Made: Indie Craft Boutique with live music from Vishravas...

A very fun evening at Made's Holiday Pop-Up Shop last night with live music from Vishravas featuring Dennis Pearman on bass, Peter Thomas on guitar, and Bruce Lawrence on drums (pots and pans). A special thank you to Laura and Jay for hosting this event.

Made: Indie Craft Boutique

Made: Indie Craft Boutique has opened it's Holiday Pop Up Shop at the corner of Broadway and Willamette St. in Eugene, Oregon. The hours are Noon to 7pm for the entire month of December excluding Christmas. I am selling a variety of hand knit items including hats, and for knitters my patterns are also available. My knitting and handmade soap is for sale as well as photography from my garden. There are other vendors who have their art/crafts for sale including photography, hand blown glass, and wonderful t-shirts. If you believe in supporting and shopping local, come check us out!

Meet Your Maker Indie Craft Show

Come join 25 local artists at this year's "Meet Your Maker" at Cozmic Pizza in Eugene Sunday, Dec. 5th from 1-5pm. Support local independent arts and crafts ~ 8th and Charnelton in the Strand Bldg.

The Ivy Headband

Knit in Pure Pima by Berroco, this headband is soft and stylish. The pattern gives simple instructions for changing the width or length of the headband. It was originally designed and knit for Ivy, my hairdresser.

Moss, Ferns & Berries Handspun

My handspun...from a beautiful blue-faced leicester roving from Dicentra Designs.

Struck By Lightning Hat KAL begins Nov. 2nd

Come join the fun in knitting this colorful hat in this November KAL with the Appalachian Yarns Group on Ravelry.The pattern will be offered free for anyone participating in this event, check the thread for details at http://www.ravelry.com/events/struck-by-lightning-kal-2

"Do you hear the grasshopper which is at your feet?" ~ Master Po

Amelie Escargot in Denali National Park, Alaska

What magnificent beauty in Denali National Park, lucky for Amelie she is with Melanie Silcott to enjoy this beautiful treasure with its striking landscape.

Tree Frog on Black-Eyed Susan

My macro lens has invited me closer to the flowers I photo...I did not expect this today, 2 tree frogs resting on my Rudbeckias! Here is one of them...

Gecko Chullo...a new knitted hat design from Peargirl...

A new chullo pattern, this time with geckos, symbolizing luck and regrowth, while the gecko circle represents the cyclical nature of life. The pattern is available here from Peargirl Knits or from Ravelry.com.

Herringbone Chullo Pattern...new for knitters!

Herringbone describes a distinctive V-shaped pattern usually found in woven twill fabric. Rooted in ancient origins, the herringbone pattern dates back to Egyptian and African cultures where it was used to fashion decorative jewelry and basketry. Today it has many applications including hardwood flooring. It is so named because it resembles the skeleton of a herring fish. Here I have applied it to this Chullo, or earflap hat, for a combining of cultures. The Chullo is a Peruvian style of hat with earflaps made from vicuña, alpaca, llama or sheep's wool. Chullos have been used in the Andean Mountain region since pre-Hispanic times and wearing different types and colors has a significance among the Andean natives. The Herringbone Chullo pattern is available on this blog.

Struck By Lightning Hat Pattern...a new pattern inspired by Mason Dixon's Kiki Mariko...

Amelie Escargot - On the move in Alaska...

Amelie pictured here in Homer, Alaska. Wish I was there too!!! She will travel further than I can ever expect to.

A Hummingbird Rescue

Today a beautiful female Rufous Hummingbird was trapped in our greenhouse. She was exhausted from her attempts to escape, and she just couldn't find her way back out. I was able to catch her with my bare hand as she rested between attempts. Once outside, she rested in my hand for approximately 5 minutes which allowed time for a few photos. Amazingly enough, 20 years ago I rescued 2 hummingbirds within a one week period from similar situations. Each time it has happened I can hardly believe that I am holding such a fragile creature, especially given the fact that they move so fast, and I think that it will never happen again...and then it does!

Peargirl Knits In 1000 Fabulous Knit Hats by Annie Modesitt

The Eco Gecko Hat made it to print in Annie Modesitt's new book 1000 Fabulous Knit Hats in the Babies & Children section of the book. So exciting to see my design and my name in print! Also included in this section is my great-granddaughter Savannah Rain wearing her hat I knit for her. Both hats are credited to me and the index includes my name and web address. Peargirl Knits in Annie's book...very cool!

Amelie Escargot in Alaska

Amelie arrived in Whittier, Alaska yesterday via snail mail! Melanie Silcott, my niece, called me in the evening to thank me and tell me how much she liked her. Knitters know how much that means! Melanie is an awesome person and Amelie is in good hands.

Victorian Lace Valance Pattern

I have always wanted to knit lace valances for my windows. I thought I would start with a small window in my bathroom before I moved into the dining room which has 3 large windows.I used Araucania Lonco Multy which is a kettle-dyed fingering cotton on a #4 needle. I am very happy with the results. The pattern is very easy to modify for any size window which makes it a "one size fits all" pattern. And I love the yarn, it's gorgeous! My pattern is available on this blog for purchase, or from Ravelry.

Amelie Escargot

I would like to introduce Amelie Escargot, who I knit for my niece Melanie who travels the world. I never travel, so as in the movie "Amelie", Amelie Escargot will travel with Melanie and her boyfriend Morgan, and I will see pictures of her travels. She represents Oregon well, where it rains slugs and snails, and Eugene where we crown a Slug Queen each September during the Eugene Celebration. She will head to Alaska on Monday to begin her journey. I will post photos from Amelie's travels.
May 24, 2010 - Amelie Escargot arrives in Whittier, Alaska via Snail Mail

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Puerco Pibil, or slow-roasted pork, is a dish we make each year as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo in honor of my husband Dennis' maternal grandmother, Elise Conde, who came to this country from Sonora, Mexico. Dennis' mother, Marquita Pearman, has wonderful stories to tell of her mother's sense of humor and her love for playing the guitar. She died at the young age of 49 from uterine cancer, so Dennis did not have the pleasure of knowing her. Dennis is an amazing cook and makes this dish. We got the recipe from the movie "Once Upon A Time In Mexico". Robert Rodriguez, producer and director of the movie, and his version of this amazing dish...try it, you'll love it! At the link above you'll find the recipe in written form. Enjoy!!!

Sister and Brother Comedy Act

My grandchildren, Skyla and Jaylen, both possess a great sense of humor. Laughter is what has gotten me through this life, I am happy to see that humor is hereditary! If not for love and laughter, I could have easily given up a long time ago.

Peace Hat visits London and Dublin...Sue Pearman from Wisconsin in her Peace Hat. The Peace Hat Pattern is available for purchase through this blog.

Goin' Be Kick Ass, Just Sleeves and A Hood Shrug

It is not often Alexandra gives me the opportunity to knit for her, so when she does, I really listen to what she wants. She loves to design clothing, and had very specific ideas in mind for this project. The best part is that she loves it now that it's finished and was anxious to wear it. And when it comes to knitting for others, that excitement is what we hope for but do not always see. And I think she looks beautiful in her "Just Sleeves and A Hood".

Knitters For Peace...Make Hats, Not War!

As knitters knit the "World Peace Hat", I thought it would be interesting not only to see their hats all in one place, but also where everyone is from. After all, peace is on all of our minds all over the world. This beautiful version in pinks and purples was knit by Jenni from South Dakota.

This gorgeous version of the Peace Hat was knit by Adrienne in Gig Harbor, Washington, and is modeled by her beautiful daughter. The corrugated rib is a very pretty addition.

Give Peace A Chance

Peace in this world, is it possible? Spreading the message of peace is just one small way to show that you are against war, whether through a song with a powerful message, or knitting peace hats for yourself and others to wear. I am excited because I have knit this hat recently for my sister-in-law Sue who will be leaving soon for a visit to Ireland, and she wanted this hat to wear while there. So cool, my peace hat will travel to Ireland and make it's statement, however small.

My beautiful children and grandchildren...July 16, 2005

Pictures are always a treasure to have and bring memories of happy days flooding in. How quickly the years fly...Skyla, Jaylen, Katia, Alexandra, and Zach!

Fiberella

A new year, a new decade beginning. My 2nd project of the year is Fiberella, a needlefelted fiber-fairy witchy sort of woman, old and wise, cunning and crafty, with a gleam in her eye.