Good Enough to Eat

None of my "crafty friends" do just one thing. We all knit and crochet, or we sew, embroider, make soap, tat, quilt, bake - the list is an endless one and many people do all of those things. I always like to share interesting stories or cute little things about something other than knitting every now and then here on the blog. I tend to read more in the summer and always have a pathetic bookmark - a post-it that has lost its ability to stick, a random piece of yarn that was probably part of a provisional cast on, a tiny crochet hook or a knitting pattern ("Oh, so THAT'S where my pattern went," I say every time one goes missing and I find it in a book days later). Aren't these handmade felted bookmarks adorable? Original article here.

Designer Creates Tiny Bookmarks That Look Like Your Favorite Foods 

Inspirational Gecko is the brainchild of Natural Sciences student, Francesca. She loves creating little, colorful, cute things using only felt and thread. All of her lovely creations – bookmarks, covers, key chains, brooches – are completely handmade and designed to put a smile on your face with their unique charm. Francesca’s muse is a gecko named Dorian who lives on her ceiling in her room. As Francesca studies or stitches, Dorian pops out of his burrow every so often to say hi, and give her an inspirational smile!

More info: en.dawanda.com | Etsy

Chase the Wind & Touch the Sky

When the cold wind is a'callingAnd the sky is clear and bright Misty mountains sing and beckon Lead me out into the light

[Chorus] I will ride, I will fly Chase the wind and touch the sky I will fly Chase the wind and touch the sky

Where dark roots hide secrets And mountains are fierce and bold Deep waters hold reflections Of times lost long ago

I will read every story Take hold of my own dream Be as strong as the seas are stormy And proud as an eagle's scream

And touch the sky

Chase the wind Chase the wind

Touch the sky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA9nZrhFo4U

Pixar's 2012 film, Brave is one of the lesser known films they've presented, but I've always loved the story, the rich colors and the music. My latest knitting design is inspired by the above song, Chase the Wind and Touch the Sky. I always start my workout at the gym with this song and it's an optimistic way to get myself moving, no matter how much I wish I was home knitting instead of sweating away!

Knit up in the fabulous and super soft The Lemonade Shop's Worsted Weight Yarn in Cherry Blossom, this entire shawl uses just 2 hanks and is knit on US 8s. Hand dyed in Colorado, I love the Cherry Blossom colorway since here in Washington, DC we're know for our Tidal Basin and stunning display of Cherry Blossoms in April. Starting with the lacy beaded border (beads are optional of course, but really - awesome yarn, lace AND sparkly beads? Yes, please!), the long edge is picked up and worked back and forth in German Short Rows. My favorite type of short rows, I find this particular method to be more elegant and smooth than the usual wrap and turn.

Equally beautiful knit up in a solid or semi-solid, this would be a great travel project. You only need the chart at the beginning for the border, then the body and short rows become second nature.

Chase the Wind & Touch the Sky is available for download here.

Josephine

We attended a wedding on Saturday, dear readers. It was one of those fantastic weddings that was very low-key, the food was catered by a taco truck, we played corn hole and talked by the glow of paper bag lanterns. The couple reminded me of my husband and I getting married 9 years ago and it was a joyous occasion. I was floored by the response from my "Courage" post last week (read it here if you missed it), getting scores of personal emails from strangers, texts and calls from friends and family and public responses here on the blog. We all have something we wish we had the courage to do and the idea behind the courage wall resonates with everyone, no matter what your age, gender, religion or background. I got one step closer to my dream of playing the violin when we got home from the wedding very on late Saturday night.

We pulled into the driveway, feet hurting and tired and the first thing I noticed was a big black box leaning against our front door. My first thought was, "Is that a violin case? Did someone leave it here by mistake?" My second thought was, "Is that for me?!" I ran up to the stoop and ripped open the card taped to our door.

Readers, meet Josephine. Josephine belonged to a very dear friend who is one of the best souls I'll ever have the privilege of knowing, who read my post and was thoughtful enough, kind enough and amazing enough to pass her on to me. There's a handful of people in my life that have done incredible things for me - my parents, my first grade teacher Mrs. Horsefield, my husband, my son and a few special friends that have been there for me through thick and thin and Rachel is one of those people. A friend is someone who is not only there to laugh with you and calm your fears in dark times, but someone who puts aside their own life to hang out and knit with you at the local cafe, answer every text and email, watch your kid in a pinch, model for your knitting photos constantly and who most importantly, helps you reach your goals.

After reading the card and promptly bursting into tears on the front stoop, my tarnished old dream of playing the violin is looking shiny and new. You'll learn more about my knitting model and friend Rachel in a future post, but Rachel - dear friend, I will never be able to thank you enough for quietly and gently pushing me into the world of music and bringing my closer to my dream. You, my friend, are nothing but class and wonder.

I hope that Rachel made you realize that maybe you can help someone reach their goal. Sometimes it's just an email of encouragement, a cup of coffee with a note, a violin to pass on, a private knitting lesson, or a long conversation where you simply listen and offer advice. I fully intend to pay it forward and help someone else reach for their personal star and embrace their inner courage.

Josephine, we have work to do.

Courage

This post isn't really about knitting, but I hope you'll indulge me and give it some thought. Courage. It's one of those small words that carries great impact and comes in all forms.

I was cleaning up photos on my mobile last night when I came across a few images I had forgotten about. Our city made the national news last month when Nancy Belmont, a leadership coach living a few blocks away, started "The Courage Wall." Inspired by the "Before I Die" wall that began in New Orleans, the Courage Wall was one of those simple ideas that went a long way.

Located across the street from our dry cleaners, I began to notice activity in May when an empty lot was cleared up, long pieces of wood appeared and more activity than usual began. We walk down this street frequently - almost every day. I was intrigued and excited to see what was going to happen in this space that I always thought could go to better use than just sitting vacant. Then one morning in early June, it appeared - a large, 8' x 20'  black chalkboard complete with buckets of chalk, empty spaces and the title "I WISH I HAD THE COURAGE TO..." written across the top.

I thought about this wall a lot over the next few weeks. What I liked most about it was it was anonymous and a way to get people to interact with each other, respect each other and get a peek into other people's deepest desires, regrets, wishes and dreams, reminding us that we're not alone - judgement free. These are thoughts that people probably wouldn't share out loud - we all have secrets, after all. It changed daily, almost like little elves came out at midnight and washed it clean. I liked that idea as well - each day we start fresh and begin again.

I began walking up there often just to take a look at the wall. Things like "not worry about money" or "ask so-and-so out" were common, or one of my favorites written in a child's hand "jump off the big diving board in the deep end." But sometimes there was something on there that struck a chord and I would carry an anonymous person's wish in my mind all day, wondering about them and their story and hope that "writing it out loud" would give them the courage we are all seeking to make their dream a reality.

I started to feel like a fraud. I'd walk up, read the desires of strangers, then walk home, never contributing.

When I finally got up my own courage to contribute to the wall, it felt good to see it up there. Mine is pretty simple - to play the violin. I've always wanted to but I was busy with ballet, skiing, school, art, knitting, family, the list goes on. The cold hard fact is that I cannot read music. After an elementary school music teacher told me "you should find another interest because music isn't for you," after I asked for help, I gave up. I actually choked up writing that simple statement on the board and went home that night and ordered a book on learning to read music for adults. The funny thing is that even though I knew it was me holding myself back, the simple act of writing it up there in bright yellow chalk made me realize that hey, maybe I can do this for me for no other reason than to fulfill a lifelong wish.

We can apply this thought, "I wish I had the courage too..." to so many things in life. Just look at the news - people have the courage to fight for injustice, to change the name of a well-known football team because it's just not right, to get flags lowered that shouldn't be flying in the first place, to get married and have equal rights, to fly into space, to cure horrible diseases, to lend a helping hand, to stand up for what they believe in. We can even apply this our knitting lives - and I've heard it countless times. "I wish I had the courage to learn Fair Isle" or, "Lace scares me. I wish I had the courage to try it out." Heck, it's only knitting and my thoughts are that we can rip it out, start over, get a different yarn or try a new pattern, but to someone different it's just not that easy. When did we all get saddled with so much self-doubt?

I was standing in my own way.

It's July and the wall is gone now. We still walk by that space frequently and I think of that wall and my dream often. Why did it take a huge chalkboard across the street from my dry cleaners to make me do something about it? I hope this post makes you think about what you want to have the courage to do. Maybe you'll take a step towards making that wish a reality. Get out of your own way!

So now it's your turn, dear readers. What do you wish you had the courage to do, knitting or otherwise?