Knit, good woman, knit, knit!

Paid the hospital the monthly visit today - and I saw something, that I have not seen there before when getting the treament: two women were actually knitting - it made me smile and I wished that I would be able to do that while at the hospital. They were not fellow patients, but relatives supporting their loved ones while getting their treatment.

Watching that, and a line from somewhere popped into my head "Knit, good woman, knit, knit!".... and the more it spun in my head, the more curious I got: Where had I heard that originally? Who said it? .. The good helper was google. I laughed - from the tv-series FRIENDS, and said by Chandler Bing.... this is my all time favourite tv-show :o)

The picture is actually from two projects of mine (yep the colors are the same as in the blogpost with the granny square - the yarn was at hand then, when I decided to do that first crocheting) - and I recently found out, that it is not unusual for knitters, to have more than one project going at the time. Previously it would have freaked me out to have more than one unfinished project - but now I am relaxed about it :o)

Having read knitting mysteries by Maggie Sefton (Kelly and the Lampspun friends) and Sally Goldenbaum (the Seaside knitters), it makes more sense, that you are letting your mind work with all sorts of stuff, that has occupied your mind and subconcience. Yes running and walking can actually do that also, but sometimes I just need to sit and relax with a good cup of tea instead of being outside exercising (I use my bicycle to get to/from work, so I do get my share of exercise every day).

Back to the knitting projects. One of them is actually a summer top, but looking at the calendar: fall starts tomorrow, and it is already to chilly to wear a top outside - I have thus decided that that project is my long term project. The other one is a cosy sweater and I have gotten surprisingly far already, so that will be finished and used during the upcoming fall and winter.

Looking for the origin of the quote in my head, I stumpled over a blog, where a knitter is writing about her using a lot of airplane time knittin: I had no idea that knitting needles would even be allowed on a plane!! I travel a lot by air, but I have yet to see one knitting.... But hey, maybe that first one could just be me :o)

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 126

Ohhhhh.... to hard to resist - must try with newly purchased Creativi Tea stamps bought at Taylored Expressions webstore :o) I already made one card using these stamps... and I will probably use them again later on.

If I see something, that I immediately like (book covers luring me to buy a book, clothes, shoes, etc etc), then I should buy it, 'cause usually that item will be used until it is no good. Things that are "well..maybe" - is just the maybe, and will most likely only be used once... after gathering dust for a couple of years it will then be recycled or given to charity.

These stamps were definately an eyecatcher at first glance.

This week's sketch looks like this:

And this is my interpretation:

Now off for at nice cup of tea

Mojo Monday Challenge 153

Tea, something I have a hard time living without - yep, you might call it additction. Luckily it comes in a variety of flavours, and it is available in some form all over the world. Have been to parts of the world, where they are making tea on fresh mint leaves, and was still offered the usual teabags, as I might prefer them rather than the local brew. Are you kidding?!! I take the local versions anytime rather than teabags :o) I am the only one in my family drinking tea - they all prefer coffee, as "tea is something you drink, when you are down with a cold or the flu".

When I first laid eyes on the Creativi TEA stamps from Taylored Expressions, I wanted to buy them and finally I did - and they arrived just in time to make a birthday card for a friend and a fellow tea drinker... Between us, I believe we have enough tea to create a teastore LOL!!

Used this week's sketch from Mojo Monday Challenge:

For me the real challenge is to add a bow - a ribbon is usually not a problem, but a bow??!! Luckily there was a button, which made me relax a bit when creating the card.

Now it is time for a nice cup of tea :o)

Ohh.. one confession though: this card took "forever" to make, as I made the mistake of watching the WTA Final from New Haven on TV. Tennis is the only sport, that I have patience to watch on TV, and since Caroline Wozniacki was defending her title, I could not resist watching... and she won :o)

Nihongo Futatabi

Japanese.... it has been a while since I have practiced anything in regards to that language, but now a chance has presented itself. When I first decided to learn it, it made my family wonder if I had lost my mind. At that time, I had already learned 4 languages (some more fluent than others) besides my native language :o) But when you want to learn something completely different, even involving learning new sets of signs instead of the Roman letters that we encounter at a very early age other peoples' worries becomes just that: their worries.

Just before classes started back then, there was a re-run of the tv-series "Shogun"- and suddenly everybody wanted to practice those few words, that they have picked up while watching it on TV. And looking closer at it, at lot of people these days are into something inspired from Japan: sushi, kokeshi dolls, kimonos, HelloKitty, manga cartoons etc.

So, maybe I am just a bit crazy when learning/practicing a language like Japanese, but it is also a way to explore more of the world. You do not "just" learn the language, you learn about the traditions, culture and history - this comes in handy when visiting any country in Asia, as you encounter similarities or something that has either made an impact on Japan or the other way around. Showing that you know something about Asian culture is often a door opener.

Yoi ichinichi o.

Alphabet Wednesday - X is for...

X is for...

X... you are here
How did the map maker know where I am?? LOL!! But his advise is always appreciated :o)
X-files
This tv-series from 1990's is one of the best
X-mas

Just imagine that X-mas was once forbidden in England......Believe many children are happy that that changed

XOXO

Hugs and kisses....

4 Simple Goals.... 2nd Update

Fingerless gloves aka wrist warmers.

Ever been cold indoors (due to draft or a malfunctioning aircon)?? I decided, that it would be too much to wear gloves indoors, but needed an alternative, so I can stay warm indoors and be able to hit the correct keys on my computer's keyboard. Since I have challenged myself to be more creative, I did not buy them but set out to make them myself.

I found a pattern here - I took me four knitted attemps before I made something acceptable to wear. I used black yarn for my first pair, as it blends in with most my work attire (conservative office look) and made a matching Knit-Wit rosette (circular).

Had some difuculties with the photos, I could not take the picture of them while wearing them, so decided that some gloves could assist a bit... also the result is kindda dark, but even in reallife you have to get up close to see the rosettes. But know I know the basics and will try to make some more with colors matching some of my clothes.

Words of Inspiration

Franklin's illness... gave him strength ad courage he had not had before. He had to think out the fundementals of living and gaing the greates of all lessons - infinite patience and neverending persistense.

Eleanor Rosevelt