natalie maed

knitting handspun

Freshly cast on the needles, my very favorite handspun multicolored fiber. I just love these colors!

I actually started out spinning this on my maple and redwood drop spindle (made by my love) and finished up on my spinning wheel (also made by him :) he's really the greatest.

This spinning wheel of mine you know I love it so much I'm actually designing my next tattoo to include it (but that is an entirely different post.)

I decided that instead of layering more sweaters to fend off the chill, what I could really use was a cowl. Like ~~most~~ all of my projects, ahem, I thought I would just wing it. I measured about where I thought the loop should end so that I could wrap it twice, grabbed some circular needles, knitted up a gauge swatch, did some quick math, and I'm on my way. All of this was at about 9:30 last night, yeah, well when inspiration hits...whadda ya gonna do?

(crate -o- handspun awaiting enough bravery to "wing" a sweater)

soon

currently on the wheel- alpaca fiber from mother's day. I've already spun the white that I will be plying with this chocolate. I love a good two tone yarn. I'm planning on knitting this into a little capelet. Winter knitting is really the best.

Works in progress

Okay folks here goes. Ever get that feeling at the end of the day, like "Hey, I didn't do anything awesome today, or even anything remotely close to something creatively expressive?
Yeah, well I had one of those...um...years.
So, even though I can browse through all of my photos of projects, creations, and moments of last year. I can also at the same time go ...meh...
And I realized why.
While everything I made I loved, (whether it turned out the way I had envisioned it or not) and while some projects were extremely challenging (remember Halloween?)
I have yet to create the things that have been swirling around in my imagination for the last 13 or so years, in the background of my life.
So.
This year I'm bringing that background, behind the scenes soundtrack, forward.
Starting with this little gal Clover.

Designing and creating my own fabric doll has been a dream of mine for a few years.

When my girls were younger I made each of them their own doll, using patterns from other designers.

The dolls are cute but lack a style that would rival that plastic blonde that seems to still dominate the doll scene. So here is my first prototype, I decided to instead of making a bunch of heads and parts, to just make up a whole doll, one at a time until I have the exact pattern and look that I am envisioning.

This way the girls will have dolls to play with now, and I will have a visual reminder of the progression of my work.

I'm off now to make this girl some clothes, I'm thinking something lacey and fun!

Happy Monday!

A happy new year

Welcoming in 2013 with a great burst of sunshine this morning. I'm going to take it as a sign of good things to come in this new year.
Yarno and I enjoyed soaking up the sun and the surprising bright blue clear skies as well.
After so many cloudy, grey, rain soaked days I am declaring this walkin' weather!
Let's bundle up head outdoors and we'll just ignore the frost :)

I wish you a wonderful magical new year!

This moment

{this moment} inspired by soulemama

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Walking and riding

Enjoying a brisk walk outside in between the rain storms, my thoughts turn to the contrast of our lives these days and the delicate balance of life in this season.

(photo by Liora)

The sky stays grey on our walks around the neighborhood now, and the cold wind on our cheeks and in our lungs is exhilarating and refreshing. Returning home, outerwear is quickly ditched by the door, with the bustle of everyone rushing for a spot by the fire, I move through the kitchen with dinner preparations and holiday music playing in the background. The warmth of returning home is just as sweet and refreshing.
Yes, this is a most wonderful time of the year.