It's been a hard day and night and I've been working like a dog...

Although it took six months, I'm happy to link to my tutorial. A knitting pattern for new born leg warmers. Please click on the link below!

http://hippiestitch.blogspot.com/2010/08/newborn-warm-leggers-leg-warmers.html

#26 Share

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.
-Michelangelo

Create a tutorial that can be posted on the blog for others to use. You can choose your subject and format of choice (video, pdf, photos...)

#25 - A Compassionate Heart

During my growing-up years, my father always purchased a bouquet of flowers for my mom on Valentine's Day and a smaller bouquet for each of his daughters.

Last weekend when I was at my brother's home, I learned that he now does the same thing for his wife and daughters. During the first few minutes of my visit Abbey, age 10, took me to her room to show me her bouquet. I told her how lovely it was and how lucky she was to have a dad who loves her so much.

Later in my visit, Abbey came and presented me with one of the flowers from her bouquet. She had realized that I didn't have anyone to give me a bouquet of flowers and didn't want me to feel left out. I was deeply touched by the empathy that this young girl felt and by her very kind act. My lone Valentine's flower means a great deal to me because it was given by one with a very compassionate heart.

25 Heart Break

com⋅pas⋅sion –noun

1.	a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

My sister-in-law is a loving compassionate person, whom I admire. Recently she went to help a friend who is fighting cancer. Her plan was to arrive, with another mutual friend and do what ever needed to be done to help this family heal. What she found breaks my heart, I'm not sure I even know how to react to it.

A mother depressed and having severe side effects to chemo manifesting as a traumatic brain injury. At times she doesn't know who you are or have any short term memory. Two beautiful girls, one 3 and desperately wanting her mother, not understanding why she is different and one 3 months old being passed from care giver to care giver who's mother doesn't have the capacity to mother her now. And finally a husband just trying to keep it together.

My sister-in-law and her friend jumped in with both feet and calling themselves "fairy god mothers" took care of their friends children to the best of their ability. Loving them as fierce and hard as they could for a short time frame. When it was time to leave and return to their own children they were both heart broken and devastated to leave them.

Wanting their love and energy to remain with the girls she opened an opportunity for me to help this beautiful family heal. She asked if I would make fairy god mother dolls of her and her friend for the girls, similar to the 'Aunt Julie & Uncle Cary' dolls I made for my nephews.



I'm waiting for head shots from my sister-in-law. When they are finished I will post a photo.

It's a small contribution, hopefully it helps.

In the mean time I am loving on my son as much as possible and being grateful for my health every second of the day.

25 - Compassion is the Key

Human compassion, or what I sometimes call “human affection,”
is the key factor for all human business.
-XIV Dalai Lama, The Art of Living

This week look for examples of human compassion and perform at least one yourself. Share an observation you make or something you experiences as a result.

#24 - Dream Big!

For a long time I have dreamed about being financially independent/able to retire by the time I’m 55. This year I decided that I ought to see if that dream would ever be possible. I knew I needed to learn more about money in order to live that dream so I enrolled in a money management class and started tracking the money I’m spending, saving, and paying out for my debts.

Over the past few weeks, I have learned that by tweaking a few things in my spending patterns, paying down my debt faster, and investing more aggressively, I should be able to reach my goal – and still have a good life now. That excites me! I’m super motivated to make those changes and put my dream within reach.

#24 Do I dare?

This weeks challenge was a brain bender. What parts of my life do I love, what do I dream would be added or different, where am I sleep walking through life? I thought and thought, made lists, surfed online. Then narrowed it down to a few 'action items' for lack of a better term.

The life I dream of is a life with spirit. It's creative, open, warm, grounded, fun and flows.

Three areas kept coming up in my musing: Keenan and/or parenting, Cary and/or relationships and spirituality. oh, and food, sounds weird but it's important for me.

- Tuesday art projects for me and Keenan (see photo above from today's first art day!)
- Mindful food preparation with blessing (As I prepare this life force for those I love...)
- Gratitude sharing before family dinner
- Saturday night date night with Cary (can just be time spent together after Keenan goes to bed, as we can't afford a babysitter every week)
- Creating a home that better embraces our life, tastes and talents. Starting with decorating, cleansing and organization.

In the scope of the quote for this week, my lists seems small and not very daring. I'm trying to remember that small change adds up!

Dare to live it!

life takes care of those who dare to live it
Maya Angelou

This week trust in the quote above and dare to live some part of the life you dream about.

#23 Ho Ho HO!

Almost finished with Christmas, woohoo! Here are the projects thus far:

Purses for a couple of tweens on my list

Uncle Cary and Aunt Julie dolls for a few of the little guys (hilarious!)


A plain plain hat for my man (local Alpaca yarn!)

Hand Knit dish cloth for my dad

#23 Jump Start

Forget not that the earth delights to
feel your bare feet and the winds
long to play with your hair.
-Khalil Gibran

Let's get a jump start on the holidays by making one of our Christmas gifts this week.

#22 Old to New

Until recently I stored all my craft and sewing supplies in a couple of plastic storage containers. My 1 1/2 year old son soon discovered how to open these and find all sorts or fun treasures to play with (scissors, pins, razor blades, small objects just the size for chocking). I needed a way to lock my supplies.

I looked around the house and found an un-used filing cabinet with locking drawers. I then went to thrift stores and purchased all sorts of containers to hold my supplies inside of the cabinet drawers.

The locking filing cabinet

An old suitcase and picnic basket for pattern storage

All sorts of kitchen tins and baskets to organize my supplies

My favorite is the copper cake mold for buttons, this one my son gets to play with and loves.

One helpful tip: remember to write down the measurements of the drawers you are trying to organize and bring your tape measure to the thrift store. I measured out a mock drawer in the store and set the items I was thinking of buying in that space to make sure it worked.

Challenge #22 - Seeing Old Things in a New Light

Each day presents the possibility of a miracle. Be realistic. Plan for one.

We often look at objects and only see one possible utility - the one we've always known. The following web pages show hundreds of innovative ways we can use (and re-use) objects we have around us: New Uses for Old Things and the 50 All-Time Favorite New Uses

(for example, use a traveling soap dish as a camera case)

This week look around for new ways you can use old things you have. Post a couple of your favorite innovations along with photos by next Monday.

Sharing the Love in SLC

I didn't make anything for a specific charity, but I did try sharing the love with others. One way was to give lots of loaves of zucchini bread this past week to people who I thought needed a lift.


I also ran the last few miles of my sister's marathon with her this past Saturday so she'd know that I loved her and supported her. It was awesome to see her cross the finish line within her desired timeframe!

Hats Hats Hats

#21 Share the love

Let us be poised, and wise, and our own, today.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Use your creative talents this week to make something for a charity. If you need an idea or inspiration join me knitting hats for "Warming families".

http://hippiestitch.blogspot.com/

#20 Life Rythmn

As I have been knitting this week...








Knit 2, Purl 2, Knit 2, Purl 2
Mother 2, Clean 2, Wife 2, Work 2
Knit 2, Purl 2, Knit 2, Purl 2
Cook 2, Sew 2, Outside 2, Sleep 1
The rythmn of my life, weaving together stitch by stitch
Knit 2, Purl 2, Knit 2, Purl 2

Response to #20 - A Brief Poem

Seeking Satiation

Parched, I carefully scour shelves
Seeking for just the right source of rejuvenation
Finally, my hand rests on the perfect refreshment
Hours later, text devoured, my soul is satiated.

#15 Photos

Waaaaaay back in July we had a challenge to try something new. I chose to make a pair of jeans, something I had never attempted before. When I finished them my camera was broken. Here they are a few months late



I'm also requesting another week for last weeks challenge, as it's a holiday this week and all. You up for that Steph?

Challenge #20 - Words as Art

Some words for all artists to consider:
"Fear not the voice of the critic,
for no man ever erected a status in honour of a critic."
- Finnish composer

Create a poem or a word picture this week. Share your offering by next Monday.

#19 Introspection on Creativity

1. What is the first creative moment you remember?
Cooking with my mother, playing dress up, coloring, making up my own stories
2. Was anyone there to witness or appreciate it?
My parents
3. What is the best idea you've ever had?
To never let “hard things” hold me back
4. What made it great in your mind?
It gave me courage and confidence that I can accomplish almost anything if I’m willing to work for it
5. What is the dumbest idea?
Worrying more about what others think than what you think for yourself
6. What made it stupid?
You live in a constant worry of not being accepted
7. Can you connect the dots that led you to this idea?
I got tired of wondering what others thought of me, wanted me to do; I got more courageous and confident
8. What is your creative ambition?
To live more freely, less restrained, more boldly
9. What are the obstacles to this ambition?
Myself, perceived rules and social conventions
10. What are the vital steps to achieving this ambition?
Letting go of things; daring to live with less restraint
11. How do you begin your day?
With a prayer of thanks and an early-morning run
12. What are your habits? What patterns do you repeat?
I am a creature of habit – I often eat the same things for meals, I pray every day, walk to work along pretty much the same route daily, read scriptures daily, workout daily, write a short note in my journal each night, church weekly, listen to music whenever possible, travel frequently
13. Describe your first successful creative act?
Not sure this is the first or second, but these are two early ones: sewed a pillow and blanket for my dolls
14. Describe your second successful creative act?
Made cookies
15. Compare them.
Home based, simple pleasures, combination of materials
16. What are your attitudes toward: money, power, praise, rivals, work, play?
I think of money as a tool. I like internal power, but not power than harms others. I love praise and think it is underutilized. I wish people would compete against themselves rather than others. I love work (all sorts) and am comfortable doing it. I have a hard time playing.
17. Which artists do you admire most?
Painters, dancers, writers
18. Why are they your role models?
I love artists’ discipline and ability to tell stories and express emotions with their bodies, words, and/or paintings. I also love the way they can affect others who witness their art.
19. What do you and your role models have in common?
The intense desire to express ourselves through art and delight others
20. Does anyone in your life regularly inspire you?
Yes, many – good people all around who serve others; dedicated parents; prophets
21. Who is your muse?
I don’t believe I have just one – lots of people
22. Define muse.
A motivator; someone who compels me to do more, or be creative, or be more than I currently am
23. When confronted with superior intelligence or talent, how do you respond?
I am impressed.
24. When faced with stupidity, hostility, intransigence, laziness, or indifference in others, how do you respond?
I often feel badly for the person; sometimes I am frustrated with him or her.
25. When faced with impending success or the threat of failure, how do you respond?
Work hard to succeed
26. When you work, do you love the process or result?
Both – I love the process because that’s where the learning takes place. I love the result because you can see the output of your and others’ efforts.
27. At what moments do you feel your reach exceeds your grasp?
Yes
28. What is your ideal creative activity?
No one answer - reading (because it spawns my thinking, writing, baking, sewing, teaching
29. What is your greatest fear?
Being with someone in person, but not connecting completely with them mentally, spiritually, or emotionally
30. What is the likelihood of your above answer happening?
Hopefully, not very likely
31. Which of your answers would you most like to change?
Being able to identify a specific creative ambition to pursure
32. What is your idea of mastery?
Attainment of perfection
33. What is your greatest dream?
Traveling everywhere in the world I want to go