"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

Saturday, February 28, 2015

February Finery


My youngest daughter took this photo and the next to show you what I made with the wonderful yarn I purchased from Camellia Fiber Co.'s Rebekka.

The yarn on the needle is all I had left of the 180 yards I bought!  Whew!

A view of Mt. Hood from Revenue Road near our home in Boring, OR.
Same view as above but zoomed in.
A zoomed in view of Mt. Hood from Orient Drive a few blocks south of our home in Boring, OR
An ocean view sunset from Lincoln City, OR, I saw with my oldest sister...neither of us pictured :-)
I finished knitting a dishcloth while in Lincoln City.  That is my sister Carolyn's right hand :-)
Down between our two ponds these Daffodils are already in bloom!!!
My oldest daughter took this photo of a mystery bush just starting to bloom, down by the brook.
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are back on the front pond ready to welcome ducklings.

Our Forsythia bush and Daffodils in the front south yard are in early bloom.
My oldest daughter painted the picture of the cherry tree, sheep and mountains for my birthday <3
Illuminated manuscripts are among my favorite art works, and these books remind me of that style of art and encourage me to learn how to better combine colors and designs.  My art journal is under all the books :-)  I decorated the pitcher in this photo to remind me of  Psalm 56:8 NLT "You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book." My little plastic snowman is in the picture because it looks like he is the only kind of snowman we will have down here in the valley below Mt. Hood this winter, and I am a bit sad that is so, although  I realize there are some who are snowbound or otherwise snow challenged who would gladly change places with me.  [Forgive me, please?]
This little flower is one I have drawn in my one-year-old granddaughter, Rosie's album I am putting together for her.

February 27th, I finished knitting the alpaca-silk cowl I started knitting on size 4 circular needles after Christmas.  I simply used garter stitch, then crocheted the cast on row in single crochet.  Even though it was on circular needles, I knit it flat and joined it with a row of single crochet.  Then I loosely basted along the join, gathered it and tied it off.  I had the heart pin which was given to me years ago by my good friend, Annie, and I decided to pin it on the cowl to finish it off.

Somehow, I am behind again on reading others' posts and posting anything myself.  I aim to post once a week, but I find that even though I am "retired"  there is much more I want to do than can be crammed into the time I have.  I so admire those whose creative output outshines mine, and rather than be discouraged, I am inspired by those who outshine me to enjoy what creative process I can, and cheer on at least some of those whose output so inspires me.

Did you enjoy February's Finery around you?

xx
Gracie







26 comments:

  1. Love your new cowl--the color looks perfect on you and complements your sweater too! Mt. Hood looks so beautiful -- what a joy it must be to see it from so very close! Your mystery pond bush has me very curious! I will have to ask my gardening expert if she can identify it.
    Wishing you a very blessed Sunday Gracie! May God's peace and love feel your heart as you worship Him.
    Blessings, Aimee

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gorgeous Grace and lovely seeing your face too, I am going very slowly on the knit and crochet front at
    the moment, but still enjoying oxoxox

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gracie, the scarf is beautiful! I loved seeing it on you! I am paying much closer attention to knitting these days!!
    Lovely photos! Love the painting your daughter made for you!!
    XO Kris

    ReplyDelete
  4. You sure look snug in your new knitted creation! The mountain looks stunning. Reminded me a bit of the Sierra Nevada in Spain, with the sunshine on the snow.

    Helenxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your finished cowl is beautiful as is your lovely photo. Mount Hood is so beautiful. I think you are very creative and do so much! I thought I'd have lots of spare time when I retired but I think I'm busier than ever :-) - in a good way though :-) The painting your daughter did is so lovely - such a thoughtful present. We have not had snow this winter and ( ssshh) don't tell anyone but I would love some!!! I have had a busy but very enjoyable February. Hugs Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Gracie, your cowl looks absolutely gorgeous and it suits you so well :)
    I loved looking at you photo's and think the idea of making an album is a great one....I may have to start one myself.
    Hoping that the spring flowers continue to bloom and bring you joy,
    Blessings, Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful Gracie. I love the photos of you and your new cowl. It's very pretty but you are even prettier. The pin finishes it off perfectly. I enjoyed all of your photos today. The birthday painting from your daughter fits in your room perfectly. I'm missing the warm weather back west. I had hoped to go to church with Mandy at her new church today, but we're in the midst of another ice/sleet/snow storm today and everything is cancelled. Luckily Dennis' plane took off just before the freezing rain started this morning. I sure hope to see you avian before too much time has passed.
    Blessings always Gracie,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your new cowl looks so beautiful, and soft too....and you look lovely wearing it, Gracie. I enjoyed seeing all the pictures in this post, beautiful Mount Hood and the early spring you are enjoying there. Wishing you a Happy March!
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's nice to see you, Gracie. You have such a beautiful smile. Take care and enjoy all of your interesting projects and those blooming flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Gracie, your cowl is lovely and looks very pretty on you. Looks like you are enjoying time with your family. The photos of Mount Hood always amaze me; it is majestic. We are getting more snow today on top of what we had from last week. Looks like we'll have a delayed spring here in Ohio. Have a blessed Sunday, Heather

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi, Gracie! Not sure if I've ever commented here before, but I feel like I know you anyway! I LOVE your knitted cowl! It looks great on you as a hood too. I noticed your coffee table trunk in your living room and it's beautiful!!! We've been looking for one to use in our living room, but we haven't found one we both like. Nice pic of the beach too!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gracie, you look absolutely radiant and beautiful with your fabulous cowl on! Your daughter took super nice photos of you! I'm so glad you got it finished and can enjoy wearing it. Great shots of "our" mountain. I can't wait to see the baby ducks.. little fuzz buckets. I hope my shoulder is well enough to swim on monday. Enjoy your flowers.. and hope you figure out that budding bush! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my goodness your cowl is lovely. It looks so warm and very stylish. The pictures are lovely of the area where you live. What a beautiful area. Wishing you a most blessed day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your cowl is nice. It is nice that you are making a journal for your granddaughter and drawing in it. That is pretty special!! My daffodils are blooming. I have bought some plants in the last couple days. This sunny weather is giving me spring fever, even with the chilliness. I am enjoying the beauty!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. The cowl looks so soft and comfy - I like the way you gathered the seam a bit. It's so satisfying to use up all but the last few inches of yarn, especially a yarn that nice.

    Mt. Hood looks lovely in that snowy blanket. And you have FLOWERS! Enjoy them!

    P.S. I am very fond of illuminated manuscripts too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the cowl Gracie! It ended up beautiful and the button is lovely. I'm glad you had a wonderful February .

    ReplyDelete
  17. OOOh grandma what a fine cowl you have got! It is always good to catch up with your news Grace. I love the cowl and the mount Hood pictures as ever. Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Those are such a lovely picture of you Gracie! So nice to see your signs of spring it looks more advanced than here. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Gracie - I loved seeing your beautiful smiling face from peeking out from the lovely cowl you made. I also love the way your living room always looks - so warm, cozy and inviting.

    ReplyDelete
  20. A beautiful post. Your photos are stunning. XoX

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your cowl is splendid and suits you to a tee! I love the pewter clasp (?button? brooch?). Thanks for the wonderful photos of the mountain, and bonus sunset over the ocean. When I first moved to the East Coast of Scotland it took me a few years to get used to the sun *rising* over the sea. Of course, we can enjoy sunsets over the ocean on the other side of the country. I also really like the yarn-bombed walking stick, with sheep I think? Clever. Happy March!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You did a beautiful job on that cowl and put the yarn to good use! It looks lovely! Enjoyed the photo of Mt. Hood, the sunset, and all the flowers... Though my plans aren't finalized yet, it looks like I may be returning to Oregon for a few days this spring--will be wonderful to see the land of my nativity again! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have a friend who maintains that she is busier in retirement tan she ever was when working. The cowl looks so soft and warm!

    ReplyDelete
  24. You are so busy traveling, swimming and tending to your family Gracie. I love the cowl, it is gorgeous and looks so soft and warm. Love the photos of your mountain.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh my goodness, WOW! That is wonderful! It looks so beautiful!!! Great job! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your cowl, the pin is perfect on it :)
    Jillxo

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting me today! I welcome your comments!