Adventure Bound Designs

Where Women Create did not call me for an interview.

/ Whitney / Leave a comment

Are you familiar with the magazine “Where Women Create” ? It’s a gorgeous publication that features the Working studios of creative entrepreneurs. There is art and story and it’s absolutely stunning. The pages of each publication are substantial and inspiring. This is not that kind of post. Ha! This post is about carving out a little hamlet inside what you have and making it feed your creative practice.

I am always fascinated with where people work and what their creative space looks like. How does where we practice creativity inhance the process? There are yarn rooms, and offices, knitting nooks full of books and UFOs. I thought I would share some images of my creative space that a few of you might have gotten a glance of during a Twisted Stitches Episode with Paulette of KnittyGrittyYarnGirl.

Now this is not a grand room with a cozy chair and coordinated decorations. This is the laundry room in my house. Its also serves as a pass through to a lower level living room. I share it with my daughters, so it is not just for knitting and professional pursuits. It’s not glamorous, but there is a counter hight desk area where I can do zoom classes and guest appearances on shows. I also stand and sew on that desk space when I have time to get out my quilting supplies.

Sometimes the dog even ends up on the desk. Hi Poppi! There is paint on the counter that reminds me of my sweet Emaleigh who, like me, always has a project going. There are boxes of Friendly Loom Loops for making pot holders, buckets of pearler beads, baskets of ribbon and zippers. Shoe boxes of buttons and a rainbow of cotton thread. Dig even deeper in the cabinets and there is 100+ skeins of DMC floss and half stitched cross stitch projects. A collection of needlepoint and all of the stationary for every occasion with corresponding festive stamps.

The real fun is on the opposite wall. There are three Billy book cases from IKEA with the glass doors. I love these. They guard and display a rainbow variety of yarns for every type of knitting project, provided you want wool… there is one that is full of quilt cotton and apparel fabric that is woefully not given nearly enough attention.

Down at the end near the closet of doom, stands my croque sporting a favorite finished sweater near a photo copy of my diploma from Mary Baldwin College. Below which is an LLBean Boat-n-Tote of all my Juniper Moon Farms Patagonia leftovers. I use that tote quite a bit. The floors are hand painted and might be my favorite part of the whole room. The checkerboard pattern is playful and bright. It makes my day every time I see it.

I don’t do any actual knitting in this space. I work here. I plan here. I make phone calls and send emails, I grade patterns and check my math. It is a happy place that makes the harder parts of work a little bit easier. I finish projects here, steam block on the ironing board or soaking in the utility sink. I pack up trunk shows or ship sample skeins out from this spot.

What about you? Do you have a dedicated crafty space? I would love to hear all about it.

Winter Ramblings

/ Whitney / Leave a comment

On my walk today I happened to make the trek past Prescott Park, a beautifully scenic area on the waterfront in Portsmouth, NH. There are four very distinct areas of the park – the old port, which is a deep stone walled slip with a tree lined green and fountain that host the summer music and arts, the fenced garden that is one of the most romantic garden spots in the summer months. If i were not married, I would hope that someone would propose there in that garden. It has a beautiful Japanese Maple that adds to the elegance. It is so special and small and beautifully picturesque. Then there is the dock where the Gundalow is moored, and finally an open colonial garden that speaks to my inner child. Its very structure reminds me of Carters Grove and Colonial Williamsburg. It is planted each yarn with the most beautiful variety of flowers by the lovely folks at the Strawbery Banke Museum. Here… Take a look…

Yeah… today it doesn’t look like the beauty it becomes in the height of summer. Right now it is tucked in, and preparing for warmer days. I feel like that is what we knitters and makers do in the winter. We collect our stash, tuck in with warm drink and look forward to spring thaw. Winter is my favorite for that very reason.

I love winter best because it is full of potential. We can work toward the things we want later in the year. We can plan and prepare. We have an excuse to stay home and knit or sew. And we can dream of spring blooms, farmers markets and baby chicks. And why not? Dreaming is some of the best part of the making process. Dreaming and the using of the final garment or accessory. Sometimes the making is just so tedious. This really is why we have so many WIPS… right?

So with the dream of spring in mind, here is a picture of the Prescott Park gardens in bloom.

I happen to take pictures of my Bouquet Bag at Prescott park this past June. The gardens were not in full bloom in June like they were in the photos above… those were taken in September. The seasons here in New England confuse my native southern mind. By September everything in the south is burnt to a crisp from the heat and turning brown. That’s why we are so ready for Pumpkin spice and orange Autumn tones. But I have let the seasons run away with me. Back to planning for spring: Now seems like the perfect time to cast on a bouquet bag or two. It would be a great Easter basket that could easily become a family heirloom. It is sturdy enough to fill with Easter grass and treats, but washable and unbreakable enough to be safe at the local Easter egg hunt.

So as I sit here at home, waiting for more snow to fall. If my current knitting causes me any more fits, I’ll just cast on a Bouquet Bag and dream of those beautiful spring days to come.

Summer Part One

/ Whitney / Leave a comment

How are we already half way through the warm months??

While you won’t hear me complain about colder months, I do have to say I love the slower pace of hot summer months. It seems to be acceptable to step back and examine your daily practices and make necessary changes to be happier, healthier and fulfilled. In that slower pace it seems to leave room for creativity to bloom. Have you taken a vacation, staycation or even just a home town tour this summer as a little break?

Enjoying the slower pace is just what I did over the last three weeks, AFTER the industry trade show H+H in Chicago at the end of June.

The Japanese yarn brand NORO. A lush display of colorful and vibrant projects for Fall 2023.

H+H is a German run craft industry trade show, and as an account representative for Knitting Fever Inc. I had the pleasure of working the company booth at the show this year in Chicago. It was the busiest 4 days I have experience since the pandemic. It was an absolute pleasure to get to spend time reconnecting with colleagues, customers and friends as well as meeting new folks from my current region in New England. I came home exhausted and full of ideas. I think all the energy alone is what planted a seed for my recent creativity.

Do you see that Janine is tucked back in the corner as we set up the beautiful garment displays. Hi Janine!

Speaking of creativity, I am so excited to share the fruits of my creative streak with you later this month. If you are interested in learning more subscribed below for the latest details delivered directly to your inbox including exclusive content, patterns and upcoming event details.

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As far as new designs go, those are starting to show up on Ravelry as well as on Instagram.

Here is a snap of us visiting York Beach and my latest published design – Lobstah Sweater – It’s such a special piece for me, It deserves a lobster centric post!!