My Trip to Washington DC in April~~~ visiting Looped Yarnworks!

It's been quite a while since I blogged but have missed it greatly. During this time I've had to cope with several things and one of them is my vision. As many of you know I was diagnosed with glaucoma about 5 years ago and at that time I really had no peripheral vision loss but was uncomfortable with the diagnosis. I had several factors going against me, including trauma to my left eye in my first marriage, a strong family history being two of them.

My journey in the past 5 years has been to say the least over the top stressful but I thank God for all I've learned and His strength to get me through it. I'm content to whatever life brings because I know He is always with me and will never leave me, forsake me and I live every day even more committed most likely for having gone through the very things that sharpened my strength.

About 2 months ago, I went on a business trip to DC and prior to that had a very bad migraine type headache of which I have had off and on since I was 13 years old. But this one was a bit stronger than I had every had. I still just treated it as usual, also coping with some heart issues at the time. Short story, I noticed my vision was getting very gray in some areas. I can still see because my right eye is basically taking over for my vision loss in the left. I covered my right eye with my hand and I realized my glaucoma was pretty bad at this point. I made an appointment and saw a general eye doc I usually see who led me to a specialist who is 3rd in the nation and I feel honored for answered prayer to see this group. I've been through alot of eye testing and the Glaucoma specialist said I was not really eligible for the laser or insertion of a tube with surgery because my medication was keeping my pressures in a normal range. The reason I am going blind in this left eye is something obviously in the past year that has caused ischemia, or poor blood flow to the retina per the specialist review of my tests and graphs. This can happen in glaucoma and any vision I've lost which like I said before thank God my right eye is healthy, but it's irreversible. So I am now being sent to a Retina Specialist in 2 weeks for a 3 hour study on the blood flow in my back of my eye and brain evals. The goal is to slow down the progression of vision loss. The worse part is this is hereditary. Sometimes we just don't know what accelerates the ischemia but I have been told to really get a hold on the stress level.

I am coping well and I have good days and bad days with sometimes having optic nerve pain in that eye. I still am able to drive and work and do as before but I have had to make adjustments and know some things that make the pain worse in the back of my eye which is from the ischemia actually.
Today for example is a good eye day! I avoid flourescent lights as much as possible and am in the process of getting it approved to tint my windows as sometimes even sunglasses can cause headache from the glare. My visual acuity is excellent in my right eye which is helping alot to compensate for the left one.  I am on a diet full of salt, adding salt, drinking more fluid right now to keep my blood pressure up for perfusion. They are thinking at night while I'm sleeping my blood pressure falls really low so I have to eat saltines before I go to bed.

So, just an update on what else besides lots of work has kept me distracted. HOWEVER!  I went on a business trip to DC in April and before the conference got to go back to Looped Yarnworks!!! I love the yarn there, the atmosphere, and act like a kid in a candy store.

I saw this Malibrigo in the colorway English Rose and immediately it sparked joy for me as it reminded me of all the colors in my grandmother's rose garden of the old big velvety petaled roses she had. I immediately started on a simple shawl. I am just gartering this and increasing on the second knit stitch by KFTB.

Take a look-see at the colors.

I actually had this much progress as I knit through the conference listening to the speakers. 

Basically you CO 30 st

then the following and all rows are K1, KFTB, K to end of row

then after 3 cakes of yarn (or 2 for a shawlette)

bind off and block.

I am planning on embellishing about 3 inches from botton in some small knitted ribbons or lace. I haven't completely decided but it will looks simple and sweet.

my little stash from Looped

the colorway, English Rose

A treat for my dry hands~~ a LO-LO Bar in Ginger Amber

YUMMINESS, I tell you!  All natural oils for ingredients and very fresh smell.

I kinda like  this little saying. :)

This bar is always in my project bag and speaking of project bag I couldn't pass up this handmade one which is lined in muslin and draw-string, Perfect medium size.

It couldn't have gone any better for this project remembering my days when I played jump rope and hop scotch at my grandmother's house.

I SO want to make these bags. I have alot of project bags already but I really do want to learn how and maybe start selling some on Etsy.

The pink rick-rack is so sweet as are the little girls on the print.

Now......................................................................................

my progress just 2 weeks ago is here:

I have more progress now and will catch you up on next post.

I am making some of these little project markers and here is one of them.

Soon to be in my Etsy shop. They are really good for seeing how much progress you are making and then just move them again and again. 

You can see the edging that the second stitch in KFTB makes. Neat and simple.

I love lace shawls too. I'm just enjoying when I get a chance to knit this. I am almost down now to the end of the second, caked ball. It's tempting to stop there as I'm using a 32 circular and it's getting full but I want this one large and cozy. Right now, I counted 170 stitches on this row I'm at as of yesterday.

My needles are Addi TURBO LACE in number 6.

My first taste of Addi TURBO LACE!!!!! SWEET!

I love the more pointed end, and stitches glide so fast.

 Sorry for such a long post. It will take me several to catch up!! 

Trips are few and far between for me but I always enjoy Women's Health Conferences in Washington, DC not only because it's just an awesome city, but honestly, the best women's health updates for practitioners, I have found. I really enjoyed the hotel, the conference speakers and updates I can now apply to practice. 

Stay cool!

No Baby Blues in Knitting

Knitting has so many health benefits! I spent some time researching articles on studies that have been done on knitting. I'm sure they would apply to any needlework, including cross stitching, where repetative motion actually puts the brain in a meditative state. They compared it to equal benefits of meditaton, prayer, and yoga.

The benefits include:

• reduced stress hormones
• reduced blood pressure
• increase in serotonin (the happy hormone)
• increase in dopamine ( the hormone low in addictions like smoking)
• a 30-50% increase in memory retention as we age
• relieves arthritis in the hands by limbering the joints
• increases socialization if you participate with other knitters in a group
• increases self-esteem by finishing and accomplishing a project
• reduces pain and useful in pain management/chronic pain
• decreases risks for depression
• decreases risks for anxiety disorders

So whatever your mood for needlework, whether, knitting, cross stitching, quilting, or any repetative needle art----pick up some needles and go!!! It's a holistic approach to many good things for your body and mind.

I've been working on designing 2 cross stitch designs this week and those are finished. Yay! I just need to model stitch them. I have pulled threads and also some fabbie for finishing.

I've almost completed a project set of baby washcloths for a friend that is having a boy. I am using I LOVE this Cotton yarn which is found only at Hobby Lobby. It's their brand and it's the softest 100% cotton I've stitched with.

Here are few pics of my set of three. One is a plain garter cloth, the next is basketweave stitch (my first try on this one) and a pattern in Ravelry (free) called Revenge. I do not like the name of the pattern at all but the picture is pretty for an eyelet washcloth.

These are small, of course, for a prescious little baby boy due in 3 weeks for a friend of mine.

I also picked up at a thrift store for almost nothing, a small baby boy picture frame in blues to cross stitch a 2 x 3 design of something I have yet to decide but will design.

The color almost looks green in these pics but the colorway is Aqua.

This last one is the first time I've tried this pattern and I'm hoping it will go well.

 

On the homefront, I have found, that a sink full of water with Pinesol will actually clean copper like you haven't ever seen before if you soak it overnight. You can see the difference. I love finding ways like this to save money.

 

 

 

The old tea kettle is singing quite a bit at the homestead as we both love hot tea. Earl Grey is our favorite. Especially I love Twinnings decaf. Mr. Darcy loves robust Earl Grey in regular caffeine.

 

My progress is just a little but a little counts, on the Blackbird Design pincushion (Reward of Merit) Bluebird, is here:

 

 

So, just a little bit more and I can start finishing it with a pretty Confederate fabbie I have in my stash cabinet of fat quarters and rummaging through my oldest of buttons to place under the first flower at the bottom of the design. I can't wait to finish this one as well!

 

Jennifer Holcombe gifted me with the thread, Crescent Colors Belle Soie, Blue Lagoon, the linen, a beautiful mother of pearl thread holder, the Love scissors and pattern a long time back.

I'm so happy working on this Bluebird!!!!

 

We have had alot of rain in the mountains here. The good things are that that the temps have been much lower for July but I was SOOOOO glad to see sunshine this week.

We've had 3 sunny days now!

Interesting because I had a routine eye appointment for glaucoma check and my eyes were dilated so much that I was seeing double for 9 hours. That's the longest I've ever had the dilation to last on my exams; however, I'm blessed to be able to see a good eye doctor and glad to say no progression of my glaucoma but cataracts have worsened so this changed my prescriptive glasses. I was so happy Mr. Darcy went with me to drive home this time as it was the first day of bright sunshine!! But, again, he is my sunshine!

 

I just pray and thank God I can see every day because I love to read, stitch, knit and I'm glad my eye drops are working well. It's funny how I took vision for granted until I found out my diagnosis. I'm blessed and thankful for the staff where I go as they are so kind to me, understanding, and explain things well.

 

On the reading front, I just started reading a VERY old book, published in 1954 and written by Irving Stone. The name?  Love is Eternal. A novel about Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln. For 25 cents for a hardback copy, I can't complain. I love my Kindle but when I find a good old book, there's something about reading the yellowed pages that make it better. I'm a sucker for non-fiction old books.

 

Purl of Wisdom:  Keep stitching. It's good for your health and whatever life is presenting to you as struggles will be eased soon with the rhythmic nature of needlework. We help ourselves in order to help others, which is as beautiful as the design our life is making.

 

Exploring the One Row Lace Scarf freebie on Ravelry

Good afternoon, friends!  I hope your Saturday is going well and restful plans for the evening!

I've had a day of conferencing for work and now I'm going to Ravelry and found a great One Row Lace Scarf. I've knitted a few rows and really like it. I'm doing my next section in the blue scarf with this pattern. The pattern is free on Ravelry.com and called One Row Scarf. I plan to sample this out finishing up the blue one and then make a nice and airy thin, Spring scarf with this simple pattern of lacework. I have some fingerweight yarn to try with this.

Things I've done in Washington, DC:

• studied new research in Women's Health
• found a yarn store called Looped and did a major happy dance while watching other knitters join in on the fun of yarn, looked through all the Knit books and dreamed for one day garment making.
• got a free canvas bag from Looped
• ate the best Clam Chowder ever--warm and just right for the cold night.
• ate Eggs Benedict with Virginia ham for the first time and it was great!
• forgot my camera disc card, therefore relied on cell phone camera
• dropped my camera on a marble floor and now it's only saying "no sims card", hoping when I get home it's fixable free.
• rode the Metro again and got lost a few times but found my way with a few angels to help me
• window shopping
• repeated myself to alot of folks because I must speak really Southern here and I speak softly
• road in a taxi and passed a store called "WTF" and went "Wha?
• missing the country life now--I love to visit the city when I have work conferences but ready for home in the country by day 3-4.
• wished I had more time and the money to go exploring more in the city but limited
• thankful for the hotel they put me in as it's supernice!
• enjoyed networking with other health care providers in women's health
• thankful for no 5 in binders of syllabus but now online (those things are heavy to pack back on the trip)
• enjoyd some free time in the evenings to just plain rest.
• appreciated my well water when I took a slug of this city water.....yuck
• thank God I'm able to get up every day and hope to claim His promise that He will take care of me.
• missed this precious sweet baby

•  and re-posting a freebie for HOPE. Hope for whatever situation in health life is throwing at you right now, hoping it's good, but if not, hang on to hope because there is much research in gender medicine.

 

Hope

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2012

reposted 2013

 

Send me some of your "hope" if you stitch and finish this one up! I would love to see this in all the creative ways I know each of you have!

 

You can use this to change colors for different health issues awareness's, i.e pink or the above for breast cancer awareness, teal for ovarian cancer awareness, purple for domestic violence awareness, red for cardiac health awareness, etc.

 

Because this is what we have in today's world~~hope, whether living in the city, or rural areas of the country. We share a common bond in our hearts and hands.

 

Love to each of you,

Jennifer

My Cornflower Blue Superwash Wool Serendipity Style

While on a work trip this week, I had time to visit this shop in the DC area:

 

Looped Yarn Works

 

http://loopedyarnworks.com/

 

It was a hopping joint, and happy place by many young folks, that's for sure! It sure made me do a happy dance.

Knitting touches all the senses in the texture of yarns, the colors, the type of yarn, etc.

It was certainly a candy store for me and I took all the beautiful colors in and dreamed and drooled.

 

I have found Ravelry website and love this site as many knitters do. There are so many free patterns and I"m itching to make a summer shawl.

 

I was shocked to see many men in the shop and also alot of college kids.

 

I had tucked in my bag for the plane ride some 100% wool superwash yarn I had in my stash. It was discounted and I got 2 skeins, not even realizing what I would do with it. I have since (in music terminology) ad lib, and made up things as I went along.

 

I've learned lessons such as stockinette stitch blocks will certainly curl the edges by themselves and even if separated with garter stitch, they curl as well.

 

 The color is a yummy Cornflower Blue.

 

The only pics I can take are with my phone so please bear with it.

 

playing with increasing and decreasing and such, making some eyelets....no pattern.

 

 

still not blocked yet. It really looks good when stretched out a little.

 

then today.............. to here with some texture changes......................

 

 

and yes it's curling......I kinda like it this way.

I plan to double this length. I have one more skein in this lot number and brand.

 

 

just alternating stockinette blocks with garter blocks. I have a silver round scarf ring to use with it or without it.

 

 

 Stay warm. It's VERY cold here this week!

 

Dinner was a scrumptious Maryland Clam Chowder with bread and butter. Perfect for a cold night like this. More work in women's heatlh research all weekend. Just breaking up the time with some stitching so my left and right brain are both equally stimulated :0

 

Till later..............

Prescription: Knitting

Throughout my career as a women's health nurse practitioner, I have had the opportunity many times to enable women to cope with stress in a positive way. As holistic providers of health care, nurse practitioners utilize coping stategies with patients, and suggest yoga, running, brisk walking, journaling, etc. This is one of the differences between nurse practitioners and physicians that I love in my profession, taking a. holistic view, as we know that nothing pertaining to the body is an alone concept but our bodies all relate from one system to the other.

 

I have found stress to be the culprit, the sole culprit, of many diseases, even in women's heath, gynecology. While most focus on the gynecology aspect, I think more and more, physician's are looking holistically as nurse practitioners in that the root of the problem could have started in any other area of the woman's life and the body is certainly in connection with all systems.

 

As a woman myself, over the 20 years of being a women's health nurse practitioner, I have zoned in on ways to improve my practice of NP by staying abreast of evidence-based care, as well as keeping in touch with alternative methods of managing symptoms of disease and prevention of health issues.

I have found out by experiencing many of these issues my own self through the past years and finding what really works as evidence shows.

 

Knitting and/ needleart has been referenced in studies a few times and many conclude that it truly does change the neurotransmitters in our brains and increases the happy hormones, increases endorphins just like runners.

 

Here are a couple of links to some info: http://blog.gaiam.com/blog/can-knitting-give-you-a-runner%E2%80%99s-high/

 

http://www.heal-post-traumatic-stress.com/PTSD-help-with-emotions.html

 

and many other sites.

 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489358-just-keep-knitting

 

A book, Just Keep Knitting by Lonna Cunningham

 

 

My true love is cross stitching and designing but in November of 2012, I attempted again to try knitting and I am in love!  I'm a beginner, of course, but intrigued with hours of the repetative nature of the soothing activity.

 

Many readers of my blog probably wonder when I will show more cross stitching. SOON!

I haven't forgotten and do I miss. How I wish I could do both~~~simultaneously.

 

However, in the last couple of weeks, my novice, soul-soothing activities have included working through a Craftsy.com knit class by Stephanie Jafel, called Knit Lab. Thisclass was offered back in November with a deep discount, I assume for the holidays and I leaped into it, not knowing all the length and depth of information I would learn. I love the Craftsy workshops because once you pay for them (some are free), then you have endless access to them forever and can go back and replay the lessons, stop the video and and try that stitch again.

 

In Knit Lab, she shares about 5 other of her own patterns for knitters and after learning just how to READ a pattern with her teaching knowledge you follow along with the class materials which are simply printed off in a pdf format.

 

I'm starting to make the Lacey Keyhole Scarf.  Her pattern is only available if you purchase the class. The class takes hours for beginner information and I have listened to all those twice.

In this small project, garter stitch is used, how to increase, how to decrease, how to make a button hole, and beginning lace, knit and purling, and yarn overs.

 

You can see the skein I picked (only takes one skein) and have cast on plus 9 rows.

This scarf is small and narrow and can also be converted to a headband that is very cute!

 

Of course, I cannot put the pattern steps on here, however, this is the start for one of the 2 pieces. I will be gartering for a while then start the lacy pattern! I love the color in a vintage soft pink.

This very soft yarn is small, but not smallest, and I'm using a 7 Bates needle. Only one skein for this project.

I think I have the garter stitch and long-tail cast on, down pat.

 

This selection I picked because that yardage was exact as what was called for, and it is super soft

with 85% cotton and 15% silk. Cascade Yarns, Pima Silk.

 

 

 

 

The class teaches how to exactly read the label and every part of a label is important to the knitter.

 

 

Other projects not related to the class I have completed this week include starting a yellow kitchen dishcloth with Peaches and Cream cotton. I have found that for dishcloths, Peaches and Cream at only 1.70 or so a skein is a good, mildly abrasive, yet soft cotton for the kitchen or cleaning in general. I can stitch 2 dishcloths from a skein. However other brands I have sampled from Hobby Lobby I prefer more for washcloths for the bath as they are softer.

 

 

I picked this Springy yellow to brighten up for the warmer months ahead.

It's like a ball of sunshine when I pick it up to stitch.

 

 

 

 

 

These three are knitted for different purposes.  Different brands.

The colonial blue on the left is knitted with a cotton-blend, Italian cotton, very soft and will be useful in the bath as a washcloth.

The second one is in a Antique Gold and this one and the teal one is I Really Love This Cotton brand from Hobby Lobby. Those are 100% cotton but so much softer than Peaches and Cream that washclothes are in store for these as well.

 

 

So these are the softest washcloths ever! I hope to make a good basket full for the bath.

 

 

Going back to Peaches and Cream after stitching the softer cottons is a change. I have noticed that this cotton I work better with aluminum or glass needles vs. wood so the cotton will slide easier on the needle.

 

 

So I have found in life, many lessons, but in stitching and needlearts of all kinds, especially true.

 

Find things that you can create for function and durability, for color therapy, for stress management,

and for just learning something new to stimulate our brains, yet calm our souls.

 

 

 

Abbie is comfortable this morning with her skirt flying up, taking a nap in a quilt that someone long, long ago, spent their creative juices, making something fun, and functional, probably unknowingly helping to cope with the difficulties in life by soothing the soul.

 

So, your script for today is:

 

Soulfully Stitch

 

1 session BID (twice a day) prn (as needed)

refill: forever

Name brand necessary

 

 

Jennifer

 

October 2012---new Breast Cancer Awareness Sampler

 

 

 

Pink Lady

 

designed by Feathers in the Nest

for October's Breast Cancer Awareness month

copyright @ 2012

 

Enjoy this sampler I designed this morning with inspiration of memories of my friend Diane who was unfortunately taken with breast cancer years ago.

She was my friend, my mentor in my career and will always live in my heart both personally and professionally.

 

Crescent Colors

 

Little Pink Peony

Antique Lace

Secondhand Rose

 

or fibers of choice

 

99 x 106

 

In memory or honor of a survivor or those that did not.

I hope that there is a cure for this disease in my lifetime.

 

Sundays are for samplers

A couple of months ago I happened upon a spontaneous trip with a good friend for lunch and thrifting. This sampler caught my eye in a flash because of several reasons.

I was taken away with the fact that the initials of the stitcher were the same as my mentor in public health nursing and in 1991, she gifted me with part of her knowledge-base of midwifery and women's health.

The colors are absolutely gorgeous, as well as the frame. Unfortunately, no glass on this one but what a find!!!!!

appears to be stitched on even-weave, praire cloth.

And when I saw this, I instantly thought of MN, Masters in Nursing and in 1991 my preceptorship for a career change began with Diane. Diane made the start of my graduate degree so special and I will never forget her.

Unfortunately, she fought a battle of breast cancer a couple of years after our mentorship and did not win. I can still remember our rides together to many rural clinics in our district in public health.

Many pearls of wisdom I still have are from her.

There is some serious filling of grass at the bottom in a lovely shade of moss green.

The verse spoke to my heart immediately.

I have no idea who designed this sampler. If you know or have seen it before please let me know.

It was just too ironic for the initials, date, and center piece with the birds bringing olive branches.

Every time I pass it, I'm gently reminded of God's promise to never leave us or forsake us, for He has a special place and is preparing a place for us.

Diane didn't stitch but this piece with the verse, the initials, the year and the middle portion, matches her memory that I hold in my heart.

If there is someone that makes a positive change in your life, you are blessed!

Hope your Sunday was a restful one.

Till later,

Jennifer