The pencil is mightier than the sword

 I usually post my knitting  here, but today I would like to post some art work.  I had a commission from a dear friend and today I finished it.  Sadly, the dog passed away, but I hope that her husband likes the surprise.  I used different pencils from H to 9B and I love the result.  Drawing is still one of my favorite forms of artistic expression.  The simplicity of the materials is ideal!  It was also nice to do a larger work.  This piece is on 18" x 24" drawing paper.  Storage of art can be a challenge, so commissions are a great way to work.

The process began at the drawing table after picking a pose. 

I adjusted the contrast of the bandanna, and then made a grid on tracing paper, sketched the portrait, and then using my window as a light table, finished the portrait on the drawing paper (moving to the large easel after getting the subject blocked in.

The finished portrait.

Class descriptions

I have my September classes on the schedule at Shepherd's Choice.  Of course, Color and Cables (renamed Color and Texture) is coming back.  Color and Texture is for students wanting to take their knitting skills beyond the basics (cast-on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, and bind-off).  The class is four, two-hour sessions and students can choose their preferred projects and yarn.  Color techniques include stripes, stranding/Fair Isle, intarsia, and embellishing.  Texture techniques include knit and purl surface designs, cables, and lace.  Projects can be as simple as a washcloth or as complex as a sweater.  One of my favorite books is Folk Vests, by Cheryl Oberle.  The projects feature many knitting and construction techniques.  I have two more projects in progress, which will bring my FOs (finished objects) from this book to five!  Vests are wonderful garments.  They add punch to any outfit and are a staple for in my wardrobe.

Vintage knitting gnomes--I love the web site

Next on the schedule is Drop-Spindling.  This is a one, two-hour session introduction to spinning wool into yarn.  It is amazing what one can create with a spindle and some wool.  Spindles are wonderful tools, they are portable and the investment is small compared to a spinning wheel.  My new class offering is Finishing School, a three-session class for finishing those pesky UFOs--picking up stitches, Kitchener stitch, seaming, blocking...etc.  Check out class offerings at Shepherd's Choice.  Stop in the shop to sign up--hope to see you in class!

Thoughts of Autumn

Yes, I know...most Minnesotans do not want to think about cooler weather right now, but I am in a knitting mood after a long summer break.  I dug through my bags, emptied out all the loose needles, organized them, and rounded up my notions.  It amazes me how many gauges I have, but they make nice bookmarks and I keep yards-meters and meters-yards on them.  It is handy to have along when buying yarn, which I am working hard NOT to do right now.  It is all about using up stash for awhile. 

My next project is Kasuri Chanchanko by Cheryl Oberle (Folk Vests).   I bought Spud and Chloë Fine, a superwash blend of wool and silk.  The dark blue and creamy white will be really nice together for this project.  Today I will wind yarn and then swatch.  

Before I do anything else, Eevee needs walkies.  The gym is closed, so no yoga or walk club :( .  At least the humidity is down a bit after all the storms.
04.07.11 I provisionally cast on the 252 stitches for the vest.  After the near-disasterous yarn winding session yesterday, I do like the feel of the yarn.  The only size 3,5 mm circular I have is an Addi Turbo, so the knitting goes quickly.
16.08.11  The Addi Turbo was not a good choice for my project.  I have done more frogging than knitting.  Bamboo is better.  I believe after a few tries, I am on the right track.

I called this Tangled--not because of the pattern--because of the yarn!

The time for Ben to be home is fast approaching and I couldn't be happier!  He has had a wonderful summer of adventure in New Mexico.  Last week he was on bear patrol and chased a bear away from the area he was patrolling.  Mind you,  we are talking about a black bear and not a grizzly.
We had our first Round Table of the year.  I made Monkey Brains (the boys like brains better than bread).  I found a chef's hat at the craft store and had pieces off Jim's old uniform for decoration.  It was fun to embellish and it's a nice touch for my Dutch oven presentations.
And now for something completely different...

My chef's hat for Round Table.

It was a dark and stormy...

Day!  Not a leaf is moving outside and it is very still and dark outside right now.  Of course, today I have to run errands.  ...Could be worse, could be raining.  The weather--ugh--is going to be steamy at 93 with a heart index of 108!  I will be happy when a cold front blows through and brings down our temperatures to normal.

I am working on a pair of socks and I happen to be on the second sock, thank you very much!  I started this "Americana" pair while at summer camp.  Since I have so much yarn, the second sock will be longer, and then I can frog the first sock to the heel flap and add to the length.  They will be nice to wear with my hiking boots.  I love this sock yarn.  I have a skein of German flag colors, too.

Now that it is August, my calendar will fill up with classes and events.  I will be switching my cable/color class so I can help Jim with Round Table.  There will be an expanded version of the Dutch Oven cookbook this year.

Knitting by the campfire at summer camp.

Americana socks

I confess, I am not sure I like the red for the vest project...I may have to think about this one before I knit more.  It is the OX Vest from Folk Vests.

SWAK and hugs

Back home, with camping on my mind...

We're settling back into our routines.  I have to say that the humidity is a bit rough, but at least the heat index is not quite as high as it was when we left.  The air conditioning feels good!  

I have not been knitting much, lately.  I am way too busy with other things.  Mom is enjoying hearing about our camping and Scouting adventures.  She is excited to see Ben when he comes back to Minnesota in August so he can tell her all about his experiences.

Beautiful trail I walked daily during Grey Wolf

Afternoon sunlight filters through the trees.

The light filters through the leaves and the green just POPS!

An old (downed) sign at FCA Scout Camp.
I like the look of the washed out color and worn wood.

This tree was by the road leaving Tomahawk (summer camp).

A gateway made from sheds at Philmont.  The skull with antlers was found by a Ranger.

Looking down the main street in Cimarron.

A fun bike--we used to decorate our bikes like this on the 4th of July.

Buildings in Cimarron.  The light in the southwest is just beautiful.

Pretty purple petunias! 

Grrr...

Outside an antique shop in Cimarron.

View of the other side of the Tooth of Time. 

Mule deer are plentiful around the ranch.

Crew preparing for their trek--shakedown time. 

Beautifully hand-painted decorative beams in Villa Philmonte... 

...and tile work,

...and light fixtures (the star was made in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania).

How Window Rock got its name--Waite Phillips had this window cut into the library wall
so he could see the view.  The horizontal rock formation is Window Rock.

Waite and Genevieve Phillips.  He felt his portrait made him look  a bit pompous,
so he had it hanging in a closet (it is still there). 

Tile work at the front door.

The gardens and plants around the villa are just gorgeous. 

The lovely details around the villa are charming.

I think I could live in the villa...

Branding items is always fun to do.

A couple of the ponies watched the closing campfire.

Linda sings a beautiful solo at the closing campfire.  Her seeing-eye dog, Daisy, was so dear.  We all agreed that she was the most spoiled working dog, period.  She is 12 1/2 years old.  Linda was in Jim's class.  Linda was so interesting to talk to, and musically talented.

Crew packs ready to go.  The TP on the outside is not a great idea
because it can catch and unroll.  Not good...

We pulled off the road on the way to Angel Fire so I could take
photos of the rock formations and this was a nice surprise to see!

Angel Fire, New Mexico

Cloud formation on the road to Denver.

View of Denver from the plane.

This is a chipmunk that resides around our home.  At Philmont, these little critters are referred to as mini-bears.  They are cute, but curious little buggers that love to get into everything!