MeditationSet No2

Earlier this autumn I designed and knit MeditationSet No1. It is for a friend far away. Now I have designed and knit MeditationSet No2 for myself. The set no2 includes mittens instead of hand warmers because of my arctic location to keep me warm during the winter meditation moments.

I used white Novita`s 7 veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) and different shade of blue Kaupunkilanka yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) than I used in the set no1.

This set differs a bit from the set no1. In addition to the mittens this has single cable decorations and French heels. Both sets have snow balls to remind us all about the importance to save the vulnerable arctic nature.

GrowingUp

Do you remember when Nuka arrived? Do you remember when Go arrived? Do you remember when Pii arrived?

This photo was taken a month ago. Today Pii (left) weights 29,5 kg and Nuka (right) 27 kg. Still Pii is such a little puppy and counts everything on Nuka. Nuka definitely is the alpha female of our little pack.

Our cat Kukka is already 12 years old. Sometimes when it is cold enough she tolerates Pii's warmth and comfort. Slowly Pii has learnt the cat has sharp claws every single time she puts her nose somewhere it doesn't belong to. (Picture above taken by YoungLady.)

Pii is a working dog. She is just 8 moths old puppy but is learning it all. She is the lower one in our pack and loves the life in that way. But naturally, this autumn, she has started to place herself from Nuka's protection on lead when hiking or "being on the run" which in this case means moving on from a place A to place B. In wolf packs the alpha female is behind when moving on. She sees the whole picture better from the back and can give commands. They do communicate also other ways than howling. We just don't know it all yet how they do it. (Picture above taken by YoungLady.)

If we had a sled dog racing team this (Pii on lead) would be a problem because Pii is the biggest and strongest so she should be a wheel dog in the team. But we are not racing. We a living a real life. We need Pii to pull a sled, not to run for the team. She will pull her own sled or someone of us. That changes the situation. So, when you have a sled dog you need to figure out what you need it to do for you. We want her to work, to earn her own living in working: to help in hunting and transporting things in the wilderness. That is what for we need her. That is what for she needs to be trained. And that is why we must adapt her training now when she has naturally positioned on lead.

This means that yesterday she had an extra hard training day. We hiked 4,8 km route. She was pulling me and I helped a lot. The weight was not the most hardest thing. She weights 29,5 kg. I weight 59 kg. I walked and run so I was able to control all the time the burden she had on. The most difficult part was the new command she had to learn. 

"Choose the route."

WHAT!

"Yes, choose the route, decide where it is best to across the fragile ice."

GOSH!

"Yep, choose the route."

Always before we have chosen the route. When Pii has been insecure about it she has turn to us to ask where to go. Yesterday she had to decide. She had to take the responsibility which way to lead us. Only 3 times but it was enough to make her exhausted. Twice she wet her paws but we praised her a lot because she did what we asked, chose the route. In her opinion it was not the right one because she wet her paws in icy water. So, on the third time she was again about to choose the similar route twice before but suddenly stopped, looked back to see how Nuka was about to do it. Pii noticed Nuka was about to across the fragile ice from the other edge. Pii sniffed the ground and walked carefully to the other edge and across the fragile ice there before Nuka. This time she got super praising and we saw she was satisfied on herself too. No wet paws on this time! It was a lucky coincidence that is was the last chose she had to make. (Picture above taken by our GodSon.)

Other difficult thing Pii had to learn yesterday was "the bridge". We needed to across two challenging bridges. The other was 5 m long and 2 m wide but has metal cover over which you need to walk to get to the other side. This metal cover has ice cover on so it keeps similar but not the same sound as fragile ice. It causes confusion and fear. Our dogs love water but they have learnt the lesson. Water is wet and cold. When it is winter it is not fun. And water hides under the ice. (Picture above taken by our GodSon.)

The other bridge we needed to across was 1 m wide but 20 m long. It is made of wood so it doesn't keep scary sound. Under the metal bridge runs a flooding brook. But under the wooden bridge runs flooding rapids. So, both bridges are scary at the same level. 

But when I say "the bridge", they must trust and count on me that it is safe to go on and across it. That lays a huge responsibility on me. I am never allowed to lead them to across the bridge which security I am not 110% sure about. If the bridge falls down under us how can they ever trust in me when it is up to life and death? That is a very important thing we all should remember in our daily lives too. When someone counts on you, don't let them down.

Pii needs to learn to choose the right route because if she is going to be on lead we need to be able to count on her and the fact that she is experienced enough to make right chooses. Wrong choose can cost us quite a lot in arctic wilderness. 

Landing to Yule

 

Enjoying tea from the Advent Calendar a faraway friend sent for me. These moments are so delightful and cherished, not to mention very important ones to give some time for me to relax and write a small poem for you and me.

FaceMaskCase

 

I designed and made three practical cases. They are for mine, His and YoungLady's face masks. We have disposable, fabric and special copper face masks. Despite my isolated and rural location since October wearing face mask at work and super market has been strongly recommended. These cases are meant to protect our copper masks which can be used as long as they are not broken. These copper masks are important because they protect also the user. To keep them neat and fine I made the covers to protect them when carried around in a bag.

I made the cases according to the size of the mask. I used cardboard to make the cases to be hard covered. They are quite easy and fast to make.

AAW SimpleGloves No1

The 1st ever gloves designed and knit by me of our AAW yarn (40% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% FinnSheep wool, 10% arctic dog wool and 10% nylon). They have single cable decoration by the wrist area. These are made for Him and He loves them. Who would not? 
 

Felt is practical

For couple of months I've been thinking what kind of things I create between the Tibetan singing bowls to prevent them clatter each other when piled up. Then I finally discovered it! I just cut off squares from the felt! WOW! What an idea!

I also made pads for them to stand on when playing. That makes them to vibrate better.

I made several sizes and shades. I used blanket stitches for the edges. The felts with figures I have received as a gift from a friend aboard. 

Sounds of relaxation

This is a very special year. Because of COVID-19 we all must have face new things in our lives. Some of us 2020 has been hell, to the others just heaven. Some of us have faced the opportunity to brush up the life, pay attention on yourself and family; see what matters most etc. For myself this year has been extremely busy and challenging in professional way because of COVID-19 influences at my work. I must have learnt so many new things. 

It has been busy year also because since May I have been updating my pedagogical qualification. Those who know something about Finnish education system can understand it is not any kind of piece of  cake. 

In May I also found out I was granted a scholarship from Lapin opistopiiri for my long term education dream...

This September I've been up to Asian style practice for 30 years. It is more a life style than a hobby. I've been up to martial arts but also yoga and Tibetan rites. I heard a gong play live at early 90's and fell in love into it. Since that my soul has longed for gong but also Tibetan singing bowls. Every now and then I have had a change to hear them play. 

2020 I finally bought me my first ever Tibetan singing bowls. They came to my arctic climate all the way from Nepal where they were handmade...

Since that I have been learning to play them and seeking opportunity to learn more. Because I live far from everything else but wild nature I need some funds to make my dream come true.

I found an excellent education considering how to play Tibetan singing bowls in responsible way. In Finland we have Peter Hess Ⓡ academy in Helsinki. That's why I applied for a scholarship for teachers education from Lapin opistopiiri. This year I have spent 3 weekends in Helsinki learning this method and became more aware about it how sensitive and fragile things we handle by playing Tibetan singing bowls and gongs.

A week ago I arrived home with my fen gong and its stand. I must admit I got several weird looks carrying them around in Helsinki.

A weekend education is always extra long to me. It means one night at the train when going and another night when coming. And in between, a hotel. That's why it is extra challenging to arrange the time and funds for the education like this.

Despite of all the trouble and effort it all has been worth of it. Even The Cat thinks so.

It is amazing how these good vibrations of sounds coming from the bowls and gong affect in relaxing way. The sound is always an invitation to which you can respond to or not; like my teacher Anne Matero from Medi-Sound has been telling me. I feel humble and privileged when my pets willingly arrive with enthusiastic spirit when they notice I am going to start to play. They set up themselves in a comfort way and just relax.

I feel so grateful I have had a change to learn to play these instruments under the education Peter Hess Ⓡ arranges. I can't wait to start my first lessons of relaxation at work. I do love my work. My organization Kivalo-opisto has also supported me in this education. By that support this education has became even more possible.

I send warm and caring thank you for everyone who made this possible!

In the spirit of the Nutcracker

Do you remember BraveGuard I stitched in March according to Lisa Reakes' cross stitch design? Now I've designed and sew a wall hanging which BraveGuard decorates. It is designed in the spirit of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
 

GrannySquareScarf

 

I designed a new project and bought some Novita Elegia yarn (62% cotton, 35% acrylic, 3% polyamide) (150g = 443m) for it.

I crocheted GrannySquares of it and attached them to each other in a line. 

I finished the outside edges by Wetterhoff's Sivilla yarn (30% silk, 70% wool) (50g = 250m).

Sivilla is loose end yarn from my Knitted collar project. 

I love how the shades variage in the scarf because of the Elegia yarn. 

The scarf is a gift for the Christmas 2020.

RelaxingSleep

 

Hop (Humulus lupus) has sedative effects. That is also one more reason to harvest it in my garden and dry it up. I wait until the cones start to dry up in the plant. When they are dry enough I pick up as much as fits in one baking tray, place it in our sauna and then let them dry up there 'til the end. No extra electricity is needed. Very eco-friendly.

This season I am using hop also in aroma therapeutic way. For that I need dried hop cones and left over fabric.

These sleeping pillows have a stunning scent. When you sleep with them the scent relaxes and calms down your sleep. Good sleep is a key to many things including physical and mental wellbeing.

BackInPuzzling

YoungLady spent the summer and early autumn studying for her first part of high school graduation exams. Right after the exams she gave a good big proper sigh and grab on a puzzle. She kindly allowed me to assist her.

We finished also another puzzle together. I had not much time to spend with these puzzles but really loved those few cherished moments we spent together with these.

Autumn Inspiration

Because of the social isolation recommendations we get visitors very rare now when my garden is landing on chilly seasons. This autumn I decided to put up a flower setting decoration to welcome us -who live here- into home after hard working days on these special times. That's why I went out to seek some sale items at garden center.

I bought 4 Callunas for 10€. That's quite a fair deal on my area. We have one hawthorn growing in the garden. I picked up some branches to match with Callunas to get a great setting with winter and Christmas spirit. I have never used hawthorn for decoration so I am quite interested to see for how long it lasts.

Have I ever told you how I love lavender? If not, I tell it now. I 💜 LAVENDER !!!! At the garden center I found lavenders at final sale. They cost 1€/plant. I bought all; they had 3 left. They had seen their best days but it was worth of trying. In my experience everything always just wants to live and grow. You just need to put up the changes for it. that's why, if you are at budget, late autumn is an excellent time to do your garden shopping. It didn't take many days from these lavenders to boost it out again.

After having them a fortnight I cut them down. I took the blossoms (dried and fresh ones, all of them) and leaves and put them to dry out. The lavenders really made a good scent harvest. Now I have the cut down lavender plants in the pots and I am waiting the right time to move them into my cellar to sleep over winter and see what will happen to them at spring 2021. Will they wake up again?

If the COVID-19 allows, we'll have a celebration to come at spring 2021. That's why I have bought some bulbs. I plant them in pots, will move into the cellar and see will they pop out next spring at the right time. Flowers settings are creepy expensive. If you know -early enough- you have a party to come, you can try out to make your own ones. 

 

Rosie's Card

Another card has been made. For this card I used Rosie's Babies book written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Penny Dale.
 

MeditationSet No1

 

I've designed and made Snowball set. It includes woollen socks and hand warmers. 

I used white Novita`s 7 veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) and blue Kaupunkilanka yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m). Kaupunkilanka is quite new to me but so far it feels all right. It is a bit rough like Lankava's Alli yarn, hopefully not a disaster like that.

I was inspired by the snowballs and winter when designing these. I used bubble stitches to make the idea come true.

The set is for meditation moments over the chilly winter months to keep fingers and toes warm when relaxing and empowering. 

GlassJewellery

This week I participated on a short course at work to learn to make jewelry from glass. 

It is an interesting material and has fascinated me for years.

For example, in these pieces I used a special glass for the decor. Depending on the light the shade varies. These are just my first trials and I must say I love it.

I've done Tiffany Glass Work before and have tools for it... and materials... but not a room yet to start any project. See my first Tiffany Glass Work project.
 

WhiteHandWarmers

 

I've finished my own design hand warmers with fingers. I'll use them with WhiteSocks during cold winter nights. I knit single cables to decorate them. The yarn I used is Danish Filcolana's Arwetta yarn (80% superwash merino wool, 20% nylon) (50 g = 210 m).

I love them a lot.