A Sweater For Me

A few weeks ago, I finished a sweater for myself.

You would think, with as much knitting as goes down in these parts that I would have a closet full (or at least a shelf?) of knits just lying around waiting for their chance to see the sun. But the truth of the matter is that I haven’t knit anything for myself since the first awful sweater I made about ten years ago. Ten years, sigh, how is that possible?

The majority of what I knit are gifts for others. That hasn’t meant I didn’t start a few things for myself, but I would lose the pattern, or the yarn, or frog it just to use the yarn for something else. As a matter of fact this yarn was a cardigan gone wrong before I ripped it all out and started over. Now it’s a mama-made sweater for me.

The yarn is fabulous. A lovely bland of silk and linen that I bought in New York at School Products Yarn recommended by Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops. Yes, it’s a strange name for a yarn store, but the shop itself was nothing short of miraculous. The store itself is relatively stark, but the fiber blends? Oh! I didn’t even know some of the blends they had existed. I felt like I was touching silky strings from spun clouds.

The pattern is Heliotrope by Merceded Tarasovich-Clark and it was a gentle project that really didn’t take much attention, skill, or time to knit… well, shouldn’t unless you’re the mother of four. It took me longer than a year. To knit. The last. inch. Really.

I should note, there is a good reason to take photos right after you complete your project before you have a chance to snag it, or have babies pull on the little loops while she’s riding on your back. And don’t forget the drool and other various bodily fluids you’re likely to collect during a few minutes of wear.

So yeah, finish a project, take photos while the little ones are down. As quickly as possible. Words of wisdom from me to you.

Departures and Returns

These days, I can not seem to get my hands out of the mud. The spaces between my fingers and nails are constantly grubby and I think I’ve now managed to place an old toothbrush near every sink in our house in hopes that I might somehow get ahead of the dirt. I can’t really say that it’s helped, but it does give me hope, and who can’t use a little bit more of that in their life?

Starting a few weeks back, I’ve dedicated one night a week to an open studio at the local art center. It has been years since I’ve pushed around clay, but it’s been a welcome return.

Way back in the day, waaaaay back—actually, it hurts to realize how long ago it was when really it only feels like yesterday—I finished the work required to receive a BFA in Art. I’m not sure that I was ever meant to be a studio artist… actually, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am not. The program I completed was a commitment that required a singularly-focused and intense dedication that was beyond my interests, possibly my abilities. I did not eat, sleep, and breathe creation as did some of my talented colleagues. In fact, I was quite in awe and a touch envious of their drive. I loved the thinking, and the exposure to new ideas, the production methods, the community itself, but I had so many other interests that I wanted to pursue in those limited years between the freedom of adolescence and the responsibilities of adulthood. Early on It was clear I was on a different path than the one I was supposed to be pursuing, one that would keep me in my studio until the wee hours pulling and pushing and making and exploring, one that would introduce me to the pressures of producing for gallery shows and commissions and grants.

There have been times in my life when I look back to the years I spent in the art school and think they were wasted, that my energies would have been better matched in another program, possibly in the design school where I eventually worked for my Masters and then taught for a few years. Those are the bad days, and thankfully, those thoughts return less frequently as time progresses. My life took a departure from the original internal script I repeatedly so religiously, the script that led me to a certain number of decisions, which created experiences that helped to redefine the story and shape the person I am now. Isn’t it true for all of us, that the life we lead now is quite different somehow—richer, more subtle, maybe more meaningful, possibly even painful—than the life we originally imagined?

One of my professors patiently explained to us once that we will never again have the unrestricted time and unfettered access to materials and talent than we did while we were in college. Although I’ve always remembered his words, it has taken me years to understand exactly how true they really were. Of course it’s not as if that time didn’t carry its own set of pressures, and the resources we had then are not ones that are readily accessible now. But I’m happy to discover, even though the time and energy is different, there is a focus I have now that wasn’t present back when the world was seemingly wide open and limitless. Maybe that’s part of what it means to be a grown-up; recognizing the ideas and thoughts as the opportunities and distractions they are, and limiting yourself, by the choices you make, in order to progress.

This post as I originally wrote in my head was supposed to be about how fun it was to get back in the studio and get my hands dirty. But once again, I found a metaphor in the work and words that I wasn’t aware of until I began writing and it ran away with my attention. Another step away from the plan as I envisioned, only to come back to the task at hand with fresh insight and a different energy. Just as the studio called to me after all those years, as I’ve worked through the wee sma’s with the drive I used to miss…  I’ve circled back.

It’s funny, isn’t it, that what we consider a departure is also a return.

 

 

Metamorphosis

On Sunday, for Mother’s Day, we spent the majority of the day pottering around in the yard. And while we did, look what we found!

A chrysalis of some variety hanging out in the ground directly below our new blueberry bushes. I do believe it is a moth—Sorry Janet!—but no worries for us here. We are all still amazed at what we found and what it may become, especially the older two kids. Nature never seems to disappoint.

Our newly found friend needed a habitat, of course, so out they all went to find the choicest bits to make her or him comfortable.

I have to admit that as far as temporary shelters go, I wouldn’t mind the accommodations in which our new guest has been happily (we hope) ensconced.

And now, as with so many other things in our lives, we wait and see what happens.

Decorating with Humor

I found a few things a few weeks ago. They’re, um, quite bright, yes? But they were kind of cute and I thought with a little bit of good old fashioned spray paint and a few plants they could fit in on the shelves in the living room.

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So this is how the right shelf looks as of today…

… and here’s the left shelf. What do you think?

I’m up to four shelves done now… I’ll take this as good progress. The terrarium thing has worked out pretty well, although I’ve had to replace a plant or two here and there. Sticking with plants that do well in indirect light has been key. And it only took me a few weeks to figure it out! Look, even more progress!

I think the swan is looking a little bit more classy in her coat of white (please don’t look too closely or you’ll see all the spots I missed that glow just a touch blue!)

And how about these little vases?

I’m trying not to think about them as brainless beauties, but rather as lovely ladies with awesome hats. But the bad seed has been planted I’m afraid.

These three little plants—two in the vases and one as the lovely lady’s hat—are all the air plants from Brimfield. One is already blooming, and the two pictured here are getting ready to flower in the next few weeks.

I used to have a pair of these peacocks, but the baby managed to get a hold of one of them and then smash it to smithereens within the two seconds we had her eyes off of her. I may or may not have held on to the pieces for a few weeks thinking that maybe somehow it would magically be glued together again when I came down for my morning coffee.

I really hope these plants do well. This curly spiral leafed Begonia is something else!

But I have to admit my favorite part is this…

Yeah, definitely my favorite.

Terrariums are popping up everywhere these days, and I’ve enjoyed figuring out how to pull in a few more on the shelves. The thing is, there are only so many glass jars and vases that I felt I could fit in, so finding these goofy little containers seemed like a fun way to fill more space and add more plants.

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Linked to these fine and fun DIY sites ::

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The Loot

In case any of you were worried, I didn’t leave Brimfield empty handed. As a matter of fact, I had spent the majority of my budget three hours after we arrived around 6 am.As hard as it is to believe, even that early we came across several tents absolutely covered with SOLD tags. But I persevered!

Firstly, a set of muffin tins, waiting to go up on the wall in our kitchen.

Then I found a huge number of crocks, and I brought four of them home for me. Perfect for all those pickled veggies I’ll need to put up should the garden work out!

And the set of drawers in one of the images from yesterday just jumped right off the display and into my car. I have to test it for lead paint before I bring it in the house… fingers crossed!

There was a gentleman from New York who had exactly 100 of these hard wood trellises that he brings to every Brimfield show. 100 only, not one more nor one less. Five of these guys came home with me and will be put in the garden to trellis the beans and cucumbers (once I get the other beds built that is… really gotta work on that!)

I found these blocks in a tent filled with rugs from India and Pakistan. I have big plans for these guys, hopefully I’ll be able to get to that this weekend.

This Jenny Lind bed will be painted and put in the girls’ room once I begin that project. Now if I can find two more I’ll be set!

This crate, also featured on yesterday’s post, was from a bottling factory in my mother’s childhood home. Neither one of us had heard of the company before. The man who we purchased the box from had twenty five of them all told, and of course, now that I’m home, I wish I would’ve picked up two or three more.

And last but not least, right before we left we found a tent selling nothing but air plants. I can’t wait to show you what I’ve done with these… hopefully by tomorrow.

Today at Brimfield

We spent a rainy day looking, watching, bargaining, buying, schlepping, sloshing all around the hugest flea market I could have ever imagined. The textures and colors, the lovingly arranged displays, the incidental compositions… all of it was absolutely inspiring. If you ever get a chance to attend one of the three yearly shows, run there, don’t walk.

I would go back tomorrow, if it were at all possible.

Growing Things

Today we spent nearly the entire day outside planting and weeding and tearing up and moving about. After ten days of rainy, foggy, cold coastal spring weather, the bright spot of sun that came out ever-so-briefly in the morning gave us all the push we needed to get out of our pj’s, down the last bits of coffee, and get into the yard for some fresh air. After a few minutes, the fog came back and stayed for a few hours before the sun broke through later in the afternoon, but that freshly washed spring air was something I’ve craved and needed.

We all needed it.

Although it seems as if Spring was stalled for all the cold that April held, things have been growing all around us. Some inside on our windowsills…

And some outside waiting for their chance to be put in the bed…

I’m afraid my cucumbers aren’t going to make it, but it’s OK, I have others germinating right now. To be quite honest, I fully expected the seedling project to utterly fail, so I planted things so much earlier than I should have. The tomatoes are still doing OK, although they need to be transplanted and out into some sort of greenhouse, but the cucumbers haven’t enjoyed the cold, windy weather we’ve been experiencing.

The peas, radishes, sorrel, leeks, beets, lettuce, escarole, bok choy, and tat soi are all doing well, although growing a bit slower due to the colder temperatures.

It was cold outside without the sun, and after an hour or so, the kids went back inside to warm up and grab some lunch while I stayed outside and planted the big bed. It took me five hours, but I got it done.

After many years of planning and dreaming, it is so gratifying to see it start coming together.

I am a little scared it’s going to fail miserably… I’m trying to work the bed with companion plantings which is entirely new and a little bit, well, uncomfortable for me, but I’m hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that it may just work.

And now we wait. It’s time for the roots to take hold. Because, of course, the dream was not only about a garden, but for a wish for a strong family, and a home to shelter us, and a community to ground us all. Watching a physical manifestation of that metaphor not only grow but thrive… well… it means so much more than a plate full of tasty vegetables doesn’t it.

But tasty vegetables would be awesome too.

A Quick Pick-Me-Up

Things are slowly starting to get back to normal… slowly. I’ve managed to get a few things off of my to do list and I’ll count my lucky stars that my mom is here which has made all the difference in my ability to add a precious check here and there.

Over two weeks ago now I gently dug into the great big mess that is the kids’ playroom. Normally, when the room gets to that level of disarray, it’s time to go in with a few bags and boxes to clear things out to donate or pitch. I haven’t gotten there this year, but I did complete a little project to help organize the endless number of crayons that seem to be lying around.

A few months ago I found a number of these small, galvanized buckets (I happen to have a thing for galvanized) on clearance at Ikea that I thought would be just the size to store the crayons. I thought I could spray paint the interiors to help the kids add some order to all their crayon chaos. So I did!

I thought I would need to buy quite a few cans to get all the colors of the spectrum plus white, black, and brown, but surprisingly—or maybe not so much if you’ve seen my collection—I had every color I needed except for yellow. Well then!!

So it’s been a little over two weeks now, and I have to admit, the crayon corral is working quite effectively. I’m sure it has nothing to do with how many movies we’ve had to watch since someone bumped her head. When we bought the dining set two or so years ago, it came with a lazy susan, which has really come in handy for storing art supplies on the table top. Maybe between the two, we can really keep things tidy.

Soon, I’ll need to get into the rest of the room and give it a good and thorough spring cleaning, but that can wait for another rainy day. Right?