Birthday yarn.

It is hard to shop for me, I hear.  But it's getting easier and easier because these days I will happily and gleefully accept yarn.  I am slowly photographing and posting my expanding stash on Ravelry--it's a great way to stay organized and is helpful when planning projects.  I am told that I might set a record for the quickest stash attained by a newish knitter.  And to that I say you should see my fabric stash.  But let's stay focused...

Here is my basket o' birthday yarn. 

Contents include three skeins of yummy Madelinetosh DK, one in oak and two in moss.  These will be winter hats.  Charlie claimed the oak and I'm dreaming of a hat and mitt set in the moss.  Then again, I would also like another shawlette.  I've checked this a dozen times but yes, I'm sure:  the oak colorway is the green and the moss colorway is the brown.  Go figure.

I also received Blackstone Tweed in two colors, a beautiful blue (Wharf) and a rustic brown (Quahog).

I may have enough of the blue to eek out a sweater dress.  Maybe.  Can't you just imagine it in this blue?  Actually, imagine it in a less shocking blue because it's not as bright as depicted here, promise.  It's more peacock than turquoise in real life.

There are only four skeins of the Quahog--not sure what those shall turn into just yet, but my guess is another accessory of some sort.

And lastly, there are four skeins of a new-to-me yarn.  Sublime cashmere merino silk dk--it is incredible, velvety and soft.  I am unsure of the name of the colorways but they are a soft blue and a sandy gray.  I see something stripey and definitely next-to-skin.

I am not sure which of these lovelies I will tuck into my carry-on bag tomorrow, though I best decide soon.  I considered simply carrying on the entire basket.  But that would be silly.  I can live without petting my new yarn for a few days. 

Sandra

Chicago Chickadee.

I finished a cowl a bit ago, well before I knew we were heading to Chicago to celebrate my 40th birthday.  I am so happy it's blocked and ready to throw into the suitcase.  I think it'll be perfect for the weather expected.       

This yarn was originally used for another cowl--the popular Honey Cowl.  But it was my Disney knit and lo and behold, I had packed the wrong needles.  I remember staring at my lap on the plane wondering what to do.  

I thought maybe it would work out with some fiddling so I went ahead and cast on.  But after working on it throughout the trip and a few days once we returned, I faced the fact that the resulting fabric was much too loose for my liking.  So I frogged it.     

I wasn't sure if it was going to become another cowl after that experience.  But then I saw several beautiful versions of the Chickadee cowl knit in this exact yarn (Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light) and colorway (Calligraphy), and fell head over heels, leaving little choice.  And I'm so happy I shamelessly followed, not changing a thing from their versions.  I love this cowl (Rav notes here) and have a new affection for the linen stitch.

Sandra

p.s.  I will be away for a bit, unplugged and holding hands with my fella, exploring a wonderful city.  This is after I figure out a suitable traveling knit and double check that I've packed the right sized needles. 

40.

    

I said goodnight to my thirties last night and woke up in a new decade.  For real this time.  To celebrate, I thought I'd share 40 random things about me.

 

40.  I became a neat freak/organized wannabe during my first pregnancy.  Considering the amount of stuff that comes with children, the timing was not ideal.

 

39.  Two of my favorite shows are Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on NPR and Gossip Girl on the WB (this barely nudged out The Bachelor).  It's all about balance.  Plus, it's hard to knit something complex while watching riveting tv.

 

38.  Most people think I'm of Hispanic descent (I am not, btw.  I am half Thai).

 

37.  No, really, when I did this thing at the White House, the Hispanic caucus would make a beeline for me and surround me (no idea what they were saying).

 

36.  I have taught the same aerobic class since my last year of law school in 1996.  They spoil me and have thrown me a celebration for just about every milestone in my life.  They are like family. 

35.  I am generally a nice person.  But once when I was cross-examining a witness, I made him cry.  Also, a juror once asked me if I handled divorces.  She was hoping I'd skewer her husband.  I suppose in court I can play the mean part. 

34.  I don't understand parents who drone on and on, bragging about their children.  Besides, we should really be talking about my children who are so smart, funny, cute,  talented, sweet, etc., etc.

 

33.  I love to cook and entertain.  It is a shame that I am so neurotic about it.

 

32.  I totally expect the man to offer to drive--is that horrible?

 

31.  And I think he should offer to pay.  That probably is horrible and dated but there, I said it.

 

30.  I will be raising my boys to always offer to drive and to pay.

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Last week.

Some things to remember from the week.

Littlest one dressed in fall clothes, looking so sweet.

The look of blocked linen stitch (more details on the cowl later).

A hat I'd knit and forgotten.

Remembering to take the camera to the bus stop to capture how the boys say goodbye each morning and hello each afternoon...may they always stay thick as thieves.

Also, I...

--was fussed over by family, friends, neighbors, and fitness students on special nights.  I am incredibly lucky.

--baked an unusual number of scones (four batches!)

--made grand plans to redo my craft space.  Doing it on the cheap so watching Craigslist like a hawk.

--picked out paint for new shelves Charlie built me--he truly is the best.

--did not log a single mile running, tsk tsk

--found the perfect pair of black boots.  I have been looking for ages, ask anyone.

and

--booked tickets for two to Chicago.  So, so excited.

Here's to another good week.  And remembering to remember it.

Sandra

Weekly Crafty Roundup.

It might be a bit bold of me to proclaim this a weekly roundup.  Because that probably indicates another will follow.  In a week.  And let's face it, I can channel the best one-hit-wonders when it comes to blog ideas.  But let's go with it for now, shall we?  Because there are so many lovelies out there and even though I've started pinning ideas on Pinterest, here are some I especially love this week.   

Speaking of Pinterest, have you joined??  You must join!  My boards are here--they are nearly bare as I am just getting started.  It is dangerous, time-wise, so be warned.  But I digress.   

Knits

The Parker sweater by Amanda Keep.  I could see whipping up a stack of these for gifts (if I weren't such a selfish knitter, that is).  The instant gratification of bulky yarn?  The fun color combo potential?  As the boys would say:  winner winner, chicken dinner.         

Catkin by Carina Spencer.  I have read about this shawl on various blogs and folks say it's pretty fast.  I am intrigued by that claim as the FOs look stunning.  And even though I'm not sold that I'd ever wear the shawl as a shawl, I swoon when I see it draped as a scarf.  And besides, I just want to knit it.  As for colors, I'm thinking grellow.  There is not enough gray/yellow in my life and I find that alarming.     

Catkin by Carina spencer

Canaletto Cowl by Megan Goodacre (Rav link).  There is talk that the next KAL on Luvinthemommyhood will be cowls.  I've had this queued since it first came out in the spring.  And I have some Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted cotton in a steely blue that would be, as Chandler Bing might say, perfection.

Other Crafty Pursuits

DIY Clay Necklace 

The absolute last thing I need is to flirt with learning a new craft--agreed?  But if I were...I'd love to give jewelry making a try.  And I'd start with this tutorial by Instructables user CreativeCate.  These necklaces are so feminine and I adore the vintage vibe.  Plus, they look rather spring like to me.  So if I were going to learn about jewelry making, I'd have plenty of time.  Not that I'm planning to, nor covertly buying supplies.  Ahem.

I am contemplating asking Charlie to craft this bed for William.  There are at least five other spaces that desperately need attention before Will's room, but gah!  I love this bed. 

Source: blogs.babble.com via 3pumpkinslittle on Pinterest

More next week.  Or not.  Let's just stick with maybe.

Happy Friday!

Sandra

Button jar.

I just remembered that I have a nearly completed cardigan somewhere amongst my knitterly things.  It has sat, neglected and lonely, in my WIP basket the entire summer.  If cardis could talk, it would no doubt tell me that it is confused and sad.  It would ask me why I abandoned it.  Was it something I did? it might wonder.    

And, well, if I talked to sweaters (and I do not--or at least, not usually), I would tell it that I understand why it's confused.  I worked on it it until it was 95% done and then just walked away.  I need only to pick up stitches for a nice finish on the collar and button bands--twenty, thirty minutes of work, tops.  But you see, I also need to sew on buttons.  And therein reveals why I first tucked it aside--I did not have the right buttons.  But it languished for three months because I forgot about it, plain and simple.   

I remembered it as I was sorting through my various baskets.  And as the weather is finally cooling off, I think it's a fine time to get back to it.  It also helps that I recently added these lovelies to my button stash.  They beg for a more permanent home than my button jar (if buttons could talk, that is).

I think some brown ones, carved from coconut shells, are the winners for this particular cardi.     

 

But I'm excited to have other options in-house and at the ready.  I need to keep the cardi community happy.  I've invited over an ambitious number this fall. 

Sandra

We are not accepting applications for new craft obsessions right now, thank you.

Nope.  Not going to get into dyeing.  Can't can't can't.  That's what I said last weekend.  And to make absolutely sure I wouldn't want to anyway, I thought it prudent to see what the fuss is about on the topic of Kool Aid dyeing.

So I unearthed an undyed skein from my stash and plunked it into a pot of water mixed with several different Kool Aid packets.  I slowly heated the pot, bringing it to just below boiling and let it sit until the dye exhausted (it's really something--the water goes clear as the yarn absorbs the dyes).  I took it off the heat, let it cool, rinsed it off, and set it out to dry.  Then I reskeined my newly colorful yarn and plotted what I'd knit up. 

And as I looked at it, I promptly did two things:

1.  Vowed to never let the boys drink Kool Aid again considering what it did to my wool, and

2.  Resigned myself to the fact that I kinda loved dyeing something.

Sandra

Random, but so funny.

A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Hallie visited.  I've mentioned Hallie previously when talking scones.  She's also the person who got me into running.  I'm sad to say that we did not have scones or a chance to run together during her latest visit, so Hallie, come back!

But we did have, as is our way, the best talks.  And in one of those, I mentioned a recent discovery--that I'm one of those folks who, instead of laughing with the rest of the crowd at something funny, will nod and mutter, "that is so funny."  It's like I have to narrate everything. 

She sent me this YouTube video link.  While watching, I must have said "that is so funny" half a dozen times.  You, I bet, will just laugh.  Especially if you've ever shopped at Whole Foods.

fyi:  teeeny bit of cursing and there is music in case you're checking in at work.

 Sandra

More flowers.

I got to play with flowers over the weekend.

It was for a wedding we attended and we had a lovely time.  To be clear, the lovely time was had after the flooding and power outages were resolved.  Am I dwelling on the natural disasters?  I think I might be.  I know I've already mentioned them.  Twice.  But honestly!  It was a bit much.

Because as you might imagine, having lights, a working refrigerator and, I don't know, air conditioning when it's 90 degrees out, are all fairly important when designing flowers.  Especially wedding flowers, as one likes to manipulate them to peak as if on cue.  And I really would have liked having my basement space  per usual for flower gigs.  But after the flooding, I decided I'd better just work out of the kitchen.  Luckily, everything turned out fine.  I should really try to remember that things usually do have a way of working out.  It would save myself quite a bit of stress.

The bride requested a color scheme of white and blue, which can be a challenge because very few true blue flowers exist--most lean towards violet or lavender.  I decided to work with hydrangea, agapanthus, delphinium, and thistle for the blue.  For the white, roses, freesia, lilies, and more hydrangea. 

I adored how the arrangements turned out.  You really cannot go wrong with white and blue; it will always feel fresh.  And most importantly, the bride loved them.

 

Especially her bouquet...she asked for an organic looking bouquet, not round.  This seems to be a trend and I'm a fan.  A past bride said it best--flowers shouldn't look stressed out.  But I find it amusing (and by amusing I mean curse worthy) how hard it is to make something look "natural" but still refined.  Maybe I just need more practice.  Or maybe I struggle because perfectionism has no place there.    

Sandra

Project bags.

Heavy emotions were with me all day yesterday.  But I ended on a high note by visiting with good friends at knit night.  I also squeezed in some sewing--always a good distraction.

The big news in our knitting group is that one of us (the knitting guru of the group and the very friend who inspired my knitting craze in the first place) started offering knitting lessons this year.  And she and her business partner are doing great!  So great that they asked if I might stitch up some branded project bags to offer their students.  I couldn't say yes fast enough--it seems these days the only way to get me into the sewing room is to commission me to make something.

The name of their business is knitlove Bethesda--if you are in the area and looking for knitterly goodness, you should check them out.  For the bags, I started by taking their adorable logo and making appliques.   

I then made a simple pouch-style bag as a sample and dropped it off last night, completely forgetting to take a picture.  So I reworked another sample, altering it just a bit.  This is the small size; I used one fat quarter for the outer fabric and some heavy twill I had in my stash for the lining.  It is the perfect size for accessories--thinking socks, cowls, hats, etc.  I also boxed the corners this time for some extra room (the first sample was flat) and I added two drawstrings instead of one.  With the boxed corners, it stands up when filled.

The double drawstring allows you to tie it onto something if needed.  This summer, when I took my knitting to the beach or pool, I often wished I had a way to attach my project bag to my chair to keep it off the ground.

Did I mention the pockets?  I love pockets...

And here's a shot of the interior with a cowl in progress and one caked skein--still lots of room...

 

I plan to make a larger size next and incorporate feedback from the owners for the final design of the knitlove Bethesda bags--I'll be sure to show them when they're done.  And since I'll be sewing, I've offered to dive into my fabric stash to make a batch of project bags for my knitting group. 

I also have other crafty endeavors in mind that I hope to tackle soon.  But first things first.  I need to clean out the basement (from the flood after the string of natural disasters), organize Disney pictures, get some work done for my part-time job, and put together an invite for a BIG party we've decided to throw (so excited!!).  Busy, busy.  Happy Monday.

Sandra