A couple of quick christmas gift ideas to make: I made these for some of my friends. 3 projects: Crochet scarf, crochet bookmarks and knit christmas tree decorations. The little tree’s could be used in a number of ways, a few : as a tree decoration, strung together for a garland, attached to a gift, put in a christmas card, make a pin, attach as an applique to personalize a practical gift, like towels, food gifts, kitchen mits. etc…etc… I’ll TRY to upload an instructional video for the scarf and the bookmarks, the Christmas tree instructions can be found on youtube, Look up: ‘How to knit a Christmas tree’ by So Wooly. This womans instructions are very clear and she has such a calming voice, very pleasant to watch and easy to understand. I just thought I’d share in case anyone is looking for a few little last minute gifts to knit or crochet (that aren’t too time consuming, especially the tree’s and bookmarks).
Our newest family member: Lucy Liu
She is actually my parents dog, (but I get to share her).She came with the name Lucy and I added Liu (like the american actress, whom I like),. She’s a tiny little thing and has a super sweet disposition . She’s been through a lot of unsettling changes but seems so happy to be here with us now and already after only one day, seems settled and relaxed. . Her personality and looks couldn’t be more different than our beloved Jakey, which is good, as we won’t ever be able to compare her. Her little tail never stops wagging and she just wants to be pet, have her belly rubbed, give kisses and follow us around. She gets excited by the smallest things. I’m so happy my parents rescued her. She’s 7 and has had too much upheaval in her life. It’s nice to see her so happy and relaxed. My mom is already dressing her. Notice the pink scarf- and my parents just got her a new pink harness and purple coat, which the dog seemed happy about. She apparently knows all about getting dressed up and ‘looking pretty’.
Using up some Leather paints, It’s Kind of a fun surface to paint on, a nice a change.
re-vamped an old pocketbook, just a quick painting project:
todays painting
Kahlil Gibran:
On Death
Kahlil Gibran – 1883-1931
Then Almitra spoke, saying, We would ask now of Death.
And he said:
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
From The Prophet (Knopf, 1923). This poem is in the public domain.