Stitchy

Pinteresting

2011-09-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends! Just popping in to say hello.

I've been sitting on my couch here, collecting pictures on Pinterest. I know everyone's probably been on for ages, but it's new to me. It's a little bit addictive. OK, a lot addictive. Are you on?

September Sunshine

2011-09-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

I went out for a quick bike ride to try to find something I passed by the other day. It was some sort of book sharing / drop off box, nailed to a post in one of the alleys around here.

I couldn't find it though.

On my way out, I saw these sunflowers ablaze in the early evening sun.

I must pass by everyday, but not really notice them.

Maybe it was because I had my camera, that I was paying more attention.

As you can see, I live in a neighborhood full of character.

It's not all roses... or sunflowers but it's my home and I love it the same.

Sometimes it just takes a little editing while looking about.

I thought I would also show you this wall that I pass by all the time and do notice.

I love finding the quirky and unusual.

They have quite a substantial container garden just beyond.

Cheers everyone. I hope you're enjoying the tail end of summer as much as I am.

Bad Blogger!

2011-09-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

I've been away for over a year! I'm not a good blogger. I stopped for a week or two, then procrastinated. I didn't even make a post saying I was on a break for goodness sake! I'll give it another go though and try my best. I'm hoping to get re-connected and make new connections. I'm hoping that re-starting this blog will spur my creative juices as well.
It's always nice to have feedback.
Hope you're doing fine and dandy!

I will really try and learn new ways to use my camera. These colours look a little washed out. Speaking of which, I bought the bed spread on the bottom, which said dry clean only. It looked brand, spanking new, but there was no way I was going to follow those laundry instructions! It looked perfectly fine when it came out of the washer, but when I got it out of the dryer, the colours where all washed up, you could say, very faded. It's super synthetic. I'm wanting to turn it into a big laundry hamper-bag and maybe a laptop bag? What do you think?

Thrifty Luck

2010-03-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

So many thrifty finds this week.

Curtains, dotty vase, a paint by number, a bit of crochet and a pup... whew!

I love the curtains, and they are in mint condition. Well, OK, they have a bit of old house smell, even though they've been washed and hung outside. I think it has to do with the rubbery backing. Any pointers? I don't want to wash them too much because of the backing.

Today I bought myself a lilly, but needed a container,
so off to the op shop and I found a sweet, faux wicker basket.

I'm not sure what's made me happiest though, it might be this poodle.

I love him, and I want to draw him.

Oh, this crochet baby blanket too!

I think it's about the right size to turn into a big cushion cover.
I seem to be attracted to garish colours lately. Yikes.

Another a view of my little pup? Well, sure!

The thrifting luck has been pretty good this week.

I hope yours has been the same.

Happy Spring everyone.

Thanks for popping by!

Marguerite the Marionette

2010-03-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

I rediscovered a box with my (daughters) doll house furniture, and pulled out a few items. I've already painted this furniture since taking the photo. I'm so noncommittal about picking colours for my real furniture, I thought I could practice on this instead.

Can you see the mattress I made, propped up there?

More about the dollhouse another day.

I wanted you to see the wire basket I painted, then realized I should tell you about Marguerite the marionette. Half the fun I have in my workroom, is organizing my stuff, pulling out things I haven't seen in eons. One of the things I came across was Marguerite, with her poor tangled, decayed strings. I played with her on occasion, when my children were small. Then, she really and truly came to life! She walked across the carpet, shook hands, had conversations and did little dances. My children spoke directly to her and no longer paid attention to the mother pulling the strings on the other end.

Not long ago I listened to an interview with a fiction writer, who spoke about the deep power of imagination. She jokingly said she wondered about her sanity at times because some of the characters that revealed themselves to her where so alien, so foreign to what she was. Being a writer, she was obviously much more eloquent, but you get the idea. That reminds me of some of the dreams I've had, one in particular about looking at these amazing paintings. When I woke up, I realized that I indeed was the creator of the paintings. Somewhere, they came from my imagination. It also reminds me of what it was like to be a child and be lost in the act of pretending.

I will re-string you Marguerite, and maybe add a little embroidery to your neckerchief.

I would like to see you dance again, with those clip clop-pity, green shoes.

Home Made Photo Light Box... What a Pro!

2010-03-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I happened upon a homemade light box tutorial,

which also happened to be a good thing,

since the skies were grey and drippy.

I don't have the links, but there were all sorts of easy to find tutorials. Some used cardboard boxes (with sides cut out), others used PVC pipe cages. The easiest, and the one I used, was a clear plastic bin, which is what you see below. In all cases you need to diffuse the light with tissue paper or a white sheet, covering your structure. I definitely needed more/better lights, (shining in the top) and I think a deeper box would have helped.

I put the lights pretty close to the fabric. Don't start a fire doing that!

Oh, I also like the trick of using a piece of paper taped up behind your subject, to give that seamless background.

Here's a little fawn I found at Sally Anne a few days ago. In the light box......

.... and on my desk, in front of natural daylight.

(which I almost like better)

Kissing Salt and Pepper in the box.......

..... and on my little shelf where they've been living lately.

I tried also tried them with some great sparkly fabric, though the colour isn't right.

To hold the fabric up I used one of those flexible cutting mats, and just taped the lower edge onto the floor of the plastic box, then draped the fabric over it.

All of these photos were taken using the automatic setting....

... because I'm nincompoop and haven't read my manual yet! Ha-ha!

The whole thing was easy and pretty fun.

If you're a photography newbie like me and give this a try, let me me know how it goes !

A Ripple is Born!

2010-03-10T21:20:00.000-08:00

Hmm, looks like I have a few umbilical cords to weave in....

Please meet the new bundle of joy!

All stretched out, and ready to get cuddly with friends...

I used colours that were available to me at shops in town, and that was limited. My fantasy is that of being able to walk into the magical yarn store that has thousands of colours at my fingertips!

Oh, I guess that would be called shopping on line!

I think most of this is wool, some from my stash and lots from a crazy sale at a discount fabric store. $2 per ball for wool! I think they bought the stock from a company that went under. Well, I looked up what people had to say about the brand on Ravelry, and a few said it grows quiet a bit and pills. So no, I won't be using it for a sweater. For you Vancouverites, the store is Dressew and they have cotton too!

These guys are just propped on top of pillow forms, the fabric too. Hmm, I do love the combination of this last one though, now that I'm looking at it in a photo.

Please let me know what you think! I've been lonely with no comments!

Pussman and Co.... Sweet Bears!

2010-03-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

Pretty sweet huh? No, I'm not having a giveaway, but Pussman and Co is!

So head over and check out her blog!

I Have the Blues in a Good Way

2010-03-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

Blue Period

I've been on this blue kick lately. This blue. I bought this gigantic strip of fabric at my thrift store a few weeks ago. I only bought it for the colour and almost hesitated because it's pretty cheesy looking, polyester, nylon type fabric. If you can call it fabric. Trust me, it's weird, buying something like this after years of training myself to spot beautiful natural fibres. Anyway, I made some curtains for my craft room, and boy they looked good. Of course, being on this blue kick, I started to carry a swatch around with me.

I just ran out of yarn the same colour yarn recently and really, really wanted more of that too! So having the swatch should help with that I hope. I'm hoping it will work like a divining rod. Oh, I should say I'm over my yarn snobbery as well. So much for pure wool, when I'm strictly hunting for colour. Acrylic will do just fine for kitsch crochet. So, while I was hunting around I thought I would add orange to the mix and found this pillow! Of course once I got home I had to pull anything orange from my stash. The fabric on the lamp shade was pinned on in a temporary manner, just to see if it could work.

I'm reminded I have a quilt to finish. (on the bottom of the stack there)

If you want to see this quilt, it's here.

Then of course I started painting things, like this picture frame. Hmm, need a picture there!

Speaking of kitsch... I only have those kissing salt and pepper shakers, because they were in a bag with another pair, the ones I really wanted. They're growing on me though, because of the colour! I have to say, I've recently become heavily influenced by the colour combinations over at the amazing Dottie Angel. She has, to me a very sophisticated colour sense, using unique combinations of vintage inspired turquoise blue, olive green, pink and gold. If you like colour and vintage, she's a must!

If you're a colour fanatic, or know of those with blogs you could suggest, please introduce yourself and/or share the link!

Oh, I have to add that the curtains didn't work. I couldn't figure out why at first, but then I realized that it gave the room a cold feel. I think they will become curtains for the closet instead or possibly I will save them for the next summer heat wave.

Thanks for visiting!

Vintage Aprons

2010-02-17T21:14:00.000-08:00

I tried out the extra large picture option on blogger. The image was enlarged, but not all of it fit in, so was cut in half and the actual picture was the same size. Did that make sense? I think I have to go to the help page....

Anyway, here are a few of my aprons. I don't have that many and I actually use them on occasion. It's so nice knowing you can wipe your hands right on your clothes when you're working.

I believe this one is supposed to be embroidered.

I love aprons with pockets.

This last one is one of my favorites. Shoosh, if I found a big piece of this fabric!

My First Ripple

2010-01-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

I've finally stuck with a Ripple afghan, after many false starts. To top that off, I've posted a picture of myself. Wow! I have to admit I took a zillion photos, trying to get something that felt authentically me. I can't tell you what I went through today, let's just say it was a learning experience.

Anyway... the afghan is hung over a door and that's about it's width at this point. The colours are a little brighter than in this shot, but we'll leave it at that.

I'm refusing to rip out any more, unless it's a row or two. After all, the idea of the Ripple is supposed to be happenstance isn't it?

Someone was laughing the other day, about the fact that I buy yarn, just for the colour and with no idea in mind about what I'll use it for. Don't you wish you had every colour of the rainbow to play with?

About my necklace. It's an old typewriter key that says shift. That's my motto for 2010, shift perspective, shift gears, mix it up and be brave.

Celebrating a Chickadee

2009-12-26T15:54:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had wonderful holiday celebrations.

I have to show you my best, fun present. My daughter gave me a needle felting kit! I think she read my mind. Anyway, I had to get started on it right away, of course. I've never done it before, and the directions in the kit were a little vague, (not that it's complicated) so I took a trip over to Youtube, which was very helpful, as everyone knows. I also looked at a few photos online, because I wouldn't have known a chickadee if it came and landed on the edge of my coffee cup.

It's a very interesting craft and you can get a fair amount of detail with shaping and shading. The photos here make my bird look rough and fuzzier than it is in person.

I have lots of fibre left for additional projects, besides that, I can always dive into my spinning fibre. Now I just need a new idea for the next project!

Ornamental

2009-12-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

I'd like to share my two most cherished Christmas ornaments with you...

this little snowman, found at a thrift store years and years ago.

and this little fawn.

I should correct myself. The ornaments I truly cherish are the ones my children have made over the years. You know the ones... made out of pipe cleaners, clothes pegs, construction paper and popsicle sticks.

If your children are grown, and you want to remember those days, visit Lucy at Attic 24 and check out her post of Dec 14th. Precious.

Now I see she's posted again, something really amazing! I'm going back to look! Bye

Baubles and Beads

2009-12-09T13:02:00.000-08:00

So who says you're not supposed to wear a toque with a party dress? With fancy beads no less! I'm afraid the monkeys have minds of their own.

I suppose that's why I like them... human rules don't apply!

I've been bead shopping for the monkeys.

Ooh, look I'm getting Christmassy too. Run little gingerbread man!

What I wanted to show you was my growing bauble collection. Since I've been putting beads on the monkeys, I've been keeping my eyes out, while being thrifty. See, being a thrift shopper from waaaay back, I find it hard now-a-days finding treasures the way I used to. But! It seems I've been overlooking old bead necklaces. So anyway, I've been getting some cheap thrills the last few weeks whenever I find a nice weighty, string of old, vintage beads.

See what I mean about following human rules?

What monkey has to keep her legs together while wearing a dress!

Oh, by the way I've bought the only Christmas decorations that I'm going to this year.

Up there in the header. I really had to have those!

Monkey Business

2009-12-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

I've been up to some serious monkey business and having a lot of fun! I'm still not sure why I've been so enchanted with making them. I did want a real monkey when I was little and I loved Curious George. Anyway, here's one of the girls in all her naked glory. I think it's time for a dress, don't you?

( I was inspired by her Elizabeth Taylor eyes.)

A little turquoise mohair and some beads to spruce it up...

OK, now everyone gets their portrait in the rocking chair.

This gal is into pillow case dresses and rhinestone brooches.

She's not fond of a lot of makeup.

Back to you, violet eyes.

I don't think a toque goes with that dress. Silly monkey!

Last but not least.

This lady is sporting a cotton shift with silver thread and a colourful shawl and wooly cap.

Love those eyes!

And here are the girls together. They have a fourth sister, but she has one arm and no ears at this point. You can understand her hesitation at not wanting to be in any photos at this point.

So you can see I've been up to very important work lately!

Please let me know what you think!

Cheers and Happy December!

White and Fluffy

2009-11-21T17:21:00.000-08:00

I thought it's about time I pop in to let people know I'm still around.

I've been doing a fair bit of knitting lately, in fact just about whenever I have free time. I'm stocking up for the you-know-what-big-holiday coming up. When my kids were small I had a rule that they weren't aloud to talk about what they wanted until December 1st.

These fingerless mitts turned out just the way I hoped. If you're a knitter and you want the pattern and the specs, or to see some of my other work, I'm here on Ravelry.

And now, to keep with the fluffy, white theme...

That's just wrong somehow.

Food for thought

When you purchase groceries at Safeway and the teller asks if you would like help to your vehicle, would they carry the bags to the bus stop?

I wish you could feel this!

2009-10-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm back with some crochet goodness to share with you.

This I'm proud of and I'll show you why

It started out like this, a pretty little bundle of wool and silk.

This is hand dyed, Fleece Artist.

It sounds corny, when you tell someone that the fibre tells you what it wants to be. Not that it told me it wanted to be a skinny crochet scarf, but, that it wanted to be spun to a certain diameter.

It was exciting to spin, seeing the colour changes, hitting that little bit of blue.

I took my spindle to the coffee shop every morning for a week or so. I may have spun, waiting for a bus here and there. OK, I may have spun on the bus once or twice, when it wasn't crowded. When the bus is crowded, I knit. or crochet. never sew.

Oooh, look, one full cop! I slide that cop onto a fat straw, which just fit on the end of the spindle. The fat straw was a good excuse to stop at Duffin's Doughnuts, who by the way have a really good chorizo/egg breakfast sandwich. (for you Vancouverites)

You see, I needed my spindle empty to fill it a second time, so I could move onto step #2. Plying! (I put the straw filled cops, onto my lazy kate) I plied using the same spindle too.

Yay me! Then on to the niddy noddy, and a little soak.

Look! So beautiful! I'm not tooting my horn.

The fibre is just so wonderful, and the colour, I love it! Well, OK, toot toot!

And here comes the next transformation!

Isn't that just magical? Simple, ancient technology, mixed with new.

You can get the free skinny crochet scarf pattern here, which I found via one of my LYS, Three Bags Full.

Thanks so much for having a peek!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Happy Fall

2009-10-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

Hello people!

I've had a sick day today and now I'm not so behind on Ravelry. I have plenty of knitting projects to show you soon!

In the mean time enjoy a little colour!

It's a good time to be a knitter.

It's fall, and if you live in Vancouver, we have two new Yarn Stores!

Baaad Anna's and Gina Brown's. Ya-hoo!

Lovely Objects

2009-09-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

As promised, some close ups of some of my objects that I find lovely.

I hope you do too.

A new (to me) blue saucer. The yellow I've had for ages. It's funny, one day it popped into my head that I had fabric that was similar, then rummaged around until I found the two of them.

What a pleasant surprise. Maybe that could become a new flickr group.

A little green, glass jar holding some hand spun (done on a drop spindle).

I have no idea what kind of brooch and earrings these are, but I love the colours.

They look like enamel maybe? Do you know? The picture frame is new, from Home Sense.

I love my polka dot tea cup and just got some fabric that's identical.

I think I'll do a series of saucers and fabrics, like the first two shots.

I'm happy with simple unpretentious objects.

My newest apron, on the right. One day I plan to press and photograph all of them.

I don't have all that many. Maybe I'll go count them now.

Thanks for popping by, and if you know about the jewelry, please fill me in.

Nine Patch

2009-09-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

Today I got a package in the mail. Nine hundred - 3 inch squares of fabric! One hundred and fifty different patterns! I laid out all the little stacks, and got all giddy.

Then I pulled out my quilting books. I knew I wanted to do something very simple, since I know I don't have the patience to do any thing complicated. Also, I was limited by the fact that there were six squares of each pattern.

So I decided to do a nine patch which will be interspersed with a plain white blocks, or maybe sashing. I guess that's something I have to play around with. It's really hard for me to plan something out in total. I like to have some sort or spontaneity. Then I just cross my fingers!

Oh my gosh, it was so much fun picking the pairs that went together, and with so many choices!

I'm very pleased that they're well cut, nice and square. I have to say, cutting is my least favorite activity when it comes to sewing or quilting. Choosing colour combinations is my favorite.

I've done about nine blocks so far. Only, oh... about one hundred and ten to go!

Studio Space

2009-09-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome!

Have a peek at the beautiful little lamb I got yesterday.

Green happens to be my favorite colour and the bonus was that it was under 2 dollars.

I did a lot of work today, playing in my new studio, arranging, re-arranging, taking lots of photos etc.

Then it was tea time.

I don't usually post pictures of my interior space, because most of my apartment is just too dark. This is the only room that gets decent light, and it's only recently that I decided it could be my very first, official studio space. Before that, it's always been in my dining room, or corner of a bedroom, or a closet.

So now you get to have a look. Please come in . . .

My new, favorite spot to sit and ponder and plan.

That's part of my lovely fabric stash, which keeps getting arranged and re-arranged, into different, exciting colour combinations.

I have a closet full of stuff behind the curtain on the right. Yarn, fibre to spin, tools etc.

I can use this table to set up my sewing machine or to dye fibre for spinning.

A chair for every purpose.

Thank you for visiting.

I have a lot of close ups of some of my favorite treasures for you to see next!

Hexagon Love

2009-08-31T16:05:00.000-07:00

Hello folks!

I hope every one's had a good, creative week.

I'm happy to be back and show my progress on my newest blanket!

I've been good, weaving in my ends as I go.

It's been getting a little large to take with me on outings, so I've been adding the hexagons at home, where I get a better idea of colour placement.

Really, it's been fairly random.

Cool, warm, oops, too much green in one spot....

I'm loving this project, the colours, the speed. I've been very addicted!

I really want to figure out the edging. The sides are zig-zag, but see the ends?

My plan is to do a wide white border.

Go ahead, get a little closer!

I may try and figure out a half hexagon, if that's possible.

If anyone has suggestions for the border, please let me know.

I would really appreciate it.

Thank you for coming to look!

Bright and Light

2009-08-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, I didn't wait three months to post!

Almost all of this wool (yes wool, not acrylic) is thrifted, and is the same label. The white I bought this morning from my LYS. I'm loving the way it's turning out so far.

Yeah, look what I've done in just a few days.

I've also decided to weave in the ends as I go. Smart move!

The colours look fairly accurate.

I really have to play with my camera though.... and read the manual... again.

Crochet and Colour

2009-08-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my blogging hiatus. It really just felt like yesterday. If anyone is still coming by, my apologies for being gone so long.

I've been crazy for colour lately,

but I just can't be too spendy these days.

This is a bunch of thrifted yarn and I've also been buying acrylic for a ripple blanket, which I'll show to you soon.

Anyway, I've been making these hexagons for what, I'm not sure yet.

Oh, and see the blanket under the ever present cats? It's my first finished Granny Square project. It's mostly Cascade 220 and it started out as the ripple blanket you see below.

I just couldn't get into it. The colours weren't what I wanted for a ripple.

So I unwound it all... ( I love my ball winder ) stacked it for a photo,

and asked my cat if she wanted to be in another picture.

And here's some more blanky photos.

Hey! Put your claws back in!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for making a comment, if you do.

Oh, one more thing... I've been very inspired by so many beautiful, colourful crochet out there, just too many blogs to mention, but you must check these two out for sure! Attic 24 and Do You Mind if I Knit

Just scroll down and see their crochet afghans. They both finished about the same time and are both started on little squares now. So much excitement!

Snow?

2009-03-09T08:53:00.001-07:00

Yes, snow in Vancouver, in March!

This is supposed to be the time of year when we brag to our siblings back East

about how we're just wearing a t-shirt and no jacket!

Here's a quilt I made last night.

Well, a quilt out of paper that is, punched from magazines and Mod-Podged onto a canvas.

Some of the squares came out a little wrinkly, so I have to fine tune it.

Through the Eyes of a Monkey

2009-03-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

I wanted to have these guys up for a Valentine post.

They were done, in fact I almost have four finished at this point, I'm just slow at taking photos and posting.

Actually, I really think time has just been speeding up. Seriously, just ask anyone pushing 50 or over!

I was honestly shocked when February was over!

Anyway, I think I find out in a day or two, whether or not I'm accepted into a craft show.

I think It's all that I've needed to really get producing, a deadline. (or the possibility of one)

I'm planning on making eight monkeys in total and they're all going to have little outfits, which I'm half planning now. I'm going to be a little sad to see my best buttons gone. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for monkey eyes while thrifting, but haven't had much luck. Does anyone else have thrift shop dreams, about being allowed to enter the secret room in the back, were all the good stuff is? Like huge jars of really old buttons?

Pincushions for Pin Money

2009-02-25T16:38:00.000-08:00

I've been working on these little pincushions the past few evenings,

most of these are made from my stash of vintage fabrics.

I can't help but keep my eyes peeled for old fabric on my thrifting journeys and

squeal inside when I spot a find.

I have sentimental memories of my childhood summer days seeing some of these.

I'm building my stash, hoping to get into a craft fair that's coming up, keeping my fingers crossed. If not, I plan on doing some spring and summer farmers markets. A little extra pin money?

Little Bags

2009-02-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy to show you the little bags that I've made this week.

Some lovely linen I got at a yard sale.

This is fabric I got from at a yard sale as well, years ago.

Hmm, I always thought that it was going to be a pillow.

They're from a great book called Making Vintage Bags by Emma Brennan.

There are patterns for about 20 bags or variations there of.

They're on the small side, the instructions call for the patterns to be increased

by 165% but I think I'll make the next ones a little larger.

I'm fairly new to sewing anything other than simple quilts or pillows. This is the first time I've used interfacing and magnetic snaps and such. Wonderful stuff!

Looks like this little gal should have some eyes and nose to go with that tail.

Little Books

2009-01-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

Have a look at the results of my new hobby, not that I need one!

It's been great fun picking beautiful papers and playing with colour combinations. Kind of like quilting.

I've been using old needlework magazines and adding the patterns if possible to go with the accompanying pictures.

I've also been adding some little extras, like a tab to hold yarn samples.

I know I'm a very sporadic blogger but I've got to tell you that I got a new camera and laptop and the learning curve has been severely steep!

So what do you think of the little books? I'm hoping to get it together to go on Etsy one day, so I'm playing around with ideas. The real deal for me is to actually make the things that are floating around in my head!

My Peaceful Nest

2008-12-03T16:28:00.000-08:00

I've been seriously working on fixing up my teeny, tiny bedroom...de-cluttering and all that.

I covered my little desk top in red polka dot oil cloth and since I had scraps left over, I taped a couple pieces up in my little bookshelf. Hmm, not sure yet. But look, at least the two top shelves are tidy, unlike the third one at the bottom there. There's a fourth one down too, that's worse.

Oh, I apologize for not giving credit to the first person to post their brilliant idea of making a bouquet out of their vintage knitting needles. If anyone knows who that was, please tell me so I can thank them and give them credit.

I'm sure I'm not the only one to snag that idea.

You can't see the photo very well, but it's of myself and my two older sisters, with all of our dolls. The middle sister remembers the names of every one of the dolls.

Look, I even had room to put a rocking chair in the room! I think I want to make a circular, braided chair cushion for it.

That's Edna by the way. Her full name is Edna Odelia Marie Cecilia and she used to be a burlesque dancer. She's old now, and is a little depressed about her pot belly.

What I really wanted you to notice though was the little wool vest beside her. It was a little shrunken so I felted it further. Hmm, maybe a purse or pillow?

And look, I'm still working my granny square afgan and loving it. I figure I'm about half way there. I could find no directions on how to weave in the ends, so I was fudging it until I decided to look on youtube. Jeepers, every thing is on there!

There's the new oil cloth, ta da!

I got the cup and saucer just a few days ago. I'm not really into that style of tea cup anymore but polka dots! and green!

And the apple, well, I was at a clients home and I commented on how much I loved ours when my children were little. They make such a sweet sound. Well, she wouldn't let me leave without it. Arn't people nice!

Wool Peddlar's Shawl

2008-09-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Here's my Koigu, Wool Peddlars Shawl from the book, Folk Shawls. I started and finished it last spring, but just never got around to the photos till now. The details are on Ravelry. I definitely want to use the Koigu again, I find it just such springy, pleasurable yarn to knit with.

I learned a lot doing this shawl, it being my most ambitious project to date. The most important piece of advice I could give? Use a couple of life lines if you're a beginner at lace like myself!

Next time I would like to go for a semi solid colour, and a rectangular shawl.

Noro Socks

2008-09-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

These socks are the first thing off the needles in a long, long time. Fall is such a great time to knit, but look, here it is December already!

This is the Noro sock yarn. I knit from the same ball, from the inside and the outside, five rows each. I don't know about you, but as soon as a project is finished I loose interest in the item somewhat. Maybe it's from looking at it for so long.

I've worn the socks a few times and I'm not sure yet how sturdy they're going to be. I'm a little nervous. Maybe darning will be my next crafty adventure.

I had plenty of left over yarn. Here's a little Noro mitten. I really want to make mittens next, and thought I ought to make a little practice one, to see were I'm going. Not bad!

Norman, you're OK

2008-09-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Apparently I've had an endless supply of spinning fiber under my nose, all this time with out realizing it. This cat sheds his coat constanly. I don't know how it's possible that he can grow so much fur!

First off, wash the cat, then take a sample from the dry area on his back. I don't usually wash my cats, but he was pretty grubby. For some reason he thought he had to lick himself for an hour after his bath. Dude, I just did that for you!

Go ahead then. While you're so busy, I'll just spin up a little on the drop spindle. This is my first attempt at Navajo plying. I think I did it right.

Progress

2008-03-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

I've been making OK progress on the Granny's. I crochet at the coffee shop in the morning and on the bus too. I don't think about my bus ride by distance or time anymore, but by the number of squares completed.

Speaking of coffee, this apparently says, Coffee is the best of all drinks in the world. I found this one a month or so ago. It's such a thrill to still be able to find a treasure like this with a really, really good price!

Happy Spring everyone!

Colour on the Brain

2008-03-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think about colours and colour combinations so much, it almost gets irritating. I read about a quilter the other day, and she said that sometimes while playing with colour combinations, she may lay out 30 different shades of pink (for example) before picking the right one. Then I realized that my yarn and fabric stashes need enhancing big time! By the way, this is my current project, the granny square afghan. I'm going to make the ripple afghan, but decided to go granny as a tester for the colours first. I want more soft and dark neutrals to balance the brights. Wow, there are so many beautiful crochet afghans on Ravelry and flickr right now, I'm amazed!

Here is a little thrifted doll dress. I left the doll at the store because it was really not my taste.

I got this tin this week, at a thrift store in Vancouver.

This is one of my favorite thrift stores, not because I have particularly good luck there but because it has character. The floors are wonkey. I want to live there! Oh, the prices are really good too, what thrift store prices should be! It's in Steveston. (for you Vancouverites)

I also got two of these nesting tins this weekend at another thrift store in Steveston. It was a tin can week! Love these roses.

Peacock

2008-03-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

This is Fleece Artist hand dyed Blue Face Leicester, called Peacock. Yesterday a client cancelled, so instead of rustling something else up I spun. Well, wouldn't you have?

So anyway, the above became this.

I discovered a few things spinning this batch. I only had one sliver (the guy you see curled up in the first picture) so I broke it in two and spun two bobbins. When I plied them, my blues came out together and the darks came out together, not what I was wanting. I could have planned that a little better. Also I had quiet a bit left on one of the bobbins. If I had weighed both half slivers before I began, I would know if it was my spinning that differed so much.

I can't tell you how exciting it is to play with colour in this way. It really is magical. Today I got a vegetable steamer at Value Village, to make my own painted rovings!!!

Fibrefest Expo 2008

2008-03-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Fibre filled, that's how I spent my weekend. What a thrill!

This is a spool and sliver of Blue Face Leicester hand dyed by Fleece Artist. I couldn't resist the colours and it was my intention to buy one dyed sliver anyway. The rest of my purchases (Fine Shetland, Merino top and more Blue Faced Leicester) were all white, so I can do some hand dyeing myself. I also bought a beautiful chocolate Alpaca. The fibre, not the live animal! The next day was rainy, so we didn't get to go kite flying as planned, so poor me, had to stay in and spin....

I came up with this!

Go on, take a closer look!

Another afternoon of knitting and I came up with this! I did it! My first project with my first hand spun! I can't tell you how luxurious this scarf feels. It's smooth, elastic and has a lot of weight to it, something like alpaca.

More on Fibrefest in the next post. See you soon!

Behind the Wheel

2008-03-03T19:18:00.000-08:00

Look! I got my new spinning wheel! After researching wheels and trying out a few, at home, through my spinning class, I choose the Lendrum folding wheel . At first when I brought the tester home I thought it felt too high, sitting at my usual place, on the couch. Once I moved to this chair it felt perfect, in more ways than one. You see I bought this chair years ago at the flea market, and it hung around for years looking ratty. I finally recovered it recently, and even though it looked great in the space, no one really used it. Not so anymore! It seems like another puzzle piece that's fallen into place. Too bad I can't show you the before picture of the chair. (I deleted it by mistake.)

Here's the wheel folded. I was making a brown paper pattern for a carry case and decided to use some oil cloth, recently purchased and a woolly mattress cover for padding. I wanted to use coroplast (you know, that corrugated plastic) for something to stiffen it. I tried cardboard for the prototype.

I worked late into the night and made a big mess trying to figure out the logistics of all of it. When it came to sewing the oil cloth to the padding it just wasn't going to happen. It was too thick and tricky. I have an idea that I think may work, but it's a project that's on hold for the moment.

Have a fun and productive week everyone!

Take It as a Sign!

2008-02-27T15:34:00.001-08:00

Quite often, when I sew a project, even a big one like a quilt, I don't do the math or make exact measurements. I don't like doing all the prep work, I just want to get my hands right in there. I suppose with patchwork that's OK. I really love it though when I end up with the exact amount of fabric I'm supposed to have. I take it as a sign.

A few days ago I had a similar experience. After buying a whole bunch of dye, (to dye my homespun) I went to Value Village hoping to find a big stainless steel pot, as required. Oh, I should mention, I had a nice conversation with the salesperson who sold me the dye. She explained that rather than mixing the primary colours, red, blue, yellow to get other colours, many people use a turquoise blue, magenta, yellow and sometimes black. Hmmm, I thought, I never heard of that.... Well, back to Value Village. I found a big, brand new stainless steel pot right off the bat, then when perusing the books I found a colour manual, with 24,000 colour samples, used by printers etc. And yes, the recipes/percentages use turquoise, magenta, yellow and black. Anyway, it made me take this whole yarn spinning/dyeing yarn thing as a sign that I'm on the right track, in the groove.

Yesterday I went to my local head shop to buy a gram scale, so I can accurately measure the powdered dye. If I had deliberated over the scales for any length of time I would have walked out of there thoroughly stoned. Massive clouds of billowy, blue smoke were wafting through the store. You've got to love Vancouver!

Here's another one. Last weekend when I was checking out a thrift store in Steveston I spotted a big hand knit, wool blanket. Someone else was looking at it and I saddled up beside her, pretending to be interested in something else nearby, all the while thinking, don't you buy it! She put it down, and I went in for the grab. You know what? I turned it down too. I left the store, went back to the park, couldn't stop thinking about it, decided to go back, (walking more and more quickly) and it was still there! Waiting for me!

...

I had decided I could not pass up all that wool! Yes I only wanted it for it's wool. Even though most of the colours were great, and it was all knit in a painstaking knit one, purl one rib, it was full of knots! Yes knots! So sad. It had to be frogged!

So this....

Became this.....

I am so good at the knitty noddy now!

Finished Objects

2008-02-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

Here is / was My So Called Scarf, done in Manos de Uruguay. It's a beautiful

colour way, but neither of these photos does it justice. I frogged the So Called for a simple 2x2 ribbing because I found it just too thick and stiff, even though I went up a needle size. I still think the pattern really suits the yarn and I was invisioning a square block of this as a section for a pillow. It's an easy knit, but a strange pattern, kind of like somebodys inebriated non knitting friend invented a new stitch. I did see a woman on the bus the other day wearing her So Called Scarf done in Noro's Silk Garden and it looked (and felt) amazing. Yes, of course I fondled her scarf!

As The Yarn Harlot says in Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off
"Running your hand down the sleeve of a fellow knitter's sweater when you meet him or her is a healthy expression of knitterly interest and is not at all odd. It's the knitters handshake."

Please read the Yarn Harlot, you'll feel good about your obsession with knitting. She's a hoot!

And now, if you're a reletively new knitter and you want something a tiny bit challenging in terms of fiber and something very impressive, try Kid Silk Haze. This is the simple Feather and Fan pattern, the easiest lace for a beginner. Use bamboo needles for grip and have a delicate touch when ripping back. This photo shows the haze quite a bit more blue than in reality. Another repeat or so and it's blocking time. Yeah!

Oh, and on a final note... I got invited to Ravelry! It's the best! Go get yourself invited!

I'm Spinning!

2008-01-29T12:34:00.000-08:00

I'm back! No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, I'm just pretty inconsistent when it comes to blogging. I have been making a lot of things, the most exciting being my own hand spun! I haven't knit with it yet, it's been washed and needs to dry. Maybe I can do a swatch tonight. I'm so excited. It really is magical... fairy tale stuff. Here's a bit of woolly fluff on my lap, it passes through my hands and voila, a long, somewhat smooth length of yarn tugging towards the spinning wheel. Kind of Spiderman-ish.

I'm taking classes at Place des Arts for anyone in Vancouver area, that may be interested. The wonderful thing is, we get to take the wheels home during the week. I'm starting off on what I gather to be a very basic wheel. See..

I was supposed to practice with a big spool of scrap yarn the first week, but I got fed up with that and used some roving I had from my drop spindle kit. (I tried it a year or so ago and quit almost immediately) This is my very first homespun, already plied but not washed to set it yet. This is perendale I bought at Birkland Bros.

I'm certainly happy with these first results, but I'm already looking forward to the day I can achieve something very even and consistent. As my Mother always said, when it came to painting or drawing. "You need to learn the rules before you can break them."

OK, this next batch of pictures shows my second attempt. Much finer, and using another method of spinning.

While this yarn was running through my fingers, from the wheel to the winder, it felt pretty even, well the last half of it did, (that's when I began to catch on) but as you can see in the close up, there's quite a bit of variation in thickness as well as twist. These two cakes will be plied today. I'm so happy, it's a snow day here. No work!

The class I'm attending is spinning and dyeing, so eventually you will see some colour in the hand spun. The exiting thing is, that at every step of the way, you are able to make choices. You can dye the roving first, then spin. You can spin then dye. You can spin in the grease, (spin with the lanolin in ) then wash or vice versa. It seems endless.

I will be back very soon to post my latest knitting. Promise!

Pals

2007-12-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

These two little guys are on their way to their new home via Canada Post. Christmas morning they get to meet a special brother and sister.

Off the Needles

2007-11-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

I love to knit socks for a few reasons. Self patterning yarn keeps a simple knit interesting. They're portable and I love the fine yarn and needles. I have one more pair of socks on the go, and I just finished off this pair. I think I need a change though, so I've found a book with some mitten patterns I'd like to try. I'm so excited by the idea! Oh, my lovely neighbor, who is ten years old happened to be visiting and was kind enough to be my model.

Thank you S!

I thought I would add this particular picture of me, since this is a post about socks and mittens. What am I wearing on my hands? I suspect there were several pairs of wet mittens already drying over the heating vent that day.

My Halloween Baby

2007-10-31T23:06:00.000-07:00

Isaac ... 1988-2003

My son Isaac was born on Halloween. I don't usually write about him here. One day I plan on scanning all the photos and drawings and making a blog for him. I probably have hundreds of drawings that he did. He drew a lot. I don't think he did it to make a finished picture. It was one of the ways he played. He created battles and fantastical creatures with mystical powers. Once, when he was very little he asked if he could have explosions for Christmas. I think he meant fireworks. Tonight I took a little walk around the neighborhood, to see the kids in their costumes, to watch fireworks in our little park, to remember that thrill of being out in the dark at that age, and imagining the possibility of the supernatural.

Happy Halloween my Son

...

Sock Monkeys

2007-10-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

I've added two new additions to the monkey family this weekend. This is a little peek. After all they are naked! You'll get to see more when they have names and are dressed and have eyelashes and hats and all that.

Show and Tell Time

2007-10-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

I picked this up today at Value Village.

Listen to these names... Sister Mary Providence, (well, she's a Sister after all) Mrs. Edward Cridge and Mrs. Thomas Blinkhorn. There are a few more good ones, Madame L'Hotelier, Mrs. R. B. McMicking, Lady Trutch.

I still have sock monkeys on the brain, and I'm thinking these would be very good names for them.

I like the little quote in the front of the book; The History of a Country is written from the lives of Men, but from the lives of the Women we learn best of a Nation's soul.

I also got this sweater and skirt. Just too bad neither of them fit me. I wanted the skirt for a quilt, but someone in this household seems to fit into it quite nicely. Damn. And the sweater... hmm, possibly a pillow.

Oh, one more thing... I'm sure you're as inspired by Amy, of Angry Chicken as I am. I love her that much more after listening to her interview on Craftcast. Reading blogs are wonderful, but to hear someone speak... well, it gives you that much more of a feel for the person. She was inspiring and uplifting. It was a fun insightful interview. Thanks Amy!

Moo

2007-10-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

I got a chance to visit Ontario again this summer and I loved it.
I also actually loved the heavy, humid summer air, knowing it would be a short time before I would be back on the West Coast again. OH, and the country side, man, I miss the country side!

Besides seeing family and friends, I got to spend real time with my daughter. That really was the highlight. Funny isn't it, someone you see just about everyday at home, but not really being with them.

And now, it's back to the rain, here in Vancouver. That's ok. It means cozy time indoors and maybe back to a little knitting.

Make More Lists

2007-10-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a partial list of things I want to do. You will notice that blogging is down there, somewhere on my list. Yea for me! See, I'm doing it!

learn to use the link thingy again
organize all of my paperwork, especially anything work related or financial
not miss any of The Office
menu plan and cook, (at least 4 days a week) so I can eat real food when I come home from work. Yes, OK, I'm doing it for my daughter too.
either go back to the gym (after not showing my face there for 8 months) or drop my contract
make a sock monkey, something as great as this!
re-finish/paint one dresser, one desk, and one book shelf
hem one set of curtains and de-hem another pair (that shrank in the wash)
figure out how to let the cats come and go, to use the litter box on the balcony, with out letting in all of the cold air
finish knitting a shawl that I started last year, so I don't freeze with all the cold air in here
organize all of my craft stuff. Lara is my inspiration!
finish reading Lara's archives. I have about one month left. She's funny!
continue ripping favorite pages out of every last one of my decor magazines. (ok, not every magazine!)
continue gluing said favorite pages into designated scrap book and making collage type pictures out of them. More on this later!
figure out how to use my ipod, again
make another apron for tie one on
make a dentist appointment
catch up on correspondence. That means letters, phone calls, parcels, email, facebook, fickr, and my blog, amongst others.
organize my pictures
continue buying scissors at record breaking deals, (at certain secret thrift stores) thanks to all of this, no sharp instruments on the airplanes business began
make more lists

Go Fly a Kite!

2007-08-09T17:56:00.001-07:00

It was a cold, windy day, so I sat in the car, listened to CBC radio and worked on my Yo-Yo's. You may be wondering what that thing is in the sky. Well, it will explain why I haven't been posting here. It's a big kite, (called a power kite) and people use them to get pulled around on boards in the water, (like a little surf board with foot straps) or land boards (like a big skate board, with straps) or a buggy. That was back in the day, before I was totally hooked. Now look at me!

That's right, my new hobby has put everything else on hold! This may not look impressive, but trust me, you can get going pretty fast. I do wear a helmet now.

Some of the daredevils do impressive jumps!

Even the best at flying do the kite in the tree trick!
So there you have it. When the rains come again, I'll get back to my knitting.

Red, Yellow, Turquoise

2007-05-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

I got these glasses at Value Village yesterday, still a deal at a buck each. I went looking for turquoise fabric. Do you realize how rare that colour is now a days? I did find the yellow curtain though. All washed up and fresh now. I think it would make a nice heavy weight apron. Oh, the pot holders I got there last month. Aren't they great? I wouldn't mind finding the crochet pattern, if anyone could help me out on that one.

They look right at home here. Hmm, I'm not liking that white wall.

OK, so these are the colours I'm into right now. The solid turquoise is quite a large piece of nice, heavy, cotton, but it's too bright for me. I tried bleaching it but I'm wondering if there's a better way? The patterned turquoise is new fabric, as is the polka dot. The plaid, is a men's shirt, (thrifted). Maybe I'll throw a little pink in the mix. It sure works above! By the way, the label above comes from a Dover, Old-Time Label Art book. ( Permission-Free designs )

One last shot... This is a store window in Steveston. I love this colour combo. Steveston has great, windy, open space for kite flying, something I do almost every weekend with my sweetheart. I'll show you sometime.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Haircut

2007-05-22T14:03:00.001-07:00

Hey, It's Me!

Like a lot of people, I'm critical of pictures of myself, but this one is OK! I've had several haircuts this past little while. I went to a great hairdresser, got a good cut... but oh my, the fussing and fiddling I had to do to make it do what it was supposed to. We looked at pictures and picked a haircut together. Then she warned me that I would have to use "product" and I said "I promise", but after a week I went mad, got a cheapo haircut, and hated it. Suffice to say I had a bit of a mullet. My daughter who does not cut hair fixed it that night. I totally trusted her judgment. Pretty good for NO experience. Now to find a hairdresser, one I can just stick with....

Oh, here's the most recent thing I've made besides supper. The panel is a pocket with lining and interfacing! The bag itself is lined in a similar coloured, tiny flower print fabric. Trust me, it looks good, but I don't have a picture of its innards. Need I say it was for my daughter? And guess what she told me recently? One day, she wants to have a...

The photos really don't do this blanket justice. No, I didn't make it, I scored at a rummage sale. It's a beautiful, soft, creamy wool and has a feeling of age about it. Here's a little closeup...

Pretty scalloped edging too.

I hope every one is having a good week.

New Fabric for the Stash

2007-04-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yippy! I have some wonderful new fabric to inspire me for some spring sewing. I've been hunting the past few weeks, got pieces here and there, then hit payload yesterday at a bazaar and a few shops. See!

The summery oranges and greens remind me of Popsicles and swimming on a hot day.

Too cute! Eventually I want do some paintings based on fabric prints.

I'm not sure if I will make bags, aprons, baby quilts, bigger quilts or summer skirts. It's been a fun day playing with colour combinations and getting ideas though.

I have quite a bit more to show, as well as another finished project, so stay tuned!

Spring Quilt

2007-04-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

I was reading statistics about blogs in the paper today and one of the thing mentioned, was that once you create one you must keep feeding the beast on a regular basis, otherwise your readership plummets. Oh what the hell, I'm not looking for fame. So on to my projects OK?

Hmm, what shall I do with this fabric?

A quilt you say?

It worked out pretty well I think, and fast too! Mind you it's just the top. I want to hand quilt it but I want it to be portable, you know, take it on a picnic. So if anyone has pointers on using a quilting hoop, I would greatly appreciate any advice.

I'm not worried about being too precious about it, since it will be my first hand quilting and sort of a practice piece. Hell, I didn't even cut the fabric, I tore the strips. I'm going to use cotton batting rather than polyester for the fill. I like the look of the old flat quilts rather than the puffy guys.

Crappy Procrastination!

2007-02-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

What a crappy blogger!
I suppose I have some perfectionist tendencies and in some cases that would be considered an attribute but in most cases it's not! Like hearing myself say this. "Not posting because I don't have a picture to add. Don't have a good picture. Don't have a picture of a recent project. Project's ends aren't woven in. Who wants to see another sock! Don't have anything witty to say. Blah blah blah." Or...the procrastinator. "Damn, I haven't posted for a month! Ignore it and it will go away!" Or... "It's too late now!"

Not that blogging hasn't changed things for me in great ways and that I really, really do like blogging!
I just get busy or overwhelmed or lazy or whatever. I not only bugger up the momentum and the connections and communication and such, I feel guilty! I suppose there is a certain amount of responsibility to having a blog and letting people know you are on a break, huh? See, I'm still learning!

I do have to say that after Christmas, well for quite a long time now, I've been sick and tired of feeling old and tired (and fatter than I like). With nothing to do with any new year resolution, I actually joined a gym! I have been going now, faithfully, for about a month, with the exception of this past week, due to painful eyeballs, fever and chills, pounding sinus pressure...get the idea? So anyway, prior to finally succumbing to the dreadful flu that everyone in Vancouver seems to have been passing around, I have increased my energy tenfold! Not only that I've lost about five pounds due to my renewed conscientious healthy food choices. Well, and all that exercise!

So, let's see if I can do it all! Take reasonable care of a household and a teenage daughter (who really takes care of herself), two cats, a part time-on call job, maintain a workout routine and a blog! So long as it doesn't cut into crappy TV viewing, like the best ever reality show finale, Beauty and the Geek! Wasn't that great!

Little House

2006-12-20T14:09:00.000-08:00

What did I do with this nice paper?

I'm trying to simplify things this year because I just don't want the stress. I think I have most of my shopping done... almost. I can't find the key that opens my storage locker, where all my Christmas decorations are, so....... I'm not having a tree this year! That simplifies things now doesn't it? I put off decorating for so long this year that it would be pointless to do it all now anyway. I do want it to be a little Christmas-y so that's why I did the garland and wreath, which really didn't take much time at all. The way I cope with the stress is to make sure I have time to be creative and make things... like cookies or this...

See, I do have a tree after all. This is the house before I added the little night light and vellum windows.

The paper mache houses came as a set of three (for $17 !!) at my new, favorite art supply store, Loomis. They opened another, bigger store on Broadway near Granville. (For the Vancouver readers, incase there are hundreds of you!)

And Now For Some Christmas Content

2006-12-18T12:48:00.001-08:00

An early Christmas present I got for myself at Michaels (which I almost never go to!) I see all the craft stuff and it makes me NOT want to craft.

But this bag... it has a gazillion pockets. Perfect for craft crap that I might want to carry to a friends or the park in the summer...

So what I did with this, was rip a bunch of strips.....

and tied them to lengths of yarn to make these, a garland an a wreath. Hey who doesn't like making Christmas decorations using wire coat hangers!

Smooth Sailing

2006-12-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

This is the smoothie I've been having most mornings, lately. Starting off with soy milk, I add some frozen chopped up bananas... or fresh, depending.

Then I add most of this crap. Some 3-6-9 oil blend (essential fatty acids) , Greens Plus, wheat germ and maybe almond butter. If I want to mix it up I add some ground hemp seed (protein powder) It's not tasty, I'll use it up some how. The baggy is ground psyllium husk (fiber). It's recommended you add this to a drink in the evening. I tried it in a smoothie and it wasn't pleasant. It soaked up all the liquid and I had to use a spoon.

There she goes, my beloved Cuisinart hand held. It's powerful and a damn sight easier to clean up than a blender! I highly recomend it. I used to blend up soups all the time when my kids were little. (in the blender back then)

Ooh yum, doesn't that look good? Actually, I really it. This, straight from the measuring/mixing cup while playing a few games of Spider Solitaire does it for me.

Snow Day

2006-12-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Now you finally get to see me! I have to mail this new hat off to a certain someone but I'd regret it if I didn't take a picture of it first. I think it's still a little big even though it's been through the wash twice. Ill leave it up to her to decide. See, you could wear it with the brim up too.

I did want to take pictures the very first day of snow but my batteries weren't charged. All the trees were lacey and everything looked pristine. It made the city look like the country side.
The snow is pretty much gone now, it's kind of drizzly again. We did get to go for a nice walk in the park though.

The river rocks here look like they're wearing hats.

Knitting Crazy

2006-12-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

I had part of the day off, so this morning I finally decided I'd better update this place so people know I'm still alive.
I took a whole bunch of pictures and most of them looked too garish and overexposed. Do you think I know how to work my camera yet? Do you think I could find my manual? Anyway, I was busy trying to figure things out, changing settings, taking pictures, tidying up, looking for my manual and I think I went into some kind of time warp. I could have sworn it was four o'clock or so but it was only one pm! Anyway, I'm still not really happy with these pictures but I can't find the secret setting that makes all the pictures come out just right.

I bought this great book, Hip Knit Hats by Cathy Carron. When I first flipped through it I realized that I would make most of the hats in it. There are a few hats done with novelty yarns, which I'm not fond of, but otherwise, I love this book.

See, this purple hat is the one on the front cover and it looks great on. I drastically changed needle sizes for this one. I'm getting cleaver at mixing different yarns to create the proper gauge. This is a good reason to have a good variety in your stash!

Here is the same hat in a different mix. They each took one good evening of TV watching, speaking of which, my favorite show at the moment is The Office.

I've also been working on this beauty, a scarf in Drops alpaca, soooo soft. It's as adventurous as I'm going to get in lace, at the time being. Easy peasy Feather and Fan.

A real quickie scarf in the beautiful Noro. I can't tell you what it is because I've misplaced the tag. It's got these two nice fluffy angora patches at either end. I love this colour mix!

Ok... these socks ( the start of this sock) aren't quite so bright. It's weird, knitting bulky hats then moving back to this. It's like knitting on tooth picks.

So, that's it for now.

I do have some snow pictures and I also want to tell you about the morning smoothies I've been making and you can tell me if I'm getting carried away.

2006-11-15T17:19:00.000-08:00

I finally finished a pair of socks that I started in May, and they're going to be mine! The first pair of socks that I've made for me!

I'm not posting a picture of them yet because it's dark now, even in the daytime! The grey, rainy west coast days have begun. I know I havn't posted lately and it's not that I've been too busy, but let's say it's not on my priority list right now. OK, I'm a slacker....

Oh, I found the best video demonstrating the infamous Kitchener stitch. She completely simplifies what could be a very frustrating experience, so check it out!

The photo above is the HMCS Saskatoon Flower Corvette. My Dad served in the Navy, on this ship. This is in honour of all the Navy men for Remembrance Day that just passed.

Natural Beauty

2006-10-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

I was feeling pretty sick over the weekend. On Sunday I was feeling a little better and to test my stamina I decided to go for a little walk to my local thrift shop, five minutes from my apartment. (open Sundays, open evenings, good cheap entertainment). I did bring home a couple little goodies but my best find was this wasp's nest which I didn't notice laying on the ground on the way there, but did on the way home.

I think the colours are amazing, and remind me of Leslie's beautiful (wip) socks.

The call of the Socks posted Sep 15th is at the bottom of the page.

Can anyone tell me... When I link to someone's site, can I link directly to one of their postings? I know this probably isn't the place to ask. My daughter isn't around to help out and if I tried help on blogger it would take me about 10 hours to figure this one out. Honestly, it's not intuitive to me and using the computer is an extreme challenge. It's a real love hate relationship!

Thank You

2006-10-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone for such kind, heartfelt comments regarding my last post. I've been busy lately, working on fixing up my apartment, going through everything and trying to simplify and spruce it up. I bought a bunch of Ikea frames and have been finally putting up some artwork, something that was lacking here. I seem to have a lot of nick nacks, (too many) but not enough pictures. Anyway, that's been fun going through old calendars and such. Miro, Grandma Moses, Chagal, Diego Rivera all in similar colour schemes. Maybe one day if I ever get my place to a point that I'm really proud of, I'll post photos. I'm doing this on a real shoestring budget mind you. Anyway, for now I'll show this great knitty bike I saw while window shopping a few days ago. I should have noted the store, or be able to give the artist credit but I can say it was on south Granville St. in Vancouver.

My Dad

2006-09-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

To explain my absence for any of you that still visit me here.

This has always been one of my favorite pictures of my father.

I've always been very private about my life, when I write on my blog. Somehow I just wanted to keep it a simple, happy place, about crafts I've made or bargains found at the thrift store. It's a difficult thing to put myself out there in public, cause I'm never sure how much I want to share, even little things. Then there are the life altering experiences....and so I've decided I would share.

My Father died recently. It wasn't a shock. He was ill with emphysema and heart disease for several years. What was especially difficult was that it was on the anniversary of my son's death. He was fourteen years old at the time of his accident, which was just over three years ago. My grieving for him was especially tender this year. So there it is, a blast of reality on a simple little blog.

You see, when I read about someone sharing their struggle with an illness, or the death of a parent or the birth of a child, I feel as though I'm keeping a secret. Part of who I am is the fact that I'm a mother who has lost a child. And please, I don't mean to bring anyone down. Ultimately I find life extremely beautiful, even more so, knowing how fragile it is... and so...I go about my sometimes hum-drum life, trying to remember to keep an eye out for that beauty. (As I know many of you do)

The tail end of the yard sales...

2006-08-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

I love yard sales when that special something jumps out at you. These crazy birds are great.

Here's another tin. I've had this a long time.

And here's a little bag that I finished off this morning, inspired by all the Japanese ones I've been seeing. My neighbor gave me this little lamb. I was admiring it on one of my visits. Wasn't that sweet? She's my little knitting mascot.

Trying to shake it off.

2006-08-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

I've had some crap happen in my life recently, and suffice to say, I've been left feeling unmotivated and uninspired, so my sincere apologies to anyone coming to visit and finding no explanation for my absence. My blog felt unimportant in the big picture. This is the place I go when I want to share my inspiration, and I didn't have any.

I did get to go to Ontario for a week at the end of June, and be with four of my five brothers and sisters. That felt really good! It was a trip to visit my father, who's health is failing. That's a hard one. I love my Dad.

We grew up on a one hundred acre farm. What a rich childhood. This little swampy area, at the end of our driveway was still there. We sat here a little while and were drenched in birdsong.

There was a bit of the foundation of the barn left standing. Our barn was torn down long ago, but I recently found out that some Mennonite farmers had salvaged the wood. I felt good about that because, our barn... It was so huge, it was a big giant friend, it had presence and history.

The silo was the only structure still standing. The lay of the land had been changed so much, the pond ploughed over, hills moved, that if it weren't for the silo, it would have been difficult to judge where our house would have stood. It wasn't heartbreaking. The grassy fields had been replaced with dark green, undulating rows of corn. Hey, it easily could have been a suburb!

We were also able to visit my beautiful mother on Manitoulin Island. We took the Chi-cheeman ferry through the mist...

Hey! Don't be feeding those seagulls... even if they fake having one leg and make you feel completely sorry for them!

A few minutes from my Moms doorstep and you have this!

The visit to Ontario was too short. I loved my time there... my family, the country side, all the stories and memories and especially all the good laughs.

Shop, then shop some more.

2006-06-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned how I've been having crummy luck in the thrift stores lately? I just have to admit that it will never be the same as it was back in the hey day.

Any way, I like to think up projects with items that I can still find for a steal while thrifting (for that treasure) and that's why I bought the shells and cigar box. It's to make these!

I've been on a little collecting kick for these shell boxes lately and I have three of them now. It's probably because I have fond memories of looking at my mothers shell box when I was very young. It was a beautiful one and made with care and I thought of it as a treasure box because it contained old, mysterious sewing paraphernalia. Anyway, I like my corny box with its corny Acapulco postcard glued onto the inside lid.

Over the weekend I was able to find some fabric that got me excited. Some of it from an expensive quilting shop and some from a great discount store. It's all washed and ironed, and ready to use. Does the thought of cutting into fabric pain anyone else?

OK, one last shot. I found this little pillow today. (so I lied about not finding anything good any more) Since it's tiny, I'm going to add some sort of trim, turquoise and red? and give it some proper stuffing. I love when my daughter likes something that I get a kick out of, so, this one's for her.

Friday Night

2006-06-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

An artistic shot on the way to Chinese dinner. OK, no, that was the margarita talking. This was the fortune I got.

Yo-Yo Tutorial

2006-05-29T17:21:00.000-07:00

First off, trace and cut a whole lot of circles. I used a CD as my template. Blue Trail of Sorrow, (16 top bluegrass gems) was just dandy. How could anyone resist a song with a title like Cotton Eyed Joe or Cruel Willie or Owl Feather or Everybody Wants to Go To Heaven? I'm figurin old timey music suites this project, after all, making yo-yo's was all the rage in the 20's and 30's. It was (and is) a great way to make use of those scraps. Anyway, your CD will make a finished yo-yo just a little over two inches. Obviously any reasonably sized template will do. I think I may try some teeny tiny ones sometime.

OK, on to the next step. Just go right ahead and start stitchin! The hem in this photo is a little wide, but hey, as long as you're consistent, they'll be the same size in the end. Because you're folding the edge of a circle you'll need to ease in a few ripples here and there, but you certainly don't have to snip the edges or iron. Well, at least I don't.

Ok, now we've gone round the circle, so before you pull it tight, turn it right side out.

Don't pull the gathers too tightly or they won't have room to lay flat in the end.

And there we have it! Simply stitch your yo-yo's together in your desired pattern. You're going to start finding them very addictive, because they're fast and I should mention, very portable! Before you know it, you've got a great pile of cute little buttons to play with. It's a wonderful way of trying out different colour combinations. Oh, I should mention, there is no backing involved when you create a bed cover. I'm just working on small projects at the moment, pillows and such, so of course they will lay atop other fabric. Have fun and let me know if you give it a try.

Love those yo yo's

2006-05-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

I'm planning on making these into a tea cozy, maybe leave the green out. I had a disappointing hunt for red and yellow fabric the other day. (at my local thrift shop) Out of all of the clothing, bedding, fabric... No cheerful red or yellow cotton. And you know, it's not even thrifty shopping for fabric this way anymore, when they're charging $5, $6, $7 dollars for a shirt or skirt. Time to hunt down the rummage and garage sales I suppose. Anyway, making these yo yo's are a fun way to try out colour/fabric combinations and if my tea cozy doesn't work I guess these will become a pillow.

Will have Warm Feet

2006-05-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

Here we go, a little change in colour. It's a popular combination right now, blue and brown, but one I've always liked. I spent a day sorting and organizing of my craft crap on the weekend. I've converted one end of my tiny dining room into a work area. I wanted to post a picture of the before and after, but the after isn't done yet. Seeing as I love interior shots of other peoples homes, studios and work spaces I may as well show mine as well. Soon...

Mothers Day Weekend

2006-05-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

I was at the beach (Spanish Banks) on Saturday. See downtown Vancouver in the distance? See the sock I am about to perform the kitchener stitch on? They say when you're about to attempt this, you should lock yourself in a room, unplug your phone and tell anyone in the home to not dare interrupt you until you come out. I made myself simplified written instructions ... Front knit off , front purl on, back purl off, back knit on etc. Knitting can be very frustrating, but when you do finally get IT you feel like such a genius!

I love this beach. It's big and open and windy. When the tide is out the kids play on their
skim boards, and the big kids play on their kite boards. See that big green kite? It's ours and yes, I fly it too. If you dig your heels in and lean way back, you can have it pull you a good ten feet! It's a trainer kite, a smaller version of the kites you use for kite boarding, and no, I won't be doing that!

After our beautiful beachy day we stopped at our local garden shop and bought a bag of lady bugs! Yes, 500 wonderful lady bugs to eat the aphids that have invaded the plants on our balcony. We have a yellow rose bush, named Lilly who is very happy now. Oh, I got the idea from Capello at No Appropriate behavior. Go check out her lady bug picture, May 8th post.

On Sunday when I came home from the coffee shop I was presented with this beautiful bouquet of orchids, and an excellent breakfast of crepes with berries and whipped cream. So to you Mothers out there with young children that made you those questionable pancakes on Sunday, just hang in there! I was also treated to a movie and then we hung out at English bay beach for the afternoon.

Now, if you look beyond the beginnings of the new blue and brown sock, across the bay, and to the left . . that was were I was the day before. In this picture I'm at a beach downtown. (Which you can see in the very first picture.) I think I made all of that sound confusing.

For my parting shot you get to see the green socks finally finished. I don't like these socks, I never have and don't think I ever will. I made a lot of mistakes during them too, probably because my heart wasn't in it. Well, I perservered and I'm glad I saw them through to the end, but more importantly, my needles are free for the new socks, which I love so far. Happy belated Mothers Day to those of you who fit the bill.

Cherry Blossoms and Embroidery

2006-05-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

Such an inconsistent blogger! Here it is one week into May already. Vancouver finally has some beautiful warm, sunny weather. It was a long time coming.

The cherry blossoms in my neighborhood are beginning to loose petals in the gusty wind, and some days it looks like we're having a pink snowfall. The path under the canopy of trees in our little park is now a blanket of slippery pink blooms.

I've wanted to try my hand at a little embroidery and a while back I made this small piece. I discovered that it's just too fine and finicky for my taste. I'll use this somewhere, probably on an apron pocket. I need to erase the pencil marks though. I traced right through the fabric from a drawing I copied. Not the proper procedure, I know, but the transfer paper didn't work well. It just rubbed off in no time at all.

I know there's been some interest in crewel lately and I've also seen some beautiful crewel in a few stores as well. I don't know how many times I've said "I could do that!" especially when I'm not willing to pay for something I really can't afford. So, I traced the pattern from this little vase,

took the drawing to the photocopiers and enlarged it, then using parchment paper and a transfer pencil, the fabric and a hot iron, I got to this stage. Now I had a decent image that didn't smudge!

This is the stage I'm at now. I started off with an embroidery hoop but found I preferred not using one. The fabric is completely puckered. I imagine I pulled the stitches too tight. I don't even really mind the way it looks, but I am considering filling in the background to remedy the situation. Give me your opinion. I'm not sure how much I enjoy this craft, but I'm sure that now I've had a little practice I'll be more likely to use some sort of embroidered embellishment in the future.

I found this little bird I a long time ago in a thrift shop. The full image is at the beginning of this post. I know it's not fine work but I think it has charm and I wanted to post it because it's so similar to what I've been working on.

Cheers everyone and happy spring.

Bunnies and Chicks

2006-04-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

Some recently thrifted fabric that I thought was appropriate to post today. These would make cute aprons, my daughter said shirts. Now that would be good, but I'm not so ambitious, maybe a simple summer blouse or skirt.

It certainly didn't feel like spring today, in fact it hailed a little this morning, and the snow is low on the mountains in areas. This was the view today from a local park (on high ground). Vancouver is beautiful. We've discovered this is another good spot for kite flying.

Happy Easter

2006-04-15T22:17:00.000-07:00

I stopped blogging temporarily because of my move, and then got out of the habit. Well I have to say it was kind of nice taking a break. I wonder how many of you out there feel pressure to keep your blog currant. I tend to procrastinate in certain areas of my life and if I'm late with something I find it that much more difficult to get back on track. So to any of you that came back and kept finding the same damn post, I apologize for that. What did I find when I did come back? All sorts of kind comments! Thank you very much every one. My move went relatively smooth, and now I feel slightly ashamed for complaining so. I like my new apartment, it has a great layout, has a spectacular view and sun in the afternoon. It's tiny, but I can say it's as cute as a button. It's also a nice chance to reinvent yourself a little. Happy Easter everyone.

Can't blog....moving

2006-03-23T08:10:00.000-08:00

I suppose this is an appropriate photo for what's happening in my life at the moment. No, not a vacation (not that this would be my vacation luggage). I've been moving and it's been hell. I am excruciatingly exhausted and I want it to be over. So if any one wants to send me well wishes, they would be appreciated. I won't have computer access for a few days, and after that, all my spare time(ha!) will be setting up the new digs. Until then, blessings to all!

Gifts from Amanda

2006-03-18T06:32:00.000-08:00

As I'm ripping open this colourful paper with anticipation, I'm thinking about how the seemingly cold hard computer has brought me together with someone in a very tangible way. There is nothing that can replace a package in the mail! Amanda sent me a whole wack of fun things:

Paper, candles, potpourri ball, a necklace, a beaded purse, stickers, chocolates... A very vintage recipe book, full of 70's images, called The New Joys of Jell-O. ( I love it, and I will use it!) But most importantly of all, she sent me a bag that she made by her own hand. I'm trying to conjure up images in my head of her at the sewing machine, or sitting on the couch with her little ones near and sewing on the buttons. (thus my close up) Thank you Amanda! And thank you Elizabeth for setting up the Vintage vixen Swap.

Mail!

2006-03-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

I received my very first package from my very first gift exchange. How exciting is that? Pictures will have to wait, since I have a full day of work ahead of me. I hope it's a sunny weekend!

The Power of Edna

2006-03-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

To continue with the red theme a little. This looks like old fabric, but it was a 'new' thrift store shirt. If it had been in my size, I would have been really happy. So, this is Edna's apron for Tie on One, but I want a picture, that shows the actual apron a little better. After my last post with Edna, I remembered the power of toys, and play. I remember as a child and I remember my own children at play. A stuffed animal is real, you become an author, you are free to explore and to discover things you may never have, if you did not play.

Treasure Hunting

2006-03-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

I got these craft magazines the other day for 49 cents each, which was amazing, since this particular thrift store usually overprice most things. I still go on a regular basis, because it's a five minute walk from my place, which is pretty irresistible. The booklets range from 1953 to 1960 and they're full of funny advertisements, and articles titled 'Women Who Make Cents' and the 'Flower Forum'. I'm wondering if it would be wrong to, ahem, cut a few up to do collage, booklets etc. What do you think?

Edna

2006-03-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

This is Edna. She has three sisters called Odelia, Marie and Cecilia, and all of them can wiggle their ears. Edna's lived with us a long time. She has a sketchy past, and spent a brief stint in a thrift store. I made this scarf for her the other morning, but she doesn't really like it. She doesn't think the colours are bold enough for her, even though I tried to convince her it would be a lovely Easter scarf. She was kind enough to sit for this photo, somewhat begrudgingly though. She's heard about the latest Tie on one theme and has convinced me to make her an apron, but wants to be able to pick out the fabric herself. She's really excited about this and says she wants to become a big part of my blog. I don't know what that means! She can't knit, she's never used a sewing machine in her life! As far as I know she just sits there looking pretty.

Birthday Presents

2006-03-08T17:45:00.000-08:00

This beautiful green and blue mohair and the multi coloured yarn below, were birthday gifts from my daughter. There's more too, but I'll save that for another day. I like photographs of yarn for pure esthetic value, but if anyone wants, I will give the specifics.

This yarn has a little sparkle to it, but it didn't really show up in the photo.

A very good friend gave me this very large piece of vintage fabric. It feels so familiar and so totally me. I have enough to make curtains, which is probably what I will do, since I don't think I could bear to take a pair of scissors to it.

And this is from me. . . sock yarn of course.

A Road Trip to. . .

2006-03-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

Finn Slough is one of the last tidal communities on the West Coast and is described as "a sleepy little backwater on the mighty Fraser river". The community is in the process of creating a living museum by restoring and maintaining various heritage features, preserving the natural habitat and protecting the Slough from urban encroachment.
In the 1880's the immigrant fishers from Finland were the first people to establish these homes. There were up to 70 households in the 1940's and 50's . Today 18 households remain.

Looking into the Slough. . .

and out towards the Fraser River.

A few of the homes. . .

It was a drizzly, overcast day when I got to see this community and the homes for the first time and I fell in love with it. Just a short walk to the north side of the Dyke, you can find huge, modern houses lacking in character and to me, soul.

In some cases, nature reclaiming. . .

I've wanted my blog to primarily focus on crafts, but because I find Finn Slough so unique I want to share my photographs as well. I hope those that see the beauty and creativity of Gee's Bend, it's inhabitants and their art, will relate to this. If you would like to learn more, I encourage you to visit their site.

I look forward to my next visit here.

For Vicci

2006-03-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a little teaser, for my swap partner, Vicci. She likes red!

Alafoss Lopi Button Bag

2006-02-28T07:11:00.000-08:00

Ah, to bring a little colour back to the blog. . . you see I really am a green person. This photo does the button bag justice because you can't see how I totally messed up the bottom of the bag where I increased. I don't know how many times I re-did it too! That's supposed to tell you something! If you have to re-knit, and it doesn't seem to be working, then you're reading the instructions incorrectly. Somehow I thought by going through the wash it would magically repair itself! But I do love this colour. . .

In The Archives

2006-02-28T06:04:00.000-08:00

I recently found some funny little drawings I did oh, twenty some years ago. These are a few that I particularly like. My mom, (who is an artist) told me, if you're not sure about a drawing, put it away for a little while and once you have some distance you can re-evaluate it. I don't think she meant twenty years!

Anyway, I'm pleasantly surprised with myself, and I'm excited about getting back into it! Now I want to draw tea cups and sock monkeys, balls of yarn and little vintage toys. . .

Let me know what you think.

Real men don't knit, they crochet!

2006-02-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

I've stalled on these socks. I'm not really thrilled with them, they're a little thick, (I don't think this was proper sock yarn) a little too bright, oh, just not quite right. I'll finish them up though, because I recently bought yarn for two more pair. . . And! . . . It was my birthday recently and boy, did I get spoiled! Yarn, more yarn and fabric! Pictures on the way soon!
Oh, by the way, see the bit of cream crochet blanket in there? Well, my sweet heart keeps asking if I've put any pictures of his crochet projects on the blog. We call this blanket the sleepy blanket (anyone who puts it on immediately falls asleep). It's huge, it took two kilos of Red Heart. That yarn comes from the endangered, wild acrilacks, which is why I think some people look down upon those who use it.

Girlfriends

2006-02-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

I love this quilt I found in the March issue of Country Living magazine, which, by the way, focuses on woman entrepreneurs. The fabric is from Sis Boom, which I ran across a while back, but had forgotton about. Has any one else come across this fabric line, called Girlfriends? I think Amy Butler fans would like it.

Favorite Thrift Score

2006-02-18T08:04:00.000-08:00

If you've read my previous post you'll know that I'm a participant in a swap.
One of the questions Elizabeth asked us, was, "What was your most favorite thrift score?" (and to add a picture, if we wanted to make her jealous) I thought this was a great question and should make the rounds in blog world. This was my answer.
Favorite thrift score? It wasn't a thrift score, but I found, in an alley, a beautiful, curvey, antique, wrought iron bed, all pieces included! I never thought of taking a picture of it, but now I will. Also, at the same place, got a steamer trunk, tin, wooden slats, good condition, original paper inside! I RAN home, got a dolly, prayed they would still be there. This was before cell phone days, well, for me anyway. The bed is in my daughters room.
When I was a teenager I used to go to thrift stores before anyone did. This one particular place, I would leave with a green garbage bag full, pure wool, cashmere, satin ball gowns, beaded sweaters, you name it, rhinestone jewelry coming out my ears. When you asked how much something was, some sweet little old lady would say, "Is 25 cents too much dear?" Yah, so you youngsters talk about thrift stores now-a-days, sheesh, I still have dreams, actual dreams of that place called Second Hand Rose.

Vintage

2006-02-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

I've joined the vintage vixen swap hosted by Elizabeth at My own lil Space. I get a kick out of things like this.

I got the little tin recipe box the other day, alas, no recipes included. The tin pail was from my neighbor, and my daughter brought home the basket which is lined in lovely red gingham.

"Salty and Peppy" have been living on my stove for eons. I would never get tired of them, or the little love birds.

A little set up in front of a childs painting . . .

Gifted and thrifted materials

2006-02-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

This is a little purse I made a little while ago, inspired by some of the Japanese, mixed fabric creations. I bought a tiny, turtle neck, knit vest, strictly for the colour, thinking I might make a little pillow or something. I was given the pink and brown fabric, and had enough of it to make a skirt (almost complete) and had a bit of scrap for this project. The closure is conveniently taken from a shirt with snaps. It's lined in that same fabric too. Cute.

My Cat

2006-02-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy with work, I haven't really had creative time, oh, and temporarily losing my camera put a damper on things too. So I've barely had time to do my own thing, let alone find time to vacuum my cat! Seriously, he just sat there. That's his happy look.

Downsizing The Magazines

2006-01-19T20:22:00.000-08:00

I've made it a habit to go through my old magazines and tear out pages that have something I like, to save on space. Since I'm moving into a smaller apartment in about a month this especially makes sense. Anyway, when I saw how great the Inspiration Collages that Cassi did over at belladia, she inspired me to dig into my stash. I will definitely do more of these . . . .

Thanks Cassi

Little Quilt

2006-01-19T17:02:00.000-08:00

I pieced most of this little quilt, a long time ago, when my daughter was small. It may have been intended for her. The fabric was scrounged here and there, mostly from clothing. I was finally encouraged to finish this quilt because of my new found blogging hobby, so a big thank you goes out to all of you knitty, crafty bloggers.

The border fabric was purchased recently ( for apron fabric stash enhancement) and made it into the finished piece, and looks at home, I think. I really like this simple pattern, and I think I'll do a full sized version, in different colours, for my self. Despite it's obvious flaws, I'm happy with it, and it has taught me to be more patient when cutting and piecing.

Pink

2006-01-16T07:15:00.000-08:00

We've had 27 consecutive days of rain, and guess what? We missed breaking the record by one measly day, and to top it off, we're back to a rainy forecast!

Well, to cheer me on, and any one else in the Pacific North West, here is a little ray of pink happiness. This is the third pair of socks I've knit. My second pair are in their new home, with out having been photographed first. These were also done for a very good friend of mine. They're Fleece Artist, and as you can see, I use four needles. I'm perfectly content (for now) with this method, in fact, I love it.

Since this is a pink post, I thought I would add a picture of this house that I stumbled upon the other day. (our one and only sunny day) Someone's not afraid of colour!

Pie and more pie

2006-01-13T15:37:00.000-08:00

This blog is really about documenting things I make. Down the road I won't convince my self all I've done with my spare time was watch TV. Things I've made are going to include food, probably pretty food. I don't think I'll be showing you any stew. I missed taking pictures of my Christmas cookies so I think that gives me an excuse to make something fancy for Valentines. Anyway, one thing I like to make is pie. So . . . . ta-da, here's the pie!

And more pie . . . . mmmm.

Rain, rain go away!

2006-01-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

I have several new projects that I want to post, but because of the dark, dreary rain and not wanting to resort to a flash, I'll postpone the pictures. I'm going to get to know my camera a little better and see what I can come up with. Until then, I'm going to leave you with some scenic shots.

Once in a while we take a day trip to Steveston, a historic little fishing village, about 30 minutes from Vancouver. There is a wonderful park at the seaside, were we fly our kites (more about that later) and if we want to indulge ourselves and have prawns for dinner, we can get them from the fishers at the pier.

Oh yes, another reason I like this little trip? Of course, you've guessed there's a yarn store here! Wool and Wicker is a tiny shop, chock full of goodness.

Norman

2006-01-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

I thought I would introduce you to my other cat, Norman. He felts easily.

Birthday Present

2006-01-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, this (the yarn) was a birthday present, from last February! (Thank you, Marcia) I started and finished my very first sweater right away. The yarn is Fleece Artist, two strands called kiss curls and baby kid. It was an excellent choice for a novice knitter, all garter stitches and no complicated bits. The finished sweater is light, spongy, very soft, and warms you up instantly. I was never completely pleased with these photos, and that's why I didn't post, eh hmm, last March. Well, I've decided to catch up now and use them anyway because God knows when there will ever be enough light to take a better picture. It's been raining, here in Vancouver BC for. . . . a long time. If it rains for a few more days we will break a record. I'm trying not to grumble about it, after all it is supposed to be a rainforest!

This is what it looked like when I went for coffee the other morning. Yes, I said morning!

I'm not guilty!

2006-01-11T12:16:00.001-08:00

I havn't blogged for months now and I feel somewhat guilty. I'm like this in other areas of my life too. I get very excited with something, dive right in and then tend not to be steady with it. So, I'm not to going to make a resolution but I will make an attempt to blog at least once a month, minimum. I've noticed the question, "why do you blog?" floating around. I do it because it's a challange for me to get to know the computer a little better, but most importantly, I want to feel connected to other crafters/artists. Sure, I get that in my life as well, but I'm constantly impressed with the wealth of creativity, the sharing and encouragement of all the crafty bloggers out there. It is crucial to our health to feel connected, and this is another venue to create that. It's exciting too. I'm a writer! I'm publishing! I'ts fun and it's my own.

So, no more regrets about not posting, and on with the new. This is my version of the Noro (Kureyon) scarf and I'm very happy with it and apparently so is my daughter. When she wears something I've made I take it as a great compliment. ( just not the part were she leaves it at someone elses house for a week) It was very fun to knit, seeing the differant colour combinations appear. I had to break off the yarn a few times to keep contrast in the pattern. I would like to find other yarn that has similar colour changes, to do more projects like this.

A simple scarf

2005-09-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist this beautiful wool. I misplaced the label and of course can't remember what it is. I really understand how someone (would that be me?) becomes a yarn snob. This scarf originally spent a short life being a pair of fingerless gloves.