Easy Non-Knitting Gift

There comes a time in every knitter's life when knitting for gifts just doesn't work. Not forever, but just for now. Maybe you're writing a book. Maybe you're teaching a lot. Maybe you're having trouble coming up with something you could knit for 12 different people that won't make you want to poke your eyes out. 

(Maybe everyone already has an awesome set of slippers, and they haven't worn out, yet.)

Well, then, maybe bath/shower products are in order. They get used up faster than (most) knitted gifts, they are faster to make than (most) knitted gifts, and it is something new to try (so why not?)

I made these for a recent birthday, and they came out great! Package in Mason jars, for extra Pinterest.

Sunshine

May you be as happy as a fat kitty in a ray of sunshine!

World Domination

We found the globe bar in an antique store in Stillwater, MN. We found the little brave in a thrift store here in Minneapolis, in a pile of little green soldiers.

I like to think of it as a collection of two cultural artifacts from the American near past, and maybe he deserves to be on top of the world, even if he is a Native Appropriation. 

I May Find This Way Too Amusing...

One of the "red herrings" in knitting history is actually red.

I may or may not laugh like a maniac when I say this at my talk tonight. It probably depends on my level of anxiety.

A Change in the Weather

Spring is in the air! I'm slightly distracted by the joy of being outside without pain, my bicycle, studying French and trying to get my office space under control. What's on your mind, these days?

The View From Here

It's all fun and games until someone catches you shooting photos of brick walls through the office window. 

Furry Feet

Summer Rolls

It's not summer yet, but I thought I'd let you all know that summer rolls are easy to make and delicious! That is all...

Humidifier?

The air is so dry in our house the cats have become walking static electricity experiments. So, I thought I'd try hanging my air-dry clothes in this little nook in our bedroom. I figure, it can't hurt!

Cat In a Box

I know it looks silly, but it's an option that keeps him off my keyboard and my lap!

A Doorway In Minneapolis

:) I love it! I can see sideways heart-ish motifs marching up a sock!

Yes, People Do Like Sriracha Sauce That Much

Let your freak flag fly, coworker!

All The World's A Stage

"All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts..."

I've always wanted to do a feminist, knit-centric version of this Shakespeare classic, but I haven't done it, yet...

I Just Like This Photo

I took this at a sales conference a few weeks ago. Clearly, not at home!

Flowers, And Color

One tip I've heard for coaxing yourself out of a color rut: find a piece of art that you like and use colors from it to inspire yourself. 

I think the same can be said of a lovely grouping of flowers. I'm not always a fan of yellow, but I love it grouped with the green, pink and white tones, here. My Nana loved yellow, and was a little sad about not wearing it all of the time in her later years. She felt white was a more dignified color for an older lady to wear. 

I hope she's not too hard on me, if she can observe me, when I'm older. I intend to not cut off my hair and wear whatever color I love that the moment - choices that I know wouldn't fit with her sense of what a proper mature woman does!

Candy!

One of my nice St. Louis Park students gave me candy for our last class last night! Which reminds me - I'm starting that class up again on April 28. Tuesday nights for 4 weeks!

Confidence At The Grocery Store

Who knows what product is THIS confident about their online reputation? 

Great Colorwork Inspiration

I love this! It doesn't fit in my house, but it might fit into a knit design sometime.

Natural Light

I may be in the basement, but at least I have good windows. There's nothing like sunshine to make you feel brighter about everything!

Quilt Slipcover

When choosing a quilt to cover your futon, always check with the cat to see if he approves. I think he does.