monday's musing

"Never ask the tight-rope walker how he keeps his balance. If he stops to think about it, he falls off." - Terry Pratchett



I am putting one foot in front of the other, and each day I am getting closer to my goal of finishing up my projects. I will not think about how to do it, or how much time each task will take. I will merely DO. And finish.

monday's musing

"Life is very simple, but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius



Last night I had a terrible dream, as sometimes happens when I am feeling stressed. Right now, as we are coming to the end of the year, there is so much to do. And I need to be spending time and emotional energy with the kids. Enough said there. I want to clone myself. 

But along comes a horrific dream that leaves me with the reality that it's all so simple. As a dear friend of my mother's used to say to me: "where there's life, there's hope." Everything else is so small in comparison. This week, I will work to remember that.

monday's musing

"What I dream of is an art of balance." - Henri Matisse

At this time of year, I always get lost in the final mad dash to the last day on the calendar. This year, I am working to enjoy the time and find balance. Not really to do less, but to take joy and fully participate in all the many tasks ahead. Because I think I may actually finally have learned that I love to be busy and doing too much. 
 
This week, while knitting on deadline and working to catch up on everything, I am feeling the incredible joy of planning a Thanksgiving meal, in particular for a certain young foodie whose most favorite holiday involves the deep satisfaction of sharing good food with his family. I didn't always find happiness in doing the expected; I've worked to understand just how fortunate I am to have things expected of me by my loved ones. How empty life would be without any expectations at all.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

monday's musing

"Notice the small things. The rewards are inversely proportional." - Liz Vassey 

This is my meditation and my goal. This week, I will work to notice, take pleasure in, and be grateful for all of the small pieces of my life. The lovely fresh smell of sagebrush in the cold winter air, the incredible quiet of a snowfall, the smile of a loved one, a gentle sunset, a soft pillow, a perfect woolly swatch. Laughter.



Small bits of beauty. Everywhere.

monday's musing

"The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life." - William Morris

And that is so very true. In my adult life, I've worked hard to take pleasure in the small things that make up the process of every day life. This is my biggest failing: being too concentrated on the goal, and not enjoying the journey enough. When I am running around like a crazy person, I often forget that life happens every moment, and that every moment is an opportunity to learn something new, or experience something in wonder, or appreciate a small but beautiful detail. When I forget to do this, life becomes less vibrant and beautiful, and my days take on the feeling of never-ending monotony, rather than being the celebration they should be. Mindfulness and meditation are important to my inner being and to my feelings of centered-ness or not-so-centered-ness.

This morning, I was covering a button and thinking about the little details and how very important they are to the whole. So today, I will try - every moment of the day - to recenter myself with the details of daily life. I will work to feel gratitude for my good fortune, and consider each trial as an opportunity to grow stronger. And however many times I fail, I will begin again one more time.

What makes you feel centered? Do you practice mindfulness? Do you meditate? Do you have a morning ritual that prepares you for the day? I'd love to know!

Just a quick note: today is the last day of my anniversary sale! For 19% off in my Ravelry pattern shop, use code

RomiHA2016

at checkout. Enjoy!!

monday's musing

“Prejudices are what fools use for reason.” - Voltaire

I'm baaaaaaack! And centering myself ever so slowly again after a wee bit of vacation. Have a fantastic week everyone!

monday's musing

“When you take risks you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important. It's hard to understand failure when you're going through it, but in the grand scheme of things it's good to fall down—not because you're drunk and not near stairs.” - Ellen DeGeneres

Today is March 30. Yes it is. Today is the day I set to finish my delayed 7 Small Shawls Y4 eBook. I dreamed a dream of completion, but I failed. I hoped to miraculously pull it out at the last minute, but the stars did not align, and I was not able to make those stars care one way or the other about how I was feeling about it. I do have a wee update, however. There are three shawls in the app process and when Apple approves them, they will go live as both app and pdf. The fourth and last shawl is in the process of being (possibly) resized for an additional yarn choice before it is ready for you. And then there is an extra fun bonus shawl (because I think you will love it!) that's a variation on one of the other shawls coming this time. If you are on Instagram (I'm RomiDesigns; come by and say hello!), you will be able to watch as things take shape. And yes. I will even come over here and post pictures. I've been MIA too long.

I failed to make the due date, but I did succeed somewhere else. I have truly begun to enjoy what I do again, and for some time, I thought I had well and truly lost that. The reason I am late this time is that the remaining projects in the eBook had to be great. I could have whipped up a bunch of mediocrity, but I decided to go for the gusto, and it is the best thing I could have done for myself (and I hope for you, too). With my rediscovered joy has come a flood of returning creativity, and it all started with my absolutely having to do a sweater for you all as a bonus pattern. It would have been faster to do a hat, but you know? I needed to give you all something special that everyone could wear and love. 

So Village Sweater Wrap was born from 4 skeins of A Verb for Keeping Warm Even Tinier Annapurna. 

I do so hope you are enjoying it!

I am very sorry to all of you who are disappointed, but the patterns will be coming soon, and they are great patterns. I couldn't do less and still live with myself. So...instead of all the patterns today, here are some sneak peeks!

There's lacy wavy asymmetry, done in Shalimar Breathless or Huckleberry Knits Cascara Silk. This one can be enlarged, as it is based on wedges. I'm kind of geeking out about how the waves line up in the chart. It reminds me of waves breaking on shore.

There's two color asymmetry with stripes and lace (in two sizes!) done in Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply or Dubai Knits Faith, Hope and Love. This was so much fun to design and knit! It was totally play time for me. I hope you love it as much as I do!

And there's a lace edging with a crescent shaped garter top in Yarn Sisters Black Pearl or The Yankee Dyer's Yankee Sole II. I so love the way this turned out: simple but lovely.

Believe it or not, until more recently than I care to divulge, I couldn't harness my brain to work out the edging on this one, even though it was all designed in my head and I had charted it (imperfectly, to say the least). It's a modification of the Sunspot pattern (from the Barbara Walker stitch dictionaries) that turns it into a knitted on edging. I kept staring at the chart and not really seeing it. This is the pattern that will have a two color bonus variation coming up just for the fun of it! That, and the fact that I love this lace pattern. It's another one I am totally geeking out on.

And for the fourth pattern? Here's a wee sneak peek of the unfinished item from Instagram. I could not just rush through this one. It needs to be perfect, Malabrigo Finito is one of my very favorite yarns, and it deserves to be born as a prominent part of this collection.

I am squeeing every time I pick it up. Look at the center cable! It's got an eyelet in the middle.

And there will be a 2nd yarn choice: Road to China Light! I know you will all love this one!

So...please bear with me to wait a little bit longer for fabulousness, even though it is late fabulousness.

monday's musing, better late than never edition

"And still, after all this time, the Sun has never said to the Earth 'You owe me.' Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the sky." - Rumi

And with that, I wish you a love-filled and generous week!

Musing for a Monday of a Tuesday

"Put one foot in front of the other." - the Winter Warlock

And that's just what I'm doing. The holiday flu is pretty much gone, the kids have (unwillingly) headed back to school today, the tendonitis in my wrist is better, and all the leftovers are eaten. I just wish the house were clean!

Time to start the new year in earnest.

Have a fantastic week, everyone!

Musings

I sit here in front of the fire, my latest knit finished, blocked, sewn and edges woven in. 2014 was a tough year for me, and I had thought of grand plans for 2015 resolutions. But it's difficult - with a heavy cold and a house full of people recovering from flu - to care at the moment. And that's when the obvious hit me. Striving for perfection is, in itself, a frustrating proposition. In the real world -  that place with colds, flu, kids who don't do what they ought, last minute things that come up, houses that get dirty, and laundry that needs cleaning, dogs that break their legs or run away - perfection is not an option. So I decided to do something different, and not to care that the first day of the year will likely be spent between the bed and the stove, and without the possibility of accomplishing great and noble deeds.

In 2015, I resolve to learn something new every day. It doesn't have to be a big thing, just a new thing. I resolve to remind myself every day of at least one thing that I am thankful for. I resolve to do at least one solely frivolous thing every day; no one can thrive by only working. I resolve to take chances. I resolve to do my best, and when I don't do very well, learn from it and do better the next time.

Most importantly, if I fall short, I resolve to get up the next morning and start all over again.

Happy New Year everyone!

veteran's day musing

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 

Many many thanks to those who have served and are serving now. 

Have a great week!

xox

monday's musing & a give-away

Tis better to give than receive, is it not? I think so. That's why I'm giving away a copy of Tanis Gray's book, 3 Skeins or Less! Leave a comment by midnight, PST, November 5 (Wednesday) for a chance to win!

It's a great little book with some fantastic patterns, including my Tanis Shawl. I really loved every minute of designing and knitting this one. The yarn - Heavenly Fingering from The Uncommon Thread - was truly truly heavenly down to the last stitch.

Tanis, the woman, was an absolute pleasure to work with. Tanis, the shawl, has a beaded asymmetrical spine that moves seamlessly into the border.

The wide lace border is fairly heavily beaded with 6/0 seed beads placed with a crochet hook.

And Tanis is finished with a beaded picot bind-off.

3 Skeins or Less

By Tanis Gray

Interweave/F+W; $24.99

http://bit.ly/YA1MeV

monday's musing

"There is hope in dreams, imagination, and in the courage of those who wish to make those dreams a reality." - Jonas Salk

I know I'm a day late, but today felt like Monday anyway. Here's hoping tomorrow brings good things! (Like maybe the person who stole my 11 year old son's phone will bring it back? I can hope.)

Have a great week!

monday's musing

"Bloom where you're planted." - Mary Engelbreit

One of my very favorite quotes, and one I am working hard on!

Now to answer some questions about my club that I didn't realize I had until just this moment!

Elizabeth asked: "Could you elaborate on the payment plan options? I'd love to try to fit this into my budget! Thanks!"
Answer: PayPal has a payment plan option that used to be called "Bill Me Later" and is now called PayPal credit. For now, that is the one payment plan I am able to offer. I am already planning 2016's club, however, and will work extra hard on making payment plans come true.

Donna asked: "I'm unfamiliar with your club. What would be a reason for ordering double yarn? Are the patterns shawlette a which could be made larger with the extra yarn?"
Answer: Yes! The extra yarn is to make the shawl larger. Each shawl is a full sized shawl (rather than a shawlette size) in itself, but some people like to make a larger option. Both regular and tall sizes are included in each pattern.

Hev asked: "I am looking forward to P&L 2015, but have I missed the area to get just the patterns? As much as I would love to get the yarn & pins, I can't. I have too many projects on my plate. This way I can hold the patterns & add them to my que. Thanks."
Answer: Do not fear! The pattern only option will go up for sale when the yarn and pin options are sold out. You didn't miss a thing. :)

monday's musing

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” - Buddha

I am seeking peace and balance. What do you seek?

monday's musing

"If people are not laughing at your goals, your goals are too small." - Azim Premji

Slowly putting everything back together and getting back into having some time for my family and me! Have a fantastic week, everyone!

monday's musing

"Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity." - Og Mandino

Hi everyone! :waving: I'm playing catch-up right now, but so happy to be (kind of) back. Thank you again for your patience with me and your kindness while I tried to chew the huge mouthful I bit off. I will be posting again soon, and working on making my absence up to you. Status rep coming up! We are going to have some fun.

monday's musing

“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.” - Tom Krause

I know I have said this before...but perhaps not enough times. I can't thank everyone enough for being so kind and patient while I am working through my book project. I know it has disrupted everything.

When the opportunity came up, I almost passed it up. I knew it could/would throw all of my other projects off, and that you all could just end up disappointed in me, and angry. I already knew the book process, and that I would likely end up dropping off the edge of the Earth, not to be heard from for months. But I looked at the quote above, and decided that courage was in order. Sometimes, you just have to put your big girl panties on, and that's what I worked on. Because really, it was an opportunity not to be passed up: an exciting, stressful, amazing thing to become involved in. And I hope that - when all is said and done - you will love the projects as much as I do.

To those who have written kind and encouraging notes and comments: thank you so so much from the bottom of my heart. You mean the world to me, and I cherish each and every note you have written. I take them out and read them over and over when I am feeling super stressed. To those who have voiced your annoyance: I will endeavor - in future - to be worthy once more of your expectations. To all of you: I will make it up to you with something special.

Meanwhile, though I am often at a loss for words, I've been posting photos on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. It makes me feel more connected to all of you. I hope you enjoy them!

Many thanks again to everyone, especially the fantastic moderators who nurture the incredible community of wonderful people in my Ravelry forum. I am missing you all big time. I will be back soon and catching up on everything!

monday's musing

A Memorial Day remembrance and heartfelt thanks to those who have given everything, and to their families.

monday's musing

“Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.” - Kahlil Gibran

Have a fantastic week everyone! You all are so completely awesome!  Thank you for all of your kind comments and care, and everything. You mean more to me than you will ever know.