Checking It Twice...

On Wednesday, I'll be teaching a Beaded Shawl class at A Good Yarn Sarasota. This pattern is from Deanna's Vintage
Styles and it's a beautiful shawl.

This past weekend, I spent my recuperation reading the pattern and then starting the knitting process. One of the things I tell people who are either beginning knitters, or who are knitting a new technique is that "Patterns are meant to be knit, not read."

I found those words to be particularly true when going through the instructions for this shawl. Try as I may, I couldn't tell from reading it exactly how this shawl was going to work up. I couldn't tell if I'd be knitting it "top down", "bottom up" or "side to side". After setting up the yarn and beads, I began knitting the pattern and all was revealed. It will be created side to side.

Today, I'll continue working on the shawl, making class notes and taking photos to help my students envision "the next step". I think of myself as a "fearless knitter", because I'm never intimidated to try something new, but not everyone has my (sometimes obnoxious) level of confidence. Because I'm going through this process before the class, I'll be able to give some of my confidence to each of my students. By working the pattern right before they do, I'm checking each step twice for them. My students won't have to worry about pattern accuracy as they embark on this new project. I want to be sure that Wednesday is fun for all of us!

I Love Silver Sundays...

Happy Silver Sunday, mon amis. Today will be a study in silver spoons and serving utensils. No, I was not born with one of these in my mouth, but I certainly love the beauty of each and every one. Many of these were family pieces I inherited, but there are a few of my own with short stories I can share with you.
Do you remember when you were a teenager and Oneida offered a sample spoon for a mere one dollar? Well, this is one of the spoons that appealed to me and went into my hope chest. I've had it all these long years, and it's a treasured addition to my collection.

This spoon was part of the silver assortment I received when my
mother-in-law, Evelyn died. It has a monogram, but is
otherwise - like Evelyn - simply elegant.

These assorted pieces are lovely serving implements, also inherited.
Some patterns match and some don't, but I think they're all beautiful.

Here are two sets of sugar spoons.
They're much smaller and more petite than a teaspoon.
There are three at the bottom that match,
and the rest are all the same design.
I love these little spoons.
Now, even though it's probably cold where you are,
close your eyes and imagine a sultry, hot summer day spent
sitting on your veranda with a tall, cool, iced tea in your hand.
These are sipper spoons that also belonged to my mother-in-law.
I love their heart-shaped bowls.

And, look at this great feature...
There is a "straw" built into the long handle of each sipper.
You can stir your sweetener and lemon, and then sip the afternoon
away through your spoon!

This is a newer set. I purchased this set on eBay a couple of years ago.
Are you surprised that they're leaves? I didn't think so.

My final entry in my Silver Sunday post is this lovely, single spoon with a
rose-trimmed handle. I really love this sweet, little spoon. So pretty.

Have a great day and enjoy visiting with all the other
Silver Sunday participants, courtesy of our hostess, Beth.
Just click here to visit her blog and the other participants!

On The Mend And Smiling...

Still recuperating - and feeling better by the hour. As I haven't been back in the studio yet, I'll share this great image with you courtesy of Christine Edwards on Etsy. I just love this photograph! It's titled "Darwin". Hope it brings a smile to your face as it did mine. You can click on her name to check out her shop. Have a great day, my friends!