Tuesday, January 18, 2011

works in progress, yarn along, & a bit of homeschool too...

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I thought I would join in with Ginny's yarn along this week. Then I realized that most of my reading this past week has been homeschool related.

We have been slowly beginning our Norse mythology block, using the very beautiful D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths.

The three fays of destiny who spin the thread of life for all at the foot of the world tree.

(It seems like soon would be a good time to get caught up with a homeschool post...)


And then I realized that I am not knitting anything at the moment either. But there is this granny square that I have been crocheting. Some of you might remember that I had some kind of granny square doll blanket on the list of possibilities for christmas gifts. I was working on them a little bit but then I didn't like one of them very much, and it didn't look like I was going to be able to finish them in time anyway. This is the one I was making for Chessa, I like it mostly, though I'm not sure if it's a little dull. I will do more yellow as I continue to try to brighten it up. And suddenly I have a really good start on Chessa's birthday gifts, (end of May,) I like that.

But actually I haven't worked on the granny square for a while. Mostly the past couple of weeks I have been enjoying embroidery during any handwork time I have.

And some special sewing too. With vintage feedsack scraps that just make me so so happy.


So, it is feeling like the new year is getting off to a pretty good creative start. Though it does seem like we sometimes need to try extra hard for the inspiration during these still dark winter days. What are you creating or being inspired by these days?


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26 comments:

Linda said...

Dear Renee,
We are also going to be starting our Norse Myths block, the D'Aulaires book is wonderful, beautiful illustrations. Your handwork is looking lovely and so is the web site for your shop. I wish you all the best for your business:)
Take care my friend,
Linda

Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy} said...

Looks like a very neat book that you are reading! We've been reading Around the World In 80 Days which we are enjoying immensely but yours looks really cool :)

Beautiful feed sack scraps you have to, such a treasure! I'm off to check out your website as we just love cloth diapers :)

Josée said...

What a beautiful book! I love books with lovely illustrations. I will have to add it to my list for the future.

a little crafty nest said...

Oh Renee, You have me drooling over that beautiful fabric you are working with. Oh my! I just love love love quilting and fabric stashing (I am shameless with my hording tendencies). And the embroidery is lovely...I must find something to begin, any suggestions? I am impressed with your store. Have you been doing this awhile? I feel like I may have come across you at some festivals or markets in the long ago past when I was traveling with my hemp business all over the west to music festivals. Hmmmm...
xo Jules

Unknown said...

The feedsack scraps are beautiful! Way to go on getting started on a May birthday gift :)

nocton4 said...

wow, you've been so busy, well done you, lovely photos and adoring that special sewing, gorgeous fabrics x

Kathryn said...

Good luck on Little Sprouts, I hope the new website brings you new business!

I love the granny square and the embroidery, I really wish I knew how to crochet!

MJ said...

Cute granny square!! No doubt, the blankets take awhile. I just finished my granny square blanket (since October!) and finally posted it yesterday. THAT was a labor of love for sure :)!

Tonya Gunn said...

Wishing you so much success with Little Sprouts Renee - I just love the sewing with the vintage scraps - the fabrics are amazing.
Warm wishes, Tonya

Jess said...

That book look wonderful! I will have to try to find it.

Jarka said...

:) that's beautiful crocheted square - I'm making a blanket with different squares and I'm using all left-over yarn from previous projects :) ...but not enough time for actual knitting or crocheting right now - just a couple of stitches every day :P

S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen said...

Gorgeous feed sack scraps! I think the granny square colors are very soothing in a sepia/old photograph/feed sack sort of way!

nunu said...

beautiful! everything! i think your little sprouts site looks great too. i will definitely buy some of your cloth diapers for our next baby (one day...) or friend's babies... the embroidery picture makes me want to start! and i must must must try granny squares again. have you seen the granny square slippers at purlbee? http://www.purlbee.com/granny-square-slippers/ i have to make these....

TwigandToadstool said...

I've been looking for a good book about Norse Myths...we have the Greek Myth version, so I'm going to have to add this one to the wish list!
All the best with your business!!
xo maureen

house full of jays said...

That is indeed a beautiful book! Looks like fun!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love embroidery! I am not very good at it though. And those vintage feedsacks? Heaven! so, so cute!

Sweetness and Light said...

Everything is lovely, especially the feedsack fabric, so sweet!

The Provincial Homemaker said...

That looks like a beautiful book of legends. Love your feedsack quilting too!

The Changling said...

The Norse mythology books are really gorgeous and I love your embroidery. I haven't picked that skill up yet, but I really admire it in others.

W-S Wanderer said...

Great job on the website! Now, the vintage feedsack scraps -- such a feast for the eyes. Their vintageness create such sense of nostalgic wonder.

Elisa said...

I love the embroidery and sewing...and the granny square. Ok. I love all of it! Nice projects!

Ginny said...

I love all your projects and I am glad you were first :)

Heather said...

All of your projects are just gorgeous, and I love your hand embroidery! So pretty.

Unknown said...

It all looks great. So glad I found you- I just write an entry about how we're trying to figure out whether to homeschool and whether to use the Waldorf method. It's nice to see some of it in action.

x m.

prettydreamer said...

this is the very book I gave my daughter for Christmas ... she too is studying Norse mythology this year... I absolutely love all your projects in the work ... have a great weekend! :)

Unknown said...

Hello sweet friend, your post is full of so much creativity - your days have been busy. I like the colors of the granny square, a blanket for Chessa would be wonderful. I still have an embroidery cloth that I made at school but I don't remember - I must relearn and get back into it. At the moment I am making a doll for Sasha and studying horses so haven't been on the computer much. It was so nice to receive your email, I'm sure you are having fun with your horses,, oh mine eat soooo much, they are all fat and happy. Fabien has his eye on some nice properties over there. Sending you and family much lovexxx