Hand knitted socks...or should I say 'sock' singular.

I finished work (for the second time) a couple of weeks ago and while having a leisurely glass of Cab Sav at the end of my last day, I was pondering my future and indulgently dreaming about how much sewing and creative time I would now have.

Pure bliss.

It was obviously during my second  glass that I came up with a little personal challenge for myself - to hand make, op-shop, or up-cycle everything I purchase to wear for the next twelve months.

I did notice in the light of day the following morning however that my sock and knicker drawer is looking somewhat sparse which is a little bit scary.

Anyway...

Check this out...

I have three quarters of a sock!

I'm so in love with my funky sock that I've ordered enough yarn for eight (yes you read that right) more pairs of socks.  I hope I can stop hopping round on one foot admiring my own skill long enough to get some actual knitting done.

This challenge is going to be so much fun!

De-cluttering and hand knitted washcloths.

I've been reading KonMari's book on de-cluttering.

I know that having approximately seventeen million balls of yarn in my knitting basket is a bit over the top, but KonMarie asks "Do they bring you Joy?"  

Yes, they do.  

I've just finished knitting some cotton washcloths for my youngest daughter.  They took a while.  Knitted in my spare moments.  Thinking of the special times I spend with her.  And yes it brings me joy, so I won't be de-cluttering any of the seventeen million balls of yarn I have in my basket thank you very much KonMari.

Anyone for washcloths?

Cooking Day Today.

I had a day in the kitchen today.  While I was waiting for the oven, I fooled about in my sketchbook and while I waited for paint to dry, I fooled about in the kitchen.  A pretty good combination I reckon.

I did a bit of experimenting.  I painted the cheap paper (possibly cartridge...or maybe I got it from Spotlight...shame!)  with gesso on one page and Golden absorbent ground on the other.  Then a watercolour wash, then white gouache.  The gouache was really shiny like acrylic paint, so nothing would stick to it.  And my permanent pen wasn't permanent!  Oh well.

My experiments in the kitchen however were YUM!