Who doesn't love a bunny? Here's one I'm working on freehand as my latest creative project. I love linen, I love to cross-stitch, and I love buttons so I decided to go for the trifecta in my latest project. Soon to be framed and then (hopefully) placed on a new Etsy site - my GoGoMommyBoutique. Not sure when that will be but.... Hope you enjoy!
I've always loved to work with my hands. Even in my high school art classes, my favorite projects were those that were 3 dimensional - the ones that I could really get my hands into like sculpting, wood-working, and weaving. I'm also obsessed with patterns, in language as well as visually. I love creating them, following them, or noticing them in architecture or wherever they catch my eye. When it comes down to it, I tend toward the asymmetrical and love to create objects. I guess that's why I love knitting so much. I get to feel the yarn as I work it into various loops, twists, and turns until one little string becomes an object that shows the love I put into every single stitch.
I just finished a few projects I thought I would share them . Here is a photo of a metallic multi-color scarf I made for Poppy's Kindergarten teacher. Just a quick slip-stitch pattern I created on my own:
Next is a single cable scarf. I was looking for a skinny scarf that Poppy's other Kinder teacher (the pm teacher was like a teacher's helper in the am class) could wear from the fall through the spring months. I love the color and made it with a 3-ply linen which was interesting to work with but the pattern made the sides of the scarf turn in on itself so while it was a hit with the teacher (thank goodness), I probably won't be repeating this pattern until I modify it a bit.
Finally, I just finished a vertical striped scarf for myself that I made with some left-over stash. Years ago, I taught myself to knit while I was on bed rest while pregnant with Sweet Pea and since that time, I've never kept anything that I've knitted. So finally, after all the baby hats for friends, the scarves and hats for parents and in-laws, and hats for Sweet Pea and Poppy, I finally have something to call my own. Now I just have to wait a few months for the cold weather:)!
It turns out that I like to create and I like to work with my hands. While I would love to be able to paint masterpieces or produce sculptures to rival Rodin, I have found that it just isn't in the cards for me. At the same time, I found a medium that is... knitting.
Knitting challenges me to decipher code, it lets me work in a strict pattern so I know exactly what I will create or I can choose to improvise my own combination of patterns so I can be surprised at the result. Knitting let's me refocus my mind - taking me away from any craziness going on around me (and with Poppy and Sweet Pea that can sometimes be a lot) and narrowing my thoughts to the task at hand. And finally, at the end of my project, I can then share the fruits of my labor with those I love most. I find comfort in the fact that a piece of me will be with the person who will be wearing or using something I made even when I cannot be there with them.
Here's a little something that was going to be a baby gift but turned out to be big enough to fit Poppy. Looks like I'd better get back to actually knitting something for the baby! If you like this hat, the pattern is in a book called Oneskein by Leigh Radford (shown below). Happy knitting!
Well, here is the "before" and "after" of my latest knitted project. It started out as a hot pad or trivet but ended up being too wide so I made it into a dishcloth. The matching hot pads will follow (hopefully by next year's birthday)!
A few weeks ago I got the brilliant idea of creating homemade cross-stitch thank you cards for Poppy's birthday party. Everyone had such a great time at her "morning sleepover" that I wanted to do something more meaningful than the typical store bought card to say thank you. (Actually I think I may have been channeling Soulemama!)
So here is the result of my work. All designs are my original Go-Go Mommy designs and while I started off with a contemporary "circles" theme (lower left), it evolved into a card of girl accessories (shoe, purse & boa) and then sleepover essentials (pillows and pajamas).
What I'm even more excited about is the fact that I also had the most incredible photographer at the party; Alie Leeflang. (If you don't believe me, just check out her website!) I can't believe that in a house full of 4 year old screaming girls she was able to get such beautiful shots. One look at her portfolio and you can immediately sense her innate gift of uncovering little ones' personalities. I can't say enough good things about her! I think this is the year we actually take a family photo for the holidays - I hope you're ready for the entire Go-Go Clan Alie!
Posting has been a little sporadic lately due to my new business venture. While some of the more mundane details can obviously be left until a later date (like never), I just thought I'd give a little "sneak peek" of what's to come...I think you'll like what I have in store for you!
I finally came up with a plan for Poppy's "Thank You" cards - homemade cross-stich cards! I got the supplies and just started on the project so if you are still waiting for your card, please bear with me! BTW, don't you love the colors Poppy picked?! She is now into moving beyond pink (I think that period lasted from about birth to 2 days ago) and into a variety of bold, bright colors. It's so much fun to watch her taste change!
My idea was to find a very contemporary card and stitch some contemporary/retro dots on "worn" linen. I like the idea of using a traditional medium like cross-stitch and bringing a "twist" to it by modernizing the look of the pattern.
We'll see how successful I am but as you can tell from the photo, I already had to modify one of my cards. When I showed Poppy my first attempt at outlining two cirlcles (which ended up looking like a small circle sitting on a crumpled bag) she said; "Oh, it looks like a purse!" Hence, the shoe and boa were added to complete the first card. One down, 6 more to go! Hopefully I will end up with my "modern circles" somewhere along the way!
