Spare Room Knits

Doc Says: I'm fine!

2011-11-29T15:44:00.002-06:00

My Dr. says it is stress, reflux and a "small" hiatal hernia. The prilosec should fix it. Yea! This is what one looks like. Pretty icky when you think about it! (PS. mine is not as big as the pic below!)

Happy Health

Eryka

Birthday Blessings and Yarny Wishes!

2011-11-27T23:47:00.000-06:00

Hey Y'all,

What a lovely day for a birthday! I received may well wishes, cards and other tokens of love--including a hand-drawn picture from Jasmine Grosbush--, well, it just made my heart sing!

You know, I used to think that birthdays weren't really a big deal. When I was growing up we would get presents around our birthdays or perhaps even on our birthdays, but it wasn't like we "celebrated" birthday.

But as I grow in Christ, and perhaps get older, I am touched by how many people care about me. And today of all days is when I am reminded the most. Presents are nice, but in the end, they really aren't important. It is the love that is matters. And I am thankful for each and every bit of it!

Ooh, I am also about finished with this scarf/cowl (I call it a "scowl" I am knitting for Sister Paulette. Her birthday is on Tuesday. I am finishing the last bit of fringe on the end and should have it blocked tomorrow.

Ta,

Eryka

Happy Thanksgiving and a Glorious Friday to Boot!

2011-11-25T22:29:00.000-06:00

Hey Ya'll,

What a great day. I spent Thanksgiving with members of my church family and we had a blast. There is so much to be thankful for this year. The Lord has truly been good to us! We have grown, endured, triumphed and loved this year and we could not have done it without him. I am so grateful for my family, which grew this year: I met my sister Marcia and my three nieces. Old wounds are being healed and new love is blossoming. And this is my first Thanksgiving in Minnesota with NO SNOW! So, there were blessings all around!

This morning i slept in, instead of getting up at the crack of dawn to run with "the price mob." At about 11, I had a date at the hospital for an endoscopy. I have been having some stomach trouble recently, which kicked off the usual battery of tests. Fortunately, there are no signs of strictures, ulcers, tumors or cancers so that is fabulous news! They did find a small hiatial hernia, but they said it was not big enough to cause the pain I've been experiencing. Personally, I am beginning to think it is too much stress and not enough knitting.

So, in addition to drinking plenty of water and ginger tea, I am going to make sure I do relaxation exercises everyday and of course knitting is part of my relaxation therapy.

So it looks like I will be finishing up some knitting projects after all. I am giving thanks!

Ta,

Eryka

This is wrong on so many levels

2011-11-02T23:54:00.001-05:00

Please, knit responsibly...

Ta,

Eryka

Seriously Bill?!? How to dress your girlfriend?

2011-10-27T20:19:00.001-05:00

Hey Y'all,

http://billcammack.com/2008/06/26/how-to-dress-your-girlfriend/

if you get a chance check out this *interesting* article designed to help guys dress their girlfriends. While it contains many sentiments that stretch the bounds of reality, I find it most absurd that Bill refers to women like accessories rather than actual people...

Ta,

Eryka

Painting: Strong Stand

2011-10-27T17:31:00.001-05:00

Hey Y'all I painted this a few months back. It is watercolor pencils on paper.

Ta,

Eryka

Me or the Knitting

2011-10-26T22:26:00.001-05:00

If asked this question, "'Me (significant other) or the knitting" what would you choose? Im pretty sure I know the answer but I'm asking for giggles!

Ta,

Eryka

Just let me finish something please!

2011-10-23T21:40:00.001-05:00

Hey Y'all

So I'm making progress on the scarf I am making for Sis. Paulette. She likes blues and loves turquoise, so that is the yarn I chose. I had a rough time getting started because I was using someone else's hinky feather and fan pattern. So after casting on and ripping it off like six times, I decided to just work with the original stitch, rather than someone else's interpretation of feather and fan is supposed to look like.

So I have a good start now and I aim to have this scarf finished by next weekend. Correction, I WILL have this scarf finished by next weekend!

Ta,

Eryka

New Painting: Rain Flowers

2011-10-07T06:55:00.002-05:00

Hey Y'all

I finished a painting last night called Rain Flowers. It is a 12 x 16 watercolor done with wet-into-wet and salting techniques. I think its pretty cool. Now I can get back to all this unfinished knitting lying around my house!

Ta!

Eryka

Miss Lady Purse

2011-09-11T22:05:00.001-05:00

Hey Y'all,

I've been working on this purse for a young lady at church and I think it is coming along very nicely. She said she wanted it in pink and blue so, working with those colors, I set out to make a bag that is suitable for a 9 year-old that doesn't look too babyish or too grown up.

After looking though what felt like hundreds of patterns (about fifty really), I settled on using "Juno's Summer Cotton Purse." I made a few modifications, including adding a row of Intarsia on the bottom (my first time ever getting it to work right!), which I think adds a nice touch.

The cable pattern is the simple yet lovely, Cable Fabric stitch. I have always loved this stitch and have longed to use for a project. I am so glad I have the opportunity to do so! Instead of working the pattern all around, I did a panel on the front and back and garter stitch on the side panels. I think I am almost done with the body and should start working on the strap and closure soon.

I'm thinking I'll do a cable braid as the strap, but we shall see how it turns out. Next I have to sew the lining! That promises to be fun!

Ta!

Eryka

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Laundry Mystery Revealed

2011-09-10T16:59:00.003-05:00

Hey y'all,

When I was growing up, one of my mom's unwritten rules of laundry was never wash towels with anything other than towels. This rule has stood, unchallenged, for nearly four decades. It was ingrained into my laundry brain: separate colors from whites, wash jeans inside out in cold water only, and wash towels by themselves.

Recently, in an effort to economize, I mixed towels and clothes together. I mean, what could it hurt?

Well this is what happened, white linty things all over my clothes! Now I know this is a laundry rule that should not be broken!

Eryka

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pretty Pot Holders

2011-09-05T11:29:00.001-05:00

Hey y'all,

I noticed a serious absence in my kitchen last week-- pot holders! I have been stressing out my dish towels to the point where I am down to just two of them!

So, I took out some Loops & Threads Impeccable Ombre yarn, a crochet hook and set to work! I used the Up-and-Down Stitch from one of the first crochet books I ever purchased.

I picked this stitch because the pot holders needed a good texture to protect hands from the heat and I just could not fathom anything with crocheted bobble stitching hanging in my kitchen for any length of time (not a fan of that stitch obviously).

It only took about 8 hours to finish them both and I am quite happy with the end result: a functional, essential kitchen accessory that I made with my own to hands!

Ta,
Eryka

Sculpture Created to Honor Wayman AME Pastor, Rev. Noah Smith

2011-08-23T00:54:00.007-05:00

Last Sunday, Wayman AME Superannuate Pastor, 102-year old Rev. Noah Smith received a special honor.

Ceramic artist Angie Heida created an amazing sculpture to commemorate Rev. Smith's life and works in the community. We love Rev. Smith and all the ministerial staff at Wayman AME Church!

Lining a knitted bag

2011-07-14T11:31:00.001-05:00

How do I line a knitted bag so things dont poke through the eyelets and what not? I know you have to sew fabric on the insides, but a little guidance would be appreciated

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New Roof!

2011-07-12T12:46:00.001-05:00

Here is what my finished roof looks like. They did a great job!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Old Fashion Sunday with Right Rev. John Bryant and Rev. Dr. Cecelia Bryant

2011-07-04T03:23:00.007-05:00

Hey Ya'll,

Rev. Dr. Cecelia Bryant and Bishop John Bryant

What a day yesterday! The Missionary Society, hosted an Old Fashion Sunday at Wayman A.M.E. Church. We had as our special guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Cecilia Bryant, Sr. Episcopal Supervisor and wife of the Right Rev. John Bryant, our Presiding Prelate and Senior Bishop. It was such an honor having them in our sanctuary.

She gave a riveting and stirring sermon on who "we" are as a Church and the foundation up which we stand, Jesus Christ. She also reminded us of our responsibilities as members of the body Christ.

Now, just so there is no confusion, Rev. C. is a straight-shooter, she doesn't sugar coat anything. I think that is what makes her message so powerful; she presents the unvarnished truth of the Word of God and dares you to flinch.

It was poetic--spiritual and intellectual Pilates. She strengthened our understanding of Christ and His Church with a well-sculpted phrase, an immaculately timed pause, and a wisdom so deeply rooted in the Word, she could have done the entire sermon in Tree Pose. Yes, it was truly a marvelous day! I so riveted by her sermon that I didn't get any pictures of it.

Bishop John Bryant

The Bishop conducted Communion Service and did our Benediction. That too was a very special moment. Not just because he is recognized as one of the best preachers in the country, but also because you could feel his love for the Lord and his compassion and respect for the congregation.

He wasn't there just as an ecumenical figurehead making a routine visit. Bishop Bryant and Rev. C. were fully there with us, engaged with us, worshiping with us. In fact, several people gave their lives to the Lord and we had four people join the church! Praise God!

Everyone sitting down to dinner

Following services, we had an old fashion Sunday dinner, as a Missionary, I helped serve and clean up. It was nice to see so many people from the different A.M.E churches in Twin Cities gather under one roof to take a Sunday meal together.

The Missionaries also put on a pageant, which included a play. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it because I was still downstairs washing dishes (well, drying and putting up) and we didn't finish up until the pageant was over. Oh well, it was enough excitement for one day.

What a Blessing! If you are looking for a church, I pray that you will come and visit with us!

Ta,
Eryka

iPhone Loving Knitter!

2011-07-02T17:33:00.002-05:00

I got an iPhone just under a month ago and now I can't live without it! I have never believed that a phone could actually help you stay more connected, this one really does. I just love it. The apps! I even got a knitting app called JKnit that they say is ideal for improvising knitters (read: can't follow a pattern to save her life!) who like to interject a bit of personality and creativity into each project. They also have an app that helps you increase and decrease evenly. I think I will wait on that one, but I am going to get it evenly. I love my iPhone. I can't believe I survived all these years without it.

Ta!

Eryka

iKozy & Ms. February

2011-06-28T23:08:00.000-05:00

Hey Ya'll,

iKozy
So I got an iPhone a few weeks ago and while in the process of learning how to work it (I am still trying to figure it out!), I of course had to knit an iKozy. I used some of the yarn from the Reading Shawl, so the iKozy is a bit thicker than the traditional phone sock, but I think that is a positive--things tend to take a beating in my purse so the extra padding is a plus.

I enjoyed making the first one so much, I made another and now, I am working on a third. This new one will be in a different pattern and in a lighter weight yarn--I want to see the difference.

Me & Ms. February

In October 2010, I started my Lady February sweater and set a goal to finish in February 2011. Well, since it is almost July and I still haven't finished the yoke. I do love the color and the yarns I am working with, but the yoke is just so boring! I don't remember the baby version being so bad! Well, I have the yarn and its on the needles, so I had better get busy and finish it. I should have it done before Feb. 2012!

Ta,

Eryka

Doodling of the Day

2011-06-13T21:41:00.001-05:00

Hey Yall,

This is what I drew today. What do you think it is?

I am practicing and this would be a good indicator if I am drawing what people see.

Ta

Eryka

Blessings in the Storm

2011-06-12T01:09:00.002-05:00

Hey Yall,

As some of you know, my house was impacted by the May 22 tornado that struck in Minneapolis.

Impacted--such a clinical word. I use it to avoid talking about the devastation I encountered when I got home from church that day. Many of the shingles were knocked off my roof by a big tree branch that fell on it; others were blown away by the wind. But of course I was lucky. Trees were down everywhere.

Massive trees were uprooted and fell into peoples homes. Yet remarkably, there were very few injuries or causalities. Of course, what we experienced was nothing compared to what those in Joplin, Missouri endured. My heart goes out to them. I am grateful though, that Kobe was OK (he was home alone when the tornado hit) and that the house is still standing. Plus, we made it through it together.

People may or may not have seen what happened here, so I posted a few photos. It took a few days to get the power and other services back on, but getting the roof fixed was a whole other story.

Of course, the contractors began circling like sharks and I got bit!

The first contractor I was working with turned out to be a charlatan. A day after I had given him a check, I found out that he was not licensed. Now he did buy materials with *most* of the money I gave him, but $1,000 just disappeared and still hasn't found its way home. I got the materials, but I am going to have to go though channels to get the rest. Worst of all, while I was dinking around with him, there was no tarp on my roof and we have had some heavy rain storms lately.

I have been getting estimates from new contractors and fortunately the one that came today put a tarp on the roof. And even with all the storms, I didn't get any water in my house! A blessing indeed! I am glad things are working out.

Oh, I also finished a project. I knit this pouch, I think I picked the wrong yarn but the pouch itself is done. What do you think?

Ta,

Eryka

Doodlings

2011-06-10T13:19:00.000-05:00

I haven't physically written a post in a month, but I think about writing one everyday. I am trying to improve my skill with values and perspectives (drawing/ painting) so I am trying to draw a bit every day. Here is what I did yesterday. It is still pretty rough, but hey, it is just a doodle and I am sure they will get better eventually.

Ta,

Eryka

Reading through the Stitches

2011-05-02T23:41:00.001-05:00

Hey Y'all,

Here is my Reading Shawl. It is still in progress, but I do love it. I am knitting it with Berroco Jasper , in a new colorway, Sparker, which is just amazing! I am using a simple pattern; alternating a few rows of garter stitch with stockinette stitch and a row of yarn overs. The lace rows are not really visible in these pics, but I think once it has been blocked, the whole pattern will shine through.

But I really think the colorway makes the whole thing work. I hope to have it finished soon.

Ta, Eryka

New Painting: Untitled

2011-04-30T08:43:00.003-05:00

Hey Ya'll,

After struggling for two weeks, I finally finished this painting last night. I started with an entirely different concept, peeled it off, put it back on, then peeled it off again. This is what emerged when I stopped "doing" and started listening.

It is acrylic and clay on a 20" x 24" canvas. Since this is the first time I have worked with clay, I took a short cut; I used no-bake clay. But, it really doesn't like sticking to canvas, so in the future I will use the real stuff and just bake it like I am supposed to. I did come up with a work around so I hope clay will be fine. But given the cracking, it looks like I will have to do this piece over again. There is lady bug hanging out in the painting. No particular reason, she is just hanging out there.

I used a sponge painting technique with several types of sea sponges. I love how they each produce a different pattern! I am becoming rather fond of sponge painting. I have done it with watercolor, but this is my first time using it with an acrylic medium. On the whole, I am pretty pleased.

Of course, I don't know what to call the paintings... any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Eryka

Saroyan, She is finished!

2011-04-25T01:05:00.001-05:00

Hey Ya'll,

I finished the Saroyan shall I started in January. I think it is quite beautiful. Kudos to Liz Abinante at Feminitsy for writing such a beautiful pattern.

As some of you know, I have been a large needle knitter for years, and this is the first project I have knit on small (well small to me!) needles. I did this whole project on a size six. I love this shawl. It is just beautiful and it was a pleasure to knit!

Ta,

Eryka

Drooling Yet?

2011-04-22T13:16:00.001-05:00