Sunday, July 27, 2014

Summer's End

Well, the plan to update once a week went out the window when I started my second job. Oh well, I guess better late than never right?

July is coming to a close (already!?) and I figured that meant it was time to fill you all in on what I have been up to. Oddly enough, it's actually quite a bit considering how busy I've been with my jobs. But it's also been a month since my last post, and a lot can happen in a month.

Remember the shoes I dyed in my last post? I finally got around to doodling on them, and what better design to add then knit stitches? After all, they frequently get worn with hand knit socks, so it just seems fitting.


I also finally finished my Blue Diamonds Tee. It wasn't a hard knit by any means, but it was a slow one. Not really being able to try it on as I went was a bit insane also, but the end result is still something I love. It's very over sized, which is nice because it flatters me well.  And I had just enough yarn to finish it up (phew...I was a bit worried!). The yarn is Tahki Yarns Prism (a ribbony cotton) and I really enjoyed knitting with it. 


With my tee done, I jumped right in and started another project. My boss at the Salina Art Center is expecting a baby boy in about six weeks. I knew I wanted to knit her a gift at the end of the summer, and although I originally planned on doing my "Bags n' Bread", I decided a baby gift was more fitting. I've had Elijah in my library for awhile now, and knew he'd be the perfect present.  Why people think he's so hard is a mystery, because I finished this little guy in a week (and that's WITH two jobs!) and had no problems at all (besides the awkwardness of my dpns - anyone else think the world needs flexible DPNS? ). He's so cute, I almost hate to give him up - even my dad likes him, and that's hard to do. 


A few weeks ago I was feeling really down because I was so busy and had no time to sit down and make "real art". I knew I needed a change, so I invested in a few good india ink pens and a pad of paper and got busy. The end result was the below drawings - zoomed in ink stitch studies.  I am absolutely in love with these and the process and have been working on them pretty much every night before bed. It's a really zen process that helps clear my head and also allows me to examine the details of the stitches in a way I can't in my paintings. 


Want to see more? Check out my website! or Facebook page (and "like" it while you are there)

Weekly Inspirations:

Knitting: I think my next project is going to be a simple pair of socks for my mom in some pretty yellow yarn.  Oddly enough, there really isn't anything significant on my needles right now. I have a couple of hibernating projects, but nothing major. And so socks it is!
Art:  This summer I've had the pleasure of working with some amazing artists/teachers at the Salina Art Center. Some are actually professional artists even! Such as Shin-hee Chin (who gave me some amazing advice), Allison Langston (and very good illustrator) and then there's Jordan, who makes drawing You-tube videos....
Cooking: My two most favorite things to make right now are homemade burritos - whole wheat tortilla, re-fried black beans, cheddar cheese, tomato and spinach - and pesta pasta/veggies - homemade pesto, various sauteed veggies and tri-color pasta. Both are super delish. 
Life: Well, none of my job applications have been successful yet, no one seems to be in a hurry. But I think my plan is to move on to Kansas City in about a month or so. One of my good friends even wants to come along. That'd make life easier, for sure!
I hope that you are all enjoying the end of your summer and are having a wonderful weekend. Don't forget to stop by and say hi! I love hearing from everyone. :) 

~Lisa

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Passing Time

Well, here we are. The beginning of July. Where has this summer disappeared to? I was so hoping for a nice, inspiring summer and yet I feel like I've just been too busy to really soak in any type of artsy bliss. Has anyone else felt this way lately?

I think part of the reason I've been so deprived (is that even a good word for it? I'm not sure...) is because this past week I started working two jobs: My job at the Salina Art Center, and now the Deli at my local Dillons grocery store at night.  Add that to my working out in the mornings and that doesn't leave a lot of time for myself. Weekends are a little better, but not much.

Enough complaining though, why not talk about something optimistic? Like the little knitting I AM getting done.  Blue Diamonds is slowly coming along. I am about half way down the body, which despite looking easy on paper, actually takes forever to get through a single row.  When this finally comes off the needles I will breath a sigh of relief and then wear it all day, every day - it really is a fun, beautiful knit!

The photo does no justice to the crazy diamond pattern


I am managing to get a little bit of other crafty/artsy-ness in, but not that much. For instance, this painting has been in the works for three weeks now, and it's not even that big. I need more motivation I guess. 

Definitely needs something....

And lets not forget that I am living at home with my parents, and my dad is a bit of a creative black hole.  If it involves any type of mess, it's pretty much a no-go. So I have to wait until he's at work (and I'm actually home!) to do anything messy. Lucky for me I was able to get a few hours before Dillons this past Saturday, just enough to do a little fabric dying experiment with a pair of cheap tennis shoes. 

Still needs some art on them!
Want to make your own? Check out my friend's post HERE to learn how!

So all in all, I feel like time is passing very fast and yet I am just watching it go. But I know that at the end of the summer when I have built up my savings I will not regret a moment of it.  After all, I need to get out of here, and if working my butt off is the key, than so be it.

Weekly inspirations:
Art:  A couple weeks ago a new show opened at the Salina Art Center with an installation by Joshua Short.  The theme of his show is sights and sounds he heard on his midwest trek to his residency with us.  I was lucky enough to get a chance to have a couple of very deep discussions with him during his time in Salina and I took a lot from it. Oh, and I actually like his abstract installation.
Knitting:  My next project is a toss up. I want to do some more selfish knitting, but I don't know what that would be. My mom got really lucky and found a full ball of Lion Brand sock yarn at Goodwill, so maybe I'll just knit her some socks to kill time.
Food:  My personal trainer has me counting calories and watching my diet. It's been a rough two weeks, but I am finally getting it down. One of the big culprits is of course SUGAR, and with that, ice cream. I am trying to find solutions, and I found one yummy recipe: Chocolate Greek Yogurt!
Life:  With mid summer approaching, it's that time to start looking for "big girl jobs". I already applied for one position at the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, and I am also waiting to hear back from a residency program in Texas. I guess if nothing else pans out I can transfer to a Kroger company in Colorado from my Dillons here. 

I hope that the summer is treating everyone well - in the end it is me as well. See you all again very soon!

~Lisa