Lovely World

spring things

Here is a little blue rabbit I made, in honor of spring's arrival. The top photo is from a folk art book I enjoy flipping through for inspiration. The little white rabbit sitting on the upper left hand branch of the green tree inspired my pattern.

The bottom photo is of a basket sitting on the edge of my work desk that catches pieces I have in progress but am not currently motivated to finish. I have to think on these - what to do next, how to make a certain feature, and the like. The doll (which I showed earlier) now has hair and an embroidered face. I'm thinking about how to clothe or embellish her.

I am happy to tell you that my web site, Lovely World Handmade (lovelyworldhandmade.com), is up and running! Please let me know what you think. My etsy shop has a new banner and will soon have new work in it.

❀ Maribeth

sheep

I've worked out a pattern for a sheep. I have had several pieces of this gorgeous German mohair for a while and am very careful about what I use it for because it is very expensive. I think it makes a beautiful coat for this sheep. A poof of cotton candy. I have also used various colors of the mohair for lion's mane and camel hair.

I have made myself a pinterest account and put up a number of boards. Do you use this site? I am finding it a nice way to save images of things I want to remember. I am also interested in how my particular aesthetic began to shine through once I had posted a variety of images. I suppose we all curate the world with different eyes.

❀ Maribeth

3191Q

I just received the winter issue of Stephanie and Mav's 3191 Quarterly. It is a paper copy of the visual blogging they have become well known for. This is the third one in my subscription. I have enjoyed them, very much like reading their blog. But, I think I like the blog better. Maybe if the magazine were different than the blog - a new project rather than an extension.

And that is an interesting question in itself. How does one translate the material of a blog into the material world? Some days I feel a deep integration of my blogging and my daily life. Other times, my blogging may seem foreign, a construct of my imagination. I can create and recreate myself through pictures and words. Previous generations never had this complicated web of possibilities to navigate.

I do know that I have met people, lovely people, I never would have met if not for this blog. I have been inspired in my creative pursuits, exchanged ideas, offered support and been given support in return. There is something powerful in knowing we can connect groups of like-minded people in the blink of an eye through our blogs and web sites.

There is also a balancing game. Too much time on the computer is no good for me. I have family, friends, work, and my strong draw to the natural world that keep me engaged away from the online world.

But, I guess it is not a black and white equation. This blog has come to serve as a connection to things very much real, and very dear. The things that happen online - blogs, social media, and the like - do translate into quality of life away from the technology. Just look what is happening in the Middle East right now. I think that the ability to connect and share across distances and cultures has strengthened this generation's belief in POSSIBILITY.

Thank you.

yarn

I have been moving slowly along with my goal of making a granny square crocheted afghan. I am enjoying the process, and I think I have gotten far enough along that I am now very motivated to finish. Since I started without a specific pattern I am making things up as I go along. Luckily, the granny square is very forgiving and flexible.

I went to the yarn store last week to purchase more yarn for the afghan. While there, I saw one of the most beautiful scarves I have seen in a long while. The store owner handed me the pattern and directed me to the Noro yarn that I would need. You can see the skeins in the above photo. I will hopefully cast on this weekend.

In the third photo you can see another corner of my work room. I really love the prints of models for wooden toys that I bought from here. I framed them in inexpensive frames I bought at Target.

Today we were hit by a large snow storm. The kids are home, and I have my friend's kids here as well while she is at work. Busy!

mr. spoqui and the snowstorm

Mr. Spoqui is having a contest. Toilet paper tube characters. Make one and enter before Friday. Even if you don't make a character, go see Mr. Spoqui. It is a wonderful place.

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It snowed. A lovely blanket of white. Deep and fluffy. Venturing out was an adventure, the world transformed. Very little traffic on the road, mostly snow plows. Ice on the pond perfect for skating.

paper love

I found some old origami paper hidden in a drawer last week. It inspired these holiday cards that my 7-year-old son made for his teachers and the little paper box that I folded. I like the enthusiasm evident in my son's ink stamping of the greeting.

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I just received the new issue of the lovely Spoonful (thank you Thea). This is a little gem. Simple, small, but bursting with warmth and inspiration. A very nice craft by Melissa in this one!

indoor plants

My indoor plants keep on growing, just like my children. I have to buy new and bigger pots for them, just like shoes for my children.

These are a few that got new pots this weekend. {This photo shows them in the old pots.}

Hermine likes to indoor garden. I always like her blog.

Happy Monday to everyone. Maybe it will snow this week?

snowy

The warmer, rainy days we had early this week have changed to snowy, bitterly cold days. There is a saying here in the Berkshires: If you don't like the weather, wait a minute.

Our wood pile is stacked and in active use. Our fires are comforting in the evenings, now that the sun is disappearing over the mountain by 4:30 in the afternoon.

Speaking of cold and snow, I was surprised and pleased to find this post featuring my work, Lovely Polar Bears, on the blog A Polar Bear's Tale. This blog is written by Aputsiaq in Copenhagen, Denmark. She makes lovely fiber creatures herself. Thank you Aputsiaq.

My watercolor circles. Very cheery against the white of the snow.

My daily theme of late has been gratitude and generosity. Narayanan Krishnan is my new hero. I cried when I watched this. Please take the brief moment it takes to watch this.

 

quiet

I found some breathing room at home today, amidst the comings and goings and responsibilities. This need to stand still in one place has been an ongoing theme for me as of late. I believe that it is my mind that needs to settle. The world will turn as it may. I need to choose how I will respond to that turning.

Have you seen this?

350 EARTH Project

 

missive

I received this missive from my son. It is nice to be loved.

Lovely Things:

Petra Hilbert

Ana Ventura paperdolls

Dolphin Studio calendar

Oh My Cavalier pencils and eraser