Japanese Knitting

There is much discussion on some Ravelry groups about this

new technique in the world of knitting.

What makes it so special?  Isn't this knitting

like all knitting?

Hitomi Shida original designs and 

variations on every imaginable classic stitch

result in intricate patterns that form

the basis for beautiful and unique knitted fashions.  Although

the book is written in Japanese, it has been translated by

Gayle Roehm

This is for experienced knitters who would like some adventure

in their knitting.

Deborah Tomasello gives us her  Cowl Number 46, 104

it has the signature twisted stitches and raised design common to Japanese lace patterns. can be knitted and worn as either a scarf or a cowl. This project is a lacy, fun piece to work, and it is full of luxurious drape. The design includes a buttoned closure (but no buttonholes!) so it can be buttoned and worn as a cowl, wrapped around the neck twice before buttoning to be worn as a neck warmer, or left unbuttoned and worn as a scarf. So versatile! It is light, and it can be knit in any fiber so it can be worn in any climate. Gauge is not an issue. Want your cowl larger? Work more pattern repeats. Pattern contains written instructions as well as charts. Use cotton or wool, fingering or worsted weight yarn and small or large needles. All choices are yours!

Check it out on Ravelry.

She is also leading this Socks for Spring MKAL on her

group:  Colorworks by Debi

Looks like fun knitting!

Check out this Japanese knitting KAL on Ravelry--

this is a chance to knit along with some great designers

Michelangelo and The Vatican

Current Exhibit at Museum of Houston Fine Arts

presents 

Michelangelo and the Vatican

on display through June 10--a Must SEE! 

"Masterworks by Michelangelo and his contemporaries highlight the artistic legacy of Pope Paul III and the vital role that drawing played in art production throughout Europe in the late 15th and 16th centuries. Michelangelo and the Vatican features drawings, cartoons, paintings, sculpture, and prints by Renaissance master Michelangelo and his predecessors and successors, including Raphael, Rubens, Tintoretto, and Titian.

Largely drawn from the renowned collection of the Capodimonte Museum in Naples, Italy, the exhibition presents some 40 works from the 16th century, many commissioned or completed during the papacy of Alessandro Farnese, Pope Paul III. Remembered for his enthusiastic patronage of the arts in general, and of Michelangelo (1475–1564) in particular, Pope Paul III oversaw the completion of Michelangelo’s stupendous fresco The Last Judgment on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel. The exhibition features a unique, large-scale copy of The Last Judgment painted in oil by Marcello Venusti.

Additional highlights include two of Michelangelo’s finest monumental drawings: Roman Soldiers and Venus Kissed by Cupid; as well as two iconic portraits of Pope Paul III by Italy’s greatest Renaissance masters: Raphael and Titian. Complementing the Capodimonte Museum loans are works from the Vatican, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the University of Chicago Library, private collectors, and the MFAH collections."

Nimble Fingers

Trying to keep my fingers nimble--

here is May's hat of the month

Joji Knits

Rafa's Hat

The exciting thing about knitting is the option to 

stitch a pattern from an Argentina designer

living in Buenos Aires--

what a world we live in!

Now we travel to Shetland for this special week of adventures

The official 2018 Shetland Wool Week ‘Merrie Dancers Toorie’ knitting pattern has been exclusively designed by Wool Week Patron Elizabeth Johnston.

Yours free, even if you're not attending Wool Week

Woolly Wormhead has a free pinwheel hat pattern.  Her patterns

are always interesting construction.

More Books to Read.............That Makes Me Happy!!

Thank goodness, on our Costco trip today, I didn't

find one single book that I wanted to read,........

BUT, that doesn't mean I didn't find any

books to read

My list begins again--I've already finished several of

the books from my past listing of books to read--

I am NOT going to be like my mother--who

has A book to Read!  I want plenty to choose

from.......

This book was a must since we saw the Independent Film

about "Texas Dance Halls"--Historic local halls

of importance to the communities they serve--

the photos are awesome in this book--

Couldn't do without this cookbook--

it's a delight to read through the recipes and

feel like I'm sitting at the table with Joanna

Gaines as she serves up plenty of delicious

food

This is one of my favorite authors--I've read all of

her books on Rei Shimura based in Japan

This is a new series set in India--so happy to

read about India and learn more of the customs

and culture

Jane Harper--what fun reads--she has authored

"The Dry" set in Australia--we travel the world through

our books

and now, lets learn more about Indigo!!  One of

my favorite dyes

So excited to see this--historical novel about Eliza Lucas Pinckney,

set on South Carolina plantation in 1739

I've previously read 

Letterbook of Eliza Lucas Pinckney, 1739-1762: Intriguing Letters by One of Colonial America's Most Accomplished Women (Women's Diaries & Letters of the Nineteenth-Century South)

Things That Make you Happy.....

Recently, I read a magazine article about happiness--The question was 

"Can you list five (5) things that made you happy today?" 

Well, can you?  The author of the article had a hard time finding three things that made her happy during the day.  Can it really be that hard to find five things that make you happy during your day?  

If you go searching the internet for ideas of what makes you happy--you'll find this:

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” - Dalai Lama

Happiness is subjective. Only you can decide what makes you happy. No one else. Have you ever sat down and really thought about the things that make you happy? I'm not sure if I have. And that's sad because there seem to be so many things to be happy about in our world. 

Isn't it interesting that you can find all sorts of advice on making yourself happy, but it boils down to WHAT makes you Happy!!

So, off I go to think about what made me happy today:

1. A good morning and a smile from my husband
2. A delicious cup of coffee--in fact, two delicious cups of coffee
3. A chance to sew on a project
4. Reading a book
5. Listening to music as I sew or stitch

Now, each day as I prepare to rest my head on my fluffy

pillow, I'll work on my list of Happy things! 

San Felipe de Austin

A new museum has burst forth on Texas history--

one that tells the story of the founding of

San Felipe, Texas--a small rural town outside

of West Houston.

If you ever travel west on I-10 , you barely notice

the sign that points you to San Felipe--never worth a stop

then except to see a few cabins of the past, 

but now, the San Felipe de Austin is a Must stop

to learn Texas of history beginnings.

You are greeted by a family of settlers (Part of

Austin's 300 families he was allowed to bring 

to the Texas frontier)

entering the museum front doors you find

a detail in the polished floor--enter and

learn

In 1823 Stephen F. Austin established San Felipe de

Austin as the capital for his colonization efforts in

Mexican Texas.  

from 1824-1836 this was the social, economic and 

political center of the Anglo colonies in Texas.  This

location served as the capital of the provisional government

of Texas

During the 1836 Texas Revolution citizens burned the town as

part of the 'runaway scrape' retreat from

Mexican General Santa Anna's army.

Here on this site, is a map of the town as it stood

before the fire--once the citizens left their burning

homes, they learned at a later date, that Santa Anna

had been defeated and he didn't make

it to San Felipe. They had nothing to come back to

so the town faded into Texas history

This museum tells a story that few know--the displays

are interesting and interactive--Here is a good example of

a walking wheel and a butter churn--few pieces (shards) of

the original establishment were

found during excavation. 

--

In one corner is an opportunity for students to

dress as colonists--I enjoyed seeing this small piece of

an overshot coverlet

An interactive map of the original town covers a

whole wall--there is the opportunity to push a button

and learn about that selection of the town

A printing press like the one used for San Felipe

newspaper is on display

A timeline crosses through one room

I can only think--this might have been the capital

of Texas if the residents hadn't taken the 

"runaway scrape" to extremes--the small town of

San Felipe rests with a large portion of the

freedom of Texas on its shoulders.

Derby Day AND Cinco De Mayo II

Holy smokes!  Which do we celebrate?  Which comes first?  I'm thinking that Cinco de Mayo is the oldest--so we'll begin there....................

is an annual celebration held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza.^[1][2]

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico.^[3][4][5][6] In the U.S. the date has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture. In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades.

What do we like about Cinco de Mayo?  mostly tequila drinks, chips and salsa!   

Most people don't know that Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important battle in Puebla, Mexico that helped the USA by blocking the French who were supporters of the confederacy (gracias Mexico). 

But, wait--here comes the Kentucky Derby--the most important two minutes in sports!
and no tequila is allowed--Straight Kentucky Bourbon is the choice--the Mint Julep!

We had a few of Mint Juleps when we attended 132nd running of the roses--

a time we'll not forget!  We had tickets right on the finish line and 

of course, you must wear your finest Derby Hat!

The long-established fashion was started with Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.'s vision for the Derby as an event that the high-class would attend, similar to European-style racing events, which mandated full morning dress for men and women. For the first running of the Kentucky Derby, he used high-class women to recruit his target clientele to attend the race. The event quickly became just as much about the fashion as the racing. Going to a horse racing event became an opportunity to show off the latest in spring fashion and women were known to coordinate their hats, dresses, bags, shoes, and even parasols.

The extravagant hats that have become associated with the Kentucky Derby did not really come around until the 1960s, when social fashion norms loosened up and the presence of television gave women a reason to stand out. The hats became larger, brighter, and more extravagant.

Hats at the Kentucky Derby have become even more popular after the royal wedding in 2011, an event that showcased many elaborate hats and fascinators.

Whatever you celebrate--may it be a super great day!