Every Time A Bell Rings....

An angel gets it's wings. Yep that's the way the line goes in that age old classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." That's a great image isn't it? Angels all sparkly and white with their fluffy new wings - a really dazzling site to behold. Then there is a saying that goes, "Wow, I wonder what her angel looks like - it must have taken a real beating."

Now, I am only a knitting angel third class, but that's pretty much how I feel after this last angel assignment. I still do not understand why this was so difficult, but I had more dropped stitches and mis-knitted pattern rows than I ever have in the past. I mean honestly, how often do you drop the entire row at one time. I spent more time getting the stitches back on the needle. Someone, ring the bell I'm ready for the wings.

Upon further investigation and in the light of day, I think the "troubles" (as they will now be called) had to do with the needles. They are extra long (so I could knit both squares at once,) plastic and wicked slippery. What did I do to them??? Whatever it was these needles did not want to knit these squares, so I forced them into submission. I think they got the hint after I threw them across the room and turned the air a light sky blue. I think I would have broken them on purpose, but they have a metal core (their secret weapon to keep knitters from doing just that.) In the end, we made peace, the squares were finished and mailed off to their new home in California. And as I was fading off to sleep, I thought I heard a small bell in the distance.

Peace and joy to you all......
The Green Girl

In Sync.....

Well the weekend is over and I got nothing accomplished, I feel slightly like a wrung out dish rag. There was no syncopation to my actions, no rhythm, not a blasted coordinated effort to be found. I didn't get the laundry finished (only three loads - 5 to go.) I just couldn't open the laundry room door - it was like the beast on the other side was laying in wait for me. "Come into my lair little green girl.... See what awaits you... (insert evil cackle here.)" I shudder still to even think about it, but I will have to brace myself and go there this evening. {shudders}

The main knitting project I had on the agenda was to get two angel squares done for a recipient in California. I have been working so hard on the Fall collection ( and I had a little bit of flu last week) that it was admittedly hard to break that thread of concentration and move on to the squares. I need to get them into the mail today and I still have 30 rows to go. Why, you might ask should it take me so long to knit two 12x12 squares when I can usually whip one out in about 4 hours. That's a good question and the answer is this.....knit a row, see that I did the wrong pattern, rip out the row.....knit eight stitches and have them all fall off the needle and unravel at the same time (wicked slippery needles).....and on this went all weekend long. My hands and head were just not on the same page. So, I tell DH that if he wakes up in the middle of the night and notices that I'm not in bed (this isn't so strange as since global warming hit me - insomnia has been it's bosom companion) that I'm in the studio knitting away to finish these squares. As you can see by the previous information, I failed. Failure is a big word, perhaps that's too harsh. Technically I still have 7 hours to knit 30 rows. I should be able to do that. Right???? In between working and people thinking they can have my time for their important issues, I should be able to squeeze in 30 rows. Lunch time will play an important role in today's agenda for just that purpose.
Now, although I'm not done with the squares and the laundry still looms like a Montana thunder storm over my head, the muse did whisper a little something in my ear that had me writing down details so that I will remember to take on yet another project when this one is finished (along with knitting chemo caps, finishing the design work for the Fall collection, making the snugly sleeping bag for my nephew and knitting a sweater for my two year old niece all in the next two weeks and these are just my knitting projects - let's throw in the rest of life for good measure.) The squares I have noticed will make a heavenly knitted blanket and the colors are in the fall color palette. So, In reality, I have at least 15 more of these squares to make or one giant one (havne't decided yet.) So, it's kind of like a two for one. Gal in California gets her two squares, someone gets a lovely blanket for the holidays.
So, hopefully I'm in sync today (it is the beginning of a new week after all) - nothing like a ticking deadline to start off a Monday...

Peace and joy to you all......
The Green Girl

Tinker,Tailor,Solider, Knitter....

I love this book by John le Carre' - of course his character was a spy and that really has nothing to do with this blog entry. I just thought it made a zippy title. OK - I'm tired, it's Friday afternoon and I'm not completely on my game. Just go with it - OK...

I have been working a lot of late nights to try and finish up my Fall 2010 knit collection so that it can be published on Ravelry and sold via (my soon to it operational) website. As I work during the day as well, I find myself dragging today. However, the muse has been sticking it out with me and has really helped me out of a bind today.

One of the pieces in this collection is going to be knit in a fine gauge (US size 2 needle - that's the only hint I'm giving - I've said my peace and counted to 3.) Today I had a goal to knit up a swatch for this piece while I was at my day job. Friday is typically slow. Quite by accident I brought my size 2, 16" circular needles instead of my size 2 needles with a longer cable. To top it off I had grabbed an inexpensive pair with a cable that wasn't very flexible. I started the swatch and the lack of give in the cable was making things difficult. I dug around in my tote bag to see if by any hope I had a spare pair stuck somewhere in the dark recesses of the bag. Nope, not today!

Well, they say necessity is the mother of invention and sure enough today it was (I think my muse is the mother of necessities cousin or something.) This is the conversation that ensued with the muse:
Muse: "How much do you like these needles?"
Me: "Shoo - go away, I'm not doing what I think you're about to suggest. These are knitting needles, made this way for a purpose. "
Muse:"Didn't you buy these on whim in the discount bin?"
Me: "Yes, I must admit that I did, so what?"
Muse: "Then make them into a tool that you will use and enjoy. I'm tired of listening to you complain."

Within two minutes, the needles that you see in the picture were born. I took and cut right through the cable at the half way point - Viola' two needles - then I put a little clear tape around the ends of the cable to make them thicker and pushed them into two needle stoppers.
I love these - the needles are nice and short and the bend forms to my hand -YEAH!!! The cable gives me a little extra space for the stitches and are still a bit flexible. There are probably needles like this for sale already, you can probably do this with needle sets that click together ( I don't own such a set (expense and not given as a gift yet - maybe this year,) )but not in my area, so, well done me!!!

Muse: Yes, well done you - you finally made the needles you've been wanting for FG work - you only grumbled about this idea for the past year. Next time just take my suggestion early on and we'll both be much happier."
Me: (sheepishly) "Yes, muse."



Peace and joy to you all.....
The Green Girl

Patience........Pays off.......

I noticed when I was a young child that I did not have a lot of patience (little did I know that I had an adrenal disorder that allowed anxiety to rule my life - it's genetic in our family.) My anxiety would creep into the light via nervousness and crying and stay with me at night in the form of night terrors, but as I was girl everyone just thought I was sensitive. As I got older, let's say 14 or so, I realized that the lack of patience in my family was actually very destructive, so I decided that I wouldn't let it destroy me -although this is a condition that has drastically worked it's way in my life; through love, support and lots of work, I've been able to keep it pretty much at bay (I say pretty much because goodness knows I've slipped in dealing with it at times, of which I am not proud.) Now you all know what's coming right? I've had the Epiphany......

When I am working on a design or a change that I feel will make a big positive impact in my life, I want it to happen now - if it doesn't I tend to fee like a failure. Shouldn't it have been the block buster that my muse said it would be? See the muse is always getting me trouble (I have no shame in blaming the muse as she walks hand in hand with the anxiety - I think they're cousins.) Well, once again I've learned a big lesson in patience. Patience pays off!!! The muse needs to take a lunch date with patience and see if they can't put my welfare on their mutual TO DO list (I'd be forever grateful.)

So, back in early July I started researching ways to make my knitting pay off . It has always paid off in ways other than monetary, but I wanted to make that leap to the next level. I started this blog - joined Ravelry (I call it Facebook for knitters and crocheters) - published my first pattern - created an online store front and am working on a Fall knitting collection for publication in late September. Oz Dust Designs & Green Girl Studio lives - finally freaking finally (can't help but be excited when a heartfelt dream starts to take shape,) This has taken two months, not really much time in the grand scheme, but when anxiety lives in your house, two months can be forever - so this is really a big step for me. I've not made a cent yet, but you see the lessons I've learned in the past two months are far more important. I've learned that slow and steady actually does win the race. The speed of time is relative depending on your point of view. I've learned that letting each one of these things happen at their own pace with a little diligence from me equals success. At least in my definition of success.

I know this will be a long journey and that's good. I want it to be a long journey - forever changing and growing. I want this for me - a little thing in this huge world that I can call my creation. And I will patiently nurture it and watch it and support it through all it's ups and downs. And to all my fellows on their own journeys - peace and joy to you along your path.

Peace and joy to you all.....
The Green Girl

It's Not Easy Being Green.......

Or so Kermit said in his famous song. Well, the Green Girl now has a green hand. It seems that I have a bit of tendinitis in my right hand. Actually about a 1/2 inch below the middle finger on the palm of my hand. I went to open a door and thought someone had stabbed a needle through my hand - the next morning (Saturday) I couldn't even touch that one very sensitive spot. Have been on Arthritis strength Tylenol (1 tab every 6 hours) for two days. Then this little compression glove was recommended and it's doing a great job. I was surprised as I'm typically very careful to be nice to my hands since I have had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands many years ago. However, I've noticed that since my cancer surgery three years ago, little aches and pains creep up on me out of the blue. Thank goodness they tend to creep away again just as quickly. Somewhere in the back of my mind I keep hearing my surgeon say that my body aged 20 years the day of my surgery. That would make me 67 rather than 47 so I suppose little aches and pains should be expected. Bummer!! Then again, I'm here and that's what matters. So for now I will be the Green Girl with the green hand. Move over Kermit - let's sing a duet...... This too shall pass.

Lesson to all: Don't deny the physical pains you may feel from repetitive stress - just do what you need to in order to get better.

Peace and joy to you all.....
The Green Girl

Of Mice and Me......

Cinderella had her mice and they were good mice. They helped her clean the castle and sew the prettiest ball gown in the kingdom. You might say they were her angels. Well, good for her! If only....... Where are my freaking little mice helpers?????

Today started out bright and full of possibilities (even though I slept very little last night and apparently even less tonight - it's 3:30am right now.) Dave and I had a lovely little breakfast together and he offered (yes folks, he offered) to go with me on my errands around town and for no other reason than he wanted to spend time with his wife. Lovely, truly lovely. And so we did just that (went out on our errands that is.) And what comes next can only be described as a day gone pear shaped.

I have to say right now that I am in no way complaining about my responsibilities as a knitting angel. I am ranting about my inability to make one little decision that would have saved me from the results of this day and kept me from begging to have furry woodland creatures as my back-up singers in this journey called life.

Our story will now resume. One of the errands was to run in and out of Hobby Lobby to purchase one skein of "dusty pink" yarn in order to complete my Angel Assignment for my Baker's Dozen knitting group. Now, I had this yarn in the stash and thought I had enough to complete the one 12x12 inch square that I was knitting up. Until last night when I realized that, no, no way, I was going to need about half of a second skein. I'm thinking this is no problem as I saw four skeins of this exact color at HL only two days ago, when I was there to pick-up yarn for another angel assignment. So, DH sits in the car as I run into the store only to find that there is not one skein left of "dusty pink" yarn. Okay - that's okay, I'll run over to Michael's as they carry this brand of yarn as well and actually have a larger selection of colors. It would be on our route anyway, no big deal. So, once again DH sits in the car as I run into the store and once again, no yarn! Strike two! I call the local Joann's - strike three!!! I am not ripping this square out and making it in another yarn, this poor woman has been waiting for her square since June because the designated person could not complete the task (we don't ask why - we all have "life" that happens -so absolutely no judgment.) And I happen to have the very yarn she wanted in my stash, so this square is going to be completed in the yarn of her choice. This is now a mission!! Oh no - did I say mission? Ya'll don't know this yet, but that means the same thing as obsession. I will find this yarn and I will get this square completed and in the mail by my Monday deadline. I go back to the car after calling the Joann's that is 30 minutes away - they have the yarn - they are setting it aside for me. Hurray!! Only that means that the nice day I've been having with DH will now come to an end because there is no way he's going to drive with me up to another yarn store. It's just not even an option to ask - he doesn't even have any of his reading material with him in the car to keep him busy while I've run into these two local stores, asking him to drive this distance and sit is cruel - I won't do it.

I drop DH at home, change into comfortable shoes and head up the road. And the beat goes on.... I get stopped by not one, but two trains (one going and one coming.) I finally make it through the worse Saturday back-road traffic that I've seen to date, get the yarn and get back to town and I still have to buy groceries, go home make dinner and try to save this day. Oh did I mention that my battery on the mobile was dead and I couldn't call to tell DH why I was going to be over an hour later than planned. Long story, short - a 1.5 hour trip turned into a 4 hour trip. We finally ate dinner at 7:30pm and didn't watch our romantic movie ( a little film called Aliens) until almost 9:00pm. And all this occurs because when I was standing in the HL two days ago, I decided not to listen to my inner voice and buy that one extra skein of "dusty pink" yarn. So, I ask where were my little mice friends when I needed them. If they made a ball gown for Cinderella surely they could have spun me some yarn or done my laundry (which will be my all day Sunday task now.)

All I can say is, "Lesson Learned." Oh - picture is of square in progress. It's a gathered stitch, but I don't think it photographed very well in regard to showing that aspect of the design.

Peace and joy to you......and all of your little helpers.
The Green Girl

A Giggle, A Laugh, It's all a Little Slap Dash......

Well, it's Friday once again. Almost the end of another work day/week. As I was pondering what to blog today, it came to me that perhaps this should be a blog in honor of all my fellow brothers and sisters of the knitting world. It is all of you that have enriched my life of late. I've been inspired, touched, taken down a peg, built up two pegs... I've laughed till me sides hurt and cried over your touching life stories.

As you may have seen in an earlier blog, I published my first knitting pattern on Ravelry this week. Within two days 19 of my fellow knitters decided to "Fav Place" my pattern. You may be saying, so what - 19 is nothing and in the grand scheme that is a small number, but in my scheme that is a huge number. So thank you to all of you that have paid me such a tremendous compliment. You made my week.

To those of you ladies that discussed the "Failed Design" thread - well all I can say is we had a good laugh. No one will ever be able to call knitting a hobby for boring little old ladies ever again. The designer that shared this situation with us, will forever see her re-vamped and new design in a completely different light. And I'll be there to purchase this pattern if she sells it as I will always be reminded of a few women having a little laugh together on a Friday afternoon on a very hot day in August.

These are just two examples of how you all have touched my life. Thanks a million and have a wonderful weekend.

Peace and joy to you all.....
The Green Girl.