My Trip to Washington DC in April~~~ visiting Looped Yarnworks!

It's been quite a while since I blogged but have missed it greatly. During this time I've had to cope with several things and one of them is my vision. As many of you know I was diagnosed with glaucoma about 5 years ago and at that time I really had no peripheral vision loss but was uncomfortable with the diagnosis. I had several factors going against me, including trauma to my left eye in my first marriage, a strong family history being two of them.

My journey in the past 5 years has been to say the least over the top stressful but I thank God for all I've learned and His strength to get me through it. I'm content to whatever life brings because I know He is always with me and will never leave me, forsake me and I live every day even more committed most likely for having gone through the very things that sharpened my strength.

About 2 months ago, I went on a business trip to DC and prior to that had a very bad migraine type headache of which I have had off and on since I was 13 years old. But this one was a bit stronger than I had every had. I still just treated it as usual, also coping with some heart issues at the time. Short story, I noticed my vision was getting very gray in some areas. I can still see because my right eye is basically taking over for my vision loss in the left. I covered my right eye with my hand and I realized my glaucoma was pretty bad at this point. I made an appointment and saw a general eye doc I usually see who led me to a specialist who is 3rd in the nation and I feel honored for answered prayer to see this group. I've been through alot of eye testing and the Glaucoma specialist said I was not really eligible for the laser or insertion of a tube with surgery because my medication was keeping my pressures in a normal range. The reason I am going blind in this left eye is something obviously in the past year that has caused ischemia, or poor blood flow to the retina per the specialist review of my tests and graphs. This can happen in glaucoma and any vision I've lost which like I said before thank God my right eye is healthy, but it's irreversible. So I am now being sent to a Retina Specialist in 2 weeks for a 3 hour study on the blood flow in my back of my eye and brain evals. The goal is to slow down the progression of vision loss. The worse part is this is hereditary. Sometimes we just don't know what accelerates the ischemia but I have been told to really get a hold on the stress level.

I am coping well and I have good days and bad days with sometimes having optic nerve pain in that eye. I still am able to drive and work and do as before but I have had to make adjustments and know some things that make the pain worse in the back of my eye which is from the ischemia actually.
Today for example is a good eye day! I avoid flourescent lights as much as possible and am in the process of getting it approved to tint my windows as sometimes even sunglasses can cause headache from the glare. My visual acuity is excellent in my right eye which is helping alot to compensate for the left one.  I am on a diet full of salt, adding salt, drinking more fluid right now to keep my blood pressure up for perfusion. They are thinking at night while I'm sleeping my blood pressure falls really low so I have to eat saltines before I go to bed.

So, just an update on what else besides lots of work has kept me distracted. HOWEVER!  I went on a business trip to DC in April and before the conference got to go back to Looped Yarnworks!!! I love the yarn there, the atmosphere, and act like a kid in a candy store.

I saw this Malibrigo in the colorway English Rose and immediately it sparked joy for me as it reminded me of all the colors in my grandmother's rose garden of the old big velvety petaled roses she had. I immediately started on a simple shawl. I am just gartering this and increasing on the second knit stitch by KFTB.

Take a look-see at the colors.

I actually had this much progress as I knit through the conference listening to the speakers. 

Basically you CO 30 st

then the following and all rows are K1, KFTB, K to end of row

then after 3 cakes of yarn (or 2 for a shawlette)

bind off and block.

I am planning on embellishing about 3 inches from botton in some small knitted ribbons or lace. I haven't completely decided but it will looks simple and sweet.

my little stash from Looped

the colorway, English Rose

A treat for my dry hands~~ a LO-LO Bar in Ginger Amber

YUMMINESS, I tell you!  All natural oils for ingredients and very fresh smell.

I kinda like  this little saying. :)

This bar is always in my project bag and speaking of project bag I couldn't pass up this handmade one which is lined in muslin and draw-string, Perfect medium size.

It couldn't have gone any better for this project remembering my days when I played jump rope and hop scotch at my grandmother's house.

I SO want to make these bags. I have alot of project bags already but I really do want to learn how and maybe start selling some on Etsy.

The pink rick-rack is so sweet as are the little girls on the print.

Now......................................................................................

my progress just 2 weeks ago is here:

I have more progress now and will catch you up on next post.

I am making some of these little project markers and here is one of them.

Soon to be in my Etsy shop. They are really good for seeing how much progress you are making and then just move them again and again. 

You can see the edging that the second stitch in KFTB makes. Neat and simple.

I love lace shawls too. I'm just enjoying when I get a chance to knit this. I am almost down now to the end of the second, caked ball. It's tempting to stop there as I'm using a 32 circular and it's getting full but I want this one large and cozy. Right now, I counted 170 stitches on this row I'm at as of yesterday.

My needles are Addi TURBO LACE in number 6.

My first taste of Addi TURBO LACE!!!!! SWEET!

I love the more pointed end, and stitches glide so fast.

 Sorry for such a long post. It will take me several to catch up!! 

Trips are few and far between for me but I always enjoy Women's Health Conferences in Washington, DC not only because it's just an awesome city, but honestly, the best women's health updates for practitioners, I have found. I really enjoyed the hotel, the conference speakers and updates I can now apply to practice. 

Stay cool!

Luscious Grey Color for a Cambridge Seed Stitch Scarf

First of all, welcome to newcomers to the blog where I journal my fiber experiences and also my love of learning new things, sharing with others things I find helpful in "feathering your nest" and also my progress on stitching and knitting, junking, repurposing things for around the home, and some of my favorite things.

 

I also appreciate and love all your dear comments! Recently and mostly through the year I have been inundated with so much spam through the blog that I've had to weed through, that I had to add a feature that may slow down your commenting but I hope not. I really didn't have a choice. It's one I myself don't like to do on other blogs but it's the putting in the code to make sure you are human.

I clearly had to do this from some of the vulgar and insane links and spam mail from folks who I guess don't have much of a life but to do this. After a link to pole dancing I decided that was it, I had to moderate more strictly.

 

I've also had some obnoxious "anonymous" comments to moderate. Right now I have not put on the settings to not accept any anonymous comments but it may be in coming as I know of some folks who basically stalk me on the internet and it's how he gets his thrills..............

 

But on to more positive things, as this is a happy place, and let's keep it that way!

 

I'm BAAAAAAAAAAACK!  Home sweet home. For security reasons, I could not put specifics of my location or things but now I'm back to the regular daily grind.

Abbie and Mr. Darcy gave me a VERY  warm hot welcome and last night I slept 12 hours so I definitely needed the rest.

I went to Washington, DC to a work conference and after conference and on the last day, I had a plane delay I went to Looped Yarnwork shop, a very hot spot in the DC area for knitters. I had the most fun sitting around with other knitters, mostly younger than myself, hipsters, and lovers of yarn, to knit with a group. I showed them my project of the blue scarf I designed and knitted through hours of conferencing and it was just a very happy experience.

 

Because I love my man so much and he is one, hot gentleman, I picked out 3 skeins of dark gray yarn to make a Seed Stitch Cambridge Scarf  by designer Stephanie Japel. This pattern is included in the Knit Lab Craftsy class I took in December (and still go back for reference). The yarn is 100% Peruvian wool, not thick at all, and the color is reminescent of a business grey.

 

I'm an English knitter, so it's going slower than other projects I've made. Definitely ready to get to the basket stitch section! One item I can't live without is a row counter!!!

 

 

 

 

The luscious, gray Peruvian wool is  making a nice man's dress scarf. The first seed stitch section almost done. Next a basket stitch section in all kinds and number. This is not a TV stitching project but counting the purls and knits are definitely soothing.

 

 

the Seed stitch closer up

 

 

the texture up even closer. (the white hair is not Abbie's but in the wool!) :)

 

 

 

 

 

I had to "tink" (that is the word for frogging knits, it's the work knit spelled backwards) alot starting this scarf. I want it perfect for Mr. Darcy for the Fall/winter so I'm going slower. I have had to restart twice now.

 

 I learned today on a lesson on Utube about placing a thin thread through the 1st section to make a "lifeline" in case of messing up and not having to start ALL over which was the best tip yet.

 

 I also brought a little Spring with me back even though the air was frigid on my trip there. This is so cheerful.

 

 

A felted, zippered bag with a large side hook for the arm.

 

 

I love all the colors on the bag.

 

 

Pinks and the blues

 

 

 

Great storage for needles and a project on the go with some beautiful color therapy as well. It is lined with cotton.

 

 Well I best get back to unpacking------ my most favorite thing to do----NOT!

 

Today's purl of wisdom~~~

 

"~~~~~a cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Eccles. 4:12

 

As an introvert, I have learned to avoid isolating myself but to include daily in my life, people who I love and those who love me. It's strengthening, healthy, and protective.

 

with love,

Jennifer

Exploring the One Row Lace Scarf freebie on Ravelry

Good afternoon, friends!  I hope your Saturday is going well and restful plans for the evening!

I've had a day of conferencing for work and now I'm going to Ravelry and found a great One Row Lace Scarf. I've knitted a few rows and really like it. I'm doing my next section in the blue scarf with this pattern. The pattern is free on Ravelry.com and called One Row Scarf. I plan to sample this out finishing up the blue one and then make a nice and airy thin, Spring scarf with this simple pattern of lacework. I have some fingerweight yarn to try with this.

Things I've done in Washington, DC:

• studied new research in Women's Health
• found a yarn store called Looped and did a major happy dance while watching other knitters join in on the fun of yarn, looked through all the Knit books and dreamed for one day garment making.
• got a free canvas bag from Looped
• ate the best Clam Chowder ever--warm and just right for the cold night.
• ate Eggs Benedict with Virginia ham for the first time and it was great!
• forgot my camera disc card, therefore relied on cell phone camera
• dropped my camera on a marble floor and now it's only saying "no sims card", hoping when I get home it's fixable free.
• rode the Metro again and got lost a few times but found my way with a few angels to help me
• window shopping
• repeated myself to alot of folks because I must speak really Southern here and I speak softly
• road in a taxi and passed a store called "WTF" and went "Wha?
• missing the country life now--I love to visit the city when I have work conferences but ready for home in the country by day 3-4.
• wished I had more time and the money to go exploring more in the city but limited
• thankful for the hotel they put me in as it's supernice!
• enjoyed networking with other health care providers in women's health
• thankful for no 5 in binders of syllabus but now online (those things are heavy to pack back on the trip)
• enjoyd some free time in the evenings to just plain rest.
• appreciated my well water when I took a slug of this city water.....yuck
• thank God I'm able to get up every day and hope to claim His promise that He will take care of me.
• missed this precious sweet baby

•  and re-posting a freebie for HOPE. Hope for whatever situation in health life is throwing at you right now, hoping it's good, but if not, hang on to hope because there is much research in gender medicine.

 

Hope

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2012

reposted 2013

 

Send me some of your "hope" if you stitch and finish this one up! I would love to see this in all the creative ways I know each of you have!

 

You can use this to change colors for different health issues awareness's, i.e pink or the above for breast cancer awareness, teal for ovarian cancer awareness, purple for domestic violence awareness, red for cardiac health awareness, etc.

 

Because this is what we have in today's world~~hope, whether living in the city, or rural areas of the country. We share a common bond in our hearts and hands.

 

Love to each of you,

Jennifer

My Cornflower Blue Superwash Wool Serendipity Style

While on a work trip this week, I had time to visit this shop in the DC area:

 

Looped Yarn Works

 

http://loopedyarnworks.com/

 

It was a hopping joint, and happy place by many young folks, that's for sure! It sure made me do a happy dance.

Knitting touches all the senses in the texture of yarns, the colors, the type of yarn, etc.

It was certainly a candy store for me and I took all the beautiful colors in and dreamed and drooled.

 

I have found Ravelry website and love this site as many knitters do. There are so many free patterns and I"m itching to make a summer shawl.

 

I was shocked to see many men in the shop and also alot of college kids.

 

I had tucked in my bag for the plane ride some 100% wool superwash yarn I had in my stash. It was discounted and I got 2 skeins, not even realizing what I would do with it. I have since (in music terminology) ad lib, and made up things as I went along.

 

I've learned lessons such as stockinette stitch blocks will certainly curl the edges by themselves and even if separated with garter stitch, they curl as well.

 

 The color is a yummy Cornflower Blue.

 

The only pics I can take are with my phone so please bear with it.

 

playing with increasing and decreasing and such, making some eyelets....no pattern.

 

 

still not blocked yet. It really looks good when stretched out a little.

 

then today.............. to here with some texture changes......................

 

 

and yes it's curling......I kinda like it this way.

I plan to double this length. I have one more skein in this lot number and brand.

 

 

just alternating stockinette blocks with garter blocks. I have a silver round scarf ring to use with it or without it.

 

 

 Stay warm. It's VERY cold here this week!

 

Dinner was a scrumptious Maryland Clam Chowder with bread and butter. Perfect for a cold night like this. More work in women's heatlh research all weekend. Just breaking up the time with some stitching so my left and right brain are both equally stimulated :0

 

Till later..............

Strawberry pin cushions, fat quarters, and matching totes

Today's adventures rambling about with some finds. One I needed, the rest, well.....you know the stash has to grow......

this lighted tree has been in my kitchen since Christmas. I saw these Strawberry pin cushions with the black ball pins  (the seeds) and for 50 cents, they add a little Summer to the kitchen.

and they made my skirt fly up............

I've enjoyed this little tree but sadly when the lights go out, they are OUT~so enjoying them while I can.

Mark down on the record I haven't dreamed, smelled or perused through a quilt store in over a year.

So I spent some quality time in an old Victorian quilting store with rooooooooooooooms of colors and picked up these fat quarters to live with my other stash members.

This one I just loved the colors. It's flannel.

Then met with a friend who owns her own business for the past 25 years and knows I'm blogging about this adventure. I went in there to get a duffel bag because this girl has been "on travel" alot these days. My other ones broke the zipper.....soooooo.............she engraved my name Jennifer Ann for free.

The Black thread didn't contrast well but I didn't want anything that screamed at me.

So the duffel, good for an overnight adventure with a little bag to match.

And you KNOW I had to get this bag. It even would be a great cross stitching tote and the engraving is FREE. Takes her about 10 minutes.

She has great prices. This bag has room for a waterbottle, a zipped top and even a little zipped pocket for scissors or other notions.

So, the much-needed day out of the house was well worth the adventure.

By the way, these backs and free monogramming are at Vickies on the square in Dahlonega, Ga.

She amazes me with her machine how straight, how fast, and adept she is with them.

And, if you really are into monogramming, i.e, sheets, pillowcases, shirts, even panties........this lady will fix you up. She has all colors.

So now when I travel, I will not look mismatched together and another plus is these are not too heavy by themselves, a must for ole timers like me. :P

I hope your day was with some peak of fun, a dash of a friend's stories, a Taco Bell, and a good

Cherry Lime Spritzer in this heat!

Till later,

Jennifer

Home Tweet Home~~the Birds are singin'

I love going to a big city once a year but always glad to be home by the 5th day at least!  It's such a great contrast to the balance of the world, fast and slow. Moderate and stagnant. Green and cement. ;)

I had some really great meals while I was there and just had a very good time this year on a business trip for Women's Health.

I went a day early this year to explore some favorite spots in Washington, DC and Alexandria. I think I rode about every public transit you could find, just getting lost in a good way actually, being spontaneous with the time I had which was limited.  My third visit ever to In Stitches was ever so exciting as usual!! Patricia was very nice and helpful and I wanted to bring everything home, but this is what I DID get for my stash!!

They have a great blog, by the way, and if you look on my side bar you'll see it.

She showed me many of the latest Nashville recent designs and just was very pleasant to me. The models are intriguing in there!

My camera is hanging on a limb hinge that is loose so here goes with the pics.

Actually this first one is Coverlet Birds progress that I took with me. The Scarlett House is the designer. This is the first time using Needlepoint Silks and I love it. Although they are not varigated in color, I think it was a great designer choice for the replication of a coverlet pattern. Why do I love birds so much????   I don't know but it seems to be a theme of things I got and working on right now.

I did some frogging on the plane today. Finally got the head count straightened out.

I hope to frame this piece in a black frame as on the cover. I think this looks best!

I am stitching using 32 ct Earthen Belfast linen 2 over 2. I almost used 1 over 1 but, I think with in keeping with the coverlet texture, the 2 over 2 is better. NPI silks as called for in the design.

now, for other items from In Stitches shop in Alexandria.

My Dear Friend book by Blackbird Designs

The sampler on the right "Love One Another"........ I had the threads pulled and have the linen at home.

I love this and will definitely be stitched and in the homestead this year.

Gentle Art's Mulberry is what is called for, a monochromatic, beautiful deep red.

A sewing pouch, rather large, but I love the colors and the sampler fabric.

The pockets are very unique. This is by Shepherd's Bush.

Strong snaps to close

This is probably my most favorite find. This is the last one they had in the store.

These threads are for one project in the BBD book. It's a small finish and the new color Polliwog is very neat in contrast to the other two colors for it.

Little House Needleworks Christmas Ornament that I saw in January and knew, just knew this would be one to stitch for Christmas 2012 because this Christmas will definitely be a pleasant contrast to the last one I hope. I feel so blessed and ever since this one came out, I loved it.

This one by Charland Designs. It's a new one and I plan to stitch it in a different color, Chester Blue silk instead.

More luscious colors!

And a finger nail file too because I broke a nail running from place to place getting there. Honestly. LOL

A large piece of Lakeside linen for this project:

I only got 1 of the 3 parts but the linen for all 3. I think I have enough to do for awhile. :)

And some Kelmscott Daisy scissors for the Spring and Summer stitching.

I hope your weekend went well and you got an Irish kiss on Saturday!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Monday tomorrow!!!

Till later,

Jennifer