Reading Inspires

So far, my social media hiatus has been pretty great.  In the last couple of weeks I have read 4 books, I haven’t been guilting myself over cleaning, the job search, cooking, eating, exercising, or anything else that sucks the enjoyment out of my life.  I am just sitting, listening to music, reading my books, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and letting my self be.  Being is awesome.

All kinds of ideas are bubbling up in the absence of chatter and stress – from forgotten projects (furniture refinishing), to designs for the approaching dark holidays, to story ideas, to ideas for using up my current stash (while also earning money to buy more yarn).

I found a vintage White #510 sewing machine and folding sewing desk on Kijiji for $20.  At first I was just planning on junking the machine and using the desk for my beloved vintage Bernina, but after a bit of testing and some investigation in the desk drawers that produced the original receipt for the combo (and three packages of vintage sewing needles – how awesome is that!), I have decided to keep it.  And now I have 2 sewing machines!  Now I only absolutely NEED 3 more –  a serger, an embroidery machine, and an antique push pedal Singer.  Then my seamstress dreams will be complete!

When I am not playing with my new toys, and working on new and old handy projects, I have been developing a handful of story ideas.  One is already being worked into a novel outline (perhaps to be ready for November 1st?), and a few others are just scribbled notes in Evernote (so love this program, it’s like a folder full of sticky notes, but I never have to find a sticky or a pen!)

Well, I have summer books calling my name, so I will check in with you all later.  Hope you are having a fantastic summer!

Handmade Wardrobe: Part The Second

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the part where I daydream of spring and green and lovely light dresses and enjoying the sunshine without need of a coat.

Once again, I spent the spring equinox watching yet another layer of snow fall from the sky.  The Equinox used to be one of my favourite holidays.  These days, it just reminds me that we still have about 6 more weeks before spring is anywhere close to arriving.

February of Doom

February has been the month of doom at our house.  From colds to colic to more colds and more colic … lets just not talk about it.  Between bouts of screaming, crying, whining, packing, hot tea, more coffee than I should admit to drinking, and desperate prayers for just a hint of spring, I have been keeping busy 😉

I’ve been knitting a few things, felting a few things, reading books and magazines made of paper (old school, right?), and I finally finished up my first “for sale” dolly.

Isn’t she cute? Genie Marigold is the name, playtime is her game!

We will be moving soon, and I am fairly preoccupied with that.  Packing with two littles underfoot is not a treat.

I picked up a new rotary cutter for sewing that I am dying to try out.  And I think I have completely forgotten about the Art Journal project I was working on.  I should check to see how behind I am in that one.  Life never stays on that even keel you find when you sign up for things, does it?

Ah well, no worries.  I have goodies coming in the mail!  I am having so much fun getting back into sewing and knitting bigger projects, add to that the awesomeness of packages in the mail, and I think I can probably deal with just about anything.  I may have to do more of my shopping online.  Would that make me a shut in? I do go out for groceries … and coffee when it is not -20 (we all need the exercise when we can get it).

I have also become addicted to the magazine Taproot.  I may subscribe after we are settled in the new house.  I am in love with the simple life.  I like that even in a busy city like Calgary, I can live at my own pace.  I have discovered that that is what is keeping me sane out here.  I don’t need everyone around me to live the small town life.  I can do it in my own neighbourhood on my own block.

Well, it’s time to get dinner going – have a coffee on me 😉

In Knitting Colour

 Today I have discovered that February is the month when we knitters (and other fibre artists presumably) return to colour after a long fall and winter of neutrals and grays.

I am all for this convention as February marks not only my birthday, but also a festival devoted to fire, warmth, and crafting.  It’s short, but February is an awesome month!

My ‘In Colour’ projects for the month of February will be the Lizzie Shawl in Tea Rose,

Tea Rose Lizzie Shawl (Photo credit: Phae Talon)

And a new pair of baby legs since the Little Girl has pretty well outgrown the pair I made her when she was 6 months old (she hasn’t outgrown them completely.  She has skinny legs, that kid).  The new pair will feature pom-poms.

Baby Legs

What are your plans for getting back into colour?

A Handmade Wardrobe

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This post was inspired by Christine Chitnis, though, though it has been something that has been on my mind for a good long time.

I used to sew a lot of my own clothes when I was a teen.  It was a way for me to build a wardrobe of more stylish, well constructed clothes without having to pay the inflated price tag that those clothes often come with.  Now that “artisan” and “handmade” are all the rage, making your own clothes doesn’t save you a dime, and often the materials cost considerably more than a finished garment would.

And yet there is still a part of me that longs for a wardrobe of mostly handmade items.  I envision sweaters, shawls, dresses, tops, mitts, shoes, slippers, etc – all with memories of construction and a beloved, timeless design to them.

I’ve begun collecting patterns on Ravelry for knitted items I want to make – someday when I have the time to knit for myself.  That’s what long winters are for, right?

A few of my favourites are listed below:

First up is one I have loved for years, Shipwrecked by Knitting Harpy.  Then Ease by Alicia Plummer, Greenwood by Ann-Marie Jackson, Shallows by Bonnie Sennott, Atwater by Sara Gresbach, and the cuddly looking Woodsy Cardigan by Jennifer Wood.  They’re very simple, classic designs with a bit of colour work and/or lace thrown in for pretties.

These will definitely be good for a start.  It will probably take me a good year or so to get this lot knit up.  Though, at some point, I would like to get to sewing my own clothes again as well.  I have a lovely piece of linen that is begging to be made into something.

 

Look What I Made!

I’m still in the midst of prepping a bunch of holiday gifts, and I don’t really have much to write about, so I thought I would share a few of my newest FOs.  Enjoy the pretties!

Snow Day

People who love snow always seem to be the people who live in places where there isn’t snow.  Snow is easy to love at a distance.  Hell, some days I love to watch it snow while snuggled under a blanket with a hot cup of coffee in my hands.  Not in April, mind you, but November is a good month for snow.

There is a quiet to snow that is addictive.  It’s as if everyone holds their breath for a moment.  It’s romantic.  It both draws you out-of-doors and settles you into the warmth of your dwelling.  The first snow of the season is awesome.

More Gratitude: Days 34 – 41

Day 34: I am grateful for finally being caught up on the bills.  It wasn’t a huge stressor, but it was definitely one we didn’t need.

Day 35:  I am grateful for sales on juice.  With a squished, end of pregnancy stomach, I don’t always have the space for just water.

Day 36: I am grateful that my little one likes milk.  She loves chocolate milk, but she often asks specifically for regular milk in the mornings.

Day 37: I am grateful for packages in the mail!  I love getting snail mail!  15 balls of yarn at once!  Yay Yarn sales!

Day 38: I am grateful to my mom for my ability to make handmade gifts for people.  Craftiness runs in the family and it’s great that I didn’t have to try to teach myself.

Day 39: I am grateful for sunshine with mild temperatures.  I like the sun a lot more when it isn’t trying to cook me.

Day 40: I am grateful for naptime (and I don’t care if this one is a repeat).  Naptime is an all important aspect of life that needs more recognition!

Day 41: I am grateful that my belly is small enough that I can reach to shave my own legs still.  It’s not easy, but I can do it!

Day 42:  I am grateful for an awesome hubby who went to 3 different grocery stores and 2 drug stores looking for my meal replacement shakes.  And not only did he finally find them, but he also came home with a gift certificate for a mani-pedi.  He is awesome!