On and Off the Loom in only 9 months

I let this project sit unattended for countless stretches of time, returning to it on occasion when the mood struck. I was inspired by these gorgeous towels ages ago.  I planned a draft and began my warp, but then somehow I petered out.  Winter took charge and knitting and skiing seemed so much more cozy.  Spring, I said, I would muster up the energy to finish winding my warp, but then spring came and went.  By the time summer hit, it was too hot to be weaving.  And who can stand being indoors when our Minneapolis summers are so fleeting.  So then September came around and I realized that my towels I had so lovingly planned as a wedding gift were grossly behind schedule.  An October deadline was just what I needed to finish my warp.  I was devastated to find that dragging out the winding of the warp would result in disaster once the threading process began, but I persevered.  After all, it was nothing 15 weighted threads couldn't fix.  One long weekend of obsessive weaving later was all it took to wrap up the last loose ends of the project. 

Birthday Fun

It takes a lucky gal to have such great pals.  Sometime 7 months ago in the middle of January after a hard day of skiing amidst a typical Minnesota winter 4 gals dreamed of a summer getaway.  Kristi said "Madeline Island" and I said "for my birthday!".  And so we found ourselves working up nerves to jump off rocks into crystal clear Superior, sunning on rocks, kayaking, hiking, picking cherries and crafting on beautiful Madeline Island.  Everyone put in extra effort to make my birthday extra special.  It will be hard to top this one!

Antler Necklace

I am totally smitten with my new antler necklace that I fashioned out of clay during our annual Root River triathlon/hippy camping craft retreat.  The moose antler is a little large, but I love seeing it just hanging out amongst the chatter.  I glazed both pieces in gloss white (my typical go to glaze) and braided a 4 strand braid (my latest obsession) out of embroidery floss on which to hang it from.

East Coast Fun

This year I found myself back on the East Coast on 4th of July with 2 of my favorite besties for some hot summer fun!  We....

enjoyed lots of hot summer fun.

Crafted 4th of July friendship bracelets.

Found a merman beached on the beach.

 Gathered blueberries.

 Ate our fill of fresh seafood.

 Played.

Explored.

And cooled off daily.  It was a blast!

Crafting

Ahh... Craft Retreat.  You really can't go wrong.  Perfect weather at Lake Haven Lodge followed by a blazing bonfire.  And, yes, I am still working on this!  I vow to finish that blanket this year!!  It was an unusually long winter and thus the lake hadn't quite melted, but that didn't stop Eliz and I from attempting to break trail in the canoe.

Tale of A Butterfly

An unusually long winter has hindered the Monarch Population.  This year I only just found my first butterfly, when at the same time last year I was already releasing the first generation.  Researching, I've found two particularly helpful/interesting websites, Monarch Watch and Journey North.  Monarch Watch is a blog devoted to education, conservation and research, while Journey North tracks the butterfly migration via volunteers whom upload first sightings of milkweed, butterflies and eggs each season on a map that tracks their progression.  I checked these maps daily in the late Spring in anticipation of our first Minnesota sighting.  And even though the butterflies have officially arrived and been here for weeks, the season is still a disappointment.  Eggs are few and far between and thus far, even with daily and diligent searching, I have only found 30 eggs.  Which seems like a lot until you look back at last year's haul. This year, the milkweed plants are remarkably more pest infested than usual.  When I have happened to find an egg, it has usually been either on the front of the leaf or along the very top inner leaves.  I remain hopeful that things will pick up, despite Monarch Watch's bleak prediction for for another record breaking low Monarch overwintering population come 2014.  Each butterfly I release feels like a step in the right direction.

And of course Butterfly Season wouldn't be the same without a fresh new butterfly journal.  This year, my friend and butterfly enthusiast designed the cover.  

And I can't overlook Beth's gorgeous 2013 calendars.  May was devoted to my butterflies.  Beth was also the fuel and driving force behind 2012 Butterfly Diaries and the 2011 Metamorphosis Log.

A cat bed for Muffin

I've been dreaming about a felt cat bed for Muffin for ages.  For the last 2 years he has snuggled up next to the radiator atop anything that may be lying around.  Finally this Spring I planned a project.  I envisioned a cushy double knit rectangular bed with an awesome chic chevron pattern that would put those awful sherpa lined pet beds, which I refuse to buy, to shame.  I tested a swatch and knit it up to spec.  I eagerly threw it in the wash and lo and behold.... an epic disaster emerged.  Needless to say I was extremely disappointed.  To add salt to the wound, I decided to keep it anyway and let the cats use it.  But the minute Muffin caught sight of his new bed he glanced at me terrified before bolting from the room.  Even Box Spring shows little interest once he realized that it was the least coveted spot of his frenemy, Muffin. The bed has remained empty for months.

Although I consider this project a failure, I learned something from it and the next time around will only see improvement.  And there will be a next time around.