Boo-tiful Patterns: Boo Knits Sweet Dreams

I recently finished this Sweet Dreams pattern by Boo Knits.

It was my fourth Boo Knit and I have loved them every one.

The patterns are extremely well written and amazingly easy for the result.  If you haven't done a lace pattern and are considering one,  I highly recommend Boo Knits.

This was my first time to do the smallest version listed in the pattern and my first to skip the beads.  I am happy with the outcome in spite of my love of BIG shawls.  Even at the smallest version, it is still a nice sized (though smaller than my usual) shawl. 

I loved the Grasshopper colorway of the Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light.  Such a happy and versatile shade of green. 

This past weekend, we enjoyed a quick road trip to Austin for a dear friend's daughter's wedding.  The bride and the wedding were beautiful!  Couldn't have asked for a more wonderful day.  I pray God will bless and keep their sweet marriage.

I hope each of you are off to a wonderful start of this mid-May week.  Can you believe it is half over already?  Time seems to just fly to me anymore.

As we rush headlong toward June...

"Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years.  If something is wrong, fix it if you can.  But train yourself not to worry.  Worry never fixes anything." ~ Mary Hemingway

blessings ~ tanna

The Soon Y. Warren Process of Watercolor Crystal

This was the painting I finished in Soon's class of painting crystal last month.  She is an amazing artist and excellent teacher for this process.  We used her composition from one of her earlier paintings.  Before the class, you are to do your drawing onto the Arches 140 lb. cold press paper (1/2 sheet) and apply masking fluid or frisket (like rubber cement to the areas that are to maintain white through the first washes).

 

This is actually my second version, done after I returned home.  At this point, there have been two layers:  the initial "wash" of yellow and red (you'll note I slapped it on and took off to other things, leaving myself an ugly little "bloom", where the water was collected around the edges and I didn't catch it; but, since I was going very dark, I didn't panic) and then a layer on the cherries and part of the bowl.  You can tell where the masking fluid is in the lightest areas.

 

Then it just becomes a process of adding layers...

And layers...

And layers...

And, layers... until you are ready to add your first wash of dark background... It starts to get scary at this point...  The further you go, the more time and energy you have invested and the thought of crossing the line to ruin becomes almost paralyzing...

Then, after the second layer of dark background (I used three in this one), you remove the masking fluid!!  It is really UGLY at this point... you feel a little crestfallen...

Then it is back to working out the details... more and more detailed little layers... you can see I was working on the bowl... then will come the stems and any other final detailing.  Finished painting HERE. 

 

You can see Soon Y. Warren's magnificent paintings on her website HERE.  I hate for you to... it will make mine look very crude!!  LOL!

 

Your Private Collection Art Gallery in Granbury has facilitated the three classes I have taken with Soon.  I am so thankful they do!  I'll be there the next time she's back!!

Tammy, hope this answered your question about how you get the bowl to look like this.  ;)

blessings  ~ tanna

Noni's Little Texas Bluebonnet

 

I had visions of a photo shoot in the bluebonnets... Alas, that, like so many best laid plans, never worked out...

So, here's a solitary Little Texas Bluebonnet.  Noni basked in time with the Little Lady this past weekend!  She is such an angel... Like all of Noni's Littles.

Pattern is Bitty Bump by Gina Bonomo, info here for you knitters.  Yarn is Malabrigo Rasta.  Worked on giant needles this is VERY quick. 

While my own dreams of white t-shirt, jeans and vest didn't work out, I was happy with Little Lady's project.

"No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer.  Your life, because of who you are, has meaning." 
 
~ Barbara De Angelis

Wishing you all a wonderful day!  blessings ~ tanna

Special Wishes... And Version 2.0 Painting...

"To My Dear Husband... Yours is the smile I look forward to each morning... and yours is the voice I love to hear throughout the day. 

Yours is the touch that can reach my heart and soul... and it is your understanding that so often calms my doubts and fears...

Yours are the plans and dreams that blend with mine, becoming ours... and yours is the love that means the world to me.

My life would be so different if you weren't a part of it, and that is why no one has more to celebrate today than I do...

Happy Birthday to my husband, my soul mate, my very best friend.  I love you."

Stolen straight from the American Greetings card I gave my Beloved this morning... He is my biggest fan... and I am his.  I thank God for His blessing in our lives and in our love.

This is Version 2.0 of the painting we did in Soon's class a couple of weeks ago.  I'll be sharing more about it and the Class Version later.  I did this one after getting back home and not being satisfied with my first one... well, you know... there are things about the first one I like better and things about the second one I like better... and, if I ever get one I am totally happy with, I am going to just stop! 

One of my dearest friends lost her Dad this week... My heart goes out to her and her family... We will be delaying birthday celebrations to spend time with them... It seems so many of my friends are losing their parents, aunts, uncles, friends... time marches on... It is good to know they are free of the cares, pains, and trials of this world... but, it doesn't stop you from missing them. 

Wishing a week filled with love and grace and comfort to all... blessings ~ tanna

Sad Story With a Very Happy Ending...

Last week I finished this little cardigan just in time to take it with me on my trip to the Soon Y. Warren watercolor class... Loved the yoke...  the sweet little crochet button holes (note Vicki, I did do a little crochet).... the luscious Madelinetosh Sock Yarn: Whitewash... the way the colors seemed so suited to the design and the name of the pattern:  Low Tide by Tin Can Knits.

I had great visions of wearing it with a white t-shirt and faded jeans (my favorite attire in the world)... Then I tried it on... All the hours of knitting were in vain... The thing came to my knees!!  I was crushed!  Dang these squatty little stubs I have for legs!

Finally, it did occur to me that I had tall, thin, beautiful friends at our LYS, Rose Path....

And, so in a matter of minutes, this Low Tide Cardigan found its rightful owner.  My friend, Laura, makes it look like I imagined it would on me.  ;)

Dog-gone-it seems like those long, skinny legs I've always hoped for may not make it in this lifetime...

But, HAPPY ending for me, Laura had just finished this Baktus scarf in a yarn that she and I had each LOVED... Sweet lady that she is... gave me the beautiful scarf that she made IN the beautiful yarn I had coveted.  Score!!  All those hours were very worth the while.   I'm a happy camper.

There has been very little knitting this week.... I am deep in the waters of repeating my painting from the class... I'm loving it so far. 

Wishing each of you a week with happy endings...

blessings ~ tanna