Paris in the Springtime!

This Knitting Mystery was appealing to me--Why?  Because today I'm in Paris!  Yes, Paris, France! We are on a River Cruise along the Seine River!

When I saw that Cindy Garland was featuring a mystery shawl pattern based on Paris, I just had to sign up--of course, the pattern begins until April 1.   I've ordered my yarn, beads etc. so I can begin knitting on April 1st. 

Join with me on this exciting knitting adventure! 

Journey Along With Books

As we travel, I try to have plenty of books on hand to read--who knows when you'll miss a flight, be stranded on a desert island, need some quiet time to be alone, or just plain bored!  I think I have plenty to keep me busy !  Plus there is always the Kindle reader on my I-Pad.  

Good reading to you!   

One Day We'll Never Forget!

I'll never forget this day.  We made our ways to Freedom Tower and the fountains that remember the fallen.

Names are stamped into the panels surrounding both fountains where the twin towers once stood.

Deep into the 9/11 Memorial, we pass through sights and sounds from that day 

Remains of the retaining wall

It looks like an art piece, but it's actually twisted beams from the Towers.

I'll never forget that day!  

Walk in Their Shoes

We finally were able to visit Ellis Islad while on our time in NYC.  Our last trip here, the government was shut down and all were closed.  Something's it's hard to realize how it was for those who immigrated to US soils, but taking this journey we were able to walk in their shoes for a short while. 

I was happy to see in one section of education area, there was this great photo of a family weaving.

Weaving was given a small portion of  the display area, but it as there!  I can't even fathom the hardships our ancestors endured during those years, but I'm so thankful they did.  

Looking For Creativity!

We are in the "Big Apple"!  And everywhere I look I see sights that can be used to build creativity. Look at the building lines

And see how the shadows fade in and out.

Take this photo with its sharp peaks and angles 

Make it black and white and see something totally different

The streets even give off a sense of design style.

Use the color of the flashing billboards as basis for texture

Even the carpet in our room gets me a thought about quilting lines or weaving patterns

I'm loving this time in The Big Apple

Design Elements

 

When I'm traveling my eye is constantly looking for design elements everywhere! 

 

How could this design be used in your work?  How about a quilting pattern or a stencil effect as surface design?

Two together make for interesting view

Even the shelves of liquor bottles catch my eye--wonder how I could use this--besides drink it??

I liked the water shadow in the bottle as it sits on the blotter

What lines and reflections! 

Any of these will be noted in my design portfolio for future use--how about you?  Do you look at your surroundings?

Yarn Bombing!

Have you done any yarn bombing?  I know that photo bombing is popular now but I was happy to come across this yarn bombing in a city community area.  

Here is a great view of the construction and this length of knitting covers an ugly pipe giving it a soften touch.  Of course, I had to touch!  What a super way to brighten the town center.