Knitting with a Smile

What a darling little girl! This painting by Johann Georg Meyer von Bremen is entitled Young Girl Standing in a Doorway Knitting. Knitting is what I'm currently busy with. I found an excellent tutorial to teach me a certain technique (knitting in the round) needful for a certain project I'm presently working. I enjoy making every little stitch, quickly wrapping soft yarn around smooth, warm bamboo needles, rapidly slipping stitches off one needle with another as each new stitch is formed. From the endearing smile in the eyes of the little sweetheart above, I gather she's just as pleasured by this happy handwork as I am.

My Lovely Purple Skirt

I was very pleased with the outcome of my first sewing project. My mom helped me with this project step-by-step; I'm ever so thankful. =) I'm unable to go store-shopping because the village we live in is isolated, so I had to make do with ordering my pattern and fabric online. Upon receiving the cotton material, a dark purple, I was surprised in that it was a few shades lighter than I was expecting. Thankfully the color isn't too overwhelming; it looks darker in this photo than it actually is. As for the pattern -- it was excellent! So simple and so pretty! Full, long, flowing, very modest and very becoming. The pattern is first cut into four pieces, then they are sewn together, elastic is put in the waist, and finally the hem is sewn. It took me and my mom over four hours to complete the skirt; it could have been finished in less time, but we had some difficulty with cutting the pattern to fit my height.

I've found that, as with any other creative handwork, I greatly enjoy sewing. I very much look forward to developing this useful skill.

PATTERN DETAILS

View and Order Pattern

Copyright: Simplicity

Patchwork Cow

I delightedly completed this adorable cross-stitch last night. I worked on it for a little over a month. I just love cows for some crazy reason -- I have ever since I was about twelve years old. I think it must be that dumb, silly look on their faces that appeals to me. =D I have a huge collection of stuffed cows, and I think when I have my own kitchen I'd like to decorate it in black-and-white cows and ox-eye daisies. =) Anyhow, when I happened upon this cute cross-stitch kit online one day, I couldn't resist! It was so much fun to work on. I adore the pretty patches in various designs: checkers, a red heart full of pink hearts, stars, polka-dots, stripes, triangles, and a rosebush. The blue bow completes this beautiful bovine's apparel.

I'm so glad I picked up cross-stitching for the reason that I can't draw for anything -- I can't even draw a decent stick figure. Ha, ha! Cross-stitching satisfies my desire to be pictorially creative, only in this case I use a needle and colorful thread rather than a brush and paint.

KIT DETAILS

Title: Patchwork Cow

Copyright: Dimensions, Inc.

Size: 7" x 5"

Time to complete: 1 month & 2 days