PT = Pink Therapy Sampler and Knit

Last night, I picked up a Blackbird Design Pink Manor sampler to cross stitch while Mr. Darcy and I watched back to back episodes of Blue Blood. We are on Season 4 now........it's a really good program. We have watched back to back episodes for a while now in the evenings.

So I reached in my long, long ----can't even remember, when I started this----stash of WIPs last night and spent some time on it. I love pink. Specifically in this sampler, Jakey Brown.

After I dusted the project bag off, I decided to try to finish this.

I just stopped mid program and looked at Mr. Darcy and said "this makes me happy!"

Of course, if I didn't have a magnifier lamp and good glasses it would be hard to do.

This is 35 count fabbie.

I'm so close............ I started the "Dear____" part with one over one.

And so I  have some pink projects to finish that should have been a very long time ago.

These gloomy rainy days we are having are perfect for settling in for the evening with some pink therapy after physical therapy.

And so.......... this...........

This is a project I started for a baby that is now..........almost a year old. Yup........all this progress you see was knitted in the NICU waiting room while daddy was sick.

I got to almost finished and put it down. I did use Bernat Baby, a sport weight yarn in acrylic because I wanted it to be very washable. The intended recipient didn't know I was knitting this.

I made a few mistakes in it so now I don't think I will be giving to this year old baby, but..........I think I'm donating it when I finish to a knit group on Ravelry to send to hospitals who accept baby blankets handmade for families of infant loss.

I didn't really go by any special pattern, just rotated stockinette with garter with a consistent garter edge.

The finished size is perfect for newborn-3 months. I just will pick up and knit the last section in garter, wash, fluff, and donate.

Picking up a piece with 100% acrylic again is actually helping me appreciate more of natural yarn fibers.

I know some knitters do not knit with acrylic at all but I have a good bit in my yarn stash from when I fell in love with knitting in the beginnning and I'm sure I will occasionally find some use for it.

On to cook some ham, sweet potatoes and green beans.

More PT this evening as it rains outside again today...........................

Jennifer

Sautee Sunset Summer Scarf Progress

Progress on Sautee Sunset summer scarf I'm making. The colors again are faded due to poor quality on my Ipad camera. I hope to get you a truer representation of the vivid, gorgeous colors when I get my camera fixed. I thought I would share my progress.

This yarn is Santorini which is 58% viscose and 42% cotton. Its a great combo. For a little history I looked up the viscose and basically its a rayon that actually has been around since the 1800's. I found a great little history site discussing cotton and viscose.

If you are interested in a bit more about the type of textile and why it is put in some yarns/fabrics, this is a good short read. I learned a few history bits about it.

click HERE

I started not to post pics as they are faded colors until I could get my camera into working order. Seems like a cloud or lavender effect in these pics but you will get the jist of the design.

I do get a few rows in  each morning really early or at lunchtime. 

I am using a sweet little heart marker progress keeper from Molly.

Her podcast and website is A Homespun House.

I'm starting on the second skein.

Each skein is 125 yards.

I was so surprised at how far the the first one was.

The colorway only has a number and is 2107

It is from Classic Elite Yarns.

I purchased this in Dahlonega Ga at Magical Threads.

I'm using a number 7 Addi circular needles

The actual colors are so vivid and actually look like a sunset on a clear day.

I made increases and decreases to create a "mountainous" effect.

I'm looking forward to incorporating this in my wardrobe with denim and a crisp white shirt and it will also be great into early Fall due to the autumn deep rust colors and navy scattered throughout.

The cotton and viscose with a lace pattern make it a great Summer accessory, not too hot, just right to still wear something you knit!

Our sunsets and sunrises here in North GA mountains are breaktaking.

It is awesome to be inspired to create living here. 

Future posts will show accurate colors of this project with the help of Mr. Darcy soon.

Here's hoping you are getting the weekend starting off at peace and have something on your needles to enjoy this cool Spring air!

For our weekend, we are going out to eat and working around the house cleaning out and donating many many bags of items, and actual pieces of furniture to the local battered women's shelter.

So far we have donated 8 large bags. Much more to go as I simplify our living space. 

See ya soon!

Jennifer

Color Therapy and Sampler Making/Life

Color

Color therapy is definitely a useful tool in many situations, whether child or adult, happy or sad, whatever the case. Sometimes we don't even think about all the colors we are exposed to each day, which ones we love the most and why, and some scientific reasons behind exposures to cheerful colors. I found this link on one of my favorite websites for PTSD--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you click below you will find a physician's explanation for the use of the color wheel.

http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/FAQ-Frank-Ochberg-Color-Wheel-of-Positive-Emotion.html


If you or a loved one has PTSD, first do not be ashamed. It's not something you choose for yourself. There is much help as well. Gift From Within is probably one of THE best scientifically based websites for PTSD and has many, many short webcasts with this physician who has dedicated his life to the specialty. Also, are webcasts on specific PTSD issues with veterans. You might want to check this site out because most likely you will cross paths, knowingly or not, with a friend or family member with this issue. Trust me, the person will frequently not tell someone, because of the stigma, the shame, and the prejudice that comes with it. A counselor is your friend and can really help.

Some myths about PTSD are :

1) it always effects men (absolutely can effect man or woman, child or adult. In fact, more women and children are susceptible to it)

2) it always effects military soldiers (can also affect childhood sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, etc.)

3) jobs will not be prejudiced about it (they will)

4) there is no cure for it (depends on the diagnosis and the length of time before access to treatment, and the person themselves, not always forever and those they do have chronic and are treated, recognize their triggers and have many resources to cope)

5) no one can help ( not true. Anyone can be a positive healthy person or friend for someone with PTSD IF they choose to)

6) people with PTSD are crazy (not true. Please see Gift From Within for biochemical and environmental issues with PTSD)

7) People with PTSD are not loveable. (not true. In fact, they are probably the most sensitive people and loving you can ever meet when you extend trust in a friendship)

8) family members with PTSD should be excluded from family ( a family can choose this but does not help the person with PTSD nor does it help the family unit. For a family not to even try to understand it in this day and time of resources like Gift from Within is unimaginable. If someone is triggered and you do not feel comfortable with this, you can remove yourself but cutting someone off the family is not a healthy way to deal with it although it is often chosen because it's the easiest way)

9) all military men that return from Afghanistan twice, have PTSD. (this actually was told in an interview of a friend who did not have PTSD but had been to war twice) first this is legally wrong to discriminate and second NOT all people who serve our country get PTSD. Society needs educating.

10) a person with PTSD should tell everyone about it. (this is a variable decision based on each person's circumstances. If you choose to tell, be ready for friends/family's to conveniently leave the relationship as they are not confident in themselves or choose the easy way out to not be your friend. Because of the stigma attached to it, people with PTSD sometimes do not; however, I've seen educators who have the disorder incorporate it in their introductions in a positive manner. So there is not a right or wrong but be prepared for people judging you, or even hating you for it. And on rare occasions, it may even help a family member understand you much better and strengthens the relationship.

When I cross stitch or knit, the colorway of the threads or yarn, can greatly be cheerful. The sampler I am working on from The Scarlett Letter is very simple, changing silk colors frequently.

It finally dawned on me through this that there is a pattern to the mixed colors in the sampler.

The colors of the letters go Blue Red Gold Pink . If you look at the color wheel and see how the colors in the sampler could be interpreted, the sampler (red stitching) is surrounded by love. I think this is why I love redwork so much!

 

I love these Kelmscott little scissors that come in all colors as well. I picked up a pair of blue ones in my collection to work on the sampler. Blue is so cheerful.

 

 

 

The colors are cheerful and remind me of the color wheel. Positive thinking.

 

I hope to be done pretty soon on this one. At the homestead in the past week, we have had some major things that have not given me much time at all for stitching. We had a pipe burst and effects 3 rooms and luckily we have insurance but the chaos of moving all the stuff around and calling adjustors and such and working in between has been time-consuming.

 

Through out all this a ray of sunshine is in the distance when we get through. We will have a new kitchen floor and bathroom floor, opportunity to remove the large island and maybe paint the cabinets, make use of some space upstairs better, and most of all, forced me to really clean out the things I don't use anymore, therefore cutting down clutter.

 

So all in all above the loud fans going, it's expedited me de-cluttering for my yearly goal to simplify my life. I've turned a desk that was not used into a vanity for myself and it's SO very nice to sit and do makeup/hair versus standing in a bathroom.

 

When we get done, we will share pics but I do believe this will be further out in time. We have a lot to do. But in between I did just set some time to stitch and when I finish this little sampler I will have a little sense of accomplishment with one thing!!! 

 

I do appreciate all your comments and personal emails. I hope you understand that if I don't respond right now in a timely manner it's not because I do not want to be friends with you. It's a temporary set back we are dealing with in the homestead and a new job taking up a lot of my time. I dearly love all of you that take part of your day to read things I like to share and do read each and every comment.

Thank you again for your hanging in there!!!!  I know it's time for a freebie sampler and I hope soon to get my designing hat on to do this for you.

 

I hope all mothers, both children and furbaby mothers, had a GREAT Mother's Day yesterday. I worked for most of it but was given a beautiful rose at work (PINK!!!).

 

Till later,

 

Jennifer

 

Finished As You Like It knit scarf~~Mission Accomplished!

  I finished my As You Like It scarf I knit for a few weeks now off and on. All garter stitch. Used 25??? colors, lost count, of DMC 100% virgin wool from a huge bag for 5.00 I got back in the Summer at a junkin' store. I really like the colors and it's so ready for jeans, sweater and boots to accompany it.

 

And Miss Abigail is playing with her new Christmas toy and watching me.

 

 

We call him Tristan. I don't know how he got this name. But she loves him.

 

I mean. Really. Loves. Him.

 

 

 

It's not perfect but I like it just the way it is. It's actually about 72 inches long.

 

 One day at a time as we get nearer to Christmas. Each day brings up a new opportunity to make a positive difference in this world, create new warmth, read more books, knit, stitch, and anything that gives us balance in our lives.

 

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost (my favorite poem)

 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

 

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

 

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet, knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

 

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I---

I took the one less traveled by.

And that has made all the difference.

 

 

I hope this finds you snuggly, warm, safe, and happy.

Jennifer

 

Finished Lacy Keyhole Scarf plus My Token of Affection Knit pocket

 

 

 

 

 

Lacy Keyhole Scarf and My Token of Affection set

in LILAC

 

Lacy Keyhole Scarf designed by Stephanie Japel inspired me to stitch this in Lilac/Lavender as we all know that the color, the scent, anything lavender exudes calmness.

This scarf can be worn year around. It's stitched with 80/20 cotton/ silk Cascade Ultra Pima Silk yarn from a yarn shop. The softness cannot be described here as it stitches like butter and feels delicate to the skin. The scarf can also be worn as a headband with the frill and lacy section to the side or at the top. The quality yarn is excellent.

The second part of the set is designed by myself. I call it My Token of Affection Pocket. It's knit in the same yarn and is very versatile, dainty and embellished with a mother-of-pearl vintage button I had in my stash. It's for that special small something that you treasure.

I finished this set today and just put on Etsy shop. See the sidebar to click for the Etsy shop.
I mailed out orders yesterday and will mail out more on Thursday. Thank you so much for your business!!!! I love needlework and more importantly love to share my creativity with you.

If you have any questions, please comment and I will answer or write me at email jenniferann_fox@yahoo.com.

Your comments are always appreciated on the blog. I read each and every one of them.


Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

On the homefront this week, I also finally got the chance to see the movie Becoming Jane. I think Anne Hathaway did a wonderful job!!! The movie was austen awesome~

Mr. Darcy is quite gifted with woodworking and he has built Abbie a bed. It's finished and she has been sleeping in it at night with no problem. In fact she would like to take her morning nap in it I think. We have not finished it with paint or stain yet but when we finish it, I will show pics.
The wood was entirely wood found to be trashed. He took something that was going to be thrown away and made something beautiful and functional with it.

It's time for me to get busy stitching and watching my favorite channel, the Inspiration channel. We love The Waltons and never tire of every episode. We just finished off some Dutch Apple Pie with whipping cream and tummies are full!

Feathers in the Nest has a facebook page. I have yet to figure out how to get the badge on the blog. I know, I know......it's probably something simple but until then catch up with me on Facebook by simply typing in the search, Feathers in the Nest. I love to connect with stitchers all over the world.

Till later,
Jennifer

Coming Undone

 

A new start but put to the side right now to finish a shawl. I couldn't help but see what this feather and fan lace design would look like in BLUEBERY JAM in Universal Yarns, Inc. BATIK, 100% cotton yarn.

I love the variations of color. Just like Blueberry jam.

 

 

I'm using number 10 needles, not my faves but will work here. I would love to have Knit Pics Dreamsz straights in 10.

 

 

 

But knitting onward to see the effect, I put it to the side to work on my shawl I had started.

I eventually had to TINK the entire project and made a mess on the dining room table but found a Stefanie Japel pattern on Ravelry to restart.

 

I am on row 50 and it's getting even almost too long for a 26 inch cable # 11 needles. So,

I hope to get me a pair of 40 inch as this shawl is approximately 7 feet by 3 feet UNBLOCKED.

 

You can find the pattern on Ravelry. It's called City Shawl, by Stephanie Japel.

 

Coming undone.

 

 

Starting anew with only one stitch cast on.

 

 

at 50 rows now. Hoping this will block into a much wider shawl as I go.

The second section is beautiful with color.

 

 

Working on the dining room table. I'm so glad I don't have any visitors now for eats.

 

It's all in the process, isn't it?  Definitely, helps my stress AND creates something wearable.

 

And so in keeping with that thought, I will watch my undone yarn become a new shawl. Hopefully without as many mistakes as the other one.

 

Purl of Wisdom~~~Never tire of creating something beautiful from something that had way too many mistakes in it. Just start over. It's the process of creating that brings joy.

 

Sew thankful,

Jennifer