"Marie Z. Johansen / ZQuilts" - 5 new articles
The Last Of The Fall Leaves
If there was any question about the season today pretty much sealed the deal. This is how it looked outside of my door this morning. Since then we have had a strong cold front move through and the last of the leaves, those that have not been tracked into the living room, are on the ground now. The most insidious things to be brought in on un-wiped shoes are the pine needles. They get into everything and refuse to be removed without having to bend down and actually pull them out and insert them into the nose of the vacuum cleaner!
Recently I have become more and more involved in the book and book blog communities. For some time I have been rolling the idea of a separate book blog around in my head and, this weekend, I finally did it. I will do some cross posting at times when the books are very pertinent to both blogs, but more or less if it's about books it will be on my brand new blog ! I named it Books By The Willow Tree because of the willow tree that I used to go sit in to read at my Uncle's Jim's house. This grand old dame willow spread her branches lazily out over the Hudson River in upstate New York. I adored that tree & I loved my Uncle who was a large part of the reason that I am so book addicted today. He had a separate little house that served as his library. It was complete with a small wood burning stove and kerosene lamps. Peace in a little place. Anyway, if you're into books I would love it if you would join me at the willow tree!
 A Yen For Cashmere or More Joys Of Fingerless Gloves
At night my fingers seems to just naturally drift to a small, easily gratifying bit of knitting. Fingerless gloves have become a passion because I use the almost year 'round since my digits seem to be always chilled. I hunt for patterns that I like - both free &, happily, paid for.
Lately I have become enamored with Rowan's new yarn called 'Lima' - a fine bit of cashmere blend with a really different construction that facilitates great texture, stitch definition and is made with 84% Baby Alpaca/8% Merino Wool/8% Nylon. Can you spell soft?! I found a wonderful little pattern called "CoffeeHouse Gloves" by Lorna Meiser Owner of Lorna's Laces in Knit'n Style's issue for December 2009 #164. It knits up beautifully in 'Lima' and I've made a pair in almost every color that 'Lima' offers. I did change the pattern a bit to make it longer and also to add some length in the thumb - which I find to be much cozier.
 You can see some of the texture of this yarn in these small pics.
 
The gloves in the photo below are made from the 'Coffee House' pattern in green 'Lima Yarn' . They look small but there is a lot of stretch built in and the gloves look wonderful on! The gloves on the left are also made in 'Lima' and are called 'Fetching' from Knitty.com as a free pattern! 
I do have a request - if any of you knows of a great fingerless glove pattern please let me know! I am happy to pay for a great pattern . Simple or fancy, long or short! Thanks for helping me feed my glove addiction and keeping my needles going!  A Skin That Says "Mine"!
I am, apparently, a really a sucker for personalizing my things - I never used to think that I was but my actions speak louder than my thoughts! For instance - here is my IPod. My IPod travels with me most everywhere & I use it a lot - at work is my fav spot- not listening to music generally but books from Audible. I never used to think that I would like 'talking' books either but now I besotted with them! Most people know my IPod by the skin that's on it that I got from GelaSkins. GelaSkins is a compnay that I have blogged about before when I got my first cool IPod skin from them. Recently they have made skins available that can be personalized with your own art work - for the same price as non-personalized. Could I possible resist this? Not!
Here is my new IPod cover using two of my drawings. GelaSkins has skins for most any mobile tool you may own from IPods of all types and sizes to cell phone and notebooks. Can you spell fabulous?!
I want more thins to put cool skins on! No! Iam not affiliated in any way what-so-ever. Just a tickled non-fashionista who loves personalized things! I also think that I proven to myself that I should never say never since I now love things like skins and 'talking' books. Life is very good !
 ....."Art I Want You ...."This little video was posted on Roses On My Table by Darlene Pringle and I just could not help but share it with you. It will make your day a happier one! I have to find this song and play it every day !  Stocking Up For The Season Of Eternal Gray
This is a stack of books that I have amassed recently through the magic of swapping with other book fixated cyber friends. I am stocking up as insurance policy against the season of eternal gray - sometimes called Fall & Winter where I live. Fog hangs heavily here almost every day & the sun quickly becomes a curiosity. Each & every one of these books is one that I have wanted to read - and each has been on my personal wish list for some time. This will keep me reading for awhile don't you think!
Some of these books are fairly new like "Richard The III: The Maligned King" by Annette Carson while some, like "The Fatal Crown" by Ellen Jones are gems from the past that I was happy to locate. I am looking forward to reading them all - and reviewing them all here as well. I have more on the way - including a selection of 'old' gold' calligraphy books.
Speaking of calligraphy --- my class through Creative Workshops in 'Italic Calligraphy - A Good Foundation" - Martha Lever, Instructor - is going very well. It really is a foundational class that Martha offers & I see - as if I had not already known it - that practice & determination are the keys to success in calligraphy. Although I don't have the time to take from my quilts& paints to become a dedicated calligrapher I do want to master Italic calligraphy & several variations on a theme so that I can use them in my quilts & journals. In only a week - and not a whole one at that I have managed to come some ways. This photo of my piled desk tells that story - oh - and I have finally found out why a slanted board is a very good & helpful thing. Thankfully, dear friend Lauren, provided me with this board this summer. I am looking forward to 'decorating' it splotches of ink and paint all over it in the years to come!
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