Fabric Stash

I'm moving.

2009-04-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks for visiting at this blog. I have decided to move my old blogs to fabricfan.wordpress.com.
See you at my new internet home.

Flowering trees.

2009-04-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Signs of spring. This magnolia can be seen from the bedroom window and from the breakfast nook downstairs as well. At last, I have given up on wearing my ski coat, the temperature has been in the double digits (C) for the past week. I don't want to put in my plants too early, I am very cautious before the May 21st weekend but I did buy parsley and rosemary to go with my chives that are growing well.
Project Spectrum has suggested a picture facing north. So that is my Northern view.

photo woes (photos added)

2009-03-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Blogger is driving me nuts! It has been awhile since I last had trouble uploading pictures but I am having the same trouble as before. My pictures are uploaded sideways for upside down! I have tried uploading at least 5 times in the last few days. A few months ago, I even tried rotating the pictures in my own files and still the uploaded differently!
Photos added: I hope you don't mind the sideways views, just turn on side to take a look!

You will have to take my word for it. But I have some wonderful pictures of a rug hooked mat for my table from my dear friend, it has a ball of yarn and a sock in the design. I also received a fabric postcard in the mail and it has angelina fibers and an organza overlay.

On Sunday, we did a drive through in Stanley Park and we found the blue herons nesting. It was a wonderful thing to see as there were nearly 30 birds in a very small area. I will have to take another drive up to Porteau Cove, the nests looked the same as in Stanley Park, several in one tree and the trees were also close together. The birds in Stanley Park are near the tennis courts.

signs of spring

2009-03-26T20:18:00.001-07:00

It was a blustery day last Sunday when we down at the beach. The paddlers were really having to battle some white caps, I don't know if these people were protesting on Water Day on behalf of keeping the rivers clean for the fish habitat. At one of the other beaches in Vancouver a demonstration was being held. The crocus were up and made me feel cheerful on such a cold spring day.

friends

2009-03-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

Isn't it great to have friends that understand you?
So here we are with pictures of our socks, we all understand the need for blog fodder. Plus, it is also good to have a hubby who photographs whatever I want.
Stephanie and Anne came over to see our new townhouse and have tea.

Some new additions

2009-03-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

I went out to Fibres West with a friend on Friday morning and had decided that I'd only purchase sock yarn. Two balls of the blue Summer Sox, Malabrigo green with a greyish cast, Araucania Ranco multy, Mega Boots Stretch by Lana Grossa in two different colour ways. I was very happy with my purchases and we actually had fairly good weather for the hour drive.

Regarding the nests of the last post. I think that they might belong to Blue Herons. On the news the other night they had pictures of similar nests in Stanley Park, the birds have yet to return because of the wet and cold weather. I'll be driving over to the park to check them out.

Stephanie, I don't have very good skills with basketry, so I am afraid nest building is out for me, as an art challenge, interesting but will stay in the imaginary realm.
Metscan, thanks for visiting and if I find out more about the nests I'll keep you informed.

bird nests

2009-03-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

When the trees are bare, I am always on the outlook for bird's nests. There doesn't seem to be many anymore, usually only one nest in a group of trees. So when I was at Porteau Cove in Howe Sound last weekend, I was surprised to see a group of trees with several nests in each one. I have no idea what kind of bird made the nest but the complexity of a nest always intrigues me.

a brand new bag

2009-03-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

Last year, I recycled our old sail from the sailboat. I took it to Red Flag Designs and a couple of weeks ago, they phoned to say that they had a thank you gift. So today this neat bag came in the mail, it is really sturdy and very well constructed. Don't know yet what I'll be carrying in it but I'll think of something.

Out of town

2009-03-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

We had out of town guests and decided to drive north to Squamish and possibly Whistler on Saturday morning. We made a special stop at Shannon falls, it was a little slippery to walk on the light snow fall and it was worth the short climb up the trail to see the falls. I loved looking at the rocks, click on the pics to make them bigger. I focused on taking pictures of rocks for Project Spectrum North.
In Squamish we arrived to find there was an art show, the exhibit was in a rail car shed at the railroad museum, it was a great show and we found several nice pieces that did not fit the budget. Wildatart hopes to hold the annual show next year in conjunction with the Olympic festivities in host it in the new roundhouse that is being built.
On the way back home, after a great lunch at the golf course restaurant, we stopped at Porteau Cove and took a picture of the rocks.

Default pattern

2009-03-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

A friend wrote a few posts ago, that her default knitting was socks. I must admit that is my default knitting as well.
I have been thinking about what I am attracted to when I see fabric. What is the must buy?

It will be no surprise to my children but my favorite pattern is paisley. Big, small, it doesn't matter. Next test for me is colour and the hand of the fabric.
Some blouse fabrics currently in the stash.

Certain stripes, especially black and white, just make me dizzy. I have a fondness for seersucker, it must date back to my childhood, as does the paisley. I like impressionist flowers. Although, I don't wear plaids, some I adore.

But back to paisley, I buy paisley paper for cardmaking when I can find it, and I have carved a paisley stamp. It wasn't terribly successful no doubt I need to work on that particular skill.

Notions and Knitting

2009-02-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

After decades of sewing, I finally have my first narrow hemming foot. (3mm) I think I just used to avoid the whole issue of narrow hems, my clothes were much to practical. But I have a few light weight fabrics in the stash and I had left a blouse abandoned for several months. My attempts at a hand sewing edge were terrible, so I am in practice mode. I also picked up the ruffled organza elastic trim, it was a lot cheaper than the two hanks that I bought in France. The big buckle, I am always collecting purse findings, I have visions of making my own leather purse one of these days. I have saved my green leather coat and a black leather coat of my father's in hopes that I'll make a couple of fabulous purses.

The noro striped scarf is nearly done I am nearing the 6 foot mark. The socks are coming along as well and really don't have too much to knit to complete the first one.

socks and scarves.

2009-02-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

Another pair of plain socks on the needles, St. Ives yarn and solid green. That will be my start for Project Spectrum4, winter. I am in need of socks. I haven't used this yarn before but sofar I am quite pleased with it.

The striped noro scarf just happened. I had 3 balls of Noro silk garden left over from my Hey Teach sweater and couldn't find the receipt. So after seeing dils scarf I couldn't wait to cast on a scarf of my own. Mine is only 33 stitches wide but still 5 inches in width. It is addicting to watch this scarf grow in length and you do just want to keep watching to see what happens next with the colour.

The arequipa socks are done, they have alpaca in them, so probably too warm for me to wear now that it is starting to be warm.

The yarn harlot has the teacher list up for the Sock Summit. So far I can't see how I am going to work that into my summer, I'll just have to dream on that for awhile. I have my lotto ticket for today, imagine 48 million, I can think of a few knitting friends I can take with me.

A new Direction

2009-02-15T16:42:00.000-08:00

Only fourteen days and Project Spectrum begins again. Each year comes with a whole new set of guide lines and as usual with any challenge, we get out as much if not more than what we put into it. This year it is based on Cardinal Directions and Lolly has posted the schedule for the next 8 months.
A excerpt from Lolly's blog-

"Just as the cardinal directions are linked to a color, each direction is also linked to a season, an element, and a natural material in many cultures. This quartet of features (color, material, season, and element) are a part of this cardinal direction. As a participant in Project Spectrum, you can choose to simply explore the colors associated, or even the textures of the natural material. If you choose, you can interpret the directions through the lens of the associated season or of the element. Your interpretations can be literal or esoteric. You can explore the science or the philosophy. Like the Project Spectrums of years past, it is totally up to you!

NORTH (March/April)
Color: Green
Material: Stones/Gems/Rocks
Season: Winter
Element: Earth"

Once again there is a Ravelry connection and a flicker group will also be added.
I think I will be doing a sock theme, I am on a roll so far this year with socks. I have some great green sock wool in the storage locker. I'll add some sewing, maybe a necklace, green is a recurring theme for me. Maybe even my coat for the great coat sewalong will be revisited.

two socks

2009-02-12T18:53:00.000-08:00

Both pictures were taken with a minute of each other but the table is closer to the real colour in the 2nd picture.
The pair in progress is the Arequipa sock and I have done a few more inches since yesterday.
The close-up of the pair with the eyelets is the Mad Tosh socks using a basic pattern, I used a different eyelet pattern with each sock. Very difficult to photograph.

Home Again

2009-02-10T20:06:00.001-08:00

I was in Toronto for a few days, nice to get away from home for a few days, visiting family.The weather turned fairly warm on Saturday with a warm wind. We went for lunch at the Autogrill and took part in the Winterlicious program, I had some excellent pizza with very thin crust. Then it was onto the subway and the streetcar, nearly the full length of Queen Street.
The first stop was the Purple Purl, a neat yarn shop and then a long ride again over to Dufferin and to the Workroom. I took a little side trip to look at contemporary jewelry at Made You Look and we also had a look in the fabric store, I can' t remember the name but some excellent things in there as well. One final stop on the way home to look in Fluevog's. I didn't buy anything but that was OK.
I spent some time knitting and my new socks (Arequipa) are coming along quite nicely.
We had two hours of turbulence on the plane, couldn't knit during that, just kept my eyes shut and tried to ignore the whole thing. The next plane was late due to a mechanical problem. It was a long day and just glad to get in the door at 1am.

two book reviews

2009-02-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

I picked up Stitch Journeys when I was in Sechelt at Sew Easy, when I picked up the Arequipa yarn. There are great pictures and ideas for various types of machine embroidery. Worked in a postcard format, which will give me some ideas for the fabric postcard workshop which I am hosting at the end of the month.
I have mixed feelings about the 1000 sweaters mainly because there are only 3 sizes of sweaters! Sizes 34, 36 and 38. On the other hand, the book is constructed like a flip book with sweater bodies in the top half of the book, with different stitch patterns and basic necklines, V, slit, round, square etc. Below the sweater bodies are the sleeve, pocket, neckline options that can be added to the various tops. I think it is a good starting point for me to figure out my own sweaters. I ordered my book on line from hampstead house books, but it is no longer in stock.

January wool projects.

2009-02-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

I have moved to my new townhouse and continue to find places for our belongings and I find some things are now being placed in the garage sale pile. Not everything is going to fit! I also have to organize some of the storage inside cabinets to suit our things.
New shelves have been placed in the office and sewing room, new 7 drawer organizers have been added.
The only hobby that I have participated in for the last while is knitting.

The little tiny sweaters made with sock yarn were fun to do, except for the sewing up part, nearly as many ends as a real sweater. The cabled one still needs the collar added before sewing up. This fun project was from Berocco.
They are the project called Jamb.
This picture will not upload in the proper orientation.

The yarn call Arequipa, was bought in Sechelt. My hubby had been in Peru, on business and looked around for sock yarn for me and couldn't find any. He heard about a wool store in Lima but, of course, he wasn't going back to Lima again. He was actually in a city called Arequipa and I knew I was meant to have this yarn. It has alpaca with the superwash wool.

The socks are not yet finished, the first sock was a little too short so I need to add a bit then redo the toe again, I hope to wear them this weekend.

the snow effect

2009-01-03T20:59:00.000-08:00

Another 6 inches of snow today, and it is getting to me. I'd love to stay wrapped up on the sofa, with a fire, a pot of tea, and a good book to read. I desire mashed potatoes, gravy and after the first course, I want chocolates and pudding. I am happy in my nice hand knit socks.
My hubby has been painting the 2 bedrooms in the new place, one will be his office and the other my sewing room and guest quarters. The colours we have chosen are Spiced Rum, a rich brown colour and for my room, Indian Summer. A terra cotta colour, lovely and warm and reminds me of Santa Fe. I do wonder what colour I would have chosen if it had not been snowing.

Damselfly wanted to know this years word, I think maybe I'll chose "Explore" . Although I am not moving very far, just a few blocks, there is a new neighbourhood and house to explore. Looking through catalogues, making decisions, changing things around and exploring the options.

A New Year

2009-01-01T09:51:00.001-08:00

The winter storms are still here, this is a long time to be near freezing in Vancouver. Enough with the piles of snow and still it snows a bit more each day. It is getting harder to turn into the driveway with the huge pile of snow on either side!
Last year, I chose a word to guide my year, instead of a resolution. My word was embrace and I tried to hug all the new experiences to me, it was a lovely year! I just may have embraced a little too much food and not enough exercise but knitting and sewing and altered art creating were full experiences with lots of opportunities to learn.
So this year, I am thinking of using more of my stash, I don't intend to not buy new things. I just plan to spend mindfully. I have been packing up my things, prior to moving house. The fabric, the wool, the craft supplies are mountains deep. The books are also an impressive pile.
I plan to use more of the recipes and cook more often. I had gotten out of the habit and I have found enjoyment in cooking again.

Damselfly posted this video called Tiny knitting today. Such lovely small sweaters. There were some related videos on a new movie and info on making the miniature figures. A great one on hair.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

Late afternoon, the clouds are breaking up, the sun is setting, the clouds are pink and it is Christmas day. Peace and good wishes to everyone.

Still Snowing, cooking and knitting

2008-12-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

Snow is continuing to fall, we have now accumulated 16 inches. That's way too much for Vancouver, the snow is supposed to stay on the ski hill.

The hosts of the Christmas dinner have postponed it until Sunday. I had bought a ham just in case we were snowed in and didn't want to face the streets and other drivers. So we will eat well.

Although, I have had my new stove for a few years, I've never had a big baking spree. I usually just do main courses in my oven, as a result, my baking has turned out a little dark on the bottom. Well, really some things have burnt around the edges, so I've just been eating out of the middle of the pan! We've both have had to test the baking to see if it is presentable.
I'll have another go at the stove later today. I'll pay a bit more attention this time and take stuff out earlier.

Knitting has been progressing. We are catching up on some old Battlestar Galactica and I have finished the sleeves for my Briggs and Little cardigan. I probably won't block it for a couple of weeks, so I have time to think about the collar and neckband and the buttons. I am thinking some Dorset buttons will be fun to do. It has been a few years since I have made any of them.

The last of my Web's skein of the month came on Monday, Fortissima Socka, in blues and it has bamboo in it. I will just be doing some plain socks. I did download the free sock patterns from Knitting Daily but they are more than I wish to bother with at this time. The Skein of the month club will not be continuing next year. I did enjoy last year and got some lovely yarns mostly in colours that I liked. I haven't used it all but what I did knit I am pleased with. I made 2 scarves, 2 pairs of fingerless mitts, and I pair of socks and have now started the second pair of socks.

It sure is pretty.

2008-12-22T11:29:00.000-08:00

The snowy wonderland is beautiful. While the snow was falling yesterday, I did my first round of baking, mincemeat tarts, brownies and mincemeat squares. I think there is another baking day in the next day or so, I think I'll be doing shortbread, using my mom's favorite recipe, Melting Shortbread, I am thinking a gooey square loaded with sugar. I had delicious pecan squares at a bridal shower on Friday and probably don't need any more but oh so good.
No more snow is expected today but there is more in the forecast before Christmas, thank goodness a neighbour has a showplow on his truck and is keeping our road in great condition.

Finally a little sewing

2008-12-14T13:37:00.000-08:00

This is the pattern I used and the jacket I started when on the road trip in the last post. It is a lot closer fitting than the hoodies of old and I like the princess lines better as well. The view, I used, called for fabric strips to be attached to the front, back and sleeves and I will blame the lack of a decent table and poor lighting in the motel, to the poor job I made of attaching them. This is really an at home garment. I had originally cut it longer but while up at the motel, I decided to cut it off at the line suggested for the view I was using. A few minutes later I discovered that the hem was left raw! The yoga pants are not done yet.

My first online purchase with my new account. Lots of detail in this book on ties and totally different than how the big4 pattern companies put them together. My tie making will take place after Christmas. David Coffin covers custom length, details all the different ways of constructing the perfect point and lining. I pawed through all the old ties I had collected and to my delight even found some of the interfacing from inside. Unfortunately the ties were skinny in those days, so I can't really use them. I did wash them just in case. I may have to order some interfacing from California. The tie fabrics don't photograph all that well, the one on the left is great in real life. They are from Fabricmart.

road trip

2008-12-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

We drove up to Williams Lake this weekend, a seven and a half hour trip. A much better drive coming home as the road was dry but there was still a fair bit of fog. Fog, rain, slush on the road going up made us glad we had 4wheel drive. This was a fair size group of Mountain sheep at the side of the road, about 16 animals, I didn't count.

I have never been in the Cariboo when there was snow, just a skiff on the ground but living on the coast I have never seen sage brush, and golden grasses in the snow before. I was quite taken with a different colour scheme.

While my husband was out lecturing, I stayed in the hotel and sewed a jacket. It was just a track jacket made of sweatpant fabric but there was a few things new to me and I still have the zipper to put in.

I met up with my cousin for a chat and on the way home stopped for a bite to eat at Bridal Falls and a nursing buddy was in the next booth. It was great to catch up with her as well.

TV shows and knitting

2008-11-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

I am plodding along with this sweater. I have adjusted the pattern to my gauge and love knitting with Briggs and Little Regal, if I screw up and have to take out the needle, the little stitches stand up at attention, so although I just added a few strange ribs to the sweater and it will be fairly short, I am enjoying this knit. I have started the second front and am just starting the third ball of yarn, it has super yardage.
I finished my Madtosh socks and I have taken a few pictures but I don't like the colour in them so will have to take some more.

As a tv addict, I watch a lot of shows and am always interested in what people are wearing. I have seen some really interesting sweaters on Doc Martin, usually worn by Pauline, Louisa's are practical. Pauline had a cute crocheted number on Sunday night, green in colour, the red shrug, that was knitted had interesting construction.

A couple of weeks ago on the Mentalist, the widow in the episode had on a sheath dress with a trim of yo-yos asymmetrically around the neck. Not cheesy cotton yo-yos but some fine fabric done with finesse.

I can't get into watching MadMen but a lot of people are liking the retro look of the clothes.

The hostess on So you think you can Dance Canada, had an interesting dress a couple of weeks back, hard to explain, black folds of net across a nude underlining and a bustier top with black pleats across the cups. If later you watch CSI, the same dress was worn on a lady of the evening.

Shopping with friends.

2008-11-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

My friends and I went over to the Trade and Conventions Centre for the Creative Expo and although it wasn't as big as we had hoped we had a good time. A lot of our old favorite stores were there, I found a couple of new favorites. Valley Yarn Ltd. had a gorgeous collection of yarns and some I hadn't seen before, so it was nice to have a touch and feel of the fibers. Her business is online but is in the Fraser Valley. The other new to me store is in Port Moody, SS Studio, lots of selection of beads , findings. I was interested in the copper findings, sometimes I like a bit of a funky look in my jewelry and gold or silver doesn't seem to work quite right.

Regarding my last post, Style Statement, I am slowly answering the questions and eventually I'll analize my answers and compare them to a list of words in the book, to see what I come up withI also had no idea a person could be described with 2 words. I thought at least a paragraph, a poem or a song might be needed. LOL

I have been knitting with my madtosh yarn, just a pair of socks with one completed, I am varying my pattern a bit to make a pair I going to call sisters. It is really a very simple eyelet pattern. I'd like to get the heel completed on the second sock before I do a picture.

DIY and Self help books

2008-11-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

I have been busy clearing up bookcases, 5 are technically in my spaces of the house. It is very rare that I buy a fiction book and probably 90 % of my books fall into the do it your self, or are related to various crafts and whatever interests I have at the time. So naturally, I have lots to do with sewing, knitting, jewelery making, stitching and mixed media, book binding and paper crafts. There was also a fairly large section on gardening, house design and decoration.
My magazines reflect the same passions, although I have culled down my purchasing of magazines to Threads, Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors. I tend to only buy other magazines for a specific purpose or article. The first three I buy without even looking inside!

Around 30 years ago, a very popular book was "I'm OK, Your OK" and since then the books on discovering your bliss, the inner artist, the keys to good health, colouring your self beautiful, have all played apart in my reading. I particularly like books with lots of pictures, questions and approaches to the problem. I don't often get through all of the questions and then again I very seldom used the exercises, and the list of techniques.

So the latest book to cross my path is Style Statement, Live by your own design. This was mentioned on line in one of my sewing groups. Once again an interesting group of questions. I have typed them out and am starting to answer them. In this book, you are to come up with 2 words which describe you. I wonder what words are mine.

Memories of Nice

2008-10-31T13:02:00.000-07:00

Nice is known for the colourful building with iron balconies, the beach and promenade walk and the big yachts. The Four Point Hotel we discovered on one of our walks and I was intrigued to find this statue of a woman, in the side of the building.

The yacht basin is beautiful with colourful buildings surrounding the area and all types of boats in the harbour. The marina is in between the hills in the last picture.
Both days that we were there last April, were windy but very pleasant.

A pre trial of Olympic facilities.

2008-10-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

I was ready with my tickets to the World Cup Short track Speed skating, when I spotted the PNE bear outside of the Colliseum. I wanted to show my support for an Olympic event without having to stand out in the cold.
We had some good seats in the end zone and they raced toward us and then turned the corner.

It was very exciting with lots of Canadians on the podium. Very hard to get photos, I got lots of empty ice, part of blurry skaters. I finally learned less telephoto, aim the camera, watch the action and press the button before the skaters get into the frame. There were several photo finishes, a couple of falls. We got handed Bambams at the door, they are inflatable plastic tubes you hit together to make noise and with less than 5000 people in the stands we needed them. My throat was sore from screaming. The bottom photo is of Apollo Anton Ono. There was a very vocal Korean crowd cheering on the world champions. It was great fun for the afternoon.
It was exciting with only four people racing but when the relays started, WOW. The rink was full, 27 laps for the women and 45 for the men.

The last look.

2008-10-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

The first three pictures were from Vatican city. The mosaic was wonderful, the marble floors mind blowing and my head was bursting with all the details. Sculpture, paintings, altars, ceilings, incredible workmanship everywhere.
Dh and I in Harry's Bar having a lunch after wandering through the Villa Borgese. It isn't just a villa but a huge park with lakes, zoo, gardens, galleries and much more.

Can you see her?

2008-10-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Your fairy is called Fire Rainbowdancer

She is a fortune bringer.

She lives where fireflies mate and breed.

She is only seen when the bees swarm and the crickets chirrup.

Her dresses glow with fiery colours. She has multicoloured wings like a butterfly.

Get your free fairy name here!

I can in my mind's eye. I have the perfect fabric, packed up off site, it has all the rainbow colours, a lovely batik with round spots in gentle curves through out the pattern and the fabric is a dobby style with little texture bits throughout. The wings, I'd love to use the watermelon textiva. a couple of layers together will make it look less pink. I'll have to experiment a bit.

A day at the Colosseum

2008-10-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Rome was celebrating a birthday, #2761, the day we visited the Colosseum, lots of flags, people, vendors and a parade. Who could ask for anything more?

We posed in the plastic armor, thinking that was the only pictures we would get to take. The Roman Legions were out in full force, along with the women in their flowing gowns.
As usual click on pictures for more details.

Rome, still day one

2008-10-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

A group of people selling their knock-offs outside of the Vatican. Within minutes all was packed up and people were running to keep out of the clutches of the police.

It is best if you have a small car, we were glad to be walking and relying on bus transport. My husband would never have found a parking spot.

It is always fun to look at architecture and the size of the doors on the old buildings, my dh is over 6 feet and still look at the size of the door and how far up the door knockers are off the ground. We thought that if you were on horseback, you'd have no problem.

The Spanish steps in daytime, fabulous potted flowers, loads of people, a fountain, fabulous shops, Missoni, Just Cavali, Salvatore Ferragamo and MiuMiu grouped around the square. I had lots of fun window shopping.

Sculpture just amazes me, and all these figures. Lots of inspiration. The sky behind the most incredible blue.

First Impressions of Rome.

2008-10-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

As soon as I saw this old wall, when we were entering the city. I was in love.

I realized that this was way back in April of this year, the first night we went out for dinner fairly close to the hotel. We ended up at the Spanish Steps. Absolutely full of people at 10pm, a grand meeting place and we went back later in the trip to see the stores which line the area.

This was a very organized parking lot for Scooters that were everywhere and usually parked in the middle of the sidewalks. The next few pictures are from the top of a tour bus, this day we were just getting our bearings in a new city.

One of the sights was all the shops, some shops just had ties or gloves. Lots of shirts and suits for men, only tourists were casually dressed in jeans and most men had on 2 or 3 piece suits. Women of all ages were smartly dressed, up to date styles of eyeglasses or sunglasses. good little belts, the scarf and the handbag.

Another wall with trees in the background, I think they were umbrella pines.

Spool Art

2008-10-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

Spools of thread, they just seem to multiply in my sewing room and long ago, I gave up on a sewing box to keep them in one place. At one time there were several thread holders along an eight foot window sill. Now I try to keep them in zip locks, in different colour groups. Machine embroidery threads have their own box, as does the buttonhole twist, likewise with the rayon thread. So now the spools are in a fairly good sized rubber maid container and the serger threads are in a couple of drawers in plastic organizer. I came across a blog where the artist, Devorah Sperber, creates using spools of thread to do paintings, imagine over 5000 spools in a piece. I love how they look on the blog and I sure would like to see them in person one day.

Knitting is at a standstill, I haven't ripped out everything on the new cardigan, but I have done the last few rows way too many times. I am thinking that I don't want to think about every stitch.

I feel like the last person on earth to see Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia. Oh my I wish I had that kind of energy. There were 14 of us at the 12:40 matinee. The songs have been in my head ever since.

Decluttered space and a restless mind

2008-10-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

About every 2 months I start a journal entry with I must get organized. I usually have this revelation when I can't settle on any one craft or any one project. The house is now decluttered but now I am scared to start anything, in case I make a mess.
Our home for 28 years is up for sale and we have bought a townhouse. We are very excited about the whole thing. More details to come later.
So my craft area in the rec room is unrecognizable and my sewing room has never looked so spacious, we didn't go in for the whole styling of the place but a few pieces of furniture were moved into storage along with many boxes.
I have one banker box with some sock yarn and the Briggs and Little aran cream yarn and I have a fairly complicated sweater pattern that I am working on, I don't think I have done six inches yet but when the back is done I'll take pictures and post.
In the meantime, I haven't been happy with the buttons on Hey Teach. So I searched out Fabricland and Wallmart today with no luck. I searched for plain plastic rings to make Dorset buttons, no luck there either. I have now decided to stitch the button hole closed a wee bit, that will work.
My coat for the GreatCoat Sewalong, has been packed up as well. I have managed some of the thread basting but I hope it is not in hiatus too long.

Fairy shoes and striped socks.

2008-10-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

I was excited last week to see my friend Robin's work in the gallery at Treenway silk. Her art dolls are beautiful and the fairy shoes are amazing. She hand dyes her fabrics and makes silk fusion for the shoes.
Finally, my husband's socks are finished, I used the Regia from Webs and I really like how they knitted up.

Fall colours

2008-09-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

Although we still have the occasional warm day where sandals and no coat are in order, most days are definitely cooler and soon socks and sweaters will be needed when I go outside. The little child in me, still delights in picking up coloured leaves. These colours excite me and it is probably because the sky is often gray.
This is the yarn I received this month from Webs, lovely and soft. I don't know what I will make from it.

This is my jewel-tone wrap that I finished knitting at least 2 years ago. I finally blocked it and wove in the ends. I washed it in Eucalan first and I was surprised that the colour ran, the water looked like grape juice. I have nothing to wear with this stole and that was why is sat in a drawer collecting dust.

Here is my finished Hey Teach, yarn Mission Falls and Noro Silk Garden. My guage is a bit off, so it is too large, especially in the back and I have used the old trick of using a clip in the front, when I am posing for the back view. I added an inch and a half to the overall length and need to replace my buttons.

they followed me home

2008-09-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

First, a photo of socks that I knitted on my vacation in Europe, and for awhile after getting home. Although this colourway is Vancouver, to me it will always be Provence.

Heather and I traded a skein of yarn with each other, I got some Regia. When we were at the event in Kitchener-Waterloo on the weekend.
One company had a good price on Briggs and Little and we decided on the cream with ideas that we would kettle dye our skeins, I have 8 skeins and now just have to decide on a pattern and it will probably be Tweedy Aran Cardigan by Norah Gaughan. Of course, now that it has been in my hands for a few days, I am loving the yarn the way it is and no longer wish to dye it.

I have a few new balls of yarn, Home by Madeline Tosh. It is the first time I have seen yarn by this artist and this ball of yarn was calling my name.

Here are the sleeves of my Hey Teach.

Today, I went to the Album of Quilts by the Lions Gate Quilters Guild with a friend, great variety of quilts, some fabulous art quilts and I was particularly interested in the overlays of coloured organza.

We had a good time

2008-09-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

We are back from four days in Toronto, visiting ds, dil and the cats. So what did we do?
First up was the Boat in the water show in Toronto, and while the men did that, the women did Queen Street W and Richmond street, neither of us had made it to Kings Fabrics before on our fabric jaunts.
Photo top to bottom, nylon lace paisley print, bamboo coral knit, poly print, wool herringbone green. We looked at a lot of knit dresses and sweaters, some well designed coats and Fluevog shoes, evidently the Twist Collective shoes with all their sock patterns were all Fluevogs. We both came home with fabric. We met up with the men for drinks.
Saturday, out in the pouring rain to Kitchener Waterloo to check out the wool. We got a few goodies.

Sunday was knitting and Roman Legion Re-enactment armour assembly. Our son in his gear. Heather and I took a a look in Yorkville as well and Accessity was my destination to buy a Hampton bag from Baggallini. I got the one I wanted, there are not a lot of stores in Canada selling these bags and the website is quite extensive. I intend to take this bag on all of my trips as it is lightweight, well built and has enough pockets for everything. I was going to get the bag anyway, but now it was a necessity to carry my stuff home.

I have knitted all the pieces for Hey Teach, it looks a little big but that is the way it will be. I also finished the toe on DH 's sock and started the second sock on the way home on the plane. Hey Teach is being blocked.

The weather is so overcast, so picture taking is iffy. When the sun comes out, I'll photograph the wool.
Heather helped me by putting a flag counter on my blog. I am amazed at the visitors and thank each and everyone for having a look.

Bag felted

2008-08-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

The bag felted easily in the washing machine but is still not fully dry after 24 hours. The green is a truer colour this time, although the red is a little bright. The wallet did not felt very well and it was in the machine at the same time.
I was at Three Bags Full for the sale yesterday and was in line, I did get some yarn but I didn't buy enough for the sweater that I want to start. I have been swatching and I think I finally have the right size needles.

On the boat

2008-08-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

The first night on the boat in Clam Bay in the Gulf Islands.

I loved these rusted sculptures in the garden at the marina in Genoa Bay on Vancouver Island. I'd love one of these in my own garden. Some wild life on the rocks in one of the channels.

A poor colour rendering of my bag of many pockets from Felt Frenzy, I used Patons Classic Merino, 2 strands throughout, the green is jade heather and I can't find the label for the tweed. Edit: it is Rich red tweed. I have attempted a matching wallet and now they need to go into the washing machine.
Entering the Pass, pretty calm and out the other side of the pass, with West Vancouver just under the dark section of cloud with the UBC bluff. You'll have to zoom in to see it! The water was so calm, a big giant could skip a stone to Vancouver.
I have gone through here before, praying for it to soon be over as the boat rocked to and fro as it hit eddys and the ocean swell. But this time, I actually sat in the cockpit and knit!

Boating but no sailing

2008-08-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

Nothing like taking a sailing vacation and having the weather do the unexpected. We were gone 8 days and had the sails up for 45 minutes. Most of the time no wind and the time the sails were up, it was blowing pretty good with whitecaps on the water pushing us from behind. I, of course, am not much of a sailor, so I enjoyed the motoring.
The first five days the weather was hot, and we stayed in Clam Bay, Ganges and Sidney. I had lots of knitting time and the only hobby things I took this trip was my knitting.
We spent one night in Genoa Bay, neat spot and we hadn't been there before and it was good shelter from the wind.
The last 2 night were spent at Telegraph Harbour. We stayed an extra night because of small craft warning and the barometer was really dropping. That afternoon, 4 hours of rain. We were content in our boat, knitting, reading and surfing, we had good internet access. Got to love wireless internet. So I spent my time looking at ravelry and reading my favorite blogs.
The next day, the pass had slack water at 2pm, we left the moorage at noon, the sea was as smooth as glass all the way to Vancouver and we were home by 7:30.
Pictures next time.

Books for vacation

2008-08-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

I've found some new to me books at the library. This one has a couple of purses that I am interested in making. The two colour purse on the cover is first up and I've purchased some wool and will be knitting while I am away on the boat. It's called the Bag of Many Pockets.
The second book is Hip Knit Hats by Cathy Carron. Sized for adults, medium and large.
The third book is Fusing Fabric by Margaret Beal. I think I'll be looking at that one mostly for eye candy.

Beads, Knit and Playday

2008-08-09T15:41:00.000-07:00

This is the latest necklace, that I have added to my collection. It is called the Button Collection and is by Connie Wright from Bowen Island. I love wearing it. Each little bead or button is a real treasure. She also knits incredible sweaters.

The two hats are for the homeless, the dark wool was given to me to use, but the first hat is more child sized, so I added some sock wool which picked up the colours in the dark yarn. The pattern is from the Purl Experience by Sally Melville. The pattern is Canadian-Winter Hat.The dark yarn is Windsor Tweeds from Tahki, and the second hat I added Indigo sock yarn. Project Spectrum 3 is now in the water element and the colours are blue, black and purple.

Two weeks ago, I got together with 3 friends to play. We made some creative embellishments from the book by Sherrill Kahn. So we stamped on fabric, wrapped pipe cleaners, made some UTEE beads, wrapped some fabric beads with yarns and made an embellishment using page protectors. I haven't photographed the small stamped doll or the air dry clay buttons that we had rubber stamped as well. Click to see close up of the beads and pipe cleaner. So far this group is too much of the same value of colour, so still thinking of the next move. I will be combing these bits into a journal.

Mainsail recycled

2008-08-07T14:56:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to read in the Vancouver Sun about a local company, which is using recycled sails to create their product line. Today, I took in the old mainsail, it has been taking up a fair bit of space under the deck, to Red Flag design. I got to see the new warehouse space, finished products and the 8 industrial machine they use to create various bag design and duffle bags from used sails. I was very impressed.

Report time.

2008-07-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ravelry-B, I have been making steady progress and managed a simple lace pattern.

June Capsule Contest- C-, Difficulty staying on task, making up my mind, finished 3 items, 1 blouse, 1 t-shirt for workout, 1 pair of cotton workout pants.

Coast sewalong--- C,muslin started, adjusted, getting there but have taken a 2 week break.

Mixed media techniques for creative journalling-B+ 30 plus background papers made. My favorite was using watercolour, followed by acrylic. I have fabrics selected for dyeing.

Time to relax, time to knit.

2008-07-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

We were off on the boat for a week. Nice hot weather, met up with good people, ate and slept well.
It was the first time ever that we tied up in Nanaimo. The link shows where we tied up, we were right down town, we could see the Bastion, the theatre and the mall from where we were tied up. We had planned on going through Dodd narrows and were waiting for slack water but the winds were high on Wed and really blowing on Thursday, so most boaters stayed put for a couple of days. Friday the wind died down and we came home, we had the sails up for a few hours but the trip took 8 hours from dock to dock.
On Thursday night we had dinner in the Minnouz resturant at the Coast Hotel. It was delicious and we both had bacon wrapped venison. We then took in a play, Proposals by Neil Simon, which I had wanted to see in North Van, it was one of 10 plays in the provincial finals Mainstage. It was a lovely evening.

While away, I sewed repairs on the weather cloths, cleaned inside, hubby did outside, put the curtain rods and curtains back up and made a big list of the things we'd like to do next year on the boat. New dodger, new wheel cover, new cover for the BBQ and winches, a table for the cockpit, new taps-- and the list goes on.

I managed to find yarn in the mall, Sugar and Cream, which I hadn't used before and I conquered the Summertime Spa Cloth.(colour hasn't come out correct in the photo. Some days, I feel like I will never graduate beyond a small cloth or towel when it comes to lace. I will continue to persevere and I found the cotton and the galaxy needles easy to use. I found Bamboo sock
yarn, On Your Toes by SRK.
.

I spent a good portion of my time working on socks for my hubby, 2x2 rib and I am now down to the gusset.

Garden in bloom

2008-06-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

The garden does have it's bright spots. Love this iris, don't know why I don't remember it from last year but it is a wonderful addition to the garden.
The peonies are a real blast of colour, I have three bushes and this is a shot of two of them, I like how different the flowers can be on a single bush.
Although the smoke bush has been prunned this year, it is getting massive and put on quite the display.
I need to plan a few herbs this morning, I was really ticked off with a crow that was attempting to eat the basil. I might have to put some sort of cage over it until it really gets rooted.

wool and fabric

2008-06-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

I finally have something to talk about, the fire scarf and matching garter stitch wristwarmers are done, it was the kitchner stitch along the length of the gloves that kept me from posting earlier. The yarn was from the Skein of the Month club from Webs back in January. The dark green fetching wristwarmers was the yarn I received from Webs in March.
Now the fabric. I sucumbed to the call of the blouse weight assortment for $20.00, on my last order from Fabric Mart. The bold print in the middle is the only one I really have trouble with figuring out a plan. The black and white plains would be good for lining, pale green stripe a shirt for me, the pink plaid is in the process of becoming a blouse for my 92 year old mom, she may get the navy,pink stripe as well but she is not as sold on it as she was with the plaid. The plaid flannel, I am still pondering. The package arrived within a week of them putting it in the mail.

Organization--the bug bear!

2008-06-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Everyone once in awhile, when feeling disorganized, unable to settle on a project. I do a journal entry, just a pile of scribble with no editing. When I find my papers later, they always start with something to do with organization, just a list of chores, what to do first, where to put things. Today was no different.

My sewing and craft rooms are in a horrendous muddle and of course there is ironing to do as well. In order to not iron, I have come up with the following, some supplies are in the wrong room! Yikes!! My knitting yarns need to be moved to the rec room, since this is where I like to knit and my books on sewing and pattern books also have to move. I like to browse them in the rec room as well. To free up space, the doll stuff must be relocated and papers and paints should be moved to where it will be used as well.

I have a really great cutting out table which is the right height for me, my hubby custom made it a few years ago, it is on wheels and I move it all around my sewing room depending on what I am doing. It folds up as well and has storage underneath for fabrics. I also like to cut out my papers for book binding and I paint and dye fabric and paper at that table as well.

I have also decided to put away my doll making supplies. Sewing will be taking priority for the next while, so doll stuff can be put away in a couple of boxes in the bottom of the closet.

A pink hat

2008-06-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

This is Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora, it is lovely and soft to knit.
A baby hat for a one year old.

Eden in Blush and Seduce in Cinnibar from Webs are my latest purchases, probably sleeveless tops will eventually be knit.
The sock yarns below are Vancouver, I managed to knit a pair of socks while I was away on vacation. I knitted opn planes and trains, the first sock had a sloppy cuff and was tight through the instep, so a few changes were made on the second sock. I have yet to start the one sock over but I will now that I have some free time in the evening and don't have to work on the dolls. I am hoping to graft the new top half of the sock to the first one I made. I must admit I am not that crazy about grafting that number of stitches.
The new dark ball of Regia is the Skein of the Month from Webs for May, once again serendipity strikes. 5 months of yarn has arrived, each ball has fitted in with my Project spectrum. Now the element is air and the colours are grey, white and yellow. There are a mulititude of grey tones in this ball, I think it will be socks for my husband.

Dolls for the exhibit.

2008-06-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

It has been quite the week of doll making, but I have accomplished my goals. My doll was nearly all hand sewn and as a result my right index finger is sore and tender. My hands feel pretty beat up today, I've had the spray paint out to paint the stand and rubber or contact cement stuff (really horribly stinky glue) is stuck to all of my fingers. So my hands have been going thru soap, paint remover and hand lotion and I hope my nails look better tomorrow.

I am quite pleased with my Venetian Peacock. I have been thinking of her for quite a few months but had trouble with the armature and then of course, I couldn't turn the fingers worth a darn. The fabrics, I have collected over the last few years. I had fun using the fringe on the fabric.

My Fish Goddess series, is the most abstract I have done. It represents my feelings about the fishing industry and the problems of overfishing.
The artifact, was a yellow chamois and it was stanined with walnut ink and laced together with leather cord. The symbols on her are all ancient symbols for fish, water, rain and regeneration. The primitive doll with the net, and shell beads uses a watery cotton fabric. The doll with the polymer face is made with silk fusion and decorated with machine stitchery to look like waves and has beads to represent the rain.

Tuesday night is the opening reception.

You're Invited

2008-06-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

The Coast Character Doll Artists are having an exhibit at the Seymour Art Gallery in North Vancouver. Click on the photos for details of times and dates. I still have a bit of work to do on my last doll. She is based on the colours of a peacock and my other 3 dolls are abstract about the fishing industry. I will have my photos of the doll group showing on a video screen and I still have the book cover for the artist statements and cv's to finish.

On the 11th, I can then think about my other commitments, june capsule contest, coat sewalong and a course on line on creative mixed media journalling techniques.

Rain makes flowers grow.

2008-06-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

Rain might make flowers grow, but now it is starting to destroy the petals. This is the fourth day of rain, annd weather that makes you think of April. Really the sunshine might get me in the mood to start sewing a summer wardrobe but in the meantime, I'll be wearing my jeans and a sweater and I'll turn up the thermostat.
The poppy situation is getting out of control, I think I had 60 blooms at last count. The iris is called Bayberry Candle. Click on the photos for closeups.

I 've joined a few things.

2008-05-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

I have decided to join a few things, all starting next month.
The great Coat Sewalong with Marji, and my coat pattern is B4665. I should be able to get a coat sewn in the length of time suggested.
Now is the time for gathering materials, I have the fabric and lining, still need to get fabric to make a muslin.
I have a couple of coats hanging on the rack not finished after a couple of years. I hated the fit on one, the fabric I had one in a draw, mut be six or more years ago now. It was a raincoat and I still think it could be restyled into something else.
The other one was a Vogue coat, in a faux sherpa, probably too hot for this climate even on the coldest of days. The darn thing sheds like a *******, and eveything needs the vacuum run over it, before and after sewing.

The June Capsule wardrobe contest on Stitchers Guild and that requires 4 items that co-ordinate plus an accessory and the only rule is no black.

I just haven't had too much time to get out fabric and plan. I still need to concentrate on doll making, getting the artist statement and cv together. I 've been having a few problems, glue shows on the polymer clay, can't seem to make fingers in cloth, the book cover for the artists isn't doing what I'd envisioned.

Challenging Magazines.

2008-05-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I wanted to purchase in Europe, besides a piece of fabric from each country I visited, was a sewing magazine. I have had experience witah Burda patterns which is now available in English. Lots of patterns each month, with the patterns printed out roadmap style on the insert. One needs to add seam allowances and hems.
I was successful, I was delighted with my haul.
Patrones and di milleidee UOMO have the easiest pattern sheets to trace out and idees Couture is a real mish- mash of lines to manouver.
I can generally figure out the yardage and maybe a few other words. The italian magazines have some pictures of construction, as does the French magazine.
Cidell today has posted a link on her blog to translate Spanish for sewing.

Fabric and Trim

2008-05-22T21:21:00.001-07:00

[Photo]

I looked for yarn stores while in Europe and only found one in Rome and it was shut the day we looked in the window. At a street market in another little town in France, my husband said "there is yarn at the next table." I was quite excited and my hopes were dashed when all they had was eyelash yarn.

So,I had better luck with fabric stores, although they were all in the downtown core, sothey only had lovely expensive stuff to cover the rent. That didn't stop me. I was determined to find some souvineers.
In San Sebastion, I got some printed linen in greens, the sales clerk was wrapping the fabric around my hips, measuring my length and working out the numbers. I am thinking of a dress, probably a sheath. Three clerks in a very tiny store. Absolutely no English.

I found a wonderful sweater knit in Nice, the shop was small, probably a whole 8 feet in the middle of the store with a table to cut out the fabric. Very little English, but the owner gave me an extra half meter. It is coral with a shiny metallic thread running through it.

In Paris, I found two fabric stores one near the hotel, and managed to get a remnant of 2 meters of green linen with stretch. I got the yellow pages from the hotel desk, pages of fabric stores, I managed to find quite a few in one area within 1.5km of the hotel. We were quite disappointed to find we were in the wholesale district and expected to buy a bolt. We did luck out and find a shop of notions, I hadn't seen a button, zip or thread anywhere.[Photo]

Syage Fournitures, they had a 10meter minimum but I was able to pick up 2 trims that I had been looking for; elastic for t shirts with an organdy ruffle. I got white and beige. She said I could dye the white. They had other colours and several widths. I asked where I could be smaller amounts of fabric and she pointed out a street we had passed. I looked in a couple of stores and they didn't seem any too friendly. But I did find one, with a fabric I liked, off white linen with burnt out area that were coloured flowers. A good price and I wanted 2 meters but he said"deux noi, trois oui" So I ended up with 3 meters and, of course, that was also cash only.

Tessuti, tejidos, tissues

2008-05-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

Home from Europe, it was an incredible vacation and now trying to get the house back in order, (fridge and washer aren't working) sorting out all the papers and newly acquired belongs and getting over the jet lag are going to take me awhile.

First things first, The fabric shopping report.
My friend and I kept as sharp look out for fabric stores,while in the cabs and on the buses and I had done an internet search before we all left on our trip. My husband and I travelled with the couple that we went to Greece a couple of years ago. The men weren't much on shopping and I think quite amazed how fast we women could scout out a new location.
We did get to the Bessuti Tessuti in Rome, it did live up to expectations. It was crowded with fabric floor to ceiling(about 20 feet), there were 8' and 12' ladders to enable them to put the fabric back in place. I saw one man in a suit on top of the 8 foot step ladder replacing bolts above his head. He was very particular as to which bolt of fabric he was handed next. So narrow rooms, leading off from each other.. each chock a block full of eye candy, all bolts lying flat and lots kept getting rewrapped in a paper covering. Zegna fabrics were everywhere about 50 Euros a meter, and boucle, most were 90 E and one was 99E which I really liked.
The intimidating part to me was that the sales clerks were all men in suits, standing guard over the fabrics. Next was the language barrier but I did get a wonderful blouse fabric, I know it is poly but it was from Lake Como. Lake Como produces wonderful scarves and fabrics and the first run is usually poly and then if it works out the way the hope they are then produced as silks.

Ashton fabrics was right near our hotel and an armed guard stood outside, they had some wonderful eyelet with an overall print.
One other fabric store was also wonderful and I can't remember the name.

I also scored a few pattern books, these I picked up in Rome, I'll have to edit the photo later, as everything is correctly oriented in my computer but trying to get it to upload to blogger and flicker has turned the images. Uomo, the men's pattern magazine will probably be still in style here for a good number of years. Some interesting clothes in the woman's magazine, both come with the maze of patterns printed on a main sheet.

Lots of interesting clothes in Rome, I was besotted by all the fine quality. Pleats, ruffles, pockets, lots of additional details. Most women wore scares around their necks, a few men as well but mostly men over 40 were wearing dark suits. Leather handbags, shoes, belts and gloves were everywhere.
Next installment . Fabric shops in Spain.

Habit forming

2008-04-11T00:16:00.000-07:00

I have belonged to Ravelry for awhile now. I find I have a ritual when I start to look at my bookmarks in the morning. I start with 3 or 4 clothing blogs, 1 online fabric store, and then I get on to Ravelry. First up, I go to groups, I am just so curious as to what new groups have been started since I last looked. I am only in about 7 groups and I have dropped out of a couple and may drop out of a couple more. Most of the time, I am only interested in knitting, or maybe my local area, I don't think I'll join any, tv show, ( I confess, I did belong to Greys Anatomy for awhile but I soon got tired of reading who had a crush on who and or why) religious or political groups, food related, book related or music related. I am pretty fickle with my blogs and sites that I visit. Everyday for years or just a couple of weeks. It is the same with yahoo groups, I have come and gone from quite a few of those as well.

Next, I check out the forums, just to catch up on the latest. I don't post alot, still don't manage to get pictures posted, although I have the how-to sheet on my desk, I haven't bothered with it yet.
Third, friends. Activity and then their blogs. (this is my favorite part)
Last, I do patterns. I check out all the designers who are featured.

One of my favorite online magazines has folded---Magknits.
Some sites that are just starting up are the following:
Craftstylish:
Knitting: Inside Studio
Sewing republic:
Is the site for Bernina, it will have free patterns.

A week from now I will be on vacation. I have found a fabric store in Rome, which has 200,000 bolts of fabric. I am going to put it in the gps, as well as the tavern down the street. The men will get to watch the people walk by and have a cool one, I no doubt will need a cool on as well after my foray into the shop.

New book: 200 Braids to twist, knot, loop or weave by Jacqui Carey. Great photos and instructions, just the thing to use for that unique finishing touch.

2 BWOF tops.

2008-04-05T13:52:00.001-07:00

I'm a Burda World of Fashion sewer once again. It has been a decade since I attempted the process of tracing out a pattern, although I have quite a few magazines. My excuse was not knowing what size I required. I made the beige sweater knit too large and then just tried to make it work. I cut off all the seams and unpicked the neckline. Then laid a couple of pattern pieces over what I had done and changed the armseye and fixed the shoulders. I didn't want to lose all the shirring that I had done but as a result it is pulled up rather high but the neckline before was too low. I took in the side seams as well and then sewed the sleeves back in place.

This top I am happier with #123 from Feb. 08, the collar is actually 4 inches in depth and can be rolled slightly or draped more like a cowl neck. The model in the photo had her shoulder stuck out thru the neckline, looks kinda stupid that way on me. I made the hem band a few inches longer to go around my middle and I like the fit and fabric of this piece.
Both will be going on vacation and I hope to make a beige cardigan that can be worn with both tops, I am just still pondering how I will do the neckline.

It's Spring, it's green

2008-04-04T23:24:00.001-07:00

My first project spectrum 3 Earth has been completed, I used the Valley Yarn Stockbridge and made another pair of Fetching wrist warmers. I think this yarn is really good value and I am tempted to buy more, Webs is having a sale.

This top has had an extension made for it. I felt it was a little too short and landed at my widest point. So I knitted another few inches and then hand stitched it where the original ribbing joins the garment. There is a slight difference in colour. It still needs a little steam and then I'll try it on and see if it looks any better.

I have made a few things on my sewing machine and will try to post pictures of new clothes tomorrow.

Something Special

2008-03-28T21:50:00.001-07:00

The scarf is blocked, it is 52 by6 inches. Swoon, easy Drop scarf in Pink Champagne.

The bag is from Sew ? Magazine, I tried to find a link, but can't so I must have the name wrong, it is 3 inches smaller. The pattern called for 22 inch square, I had some lining which was 19 inches square so I went with that. I didn't like the closure so took it off, but I will think of something.

Inside, silk charmuse lining and filled with the various knitting accessories. Silk brocade on the outside, interlined with felt. That has made it quite stiff.

New finds

2008-03-26T11:57:00.001-07:00

My latest fashion mags in a foreign language, Portuguese from Brazil. Love the clothes and the different aesthetic from the different countries. We can get several editions of In Style and Elle locally but usually just UK, France, Australia, maybe Spain or Germany. Each one is different.
I don't think I will be the least bit fluent in Italian, French of Spanish for my upcoming trip, I am just not disciplined enough to study. I'll be packing my Spanish and Italian language books on the plane and hopefully my high school French will be enough to get by, I am willing to do charades much to the embarrassment of my friends.

My yarn from Skein of the month has arrived for March, Web's own brand Valley Yarn, Stockbridge, which is Alpaca and Wool. Pretty lux, dark green, the colour of the next phase of Project Spectrum which is green, brown and metallics for April and May for Earth. These are destined to be wrist warmers.

Catch a book.

2008-03-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

The Vancouver Sun last weekend had an article about releasing a mystery book and watch it travel. Also known as Catch and Release.
Book crossing is a web site where a person can register a book, and then pass it on to someone else. Each book has an id# so you can watch it travel across the country or around the world. I am always scrounging around for a good read when I am tent trailering or sailing and the first thing, when we register for the night is to locate the book shelf in the office, where generally the rules are if you leave a book, you can exchange it for another.
So I have joined up, I'll have to print up some labels for the inside of each book and a note for the cover and see what happens.

Scarf update , gallery visit.

2008-03-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have finished the Easy drop scarf.
It still needs to be blocked but it was an enjoyable knit.

Today a friend and I went to the Bushlen Mowatt Gallery to see an exhibit by Cecilia Z. Miguez. It was wonderful called Storybooks and Time Pieces, the bronze figures were beautiful with found metal and wood objects. They ranged in height from a foot to 8 feet tall. We were both so inspired.
Here is a link to the gallery reception. They are mostly people photos but you can see the figures in the background.

I get fabric samples in the mail, once a month. The envelope took 3 weeks to arrive, nothing I really want. If there is anything I want in future mailings, I hope I get it sooner than 3 weeks, I know some people get their envelope within 3 days of them mailing it out.

the start of the flowers

2008-03-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

The flowers are just beginning to appear, a couple of weeks from now I expect more than one hundred of the grape hyacinths, I love the lime green in the white flower below and I have forgotten it's name. Many years ago I grew Primula's from seed. I ended up with massive plants, a couple of feet across. I have white ones as well but they get so battered in the rain.

The hellebore I have had for ages and there used to be a whitish one that came up in this same clump but not yet this year. I saw a group of about 10 white ones at the entrance to a park.
Further down the mountain side, the pansies, crocus, and daffs are making an appearance.
These photos have been cropped, there are no other flowers around.

Play time

2008-03-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

I had a play day at my house on Monday, two of my friends came over to play with rubber stamps with faces. We stamped out a whole bunch to use in future projects.
We painted brown paper bags, my first attempt is going to be a couple of journal covers. We used a variety of paints and the hardest part was waiting for the paint to dry inbetween appplications.
Sue Bleiweiss
had both the brown bag and the padfolio techniques in the FibreandStitch3.

This blue effort was using a thin lunch bag, the other was a heavier grocery bag. This time it has been made into a Padfolio. The paper was ironed onto felt and I added a cotton lining. I stitched the whole thing on the machine with rayon thread. I made one big signature with about 20 pages, hammed a nail through it to get all the holes lined up and threaded it through with waxed linen thread in the same colour of blue. The pen holds the closure together.

Canada Post was a little better this month, my yarn from Webs arrived in 13 days, alot better than the 31 days of the month before. This month's Skein of the month is Swoon. Silk and wool, my absolute favorite and this is the first time I have used the EasyDrop Scarf pattern. The colour is Pink Champagne. Pink is the right colour in Project Spectrum 3 for fire.

click on photos for closeups.

Spring tidy up.

2008-03-03T10:53:00.001-08:00

It's 5 degrees, rainy and threatening snow. He has 10 hours of work in front of him. The garden already looks better.

Today, I am going to tackle some drapery panals, which I bought at Fabricland yesterday. They are meant to gather on rods but I have a house with valences in the living room and dining room. I am going to attempt to add a hook tape and I think the valence will cover up everything. I'll have to get the iron primed and ready to go. There is quite a bit of pressing involved.

1950's fashion show

2008-02-26T18:27:00.001-08:00

I attended a Fashion show on sunday with a few friends. It was great fun looking at 1950's fashion, wonderful suits with great little details, evening gowns and even a couple of everyday outfits.
Ivan Sayer's shared his collection of vintage and it was great to hear the history of each article but also how fashion has changed. There was a couple of outfits from Doir, and one from the House of Worth.
Afterwards we went to Alpaca Expressions, fabulous coats up to $1000, very light, very warm and great style. Lots of clothing in the store with natural fibres.

A series of Ivan's collection is on this site.

Socks and Yarn

2008-02-23T20:59:00.001-08:00

My socks are done, my 17th pair in total. The weird tube thing worked out. I did both heels after the long tube was finished and then cut the tube in the centre and added on the toes. One thing I am not sure about with this method is that there are a lot of ends to work in, which is not my favorite way to make socks. It was an experiment, which I thought might work out well in making socks for children. I have a lot of partial balls of sock yarn. I worked these on my Addis and I love working with them, my tension is tighter and I'll have to swatch next time. I read about someone, maybe on Knitting Daily, that just knits a long tube with her favorite needles and adds little tags, to the never ending swatch tube, with the number of rows and stitches to the inch and the size of needles used. Sort of a visual journal, a unique keepsake!

The new yarn is a late Christmas present, I feel like I have been waiting so long! It took a month to get to my house. I got a gift of the Skein of the Month from Webs. So this is the first of 12 deliveries. It is super soft, 70% wool and 30% silk, my favorite fibres. I don't usually work in this colourway, which is spectacular, lots of shades of red, pink and orange. It certainly fits with Project Spectrum 3 and the theme of fire. There was also a new scarf pattern and a tape measure included. Click on the photo for a good close look.

video treadmill

2008-02-21T12:30:00.000-08:00

I found a great video on U-handbag,
It features a dance routine on treadmills, very clever and as I am sometimes, a bit unsteady on escalators, I am in awe.

I can't find the video on You tube and if I did I still couldn't figure out the link.

Paper Collage Dancers

2008-02-20T16:06:00.000-08:00

These are the little dancers, I worked on last weekend. Not my usual colours. That was all predetermined by picking a number out of a hat, and going to my assigned work table. I quite enjoyed this little project.

BTW, this is post 100.

Birthday Collage Dancer

2008-02-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

Here is a little dancer, I made after my workshop on Saturday. She is paper with collaged maps, music , wrapping paper and words. I used my little P-touch Brother labeller for some of the words. She was given to a relative having her 80th birthday.

sock experiment

2008-02-16T21:45:00.001-08:00

The tube part of the socks is done. There is a cuff at each end and I have started the first of the afterthought heels. It was a little awkward to pick up the right stitches but after a few dropped stitches I finally was on the right track. I am a little further along than the photo but not much. I am at the stage now where I hope I have enough yarn for the heels. The toes I haven't cut apart yet but I think I will be looking for some yarn to finish them off. The experiment continues.

Today, I was in a class making collaged paper dolls, I am doing three and will post pictures on my next post.

Not much

2008-02-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes, I've been having a good time.

The tube sock continues and I have about 5 inches until I finish the second sock. I have my little scale on the table next to me, I have been weighing the ball of wool and I still seem to have lots of sock yarn left. I'll post a photo when I have the tube complete, I am a little nervous about the heels but I'm also looking forward to the challenge.

I was thinking of using up my left over sock yarns making socks for children. I figure I could give them all away and if I knit them as a tube it will give me lots of options. Lots of knitting without having to pay too much attention.

Things come together.

2008-02-09T14:51:00.000-08:00

I found another book.
This time it is the Spectrum, all about a new approach to good health, the receipies look good. I'll have to try a few. Lately, I 've been on a gluten free diet. I feel really good and not deprived.
The jitterbug sock saga continues and for now I am knitting a big long tube with a cuff at each end! Then I'll add in afterthought heels and then the toes. There is nothing like a little challenge.

Red things

2008-02-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

Red is everywhere! I was really drawn to the Babybel cheese in the grocery store the other day. A little cheese in bright red wax. Something about it reminds me of being a child and buying red waxy lips, which was a type of candy. Not particulary sweet or good tasting but it was fun walking around with bright red lips.

The Spa Utopia gift certificate is a birthday present, I have been going through the 35 page booklet, what a choice! Right now I am leaning toward the mud bath! I am not going to make up my mind jest yet, but I am getting all set to "embrace" the experience.

59 and holding.

2008-02-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

A Perfect Red is a book, recomended in the Project Spectrum. It just appeared in front of me at the library and I took it to be a sign that I needed to take it home. I am only at page 27 but I am loving all the historical details about the dyeing of red fabric. A dyers life has never been easy.

The sock has been restarted, I decided that I really needed a few more stitches in circumference.

Tomorrow is my birthday, the big 60, celebrations have already begun. My hubby's birthday is a few days before mine, so the celebrations go on for awhile. Dinner out at a Greek resturant on Sunday. A trip to a yarn store today, I didn't find anything that I really wanted. Perhaps I should say that the colours and types of yarn that I wanted, I have in my stash. I feel that I should really use some of it up first, it would be nice to know if I really want to work with it.

Project Spectrum 3

2008-02-01T13:03:00.001-08:00

For the past couple of years, I have been following Project Spectrum. An exploration of colour, that can incorporate many aspects of life. Knitting, sewing, gardens, eating, other art work. You are encourage to photograph and post pictures on the PS flicker site.
This year Lolly has added elements to the mix and for the first two months starting today, it is FIRE.
I will be working on my new socks, I probably won't get started until tomorrow. The yarn actually weighs 103 grams instead of 100. I am not all that sold on toe-up socks but I am sold on Turbo addis and will make these from the cuff to the toe.
I am also thinking of joining the ATC group. I certainly need a kick start or I suppose I should say a "spark" to get me back to my paper arts.
I haven't managed to put up the button for Projecct Spectrum yet, but in honor of fire, I have changed my template for my blog.

Mail call

2008-01-31T21:06:00.000-08:00

I have been working on a pair of socks and hope to finish them tonight. It is the first time that I worked toe up socks and with cotton and wool combined. The length is good and the fit is good. They are tough to get up over the heel but I've had socks that weren't perfect before, so I think it is always live and learn.

I have also been sewing with fabric from Toronto, a great knit, love the colour. I am using a dress pattern but have changed it into a top and skirt. I think I will get more wear out of it that way, I have enough for at least one more top. I can also wear the tops with an white eyelet skirt and I have a white dotted swiss coat that I can wear with it as well. It will work well on my vacation.

My fabric from Fabric Mart came, I am very excited. The pima cotton is wonderful, it's white and I use it for dolls, some great interfacing and a white canvas with a price I couldn't resist. The silk jacquard came, $2 a yard and I have 6 as it is a bit narrow, it is for coat lining.

I am ready to start new socks, up next is Jitterbuy in the Sahara colourway.

Time well spent

2008-01-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have spent too much time looking at Google earth. I used to put in addresses and just see what could be seen from a satelite but all that has changed since reading Maggie's blog. She bought a book on photos from outer space and then starting playing with the maps for her designs.

So I went along a canal in England, along the south coast of England, I visited Paris, Barcelona and Rome. Had a look at the Coliesuem, a garden, a few marinas. I then skipped over to Greece to see where I had stayed in Athens, I think I found it but all the street names were in Greek so it was a little challenging, but the detail now on the maps is impressive.
I checked out part of the boat route for our upcoming vacation, I could even see the oyster beds in the south of France.

I went to Vancouver Museum to see an exhibit called La Belle Epoque. For a while we were the only people in the gallery and it was a wonderful collection of dresses and accessories. A lot of the details could be used today in clothing and a few pieces were quite timeless and you could see them on the red carpet. Tiny shoes, bags and gloves and a great variety in hats. It was a really fun morning and when you can share with a friend, who appreciates the details, all the better.

Foreign Studies

2008-01-20T20:18:00.001-08:00

I have put a few challenges in my path. We are planning a vacation that will include Italy, Spain and France, so I got some language cd's from the library. I was only considering getting one at a time, but the helpful librarian insisted on setting me up with some holds and I don't think I have them all yet. I picked them up on Friday and still haven't turned them on. I am thinking one in the sewing room and maybe one in the car to start.
I hope to be able to ask a few questions about food, and directions. The rest will depend on charades!

I was over in Vancouver on Saturday and was able to pick up 2 Japanese pattern books. I am very excited to get them and the learning curve for these is pretty intense. I have found out that there is a forum to help one through the diagrams. With the Burda books, of which I am a fan, there are different lines for each size to trace. With these there is a diagram and I am not yet sure how it works exactly, but I think I must first make a sloper for my body and then alter the pattern as shown in the diagram.

I see the difference.

2008-01-15T17:18:00.001-08:00

THe sweet pea socks are no more, I had left it alone for a few months and for the life of me could not get the pattern working for me again. I think I am lace challenged.
Although Heather had done a good job of dyeing the yarn to a match a picture I had sent her, she felt it was a little overly bright. It did look brighter in real lfe but it was still a pretty yarn.
Over Christmas, we reskeined the yarn, put it in its vinegar bath and got out the black dye and a little blue. Presto!! A very subtle yarn and on close inspection very, very neat.

Toe up socks, I hope.

2008-01-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

The toe up sock slowly progresses but I still don't know how it will all work out. I find it a little disconcerting to knit in this direction but I guess it will work out. Most of the things I knit require a fair bit of ripping out and adjusting. The same can be said for sewing.

The shawl from yesterday was my own design about 22 inches wide and 72 inches long.

Golden Shawl

2008-01-14T21:28:00.001-08:00

Finally, a picture of me wearing the shawl that I finished months ago. I started this one twice, originally it was to be triangular but it was restarted and is now a rectangle. It is lovely and light to wear and blocking improved it tremendously. Click on it to see my glass pin. It looks perfect on this shawl. The yarns were a silk eyelash from Fleece Artist, the Green was Distrato from Gedifra and the shiny ribon was Kimono Ribbon from Louisa Harding.

I'm Ready to Knit.

2008-01-13T13:36:00.001-08:00

I went to the Island and found Fleece Artist Seconds at Beehive in Victoria. I was delighted with the good price. The green and golden browns will be socks for me.

The browns with the grey will be for my hubby.

The blue. gold, green, red combo, I couldn't resist, it's for me too.

The Jitterbug came as a Christmas present from a friend for me.

I am all set to knit with my new bag from Heather.

Two pairs of socks

2008-01-10T20:14:00.000-08:00

This is a late post of two knitted gifts for Christmas.
I made socks, for my DIL, from Indigo Moon superwash merino wool, the colour Wine
Country. My fastest knit with socks ever 9 days from start to finish. Just a plain sock with a flap heel, knit with 2.00mm needles.

I made socks, for my S#2, with 4 Fadig Color Regia, they took quite a bit longer but I still used a 2.00 needle. I added extra stitches through the ankle. I made them a little too long so I reknit the toes and they fit better now.

A Word for a Year

2008-01-05T13:34:00.001-08:00

No resolutions for me this year. I read a blog mentioned on Fiber and Stitch about using one word for a year. There is a list of words. or you can choose your own, and you apply your word to all aspects of your life. So I have chosen the word "embrace". For several years the words "embrace life" have been my touchstone. I am now ready to apply it to so much more. It interests me to think where it might lead.

The dictionary meanings for embrace: 1; to hold, 2; to enclose, 3; to accept eagerly(an offer, opportunity, 4; to adopt (a course of action, a cause), 5; to include and 6; to take in with the eye or mind.

I am going to have to have quite the change in my mindset to embrace cleaning up the kitchen.

Sewing lessons

2007-12-29T11:30:00.000-08:00

I haven't worked with wool fabric for a long time. My DIL brought her skirt material and lining from LA Fabrics in Toronto. Butterick pattern,4613, a straight skirt with the flounce. I had a few challenges with the invisible zip, and she had a few with the seams themselves, she hadn't done darts before. So cutting out slippery lining, learning about nap fabrics, how to press and all the other myriad of things long time sewers take for granted, was quite the learning curve. The finished skirt looked fabulous. Then there was enough left over for a vest.

2 bags

2007-12-15T00:21:00.000-08:00

I have enjoyed using 2 knit bags. My everyday bag is the Numbers bag, love the shape and it was fun to knit. I made it two years ago. I used Stretto and Lopi to make it.

I finally used the little drawstring bag last night, it has been made for a couple of years from an Interweave mag pattern, I didn't have enough beads but my beads were a little larger than called for so I changed it a little. It was made with Koigu KPPM from London Ontario. I was at a casino night so wanted my purse on my arm.

I spent my casino funds at the auction afterwards. I'll be ready to party this Christmas.

Exploding Garland

2007-11-27T15:35:00.000-08:00

I was trying something new this year, with a fake garland going down the outside bannister. Years ago, I bought a big bag of metallic pears and apples of silver, gold and copper, from a garage sale. I think they were from a store display and were a little worse for wear but I thought, paper mache, and a bit of paint they'd be great. That crafy project never got started, so I just put them on a tree on the porch for the Christmas season. Out of the rain and snow, they added a glimmer to the entry.

Yikes, I put them up on Sunday morning and this morning after a night of freezing and a light snow. Those neat pears and apples--not so good, rather like rotting fruit without the smell.

Two Dolls.

2007-11-24T18:25:00.000-08:00

The dark doll is made of Papervol, which is a glue like substance which coats all the pieces of fabric which are wrapped over the wire armature. The base is a wooden fence filial covered in a paper towel dipped in Papervol. This is waterproof and is able to be outside but not perhaps in the strong hot sun. I based her on a fashion model uncomfortably balanced on a perch. Her name " On Edge".

This doll is from a challenge based on a package or wrapped gift. She is based on a traditional Christmas cracker. The bottom two layers of her dress can be pulled apart, one end goes over her torso and head, with bows tied on the end, she looks like a very large cracker that you would pull apart to get your party hat. The outer layer of the cracker is gold Christmas fabric and the dress fabric is covered with gold snowflakes. Her hair is needlefelted with gold angelina fibers added for sparkle.

They will be in a doll exhibit at Ron Andrews recreation centre for the month of December starting on the second.

Library Knitting books.

2007-11-21T22:38:00.000-08:00

I've had a couple of books out lately, although I find my fiction books much more compelling. http://www.amazon.ca/Knitting-Lessons-Lela-Nargi/dp/158542210X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195709947&sr=8-3 Knitting Lessons is really about the process, how people have been caught up with knitting, what they learn about themselves and knitting. http://amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mother+of+purl&Go.x=12&Go.y=8 Mother of Purl is another interesting book, I liked the format of the book, there are a few patterns for simple tops that I am quite intriqued with and am considering knitting them up.

I have been working on a doll tonight, I am redoing the head, arms and legs of a doll that I had made for a challenge last Christmas. There is an exhibit in a couple of weeks, so I am happy with her new head, I needlefelted her hair and added angelina fibers for a bit of sparkle. The legs took a couple of hours and the arms so far about 3 hours, now it is time to stuff them. The hands aren't perfect yet but her old hands were ugly and I have more hope for this pair.

A Better Way to Purl

2007-11-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

My tension in stocking stitch, when working on straights, is uneven. With baby cardigans I tend to just plod along hoping that the interesting texture that results will be OK. I have pondered and questioned is it the knit stitch or the purl stitch causing the problem? Do I have to make swatches of different size needles and perhaps different colours of yarn for the purl and knit stitches? Being lazy, it has taken a few months in the planning of solving this problem.

I had never read an Elizabeth Zimmerman book before last week, I got Knitting without Tears from the local library. http://www.amazon.ca/Knitting-Without-Tears-Easy-Follow/dp/0684135051/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195077967&sr=8-1 On page 17, for left handed knitters, she explains the easy way of looping the yarn on the purl stitch. Then, she explains, the slightly more complex version, which in her opinion is better. I gave it a whirl with some scarf yarn, my tension looks better. I may be still fooling myself, but I am not ready to try with some plain colour yarn. With the varigated yarn, I am quite pleased and one day I will put some other yarn to the test.

Adriana asked questions awhile back, the shoes aren't too bad, wearable. Don's scarf was made with a skein of Plassard Symphonie and one skein of Kid Super 100% Austrailan Merino.

For Remembrance

2007-11-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

November 11, Remembrance day for Canadians. A day for wreaths of poppies at the Cenotaph, thanksgiving for the solders who gave their lives while fighting for peace, a day of ceremony and a prayer for peace.
My dad's medals are saved in a box along with a few papers other keepsakes, and buttons from this uniform. I remember going to watch the parade of veterans at the cenotaph, as a child, but what I remember most are the poppies.
They weren't always a piece of velvet vinyl, at one time they were made of cloth. I don't know who made them, I suppose it was the women's auxiliary. My grandma had a pincushion on her dressing table, covered with the poppies that she had collected over the years. The pincushion was faded blue and the poppies had faded as well. I suppose since the poppies were cloth, instead of vinyl, they clung to the coat, not like today, when I generally have to buy 2 0r 3 per season.(November 1-11)
I am going to France in the spring and one of the must see stops for me will by Vimy Ridge.

Craft show season.

2007-11-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

Once November starts, the craft fairs start in earnest and since Sunday I have been to two.
The first was at a local high school, there were some great booths and I bought a couple of things. My friend and I were gone a couple of hours to that one, rested two days and hit the second one this week.
Circle Craft has their big show at the Trade and Convention Centre. Lots of great stuff this year, we spent about four hours were needed and that included lunch. Kathy Ross showed some dolls made of paper, really charming and some bronze pieces. http://krsculptureanddolls.com/index.html

Just down the aisle, Indigo Moon had a booth. http://indigomoonsilks.com/
I fell in love with most of the yarn on the table, she had new colourways and great examples knitted up and I am really intrigued with the Landscape shawl from Fibertrends.

There was also great clothes, pottery and jewelry and chocolate.

V8324, V8322, KS T and J Crossover.

2007-11-02T23:33:00.000-07:00

The look on my face says it all, lets get these pictures taken, I felt the blog needed photos. First up is my latest blouse, V8324http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8324.htm?search=8324&page=1 with sleeves from V8322. http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8322.htm?search=8322&page=1
There was a good sale on patterns at Fabricland, so I decided to try Vogue again. I still have problems getting the right size and the neck is still quite large. It was comfortable to wear but it was difficult fabric to sew. It was hard to press. It is a satin backed poly crepe.
This one is a little wild looking but I love wearing it, it is very light, dosen't crease and made from the basic Kwiksew Tee shirt.
This fabric is a brushed poly knit, very comfortable and is the Jalie Cross over top. I bought this fabric in Toronto. I should probably fix the neck a bit, it is good when I stand but when I sit, it is a little low and gapes a tad.

Storage and retrevial

2007-10-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

I have usually been able to find whatever I have lost or misplaced. Mind you, somethings have taken a little longer to find than I wanted to spend looking. I have occasionally needed to buy replacements, scissors, seam rippers, lots of the same colour of thread, knitting needles etc.

I usually lose stuff, when I have decided to reorganize. There it is neat and tidy in the new allotted space and now unrecognizable. So what is lost? My Halloween stuff, I moved it during the last year, I think it is in a box now but I wasn't able to find the box today. So no outdoor or indoor decorations. I did have candy, so I guess the most important stuff was available for the "trick or treaters" that came to the door.

Knitting: I quite often work with my own design, let's face it, I usually do plain scarves and socks. Any notes become obsolete and lost, obsolete because I generally rip out, start over, more than twice a project. Needles changes, cast on changes all happen on a regular basis. I do take photos and some years I make extensive lists. 2006 I had a great list of projects. This years list was abandoned at the end of March.
I have photographed most of my knitting, of course, I just dumped it into the computer and didn't always rename the jpg, somethings ended up under the wrong file. So now, when I am starting to upload into Ravelry and Flicker, I am having trouble finding certain finished projects.
I have been looking at everything, filed in my personal files and didn't find it all. Some things are back in 2005, and not renamed. Obviously, I have some reorganizing to do on the computer as well.

Que or not to Que.

2007-10-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

I am slowly discovering different parts of Ravelry. I really like looking at the different designers and their creations. I have been rather lax at posting pictures of my stash, although a good portion of it has been photographed. Also plain socks, how many do people want to see. I do like having a record in one place, so it look like I will gradually put pictures on line.

The question is the Que. There are some incredibly long lists out there. I did buy yarn with projects in mind but don't know if I'll ever get to them. I'd probably list Christmas things. I sort of work with the yarn I am drawn too at the time, can I find the right size needles, is it an easy knit, can I figure out the pattern.

I do have some socks on the needles right now, but I ripped out sweatpea and I am knitting plain socks instead.

A couple of dolls are calling my name and I have been attaching one bead at a time and have taken a few hours doing that.

My new jeans fit so well, I am attempting to trace out a pattern off them. I should have that done by tomorrow.