Painterly Vest

Painterly Vest
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

i am working on knitting a pattern called "painterly vest", designed by jane thornley. it's a really fun pattern that allows for improvisation. this is just one of the 2 front pieces. i have finished them both now and have started on the back, you can see the jane's version and order her book and patterns on her website www.janethornley.com. i really like all of her patterns and her style in general. not to mention i like things where i can use whatever yarn strikes my fancy out of my hoard,

april beaded journal house

april beaded journal house
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

I finished the april house. this is one of my favorites. all the ones inspired by Vashon Island (my childhood home,) are my favorites. I incorporated shells, and driftwood that I found on Northwest beaches, and some purchased shel beads, plus freshwater pearls and copper charms and seed beads. beaded and hand quilted on batik from Bali.

april beaded house

april beaded house
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

this is my april beaded house so far. another piece inspired by my childhood island home. this piece incorporates shells and shell beads, some i collected myself on northwest shores, and small pieces of driftwood i collected. also seed beads and a copper starfish charm.

011208ac2

011208ac2
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

happy earth day. it is, so far anyway, clear and sunny. while i was walking to work a guy on his bike, from the sierra club, stopped me and gave me a little envelope that said "thank you for bikinh, bussing, or walking to work today!" inside were lots of coupons, for espresso, bus coupons for 2 local transit systems, etc. definately coupons i will use. it was kind of cool. anyway, it is earth day, and i love the idea of that, so i am going to try to have a good day today -- the last week has been a bit rocky. (i did not mention that in addition to my grandfather dying, my cat dangermouse was hit by a car and died. and then there was a falling out with my main social group, so all in all it has been a bit bleak. but today is earth day and it is beautiful out... so!)

rest in peace.

grandparentsweb
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

rest in peace.
John William Smith. b. 10-13-16 d. 4-21-08. (my grandfather.)
pictured with Ruth Alma Smith nee Jackson. b. 2-28-14. died --? 2000?

this picture of him, and my grandmother was taken in Dec 1978, the year they retired and sold the Jackson family farm.

from the Rensselaer Republican:

John William Smith
John William Smith, age 91, of Rensselaer passed away Monday, April 21, 2008 at Jasper County Hospital AlternaCare.

He was born on October 13, 1916 in Avena Township, Fayette County, Ill. to Carl P. and Mona R. (Morton) Smith.

John was a 1932 graduate of LaPlace (Illinois) High School. In 1956 he moved to Rensselaer from Westville. John was a farmer for 46 years. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Rensselaer, the Prairie Lodge No. 125 F & AM, Supreme Lodge No. 765, F.& AM and the Eastern Star, Remington Chapter.

On January 11, 1942 in Rensselaer he married Ruth Alma Jackson. She preceded him in death on September 29, 1999.

John is survived by three sons, W. Dean (Jennie) Smith, Everett, WA; Richard A.(Karen)Smith, Monon; David L. (Rose) Smith, Quitman, AR; and 1 daughter, Alice E. Smith, Rensselaer; as well as 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and 5 brothers, Nyle (Phyllis) Smith, Fresno, Calif.; Donald Smith, San Marcos, Texas; C.P. (Maxine) Smith Jr., Morrisonville, Ill.; William (Joan) Smith, St. Louis, Mo.; Larry (Joan) Smith, Houston, Texas.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth and one brother.
The family will receive friends at Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer from 3 to 8 p.m. with Masonic Services at 7 p.m. April 23.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. April 24 at the Jackson Funeral Chapel with Pastor John Hostetter officiating. Interment will follow at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. Memorials may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church.

taos shawl

taos shawl
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

the taos shawl is now done except for the finishing. i am going to crochet a border and probably add some bead tassels in a couple spots. it has not really been blocked, so some of it looks a bit wonky here. or possible there are some mistakes but i am trying to let the beautiful colors distract me from those.

april house

april house
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

yesterday morning i gathered supplies for the april beaded house. it is to have a beach theme -- another autobiographic piece about my childhood island home.

i got a start on things while watching dvds yesterday, i will show you my progress soon.

regarding the dvds:
Juno: i give a wholehearted two thumbs up. original and quirky story, direction, music, casting, and acting.
Nancy Drew: it had it's moments. and then it had its other moments. i think i could have polished up that script if they asked -- for some reason they didn't. puzzling.