fred

In loving memory...
This weekend our family lost a member of our little family, Fred. You all know how much he was loved and pampered. It is hard for me to write this without getting a knot in my throat or a tight feeling in my chest, then the tears flow... Lately he had been moving and getting around slowly but still he would follow me from room to room. Even though he was 14 years old we knew it was coming but it is still shocking. I had hoped he would be around for a couple more years at least that is what I had prepared myself for. Although his passing is hard on us, we are all glad he was part of our lives. He was Rog's hunting buddy, my companion and heater...(hehe!) and the kids bouncy toy. L gave him lots of hugs and climbed all over him, which he didn't seem to mind considering his cranky old age. It's still hard at times when I forget and think he is in the other room or as I come out of the bathroom he will be waiting for me.
My heart feels a little broken right now and I know in the future I will remember him fondly.
He is now resting peacefully so we said good bye to...old man, buddy, numb-nuts, pumpkin...Fred.

8.28.2011

This photo was taken in July this year on Rem's birthday.

Estela

testing to high purple

Boys got promoted to high purple today along with some of their friends...

xo,
Estela

got some sewing in

It has been almost over 2 weeks since I have gotten to sew, kinda going through withdrawals...haha! Soo, last night I got the Bernina out and decided to sew the boys patches on their uniforms...that counts as sewing??? doesn't it??? it does to me. I already feel like I accomplished something. But, could I stop?? nooo I had to do something else...haha! I finished up the notebooks for my reading group to send and attached some labels I have been playing with that didn't turn out just like I wanted to and I'm still tweaking them.

xo,

Estela

book review - knitting

I have been distracted with our vacation to Branson, MO and cleaning my house are keeping me busy so I haven't blogged in a while. The house cleaning (more like a renovation but I'm not telling Rog that right now...shhhh!)is coming along but I have trouble doing anything creative when I know I could be cleaning...aug!

But, I found this draft of a book review I did and I just wanted to see how it looked when you blog it...so here it is a post to fill in the void of creativity!

Book cover was kind of small so I pulled a copy from Amazon.com which offers a preview. I'm currently on project 3 (fold-over pillow) and I'm working the book in order and logging it on ravelry. I love the look and feel of the neutral colors in this book, of course the content is great. Gray seems to be my favorite color of the moment and there are quite a few projects in this book suggesting gray as a color. Most people think of gray as gloomy and dull but I find it soothing and relaxing, very clean, maybe I can give it a new reputation...haha! One more thing, this post took me longer because I had to figure out how to spell gray...don't laugh..although I am...gray or grey??? I decided on gray for the spelling of the color, now if I can only remember that. It may help or confuse me that I drink Earl Grey tea...my brain hurts now and I've rambled on...

 

Simple Knitting: A Complete How-to-Knit Workshop with 20 Projects by Erika Knight


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great book for a beginner it takes you through 20 projects and adds a new technique as it goes on, puts them in categories such as basic, stripes, shaping, colorwork, fully fashioned shaping. Found the following sections very helpful; materials and techniques, explained along with pictures the different yarns and choosing them, author used drawings to demonstrate the techniques which I found easy to understand instead of pictures; in stitch library author has nice large pictures of each; and recommened yarns. Very simple approach to teaching knitting, the pictures are beautiful. Basic project seen in other books such as muffler (scarf), dishcloth, pillows, mittens, hats; more intersting projects such as notebook, shopper (bag), two-needle sock, four needle-sock, cable scarf, pincushion, teapot cozy, sweater and cardigan. Currently working through the whole book.

View all my reviews

It's the weekend and time to enjoy a slow pace.

xo,
Estela

new badge and new challenge

You may have noticed I added a new badge on the left side of my blog. (You will have to go to the blog to be able to see the left side, the e-mail updates don't show it.) The Sketchbook Challenge...yes! I joined another group...haha! No I'm not crazy. The challenge doesn't really have deadlines and no pressure on your work, but I do sketch every now and then and I'm trying to improve on them. You can get more detailed information about it here,and you do not have to sign up for anything. So basically they have a theme every month for you and you can post your pictures on their Flickr group. This is something for me and the boys to share since I figured they are not very interested in sewing...haha! But I am still working on that.

The theme for August is Everyday Objects and the post includes a tutorial to get you started. Below is a video from the sketchbook challenge blog that will inspire you to draw, it did me and I have been introduced to an artist, Danny Gregory (along with another blog!). I love, love watercolors!!! Check it out!!

The Art of Breakfast from DannyGregory on Vimeo.

xo,

Estela

working towards a wordless wednesday...

Happy Wednesday!

As I was browsing through the blog world I found this single picture with a single sentance that describes how I have been feeling lately...
"Sometimes I just want to start new – throw everything out of the house and re-decorate it."

- from b for bonnie :: a bonnie tsang personal blog

photo from b for bonnie blog

xo Estela

week of drawing and painting creatures

I have finished the first part of my summer online art camp and would like to share (show off, can't help it, I surprised myself) some of my art from the class I took this past week. I'm actually very proud of myself because I completed the work on time, learned alot and had more fun than I thought. I'm looking forward to next week's.

The classes are great and you can still sign up for the other two, Faces 101 and Junk Mail Artist Book. Carla posted tow videos for each day one for drawing and one for painting and warm up sheets to start the day. I really recommend taking one of her classes, I'm sure she will have more in the future and check her blog for inspiration. 

Here is the process of one of the paintings...

 

Finished piece.

The finished ones...they just created themselves I didn't plan what I ended up with.

Some of my drawings... 

I will take all kinds of comments because I pleasantly surprised myself (big grin on my face!).

Hope everyone had a great weekend and like I did got to spend time with their families.

xo,
Estela