"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Monday, July 14, 2014

Around the World Blog Hop

 While I have done a bit of traveling around the world by plane, and boat, and car, and train, I have done far more armchair traveling through blogging.  It is a privilege to interact with creative folk in far flung locales as well as some very close by.  One special creative blogger, Teresa Kasner, actually lives very close by me in Corbett, Oregon, near Portland and has become a lovely face to face friend. Before we met I was delighted to be able to order a set of her beautiful hand painted cards from her blog site, and have two of them framed and hung where I can enjoy viewing them.  She is soooo artistically talented and posts amazing photos and interesting narratives about the world around her, including glimpses of her beading, painting, crocheting, knitting, sewing, and civic and family/friend activities.  Thank you for  asking me to participate in this Blog Hop, Teresa!

1. What am I working on?
I finally finished my first crocheted cotton basket (pictured above) and have the first panel done for a second basket.  I have a crocheted shawl started, one sock on circular knitting needles, a cap on another set of circular needles, and the blanket (pictured below) on another set of circular knitting needles.  I also am working on a little photo album for my youngest Grand, Rose, and am sketching some flowers in her album as well.



 2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?
My work is SIMPLE and SLOWLY COMPLETED :) [I admire and am inspired by those whose work is the opposite of mine :) ]


3. Why do I write/create what I do?
I find joy in the creative process, especially in highlighting or creating the beautiful. [ I told one of my junior high teachers that someday I was going to write a book, but to date I have just written three children's plays, and contributed some devotional material to a book. ]
4.  How does my writing/creative process work?
Sometimes I enjoy the challenge of taking on an assignment, especially a project fueled by need, but more often these days, I find that as I look at the work of others, I am inspired to try to either duplicate what they have created or use their work as a launching platform for a similar project...now if I could just speed up my production rate...especially for making the many gifts I would like to give :)

One of the wonderful bloggers I have met  through Teresa is Betsy Queen whose blog is entitled The Simple Life of a Queen.  She is one of the busiest, women I know!  Her knitting and crochet projects are prolific in number and usually given away.  She is a Christian who is happily married and is living in Spokane, Washington.  She has three adult children and three grandchildren all of whom she has to travel many miles to see. [One of her sons lives in Japan!]  She has agreed to post an Around the World Blog Hop post next Monday, July 21, 2014.  Have you visited her blog?

Gracie xx


23 comments:

  1. Dear Gracie
    What an inspiring post! I so echo how you feel when you mention the joy you get from "armchair travelling" and all the wonderful people that we meet. I think part of the fun once you past the newbie stage is understanding and accepting other people's differences and they way they blog. I must add that I find I learn daily from my contact with my blog friends.

    keep well


    Amanda x

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  2. A very sweet post Gracie, thank you for sharing - and boy, you have a nice variety of projects on the go; taking it slow and easy is GOOD! Keep up the good work! xoJoy

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  3. What a great idea to do a blog hop! Love the crochet basket you made, the colours are so cheerful.

    Helenxx

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  4. Hi Gracie, I enjoyed reading about your projects and hearing about your writing. You should write that book! My grandfather self published a little book about his home town and sold it at the weekly farmer's market each summer. It's something I have to cherish and remember him by. I'll have to check out the new blog, I'm not familiar with Betsy Queen. Happy Monday, have a great day. Heather

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  5. 💐thank you so much I have really enjoyed getting to know you a little better. And,I totally agree travelling through Blogland is both a pleasure and a priveledge.love Linda

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  6. Beautiful post Gracie! I always love seeing your pretty "makes" and can picture your smiling face as I read your words. I hope to see you girls soon!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  7. I didn't realize you had written children's plays before! That is totally awesome:)
    Have a great week Gracie.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  8. I really liked your answer to question 2. Sometimes, in blogland, it feels all rush, rush, everyone in a hurry to complete a project as fast as they can, but you always seem to be able to focus on the sheer pleasure of creating something, however fast or slow that work takes. A lovely post, Gracie! x

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  9. Love reading your blog! :) ((hugs))

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  10. I enjoyed your post, I really appreciate your friendship and your kindness. I also enjoyed hearing how you are inspired when you make your crafts! Love your goose quill! We should get together and I could teach you calligraphy! I'm off to the beach tomorrow.. see you in the pool on Wednesday! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. Such a nice post, Gracie. You are a truly thoughtful and kind person and I always enjoy reading your musings on life and seeing the beautiful things you're working on. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I loved your post Gracie and I see that your love for Teresa and Betsy shines through so bright and strong. You are a blessing to them and to me.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  13. Wow, Gracie, you may think you're not very productive but it seems to me you get a lot done! "Just" three children's plays? Wow.

    A great post, and thank you for sharing a little more about yourself with us. :)

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  14. Slow & steady wins the day, so taking your time to enjoy your projects is a good thing :-) I'm so enjoying this blog hop, it's fun to read about the works and process that others enjoy, don't you think? Thanks for sharing yours, and I'm off now to follow those links and discover some new blogs. Have a happy day, hugs xx

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  15. I loved reading this, Gracie! I am slower than many with my knitting, but I love it so. I truly enjoy the process of the craft, which makes it so enjoyable, don't you think? *hugs* :)

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  16. A lovely post, dear Gracie! You are such a thoughtful person, it is always lovely to read your words both here on your blog and in the kind comments you leave too. I enjoyed reading about the way you work, and was very interested to hear about the children's plays you have written. You have made lots of beautiful things, so slowly working seems to be a good way to go....
    Wishing you a happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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  17. I have really enjoyed exploring your blog.

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  18. It's always nice to learn a little bit more about what makes my blogging friends tic. Thank you for your wonderful post. You are a creative and thoughtful person. I am so glad we "met" in the wonderful world of Blogging.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  19. Nicely done Gracie. I really enjoyed this insight into the way you approach things :)

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  20. I really enjoy your work my dear friend and I believe it does not really matter at all the speed that you make things but, the fact that you are making them and all the love you pour into each project you complete... I myself as well I'm sure everyone who gets the beautiful things you create, am very grateful and happy for every single gift you have made for me . Great post !

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  21. I agree, one can see so much through blog travelling.

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  22. I used to knit and cross stitch. Not sure why I am not knitting, at least. Working four days a week uts down on my creativity. I need to change that since I do have yarn and needles. I enjoy the armchair blog visiting.

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