tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15588794159723868952024-03-18T20:25:16.604-07:00Bear EarsAudryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.comBlogger786125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-74698626347200602272018-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:002018-12-31T10:03:13.501-08:00Creative Recap/ Annual Goal List 2018Every year I've posted a creative recap separate from the the annual goal list. This year I'll be combining them.<br />
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This year I knitted a lot of socks. Up until December, it was only socks, but then I made a secret Christmas gift for Connor.<br />
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Connor and I visited Japan. It was amazing and exhausting.<br />
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Connor and I joined a comic drawing group and I drew a comic for their yearly anthology.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">It was San Francisco themed. It can be found at <a href="http://potofsoup.storenvy.com/collections/1155375-original-comics/products/24516477-golden-anthology">potofsoup.storenvy.com</a></span></div>
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Goals for 2018:<br />
1. Even though I'm making good progress, the United States quilt is a big job. I'd like to make a goal of having the embroidery in it finished this year. I'll consider it a bonus if I can get the patches on too.<br />
Status: In progress. I did finish embroidering the lower 48 states and started embroidering the rest of the quilt. It's a big job. I'll get there, it just wasn't going to be this year.<br />
2. Connor and I would like to buy a house this year. I'm not sure where that house will end up being, but hopefully the real estate classes I'm taking will help us in making that decision.<br />
Status: In progress. We cannot afford a house where we live, but Connor's job is too good to leave. We are looking into buying rental property somewhere else instead.<br />
3. I've realized that I find most of my validation in the praise I get for what I do. It's become clear how unhealthy that is for me. I'd like to be able to find healthier ways to feel validated that aren't so heavily based in comments and "likes." (I don't know what that will look like yet)<br />
Status: In progress. While intellectually I've understood that real value comes from the relationships you have in your life, this is the first year I think I've really felt it. I still would like people to enjoy my work, but focusing on the relationships I have is also filling that need.<br />
4. Visit a new-to-me state. There's a chance I might be seeing Louisiana, Virginia, and/or Texas this year. I hope at least one works out.<br />
Status: Complete. Louisiana and Virginia didn't work out, but we saw Texas and Arkansas. I really liked Hot Springs Arkansas. I wouldn't mind visiting again one day.<br />
5. Submit the Audry Without An E comic for an Ignatz award. I think it could be eligible for the Outstanding Online Comic Award. I don't think there is a chance I'd win, but it's hard to win at anything if you don't put yourself in the race.<br />
Status: Complete. I did submit the comic. I didn't even make the nomination list. I'm proud I put my name in the hat anyways.<br />
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Goals for 2019:<br />
I will always have goals, but they are less specific this year. Most of my goals have to do with different comics I would like to draw. I'm going to keep working away at them until they are done.<br />
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As the year has been coming to a close, I've been reflecting on what I want for the future. Some people choose to assign a word for the upcoming year and I've done that occasionally in the past. This year I've settled on the word "Joy." I want to do projects and see people that fill me with joy rather than with dread. That being said, I don't mean that I need to feel joy 24/7; there is sadness in life. But I also don't want to hang onto things that I really would be better off letting go. One of the things that I want to let go of is this blog. I've written it for nine years. It was a good nine years, but I no longer look forward to posting. It seems like this is a good time to end. However, I still will have a presence on the internet. I intend to continue posting on <a href="http://audrywithoutane.com/">audrywithoutane.com</a>. I still plan on posting the occasional thing on instagram on both <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bear_ears/">@bear_ears</a> (knitting content) and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/audrynicklin/">@audrynicklin</a> (drawing content). I will also continue maintaining and providing pattern support for my knitting patterns.<br />
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In the coming year I plan to create a new website that connects all my different interests. When that happens, I'll leave a post here so you all can find me. In the least, I plan to leave the blog up for posterity. It was a good run. Thanks for joining me.Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-29890072501004702382018-11-26T14:05:00.005-08:002018-11-26T14:19:32.826-08:00Lit Knits + 1 As Christmas approaches, I'm getting ready to cast on another <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/deep-sea-wanderer">Deep Sea Wanderer</a> cowl from Lit Knits. (It's been quite popular with my family members.) I know all you other knitters are working on/ panicking about what knits to knit. Here's a little something to make your decision making a little easier. If you buy a digital copy of Lit Knits, you can get another Bear Ears pattern for free. This includes other collections like <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/from-pines-to-pacific">From Pines To Pacific</a> and <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/a-midsummers-night-knit">A Midsummer's Night Knit</a>. (This promotion does not include Celestarium as the pattern is currently under Twist Collective's control.) If you've already bought a digital copy of Lit Knits, add a pattern/collection to your basket and it should already be discounted.<br />
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If you choose to buy a hard copy of Lit Knits, post a picture of you with it on your instagram account, tag @bear_ears, and I'll drop a digital copy of Lit Knits and a free pattern in your ravelry account. Be sure to add your ravelry name and the pattern you'd like to have in the instagram post where you've tagged me so I can be sure to get it to the right account. I'll be doing this under the honor system.</div>
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The offer is good until Christmas Day, so if you were lucky enough to receive a copy of Lit Knits for Christmas, you can take advantage.</div>
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If you want a hard copy, there are signed copies available at <a href="https://www.islandwools.com/products/lit-knits?variant=1328765992">Island Wools</a> ready to be shipped.</div>
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There are also unsigned copies available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lit-Knits-Audry-Nicklin/dp/0989858200">Amazon</a>. </div>
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<u><b>Here's the step by step on how to take advantage of this promotion</b></u></div>
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If you are buying Lit Knits digitally without a hard copy, you can follow <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/redeem/audry-nicklin-designs?sale=133496">this link</a> to add Lit Knits to your cart. Then press "view all available items"</div>
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Choose a second Bear Ears pattern or collection (also labeled as Audry Nicklin Designs in the store) and add it to your cart.</div>
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The second pattern/collection should discount to 0, leaving the total for only Lit Knits. If it doesn't, something isn't right. (remember, Celestarium isn't part of the promotion)</div>
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You can also add Lit Knits to your cart either by going to the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/stores/audry-nicklin-designs">Bear-Ears ravelry store</a>, then add a second pattern/ collection to your cart before checking out.</div>
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Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-67923594714279812492018-10-15T13:05:00.000-07:002018-10-15T13:05:12.556-07:00Twist Collective ClosingHello friends! You may have heard that Twist Collective will be closing down at the end of the year. What does that mean for all of you who have bought a Twist Collective pattern? Well, it depends on the designer. In my case, I plan on continuing to offer Celestarium through my own store. I've been in contact with Twist Collective and the transition should go smoothly enough that no one will notice any difference.<br />
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For those of you who have bought the pattern, I won't have a record of your purchase, but any update made to the pattern will still show up in your ravelry library. Pattern support will move from Twist Collective to me. The fastest way to get help will be by contacting me on my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/people/bear-ears">bear-ears ravelry account</a>.<br />
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Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-26724387483491069472018-09-22T19:36:00.001-07:002018-09-22T19:36:15.134-07:00One Sock, Two Sock, Red Sock, Blue SockI recently finished two pairs of socks. I'd finished knitting them awhile ago, but in an uncharacteristic move, I didn't weave in the ends for a month. The first pair finished was the pair knit from Cathy's stash: Swedish Fish.<br />
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I made a few modifications. I made the leg 68 stitches, up 4 stitches from the 64 the pattern calls for. I also ignored the patterning on the foot and went with a 1x1 stripe.<br />
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The second pair of socks was my third pair of Primavera socks. I really struggled to find a pattern that showed off the Mushroom Hunting color way from Dragonfly Fibers. The Primavera pattern is the perfect mixture of interesting pattern and simple knitting.<br />
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Of course I've cast on some more socks. Once I finished the Swedish Fish socks, I allowed myself to cast on another color work pattern: Roll The Bones. What's funny is that I'd looked at the pattern so frequently that Connor thought I had already knit it. It's an involved pattern, so I anticipate knitting these for awhile.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Orange is Baah! La Jolla in California Poppy. White is Tosh Sock in Filtered Light.</span></div>
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I also cast on new car knitting after finishing up the Primavera socks. This pair is called By The Seine River. It was written for a 72 stitch count, but I've modded it to a 63 stitch count. The pattern came out better at 63 rather than my usual 64 stitches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXtu8Wo0_az4jrajkL3Khpx8VwBMp7V4iWoI7oMzgBWMmW7JiXDRbGVt84wICZWkRCKGLRyQlgDGVGLTycPYdM0DLQzMoelzQ3IzkZQB8G2sUmUxwKPwzomwx0Zm8v73IHysvVS0J02M/s1600/seinesock_IMG_8664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXtu8Wo0_az4jrajkL3Khpx8VwBMp7V4iWoI7oMzgBWMmW7JiXDRbGVt84wICZWkRCKGLRyQlgDGVGLTycPYdM0DLQzMoelzQ3IzkZQB8G2sUmUxwKPwzomwx0Zm8v73IHysvVS0J02M/s1600/seinesock_IMG_8664.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nox Yarn in the She's Filled With Secrets color way.</span></span></div>
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Does anyone else have a pattern that they have looked at so often that they might as well have knit it by now?<br />
<br />Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-8288389272565600952018-08-13T10:00:00.000-07:002018-08-16T19:28:35.391-07:00Ornery FuzzballHappy birthday Scooter! You've made it to 16! Now that you are 16 you are a bit more ornery than you used to be. (Didn't know that was possible.) You have clear feelings on what you do and don't feel like doing. For example, you didn't want your picture taken for this year's birthday post, so you ran off as soon as you saw the camera.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvQNM2KrG0UeUz_3Y2z87TUh_4kNiXtQZx25jd91A9XFY67fMUPHyVUlhcP6AxDgl5SWDUksvxQ5GCWB7PFeXOfeYgEQsKbqqmaK6bbUM8r8vlI9WNILvgdZDJRAakK3TsoumppIPoY8/s1600/scooter1_IMG_8638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvQNM2KrG0UeUz_3Y2z87TUh_4kNiXtQZx25jd91A9XFY67fMUPHyVUlhcP6AxDgl5SWDUksvxQ5GCWB7PFeXOfeYgEQsKbqqmaK6bbUM8r8vlI9WNILvgdZDJRAakK3TsoumppIPoY8/s1600/scooter1_IMG_8638.jpg" /></a></div>
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I asked nicely, but you decided that you preferred to be inside. I suppose that is my fault. You are almost entirely deaf now, so other measures have to be taken.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrz6t3leFxqCkshZL7HZ4kyhHXd2IyLiD1r3Wj5U52i7YCO2MloeGfjcGMoRgnhUVnObxjHZJN8HEwce1qVUy8AVuxhdPWs8tItgRiFrmx7spSDFRdZuK8PPSAD-6pr6gqXXn9XF_Jpg/s1600/scooter2_IMG_8637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrz6t3leFxqCkshZL7HZ4kyhHXd2IyLiD1r3Wj5U52i7YCO2MloeGfjcGMoRgnhUVnObxjHZJN8HEwce1qVUy8AVuxhdPWs8tItgRiFrmx7spSDFRdZuK8PPSAD-6pr6gqXXn9XF_Jpg/s1600/scooter2_IMG_8637.jpg" /></a></div>
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Since your sense of smell hasn't diminished, you have no problem coming out for food. You'll even humble yourself for the good stuff. Ham, for instance, is worth sitting and presenting a paw.<br />
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You also aren't below licking every last bit of ham taste or treat crumbs off of someone's hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3XeCxQ6RCbkGXkkLpM87mO6f59WzqzAwvGkZ4r2Y0I1Gfhl27IbeCZKynxK7bcQ9MUuIbt3Tc84tvyaqaHgQ6Zw7CnZWc52HPAgaZoBZ8id2cP6mIyxaMHuEnd6SHshris0fo9Z3170/s1600/scooter4_IMG_8646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3XeCxQ6RCbkGXkkLpM87mO6f59WzqzAwvGkZ4r2Y0I1Gfhl27IbeCZKynxK7bcQ9MUuIbt3Tc84tvyaqaHgQ6Zw7CnZWc52HPAgaZoBZ8id2cP6mIyxaMHuEnd6SHshris0fo9Z3170/s1600/scooter4_IMG_8646.jpg" /></a></div>
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So happy birthday little buddy. You make everyone's day bright just by being around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmcwSEwnSffwZuMNNinKoaG5_LaGkrbm0pHSCjbAptURE3hC1HrvGfWYhN_NfRSlzJzX8g7lUeSCdZ-EwrTeYIdsCu-QpMqdVB-kLNPx0GcjAzSAMVUoyPdVwrzNq74XSv-eFqCbFKyE/s1600/scooter5_IMG_8666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmcwSEwnSffwZuMNNinKoaG5_LaGkrbm0pHSCjbAptURE3hC1HrvGfWYhN_NfRSlzJzX8g7lUeSCdZ-EwrTeYIdsCu-QpMqdVB-kLNPx0GcjAzSAMVUoyPdVwrzNq74XSv-eFqCbFKyE/s1600/scooter5_IMG_8666.jpg" /></a></div>
Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-67584804544643475192018-07-25T15:27:00.001-07:002018-07-29T21:57:40.960-07:00These Last Two MonthsUntil these last two months of not writing, I had been blogging at least once a week for 8.5 years. There are, as of this post, 781 entries. That is quite a bit of writing! Although I don't plan on entirely quitting, it's become clear that I need some space from this blog in order to have time and creative energy to put into other areas of my life. Basically, I need to give myself permission to not blog at least once a week.<br />
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Ok, so now that's out of the way, what has happened in the last two months? Well, I met up with Connor in Japan. He had a two week business trip there. I flew to meet him at the end of it and we spent almost another two weeks touring around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uJGotDWlVuF_3QGCrWholHFZjp4amTuuiAXsk0WXNUPUOJNgvZ9BScJy1E6ZZi5j1LhyphenhyphenF9h6uZdNqENRDxvcWgcZYi0j-bcYDTv9N2sfOHfD8FRIfwuSkf8Ph3sphOOi9j-brTAJlUw/s1600/bowingdeer_IMG_7970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uJGotDWlVuF_3QGCrWholHFZjp4amTuuiAXsk0WXNUPUOJNgvZ9BScJy1E6ZZi5j1LhyphenhyphenF9h6uZdNqENRDxvcWgcZYi0j-bcYDTv9N2sfOHfD8FRIfwuSkf8Ph3sphOOi9j-brTAJlUw/s1600/bowingdeer_IMG_7970.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">My favorite part of the trip was meeting the bowing deer of Nara</span></div>
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I gave travel journaling a go in Japan and really loved it. I'm still finishing up some paintings from the trip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNWxWSI49_PmMewops3IiEVjSqmx5Y1I6-Q9pNawJDb1Oay2z6l2rIeKKZi1kOK6LWKMt5p7oCRlN4sTRzJbYMjdaAjyCSz30iDn-ZaY06eqOlyXX0PduJgsgcQNoXftJfZJFKz1AWFY/s1600/kinkaku-ji_IMG_2933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNWxWSI49_PmMewops3IiEVjSqmx5Y1I6-Q9pNawJDb1Oay2z6l2rIeKKZi1kOK6LWKMt5p7oCRlN4sTRzJbYMjdaAjyCSz30iDn-ZaY06eqOlyXX0PduJgsgcQNoXftJfZJFKz1AWFY/s1600/kinkaku-ji_IMG_2933.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I spent a lot of time painting the sights. This is Kinkaku-ji, the temple in Kyoto that is covered in gold.</span></div>
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Once we came back from the trip, Connor and I joined a comic drawing group that meets up once a week. I found out they do a yearly anthology. When we joined, there were five weeks until the deadline. I decided to draw an 8 page, fully watercolored comic. In retrospect, that was a little nuts. It's taken a lot of energy, but I'm pleased with how it looks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVMO8QxoYKaOmLJ9TvI3KsNyVKqTwe_qmqVvs7KaMdaClab_vR7vlnCwEtH7HMD9SoNyHqXcEsI15FvHxotbgD6o1YozX4GvJpYItR_XAGDrifQbcXyIMDk2zRc_vkpW9eNXeXbtXQhI/s1600/pigeoncomic_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVMO8QxoYKaOmLJ9TvI3KsNyVKqTwe_qmqVvs7KaMdaClab_vR7vlnCwEtH7HMD9SoNyHqXcEsI15FvHxotbgD6o1YozX4GvJpYItR_XAGDrifQbcXyIMDk2zRc_vkpW9eNXeXbtXQhI/s1600/pigeoncomic_blog.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Just one of many pigeon jokes in my comic</span></div>
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I'm still knitting here and there. Connor has introduced me to Battlestar Galactica. (The new one.) I've found it to be a pretty good show to knit to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoKGn4kPhxiUmLixOv5AuvPmbwcbbVn3wR3xjJ2vnfwEN-YoZ34EFELj-EbELB4fUwqTByOMKlT7jAxD83PeDviHPr63RDDi85rnoUohXRJGkoZMOsMnq7VJf_QSaLjAJAJX7FY8ljmk/s1600/socks_IMG_8649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoKGn4kPhxiUmLixOv5AuvPmbwcbbVn3wR3xjJ2vnfwEN-YoZ34EFELj-EbELB4fUwqTByOMKlT7jAxD83PeDviHPr63RDDi85rnoUohXRJGkoZMOsMnq7VJf_QSaLjAJAJX7FY8ljmk/s1600/socks_IMG_8649.jpg" /></a></div>
Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-72867924756726356622018-05-23T19:04:00.000-07:002018-05-23T19:04:13.642-07:00Rebellious Mushroom Hunter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I started the Swedish Fish socks using some of Cathy's stash. Already I have knit this sock up to the heel, ripped it out back to the cuff, and started it again. The fit wasn't quite right, but the ripping was worth it. I'm going to have a really cute sock.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrs9C4bjbb3FZJ9LAFcafTCG-OObaXj2cK7nogNgeifriKHZb_0v96AU7cw6cC3tbS8YBKyRA864lQf8iG2WMb6zoLiQn_OJLOZBiGXz5r-M03J-eEkN414HV5Rk97WEXtVOi48bRoaY/s1600/swedishfish_IMG_8640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrs9C4bjbb3FZJ9LAFcafTCG-OObaXj2cK7nogNgeifriKHZb_0v96AU7cw6cC3tbS8YBKyRA864lQf8iG2WMb6zoLiQn_OJLOZBiGXz5r-M03J-eEkN414HV5Rk97WEXtVOi48bRoaY/s1600/swedishfish_IMG_8640.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tosh Sock in Baltic and Warm Maize</span></div>
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In a burst of energy, I also finished off two pairs of socks. First pair are the Woodpile Socks using my skein of Spun Right Round in the Bug Jar color way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWw77SyzAzvg4AKkfnOSPAR_VTTlfEEGIbHJMDNUuZotCuzciKqqDnnLZtnoLABE9_kFmcqwJbXfsTXSK-7vlwSTngBjQW-y_eZT5b8MJDZASvSad8RzmiObWdQ5Z9EQbWVW5AdmakTU/s1600/woodpile_IMG_8633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWw77SyzAzvg4AKkfnOSPAR_VTTlfEEGIbHJMDNUuZotCuzciKqqDnnLZtnoLABE9_kFmcqwJbXfsTXSK-7vlwSTngBjQW-y_eZT5b8MJDZASvSad8RzmiObWdQ5Z9EQbWVW5AdmakTU/s1600/woodpile_IMG_8633.jpg" /></a></div>
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The second pair are the Vanilla Latte socks in Stray Cat Socks' Blue Moon color way. This is the second time I've knit a pair of socks <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2014/12/once-in-blue-moon-socks.html">in this color</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol0IKHXOzJbITSE3DqHI9sfdZTuixTNtAPPz2rKlmDs7bgUReDRaeuLl8AiRMJbt-du2U7phHKehQccAnoJSVZVvV4johQsqGN7YzyJ9DOgckDj7lecJ5rPMt5mh3hXh91Id4tVWJso8/s1600/bluemoon_IMG_8638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol0IKHXOzJbITSE3DqHI9sfdZTuixTNtAPPz2rKlmDs7bgUReDRaeuLl8AiRMJbt-du2U7phHKehQccAnoJSVZVvV4johQsqGN7YzyJ9DOgckDj7lecJ5rPMt5mh3hXh91Id4tVWJso8/s1600/bluemoon_IMG_8638.jpg" /></a></div>
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After finishing the last two pairs of socks, but still making ripping decisions about the Swedish Fish, I started a new sock. I'm still deciding what pattern it will grow up to be. I was so desperate for a sock to knit that I just cast on 64 stitches and worked a 2x2 rib cuff. I figure I can find a pattern to match.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6nkLuTUB5iMmEGynVJDuDqgrAQFxwGGtQbSyUeomNz7E7tMb-teebNGvH2x7a4fQ4smTIeBE0P32tFvSJyjJuXod3IB-Aj_8e3V2ux8oUFUoEe1UbhLlw1jWa4UlXq_MyBvt9ZC3wEM/s1600/mushroomhunter_IMG_8644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6nkLuTUB5iMmEGynVJDuDqgrAQFxwGGtQbSyUeomNz7E7tMb-teebNGvH2x7a4fQ4smTIeBE0P32tFvSJyjJuXod3IB-Aj_8e3V2ux8oUFUoEe1UbhLlw1jWa4UlXq_MyBvt9ZC3wEM/s1600/mushroomhunter_IMG_8644.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dragonfly Fibers in the Mushroom Hunting color way</span></span></div>
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Has anyone else cast on with wild abandon? I've never cast on without a plan before and I feel like a rebel.<br />
<br />Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-16926230109040859842018-05-11T11:30:00.000-07:002018-05-11T11:30:15.176-07:00What Happens To Your Stash When You DieA few weeks ago a knitting buddy passed away. She hadn't been well, but I hadn't realized she had taken a turn for the worse. Then, just this past weekend, a bunch of us were alerted that her stash was going to be dismantled.<br />
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Cathy had been quite thorough with her documentation of her stash on ravelry. I decided that the best way to remember her would be to knit a pair of socks that she had planned to make, but didn't get to. Only a few queued sock patterns had yarn ideas assigned to them. Cathy and I had bonded over color work socks, so when I saw that the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swedish-fish-socks">Swedish Fish</a> pattern was one with an assigned yarn, I made it my mission to find the skein of Baltic and Warm Maize in Tosh sock in her enormous stash. (She had over 1700 entries, not just skeins, on ravelry) Luckily I had some help and eventually was able to find each skein. I got a little teary when I saw that the skein of Baltic had already been wound.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvLkE-LpelbuT-abI_n1XTSTvUjMPe6AP-bxvpDHfBpBIaHYEQqV9XQ8iomKwgwReMbQFZTPcFokGD_2IeqqnPiWfCcBFNm4SuBqN8pYPk9zpo1z1_rV_EpIGL6IwF_KnoDg7xxPDVms/s1600/swedishfish_IMG_8620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvLkE-LpelbuT-abI_n1XTSTvUjMPe6AP-bxvpDHfBpBIaHYEQqV9XQ8iomKwgwReMbQFZTPcFokGD_2IeqqnPiWfCcBFNm4SuBqN8pYPk9zpo1z1_rV_EpIGL6IwF_KnoDg7xxPDVms/s1600/swedishfish_IMG_8620.jpg" /></a></div>
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I pulled out some other skeins while I was there. Most notably a skein of Baah La Jolla in Burmese Ruby. Cathy had the best taste in reds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeaibWPaeWZmPFS7p7VoeE7cfgXkqKyaRUqm3ClprM-J3yvq1IlWoHoXW_b-uLpULpzmPnS_MU84ZdEBBfTfB2llPtQvUG_mk8qm29_UNbUJiU2QZam-oFA3x-8d2NnFQ4NjxCnH_uok/s1600/bestred_IMG_8614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeaibWPaeWZmPFS7p7VoeE7cfgXkqKyaRUqm3ClprM-J3yvq1IlWoHoXW_b-uLpULpzmPnS_MU84ZdEBBfTfB2llPtQvUG_mk8qm29_UNbUJiU2QZam-oFA3x-8d2NnFQ4NjxCnH_uok/s1600/bestred_IMG_8614.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also left with a sweater quantity of Brooklyn Tweed's Loft in Meteorite and Artifact to make another Pente. Cathy was one of the group of us who made a Pente together. She was the one who coined the term "<a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2014/06/stockinette-hell.html">stockinette hell</a>."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0nWWa7bnSWzA9ty0Pqv_RNCqT3rAumnksgCK4gSK_lS3Fhx7FPC8Gy-DLTMC2HxiKORfh6BkYIO4VbHSDpU6FByDRFpxR77YGqroLiQN8Hv8ZQuwqPNRHfYCLhEX-KfZBX-_VsvGEmU/s1600/futurepente_IMG_8622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0nWWa7bnSWzA9ty0Pqv_RNCqT3rAumnksgCK4gSK_lS3Fhx7FPC8Gy-DLTMC2HxiKORfh6BkYIO4VbHSDpU6FByDRFpxR77YGqroLiQN8Hv8ZQuwqPNRHfYCLhEX-KfZBX-_VsvGEmU/s1600/futurepente_IMG_8622.jpg" /></a></div>
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Farewell Cathy. I hope that you have already found the yarn shop on the other side. I'm sure you will find the best red over there too.</div>
Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-73392645177033470212018-05-04T16:37:00.001-07:002018-05-04T16:38:20.873-07:00Trials, Tribulations, And A Lack Of GuacamoleIt's been a week, let me tell you! On Monday Connor got rear ended in a three car accident. We are thankful that he wasn't hurt, the car still moves, and the guy who caused the accident took fault. Then on Wednesday we learned that we were the victims of credit card fraud. We are thankful that it was caught early, we aren't on the hook for any fraudulent charges, and the very nice customer service man had a new card sent to us faster than their usual time frame. But the worst was yet to come! Yesterday we went to Chipotle and they were out of guacamole! There is no upside to that.<br />
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Ok, all kidding aside, it's been a little rough. In between the trials, I've been doing my best to insert some fun into each day. For example, last week I learned how to film a time-lapse of myself painting. I posted it on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/audrynicklin/">@audrynicklin</a> instagram page.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiH-s-fBP4d/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Audry (@audrynicklin)</a> on <time datetime="2018-04-28T18:55:53+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 28, 2018 at 11:55am PDT</time></div>
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After stressing over what new paints to get, I bought a silly amount in order to redo my travel painting palette. (As I mentioned in my <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2018/04/rainbow-of-possibilities.html">previous post</a>, my current palette won't dry, so it doesn't transport well. I've switched the travel palette from M Graham to Daniel Smith watercolors.) It all arrived and I made a new swatch rainbow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl7jR9QHeCeCVc4jnG6yVF7i7H9xrgliIlfPGNIJLtQCXmqf97LJ1VM-DF3fMfPWOgFElbBKqIin-HbCZ0hdoUwrTPtHNUYEhIk7wj3pC1HAJfqOAd6xvtJJpt-H2IrjEV4KnUh5gU_U/s1600/colorswatches_IMG_8601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl7jR9QHeCeCVc4jnG6yVF7i7H9xrgliIlfPGNIJLtQCXmqf97LJ1VM-DF3fMfPWOgFElbBKqIin-HbCZ0hdoUwrTPtHNUYEhIk7wj3pC1HAJfqOAd6xvtJJpt-H2IrjEV4KnUh5gU_U/s1600/colorswatches_IMG_8601.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bottom left is the new pallet, the top right is the old</span></div>
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Then Connor and I went to the ocean and I challenged myself to paint (with my new palette) the seals that like to sleep under the wharf. I'm not sure how successful I was as it turns out brown seals on brown wood looks a lot like indistinguishable brown lumps. I still had fun. And better yet, I was able to figure out some things that work about my new palette and some things that need to be tweaked.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXFOhyphenhyphenIah4XGKKE6gND4azLU6Tocn__PLkAOezY4RIW__3L8lUAMwVYVMBTM93oEjWsLkk1UTgM_60jxADn6T-VA4KePslUNB7KpA3QLlwCOBxlhL8vYaZALjsCA9Ug6xaE-OA7qJBU8/s1600/sealpainting_IMG_8602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXFOhyphenhyphenIah4XGKKE6gND4azLU6Tocn__PLkAOezY4RIW__3L8lUAMwVYVMBTM93oEjWsLkk1UTgM_60jxADn6T-VA4KePslUNB7KpA3QLlwCOBxlhL8vYaZALjsCA9Ug6xaE-OA7qJBU8/s1600/sealpainting_IMG_8602.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Seal or lump? In a way, seals are just brown lumps.</span></div>
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I've also continued to knit on my socks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp1WjLJaQgJeifircE0udsMDLiPUYuwUISTRnbzmZKQUxlBEX8GvxXuC4a6IVagCtkRGO_Ln1Coc_NrYyLG8gTaxkqMFlk5HZ1qu_yZxhjDa5Bf1oddQGQJL_31v_bGSGXAEDY9FQYfs/s1600/socks_IMG_8603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp1WjLJaQgJeifircE0udsMDLiPUYuwUISTRnbzmZKQUxlBEX8GvxXuC4a6IVagCtkRGO_Ln1Coc_NrYyLG8gTaxkqMFlk5HZ1qu_yZxhjDa5Bf1oddQGQJL_31v_bGSGXAEDY9FQYfs/s1600/socks_IMG_8603.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Both of these are second socks. Yay!</span></span></div>
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Even though it's been rough, I'm thankful that my creative mojo isn't gone and that I've had snippets of time to indulge my interests.</div>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-63552690505655702122018-04-20T15:28:00.000-07:002018-04-20T15:28:21.906-07:00Rainbow Of PossibilitiesHave you ever looked at your to-do list and said, "I have no idea where to start?" That has been me for the last two weeks. Every item on the list was really 50 hidden jobs in order to finally cross it off the list. I've been doing my best to break down each job and work on them a little each day. Some of those items have been more mundane like returning a pair of pants or cleaning the fridge coils. Others have been a bit more fun to tackle, like the quilt.<br />
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I finally decided to do the quilting with 3 strands of embroidery floss (out of six) in a square pattern that doesn't match latitude and longitude. In order to make the lines relatively straight, I decided to baste little x's into the quilt. Part way through basting, my measurements started to go off and I raged.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwZ2OlnN7R2jKx7NcymqgtmaWXuZlFBO5sk6VcRmH5xe3ahbtmMHUMdmYnqeccXD6GNpdb1bWOI7NJqYrD9VbmlW6jLj_RKDmA2WZ78KKT8SakyokAXjlh1HBp-kNOpz9hUI4TuHGjVU/s1600/quiltcloseup_IMG_8595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwZ2OlnN7R2jKx7NcymqgtmaWXuZlFBO5sk6VcRmH5xe3ahbtmMHUMdmYnqeccXD6GNpdb1bWOI7NJqYrD9VbmlW6jLj_RKDmA2WZ78KKT8SakyokAXjlh1HBp-kNOpz9hUI4TuHGjVU/s1600/quiltcloseup_IMG_8595.jpg" /></a></div>
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Enter Connor. He offered to help and we've spent our evenings with him measuring and basting while I do the actual quilting. We've been listing to Anne of Green Gables on audiobook while working. Of course after watching Anne With An E on Netflix, Connor was curious about the book because I had so often yelled at the TV about how "that wasn't in the book!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KYKVZOH0PRSk-1xqRD5gW-32BZyLxpyC5T_zaQndHtEnMQEyWks3fcQTOlBByN1tNuum86d3VCQ4lKvEqdfX90hs2ymCyFo9EAyLmcB-t2JTW5S2ulmSxA-wdQkbEMI2K0w7D9vpnJc/s1600/quilt_IMG_8594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KYKVZOH0PRSk-1xqRD5gW-32BZyLxpyC5T_zaQndHtEnMQEyWks3fcQTOlBByN1tNuum86d3VCQ4lKvEqdfX90hs2ymCyFo9EAyLmcB-t2JTW5S2ulmSxA-wdQkbEMI2K0w7D9vpnJc/s1600/quilt_IMG_8594.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I didn't realize how big this quilt was until I put it on our Queen sized bed for the photo. I might need to make the quilt a little less tall.</span></div>
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I've also been trying to work out what brand of paint to use for long distance trips. I love M Graham watercolors, but they just will not dry in my pans. (I poured these more than a month ago and they are still wet.) It's fine working with them near home, but as we have a bigger trip in the works, it has become clear I need to come up with a new solution.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy6wphrTmnhFd9g-65Ns-E5zZNfvU9fWgX0NycCGKcFLzctVlLabqw4bmgqRGBKmpE-1jhzRmCBBpj4Ehp1pdDsbwaq2ON2ZWDlgz0VReOBSCf0LRoE3o6GcOBoepk9uuIarjzz0FqtI/s1600/paints_IMG_8596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy6wphrTmnhFd9g-65Ns-E5zZNfvU9fWgX0NycCGKcFLzctVlLabqw4bmgqRGBKmpE-1jhzRmCBBpj4Ehp1pdDsbwaq2ON2ZWDlgz0VReOBSCf0LRoE3o6GcOBoepk9uuIarjzz0FqtI/s1600/paints_IMG_8596.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The reason I love M Graham is because they rewet so easily; great for painting, not great for tidy transportation.</span></div>
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Deciding what paints to use instead isn't easy, especially when you are still sad that your favorites aren't working out. I started by making swatches of what I do have. Then after puzzling a few days more, I decided to order a color dot card that will allow me to try out some new colors. I'm just waiting on that to arrive. Hopefully I'll be able to make a final decision soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUcKpCpwEn6um7EN8B3gwXSYeO_Der82dJnnNWd3FC4HbRvlIA2smKg1xvxz0TSWYFrbxYm7qSuJ6wChCyGwArI2C_lidju3uuhU6go9-teVl8jU4mZdB15q9C0FyXUbeXyzKhMLjw_4/s1600/colorwheel_IMG_8597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUcKpCpwEn6um7EN8B3gwXSYeO_Der82dJnnNWd3FC4HbRvlIA2smKg1xvxz0TSWYFrbxYm7qSuJ6wChCyGwArI2C_lidju3uuhU6go9-teVl8jU4mZdB15q9C0FyXUbeXyzKhMLjw_4/s1600/colorwheel_IMG_8597.jpg" /></a></div>
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What kinds of things haven't been coming off of your to-do lists? And is it because of lack of time or a lack of a plan? (Or something else?)Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-45804629330747736532018-04-06T16:52:00.000-07:002018-04-08T18:21:47.972-07:00These Boots Aren't Meant For WalkingThis past March was a "put one foot in front of the other" kind of month. With a combination of family health scares and a pile of difficult tests, I ended up pretty stressed out. It's taken me a week or two to start feeling better. But rather than focus on the negative, let me show off some things that helped lift me up.<br />
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1. I have made a new pair of baby booties. The <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2018/03/littlest-cowpoke.html">last pair I made</a> unfortunately didn't fit the recipient. After seeing the tiny baby feet in person, I decided to make up my own pattern. They look weird without feet in them, but I'm pretty sure that with small feet inside them, these new cowboy booties will look much cuter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPi7GIYa2Voqa_twmwK5bT5nhX8EvW7XHjUaH-WWZ2RQi2efeVKZSOxPqoOVFU8-_Sb5FRvmdQib54djme_oKpMXdh0TrteR_kTrgeQyLM4AIU97sHj4pNgDb4NrKzOyBGrFvQN3IlIA/s1600/babycowpokes_small_IMG_8591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPi7GIYa2Voqa_twmwK5bT5nhX8EvW7XHjUaH-WWZ2RQi2efeVKZSOxPqoOVFU8-_Sb5FRvmdQib54djme_oKpMXdh0TrteR_kTrgeQyLM4AIU97sHj4pNgDb4NrKzOyBGrFvQN3IlIA/s1600/babycowpokes_small_IMG_8591.jpg" /></a></div>
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2. I finished embroidering the lower 48 states. What a job! I'm not anywhere close to finishing this quilt, but I feel pretty darn good about how far I've gotten. I've ordered some new embroidery floss and plan to quilt the remaining background with longitude and latitude lines. (Alaska and Hawaii will be added too!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2kerryxWAFQVFK3Nw7TmvbTgzzKNBy0k4Edf49pmx3A7ThH2n7u9EEHooP-Kxlp37lOF-CMgx2FkcXq_3tCEgJ0kuXbxXtXWVJ-29Qacqj1y_5XV7RWbnf6PgtPbJhRKVcNA-0uo5sM/s1600/mapquilt_IMG_8589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2kerryxWAFQVFK3Nw7TmvbTgzzKNBy0k4Edf49pmx3A7ThH2n7u9EEHooP-Kxlp37lOF-CMgx2FkcXq_3tCEgJ0kuXbxXtXWVJ-29Qacqj1y_5XV7RWbnf6PgtPbJhRKVcNA-0uo5sM/s1600/mapquilt_IMG_8589.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Toughest coastline embroider: Maryland</span></div>
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3. Yarn! My Plucky I ordered at Stitches West arrived. I initially felt it was too dark, but it's growing on me. Then a fantastic package from <a href="https://kiwiyarns.wordpress.com/">Wei Siew</a> arrived. She sure did spoil me. Dark Harbor, Bleeting Arts, and Fiber 2 Go?! She also sent a few other unpictured goodies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj396jfi7tLcZe0l7Hsmwvxou5cV5pmZJ_401gcBBTqmsJQ6bn_uFK_zXITx9kCGYHA3RwRW33b3KklBH-ApEIy-PDlYOFe0UGJzEMU6XZP_b_nkdh5LpB3P5j8SvukInT2NHIAgiJ0Zt0/s1600/yarn_IMG_8590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj396jfi7tLcZe0l7Hsmwvxou5cV5pmZJ_401gcBBTqmsJQ6bn_uFK_zXITx9kCGYHA3RwRW33b3KklBH-ApEIy-PDlYOFe0UGJzEMU6XZP_b_nkdh5LpB3P5j8SvukInT2NHIAgiJ0Zt0/s1600/yarn_IMG_8590.jpg" /></a></div>
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4. I finished my Groovy Socks and have cast on two new pairs. Vanilla Latte socks in Stray Cat Socks's Blue Moon color way and Woodpile socks in Spun Right Round's Bug Jar color way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdPJtBNJgtEuXAhTEQHyNrZEoKWKlDFf5jzLk-pNDijuQZlQ3qwoc_yO3hcXe06r88d4233bgDkIeCavoqeN9hoScoru3VAI6g3RmH1Bvf4_6ndPzhnadAH52CdZdU5Nr7wq-Qd0uHNQ/s1600/socks_IMG_8592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdPJtBNJgtEuXAhTEQHyNrZEoKWKlDFf5jzLk-pNDijuQZlQ3qwoc_yO3hcXe06r88d4233bgDkIeCavoqeN9hoScoru3VAI6g3RmH1Bvf4_6ndPzhnadAH52CdZdU5Nr7wq-Qd0uHNQ/s1600/socks_IMG_8592.jpg" /></a></div>
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5. Just today I decided to paint a scene from the TV show Riverdale. Connor and I recently finished it and I really liked the design for Pop's Chock'lat Shoppe. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AHCL1PVd1lrpDHSZrI6vPI4KSQ3Cw-MYTiQGEMIYA3cdMT25RVVfAKXhLZXMY4PR38rUg1vMWF3K7wJp531KXvd3JrcPaA0nPdyz3yrnlGKMsF49cz3SXV5fTfUJopPsGQ1c4FbMTz8/s1600/popspainting_IMG_8593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AHCL1PVd1lrpDHSZrI6vPI4KSQ3Cw-MYTiQGEMIYA3cdMT25RVVfAKXhLZXMY4PR38rUg1vMWF3K7wJp531KXvd3JrcPaA0nPdyz3yrnlGKMsF49cz3SXV5fTfUJopPsGQ1c4FbMTz8/s1600/popspainting_IMG_8593.jpg" /></a></div>
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How has life been going for all of you? Have you focused on anything to help keep you sane?</div>
Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-89913386414424125912018-03-23T12:01:00.000-07:002018-03-23T13:37:41.907-07:00MendingYesterday was the first day in I don't know how long where I wasn't in crisis mode. There wasn't any homework to be caught up on, no supplies needing to be bought, no promises that I needed to make good on; it felt rather weird.<br />
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I looked around, trying to figure out what would be the best use of my time when my eye caught my Dad's sweater. Both sleeves needed some mending and I had finally found some yarn that matched it. It was tough to fix because it was a double knit. Eventually I was victorious... but not before I texted my Dad telling him what a miserable experience it was going to be mending it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJPOwd3PJxMc8Rm-nCYTZ2brvJ8GOcKaGNtAP9nQ5hwLalRIeFBpKi3RmJvEI2-HDBSVM8qKafYrhTpYlGKfNm5uA74sBQmD1S2hm3e0EUb1O1zIVQGVjrbJnAt-V9UeIbU9MSHFn5z8/s1600/dadsweater_IMG_8575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJPOwd3PJxMc8Rm-nCYTZ2brvJ8GOcKaGNtAP9nQ5hwLalRIeFBpKi3RmJvEI2-HDBSVM8qKafYrhTpYlGKfNm5uA74sBQmD1S2hm3e0EUb1O1zIVQGVjrbJnAt-V9UeIbU9MSHFn5z8/s1600/dadsweater_IMG_8575.jpg" /></a></div>
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Since I had all my mending stuff out, I looked around again and realized that I had a stack of socks that have been waiting for some attention for maybe more than a year. Some needed duplicate stitching, some needed a woven darn, some needed a combination.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEVzQCZpV3CyHQtKcRVdXrT0fmKpShB4r_K6QkjKahfoOe7JZGXRWfAY8Z81oPPbuoNqlTQKSnRrxsdHr7IxEDcdGyYIRjBXkqEnsu8cKtHf75x3PEPMrUR9pi-UHAkUemfv-upDsot4/s1600/closeupmend_IMG_8580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEVzQCZpV3CyHQtKcRVdXrT0fmKpShB4r_K6QkjKahfoOe7JZGXRWfAY8Z81oPPbuoNqlTQKSnRrxsdHr7IxEDcdGyYIRjBXkqEnsu8cKtHf75x3PEPMrUR9pi-UHAkUemfv-upDsot4/s1600/closeupmend_IMG_8580.jpg" /></a></div>
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I don't know what possessed me, but I mended the lot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiNm1BlDSucu94UksgD6eBbWbsycKfwXq0rT5dmm7rZ1fFRqWNUlb6Y4wEH_xCjRXV7NnFbh279SuuF20hE8WJFwalzC0Z3ba7hICa7hFo6np32rcVg9y8A6LH6v00ajffHmDf9AemjE/s1600/sockmends_IMG_8578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiNm1BlDSucu94UksgD6eBbWbsycKfwXq0rT5dmm7rZ1fFRqWNUlb6Y4wEH_xCjRXV7NnFbh279SuuF20hE8WJFwalzC0Z3ba7hICa7hFo6np32rcVg9y8A6LH6v00ajffHmDf9AemjE/s1600/sockmends_IMG_8578.jpg" /></a></div>
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There is still studying to do and other things that will need my attention in the coming days, but I haven't felt this much peace in a while. Who knew that mending all the knits might mend me a bit too.Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-48325370335266297262018-03-15T15:46:00.000-07:002018-03-15T15:46:24.694-07:00Littlest Cowpoke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past week was another wild one. A loved one had a few days stay at the hospital for a complication from a routine procedure. (All is well, thank goodness.) It looks like I might be able to go up to Oregon to visit my Oma soon. An exam was delayed by two days. Connor is going back to Japan for business, but it looks like this time I might get to join him. All the ups and downs have left me worn out. Not much happen creatively except these cuties.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOnSyaBTgXGEDyrpVvODnTP01w_I_DTL2OwtIrYq5QNA9jsxBOsvpLnrzKiiaLyr5v6YzbnUNSMsRykHD02W6nn70EPUV8YllNnpGG-mfUTgJPZBSFQv1Ow4tZV8bcy3LzDCXwDUAsYs/s1600/boots1_IMG_8565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOnSyaBTgXGEDyrpVvODnTP01w_I_DTL2OwtIrYq5QNA9jsxBOsvpLnrzKiiaLyr5v6YzbnUNSMsRykHD02W6nn70EPUV8YllNnpGG-mfUTgJPZBSFQv1Ow4tZV8bcy3LzDCXwDUAsYs/s1600/boots1_IMG_8565.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://thecrochetcrowd.com/crochet-newborn-baby-cowboy-booties/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cowboy Booties Pattern</span></a></div>
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I've been doing my best to quickly make these little booties for my cousin and his fiancée's new little girl. I'm not really sure how quickly baby feet grow, so I really hope that their little girl is able to fit these. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3Xc6nzxPFlH2ZCFRkr7Z6r4RIKb4bN_ik_j23P7yd06wlTxDwrN3ThSoriGyF9jfon6UacuHKwpMJ7kNJ1gxZ8uNYr2kcwEjKLMRZeRZJTfZetelGvlTS7Vk5S0kD1bS-5tK8p764gA/s1600/scale_IMG_8570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3Xc6nzxPFlH2ZCFRkr7Z6r4RIKb4bN_ik_j23P7yd06wlTxDwrN3ThSoriGyF9jfon6UacuHKwpMJ7kNJ1gxZ8uNYr2kcwEjKLMRZeRZJTfZetelGvlTS7Vk5S0kD1bS-5tK8p764gA/s1600/scale_IMG_8570.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Embroidery scissors for scale</span></div>
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I'm happy these little booties are done. I've been re-reminded that crochet is not my strength. I ripped out and re-crocheted these so many times! But clearly it was worth it. They are so cute! Both my parents squealed when they saw them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSpkjDZNrUShH1CWaifK-GEmy1OWDH4e7VTNqNitahWEw_36T_ceUJtpSDQZbE8z2bQ0SyCUDpxw1OgKH4T-4fSa3uJGNrRLBuOtsVt57zB2wYocYSMNBR1sEo-JFkaYypqPL4io_BSE/s1600/boots3_IMG_8568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSpkjDZNrUShH1CWaifK-GEmy1OWDH4e7VTNqNitahWEw_36T_ceUJtpSDQZbE8z2bQ0SyCUDpxw1OgKH4T-4fSa3uJGNrRLBuOtsVt57zB2wYocYSMNBR1sEo-JFkaYypqPL4io_BSE/s1600/boots3_IMG_8568.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now all they need is a little cowpoke to fill them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEbtfkkLuliD_wQrPHN8lmCPpR_EYS9Ggs8xm_3s1VtAbqyALUVj52dflUpg6Qwb_Z-1CicHD1q-1gjvu9Lw8A3fX09eNGw6oq_9xp1CsKY0MDrSs6xw0gcBJ2CeO7OrF_4JqsBrEqq8/s1600/boots2_IMG_8569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEbtfkkLuliD_wQrPHN8lmCPpR_EYS9Ggs8xm_3s1VtAbqyALUVj52dflUpg6Qwb_Z-1CicHD1q-1gjvu9Lw8A3fX09eNGw6oq_9xp1CsKY0MDrSs6xw0gcBJ2CeO7OrF_4JqsBrEqq8/s1600/boots2_IMG_8569.jpg" /></a></div>
Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-52002052012318622322018-03-08T14:50:00.001-08:002018-03-08T14:50:28.248-08:00A Sock By Any Other Name<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last two weeks have been hard. There have been lots of positives, but there has also been an enormous amount of stress. I've been doing my best to ride it out and be kind to myself. Meanwhile I've continued knitting and, in an unusual turn of events, crocheting. I taught myself to crochet a year after I learn to knit. And while I feel ok at it, I don't actively search out patterns to use that skill. Of course it turns out that sometimes those patterns find me. </div>
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My cousin just had a baby and I was trying to figure out a good gift when I came across the <a href="http://thecrochetcrowd.com/crochet-newborn-baby-cowboy-booties/">cutest bootie pattern</a>. It's going to take me a few days to make these, but I managed to get past the soles with minimal fudging.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiFNJn0Nyz-CgqhYCwgQWF8KxFNBEXFh2mn6MIRrX9lMgwxKC1AbSK7EDCldTKg2KM3QSVr4IZ85XD299rHPyZcbiiJNAQUWOhJd2b3qbaImm4SkF78THAdwxjPSCmP-4EXmvcvPjMmU/s1600/babybooties_IMG_8563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiFNJn0Nyz-CgqhYCwgQWF8KxFNBEXFh2mn6MIRrX9lMgwxKC1AbSK7EDCldTKg2KM3QSVr4IZ85XD299rHPyZcbiiJNAQUWOhJd2b3qbaImm4SkF78THAdwxjPSCmP-4EXmvcvPjMmU/s1600/babybooties_IMG_8563.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also finished up my Rose By Any Other Name socks. When I <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2018/02/stitching-states-and-socks.html">mentioned them last</a> I thought I would be finished with them by Valentines Day. Ha! I did finish them, but just before I cut the yarn to kitchener the toe, I counted the stitches. I was one off. Eventually I discovered that I had decreased an extra stitch at the beginning of the gusset and that because I was a whole stitch off for the entire foot, my second sock was a 1/2 inch longer than the first one due to me placing the toe decreases based on the stripe transition. Rip, rip, rip. Then the sock sat in time out while I kicked myself for not counting my stitches after finishing the gusset. I made sure to count multiple times when I knit the foot for the second time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGOrGiR4JRvZllD_4Bga7rM14k2SORJMu7XgWcdOaGPFbSSDsEC3LSra0ECY6LDTKjicCyR_tnVZeWsoTW7uUu1V-gGTtYUKdmgox6XS3_6QS1cH8PRx-b401Xsoj72SIaBtOjhKsFcs/s1600/rosebyanyothernamesocks_IMG_8564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGOrGiR4JRvZllD_4Bga7rM14k2SORJMu7XgWcdOaGPFbSSDsEC3LSra0ECY6LDTKjicCyR_tnVZeWsoTW7uUu1V-gGTtYUKdmgox6XS3_6QS1cH8PRx-b401Xsoj72SIaBtOjhKsFcs/s1600/rosebyanyothernamesocks_IMG_8564.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vanilla socks in Canon Hand Dyes color way A Rose By Any Other Name</span></div>
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So now I am left with only one project on the needles, my Groovy Socks. I'm actually a little worried about finishing them because I have no idea what my next project should be. I have all sorts of design ideas floating around in my head, but not enough brain cells to devote to figuring them out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm9KX0LggnrMKwskhfwr1ccuQAwGtxXlu4-aHSiVSKEYtzHOYzWRF6-PvNzECC_MrBhqwNBySiJ183_Fc4thRi_C50VRjPE4EgO_aqIuYNr_V7T7c2bjybaUJq9hfIozucwoqvNZO_K8/s1600/groovy_IMG_8561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm9KX0LggnrMKwskhfwr1ccuQAwGtxXlu4-aHSiVSKEYtzHOYzWRF6-PvNzECC_MrBhqwNBySiJ183_Fc4thRi_C50VRjPE4EgO_aqIuYNr_V7T7c2bjybaUJq9hfIozucwoqvNZO_K8/s1600/groovy_IMG_8561.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Groovy Socks in White Birch Fiber Arts color way Wild Thai Ryder</span></div>
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I know that a lot of knitters suffer from startitis. Has anyone had a case of anti-startitis? (Does anyone have a better name for anti-startitis for that matter?)Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-18739389295096043842018-02-27T19:06:00.000-08:002018-02-27T19:06:22.942-08:00Stitches West 2018This year I wasn't going to go to Stitches West. I told myself, "I have enough yarn" and "If you go, you know you'll buy more because you have no self control once the yarn fumes hit you." So that was that. The day before Stitches opened to the general public my father said, "Well, if you don't go, you might be sad about it, but if you do go, the worst that could happen is you'll forget about the experience. Also, I need a replacement 'Knit Long and Prosper' mug. Mine got chipped." Ever the dutiful daughter, I went.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VMtw8FDyoK_BPW_TQHZxEfPZGX_h9bkhAT6W7_I-iVUVJxgajcld3CPhW-rfco2-N3nzRwq5rIRO6b4vScTTqJ555qBbScCaQsSrKlwb1f1ZqmyKhgAaeLIITn6SnEj8d2BD44D_NEU/s1600/stitcheswest_IMG_8552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VMtw8FDyoK_BPW_TQHZxEfPZGX_h9bkhAT6W7_I-iVUVJxgajcld3CPhW-rfco2-N3nzRwq5rIRO6b4vScTTqJ555qBbScCaQsSrKlwb1f1ZqmyKhgAaeLIITn6SnEj8d2BD44D_NEU/s1600/stitcheswest_IMG_8552.jpg" /></a></div>
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As you can see, I got the "Knit Long And Prosper" mug from <a href="https://pawleystudios.com/">Pawley Studios</a>... and a few other things. Connor came along during his lunch break and talked me into two skeins from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteBirchFiberArts">White Birch Fiber Arts</a>. The bluer one is "The Truth Is Out There" and the purple one is "Travel Agent For Guilt Trips." We also got a pretty soap dish from <a href="http://www.mkwares.net/">Kunihiro Pottery</a>. I've been jealous of the one I gave my mum <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2015/02/stitches-west-2015.html">back in 2015</a>. Then there were the girl scouts...<br />
After all those purchases Connor had to go back to work so I was left to my own devices. I picked up a skein of <a href="http://www.baahyarn.com/">Baah!</a> La Jolla in La Perla. I've decided that it's my favorite skein of white, it's hard to find, so it is worth the money. After that, I wandered around, peeked in a bunch of different booths, and almost left without any more yarn. The last booth I stopped at was the <a href="https://www.thepluckyknitter.com/">Plucky</a> booth. There are some really hardcore fans of Plucky. I am not one of them, but I appreciate their colors. I picked up three skeins of Trusty Fingering in Barn Door, but tragically, I needed four to make the sweater I wanted. As I lamented being short a skein, two fellow stitches west attendees chatted with me. They said, "Don't you know you can preorder skeins. Also, that grey would look great on you." Then they left. I wish I could tell those two lovely ladies that they succeeded in enabling me. I not only bought 6 skeins of Trusty (worsted) in Metro, I preordered four skeins of Trusty Fingering in Barn Door. I didn't get a chance to say thank-you, but just know you helped me enhance my stash.Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-11991973236518738132018-02-20T15:40:00.000-08:002018-02-20T15:40:41.134-08:00Postcard Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Late last month I decided I <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2018/01/shaking-off-perfectionism.html">wasn't going to show</a> my paintings online so I could reclaim the joy of painting. That is mostly still true, although a friend of mine launched a <a href="http://www.klingercreative.com/blog/2018/1/17/introducing-50-state-postcards-in-50-weeks">50 State Postcards in 50 Weeks</a> project and I just feel compelled to join in. Obviously, it's more fun to be a part of a project like this when you are sharing. It feels almost like a collaboration, which I think I've needed far more than I realized.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0lwFsTDgUTvf2BxFONPsZGO2SAC7rRmtl_bOGJk-9dN6fzzOgaNQzht_D-ZjKgAlKWjXC5KWaG49I0oteohUcMmN51EMMigQ20_Wa3BH1pF11yqqTiuWQcoQMWyx-JkttmsMrUbSNFw/s1600/postcards_IMG_8545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0lwFsTDgUTvf2BxFONPsZGO2SAC7rRmtl_bOGJk-9dN6fzzOgaNQzht_D-ZjKgAlKWjXC5KWaG49I0oteohUcMmN51EMMigQ20_Wa3BH1pF11yqqTiuWQcoQMWyx-JkttmsMrUbSNFw/s1600/postcards_IMG_8545.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've really been enjoying dusting off my old graphic design skills with this project. Coming up with compositions that best represent each state has been a fun challenge. I've also enjoyed trying to have the occasional easter egg appear in the cards, like having the Hawaiian Islands dot the i's in Hawaii as well as represent the stigma in the hibiscus flower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3L4eSj9gUCHR67FXwnEmSKeBPw1dZynCOt1c5aAcRGaL1Ofk-K1ozksDbZlBH0jjvPNuQIs7udAeA79QeICyYhQkVKLHGvrXo1dARtqc_IBLiIlVclCFQ7eJSicXcEIUr4Y-sMT4RAo/s1600/sketches_IMG_8548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3L4eSj9gUCHR67FXwnEmSKeBPw1dZynCOt1c5aAcRGaL1Ofk-K1ozksDbZlBH0jjvPNuQIs7udAeA79QeICyYhQkVKLHGvrXo1dARtqc_IBLiIlVclCFQ7eJSicXcEIUr4Y-sMT4RAo/s1600/sketches_IMG_8548.jpg" /></a></div>
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What makes this project a bit more challenging is that I'm choosing to do it all in watercolor. There isn't much room for error with watercolors, so sometimes when I'm stuck on a color decision, I'll make little color studies. I didn't know what color to make the words, "California" so I took a picture of the unfinished postcard and made a sheet of them so I could color in different possibilities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruaBRrmugNLOGn9xx7X4aso1U1q_oEdegeg-Q5i-M7YtvArK8OwCUw2nf3kwWXxPiJ-VwcgO6-EaJ2rQMvGl6sYFXhDAGlJnshecesp0Fd3PvuL4hOeI7Wbdrd0hJBlYC1cdKZMxXesI/s1600/californiacolor_IMG_8549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruaBRrmugNLOGn9xx7X4aso1U1q_oEdegeg-Q5i-M7YtvArK8OwCUw2nf3kwWXxPiJ-VwcgO6-EaJ2rQMvGl6sYFXhDAGlJnshecesp0Fd3PvuL4hOeI7Wbdrd0hJBlYC1cdKZMxXesI/s1600/californiacolor_IMG_8549.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I texted this picture to a bunch of people and everyone like a different option. I went with #4.</span></div>
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I've had real fun with this project and I've looked forward to seeing Heather's postcards each week. We are both posting on instagram under the hashtag "<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/5050postcards/">#5050postcards</a>". Heather is also posting her postcards on <a href="http://www.klingercreative.com/blog/">her blog</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoS9H1thaw1eg-6Rr-3ihyphenhyphen9ESoRfRrStcc53zmJVG_b3JkWsMJz08LMT_TH3KEo2PieR45ACTK5hXi91dm69MFNqgn9lccFakOt1uOBUYJlzbw8P7kdJDhQFJSLRqiNe60N1iPkKUIt9o/s1600/roughdraft_postcards_IMG_8546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoS9H1thaw1eg-6Rr-3ihyphenhyphen9ESoRfRrStcc53zmJVG_b3JkWsMJz08LMT_TH3KEo2PieR45ACTK5hXi91dm69MFNqgn9lccFakOt1uOBUYJlzbw8P7kdJDhQFJSLRqiNe60N1iPkKUIt9o/s1600/roughdraft_postcards_IMG_8546.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've realized with this project that there are a bunch of states I know nothing about. If anyone has any ideas of what symbols make you think of a particular state, I'd love to hear about it. I'm particularly at a disadvantage with East Coast and Midwestern states. I'm embarrassed to admit that some of those states seem so similar to me that I'm worried I won't make a distinct enough postcard for them. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-57424792063791675602018-02-10T12:03:00.000-08:002018-02-10T12:03:19.441-08:00Stitching States And Socks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was another busy week with school and other commitments, but I still have found a little time in the evenings to work on my crafty pursuits. My Hylestad socks are finally done, for one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOjbQuvbg5Pi9pV18nIdTXSIQxewW25-cm5PGVA8TnqVRYA4EVRzjkcivbCRVbXt5vOc1rPcocWiJ1KYmz8TvbfFhbeJOEgvZVplKtFzb_C5JVkLSb1QIO9hyphenhyphen7g7LAMs1WQJW-IuZpTc/s1600/hylestad_IMG_8538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOjbQuvbg5Pi9pV18nIdTXSIQxewW25-cm5PGVA8TnqVRYA4EVRzjkcivbCRVbXt5vOc1rPcocWiJ1KYmz8TvbfFhbeJOEgvZVplKtFzb_C5JVkLSb1QIO9hyphenhyphen7g7LAMs1WQJW-IuZpTc/s1600/hylestad_IMG_8538.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hylestad socks in Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering's En Garde and Baah! La Jolla's La Perla</span></div>
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Truth be told, I had finished them a week or two ago, but only finally sat down and wove in the ends. We've been watching Man In The High Castle and it is too interesting to weave ends to.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1Q8G0xnZGoqdj0G7f6BaCK1moxyGndgBBeXOUatyX2FbA3yET5WChSi8vtA1zWroVZYUh6618sIo0ZaOMT56j-RCooEWmpYclBp9gYgFqty4E7NIF0VRKp7kIhsPuAvYsW8uc8i-hZw/s1600/hylestad_closeup_IMG_8537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1Q8G0xnZGoqdj0G7f6BaCK1moxyGndgBBeXOUatyX2FbA3yET5WChSi8vtA1zWroVZYUh6618sIo0ZaOMT56j-RCooEWmpYclBp9gYgFqty4E7NIF0VRKp7kIhsPuAvYsW8uc8i-hZw/s1600/hylestad_closeup_IMG_8537.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've also be knitting away at my Rose By Any Other Name socks. I was hoping to have them done in time to wear for Valentine's Day, but in the last week the temperature has gone up significantly and now it is too hot to wear hand knit socks. I'll try to get them done anyways, just in case it decided to cool down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFKLBkppnlLKPQpykjCYUk8FdWpUSM-1Pn88rUYvkU0KASdC5Moz_dM3qsI3SHqWGuEwk9a7-7iPWNTVv76qRd7_bsHFFSDnV3b7Qkmmhx_kVQXbWfcuoJHRPh44jxO0tcmlv-P3nz0c/s1600/rose_IMG_8541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFKLBkppnlLKPQpykjCYUk8FdWpUSM-1Pn88rUYvkU0KASdC5Moz_dM3qsI3SHqWGuEwk9a7-7iPWNTVv76qRd7_bsHFFSDnV3b7Qkmmhx_kVQXbWfcuoJHRPh44jxO0tcmlv-P3nz0c/s1600/rose_IMG_8541.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vanilla Socks in Canon Hand Dye's Rose By Any Other Name</span></div>
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Then there are the socks I cast on while we were in Hawaii. Or rather, I cast them on while we were in the airport to leave Hawaii. Still counts as Hawaii socks, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3MenE9ysEoelAv93QOGIKaAMlxiZJiIq3mE6d1Uyy7IqIE4klB1e8nYDfWnOULBS1hS1p_h5ThkFNQOFaDWEOZyYWfUXMAOQ2DCNegDfpwtC2GiaBXAj4K-zJKEAfsStKvZJMhxp6_Y/s1600/groovy_IMG_8540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3MenE9ysEoelAv93QOGIKaAMlxiZJiIq3mE6d1Uyy7IqIE4klB1e8nYDfWnOULBS1hS1p_h5ThkFNQOFaDWEOZyYWfUXMAOQ2DCNegDfpwtC2GiaBXAj4K-zJKEAfsStKvZJMhxp6_Y/s1600/groovy_IMG_8540.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Groovy socks in White Birch Fiber Art's Wile Thai Ryder</span></div>
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There was also a night this last week where I was overcome with the need to work on my USA quilt. First I was just going to stitch a bit of Oregon. Then I was just going to stitch the California coast. But before I knew it, it was past midnight and I had finished all of Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. I got to move the hoop and now I only have the gulf states and a bit of the east coast left.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyn26g1Xo8GhCQrcADDgGS0KSt7cGNd9pKWZodcHExtRz6C48vV2oO9FaryUerYLSexZsN0Fpn_Z8whbjwk_JYuEQylDnifsO4jXgJTibEiZT-6mWajZMm4RtSbmsMGvsVbbIi3CqA80/s1600/mapquilt_IMG_8531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyn26g1Xo8GhCQrcADDgGS0KSt7cGNd9pKWZodcHExtRz6C48vV2oO9FaryUerYLSexZsN0Fpn_Z8whbjwk_JYuEQylDnifsO4jXgJTibEiZT-6mWajZMm4RtSbmsMGvsVbbIi3CqA80/s1600/mapquilt_IMG_8531.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The quilt is still far from being done, but at least a major potion will be complete.</span></span></div>
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Has anyone else found solace in their projects this week? Are there any projects that you've felt compelled to work on?</div>
<br />Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-41947921271782558442018-02-01T17:03:00.001-08:002018-02-01T17:03:57.186-08:00To O'ahu We Must Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Connor and I just got back from a quick getaway in O'ahu. It was very spur of the moment, but there was a good deal on plane tickets, so there you go. As usual, we really packed it in, but because we took time to sit and enjoy ourselves, we came away feeling well rested and relaxed.</div>
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On our first day in O'ahu, we hiked up Diamond Head to watch the sun rise. Or we almost saw the sun rise... more like we saw the sun rising. I sat and painted this scene while Connor listened in on the many Japanese tourists to see if he could recognize any words.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EzDneiIvKBIdXGPLAR8J5EnACSirTcOU9Os6y_yj4iZql_HT6yVN27J5Y1wqL-sZwBJPXJXChtMauVjCBAfz3-XZqc21_fKMdX00QtR2kvtoUaug7eqHLOo38Rajq4Kmn1Rg_ySOucI/s1600/diamondhead_IMG_6565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EzDneiIvKBIdXGPLAR8J5EnACSirTcOU9Os6y_yj4iZql_HT6yVN27J5Y1wqL-sZwBJPXJXChtMauVjCBAfz3-XZqc21_fKMdX00QtR2kvtoUaug7eqHLOo38Rajq4Kmn1Rg_ySOucI/s1600/diamondhead_IMG_6565.jpg" /></a></div>
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The hike wasn't too hard, but it was humid, so we came away rather sweaty and tired. After a nap, we headed out to see the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. You see a film, which is sobering, before you board a boat to visit the actual memorial. I think the film allowed everyone to be much more respectful as we were all on the same page about the gravity of the bombing in Pearl Harbor. We came away with a better sense of the loss that happens during war.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuM2bSwJbfhiOhmTbfBaG13dLtn-2vVzXBDuM8VbtASjgoJzxWRBMoHmnGkD6WhSi6EoLfuqK0h88YhOcW1BMm_JGMEwnbkQnWQ1xIWeCw9T7SFpEAD290roJPItwyXR0wrp3Z6k2TeQ/s1600/arizonamemorial_IMG_6611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuM2bSwJbfhiOhmTbfBaG13dLtn-2vVzXBDuM8VbtASjgoJzxWRBMoHmnGkD6WhSi6EoLfuqK0h88YhOcW1BMm_JGMEwnbkQnWQ1xIWeCw9T7SFpEAD290roJPItwyXR0wrp3Z6k2TeQ/s1600/arizonamemorial_IMG_6611.jpg" /></a></div>
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After Pearl Harbor we stopped by a beach to snorkel. It was the beginning of our snorkel adventures as the next day we got up to snorkel at Hanauma Bay. We arrived about mid-morning and we relieved to get a parking spot. After watching the required movie, we were allowed to go down to the beach and reef. There was a huge variety of fish in the reef. I must have seen 3-4 varieties of parrotfish alone. I got a kick out of seeing both the largest and smallest rainbow parrotfish I'd ever seen. We also saw a few Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Hawaii's state fish) swimming around.</div>
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After two rounds of snorkeling, I was ready to warm up, so I did something I don't think I've ever done in my life: I sat on the beach and did nothing. Connor went back in for a bit longer before we left.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS4O5y49Dm7HJQcZd4dCH-TWD-wLfaUo1WirCZy4zN1hVUrQVaZilTHaSUwWY0tVUzjUPvqaStAQibnMUkUfoa_u8FKFZ2WVluB4Yf3yP9XHkSMAI-oEFzvR19fYRf_2QBOnxASxLWEM/s1600/hanaumabay_IMG_6618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS4O5y49Dm7HJQcZd4dCH-TWD-wLfaUo1WirCZy4zN1hVUrQVaZilTHaSUwWY0tVUzjUPvqaStAQibnMUkUfoa_u8FKFZ2WVluB4Yf3yP9XHkSMAI-oEFzvR19fYRf_2QBOnxASxLWEM/s1600/hanaumabay_IMG_6618.jpg" /></a></div>
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Eventually we left and drove to the east side of O'ahu to see what we could see. We might have chosen the best time to leave because soon we were driving through a giant cloudburst. After exploring a few places we found ourselves on Lanikai beach. It was pretty quiet and as advertised: beautiful. We decided that if we ever made it back to O'ahu, we'd have to spend a little more time here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIYblVWVl0cXx33COA5MeGZslNifVOGVs4CPl1rRDqdSoqLlIEvg60YOUGIOxJipiIQ4HVuI3zEiq3Az9TksEY_oM9poFJ6enh8khtIRVq0nqqbAM3DNLtovqnnImOZCOdyTFC9tTYtk/s1600/lanikai_IMG_6623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIYblVWVl0cXx33COA5MeGZslNifVOGVs4CPl1rRDqdSoqLlIEvg60YOUGIOxJipiIQ4HVuI3zEiq3Az9TksEY_oM9poFJ6enh8khtIRVq0nqqbAM3DNLtovqnnImOZCOdyTFC9tTYtk/s1600/lanikai_IMG_6623.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">It was here that we decided that we could live in O'ahu quite happily</span></div>
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On our last full day in O'ahu, we headed north to see the Dole Plantation. The first order of business was to get lost in the biggest botanical maze in the world. We spent nearly 50 minutes looking for the 8 stations throughout the maze.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjRp86OqJ4WGr6vwoQqi-D8hqFlXrkXny17OljzunqBpSB7CfuqE5FKoCcdzfwFkJaHd3zqZdtBTefOm2_BI3hEBWakhXKR91MQEfkYds_eBjzOkNy2caHc3AUL8fUF6Xypx1E7KKSYM/s1600/maze_IMG_6631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjRp86OqJ4WGr6vwoQqi-D8hqFlXrkXny17OljzunqBpSB7CfuqE5FKoCcdzfwFkJaHd3zqZdtBTefOm2_BI3hEBWakhXKR91MQEfkYds_eBjzOkNy2caHc3AUL8fUF6Xypx1E7KKSYM/s1600/maze_IMG_6631.jpg" /></a></div>
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Afterwards we jumped aboard the train to see some of the pineapple fields. I've decided that pineapples are a weird fruit. They grow at such odd angles on the mother plant. We also learned that pineapples aren't even native to Hawaii, but because of Dole's success, we associate them with Hawaii. After our train ride we stopped for some Dole Whip, which is as good as they say, before going to the north shore.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWELkWZXXkEB23oP3mXbQ2yuVffjH9aXU9uK08WM4i6OVhvwTz_GrFR0oBPHfIWUilCk9cXmQZWpTXi-P0IP6yHPTtuhznlAN9tvDUyhFQ3DvVs58WiRW9HdLq97loHo_ECFSurNo_i5k/s1600/pineapplefield_IMG_6644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWELkWZXXkEB23oP3mXbQ2yuVffjH9aXU9uK08WM4i6OVhvwTz_GrFR0oBPHfIWUilCk9cXmQZWpTXi-P0IP6yHPTtuhznlAN9tvDUyhFQ3DvVs58WiRW9HdLq97loHo_ECFSurNo_i5k/s1600/pineapplefield_IMG_6644.jpg" /></a></div>
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In winter, the north shore if famous for its large waves and the surfers that follow them. We decided to go to Banzai Pipeline to see if anyone was there. As it turned out, there was going to be a competition the next day. We saw quite a few great surfers. Connor decided he wanted to frolic in the waves and did so while I painted. When I finished, he talked me into joining him. It was fun until the second time I got a mouth full of seawater. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryBqSegaLl32W21AIxKDck0qdew_shXRGa8YqHJ6WMjEvoXgToCVzJyXnv_RrMn6jIcY9AA1Ic4ZgqudvhofWFT2CEw-VHsvckB2eY6KqzvbsxtVnOlihzEyVyT31XqO8xlJSainlFWo/s1600/banzai_pipeline_IMG_6661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryBqSegaLl32W21AIxKDck0qdew_shXRGa8YqHJ6WMjEvoXgToCVzJyXnv_RrMn6jIcY9AA1Ic4ZgqudvhofWFT2CEw-VHsvckB2eY6KqzvbsxtVnOlihzEyVyT31XqO8xlJSainlFWo/s1600/banzai_pipeline_IMG_6661.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">If you look carefully, you can see a surfer riding the wave</span></div>
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After exhausting ourselves, we found a bar/grill that served Loco Moco past breakfast. (Loco Moco is a rice/egg/beef patty/ gravy dish that is rather tasty) While waiting for our meal, we spotted some of these guys. Unfortunately, these geckos are not native, but they were sure fun to watch. One stalked a fly and another one tried to sell me car insurance. We also saw a brown one that had two tails! He was too quick for a picture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvOhuQN6fDkPZmZYkAP5Sd5qL6ph_SV5qUMfHoaDGY4VzS9wrQtHABAnh5hp2vWozUbR2CTkI5zTsLArdpcxSmmz2sOPf_KokAALX5SPt5Rq-12Cnqj9vxAKMhSFx5EHyIEbTJR9ZOt4/s1600/gecko_IMG_6666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvOhuQN6fDkPZmZYkAP5Sd5qL6ph_SV5qUMfHoaDGY4VzS9wrQtHABAnh5hp2vWozUbR2CTkI5zTsLArdpcxSmmz2sOPf_KokAALX5SPt5Rq-12Cnqj9vxAKMhSFx5EHyIEbTJR9ZOt4/s1600/gecko_IMG_6666.jpg" /></a></div>
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We came away with two patches and a magnet, which was much more restrained than the <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2017/02/hawaii-pt-4-volcano-national-park.html">last time</a> we were in Hawaii.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsTPhpvUlmSFNnEbeDVrcd-ilVnGj6CF0NZWeItWv1xryvfENDywFkP7TG1cr7E2k-KSWqTG04ui6TMLEi47MayhUM0PZQb2PF7fnGvR0MbnqhC7kex7F6dUdnInOnKz3RnLb5DNYgCs/s1600/patches_IMG_6680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsTPhpvUlmSFNnEbeDVrcd-ilVnGj6CF0NZWeItWv1xryvfENDywFkP7TG1cr7E2k-KSWqTG04ui6TMLEi47MayhUM0PZQb2PF7fnGvR0MbnqhC7kex7F6dUdnInOnKz3RnLb5DNYgCs/s1600/patches_IMG_6680.jpg" /></a></div>
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All in all, we had a great time. I only wish we had a few more days to snorkel and eat a ton more tasty food. </div>
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Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-80525236789406080932018-01-24T21:29:00.000-08:002018-01-24T21:29:57.121-08:00Shaking Off PerfectionismI've had a really rough time reclaiming my creativity lately, especially when it comes to painting. I look at different artist's sketchbooks on various social media and they all seem so perfect. Intellectually I know that it is unlikely that every page they have produced is perfection, but it's left me being too afraid to lay paintbrush to paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0dJ1ImN_C8kSOE5GfJxfXJkRld9tJNQI6NPz9RTkCDCRzzlZzL0uXss3Nqj8EaPGRfSKUZs-KCqNpB9Qr0_j3Pt3G7veQM0KAP1M_UfsTRSk7HWAnnifTVocHmYvVA3DGtlxZvXPVxE/s1600/bluepan_IMG_8526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0dJ1ImN_C8kSOE5GfJxfXJkRld9tJNQI6NPz9RTkCDCRzzlZzL0uXss3Nqj8EaPGRfSKUZs-KCqNpB9Qr0_j3Pt3G7veQM0KAP1M_UfsTRSk7HWAnnifTVocHmYvVA3DGtlxZvXPVxE/s1600/bluepan_IMG_8526.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Filling some new pans with paint</span></div>
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But what could I do? You only get better by practicing and I am now afraid of practicing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXq7K0JSjidl1sTAB1805Emd1fswlKnMRmFoj1LdAYV0yi3BDmhy9ulVFE3Sbs_ZwrJCGi5OsV3IkTfdMgJaVOsC5xWTvexcUIWMlTNsdzYFjkzJXUpWBTFYAR6BcJxOOc1G1lqjaykI/s1600/newtins_IMG_8524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXq7K0JSjidl1sTAB1805Emd1fswlKnMRmFoj1LdAYV0yi3BDmhy9ulVFE3Sbs_ZwrJCGi5OsV3IkTfdMgJaVOsC5xWTvexcUIWMlTNsdzYFjkzJXUpWBTFYAR6BcJxOOc1G1lqjaykI/s1600/newtins_IMG_8524.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Empty Meeden watercolor tins</span></div>
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Eventually I realized that what I was most afraid of was not having any masterpieces to share. So I've taken a new approach.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi239l1rgMowcMWqIP6td3Wgq7K3O4Sypq06ftUDxEZRN58RxM4pnO5ZWRev8BJZvpgVMGQmKHkVUm3GzTGQ5xyNt4tXqix7d-0pZzCf28l7_uq09pA53BsIx0bIzVzeBFJeR4yywg2f5o/s1600/fillingpans_IMG_8527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi239l1rgMowcMWqIP6td3Wgq7K3O4Sypq06ftUDxEZRN58RxM4pnO5ZWRev8BJZvpgVMGQmKHkVUm3GzTGQ5xyNt4tXqix7d-0pZzCf28l7_uq09pA53BsIx0bIzVzeBFJeR4yywg2f5o/s1600/fillingpans_IMG_8527.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Holbein, M. Graham, and Grumbacher tubes. Not shown is Daniel Smith. I'm most fond of M. Graham at the moment.</span></div>
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Even if I paint a masterpiece, I am not going to share any paintings online for a while.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKMJUSwAqN8rcWNfIG-VmIKy2at7vyLcwnmsX1g2UAUNAK2yWz-yQgrjzcHwYpATWc1sfK71aZeu7uLvtU9bUg52_UJnhYasy6_4vQDJj9Tv0ec3q7nv-2unyubJG0Wyf0-GKU2xEkcA/s1600/sketchbook_IMG_8529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKMJUSwAqN8rcWNfIG-VmIKy2at7vyLcwnmsX1g2UAUNAK2yWz-yQgrjzcHwYpATWc1sfK71aZeu7uLvtU9bUg52_UJnhYasy6_4vQDJj9Tv0ec3q7nv-2unyubJG0Wyf0-GKU2xEkcA/s1600/sketchbook_IMG_8529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Moleskine Art Plus sketchbook</span></div>
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I think it will be much healthier for me to reclaim painting as something I do for myself rather than something I do to earn accolades.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkH0-jE5DPzY4pNXYLARKdxhNRbRs-V7x99EyfiYvjlMDIm8N_6HRo_AxlBGdCKZ3g4bRgrXuahyphenhyphenZLrlQdX1G5YE2H7SOrJasGUtospFciUywx_zG4-DU0_kertZo3EQZImQbFxKOA338/s1600/tin_IMG_8528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkH0-jE5DPzY4pNXYLARKdxhNRbRs-V7x99EyfiYvjlMDIm8N_6HRo_AxlBGdCKZ3g4bRgrXuahyphenhyphenZLrlQdX1G5YE2H7SOrJasGUtospFciUywx_zG4-DU0_kertZo3EQZImQbFxKOA338/s1600/tin_IMG_8528.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I got an adhesive magnet tape, cut it into little rectangles and adhered it to the bottom of the pans so they would magnetically stick to my tin.</span></div>
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In the meantime, I'd like to share some artists I greatly admire.<br />
<a href="http://www.missydunaway.com/">Missy Dunaway</a> paints the most beautiful journal entries. Even she will tell you that <a href="https://www.parkablogs.com/content/art-tools-of-missy-dunaway">she paints over some of her paintings</a> repeatedly before she has something she likes.<br />
<a href="http://drawntheroadagain.com/">Chandler O Leary</a> has some awesome travel sketchbooks. She was kind enough to <a href="http://drawntheroadagain.com/faq/">share what materials she uses</a>. It helped me get a better idea of what I could use that would hold up to heavy use.<br />
<a href="http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/">James Gurney</a> regularly shares his plein air paintings. And still one better, he often releases videos showing how he did it.Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-48739767433843299752018-01-18T18:28:00.000-08:002018-01-18T18:28:46.550-08:00One Tree Short Of A Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have some good knitting news and some bad knitting news. Let's start with the good. I finished my Joyeux Noel socks early for next Christmas! Ok... so I didn't finish in time for this past Christmas, but that's ok. They came out great and now I get to look forward to wearing them during the next holiday season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdP3WzeocR9OLBVYNjRmxky3deIq0tXwx-ZbPY2ILMptJ9pZ-ZEyywSVQWr69tCd96XpWWb7QuOrWDdngF9rGwZmVxR-A83B0ZoKUVX-64fmA-oSXeWX4PN8ej61lfC7WJaF-uhtLNvg/s1600/joyeuxnoel_IMG_8519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdP3WzeocR9OLBVYNjRmxky3deIq0tXwx-ZbPY2ILMptJ9pZ-ZEyywSVQWr69tCd96XpWWb7QuOrWDdngF9rGwZmVxR-A83B0ZoKUVX-64fmA-oSXeWX4PN8ej61lfC7WJaF-uhtLNvg/s1600/joyeuxnoel_IMG_8519.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stray Cat Socks in Joyeux Noel and a special-ordered contrasting brown</span></div>
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The bad news... well... I made a big boo boo. It might be hard to see in the picture, but last night as I was doing the decreases for the second sock to go from 72 to 64 stitches, I couldn't get the stitch count to come out right. Finally I counted out my stitches... and I already had 64 stitches. I turned a little grey. There are 9 repeats of the tree pattern on the first sock; there are only 8 on the second one. Sigh. I held off ripping until today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF8sx55iDsVFhmv3yOvMMUzQV6mJ95APPhbmwXhHREIU1QbuTAKaGdKHr9NIjQx-cVlEvUliDS6sAOjeqxyyrwphjTjB8zUiH7KOg_gs7OeozHgSVDk7mpymkI7td03wxp8789uC7T6c/s1600/trees_IMG_8521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF8sx55iDsVFhmv3yOvMMUzQV6mJ95APPhbmwXhHREIU1QbuTAKaGdKHr9NIjQx-cVlEvUliDS6sAOjeqxyyrwphjTjB8zUiH7KOg_gs7OeozHgSVDk7mpymkI7td03wxp8789uC7T6c/s1600/trees_IMG_8521.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">It's probably better not to rip when you are angry</span></div>
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Of course with no knitting to work on, I cheered myself up with casting on something new. I've been meaning to knit my skein of Canon Hand Dyes in "A Rose By Any Other Name" for a while now. Every time I get to it Valentine's Day has passed and I lose my motivation. Not this year though! Maybe with enough of a head start I'll be able to wear these puppies in time for the pinkest holiday of the year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8T-7CL7_lT1n8mMfYj8l6OBGoayFOBnCFEKGPn_MCqyKVbMn4W-kM9EbK_O1JrqYrgXDNqOhrn3NtoG6A3jIAQ4kevmsXnLu1i5LbPlOtDeIJJHjAyEbXTTStRxgCSqbPx5FkAIcOlk/s1600/byanyothername_IMG_8522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8T-7CL7_lT1n8mMfYj8l6OBGoayFOBnCFEKGPn_MCqyKVbMn4W-kM9EbK_O1JrqYrgXDNqOhrn3NtoG6A3jIAQ4kevmsXnLu1i5LbPlOtDeIJJHjAyEbXTTStRxgCSqbPx5FkAIcOlk/s1600/byanyothername_IMG_8522.jpg" /></a></div>
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What kinds of things have you all had to rip out lately? Has anyone else been one tree short of a forest?Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-84867056154602608252018-01-10T18:28:00.001-08:002018-01-10T18:28:18.424-08:00Three To KentuckyWe've been back from Kentucky for more than a week. Christopher came along and the three of us enjoyed spending Christmas together right before we all banded together to help Annabel (Connor's sister) get married. But in between all the business of the season we had some fun. We did things like...<br />
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Chop wood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfmVhRjS6TFolFwu0gxhSTbIbnHytUCbRwx0Yb0_cdOannJ5nuxWHM0yej-dZGB06yPZUbuAkIdIDk4Wluq7q5_3HtbWR-jiCUzILHYjs37_dvR8pMuCcNmMY9m7-PngV2b-Mv09UhD8/s1600/choppingwood_IMG_6384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfmVhRjS6TFolFwu0gxhSTbIbnHytUCbRwx0Yb0_cdOannJ5nuxWHM0yej-dZGB06yPZUbuAkIdIDk4Wluq7q5_3HtbWR-jiCUzILHYjs37_dvR8pMuCcNmMY9m7-PngV2b-Mv09UhD8/s1600/choppingwood_IMG_6384.jpg" /></a></div>
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Christopher had his first Waffle House experience. He ordered the peanut butter waffle, expecting there to be real peanut butter. The fool. They put peanut butter chips on peanut butter waffles at Waffle House!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9iW7onCSIPvgnfbMN_bcuNSW6J3Bw1wj-nV7gshOn6Xm1I1HPq4GSp7U05v5SUsKF_yOBQ-ZOhyj-u8-R6Hz71LeiHvnUpgulMVYy-4ftLA_wtCrbi6ahXm8dzp-LbijNBzHjOiHdmM/s1600/wafflehouse_IMG_2466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9iW7onCSIPvgnfbMN_bcuNSW6J3Bw1wj-nV7gshOn6Xm1I1HPq4GSp7U05v5SUsKF_yOBQ-ZOhyj-u8-R6Hz71LeiHvnUpgulMVYy-4ftLA_wtCrbi6ahXm8dzp-LbijNBzHjOiHdmM/s1600/wafflehouse_IMG_2466.jpg" /></a></div>
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The three of us hiked up to Natural Bridge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP4qZxT9-KfrJvLWc4-Grh82Jf42CzYXNwtE8kWpukaNLF_PG1NFPN4d_-FaSGc3keohoCml58Mrsl3R64ia_dik6ftNJsEazdLN0giK4usR58Ac1W88cnu-iAsrnov2LisdgWPl8sm0/s1600/naturalbridge_IMG_1312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP4qZxT9-KfrJvLWc4-Grh82Jf42CzYXNwtE8kWpukaNLF_PG1NFPN4d_-FaSGc3keohoCml58Mrsl3R64ia_dik6ftNJsEazdLN0giK4usR58Ac1W88cnu-iAsrnov2LisdgWPl8sm0/s1600/naturalbridge_IMG_1312.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Natural Bridge is in the background as we stand at Lover's Leap.</span></span></div>
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We did a tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhqlN_Sv1bRijl5Jzc0_7graq02I7ZHJ6F8XrwRMNajIVoyXBAPLySLB287qeVolfksqmBpgs8MmNkTbdcZr-lxDDsfR4YoBTAGr8rp-WVlXs0MBP1woCYfX16xjAPocCPMadLGpgL5E/s1600/bourbon_IMG_2485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhqlN_Sv1bRijl5Jzc0_7graq02I7ZHJ6F8XrwRMNajIVoyXBAPLySLB287qeVolfksqmBpgs8MmNkTbdcZr-lxDDsfR4YoBTAGr8rp-WVlXs0MBP1woCYfX16xjAPocCPMadLGpgL5E/s1600/bourbon_IMG_2485.jpg" /></a></div>
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I tried to make friends with the chickens. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1469LkEPtclNLzX_sKWIt4mR8mq-eX8JSREZC6TcLp7-h3CKXKlyijpLZH7t16P6xtezvAjLpA-0hWKXHd1w6FXTD9YNWiVfm53ZAYueYRKq2LVAnF8kP3tKmnXjCSCaSdxl0eSZ6q0/s1600/chickenfriends_IMG_2383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1469LkEPtclNLzX_sKWIt4mR8mq-eX8JSREZC6TcLp7-h3CKXKlyijpLZH7t16P6xtezvAjLpA-0hWKXHd1w6FXTD9YNWiVfm53ZAYueYRKq2LVAnF8kP3tKmnXjCSCaSdxl0eSZ6q0/s1600/chickenfriends_IMG_2383.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Only one was brave enough to eat from my hand.</span></span></div>
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It got so cold that the creek began to freeze over and we had to keep the wood stove burning.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Before we left, a thin sheet of ice developed across the whole creek</span></div>
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Christopher chopped more wood.</div>
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It was all this and more. It was a good trip, but we were all tired by the end. I'm still glad that Christopher got to have a taste of Kentucky.Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-17083565070833366132018-01-02T20:58:00.000-08:002018-02-15T11:06:34.818-08:00Annual Goal List 2017-20182017 has been the year of self realization. I feel like I've been able to better name things that have happened, describe feelings I've had, and understand why I've been discontent when I am. I've found with better being able to describe the feelings I have, the better I've been at being calm about them. There is just something about being able to put a name to a feeling or situation that makes it less scary.<br />
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I also decided to go back to school. This time I'm learning about accounting and real estate. I you had told me at the beginning of the year that I was going to want to learn about accounting and real estate, I would have laughed at you. It's funny that every year I seem to be doing something completely different than what I expected. This coming year, I think I will try to have no expectations and just go along for the ride.<br />
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There were some real twists and turns this year. Here are some of the highlights.<br />
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I think traveling is going to be a highlight every year. We were able to see many amazing places this year. Places like the Pinnacles, Hawaii, the Northern California Coast, Kentucky, the Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Nashville, Tucson, the Oregon Caves, the Channel Islands, Morro Bay, and Kentucky a second time for my sister-in-law's wedding.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Saguaro National Park</span></div>
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There's no pictures of this, but I taught the little boy next door how to knit before he moved away.<br />
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I learned how to weave and embroider.<br />
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I am now a part-time shark.<br />
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Goals for 2017:<br />
1. Make a google map to share that has the locations of where I've found my travel patches. I've occasionally been asked where I've found various patches and I've noticed that the information for finding them, let alone knowing that a place has them, is sparse. I'd like to help change that.<br />
Status: Complete. I made up <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Xoke9-9VCWc4oBIG9wDLR9Zu5b8&ll=35.26852851839904%2C-118.29071085000004&z=4">the map</a> and have been continuing to update it with each new patch.<br />
2. Make a quilt to display all the patches. The plan is to embroider the United States, then place the patches around the outside of the embroidery. I'm still working out some details, but I bought a map from <a href="http://www.hapticlab.com/products/usakit">Haptic Labs</a>, got my fabric, and have bought a few books on embroidery to help move me forward.<br />
Status: In the process. My aunt helped me get the quilt sandwiched together and I've embroidered a large amount of the United States. There is still a lot of embroidering to go.<br />
3. Go to one National Park I haven't been to yet. I think that we might manage more than one, but I'd like to see at least one this year.<br />
Status: Complete. I need up seeing 5 new-to-me national parks: Haleakala, Volcanos, Mammoth Caves, Smoky Mountains, and Channel Islands. I didn't know I'd get so lucky this year.<br />
4. Knit a sweater out of stash. I haven't knit a sweater in two years. I think it is about time to change that. I also have a habit of buying new yarn for sweaters because I "have plans" for all of my stash yarn. It's time to just knit with it. I can replace it if I need to.<br />
Complete: I knit three sweaters this year! Of course only one of them was out of stash...<br />
5. It seems like an annual tradition, but I'm going to keep it on the list until it is done: put up the comic site. Connor and my father have sorted out the complicated calendar that I wanted and the site is largely put together. I just have the intimidating job of scanning and formatting all the comics. Although, the most intimidating part is getting over the feeling that the comics aren't "good enough". I keep thinking that the writing could be neater and the comics could be cleaner, but if they are ever to be put up, they will have to remain as they are.<br />
Status: Complete. <a href="http://audrywithoutane.com/">The site</a> is up and updating daily. Behind the scenes, the comics from from July of 2015 to May of 2017 have been edited and are scheduled to be posted. That's a lot of comics! There are still a bunch to go and my resolve is much lower. I'm going to try to keep going even though this project has pooped me out.<br />
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Goals for 2018:<br />
1. Even though I'm making good progress, the United States quilt is a big job. I'd like to make a goal of having the embroidery in it finished this year. I'll consider it a bonus if I can get the patches on too.<br />
2. Connor and I would like to buy a house this year. I'm not sure where that house will end up being, but hopefully the real estate classes I'm taking will help us in making that decision.<br />
3. I've realized that I find most of my validation in the praise I get for what I do. It's become clear how unhealthy that is for me. I'd like to be able to find healthier ways to feel validated that aren't so heavily based in comments and "likes." (I don't know what that will look like yet)<br />
4. Visit a new-to-me state. There's a chance I might be seeing Louisiana, Virginia, and/or Texas this year. I hope at least one works out.<br />
5. Submit the Audry Without An E comic for an Ignatz award. I think it could be eligible for the Outstanding Online Comic Award. I don't think there is a chance I'd win, but it's hard to win at anything if you don't put yourself in the race.<br />
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This years list is the 9th one I've written. I don't think I ever thought I'd be blogging this long. When I started, blogging was the thing to do; it was a great way to be a part of a community. Now it seems like many people have quit blogging and the community has been fractured by the many social platforms that exist. Sometimes it feels rather lonely, so I'm not sure how much longer I'll be at it. But, it's still been fun to see how each year changes.<br />
For those who would like to see what other years have been like, here are past post links: <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year.html">2010</a>, <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2011/01/goodbye-2010-hello-2011.html">2011</a>, <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2012/01/annual-goal-list-2011-2012-edition.html">2012</a>, <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2013/01/annual-goal-list-2012-2013-edition.html">2013</a>, <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2014/01/annual-goal-list-2013-2014-edition.html">2014</a>, <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2015/01/annual-goal-list-2014-2015-edition.html">2015</a>, <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2016/01/annual-goal-list-2015-2016-edition.html">2016</a>, <a href="http://bear-ears.blogspot.com/2017/01/annual-goal-list-2016-2017-edition.html">2017</a>.Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-56719339369763250332017-12-31T12:12:00.000-08:002017-12-31T12:12:04.849-08:002017 Creative Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Welcome to this year's creative recap. This might be the most projects I've finished in a year. The totals came out to 12 pairs of socks, 10 woven scarves, 3 sweaters, 1 hat, and 1 cowl.</div>
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My project total was boosted because I took up weaving and decided to weave a bunch of gifts. I really enjoyed trying out all sorts of different color combinations and ideas in each scarf.</div>
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I also took a watercolor class this year and got to learn how to do all sorts of techniques. </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">This was the final for the class. We had to do an animal with lots of colors. I did a manatee with a Florida theme.</span></div>
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Connor and I got the daily comic site up and running. It can be seen at <a href="http://audrywithoutane.com/">audrywithoutane.com</a></div>
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I also took up embroidery. Most of what I embroidered was practice for the USA quilt, of which I have made fantastic progress. I just have part of the Southwest and the South left to go.<br />
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I think the theme of this creative year was diversity. I had my hand in a lot of different areas and at times I got overwhelmed and had difficulty deciding which project I should work on next. I'm hoping that with some of these projects wrapping up I'll feel less scattered when it comes to my creative output.Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-1657043702350350282017-12-29T08:35:00.000-08:002017-12-29T08:35:28.259-08:00Arrowhead CardiganI finished my Arrowhead Cardigan a few days ago, and it was just in time. We've been at Connor's parents' farm and the temperatures have gotten down to 15°F/-9°C during the day. Brrrrr. I was in desperate need of a warm coat that would allow me to layer underneath it.<br />
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Like many of my knits, I modified a huge amount. The smallest size was 49"/125cm. I didn't want such an oversized jacket, so I resized it to 42"/106cm. There is no shaping in the jacket and the new size didn't leave me with much ease for my hips, I steeked in 5"/ 13cm side vents.</div>
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The original jacket didn't have any closures, so I added four toggles. I also gave the jacket a slight v-neck by decreasing 3 stitches on each side and adding a big shawl collar.</div>
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Originally I had done a crochet steek. Even thought the yarn I used is sticky (Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom Romney in Poppyseed and Spincycle Yarns Independence in Payback), I was manipulating the jacket so much that the steek started coming apart. No matter. I sewed the steek and made sure to add all the facings, including along my vents.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuSWxqZGCFINw-X8paYA9ZIR-wexTo10B-_vqOcuFz0hsLpja7KYhmNNxITArv_YoYqy66aj4ElWER8H8EiyIH1TWKM3RSfXBMKigiCmaLXJscek_B4E9oEbvVV4w01TID25c8n6RVCA/s1600/sweaterguts_IMG_8507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuSWxqZGCFINw-X8paYA9ZIR-wexTo10B-_vqOcuFz0hsLpja7KYhmNNxITArv_YoYqy66aj4ElWER8H8EiyIH1TWKM3RSfXBMKigiCmaLXJscek_B4E9oEbvVV4w01TID25c8n6RVCA/s1600/sweaterguts_IMG_8507.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm really pleased with how this jacket came out. It's been warm and wonderful.</div>
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Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558879415972386895.post-12440249218162727082017-12-20T10:39:00.000-08:002017-12-20T10:39:11.692-08:00The Elephant Seals Of Año NuevoLast Friday Connor took the day off of work so we could go on a guided walk at Año Nuevo to see the Elephant Seals. Mating and pupping season are just starting. We were hoping to see some of the giant bull males, but the first view was of the juvenile and some slightly older males. One of them had the long proboscis they are famous for and it was pointed down into the sand. Every time he exhaled, a cloud of sand would blast into the air. I giggled every time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwMrPzSW2b5HBW8tipVWBM8MKsK4FobGC4dXwrC-0nmYi93XTcLV-ep8LTeDWBirpg36-REHMr-F62cpWFD4atjPEX3jUjQbqpK6CWRwsCOjF3n8NgbriCTqknhE7UNJ57wfzcD0cU-E/s1600/us_IMG_8402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwMrPzSW2b5HBW8tipVWBM8MKsK4FobGC4dXwrC-0nmYi93XTcLV-ep8LTeDWBirpg36-REHMr-F62cpWFD4atjPEX3jUjQbqpK6CWRwsCOjF3n8NgbriCTqknhE7UNJ57wfzcD0cU-E/s1600/us_IMG_8402.jpg" /></a></div>
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We were also lucky to see the first pup of the season. It's really hard to see, but the little dark lump alongside the leftmost seal is it. We heard it crying for milk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv2SMTAPXnv74yOV_TUG-Gtm3hjyd7CVaREDuXOMSXx6zkrCpi4In9yLg2Xt5rbG5CjcyvfJQD_W3OleiLTSP3vG6w_8uwpwBOiqlCw8K45PLABStd-Qau_q50lhxjpc5jSXBpnd_RDc/s1600/pup_IMG_8410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv2SMTAPXnv74yOV_TUG-Gtm3hjyd7CVaREDuXOMSXx6zkrCpi4In9yLg2Xt5rbG5CjcyvfJQD_W3OleiLTSP3vG6w_8uwpwBOiqlCw8K45PLABStd-Qau_q50lhxjpc5jSXBpnd_RDc/s1600/pup_IMG_8410.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was starting to look like we wouldn't see any big bull males as we reached the last viewing point. Someone on the tour went to the far edge of the view area, looked down, and there he was. He looks like a giant rock, but if this guy had reared up, he would have been quite frightening indeed. He is the size of a good size car.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThQRhFoE7PU3JmlSzDCdhmfFEXtrAXSAzVQSwZ1CBh9tpkhylKP5lED-_o-h4ptnLtx2qMdfeYCdW7mNqtEGWEJySxyx2R8eRcNZNBfnAO5lmYIa5UF4TQY6_-bjBI_rwrFCT4Sl8hJw/s1600/bigguy_IMG_8413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThQRhFoE7PU3JmlSzDCdhmfFEXtrAXSAzVQSwZ1CBh9tpkhylKP5lED-_o-h4ptnLtx2qMdfeYCdW7mNqtEGWEJySxyx2R8eRcNZNBfnAO5lmYIa5UF4TQY6_-bjBI_rwrFCT4Sl8hJw/s1600/bigguy_IMG_8413.jpg" /></a></div>
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With the holidays moving full steam ahead, it was nice to get out and have some peace and quiet. After seeing these amazing animals, we walked back and had lunch by the Marine Education Center. Connor closed his eyes for a bit and I just took in the view. I can still smell the salt air and hear the loud grunting the seals made.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZNdMt3DKINfvAe91v0rFDqRsGAF448JJrF0N3RTWVtf-0Ct1IZbqw4a_SM-P5cl4o8zpvMFL-5ZHRkiBkoF-ZizSiccZmoEpLoVRLT_Wybh5jDPGVJc4nvljQ5Bdn9ISPFEeXjtjC3Y/s1600/thebeach_IMG_8416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZNdMt3DKINfvAe91v0rFDqRsGAF448JJrF0N3RTWVtf-0Ct1IZbqw4a_SM-P5cl4o8zpvMFL-5ZHRkiBkoF-ZizSiccZmoEpLoVRLT_Wybh5jDPGVJc4nvljQ5Bdn9ISPFEeXjtjC3Y/s1600/thebeach_IMG_8416.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The house in the background belonged to the lighthouse keeper. It hasn't been maintained since 1948 and the seals and birds live in it now.</span></div>
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I had been to Año Nuevo before, but hadn't been on the look out for a patch at the time. I think the current patch looks great. We also got a magnet to add to our fridge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PpNteKLUWhVTAd6HDGobPjBrqzVZtBH4rBvWlXhIJJ5rWJs5VHmI30PuGzXlHl3GC6PPDbNrgYQcWHUaPfe0Qmh0rrQ1B8JtlrB42Zw14V9plz6-kfbJAhTo_lg5zXzvqDKhjxzT1XY/s1600/loot_IMG_8466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PpNteKLUWhVTAd6HDGobPjBrqzVZtBH4rBvWlXhIJJ5rWJs5VHmI30PuGzXlHl3GC6PPDbNrgYQcWHUaPfe0Qmh0rrQ1B8JtlrB42Zw14V9plz6-kfbJAhTo_lg5zXzvqDKhjxzT1XY/s1600/loot_IMG_8466.jpg" /></a></div>
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In what ways have you all been able to reclaim some peace during the busy holiday season? </div>
Audryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13934284269652163977noreply@blogger.com0