A New Year of Creativity… and a giveaway!
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Happy New Year! It’s been a while since I last posted. But, let’s face it- there’s not a lot of gardening going on in upstate New York right now! During the winter months, I use my extra time to work on some of my other hobbies. I have been on a knitting rampage lately. I took up knitting shortly after I became pregnant with my son, about five years ago. For some reason, the thought of knitting hats, blankets, and toys for my baby just really appealed to me. Since then, I’ve been what I call an “accessory knitter.” I stick to basic projects like hats, mittens, and the occasional baby blanket or stuffed toy. I like projects that I can tuck into my purse and finish in a timely manner. I think I have knitted nearly 50 hats since that first baby beanie. This year I decided to try out a capelet pattern that I found on ravelry.com (amazing website for knitters, btw). From there, I quickly fell in love with cowl scarves. I’ve knitted six in the past month! With the help of youtube, I have taught myself a bunch of new patterns and stitches that provide different textures. It’s becoming an obsession! What I love about knitting is very similar to what I love about gardening and cooking. It’s an opportunity to create something out of seemingly simple things and have a sensory connection to what I am doing.
When New Year’s Day rolls around, I like to evaluate my life and decide which parts need tweaking. I have spent the last few years making lists of resolutions that include goals that I feel would make my life happier. This year, I haven’t exactly made resolutions. I’m pretty satisfied with life as it is. Sure, I’d like to kick 5 pounds and exercise more. But, what is becoming more and more clear to me is how important it is to have hobbies that allow for creativity and satisfaction. When I take the time to escape to my garden, knit a scarf, or make a fabulous asparagus and lemon zest risotto (last night’s dinner), I am at my best. I gain personal fulfillment that spills over into the rest of my life. I’m happier around my husband and kids. I have more to talk about with friends. Needless to say, I am a huge advocate of hobbies. So, to encourage you to take on more hobbies of your own, I am offering up a giveaway! I just finished knitting a cowl scarf that taught me how to knit in a “honeycomb” pattern. Cowl scarves are great because they don’t require much fussing with. Throw it on over a t-shirt and/or tuck it in with your favorite wool coat, and you’re all set. We’re talkin’ handcrafted glamour here! To enter to win, all you have to do is leave a comment with your name and what hobby you’d like to pick up over this next year or even how you’d like to expand on an existing hobby. For example, I would like to learn to crochet this year and also build on my knitting skills by introducing new stitches. Maybe this is your year to finally bake bread from scratch, or hey, start a garden! Tell me about it and then do it! Happy New Year!
Here is a picture of the scarf that’s up for grabs. I will draw a winner randomly on January 13th!
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20 Responses and Counting...
BEAUTIFUL Jenny!! I saw Judi’s in person… and LOVE it!
Well as you know… I occupy my time with card making and scrap booking. I would like to expand on both of those and have a goal to get published!! (scrapbook layout)
I also want to stretch my knowledge of the kitchen. I am great at following recipes… but have “You know who” to compete with in our household. 😉
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I’m so impressed with your knitting! I’ve never tried it, nor do I know anything about it but I love it when people sport homemade beanies, scarves and mittens! And the little bunny you made for Liv was darling. I’m glad our other two hobbies align because I could talk to you for days and days about cooking and I love your gardening advice! I feel like this is cheating since it’s just expanding on my current hobby, but my New Year Resolution is to cook at least one recipe from every cookbook I own… and it will probably take me all year, but I’m already enjoying opening up old cookbooks! The scarf is beautiful – thanks for such a great giveaway!
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I really like this post and totally relate to you. I too, have too many hobbies and passions to keep up with, things that I absolutely love doing and while doing them, my heart is happy and at home. I love being creative, making things, being at home, and sharing the things/knits/food I make. So, we definitely have a few things in common! I spend most of my time baking at my work, cooking at home, and knitting at home when I can. I too am mostly an accessory knitter that loves a quick fix of a hat, a new pair of mittens, gloves, or slippers, or a new scarf. I am more of a product knitter rather than a project knitter… enjoy getting to the end product rather than enjoy a complex lengthy project. BUT, I do want to start making more sweaters (have done one), cardigans, shawls, etc. So I’d have to say that for the new year, I will keep on knitting but just be more productive with it and make some sweaters!! 🙂
I love how you said when you’re doing what you love to do, you are at your best and gain fulfillment that spills over into other areas of your life. Totally agree. Which reminds me, when the movie Julie and Julia came out (my fav) my hubby and I went to see it… He totally understood me more after seeing that movie. 🙂
p.s. you can find me/friend me on Rav as maidenmt if you’d like..
Cheers!
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Love the scarf!!! I would honestly like to learn how to knit. I used to crochet when I was younger, but obviously forgot how to do it. But, I love cooking and blogging and hope that one day it will be my (only) full time job!
Happy New Year!
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Cute scarf, great color! I just picked up sewing again. I learned as a child and got this sudden desire to see what I could make. So far only a couple Christmas stockings and coasters but my mom bought me everything I need to make a cute, simple skirt and I’m totally intimidated by it. So…we’ll see. Sewing, and of course cooking, which I have a love/hate thing with. It’s not my greatest passion but I love the accomplishment of putting something good on the table. BATF is definitely helping me come out of my shell…
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Love the scarf! I want it! This year I want to do much more blogging, photo taking, and writing. Although I don’t write as much as I want, I love writing for BATF so that helps satisfy that part of me. Also, the cooking for the blog has become really fun even though that’s the secondary reason I get satisfaction from it. I also just started crochetting a baby blanket which I haven’t done for years and I need to re-train myself in sticking it out even through the boring parts.
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Great post jenny! Do not include me in drawing but do agree with you on the happiness of making things/doing hobbbies. Do not think i need any new hobbies…just the resolution to finish what i’ve already started! Would love to try glass fusion or whatever it’s called where glass is heated and it sort of slumps together, though. Your cowl is beautiful. I think knitted patterns are so elegant. Once saw picture of a wedding ring shawl..knitted of such fune yard it could slip through a ring…that’s amazing!
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Love the cowl; I actually wish I could knit or crochet because I have an addiction to scarfs & beanie hats. My son is growing so quickly I would love to make little hats for him. I would also love a SLR camera and get more into photography again.
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I adore the color. It would look good on anyone. There’s nothing better than having a hobby where you are working with your hands. I hope to get more into planting. I have always been good about lots of mixed flower in planters during their season but wish to be better about keeping something growing all year round. If one thing’s starting to die I would love to have the seeds sprouted and to be ready for digging in the dirt. Everything from flowers to veggies to ornamental grasses. And of course, the more colorful the better!
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Love this post! I enjoy yoga and hope to make more of an effort at attending more classes this year. Such a pretty scarf! So impressed with your skills!
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This post is inspiring and makes me want to learn how to knit! I really like reading and need to make more time for it rather than watching tv or something. this scarf is super cute,i love it!
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i would love to learn how to scrapbook. i have tons of supplies, lots of pictures and momentos, and they are all sitting in a box.
madamerkf at aol dot com
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Great post and awesome scarf!! I am determined to start a garden this year! We have the backyard for it and I am so inspired by you and others I know that have wonderful gardens. I would also like to dust off my scrapbooking/cardmaking supplies but I have a feeling I may turn to snapfish for help with that! Happy New Year!! 🙂
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Jenny, that scarf is beautiful!!! Good work. 🙂
This year, I’m jumping into a few things. I just decorated my first cake (with the fancy frosting tips and Martha Stewart’s buttercream icing recipe . . . it’s to die for) and I’ve just started a photo book for Asher’s first year (the Photoshop geek’s version of scrapbooking, I think). In addition to a baby book deal, I think I’d like to do a book each year for our family so our family photos aren’t just sitting on my comp.
And in the spring . . . Justin and I are doing garden boxes in the backyard! I’m so excited.
I desperately want to pick up the cello, but something tells me that ain’t happening this year . . . 🙂
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Jenny love the scarf! Sorry Eileen but I really want it! I just spent this weekend setting up my new sewing area – Dave got me that new machine for Christmas so this year I am going to up my quilt game! Oh, and eat more veg’s less starch and by that I mean potatoes…bummer believe me I know. Keep up the great work Jen love the scarf! Love mom
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I would like to find time for a hobby. Any hobby. I feel like I am constantly behind on everything and will never catch up. I guess that’s a good enough reason to spend time on a hobby, since its impossible anyway. In that spirit, I would simply like to be able to enjoy some of the hobbies I already have. Mountain biking, running, cooking, reading, gardening…I used to do all of these things regularly. If I were going to pick up something new, I would love to learn to bake bread from scratch. There is nothing like homemade bread. I’m afraid of the yeast and the rising and the kneading though…I have it built up to be a big production! I probably just need to go for it!
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Wow..what a beautiful craft! I have always wanted to knit and even did some knitting when I was much younger but lately I haven’t been able to due to some joint issues. But I digress, I am a fine artist and take pictures for my work. This year I would really love to learn some basics of photography and in turn improve my art too.
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this is so pretty-my daughter would love it thanks
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Love the scarf! Pretty color!
This year I have a lot of goals, but as far as creative ones go, I am hoping to begin writing my children’s book series on insects of Florida. That, and finish the 46 item “to do list” fixing up my home.
Hope I win, we have a cold spell coming!
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Nice cowl! I esp like the one you were wearing NYE.
My hobby for this year is to get better at taking photos! I’ve gotten so many cute ideas from Pinterest and can’t wait to try them out.
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