Random Bits Of Me

EVERYTHING IN GENERAL AND NOTHING IN PARTICULAR
crochet-spinning-making-home decor-fiber art-every day stuff-antiques-sewing-food-pets-family-flea market finds-thrifting-doodling-journaling-books-nature-handmade-creative things-nothing-everything


Showing posts with label Crochet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crochet. Show all posts

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Hanging On By A Thread

Six years ago I went through some major health issues and spent the better part of a year traveling back and forth to Cleveland Clinic. I had a tumor and a section of my left lung removed. While all this was going on, I was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease. They did a biopsy of my thyroid and was told that there was no cancer, so I didn't think much about it as the lung issue was priority at that time. Other than taking a pill each day to replace the hormones that my thyroid wasn't producing any more, it didn't seem like a big deal. Boy was I wrong! As time went on I developed more and more symptoms related to the Hashi's. Most days I can barely get out of bed. I live with constant pain and exhaustion, brain fog and head aches,weight gain and skin that looks like I'm 90 years old. I feel as though I am "hanging on by a thread".

Since I don't go out much these days and I have no energy, I spend a lot of time scrolling through Pinterest. I search for inspiration and hope each day that I have enough energy to be creative in some small way. The following are some photos of my latest attempt at creativity.

Hanging On By A Thread
Necklace made of gray linen thread crocheted over a string of colorful wool beads.
The thread (Wolverine 20/2) is from Belgium.
The beads I hand felted a few years ago during a visit by my friend Odile Gova or  Woolly Fabulous, as she goes by in the art world.
I'm very pleased with the end result and so excited that my spark for creating is returning little by little.
I hope to share more of my creative journey with you as I adapt to living with Hashi's.
Thanks for listening and best wishes as you battle your own struggles in life.
Keep hanging on!
Love
Karen

Friday, October 16, 2015

Crocheted Vessel

Autumn always sparks my desire to grab a hook and some of my hand spun wool and do something creative.
This was crocheted in a simple spiral pattern.
No counting stitches, just doing.
Enjoying the idea that I spin my own yarn.
Created my own beads by stitching some fabric scraps around some small wooden spools.
Vessel was made by doing a single crochet over hemp cord.

Karen


Sunday, February 22, 2015

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Wearable Cotton Candy

 Wool in soft pinks.
Loosely needle felted.
 Speckled in gold thread.
 Fuzzy
 Cotton candy stitches.
Simple

Karen

Monday, February 16, 2015

Catching Up

It's hard not to be in a funk at this time of year.
We rarely see the sun, and the snow, ice and freezing temps are getting old.
This was the snow storm we had on Saturday.
I have a feeling these geese wish they had gone south.

This morning it was -15 degrees when I woke up and this is what the sky looked like.
So cold it was difficult to breathe, but the colors in the sky were amazing.

This little guy flew smack into the glass door today and was knocked senseless for an hour or so.
I scooped him up and put him on a warm towel and he eventually flew off.

I've been practicing my spinning lately.
This little corner is where you'll find me most days.





Been crocheting when I'm not spinning.
 Taught a friend how to make felt beads.
 This afternoon the dye pot was on the stove.
Testing out some new fleece and dye colors.
 I knew this vintage drying rack would come in handy one day.
Took a break from fiber on Saturday to spend some time with my Valentine.
 And last but not least, I finished reading "Adventures in Yarn Farming".
A must read if you love fiber.
I hope you've been keeping busy and beating the depression that winter seems to bring.
See you soon.
Karen



Monday, January 12, 2015

Reconnecting With Fiber

Been sitting at the spinning wheel this week.

CROCHET
This hat was made with some wool yarn that I made last Spring.
 KNIT
Over the summer I played around with acid dyes. This green yarn was spun first then dyed.
 BITS and PIECES
I love this yarn. I made it using all the bits that I've cleaned out of the carder over time.
The randomness of it makes it interesting.
 Made yesterday.  Love the soft colors.
I ordered some pretty wool locks today from a little shop on Etsy.
I'll share some pics when it gets here.

Karen

Sunday, November 9, 2014

The Super Chunky Scarf

I was browsing some of my favorite shops on Etsy recently and came across the biggest, snuggly, thick, scarf ever. The problem is I can never buy something for myself that I can make for myself.
So…I made one.
 It's about 8 feet long.
 I used SINCERELY CHUNKY, Purl Essence, Everyday yarn from JoAnn's.
Long, ribbed, rows of single crochet done with a size P hook.
 It took about 3 skeins.
Finished it just in time for the cold weather we are having already.
Winter is upon us.

karen

Friday, April 25, 2014

Beach Pebbles And Silk

Silk Fiber
 White Beach Pebbles
 Organic Shape
 Natural
 Unconventional Crochet
One Of A Kind

karen 

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Sari Silk Yarn Baskets

Sari silk yarn makes lovely plant baskets.



They really dress up the plants.

karen