50 Projects: 52 Weeks (4. Wedded Bliss Stitch Markers)

Keishi Pearls + Wedding = Stitch Markers

Super easy! I love the outdoors. Steve and I got married at Devil's Lake State Park.

I created the jewelry I wore at my wedding and same goes for my girls. There is something stunning and so organic that made using keishi pearls a no-brainer. The copper tones and rough round shape perfectly complemented our autumnal surroundings.

The joy that we felt that day, October 10, 2009, was indescribably crazy. I married my best friend. The keishi pearls are from the pearls I bought for my wedding. I wanted to pass on the joy to someone else. Again, it's going to be another Etsy find. So, everything from the pearls to the copper-colored beads to the tiny swarovski crystals - it's a Wedded Bliss Stitch Marker (works well for up to a size 9 needle). May it bring many years of knitting happiness! 

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (3. Two Hiker Hats)

Two Hiker Hats: Moss (Left) and Meander (Right)

Tada!

I've cranked out two hats in less than a week. Both of these only took an afternoon each and it was a great way for me to use up my acrylic yarn that I've been meaning to find a project for. You'll find these at my Etsy store soon! I repurposed the yarn that would've otherwise fallen to the wayside! Cozy.

1. Oblique is Not Opaque Sweater: The Finished Back!

The Back (Finally)

This only took about 400 years...Nonetheless, the back is looking great and will probably work out just fine (one can hope) after I block the whole piece! My friend Elizabeth Royal knit a sweater with some lacework and can attest to two things: 1. knitting potty mouth and 2. plenty of "beginners mistakes." Ugh. I am pretty sure the only mistakes I made involved the decreasing raglan around the armpit areas, and I'm sure I'll be the only to notice. So, shhh...! Don't tell anyone else!

Soul Journer Studio (pre-Grand Opening)

Well!

As some of you may know, I am piecing together items for my up-and-coming Etsy store (It already has a storefront and it's called Soul Journer Studio!) I'd love to bounce ideas off of some veterans, but the whole premise of the store is to discover Purpose in Nature. Since I'm a woman of many trades, I didn't want to just splatter random items without a theme, but I also didn't want to be stuck knitting hats for the rest of my life. I have a vision in my mind and I'm going to run with it.

Sneak preview of some of the items to follow!

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (2. Homestead Laundry Soap)

The Joys of Simple Cleanliness

My mom supplied me with the Fels Naptha bar soap and the Washing Soda; I bought the Borax. That's it. I followed a simple recipe which you can find here! Was so worth it, but it made so much soap that I don't even have enough containers to, er, contain all the runny/gelatinous great-smelling laundry soap. It smells great, too!

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (1. Oblique is Not Opaque Sweater)

Meet Oblique

This is the sweater of all sweaters. I've made hats. I've crocheted beanies. And then some greater power took over my mind and I decided a sweater would be the next logical step. The original sweater pattern can be found here. 50 projects in 52 weeks. Oblique has taken me over a month thus far and I hoping to finish up the back in the next day or two. Lacework has been daunting, but so rewarding!

Simplicity and Repose

"Simplicity and Repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any art work."

-Frank Lloyd Wright

Rest.

Turning a new leaf, 2011 is a breath of fresh air. Simplicity is the theme. Rest is my goal. And I recognize that I will not find rest in temporal things, but in God's Beauty. God's Nature. God's Sweet Treasures.