Crafting On in the Nation's Capital

Well, now I am in Washington, D.C., where it is also hot. High of 97 today! However, I love love love Washington in any weather. Besides, my brother's house is air conditioned. And I am mostly here to hang out with him and his family.

I've been knitting away at my Pebble Beach Shawl. It is a great travel project -- pretty repetitive and simple.

I had high hopes for The Orphan Master's Son but I'm finding it a tough read. Although it's set in North Korea, it isn't really about daily life there, and that is what I was hoping for. It more of an adventure/intrigue story. The writing is excellent and the plot is intricate, but it is not a fun vacation read. I can't decide if I'm going to finish it or not.

Cloth Paper Scissors magazine is having a Zentangle contest and I'm going to submit something even though I know I don't have a chance of winning. This is my first attempt. It's OK, but I don't like it enough to spend $15 to submit it.

 I already have a few more ideas started in my sketchbook. I know my Zentangles are good, but they aren't great and there are some amazing tanglers out there.

I haven't had time to read blogs for a few days, so I look forward to catching up with you all when I get home later this week.

I'm joining up with Frontier Dreams today for Keep Calm & Craft On.

The Kindness of Knitters

So far, this summer has been the best of summers and the worst of summers. I am really loving my graduate writing class and we have had mild, lovely weather so I often bike the 14-mile round-trip to and from class.

However, my son has been quite ill and they can't figure out what it is. He has had flu-like symptoms for a long time and his bloodwork keeps coming back with odd results. We are now waiting for the results of the most recent tests. Of course, I am worrying about him all the time. It's almost harder to have him sick now that he is 26 and lives on his own. At least when he was little I could keep a close eye on him!

Sorry about the sideways photo. Sometimes I don't really get 

my i-Phone!

So in the midst of this, I was lucky enough to win a a Helen Stewart pattern from the lovely Deb Hickman of A World of Imagination (which you must check out if you aren't already a reader). When I wrote to thank her, I told her about my son -- and she added a second pattern. I am so touched. Knitters are truly the best, kindest people. I do appreciate all of you who read and comment here. I'm sure I don't say it enough, but you are all wonderful and you make a difference to me!

I looked through my stash, but I truly don't have anything that is just right for the Pebble Beach Shawl. I like the hombre coloring style that Deb is using, so I looked through the projects on Rav and discovered the beautiful skein you see above from Art-by-Ana. Check out her Etsy shop -- but be forewarned, you are going to have a hard time not buying something. She has an amazing color sense, and I love the way my "cake" (as she calls it) feels.

If only I didn't have so much homework tonight. I can't wait to swift up the "cake" and cast on!