What not to Crochet...

Not my work:

Photographs by Dean Kaufman.

I Yarn-Bombed This
An insatiable crocheter makes sweaters for bikes, teapots, and entire apartments.
By Wendy Goodman
Published May 1, 2011

OBSESSION: Crochet

Growing up in harshly cold, gray Ruda Slaska, ­Poland, Agata Oleksiak (now known solely as Olek) took creative refuge in colorful crafts, making bright Barbie clothes and the occasional crocheted hat. ­But it wasn’t until 2002, after moving to Greenpoint and teaching herself English by watching subtitled movies, that she picked up a crochet hook at the dollar store and her former hobby erupted into an obsession. Now an established artist—she’ll show at the Smithsonian in 2012—the 33-year-old Olek covers everything from mundane household objects to public sculptures to people in her loopy yarn confections. See someone riding the subway in a head-to-toe crocheted bodysuit? Chances are, he’s Olek’s latest canvas. Her largest installation to date is a fifteen-by-fourteen-foot studio apartment, wherein ­every wall, picture frame, television, and toilet is wrapped in its own custom sweater. Originally stitched in Olek’s own Park Slope apartment, the crocheted mini-universe is currently ­exhibiting at ­Christopher Henry Gallery in Nolita, where it will remain until May 28. The gallery’s assistant director, ­Jason LeBlond, confirms what you might have speculated about Olek, who is rarely spotted not wearing a crocheted cardigan or collar: “There is no separation between her art and her life.”

http://nymag.com/homedesign/spring2011/agata-oleksiak-2011-5/

Ta Da!

Mother's Day weekend we finished up the deck project!

Once we get the patio set I will take better pictures.
It is big and beautiful! We LOVE it!

May Day

May first is May day.

I never really knew about it till I met Dorothy Krich from apt 1801. She was a neighbor of Mom and Dads at the 1 bedroom apartment. She never missed a beat. 81 years old and was adorable and spunky. I am sorry I have not kept in touch with her. I think she is living at Georgetown apts and is 85 or 86. But anyway...

After Heather prepared me a random basket of baked breads in a jar and an arrangement of lilacs a week or so ago, I have wanted to return the favor. I was as giddy as a school girl romping around the yard clipping flowers and mint I have grown thus far. In a really cool tin container I lined it with a kerchief and wrapped one tomato plant and one mint starter plant that I placed inside. And in an old olive jar I stored for just the occasion, I arranged fresh cut mint and 3 tulips. My May Day (basket) present for Mitch and Heather. I wanted to drive it over last night but knew that it could wait a day.

Thanks to my flexible Monday's I was able to ride home and give it to her in person. I totally think that once a week I will try to share my goodies with my other friends too. It warmed my heart to prepare it and give it.

Happy May Day!

Admin. Asst Day Lunch

Greg Summers is a fellow painter along with Patricia. His art has been displayed at for a few weeks now and today we went to view his art and eat lunch. Just outside Downtown Kansas City was a little French Bistro that makes made-to-order crepes. I had the Smoked salmon, artichoke heart, caper, caramelized onions and cream sauce crepes with my two artist friends. We were surrounded by his art. I had too many favorites, but was excited to see he had prints for sale too. I found the one that I loved. A painted mural of the silo's behind our offices.

I photograph them often. I love the rust and the color the become in the different light of the day. And now I own the art print. I ate lunch with the artist!

I feel so rich today. I will add this to my bucket list and mark it off. This was a well needed luncheon. Patricia is so good to educate me and give me life lessons...we are never too busy to eat lunch with an artists! Myself included.

Ask, and ye shall recieve!

When poised with the question, "can you make this" I normally can work that challenge. Stethoscope in hand I marched home, gathered the yarn and began. Purple is Angie's favorite color and Flower popped in my head. So, Flower she got!

I am taking orders for the Stethoscope sleeves. I have ideas for animals too.
Thanks to Angie at Family Health Care for the idea!

Dogwoods

My grandma told me that the Dogwood tree bloom is the Sign of Easter. Jesus was nailed to the cross and this bloom represents the cross and the nails. I believe this is a Christian Religion symbol.

On my walks I love to take Pictures and Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I love living in Kansas City to see the 4 seasons.

Easter Weekend

One of our last Weekend projects before the Summer starts...A deck. Before, we had a landing with stairs to the yard. We used the "New Home Rebate" to invest back into the house. By...building a deck. Once we pulled the permit with the city, we ordered the wood and got busy. All we have left to do it the railings and some little odds and ends!

Over 300 sq ft deck in one weekend.

Chelsie"s 15th Birthday gift

Pete and I bought Chelsie a tat for her 15th Birthday. We got a mom and Daughter Tattoo. The foot on the right is my foot. I had my butterfly from 10 years ago. Dan drew up a blue butterfly for Miss Chelsie with flowers. He added flowers to my tattoo to be like hers. Then he touched up my tattoo to look bold and new like hers. She has been glowing since last Friday night.

I don't quite remember them hurting quite so much. She was a trooper.

Happy Early Birthday Chelsie!

My deck is GONE!

I came home from work & my deck was gone!
Hubby, Chelsie's boyfriend and dad had already started to put the new deck up.
Boy did I notice that I will have a lot of painting to do when this is all over with. lol
Basically the last "deck" was just stairs leading to the patio. The New deck will be 16 x 20. Yippee!
Dinner on the deck soon! My house has become my haven. I love it dearly,
And my boys that do all the projects.

Buddy's Birthday Party

Buddy's 10th Birthday!
We had a birthday party. Got hats, Hot dogs, cheezits, and Twinkies!

They Woofed it down!

Rellik was Happy to celebrate!

Oh...Time to blow out the candles!

(Buddy tried to eat the lit candles tho)

And then everyone was ready for a nap with their bellies full.

THE END

I've got you covered!

Caught in the Moment

It was a perfect Spring day.

Tulips bloomed over night.

And my camera phone.

I was out front photographing for at least an hour

and captured some of my best photos.

You are Beautiful inside and out

This is a picture I took from my camera phone today. It is one of my tulips I planted this spring that bloomed this afternoon.

I believe this is the best picture I have taken to date.

Shocker

I haven't seen you in many years and all you can say is "you look shorter". Guess that is better then you look like your mom or something as such. I would rather have not heard any comment. Well, I don't know what I thought you would say and that surprised me. Don't worry, the problem is with me, not what was said. I am still that person you knew, but better. If I still looked the same I would not have the stories I have to tell. I'm all growed up now. I wear my big girl panties and trapes off to work everyday. I love my stories. Now when you look at me you should not think of who I was, but who I am. I hope you get to meet me. I think you will like me. And if not, I'll miss you, but not much. I tend to move on so hurry and catch up. The next train is leaving.

Spring Dog Walker

Springtime is the best time of the year to be a Dog Walker.

Door Project

8am on Sunday they started to pour the concrete... By 10:30 we had the patio and step.

The rest of the afternoon they installed the retaining wall for the flower bed. It went from a little suggestion to a big flower bed.

Tamara gave us two 25 lb rain barrels that will be the perfect way to water the flowers and the garden beds.

The concrete is drying and next is the trim work and painting on the back of the house.

The next project is the new deck.

Stay Tuned!

Spring Flowers

On Saturday, I am a DOG WALKER. Trulee and I venture around for 30-minutes.

These are the beauties that we found this weekend. 35 degrees and flurries in Kansas City.

Holes

This project started as a hole. It was referred to, as a "HOLE". Like the movie "holes" by Disney.

The Mission was to turn that window into a door that walked out into the back yard...3 weekends later this is what we have.

Ready to cut into the foundation & take out the window. Mind you, it is 35 degrees outside and flurries just started.

The closet will be brought in later to add a refrigerator. Call it a mini Kitchen.

6 hours later, a concrete saw, a jack hammer and a layer of concrete dust all over the house! By the way, plastic does not work to confine the dust.

6 hours later the flurries turned into snow and the job rested...

Tune in next weekend to see the progression.

Sprouts!

Mung Bean Sprouts

Seeds, Strawberries and Sun!

Yesterday was just a day of Dana's ADD. Starting projects, and moving all around. I just could not find the energy to be productive, but the family was! I just pointed, told, & they did. And I LOVE them for that. The sun was out and it got up to 80 degrees; I didn't want to waste the day. We hung the wind chimes under the eves, brought out the clay pots and carefully placed the yard decor.

Chelsie and I went to Planters in downtown Kansas City on Friday. We bought Red Salvia and Ornamental Kale seeds, more kitchen sprouts, and Strawberry roots. Then yesterday I went to the garden center to get some strawberry plants. (Went nuts at the garden center, but I will talk about that later). When we got home, they planted the strawberries in the two beds I had set aside. YUM!

If I had my way, I would plant every inch of the yard and decorate! Well, if I had the endless checkbook also. lol

Back to the Nursery Garden Center...they were having their annual party. Spring celebration of tips, discounts and fun for the whole family. I was mesmerized by the hanging globe terrariums! I made one carefully and artistically, but that was not enough. I made two! They adorn both of my living room windows. And all I can say is...YUMMY!

Raised Gardens in one weekend

This past weekend was

Home Project Weekend #1.

Spring is just around the corner so

the guys started Project #1 and #2.

#1 is digging the back window out and installing a door to the back yard.
The guys dug out a 4 x 10 area about 44 inches deep.
By the end of the week they hope to have all the dirt out.

#2 was building raised flower beds for our garden.
Because they were digging, we had pleanty of great soil to fill the beds.
We started with 3 and said 'what the heck".
We have 5 now!

I ammended the soil and we should be able to start our Spring veggies in 2 weeks. I am so excited!!!

Onions, pepper plants, lettuce, carrots, radishes, swiss chard, coliflower, broccoli, tomatos, egg plant, squash and more.
Don't forget the little pumpkins for the kids.

Jeep, Snow and Pete

Weather brought in 12 inches of snow

to Kansas City and much of the city

shut down...schools were out and businesses

closed early so families could get home safely.

We tend to hit the streets in the Jeep and Play!

Notice what is the "Weight" in the back?

Pete loaded his Jeep with snow -playing.

This was one of the greatest Winters for the Robert's. Coworkers blamed the snow falls on us, wishing for snow.

As I know, this was one of the winters that seemed to have the most snows ever. It was like being a kid again.

~He is so happy and proud

4-wheeling around in

his project Jeep.

Feb. 2011