I saw this dog while gathering sticks at the Albany Bulb for the latest crafts project that I’m planning for my students. The animal’s name is Beckett and the breed is Irish Wolfhound. I’m pretty certain this dog was bigger than its owner.

For such a big dog, Beckett was surprisingly mellow – a gentle giant.

I so enjoyed knitting the koolhaas hat for a friend, that I decided to make one for myself. It wasn’t the pattern that bowled me over so much as the fiber. Malabrigo twist is probably the most luscious fiber I’ve used in a long time. I rushed right out to Article Pract in Oakland and snatched up their remaining two skeins in these two colorways.

Sorry people. They might have more left but this is definitely a yarn worth searching for. So amazingly soft that I thought it was silk…or yak…but not surprised to learn that it’s merino, the finest wool around IMO.

So in between writing my literature review this cold, rainy weekend, I’ve been stealing moments here and there to work on my new hat.

<<sigh>> Back to the paper.

The weather turned cold recently and I received a message from old friend Marci. She wanted to remind me how much she loved the hat I had made her and how much she still uses and treasures the hat. The hat that I had completely forgotten I ever made. I’m guessing that I made this hat in 1994, before most of my current students were even born. I do remember, however, how much I enjoyed making this hat and that they don’t make that yarn anymore. The pattern and fiber in many colors came bundled together in a basket. Do you remember?

As I was browsing the Mason Dixon Knitting book yesterday, looking for some handmade baby ideas for an expectant mother and new sister-in-law, I came across this project which immediately set the wheels in my head in motion. There’s nothing I love more than colorful rugs and this one will look spectacular in my new home – IF I can pull it off.

Here’s the result of one package of potholder loops daisy chained together:

I can see that I’m going to need a LOT more potholder loops. Probably a ball this big.

It also reminds me that I haven’t done any finger knitting with my class yet. Now that the weather has turned cold, it’s the perfect time to get them started on scarf knitting. I’m actually enjoying these cold and rainy days.

This is an artwork from one of my students that I felt compelled to share. I had never taught this particular lesson before but I think it was a great success. I’m very pleased with the results. Day of the dead is coming up.

Add to the many duties of teachers across the US is the additional task of asking for donations of equipment and supplies from the general public. Luckily I have an angel donor who has graciously donated the funds for my classroom to acquire a new scanner. I’m eternally grateful. And fortunately, teenagers never seem to tire of posing for the camera with our new piece of equipment.

This request was made possible through a website called Donors Choose. I’m still seeking donations for an additional project – to buy a paper cutter so that we can recycle discarded binders into sketch books. It’s a project I learned from an art teacher from Monterey High School and something I enjoy doing with my students. If you can donate, I would be, again, most grateful.

My favorite photos are portraits and my favorite portraits are now on hipstamatic. <sigh> Shall I show more?

I’m on the verge of getting the new iPhone 4S. Has anyone else acquired it yet?

A great day to take a nap.