PATH - a local organization helping the LA community

In my last post, I wrote about wanting to focus more on giving back. I cleaned out some of my inventory and unlisted items, and after a final sale, took them over to a wonderful organization in West Los Angeles. I decided to do this since really it is a win-win situation. I am able to clear out some of my inventory, and give back and hopefully someone will get a fun handknit item to enjoy or even give as a gift. All participants in the programs get first grab at donations. What isn't used, is then donated to Out of the Closet, and from what I as told, sold in their retail stored which benefit people living with HIV/AIDS.

Also, at the time, a lot of attention was on Haiti, and sending donations. This got me thinking, yes it is important to help out on a global level, and that there is also a lot that can be done locally, and sometimes those organizations get overlooked, as well as local needs in the community. Anyways, here is a link for more info about PATH - People Assisting The Homeless. They work with many agencies and visit the link for the glamour project and other events and ways to offer support. Thanks for visiting !

It's a crazy life - or at least been a crazy week

(Picture was taken on the Coast Starlight Train - September 2009)

First of all - thank you and welcome to new followers & readers- I haven't checked on my blog since my last post - so it was a nice surprise to see a jump in support!

A couple of my friends, would say for weeks "It's a crazy life" while we were out eating our weekly thai lunch. This last week (and even two) great examples of how many things can go on at once, and yet its possible to stop, be present with all of it, and be able to laugh about it by the next day and get past it.

Without going into to much detail yet, some changes in my work life are happening. Many of them are things Ive been planning for, yet had been doing the wait and see with places I wanted to work with - since I was resisting changes since still have 3 quarters to go in school. It is some extra work right now, yet so much of the footwork has been done over the last few years, that actually great timing since postponed a huge and important exam due to my intuition and have some time off from school and a lighter schedule once finals are over.

In the midst, My etsy store is finally stocked to my goal of 100 items +! I have also updated my cosaverde page, have 2 new designs on the way, and a new part of my Recycled Knits line slowly being introduced. My pilates also has new pics from a recent semi-impromptu photo shoot on the reformer, and growing in content rapidly!

The funniest and craziest part is in the midst of all this, while eating a Thin Mint, and leaving for the optomotrist, my porcelin crown on my front tooth fell out - and gave me a legit reason to reschedule an appointment had wanted to reschedule or cancel all day. Luckily I have a friend from school who is a dentist and could FB her for temp advice so I only had to go to the gas station and drugstore somewhat toothless. Got to be grateful for how things work out. A few hours before, some had gotten clarifying, and a bit dissapointing news at one of my workplaces, just after rescheduling my afternoon client. ALso, amazingly worked out since needed to focus on myself, and probably would not have been able to be as present for my client. so in a crazy life, things work out !

Making A Difference

Okay, so I am not the most consistent blogger. I often get ideas about blog entries, and then get busy with school, spending time with friends, knitting, and of course not siting in front of a computer.

With all the attention on Haiti right now, and growing up around a lot of service. I did want to take the time to reflect on both integrating my values with my store, and my blog. In my day job, and education, I am used to providing a service. In my creative and job, I wrote in a business plan about the importance of giving back.

After contemplation, and being honest with myself about my personal discomfort with simply using a blog as a marketing tool, I am planning on focusing on ways people can make a difference, both globally and in there own community, and not just by writing a check. Each month, I am planning on focusing on a different cause - and like before there will be some overlap between knitting, healthcare and the environment, and some cool products thrown in from time to time, because really, there are a lot of creative people looking at ways to make a difference and be of service in different ways. It is also an unknown what is a service to others, as a friend and customer told me that the comfort and coziness of a scarf was a service to her since she is often outside for her work, and all forms of art have that ability to brighten up someones day and provide service, depending on how you look at it.

Raw Herbs - Very Traditional Medicine

So, I have had an interesting balance of getting back into regular exercise, a busy quarter with prepping for my comprehensive exam (next weekend), a little work, and staying on top of crafting.

One of my favorite ways to unwind at home is to cook, and one of the more fascinating yet complicated aspects of my homework is studying and writing formulas. Like recipes, or following a pattern, there are many classics that are memorized for testing purposes. Then clinically, the traditional form is used, and prescribed in a patent (similar to a pharmaceutical) or a customized powder or raw formula is given. Cooking the raw herbs is almost an art form of it's own, since the instructions can be very simple, (place in a cup of hot water and drink like tea) or follow a specific process involving straining, boiling, simmering, stirring, and different times.

For convenience, I typically take patents or powders, and got a chance to practice cooking a raw formula last week and thought I's share a picture of the herbs before cooking. What is interesting, is how natural the medicine looks in this form, and that is does not have the side effects of some other options since it is customized to both nourish and eliminate.

Already December.....

Wow - with my schedule shifting by academic quarter, a hige thing realizing is, I joined etsy a year ago this week (and will be having a special sale this weekend and some specials set up for the holidays) and 4 years ago this week, I registered to check out acupuncture school since I thought it might be interesting.

well, lets see, I had my 25th sale on Etsy this week, and am busy studying for my comprehensive exam (required to graduate) later in the month! Considering my store was something I decided to do for fun, and also am selling to friends, it is a great balance, and very grateful able to knit, create, and get a break and some balance while other days are blur of class, interning, and reviewing everything I've learned over 4 years, and some information from classes still have to finish up over the next year.

It's also very cool to see how much Ive learned, and gained from trying new things, taking risks, and following my interests. Through my etsy teams, California Crafters Coalition on Etsy (CCCOE) Etsy Knitter Team, and Unique Women in Business (UWIB) I've met a lot of great women who also love being creative and entrepreneurial - and have enjoyed this part a lot more then expected. In school, also surprised that am making great friends and am in a pretty supportive and fun environment and through both, while different, have a lot in common. Of course, my other friends just tease me about fact I usually have some sort of needles with me, wherever I go.

Festive Cooking

So, in trying to eat healthier while in school, and actually enjoying cooking, I love excuses and reasons to whip something up. Typically, this means modifying a recipe, making it up as I go along, or adding a personal touch to a pre-made mix. I have been considering sharing some of my faves online, so post Thanskgiving here are a few from the last week.


The gooey sauce is a made up as went along pomegranate -cranberry glaze on Gingerbread. The Gingerbread was from a great organic mix, with a nice kick of ginger and molasses. It was turned into a birthday dessert surprise with the super yummy glaze. The glaze was the perfect amount and was based on a basic combination of powdered sugar, boiling water, and mostly tart seeds and berries.


Next up, a classic and simple holiday dessert. Apple pie made a simple way my mom showed me, with Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples. For some extra flavor, cranberries were mixed in, as well as cinnamon - sugar both on top, and in layers of the pie, giving it a sweet and tart flavor, with some subtle spice. This was for a lovely outdoor Thankgiving potluck at the Learning Garden in Venice.

First Giveaway !!! Twilight scarf

I have been wanting to host a giveaway for a few weeks, and decided to list this suer cute and warm one of a kind scarf. Inspired by the colors of Twilight, this seemed like a fun choice since "New Moon" is opening this weekend and has been getting a lot of publicity this week (even more then usual). This scarf is a blend of super soft angora and a purple / white merino and matches the Twilight neckwarmer.

To enter: leave a comment with your favorite character from the Twilight series. For an additional entry, or alternative if you don't know the movies or books, visit my store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignKnitFun and leave a comment with what your favorite item is. Finally, follow this blog for an entry as well. I am trying to keep it simple with the options.

Deadline to enter is Sunday 11/22 and winner will be selected Monday through random.org and will be contacted by e-mail.

Good Luck and Thanks for visiting !