~ tiny owl knits! ~

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Last weekend, Stephanie Dosen of Tiny Owl Knits

(and the TOK Ravelry group) (and her Rav Designer page)

visited my local yarn shop, Things Remembered (here's the Ravelry group)

for classes on some of her patterns and of course to show off her beautiful work!

The wonderful ladies at Things Remembered had the entire shop so nicely decorated!

The displays were thoughtful and the details were not left unnoticed.

And here are her Parseltongue Hat
(and you know what, it may be the Orchids & Fairy Lights
I cannot remember - you couldn't go wrong with either pattern though!)
Heartfelt Rings (a sweet free pattern), Rosy Wristlettes (crochet) and Some Cloudy Day Legwarmers.

Her Beekeepers Quilt is so very amazing!

This is her actual quilt here - isn't that something?

On the right is her Moss and Bluebell Pocket Scarf.

I love these cute kits, all set up with needles and caked yarn!

The Manos del Uruguay yarns.....

I have two hanks of their alpaca and pima cotton blend just waiting to become a shawlette.

More Beekeepers Quilt squishiness!

Didn't I say that the Things Remembered ladies had left no detail unnoticed?!

This owl is knitting a hexipuff!

Lela was so adorable - she wanted to show Stephanie 

(AKA that funny lady from the video)

that she could cast on and knit. 

Stephanie was so very nice. 

I have to admit, that I wasn't familiar with her beyond her popular Beekeeper's Quilt design.

But you know, once you have the chance to meet someone, 

and make a personal connection, however small,

well, you become a fan. 

(She's also a talented musician, do look for her ethereal videos!)

Mr. Fox Stole My Heart

Joy is the owner of Things Remembered, 

and she reminds Stephanie that she needs to get some snacks!

In the end, I purchased two patterns:

Beekeeper's Quilt and Sweet Robin Wrist-ees.

Happily, I also have them signed! Yay!

Thank you Stephanie especially for taking the time to sit with my little girl.

They now call you "that silly lady from the video who made all the pretty knitting".

Oh, won't they be excited to see you sing, too. :D

Thank you Things Remembered for hosting this great event! 

Now I'm all motivated to cast on my first hexipuff!

If you're in our area, please stop by Things Remembered and visit!
Thursdays are Sit and Stitch gatherings, from 10am-8pm
Regular hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm
Saturdays 10am-2pm

~carrie~

**In case you're wondering, no one asked for me to write this. 

Just sharing a fun day and spreading the love!**

~ music therapy ~

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I have witnessed the effect of music on my eldest; 

she lives the songs and their passion.

She sings like I do: mostly alto, searching for the harmonies and lost in the music.

But when the song she sings is a modern one, meant for adults, 

she sings the melodies with depth that she cannot understand.

Songs are often metaphors - metaphors that confuse literal children.

Her tiny and innocent voice repeats phrases and I wince.

And though I understand this, 

and have seen the (small) repercussions,

I have intentionally started listening to music throughout the day.

It is usually on my smartphone, since it is portable and quiet.

My mood and spirit are instantly and dramatically lifted by song,

and what better gift could my children have 

than a joyful momma?

~carrie~

~ swinging through the last day of january ~

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They raised their swings.

Laurel's pendulum moved at a different frequency,

perhaps more in rhythm with her heart.

And she began to pump and move on her own.

It caught me by surprise,

her calls for me to come watch her swing on her own.

I was standing at the kitchen window.

I could hear the pride in her voice.

Excitement.

She's been the only one who couldn't do it for a year.

Selfishly, my thoughts turned to myself.

How many times have I brushed off her calls to 

"come swing me Momma"?

It stings and burns my heart,

to have missed those opportunities.

To have intentionally and unintentionally missed those memories.

Please don't misunderstand:

I have spent plenty of time out there swinging them all.

Lots of wonderful moments, with me laughing and dodging between them.

But I want them to have memories of me gently pushing them,

of them laughing while we play that game we play,

of me laughing while we play that game we play.

Not memories of me walking away 

because I don't have time,

or because I am too overwhelmed by life.

My children are precious.

My time with them is precious.

I deserve to be happier.

I deserve to have a lighter heart.

~carrie~