Yes – let’s pretend.
This has worked for me in the past. I put a smile on my face and pretend that things are good, and amazingly – they become that way. Don’t get me wrong…I’m not going to pretend that my life is the same as it was a few weeks ago. No, no, no. But I can imagine that I’m on a good track, that I’m happy, and that my future is bright.
Part of this pretending is to write an (almost) normal verypink post.
I don’t have to pretend that two pillars of my life – my dogs and my knitting – are still there, strong as ever. So let’s go with that.
Happiness is a ball after which we run wherever it rolls, and we push it with our feet when it stops.
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
I see that this quote can be taken a couple of different ways. To me, it means that sometimes our happiness needs a nudge. It usually rolls along effortlessly, but every now and then we have to consciously give it a kick start to get it going again.
Can I say thank you a thousand times to everyone for all of your support and kind thoughts? They mean so much to me. I’m not one to let nice things go unnoticed. It has been my intention to write a thank you note to each person who wrote to me. I don’t think I missed anyone, but if I did – please blame it on technology. I had some email problems on Thursday and Saturday. Thank you so very much for your kindness.
Let’s get on with the good stuff…
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First, a little yarn souvenir from my trip to Alaska. I don’t normally buy yarn just willy-nilly with no project in mind for it, but Kodiak has an adorable new yarn shop – and I couldn’t bear to leave the place without showing my support with cash.
This is Patagonia Araucania, 100% cotton, hand dyed. All the way from South America to Alaska, then Texas. World-traveling yarn. |
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I won’t show all of it today, but have some catching up to do on verypink with lots of stuff.
Here is the finished Orchid Lace Scarf. It is so pretty and delicate. |
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I made this with the Malabrigo Laceweight I won from Twisted Knitter’s blog contest.
In fact, Janet was the one who suggested that I make this, and it’s the perfect pattern for this yarn. Thank you, Janet! |
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This pattern was SO FUN to knit, and I would recommend it for someone who would like to try lace knitting for the first time. Since it’s just a scarf, it goes pretty quickly. And the pattern is made up of only the most basic stitches, which is good for a beginner.
I wish I could wear it today, but that would make me appear insane and sweaty. |
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Today’s knitting photos were taken with the help of my new toy – a Sunpak eBox Mini Studio. I have a lot to learn about getting the most from it, but it’s so cool.
I also need to figure out the best way to make myself a white background, which I prefer to the background colors included in the studio. |
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A triple-scoop of red dog, coming right up! |
Oh it is a good morning to see you here as I normally look for you. I SO understand your comments about playing pretend since I feel I sometimes pretend myself alot. I ran across a quote a couple of weeks ago that said it all to me: “My mind knows how to fool myself better than anyone else.” Take care and I hope all this love and support does comfort you through these days.
Wow I love the scarf, I wish I had just an ounce of your talent. I don’t think I could even make a chain lol. Glad to see you back. Hope to see more post. Keep your head up it will all get better soon. Like the saying goes, time heals all wounds.
Wheres the black dog in it??
How did Abe’s leg heal by the way??
Oh, that scarf is gorgeous! It reminds me of the fishtail lace scarf I knit out of my Brooks Farm. The lightbox is very cool. I didn’t know you could buy little ones like that – I should write a post about my free makeshft one. I think a piece pf posterboard that was wider than the space could be stuck in there in fron of the black back and just push the center all the way to the back and let the board curve around – it might work for a white background in a pinch. Keep on smilin’ doll, cuz it’s all gonna be fine.
I love the scarf, but I have to admit that I’m more enamored with your Mini Studio. I’m always looking for ways to produce better photographs. In fact, I just signed up for a photography course at Rice.
After playing with your Mini Studio some, please let me know what you think about it.
So glad you are posting and staying productive! The scarf is lovely. Aren’t dogs the best?! Always there for us…
scarf is beautiful and I love the new yarn! I totally agree with that quote. I have to say, a triple scoop of red dog would cheer anyone up 😀
Nice to have you back on this lovely Monday morning! The scarf looks BEAUTIFUL and I am insanely jealous of your mini studio thingy. I just shove things near the windows and hope there’s enough natural light to capture them! (Still thinking of you and sending real happy thoughts your way …)
What’s that saying? Fake it ’til you make it? Just put one foot in front of the other…
Hi Denise – OMG – yes! Fake it ’til you make it! Perfect! The quote I posted today is perhaps a bit more elegantly worded, but I like the directness of this one.
Thanks for sharing that with me! That will be my mantra today.
🙂
S t a c i
Yarn shop in Kodiak?? I love that yarn. I am using it for my Mod on Mod Afghan. The scarf is sure pretty!
Is that the mini studio from SkyMall? I’ve spent so much time perusing that catalogue lately, I swear I’m thisclose to adopting an old dog just so I can buy the dorky furniture stairs. Or that pen that scans text as you read. Or a mirror for my sunglasses so I’ll always know who is behind me.
The scarf is gorgeous! Well done!
glad to see you today. i certainly need it. 🙂
the scarf looks fab! i love it.
I too Love the light box thingy!!!!
How cool!!!
I’ll leave you with this bit of song lyric …
It’s from my favorite movie of all time: The King and I
“… when I fool the people
I fear I fool myself as well!
I whistle a happy tune
And every single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I’m not afraid.”
(Or sad, or mad, or any number of other counter-productive feelings!!!)
Hugs,
Laura F.
Perhaps we’ll run into each other in Target some day!!
(I sent the photos of the Huge Presidents)
I lived until last year in Patagonia! But I was in the least pretty part: there’s the Andes to the west, with the woods and lakes and all sorts of beautiful things, and the sea to the east, which may sound good too but the vegetation is almost nonexistent, the weather is cold and very, VERY windy, and the sky is pretty much always gray (do you spell it with an a or with an e?). I hated it. Now i’m back where I was born, a little more to the north, in Buenos Aires.
Ok, done with my geography class. Cool mini studio!
Good to see you back 🙂
Love the scarf and that yarn is just to die for! The studio is cute. Is it possible to drape fabric in it as the background? It seems that you would have endless possibilities with fabric backgrounds.
Hey, someone else knows about “fake it ’til you make it”! That’s awesome! You know, it totally works. But as my therapist says, you still have to let yourself experience the feelings you’re having. I’ve found that after 3 or 4 days of “faking it” through stressful situations, I usually need to have a big ol’ honkin’ cry. But I always feel better afterwards!
Just don’t cry on your yarn! I’m sure that can’t be good for it. Dogs are okay to cry on, though. 😛
Really glad to see you back at the helm, Staci!
Hiya Staci,
I took a class about a gaziliion years ago (ok well maybe more like 5) about the power of positive thinking and how it changes the energy around us. Think good things and good things come to you even in times of adversity. Good for you for taking the positive steps to healing:)
LOVE the scarf!
Your post is great and on a new curve to the positive aspects of life. Love the patagonia–so yummy. The dogs have your number and they’ll be with you in your hour of need. Otherwise, keep up the funny posts and I look forward to hearing more! Good luck on finding the white backdrop–I know nothing about that stuff!
I was glad to see a post this evening. That scarf turned out beautiful, I still can’t believe how soft it is. The pictures look great too.
Yay for pretend! I like your hand studio – maybe you could try a piece of cardstock placed in horizontally touching the top and front of the box. Then you wouldn’t see the back corner from the box.
The scarf also looks lovely – that pattern was an excellent recommendation!
I don’t think I’ve commented before, but I found your blog after listening to you on the Pointy Sticks podcast. I think you, by the way, have a great voice for podcasting!
I’m so so sorry for what you’re going through right now. I can only imagine how hard it must be. You will get through this – one day at a time (and those days can seem like looooooooong days at times), but it will pass. I wish you much healing and peace. Stay strong.
P.S. The scarf is gorgeous!
I’ve heard nothing but really really nice things about the Malabrigo. We can’t get it locally here in SLC, but the skeins I have seen at SnB sure feel loverly! Enjoy. 🙂
You have got the right idea girl.
Hang in there, I’m glad to see you posting.
Shopping is soooo good for the soul, and Knitpicks.com
has a sale on their books 40% off so I picked up 2.
You might want to let your fingers do the walking.
Have Fun!
Like everyone said, it is great to see you posting. Your work has always been so inspirational, and that scarf is gorgeous! I just started lace knitting myself. Hang in there!
That scarf is absolutely beautiful, and I think I’ll have to get the mini-studio for my mother-in-law who does online auctions, etc. It’s good to have you back. I think “fake it till you make it” works; it got me through my own *boom* six years ago. To me, it’s not about denying painful experiences, but rather about appreciating all the wonderful people and things we have despite those moments of pain. Look to the sun and the shadows will fall behind. Just wear sunglasses 🙂
Ok, I have had it!! All of these positive things are fantastic, but being that I am EXTREMELY prego and your sis I can say, you know, it could be worse, you could be pregnant yourself and not have any ankles. K. Just Kidding kiss the puppies.
The scarf is gorgeous! The lace pattern looks like a woman lifting up her arms — in triumph, not surrender. 🙂
I love your mini-studio and will definitely check out that link.
catching up tonight after a trip to mickey mouse land;
love the scarf !