on the last morning at our cottage in the smoky mountains, a surprise visitor sauntered by: a BIG black bear!!

we went on a walk round dolly’s hometown of seiverville and found several tributes to the iconic woman. 🦋

more views from the park plus a fox that at mini golf that made me think of dolly’s imagination library.

this was the only “ride” we got on, but it suited me fine! chugga-chugga-choo-choo!

the idea for this trip was launched 3 years ago! highly recommend for any @realdollyparton.bsky.social fans. we had a great time! ❤️ @dollywood.bsky.social

happy to report in year 5, i made my goal of raising $4K in the knitathon run by @knitforfood.bsky.social. overall $516K (and rising!) has come in for the four orgs. supporting food scarcity! before & after shots of the blanket i completed yesterday and sending on to @welcomeblanket.bsky.social. 🧶❤️🍝

next saturday, i'll be participating in a knit-a-thon during which i'll be assembling these strips into a blanket and knitting more around them. the finished blanket will then be sent to @welcomeblanket.bsky.social and they will give it to a recently immigrated family. givebutter.com/knitforfood2...

...that highlights a variety of christo & jeanne-claude's art, some debuted before i was born in 1975, others from before i studied them in college in 1997 and became enraptured with their wonderful public artworks, and of course, everything i've seen since 2005. next stop: the mastaba in abu dhabi!

after viewing the gates, i went on to visit 3 more christo and jeanne-claude installations in italy, london, and paris. i made socks for the floating piers, a sweater for the london mastaba, and a stole for the wrapped arc de triomphe. i spent the last 2 months knitting up a skirt...

hard to believe the gates in central park took place 20 years ago! at the time, i was still living in georgia, but came up to see them on a snowy february day. i later made a 'gated' saffron scarf to commemorate the experience. now, there's a fun vr event, so i cajoled a friend into a photoshoot!

fiberuary day 28: GRATITUDE; the six triple eight, a fantastic film to knit to on a friday night, the last day of the month, AND the final day of this knitting focused challenge. see you on fiberuary 1, 2026!

fiberuary days 26-27: almost 9 years ago "where in the world" was i? walking on the water IN lago di iseo, italia to experience christo & jeanne-claude's the floating piers; "sip & stitch" & snack at work; one more day...

fiberuary days 22-25: on saturday, spotted a vintage fiat "on the road"; enjoyed a "self care" moment in the city admiring a lovely sunset; "memories" of visiting nyc 20 years ago to see the gates in central park (6 mos. b/f i knew i would move up from GA!); a lovely "handmade gift" i got for xmas

fiberuary days 18-21: on "twosday" i gathered with other knitters and thought about this old magnet; i donned this cozy cardi made with handspun yarn on "wear it wednesday"; these are some of my "fiber friends" from going gnome; 2 sweaters of today: 1 in progress, 1 made in '24 = "now and then". 🧶

days 14-17 of fiberuary: i donned these "love" letter socks on friday; over the long weekend, i set up this "cozy corner" of felt creations made by lucy sparrow/sew your soul; i was "watching" snl 50 shows, golden girls s2, & "reading" an audiobook set in tuscany; ended with "monochromatic" monday!

days 10-13 of fiberuary: this was my "mood board" for the week 😋 i've got lots of "unfinished business", namely logging these skeins into ravelry 💻 wednesday was all about "texture" 🦉 this is my current "favorite" lotion from sewrella that reminds me of rhinebeck! 🐏+🧶

days 6-9 of fiberuary: on thursday, i donned these socks with "a pop of color"; coffee from ciao, gloria was a great "mood booster"; sharing this year's haul from vkl is a form of "flat lay fun"; and i had a "sunday funday" spent partially in brooklyn, where i stumbled across this unique vehicle!

days 2-5 of fiberuary: on sunday, i "looking forward" to the grammys and got a BIG section complete with ends woven in; then on "monday morning" i admired my progress; i was struck with "inspiration" to wear polka dots after reading how they are anti-fascist; & here's a peek at a "work in progress"!

"hi!" to bluesky and day 1 of the fiberuary challenge! i have 3 projects on my needles AND 1 on a hook! i'm crocheting a row a day for a mood blanket i'm calling "project 2025". 😉

i ALSO just signed up for the 5th year of knit for food. support (or join!) me here: givebutter.com/knitforfood2...