The Everyday Is One Big Still Life

If you're like me and love color, then you tend to pay attention to it everywhere - except in your everyday life. My home is filled with color, most of it intentional, like the artwork and textiles. However, a lot of it changes daily, depending on the time of day and the current project with which I'm involved. I find inspiration in all of it:

While you may recognize this cowl I made a few months back,
there's something about it on the dressform, on the table with the cream fabric beneath it,
with the blue peeking out from behind that gives it a whole 'nother dimension.

I found the play of the blue coffee cup with the wonderful,
deep purple on the clear glass table rather inspiring.

And then there's George Bailey. While his colors might not change,
his mood does. Constantly. Here, he's in a catnip-frisky mood. You don't want
to know how many tries it took before I got a somewhat clear shot of his face.
If mood were a color, he'd be neon orange right about now.

Now definitely link up with all the other color and yarn lovers over at Wisdom Begins in Wonder. You just never know from where the next inspiration will come!

Behind the Scenes This Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday

I haven't been around my blog too much in the last few weeks (although I've been busy on Ravelry). I have been working on finishing up some projects for publication. Shameless plug alert - And, if you were already on my newsletter mailing list, you would know the yarns I've been working with - so if you're not on it, go on and sign up right now. End shameless plug.
 
I'm almost finished with a design that's been donated for a charity publication. The yarn is yummy and I am really excited not only about the project, but the fact that all the designs, as well as the yarn used in the publication, have been donated. It's very appropriate that I am slated to finish my design this holiday weekend when the U.S. celebrates the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.
 
This time each year is always contemplative for me, and working on this charity project has really focused my hands and mind, once again, on the true meaning of this holiday. Being of service to others can take many forms, not the least of which can be a donation of one's time and talent. I was honored to have one of my designs chosen for this project, and despite delays due to unforeseen acts of the universe, everyone has managed to stay focused and perservere. I cannot wait to see the final result, and to be able to share the design and the entire project with all of you.
 
In the meantime, please head on over to Wisdom Begins in Wonder and check out what everyone else is working on (of service or otherwise) this Fiber Arts Friday.  And if you have the opportunity and are so inclined, get out in your neighborhood and engage in a service project. Knitters and crocheters are such a giving bunch.

Image from www.martinlutherking.org

A Little Underwhelmed

I recently picked up a pet tree house at the beginning of the year - you know, the kind a cat can sleep in and scratch on? Well, George Bailey initially put his nose up in the air after I put him on it.



See the slightly pinned back ears?
Not a happy camper, he.

Then I borrowed some catnip spray from a neighbor. What a difference a little kitty crack makes:

Life with catnip is a beautiful thing.