Words of Warmth

I am a novice knitter but at last I have finished these silk wrist warmers. They are so soft, and the weather is still cold so I shall enjoy wearing them to see the rest of the winter out.

It has been a clod but sunny day and I have actually done some PRACTICAL (rather than fanciful) sewing - I've made my first roller blind - it may not seem much, but for "a bear of very small brain" who learns everything from a book, it's quite an achievement. I've been waiting for a day dry enough to hang out the fabric which has soaked in stiffening solution.

Some years ago I was lucky enough to meet Maya Angelou. She had been a heroine of mine since I was about 20. For some reason I was thinking of her yesterday and found some of her quotations. Think on these and even the worst days can make sense:

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow . 

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.? 

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life . 

"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.' 

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance . 

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back. 

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision . 

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. 

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back . 

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. 

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel ." 





....and then doodling something fanciful an idea for a fun bit of stitching after the practicalities!!

Oh WOW

Oh WOW I have just had my first play with Photoshop. This is the doodle from my last but one post with a few button twiddles. What fun. I know Maggie Grey uses this program a lot for image manipulation but I didn't realise it was this much fun.

I could be molecularly bonded to this office chair if I explore a fraction of this program's possibilities. If my bottom goes square I shall blame Adobe!

Doodle-doo

Have realised today that I am terrible at planning. I can see that because I'm so short of time (distractions of job, children, husband, la de dah) that I don't spend enough time designing or planning and tend to just launch into things and wing it! This is lovely and spontaneous but doesn't allow for development like it should.
Today I have resolved to play with my sketch book more (and I'm writing this down here to remind myself) and just doodle.
Tonight whilst number 1 child was researching "carbon-dioxide" amongst much huffing and puffing at the lap-top on the kitchen table and number 2 child was writing Xmas cards (more of an organised gal than I'll ever be) I got out a nice Pink Pig sketch book, two pens and messed. Very enjoyable. Actually a big chunk of Stilton, a glass of red wine and some Hovis biscuits were key here. I have to think how I can get this onto a textile but that will come.
So I'm writing this to remind myself to try to do one doodle every other day. I may end up an artist but will probably weigh 26 stone and go to Alcoholics Anonymous.