WiP Wednesday - birthday sweater and mittens

I'm still finishing up the mittens for the girls.  These are Lela's and using her requested yarn - some Lion felting wool we dyed.  I added another strand of cream for more warmth.  These were quick and satisfying to make - see here on Ravelry.

(One of Liv's red and blue mittens was promptly and accidentally washed.  Though it is still wearable it just won't do, so there will be a 7th mitten cast on this week.)

Also pictured is Lela's birthday sweater - she will be 5 in a few short (very short!) weeks.  How does it happen so quickly?  This I will never understand. 

This Sweetheart Cardigan is on size 6 needles with Cascade 220 wool.  My friend Haley helped me (read: she did it all) adapt the pattern for the larger yarn and needles.  So even though my tiny 4#15 baby will be 5, this is the 2T size.  I hope to put up more details on Ravelry as soon as Haley tells me what she did. 

Happy knitting!

Peace,
Carrie

an inspiring rainbow giveaway

Hillary at Healing Hillary is hosting a sweet giveaway! She's offering a copy of Beyond the Rainbow Bridge as well as a bookmark, handmade by her. Please hop on over to her blog post to enter your name into the giveaway.

I haven't read this book yet, but it has always been on my "list".  I don't think I can ever be inspired enough when it concerns my children and their well-being.  The first Waldorf book I ever read was Oak Meadow's Heart of Learning - I am rereading it now as a matter of fact.  Taking time to digest the words again, noticing phrases I didn't before, integrating it at an even deeper level. 
 
Peace,
Carrie

healing buttons

A moment when two of three sisters wanted to play together, at the exclusion of the third, doesn't happen terribly often around here. I'm grateful for that. When it does, and a heart is broken and devastated, special time with Momma is not only appreciated, but necessary. 

While her sisters played together under the bathroom sink, Laurel toddled (this three year old is still a tiny 25-pound toddler) behind me up the stairs, with the promise of a special and fun activity.

So I pulled down the Mason jars of buttons, all from the drawers of my great-grandmother's 1916 Singer.  They are dusty and in need of a thorough cleaning.  But we will save that for another day.

While she threaded, I sorted and inspected.

Some are quite old and used.
  

Some were downright used up!

This large metal one is my favorite.

Some were made of shell.

Some were painted.

Threading with a thin, metal tapestry needle offers satisfaction without pokes.

Of course it ended up becoming a family affair.  And quite a lovely one at that!

The musty buttons had healed the broken heart of a 3-year old.  Each button, fondled in their tiny, soft hands, offered the potential of rhythmic and soothing threading. 

A beautiful finished product was the byproduct of the healing.

At the end of it all, I once again had three daughters, three sisters, who were together again.

The buttons that have passed through five generations - they are still appreciated and necessary.

I hope you are finding healing and rhythm and joy in the simple activities of your home.

Peace,

Carrie