Hiya, I'm Merry. I've been walking a green path these past few years, educating myself in natural building and community living. I'm also an avid (or is that rabid?) knitter and crocheter, having worked for some time in a yarn shop. I hope you enjoy my lenses! http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MerryM Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:25:49 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.squidoo.com/crochetamigurumi Amigurumi (a-me-goo-roo-me), the Japaneese word for "knitted or crochet stuffed animal", is the hottest craze in crochet right now. And why not? They're easy to make, quick to do, are are as cute as a button! A hand crafted fimo button in the shape of a wittle flower, even. Many ami's are animal in nature, though little people are popular, as well as food. Yup, you too can crochet happy little cupcakes or ice cream cones...or sushi. What ever tickles your pickle. (photo by Brenda Janish. some rights reserved.) arts-and-design Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:24:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/valentine_knitting Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show your loved ones just how much they mean to you. Nearly everyone loves a big box of chocolates. But, if your loved ones are like me, by mid-February they're holding onto their New Year's resolution to eat more healthily by the skin of thier teeth. Instead of a sweet treat, try showing your love with a little fiber. You know, like cashmere. Below, you'll find totally free patterns featuring the big three of Valentine's Day: hearts, flowers and candy. Knit them and give them to your heart's content, then watch the faces of your friends and family light up with surprise at the unique expression of your love. (photo by Squirrel Cottage.) holidays-and-celebrations Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:38:54 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/naturalbuilding I've been bitten by the natural building bug, and I've decided to infec...er, um, share what I'm learning with the rest of the world. I hope to eventually settle into an eco-community and build my own house. In the mean time I'm reading books, surfing the web, and taking classes on the subject. Right now, this lens covers only three of the many different ways to utilize natural materials when building. As I become more educated on the subject I'll add more techniques and also build individual, more indepth lenses around specific subjects like straw bale, cob, and rammed earth. So, sit back and enjoy the ride. Please keep all hands and feet inside the car at all...oh heck, get out and run around crazy if ya want! It's ok with me. :) (photo by gerrythomasen / CC BY 2.0) healthy-living Sun, 02 Jan 2011 17:01:41 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/rocketstoves No, a rocket stove won't throw anything into orbit, but it will heat a house (or cook a meal) way more efficiently than other wood burning stoves. So, what is a rocket stove? It's a stove that creates a very hot, smokeless fire. They can be any size from small enough to pack as a camp stove, up to large enough to heat a living area. Large ones are often insulated with cob (mud and straw) to absorb the intense heat and release it slowly over a longer period of time. healthy-living Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:14:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/colorknitting One of the most effective ways to add interest to your knitting is through the use of color. But, many new knitters don't know where to start when it comes to changing yarns or reading color charts. In this lens we'll explore the two most common ways to change color, intarsia and stranded colorwork. Intarsia is used for large areas of color, like the heart in this picture. Stranded knitting (also called stranded colorwork) creates more intricate patterns, like the pink band below the heart. (photo by Brian Sawyer) arts-and-design Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:39:00 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/circularknitting Knitting in the round can be scary to the new knitter, but never fear! If you start with baby steps, pretty soon you'll be churning out seam-free hats like a pro. (Not to mention: mittens, shawls, baby blankets, and my fave...socks.) There are two different styles of needles that let knitters work in the round - double pointed and circular. We'll take a look-see at both here, and talk about their pros and cons. Photo by Emma Jane Hogbin. arts-and-design Sun, 02 Jan 2011 17:01:38 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/knittingneedlesexplained New to the knitting world, and feeling overwhelmed when faced with the "wall o' knitting needles" at your local craft store? Been knitting with the same brand of needles since you were six, and thinking of branching out into other brands? You are not alone. Many knitters are confused by the variety of knitting needles on the market. Choosing the right needle for your project is important, and many people just don't know where to start. Having worked in a yarn shop, I constantly found myself explaining the difference between circular and double pointed needles, or why some knitters prefer one brand over another . This lens will answer those questions, and others. Below, we'll set the record straight about the three styles of knitting needles (straight, circular and double point) and why you should choose one or another. We'll take a look at some knitting needle accessories: needle gauges, point protectors, and ways to store your needles. Sprinkled among these are videos showing how to use the different types of needles and fun polls and opportunities for you to share you knitting needle knowledge! (photo by 49333775@N00 / CC BY-ND 2.0) arts-and-design Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:23:03 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/holidayknits I love to gift knit. The hunt for the perfect pattern, the perfect yarn. The joy of creating something for loved ones with my own two hands. The surprise and delight on their faces as they open their gifts. Because I have so many family members who squeal with glee over a hand knit hat or pair of socks, my holiday knitting starts early. I'm always wandering around the net or spending way too much time thumbing through knitting books looking for gift ideas. So, I thought I'd share some of what I've found. All of the patterns listed here are free (yes, FREE). Most of them are quick and easy knits - but with a little twist to keep you (and the honored recipient) from getting bored. I've also thrown in some inspirational photos from flickr, and listed some fun books, incase you don't find what you are looking for in the free patterns. Happy knitting! Photo by briebeest arts-and-design Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:28:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/valentine_crochet Crochet is a fun way to spread the love on Valentine's Day! What better way to show someone you care than with a hand crafted gift? Friends and loved ones will "oooo and ahhhh" over your creations. You'll go all glowey and blush, and say something like, "Oh, it was nothing, really. I just and wanted to make you a little something." Below, I've compiled a list of my favorite free "patterns of love" available online. They're divided into categories for easy searching, and should give you an idea of what to make your your special someone(s). Enjoy! (photo by nezumichuu / CC 2.0) arts-and-design Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:07:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cobbing What I did with summer 2008: spent a week covered up to my knees in mud, built walls out of said mud, had a great time getting to know about fifteen other people working with the mud, and generally fell in love with cob. Earthen building has been used all over the world to build shelter for mellinia. Cob, the technique described in this lens, became popular in medieval times and is most widely known as a traditional building method in the British Isles. This June I took part in a week long workshop discovering for myself why mankind is so crazy about building houses out of...well, mud. healthy-living Thu, 05 May 2011 09:38:14 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/knittingforbeginners As a knitting instructor at my LYS (local yarn shop) I'm always on the look-out for resources for new knitters. There's so much out there, from books & DVD's, to free online tutorials. You'll find all of these here as well as free patterns written by a professional knitter! (Ya, that would be me. ;) (photo by Johntex) arts-and-design Sun, 02 Jan 2011 17:01:33 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/musicformassage Whether it's relaxing, energizing, or uplifting, music plays an important roll during a massage or reiki session. The correct choice of music helps create the right atmosphere for your particular modality, it gives the client's mind something to focus on while you work on their body or energy systems, and can help you stay present in the moment while working. As a reiki practitioner and former massage therapist and, I've learned when and why to choose certain styles of music. Read on to find out how your choices can help you craft the perfect session! (photo by dmap / CC BY 2.0) healthy-living Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:43:52 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/halloweencrochet (And some veeery cuuuute crochet, too!) I love Halloween. Love it. I also love creating crafty Halloween crocheted objects. I also love free crochet patterns. To celebrate all these loves, I have created this lens. Below you will find free patterns, tutorials, and other fun stuff to help you deck out your home and your self this Halloween. (And by other fun stuff, I mean how to make fake blood that won't stain your skin.) (photo by noricum / CC BY-SA 2.0) holidays-and-celebrations Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:54:05 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/halloweenknitting I love Halloween. I love to knit. Fortunately, so do other people! There are some amazingly gifted knitting designers out there devoting their time and talent to all things creepy. Bats, witches, ghosts, orange squash. You name it, and someone has knitted it. Below you'll find a collection of some of my favorite ghoulish knits, along with books and videos to help you take your knitting to the next level ...of hel, um, heck! (Muwah ha ha ha ha!) *If you see a pattern with an asterik after the title, that just means you'll need to sign into that website to view the pattern. No money need change electronic hands, the pattern is still free. (photo by moonrat42 / CC BY-SA 2.0) holidays-and-celebrations Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:31:15 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fiftyturkeycrafts As a crafter, I love decorating my home with hand-made holiday goodness. And what could be more Thanksgiving than turkey? If you can't decide what craft to use to create your turkey masterpiece, read on. You'll find fifty different ways to craft fun, funky, or elegant gobblers. Whether you're into yarn, paper, polymer clay, or baking sweet treats, you're sure to find something to suit your crafty awesomeness. Looking for kid crafts? These lists are chocked full of things like construction paper, craft foam, and googly eyes! (photo by patti haskins / CC BY-SA 2.0) holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:13:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fiberfrenzy Squids sure do love their fiber arts! As a big fan of knitting and crochet, I'm so happy to see all the great squidoo lenses about them. Here are a collection of my favorites, all sorted into categories. Sprinkled amongst the vote-able lists (called plexos) are fun little extras. Show some love for your favorite craft, share a story about the person who inspired you to pick up yarn, or show off your encyclopedic knowledge with a five-question quiz. Did I miss your favorite knitting or crochet lens? Go ahead and add it, then vote for it! Want to make on of your own? Go for it! Not sure what a Squidoo lens is? Click here for an introduction. (photo by angelune / CC BY-SA 2.0) arts-and-design Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:10:07 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/sevengreatmodules Modules are the building blocks of Squidoo lenses. They are how the authors (called lensmasters) share ideas, gather information and interact with their readers. There are some great modules out there, but don't forget about the basics. They're flexible enough to use many different ways, and can significantly contribute to the look and feel of a lens. So, if you're new to this whole Squidoo thing and want some ideas with what to do on your first lens, or are an old pro just wondering how to get more out of some old favorite modules, read on! Let's start with the intro module. It's what your readers will see first when arriving at your lens. Here are some ideas on what to do with this space. 1. Add an eye catching picture. The picture serves several functions. It grabs your reader's attention, and it should communicate to them what the lens is all about. If you didn't take the picture yourself, make sure that it's available for commercial use and properly attributed. Click here for more info. 2.Write a teaser. At the beginning of TV shows there's usually a bit of the story before the opening credits run. It's just enough to let you know what the story's about, and hopefully leaves you wanting to watch what happens after the credits and first commercial break happens. Fortunately, here on Squidoo we don't have to deal with commercial breaks, but the idea is the same. Introduce your lens in a way that intrigues readers and invites them to keep reading. 3. Establish the tone of the lens. If the goal of your lens is to bring awareness to a serious subject, then your tone will be much different than if it's about something light and fun. The tone of the introduction should let the reader know if the lens is educational, entertaining, or a little of both. 4. Be yourself. Let your own personality shine through in the intro. Let your readers get to know you a bit. It lets them know that your lens was written by an actual person who actually enjoys writing about the subject of your lens. 5. If it's a lensography, then introduce yourself. Let your readers get to know you a bit before dumping them into a sterile list of all of your lenses. Write a few sentences about why you got involved with Squidoo and why you created lenses around the subjects you chose. (photo from squidoo.com/squidoo-graphics) squidoo-community Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:19:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/strawbales Incorporating straw bales into construction is a relatively new advancement in natural building, though straw has been used as a binder and insulator in mud-based building materials for millinnea. The modern rectangular, easily stacked blocks of straw are the waste produced when harvesting grain with a machine called a (you guessed it) baler. There are a ton of reason to build with straw bales. Because straw is a waste material you can easily attain it on the cheap (always a good thing.) It reduces the amount of wood used in construction while creating a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing shape. Straw bale houses always have a great sense of "presence" to me. The thick bales are fabulous insulation, regulating temperatures and blocking sound like a pro. Straw bale houses are also fire & pest resistant and are extremely sturdy under high winds. The bit where the big bad wolf blows down the little pig's house made of straw? Pure slander! (photo from ercwttmn's flickr account. Some rights reserved.) healthy-living Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:57:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/goalwriting Everyone has goals. Something as simple as cleaning your breakfast dishes to something as long range as earning a post graduate degree can be viewed as a goal. Sometimes we loose sight of our goals, forgetting why we set them in the first place. Writing down your goals where you can occasionally review them can be a great motivator to getting yourself back on track. I really benefit from having my goals staring me in the face, reminding me what I'm working towards when things get a little rough. Here are some tips that I've developed over my years of goal setting that will help you focus while getting your thoughts together about what you would like to achieve. (photo by lulumon athletica / CC 2.0) healthy-living Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:00:15 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/merrym_lensography When I went looking for a way to share what I was learning with the world, I discovered Squidoo and I've never looked back! Squidoo lenses are a creative, flexible platform for getting the word out about things I'm learning about, subjects I'm already knowledgeable about, and other random fun stuff. My first lenses were about my passion for natural building, followed by lenses designed to educate and inspire knitters and crocheters. Before I knew it, I was building lenses about lenses! The new point system here on Squidoo is really pushing my creative boundaries these days. I'm entering Quests and expanding the subjects I'll tackle in a lens. It's a lot of fun! (And the monsters are super cute.) squidoo-community Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:48:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/dallasfarmersmarkets I'm in love with the idea of buying locally produced food, art, clothes, jewelry, and whatever else I can find. So, in an effort to expand my shopping local opportunities, I'm exploring the outdoor and farmers markets around my adopted home town: Dallas, Texas. Texas, and especially Dallas, doesn't exactly have a reputation as a haven for green shopping. The Big D may not be Portland, or even Austin, but there's some really awesome people here selling some really awesome stuff. Read on to find out where you can get your very own steampunk ray (really water) gun, or honey so local it's got your zip code right on the bottle! (photo by ianmalcm / CC BY-SA 2.0) healthy-living Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:33:04 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/farewellmysubaru The life and times of a city boy going green in the New Mexico desert. Doug Fine's light hearted writing style gives us an honest, meaningful glimpse into the world of modern homesteading. Musings on his journey from PBS reporter to organic goat rancher are punctuated with thought provoking tidbits, without being preachy or heavy handed. From Doug's hilarious struggle to keep his goats out of the roses to his concerns about the carbon footprint created when manufacturing solar panels, Farewell My Subaru is a good introduction to green living. It's fast, fun, and informative! healthy-living Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:36:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/blessings_by_SJ_Tucker My first introduction to SJ Tucker, also known as Skinny White Chick, was through a friend of mine. She invited me to see Sooj (as she's known to her fans) play at a local coffee house, and I was not disappointed. SJ was a treat. She brought a balanced mixture of showmanship, reverence, and fun to her performance. I enjoyed all of her music. There were songs about Wendy as a brave pirate, ravens in libraries, and alligators sharing a spot of tea. But, what I really dug was her pagan music. The day after the concert, I downloaded three albums of hers from her website, one of them being Blessings. I've enjoyed it so much that I decided to spread the word, and apparently I'm not the only one. There are many fan vids out there of SJ's songs. So, scroll on down to discover the sometimes fierce, sometimes bluesy, always fantastic pagan music of SJ Tucker. (photo by dave was already taken / CC 2.0) music Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:45:56 -0600