Immanuel

For several reasons, this has been the most stressful holiday season I've experienced in years. And I haven't liked it one bit. Since Thanksgiving, a small voice inside of me has been repeating one word over and over again. "Focus, focus."

"If I could only focus before Christmas day gets here," has been my urgent thought. And then it happened. While listening to Handel's "Messiah," I heard what I needed to hear.

"Immanuel, God with us."

I reflected on those words. What does it really mean to have "God with us?" Just imagine - the God of the universe, maker of heaven and earth, the God that is full of power and wisdom, and might. The God that is the embodiment of love. That God...here.

...With us.

What an amazingly wonderful thought. In that moment, I slowly exhaled as a smile made it's way across my face.

NOW, things are in focus.

Aaaaaaaaah! Immanuel...the magic of Christmas.


" BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, " GOD WITH US."
Matt. 1:23

May the blessings of the season be with you now and in the New Year.

Until next time...

Shirley in Review

I have been waiting all year to meet her. Her name is Shirley Paden. For those who are non-knitters, she's a world-renowned hand knitwear designer. And I had the privilege of attending her Design Basics Course which is based on her best-selling book, "Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits".

I love learning, knitting, and learning about knitting. And there's nothing like learning from the best. Shirley Paden is certainly that. Anyone who knows her work knows that her patterns are not for the faint at heart. Just in case you didn't know, her class is no different. Take a look for yourself...



We spent an entire day learning to take accurate measurements, configuring garment pieces, and crunching numbers in specific mathematical formulas. But it wasn't all for naught. Despite our bewildered expressions and Shirley's gentle (and at times, not so gentle) nudging, we were able to translate those formulas into actual knitting patterns. In the end, she "felt our energy" and we did her proud.

I now have a greater sense of design technicalities such as the importance of swatching. I am also inspired and encouraged in my ability to envision a garment and create it. In looking back, I'm determined not to let the time, experience, and money invested go to waste.

I LOVE to knit!!!

Until next time...

NOTE: I was unable to reformat the video image.