Art class

When I read Lisa from, Artsy Endeavors, was going to draw
100 self portraits I thought of
Rembrandt.

I requested a few books from the library.

While looking for art books
I found a few how to draw books.

I decided to give myself an art class.

                                                        I have given myself other classes.

I would love to know how to do simple sketches.

Like my photography

I would take my sketch book outside in every season.

I would love to know how to draw simple shapes

and loved creatures.

Bugs would be fun to draw.

I have been reading and reading.

I have been waiting for my creative juices to flow.

Perhaps with Spring coming they will rise like the sap in the trees.

Candles

I have been studying color.
I am all about red these days.
I have lots of ideas for projects.

                                       I have been saving candle pieces since October.
                                      I had enough wax to make a few container candles.

At the thrift store I bought a small splatterwear sauce pan just for melting wax.

I placed a few wax pieces in the saucepan and used the medium heat setting on the small burner.
I used a wooden spoon to stir the pieces as they melted.

I used some string for wicks and poured the melted wax into my pots.

It was very fun to do.

I had never made candles before.

I hope they burn okay.

Chinese Knots

I want to learn how to make decorative knots.
I requested a few books from the library.

                                The Chinese knots are so beautiful and have an interesting history.

My husband helped me set up a knot board.
I gathered my supplies.

I worked on my first knot.

  
It is harder than it looks.

My first knot!

I need to get some different cording.

It is very fun to do.

It might be awhile before I am knotting

and making tassels
like the professionals.

I want to make decorative knots for my prayer ropes.

I also want to learn how to make Celtic knots.
I think they are very similiar.

I found the red satin boxes at the thrift store.
Perfect place to store my knotting supplies.

Prayer Beads

This book from the library inspired me
to make prayer beads.

I am planning a rosary. I am gathering beads from my Grandmother and from my Mother.

I am making a prayer rope from my dried Solstice roses.

I added 1/4 cup water to two cups of
crumbled dried roses.
I mixed the water into the roses until I had a paste.

I folded in a few drops of Rose Absolute.

I pinched off a small amount of paste
and made a ball about the size of a dime.

I made a hole through the rose beads with a darning needle and some ribbon.

 The rose beads are in a flat basket drying on the hearth.

It will take about a week for them to be dry.

I made 24 beads.

After the beads are dry I will string them and spray them with clear varnish.

Slippers

I have been knitting little slippers.

These are so soft.
Perfect for when I sit at the spinning wheel.

These were so fun to make too.

I made a pair for my son out of home spun alpaca yarn.

I think they will keep him warm this winter.

Deb from Posted From Home

did a post about Mary Janes Farm

and the slippers.

When I left a comment about wanting to try to knit them

Deb was so kind and sent the pattern.

Thank you Deb!

Right away I subscribed to the magazine. Lots of good green ways here.

These slippers were fun to knit. This was my first attempt at following a pattern. I left the strap off of the two pairs I made last week. I think I will try a pair with home-spun yarn for me. I shall try to knit the strap.

I just love knitting!

Soft

The light
is soft in the Surprise Lilies

and the cone flowers.

The light seems to bounce about in the zinnias

and the bee balm.

The Gold Finches have a light of their own.




I have finished knitting my first yarn from Flora,
the Paco-Vicuna, I visited last month.



I designed a simple garter stitch scarf for my friend.
The bow detail is the tail from when I casted on my first stitches.
I am knitting another Flora scarf for me.

I once again will be knitting the simple plain stitch.

I am interesting in showing Flora's fiber

not how cleaver I am with the knitting needles!
The garter stitch scarves will hold up nicely.

The light seems to bounce from the yarn.
The yarn so soft.
When I walk this Autumn I will be warmed by Flora.

I will be connected with my friend in England.

Paco-Vicunas

Over the weekend we visited a Paco-Vicuna Ranch.
I was looking for fiber.
I found heaven.

This is Athena.

She is a premier plus animal with a beautiful fleece.

I shall be getting some of her next shearing.

A new cria, Blaze, only three weeks old.




So cute and soft.

I bought 4.5 oz of Flora's yarn.

This will get me started.

I bought the fingerling weight.

Exquisite yarn for a new knitter.

I have partnered with Hickory Ridge Farms.

I only want to knit Paco-Vicuna wool.

It is like knitting with cloud fiber.

It is soft.

It is devine.