Knitting Project~ Life Lessons..

Remember the knitting project I told you about?

I knitted away happily following the pattern which I had adapted slightly..  The back first then fronts and sleeves. Dipping into the separate balls of yarn which came within the same batch lot of dye lot number in one large bag.  And as you knitter’s and those who crochet know, along with those of us who decorate and choose our wall paper, we need to ensure the dye-lot numbers are the same, or shading can take place. And my choice of Pink glitter wool was all the same batch number it was in the same bag.. 

Most rainy afternoons as the light began to fail I would knit happily away long into the evenings, often by lamp light each stitch lovingly placed from one needle to the next.

Everything progressing nicely along. All the panels knitted, I then start the rib to sew it all in place to the front panels.. I join the shoulders and knitted the collar edging and that was sewn in place around the neck..   And  I think  nearly there now, nearly finished as I put it down for the evening. 

The next morning the Sunlight is bright so I  and sit near the patio door as I happily threaded my yarn in the needle to sew up the side panels..  I thought I would admire my handy work as I laid it over my knee..

It was then my stomach plunged .. No way… as I looked at my masterpiece. One panel on the front  had  changed shade at yoke level.. I dove into my knitting bag pulling out the remaining yarn and pulling out to the paper sleeves which the yarn have been encased in..  Yes each number matched.. Yet all the remaining yarn was a darker shade..  Then I remembered I had changed my yarn ball as it had run out at that point. So it appears the yarn was not bagged correctly in a batch, that is the only conclusion as the back and front panels up to that point had been lighter.

But it’s no use pointing blame. A solution had to be found.. I didn’t have enough yarn left to redo both fronts, So how to make it match?..

Well there was only one thing I could think of; I would have to unpick the collar edging and the front panel rib of the side that was the same colour and unpick the rows back until it measured the same as the other side front where the shading had occurred and re-join the yarn there so both yolks matched in shade from the same point.  

So below is the result.. You can see the shade change at the yoke.. And  why did my knitting remind me of life lessons..

You can clearly see the yoke change of colour which I had to match up after unpicking

Close up so you can see the glitter wool

Well sometimes we work away not really taking notice of things until they go wrong.. And it’s no good us jumping up in arms shouting and apportioning blame. What’s done is done..

We have to find solutions to problems and work our way through them.. And yes sometimes it may seem like we are working backwards as we undo what work has already been done. But sometimes it’s necessary in order to find balance..

If we want things to be right sometimes we have to learn from our mistakes and without our mistakes we would never learn.

 Wishing you all a beautiful weekend 

~Sue~

Growing inside and Out

“It’s very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems”

Thich Nhat Hanh 

This winter in the UK although so very mild has been one of the wettest on record and I have been very thankful for living on top of hill for a change, although that has its disadvantages when we get  lots of snow.

 Nature too is just as confused as we are. Winter is a time to rest and sleep…  I needed to retreat within the warmth of my inner shell for a time to replenish and nurture.

Reaching up, to be our best

It seemed that my climbing rose forgot it was winter and I spied this bud peeking its way out of my evergreens  which it had climbed through it and the ivy.  

The day was a rare day, clear skies and sunny which was probably what made me look up as I walked under the arch  of greenery to the green house.

This photo was taken on the 28th January

Reconnecting to my creative self allowed that total absorption to be centred within the moment. Each stitch of Knitting placed with care and attention allowed my thoughts to wander back to the days when my Grandmother would patently sit with me and teach me the basic stitches of knitting.

Each stitch, placed with thought. Each thought forming the shape of our lives.

Something I am now doing with my own little granddaughter, who at the moment just likes winding the wool around the needle as I knit. But I think it important we do not lose these skills and we can produce some wonderful unique garments.. This little set cost me nothing to make, it was using up remnants of wool I had left over. And yes New life within my distant family circle is due in May time..  

New Life was also set to the tune of the Moon, another new project I am starting to do as I hope this year to follow the Luna Biodynamic Gardening methods.. My daughter provided me with a beautiful book for Christmas as I had told her my intentions so this is the result. My Gardening Post explains more here

I planted these onion seeds on the 21^st January and 10 days later they are all growing fine.

Planting seeds to the Moon Rhythms.

Sweetpeas

I also planted my sweet-peas and within 4 days they were starting to show themselves to the light.

I have one more project that will probably be on going now throughout the rest of my Life. Its going slowly, I am not rushing it and I will reveal more on this on a future post.. So keep ‘Tuning’ in.

Life is Miraculous  when you think just how each seed contains within it has the knowledge to grow and mature into the perfect flower or Vegetable or Human Being. 

We are All of us Miraculous Beings. Maybe it is time to plant the seeds of our thoughts back into Good Mother Earth… To grow we need the right environment to nurture our Dreams.. I have come to understand within my silence that no matter how many humans try to taint our world.. We are all of us Gardeners.. Planting our thoughts, cultivating those next generations. And it is up to us to nurture the space we grow in.. 

And as we learn to weed out the excess baggage and plough in the skills and attitudes that help liberate and refine those future generations. To embrace  decisions that consider the consequences of our actions for the well being of our Whole Planet, not just the few upon her. 

For a Great Future awaits us.. It is up to each of us to acknowledge and be mindful of our responsibility within it. My seeds responded to the vibration of the Moon and I am sure my encouraging words of Love are helping them flourish. 

Spending time back within my thoughts reconnected me back to my Inner Child, those of us who are healers know that Love is the greatest healer of all.

That little girl in me reminded me that in our deepest wounds were the remnants of scars of the longings to be loved. She reminded me of the need to create a space in which to embrace the magic of my own creativity as I  learn how  to Play again and become the child I AM and that I always will be.

Me age 5

 Have a Blessed Weekend

~Sue~

 

 

 

 

 

Quote Source: Here 

Where’s there Muck!..

Getting Stuck In. ..

 There is a saying here in the UK.. I am sure some of you have heard of it.. ” Where’s there’s Muck there’s Money.”

Well I can assure you I didn’t find any Gold Nuggets, but this Muck is pure Gold in that it is rich with nutrients the Earth needs for next years growing.

And Like our gardens, so too our Minds and bodies need to be maintained and offered food for thought..  All too often we can rush here and there and neglect to care for ourselves. 

We need to remember to clear away the clutter and the debris which our minds all too often collect. As we  ‘Weed’ out the Muck of those negative thoughts which stops us operating at our best.

All it takes is a shift in our awareness, and to be mindful of what we are projecting out. I all to often hear people moan and groan, and yet when we compare our good fortune to others around the world, I see nothing much to complain about, and plenty to be grateful for.

New Kidney Bean seeds collected for next year .

If I plant something in the shade, and over water it, it soon shows me its not feeling well, and will soon rot and die.. Likewise if I plant something in the sun and forget to water it, It too will whither and die.. 

We need balance, in all things as well as in our lives . And so at times our Lights can get blocked, dimmed by the shadows of negativity which filters through into our lives from  various outside sources.

That is what I always do, connect to Mother Nature, a change of scenery helps alter your perspective on Life. 

And  that’s just what I have been doing all week.  As I clear out, dig in and Create..

New waistcoat I started yesterday Wednesday

 

But we must also remember to take some Quiet time for ourselves, relax and find our centres.. The Source is always there for us, but we can often forget to connect, as we divide our energy in too many directions. So remember to step back into your Own Stillness, and reconnect back to your own Inner Light..

And  so that is what I am doing over the next few days.. I will still be popping up to comment and may even pay you a visit..

But If I don’t, you know I am being Mindful of Myself..  🙂 

Love and Blessings to you ALL.. 

Love 

~Sue~

 

 

Picture Update~ Grow your Own

Hello my patient fellow bloggers.. I am currently over this weekend working my way around to those who have left me such thoughtful responses over the last few weeks..  As I endeavour to catch up with many of your posts..  

How is your Summer going?

Mine has been very productive as well as restful in-between gardening, I have been resting, reading, oh and I finished off a knitting project also. And of course I have been keeping my eye on the ball in Wimbledon as the Tennis Season is in full swing.

I am learning to self Nurture!

I knitted this little Bolero too which is for a 3 to 6 mth old. It didn’t take long to make.

 You can find out more of what I have been up to when you click this next photo below of some of my harvest and other crops that are growing. 

It will take you to Dreamwalker’s Garden 

Harvesting Dinner

Enjoy your weekend 

And take care of each other

Love and Blessings 

~Sue~

When the Universe speaks, I Listen! Part One

Sometimes the best laid plans are not made by you, but are the direct guidance of the Universe. Have you ever had that feeling where you just know you have to surrender to the flow and see where it takes you?

Well that’s what last week felt like. I had promised my WP friends I would be back to visit them last weekend .However the Universe had other plans.

 

My own plans were simple ones.. I needed a few days Computer Free to catch up with some unfinished projects.. The first one being a little jacket I made for my Daughter’s Step Daughter’s new baby girl. So technically that makes me a Step Great Gran!  My other knitting project I also finished. 

This was a cardigan for myself.

Knitted Cardigan

 

The other projects centred around the allotments and we had already planted seeds in seed trays which were sprouting. But the allotments needed digging which Hubby did, and I set too and helped plant the onion and shallots.

Onions and Shallots planted

 

 

 

 

Remember this photo from last year where the old rubbish heap and nettle patch was going to be dug up? Below!

 

 

At the Back of the shed the old rubbish heap is going to be levelled. This is where we intend to grow our Butternut squash

Well this is what it looks like now on the photo below.

Dug over Rubbish heap

Another job which needed to be done was to paint the sheds with wood preserve. You can see Hubby busy doing this  one and I did the other. This shed brings a whole new meaning to Lean-too shed lol, It only houses sticks, wire and cloches and nets etc.  

Lean too shed 🙂

 

Main shed

The next thing was to clear out the old Strawberry Bed of old plants.. We planted new shoots in the autumn .And made a start to clear out the old Strawberry bed. This will then be the new home for some of my flowers for cut flowers.  

Old Strawberry bed.

New Strawberry Bed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is the view from the main shed. in the foreground the Raspberry, Blueberries, Red and Black currents, Gooseberries, Blackeberries.  We still have  in the background, Brussels, Purple flowering broccoli and a few Leeks left. And of course a freezer full of goodness.. 

Long View from shed

In the mean time I wrote a poem in collaboration  with Aquileana about Helen of Troy. and emailed her it just before my laptop was set for a scheduled Health Check.. That’s when the Universe thought to have other ideas about my plans..

I mentioned one of my keys was sticking to the computer guy, so the kind man said as it was insured he would send it away.. And So that’s why I have been absent longer than I intended.. But you see the Universe had a plan all along.. And as to that I will reveal in my second part to this post..

Stay tuned!  

And its good to be back..

 

Over and Through~ We Weave..

So this is what I have been busy creating over the past few weeks, I have been busy Knitting some gifts.. I finished the Shawl .

Baby Shawl finished

This shawl covers half a double bed

This is the edging on the shawl .. It then gets sown onto the main body of the shawl.

 

In-Over- Through-Off!

 

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Egg Cosy’s -Rabbits to keep my boiled egg warm in the mornings

And also I have started to knit something for myself.. I hope I will have finished for Christmas a gift to myself.

And Remember we all of are creating with our Threads of Life every day as we go Into our day, we may have to Overcome many obstacles as we go through our life’s lessons.. One day we are all of us getting Off this Planet, So Weave your Life’s Blankets well.. Every stitch Counts!

Weaving

We weave the threads in our Tapestry

With colours we mingle and blend

Creating a picture, that mystery of Life,

That we dream will never end.

In and over obstacles, weaving on the loom

Threads of memories of spangled Stars

Emotions Tides of silver Moon

Flying back in time we speed

Embracing Light from darkened minds

A memory of long ago when all was right

When we All held Light

Now as the loom of life we spin

We always fight, we want to win

As in and out the greed does grab

And turns the cloth to make it drab.

Oh how we weave the web of life

We chose the colours, our joys and strife

Dream weaver I am not, and yet

I walk with hope, and send out prayer

And Dream we do not let the fabric tare

The Balance of the weave must neatly fold

For in our history it is foretold

What we do unto the web we spin

We create our lives therein..

By Dreamwalker

The above Poem I wrote in 2010..

© Sue Dreamwalker 2010- 2014 All rights reserved.

Have a beautiful Week

Blessings

~Sue~

 

 

Creative Captures.. Happy Halloween Everyone

You would think that Retirement would lend itself to giving you more time . Yet as my Hubby said when upon retiring several years ago he wondered how he had found time to go to work?.

Life in the Dreamwalker household has been busy busy to say the least since I took the plunge and retired.. I still have lots of catching up  to do with your beautiful blogs . And for all those who have taken the time to visit my posts I am in the process of returning your kindness..  But for now I will leave you with a flavour of what I have been up to mostly  in picture format.

So along with alterations around our home, we have been putting the home garden to bed for winter and sorting out the allotments. Hubby moved a row of raspberry shrubs as we learn by our mistakes as they grew I got nicely tangled in their tendrils.. So more  space has been created between them and a support made for the Logan Berries..

Before 

Fruit Bushes, Black and Red currant and Raspberries, this is the view from the sheds looking back up the garden.

  After.

Fruit Bushes tied up and moved to create more space for picking.

Click onto Photo’s for slide show or hover  arrow over picture to read writing. 

After a hard mornings Dig with bucket and spade. On the way home for lunch from allotments, Our Granddaughter

Fruit Trees now planted. One Cooking apple, One Pear and one eating apple tree.

Transplanted New shoots from Strawberry Plants

My finished Milk Churn.

All finished as my Umbrella stand

I have also been busy in the evenings as those darker nights draw in. I am in the process of Knitting a Baby shawl which I was requested to knit. I have about another 15cms to go then it will measure  a metre in length.. I then have to knit a boarder which will then be sewn all the way around it.. So still a ways to finish.

A shawl I am knitting.

Close up of pattern stitches

 And Lastly.. wishing you ALL a HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Below is my Granddaughter who over her last few visits has been busy with me Baking and tasting 

Yum.. Yes Chocolate is my favourite Grandma.

 

Pumpkin my granddaughter helped create

Have Fun!

A Big Thank You to you ALL.

 This is just a short post to say a Big thank you to all of my readers and to those who visit regular and comment upon my posts. You Bring with you such light and encouragement, and I often at a loss to say how much your kind support means.

I logged onto my Blog today and discover that my readership has swelled to 400 followers and so I just want to say a Big thank you for all of my oldest friends who have been with me since my beginnings of Windows Live Spaces days when I started in 2007, My first real post after transferring was called Finding Answers  here on WordPress.  And I remember well spending the best part of a Day getting to know and personalise my header  and  Blog back then as everything was alien that day was in Oct 2010.  A move I am so pleased to have made, as I just love the W.P. Community of friends we have gathered here and whom I have got to know and love. 

And I just want to say a big thank you to all of my newest arrivals who have clicked the follow button.. I hope to get around to discovering your blogs as soon as time allows.And to say thank you to my email subscribers also.. And Welcome, I hope you enjoy my thoughts and if not please don’t be shy to air your opinions for that’s how we grow and learn by sharing knowledge and understanding.

Today I just want to post what I have been up to in recent days besides  the ‘Day-job’ in picture format.. So if you click the photos, you should be able to read more in the caption headings..

Take care all of you and I have a busy week a head in my Day Job, so I will catch you when I can…

Love and Blessings

~Sue~

Half finished, in Pastel

Busy in the allotments still, these are the Leeks and Spring onions,

Freezing the sweetcorn from the allotments.

Devoured by Caterpillars

Caterpillar Heaven. Herbert the scare-crow, couldn’t scare the caterpillar’s 🙂 The sprouts are just visible below

All finished with buttons now sewn in place.

hat and scarf set to match the cardigan.