Daily Grind

Everyday I find inspiration for my dyed yarns within the City that I love and now call home. Residing in Richmond Virginia, there are so many tempting sights to see between my home and my job. The colors of a city vary from state to state, but here in Virginia you don’t have to go far to find something beautiful. Virginia is the south and as a result there are a lot of red roofs, iron works, and stucco. Progress has been made and as a result there are many glass structures and large buildings trying to over take the simplicity and awesome of the original architecture. There are some green spaces within our city that provide lush greenery and explosions of color. I thought about the sights that I see as I travel to work each day. One of the sites that many times I take for granted is the Capitol building. The history of this building is amazing. The grandeur and pomp and ceremony cries out from every angle. Look at that grass. People come from miles, other states, and countries to visit this structure.

So, how does a white building provide inspiration? Glad you asked. It doesn’t, but the estate does. The grass is always the greenest, freshly manicured and never a bald spot seen. The flowers are rotated every two or three years allowing me to see a new color palate when this happens. During the fall season the changing of the leaves is so amazing, providing a range of reds, yellows, and greens compliments of nature. The building does cause me to pause and take full advantage of what I have the privilege to see every day. The amazing architecture.

Tomorrow on my walk home, I think I will take some photos of some of the new murals displayed in our downtown area. Now there’s some color for you. Enjoy your day. Stay cool – it keeps the yarn from sticking.

Knit with happiness, anger tightens the yarn.

Urban Girl Yarns

I’m back.

Recently, I had to stop blogging. Life! Well now I have renewed life and new energy and focus. I have started my own custom dyed yarn business. I never in a million years would have thought this was the direction I would go towards. Previously, for the last four years I thought all I wanted was my own brick and motor knitting shop. I went through all of the work. I took business classes, accounting classes, financial classes, but every time I went forward- no was what I got. Frustrating. So, I thought I would increase my work education. I took on some new task that others didn’t appear to want, but were needed. Low and behold, a federal job post was announced. Not only was I qualified, but over qualified. I prepared, planned, and took this interview with new confidence. I got it. Yahoo! Or so I thought. I found out the position was being dozen. This knocked me back a moment to say the least. I asked God, what do you want me to do! Am I finished? After walking around for quite sometime, with knitting needles always in hand I started looking at yarns for being posted for sale from other dyers. Some I liked an some I didn’t. I thought to myself, let’s see…. As a result, who knew, but GOD that one of the talents that he gave me I wasn’t even using. I have always been able to put colors together. In my home, as a seamstress, or as a knitter.

So, today I announce the birth of a new dream, URBAN GIRL YARNS. I can be reached at info@urbangirlyarns.com or check out my website at urbangirlyarns.com.

See you soon. Keep knitting, no matter what.

Renewed

I recently had to have surgery. I realized that as a mature woman how fortunate and blessed my life truly is. The only time I spent in a hospital prior to this episode was to give birth to my wonderful son, and that was some 30+ years.

During my long and extensive recuperation the only thing I could do or was allowed to do was sit and knit. Not wanting to ask for much because so many had already done so plenty, my love took me to a yarn shop, helped me up the stairs and sat patiently as I purchased yarn for the duration of my home captivity. I think she knew that was the only way to keep me still.

I knitted for the grandchildren, two special friends, my son, daughter- in- law, neighbor and almost anyone who looked my way. I just wanted to payback those that prayed, stayed and laid with me while I was in pain or recovering. As a result I think I completed over 10 items during an 8 week period and have 5 more to finish.

Friends and family are often neglected and under appreciated. But in a time of need the truly special ones always come to your aid. I wanted to take the time to say to all those who sustained me. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

With love and lots of knitting to go. Shelia

My reason for knitting

I have been away from my Blog this week due to the visitation of two of the most special people in the whole wide world, my grandchildren. I have to introduce them to you. The precious little girl is Akasha and the handsome boy is Exodus. I knit most of my items for them. Akasha is always wanting me to make her something special. I try to knit something new for her at least once a year. The sweater she has on in this picture is one of her favorites, she brings it everywhere. It’s much easier with a girl to knit special items. I normally go into the my local yarn store and find the  yummiest yarns and think of something cute and soft for her. She always what ever I make. My grandson is a little more challenging to knit for. His father told me that once, that when he was a child I knitted a sweater for him that I thought was awesome (it might have been my first venture into cable knitting) and that I chose (apparently) awful colors and it had a large white cable going down the middle of the sweater. I thought he looked really cute in the sweater, but I later found out that he would hide it in his locker prior to class starting in order not to get beaten up or teased by the other kids. 🙂 So, my challenge today is to knit for my grandson items that he will love and not be afraid to wear. I have found out that he loves my hats.

I sent him a box of items on his 6th birthday, clothes, toys and a hat. You know how grandmothers do we go all out for those little ones because they mean the world to us. When I asked him how he liked the gifts, all he wanted to know was “did you knit that hat for me Grandma?” That made my heart smile. So I knit often for them and it gives me a reason to justify buying more yarn.

So this weekend, I will  go to my local  yarn shop during my travels and purchase some yummy yarns. I think it’s time for two pairs of socks, one in bright colors for the princess of my life and the other one fit for a precious little boy.

Remember, No matter what, Keep Knitting. Until next time Shelia V.

Akasha and Exodus

Loving the City Life

Last Saturday, I had such a strong desire to go for a walk. Living in the urban area has advantages and disadvantages, one is that most areas have great sidewalks and areas that screams, “come visit me”. Many people can’t manage the never-ending stream of people, the special noises that only a city has and the beauty of the art, me I love the people, architect and visual art, ever-present in the city. I grew up in Chicago Illinois so you can imagine the amount of people who I got to interact with on any given day. I so loved going downtown, looking at all the buildings, experiencing the different foods and the amazing art.  Now as an adult I reside in Richmond Virginia. Not as big or vast as Chicago, but there are some really beautiful areas, especially downtown. I specifically chose to take residence in the downtown area of Jackson Ward when I sought out permanent residence. I still love all of the smells, sights and sounds of a metropolitan area. Richmond can in no way compare to a mega city like Chicago, but it has its own charm and elegance. I never really felt warm in the suburbs of any state I resided.

As an avid knitter, I crave inspiration for new designs. I take my cues from the visual elements around me. Everywhere I turn, I can see a series of  cable stitches, yarn overs, or ktogs (knitters know what this means) that will blow into a beautiful shawl or sweater. So, armed with my camera and comfortable walking shoes I set out on a beautiful Saturday to take pictures of the visual art around me. I took a stroll in the Canal area of Richmond and came upon some of the most beautiful pictures, that I just had to share them with you. I have walked or jogged through this Canal Walk hundreds of times in the past 11 years, but today it just looked awesome. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

As always, No matter what. Keep Knitting.

 

 

Torch Run

Today marks the start of the Torch Run for Special Olympics. I am one of the proud  fund-raiser for this oh so worthy event. For the past 27 years, hundreds of law enforcement officers throughout the State of Virginia have rallied together to carry the Torch of Hope across Virginia to it’s final destination. The final leg of the run results in a cadre of law officers taking the Torch to the University of Virginia stadium, signaling the start of the games.  Kids from all across the nation will get the opportunity to compete in some of the same event that Olympians in London will compete in. Every child is a winner at the Special Olympic games.

I will post pictures this evening soon. So, if you are in the Richmond area this afternoon and you see a cadre of law enforcement officers running, stop and give them a shout out for their efforts to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Bye for now. She-She Knits

My very first blog, but not my last

Hi everyone,

I’m so happy to meet each of you. This is my new blog page. Here you will find daily information that will hopefully make you laugh, think, and just ponder a thought or two. This site will mainly be about my daily knitting adventures. With that said, there will be discussions about God, love, running, and anything else that makes me smile and grow, especially if it relates to my ever growing stash of yarn.

I hope you enjoy my adventures in knitting and life. Feel free to join me in conversation or laughter, but keep it clean, gentle and none violent.

The Constant Knitter

Hello world!

This is my new blog. Please ” Like” it and follow me as I talk about like and knitting.

See you soon