It happens.
A bit thin on the bottom, wouldn’t you say? 😩
One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art. Oscar Wilde
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FYI – Potshards Pottery update today!
Tag: Craft
When Good Pots Go Bad
I’m back after being under the weather for the last week or so – nothing serious, just a lot of sneezing and coughing, nose blowing and just generalized crankiness. But I’m back!
Ran a combined glaze/bisque kiln today with a so-so result. One of the bisque pots was perfect.
The other pot, well, not so much as you can see.
I take full credit for this mishap, I can see that I left the bottom thicker than it should have been, hiding just enough moisture for a blow out. 😩
When the bottom blew out, I guess the small bowl wanted to get into the act and ended up with a few stray shards fused to its inside.
Better luck next time, I guess.
Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. John F. Kennedy
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FYI – I’m slowly but surely stocking my Etsy shop, Potshards. Come have a look around! 👀
To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
A Bit of Shameless Self Promotion
Hi ya’ll! Here’s what’s new……
As a crafter, I wear several hats, but my faves are knitting and pottery. To be honest, I’m a potter whose creations have reached critical mass. So much so that after a couple of weeks mulling it over and researching it to death, I opened an Etsy shop called Potshards and this is an invite to hop over and check it out. I’m slowly but surely getting it stocked and organized. There’s definitely a learning curve so any gentle constructive criticism would be appreciated. TIA. 🙂
If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it. Toni Morrison
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
Whatcha Workin’ On?
IT’S A NEW ONE ON ME
I’ve been playing around with the idea of starting a new Wednesday meme for works in progress, for crafters/artists of all types. So, this week I did more than just toy with the idea – I did a little research (with emphasis on little) and decided to just jump in and give it a whirl. I’m calling it Whatcha Workin’ On Wednesday and if you have a work in progress, or, like me, several works in progress, and you’d like to share, jump in and join me! I bet nearly all of us are familiar with the little form thingy, especially if you’ve been sharing all along, just remember to be patient and gentle with me, this is new territory and I’m learning as I go. Oh, yeah, I love love love comments, but don’t feel like you have to leave one, no matter whst Mr. Linky tells you. A link, though, a link back to Whatcha Workin’ On would be greatly appreciated.
FYI – I had no idea what a meme was until I googled it and I’m still not completely sure I understand. Can someone explain in words of one or two syllables?? 😋
One more thing – don’t hesitate to let me know if something is wonky. Again, I’m new at this and always up for suggestions.
ON THE NEEDLES
Christmas knitting is continuing. I won’t post anymore about it because it’s a gift, but here’s another of my WIPs.
Socks of Kindness
Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Yarn
Watercolor
A Pinterest Pattern
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
Pottery, Sad and a Table
MY POTTERY
My least favorite thing about throwing pots is the glazing, mostly, I think, because glazing is something that cannot be rushed if you want a good result. With me, it’s sort of a chicken and egg thing: am I not good at it because I don’t enjoy it or do I not enjoy it because I’m not good at it? Anyway, a few weeks ago I got busy at the glaze table and these pots are the result. For the first time, I’m actually happy with how they turned out. I took my time on this bunch and it paid off, I know I was more thoughtful and patient, thinking out the process with regard to colors and how I wanted each piece to look when finished.
WHA….?
Sadly, the Cable and Pleat Tunic is not going well. I frogged it for about the third time last night when I just couldn’t get the stitch count to jibe. After frogging, I put it away until this morning, when I was much fresher and in a much better mood. Come to find out, I had miscounted way back in the casting on, with 38 extra stitches. No wonder it didn’t work! I’m getting ready to cast on again; wish me luck!
CREATIVE MINDS AND ALL THAT
I thought I’d give you a look where all some of my crafty stuff hangs out. I console myself with the quote, “Creative minds are rarely tidy.” Mr. Iknead avoids this room like the plague, but I like being able to see my stuff. I have a feeling that our housekeeper is going to hyperventilate when she gets a look. A warning sign on the door might be in order.
All serious daring starts from within. Harriet Beecher Stowe
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
Busted, Hey Barbie!, My Playroom
OFF THE NEEDLES
Moves were busted and socks completed:
No Pattern, Mystery Yarn Socks
HEY BARBIE
I went to put on my current favorite sweater, a Christmas present from Mr. Iknead, yesterday, only to find that it apparently was put in the dryer and dried to within an inch of its life, turning it from a perfectly fitting, softness to die for, beautiful sweater, into a still beautiful, still soft sweater that only Barbie can wear. I remember washing it on my washer’s handwash setting, along with some other handknits that I try to baby as much as possible, then taking all of them out and air drying on a rack, just like always. I must have missed this sweater when taking things from the washer, causing it to be rewashed with the next (not handwash cycle) load and then put into the dryer and dried and dried and dried. I feel like crying every time I think about it. I know it’s just a sweater, but it was mine and was a million times more special because it came from Mr. Iknead. And, yes, I do get emotionally attached to clothing.
IT’S LIKE A MIRACLE
I did a lot of work in my yarn room this weekend and it paid off in spades. It all began with an old entertainment center that we were planning to donate; suddenly, it wasn’t an entertainment center anymore – it was a Yarn Storage Cabinet. Of course, as a rule, any change made in a room kicks off another change, which precipitates another and then another and so on. So, my yarn/fleece/spin/knit/craft room went from a room totally disorganized, messy and just not that enjoyable to be in to this: a place that’s warm and pretty, a place that feels like a hug –
Wish I’d thought of this sooner, but I intend to enjoy the changes to their fullest. Mr. Iknead was just happy that we had to lift and move the cabinet only about 20 feet, instead of 200. It weighs a ton!!
All things change; nothing perishes. Ovid
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
WIP Wednesday 11/27/13
ON THE NEEDLES
Quince&Co Scapula Scarf done in Lark, colorway Bird’s Egg
Tina Martinez’s Fascine Socks, done in Fiesta Baby Boom, colorway Sweet Pea, started last night
Last, Jennifer L. Jones’ Easy Leaves Scarf, in black mystery yarn from stash
You have to use your imagination on this one!
Iknead fam, don’t get your hopes up – I’m doing these for ME! You don’t really think I’d post any Christmas knitting, now, do you??
BY THE BOOK
I just finished this book and loved it! I never wanted it to end!
Linking with Tami, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Yarn A Long.
I have done my plowing: I have sown my seed. Again I have time to sit and read my books. T’ao Chien
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
WIP Wednesday 9/4/13, Yarn Along and Spinning
ON THE NEEDLES
Today’s entry is the CEY Ruffled Tank, which lacks only the ruffles to be finished. Actually, I’m pretty proud of myself today. I sat down this morning and did the part of completing a project that I HATE – the mattress stitch. This is a real accomplishment for me as I can think of at least a couple of projects that are entirely finished – except for putting them together. I dislike it so much that I’ll put something that I put a lot of time and effort into on the back burner, never to be seen or worked on again. Maybe I should go unearth something and finish it while I’m still congratulating myself, on that cloud of optimism that comes with finishing a dreaded task. Nah. Tomorrow. Maybe.
CEY Ruffled Tank
in Knit One Crochet Too Kettle Dyed, in Seaside
SPIN OUT
I’m getting better at it, I can see it. My long anticipated roving arrived yesterday and after a period of oohs and aahs, I decided on the natural gray and white BFL to start and this is what resulted:
Is this beautiful or what?
Before spinning, mixed BFL
Nutmeg Merino
Copper – Colonial
This lovely fiber came from Fire and Fluff and you can bet I’ll be paying them another virtual visit soon.
BY THE BOOK
Here’s what I’m reading at the moment –
Linking with Tami’s WIP Wednesday blog, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Yarn Along. Pay them a visit, they’re always a treat!
Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will. Zig Ziglar
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
Home with Hermione, FO Friday
OFF THE NEEDLES
Here’s Hermione’s Everyday Socks:
This pattern is a Rav freebie and I totally loved knitting these up; a four row repeat that was easy to memorize and was really awesome with the yarn, which was from Premier Yarns and was wool-free. The color is Vegas Lights and lent itself well to this pattern. Being on vacation for the past week, these socks had quite a bit of beach time. Got a few odd looks, you’d think people had never seen knitting on the beach! 🙂
SCENES FROM VACATION
BABYDIVA AND BABYDADDY ON THE BEACH.
THE SPROUT LOVES THE BEACH!
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which one to keep, Scott Adams
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
WIPW 7/24/13
ON THE NEEDLES
A couple of things at the moment. First up is Hermione’s Everyday Socks for me. Still really liking the Premier Yarns Wool Free yarn. This colorway is called Vegas Lights. Just a few more rows and it will be heel turn time.
Next, the promised entrelac has been started. This yarn is Lion Brand Fisherman Wool, the original color was sort an oatmeal heather. It’s been dyed with Kool-aid, a combination of Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade and Cherry.
The color did something interesting. The oatmeal/beigey color is a grayish, light taupe now. Much, much better. Really, it reminds me of the Shibui Poodle Skirt yarn I used for a pair of socks a couple of months ago.
IHEARTPOTTERY
After a few hiccups with glazing, this plate finally came out of the kiln and was better than I had hoped. The glaze is Rhodes Turquoise for the bottom 2/3 and Green Gloss for the top 1/3. I’m really happy with the combination of glazes in the middle. I’ve had a hard time with the glazing, it’s really not my favorite thing and I tend to rush through without much thought and consequently, the glaze really isn’t as uniform as I’d like it to be. There are missed spots and drips. A little more attention to detail would go a long way in the difference between a good glaze and a great one. My mantra from here on out is, “take your time, where’s the fire?”
Windchime experiment also went well, aside from glazing hiccups. They chime better than I thought they would but it’s definitely different from a glass, metal or wood chime. The spur of the moment ivy stamp makes me very happy. I love the rustic look of this!
Linking up with the usual bunch for WIPW – Tami, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Yarn Along. Inspiration central!
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. Thomas A. Edison
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
Update, Ta-Dah and You Be The Judge
JOSIE UPDATE
Much improved this morning, still limping, not putting much weight on that right back leg, but her appetite is back (no surprise there) and she is much perkier. Still on doggy bedrest and I think she’s loving every minute. We’re just happy she’s feeling better.
THE REVEAL
My first ever sewing project working from a real, live pattern, McCall’s 4400.
Working from a real pattern was very intimidating. It seemed to be written in a different language, with symbols, arrows, lines, dotted lines and I almost got scared off, but I reminded myself how knitting was the same way at first and how comfortable I am with it now. I’m very proud of my first sewing FO.
OFF THE NEEDLES
Mr. Iknead’s Wise Hilda Basic Ribbed Socks, which he was kind enough to model for a photo.
Fashion Forward or Fashion Victim? – You Be The Judge
ON THE NEEDLES
Hermione’s Everyday Socks, for yours truly
This is more of Premier Yarns Wool Free Sock, the color is Vegas Lights. People are going to see me from a long way away with these. I love the colors – sort of like a party on my needles! Just between friends, I was getting really tired of blue/gray/black. No offense Wise Hilda’s socks, I just needed a change.
I’m linking up with Frontier Dreams KCCO today. Check it out.
You never achieve success unless you like what you are doing. Dale Carnegie
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To Share Is Human
To Share Is Human
WIP Wednesday 7/17/13, Doing the Herb
ON THE NEEDLES
Mr. Iknead’s socks continue to grow. The first of the pair is finished, and the second maybe 2/3 finished. My goal is to have them done in time for FO Friday. I’ve said that before and been defeated, but hope springs eternal and all that.
Wise Hilda’s Basic Ribbed Socks for Mr. Iknead
THE HERB
I noticed yesterday that my basil was beginning to flower and that means it needed to be harvested quickly if I’m to have more basil this summer. I was going to dry it, but learned that because basil has a high water content, it does better when frozen than when dried. Learn something new every day, I do.
That’s plain basil on the left, lime basil on the right
My kitchen smells HEAVENLY!
BY THE BOOK
I’m nearly through with Joyland and have enjoyed it immensely, wishing sometimes that there were just a couple more hours in the day, like 26 or 27 instead of just 24, just so I could squeeze in a little more of my favorite pastimes. (I think I just heard a few moms of toddlers groan.) I also checked out a couple of library books on spinning and knitting; the pictures are lovely, I may never get to the text!
I’m linking up today with Tami, Ginny’s Yarn Along and Frontier Dreams KCCO. Don’t forget to visit these awesome blogs!
Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted. John Lennon
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mud&string 