Happenings~

Warning....Picture Heavy Post

Wow-- it's been another busy week here in the Material Whirled!
Good news is I that I HAVE BEEN GETTING OUT!
Which is kinda huge-- Paul has been out of town a lot on business and when he is gone I tend to hole up and knit or spin. I am home body for sure, but lately life has been providing tons of fun opportunities for us to go to the city and explore and just absorb life.

First, Ann took a cooking class at Sur la Table in Portland. She was the youngest (by far) but seemed to be the most engrossed. Chef Emily and Chef Scott were remarkable teachers.
While she was in class Eve and I explored (within a few blocks range) the Pearl District (Portland's Upscaleish Art Area) in Portland. We spent time in Powell's Books and in Anthropologie. Here are pics of the yarny window displays there.
I was tickled to realize I am raising city girls. Eve LOVES it downtown and I could see her blossom and glow.

Sat. I went to the Alberta District (Portland's artsy bohemian area) with Jackie and Liz to shop at Imp and Collage and Scrap. I found a ton of paper paraphernalia for my art and just had an overall blast!
We had lunch and coffee and probably caused a bit of trouble... but shhh, we aren't talking about that. We also decided this is to be a monthly excursion. Next time we are hitting the Hawthorne District. Any suggestions of where to go?

Here are some fun shots from the day~


Off to the PO to ship out a pile of orders, then groceries (meh).

Numinous the Troll

I just put 3 new skeins in the Handspun Shop!
Introducing....

Numinous the Troll

Amplify (yummy baby alpaca with merino coils!)
Solitary Comfort~More info (while they last) in the MW Handspun Shop!

LOOK!
Material Whirled was just mentioned on Craft Stylish.com!

Thank you Linda!

Jordan's Acid Grasshopper Hat

FO! Made for my baby brother Jordan (who is now 20!) and in college.

Made using the 3AM Cable Hat pattern by SmarieK.
Ravelry Link.

Knit on size 6 circular needles from Acid Grasshopper Muse Hand dyed from Material Whirled!
Even though the yarn is a worsted BFL, I used the DK pattern version to make a tighter knit.

Wonderful pattern and delicious yarn!

(since Jord is in PA and we are in WA, Ann modeled the hat)

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a spectacular holiday season, however you may celebrate!
Here are pics of my yarn ball tree. Eve finger knitted the garlands.

We have just under a foot of snow. Which has not happened in the Portland area since 1980.
Needless to say the roads are horrible... but it is so beautiful!

So we are IN for the next few days, relaxing, knitting, snuggling and eating.


Merry Merry!
xo

Time...

You know, sometimes I can be such a pain. I had an epiphany this morning, right after I had an existential tantrum.

I always feel like I am rushing through life, putting out the biggest fires first, and never have time to s.l.o.w. down, contemplate, stare. I know this is my fault, as I am the one who sets my schedule and the one who takes on more than I probably should.

It's snowing. I am trapped and have been for days. MW is on vacation for the holidays.

First I danced around and loved it, then I caught up with the list of things to do.
WHAT? freetime? gasp!
It practically threw me into a fetal position. Then I realized, WOW, FREETIME! what a gift.

Paul is out of town and it looks like he will be for DAYS. The girls are out in the snow with neighbor kids, or making cookies, or reading books. They have been beyond occupied.

I always long for breathing room and when it arrives I waste it away by pouting from the shock of it all!
So I hit the studio, dug out my paints and figured out that my ipod will hook to my computer speakers (I know-- duh) and have been painting away for hours....

Here are some pics. More can be seen here.

Heard this on TED.
"Making things actually does give me a lot of joy.
It's the process of creation that keeps me sort of a bubble and a half above perpetual anxiety in my life. And it's that feeling of being about 80% complete on a project where you know you still have something to do, but it's not finished and you're not starting something that really fills my entire life." ~ Ze Frank

Which inspired this painting, called "a bubble and a half"... click to see more pics.

Inspiration~

I have to admit, I am an inspiration junkie. A big chunk of my time is taken each day feeding this hungry monster, but it is as important to me (and my sanity) as oxygen!
My new obsession is Ted.


Wow-- that is all I have to say. If you haven't seen it yet, GO-- feed your monster!

This morning I watched a clip of Isaac Mizrahi. I love him, love his ideas, love his energy levels. I missed his show when it went off the air. Whew! I really um, relate? to his energy level and would love the opportunity to hang out with him, although others may run for the hills.
His site is spectacular too!

I feel all inspired now-- I think I will watch another and knit a bit more until my coffee kicks in...what should I watch next? Unconventional Explanations? Art Unusual? The Creative Spark?

Knotted Symphonic Poem Scarf

A few days ago I posted a link to a No Knit Scarf (knotted) from Martha Stewart.
I finally made one and it really works well with my handspun.

Here is the yarn, Symphonic Poem.

Here is the scarf!
The skein was 70 yards of bulky to super bulky but I recommend having at least 80 yards.

The knotted pattern really shows off the unique qualities of the handspun!

Here is the link to the scarf pattern.

Here is the link to the YARN SHOP where you can find many many beautiful skeins that will make spectacular scarves! (enough adjectives? haha)