Well as you may have noticed I haven't been blogging here. For those not in the know my new bloggy home is at www.lightinglittlefires.wordpress.com and as something nice for the Holiday Season I'm hosting a '12 Days of Craftmas' craft-a-long, with new knitting/crochet patterns, recipes, softies and more being posted each day...all originals and all donated by other members of the crafting/DIY community. A little Christmas present from us to you...I really hope you enjoy it and have fun hanging out with me at my new cyber home!
See you over there!
Friday, 25 December 2009
Friday, 11 September 2009
...the World in a Grain of Sand...
Has everyone seen the latest photos from the Hubble Space Telescope?! They are...awe-inspiring. Incredible. Space is beautiful. If you haven't seen them you really should. Look here.
The pictures remind me of the start Blake's poem 'Auguries of Innocence'
To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
Each speck in the night sky, as big as a grain of sand, is the centre of a solar system just like ours...maybe even a Sun that sustains a world just like our...and there are just so many specks, so many possibilities. And even though we can only see little dots of light, it is incredible to realise how active these stars are. They are born, live and die, as if they were people with personalities and stories and points of view. What a lovely thought!
The pictures remind me of the start Blake's poem 'Auguries of Innocence'
To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
Each speck in the night sky, as big as a grain of sand, is the centre of a solar system just like ours...maybe even a Sun that sustains a world just like our...and there are just so many specks, so many possibilities. And even though we can only see little dots of light, it is incredible to realise how active these stars are. They are born, live and die, as if they were people with personalities and stories and points of view. What a lovely thought!
Friday, 4 September 2009
A Haiku
As inspired by a particularly intersting conversation we had at Tuesday Night's Stitch n' Bitch group!
'Throw Down'
Home is where,
knowing heart will move,
Throw Down is.
'Throw Down'
Home is where,
knowing heart will move,
Throw Down is.
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Home is where your stash is
Been feeling nesty recently friends. I am getting that 'must make home' feeling more and more. I want to hang curtains and paint walls, have fresh bread baking in the morning and my own photos on the fridge. Not having your own place has its upside (just call the landlord when things break) but it means that I am stuck with grey walls and black furniture. Chic, yes, but just not me.
I want flowers on my cushions and crystals hanging in the window, making rainbows everywhere. I want my own teapot and a fine collection of mismatching, highly original mugs in all shapes and sizes. I want my walls lined with books and soft Ikea floor lamps in the corners. I would have a knitted or crochet blanket on the back of every couch or chair for convenient snuggling. Persian carpets underfoot for optimal barefooted conditions.
During my second year of college I lived in a flat with a red couch and black and white checker board cushions in the living room. My flatmates room was painted orange with a lime green floor lamp. My room was painted acid green, with hot pink and orange bedclothes and a turquiose and gold rug. Multi-coloured curtains tied the whole mess together. Yes, it sounds like a bad acid trip, but I loved it. I felt warm and snug no matter what the weather was like outside. I felt bright. Well, it was bright.
More than anything I want COLOUR! Lots of colour, clashing and vibrant. Even my clothes feel a bit drab and safe. I want to look like 'a walking Christmas tree' as my Ma would say. I'm off to knit more rainbow i-cords to wrap round my wrists and head. What fun!
I want flowers on my cushions and crystals hanging in the window, making rainbows everywhere. I want my own teapot and a fine collection of mismatching, highly original mugs in all shapes and sizes. I want my walls lined with books and soft Ikea floor lamps in the corners. I would have a knitted or crochet blanket on the back of every couch or chair for convenient snuggling. Persian carpets underfoot for optimal barefooted conditions.
During my second year of college I lived in a flat with a red couch and black and white checker board cushions in the living room. My flatmates room was painted orange with a lime green floor lamp. My room was painted acid green, with hot pink and orange bedclothes and a turquiose and gold rug. Multi-coloured curtains tied the whole mess together. Yes, it sounds like a bad acid trip, but I loved it. I felt warm and snug no matter what the weather was like outside. I felt bright. Well, it was bright.
More than anything I want COLOUR! Lots of colour, clashing and vibrant. Even my clothes feel a bit drab and safe. I want to look like 'a walking Christmas tree' as my Ma would say. I'm off to knit more rainbow i-cords to wrap round my wrists and head. What fun!
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Why my wrists are aching...
(and no, that is not a sly reference to a little 'solo' fun!)
The last few months have been filled with knitting. Knitting socks, shawls, scarves, cowls, more socks, jumpers (one in particular with owls on it...I'm in love!) and, as always accompanies my knitting, watching films. It has been good. Probably not great for my joints or posture but it has been an interesting experience, knitting for money, knitting on order. I did have the joy of teaching the lovely Miss A to knit while she came to visit me in Brisbane, and was so profoundly proud of her progress. She is currently finishing off a stripy hat, knit in the round, only her *second* project since learning how...taken to it like a duck to water.
Knitting on someone elses terms has been really different for me. I have learned not to become too invested in pieces that I will have to give away. Knitting to a schedule is still pretty interesting for me. I am working on two pairs of socks at the moment that I had orginally said would have been finished before now, but I'm still working away on them and don't think they'll be in the post before next Monday. I rely on people's good nature in these situations and really wonder about my ability to accurately calculate how much time a project will take me. I think it takes more honest attention on my part to know long my projects take. Thank God for Rav's dating system for projects, it really helps, it doesn't lie!
Knowing how much to charge is also a challenge. If you really considered how much time and energy you invest in a piece they would be worth a lot more, but it is an unrealistic price for people to pay. You hope that they are true appreciators of the Art (yes, I used a capital 'A' on purpose) of knitting. It's a balancing act, something you are not necessarily taught in school, about what YOU and your abilities are worth. What are you worth? Your time, effort and concentration?
On the plus side though, it has thrown into sharp focus my abilities as a knitter and crocheter, and I'm happy to find myself quite suprised by my ability at times. You think hard about what you feel you could do to an adequate standard to actually charge people for...or even just let them see. You realise what corners you are happy to cut in your own knitting...and I find myself thinking 'Maybe I deserve something finished properly and just for me!'. After all this commissioned knitting is over, I think it'll be time for a little knitting TLC, just for me.
The last few months have been filled with knitting. Knitting socks, shawls, scarves, cowls, more socks, jumpers (one in particular with owls on it...I'm in love!) and, as always accompanies my knitting, watching films. It has been good. Probably not great for my joints or posture but it has been an interesting experience, knitting for money, knitting on order. I did have the joy of teaching the lovely Miss A to knit while she came to visit me in Brisbane, and was so profoundly proud of her progress. She is currently finishing off a stripy hat, knit in the round, only her *second* project since learning how...taken to it like a duck to water.
Knitting on someone elses terms has been really different for me. I have learned not to become too invested in pieces that I will have to give away. Knitting to a schedule is still pretty interesting for me. I am working on two pairs of socks at the moment that I had orginally said would have been finished before now, but I'm still working away on them and don't think they'll be in the post before next Monday. I rely on people's good nature in these situations and really wonder about my ability to accurately calculate how much time a project will take me. I think it takes more honest attention on my part to know long my projects take. Thank God for Rav's dating system for projects, it really helps, it doesn't lie!
Knowing how much to charge is also a challenge. If you really considered how much time and energy you invest in a piece they would be worth a lot more, but it is an unrealistic price for people to pay. You hope that they are true appreciators of the Art (yes, I used a capital 'A' on purpose) of knitting. It's a balancing act, something you are not necessarily taught in school, about what YOU and your abilities are worth. What are you worth? Your time, effort and concentration?
On the plus side though, it has thrown into sharp focus my abilities as a knitter and crocheter, and I'm happy to find myself quite suprised by my ability at times. You think hard about what you feel you could do to an adequate standard to actually charge people for...or even just let them see. You realise what corners you are happy to cut in your own knitting...and I find myself thinking 'Maybe I deserve something finished properly and just for me!'. After all this commissioned knitting is over, I think it'll be time for a little knitting TLC, just for me.
Friday, 19 June 2009
My first week at 24...
...has been interesting. One blow-up, near relationship ending fight with the DB, followed by the best make-up period ever, which is quite unerving for some reason. It's like I'm imagining it all and I'll get home from work and it'll all have blown up again. I know it's me overreacting but I can't imagine my life without him in it.
On the plus side we have talked really openly about a lot of things and are in a much better place together I think. I was/am finding it hard in Brisbane sometimes, but thought it sounded really ungrateful or something to complain about it. But it's all good now, and truly I have such an amazingly lovely social circle here. Yeay for friends!!
I'm knitting loads, like all the time, in an effort to keep up with the pieces I have been commissioned to do and the things I want to get done for myself or as gifts. Ooo, I'm meeting up with a local musician this evening at the Conservatorium to practice some pieces for the local devotional evening in Kuraby. It's nice to finally see some things coming together for yourself in little itty-bitty ways.
On the plus side we have talked really openly about a lot of things and are in a much better place together I think. I was/am finding it hard in Brisbane sometimes, but thought it sounded really ungrateful or something to complain about it. But it's all good now, and truly I have such an amazingly lovely social circle here. Yeay for friends!!
I'm knitting loads, like all the time, in an effort to keep up with the pieces I have been commissioned to do and the things I want to get done for myself or as gifts. Ooo, I'm meeting up with a local musician this evening at the Conservatorium to practice some pieces for the local devotional evening in Kuraby. It's nice to finally see some things coming together for yourself in little itty-bitty ways.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Confessions of a Pretzel Wannabe
I like yoga. Actually I love yoga but sometimes I don't remember I love it until *after* the session...I've been doing it on and off since I was 16, and while at college more 'on' which was great. Free yoga club and I got to take a course on Yoga for Musician that actually counted towards was credits for graduation...I loved it.
And now in Brisbane I find myself doing lots of it again. Yesterday, as my birthday present from the DB, I attended YogaFest in Brisbane and it was BRILLIANT!! An entire day of yoga sessions, talks, stalls, chai lattees and sitting out in the sun chatting to other Yoga heads. I'm a little stiff today after 4 yoga sessions in one day (I may have gone a little overboard but there were just so many new styles to try out) but I haven't felt as content about something I've done in a long time, really whole and happy and like I did something worthwhile and meaningful...yes, I feel like it is something very meaningful, purposeful in my life.
I'm particularly interested in doing my teacher training while in Australia and hopefully becoming an accredited yoga instructor. I love the idea of having a skill that I could take with me on my travels, that would better my yoga practice and allow me to share something that I enjoy so much.
I find it something that really complements my own religious beliefs too. I'm a Baha'i and have been taught to pray and meditate as a way to communicate with God/Great Creator/Universe. I find my meditation practice really deepens when I'm practicing yoga in my life, and that I feel more centred and able to handle what life throws at me.
It is interesting as I have often wondered if my religion and the Yogic path are compatible elements in my life. I *feel* no conflict between them, but technically they are different religions and I wonder if, as an instructor, you are expected to be a follower of that body of teachings alone...hmm, maybe it doesn't matter in any big way, and I feel fine about it in myself, so that's the main thing, but I know for myself I hate to only take on the surface elements of something. We're very good at that in the Western world, taking the yoga for it's physical benefits and discarding the rest of it because it doesn't suit or we couldn't be bothered. I would like to be a little more wholehearted in my approach.
Anyway I think the next thing to make it onto the 'To Do' list will be getting my Yoga instructor qualifications. I need to save up the money first, and the DB has voiced some concerns about my committment to this (if it's just a passing fad sort of thing...and if the qualification would actually be something I would use in the end...valid points I suppose, but not really the initial support I was looking for). For now I am looking into seriously and, like most things in my life, if it's meant to be things will start falling into place.
And now in Brisbane I find myself doing lots of it again. Yesterday, as my birthday present from the DB, I attended YogaFest in Brisbane and it was BRILLIANT!! An entire day of yoga sessions, talks, stalls, chai lattees and sitting out in the sun chatting to other Yoga heads. I'm a little stiff today after 4 yoga sessions in one day (I may have gone a little overboard but there were just so many new styles to try out) but I haven't felt as content about something I've done in a long time, really whole and happy and like I did something worthwhile and meaningful...yes, I feel like it is something very meaningful, purposeful in my life.
I'm particularly interested in doing my teacher training while in Australia and hopefully becoming an accredited yoga instructor. I love the idea of having a skill that I could take with me on my travels, that would better my yoga practice and allow me to share something that I enjoy so much.
I find it something that really complements my own religious beliefs too. I'm a Baha'i and have been taught to pray and meditate as a way to communicate with God/Great Creator/Universe. I find my meditation practice really deepens when I'm practicing yoga in my life, and that I feel more centred and able to handle what life throws at me.
It is interesting as I have often wondered if my religion and the Yogic path are compatible elements in my life. I *feel* no conflict between them, but technically they are different religions and I wonder if, as an instructor, you are expected to be a follower of that body of teachings alone...hmm, maybe it doesn't matter in any big way, and I feel fine about it in myself, so that's the main thing, but I know for myself I hate to only take on the surface elements of something. We're very good at that in the Western world, taking the yoga for it's physical benefits and discarding the rest of it because it doesn't suit or we couldn't be bothered. I would like to be a little more wholehearted in my approach.
Anyway I think the next thing to make it onto the 'To Do' list will be getting my Yoga instructor qualifications. I need to save up the money first, and the DB has voiced some concerns about my committment to this (if it's just a passing fad sort of thing...and if the qualification would actually be something I would use in the end...valid points I suppose, but not really the initial support I was looking for). For now I am looking into seriously and, like most things in my life, if it's meant to be things will start falling into place.
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