Friday, August 16, 2013

Prayer Flags in My Garden!

I discovered the Prayer Flag Project online http://theprayerflagproject.blogspot.com/ a few weeks ago just as newscasts were reporting that Los Angeles is now the rated as the "Rudest City in the U.S."  While I can agree with that for the most part, I'd have to say that the whole country has changed for the worse too.  Remember right after 9/11 when everyone was so courteous to one another and looking out for the emotional needs of their neighbor?  That only lasted so long, didn't it?  I think it wore off quicker in L.A. being so far from Ground Zero and not having the physical reminders in sight.
 
Anyhow, I've been looking for "something" for most of my adult life.  Always studying this religious discipline or that philosophy.  Although what I am doing now is my best fit, I will probably always study.
 
Back to the prayer flags......
I've recently re-done my garden --- actually created a garden where there was none before --- that goes with the house that was painted last summer.  So, to do a little quiet "preaching" of my own to my neighborhood community, I created these flags with words of affirmation to be carried into the winds and perhaps touch people and help them to remember to be considerate of others.




 
 
I plan on making more flags in the near future.  I have two poles that will be placed to the left of where these are hanging .  Look here soon to see more!
 
 


Friday, October 14, 2011

Finally Completed - Minister's Stole

I finally got the first of many, I hope, minister's stoles completed and posted for sale on my etsy shop!

I think it came out beautifully.

I will not be posting the knitting pattern for a freebie or for sale as I plan on selling finished products at the shop, so, sorry no pattern available.


This is the back.  It lays flat across the shoulders around the neck.

The fronts hang down from the shoulder about 36 inches.  The width is 6"
 I am really pleased with my original design and have SO MANY more planned!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Corkscrew/Ruffled Scarf - My Own Version

This is the pattern for the scarf that I made for my mom for her birthday in July.  I don't know the originator of the original simple pattern, but I've re-vamped, re-written, changed, and turned it upside-down so to speak.

Use it as you will, but please credit me with the re-design and DON'T sell the pattern.

Ruffled Edge (Corkscrew) Scarf               Great for beginners!

Vanna’s Glamour Yarn – 3 skeins needed, 202 yds per skein  (This is a size 2 [sock] yarn) One skein for each half and the last is used in making the edging (which is optional).

Scarf can be knitted in other weight yarns --- use appropriate size needles and hook that will give you a TIGHT knit.
Size 5 knitting needles
2.0 mm crochet hook (for edging)

First Half of Scarf:
Cast on 26 sts
Row 1 – K12, turn
Row 2 – K12
Row 3 – K10, turn
Row 4 – K10
Row 5 – K8, turn
Row 6 – K8
Row 7 – K6, turn
Row 8 – K6
Row 9 – K26
Repeat these nine rows until desired length for half of the scarf.

Second Half of Scarf:
Row 1 – K6, turn
Row 2 – K6
Row 3 – K8, turn
Row 4 – K8
Row 5 – K10, turn
Row 6 – K10
Row 7 – K12, turn
Row 8 – K12
Row 9 – K26
Repeat these nine rows until this half matches the length of the first.

Bind off loosely.  Fold ends in half and slip stitch to close to create rounded ends.  Weave in all ends.

Edging: (Optional) 
Round 1:  Attach with slip stitch anywhere along outer edge of knitting (I started at the middle/back of neck area), chain 5 and sc measuring two to four knitted rows apart (or spacing as regularly as possible).  End last with a chain 3 and a dc to attach to the beginning slip stitch.  This keeps your next starting stitch at the top of the loop.
Round 2:  Chain 5 and sc at the middle of each of the previous chain 5 row.  End last with a chain 3 and a dc to attach to the top of the dc of Round 1.
Round 3:  Chain 6 and make a picot 3 chains from hook and chain 3 again and sc to attach to the next chain 5 all around.  Slip stitch at the end.  Weave in ends.
Bottom edge has been folded in half and whipped stitch to form a rounded end.


Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Monday, March 14, 2011

Calligraphy and Artwork - Society for Creative Anachronism

 When I was in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism (1988 - 1993?), I did a lot of calligraphy and illumination on award scrolls.  I taught calligraphy in a collegium setting.  My name in the SCA was Lady Morgaine Brisen.  I received an Award of Arms, Harp Argent, Dolphin, and Baronial Service Award from the Barony of Lyondemere.  I enjoyed being in this group very much and it was because of personal conflicts that I had to quit.  All scrolls were made in "scriptorium" as work had been done in the monasteries of the Middle Ages.  The following scrolls are just a few that I did while in the SCA.  Notations tell you whether I only did the calligraphy or if I did both the calligraphy and the illumination, i.e., artwork.  The circles on each scroll were left to have wax seals placed by the Kingdom's Herald before being presented to the recipient. 
Calligraphy Only

Calligraphy and Artwork


Calligraphy Only

Calligraphy Only

Calligraphy Only

Calligraphy and Artwork

Calligraphy and Artwork

Calligraphy and Artwork

Calligraphy Only

Calligraphy Only


Calligraphy Only

Calligraphy and Artwork


Calligraphy Only - Note:  First Scroll that I did in the SCA


Saturday, March 12, 2011

A Few Crocheted Art Dolls

These are just a few of my art dolls. Previously I had only made art dolls in cloth, but these are crocheted originals. (Sorry, no patterns). The top photo is "Sea Goddess" and she was made as part of a challenge in another online group. The second photo is of "A Self-Made Woman" and was a commissioned sale (through my etsy shop). The last photo is of "Venus of Willendorf". She was created as part of a "What Am I?" game in Crochet In Common's (Yahoo Group). I did step-by-step photos of the work in progress and posted one every few days for members to guess. The person that won did not want the doll, so I put her up for sale on my etsy shop and the customer who commissioned the doll in the second photo bought this one also.