I am gobsmacked that all this color! This amazing home in the Netherlands belongs to Kim and her family. As you can see I had a hard time choosing which images to use in this post, so grabbed a sampling from her Instagram.
Apparently she just started her blog on March 15th, but has been posting on Instagram for a couple years. Follow her feed and it’s guaranteed to brighten your days… even the gloomiest of them.
If you know me at all, you know I am happiest at home. But even a self-proclaimed homebody can get a little squirrelly when home becomes both work place and sanctuary for an indefinite amount of time.
I have always been good at entertaining myself, and these days I’ve been happily starting new knitting projects, cooking, and hope to get my vegetable garden ready for transplants.
When this is all over and we all return to at least a bit of normalcy, I hope to report that my garden has been started, I’m halfway finished with the shawl I just started, and I’ve finally finished the plaid shawl that’s been on my loom for a year. Yes, a year. Maybe longer. Definitely longer.
It will come as no surprise that I’m spending a fair amount of time knitting. I’m knitting up all these sock yarn ends into a mash up of a Find Your Fade and the semi circle shawl recipe on this PDF.
I am loving the comforting garter stitch of this simple 4 row pattern. I love watching a project grow from 3-4 stitches and become massive wraps. It’s so satisfying.
Here are a couple ideas for keeping your hands busy and your spirit light these days.
Rewatching all three seasons of The Detectorists last week was just the sweet, slow moving non-action I needed at the end of each day while I knit.
I’ve always just balled them up and stuffed them in the linen closet, and felt it must be some sort of witchery that gave people the power to fold these nicely. This video makes it seem so simple.
I seriously don’t know why everyone does not knit. Aside from all the lovely hats, shawls, sweaters, and blankets, it is meditative and calming. Even for those that are nearby.
I love having a project with me when waiting for an oil change, an appointment, or a flight, or just need a break from staring at my computer screen. Ask any knitter how much they love airport and in flight knitting. It’s the best.
Don’t wait, knit.
I taught myself to knit with the modern knitter’s bible Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook before there were thousands of YouTube how to videos. Search there for help or sign up for a free two week trial of Bluprint, and learn from one of their many classes.
I’ve been a longtime fan of Skillshare. I’ve taken classes on everything from email marketing to hand lettering.
Ashley Smith and her husband Kyle opened The Clever Tiger on June 14th, 2018. Their vision is to serve, inspire, and lead in the growth and sustainment of the art community. In less than two years it has become a natural community hub for art events and art activities for adults and children.
Ashley is a painter and ceramic sculpture artist. Her husband Kyle is a custom framer and woodworker. They live near downtown Elgin with their three daughters.
I grew up in Elgin, moved away, and then moved back 2 different times. In total, I have lived in Elgin for about 20 years but only started getting to know the community after opening the local gallery. Before this, I spent so much time commuting that I was never able to spend time enjoying Elgin. As a child, my parents commuted to Austin for work, I went to primary school in Round Rock, and as an adult, I traveled to Austin and San Antonio for work and college.
Creating is the one talent that I have always been confident of. Before creating art full-time, I helped create products, projects, business plans, etc. I find that teaching actually propels my creating by forcing consistent practice and designing lesson plans for a variety of ages and skill levels.
Children are the most creative souls around and if we do not nurture this creativity, they are in danger of losing it.
If you tap into your deepest emotions and “failures”, creating leads to inspiration and deeper thought for others.
You can only grow if you push boundaries and try something you never have before.
Currently, I am working on a painting series of old Elgin, Texas buildings, a new portrait series, and beginning work on my next solo exhibition (re-defining the works of masters.) While painting, I mostly listen to Thom Yorke, Mars Volta, and anything that help tap into the vibe of the specific piece.
Pie. I prefer homemade pie to any cake in existence. I love making apple pie, and wish blueberry was much more prevalent.
@artby_ashsmith
theclevertiger.com
@theclevertiger
Bean & Noodle 