Ear Infection Mania

Often when I've been down with a general flare of my chronic conditions or some illness for awhile, I go through a period of time which I can only describe as creative mania.  It happens after I have been unable to do things for many days and I begin to feel a fraction better.  I get ideas about things I want to create and it is impossible for me to sleep or sometimes even rest until I can see my ideas in some tangible form.  This process is often counterproductive as I spend many hours, sometimes staying awake all night, creating. Lack of rest and sleep allows my flare or cold to get worse again.  It's hard to control, but it usually produces some very lovely things.

On January 3rd I woke up not being able to hear out of my right ear.  By the 4th it had started to hurt and was clear that I had an ear infection.   After visiting Urgent Care and starting antibiotics, then visiting a specialist and receiving ear drops the infection still seems to be clinging on.  I go for another specialist appointment tomorrow in hopes of getting some more answers.  

Late one night when the pain in my ear was still unbearable I treated myself by purchasing some wool roving on Etsy.  I found beautifully colored Polwarth roving form Greenwood Fiberworks.  I was so excited when it came in the mail that I wanted to spin it up immediately but I already had another project on my spindle (green and yellow yarn).  So I finished that one, and spun 4oz. of my new wool.  I still have 4oz. left that I'm brainstorming about now.  

After I finished spinning on Sunday night I started (and finished) a great crochet beanie with a cute heart pattern.  There are other things I want to be working on now too, but my body has put a stop to that feeling achy but I am sure I will be back at it in a few days.

Handmade Love for the Special Olympics

The 2012 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project has put out a call for donations of handmade scarves for the participants, coaches, and volunteers of the 2012 Winter Special Olympics.

I jumped at the chance to do something that I really love for an organization and event that I know makes a difference in the lives of many people.

The scarf project was born in 2009 with a call for scarves for the World Winter Special Olympics, and in 2011 the project went nationwide.

Handmade scarves given out to 2012 Special Olympics participants, coaches, and volunteers serve to provide unity, empowerment, pride, and demonstrates the support of the community for the Special Olympics.

I love when two of my passions come together like this.  In 2004 and 2005 I worked in a group home for adults with developmental disabilities.  I've witnessed first hand how programs like the Special Olympics bring joy into people's lives.  I also know that receiving a handmade scarf while participating will instill a great deal of pride long after the event.

I will be making my scarves for the Ohio State Winter Special Olympics.  The goal for the state is 625 scarves due on January 18th.  I'm almost done with my second scarf and plan on making at least one more with the left over yarn.  One of my scarves was my first knitting project, it's not perfect but I'm pretty excited that I've now learned a new skill.

I encourage you to participate in this great project.  If your state isn't participating there are several states that are still in need of a large number of scarves.  You can find all of the information at the 2012 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project webpage here.  Be sure to check the project guidelines for the official Red Heart colors, measurements, and mailing instructions.

Are you participating in the project?  I'd love to hear from you, leave a comment below.

Blooming Granny Square Slippers

Over the weekend I spent a few hours going through my large tub of yarn.  I really only got about half way through sorting all the little balls I have left over from previous projects.  I had them spread out on the bed, sorting them into color groups so that I could have an idea of what was there and usable, and what could be relegated to small time waster projects.

Recently I've noticed the popularity of the color combination of yellow and gray.  The soft buttery yellow that I have was actually bought as a back up incase I couldn't find the yellow I actually wanted.  When my yarn was laid out I pulled the gray, white, and yellow together and started making some granny squares.  These were different than the traditional granny square as they have a flower as the center piece.  I didn't have a plan for these squares but I figured it would reveal itself.

In a completely separate event I was cruising Ravelry for pattern ideas.  I came across some granny square slippers that are posted on the Purl Bee.  I said to myself, "Self, you already have some granny squares made."  It turns out I had exactly the amount of squares made for the top of the slipper, and I made solid gray squares for the sole.

So here they are.  Sewing the individual squares together is a little tricky, but it's illustrated with photos in the pattern and slightly easier to understand than just words.  They are my first pair of slippers.  I honestly don't like to wear things on my feet, so I'm not sure how much they will get used, I suppose when it's really cold.

Next time I will use slightly heavier yarn than the gray I used.  Slippers wasn't my plan when I began.  I will probably also use a smaller hook, the holes in the squares are slightly larger than I would like.

As you can see, Popeye always has to get in on the picture taking.

SNOWFLAKES!

I'm honestly surprised I'm not seeing these in my sleep.

On December 3rd is the GRAND OPENING of Amy Clark Studios!  I was asked to contribute to the swag bags for the event and I crocheted 50 of these snowflakes.  Luckily by the time I was done I was not sick of them and crocheted several more for my Etsy Shop.

If you would like to take one home and live in the Columbus area you should head to the Gallery Hop in the Short North on Saturday and stop by Amy Clark Studios at 1242 N. High Street from 6-10 pm for a chance at a swag bag.

Or you can purchase one from my shop for $5 which includes shipping!!  I think it's a great deal.

Conundrum Update

So I've decided to keep this great mohair scarf.  Green is a color I've become pretty fond of recently, and it goes really nice with my gray peacoat.

Score one for me!