Moving Day

Moving Day, originally uploaded by maryjanemidgemink.

I got to fly in a helicopter for work. At first it was a lot of waiting due to alarming thunderstorms. Then it was the fear of flying which was quickly dispelled once airborne. At first you hover like in the Jetsons. Then fly so low along the coast! Crazy fun. Then shooting the site. Waiting out the fog on a nearby island, and going in again! Using a super-cool zoom lens!

Wheeled Cottage

wheeled cottage, originally uploaded by maryjanemidgemink.

And now for something completely different...not knitting, not yacht photography....House Moving...facinating....yet slow as watching paint dry or grass grow. How it is possible that it's exciting is a mystery. But it is.

The Office

tan+white, originally uploaded by maryjanemidgemink.

Good Morning! Its the routine again...years since I've done it this way. Guess What? I love it. Love it!
Only, little time to knit.

Design happens constantly in head.
Head lies on pillow at night and dreams.

No worries.
Will find time.

soon!

Too Many Candles

Happy Birthday to the best egg ever!
It all goes by so quickly. On the one hand it is a little weepy-sad ... on the other, it's whew! thank god he's made it this far and we're not out of the woods yet!

For pictures of the delicious group-effort gnocci visit my friend at thyme and shallots.
But be forewarned...You'll be hungry!

Sneak Preview

Again, you don't get much.




Just a tease!










GGH Mystik, 54%cotton, 46% viscose, 50g=121yds

Zinnias

Why is she posting pictures of pretty posies you may ask?








One word:







DEADLINE!

Jean Talon

My creation, originally uploaded by maryjanemidgemink.

So it wasn't all Poutine and fried food. We visited Jean Talon, one of the great food markets of Montreal.

The Quebec trip was a mad rush and flurry of activity, worth every ounce of energy.

Brief posts I agree, but at least a post! with yummy things to look at.

Guess Where?

Can you guess where I went this weekend?

Study the focus of the image at left.....the gravy is the give away.

Cheese curds would have been a clue too.












Quebec!

Orange and Pink Tower of Joy

Orange and Pink Tower, originally uploaded by maryjanemidgemink.

I have a new camera! Through my job! My wonderful boss decided that Christmas comes in August. August is when, in 5th grade, my best friend, Laurie and I started singing Christmas Carols so it makes perfect sense.

I am riding on a cloud of "how did I get so lucky" wonder and joy.

Of course it is a serious camera this time; no more point and shoot when working for a photographer! She's an excellent teacher and I also have my son to help me...for a little bit longer...

The only snag is that now I need a better computer, or more memory at the very least. So for the time being, this blog is brought to you by our favorite sponsor: flickr.

Thank You Sally Mann

And thank you Alison, for taking me to Sally's lecture.
I've always loved her work, from the time I first saw it and it caused such a ruckus. I had kids younger than hers, and I too was living in the woods letting the kids run naked...not much thought to it...it was hot and no one was around...and if there was, they were friends, what's the big deal? Plus I loved her kids, their direct stares...the deep pools of their eyes. I was comforted to know someone else was making art just where they lived...Her art was right in front of her.... her life.
She's not a disappointment in person either. Small and spunky, yet large in feeling and mind. Words are not my strong suit, I wish I could describe her presence better. She was refreshingly normal, direct and honest...no pretense.
And she keeps at it, no matter what life throws in the way. A good spirit.

You'll be happy to know her kids turned out fine.

I leave you with my favorite Sally Mann image....if I have to choose....

Night Blooming Cereus

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I guess you could call me a Luddite. I design on the needle, never use a computer....I sketch first....usually...Next I chart...Then I swatch....a lot...I make frenzied calculations....I draw up a schematic....And then I begin.
I am often using yarns I haven't used before and I find the nature of every yarn is different, some have lots of stretch, some stay firmly in place...Some are lofty and light, others heavy and solid. Still others are coarse until you wash them..I always wash my swatches. I never know until I knit with a new yarn how it will behave. I can guess, but it's crazy how those little balls will surprise me!
And then, swatch done, knitting happily away, I periodically take the item off the needle to see how it's coming along, and have you guessed what happens next?
Despite all the prep work, the yarn has done it's own thing, gotten VERRRY wide, or sometimes it is a stiff little tube, suitable for a Christmas cracker.

So I rip it out and start again. With new calculations.

and sometimes I'll have to rip it out again.

Not always...but lots of times,

There you have it.

PS. My camera is broken and I'm filled with panic and lazy sorrow at the same time

Mary Mary Quite Contrary How Do You Wind Your Yarn?

How do you wind your yarn? This is my usual technique...the knees. I have a beautiful Swedish swift, and once had a little twirly ball-winder, but needs arise away from home...or I'm too lazy to go upstairs and dig it out. I always have my knees avaliable no matter where I may journey.
My other trick is to wind the yarn around my thumb, keeping a hollow center, with the beginning of the yarn easy to snatch. This way I have a pull-from-the-center ball. Voila!