Goal #7

I have completed another goal on my 55 in 2012 list!

Goal #7: Memorize at least 52 verses

So far, I have memorized Psalm 119:1-16 and James 1-2. I am still working on memorizing the book of James. 

I hope you are all having a fantastic summer day!

focus

Life can be like the focus of a camera. It doesn't always go where we want it to. Sometimes that messes up the photograph, but often it creates a beautiful photo anyway.

The focus makes sure that we see little bits of beautiful things all around us. It gives us the ability to appreciate small, seemingly unimportant details that others may miss. At other times it shows us clearly the big picture all around us. We think that we have messed up when we cannot make out either the details or the big picture. We say that the photo is out of focus or blurry. Those images are still important and beautiful.

There is a time for a wide-angle lens and a time for a macro lens. Both are necessary; both can be beautiful. But both are not suitable for every occasion. The trick is to decide which lens you need for what occasion and how to use both to the best of your abilities.

In life, sometimes we need to spend time on the little details, the things that we often miss. We need to slow down and notice them. At other times, we should look around us and see how the big picture is affected by the little details. But we can't get discouraged when we do not know what is coming next and we just do not understand what is going on. We need to realize that there is a time to worry about the big picture and plan ahead and a time to just relax and look around at the amazing tiny details that surround us.

Giveaway winners!

I am sure that you all want to see who won the giveaways, so here we go!

The winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Lavender Hill Knits is...

Lily!

The winner of the Jane Austen stitch markers is...

Tina!

The winner of the patterns from McLaughlin Designs is...

   

Jodie!

The winner of the bag from JennieGee is...

Hannah V!

Congratulations, ladies! I have e-mailed you all. Please respond as soon as you can!

In other news, I will be away for the next 10 days at Christian Youth in Action, so I will not be posting during that time. I would appreciate your prayers since I will be doing door-to-door evangelism on Sunday and then teaching a children's Bible club from Monday to Thursday.

I am still looking for guest posters during the summer. If you are interested, e-mail me at knittingphotography (at) gmail (dot) com.

Thanks so much, everyone!

where to put it?

I am sure that if you are at all like me, you are constantly trying to find new ways to store your yarn. There are some things that I wish I could do {like this and this}, but since I do not have unlimited money and space, that is not possible. I am sure that many of us have that dilemma. So, to get some ideas, I headed to Pinterest {where else?}. There are some great ideas out there!

via

This is a great solution for little odds and ends. Maybe a jar with a larger mouth so that I could actually get the yarn out, but still a good idea.


via

A jar like this would be good. And is that a tooth brush holder for the needles? That is a fantastic idea!


via

A magazine rack, I think. This would be good for yarn that you are planning on using soon, maybe even to store current projects.


via

I love suitcases, especially old ones. This is a fantastic solution since it could function as storage, decoration, footrest, and traveling case all in one!


via

Yet another great way to use an old suitcase.


via

This clear plastic garbage can {or something like that} removes the need for a bigger jar opening. I like that all of the yarn is visible.


via

If you have an empty shelf this would be a great way to use it!

Right now my yarn is in baskets so that I can see most of it all at once. However, I have run out of baskets and I have a little in shoeboxes. These look like great ways to store yarn, though. Maybe someday...

How do you store your yarn?


p.s. some of you have been experiencing trouble being able to view my button. Here it is:

<a href="http://borrowingphotographs.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n609/knittingphotography/BPSplashbuttonwithfixedbluecolor.png" /></a>

what others have to say

"Let me warn you that a genuine interest in knitting can keep you fascinated, eagerly pursuing it, and never satisfied, through a lifetime."

-Rose Wilder Lane

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."

-William Morris

"I think that learning to knit is so much more valuable to children than being in front of a computer."

-Virginia Westwood

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

-Albert Einstein

"He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands, his head, and his heart, is an artist."

-St. Francis of Assisi

color

Source: gypsyvibe.tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: craftandcreativity.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: vintagerosegarden.tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

color.
It swirls, twists, winds, brightens, excites, calms.

It can be bright, bold, and eye-catching.

Other times it subtly blends together and draws you in through texture and shades.
It can be combined, mixed, blended, tinted, and yet still remain.
Color is in everything; everything is in color.

Life is color.

Giveaway #3: McLaughlin Designs

Have you enjoyed the giveaways so far? I know that I have enjoyed hosting them. I should have mentioned this before, but the giveaways will end at 12:01 a.m. on June 20. The winners will be announced later that day.

Today, our giveaway is from:

// etsy //

Elisa sells all sorts of knitting patterns in her lovely shop (her photos are simply lovely as well). Here are a few of my favorite patterns:

stripes headwrap

endless braid earwarmer and headband

flower headband ear warmer

chevron slouchy beanie

Now, for today's giveaway, Elisa has kindly offered these two PDF patterns!

lacy inside out fingerless gloves

These gloves would be perfect for a chilly summer morning or evening.

yummy beret

This hat would be great for winter and summer. You would wear this at camp on those days when my hair just won't cooperate. {we all have those days, now, don't we?}

Thank you so much, Elisa! Now, go on and enter to win these fabulous patterns. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cabled Bracelet Tutorial and Pattern

Here is a pattern for my new favorite project: cabled bracelets! I have a photo tutorial here and then the pattern written out at the bottom if you prefer that method of following a pattern/tutorial. :) If you already know how to make a cable, then this will be really easy.

Supplies: small amount of yarn and needles that are recommended for your yarn type {e.g. sport weight yarn: size 2-4, worsted weight: size 5-8, etc.}. Pretty much whatever you want. :) I use 3 double-pointed needles so that I do not have to use a cable needle {*cough*actually find one*cough*}. 

cable needle or extra double-pointed needle.

Cast on 9 stitches.

Knit 1 row.

Purl 1 row.

Knit 1 row.

Purl 1 row.

Slip the first 3 stitches to the empty needle or cable needle and hold that in front of your work.

With your empty needle behind the slipped stitches, knit the next 3 stitches.

This is roughly what it should look like:

Take the needle with the slipped stitches and pull it around the stitches that you just knit. Knit the 3 slipped stitches.

Knit the last 3 stitches.

You have now made the first cross-over!

Knit 1 row.

Purl 1 row.

Knit 1 row.

Knit the first 3 stitches.

With the extra needle or cable needle held behind your work, slip the next 3 stitches onto it.

Knit the last 3 stitches of the row, making sure that the slipped stitches stay behind your needles.

Take the needle with the slipped stitches and bring it around behind the last 3 stitches that you knit. Knit the slipped stitches.

Knit 1 row.

Purl 1 row.

Knit 1 row.

Now just continue repeat from the first cable row until it is as long as you want!

Cabled Bracelet Pattern

Supplies: small amount of yarn

               needles that correspond with you yarn weight

               cable needle

    I actually use three double-pointed needles instead of two needles and a cable needle.

Cast on 9 stitches.

Work in stockinette stitch for 4 rows.

*(Cable) Row 1: Slip the first 3 stitches to the cable needle, hold in front. Knit 3. Knit 3 from cable needle. Knit last 3 stitches.

Rows 2-4: Work in stockinette stitch, ending on a purl row.

(Cable) Row 5: Knit 3. Slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back. Knit 3. Knit 3 from cable needle.

Rows 6-8: Work in stockinette stitch, ending on a purl row. *

Repeat from *to* until bracelet reaches desired length.

Enjoy your bracelet! If you have any questions about anything, please ask!