My newest knitting design is this simple cowl with the softest Merino Wool yarn, and I'm so in love with it! Pattern is free on Ravelry.
I had hoped to paint this live at Hidden Lake viewpoint, but with crowds and lack of time, I ended up painting it from my photos taken. Hidden Lake viewpoint was the highlight of my Montana vacation. I had seen this view so many times in other people's photos. Seeing it for myself with fantastic weather was an incredible experience I will forever be grateful for. Between seeing Seljalandsfoss and this view in person, I think I've accomplished some major goals in life!
Watercolor on paper.
Last week during a mild Friday evening under a new moon, live music was playing across my street by Jacob Westfall who made an appearance on American Idol. While I'm not watcher of American Idol (or much TV anyway), his voice was incredible. I couldn't see the actual concert as it was in my neighbor's backyard, so I sat on my patio and just listened. Above the house where the concert was playing is a large tree, and suddenly I see a giant owl float to a branch in that tree. This bird was so graceful and large, so I retrieved my binoculars to see if I can get a better view. It sat in that tree as if it were also listening to the beautiful music, and it didn't move for at least an hour. The evening felt so magicial.
Although I've painted a few owls already, this sighting and the season had inspired me to paint one. Here is one in watercolor in my bird journal.
My 1985 middle school friend is a grandmother again, this time for two more-a boy and a girl. The baby girl will get a unicorn and caterpillar outfit:
This sea turtle has a slight grin on his face as he swims along in the depths of the big blue ocean. Another fun animal painting done in watercolor on canvas borad. I used a hair dryer on wet paint to give the spreading affect in the water and on the shell. Painted in M. Graham watercolors on canvas board.
This was the first sea animal I painted last year. Growing up, I was fascinated by whales, especially Blue Whales because of their size. M. Graham watercolor on canvas board.
Before we headed to Montana, I had hoped to finish this large satchel to take with me on our trip. Better late than never, it finally did get done shortly after we returned home. I have found that hemp yarn isn't so abundant, and probably because it's not the softest as a raw fiber. Years ago I did find a blend of wool and hemp that once washed is not only soft, but super strong. I feel this blend from Darice is better for accessories such as bags rather than garments you would wear against your skin.
The patch is from Cada Johnson who is an Oregon artist. I've purchased patches from her before, and her artwork is definitely something you would expect to find at an outdoor market in a liberal college town.
The body of the bag is crocheted, while the strap is knitted. It's been washed and dried on a hot cycle to help congeal the fibers. Patch is hand sewn and glued to the bad to stay secure, and a decorative stitch of yarn frames the patch. Very pleased with this new bag!
Often I dream of traveling, but the actual logistics of flying, sleeping in a different bed, trying to figure out where to eat are details ...
