Where the Sidewalk Ends

by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends.

Of Christmas Knitting and Perfect Roses

I never thought that I would say this, but I am making slippers for my friends this year. I started a pair of  Mary Jane slippers from the Slipper Suite pattern (July 2011 Creative Knitting) yesterday and am very happy with their progress. I will be attaching the applied i-cord to the slippers after both are done. The yarn I am using is Prism Saki, in the Cantina colorway. I did notice the pooling but the friend that I am making this pair for loves handmade items and I know that she won't mind. 

Aside from this new knitting adventure, I have nothing exciting to report. I did take this picture in my front yard today. I am not crazy about the rose bushes (they came with the house) and we don't really take care of them. However, I do enjoy a perfectly formed flower. 

Strolling in the Rain

I took a stroll in the rain today. I saw these mushrooms. It is hard to believe that they were not there a few days ago when I took the same walk with my daughter.

I really liked how the earth colors came out in these pictures. The different shades of green and brown that are so evident during days like this are often overshadowed (so to speak) when the days are sunny. I wanted the pictures to look lush, soft, and earthy. I chose the Float film with the Hipstamatic for this purpose; I also wanted to see if I could capture the same feeling with my regular camera.

I think I succeeded...

The following two pictures were taken with the John S lens and Float Film:

The following four pictures were taken with my normal camera and no manipulations:

This last picture was taken with the Jimmy lens and Float Film:

There's a First Time for Everything...

Today, I enjoyed taking pictures in the rain. Yes, enjoyed. This funny weather we are having gave me an excuse to take non-contrast pictures and to play around with the softer lenses and film on my virtual Hipstamatic:

I also enjoyed the gentle indoor shadows created by the light from the kitchen window. 

Of course, you can't expect me to forgo all color today...Here is my WIP Clapotis. I have finally started decreasing and it will soon be a FO (Finished Object). Yay!

Finally, I had this idea in my head to take a picture of  "musty books". The local library was having a warehouse sale today (pssst, they have great deals on books) and I thought I would take a look. These don't look so musty, I know...So many colors! How could I deny them their vibrancy?

Color Play

Light Play

Of Hail and Destashing

I took this picture today while it was hailing. Seriously, is it really June??

On a brighter note, if you are a fellow knitter/crocheter, please see my destash page. I will be posting more (probably sock yarn) during the next week...that's the plan anyway...so if there is anything else in my regular stash that you want, send me a PM and I'll see what I can do...

Here are some pictures of the yarn, in case you are curious: