Simply Natural Designs: homemade

Showing posts with label homemade. Show all posts

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Adventures in Wedding Tripping + DIY Embroidery Hoop Wedding Gift

Once upon a time...

So, I had this friend. And she is pretty cool. We met once in Missouri and then she went back home to Northern Illinois and we wrote letters for four years before we met again.

Then I visited her. And she had a party, so I got to meet all her cool friends that she'd been writing to me about for the past four years.

Then they became my friends, too!

Then one day, two of those friends of my friend, got friendlier. ;^) Having known each other for, like, ever, they discovered that it was no accident that they were such good friends.

So, 'they knew that this was much more than a hunch', and he asked, and she said yes, and plans were made, and invitations sent. And this friend of a friend [me!] was invited to go [and bring a guest!].

So there I was, hum-druming, about who I could take with me... And I decided to take one of my awesome best friends, so these cool people could meet.

We had a great adventure journeying to the north country and over came many obstacles [really, it's a long story]. And finally made it there the day of the wedding!

We primped and drove through the snowy city-side to a beautiful church and witnessed a beautiful union of God joined love-birds. [The bride walked down the isle to the song "Life is Beautiful" by the afters; like my favorite part!]

Hearts were moved, lives joined, hearty laughter had by all and happy tears shed.

They were pronounced Husband and Wife, there was a kiss, and a grand exit. There was a starbucks pit stop, and a quaint reception with adorable details, keurig coffee, tasty horderves, donuts and cupcakes. There were pin-wheels and mason jars, striped straws and baby cheese balls, there were old friends and new, precious flower girls and more cupcakes. And...

There was snow. More and more snow. It was magical. It softly glistened the whole day, covering anything that wasn't already hidden in snow.

There were instagram moments and well wishes. There was speeches and tears, speeches and laughter, there were clinking glass and kisses, there was joy all around. And a proper send off in the snow on their way to a honeymoon destination.

Then there were leaving guests, and guests who didn't want to leave. There were some goodbyes, and other-non-goodbyers. There were mentioned plans, and then sitting and soaking in the last moments of a glorious day. There was talking, and then no talking, but there was still a sort of communication. There was still snow as darkness fell, comfy clothes where exchanged for formal ones, people piling in cars to skid through the snow packed 'back-roads', and a stop at Oberwise where there was shared chocolate milk for all.

Then these Southern Missouri girls [Missour-ee, not Missour-a!!] where taken back to the train for another journey [thought less eventful!] with the memories of a whirlwind weekend still swirling in our heads. There was long talks, and no talk, and there was lots of snack eating. There was interesting train-rest-room-going, and lots of IL fields covered in snow. There were bridges and the Arch, there were parents waiting for us at the station, there was two more hours of sitting in a confined space, and then...

There was home.

Happy Thursday,

Kerry

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

New Designs for a New year

Happy New Year! Wanted to share what I've decided to start for this new year.

I am always very inspired by stories. I've thought of designing projects that reflect the stories that I read/see/hear. I wanted to start with a fictional seires that I've really enjoyed, but then I decided to start with True stories. Stories that should be told. If I were to wear something designed with at story, when someone asked me about it, I'd have the opportunity to share that story.

I'm reading a devotional book called "the Midnight Bride" by Richard Wurmbrand. It is a beautiful study of the Song of Solomon and a journey with the Persecuted Church, who is, the Bride of Christ. There are many stories of individuals who choose to stand for Christ with the possiblity of death than to deny the Truth that had bestowed upon them true love and freedom.

The story I came to, as I was thinking of designing patterns for Real Life Heros, was that of Mary Dyer. Have you heard of her? She was hung in what is now Massachusetts in the seventeenth century because of the calling Christ had placed on her life.

As it is stated in 'the Midnight Bride"; "... a law was passed declaring that all Quakers entering the British Colony should be whipped, imprisoned and put to forced labor. Every exiled Quaker who returned was to be hanged. The 'crime' of the Quakers was their belief in an inner illumination, a direct communion with God without the intermediary of clergy or ritual.

"Once such Quaker was Mary Dyer. Though she had been whipped and threatened with death, she repeatedly went to the colony from Rhode Island to visit her brethren in jail. Finally, Mary and two others were sentenced to hang. She attended the execution of the other two, then her hands were tied and black sack was put over her head. But at the last moment, she was reprieved and deported.

"She returned to Massachusetts. She was risking public flagellation and having her tongue pierced with a red hot iron. At her trial she declared: 'If you do not revoke your unjust laws, the Lord will send other witnesses of the truth after my death. Compared with liberty and truth, my life does not matter.' For this, she died. She was a valiant Christian."

After hearing this story, and searching for more info and seeing the memorial statues on this Christain American Hero, I began drafting a shawl pattern to remember her brave actions. From the statue, it kind of looks like she may be wearing a small shawl with some kind of belt to keep the ends in place. This is the basic structure I'm going with for my pattern.

I've chosen two types of cables; the first one, and the one that makes up the bulk of the garment is called Simple Chains. It is fitting; A Quaker is bound to a simple life, by the chains of their beliefs. Not that the beliefs of a Christian should ever be compared to chains, for it is by this that we are set free. But, we do serve a master, everyone. If we are not a slave to God then we are a slave to the devil and this world.

The second cable pattern is just called Double Twisted Cable which will go around the neckline of the shawl. This I choose to remember the fact that she was not once on the gallows but twice [double] and it was in this 'twist' of events that God allowed her more time to impact the world around her.

I hope to update again soon with my progress on this project.

Thanks for reading!

Kerry

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Dear Knitting, How I've Missed You!

I've been so busy this summer with school and a new job [not to mention Etsy, family, friends; but you know how that is] that I haven't had much time for making much of anything. Just whipping out a little bag here and there, and making a pair of feed bag shorts [inside joke; will clue you in later if your interested!]. But I have not had time to sit and enjoy the process of 'knit one purl one' and watch with wonder as 'something' emerges.

I recently bought a pattern for button down fingerless mitts from knitter, designer and fellow Etsyian, Lynette McPherson, of Fern Wood Wool Works. The pattern has been fun; not quite a beginners pattern, but no doubt easily understood and well explained. She also designs knit socks, leg warmers and even baby mitts and leg warmers!

All I have left to do for this right hand mitt is pick out some buttons to sew on, weave in the loose ends and ...

... finish the ribbing on the thumb.

Then, on the the left mitt! I can't wait to get started and have these this fall and winter to keep my hands cozy at the drafty feed store I work at. I'll post photos of the completed pair when I have had time to finish them. Thanks Lynette, for the beautiful design!

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Kerry