Downsizing The Magazines

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




Thanks Cassi

Little Quilt

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


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

Pink

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

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

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

Pie and more pie

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

And more pie . . . . mmmm.

Rain, rain go away!

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

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

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

Norman

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

Birthday Present

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

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

I'm not guilty!

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

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

A simple scarf

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

Kaffe Fassett grannie squares!

Yet another unfinished project. The wool is from a Kaffe Fassett sweater kit I bought before I even started knitting. I wasn’t planning to attempt the intricate sweater. That was and would still be way beyond my skill level. I used to volunteer as a docent at The Canadian Craft Museum in Vancouver here, and they had the kit left over from an exhibit of his. It was one of those deals I just couldn't pass up! There's my girl cat, Shadow.

Forays into Felting

Since I’ve been knitting for about eight months now, I have a few projects that I’ll post all at once. Of course I jumped on the felting bandwagon when I saw so many people doing the beautiful bags and such, especially Leslie at Whimsy , who became one of the first of my favorite knitting bloggers. I’m not completely thrilled with my version of the French market bag, the way it shrank in height opposed to width, and I gave up in frustration on the few kitchener stitches needed to join the handles. I persevered in this respect when it came to my socks though and am I proud of myself! I figure this if nothing else has got to be good exercise for the brain.

Now the Sophie bag I love, but It’s saggy if you carry anything more than your wallet and an issue of Home Companion, so I plan to line it with fabric as well. I have a few more felting projects in mind, all neatly lined up on the back burners.

Mission Accomplished

I had a couple people encouraging me to go ahead with this apron. I appreciated the comments, especially since this blog is new born, and I'm not sure how many people have seen it. Anyway, here is the finished product. I like red and yellow in a kitchen.

Tie One On

Will this become an apron?

Will I join Tie One On ?

Will my daughter get sick of me asking computer questions?

I Say Bring on The Yo-yo's

I'm moving away from this style, (whatever you might call it) in fabrics and decorating. I still like the colours but it's not really me anymore.

I have always been attracted to vintage (fabrics, kitchen ware etc.) and seem to be more so than ever before. Vintage to me means 50's and earlier, where as vintage means 70's to my fifteen year old daughter. Of course the 70's were thirty five years ago! Anyway, I'm really liking quilts from the 30's right now. The yo-yo quilts were all the rage then, and I predict they're making a comeback!

I have a few started, they're easy as pie and a nice little interlude from other projects and oh yes, very portable!

A Quick Crochet

Mohair from a thrift store. I liked the colour. When was this turquoise so popular? The doilies will probably become facings for apron pockets, once I come across fabric that will do them justice. I wonder about some of the hand made things I find. The person who made it has no idea that I now consider it a little treasure.

My lovely model.

Quilting time

Here are a couple of my unfinished quilt tops. After pulling them out of storage to photograph them, I realized how much I still like them and how it's a shame that I've neglected them for so long. The creative act of choosing colours is over. The excitement of watching the quilt grow is also over. The rest of the work needed to finish them is well, work. Having this blog is giving me motivation to finish these projects. It feels good to have others see and appreciate our work. By the way most of the fabric in these two quilt tops came from thrift store clothing. The pink in the above piece is not quite that pink

Thrifty aprons

Last year at this time, I had big plans to make a lot of aprons. I finished one and got halfway through another, and then some how those plans fell by the wayside. Just after Christmas of 2004 I discovered knitting blogs and of course, that led me to all of these incredible crafting blogs, and people who also love aprons! Yes, I’m a greenhorn. Needless to say the excitement I had for my aprons has been renewed. I completed the apron from last year and made two additional ones in these past few weeks. Here are the fruits of my labour modeled by my beautiful and talented daughter.
And what do you do when you get your hooks into a new hobby? Why, go shopping of course! I’ve been somewhat obsessively scouring the city for fabric in this last little while. I have successfully added to my stash, with new as well as thrifted fabric and now have enough to get excited about trying different combinations of colours and patterns. I still love to use thrifted and recycled fabric, but more about thrifting another day.

Cotton washcloths 1

I’ve been making a lot of these washcloths, to give as little gifts at Christmas time. I know most people make them as dishcloths but I think a couple of these along with a beautiful bar of soap will make a first-rate gift. They’re quick, which makes them rewarding to make. I’m still looking for another pattern that will compliment this one. It'll be a good way for me to practice new stitches and patterns. I love the smoothness of cotton after knitting with say, mohair.

Now that I've successfully published my first posting with, I admit, a lot of help from someone, I offer you my first photos. These socks now live with my sister. I took up knitting again, just after Christmas. (I did go through a little knitting stint in highschool.) I looked on the internet for help, and lo and behold, knitting and crafting blogland! So here I am. I will have many more pictures, once I get the hang of this, so please check back.

This is my first entry into blog land. I've been looking at all these beautiful creations by so many people, and I feel like an outsider. I've been wanting to feel a part of this community, so I've jumped in the deep end.
I love making things. I love to sew and knit, to put colours together and quilt. I'm doing this to document the objects I've made, inspire me to pick up and finish projects hidden away, and (most difficult for me) learn to use these technological gizmos, the camera and computer! Wish me luck.