Project Spectrum- Water Element

So I was a pretty lax project spectrumer, but I did it consistently throughout. But you know, more time for life, less time for blogging.

The theme for August & September was water & the colors were blue, purple & black.
These shots are from my trip to California in September. (I was in the San Francisco area to attend the wedding of my uncles)

pier 39

kissy face

And then of course there was the project spectrum knits..

I love this combo & have already been wearing it a lot.

My midnight cowl
Pattern: modified version of Ilean (ravelry link)
Modifications: Button band instead of joining. Added silver vintage buttons
Yarn: Purple merino from morehouse farm (which sadly no longer has a booth at rhinebeck)

The hat is another foliage, which I had knitted last year for a friend & had intentions since of making one for myself. I've been wearing it kind of beret style, which i prefer.

Here's detail of the top. Though for some reason it looks really pointy in this photo.

I also made a painfully plain hat for Gustavo. But it was "plain, black, fitted and folded" just as he requested (as modeled here, sticking out his tongue with his goofy self)

Pattern: Seaman's Cap, made in size large (which was too big)
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Sunsette
He also wears his kind of beret-style, but that's probably more so he can show off his twists.

But I felt obliged to add a little bit of a detail. A signature if you will..

catching up

It's only been a few short days since I returned from my adventures in Central America and I'm still getting used to my new skin (figuratively and literally). Figuratively speaking, I'm still enjoying the new found novelty of hot showers, toilet seats, my very own apartment, not returning to school, being unemployed and speaking English. Literally speaking, I actually have new skin as I'm peeling from a sunburn I caught on the Caribbean side of Honduras.

I have a ton of things to update about, but expect them to come gradually over the next week or so. I figured I'd start it off with a finished project though.

Pattern: Leyburn socks by MintyFresh
Yarn: Socks that rock- 24 Karat

As mentioned in previous posts, this was my first time doing toe-up socks. So I learned some new techniques, but the basic pattern repeats were easy to remember which made it an interesting, but still accessible, knit.

Aside from these socks, I have some photos too that will have to serve as a belated project spectrum wrap up for the June/July Air segment. Perhaps tomorrow.

stay golden

I've been really getting my knit on lately. After finishing the button tab hat, I decided a pair of hand warmers would be nice to match. I knit them literally in a day. One of them was knit entirely while in a work meeting. I had been meaning to blog about them, but was having a hard time getting a good photo. These ones are still a little too overexposed so the color doesn't translate as well. As per usual Rasca is in the shot. What can I say? My cat loves the camera.Project: "Golden Warmers"
Pattern: Emerald Green Handwarmers by creativeyarn
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patiné in that mustardy yellow color that I can't get enough of right now.

I also started some socks that are proving to be an exciting challenge for me. I'm using the Leyburn pattern for my very first venture into toe-up socks. This will be a useful skill since I'm notorious for under or over estimating sock yarn.

The pattern also required learning the provisional cast on method, how to "wrap" a stitch and a new way to create a short row heel. Learning all these new techniques has actually made it a more intriguing, and therefore quicker, knit. I'm more than half way done with the first sock and I just started the project three days ago.

I'm also excited that these knits coincidentally go along with the Air theme for the project spectrum june/july.

I've also been a lucky duck in terms of fun mail lately. Rachel sent me this amazing yarn from Asheville, NC that her friend spins and dyes.

It's an Alpaca and wool blend that's dyed with copper, black-eyed susans and marigolds! It smells like working in the garden (in a good way). And if you are interested in scoring any for yourself, she can be contacted at wildbergamot@riseup.net

An actual update.

A lot of life has happened in the the two months since my last post. I turned 28; finished my masters in social work; went to a prom; had a mini road trip to Boston; and became an aunt again. Impressively, art has still been happening through all of that. I have a few knits in progress and a piece for the earth portion of project spectrum that is actually on display.

I have actually been meaning to write a post dedicated specifically to the Grand Street Community Arts, where my piece is on display. For now, suffice it to say-it's right around the corner from me and I'm really excited about the potential it has to offer. I was given the opportunity to participate in the June showing of their "Boarded Up" project, and the painting I had in mind happens to go beautifully with the project spectrum theme of earth. Oh, synchronicity, how you awe me.

Here are some photos of my piece...

Title: Sacrificio
Medium: Acrylic Paint and Pastel on ply wood

If you are in the Albany area for the month of June, you should really come check it out. For one, the pictures don't do it justice. Two, you can see the other pieces up as well. The pieces will be auctioned off in August, with the proceeds going to support the community center. Here's a photo of one of the other ones up this month that I really liked..In terms of my own personal evolution embracing my art, I feel like I've grown tremendously these past few months. I also contributed to an art auction to raise money for students to go on the Africa trip that I had the privilege of going on last year. Both of the things I donated sold and one of my photos went for $75, which was cool to see. I also did some networking there and made some future contacts for showing more art. It's a big deal for me still to be putting my stuff out there and I was really happy with how this recent painting came out.

I keep telling folks to go see it which feels a little weird for me, but I make myself get over it by remembering how much I appreciate it when my friends share their talents with me whether it's through their music, writing, painting, cooking, whatever. I feel less odd talking about what I'm showing when I think of it as just contributing and giving back some of the inspiration that others share with me.

Now that school is over and done with, there's so much promise of art and inspiration. I will begin a figure drawing class of sorts tomorrow. I've been really itching to do some sewing again. And this summer I have trips planned for both Costa Rica & Honduras, which I'm sure will yield a lot more photos. So hopefully, this blog will be full of a lot more updates.