Colorways and Lifeways

 

I know we all go through life's ups and downs and things can get really surreal at times. I recently had the chance to write my testimony out on paper as a requirement actually. As I put together a five page essay of where I've been and where I'm hoping to go, I couldn't realize more that God has given us so much to be thankful for and He certainly has blessed my life even through the darkness and the fear, I hang on to hope.

 

I heard on Christian radio yesterday on the way to work a 30 minute talk about Satan and his demons. They say this world is run by Satan and God is aware of it. Not that He doesn't send angels down to protect us, but those that love Christ especially will be tested the hardest by Satan and he constantly tries to use demons through unbelievers, and other things to bring us down.

 

As a child of God, on Father's day, I'm thankful I have an earthly father and a Heavenly Father.

My Heavenly Father has taught me more on faith, hope, and love than I could ever imagine through my life.

 

Some people are offended by me speaking of Christianity and I used to apologize but I can't anymore because I'm not sorry that God our Father has blessed us and protects us so much.

 

At knit group yesterday, I had the best time with old friends, new friends, and laughter! Oh MY! Did we laugh and have fun while we stitched away. The shop owner is the sweetest and she knits with us gorgeous shop models. We talked of everything from our pets, to the movies, to the love of movie popcorn, to teaching, to health......just everything.

 

I skipped dinner so I could get some yarn. Seriously. It was worth it. I found on Ravelry a shawl pattern, free, called Afternoon Tea which takes 1 skein of Madelinetosh. I've never owned any Madelinetosh sock yarn but 1 skein for a shawl sounds exciting.

 

The colorway I picked is

 

Steam Age

 

 

 

I loved the spectrum of color all through this skein. I also picked up a knitting magazine.  It has WAY cool patterns. The pattern is free this month on Ravelry. Just look up Afternoon Tea.

 

 

 

I finished my dishcloth in Burnt Sienna (I Love This Cotton brand Hobby Lobby) but definitely left a little hanger on it because it has too many mistakes and the writing didn't come out right.

It is supposed to say I love Jane Austen.

 

I'm sure if blocked it would do much better but it's hanging by the kitchen sink for right now.

 

 

 

 

I had to remove the entire row off the needle in the middle and this is where it got messed up.

But!  it's a nice pop of color in the kitchen.

 

The pattern is on Ravelry.

 

If you love to purl, this is for you!

 

I hope life is sending you a pop of color today. Sunshine and beautiful here in the mountains. Much to do around the homestead today.

 

Tomorrow, I'll share pics of Mr. Darcy's pet bed design for small dogs. We are going to paint it after church in a primitive flat black with distressing by wiping off here and there for the natural wood to show. I got her a wood heart for the end of it and will stain it maple! I'm excited to see how this comes out. It will actually blend into our bedroom colonial/ prim design very well.

 

Stay cool!

Jennifer

A Good Surprising, and Learning sort of Day

I had the best day today, busy, but on my mission of errands today I saw this little yarn shop, stopped by and met the owner and she said that knit group was this afternoon! I had no idea.  I hurried and got me a burger and then went back to work with about 8 folks who were the sweetest and I had a really good time.

Of course, she has the best of yarn to work with and in the group she helped with learning how to knit front to back stitch to increase and also use a circular needle for the first time. Awesome!
She had very soft music playing in the background AND a designer visiting who also dyes her own yarn. She is planning to teach a class this Summer. More info on that later. Click here for the store website:

http://www.shopbumbleberry.com/yarn.html

She showed me on a simple free pattern how to make a small shawlette. This yarn was very different...........I used # 15 circular needles----big, fat ones.

She had a model of one stitched in the shop in another color but I liked this for jeans and casual wrap for the Summer plus I'm drawn to teals and blues. It's nice and airy. I think it will stitch up fast.
Only 1 skein for this one but the pattern states you can use 2 if you want a really big shawl.

Brand---Litoral  Aslantrends
this is machine washable in cold water!

It's really hard to show when I'm taking the pics because the shawlette when finished has pretty large holes in it but they are all squished right now.

Stretched, it looks awesome. I can imagine this little wrap with a turquoise Tshirt! 1 skein. Would make a very pretty birthday or Christmas gift.

I got to here while chatting in knit group. I can't wait to finish it, so I can wear it now.

I can't express how much learning to knit has helped me cope with the stress load this year. I will have to digress at this point. My faith, my loving husband and knitting has helped me cope with the aftermath of some traumatic things this year.

My favorite time of day is knitting close on the sofa with Mr. Darcy while we watch The Waltons.
That show is our addiction. :P  I'm sooooo serious. We love it. Mon-Fri.

Speaking of encouragement, I prayed this morning for God to speak clearly to me and that sometimes I just need a sign..................well, ye of little faith(me today) on my way to an assignment/errand was trying to find the right place with the GPS system, and I was lost (I know even with a GPS system LOL) and I looked up at the turn and someone out of the blue had a old board that had Isaiah 55:3 written on it in white paint and nailed to the tree. I have no idea why. It was near a business that looked pretty much run down so I had to look that up when I got home and ended up reading the whole chapter. Very encouraging.  Just food for thought.

Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. Isaiah 55:3 NIV

Purl of Wisdom----sometimes when we are literally lost and finding our way, God knows how to encourage us even when we have days of little faith. He gives us the knowledge but it's up to us to apply it.

So today I:

got one mission accomplished today at a new place
got to learn a new knitting stitch---knitting front to back to increase
got to eat the best hamburger I've had in a long time. loaded
got by chance to see a yarn store AND found new friends, with free laughter, conversation, and knitting advice.
got to meet a knitting designer!
got to learn circular needles for the first time!!!

got to share it with YOU! 

Taking life one day at the time,

Jennifer