New craft project

Now that Easter is over and I've recovered, and given that we bought a GPS unit that can't, at least in this area, be left in the car (it will get stolen), I decided to make a carrying case for it. I had originally planned to sew some fabric together and stiffen it with cardboard, but then realized that cardboard isn't washable. I'd had a piece of knitted fabric lying around that I made a few years back, intending it for another project that never got finished, so I decided to use that instead. It needed lining, so with my husband's input, I picked out a fabric and sewed it on the knitted piece. I then folded the whole into a bag shape and sewed it together. Since it is a carrying case, it needs a strap, so I decided to weave one. The project isn't done yet, but I hope to have it done by the end of the weekend. It's not perfect; things are a bit crooked here and there, but I'm still pleased with it as it is coming out better than I'd hoped (see photos below).

The body of the carrying case.	The fabric lining the inside.	The carrying strap in progress.

Spring weather

Changeable spring days
Bring a stormy cocktail
Of sun and clouds mixed

Photo taken August 2006 in Alexandria, VA.

Food silliness

While eating carrots
I ran across
A lobster claw?!?

Photo taken April 2, 2009

Spring flowers

Rebellious flowers
Peep out between green spears
Defying the stones

Photo taken March 24, 2009, in Alexandria, VA.

Ghostly fog

Opaque pearly clouds
Create a sea of mist
That wraps the landscape
In a pale and ghostly cloak
That vanishes with the sun

Photo taken March 27, 2009, in Northern Virginia.

My first hat

I made a hat to go with the scarf I made for my husband. I finished it this afternoon.



This is the first time I've made a hat and the pattern was pretty simple. It's supposed to only take two hours, but it takes me more like four; however, that's OK. Now that I know I can do it, time to make one for myself!

Scarf knitting

I knitted a scarf for my husband this weekend. It's a bit shorter than usual, but works:



I call the pattern "Misty Waters." I plan to knit a matching hat in the next few days.

Observations

On traffic in the local area:

Brakes
Screech
Tuneless
Cars slow down
Coming to a halt
Long pause in their hurrying rush

Brake
Lights
Glow red
Ominous
Promising delays
As traffic piles up in long lines

Sea of metal
Reflecting the sunlight:
A bad traffic day

And on the upcoming Inauguration:

A new president
Brings huge crowds to the city:
A historic day
Complicated by the flood
Of people coming to watch

Thousands to attend:
A security nightmare
For the whole city

[BUT]

A brand new day comes
Promising shiny new hopes
For prosperous peace
And a change in direction,
Though the road will be hard

I have no illusions. I know the road back to prosperity and stability will be hard and long. But at least there is hope.

It's done!

I finished the blanket that's intended to be a gift to a relative tonight. It just needs washing and blocking now. Here's the finished piece:


I'm very pleased as this is the first time I've made a blanket. Here's a close-up of one of the corners:


Some of the squares were knitted and some were crocheted. Time to plan my next project ...

Handmade gifts

This year, due to economic pressures, I intend to handmake at least some of the Christmas gifts I will give this year. Below is a photo of a throw I am working on for a relative of mine.


As you can perhaps see, it's still being crocheted together and needs washing and blocking. But since this is the first time I've made one of these, I'm pretty happy with the way it's coming out.

A happy and peaceful Thanksgiving to all and happy holidays in the days to come!