Tina E. McCarty - Artist, or something like it...

the next picture in the story

2012-02-27T12:37:00.002-07:00

More from Class (the book) and update on Miss S's birthday gift...

2012-02-20T08:05:00.001-07:00

"The Rooster took a closer look, pecked at 'It' and crowed bossily, "Let's take 'It' inside to the farmer, before we get in trouble."

Yeah... I'm less than a month away from Miss S's birthday, I'm still on the first floor... which stands seven inches tall and about 24 inches wide, seven inches deep. Each inside room is a different color and there's even rugs in the floor (or tile pattern). I have the inside of the corner room left for the first floor, then I add structure to the bottom sub-floor.... then I add the ceiling. Then I work on the second floor (with turrets) and when everything is on the floor of it, I add it to the ceiling of the previous floor. Then I get to do the battlements. Oh, and she recently has ask that I make her furniture... ha ha ha.

"'It' was... shiny..."

2012-02-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

another drypoint print on copper, 5x7

It was a dark and stormy night, when the wind blew 'It' in..."

2012-02-14T08:11:00.003-07:00

Catching up on projects

2012-02-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

Guess I need to catch up on posting finished projects. I'm still working on Miss S's plastic canvas castle for her birthday (only a month left). In the down time from it, I've done some more knitting.

This Doll shirt (is supposed to be a dress) I made for Miss K's doll. I got the gauge correct for the width, but apparently the length was too short.

The Hood is Miss S's - now if she'll wear it... ha ha. Get a three year old to wear a hat, that's why I made a hood.

In the mean time - the printmaking studio is pretty much ready... you can see the printing press in the front and the new sink in the back. And so the semester begins...

It's not like I'm bored... I like to do things for others

2012-01-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

It's not like I'm bored... I like to do things for others... even if it's a puppy sweater for their pet. See how eloquently Miss E's puppy models it?

It's a pattern I found on Ravelry (a knitting and crochet pattern).

In my spare time...

2012-01-29T09:22:00.001-07:00

It's not like I have much spare time around here... the sorority keeps me on my toes. But, to keep my mind active I challenge myself to knitting, especially new patterns I've never tried before. Knitting only has two stitches in it, knit and purl, pretty simple right? Knitting is also full of math and trying to find solutions to make it fit the person you're making it for. Depending on what size needle one used you can make the same thing bigger or smaller... or do the same by changing the type of yarn used.

I've always loved the knitting t-shirty out there... "I knit, so I don't kill people" All though knitting brings me challenges and once in a while I get frustrated. The act of knitting brings me meditation. I can set and think and relax. I can relax in front of the TV - and not be idle. I'm producing something and accomplishing something in my life... even if it is just another sock or scarf. Hey honey, look what I did... and I'm still ok with the response of a raised eyebrow and a shake of the head. He knows it keeps me sane - it's my outlet.

In between projects, or just to take a break from already started project... or unfinished projects - commonly called UFO's - there are smaller projects calling to get done. And it doesn't help that the girls love what I make them (how long will that last, who knows?). I feel obligated to rotate projects for the girls, one for you - one for you, etc. So the littlest was without something lately, like a 6 month old really cares, but I don't want to start forgetting about her now. So, recently momma had to take a break from the Miss S birthday castle project (holding a tiny needle anymore makes my hand hurt, and yet knitting doesn't). Anyway - Miss E got herself a grow-into-a-bit booties. We've tried store bought sock... they don't last long on the feet. And I'm not going to waste any money buying shoes to keep the socks on.

I'm Over It - Molly Weasley Sweater is Done!

2012-01-25T12:49:00.001-07:00

Yes, That's right! I'm Over it. The Molly Weasley Sweater is Done! I used a worsted wool weight yarn, most was from my stash (extras left over) - the main body (pink), I got from Knit Picks. The Pattern is from Charmed Knits, the link takes you to Ravelry (a online knitting community)

Here's the picture:

Now on to the apron... must find a pattern... and time to sew it.

Why I'm a knitter and other stuff - updates on projects

2012-01-23T07:44:00.001-07:00

Continuing on working on the Molly Weasley sweater has justified my love of knitting and not crochet. The sleeves are crochet - and they're taking me forever.... I'm working on a row every time I set down, but I also want the sleeves to match. I'm using virgin wool (not acrylic or cotton). Mind you, I like to crochet - enjoy it. The texture is fun and there are more stitches than knitting's two. But I hold the tension string (the string that is worked from) in a different hand, but in the same what I knit... but for some reason, I am so much more tense or something because the following picture is what happens to me when I crochet...

I have yarn burn on my finger!

What I love about knitting are all the kids that are Miss K's friends. They think it's cool that I add something handmade/knitted in their birthday gifts (we go and let the girls pick out a toy too, not that crazy...). Last Saturday was such a day - and here's the day's worth of knitting to prove it...

And now back to that... Weasley sweater. May get it done today, may have to vacuum the house instead... priorities, priorities...

My little challenge

2012-01-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

This year I've challenged myself to start keeping an artist journal. Journal-ing and I don't get along, but as I have to do it for classes, I thought maybe if I start doing it on the side maybe we could be friends. I really was inspired to this challenge by a fellow blog I happened across... A Beautiful Mess. She has a few classes that she teaches on-line. The Journal Class is geared toward a page a week (or day), but it's at ones own speed... which mine is slow.

The only thing is, although I collect everything, I'm so stingy about using up my supplies - It's been dragging feet, doing the art part... so I've been writing on the topics, and describing in words the images I seen in my head, if I were to glue it down.

I've decided to put my ideas in the blog... just in case the paper/book/journal gets lost, damaged, or becomes one of the kids toy... however, I will not put down the "art" challenge that the class has - only my thoughts on the main topic. I'd feel bad about putting the art here, since that would defeat the purpose for her having her class.

So here it goes...

Daydreams:

I day dream about sleep - fluffy pillows in a light blue sky. It's not like I have a lot of time to day dream with taking care of 3 kids, 2 dogs and a husband... did I mentioned the fish? There are three. I also day dream about getting projects done, or what to start next, and when can time be more friendly toward my direction. I also daydream about travels to other countries, which will probably never happen, but I can dream. I also dream about reading and finishing a book in a timely fashion. Oh, and how an e-reader would be lovely... then I wouldn't have to hold a book and turn the pages - using both hands. I could use an e-reader while nursing the baby... oh, how lovely that would be - instead I just close my eyes for a cat-nap.

Current projects are - a small doll castle for Miss S's birthday in March.

And a Molly Weasley (Harry Potter) sweater for me... I figure if I'm going to knit crazy - I'll look the part.

It's a pink knitted sweater with really wild crochet sleeves. Molly wears it in Chamber of Secrets.

Fine, Here is Gary's sweater

2012-01-17T06:18:00.001-07:00

Baby It's Cold Outside

2012-01-17T05:48:00.000-07:00

It's only 9 degrees outside and I'm reminded to stay warm and toasty. And then I think about how glad I am a knitter and how my kids will forever stay warm and toasty if I am around.

These are little Miss K's new mittens and hat/scarf... Miss S now wants me to make her a set.

Here is a pair of sock for mom (not me, mom - but my mom)

And of course I've knitted a sweater for G - but do I have a picture of it yet...? somewhere, but I'm too lazy right now to try and find it.

Well, I am a blogging artist...

2012-01-11T12:03:00.001-07:00

let us see if this works.