Sunday, December 28, 2014

A Prayer for Today the First Sunday After Christmas (28-December-14)



Almighty God,
who wonderfully created us in your own image
and yet more wonderfully restored us
through your Son Jesus Christ:
grant that, as he came to share in our humanity,
so we may share the life of his divinity;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Prayer Credit / Image Credit

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Happy Christmas!



Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough.

At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers—a vast heavenly choir. They praised God.

To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God!
And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God!
Luke 2:10-14

Happy Christmas to you and yours! xx

Sunday, December 21, 2014

A Prayer for Today the Fourth Sunday of Advent (21-December-14)



Good and gracious Lord, as we meet together to worship you, we pray that you will grant us a glimpse of your glory so that we may rejoice in your presence and abide in your peace.
As the end of Advent nears, as the days grow shorter and the winter solstice approaches in the Northern Hemisphere,
as the trees stand bare and beautiful against the winter sky,
reminding us that death comes before new life,
we join our hearts and voices with Mary, as she sings,
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

Mary’s song echoes across the ages, O God,
reminding us again and yet again that your call to us is continual,
that your compassion for us is never-ending, that your love for us - for all of your beloved children in every place - is limitless.

O God our Sovereign, we know that you look with special compassion upon the poor,
the needy,
the lonely,
the outcast,
the refugee,
the political prisoner,
wherever they may be in this beleaguered world.

Fill us with the knowledge that you expect us,
the rich,
the haves,
to reflect that same compassion and caring, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.
Keep us honest, Holy One, in our service and in our living, that our lives may be true reflections of the One whose name we claim and bear.

We pray that you will come into our lives at this time to turn us all again to you: to help to see ourselves as we really are and to remove from each one of us all that is unworthy so that we may truly share in your kingdom and know the joy of your loving presence.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help us to be mindful, Loving God, of the ways in which our daily choices as individuals, as nations, impact the rest of our sisters and brothers around this incredible planet.

Lord Jesus, we pray that you will prepare us for your coming into the world:
that in these difficult economic times you will drive away despair from our politics
that you will revive our dreams of justice and restore our passion for what is right, good and true.

Open our hearts to the reality of climate change, impacted by our continued dependency on fossil fuels, and our self-centered unwillingness to reduce our demand or change our comfortable style of living. Open our eyes to the ongoing loss of living species, lest we consider our human selves superior to the other forms of life around us.

May your love motivate our care for this neighbourhood and for the wider community and help us all to play a part in helping to overcome the social ills that drag so many into despair.

Too often we have been silent and missed opportunities to share with others the message of love which you brought into the world and we ask that you will give us all an unquestioning faith, the deep faith of Mary and show us a new way to live, so that, with your forgiveness and with an awareness of your presence, we can truly claim to follow you in thought and word and deed.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

As we confess our failures, Loving God, breathe into us
the strength,
the wisdom,
the willingness
to stand in solidarity with those working for freedom and justice and peace throughout the world.
Help us to set aside our differences and unite our hearts and hands in the task of rebuilding a world in which there will be no more hunger,
no more needless illness or death,
no more denigration of another due to race or religion, gender or age or sexuality,
but rather the celebration of our shared humanity as your created children.

Lord Jesus, as we complete this last hectic week before the celebration of your birth, we pray that you will give us eyes to search the face of the stranger and there see your face. Give us the sensitivity to hear the doubt and hesitation and with that person share their confusions and concerns. There are those whom we know who are ill at this time; in despair or struggling to handle their pain. We pray for them now for you come through us to them. We now name them and love them in our hearts…. What we have promised in love and prayer let us never forget to do.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

And as we go deep within our hearts in prayer,
as we lift our voices and rededicate our lives,
may we say with Mary,
Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be according to your word.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, Our Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

A Prayer for Today the Third Sunday of Advent (14-December-14)



O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever,
Amen.

Prayer Credit

Sunday, December 7, 2014

A Prayer for Today the Second Sunday of Advent (7-December-14)



O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power
and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever,
Amen.

Prayer Credit

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Post In Which I Check In For October + November 2014

My apologies for not posting my check in last month. As some of you know, I participated in the NaKniSweMo (National Knit a Sweater in a Month) again this year in November and on 1-November when I would normally post my check-in, I was instead madly casting on my sweater. So, this time, I'll be checking in on how October + November went with my goals for the year.

So, let's have a look at my 2014 goals progress:

~Keep a daily journal.
Continuing to stay strong with this goal and in fact, I'm converting others to the Bullet Journal system I'm using. If you haven't checked the system out, you definitely should! I'm loving the changes I made in October and I'm keeping those changes for now. Yesterday, I actually set up my Bullet Journal for every day for the rest of the year. That gave me a good overview of the busy days ahead in December.

~Continue keeping a list of the eucharisteo/gifts/joys/Thanksgivings in my life.
I'm doing this in my daily journal. I'm over 3,900 total and I just made it to 1,000 for 2014 this past Saturday.

~Read at least one non-fiction book each month of 2014. ~ completed this goal and continuing to read more books
1 ~ Girl Meets God: On the Path to a Spiritual Life by Lauren Winner ~ completed 5-January-2014
2 ~ Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life by Nancy Sleeth ~ completed 18-January-2014
3 ~ In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl Honore ~ completed 9-February-2014
4 ~ Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider ~ completed 16-March-2014
5 ~ Confessions of a Prayer Slacker by Diane Moody ~ completed 4-April-2014
6 ~ The Knitter's Life List: To Do, To Know, To Explore, To Make by Gwen W. Steege ~ completed 3-May-2014
7 ~ The Organized Kitchen: Keep Your Kitchen Clean, Organized, and Full of Good Food-and Save Time, Money, (and Your Sanity) Every Day! by Brette Sember ~ completed 17-May-2014
8 ~ I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't): Making the Journey from "What Will People Think?" to "I Am Enough" by Brene Brown ~ completed 29-June-2014
9 ~ The Yarn Whisperer by Clara Parkes ~ completed 9-July-2014
10 ~ Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World by Tsh Oxenreider ~ completed 22-July-2014
11 ~ Junia Is Not Alone by Scot McKnight ~ completed 28-July-2014
12 ~ Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray and Still Loving My Neighbor by Jana Riess ~ completed 10-August-2014
13 ~ The Seasons on Henry's Farm: A Year of Food and Life on a Sustainable Farm by Terra Brockman ~ completed 6-September-2014
14 ~ Creating Space: The Case for Everyday Creativity by Ed Cyzewski ~ completed 9-September-2014
15 ~ Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis by Lauren F. Winner ~ completed 25-September-2014
16 ~ Bourgeois Babes, Bossy Wives, and Bobby Haircuts: A Case for Gender Equality in Ministry by Michael F. Bird ~ completed 7-October-2014
17 ~ Chicks Dig Time Lords: A Celebration of Doctor Who by the Women Who Love It by Lynne M. Thomas and Tara O'Shea ~ completed 21-October-2014
18 ~ 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life by Matthew Sleeth ~ completed 4-November-2014
19 ~ The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown ~ currently reading

~I plan to continue sharing about the creative part of my life which includes knitting, spinning, and designing patterns on a month to month basis here on my blog. Hopefully that will include sharing about designing at least six knitting patterns, knitting at least two sweaters for myself, knitting at least six pairs of socks for myself, spinning at least five batches of fiber, knitting several preemie hats to donate to charity, and who knows what else!
So far, I've completed:
*Design Projects ~ 7
*Cowls ~ 6
*Gloves ~ 2
*Hats ~ 37 (36 of them are preemie hats for charity)
*Shawls ~ 5
*Socks ~ 25 (6 are new designs, 7 of them are for me, 12 are gifts)
*Sweaters ~ 3 (1 is a gift)
*Washcloths ~ 5
*Misc. Items ~ 3
*Spinning ~ 5
TOTAL ~ 91 projects completed in 2014

In progress are:
*Shawl ~ 1
*Socks ~ 3

Details are below.



Finished Projects
2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #28, 2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #29, 2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #30, 2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #31, 2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #32, 2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #33, 2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #34, 2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #35, + 2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #36 ~ From my own free pattern Top Down Preemie Hat. Knit on US6 (4mm) needles with various yarns + colourways (you can go to the page for each hat to see the details). Our knitting group, the Town Mouse Knitting Club, knit hats earlier in the year to donate and I decided to continue making 1 per week to donate later.




Edina Mitts ~ From my friend Clare Devine's pattern, Edina. Knit on US4 (3.5mm) needles with Eden Cottage Yarns Whitfell DK in the Fuschia colourway. I needed a new pair of fingerless mitts as they are definitely a necessity for Edinburgh Autumns. The yarn is 100% alpaca and it's so soft and squishy. I adore how these turned out.




The Hubs Needs More Hand-Knit Socks v2.0 ~ From my normal vanilla sock recipe with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel. Knit on US1.5 (2.5mm) needles with West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply in the Owl colourway. The Hubs loved his first pair of handknit socks and asked for another pair. He's really enjoying this pair too! It was a surprise to us that the yarn was self-striping, but I really love how they look.




How Can My Baby Be 15? Birthday Socks ~ From my normal vanilla sock recipe with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel. Knit on US1.5 (2.5mm) needles with sparkleduck Galaxy in the Out of Darkness colourway. I've knit birthday socks for several of my favourite people this year, so I couldn't leave my baby girl out (side note - how in the world is she 15!!!!!! She was just born yesterday. Sigh!). I found this yarn at Yarndale (a fibre festival that I attended in September) and instantly knew it was the perfect one for Damaris. She asked for socks with a shorter leg so that's what she got.




Gothic Lace Cowl ~ From the Gothic Lace Cowl pattern by tincanknits. Knit on US8 (5mm) needles with Bluebonnet Fibers Somebody to Love (this was handspun for me by my sweet friend Rebecca). This was a very special skein of yarn that needed the perfect pattern. I'm so in love with how this turned out. I added adorable pink polka dotted buttons to it. In my opinion, the yarn was perfect for this project.




Baby Vertebrae for Baby Isaac Kidwell ~ From the Baby Vertebrae pattern by Kelly Brooker. Knit on US4 (3.5mm) + US6 (4mm) needles with Marta's Yarns Metro in the Orange colourway. Our sweet friends Jeremy and Katy are adopting a baby brother for sweet Noah. I wanted a quick knit to have something ready for when Isaac is born and then I have plans to knit a different pattern for him to wear next autumn and winter. This is a fabulous pattern that is meant to just cover the back and arms leaving the front open to try to avoid spills on the sweater. I have plans to knit the Mama Vertebrae option for myself.




Super super super super super super secret project DWCSC-2-2 ~ this is the second pattern for the Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - 2nd Edition




Amazing Autumnal Socks ~ From my normal vanilla sock recipe with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel. Knit on US1.5 (2.5mm) needles with Laal Bear Bounce Sock/4ply in the Coneflower colourway. I decided that I needed a pair of autumnal socks for myself. This yarn is from Yarndale (a fibre festival that I attended in September) and I love the fun polka dots that the yarn made unintentionally.




NaKniSweMo 2014 Miranda ~ From the Miranda pattern by Josée Paquin. Knit on US6 (4mm) + US8 (6mm) needles with Brigantia Luxury Yarn Aran in the Chartreuse colourway. This is my 2nd year to participate in NaKniSweMo (National Knit a Sweater in a Month). I've had this pattern in my queue for awhile and I decided it was the perfect choice for NaKniSweMo. The yarn - this colour is not my normal colour (hello pink!), but it has been calling to me for months now. Every time I popped into our lys Ginger Twist Studio, the colour said, "C.C., you must buy me!". I finally gave in and I'm so in love with how my sweater turned out. It took me 17 days to knit and it is 50,150 stitches total. I want to wear it every single day, I'll just wear a different colour t-shirt under it every day, that'll work right? I actually wore it 3 times last week. LOL!




TMK Christmas Ornament Exchange ~ From the Mini Sweater Ornament with Cables pattern by Emily5446. Knit on US1.5 (2.5mm) needles with West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply in the Owl colourway. This is for our knit night group Christmas party next week, we have an ornament exchange as part of the party.





Current Works in Progress
*Shawl ~ Neon Beast - this is a gorgeous shawl pattern that I'm knitting with some amazing yarn gifted to me by Emily of Rainbow Heirloom and my friend Sam as a birthday gift
*Socks ~ Super super super super super super secret project DWCSC-2-3 - this is the 3rd pattern I'm designing for the Doctor Who Companion Sock Club - 2nd Edition + Super super super super super super secret project Outlander Socks - this is a pattern I'm designing inspired by the Outlander books and tv series (neither is safe for the under 18 crowd) for a kit I'm doing with Julia of Pandia's Jewels + Cold Feet No More Christmas Socks - just some plain vanilla Christmas socks for me



2014 Completed Projects:



Design Projects
*Spoilers Socks (Doctor Who Inspired) ~ completed 1-March-2014 ~ this pattern which was inspired by Doctor Who's River Song was exclusively released to members of the Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - First Edition on 25-July-2014 and will be available for the general public to purchase on 18-January-2015 on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spoilers-socks-doctor-who-inspired

*Come Along Pond Socks (Doctor Who Inspired) ~ completed 30-March-2014 ~ this pattern which was inspired by Doctor Who's Amy Pond was exclusively released to members of the Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - First Edition on 25-August-2014 and will be available for the general public to purchase on 18-February-2015 on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/come-along-pond-socks-doctor-who-inspired

*Soufflé Girl Socks (Doctor Who Inspired) ~ completed 26-April-2014 ~ this pattern which was inspired by Doctor Who's Clara Oswald was exclusively released to members of the Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - First Edition on 25-September-2014 and will be available for the general public to purchase on 18-March-2015 on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/souffle-girl-socks-doctor-who-inspired

*Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl 2014 Socks - Pair One ~ completed 25-May-2014 / Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl 2014 Socks ~ Pair Deux ~ completed 11-June-2014 ~ this pattern was released on Wednesday, 18-June-2014, just in time for the first Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl on Saturday, 21-June-2014, it is available to purchase on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/indie-burgh-yarn-crawl-2014-socks

*Nice to Meet You Rose (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) ~ completed 17-August-2014 - this pattern which was inspired by Doctor Who's Rose Tyler was exclusively released to members of the Doctor Who Companions Sock Club ~ Second Edition (Winter 2014/2015) on Tuesday, 25-November-2014 and will be available for the general public to purchase on 18-May-2014 on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nice-to-meet-you-rose-doctor-who-inspired-socks

*Super super super super super super secret project DWCSC-2-2 ~ completed 8-November-2014 - this is the first pattern for the Doctor Who Companions Sock Club - 2nd Edition



Cowls
*Casu Cowl ~ completed 7-February-2014
*Sweetness Cowl ~ completed 15-March-2014
*Sowing the Seeds Cowl ~ completed 30-March-2014
*Cantaloop ~ completed 29-May-2014
*Sowing the Seeds Cowl 2 ~ completed 8-June-2014
*Gothic Lace Cowl ~ completed 28-October-2014



Gloves
*Urban Necessity Gloves ~ completed 23-January-2014
*Edina Mitts ~ completed 7-October-2014



Hats
*Take A Bow Hat ~ completed 14-January-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #1 ~ completed 7-April-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #2 ~ completed 11-April-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #3 ~ completed 17-April-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #4 ~ completed 23-April-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #5 ~ completed 30-April-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #6 ~ completed 7-May-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #7 ~ completed 20-May-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #8 ~ completed 21-May-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #9 ~ completed 28-May-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #10 ~ completed 4-June-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #11 ~ completed 11-June-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #12 ~ completed 18-June-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #13 ~ completed 20-June-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #14 ~ completed 22-June-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #15 ~ completed 6-July-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #16 ~ completed 6-July-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #17 ~ completed 17-July-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #18 ~ completed 24-July-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #19 ~ completed 30-July-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #20 ~ completed 6-August-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #21 ~ completed 15-August-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #22 ~ Completed 24-August-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #23 ~ Completed 31-August-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #24 ~ completed 7-September-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #25 ~ completed 14-September-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #26 ~ completed 21-September-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #27 ~ completed 28-September-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #28 ~ completed 5-October-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #29 ~ completed 12-October-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #30 ~ completed 19-October-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #31 ~ completed 26-October-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #32 ~ completed 2-November-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #33 ~ completed 9-November-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #34 ~ completed 16-November-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #35 ~ completed 23-November-2014
*2014 Top Down Preemie Hat #36 ~ completed 30-November-2014



Shawls
*2014 Ravellenics Leftie ~ completed 21-February-2014
*Stripey Hitchhiker ~ completed 2-July-2014
*Endless Rainbow ~ completed 27-August-2014
*Round, Round, Get Around Shawl - DK Version ~ completed 5-September-2014
*Round, Round, Get Around Shawl - 4-Ply Version ~ completed 20-September-2014



Socks
*True Love Socks ~ completed 20-January-2014
*2014 Ravellenics Ãœber Vanilla Socks ~ completed 18-February-2014
*Spoilers Socks (Doctor Who Inspired) ~ completed 1-March-2014
*Come Along Pond Socks (Doctor Who Inspired) ~ completed 30-March-2014
*Soufflé Girl Socks (Doctor Who Inspired) ~ completed 26-April-2014
*The Hubs 40th Birthday Socks ~ completed 28-April-2014
*Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl 2014 Socks - Pair One ~ completed 25-May-2014
*Birthday Socks for Jeremy ~ completed 26-May-2014
*Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl 2014 Socks ~ Pair Deux ~ completed 11-June-2014
*Phalanges for Noah ~ completed 13-June-2014
*Tetius for Noah ~ completed 16-June-2014
*Planum for Genevieve ~ completed 24-June-2014
*Mix Match Leftover Socks for Genevieve ~ completed 28-June-2014
*Birthday Socks for Lola ~ completed 5-July-2014
*Birthday Socks for Wyatt ~ completed 14-July-2014
*Birthday Socks for Waylon ~ completed 16-July-2014
*#TheAlmonsTakeLondon Socks ~ completed 19-July-2014
*It's Not Magic, It's a Sock Blank! Socks ~ completed 29-July-2014
*Birthday Socks for Katy ~ completed 19-August-2014
*Nice to Meet You Rose (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) ~ completed 17-August-2014
*#KiltMeNowKAL Socks ~ completed 27-September-2014
*The Hubs Needs More Hand-Knit Socks v2.0 ~ completed 11-October-2014
*How Can My Baby Be 15? Birthday Socks ~ completed 27-October-2014
*Super super super super super super secret project DWCSC-2-2 ~ completed 8-November-2014
*Amazing Autumnal Socks ~ completed 17-November-2014



Sweaters
*Delancey Cardigan ~ completed 25-May-2014
*Baby Vertebrae for Baby Isaac Kidwell ~ completed 28-October-2014
*NaKniSweMo 2014 Miranda ~ completed 17-November-2014



Washcloths
*Washcloths for Stormageddon - Doctor Who The Angels Have the Blue Box ~ completed 1-January-2014
*Washcloths for Stormageddon - Doctor Who Cyberman ~ completed 3-January-2014
*Washcloths for Stormageddon - Doctor Who Bowties are Cool ~ completed 5-January-2014
*Washcloths for Stormageddon - Doctor Who Don't Blink Dishcloth ~ completed 6-January-2014
*Washcloths for Stormageddon - I Heart Heart Doctor Who Dishcloth ~ completed 7-January-2014



Misc. Items
*Garter Stitch Headband ~ completed 2-January-2014
*My Cane Didn't Want to Be Naked Anymore 2 ~ completed 4-July-2014
*TMK Christmas Ornament Exchange ~ completed 26-November-2014



Spinning
*Third Spinning Project ~ completed 3-February-2014
*2014 Ravellenics Pink Punis ~ completed 21-February-2014
*The Border Tart Merino and Tussah Silk ~ completed 6-May-2014
*The Border Tart Nine Pinkish Bumps ~ completed 18-July-2014
*Chocolate Brown Unknown Fibre ~ completed 27-July-2014





As always, find all my completed projects plus what's currently on my needles on Ravelry:


And you can also find all my knitting pattern designs (those available for purchase and some freebies as well) on Ravelry:


Thanks for journeying with me during 2014! I'll talk to yall next month with an update on my progress for December.