeping things running here at home.  I may be married to Superman, but Superwoman I am not!



Tweet