Storage

In a four acre shoebox
they move in and out of days,
one hardly different from the last:
planting and harvesting,
living and growing,
laughing a bit too loudly
beneath the cardboard lid
to ward off the staleness of the box.

They are his treasures
and he has packed them away,
safe and secure
in four acres of wood and grass and chickens.
A beautiful shoebox,
but a shoebox the same.

Someday, maybe...
when he had finished his contract with the devil,
maybe then the will find the time
to lift the lid and unpack his treasures.
Maybe then, he will find
they are no longer his,
but have grown into their own.

Felted Gauntlets

Finally, something for me! I made these gauntlets out of a felted wool sweater that once belonged to my daughter...perfect! The entire project took less than 5 minutes and I am extremely happy with the results.

It's cold today. I am so longing for a cuddly, hand knit sweater. I've promised myself that by fall, I will have at least two made by me sweaters in my wardrobe. Here are a few of the links I've found to get my imagination going. Just looking at all those sweaters makes me feel warm!

• http://www.knittingonthenet.com/sweaters.htm
• http://knitting.about.com/od/sweaterpatterns/Free_Knitting_Patterns_Knitting_Sweater_Patterns.htm
• http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/womens_sweaters.php

Fingerless Gloves

These soft wool, fingerless gloves feel so good that I wish I had made them for me! The screen does nothing to do justice to the rich fall toned variegated yarn with a subtle blue grey heather to it. I wonder if I have enough yarn left over to make another pair?

Yarn Ball Felted Pin Keep

This has got to be the worlds easiest felting project. I made it last night while I cleaned the kitchen and chatted online. Thanks for the great idea, Bonne http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/.

I haven't been using my needles much the past few days, but I have found some great pattern sites online.

• http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/hats_childrens.php
• http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/baby_hats.php
• http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/hats.php
• http://crochet.about.com/od/snoods/Snoods_and_Hair_Bun_Covers.htm
• http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/knit/
• http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2007/08/296-triangle-shawl-patterns.html

There are enough knit and crochet patterns here to keep even me busy for an awefuly long time, so I had better get away from the keyboard and back to the needles.

Baby Booties

These cotton booties are for my new little niece due to arrive this summer. They are so tiny! I can't wait to send them to her mama!

The pattern I used for them is absolutely amazing! It is extremely simple and adapts to any foot size. In the past week I have made 3 pairs in various sizes and am working on a fourth. My size adaptations are as follows:

• men's-size 15 needles with 4-5 strands worsted or equivalent
• toddler-size 9 needles with 2 strands light weight or equivalent

I am about to make a pair for each of my children and I'll add those size adaptations once I have them.

http://www.white-works.com/slippers.htm

The Adventurer

My love, he comes a bearing gifts,
Treasures from far away:
A wilted flower, smooth round stones,
Feathers of silver grey...

He is a grand explorer.
What adventures he does seek!
All through out the land of Yard
His trusty sneakers trek.

Come night he wanders home again
With treasures and tales to share,
But my favorite gift is a goodnight kiss
After his bedtime prayer.

Essay Contest

Click on the title to learn more about a farmgirl essay contest that has just opened.

Saturday Pants

I am tired of the jeans and sweater look for my Saturday errands, so I made a pair of comfy running around pants. The fabric is a poly/rayon blend that reminds me of the parachute pants my aunt use to wear in the 80's. Loving the fabric, but not the dated look, I decided to go for a girly cargo type pant with faux patch pockets trimmed in eyelet lace. The next time I make this pattern, I will alter it for a bit more ease, but overall I like what I've come up with.

Dance In Old Slippers

Dance in old slippers,
Play ball with the moon.
Dance in old slippers,
Sing out of tune.

Dance in old slippers,
Be afraid of the light.
Dance in old slippers
For blindness is sight.